Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Review of Epidemiological, Preclinical, and Cellular Studies.

Inhibition of human carcinomas has previously been linked to vitamin D due to its effects on cancer cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis induction. The anticancer activity of vitamin D has been confirmed by several studies, which have shown that increased cancer incidence is associated with decreased vitamin D and that dietary supplementation of vitamin D slows down the growth of xenografted tumors in mice. Vitamin D inhibits the growth of cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis as well as by arresting the cells at the G0/G1 (or) G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

From sugar binders to diabetes fighters: the lectin saga of antihyperglycemic activity through systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are extremely selective for sugar groups in the other molecules. As a result, they perform a variety of roles in biological processes involving cell, carbohydrate, and protein recognition at the cellular and molecular levels. Because lectins can bind to carbohydrates, they may play a role in determining the rate of carbohydrate digestion.

Revamped role for approved drug: integrative computational and biophysical analysis of saquinavir's peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 inhibition for rheumatoid arthritis.

The pursuit of novel therapeutics is a complex and resource-intensive endeavor marked by significant challenges, including high costs and low success rates. In response, drug repositioning strategies leverage existing FDA-approved compounds to predict their efficacy across diverse diseases. Peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) plays a pivotal role in protein citrullination, a process implicated in the autoimmune pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Dissimilar Planes and Approaches with Common Neural Targets - A Cadaveric Evaluation of Three Different Ultrasound-guided Fascial Plane Blocks for Lumbar Plexus Nerves.

Background: The lumbar plexus (LP) is a group of nerves located at the fourth lumbar vertebra level, between the anterior two-thirds and posterior one-thirds of the psoas muscle. In this study, the researchers aimed to investigate the spread of latex in injections of LP, suprainguinal fascia iliaca, and circum-psoas planes to assess the different regional techniques for blocking LP nerves (LPNs).

Methods: The study involved performing ultrasound-guided injections of three different colored latexes in six cadavers.

Dysfunctional HDL Diagnostic Metrics for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Stratification: Are we Ready to Implement in Clinics?

Epidemiological studies have revealed that patients with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were more resistant to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and yet targeting HDL for CVD prevention, risk assessment, and pharmacological management has not proven to be very effective. The mechanistic investigations have demonstrated that HDL exerts anti-atherogenic functions via mediating reverse cholesterol transport, antioxidant action, anti-inflammatory activity, and anti-thrombotic activity. Contrary to expectations, however, adverse cardiovascular events were reported in clinical trials of drugs that raised HDL levels.

EBV-triggered secondary macrophage activation syndrome in the backdrop of lupus in an adult.

Macrophage activating syndrome (MAS) is a potentially life-threatening condition falling under the spectrum of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, in the backdrop of rheumatological conditions. In this case of a middle-aged man, we see how an initial Epstein Barr virus infection triggered a chain of events, which after serial monitoring of labs was promptly diagnosed as MAS and treated appropriately, resulting in overall clinical improvement of the patient.

Pregnancy outcomes in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Kidney transplantation is a superior treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), compared with hemodialysis, offering better quality of life and birth outcomes in women with ESRD and lower fertility rates.

Objectives: To investigate the pregnancy, maternal, fetal, and graft outcomes following kidney transplantation in women with ESRD and evaluate the improvements in quality of life and associated risks.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

Unraveling the Missing Pieces: Exploring the Gaps in Understanding Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas cardiomyopathy affects a considerable number of patients infected with the protozoan and remains one of the most neglected tropical diseases despite being a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in both endemic regions of Latin America and non-endemic countries like the United States. Since its discovery almost a century ago, knowledge gaps still exist in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Chagas cardiomyopathy, and numerous challenges exist in its diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews the main pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the progression of Chagas cardiomyopathy, which has been proposed as a result of years of research.

Safety profile of BCG revaccination for COVID prevention among elderly individuals in India.

BCG vaccination is known to be safe in infants and a part of immunization schedule in high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. In the conquest to bring down the severity of the COVID 19 pandemic, many drugs were repurposed in research mode including BCG vaccination/revaccination in various populations. We did a study among the elderly population (>60 years of age) to assess the role of BCG revaccination in preventing the severity of COVID 19 disease.

Stated Preferences of At-Risk Populations for the Treatment of Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Poor adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatment is a well-recognized problem, partly due to misalignment with patient preferences. In recent years, several quantitative preference studies have been conducted. This study aimed to systematically review stated preference research to provide a comprehensive overview of patient preferences in osteoporosis, in particular on conditional relative attribute importance and preference heterogeneity.

Navigating the clinical landscape: Update on the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma, a complex hematologic malignancy, has devastating consequences for patients, including dramatic bone loss, severe bone pain, and pathological fractures that markedly decrease the quality of life and impact the survival of affected patients. This necessitates a refined understanding of biomarkers for accurate diagnosis and prognosis of such severe malignancy. Therefore, this article comprehensively covers current research, elucidating the diverse spectrum of biomarkers employed in clinical settings.

Safety and Efficacy of the Novel RNA Interference Therapies for Hypertriglyceridemia and Mixed Hyperlipidemia Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: No meta-analysis has holistically analyzed and summarized the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the newer RNA interference (RNAi) therapies, olezarsen, plozasiran, and zodasiran, in managing conditions associated with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving patients with HTG or mixed hyperlipidemia (MHL) receiving either olezarsen, plozasiran, or zodasiran in the intervention arm and a placebo in the control arm were searched through electronic databases. The primary outcome was the safety profile of the drugs studied; secondary outcomes included the percent change from baseline (CFB) in the lipid levels, including triglyceride (TG).

In Vitro Synergistic Effect of Colistin with Fosfomycin Against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: The dwindling antibiotic reserve owing to augmented drug-resistant bacteria is a major handicap for treating physicians. , a gram-negative encapsulated member of family, is one such pathogenic bacteria. Carbapenemase-producing globally recognized as one of the most critical bacterial threats to public health due to its extremely limited treatment options.

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association of high sensitivity troponin levels with outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponins (Hs-cTns) are reliable indicators of myocardial injury, but their relationship with cardiovascular outcomes remains less understood. This study explores the association between adverse cardiac events and Hs-cTnT levels exceeding 14 ng/L in patients with stable CAD.

Methods: Thirteen pertinent studies were identified using specific keywords from a pool of 208 articles retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, spanning 2013 to 2023.

Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Mysuru, South India.

Background: Adolescence, a volatile period of growth between the ages of 10 and 19, is associated with increased vulnerability to mental health problems. Factors such as academic pressure can contribute to these challenges.

Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the factors and prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in the urban and rural areas of Mysuru district.

Insights into the Physicochemical Characteristics and Miscibility of Chitosan/Polypeptide Blends: Promising Material for Wound Healing in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

In this study, the synthesis of poly(AVGVP) [where A-Alanine, V-Valine, G-Glycine, and P-Proline] is executed by the stepwise solution phase method. The interaction between Chitosan and synthetic polypentapeptide in blends was examined in the liquid and solid phases. Viscosity criteria that establish the total miscibility with Chitosan are the Δ[η], the intrinsic viscosity [η], Huggins coefficient [], by Garcia Δ, α by Sun, and μ suggested by Chee, Δ, and β buttressed by Jiang and Han.

Ceftriaxone-resistant serovar Newport: a case report from South India.

serovar Newport is a human pathogen underreported in most developing countries. It is known for causing gastroenteritis and extraintestinal infections. In this case report, we report the case of ceftriaxone-resistant serovar Newport from South India, causing acute gastroenteritis in a sixty-year-old female patient having a history of antimicrobial therapy and recent hospital admission.