Endometrial receptivity: a revisit to functional genomics studies on human endometrium and creation of HGEx-ERdb.

Background: Endometrium acquires structural and functional competence for embryo implantation only during the receptive phase of menstrual cycle in fertile women. Sizeable data are available to indicate that this ability is acquired by modulation in the expression of several genes/gene products. However, there exists little consensus on the identity, number of expressed/not-detected genes and their pattern of expression (up or down regulation).

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships among microsporidian isolates infecting silkworm, Bombyx mori using small subunit rRNA (SSU-rRNA) gene sequence analysis.

The life cycle, spore morphology, pathogenicity, tissue specificity, mode of transmission and small subunit rRNA (SSU-rRNA) gene sequence analysis of the five new microsporidian isolates viz., NIWB-11bp, NIWB-12n, NIWB-13md, NIWB-14b and NIWB-15mb identified from the silkworm, Bombyx mori have been studied along with type species, NIK-1s_mys. The life cycle of the microsporidians identified exhibited the sequential developmental cycles that are similar to the general developmental cycle of the genus, Nosema.

Linkers of cell polarity and cell cycle regulation in the fission yeast protein interaction network.

The study of gene and protein interaction networks has improved our understanding of the multiple, systemic levels of regulation found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Here we carry out a large-scale analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and establish a method to identify 'linker' proteins that bridge diverse cellular processes - integrating Gene Ontology and PPI data with network theory measures. We test the method on a highly characterized subset of the genome consisting of proteins controlling the cell cycle, cell polarity and cytokinesis and identify proteins likely to play a key role in controlling the temporal changes in the localization of the polarity machinery.

Comparison of PCR based marker systems for genetic analysis in different cultivars of mango.

Native diversity is well represented in northern and eastern parts of India for mango. We evaluated three important polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based marker techniques viz., random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and directed amplified mini satellite DNA (DAMD) and examined their suitability for depicting genetic relationships and discrimination among closely related group of 46 mango varieties grown in the different agro-ecological zones in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Crystal engineering: lattice inclusion based on O-H···O hydrogen-bonded self-assembly and guest-induced structural mimicry.

Pyrene-tetraphenol TP2 constitutes a molecular system with inherent features for inclusion of two or more guest molecules that are complementary in terms of size and shape. Hydrogen-bonded self-assembly of TP2 in the solid state is shown to lead to voids within which the guest molecules are incorporated. A large aromatic expanse extant to the pyrene core in TP2 permits inclusion of two different types of guest species interchangeably.

Synthesis of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) based nanoparticles for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

The performance of polymeric nanomaterials relies greatly upon their properties which are intimately related to the methods of fabrication of the materials. Among various synthetic polymers, the polymers of 2-hydroxyetyhyl methacrylate (PHEMA) maintain a prime position in biomedical field due to their useful physicochemical properties and suitability for controlled drug delivery applications. Here we focus on three methods of preparation of PHEMA nanoparticles, by suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization and dispersion polymerization without the use of any surfactants.

MGEx-Udb: a mammalian uterus database for expression-based cataloguing of genes across conditions, including endometriosis and cervical cancer.

Background: Gene expression profiling of uterus tissue has been performed in various contexts, but a significant amount of the data remains underutilized as it is not covered by the existing general resources.

Methodology/principal Findings: We curated 2254 datasets from 325 uterus related mass scale gene expression studies on human, mouse, rat, cow and pig species. We then computationally derived a 'reliability score' for each gene's expression status (transcribed/dormant), for each possible combination of conditions and locations, based on the extent of agreement or disagreement across datasets.

Predictors of maternal psychological distress in rural India: a cross-sectional community-based study.

Background: Maternal common mental disorders are prevalent in low-resource settings and have far-reaching consequences for maternal and child health. We assessed the prevalence and predictors of psychological distress as a proxy for common mental disorders among mothers in rural Jharkhand and Orissa, eastern India, where over 40% of the population live below the poverty line and access to reproductive and mental health services is low.

Method: We screened 5801 mothers around 6 weeks after delivery using the Kessler-10 item scale, and identified predictors of distress using multiple hierarchical logistic regression.

Magnetically controlled release of cisplatin from superparamagnetic starch nanoparticles.

The present study involves a novel strategy for the preparation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles of crosslinked starch impregnated with homogeneously dispersed nanosized iron oxide. The nanoparticles were loaded with an anticancer drug 'cisplatin' and the drug release kinetics was investigated spectrophotometrically at physiological pH (7.4).

Prevalence of dental diseases in 5- to 14-year-old school children in rural areas of the Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Background: Epidemiological studies are helpful in planning and implementing oral health programs in a given population. This initiative is a consequence of the absence of any information on any study being conducted in the past on the prevalence of dental diseases in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Aims: The aims were to (1) assess the prevalence of gingivitis, fluorosis, and malocclusion in the school-going children of rural areas of district Barabanki and (2) evaluate the pattern of above-mentioned diseases in different age groups and genders.

Contemporary issues in precocious puberty.

Precocious puberty poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the physician. Recent advances in the understanding of pathophysiology of precocious puberty have resulted in improved management. Timely intervention is mandatory to achieve successful outcome.

Designing polysaccharide-based antibacterial biomaterials for wound healing applications.

In this study, the development and characterization of novel polymer blends based on chitosan-poly (vinyl alcohol) and physically cross-linked by freeze-thaw method for possible use in a variety of biomedical application is reported. The present investigation deals with designing savlon-loaded blend hydrogels (coined as cryogels) of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan by repeated freeze-thaw method and their characterization by SEM and FTIR techniques. The FTIR spectra clearly reveal that savlon-loaded chitosan and PVA blends are bonded together through hydrogen bonding.

