Publications by authors named "Parekh P"

Patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) face a much poorer prognosis than those with differentiated thyroid cancers. Around 25% of PDTCs and 35% of ATCs carry the BRAFV600E mutation, which constitutively activates the MAPK pathway, a key driver of cell growth. Although combining BRAF and MEK inhibitors can shrink tumors, resistance often develops.

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Polypharmacy-related drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a significant and growing healthcare concern. An increasing number of therapeutic drugs on the market underscores the necessity to accurately assess new drug combinations during preclinical evaluation for DDIs. In vitro primary human hepatocytes (PHH) models are only applicable for short-term induction studies because of their rapid loss of metabolic function.

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Purpose: To report a case of drusen regression following pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peel (ILMP) in a patient with a full-thickness macular hole and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A 67-year-old gentleman presented in April 2024 with a full-thickness macular hole in OS and intermediate dry AMD OU. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy, ILMP, and an injection of sulfur hexafluoride gas for macular hole repair in OS.

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Introduction: Mitochondrial dysfunction stands as a pivotal feature in neurodegenerative disorders, spurring the quest for targeted therapeutic interventions. This review examines Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 30 (USP30) as a master regulator of mitophagy with therapeutic promise in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). USP30's orchestration of mitophagy pathways, encompassing PINK1-dependent and PINK1-independent mechanisms, forms the crux of this exploration.

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This study examines the efficacy of jaw exercising products for facial contouring. The two individuals used a commercially available jaw exerciser for approximately three months, following the provided instructions. Neither case reported noticeable changes in jaw appearance based on subjective measurements.

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Aim: To determine whether an association exists between health insurance and diabetic retinopathy (DR) prevalence in adults with diabetes.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. 4530 Patients aged ≥ 18 with diabetes from 2011 to 2020 with various insurance types (no insurance, private, Medicare, Medicaid, or other) were evaluated for prevalence of DR, including covariates.

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Background: Thus far, considerable research has been focused on classifying a lesion as benign or malignant. However, there is a requirement for quick depth estimation of a lesion for the accurate clinical staging of the lesion. The lesion could be malignant and quickly grow beneath the skin.

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disorder characterized by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to impaired chloride ion transport and subsequent thickening of mucus in various organs, particularly the lungs. Despite significant progress in CF management, current treatments focus mainly on symptom relief and do not address the underlying genetic defects. Stem cell and gene therapies present promising avenues for tackling CF at its root cause.

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Aims: To examine if healthcare access modifies the association between age at diagnosis of diabetes and the prevalence of retinopathy.

Methods: BRFSS 2020 survey data was obtained from 12,198 adults. Participants with missing information in the variables "retinopathy" (N = 569) and "insurance-cost barrier" (N = 75) were excluded.

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Article Synopsis
  • Treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is important for improving health outcomes in patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, yet it remains underutilized, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
  • A study of 196 diverse patients revealed that 67% had ever utilized AUD treatment, while only 32% accessed treatment in the last year; younger patients and those with worse mental health symptoms were more likely to seek treatment.
  • Factors such as older age and better liver disease quality of life were associated with lower treatment utilization, while those with significant anxiety or depression tended to seek treatment more frequently.
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The observation that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced in individuals with high premorbid cognitive functioning, higher educational attainment, and occupational status has led to the 'cognitive reserve' hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that individuals with greater cognitive reserve can tolerate a more significant burden of neuropathological changes before the onset of cognitive decline. The underpinnings of cognitive reserve remain poorly understood, although a shared genetic basis between measures of cognitive reserve and Alzheimer's disease has been suggested.

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  • The study highlights the extensive overlap between anxiety disorders (ANX) and major depression (MD), suggesting that most genetic analyses fail to account for this comorbidity, potentially skewing results.
  • The research objective is to clarify the genetic and causal relationships between ANX and MD by performing disorder-specific analyses using data from large cohorts like the UK Biobank and Norwegian MoBa.
  • Findings show that ANX and MD have a lower genetic correlation when considered separately (0.53) compared to when they are comorbid (0.90), along with evidence of bidirectional causality in comorbid cases, indicating more complex interactions than previously understood.
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Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are highly potent and prevalent in the illicit drug market, leading to tolerance, dependence, and opioid use disorder (OUD). Chronic opioid use disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms, which persist even during treatment and abstinence, increasing the risk of relapse. The body's molecular clock, regulated by transcriptional and translational feedback loops, controls various physiological processes, including the expression of endogenous opioids and their receptors.

