Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced Synthesis of a Novel Viral Factor Mediates Efficient Replication of Genotype-1 Hepatitis E Virus.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute hepatitis in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa and Latin America. Though self-limiting in normal individuals, it results in ~30% mortality in infected pregnant women. It has also been reported to cause acute and chronic hepatitis in organ transplant patients.

PHACE syndrome with lip haemangioma, microphthalmos and persistent fetal vasculature.

An 11-month-old baby girl presented with white reflex in her left eye. On examination, there was a 6.5×5 mm(2)haemangioma present over her face involving on her lower lip.

Prevalence and Association of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis with Disease Course in Patients with Ulcero-Constrictive Ileocolonic Disease.

Background: Association of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and Crohn's disease (CD) has been controversial due to contradictory reports. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of MAP in patients with CD and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and its association with clinical course.

Methodology: Blood and intestinal biopsies were taken from 69 CD, 32 ITB patients and 41 patients with haemorrhoidal bleed who served as controls.

Aqueous sodium borohydride induced thermally stable porous zirconium oxide for quick removal of lead ions.

Aqueous sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is well known for its reducing property and well-established for the development of metal nanoparticles through reduction method. In contrary, this research paper discloses the importance of aqueous NaBH4 as a precipitating agent towards development of porous zirconium oxide. The boron species present in aqueous NaBH4 play an active role during gelation as well as phase separated out in the form of boron complex during precipitation, which helps to form boron free zirconium hydroxide [Zr(OH)4] in the as-synthesized condition.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in India: The All India Ophthalmological Society Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Screening Study 2014.

Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic patients across the nation and attempt to establish history-based risk factors.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of diabetic patients was conducted as an initiative of the All India Ophthalmological Society from 14th November to 21st November 2014. Known diabetics were evaluated voluntarily by members of the society at 194 centers using a structured protocol provided by the society for examination.

Synergistic combination of antioxidants, silver nanoparticles and chitosan in a nanoparticle based formulation: Characterization and cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

Hypothesis: Chitosan (Cs) is a biocompatible, biodegradable cationic polymer having the ability of targeted drug delivery. Vitamin E and C are not synthesized in our body thus, when encapsulated within a carrier system these vitamins in combination with/alone can be utilized for their anti-cancer potentials.

Experiment: The present investigation was conducted to develop a stable nanoparticle based formulation encapsulating antioxidants (Vitamin E, catechol) and silver nanoparticles synthesized from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (HRS) petal extracts within a chitosan matrix.

HIF-1 Mediates Renal Fibrosis in OVE26 Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 mediates hypoxia- and chronic kidney disease-induced fibrotic events. Here, we assessed whether HIF-1 blockade attenuates the manifestations of diabetic nephropathy in a type 1 diabetic animal model, OVE26. YC-1 [3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole], an HIF-1 inhibitor, reduced whole kidney glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial matrix expansion, extracellular matrix accumulation, and urinary albumin excretion as well as NOX4 protein expression and NADPH-dependent reactive oxygen species production, while blood glucose levels remained unchanged.

Novel identification of Factor XI deficiency in Indian Sahiwal (Bos indicus) cattle.

Factor-XI deficiency (FXID) is inherited as autosomal lethal recessive disorder of carrier Holstein-Friesian bulls. A 76 base pair segment insertion into exon 12 in Factor-XI gene causes FXID in cattle. Keeping this in view the present study was conducted to screen breeding bulls of both indigenous and exotic breeds for mutation in Factor-XI gene and to find out the frequency of FXID carrier animals in breeding bulls.

Effects of buffer additives and thermal processing methods on the solubility of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) proteins and the immunoreactivity of its major allergen.

This study examines the potential of two buffer additives (Tween 20 and DTT) to improve the solubility of proteins from shrimp subjected to different heat treatments and the allergenicity of tropomyosin in the extracts. The concentration of soluble proteins extracted by all the buffers from processed shrimp was significantly reduced compared with untreated samples. The concentration of total soluble proteins from heat treated shrimp increased significantly when phosphate buffer containing both surfactant and reducing agent was used as the extraction buffer.

Renoprotective Effects, Protein Thiols and Liver Glycogen Content of Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Different Fractions of Heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium.

Oxidative stress is believed to be a pathogenic factor in the development of diabetic complications. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different fractions of heart wood of Pterocarpus marsupium on antioxidant enzyme like protein thiols and also check the efficacy of the extract for the protection of the renal function in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The present study also investigates the levels of liver glycogen which are considered as the best biomarker for assaying the hypoglycemic activity of any drug.