Validation of echocardiographic left atrial parameters in atrial fibrillation using the index beat of preceding cardiac cycles of equal duration.

Background: The clinical assessment of left atrial function during atrial fibrillation is challenging and often inaccurate because of the beat-to-beat variability in the cycle length. The aim of this study was to validate the use of an index beat, the beat following two preceding cardiac cycles of equal duration, for the measurement of left atrial functional indices, including area, volume, and expansion index. The index beat was compared with the conventional but time-consuming method of averaging multiple consecutive cardiac cycles.

Community mobilisation with women's groups facilitated by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to improve maternal and newborn health in underserved areas of Jharkhand and Orissa: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: Around a quarter of the world's neonatal and maternal deaths occur in India. Morbidity and mortality are highest in rural areas and among the poorest wealth quintiles. Few interventions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes with government-mandated community health workers have been rigorously evaluated at scale in this setting.

Relationship between chest lateral width, tube current, image noise, and radiation exposure associated with coronary artery calcium scanning on 320-detector row CT.

Background: The relationship between chest lateral width, tube current, image noise, and radiation exposure on 320-detector row CT has not been reported.

Objective: We investigated the relationships between chest lateral width, estimated radiation exposure (DLPe), and image noise in 300 patients undergoing clinical coronary calcium scanning.

Methods: Patients undergoing coronary calcium scanning with 320-detector row CT (prospective, volumetric mode, 120 kV of tube voltage, 100-550 mA of tube current, 0.

Unusual field dependence of remanent magnetization in granular CrO2: the possible relevance of piezomagnetism.

We present low field thermoremanent magnetization (TRM) measurements in granular CrO(2) and composites of ferromagnetic (FM) CrO(2) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) Cr(2)O(3). TRM in these samples is seen to display two distinct timescales. A quasi-static part of remanence, appearing only in the low field regime, exhibits a peculiar field dependence.

Gastrointestinal polyps in McCune Albright syndrome.

Background: McCune Albright syndrome (MAS), a disorder caused by somatic activating mutations in the GNAS gene, usually presents with cutaneous, skeletal, and endocrine manifestations. While focal lesions involving multiple tissues have been identified in MAS, almost nothing is known about gastrointestinal lesions in this disease.

Methods: Two MAS patients with perioral freckling, resembling Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), and two MAS patients without similar pigmentation underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy to establish if they had coexisting hamartomatous polyposis.

The role of C-reactive protein as a risk predictor of coronary atherosclerosis: implications from the JUPITER trial.

Much controversy surrounds the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk. Although data regarding the association of hs-CRP with CV disease is extensive and consistent, its role in clinical practice remains unclear. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published a scientific statement regarding criteria for evaluation of novel markers of CV risk.

Association of leaf micro-morphological characters with powdery mildew resistance in field-grown mulberry (Morus spp.) germplasm.

Background And Aims: Micro-morphological characteristics can influence fungal infectivity. We sought links between micro-morphology and resistance to powdery mildew in mulberry with the intention of assisting selection of disease-resistant lines.

Methodology: Over 3 years and under field conditions, we evaluated 30 lines of mulberry with contrasting susceptibilities to powdery mildew (15 resistant and 15 susceptible).

Magnetically mediated release of ciprofloxacin from polyvinyl alcohol based superparamagnetic nanocomposites.

Polymer nanocomposites exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior have been recognized as a promising tool to achieve targeted drug delivery using external magnetic field for treating complex diseases like cancers and tumors. The present investigation attempts to design a superparamagnetic nanocomposite which could desirably deliver ciprofloxacin drug by application of varying magnetic field. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, a polymer matrix of polyvinyl alcohol-g-polymethyl methacrylate was prepared by free radical polymerization and iron oxide particles were impregnated by in situ precipitation method.

Randomized, double-blind study on role of low level nitrogen laser therapy in treatment failure tubercular lymphadenopathy, sinuses and cold abscess.

Background: Effectiveness of low level nitrogen laser therapy along with antitubercular treatment (ATT) in cases of treatment failure and drug resistant tubercular lymphadenopathy, sinuses and cold abscess.

Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of LLLT, 104 patients assigned to either the low level nitrogen laser therapy along with ATT (LLLT group) (n = 54) or ATT only (Chemotherapy group) (n = 50). Both groups were treated two times per week for five weeks.

Explaining the impact of a women's group led community mobilisation intervention on maternal and newborn health outcomes: the Ekjut trial process evaluation.

Background: Few large and rigorous evaluations of participatory interventions systematically describe their context and implementation, or attempt to explain the mechanisms behind their impact. This study reports process evaluation data from the Ekjut cluster-randomised controlled trial of a participatory learning and action cycle with women's groups to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Jharkhand and Orissa, eastern India (2005-2008). The study demonstrated a 45% reduction in neonatal mortality in the last two years of the intervention, largely driven by improvements in safe practices for home deliveries.

Outcomes of category III and I in immunocompetent patients of tuberculous lymphadenopathy treated in revised national tuberculosis control programme.

Background: Retrospective observation analysis to evaluate the outcome of six month treatment regimen, CAT-III and CAT-I, for all patients diagnosed with tubercular lymphadenopathy at M.G.M.

A novel tissue-specific meta-analysis approach for gene expression predictions, initiated with a mammalian gene expression testis database.

Background: In the recent years, there has been a rise in gene expression profiling reports. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to make maximum use of available gene expression data. Many databases and programs can be used to derive the possible expression patterns of mammalian genes, based on existing data.