Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research

This study examines broker-mediated, commercially arranged cross-border marriages involving Muslim women from economically marginalised communities in Kerala. Based on in-depth interviews with 36 women—18 in inter-state marriages (primarily with men from Mysore and Karnataka) and 18 in international marriages involving Arab countries and the Maldives—the article explores how gender, poverty, language, religion and geographic displacement intersect to produce structured vulnerability within marriage. Unlike elite or self-initiated transnational unions, these marriages are characterised by limited premarital familiarity, constrained consent-building and intensive broker mediation, where marriage is negotiated as an economic transaction. The findings show how women are relocated into unfamiliar cultural and linguistic environments that restrict autonomy and increase dependence on husbands, in-laws and intermediaries. By foregrounding survivor narratives, the study argues that these marriages function less as pathways to mobility and more as sites of gendered control and exploitation. Drawing on biopolitics, gender justice and human rights frameworks, the study contributes to debates on intimate partner violence, reproductive justice and the political economy of cross-border marriage markets, while avoiding generalisations across all forms of cross-border marriage.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an escalating public health concern in India’s rapidly urbanizing regions, with cities like Hyderabad experiencing significant increases in disease burden linked to lifestyle and socioeconomic changes. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling to recruit adults aged 20 and above in urban Hyderabad. Data were collected with the WHO STEPS questionnaire, direct anthropometric measurements, blood pressure monitoring, and biochemical screening for glucose and lipid profiles. Results: The study found high prevalence rates of hypertension (up to 50% in the elderly), diabetes (25–26% in the elderly), and obesity (44% in the elderly, 37% in adults), with a greater impact on women than men. Behavioral risk factors, including sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, poor dietary diversity, and excess salt intake, were widespread, and nearly half of hypertensive and many diabetic individuals were unaware of their diagnoses. Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical need for strengthened surveillance, targeted screening, and coordinated preventive interventions to address the rising NCD epidemic in urban India.

Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog (SIRT1), a key protein involved in cellular regulation, exhibits altered expression in breast cancer. The study aimed to assess serum Sirtuin 1 level, investigate SIRT1 gene polymorphisms, and examine their association with breast cancer. One hundred seventy-two breast cancer patients and 78 healthy age-matched females were included in the study. Genetic variants of the SIRT1 gene were identified using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism/Sanger Sequencing and serum SIRT1 levels using Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Serum SIRT1 levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients [0.822 (0.72-0.96)] than controls [0.752 (0.66-0.86)], p = 0.0027. Subgroup analyses revealed notable increases in Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (p = 0.0016), hormone-positive (p = 0.0232), and Triple Negative Breast Cancer groups (p = 0.4426) compared to the control group. The SIRT1 levels were also significantly associated with breast cancer (p = 0.0252). SIRT1 exhibited an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.618, with 58% sensitivity and specificity at a cutoff of 0.797, showing poor discriminative ability. rs141528984 had a significant difference in allele frequency between patient group and control group (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.896-6.516), p < 0.0001. There were no significant associations between SIRT1 gene polymorphisms and serum Sirtuin 1 levels in breast cancer patients. The proliferation marker Ki67 showed a significant association (p = 0.0428) with specific SIRT1 variants, rs777323664, rs757804740, and rs184282868. SIRT1 levels are elevated in breast cancer patients indicate its potential as a diagnostic marker. Mutant alleles of rs141528984 were more common in controls compared to case group, indicating its protective function. Ki67 expression was associated with rs777323, rs757804740, and rs1842828683 which may contribute to tumor aggressiveness.

