Increase in comorbidities with age among patients with psoriatic arthritis: a multicenter observational study.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) significantly contributes to increased morbidity, reduced life expectancy, and higher healthcare costs due to the burden of comorbidities. This study assessed the prevalence of comorbidities in PsA patients in India and explored the influence of age and disease duration on these comorbidities.

Methods: The prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted across seven centers in India, utilizing data from the Indian Rheumatology Association.

Biological and chemical properties of new multi-functional root canal irrigants.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of multi-functional root canal irrigating solutions in the removal of canal wall smear layers, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and tissue dissolution efficacy.

Methods: Forty single-rooted teeth were mechanically instrumented and irrigated with Triton, EndoJuice™, EDTA, and 0.9 % saline.

Exploring the effects of probiotics on olanzapine-induced metabolic syndrome through the gut microbiota.

Background: Maintaining gut microbial homeostasis is crucial for human health, as imbalances in the gut microbiota (GM) can lead to various diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MS), exacerbated by the use of antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine (OLZ). Understanding the role of the GM in OLZ-induced MS could lead to new therapeutic strategies. This study used metagenomic analysis to explore the impact of OLZ on the GM composition and examined how probiotics can mitigate its adverse effects in a rat model.

Effectiveness and Toxicity Profile of Reduced Dose Sorafenib for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective, Single Institutional Experience.

Background The treatment with sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is affected by toxicity and discontinuation rates. There is limited data on whether ensuring compliance by reducing the dose of sorafenib can influence outcomes. Methods In this retrospective study, we used hospital records to retrieve data on patients treated with low-dose sorafenib (400 mg /day) from July 2017 to June 2022 at the Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery.

Conventional Synthetic Disease-modifying Drugs Remain the Mainstay of Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in India.

Background: There are limited data on the real-world utilization of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a multicentric observational cohort of RA patients across rheumatology clinics at six centers across India. Patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria for RA were included.

Gut Pathogen Colonization: A Risk Factor to Bloodstream Infections in Preterm Neonates Admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - A Prospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Gut pathogen colonization, where pathogens disrupt the normal gut microbiota, has been implicated in the development of bloodstream infections (BSIs). This study investigates the association between gut pathogen colonization and BSI, hypothesizing that species causing BSI primarily originated from gut.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, India, from January 2021 to September 2023.

Effective Targeting of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells by Inducing Differentiation Mediated by Low-Dose Vitamin C via β-Catenin Retention in the Cell Membrane.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated as the underlying cause of tumor recurrence due to their refractoriness to conventional therapies. Targeting CSCs through novel approaches can hinder their survival and proliferation, potentially reducing the challenges associated with tumor relapse. Our previous study demonstrated that colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs) showed sensitivity to Vitamin C (Vit C), displaying a dose-responsive effect where low doses (2-10 µM) promoted cell proliferation while high doses induced cell death.

Oral Metronomic Therapy: An Effective Palliative Treatment Option for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Introduction The majority of the patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer relapse within three years of standard first-line treatment. Access to novel therapies like poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents is limited in low- and middle-income countries. Oral metronomic therapy (OMT) may be an effective alternative treatment option in resource-limited settings.

Linguistic Validation of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual-Well-being-Expanded Version 4 Tool into Malayalam Language and its Feasibility in Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care.

Objective: The objective of this study was to validate the 'Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual-Well-being-Expanded(FACIT-SpEx) Version 4' tool in Malayalam and assess its feasibility among advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out at the outpatient Department of Cancer Palliative Medicine of Malabar Cancer Centre between November 2022 and June 2023. Initially, the FACIT-Sp-Ex version 4 tool with 23 items was translated into the Malayalam language with a forward-backward translation procedure.

(Goji berry) mouthwash for managing periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Removal of the microbial deposits (plaque and calculus) by performing effective scaling and root planing (SRP) is the fundamental step for managing periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). Various adjuncts in the form of mouthwash, gels, and toothpaste are also being used as adjuncts to SRP for managing periodontitis. Recently, ( ), commonly known as goji berry or wolfberry, has gained popularity for managing chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Assessment of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Enhancing Clinical Knowledge in Neonatal Care Settings With High Antimicrobial Resistance.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem, which is particularly challenging in developing countries like India. This study attempts to determine the competencies of health care professionals and to update evidence-based policies to address AMR.

Method: A survey-based educational interventional study was conducted using a validated structured survey and knowledge questionnaire under 3 domains through an antimicrobial stewardship program.

