Inflammation has been ascertained as an integral mechanism in patients with both diabetes and depression. Certain clinical studies have reported that raised serum markers of inflammation, particularly IL-6, are associated with the onset of T2DM¹². Different cohort studies indicate the involvement of activated innate immunity in patients with T2DM¹¹. Depression has been found to be associated with impaired immune system and increased susceptibility to various diseases. An increase in plasma cytokines and acute phase protein concentration has been reported in the blood of depressed patients. Cytokines affect multiple CNS functions that are dysregulated during depression. Moreover, external administration of IL into the CNS has been found to induce immune function and produce stress-like effect on behavior¹³. Studies have highlighted higher levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in patients with T2DM and depression¹⁴. IL-9, which is a Th2-related cytokine, has been reported to be over-expressed in the post mortem brains of depressed people¹⁵. It is a pleiotropic cytokine whose elevated levels have been linked to allergic lung inflammation¹⁶.

Patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a heightened susceptibility to infections, which significantly elevates their risk of mortality and disability. The intensity of the chemotherapy treatment and its specific focus on inhibiting myeloid cell divisions render patients especially vulnerable, particularly during the early stages of chemotherapy. This vulnerability is compounded by the occurrence of repeated episodes of prolonged neutropenia, leaving patients highly susceptible to infections. The compromised immune systems of these individuals make them more susceptible to infections, which adversely affect their physical health and overall well-being. Consequently, our study aimed to investigate the range of infections experienced by patients with newly diagnosed AML undergoing different induction chemotherapy. This was a comparative retrospective study, conducted at a tertiary hospital providing comprehensive cancer care in North India. All newly diagnosed patients with AML, who received induction chemotherapy from January 1, 2012 to November 1, 2022, were identified from the hospital database and included in this study. Four hundred and twenty AML patients treated with either high-intensity or low-intensity induction chemotherapy was observed in this study. It was found that patients who received high-intensity treatment had a higher rate of clinically and microbiologically documented infections, fever without a known cause, and more cases of febrile neutropenia than those who got low-intensity treatment. These differences between the two groups were particularly evident on day 14 (p = 0.0002) and persisted through day 28 (p = 0.005). These findings underscore the effectiveness and downside of high-intensity induction chemotherapy regimens, as evidenced by the higher incidence of infections observed. Further investigation through prospective clinical studies is warranted to better evaluate and validate the efficacy of this approach.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including bone marrow transplantation, is the treatment of choice for many hematologic diseases, including hematologic malignancies and different types of anemia. The use of HSCT is increasing annually, mainly because advanced research that has been conducted in this area has exponentially expanded the indications for HSCT and significantly improved transplantation techniques and supportive care practices. Collectively, these improvements have led to an increase in the overall survival of HSCT patients. However, as post-HSCT survival is increasing, awareness of the potential late complications of HSCT is also growing. Unpredictable bone loss is one of the major post-HSCT complications that can cause significant morbidity and impair the quality of life of survivors. Although the exact mechanism of post-HSCT bone loss is not yet known, previous studies have suggested that numerous factors, including destructive preparative regimens (eg, high-dose chemotherapy, total body irradiation), treatment-related complications (eg, graft-versus-host disease), endocrine abnormalities (eg, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency), lack of physical activity, and the underlying disease itself are responsible for HSCT-associated bone loss. Sufficient data have been collected to suggest that post-HSCT bone loss can be prevented and treated using the same preventive and treatment modalities as used for the general population. Various guidelines have been formulated to help keep a check on HSCT recipients' deteriorating bone health.

Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. Nanomedicine offers a promising solution by utilizing nanoparticles for precise drug delivery, countering antibiotic... Plain language summary Helicobacter pylori is associated with stomach problems like gastritis, ulcers and cancer. The use of tiny particles, called nanomedicine, may help to precisely deliver drugs... Tweetable abstract Helicobacter pylori infection links to gastritis, ulcers and cancer. Nanomedicine has the potential to be used in H. pylori eradication, as explored in this review.