Curcumin, its derivatives, and their nanoformulations: Revolutionizing cancer treatment.

Curcumin is a natural compound derived from turmeric and can target malignant tumor molecules involved in cancer propagation. It has potent antioxidant activity, but its effectiveness is limited due to poor absorption and rapid elimination from the body. Various curcumin derivatives have also shown anticancer potential in in-vitro and in-vivo models. Curcumin can target multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development/progression or induce cancer cell death through apoptosis. In addition, curcumin and its derivatives could also enhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy and reduce their associated side effects. Lately, nanoparticle-based delivery systems are being developed/explored to overcome the challenges associated with curcumin's delivery, increasing its overall efficacy. The use of an imaging system to track these formulations could also give beneficial information about the bioavailability and distribution of the nano-curcumin complex. In conclusion, curcumin holds significant promise in the fight against cancer, especially in its nanoform, and could provide precise delivery to cancer cells without affecting normal healthy cells.

Association of lipid profile and obesity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective. Abnormal lipid profile and obesity increase the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients may have a greater risk of infertility, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to abnormal lipid profile and obesity. The aim of the study was to find the association between abnormal lipid profile and obesity in patients with PCOS. Methods. In this case-control study, a total of 102 female subjects (51 diagnosed PCOS and 51 age-matched healthy controls) were enrolled, aged between 20-40 years. Biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were estimated. Anthropometric parameters such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were recorded. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Mean of BMI, WC, WHR, LH, FSH, TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C was found significantly elevated in patients with PCOS as compared to controls (p<0.01). However, the mean of HDL-C was found significantly reduced in patients with PCOS as compared to controls (p<0.01). BMI has shown a significant positive correlation with WC (r=0.562, p<0.01) and WHR (r=0.580, p<0.01) among PCOS patients. LH has shown a significant positive correlation with FSH (r=0.572, p<0.01) among PCOS patients. TC has shown a significant positive correlation with TG (r=0.687, p<0.01), LDL-C (r=0.917, p<0.01), and VLDL-C (r=0.726, p<0.01) among PCOS patients. Conclusion. The results showed that abnormal lipid profile and obesity have a significant association with PCOS patients. Regular monitoring and treatment of PCOS patients are required to reduce the risk of infertility, MetS, and CVD.

Factors Predicting Nonadherence to Treatment Recommendations for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine patients' expectations and factors that influence adherence to physiotherapists' treatment recommendations on chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHOD: One hundred and forty seven patients with CLBP were included in this study. Predictive indicators including demographic information, views, expectations, and opinions regarding the health status and treatment expectations of patients were derived from questionnaires. The dependent outcome variables were the absence of trust in treatment recommendations provided by physiotherapists, the anticipation of treatment recommendations based on patient expectations, and the resistance to modifying expectations despite efforts by physiotherapists to persuade otherwise. The study was carried out between April 2022 and January 2023 in 2 regions located in India. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analyses show that age, expectations about diagnosis, preference for passive therapies and medical care, and information seeking behavior emerged as independent predictors of a lack of trust in physiotherapists' treatment recommendations. The information-seeking behavior of the patients' alone predicted the anticipation of treatment recommendations based on patient expectations and the reluctance to alter those expectations despite the physiotherapists' persuasion. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that information seeking behavior is the most consistent independent predictor of treatment expectations that will align with physiotherapist recommendations. This indicates the importance of screening for such factors and the importance of patient education to optimize the management of CLBP. However, larger studies incorporating all variables associated with patient expectations in similar patient populations are needed to confirm these results.

Interlinking of diabetes mellitus and cancer: An overview.

Cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the global arena. Lately, several studies demonstrated that DM could promote cancer. However, the exact mechanism(s) highlighting this association are largely untouched and require comprehensive detailing. In the present review, we aimed to explore and decipher the possible mechanism of DM an cancer association. Hyperglycemia could be a subordinate plausible explanation of carcinogenesis in the diabatic patient. It is well known that high glucose levels may help in cancer proliferation. In addition, chronic inflammation, the other well-known factor of diabetes, could also play a role in carcinogenesis. Moreover, the numerous medicines to treat diabetes either increase or reduce cancer risk. Insulin is one of the potent growth factors that promotes cell propagation and induces cancer directly or via insulin like growth factor-1. On the other hand, hyperinsulinemia leads to an increased activity of growth factor-1 by inhibiting growth factor binding protein-1. To improve cancer prognosis, individuals with diabetes should be screened to discover cancer at an early stage and treated appropriately.

