Novel point and combo-mutations in the genome of hepatitis B virus-genotype D: characterization and impact on liver disease progression to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The contribution of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through progressive stages of liver fibrosis is exacerbated by the acquisition of naturally occurring mutations in its genome. This study has investigated the prevalence of single and combo mutations in the genome of HBV-genotype D from treatment naïve Indian patients of progressive liver disease stages and assessed their impact on the disease progression to HCC.

Methods: The mutation profile was determined from the sequence analysis of the full-length HBV genome and compared with the reference HBV sequences.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Acute Respiratory Infection among School Children in Coastal South India.

Background And Objectives: There is a paucity of information available on acute respiratory infection (ARI) among school children in India. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and certain risk factors associated with ARI among school children.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 school children age group of 5-14 years in the seven schools of rural Puducherry, India.

Incidental lingual thyroid informs surgery.

This case study presents an incidental noting of a lingual thyroid on thyroid scintigraphy that had implications in later breast surgery. This information changed patient management and mitigated risk during intubation for breast cancer surgery.

Neurological status of children with congenital heart defects.

Congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common birth defect & a significant cause of childhood morbidity & mortality. Structural brain abnormalities are more common in children with CHD than general population. This study details the cognitive, motor and behavioral development of a child with congenital heart disease who is on medical management.

Cartilage support for fascia graft in type I tympanoplasty.

To evaluate the success rate, in terms of anatomical and functional results, in our technique of cartilage support for fascia graft in type I tympanoplasty. Retrospective study of tragal cartilage support for fascia graft in tympanoplasty for large central perforation in 748 patients was carried at an academic institution during January 2004 to March 2012. Patients' age ranged from 11 to 65 years.

Status of prevention of parent to child transmission services among HIV-positive mothers from rural South India.

Background: Tamil Nadu comes under group I high-prevalence state, with <1% prevalence of HIV infection in ante-natal women but above 5% prevalence in high-risk group. One of the ways to control HIV/AIDS in India is through prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT), the success of which lies in the utilization of services.

Materials And Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to explore the status of utilization of PPTCT services by rural HIV-positive mothers, in the Gingee Block of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Osteopontin as a therapeutic target for cancer.

Introduction: Cancer is a complex pathological disorder, established as a result of accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes, which lead to adverse alterations in the cellular phenotype. Tumor progression involves intricate signaling mediated through crosstalk between various growth factors, cytokines and chemokines. Osteopontin (OPN), a chemokine-like protein, is involved in promotion of neoplastic cancer into higher grade malignancies by regulating various facets of tumor progression such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis.

Genome-wide stochastic adaptive DNA amplification at direct and inverted DNA repeats in the parasite Leishmania.

Gene amplification of specific loci has been described in all kingdoms of life. In the protozoan parasite Leishmania, the product of amplification is usually part of extrachromosomal circular or linear amplicons that are formed at the level of direct or inverted repeated sequences. A bioinformatics screen revealed that repeated sequences are widely distributed in the Leishmania genome and the repeats are chromosome-specific, conserved among species, and generally present in low copy number.

Neutral and selective processes shape MHC gene diversity and expression in stocked brook charr populations (Salvelinus fontinalis).

The capacity of an individual to battle infection is an important fitness determinant in wild vertebrate populations. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are crucial for a host's adaptive immune system to detect pathogens. However, anthropogenic activities may disrupt natural cycles of co-evolution between hosts and pathogens.

Effectiveness of foot care education among people with type 2 diabetes in rural Puducherry, India.

Background: The burden of diabetes and its foot complications is increasing in India. Prevention of these complications through foot care education should be explored. The objective of our study was to assess the risk factors of poor diabetic foot care and to find the effectiveness of health education in improving foot care practice among diabetes patients.

Preventing postpartum smoking relapse among inner city women: development of a theory-based and evidence-guided text messaging intervention.

Background: Underserved women are at high risk for smoking relapse after childbirth due to their unique socioeconomic and postpartum stressors and barriers. Mobile text messaging technology allows delivery of relapse prevention programs targeted to their personal needs over time.

