The XRCC1 Arg399Gln gene polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer: a study in Kashmir.

Background: The DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln gene polymorphism has been found to be implicated in the development of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), in different populations. We aimed to determine any association of this polymorphism with the risk of CRC in Kashmir.

Materials And Methods: A total of 120 confirmed cases of CRC and 146 healthy cancer free controls from the Kashmiri population were included in this study.

Detergent induces the formation of IgG aggregates: a multi-methodological approach.

Role of micellar environment created by Triton X-100 (TX-100) and CHAPSO on protein conformation using IgG as a model system has been studied in this paper. A substantial amount of secondary structure with the reduction in constant tertiary contacts was obtained in both bovine and human IgG in the presence of 0.12 mM TX-100 where as 6 and 8 mM CHAPSO concentration was required for this type of secondary structure.

Electronic, ductile, phase transition and mechanical properties of Lu-monopnictides under high pressures.

The structural, elastic and electronic properties of lutatium-pnictides (LuN, LuP, LuAs, LuSb, and LuBi) were analyzed by using full-potential linearized augmented plane wave within generalized gradient approximation in the stable rock-salt structure (B1 phase) with space group Fm-3m and high-pressure CsCl structure (B2 phase) with space group Pm-3m. Hubbard-U and spin-orbit coupling were included to predict correctly the semiconducting band gap of LuN. Under compression, these materials undergo first-order structural transitions from B1 to B2 phases at 241, 98, 56.

Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum): a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) is an eminent medicinal plant of India and considered as a 'white gold' or 'divya aushad' in Indian systems of medicine. In Ayurveda, Chlorophytum borivilianum belongs to the group of "Vajikaran Rasayana" corroborated to its rejuvenating, aphrodisiac, natural sex tonic properties and effective in alleviating sexual disorders. It is largely used as ethnic medicine by local healers of indigenous communities of India.

Lack of association of a common polymorphism in the 3' -UTR of interleukin 8 with non small cell lung cancer in Kashmir.

Background: Chronic inflammation is considered as an important factor in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The presence of inflammatory cells and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment and their surrounding tissues is gaining much importance in research.

Materials And Methods: One hundred ninety NSCLC cases and 200 age, smoking and sex matched controls were evaluated for association of IL-8 -251 (rs4073) and IL-8 -845 (rs2227532) in our population.

Thermal, electronic and ductile properties of lead-chalcogenides under pressure.

Fully relativistic pseudo-potential ab-initio calculations have been performed to investigate the high pressure phase transition, elastic and electronic properties of lead-chalcogenides including the less known lead polonium. The calculated ground state parameters, for the rock-salt structure show good agreement with the experimental data. PbS, PbSe, PbTe and PbPo undergo a first-order phase transition from rock-salt to CsCl structure at 19.

WITHDRAWN: Single nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotype association and tumour expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with lung carcinoma.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

Role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms in susceptibility to multiple myeloma in ethnic Kashmiri population.

Background: Vitamin D regulates many biological processes including bone metabolism, innate immune response, and cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to its receptor VDR. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with many cancers like breast, colorectal, prostate, and skin. The main aim of this study was to determine whether VDR polymorphisms (ApaI, BsmI and FokI) are associated with increased risk of multiple myeloma.

Effect of second dose of measles vaccine on measles antibody status: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the second dose of measles vaccine on measles antibody status during childhood.

Setting: Immunization centre of Under-five Clinic of the Department of Community Medicine at a tertiary-hospital.

Study Design: Randomized Controlled trial.

Antitumor, Analgesic, and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Synthesized Pyrazolines.

Nitrogen heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazolines have been found to possess a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anticancer, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities. Pyrazoline derivatives IV, V (a-e) have been synthesized from the intermediate chalcones III (a-h) by cyclizing with phenyl hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A gene (VEGFA) polymorphisms and expression of VEGFA gene in lung cancer patients of Kashmir Valley (India).

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis involving tumor growth and metastasis. Polymorphisms in the VEGF gene may regulate VEGF production. In this case-control study, we investigated whether functional polymorphisms (+405 C > G and +936 C > T) in the VEGF gene are associated with the risk of lung cancer.

Giant cystic Virchow-Robin spaces with adjacent white matter signal alteration.

Perivascular spaces surround the small arteries and veins as they enter into the brain parenchyma from the subarachnoid spaces. Also called as Virchow-Robin spaces, these are prominent in the basal ganglia and high convexity white matter of the elderly. Occasionally VR spaces may get massively enlarged and may mimic a cystic mass lesion.