Utility of Opportunistic Infections, Joints' Involvement and Accuracy of Various Screening Tests to Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease in which the body mistakenly considers some parts of its own system as pathogens and attacks them. Prevalence is approximately 0.75% in India. About 40% of the diseased become work disabled within 5 years from the onset of symptoms. The objective of this paper is to assess the sign/symptoms, joints' involvement, difficulties in daily activities and screening accuracy of serology tests of clinically suspected RA patients. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study design was conducted on two hundred ninety clinically suspected subjects who were referred by different OPDs of hospitals for screening. The profiles of study subjects were carried through a semi-structured, pre-tested schedule method. About 2 mL of blood samples were collected in a plain vial from each patient and tested for diagnostic tests RF, CRP and AntiCCP by using RF-Latex, CRP Latex and ELISA method, respectively, by the laboratory persons. Results: Joint pain shows to be a leading problem in RA as compared to other signs and symptoms. The majority of the study subjects suffer from knee problems (62%). Approximately equal numbers of RA-positive cases were screened by RF and AntiCCP tests. The CRP test screened about one-third of cases. CRP+ AntiCCP, RF+ AntiCCP and RF + CRP all have good sensitivity, and RF+ AntiCCP + CRP has a very high sensitivity for diagnosing RA. Conclusions: This study found that a substantiation of a major proportion of clinically suspected RA patients were suffering from knee pain. Predication of AntiCCP increased the possibility for the diagnosis of RA. However, RF was also moderately related to the diagnosis of RA, and the combination of both tests was more valuable.

Positive Correlation Between Candida auris Skin-Colonization Burden and Environmental Contamination at a Ventilator-Capable Skilled Nursing Facility in Chicago.

BACKGROUND: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that contaminates healthcare environments causing healthcare-associated outbreaks. The mechanisms facilitating contamination are not established. METHODS: C. auris was quantified in residents' bilateral axillary/inguinal composite skin swabs and environmental samples during a point-prevalence survey at a ventilator-capable skilled-nursing facility (vSNF A) with documented high colonization prevalence. Environmental samples were collected from all doorknobs, windowsills and handrails of each bed in 12 rooms. C. auris concentrations were measured using culture and C. auris-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) The relationship between C. auris concentrations in residents' swabs and associated environmental samples were evaluated using Kendall's tau-b (τ b) correlation coefficient. RESULTS: C. auris was detected in 70/100 tested environmental samples and 31/57 tested resident skin swabs. The mean C. auris concentration in skin swabs was 1.22 × 105 cells/mL by culture and 1.08 × 106 cells/mL by qPCR. C. auris was detected on all handrails of beds occupied by colonized residents, as well as 10/24 doorknobs and 9/12 windowsills. A positive correlation was identified between the concentrations of C. auris in skin swabs and associated handrail samples based on culture (τ b = 0.54, P = .0004) and qPCR (τ b = 0.66, P = 3.83e-6). Two uncolonized residents resided in beds contaminated with C. auris. CONCLUSIONS: Colonized residents can have high C. auris burdens on their skin, which was positively related with contamination of their surrounding healthcare environment. These findings underscore the importance of hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and particularly environmental disinfection in preventing spread in healthcare facilities.

A high-throughput and rapid method for accurate identification of emerging multidrug-resistant Candida auris.

