Role of Serum Micro-RNA-122-5p Expression as a Circulatory Biomarker in People Having Both Knee Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis: A Case-Control Study.

Background Although knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and osteoporosis (OP) manifest distinct pathophysiologies, they share numerous similarities. These health conditions are commonly found in older individuals, particularly among women. The objective of this study is to explore the expression of micro-RNA (miRNA) 122-5p (miR-122-5p) in people affected by both KOA and OP. The main aim is to identify diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, which could help develop personalized treatment approaches. Methods As part of the study, a total of 268 serum samples were collected from the participants, who were divided into four groups: KOA, OP, KOA and OP, and controls, with 67 subjects per group. The miRNA species-containing total RNA was isolated from the serum samples using an miRNeasy serum/plasma kit by QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany). The expression of miR-122-5p was examined in each group using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Expression of miR-122-5p in all three groups (KOA, OP, and common group of KOA and OP) was significantly upregulated, and the fold change value was much higher in the group having both diseases. Conclusions These results might contribute to the identification of cases at risk, early diagnosis, and development, and might also contribute to the development of therapeutic targets in subjects having both KOA and OP.

A Case Report of Postcoital Dysphoria: A Paradoxical Melancholy.

Sexual engagement usually leads to positive and satisfactory feelings under typical circumstances. However, studies conducted in recent years have revealed that some people experience feelings of depression, anxiety, agitation, or aggression following sexual activity or masturbation. This condition, known as postcoital dysphoria (PCD), is a rare psychiatric disorder that has been reported more in women than in men. We present a rare case of a 24-year-old male who suffers from PCD. This provides clinical insight for studies further attempting to investigate PCD among males.

Sexual dysfunction in clinically stable patients with bipolar disorder receiving valproate.

AIM: This study evaluated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder, while receiving valproate monotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three clinically stable patients with bipolar disorder were evaluated on the Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX), Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) other side effect subscale and brief adherence rating scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 38.84 (standard deviation: 12.49) years. About three-fourth of the participants were male (76.2%). About one-fourth (28.6%) were found to have sexual dysfunction as per the ASEX. In terms of dysfunction in specific domain of sexual functioning, depending on the cut-off used, problem with sexual desire varied from 13.33% to 35.41% among males and 6.66%-46.66% in females. Erectile dysfunction was seen in 13.33%-31.25% of males and difficulty in vaginal lubrication was reported by 13.33%-26.66% of females. When those with and without sexual dysfunction as per the ASEX were compared, it was seen that those with sexual dysfunction had significantly longer duration of illness, higher prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and higher mean scores on the UKU other side effect subscale. Both the groups did not differ on other clinical variables. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients receiving valproate experience sexual dysfunction. Higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction was associated with longer duration of illness, higher prevalence of abnormal blood pressure, and higher mean scores on UKU other side effect subscale.

Role of miRNAs in cervical cancer: A comprehensive novel approach from pathogenesis to therapy.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection is a major causative agent and strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. Understanding the mechanisms of HPV-induced cervical cancer is extremely useful in therapeutic strategies for primary prevention (HPV vaccines) and secondary prevention (screening and diagnosis of precancerous lesions). However, due to the lack of proper implementation of screening programs in developing countries, cervical cancer is usually diagnosed at advanced stages that result in poor treatment responses. Nearly half of the patients will experience disease recurrence within two years post treatment. Therefore, it is vital to identify new tools for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, implicated in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Growing evidence has shown that abnormal miRNA expression is associated with cervical cancer progression, metastasis, and influences treatment outcomes. In this review, we provide comprehensive information about miRNA and their potential utility in cervical cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management to improve patient outcomes.