Objective: To describe the development of a social-cognitive theory-based and evidence-guided text messaging intervention for preventing postpartum smoking relapse among inner city women.

Prevalence of bronchial asthma and its associated factors among school children in urban Puducherry, India.

Background: Bronchial asthma is an important public health problem at the global level. There is paucity of studies on bronchial asthma among school children in Urban India.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of bronchial asthma among school children.

Improvement of digestive health and reduction in proteobacterial populations in the gut microbiota of cystic fibrosis patients using a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic preparation: a double blind prospective study.

Background: Although scientific knowledge about the benefits of probiotic use in cystis fibrosis (CF) is scarce, their expectative is promising. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic preparation versus placebo in CF patients.

Methods: A prospective, double blind, crossover and with placebo study was carried out in 30 CF patients from two Spanish hospitals.

Gynecological morbidities in a population of rural postmenopausal women in pondicherry: uncovering the hidden base of the iceberg.

Research Questions: (1) What is the prevalence of common gynecological morbidities and gynecological symptoms among postmenopausal women in rural Pondicherry? (2) What are the determinants of postmenopausal gynecological morbidities?

Study Design: Community-based cross-sectional study.

Setting: Two villages in Pondicherry, India.

Participants: All postmenopausal women aged 50 years and above in the two villages.

Buccal misoprostol plus laminaria for cervical preparation before dilation and evacuation at 21-23 weeks of gestation: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To describe the effectiveness of buccal misoprostol as an adjunct to laminaria for cervical ripening before later second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation (D&E).

Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 196 women undergoing D&E between 21 and 23 weeks of gestation. Subjects had overnight laminaria and 400 mcg buccal misoprostol or placebo 3-4 h before the abortion.

Experiences of HIV Positive Mothers From Rural South India during Intra-Natal Period.

Context: Tamil Nadu comes under group I high prevalence state, with less than 1% prevalence of HIV infection in antenatal women but above 5% prevalence in high risk group. One of the ways to control HIV/AIDS in India is through Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT), the success of which lies in identifying pregnant women with HIV infection. But due to the stigma against HIV/AIDS among health care providers, HIV positive patients face discrimination in the health sector.

Safety of botulinum toxin for dysphagia in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Introduction: Despite multiple studies reporting marked benefit of botulinum toxin (BTX) for treatment of cricopharyngeal dysphagia, little is known about its safety for this indication. We examined the safety of cricopharyngeal BTX for dysphagia in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).

Methods: We reviewed records of patients with OPMD who received cricopharyngeal BTX.

Randomized trial of print messaging: the role of the partner and monitoring style in promoting provider discussions about prostate cancer screening among African American men.

Objective: Although African American (AA) men are at elevated risk for prostate cancer, medical guidelines do not present consistent screening recommendations for this group. However, all guidelines stress the need for screening decision making with a provider. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brochure for the female partners of AA men, designed to help promote such discussion on the part of their mates.

Antimicrobial resistance in India: A review.

Antimicrobial resistance is an important concern for the public health authorities at global level. However, in developing countries like India, recent hospital and some community based data showed increase in burden of antimicrobial resistance. Research related to antimicrobial use, determinants and development of antimicrobial resistance, regional variation and interventional strategies according to the existing health care situation in each country is a big challenge.

Portopulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary involvement is common in patients with portal hypertension and can manifest in diverse manners. Changes in pulmonary arterial resistance, manifesting either as the hepatopulmonary syndrome or portopulmonary hypertension (POPH), have been increasingly recognized in these patients in recent years. The prognosis in patients with liver disease who also suffer from significant POPH is considered to be poor.

Antithyroid drugs and their analogues: synthesis, structure, and mechanism of action.

Thyroid hormones are essential for the development and differentiation of all cells of the human body. They regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. In this Account, we discuss the synthesis, structure, and mechanism of action of thyroid hormones and their analogues.