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast associated with invasive infection in healthcare settings. Recently, C auris cases in the United States have been detected in 11 states with the majority of cases in New York, New Jersey and Illinois. Rapid and accurate identification of C auris is critical for patient care and the implementation of public health measures to control the spread of infection. Our aim was to develop and validate a rapid DNA extraction method using the Roche MagNA Pure 96 instrument and a TaqMan real-time PCR assay for reliable, high-throughput identification of C auris. We evaluated 247 patient dermal swab samples previously analysed by culture/MALDI-TOF. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 93.6% and 97.2%, respectively. The assay was highly reproducible with a detection limit of 1 C auris CFU/10 µL. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the real-time PCR data showed an area of 0.982 under the curve, with a CT cut-off value of ≤37.0. The turnaround time from DNA extraction to real-time PCR results was approximately 200 samples/day. In conclusion, we successfully validated a rapid and high-throughput method for accurate and reproducible identification of C auris with a significantly reduced turnaround time compared to culture/MALDI-TOF based methods.

Solvent based optimization for extraction and stability of thymoquinone from Nigella sativa Linn. and its quantification using RP-HPLC.

The Nigella sativa pharmacological properties are mainly ascribed to its volatile oil, of which thymoquinone is an important bioactive component. Surprisingly, till date, no standard formulation or thymoquinone rich N. sativa extract is under clinical use probably due to its poor extraction and lesser stability in the already used solvents. In the present investigation solubility, extraction, percent composition and total antioxidant activity from the seeds of N. sativa was explored using five solvents. An HPLC method was standardized in an isocratic system (C-18 column, flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, mobile phase-water:methanol: 30:70, detection wavelength-254 nm, retention time-8.77 min) for quantification of thymoquinone. To further confirm the presence of thymoquinone in the respective extracts absorbance spectra analysis has been carried out and compared with pure thymoquinone. Additionally total antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa extracts has been evaluated using ascorbic acid as standard. Our results showed maximum percentage yield in aqueous extract while methanol having the least yield and the ethanol, benzene and hexane extracts exhibited moderate yields. A linear standard calibration curve of thymoquinone showed R2 as 0.999 and % RSD as 7.166. The HPLC analysis revealed maximum percentage composition of thymoquinone in the benzene extract, whereas in the hexane and methanol extracts the content was less. Aqueous and ethanol extracts displayed insignificant thymoquinone content. Absorbance spectra analysis confirms the presence of thymoquinone peak in the benzene, hexane and methanol extracts while aqueous and ethanol extracts showed minimal absorbance. Maximum total antioxidant activity was observed in the aqueous extract while minimum was observed in the methanolic extract. Weak positive (+ 0.3676) correlation was established between percent composition of thymoquinone and antioxidant activity among different extracts indicating that thymoquinone may not be the only factor for antioxidant activity, but other phytochemicals might also contribute. However, we for the first time demonstrated that the benzene extract of N. sativa has better solubility and percent composition of thymoquinone as compared to other solvents. It can be concluded that the solubility, differential composition of bioactive components among these extracts may have diverse effects on the total antiradical activity. Thus, our study provides insights on optimization and standardization of bioactive rich formulation of N. sativa.

Combined comparative genomic hybridization and single-nucleotide polymorphism array detects cryptic chromosomal lesions in both myelodysplastic syndromes and cytopenias of undetermined significance.

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) can be challenging, and may be facilitated by correlation with cytogenetic testing. Microarray analysis using comparative genomic hybridization and/or single-nucleotide polymorphism array can detect chromosomal abnormalities not seen by standard metaphase cytogenetics. We examined the ability of combined comparative genomic hybridization and single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis (hereafter referred to as 'combined array') to detect changes among 83 patients with unexplained cytopenias undergoing pathologic evaluation for MDS and compared results with 18 normal bone marrow controls. Thirty-seven patients (45%) were diagnosed with MDS, 12 patients (14%) were demonstrated to have 'indeterminate dyspoiesis' (insufficient for classification of MDS), 27 (33%) were essentially normal, and 7 patients (8%) had alternative pathologic diagnoses. Twenty-one MDS patients (57% of diagnoses) had effectively normal metaphase cytogenetics, but combined array showed that 5 of these (13% of MDS patients) harbored major cryptic chromosomal aberrations. Furthermore, nearly half of patients with 'indeterminate dyspoiesis' and 1 with normal morphology had clonal cytopenia(s) of undetermined significance by combined array analysis. Cryptic array findings among MDS patients and those with clonal cytopenias(s) included large-scale copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (up to 118 Mb) and genomic deletion of loci implicated in MDS pathogenesis (eg, TET2 (4q22) and NUP98 (11p15)). By comparison, in MDS patients with abnormal metaphase cytogenetics, microarray mostly recapitulated findings seen by routine karyotype. Combined array analysis has considerable diagnostic yield in detecting cryptic chromosomal aberrations in MDS and in demonstrating aberrant clonal hematopoiesis in cytopenic patients with indeterminate morphologic dysplasia.

