Phylogenetic analysis, based on EPIYA repeats in the cagA gene of Indian Helicobacter pylori, and the implications of sequence variation in tyrosine phosphorylation motifs on determining the clinical outcome.

The population of India harbors one of the world's most highly diverse gene pools, owing to the influx of successive waves of immigrants over regular periods in time. Several phylogenetic studies involving mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomal variation have demonstrated Europeans to have been the first settlers in India. Nevertheless, certain controversy exists, due to the support given to the thesis that colonization was by the Austro-Asiatic group, prior to the Europeans.

Association of genetic variants of mannan-binding (MBL) lectin-2 gene, MBL levels and function in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A series of reports have hypothesized interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of IBD. Polymorphism in the mannan-binding lectin-2 (MBL-2) gene is known to affect the structural assembly and function thereby predisposing subjects to various diseases.

An update on hepatic stem cells: bench to bedside.

Liver failure results in impairment of many functions and dependent organs such as brain and kidneys begin to fail, reducing the chance of recovery even further. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is the only treatment that improves the survival rate in patients with liver failure. Liver Transplantation (LT), including orthologous liver transplantation (OLT), cadaveric LT, split LT, living donor LT (LDLT) brings hopes to patients with these diseases.

Human fetal liver-derived stem cell transplantation as supportive modality in the management of end-stage decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Liver transplantation is the only existing modality for treating decompensated liver cirrhosis. Several factors, such as nonavailability of donors, combined with operative risks, complications associated with rejection, usage of immunosuppressive agents, and cost intensiveness, make this strategy available to only a few people. With a tremendous upsurge in the mortality rate of patients with liver disorders worldwide, there is a need to search for an alternative therapeutic tool that can combat the above limitations and serve as a supportive therapy in the management of liver diseases.

In vitro insulin production and analysis of pancreatic transcription factors in induced human hepatic progenitor cells.

Background: beta-Cell destruction and/or insufficient insulin production are the hallmarks of diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes). A hepatic progenitor from developing liver is sought to be one of the surrogate sources of insulin production as the pancreas and the liver share a common precursor and signals from the cardiac mesoderm. Production of insulin is possible by transfecting pancreatic transcription factors that play important roles in development of the pancreatic beta-cell.