The vitamin D spectrum: insights into 25(OH)D and VDBP in chronic kidney disease and post-transplant.

CKD progression is associated with declining vitamin D levels, which correlate with various comorbidities. Total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (Total-25(OH)D) may not accurately reflect vitamin D deficiency in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D spectrum in CKD and kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Cutaneous epidermal growth factor receptor expression (EGFR) and soluble EGFR levels are elevated in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: a longitudinal study.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signalling is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris. The objective was to assess the cutaneous EGFR mRNA expression and serum soluble EGFR (sEGFR) levels among Pemphigus patients in comparison to the healthy controls. This was a cross-sectional study with a longitudinal follow up.

Assessing Autophagy Activation in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Using Ascitic Fluid: A Feasibility Study.

Introduction: Autophagy plays a role in chemotherapy resistance by facilitating cell survival under stress conditions in many malignancies, including ovarian cancers. The use of ascitic fluid to study autophagy biomarkers is an emerging approach, with potential advantages over tissue-based studies in cancer research. This study aimed to standardize reproducible laboratory methods for detecting and quantifying autophagy biomarkers in the ascitic fluid of ovarian cancer patients.

Calcium-sensing receptor genetic variants and their association with CKD-MBD in South Indian Tamils.

The progressive degradation of the renal parenchyma and reduction of functional nephrons characterise chronic kidney disease (CKD). Disorders of bone mineral metabolism is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in CKD. Calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) allows cells to detect changes in blood calcium levels and regulate its concentration.

Targeting autophagy in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer: randomized phase II trial of hydroxychloroquine with chemotherapy with biomarker correlation.

Background: Autophagy activation contributes to chemotherapy resistance in several cancers, including ovarian cancer. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an autophagy inhibitor inhibiting the fusion of the autophagosome with the lysosome and has been repurposed as an anti-cancer agent. In this randomized phase II study, we used HCQ in combination with standard chemotherapy in platinum sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) patients.

Perceptions of members of ethics committees of medical institutions in India on controlled human infection studies (CHIS) following a sensitization workshop: a systematic survey.

Controlled Human Infection Studies (CHIS) involving the deliberate exposure of healthy individuals to infectious agents, are emerging as a valuable tool for medical research. This systematic survey explores the perceptions of ethics committee members from various Indian medical research institutions after participating in a sensitization workshop on CHIS. This cross-sectional study was conducted on the workshop participants through an online survey.

Clinical relevance of thiopurine methyltransferase genotype testing for azathioprine in dermatology.

Background: Polymorphisms in thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) are a predominant cause of azathioprine-induced leucopenia in Western countries. The exact role of these polymorphisms in the Indian population with dermatological disorders is uncertain.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of genetic polymorphism of TPMT and its impact on the safety of azathioprine in dermatological disorders.

Clinical characteristics, disease flares, infections and their impact on kidney outcomes in pediatric lupus nephritis: A cohort study.

Background: Limited data exists on clinical predictors of kidney outcomes in children with lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: Children aged below 18 years with biopsy-proven LN followed from January 2010 to February 2024 in a tertiary-care center were enrolled in order to characterize their clinical presentations, flares, infections, histology and determine Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) (defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m and/or death).

Evaluation of MicroRNA 145 and MicroRNA 155 as Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to a progressive decline in renal function, primarily due to deteriorating kidney structures. Vascular calcification is a key effect of CKD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in the onset and progression of both cardiovascular illness and CKD.

Matrix Gla Protein and Nitric Oxide Synthase-3 Genetic Variants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Relation with Cardiovascular Risk.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by gradual deterioration of renal parenchyma and decline of functioning nephrons. The risk of cardiovascular events is drastically increased in patients with CKD. This complicated link of CKD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not well understood till date.

Neurotrophin-3 gene polymorphism in schizophrenia and its relation with diseases severity and cognitive dysfunction.

Objectives: Synaptic plasticity markers are known to alter in schizophrenia. The objective of the study was to investigate the genotype and allele frequency of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene polymorphism (rs6489630, rs6332, and rs11063714) and plasma NT-3 levels in schizophrenia and their relation with cognitive status.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted on 216 Schizophrenia patients and 216 controls.

Stress and psoriasis: Exploring the link through the prism of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammation.

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease affecting mainly the skin. Chronic stress leads to the blunted hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) that might induce pro-inflammatory conditions. Hence, we assessed the blood levels of the HPA hormones and interleukin-17 (IL-17) and the effect of stress and emotional distress to understand the link between stress and psoriasis better.

