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Background: Nomophobia or no-mobile-phone phobia, defined as the fear of being unable to use or being unreachable via one’s mobile phone. The pervasive concern has varied bio-psychosocial and clinical implications in an individual’s life. Nomophobia is currently in an exploratory phase. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to systematically map the relevant evidence and literature on nomophobia. The review of scholarly literature spanning from January 2010 to May 2023 employed a narrative synthesis methodology to succinctly encapsulate the research findings. Additionally, it encompassed a meticulous examination and visual representation of studies, detailing both the frequency of investigation into specific variables and the instances in which said variables exhibited a statistically significant association with nomophobia. Results: A thorough examination of 92 studies revealed a total of 133 variables spanning demographic, lifestyle-related, academic, smartphone-related, psychosocial, and clinical domains. Notably, 42.86% of these variables have only been investigated in a single research study, underscoring the imperative for replication to enhance the generalizability, validity, and applicability of research findings. Moreover, the review identifies Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) by Yildirim and Correia as the most widely used tool for measuring the severity of nomophobia. Conclusion: There is a crucial need for homogeneity and consistency in reporting nomophobia scores and establishing corresponding gradations indicative of functional ramifications or clinical severity of nomophobia. The findings elucidate significant research gaps in existing literature on nomophobia, hold implications for further synthesis of data, and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of nomophobia; ensuring superior diagnostic accuracy and precision, and facilitating successful delivery of targeted interventions.

Abstract Patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) not responding to glucocorticoid therapy have higher mortality, though they do not differ in their baseline clinical characteristics and prognostic scores from those who respond to therapy. We hypothesized that the baseline hepatic gene expression differs between responders (R) and non-responders (NR). Baseline liver transcriptome was compared between R and NR in Indian (16 each) and French (5 NR, 3 R) patients with SAH. There were differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NR and R, in Indian (1106 over-expressed, 96 under-expressed genes) and French patients (65 over-expressed, 142 under-expressed genes). Indian NR had features of hepatocyte senescence and French NR exhibited under-expression of genes involved in cell division, indicating a central defect in the capacity of hepatocytes for self-renewal in both populations. Markers of hepatic progenitor cell proliferation were either very few (Indian patients) or absent (French patients). No DEGs were enriched in inflammatory pathways and there were no differences in nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) transcript expression and splicing between NR and R. Our results reveal that baseline hepatic transcriptome is reflective of subsequent glucocorticoid non-response and indicate impaired regenerative potential of the liver as an underlying phenomenon in NR.

Endogenous and exogenous hormones influence breast cancer risk including estrogen biosynthesis pathway, vitamin D receptor pathway, and the androgen receptor pathway. Genes involved in these pathways are CYP17, which encodes an enzyme involved in estradiol and testosterone synthesis, androgen receptor (AR), which binds testosterone and DHT and regulates breast cell growth and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which binds vitamin D and down-regulates breast growth.The current study was proposed to determine whether polymorphisms in the CAG repeat in exon 1 of AR, MspAI T > C substitution of CYP17, and ApaI, 7aqI, poly-A repeat in the VDR gene contribute to breast cancer risk. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate individual and joint contributions of genotypes to breast cancer risk.Seventy (70) breast cancer patients and eighty healthy women (80) were recruited for the study. PCR based RFLP and fragment analysis assays were used to determine genotypes of hormone metabolizing genes. Considering CYP17 A2 allele, VDR Poly-(A) L, and AR ≥ 20 CAG repeats as high risk alleles, a multigenic model of breast cancer susceptibility was developed to identify women who carry a combination of alleles to put them at relatively higher risk to develop breast cancer. All the high-risk genotypes were positively associated with risk. The risk among women carrying three high-risk alleles was OR:4.68 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77-28.0; p for trend = 0.10] compared with those who carried none. The conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the heterozygous TC genotype for CYP17 and AR1AR2 of AR, imparted significantly fourfold risk for the breast cancer risk, in comparison to the referent genotype TT and AR1AR1 [adjusted ORs:3.705(1.236,11.106), p = 0.019] and [4.391(1.324,14.557), p = 0.016], respectively. Gene X Gene interaction showed that the combinations TC*AA, TC*Aa, TC*aa and CC*Aa imparted significantly four to fifteen fold more risk for the breast cancer [(4.377 (1.159, 16.520), p = 0.029); 4.041(1.092, 14.956), p = 0.036); (15.071(0.975, 232.81), p = 0.052); (4.151(1.053, 16.371), p = 0.042), respectively)]. Genes involved in hormone synthesis and metabolizing pathway may play a role in breast cancer development as supported by the multigenic model of breast cancer susceptibility.