Recurrent copy number variants associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Variability in the incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) among premature infants suggests that genetic susceptibility plays a role in pathogenesis. An assessment of copy number variants (CNV) in BPD subjects may help to identify loci that harbor genetic susceptibility factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical DNA microarray data from our institution. We identified 19 BPD subjects, and 2 controls groups (full-term and preterm) with no lung-related disease. We reanalyzed raw data from each of these subjects to identify recurrent CNV loci in BPD subjects. RESULTS: We identified three loci (at 11q13.2, 16p13.3, and 22q11.23-q12.1) with recurrent CNV in BPD subjects. The frequency of these CNV was significantly higher in BPD subjects when compared with at least one control group. We interrogated 21 genes residing within the recurrent CNV regions for development-associated changes in expression. Fifteen genes demonstrated significant changes in expression between the pseudoglandular and canalicular stage in human lungs, a time commensurate with birth at highest risk for BPD. We also identified pathways represented by the genes present within the recurrent loci. CONCLUSION: These data identify novel loci that may harbor genes contributing to the genetic susceptibility of BPD.

Alterations in gene expression and DNA methylation during murine and human lung alveolar septation.

DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may regulate coordinated expression of multiple genes at specific time points during alveolar septation in lung development. The objective of this study was to identify genes regulated by methylation during normal septation in mice and during disordered septation in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In mice, newborn lungs (preseptation) and adult lungs (postseptation) were evaluated by microarray analysis of gene expression and immunoprecipitation of methylated DNA followed by sequencing (MeDIP-Seq). In humans, microarray gene expression data were integrated with genome-wide DNA methylation data from bronchopulmonary dysplasia versus preterm and term lung. Genes with reciprocal changes in expression and methylation, suggesting regulation by DNA methylation, were identified. In mice, 95 genes with inverse correlation between expression and methylation during normal septation were identified. In addition to genes known to be important in lung development (Wnt signaling, Angpt2, Sox9, etc.) and its extracellular matrix (Tnc, Eln, etc.), genes involved with immune and antioxidant defense (Stat4, Sod3, Prdx6, etc.) were also observed. In humans, 23 genes were differentially methylated with reciprocal changes in expression in bronchopulmonary dysplasia compared with preterm or term lung. Genes of interest included those involved with detoxifying enzymes (Gstm3) and transforming growth factor-ß signaling (bone morphogenetic protein 7 [Bmp7]). In terms of overlap, 20 genes and three pathways methylated during mouse lung development also demonstrated changes in methylation between preterm and term human lung. Changes in methylation correspond to altered expression of a number of genes associated with lung development, suggesting that DNA methylation of these genes may regulate normal and abnormal alveolar septation.