Evaluation of the established non-MHC multiple sclerosis loci in an Indian population.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating neurodegenerative disorder with a strong genetic component.

Objective: The prevalence of MS in India is low compared with white populations of Northern European descent.

Methods: In order to ascertain whether disease susceptibility genes are the same across different populations, we completed the first investigation in the Indian MS population of 15 MS loci outside of the major histocompatibility (MHC) region that were previously identified and validated with MS susceptibility through genome-wide association and replication studies in white populations.

Acute salt poisoning due to different oral rehydration solution (ORS) packet sizes.

The packing and composition of ORS has undergone a change since its introduction. In India, some companies are manufacturing smaller pouches (4.2 g) to be dissolved in 200 ml of water.

Hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation.

End stage liver disease from hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. Recurrent hepatitis C after LT is universal and causes substantial morbidity and mortality with up to 30% patients developing cirrhosis by the fifth postoperative year. Once cirrhosis is established, the risk of hepatic decompensation is approximately 40% per year.

Synthesis and characterization of glucose-bis(pyrazole)-Cu(II)/Ni(II) complexes and their in vitro DNA binding studies.

The D-glucose-bis pyrazolyl complexes of Cu(II) 1 and Ni(II) 2 were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements and spectroscopic methods. The solution structures of the complex have been assessed to square pyramidal using electronic absorption and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The interaction of 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been carried out by absorption, emission, viscometric and electrochemical methods.

Synthesis of new heterometallic macromolecules: their DNA binding, cleavage activity and in vitro model electrochemotherapy study.

The homodinuclear C(16)H(30)N(8)O(5)Sn(2)Cl(4) (1), heterotetranuclear C(16)H(38)N(8)O(9)Sn(2)Cu(2)Cl(8) (2) and C(16)H(38)N(8)O(9)Sn(2)Mn(2)Cl(8) (3) macrocyclic complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques and molar conductance measurements. The interaction studies of 1-3 with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were carried out by UV-vis titration, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements. These results were further authenticated by carrying out interaction studies of 1-3 with plasmid pBR322 DNA employing gel electrophoresis.

CYP1A1 polymorphisms and risk of lung cancer in the ethnic Kashmiri population.

The CYP1A1 category of enzymes plays a central role in the metabolic activation of major tobacco carcinogens. Several polymorphisms within the CYP1A1 locus have been identified and have been shown to be associated with lung cancer risk, particularly in Asian populations. Here we focused on the influence of three polymorphisms on lung cancer in ethnic Kashmiris, genotyping 109 lung cancer cases and 163 healthy controls by PCR-RFLP methods.

Experience with oral mexiletine in primary erythromelalgia in children.

Primary erythromelalgia is characterized by burning pain, redness, and warmth in the extremities. We present two cases of primary erythromelalgia both of whom presented with a history of several months of severe burning pain in both hands and feet. Both patients had received multiple pain medications with no improvement in symptoms.

Synthesis of new piperazine derived Cu(II)/Zn(II) metal complexes, their DNA binding studies, electrochemistry and anti-microbial activity: validation for specific recognition of Zn(II) complex to DNA helix by interaction with thymine base.

New 3,4:9,10-dibenzo-2,11-dihydroxy-1,12-bispiperazine-5,8-dioxododecane complexes [C(24)H(36)N(4)O(6)Cu] (1), [C(24)H(32)N(4)O(4)Zn] (2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, Mass, EPR, UV-vis spectroscopy and molar conductance measurements. The complexes are non-ionic in nature and possess octahedral geometry around Cu(2+), Zn(2+) central metal ions. The binding studies of 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetery and viscosity measurements.

Autosomal recessive tubular aggregate myopathy in an Indian family.

Tubular aggregate myopathy has been reported in 25 patients worldwide, predominantly in Caucasians and mostly of autosomal dominant inheritance. We are reporting three affected members of an Indian family with autosomal recessive form of the disease, who in addition had varied clinical presentations of the same disease process.

Study on Prevalence of lodine Deficiency Disorder and Salt Consumption Patterns in Jammu Region.

Research Question: What is the situation of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and salt consumption in Jammu region?

Hypothesis: The prevalence of IDD has decreased markedly as a result of medical as well as socio-economic factors.

Objective: To assess the magnitude of IDD in Jammu region and also assess the salt consumption patterns in the region.

Design: Cross-sectional study.