Perceptions about controlled human infection model (CHIM) studies among members of ethics committees of Indian medical institutions: A qualitative exploration.

Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) studies provide a unique platform for studying the pathophysiology of infectious diseases and accelerated testing of vaccines and drugs in controlled settings. However, ethical issues shroud them as the disease-causing pathogen is intentionally inoculated into healthy consenting volunteers, and effective treatment may or may not be available. We explored the perceptions of the members of institutional ethics committees (IECs) in India about CHIM studies.

Etiology and outcomes of acute kidney disease in children: a cohort study.

Background: There is paucity of information regarding the etiology and outcomes of Acute Kidney Disease (AKD) in children.

Methods: The objectives of this cohort study were to evaluate the etiology and outcomes of AKD; and analyze predictors of kidney survival (defined as free of CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4 or 5). Patients aged 1 month to 18 years who developed AKD over a 4-year-period (January 2018-December 2021) were enrolled.

In vitro detection of suspected drug in maculopapular drug reaction to antibiotics using secreted cytokines from drug-specific activated T cells.

Background: Maculopapular drug eruption (MPE) in reaction to antibiotics is associated with enhanced expression of T-helper (Th)1 cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or Th2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-5. Identifying the culprit drug usually involves rechallenge, which may not be forthcoming. Memory lymphocytes remain responsive to the culprit drug long after the reaction has resolved.

Relationship Between Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder.

Abnormal synaptic plasticity leads to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Markers of synaptic plasticity are known to be altered in schizophrenia, but there are limited data available about neural cell adhesion molecule-1 (NCAM-1) levels and its association with cognitive functions in schizophrenia. The objective of the study was to analyze NCAM-1 levels and its association with various cognitive domains in schizophrenia.

Predictive markers in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by gradual deterioration of the renal parenchyma and decline of functioning nephrons. CKD is now recognized as a distinct risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This risk rises in tandem with the decline in kidney function and peaks at the end-stage.

Early Markers of Atherosclerosis in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objectives: To detect early atherosclerosis changes using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6), and endothelial markers (sICAM and sVCAM).

Methods: The authors recruited 4 to 18-y-old children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and age- and sex-matched normal children, excluding those with familial hypercholesterolemia, syndromic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. CIMT and FMD were measured in both the groups.

Impact of nutrition status and body mass index on mortality in hospitalized general medical patients: A prospective observational study.

Background: Malnutrition and low body mass index (BMI) are risk factors for mortality in hospitalized patients. Data substantiating this are unavailable for hospitalized general medical patients in our setting. We studied the prevalence of malnutrition among patients admitted to general medical wards in a tertiary care hospital and its role as a risk factor for 1-month mortality.

Utility of Urinary Biomarkers Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 as a Marker for Diagnosing the Presence of Renal Scar in Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR): A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: To explore the possibility of using urinary biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) to assess the presence of renal scars in children with Vesicoureteric Reflux (VUR).

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 94 children aged 0-16 years diagnosed with VUR in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, JIPMER. Urinary biomarkers were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, normalized with urinary creatinine (Cr) and compared with severity of VUR (low grade [I and II] and high grade [III, IV, and V]), presence or absence of renal scar in VUR patients and severity of renal scar.

Utility of Urinary Nephrin in Patients With and Without Diabetic Nephropathy and Its Correlation With Albuminuria.

Introduction Nephrin is a podocyte-specific protein that may serve as a urinary biomarker in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The objectives of the study were to determine urinary nephrin levels in patients with and without type 2 diabetic nephropathy and to assess the correlation between urinary nephrin and albuminuria. Methods This was a cross-sectional comparative study that was carried out at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry over 18 months.

Assessment of Causality in Hospitalized Children With Aminoglycoside-Related Nephrotoxicity.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of aminoglycoside-related nephrotoxicity and ascertain drug causality and its risk factors.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted from January, 2019 to January, 2021, and recruited 110 consecutively admitted children aged 1 month to 12 years, receiving aminoglycosides for ≥4 days. Drug causality was assessed using Liverpool adverse drug reaction causality assessment tool.

Evaluation of cytokine gene expression in psoriasis.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the skin with an unclear etiological significance.

Aim: In this study, we determined the mRNA expression and circulating levels of T helper (Th)/T regulatory (Treg) cytokines in psoriasis and analyzed their association with disease severity and treatment response.

Material And Methods: 189 psoriasis patients and 189 controls were recruited.