Simultaneous Quantification of Syringic Acid and Kaempferol in Extracts of Bergenia Species Using Validated High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic-Densitometric Method.

A rapid, sensitive, selective and robust quantitative densitometric high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method was developed and validated for separation and quantification of syringic acid (SYA) and kaempferol (KML) in the hydrolyzed extracts of Bergenia ciliata and Bergenia stracheyi. The separation was performed on silica gel 60F254 high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates using toluene : ethyl acetate : formic acid (5 : 4: 1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The quantification of SYA and KML was carried out using a densitometric reflection/absorption mode at 290 nm.

Learning What to Want: Context-Sensitive Preference Learning.

We have developed a method for learning relative preferences from histories of choices made, without requiring an intermediate utility computation. Our method infers preferences that are rational in a psychological sense, where agent choices result from Bayesian inference of what to do from observable inputs. We further characterize conditions on choice histories wherein it is appropriate for modelers to describe relative preferences using ordinal utilities, and illustrate the importance of the influence of choice history by explaining all major categories of context effects using them.

Complementing Crystallography with Ultralow-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy: Structural Insights into Nitrile-Functionalized Ionic Liquids.

Functionalized ionic liquids are a subclass of ionic liquids that are tailored for a specific application. Structural characterization in both solid and liquid phases is central to understanding their physical properties. Here, we used ultralow-frequency Raman spectroscopy, which can measure Raman spectra down to approximately 5 cm(-1) , to study the structures and physical properties of 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-3-methylimidazolium salts with five different anions.

Association of FTO and IRX3 genetic variants to obesity risk in north India.

Background: Obesity is an increasingly important health problem worldwide as well as in developing countries like India. Recent genetic studies suggest that obesity associated FTO and IRX3 are functionally linked and many effects due to genetic variants in FTO gene act through IRX3.

Aim: To evaluate the association of FTO and IRX3 genetic variants towards obesity risk.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Fluoride Mouthrinse, Herbal Mouthrinse and Oil Pulling on the Caries Activity and Streptococcus mutans Count using Oratest and Dentocult SM Strip Mutans Kit.

Background: As the technological level of healthcare increases, it is important not to lose sight of the basics of patient care. No matter how sophisticated dental techniques have become, preventive dentistry still remains the foundation for oral health. Therefore, antimicrobial mouthrinses are developed to provide an effective means of preventing colonization by micro-organisms.

Electric stimulations mediated beta lactam resistance reversal and correlation with growth dynamics of community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The community associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a serious issue of public health. Here, we conducted an experimental approach to determine: (i) the optimal significant stimulation range of electrical current for effective checking of CA-MRSA growth; (ii) the effect of electrical stimulations on methicillin susceptibility and possible beta lactam resistance reversal; and (iii) the variation in the level of ATP as function of exposure to electric current. An 8 chambered electrical system was developed for DC flow in control and test sets, with and without drug (oxacillin 4 mg/ml).

Multimodal treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: seton versus anti-TNF versus advancement plasty (PISA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Currently there is no guideline for the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease and high perianal fistulas. Most patients receive anti-TNF medication, but no long-term results of this expensive medication have been described, nor has its efficiency been compared to surgical strategies. With this study, we hope to provide treatment consensus for daily clinical practice with reduction in costs.

Recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a child.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or transient apical ballooning syndrome very rarely presents in children. In all patients with takotsubo, it is estimated that only 3.5% will have recurrence.

Role of SHIP1 in Invariant NKT Cell Development and Functions.

SHIP1 is a 5'-inositol phosphatase known to negatively regulate the signaling product of the PI3K pathway, phosphatidylinositol (3-5)-trisphosphate. SHIP1 is recruited to a large number of inhibitory receptors expressed on invariant NK (iNKT) cells. We hypothesized that SHIP1 deletion would have major effects on iNKT cell development by altering the thresholds for positive and negative selection.

Perception of Simulation-based Learning among Medical Students in South India.

Background: Traditional methods of educating medical students are no longer sufficient in the current era largely influenced by multimedia. Simulation-based techniques may play a pivotal role in bridging this educational gap.

Aim: This study was conducted to explore the perception of medical students towards simulation based learning (SBL).

Analysis of MC4R rs17782313, POMC rs1042571, APOE-Hha1 and AGRP rs3412352 genetic variants with susceptibility to obesity risk in North Indians.

Background: Obesity is a multi-factorial disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The physiological pathways associated with obesity are complex and involve several genes.

Aim: The aim of this survey is to evaluate the association of genetic variants of melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), apolipoprotein E (APOE) and agouti-related protein (AGRP) with obesity in the North Indian population.

ASHA-Life Intervention Perspectives Voiced by Rural Indian Women Living With AIDS.

In this focus group study, we explored the experiences of 16 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) who participated in the Asha-Life (AL) intervention to gain an understanding of the environmental, psychosocial, and cultural impact of the AL on their lives. Four themes emerged among AL participants: (a) the importance of tangible support, (b) need for social support, (c) ongoing challenges to accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and (d) perspectives on future programs. Our research findings support the development of future programs targeting mother-child dyads which emphasize nutritional knowledge, while reducing barriers to receiving ART, and physical, emotional, and financial support.

