Indian J Med Res
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Background & objectives Frailty is a geriatric syndrome with clinical and public health implications. It represents the state of increased vulnerability. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty by demographic characteristics and geographical regions in India. ⋯ A sharp age-related increase in prevalence highlights the need for preventive measures. Furthermore, the high prevalence of frailty among women, illiterate and rural residents indicates the target population for receiving preventive interventions. Lastly, a heterogeneity in frailty prevalence across different States indicates the scope for region-specific programmes.
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Background & objectives Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are extremely prevalent in India, making early detection of people at high risk for CVDs and prevention crucial. This study aimed to estimate CVD risk distribution in older adults (40-69 yr) in India using WHO's non-laboratory risk chart and identify factors associated with elevated CVD risk (10%). Methods The current study used a nationally representative sample of 40-69 yr adults in India. ⋯ The estimated 10-year CVD risk was higher for people with unemployed [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 5.12; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.63, 7.24], followed by raised blood glucose (AOR: 1.81; 95%CI: 1.39, 2.34). Interpretation & conclusions The non-laboratory-based chart proves valuable in low-resource settings, especially at the primary healthcare level, facilitating efficient CVD risk assessment and resource allocation. Further research is needed to explore the association of second-hand smoke with CVD risk in the Indian population.
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Background & objectives Given the importance of the role of hypoxia induced pathway in different cancers including head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), this study delved into elucidating the molecular mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) activation in HNSCC. Additionally, it analyzes the alterations of its regulatory genes [von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and LIM domain containing 1 (LIMD1)] and target gene vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in head-and-neck lesions at different clinical stages in relation with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Methods Global mRNA expression profiles of HIF1α, VHL, LIMD1 and VEGF were evaluated from public datasets of HNSCC, followed by validation of their expression (mRNA/protein) in an independent set of HPV+ve/-ve HNSCC samples of different clinical stages. ⋯ The methylation pattern of VHL and LIMD1 promoters in the basal/parabasal layers of normal epithelium correlated with their expression, exhibiting a gradual increase with the progression of HNSCC. The H/M expression of HIF1α/VEGF proteins and reduced VHL expression was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Interpretation & conclusions The results of this study showed differential regulation of the LIMD1-VHL-HIF1α pathway in HPV positive and negative HNSCC samples, illustrating the molecular distinctiveness of these two groups.