Hyperhomocysteinemia and the compound heterozygous state for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase are independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis among South Indians.

To investigate the role of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (677 C-->T and 1298 A-->C), factor V (1691 G-->A), factor II (20210 G-->A) genetic polymorphisms and hyperhomocysteinemia in the aetiology of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 163 cases and 163 controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for genotyping, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for plasma homocysteine, and Student's t-test and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Elevated mean plasma homocysteine levels were observed in DVT cases irrespective of gender differences.

Guanidinate-stabilized monomeric hafnium amide complexes as promising precursors for MOCVD of HfO2.

Novel guanidinato complexes of hafnium [Hf{eta2-(iPrN)2CNR2}2(NR2)2] (R2 = Et2, 1; Et, Me, 2; Me2, 3), synthesized by insertion reactions of N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide into the M-N bonds of homologous hafnium amide complexes 1-3 and {[mu2-NC(NMe2)2][NC(NMe2)2]2HfCl}2 (4) using a salt metathesis reaction, are reported. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that compounds 1-3 were monomers, while compound 4 was found to be a dimer. The observed fluxional behavior of compounds 1-3 was studied in detail using variable-temperature and two-dimensional NMR techniques.

Farber lipogranulomatosis: clinical and molecular genetic analysis reveals a novel mutation in an Indian family.

Farber disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the acid ceramidase enzyme, leading to the accumulation of ceramide in various tissues. It usually manifests within a few months after birth with a unique triad of symptoms, including painful and progressive deformed joints, progressive hoarseness and subcutaneous nodules. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and mutations in the N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase (ASAH1) gene, which codes for the acid ceramidase enzyme, have been shown to cause the disease.

Precursor chemistry for TiO2: titanium complexes with a mixed nitrogen/oxygen ligand sphere.

Novel mixed amido-malonato complexes of titanium are reported. The complexes were synthesized by partially replacing the amido groups from the complexes [Ti(NMe2)4] and [Ti(NEt2)4] via Brønstedt acid/base reactions, using the malonate-ligands di-isopropylmalonate (Hdpml) and di-tert-butylmalonate (Hdbml). Four representative complexes were synthesized and fully characterised by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, CHN analysis and mass spectrometry.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) and antioxidant defense in the brain of adult rats.

Background: Proanthocyanidin (PA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant from grape seed extract. The present study aims at assessing the neuroprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSPE) on the cerebral cortex (CC), cerebellum (CB), and hippocampus (HC) in the adult rat brain.

Material/methods: GSPE was orally administered at 25, 50, and 75 mg per kg body weight daily and for a total period of 9 weeks.

Induction and expression of GST-Pi foci in the liver of Cyclophosphamide-administered rats.

Anticancer drug Cyclophosphamide (CY) is metabolized to phosphoramide mustard and acrolein by the hepatic P450 enzymes. GST-Pi is a biochemical feature which occurs in carcinogen induced preneoplastic foci and it plays an important role in the detoxification pathway of acrolein metabolism. Administration of CY induces GST-Pi positive single cells and foci expression in rat liver and these can be considered as precursors of preneoplastic foci leading to hepatocarcinogenesis.

A rare presentation of neurocysticercosis in a young child.

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system which manifests commonly as acute onset focal seizures. We report a rare clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis in a 1-year-old infant who presented with involuntary movements. Involuntary movements are not a common manifestation.

Bis(2-butyl-N,N'-diisopropylamidinato)dichlorohafnium(IV).

The title compound, [Hf(C11H23N2)2Cl(2)], is a monomeric hafnium(IV) complex containing two bidentate amidinate ligands and two cis Cl atoms. The crystals are triclinic (space group P-1) and there is one independent six-coordinate monomer with a highly distorted octahedral geometry in the asymmetric unit. The reported structure is the first hafnium-amidinate complex to be characterized successfully by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Symmetric peripheral gangrene and falciparum malaria.

Sudden onset symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a relatively uncommon clinical entity manifested by distal ischemic damage at two or more sites in the absence of large vessel obstruction. Here we report a case of complicated falciparum malaria with rapid onset SPG involving all the toes.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of andrographolide analogues as novel cytotoxic agents.

Andrographolide 1, the cytotoxic agent of the plant Andrographis paniculata was subjected to semi-synthetic studies leading to the preparation of a number of potent and novel analogues. Of the analogues synthesized, while 8,17-epoxy andrographolide 6 retained the cytotoxic activity of 1, ester derivatives of 6 exhibited considerable improvement in activity. Lower activity was observed when the epoxy moiety in the triacetate 9, derived from 6 was modified.

Molecular genetic analyses of beta-thalassemia in South India reveals rare mutations in the beta-globin gene.

beta-Thalassemia is the most prevalent single-gene disorder. Since no viable forms of treatment are available, the best course is prevention through prenatal diagnosis. In the present study, the prevalence of beta-thalassemia was extensively investigated in the South Indian population, especially from the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Mononuclear precursor for MOCVD of HfO2 thin films.

