Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure sickle cell disease: A review.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) had first been mentioned in the literature a century ago. Advancement in the molecular basis of the pathophysiology of the disease opens the door for various therapeutic options. Though life-extending treatments are available for treating patients with SCD, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only option as of yet.

Correction of murine sickle cell disease by allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation with anti-3rd party veto cells.

Despite advances in gene therapy allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) remains the most effective way to cure sickle cell disease (SCD). However, there are substantial challenges including lack of suitable donors, therapy-related toxicity (TRM) and risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Perhaps the most critical question is when to do a transplant for SCD.

Evaluation of Taenia solium cyst fluid-based enzyme linked immunoelectro transfer blot for Neurocysticercosis diagnosis in urban and highly endemic rural population of North India.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is infection by cestode Taenia solium/pork tapeworm. Sero-diagnosis of NCC is still a challenge. Radiological imaging (CT/MRI) are cost intensive, requires technical expertise and resource intensive.

Interleukin-1B ( and ) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist () gene polymorphisms in primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disease caused by autoantibodies against platelets membrane glycoproteins GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX. The etiology of ITP remains unclear. This study evaluated the association of polymorphisms in interleukin (), , and with ITP.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) modulates Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in absence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), a multifunctional cytokine, acts as a key factor for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. We investigated the role of TGF-β1 in latent and lytic stages of EBV in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with gastric cancer (GC) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

Method: Gastric mucosal TGF-β1 expression was determined in 95 EBV positive patients with gastroduodenal pathology [GC 40, PUD 19 and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) 36] by quantitative real time PCR.

Distinct cytokine pattern in response to different bacterial pathogens in human brain abscess.

Brain abscess is a focal suppurative process. Host inflammatory response in Gram type and specific bacteria has not been studied in brain abscess. A total of 57 brain abscess patients with monomicrobial infections were studied for Th1 (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL1-β), Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) and Th17 (IL-17, IL-23) cytokine response by reverse-transcriptase PCR and ELISA.

Evaluation of ELISA, neck muscle, tongue and eyelid examinations for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis in a highly endemic area of north India.

Swine cysticercosis is very common in the developing countries where pigs are raised. Undercooked measly pork consumption leads to taeniasis; Taenia carriers act as source of human and swine cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. Diagnosis of swine cysticercosis is important to break the cycle of disease transmission.

Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphism and its association with symptomatic neurocysticercosis.

Background: Symptoms and signs of neurocysticercosis (NCC) are nonspecific and depend upon several factors, including the host immune response to the parasite. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in innate immunity. Susceptibility of humans to NCC in relation to TLR polymorphism is unknown.

Association of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms with Guillain-Barré syndrome in Northern Indian population.

Molecular mimicry between Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharide and host gangliosides induces an immune response leading to axonal damage and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). TLR polymorphisms are associated with many autoimmune diseases. The role of the TLR4 gene in GBS susceptibility largely remains unknown.

Human cysticercosis and Indian scenario: a review.

Cysticercosis, caused by Taenia solium larva is a major public health problem,especially in the developing world and neurocysticercosis (NCC) is considered to be the most common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system. NCC is identified as the single most common cause of community acquired active epilepsy; 26.3% to 53.