Cervical Health Parameters in Car Drivers: Assessing the Influence of Driving on Neck Pain, Mobility, Proprioception and Craniovertebral Angle - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Prolonged sitting during driving is linked to neck pain, uncomfortable body positions, and repetitive motions. Recognizing these challenges, this study aimed to investigate Cervical Health Parameters in Car Drivers. Methods: The sample consisted of 160 car drivers between 25 and 45 years. This subject was then divided into two groups based on neck pain. Participants met the required criteria, such as being between 25-45 years of age, maintaining a BMI of 18-24, and driving for at least 2 hours each day for at least 3-5 years. To evaluate the results, we employed a clinometer and compass app on a smartphone to measure the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM). We used Surgimap software to estimate the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), and a (Cervical range of motion) CROM device was used for proprioception assessment. Results: The result shows the participants in neck pain group displayed lower Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) values than without neck Pain Group. Similarly, the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) was smaller in the neck Pain Group (mean difference of -6.3°), indicating a more forward head posture. Neck pain resulted in a mean difference of -4.5° in proprioception accuracy. This indicates that neck pain affects CROM, CVA, and proprioception in car drivers. Conclusion: Car driving significantly impacts cervical parameters in individuals with neck pain, reducing cervical range of motion, altered craniovertebral angle, and diminished proprioceptive accuracy. These findings emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions and proprioceptive training tailored for drivers. Future research should broaden demographic parameters and consider potential confounders to provide a holistic understanding of the relationship between car driving and neck health.

Evaluating Blood Pressure Variability in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: An Insight into Non-Dipping Patterns and Their Clinical Implications.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is prevalent in individuals with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), doubling the risk of developing chronic complications. Despite normal routine checks, many patients with diabetes exhibit abnormal blood pressure (BP) profiles identified by 24-hour ambulatory Blood Pressure monitoring (ABPM). This study aimed to analyse blood pressure variability in patients with diabetes to enhance current knowledge and improve clinical practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study obtained ethical approval from Jazan University and involved 58 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who adhered to the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Comprehensive clinical and laboratory data, including demographic, clinical, and essential laboratory parameters, were collected using a standardized form. Blood Pressure (BP) was meticulously monitored using the Sun Tech Oscar 2 ABPMR device, with measurements commencing between 8 am and 10 am, extending over 24 hours. The study calculated averages and evaluated systolic and diastolic percentage dipping during 24-hour, daytime, and night-time intervals. Participants classified as "dippers" experienced a BP reductions of at least 10%. Results: Fifty-eight normotensive T2DM patients, with a mean age of 45.51 ± 6.7 years, were monitored over 24 months. Among the 58 individuals assessed using ABPM, a non-dipping pattern was observed in 45 participants (77.58%), whereas 13 (22.41%) exhibited a dipping pattern. Postprandial and fasting blood sugar levels were distinct; the dipper group demonstrated better post-meal glucose control (p=0.02), whereas the non-dipper group had superior fasting glucose control (p=0.04). The dipper group showed a higher 24-hour average systolic BP (p=0.00) and increased dipping percentages for systolic and diastolic BP during sleep. Conclusion: Over 77% of ABPM-evaluated individuals showed non-dipping patterns, with a higher BMI being strongly associated. Laboratory findings revealed distinct variations in the postprandial and fasting blood sugar levels, suggesting a potential genetic predisposition.

Predicting mechanical neck pain intensity in computer professionals using machine learning: identification and correlation of key features.

Introduction: Mechanical neck pain has become prevalent among computer professionals possibly because of prolonged computer use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity, anthropometric metrics, cervical range of motion, and related disabilities using advanced machine learning techniques. Method: This study involved 75 computer professionals, comprising 27 men and 48 women, aged between 25 and 44 years, all of whom reported neck pain following extended computer sessions. The study utilized various tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain measurement, anthropometric tools for body metrics, a Universal Goniometer for cervical ROM, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). For data analysis, the study employed SPSS (v16.0) for basic statistics and a suite of machine-learning algorithms to discern feature importance. The capability of the kNN algorithm is evaluated using its confusion matrix. Results: The "NDI Score (%)" consistently emerged as the most significant feature across various algorithms, while metrics like age and computer usage hours varied in their rankings. Anthropometric results, such as BMI and body circumference, did not maintain consistent ranks across algorithms. The confusion matrix notably demonstrated its classification process for different VAS scores (mild, moderate, and severe). The findings indicated that 56% of the pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, could be accurately predicted by the dataset. Discussion: Machine learning clarifies the system dynamics of neck pain among computer professionals and highlights the need for different algorithms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Such insights pave the way for creating tailored ergonomic solutions and health campaigns for this population.

