Theoretical study on cyclophane amide molecular receptors and its complexation behavior with TCNQ.

Complexation behavior of cyclophane amide molecular receptors towards 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) studied. TD-B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) based density functional theory was employed to investigate the photophysical characteristics of the complexes obtained. Syn isomers of cyclophane amide molecular hosts show preferred conformation over other conformations.

Critically Ill Obstetric Admissions to an Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Analysis from a Tertiary Care University Hospital in South India.

Background: Critically ill obstetric patients represent a small proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Physiological changes of pregnancy along with pregnancy specific diseases may lead to rapid deterioration of the health status of the parturient warranting ICU care. The present study aims to study the clinical profile and outcomes of the obstetric patients requiring ICU care.

Metal-free boron-doped graphene for selective electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid/formate.

Herein we report the electrocatalytic activity of boron-doped graphene for the reduction of CO2. Electrolysis takes place at low overpotentials leading exclusively to formate as the product (vis-à-vis benchmark Bi catalyst). Computational studies reveal mechanistic details of CO2 adsorption and subsequent conversion to formic acid/formate.

NRAS mutations in de novo acute leukemia: prevalence and clinical significance.

The activating mutations of the Ras gene or other abnormalities in Ras signaling pathway lead to uncontrolled growth factor-independent proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors. Oncogenic mutations in NRAS gene have been observed with variable prevalence in hematopoietic malignancies. In the present study, NRAS mutations were detected using bidirectional sequencing in 264 acute leukemia cases--129 acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 135 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 245 age- and gender-matched controls.

Association of CYP19 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk: A case-control study.

Background: The CYP19 gene is located on chromosome 15 and it plays an important role in aromatization, which results in production of estrogen from androgens. The mutation in this gene can result in either increased or decreased aromatase activity.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was designed to compare 250 breast cancer cases with 250 age-matched healthy controls.

Association of thymidylate synthase 5'-UTR 28bp tandem repeat and serine hydroxymethyltransfarase C1420T polymorphisms with susceptibility to acute leukemia.

The current study was aimed to elucidate the association of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) 5'- UTR 28bp tandem repeat and cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (cSHMT) C1420T polymorphisms with acute leukemia in South Indian subjects. A total of 812 subjects [523 healthy controls, 148 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases and 141 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases] were screened for TYMS 5'-UTR 28bp tandem repeat and cSHMT C1420T using PCR-AFLP and PCR-with confronting two-pair primers (CTPP) approaches. TYMS 5'-UTR 2R allele frequencies of controls, ALL and AML cases were 35.

Deletion of GSTM1 and T1 genes as a risk factor for development of acute leukemia.

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of enzymes involved in the detoxification of a wide range of chemicals, including important environmental carcinogens, as well as chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study 294 acute leukemia cases, comprising 152 of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 142 of acute myeloid leukemia, and 251 control samples were analyzed for GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms through multiplex PCR methods. Significantly increased frequencies of GSTM1 null genotype (M0), GSTT1 null genotype (T0) and GST double null genotype (T0M0) were observed in the both ALL and AML cases as compared to controls.

Protective effect of Tribulus terrestris L. fruit aqueous extracton lipid profile and oxidative stress in isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in male albino Wistar rats.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of Tribulus terrestris fruit aqueous extract (TTFAEt) on lipid profile and oxidative stress in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial necrosis in albino Wistar rats. Albino Wistar rats were divided into normal control, TTFAEt alone treated, ISO control and pretreated (TTFAEt+ISO) groups. The extract was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 40 days orally by gavage and ISO was administered at a dose of 85 mg/kg body weight for two consecutive days intraperitoneally at an interval of 24 h.

Intronic SNPs of TP53 gene in chronic myeloid leukemia: Impact on drug response.

Background: TP53, located on chromosome 17p13, is one of the most mutated genes affecting many types of human cancers. Thus, we aimed at investigating the association of SNPs in TP53 gene with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Materials And Methods: A total of 236 CML and 157 control samples were analysed for mutations in TP53 gene using polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing.

TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and risk of acute leukemia.

TP53 is the mostly commonly mutated gene in many cancers and the P53 tumor suppressor protein is involved in multiple cellular processes, including transcription, DNA repair, genomic stability, senescence, cell cycle control and apoptosis. A common single nucleotide polymorphism located within the proline rich region of TP53 gene at codon 72 in exon 4 encodes either proline or arginine. TP53 Arg 72 is more active than TP53 Pro 72 in inducing apoptosis.

Association of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism with development of acute leukemia.

Background: CYP3A5 was observed to be an important genetic contributor to inter individual differences in CYP3A-dependent drug metabolism in acute leukemic patients. Loss of CYP3A5 expression was mainly conferred by a single nucleotide polymorphism at 6986A>G (CYP3A5*3). We investigated the association between CYP3A5*3 polymorphism and acute leukemia.

