Fite-Faraco staining in combination with multiplex polymerase chain reaction: a new approach to leprosy diagnosis.

Background: Leprosy is not always an easy disease to diagnose, and patients can remain undiagnosed for longtime, not only at the peripheral clinics but also even at places with higher medical facilities, so, there is an urgent need for rapid and definitive modalities for leprosy diagnosis. This prospective study evaluates the ability of Fite-Faraco staining (FF staining) and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) over hematoxylin and eosin staining (H and E staining) and Ziehl-Neelsen staining (ZN staining).

Aims: The aim of this perspective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of FF staining in combination with multiplex PCR for the early and rapid diagnosis of leprosy than any other coexisting diagnosis tool.

Development of a pharmacophore model for the catecholamine release-inhibitory peptide catestatin: virtual screening and functional testing identify novel small molecule therapeutics of hypertension.

The endogenous catecholamine release-inhibitory peptide catestatin (CST) regulates events leading to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Earlier we studied the structure of CST by NMR, molecular modeling, and amino acid scanning mutagenesis. That structure has now been exploited for elucidation of interface pharmacophores that mediate binding of CST to its target, with consequent secretory inhibition.

Role of organic cation transporters in the ocular disposition of its intravenously injected substrate in rabbits: implications for ocular drug therapy.

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis; OCT may be active from blood-to-vitreous for the uptake of its substrates. Ocular uptake of Tetraethylammonium (TEA) across blood ocular barriers and the tissue distribution was evaluated in vivo in New Zealand albino rabbits after intravenous administration. Quinidine (blocker) pretreatment resulted in a significant (p < 0.

Evolution of nanoparticle-induced distortion on viral polyhedra.

Morphological changes in the polyhedra of the Bombyx mori L. nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV), a baculovirus causing the deadly grasserie disease in silkworms, brought about by mixing with lipophilically capped amorphous silica nanoparticles (LASN, average size 10 ± 2 nm) were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. SEM shows that the regular octagonal polyhedra facets are replaced by a larger number of newly formed irregular ones.

Potential pharmacokinetic role of organic cation transporters in modulating the transcorneal penetration of its substrates administered topically.

Purpose: We hypothesize organic cation transporters (OCT) may have a potential role in determining the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of organic cation drugs applied topically. Hence, in the present in vivo study, we attempted to evaluate the role of OCT in modulating the transport of its substrates after topical application.

Methods: New Zealand albino rabbits of either sex were used.

Genetic variation at the delta-sarcoglycan (SGCD) locus elevates heritable sympathetic nerve activity in human twin pairs.

The Syrian Cardiomyopathic Hamster (BIO-14.6/53.58 strains) model of cardiac failure, resulting from naturally occurring deletion at the SGCD (delta-sarcoglycan) locus, displays widespread disturbances in catecholamine metabolism.

MicroRNA-22 and promoter motif polymorphisms at the Chga locus in genetic hypertension: functional and therapeutic implications for gene expression and the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Hypertension is a common hereditary syndrome with unclear pathogenesis. Chromogranin A (Chga), which catalyzes formation and cargo storage of regulated secretory granules in neuroendocrine cells, contributes to blood pressure homeostasis centrally and peripherally. Elevated Chga occurs in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) adrenal glands and plasma, but central expression is unexplored.

Estradiol reduces susceptibility of CD4+ T cells and macrophages to HIV-infection.

The magnitude of the HIV epidemic in women requires urgent efforts to find effective preventive methods. Even though sex hormones have been described to influence HIV infection in epidemiological studies and regulate different immune responses that may affect HIV infection, the direct role that female sex hormones play in altering the susceptibility of target cells to HIV-infection is largely unknown. Here we evaluated the direct effect of 17-β-estradiol (E2) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) in HIV-infection of CD4(+) T-cells and macrophages.

Metabolic complications of schizophrenia and antipsychotic medications--an updated review.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors comprising obesity, dyslipidaemias, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (or hyperinsulinaemia), and hypertension, and is highly predictive of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The life expectancy of people with schizophrenia is reduced by 20%, with 60% of the excess mortality due to physical illness. Schizophrenia itself may be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and there is also increasing concern that antipsychotic drugs, particularly second-generation antipsychotics, have metabolic consequences that contribute to the risk.

A 10 year old boy with rectal carcinoma.

A 10 year old boy with mucinous carcinoma of rectum is a rare case at this age. Here the patient presented with constipation, mucus in stool & abdominal pain since one month. He got consultation from several physicians & went through sonology of whole abdomen several times.

Evaluation of pharmacological activities and assessment of intraocular penetration of an ayurvedic polyherbal eye drop (Itone™) in experimental models.

Background: The polyherbal eye drop (Itone™) is a mixture of aqueous distillates of nineteen traditionally used ingredients that sum up to impart potency to the formulation and make it a useful adjunct in various ocular pathologies. However, as there have been no controlled experimental studies accounting to the above claim, therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the polyherbal formulation (PHF) for antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anticataract, antioxidant and cytotoxicity in addition to the evaluation of intraocular penetration of PHF in rabbit eyes using LC-MS/MS.

Materials And Methods: Antiangiogenic activity of the PHF was evaluated using in ovo chick chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) assay and in vivo cautery induced corneal neovascularization assay in rats.

Novel peptide isomer strategy for stable inhibition of catecholamine release: application to hypertension.

Although hypertension remains the most potent and widespread cardiovascular risk factor, its pharmacological treatment has achieved only limited success. The chromogranin A-derived fragment catestatin inhibits catecholamine release by acting as an endogenous nicotinic cholinergic antagonist and can rescue hypertension in the setting of chromogranin A-targeted ablation. Here, we undertook novel peptide chemistry to synthesize isomers of catestatin: normal/wild-type as well as a retro-inverso (R-I) version, with not only inversion of chirality (L → D amino acids) but also reversal of sequence (carboxyl → amino).

miR-125b promotes cell death by targeting spindle assembly checkpoint gene MAD1 and modulating mitotic progression.

