and host immune transcriptomic signatures for reactional states in leprosy.

Background: transcriptomic and human host immune gene expression signatures that demonstrate a plausible association with type I (T1R) and type II reactions (T2R) aid in early diagnosis, prevention of nerve damage and consequent demyelinating neuropathy in leprosy. The aim of the study is to identify and host-associated gene-expression signatures that are associated with reactional states in leprosy.

Methods: The differentially expressed genes from the whole transcriptome of were determined using genome-wide hybridization arrays with RNA extracted from skin biopsies of 20 T1R, 20 T2R and 20 non reactional controls (NR).

Platelet-rich plasma in hair loss-Mechanism, preparation, and classification.

Platelet-rich plasma is the autologous plasma containing platelet concentration more than the baseline separated after centrifugation. It has become a very popular option for the treatment of hair loss in the past few decades. Used alone or in combination with other treatment options it has found a place as a hair restoration procedure throughout the world.

Molecular epidemiology and transmission dynamics of leprosy among multicase families and case-contact pairs.

Background: Human-to-human transmission of Mycobacterium leprae among household contacts of active leprosy cases is significant, and surveillance of household contacts is vital to interrupting the transmission chain for this disease. This study was conducted to identify similarities in M. leprae strains, based on genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), among cases and their household contacts and in multicase families in order to decipher possible associations, transmission links, various clinical conditions of index cases that enhance person-to-person transmission, and timelines for transmission patterns.

Triterpene saponins from the roots of Acacia albida Del. (Mimosaceae).

Seven previously undescribed bidesmosidic triterpenoid saponins named albidosides A - G, were isolated from a methanol extract of the roots of Acacia albida. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and determined to be bidesmosides of oleanolic acid and of 16α-hydroxyoleanolic acid. Albidosides B - G were assayed for their cytotoxicity against HeLa and HL60 cells using MTT method and microscopic observation.

Secondary Metabolites from Astragalus lycius and Their Cytotoxic Activities.

Eight known secondary metabolites were isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Astragalus lycius Boiss. They were identified as 5,5'-dihydoxy-3'-methoxy-isoflavone-7-0-β-D-glucoside (1), genistin (2), sissotrin (3), 5,4'-dimethoxy-isoflavone-7-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), (7S,8R)-5-methoxydehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 4-0-lariciresinol-glucoside (6), 2-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) by spectroscopic methods including (1)H- and (13)C-NMR and HR-MS experiments, and by comparison with literature values. Compounds 1-7 are reported for the first time from Astragalus taxa.

Mycobacterium leprae specific genomic target in the promoter region of probable 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (ML1545) gene with potential sensitivity for polymerase chain reaction based diagnosis of leprosy.

With the absence of an effective diagnostic tool for leprosy, cases with negative bacteriological index and limited clinical manifestations often pose diagnostic challenges. In this study, we investigated the utility of a novel Mycobacterium leprae specific 112-bp DNA sequence in the promoter region of probable 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (pseudogene, ML1545) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnosis of leprosy in comparison to that of the RLEP gene. DNA was extracted from slit skin scrapings of 180 newly diagnosed untreated leprosy cases that were classified as per Ridley Jopling classifications and bacteriological index (BI).

Cycloartane and oleanane-type glycosides from Astragalus pennatulus.

Four new cycloartane and one new oleanane-type glycosides were isolated from Astragalus pennatulus along with five known cycloartane-type glycosides. The structures of the new compounds were established as 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β-trihydroxy-24-oxo-20(R),25-epoxycycloartane (1), 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-3β,16β,24α-trihydroxy-20(R),25-epoxycycloartane (2), 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-3β,16β,25-trihydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (3), 3,25-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane (4), 29-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-abrisapogenol B (5) by 1D and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESIMS and HRMS analyses. The aglycone of compound 1, 3β,6α,16β-trihydroxy-24-oxo-20(R),25-epoxycycloartane, is reported for the first time.

Cycloartane glycosides from Astragalus plumosus var. krugianus and evaluation of their antioxidant potential.

The methanol extracts of Astragalus plumosus var. krugianus Chamb. & Matthews afforded sixteen cycloartane glycosides among which krugianoside A, was never reported before.

Cortisol and proinflammatory cytokine profiles in type 1 (reversal) reactions of leprosy.

Purpose: Cortisol levels in the circulation and at the sites of peripheral inflammation regulate type 1 (Reversal) reactions in leprosy akin to delayed type hypersensitivity reactions (DTH). In this study we determine the extent to which the differential mRNA expression of genes encoding cortisone-cortisol shuttle enzymes (11 β hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase I & II (11 β HSD I & II)), circulatory levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-7, IP-10, IL-17F, IL-23, TNF-α, IL-1β, PDGF BB and CRP) and cortisol are associated with development of type 1 reactions in leprosy.

Methods: Urine, blood and incisional skin biopsy samples from site of lesions were collected from 49 newly diagnosed untreated leprosy cases in T1R and 51 cases not in reaction (NR).

Saponins from Astragalus hareftae (NAB.) SIRJ.

Four cycloartane- (hareftosides A-D) and oleanane-type triterpenoids (hareftoside E) were isolated from Astragalus hareftae along with fifteen known compounds. Structures of the compounds were established as 3,6-di-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane, 3,6,24-tri-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane, 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),25(S)-epoxycycloartane, 16-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,6α,16β,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane, 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-soyasapogenol B by the extensive use of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HR-MS analyses.

Childhood leprosy: profiles from a leprosy referral hospital in West Bengal, India.

Monitoring childhood leprosy in terms of incidence and occurrence of deformities are crucial for better control and understanding the transmission of the disease. In this paper, a profile of all new untreated leprosy patients below 15 years of age who reported at a Leprosy Referral Centre in West Bengal during 2004-2006 are described. Of 151 children studied, 84 (55.

Triterpene glycosides from Astragalus icmadophilus.

Six cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from Astragalus icmadophilus along with two known cycloartane-type glycosides, five known oleanane-type triterpene glycosides and one known flavonol glycoside. The structures of the six compounds were established as 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-3-acetoxy-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24(S),25-pentahydroxy cycloartane, 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-3,4-diacetoxy-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane, 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-3-acetoxy-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,25-tetrahydroxy-20(R),24(S)-epoxycycloartane, 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24alpha-tetrahydroxy-20(R),25-epoxycycloartane, 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24alpha-tetrahydroxy-20(R),25-epoxycycloartane by the extensive use of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESIMS and HRMS analysis. The first four compounds are cyclocanthogenin and cycloastragenol glycosides, whereas the last two are based on cyclocephalogenin as aglycone, more unusual in the plant kingdom, so far reported only from Astragalus spp.