Comparative Study of Dysphagia-optimized Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (Do-IMRT) and Standard Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (S-IMRT) and Its Clinical Correlation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Objective: Dosimetric sparing of critical swallowing structures like constrictor muscles and larynx can lead to improved functional outcomes in head and neck cancer patients treated by chemoradiation.

Methods: A total of 50 Patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy proven AJCC stage II-IV head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC) were prospectively studied. 25 patients were randomized in each arm of Dysphagia-optimized Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (Do-IMRT) arm and Standard Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (SIMRT) arm.

Model for Early Prediction of Preeclampsia: A Nested Case Controlled Study in Indian Women.

Purpose: Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5-7% of the pregnancies worldwide, and is one of the most dreaded disorders of pregnancy contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality. PE is mostly presented in the third trimester of pregnancy. Here, we used serum placental growth factor (PIGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to develop a model for predicting PE in Indian women in early second trimester.

Clinical Significance of Circulating Serum Levels of sCD95 and TNF-α in Cytoprotection of Cervical Cancer.

Background: This study correlates the serum levels of sCD95 & TNF-α with a simple cell-based assay to evaluate the capacity of the serum sample to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Interlinking of these parameters can be explored to design a minimum invasive diagnostic strategy for cervical cancer (CC).

Methods: Sera samples were assessed to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells through FACS.

Phase III, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo controlled trial of Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Antiviral drug Umifenovir vs Standard care of therapy in non-severe COVID-19 patients.

Objective: To test efficacy, safety and tolerability of Umifenovir in non-severe COVID-19 adult patients.

Methods: We carried out randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase III trials involving adult (18-75 years), non-severe COVID19 patients, randomized 1:1 on placebo or Umifenovir (800 mg BID, maximum 14 days) respectively along with standard-of-care. The primary endpoint for Asymptotic-mild patients was time to nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR test negativity.

Leptin DNA Methylation and Its Association with Metabolic Risk Factors in a Northwest Indian Obese Population.

Background: It is well established that obesity is a major health risk in diabetes and associated diseases. Epigenetic changes, specially DNA methylation, play an important role in regulation of adipokines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the DNA methylation status at the promoter region of the leptin gene in obese individuals and its association with metabolic risk factors.

Aspirin & clopidogrel non-responsiveness & its association with genetic polymorphisms in patients with myocardial infarction.

Background & Objectives: Cytochrome P450, P2Y 12, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) and glycoprotein V1 (GPVI) gene polymorphisms are known to affect patient responsiveness towards aspirin and clopidogrel dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The present study was undertaken to identify aspirin and clopidogrel non-responsiveness and its association with genetic polymorphism in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: A total of 207 MI patients who were on DAPT, were included.

Decline in seminal quality in Indian men over the last 37 years.

Background: Since the first report of a decline in semen quality in 1974, there have been several reports of similar declines across populations. Despite some scattered reports of declining semen quality in the Indian sub-continent, comprehensive studies analyzing semen quality over the last few decades have not been undertaken. We undertook the present study to investigate the temporal trend in semen parameters in Indian populations over a period of 37 years (1979-2016).

Anthropometric study using craniofacial features to determine gender in Lucknow population.

Background: Gender is one of the main characteristics analyzed for positive human identification in forensic medicine. The methods involving physical anthropology present high rate of accuracy for human identification and gender estimation.

Aim: This study aimed to determine gender through different craniofacial variables using physical anthropometric methods.

Oncostatin M upregulates HIF-1α in breast tumor associated macrophages independent of intracellular oxygen concentration.

Aims: HIF is an important transcription-regulator for adaptation to cellular stress in cells of myeloid origin. Classically, expression and activity of HIF1-α is regulated by oxygen-concentration within cell. However, there exists an alternative regulatory mechanism affecting HIF1-α levels independent of oxygen concentration particularly in inflammatory cells like macrophages.

Humans from Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area elicit substantial immune response to proteins of the filarial parasite Brugia malayi and its endosymbiont Wolbachia.

Background: In the past, immune responses to several Brugia malayi immunodominant antigens have been characterized in filaria-infected populations; however, little is known regarding Wolbachia proteins. We earlier cloned and characterized few B. malayi (trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, Bm-TPP and heavy chain myosin, BmAF-Myo) and Wolbachia (translation initiation factor-1, Wol Tl IF-1 and NAD-dependent DNA ligase, wBm-LigA) proteins and investigated the immune responses, which they triggered in animal models.

Chemometric Based Identification and Validation of Specific Chemical Markers for Geographical, Seasonal and Gender Variations in Tinospora cordifolia Stem using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS Analysis.

Introduction: Tinospora cordifolia is a widely distributed medicinal plant used in various traditional and commercial Ayurvedic formulations. Due to the wide use of this plant it is important to know the extent of variability in the metabolite profile resulting from geographical location, season and gender.

Objective: To develop a statistical approach based on phytochemical markers for confident prediction of variations in metabolic profile and cytotoxicity due to geographical, seasonal and gender difference in T.

Understanding molecular markers in recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation.

Introduction: Oral cancer accounts for approximately 2.1% of all cancers worldwide. In India, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer with half a million new cases diagnosed every year.

Physical interaction of estrogen receptor with MnSOD: implication in mitochondrial O upregulation and mTORC2 potentiation in estrogen-responsive breast cancer cells.