We report the precursor characteristics of a novel mononuclear mixed alkoxide compound [Hf(O(i)Pr)2(tbaoac)2] and its application towards MOCVD of HfO2 thin films in a production tool CVD reactor.

Interaction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in formalin-induced nociception in mice.

Studies with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor were conducted to assess their synergistic antinociceptive effect and possible therapeutic advantage. The antinociceptive interaction of rofecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, with aminoguanidine hydrochloride, a selective iNOS inhibitor, was examined in the formalin-induced paw-licking model in mice. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the isobolographic method were used to identify the nature of the antinociceptive interaction.

Synthesis and conformational studies of novel cyclic peptides constrained into a 3 10 helical structure by a heterochiral D-pro-L-pro dipeptide template.

An acyclic tripeptide based on a heterochiral D-pro-L-pro template shows a propensity to exist as a 3(10) helical conformation and can be cyclized, via ring-closing metathesis, to the corresponding cyclic tetrapeptides without disrupting the helical conformations in CDCl(3) as well as in DMSO-d(6) solutions. The detailed conformational studies were carried out by using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamic simulations, and circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Congenital glaucoma associated with 22p+ variant in a dysmorphic child.

A case of congenital glaucoma with developmental delay and several dysmorphic features showing 22p+ chromosomal variant is reported.

Morphology controlled growth of arrays of GaN nanopillars and randomly distributed GaN nanowires on sapphire using (N3)2Ga[(CH2)3NMe2] as a single molecule precursor.

Controlled growth of oriented GaN nanopillars and randomly distributed nanowires is accomplished by MOCVD using (N3)2Ga[(CH2)3NMe2] as a single molecule precursor.

Tigerinins: novel antimicrobial peptides from the Indian frog Rana tigerina.

Four broad-spectrum, 11 and 12 residue, novel antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from the adrenaline-stimulated skin secretions of the Indian frog Rana tigerina. Sequences of these peptides have been determined by automated Edman degradation, by mass spectral analysis and confirmed by chemical synthesis. These peptides, which we have named as tigerinins, are characterized by an intramolecular disulfide bridge between two cysteine residues forming a nonapeptide ring.

Differentiation of Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason), biotypes by sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs).

We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that distinguished five different biotypes of the Asian gall midge (Orseolia oryzae), a major insect pest of rice. A total of 400 random primers were screened using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). Five diagnostic PCR products were isolated, cloned, sequenced and converted to sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs).

X-chromosome abnormalities in women with premature ovarian failure.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of X-chromosome abnormalities identified in a series of women with premature ovarian failure (POF).

Study Design: Karyotypes were reviewed for all women referred to our cytogenetic laboratory over a five-year interval with the diagnosis of POF. Thirty women aged less than 40 with unexplained secondary amenorrhea and elevated follicle-stimulating hormone were included.

Amplification of phenylalanine hydroxylase and cystathionine beta-synthase transcripts in human peripheral lymphocytes by RT-PCR.

A simple, rapid, reliable and convenient method was developed to analyze the gene defects in Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Homocystinuria (HCU). In this method, illegitimately transcribed phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) mRNAs in peripheral lymphocytes were used as templates for amplification by RT-PCR. The amplified products were confirmed by restriction enzyme digestions, southern blot hybridizations and sequencing.

45,X/46,XX mosaicism in patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure.

Objective: To determine whether low-level 45,X/46,XX mosaicism may be present in some women with premature ovarian failure (POF).

Design: Slide preparations were made from lymphocyte cultures stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was then performed using a biotin-labeled X-chromosome probe.

Setting: Cytogenetics laboratory.

Structural features of helical aggregates of antibacterial peptides via simulated annealing and molecular modeling.

A 27-residue stretch of amino acids encompassing two putative 13-residue amphiphilic helical segments is an important determinant of activity in the 47-residue antibacterial peptide bovine seminalplasmin. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the 27-residue stretch (P27) SLSRYAKLANRLANPKLLETFLSKWIG as well as the 13-residue segments PKLLETFLSKWIG (SPF),exhibit antimicrobial activity. An analog of SPF where E has been replaced by K(SPFK) showed improved antimicrobial properties as compared to SPF.

Melanotic schwannoma of the spinal cord : a case report.

The ninth case of axial intradural melanotic nerve tumour presenting with cervical cord compression is reported. The literature is reviewed and proposed theories on the origin of these tumours are discussed.

New syndrome of hydrocephalus, endocardial fibroelastosis, and cataracts (HEC syndrome).

We report on two unrelated male infants with similar findings of communicating hydrocephalus, endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) and congenital cataracts, who died at 4 months of age. Both mothers reported an upper respiratory infection during the first trimester of pregnancy which was further complicated by polyhydramnios in the third trimester. The infants were diagnosed with bilateral congenital nuclear cataracts at birth.