Analysis of Risk Factors and Association of Cluster of Differentiation (CD) Markers With Conventional Markers in Delayed Fracture Related Infection for Closed Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Fracture-related infections (FRI) remain a difficult consequence for orthopedic trauma patients, their relatives, the treating physicians, and the healthcare systems. Delayed fracture-related infection is an important step in the infection process that can be controlled by diagnosing and preventing it from moving to the next level. Neutrophils CD64 and CD66b were identified as sensitive indicators in the event of infection. Normal sequential changes, on the other hand, occur after surgery and are extremely high. They are back to normal on the 10th day after the operation. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the risk factors associated with fracture-related infection by comparing cluster of differentiation (CD) indicators with conventional markers and comparing them with gold standards culture reports. As a result, it could be an early sign of a closed fracture infection. MATERIAL & METHODS: Between February 2020 and March 2021, 510 patients from the Department of Orthopedics at King George Medical University in Lucknow agreed to participate in the study. The study included patients who had a closed fracture and had undergone elective or emergency surgery. Blood was withdrawn before the surgery (baseline) on day one and again on the third, seventh, and 10th day after the operation to measure the quantitative measurements of the biomarkers (total leucocyte count [TLC], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C reactive protein [CRP], CD64, and CD66b) in all follow-up examinations. Patients were monitored for delayed signs of the infection for 2 to 10 weeks. The biomarkers were evaluated and linked to the culture reports. RESULTS: Of the 510 patients included, 272 were men (53.3%) and 238 women (46.7%), the mean age was 40 (20-78), the mean age for fracture related infection with positive culture (FRI POS) was 48.0 (SD: 19.47), for fracture related infection with negative culture (FRI NEG) was 46.20 (SD: 17.18), and for patient with no signs of infections (NON-FRI) was 45.13 (SD: 17.62) (p <0.001), the mean duration of the fracture to admission (in hours) was 4.90 (SD: 1.92), 4.91 (SD: 2.65), and 5.14 (SD: 2.66) (p <0.001), respectively. The mean duration of admission to surgery (in hours) was 31.54 (SD: 85.14), 43.14 (SD: 105.64), and 61.84 (134.14), respectively (p <0.001). The mean duration of surgery was 4.63 (SD: 1.85), 5.14 (SD: 2.16), and 5.05 (SD: 2.16) (p <0.001). The risk factors such as bone type (p = 0.04) and addiction (p = 0.01) were identified as statistically significant. There was no correlation between the CD66b markers on the third, seventh, and 10th days. CD64 was significantly correlated with ESR, TLC, and CRP on the 10th day in the FRI-positive group (r = 0.638; p = 0.03) (r = 0.744; p = 0.009) (r = 0.817; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The risk factors for infection in fracture patients are significantly influenced by the type of bone and addiction the patient is using. Elevated CD64 levels could be used as a diagnostic marker for infection early on the 10th day after surgery before the appearance of clinical signs.

Reactions to Psychiatry Referral in Patients Presenting with Physical Complaints to Medical and Surgical Outpatient Services.

BACKGROUND: While it is well known that patients with psychiatric illness feel stigmatized, little is known about the reactions to a psychiatric referral among those who visit general hospital medical and surgical services for their complaints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study assessed the sociodemographic details, psychiatric diagnosis, somatic symptom severity, and interview-based reactions to referral among patients referred to psychiatry services from other departments in a general tertiary hospital in North India. Fifty-nine males and 101 females were assessed over 6 months for this purpose. RESULTS: A majority of patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and had significant somatic symptom severity. The themes explored were the decision to accept the referral, possibility of the presence of mental illness as signified by a psychiatric diagnosis and factors that enabled or impeded psychiatric treatment seeking. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that patients did not empower in decision-making, a reluctance to accept the possibility of a psychiatric diagnosis and accept medication and had poor knowledge about psychiatry. Referring clinicians and psychiatrists should be sensitive to patient perceptions so that better care is possible.

Oxidative stress profile in graves' ophthalmopathy in Indian patients.

PURPOSE: To report the oxidative stress profile in patient of Graves' ophthalmopathy and to study the effect of hormone level normalization on oxidative stress profile. METHODS: All first time reporting patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy to Department of ophthalmology CSM Medical University (erstwhile King George's Medical University) Lucknow during the period January 2006 to December 2008 formed the cohort. Before initiating treatment a proforma directed detailed history, complete ophthalmological examination and investigations were done. Blood sample for pro/antioxidant enzyme were withdrawn for study after taking an informed consent. Patients were treated with antithyroid drugs alone to achieve a stable euthyroid status for at least 6 months following which a blood sample was again withdrawn to study the pro/anti oxidant enzyme status following treatment. RESULTS: On normalization of thyroid status the values of reactive oxygen species decreased significantly (p<0.05) and levels of antioxidants also got corrected significantly (p<0.05). However both these values remained significantly (p<0.05) altered as compared to normal persons. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that even after normalization of thyroid hormone level, the oxidative stress levels remain elevated. Moreover, activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GSHR), Glutathione peroxidise (GPx) showed decrease which could be attributed to altered metabolism and already prevalent deficiency of essential micronutrients like zinc, copper, mercury, and selenium in the Indian population. Hence, this gives way to the thought that the supplementation of these nutrients may have a role as an adjuvant to hormonal therapy in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.