Prevalence of Forward head posture among car and bike drivers and its relation with neck and cardiopulmonary health parameters- a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of Forward Head Posture (FHP) in car and bike drivers, and its potential correlation with neck and cardiopulmonary parameters. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 400 participants from urban and suburban areas around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, including 200 car drivers and 200 bike drivers aged 18-65 years with a minimum five-year driving history. Neck health was assessed using measurements such as cervical range of motion and Neck Disability Index (NDI), cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated through resting heart rate, blood pressure, and pulmonary function tests using the spirometry test, and FHP was assessed using Surgimap application. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 26.0) and included descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test for binary data, and correlation analyses. RESULTS: The result show that difference in the mean FHP between car and bike drivers was statistically significant (p = 0.0001), indicating a higher prevalence of FHP among car drivers than among bike drivers. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between FHP and neck health metrics, especially cervical flexion (r = 0.71, p<0.05), (r = 0.78, p<0.05) and left-side rotation (r = 0.56, p<0.05), (r = 0.61, p<0.05) in car and bike drivers. Among the cardiopulmonary parameters, significant correlations with FHP were observed in resting heart rate (r = 0.33, p<0.05), (r = 0.42, p<0.05), spirometry results FVC (r = 0.29, p<0.05), FEV1 (r = 0.22, p<0.05), and FVC (r = 0.31, p<0.05) for car and bike drivers. CONCLUSION: We observed a higher incidence of FHP in car drivers, indicating that a prolonged static posture may lead to greater postural deviation than dynamic movement during biking. This association suggests that FHP could have wide-reaching implications for systemic health, beyond musculoskeletal issues. These findings have the potential to influence preventative strategies and interventions aimed at improving the overall health outcomes for drivers.

PARK2 Microdeletion or Duplications Have Been Implicated in Different Neurological Disorders Including Early Onset Parkinson Disease.

The PARK2 gene is located on 6q26, encodes ubiquitin-E3- ligase, and is a transcriptional repressor of p53. It contains 12 exons. PARK2 copy number variants has been reported in various types of neurodevelopmental disorders, namely schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease (PD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this retrospective study, nine cases (five with microdeletion and four with microduplication) are reported with 6q26 deletion disrupting the PARK2 gene. Microdeletion sizes ranged between 215 Kb and 356 Kb, and duplication between 279 Kb and 726 Kb. These were present within the exons 7-10. Family follow up with FISH probes revealed paternal inheritance in two cases, maternal in two cases, and de novo origin in one case. Our results support previous studies showing that patients with PARK2 CNVs involving exons 5-12 might be more deleterious and cause a unique syndrome. Comprehensive analysis of additional case studies is needed to have a full characterization of this neurological disorder syndrome.

Differential expression of cancer stem cell markers and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß in the oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral submucosal fibrosis.

Objectives: The poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is vastly due to late diagnosis. The oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) is often unnoticed pathology linked with high risk of malignancy. Recently, we demonstrated that the clinicopathological alterations in OSMF and OSCC patients were correlated with cancer stem cell (CSCs) markers (CD133 and CD44). However, the parallel alterations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) with CSCs expression are largely unexplored. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between IL-1ß alterations and CSC marker expression in both OSMF and OSCC situations. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 people have signed up for the study. There were sixty each in OSMF and OSCC groups, as well as 15 healthy controls. Levels of serum IL-1ß were examined by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of CD133 and CD44. For evaluating differential CSCs expression, IHC scoring (0-4) was utilized. Results: The IHC results showed maximum subjects in the OSMF and OSCC displaying CD44 and CD133 positivity, although the extent of expression in terms of IHC scoring found variable. CD133 and CD44-positive subjects showed increased levels of IL-1ß in the OSMF and OSCC group. Nevertheless, the enhancement of IL-1ß is more pronounced in the OSCC cases. Further, we observed a direct link of IL-1ß levels with IHC scoring. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a significant role for CD44 and CD133 positivity in the increase of IL-1ß levels. Conclusion: We concluded that concurrent simultaneous changes in CSC biomarkers and IL-1ß may help with early detection of OSMF and OSCC conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 infections and MIS-C among children: A narrative review.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has less of an impact among the babies and teenagers, than it does on adults as a whole. Children turned out to be less symptomatic during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) surge worldwide. Researchers discovered the ways of protection by preemptive care, like, treatment, variants, vaccination, social distancing, and cohorting among children as soon as their medical and epidemiological factors were assessed while being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The actual pervasiveness of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 contagion is possibly undervalued because of less examination of the asymptomatic children. A half of young-aged people who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive don't show any symptoms as per the study of serology. Nevertheless, there is wide circulation of information reporting a post-infectious acute illness known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or multisystem hyperinflammatory syndrome. Therefore, we undertook this narrative review to synthesize the evidence from existing studies to assess the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infections and MIS-C among Children. We reviewed PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar to find the pertinent scientific papers published in English that were available for such analysis. The main purpose of this article is to present, on this limited topic, a better-comprehended review covering pertinent material and data to be informed on SARS-CoV-2 infections and MIS-C among Children.