Shoulder arthroplasty is associated with significant postoperative pain. Pain management following shoulder arthroplasty has been traditionally treated using interscalene block (ISB) and systemic opioids. However, these techniques are limited by short analgesic duration, respiratory complications, and a high risk of opioid dependence. Surgeons have considered the benefits of a multimodal approach via the suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) combined with an axillary nerve block (ANB) for managing postoperative pain following shoulder arthroplasty.The present investigation aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of a combined suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and axillary nerve block (ANB) as an alternative to ISB for postoperative analgesia in shoulder arthroplasty. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and particular attention was given to outcomes such as pain control, opioid consumption, adverse events, and patient-specific considerations. Multiple studies demonstrate that SSNB + ANB provides comparable pain control to ISB while significantly reducing the risk of phrenic nerve paralysis, rebound hyperalgesia, and opioid-related complications. SSNB alone offers diaphragmatic-sparing benefits but may have limited analgesic coverage. When paired with ANB, the dual-block technique achieves broader sensory blockade and improved patient satisfaction. Recent advances in ultrasound-guided delivery and long-acting adjuvants, such as liposomal bupivacaine, dexmedetomidine, and dexamethasone, further enhance block duration and safety. The combined SSNB and ANB represents a safe, effective, patient-centered alternative to ISB for postoperative analgesia in shoulder arthroplasty. Its favorable safety profile and comparable efficacy make it especially valuable in high-risk populations and in settings aiming to reduce opioid reliance.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints and causes mobility problems. RA is associated with high mortality and morbidity as a result of the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, such as blood pressure (BP), in these patients. Exercise has a beneficial effect on CVD and CV risk factorsand improves the overall well-being of RA patients. This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of exercise on CVD and CV risk factors, specifically BP, in RA patients. We searched the relevant literature across databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. In this study, we included English-language studies with full text and related information on the impact of exercise on CVD in RA patients. The study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) appraisal method for evaluating non-randomized clinical trials (RCTs), pilot studies, and observational studies, the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist for systematic reviews, and the Narrative Review Checklist for the narrative review studies. Eight relevant studies were included in this systematic review. The study shows that different types of exercise, from low to high intensity, have a beneficial effect on CVD and CV risk factors such as BP in RA patients. Exercise improves mortality, morbidity, and overall quality of life in this patient population. The study strongly recommends incorporating physical activity into the management of RA patients.

To compare the image quality of high resolution CT scan of temporal bone reconstruction using a novel adaptive iterative reconstruction-V (IR) technique with conventional filter back projection technique. The objective (mean image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for the temporal bone and the mean attenuation value of soft tissue) and subjective image parameters (image noise, image contrast, overall visibility of temporal bone/ soft issue visibility of small structures and overall diagnostic confidence) were assessed. Eighteen patient underwent standard protocol of CT temporal bone at our institution. The same raw data were reconstructed using FBP and ASIR 20%, ASIR 40%, ASIR 60%, ASIR 80%.result shows that image measurements revealed significantly less noise in the soft tissue than bone attenuation value for the ASIR (p-value<0.05). Used Wilcoxon signed rank test. Filter back projection and ASIR Bone with various percentages but there no significant difference in two methods (p<0.05). Comparing Filter back projection Soft Tissue and ASIR Soft Tissue, there is significant with in ASIR-Soft Tissue percentages various percentages and also it is better than FBP (p<0.05). Note Data are indicated Median and IQR=Interquartile range (25 th and 75 th percentile). It is statistically significant difference of increasing percentage of ASIR percentage of soft tissue. This study concluded that ASIR shows superior reduction of noise and improved image quality (both objective and subjective analysis) compared with ASIR and FBP CT Temporal bone examination.

ABSTRACT: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic disorder with significant health implications for both mother and fetus, yet its molecular underpinnings remain incompletely defined. This study employed an integrative bioinformatics approach to elucidate the genetic architecture and molecular pathways involved in GDM, using a curated set of 30 GDM-associated genes from the DisGeNET database. Comprehensive analyses, including Gene Ontology, pathway enrichment, transcriptional regulation, tissue expression, metabolite interaction, and drug association studies, were conducted using R version 4.4.2 with stringent statistical controls (adjusted p &lt; 0.05). The results revealed strong enrichment in vitamin B12 and folate metabolism pathways, implicating a critical nutritional-genetic interface. Key genes such as IL6, INSR, LEP, TNF, and CRP were linked to metabolic and inflammatory regulation, while pathways related to adipogenesis, leptin-insulin signaling, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease emerged as central networks. Hormonal metabolites and potential therapeutic agents, including statins and anti-inflammatory drugs, were identified, and transcriptional analyses highlighted complex regulatory mechanisms. Tissue-specific findings emphasized the systemic nature of GDM, with liver, adipose, and pancreatic involvement. Collectively, this study provides a multidimensional view of GDM pathogenesis and identifies candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets, laying the groundwork for future functional validation and precision medicine strategies.