Loa loa in the vitreous cavity of the eye.

A 25-year-old man presented with painful diminution of vision (20/160), accompanied by redness, pain and floaters, over a period of 2 weeks, in his left eye. On examination, the anterior segment revealed moderate inflammation. Posterior segment examination showed a grade one vitreous haze with a fairly long live worm moving around in a haphazard and relentless manner throughout the vitreous cavity.

Ultrafiltration and Microarray for Detection of Microbial Source Tracking Marker and Pathogen Genes in Riverine and Marine Systems.

Pathogen identification and microbial source tracking (MST) to identify sources of fecal pollution improve evaluation of water quality. They contribute to improved assessment of human health risks and remediation of pollution sources. An MST microarray was used to simultaneously detect genes for multiple pathogens and indicators of fecal pollution in freshwater, marine water, sewage-contaminated freshwater and marine water, and treated wastewater.

Subperiosteal hematoma from peribulbar block during cataract surgery leading to optic nerve compression in a patient with parahemophilia.

A 17-year-old male presented with gradual painless diminution of vision since childhood. Slit lamp examination revealed both eyes having congenital cataract. Right eye lens aspiration was performed but was uneventful, and he prepared for left eye surgery after 7 days.

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of tryptophan and its metabolites in in vitro assay.

Background: Human milk contains a number of nutrients and bioactive ingredients which play an important role in the growth and development of infants. One important nutrient and bioactive ingredient of human milk is L-tryptophan. L-Tryptophan is an essential aromatic α-amino acid and is required in the diet of children and adult humans.

Symptoms experienced by cancer patients and barriers to symptom management.

Background: People living with cancer experience wide variety of symptoms. If symptoms are not managed well, it may hamper an individual's ability to continue his or her activities of daily life. Treatment of symptoms relieves suffering and improves the rate of recovery as well as the quality of life.

Evaluation of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein relationship with features of metabolic syndrome in high-risk subgroups for cardiovascular disease.

Aim: This study evaluating N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) relationship with features of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in high risk subgroups for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Trinidad.

Materials And Methods: The sample population consisted of 160 subjects, 78 of whom were African and 82 East Indian attending medical outpatient clinics of regional health authority hospitals of Trinidad.

Results: Systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose and insulin as well as NT-pro-BNP were elevated among the East Indian sub-population, with only systolic blood pressure being significantly elevated among the African sub-population.

Acute on chronic liver failure because of acute hepatic insults: Etiologies, course, extrahepatic organ failure and predictors of mortality.

Background And Aim: Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) because of precipitating factors (variceal bleed/infections) identifies cirrhotics at risk for high short-term mortality. Information on ACLF because of acute hepatic insults is lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate acute hepatic insults in ACLF and their effect on the course and outcome.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(N-vinylcarbazole)/Graphene Nanocomposites.

The present work describes the dual role of graphene as an initiator and filler for polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole and formation of poly(N-vinylcarbazole)/graphene (PVK/Gr) nanocomposites. Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the formation of PVK as well its graphene nanocomposites. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the graphene platelets are dispersed in the matrix of spherical PVK.

Pregnancy with a ruptured renal artery aneurysm: management concerns and endovascular management.

Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) affects <0.01% of the general population. Rupture of RAA is a rare catastrophe that can complicate pregnancy and is associated with high maternal and fetal mortality.

Bark extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and antiproliferative response against osteosarcoma.

In the current investigation we report the biosynthesis potentials of bark extracts of Ficus benghalensis and Azadirachta indica for production of silver nanoparticle without use of any external reducing or capping agent. The appearance of dark brown color indicated the complete nanoparticle synthesis which was further validated by absorbance peak by UV-vis spectroscopy. The morphology of the synthesized particles was characterized by Field emission- scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

TNF-α modulation by natural bioactive molecules in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Background: The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of plant-derived products marketed for human health benefits.

Methods: The tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) was used as a proinflammatory biomarker generated by mouse macrophage RAW 264.6 cells.

Biosynthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis petals extracts.

Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has lured the world from the chemical and physical approaches owing to its rapid, non-hazardous and economic aspect of production mechanism. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesised using petal extracts of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The AgNPs displayed characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at around 421 nm having a mean particle size of 76.