Gram-Negative Colonization and Bacterial Translocation Drive Neonatal Sepsis in the Indian Setting.

Background: The gut microbiota, comprising billions of microorganisms, plays a pivotal role in health and disease. This study aims to investigate the effect of sepsis on gut microbiome of neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in the NICU of tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, India, from January 2021 to September 2023.

Spontaneous Efficient Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSC) Upon Co-culture of hPSCs with Human Neonatal Foreskin Fibroblasts in 3D.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) form well-formed embryoid bodies (EBs) in 3D culture. These EBs are formed in culture media lacking leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in mouse and human PSCs, respectively. EBs are excellent technical tools for understanding developmental biology and inducing controlled differentiation in succeeding experimental steps.

Humanising childbirth - Maternity acupressure training for healthcare providers at the Fernandez Foundation Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. Evaluation of program delivery in one region of India.

Background: Internationally, traditional medicine approaches are used to support humanised childbirth practices. Labour support issues in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), include limited resources, staffing, and escalating pharmaceutical interventions. There is a strong interest in evidence-based acupressure programs, however, training and experience to implement them is limited.

Molecular Susceptibility and Treatment Challenges in Melanoma.

Melanoma is the most aggressive subtype of cancer, with a higher propensity to spread compared to most solid tumors. The application of OMICS approaches has revolutionized the field of melanoma research by providing comprehensive insights into the molecular alterations and biological processes underlying melanoma development and progression. This review aims to offer an overview of melanoma biology, covering its transition from primary to malignant melanoma, as well as the key genes and pathways involved in the initiation and progression of this disease.

Case Report: Campylobacter Bacteremia in India.

Gastroenteritis is the frequent clinical manifestation of infection by Campylobacter spp., whereas invasive infections such as bacteremia are less commonly reported. We report 12 cases of Campylobacter bacteremia from a tertiary-care hospital in India and describe their relatively unique characteristics compared with the previously published reports.

Blockades in the Pathway of Specialty Care in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Report Based on Indian Rheumatology Association Database.

Aim: The study aims to identify factors influencing referral patterns and delays in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients across clinical settings in India.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, multicenter, observational study collected data from eight centers using the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA) database. Patient-related factors and referral factors were determined based on patient narration.

Renal Mucormycosis with Disseminated Lytic Bony Lesions.

Renal is a lethal opportunistic infection with extensive tissue invasion leading to infarction. We report a diabetic lady with disseminated fungal pyelonephritis presenting with extensive lytic bony lesions mimicking malignancy. Prompt initiation of antifungal therapy and surgical debridement is the key to successful management.

What matters in good health status of 1-year-old children? - A cross-sectional study of the perinatal factors.

Background: A healthy child can make way for a healthy adult. Some of the factors that can be used to determine the health of a young child are nutritional status of the child, the developmental milestones achieved, and frequency of illness.

Objectives: The health status of children and associated factors are determined.

Population specific dental age estimation model for South Indian children based on normalized open apices method: A cross sectional study.

Age estimation plays significant role in forensic science especially when there is unavailability of the information concerned to the deceased. Use of population specific models of age estimation results in questionable evidence legally when tried on Indian children. The present study was designed to assess the accuracy of Cameriere's Italian and Balwant Rai Indian model on South Indian children and to derive and validate a novel model for south Indian children by considering a sample from a larger geographical area with a greater sample size of 2500.

Biocompatibility of polymethyl methacrylate heat-polymerizing denture base resin copolymerized with antimicrobial monomers.

Statement Of Problem: Quaternary ammonium (QA)-based monomers such as dimethyl-hexadecyl-methacryloxyethyl-ammonium iodide (DHMAI) and 2-dimethyl-2-dodecyl-1-methacryloxyethyl ammonium iodine (DDMAI) have been investigated as copolymerizable monomers to impart antimicrobial activity to dental restorative and prosthetic materials. However, the biocompatibility of these antimicrobial monomers needs to be investigated in vivo before their clinical use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the in vivo biocompatibility of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) heat-polymerizing denture base resin copolymerized with varying concentrations of DHMAI and DDMAI.

Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin Demonstrate Enhanced Anti-Biofilm Effect Compared to Enamel Matrix Derivatives on Decontaminated Titanium Surfaces.

Background: The search for effective antimicrobial agents to mitigate peri-implant infections remains a crucial aspect of implant dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of i-PRF, A-PRF+, and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on decontaminated rough and smooth titanium (Ti) discs.

Materials And Methods: Rough and smooth Ti discs were coated with multispecies biofilm and thoroughly debrided using a chitosan-bristled brush.