Codon 72 and G13964C intron 6 polymorphisms of TP53 in relation to development and progression of breast cancer in India.

The p53 protein is at the center of cell regulatory pathways influencing transcription and activity of several replication and transcription factors. In exon 4 of the gene TP53, a codon 72 polymorphism causing an Arg/Pro substitution has been reported in breast and other cancers. This substitution is in the putative SH3 binding domain of p53 protein, influencing binding capacity and thereby functional properties.

Association of a CYP17 gene polymorphism with development of breast cancer in India.

The human CYP17 gene, located on chromosome 10q24.3, plays a key role in sex steroid synthesis, mainly related to estrogen. A 5' UTR polymorphism involving a single base pair change in the promoter region results in increased transcriptional activity.

Highly efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of banana cv. Rasthali (AAB) via sonication and vacuum infiltration.

A reproducible and efficient transformation method was developed for the banana cv. Rasthali (AAB) via Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of suckers. Three-month-old banana suckers were used as explant and three Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains (EHA105, EHA101, and LBA4404) harboring the binary vector pCAMBIA1301 were used in the co-cultivation.

Association of an MDR1 gene (C3435T) polymorphism with acute leukemia in India.

The multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene product P-glycoprotein is a membrane bound protein that functions as an ATP-dependent efflux pump, transporting exogenous and endogenous substrates from the cells. Since it plays an important role in chemotherapy, there is an increasing interest in the possible significance of genetic variation in MDR1. Our main objective was to study the MDR1gene polymorphism at C3435T with reference to development and progression of acute leukemia.

Analysis of CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A5*6 gene polymorphisms in Indian chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

CYP3A5 is a member of the CYP3A gene family which metabolizes 50% of therapeutic drugs and steroid hormones. CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A5*6 polymorphisms exhibit inter-individual differences in CYP3A5 expression. The CYP3A5*3 allele (A6986G transition in intron 3) results in loss of CYP3A5 expression and the CYP3A5*6 allele (G14690A transition in exon 2, leading to the skipping of exon 7) is associated with lower CYP3A5 catalytic activity.

Association of the GSTP1 gene (Ile105Val) polymorphism with chronic myeloid leukemia.

The GSTP1 enzyme plays a key role in biotransformation and bioactivation of certain environmental pollutants such as benzo[a]pyrene-7, 8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) and other diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It catalyses the detoxification of base propanols that arise from DNA oxidation thus offering cellular protection against oxidative stress. A single nucleotide polymorphism at codon 105 results in the substitution of isoleucine (Ile) to valine (Val) causing a metabolically less active variant of the enzyme.

Association of CYP1A1*2 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk: a case control study.

Background: The Cytochrome P-4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene, located on chromosome 15q, is involved in the metabolism of carcinogens mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as estrogen. It is considered as candidate gene for low-penetrance breast cancer susceptibility. Hence the present study aims to discuss the role of CYP1A1 polymorphisms in breast cancer.

Degradation of glyphosate in soil and its effect on fungal population.

Glyphosate application resulted in a decline in soil pH with consequent increase in soil mycoflora suggesting an indirect relationship. Though the composition of mycoflora unchanged, species of aspergilli, fusaria, penicillia and Trichoderma were predominant. HPLC, IR analysis revealed the presence of sarcosine derivative as an intermediary of glyphosate degradation in soil.

PvuII polymorphism of estrogen receptor-α gene in breast cancer.

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that mediates estrogen action in target tissue. Several common polymorphisms of the ERα gene have been reported to be associated with alterations in receptor expression in breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was designed to compare 250 breast cancer patients with 250 age-matched healthy controls.

Fetal dopaminergic neurons transplanted to the normal striatum of neonatal or adult rats and to the denervated striatum of adult rats.

Fetal ventral mesencephalon from the 15th gestational day was grafted into the striatum of neonatal and adult rats. In one group of adult rats, fetal nigra was transplanted into normal striatum. In a second group, the tissue was transplanted at sites where dopaminergic fibers were denervated with 6-hydroxydopamine.

Ultrastructure of developing substantia nigra in humans.

Electron microscopy of the maturing neurons and developing and maturing synapses in the substantia nigra of 14 human embryos/foetuses of 8-24 weeks of gestation are reported. At 8 weeks, cells were immature with very little cytoplasm and cellular organelles. Contact sites of processes appeared more electron dense than the other areas.

Long-term nigral transplants in rat striatum: an electron microscopic study.

The substantia nigra of gestation day 14 was transplanted into the striatum of 3-4-month-old rats to investigate the transplants ultrastructurally at the end of 2 years, as a follow-up to our previous studies. Transplants were of small size in all 10 specimens taken for this study. The changes observed in the transplant and in the interface region with the host striatum were: thickening of the blood vessel walls, perivascular cuffing with lymphocytes and macrophages loaded with tissue debris, degenerating neurons and hypertrophied astroglia containing dense granules indicating ageing or reaction to degeneration and glial processes.