Laser Pulpotomy-An Effective Alternative to Conventional Techniques: A 12 Months Clinicoradiographic Study.

Background: Vital pulpotomy is a single-stage procedure of surgical amputation of the coronal portion of exposed vital pulp, usually as a means of preserving the vitality and function of the remaining radicular portion.

Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic success rates for ferric sulfate (FS), electrosurgery (ES) and laser pulpotomy in human primary molars.

Materials And Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 30 primary molars indicated for pulpotomy in children aged 4 to 10 years were treated using either a FS (10 teeth), ES technique (10 teeth) and laser (10 teeth).

Host-mediated gene silencing of a single effector gene from the potato pathogen Phytophthora infestans imparts partial resistance to late blight disease.

RNA interference (RNAi) has proved a powerful genetic tool for silencing genes in plants. Host-induced gene silencing of pathogen genes has provided a gene knockout strategy for a wide range of biotechnological applications. The RXLR effector Avr3a gene is largely responsible for virulence of oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Clinical correlates of enlarged cavum septum pellucidum in schizophrenia: A revisit through computed tomography.

Like prevalence of abnormal cavum septum pellucidum in patients of schizophrenia remains controversial, its role in clinical outcome, duration of illness and effect on treatment remains less understood as well. Our study examined clinical correlates of enlarged cavum septum pellucidum in schizophrenia. A total of 139 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia during the year 2012 and 2013 were taken for the study.

Green synthesis and structural characterization of selenium nanoparticles and assessment of their antimicrobial property.

In the present study, selenium nanoparticles were biologically synthesized by non-pathogenic, economic and easy to handle bacterium Ralstonia eutropha. The selenium oxo anion was reduced to selenium nanoparticles in the presence of the bacterium. The bacterium was grown aerobically in the reaction mixture.

Thinking outside the box--The associations with cutaneous involvement and autoantibody status in systemic sclerosis are not always what we expect.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and survival of anti-topoisomerase antibody positive (ATA+) limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and anti-centromere antibody positive (ACA+) diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) patients in a large, multicenter SSc cohort.

Methods: Data from subjects in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) cohort were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the baseline characteristics, including sociodemographic, clinical and serological features of lcSSc and dcSSc, according to ATA+ and ACA+ subsets.

Association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with adiponectin levels and risk for insulin resistance syndrome.

Background: Adiponectin is an abundant adipose tissue-derived protein with anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. Plasma adiponectin levels are decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease and low adiponectin levels also predict insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: Case-control study in which 642 male and female subjects were participated from the North Indian population.

miR-24-2 regulates genes in survival pathway and demonstrates potential in reducing cellular viability in combination with docetaxel.

MicroRNAs the small (18-22 in length) noncoding RNA molecules are negative regulators of gene expression, modulating biological processes of cell differentiation, survival and death. The latter two phenomena are critical in tumour biology. We provide here the results of human genome wide target prediction of one such microRNA, hsa-miR-24-2, shown to target genes essential for initiating cellular stability and cell survival.

Revisiting community case management of childhood pneumonia: perceptions of caregivers and grass root health providers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, northern India.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of under-five mortality globally with almost one-quarter of deaths occurring in India.

Objectives: To identify predisposing, enabling and service-related factors influencing treatment delay for CAP in rural communities of two states in India. Factors investigated included recognition of danger signs of CAP, health care decision making, self-medication, treatment and referral by local practitioners, and perceptions about quality of care.

Chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Artemisia maderaspatana essential oil.

Context: To date, there are no reports to validate the Indian traditional and folklore claims of Artemisia maderaspatana L. (syn. Grangea maderaspatana L.

Effect of Trigonella foenum graecum L on the Activities of Antioxidant Enzyme and Their Expression in Tissues of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is a life-threatening metabolic disorder. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidative potential of seed powder of Trigonella foenum-graecum L in alloxan (55 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats. The results obtained showed that extensive oxidative stress is generated in tissues of diabetic rats as evidenced by increased production of hydrogen peroxide, increased accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonanal (4HNE) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in tissues of diabetic rats.

Sustained delivery of exogenous melatonin influences biomarkers of oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity in summer-stressed anestrous water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

High ambient temperature during summer in tropical and subtropical countries predisposes water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to develop oxidative stress having antigonadotropic and antisteroidogenic actions. Melatonin is a regulator of seasonal reproduction in photoperiodic species and highly effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Therefore, a study was designed to evaluate the effect of sustained-release melatonin on biomarkers of oxidative stress i.

Influence of fluorination on protein-engineered coiled-coil fibers.

We describe the design and characterization of fluorinated coiled-coil proteins able to assemble into robust nano- and microfibers. Fluorination is achieved biosynthetically by residue-specific incorporation of 5,5,5-trifluoroleucine (TFL). The fluorinated proteins C+TFL and Q+TFL are highly α-helical as confirmed via circular dichroism (CD) and more resistant to thermal denaturation compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts, C and Q.