This study aimed to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation on multiple dimensions of tuberculosis (TB) care, including clinical, humanistic, and safety outcomes. This study is a prospective cohort study. Data were collected for TB treatment outcome, hematologic inflammatory indices, anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT)-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level questionnaire to evaluate the effect of probiotics supplementation. In all, 177 patients with drug-sensitive pulmonary TB were enrolled. TB treatment success rates in the study group (SG) and the reference group (RG) were 85.1% and 84.6%, respectively (p = 1.000). Among hematologic inflammatory indices, only the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) showed a statistically significant reduction after probiotic supplementation (p = 0.048). No significant changes were observed in HRQoL scores at various time points. ATT-induced ADRs were significantly lower in the SG than the RG (14.8% vs 61.3%; p < 0.001). Probiotic supplementation did not significantly influence TB treatment success or HRQoL outcomes. However, it showed a favorable impact on systemic inflammation and a significant reduction in the incidence of ATT-induced ADRs, especially gastrointestinal side effects. These findings suggest a potential role for probiotics as a supportive adjunct to ameliorate ATT-induced ADRs. Future studies should focus on assessing long-term supplementation effects to investigate humanistic outcomes.

Aims/Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among individuals with diabetic foot infections (DFIs) and can influence a range of patient-related parameters. Hence, we aimed to find the association of serum vitamin D levels with various clinical, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters, as well as the microbial environment in the wounds of DFI patients. Materials and Methods: From September 2022 to March 2024, 169 DFI patients participated in cross-sectional research at the hospital. Utilising an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, vitamin D levels were determined. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Cathelicidin (LL-37) were estimated using ELISA Kits. The tissue culture plate technique was used to analyze biofilm formation. Patient-related parameters were obtained from medical records. Results: The vitamin D status of DFI patients indicated that 70.4% were deficient, 19.5% were insufficient, and 10.1% were sufficient. The median vitamin D, VDR protein, and LL-37 values were 15.3 ng/mL, 0.832 ng/mL, and 1.54 ng/mL, respectively. Biofilm formation was seen in 84.36% of bacteria from vitamin D-deficient DFI patients ( P < .001). Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with ulcer duration, hospital stay, white blood cell count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and systemic inflammation index (r = −0.787, −0.849, −0.6, −0.475, −0.402, and −0.521, respectively; P < .001). However, vitamin D levels were positively correlated with VDR and LL-37 levels (r = 0.988 and 0.944, respectively; P < .001). Conclusions: The majority of DFI patients exhibited vitamin D deficiency, which was significantly associated with most of the clinical, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters, in addition to the microbial environment within the wound.

Background/Objectives: Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are a major cause of morbidity and lower-limb amputation. Vitamin D exerts immunomodulatory effects through vitamin D receptor (VDR), which regulates the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene that encodes cathelicidin (LL-37). However, their association with DFIs remains poorly understood. This study investigated the association between vitamin D supplementation, the vitamin D–VDR–CAMP–LL-37 pathway, and ulcer healing in DFIs involving biofilm-forming bacteria. Methods: This study (September 2022–March 2026) included 16 DFI patients in the study group (SG), 16 in the reference group (RG), and 16 healthy controls (HCs). The SG received vitamin D supplementation (60,000 IU) in addition to standard care, whereas the RG received standard care alone. Participants were followed up for 4 months. Vitamin D assessment (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay), VDR and LL-37 quantification (ELISA), biofilm formation (tissue culture plate method), and VDR and CAMP gene expression (mRNA quantitation) were all considered. Results: At baseline, serum vitamin D, VDR protein, and LL-37 levels differed significantly among the groups (p ≤ 0.002), whereas VDR and CAMP gene expressions did not. Following supplementation, the SG showed significant increases in serum vitamin D, VDR protein and LL-37 (p ≤ 0.001). At the four-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in VDR and CAMP gene expression or in ulcer healing between the groups. Although a higher proportion of participants in the SG achieved ulcer healing, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although changes in the circulating elements of the vitamin D-VDR-LL-37 pathway were noted with physician-prescribed vitamin D supplementation, no statistically significant association with ulcer healing was observed. This finding requires validation through a thorough investigation.

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality associated with malignancies. Identifying prognostic factors is vital for improving survival outcomes. This study assessed the impact of clinical, demographic, and genetic factors on overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A prospective cohort of 70 NSCLC patients was analyzed. Demographic and clinical data, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status and clinical response by RECIST 1.1 criteria, were assessed. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method with log‐rank test. The median PFS and OS were 15 and 24 months, respectively. EGFR‐positive patients showed significantly longer survival than EGFR‐negative patients (PFS: 17 vs. 11 months, OS: not reached [NA] vs. 24 months). Brain metastases indicated poor OS (OS: 15 months vs. NA) but did not affect PFS. Patients with a partial response after one year exhibited improved overall survival (24‐month OS probability of 77.8%). EGFR mutation status, brain metastases, and clinical response are key predictors of survival in NSCLC patients. Integrating genetic screening, timely management of brain metastases, and early assessment may enhance personalized treatment and improve prognosis.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of sodium valproate, levetiracetam, and phenytoin in agitation control. Methods and Material: This prospective observational study included 189 adult patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving sodium valproate, phenytoin, and levetiracetam. Agitation was monitored using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) at baseline and serially over seven days. The study evaluated the percentage of patients who experienced agitation-relief (A-R) following antiepileptic drugs, along with pattern of adverse events among the three groups. Results: Sodium valproate (sod.v) demonstrated better efficacy with 85.7% of patients achieving A-R compared to 63.5% in levetiracetam (P = 0.016). The median time to achieve A-R was 3 days in sod.v and significantly lesser compared to 4 days in phenytoin (P = 0.04) and 5 days in levetiracetam (P = 0.0001). By day 4, 72% of patients in the sod.v achieved A-R, in contrast to 50% in the phenytoin and 31.7% in the levetiracetam group. The safety profile of sod.v and levetiracetam was more favorable with lesser occurrence of adverse events compared to phenytoin (P = 0.017). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first pivotal evidence to compare antiepileptics for agitation control in post-traumatic brain injury patients. Our study demonstrated that patients receiving sodium valproate showed relatively greater and earlier improvement in agitation control, with an acceptable safety profile. The study proves the dual benefits of sod.v in post-TBI improving patient outcomes and alleviating mental strain on patients, and their families.