Augmented reactive oxygen species levels consequential to functional alteration of key mitochondrial attributes contribute to carcinogenesis, either directly via oxidative DNA damage infliction or indirectly via activation of oncogenic signaling cascades. We previously reported activation of a key oncogenic signaling cascade via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling complex-2 (mTORC2) owing to estrogen receptor (ER-α)-dependent augmentation of O within the mitochondria of 17-β-estradiol (E2)-stimulated breast cancer cells. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is the principal mitochondrial attribute governing mitochondrial O homeostasis, raising the possibility that its functional alteration could be instrumental in augmenting mitochondrial O levels in breast cancer cells.

Macrophages promote matrix protrusive and invasive function of breast cancer cells via MIP-1β dependent upregulation of MYO3A gene in breast cancer cells.

The potential of a tumor cell to metastasize profoundly depends on its microenvironment, or "niche" interactions with local components. Tumor-associated-macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant subpopulation of tumor stroma and represent a key component of tumor microenvironment. The dynamic interaction of cancer cells with neighboring TAMs actively drive cancer progression and metastatic transformation through intercellular signaling networks that need better elucidation.

Correlation between expressions of Cyclin-D1, EGFR and p53 with chemoradiation response in patients of locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Cyclin-D1, p53 and EGFR are molecular markers that regulate the cell cycle and play an important role in tumor progression and development. The present study evaluates the prognostic significance of these markers with chemoradiation response in patients of locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Material And Method: A total of 97 OSCC patients (females = 19 and males = 78), aged 20-67 years and stage III/IV were recruited.

Analysis of phytochemical variations in dioecious Tinospora cordifolia stems using HPLC/QTOF MS/MS and UPLC/QqQLIT -MS/MS.

Introduction: The stem of dioecious Tinospora cordifolia (Menispermaceae) is a commonly used traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India having several therapeutic properties.

Objective: To develop and validate LC-MS methods for the identification and simultaneous quantitation of various secondary metabolites and to study metabolomic variations in the stem of male and female plants.

Methods: Ethanolic extract of stems were analysed by HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS for rapid screening of bioactive phytochemicals.

Impact of EGFR and p53 expressions on survival and quality of life in locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with chemoradiation.

EGFR and p53 are molecular markers which play important role in tumor progression and development. The objective of this study was to assess the association between EGFR and p53 expression and survival, and to determine whether EGFR and p53 expression levels were associated with differences quality of life in OSCC patients undergoing chemoradiation. A total of 120 OSCC patients aged 20-67 y and stage III/IV were recruited.

Gefitinib, Methotrexate and Methotrexate plus 5-Fluorouracil as palliative treatment in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

This study compared the efficacy and toxicity of Gefitinib, Methotrexate and Methotrexate plus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) treated with palliative intent. Patients with recurrent SCCHN not amenable to curative treatment were randomly assigned to Gefitinib, Methotrexate or Methotrexate plus 5-FU arm. The primary end point was overall survival.

CD3+, CD4+ & CD8+ tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are predictors of favourable survival outcome in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast.

Background & Objectives: Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent the host immune response against cancer cells associated with good or bad prognosis in different tumour types. This study was undertaken to evaluate the significance of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ TILs in breast cancer tissues in relation to clinico-pathological variables and survival outcome.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed with antibodies against CD3, CD4 and CD8 antigens on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 150 breast cancer patients.

IL-6 gene expression in adipose tissue of postmenopausal women and its association with metabolic risk factors.

Adipose tissue secretes various kinds of adipokines that controls the glucose and lipid metabolism in humans. The abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) both are associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. IL-6 is one of the adipokines, which promotes insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in humans.

Resistin 420C/G gene polymorphism on circulating resistin, metabolic risk factors and insulin resistance in adult women.

Objective: To investigate the frequency association between resistin gene polymorphism with its circulating levels, metabolic risk factor and insulin resistance in adult women.

Design: Totally 615 subjects were enrolled for the study, 305 women were with metabolic syndrome and 310 women were without metabolic syndrome according to NCEP-ATP III criteria. Fasting circulatory level of resistin, insulin, plasma glucose and lipid profiles were estimated along with calculation of insulin resistance.

Prognostics of Cyclin-D1 expression with chemoradiation response in patients of locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Cyclin-D1 has been strongly implicated in cell cycle proliferation particularly in the G1/S checkpoint in the cell cycle, and prognosis in many human malignancies. The present study evaluates its prognostic significance with chemoradiation response in patients of locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 97 OSCC patients (females = 19 and males = 78), aged 20-67 years and stage III/IV were recruited.

Calcitonin gene- and parathyroid hormone-related peptides in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies: a nested case-control study.

Purpose: To identify whether CGRP and PTHrP serve as screening biomarkers for early detection of preeclampsia or even before the development of preeclampsia in early pregnancy.

Methods: It was a nested case-control study. The subjects were divided into normotensive (controls) and preeclamptic (cases) groups.

TNF-α gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue associated with HOMA in Asian Indian postmenopausal women.

The present study determines the fat depot-specific expression of leptin and TNF-α and its association with biochemical parameters in postmenopausal women. A total of 108 postmenopausal women were recruited prospectively; 54 were with metabolic syndrome (cases) and 54 were without metabolic syndrome (controls). Leptin and TNF-α mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were done by Real Time-RT PCR.

Strong impact of TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms on breast cancer risk in Indian women: a case-control and population-based study.

Introduction: TGF-β1 is a multi-functional cytokine that plays an important role in breast carcinogenesis. Critical role of TGF-β1 signaling in breast cancer progression is well documented. Some TGF-β1 polymorphisms influence its expression; however, their impact on breast cancer risk is not clear.