Epidemic dynamics in census-calibrated modular contact network.

Network-based models are apt for understanding epidemic dynamics due to their inherent ability to model the heterogeneity of interactions in the contemporary world of intense human connectivity. We propose a framework to create a wire-frame that mimics the social contact network of the population in a geography by lacing it with demographic information. The framework results in a modular network with small-world topology that accommodates density variations and emulates human interactions in and spaces.

Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Risk Factors and Early Detection of Noncommunicable Diseases Among Rural Women in India.

Purpose: In recognition of the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, we assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rural women in low-resourced countries toward common NCDs and the barriers they face in receiving NCD early detection services.

Patients And Methods: The study was conducted in a rural block of India using the Rapid Assessment and Response Evaluation ethnographic assessment, which included in-depth interviews of key health officials; focus group discussions with women, men, teachers, and health workers from the block; and a knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire survey. The home-based survey was conducted among 1,192 women selected from 50 villages of the block using a two-stage randomization process and stratified to 30- to 44-year and 45- to 60-year age-groups.

Subchronic Toxicity Assessment of Orally Administered Methanol (70%) Seed Extract of L. in Wistar Albino Rats.

Objectives: L. is a famous medicinal plant of the family Fabaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. However, there are limited toxicological data available regarding its safety following repeated exposure; therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the 28-day subchronic toxicity of methanol (70%) crude extract of seeds in adult Wistar albino rats.

A pilot study to evaluate home-based screening for the common non-communicable diseases by a dedicated cadre of community health workers in a rural setting in India.

Background: Population-based screening for the common non-communicable diseases (NCD) is recommended but is difficult to implement in the hard-to-reach areas of low resourced countries. The objective of our pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of delivering NCD screening services at home by trained community health workers (CHWs). Men and women aged 30-60 years residing in rural areas of India were targeted for screening.

Prevalence of ocular morbidity in school going children in West Uttar Pradesh.

Aim Of The Study: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and to make a comparison between the ocular morbidity pattern in school going children of urban and rural areas of West Uttar Pradesh.

Materials And Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study design was adopted to examine children aged 5-15 years in randomly selected urban and rural schools of West Uttar Pradesh from June 2012 to August 2014. An optometrist did the vision and refraction, and a detailed ophthalmic examination was done by an ophthalmologist.

MarRA, SoxSR, and Rob encode a signal dependent regulatory network in Escherichia coli.

When exposed to low concentrations of toxic chemicals, bacteria modulate the expression of a number of cellular processes. Typically, these processes include those related to porin production, dismutases, and metabolic fluxes. In Escherichia coli (E.

Revisiting demand rules for gene regulation.

Starting with Savageau's pioneering work regarding demand rules for gene regulation from the 1970s, here, we choose the simplest transcription network and ask: how does the cell choose a particular regulatory topology from all available possibilities? According to the demand rules, a cell chooses an activator based regulation of a target if the target protein is required for most of the time. On the other hand, if the target protein is only required sporadically, its control tends to be via a repressor-based regulatory topology. We study the natural distribution of topologies at genome, systems, and micro-levels in E.

Control of MarRAB Operon in Escherichia coli via Autoactivation and Autorepression.

Choice of network topology for gene regulation has been a question of interest for a long time. How do simple and more complex topologies arise? In this work, we analyze the topology of the marRAB operon in Escherichia coli, which is associated with control of expression of genes associated with conferring resistance to low-level antibiotics to the bacterium. Among the 2102 promoters in E.

Mathematical model of flagella gene expression dynamics in Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium.

Flagellar assembly in Salmonella is controlled by an intricate genetic and biochemical network. This network comprises of a number of inter-connected feedback loops, which control the assembly process dynamically. Critical among these are the FliA-FlgM feedback, FliZ-mediated positive feedback, and FliT-mediated negative feedback.

The Multifunctional Protein Kinase C-ε in Cancer Development and Progression.

The protein kinase C (PKC) family proteins are important signal transducers and have long been the focus of cancer research. PKCɛ, a member of this family, is overexpressed in most solid tumors and plays critical roles in different processes that lead to cancer development. Studies using cell lines and animal models demonstrated the transforming potential of PKCɛ.

Protein Kinase C-ε Promotes EMT in Breast Cancer.

Protein kinase C (PKC), a family of serine/threonine kinases, plays critical roles in signal transduction and cell regulation. PKCε, a member of the novel PKC family, is known to be a transforming oncogene and a tumor biomarker for aggressive breast cancers. In this study, we examined the involvement of PKCε in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), the process that leads the way to metastasis.

Autophagy in breast cancer and its implications for therapy.

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process of cellular self-digestion that serves as a mechanism to clear damaged organelles and recycle nutrients. Since autophagy can promote cell survival as well as cell death, it has been linked to different human pathologies, including cancer. Although mono-allelic deletion of autophagy-related gene BECN1 in breast tumors originally indicated a tumor suppressive role for autophagy in breast cancer, the intense research during the last decade suggests a role for autophagy in tumor progression.

Giant desmoid tumor of the anterior abdominal wall in a young female: a case report.

Desmoid tumors (also called desmoids fibromatosis) are rare slow growing benign and musculoaponeurotic tumors. Although these tumors have a propensity to invade surrounding tissues, they are not malignant. These tumors are associated with women of fertile age, especially during and after pregnancy.

Alport Syndrome: case report and review of ocular manifestations.

Background: Alport Syndrome is an uncommon disease.

Case: We report a case of a young Indian male who presented with the characteristic ocular findings and systemic features of Alport Syndrome.

Conclusion: Any young patient with a chronic renal disease should have a careful ophthalmologic examination for Alport Syndrome.

Regulation of autophagy by kinases.

Autophagy is a process of self-degradation that maintains cellular viability during periods of metabolic stress. Although autophagy is considered a survival mechanism when faced with cellular stress, extensive autophagy can also lead to cell death. Aberrations in autophagy are associated with several diseases, including cancer.

External ophthalmomyiasis caused by Oestrus ovis: a rare case report from India.

Myiasis of different organs has been reported off and on from various regions in the world. We report a human case of external ophthalmomyiasis caused by the larvae of a sheep nasal botfly, Oestrus ovis, for the first time from Meerut city in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. A 25-year-old farmer presented with severe symptoms of conjunctivitis.