A Methodology for Mapping the Patient Journey for Noncommunicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 71% of all worldwide mortality each year, and have an exceptionally large impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is often a lack of local data from these countries to inform practice and policy improvements. Generating locally contextualized evidence base for NCDs that can help identify gaps, aid decision-making and improve patient care in LMICs needs an innovative approach.

c-ETS transcription factors play an essential role in the licensing of human MCM4 origin of replication.

In metazoans, DNA replication is a highly regulated and ordered process that occurs during the S phase of cell cycle. It begins with the licensing of origins of replication usually found in close proximity of actively transcribing genes owing perhaps to a profound influence of transcription factors on the epigenetic signatures and architecture of chromatin. Here we show that ETS transcription factors are novel regulators of MCM4 origin, whose binding sites are localized between two divergently transcribing MCM4 and PRKDC genes.

The "Macro" World of microRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatotropic viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major etiological agents associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Progression of HCC is a multistep process that requires sequential or parallel deregulation of oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways leading to chromosomal instability and neoplastic phenotype. In the recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have carved their own niche alongside oncogenes and tumor suppressors, owing to their innate ability to receive and relay multiple signals.

Mass spectrometric determination of disulfide bonds in the biologically active recombinant HBx protein of hepatitis B virus.

Many proteins rely on disulfide bonds formed between pairs of cysteines for the stability of their folded state and to keep regulatory control over their functions. The hepatitis B virus-encoded HBx oncoprotein is known to perform an overwhelming array of functions in the cell and has been implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its structure has not been elucidated.