Neck Health Metrics and Quality of Life: A Comparative Study in Bike Drivers with and without Neck Pain.

Purpose: Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal issue among bike drivers, often resulting from extended static postures, repetitive head movements, and exposure to vibrations. This study aims to assess the connection between cervical ROM, neck proprioception, CVA, and QOL in bike drivers with neck pain compared to those without neck pain so that the targeted interventions can be developed to enhance their well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 100 bike drivers aged 20-50 years was conducted, split into two groups: those with neck pain (n=50) and those without neck pain (n=50). Cervical ROM was measured using a smartphone, neck proprioception was assessed through a head repositioning test, and CVA was determined using lateral-view photographs with a plumb line. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was employed to evaluate QOL. Data analysis was conducted using independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Bike drivers with neck pain exhibited significantly reduced cervical ROM (p-value=<0.001), impaired neck proprioception (p-value=<0.001), and decreased CVA (p-value=<0.001) compared to their counterparts without neck pain. A strong negative correlation was found between neck pain and QOL, with lower scores in all eight domains of the SF-36. Cervical ROM, neck proprioception, and CVA showed moderate correlations with various QOL domains (p-value=<0.05). Conclusion: Neck pain in bike drivers is linked to decrease cervical ROM, compromised neck proprioception, and reduced CVA. These factors correlate with a lower quality of life, both physical and mental domains. Interventions addressing these aspects may enhance the quality of life for bike drivers experiencing neck pain.

Clinimetric properties of a smartphone application to measure the craniovertebral angle in different age groups and positions.

Background: Craniovertebral angle (CVA) alteration is a causative factor for the neck, shoulder, and temporomandibular joints disorders. Therefore, as an outcome measure for therapeutic intervention, measuring the craniovertebral angle with the Surgimap smartphone app is a cost-effective, easily accessible, and reliable tool. This study's objective was to assess the clinimetric properties of the Surgimap smartphone application with Surgimap system software to measure the Craniovertebral Angle in different age groups and positions. Method: Ninety subjects with neck pain were randomly allocated to aged between 18 and 30 years (Group A; n = 45) and 45-60 years (Group B; n = 45). Using the Surgimap smartphone application and Surgimap system software, the craniovertebral angle was measured objectively in the sagittal plane. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine validity and reliability. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curves (AUC) were determined to distinguish participants with and without forward head posture. Result: The result of this study shows that Smartphone Surgimap Application and Surgimap System Software correlate 0.95 and have p-values of 0.01 for diverse positions and ages. CVA measurement in the sitting position was significantly lower than in the standing position, regardless of methodology or age. Both positions demonstrated high intra-rater reliability, as evidenced by Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) between 0.972 and 0.991. The minimum detectable change (MDC) values ranged from 1.3 to 1.733, indicating high measurement accuracy. The smartphone application demonstrated outstanding diagnostic sensitivity (100.00% for Group A standing) and specificity (93.55% for Group B standing). Conclusion: The Surgimap smartphone application is a reliable and accurate method for craniovertebral angle measurement and is useful for measuring outcomes. Also standing posture was found to be better than sitting posture while measuring the CVA.