Mortality Fractions Attributable to Smoking and Smokeless and Mixed Tobacco Use among Men and Women across India, 1998-2021.

Introduction: Evidence on the mortality burden of tobacco-use remains fragmented for low-middle-income countries like India, and does not fully use Indian-specific datasets. We estimated mortality fractions attributable to different tobacco types (smoked, smokeless, and mixed tobacco-use) for India by sex and state/union-territories over time.

Methods: We applied a direct prevalence approach to estimate mortality fractions attributable to tobacco types among men (35-54 years) and women (35-49 years) over time across 36 Indian states.

Molecular epigenetics in the transition of white to brown fat.

Obesity and related metabolic disorders represent a significant global health challenge. A promising therapeutic avenue involves fat browning, the conversion of energy-storing white adipose tissue (WAT) into thermogenic beige fat, which dissipates energy as heat. Since brown fat dissipates more energy than white fat it is commonly characterized by increased mitochondrial biogenesis and the expression of thermogenic genes to enhance energy expenditure.

Exploring inflammatory and fibrotic mechanisms driving diabetic nephropathy progression.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease, with inflammation and fibrosis serving as pivotal drivers of disease progression. Chronic hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress, activates immune pathways, and promotes extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, leading to irreversible kidney damage. Inflammatory cytokines contribute to DN progression, such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-17.

Comprehensive insights into leishmaniasis: From etiopathogenesis to a novel therapeutic approach.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted through the bites of infected sandflies. The disease is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, from small skin blemishes to large deformable ulcers, classified as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) and disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL), as well as severe systemic infections (Kala-Azar or visceral leishmaniasis [VL]), affecting the spleen and liver, along with atypical forms such as lupoid leishmaniasis. As one of the world's most neglected tropical diseases, leishmaniasis threatens more than 1 billion people globally, with 12 million currently affected and <1.

Challenges and opportunities in implementing and enforcing India's loose cigarette sales ban: A qualitative stakeholder analysis.

Introduction: Several Indian states have banned the sale of loose cigarettes, and India is considering a national ban. This study examines the perceptions of policymakers, implementers, and law enforcement officials regarding the implementation and enforcement of this ban.

Methods: Between May-October 2022, we conducted in-depth interviews with 26 key stakeholders involved in tobacco control in two Indian cities, Delhi (where the ban was not implemented) and Mumbai (where the ban was in effect).

Association of Body Mass Index between Adolescents and their Parents in Mumbai and Kolkata: A Population-based Study.

Introduction: Adolescent overweight and obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) seem to be increasing at an alarming rate in urban populations. Parental BMI plays an important role in their adolescent's BMI. Overweight and obesity coexisting with undernutrition in adolescents is an important public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Exploring the Potential of Saffron as a Therapeutic Agent in Depression Treatment: A Comparative Review.

Depression is a significant mental health challenge globally. While traditional antidepressants are effective, they often have unwanted side effects. Saffron, a natural spice derived from L.

Association Between Cigarette and Bidi Purchase Behavior (Loose vs Pack) and Health Warning Label Exposure: Findings From the Tobacco Control Policy India Survey and In-Depth Interviews With People Who Smoke.

Background: The sale of loose cigarettes or bidis can undermine the purpose of requiring health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette packs and bidi bundles by diminishing their visibility and legibility.

Objective: This mixed-methods study aims to examine the association between purchase behavior (loose vs pack or bundle), HWL exposure, and responses to HWLs among Indian adults who smoke.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2018-2019 India Tobacco Control Policy Survey and from 28 in-depth interviews conducted with Indian adults who smoked in 2022.

Variability in addictive and carcinogenic potential of smokeless tobacco products marketed in Mumbai, India: a surveillance study.

Background: India has the highest incidence worldwide of smokeless tobacco (SLT)-associated oral cancer, accounting for nearly 70% of all SLT users globally. Nicotine and tobacco-specific -nitrosamines (TSNA) play critical roles in the addictive and carcinogenic potential, respectively, of SLT products. Our group has previously reported substantial variability in nicotine and TSNA levels across a small SLT product sample in India, calling for systematic surveillance.

"The ban is there, but it is not there": perceptions of cigarette users and tobacco vendors regarding ban on the sale of loose cigarettes in India.

Introduction: Banning the sales of loose cigarettes is recommended by Article 16 of the World Health Organization - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This study aims to understand the perceptions of cigarette users and tobacco vendors regarding such a ban.

Methods: Using a systematic recruitment and interview protocol, we interviewed cigarette users ( = 28) and tobacco vendors ( = 28) from two Indian cities where sales of loose cigarettes were banned (Mumbai) or not banned (Delhi).

Diabetes and gastric cancer incidence and mortality in the Asia Cohort Consortium: A pooled analysis of more than a half million participants.

Background: Evidence suggests a possible link between diabetes and gastric cancer risk, but the findings remain inconclusive, with limited studies in the Asian population. We aimed to assess the impact of diabetes and diabetes duration on the development of gastric cancer overall, by anatomical and histological subtypes.

Methods: A pooled analysis was conducted using 12 prospective studies included in the Asia Cohort Consortium.

Microbiology proficiency testing in fish and fishery products: detection of and .

This paper presents the results of two proficiency testing (PT) rounds conducted by the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) Chennai laboratory in 2021 for food testing laboratories in India. The PT program was designed in accordance with ISO/TS 22117, a standard for proficiency testing in food microbiology, and targeted and as the organisms of focus. The samples were found to be stable and recoverable during the analysis, and all PT sample packages were delivered to participant laboratories in good condition.

Lung Cancer Risk Prediction Models for Asian Ever-Smokers.

Introduction: Although lung cancer prediction models are widely used to support risk-based screening, their performance outside Western populations remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the performance of 11 existing risk prediction models in multiple Asian populations and to refit prediction models for Asians.

Methods: In a pooled analysis of 186,458 Asian ever-smokers from 19 prospective cohorts, we assessed calibration (expected-to-observed ratio) and discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]) for each model.

Non-osseous intradural tuberculoma of the thoracic spine with compressive myelopathy.

Key Clinical Message: An uncommon form of CNS tuberculosis called non-osseous IDEM tuberculoma frequently results from paradoxical drug interactions. It should be considered one of the differentials when patients receiving ATT experience acute neurological impairment.

Abstract: Tuberculoma affecting the spinal cord is a rare condition in modern times.

Unveiling the relationship between gut microbiota and heart failure: Recent understandings and insights.

Gut microbiota, which comprises a broad range of bacteria inhabiting the human intestines, plays a crucial role in establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with the host body. Dysbiosis refers to the perturbations in the composition or functioning of the microbial community, which can result in a shift from a balanced microbiota to an impaired state. This alteration has the potential to contribute to the development of chronic systemic inflammation.

Upscaling a behavioural intervention program for tobacco use cessation - A randomised controlled study.

A randomised control trial was conducted among school teachers in Bihar, India for upscaling a tested, evidence-based tobacco intervention using train-the-trainer model. Six blocks in three districts were selected and randomised into intervention and control blocks. Cluster coordinators in intervention blocks were given training in the details of intervention.