microRNA as a Maternal Marker for Prenatal Stress-Associated ASD, Evidence from a Murine Model.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been associated with a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Prenatal stress exposure has been identified as a possible risk factor, although most stress-exposed pregnancies do not result in ASD. The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene has been linked to stress reactivity, and the presence of the SERT short (S)-allele has been shown to mediate the association between maternal stress exposure and ASD.

Effect of toxicological interaction of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and arsenic on soil dehydrogenase activity in the terrestrial environment.

Soil is the most widespread area for the co-occurrence of two or more numbers of contaminants. Therefore, toxicity assessments based on contaminants mixture are urgently required to assess their combined impacts on soil enzymes. In the present study, the median effect plot and the combination index isobologram were studied to evaluate the dose-response curve for individual and interactive impacts of chlorpyrifos (Chl), cypermethrin (Cyp), and arsenic (As) on soil dehydrogenase, a potential marker of soil health.

Evaluation of the (14)C-urea breath test using indigenously produced (14)C-urea capsules and a modified technique for trapping exhaled breath: a pilot study.

The carbon urea breath test ((14)C-UBT) is a noninvasive technique used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection in patients presenting with dyspeptic symptoms. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of indigenously produced (14)C-UBT capsules by the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, India. Thirty consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms were included in the study.

Nutritional status and prognosis in cirrhotic patients.

Background And Aims: Malnutrition is commonly associated with chronic liver disease. The presence of protein-calorie malnutrition has been shown to be associated with increased short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute and chronic liver disease. We undertook this study to assess the prognostic value of nutritional status in predicting survival in cirrhotic patients.