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  • Alcohol use is common among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), and this study examined factors that affect their motivation to reduce drinking.
  • The study involved 121 participants from safety-net hospitals and Veterans Affairs systems, assessing their mental health, alcohol use, and motivation to decrease drinking through various questionnaires.
  • Results showed that depression and severity of alcohol problems were linked to higher motivation, while the treatment site impacted their importance score, indicating these factors should guide future interventions in hepatology care.
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  • Childhood and adolescence often see the emergence of mood and anxiety disorders, with overlapping genetic factors potentially influencing emotional and behavioral difficulties.
  • The study analyzed data from over 54,000 children in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort to discern how genetic predispositions (polygenic scores) relate to development patterns of these disorders.
  • Results indicated that higher genetic risk correlates with a baseline increase and accelerated progression of behavioral issues, while specific genetic profiles linked uniquely to certain emotional disorders were identified.
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  • - A pediatric patient with vague respiratory issues, like mild coughing up blood, wheezing, and breathing distress, was diagnosed with a rare tumor in her airway blocking the right main bronchus.
  • - The tumor was initially reduced through a bronchoscopy procedure, which improved her condition and eliminated her need for extra oxygen.
  • - The patient later had successful surgery to remove the remaining tumor tissue while preserving lung function, emphasizing the need for proper imaging and bronchoscopy in diagnosing respiratory problems in kids.
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  • Dermatology residency education currently lacks sufficient training on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which may negatively impact care for diverse populations.
  • A study aimed to identify key DEI topics to integrate into residency programs, gathering input from experts and participants through anonymous surveys.
  • Sixty-one DEI topics were proposed by dermatology experts, and the study utilized a modified electronic Delphi method to reach a consensus on which topics should be prioritized in curricula.
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Accurate clinical translation of preclinical research remains challenging, primarily due to species-specific differences and disease and patient heterogeneity. An important recent advancement has been development of microphysiological systems that consist of multiple human cell types that recapitulate key characteristics of their respective human systems, allowing essential physiologic processes to be accurately assessed during drug development. However, an unmet need remains regarding a quantitative method to evaluate the similarity between diverse sample types for various contexts of use (CoU)-specific pathways.

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  • The basal ganglia are brain structures that play key roles in motor control, cognition, and emotion, and this study explored their genetic architecture through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving over 34,000 European participants.
  • The research identified 72 genetic loci linked to basal ganglia volumes, with 50 of these being new discoveries, and highlighted a significant genetic overlap with disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Findings suggest potential causal relationships where larger striatal volumes may contribute to Parkinson's disease risk, while certain genetic factors may influence the size of other basal ganglia components, advancing understanding of their implications in neurological conditions.
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Neuroinflammation has recently emerged as a key event in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathophysiology and as a potential target for disease-modifying therapies. Plant-derived extracts, rich in bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, have shown potential in this regard. Yet their clinical utility is hampered by poor systemic availability and rapid metabolism.

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  • The study aimed to identify genetic factors linked to anxiety disorders and how they overlap with other psychiatric disorders, using a large sample from various studies.
  • Researchers found that anxiety has a complex genetic architecture involving around 12,900 genetic variants, with significant overlap with disorders like schizophrenia and major depression, among others.
  • The findings revealed 119 new genetic loci associated with anxiety, suggesting potential biological pathways for developing new treatments and explaining the frequent co-occurrence of anxiety with other psychiatric conditions.
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Polypharmacy-related drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a significant and growing healthcare concern. Increasing number of therapeutic drugs on the market underscores the necessity to accurately assess the new drug combinations during pre-clinical evaluation for DDIs. primary human hepatocyte (PHH)-only models are commonly used only for perpetrator DDI studies due to their rapid loss of metabolic function.

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