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a 'wait-anaphase' mechanism that has evolved in eukaryotic cells in response to the stochastic nature of chromosome-spindle attachments. In the recent past, different aspects of the SAC regulation have been described. However, the role of microRNAs in the SAC is vaguely understood.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY): genetic variation in the human promoter alters glucocorticoid signaling, yielding increased NPY secretion and stress responses.

Objectives: This study sought to understand whether genetic variation at the Neuropeptide Y (NPY) locus governs secretion and stress responses in vivo as well as NPY gene expression in sympathochromaffin cells.

Background: The NPY is a potent pressor peptide co-released with catecholamines during stress by sympathetic axons. Genome-wide linkage on NPY secretion identified a LOD (logarithm of the odds ratio) peak spanning the NPY locus on chromosome 7p15.

Evaluation of the functional importance of organic cation transporters on the ocular disposition of its intravitreally injected substrate in rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the functional role of organic cation transporters (OCT) and ocular tissue distribution of intravitreally injected OCT substrate tetraethylammonium (TEA) in presence of OCT blocker (quinidine).

Methods: New Zealand albino rabbits of either sex were used. Intravitreal quinidine pretreatment was made 30 min before the administration of TEA.

Genes and environment: novel, functional polymorphism in the human cathepsin L (CTSL1) promoter disrupts a xenobiotic response element (XRE) to alter transcription and blood pressure.

Background: Cathepsin L (CTSL1) catalyzes the formation of peptides that influence blood pressure (BP). Naturally occurring genetic variation or targeted ablation of the Ctsl1 locus in mice yield cardiovascular pathology. Here, we searched for genetic variation across the human CTSL1 locus and probed its functional effects, especially in the proximal promoter.

Enterolith containing uric Acid: an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction.

Enterolith is a rare clinical entity that may be found on imaging or at surgery. We report an unusual case of intestinal obstruction caused by a large uric acid containing enterolith which was formed in the absence of any bowel inflammation, stricture or diverticulum.

Catestatin (chromogranin A(352-372)) and novel effects on mobilization of fat from adipose tissue through regulation of adrenergic and leptin signaling.

Chromogranin A knock-out (Chga-KO) mice display increased adiposity despite high levels of circulating catecholamines and leptin. Consistent with diet-induced obese mice, desensitization of leptin receptors caused by hyperleptinemia is believed to contribute to the obese phenotype of these KO mice. In contrast, obesity in ob/ob mice is caused by leptin deficiency.

Uterine fibroid managed by uterine artery embolization and delivered vaginally by obstetric outlet forceps: a case report.

Background: Fibroid embolization is a nonsurgical treatment of symptomatic fibroids and is particularly useful in patients with multiple comorbidities.

Case: A 44-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities underwent uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids. The postprocedure symptoms were controlled with conservative management along with vaginal myomectomy using outlet forceps.

ICB3E induces iNOS expression by ROS-dependent JNK and ERK activation for apoptosis of leukemic cells.

The role of c-Jun N terminal Kinase (JNK) has been well documented in various cellular stresses where it leads to cell death. Similarly, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) which was identified as a signalling molecule for survival pathway has been shown recently to be involved in apoptosis also. Recently we reported that ICB3E, a synthetic analogue of Piper betle leaf-derived apoptosis-inducing agent hydroxychavicol (HCH), possesses anti-chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) acitivity in vitro and in vivo without insight on mechanism of action.

ADAR1 is a novel multi targeted anti-HIV-1 cellular protein.

We examined the antiviral activity of ADAR1 against HIV-1. Our results indicated that ADAR1 in a transfection system inhibited production of viral proteins and infectious HIV-1 in various cell lines including 293T, HeLa, Jurkat T and primary CD4+ T cells, and was active against a number of X4 and R5 HIV-1 of different clades. Further analysis showed that ADAR1 inhibited viral protein synthesis without any effect on viral RNA synthesis.

Diagnosing leprosy: revisiting the role of the slit-skin smear with critical analysis of the applicability of polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis.

Background: Diagnosing leprosy is challenging, especially in early-stage cases, and the need for a sensitive diagnostic tool is urgent. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) holds promise as a simple and sensitive diagnostic tool, but its usefulness in the Indian context requires further evaluation. Slit-skin smear (SSS) remains the conventional method of leprosy detection.

Fabrication and in vitro evaluation of bidirectional release and stability studies of mucoadhesive donut-shaped captopril tablets.

Objective: To obtain controlled release of captopril in the stomach, coated, mucoadhesive donut-shaped tablets were designed.

Materials And Methods: Donut-shaped tablet were made of different ratios of diluents to polymer or combination of polymers by direct compression method. Top and bottom portions of the tablet were coated with water-insoluble polymer followed by mucoadhesive coating.

Isolated gastric tuberculosis: a case report and review of literature.

Isolated gastric tuberculosis is a rare condition, even in those parts of the world where intestinal tuberculosis is common. Herein we describe a case of a thirty year old female patient with isolated gastric tuberculosis who presented with features of gastric outlet obstruction.

In vitro-in vivo correlation and bioavailability studies of captopril from novel controlled release donut shaped tablet.

A controlled release formulation of captopril which was coated and fabricated into a donut shaped tablet formulation, was investigated in rabbit for pharmacokinetic and in vitro-in vivo correlation studies. Coated donut shaped tablets were prepared and in vitro release was studied in simulated gastric fluid at three different RPMs. New Zealand albino male rabbits have been used as animal model for in vivo study.