Context: Number of scientific personnel traveling to Antarctica for short summer stay far outnumbers winter personnel. Hence, psychological issues confronting such personnel need to be analyzed in detail. This study aims to study changes in psychological health, cognitive functioning, changes in motivation levels, and tobacco and alcohol consumption during a summer in Antarctica. Aims: To study changes in psychological health, cognitive functioning, changes in motivation levels and tobacco and alcohol consumption during a summer in Antarctica. Setting and Design: This cohort study was conducted on 33 summer team members of 27 th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. Subjects and Methods: Seven instruments were administered to assess general health, alcohol and tobacco dependence, memory and cognitive functioning of the team members. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed for statistical significance using nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test. Results: Scores on social dysfunction, depression, and somatic symptoms increased. Tobacco consumption also increased concomitantly. However, memory and cognitive function were not impaired. Alcohol consumption did not change. None of the subjects needed medication or evacuation for psychological difficulties. Conclusion: Psychological issues might manifest themselves even during a short stay in Antarctica during the summer season.

Betel Quid (BQ) chewing independently contributes to oral, hepatic and esophageal carcinomas. Strong association of breast cancer risk with BQ chewing in Northeast Indian population has been reported where this habit is prodigal. We investigated genomic alterations in breast cancer patients with and without BQ chewing exposure. Twenty six BQ chewers (BQC) and 17 non BQ chewer (NBQC) breast cancer patients from Northeast India were analyzed for genomic alterations and pathway networks using SNP array and IPA. BQC tumors showed significantly (P30%) were seen in 27 regions. Three networks were significant in common regions with key roles of PTK2, RPN2, EMR3, VAV1, NNAT, MUC16, MYC and YWHAZ genes. These data show that breast cancer arising by environmental carcinogens exemplifies genetic alterations differing from those observed in the non exposed ones. A number of genetic changes are shared in both tumor groups considered as crucial in breast cancer progression.

Background: Opioid use is a cause of concern in many parts of the world. About 2.1% Indians use opioids. Opioids are also the most common drugs used by injection drug users in India. Despite various treatment strategies used to manage opioid use disorders (OUDs), relapse is common. A good treatment program would make efforts to address lapses and prevent relapse. Hence, there is a need to understand the factors associated with relapse in OUD. Method: One hundred and twenty patients completed a baseline assessment that included socio-demographic details and the Maudsley Addiction Profile (MAP). They were followed up for three months and assessed using telephonic interview for opioid use. All those who relapsed were assessed using the Reasons for Relapse Questionnaire (RRQ). The patients who relapsed were compared with the patients who were abstinent. Relapse was defined as any use of opioid during follow-up. Results: Forty participants relapsed during the 90 days of the study period. Relapsed patients had a greater number of conflict days with family members, used a higher amount of heroin and cannabis at baseline, were less likely to be discharged on buprenorphine, and were more likely to drop out. Participants cited mood and social reasons more often than cue/craving and unwell domains of RRQ. Conclusion: Baseline treatment and prospective factors are associated with relapse in OUD. Addressing these factors can help in reducing relapse in OUD patients.

Background: The technology in the field of laparoscopy is rapidly evolving and is primarily focussed on increasing the quality of image and depth perception in the form of 4K and three-dimensional (3D) technology. There has been no conclusion yet regarding the better technology. Methods: A systematic search was performed independently by two authors across MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Embase using the PRISMA guidelines. All randomised control trials comparing 3D and 4K technologies were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects statistics for time taken for different tasks across the studies. Results: The search strategy revealed a total of 1835 articles, out of which nine studies were included. Three studies showed no superiority of 3D over 4K, while the remaining six did. Meta-analysis for the time taken for peg transfer favoured 3D over 4K (overall effect: Z = 2.12; P = 0.03). Forest plots for time taken for suturing (Z = 1.3; P = 0.19) and knot tying (Z = 1.7; P = 0.09) also favoured 3D over 4K; the results however were statistically insignificant. Path length was reported by two studies and was found to be lesser in the 3D group. Two studies measured the workload by NASA/Surg-TLX score, which was lower in the 3D group. Visual side effects were found to be higher in the 3D group. Conclusion: 3D technology is likely to result in a shorter operative time and better efficiency of movement as compared to the 4K technology by the virtue of its better depth perception.

Context: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involving conversion of cells from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype. The role of candidate genes promoting EMT and favoring a promigratory phenotype has been demonstrated in epithelial cancer. Existing scientific research has not yielded a clinically relevant biomarker with predictive capacity beyond grade and stage in bladder cancer. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression pattern of a panel of epithelial and mesenchymal markers in paraffin-embedded archival material of primary urothelial carcinoma as evidence of EMT. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of transcription factor twist, epithelial (E-cadherin, cytokeratin) and mesenchymal (vimentin, N-cadherin) markers was analyzed on archival paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 48 patients with diagnosis of primary urothelial carcinoma of bladder. Statistical Analysis: Karl Pearson′s χ2 test was used to evaluate the association between the expression of immunohistochemical markers and various clinico-pathologic variables. Non-parametric Kendall′s tau-b statistics was used to determine the correlation between categorical variables. Results and Conclusion: The study demonstrated statistically significant association of cytokeratin, E-cadherin, vimentin, and twist with stage and grade of bladder cancer. Since these markers form part of the spectrum of changes associated with EMT, the study establishes proof of concept of the existence of this process in vivo. A significant negative correlation was noted between the expression of twist and E-cadherin. Exploiting its role as a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin, twist may prove to be a useful candidate for targeted therapy in urologic oncology.