Advances in understanding the mechanism of resistance to anthracnose and induced defence response in tea plants.

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is susceptible to anthracnose disease that causes considerable crop loss and affects the yield and quality of tea. Multiple Colletotrichum spp. are the causative agents of this disease, which spreads quickly in warm and humid climates.

Mutational analysis of epidermal and hyperproliferative type I keratins in mild and moderate psoriasis vulgaris patients: a possible role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis along with disease severity.

Background: Mutations in keratin proteins have been vastly associated with a wide array of genodermatoses; however, mutations of keratins in psoriasis have not been fully investigated. The main aim of the current research was to identify the mutation in K14, K10, K16, and K17 genes in two stages of psoriasis patients.

Methods: Ninety-six psoriatic skin biopsies were collected.

Exome-wide association study identifies four novel loci for systemic lupus erythematosus in Han Chinese population.

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of considerable genetic predisposition. Genome-wide association studies have identified tens of common variants for SLE. However, the majority of them reside in non-coding sequences.

Methotrexate treatment provokes apoptosis of proliferating keratinocyte in psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyper proliferation of keratinocytes. Recent data show that the epidermis thickening in psoriasis may be related to imbalance of homeostasis caused by abnormal apoptotic process. Maintenance of keratinocyte apoptotic process is very important in psoriasis.

Methotrexate regulates Th-1 response by suppressing caspase-1 and cytokines in psoriasis patients.

Background: Caspase-1 induces the proinflammatory cytokines which appears to be a promising target in Th1-type inflammatory diseases, like psoriasis. We determined the effect of MTX on caspase-1, TNF-α and IL-18 in psoriasis patients.

Methods: We recruited 45 control subjects and 58 psoriasis patients for this study.

Methotrexate normalized keratinocyte activation cycle by overturning abnormal keratins as well as deregulated inflammatory mediators in psoriatic patients.

Background: In psoriatic skin, epidermal keratinocytes undergo deregulated inflammatory response that leads to prolonged expression of inflammatory mediators as well as abnormal keratins. Methotrexate (MTX) is an immunosuppressive agent used as a standard drug to treat severe psoriasis. The aim of the study is to find the pharmacological effect of MTX on abnormal keratin and deregulated inflammatory mediators.

Downregulation of involucrin in psoriatic lesions following therapy with propylthiouracil, an anti-thyroid thioureylene: immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis.

Background: Propylthiouracil (PTU), an anti-thyroid thioureylene, has been shown to be effective in chronic plaque psoriasis. Involucrin is a precursor protein that is upregulated in psoriasis.

Objectives: This study evaluated the expression of involucrin in the epidermis of skin in psoriatic plaques before and after treatment with PTU.

Impact of methotrexate on oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in psoriatic patients.

Methotrexate (MTX), a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, is considered an effective drug in the treatment of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to find out whether the effect of MTX treatment in psoriasis is due to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Psoriasis vulgaris patients (58 in number) were recruited for this study.

Serum interleukin-6 levels in response to methotrexate treatment in psoriatic patients.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune hyperproliferative skin disease. In psoriasis, the cutaneous and systemic overexpression of various proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been demonstrated. Methotrexate (MTX) has been used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Role of sudarshan kriya and pranayam on lipid profile and blood cell parameters during exam stress: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Yoga is a science practiced in India over thousands of years. It produces constituent physiological changes and has sound scientific basis.

Aim: Since exam stress modifies lipid profile and hematological parameters, we conducted an investigation on the effect of sudarshan kriya (SK and P) program on these parameters.

Clinical efficacy of propylthiouracil and its influence on prolactin in psoriatic patients.

Objective: Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an effective drug for psoriasis treatment. Prolactin (PRL) is increased during psoriasis which has hyperproliferative effect on keratinocytes. Hence, the objective is to find the effect of PTU on PRL level in psoriatic patients.

Impact of propylthiouracil on quality of life in psoriasis patients.

Background: Psoriasis greatly impacts the quality of life (QOL) of patients including several dermatological conditions that are listed in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Decrease in psoriatic lesion as measured by Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score is associated with improvement in QOL. Propylthiouracil (PTU) was found to be clinically efficient in clearing psoriatic lesions.

Psychological well-being in medical students during exam stress-influence of short-term practice of mind sound technology.

Introduction: Medical education is perceived as stressful. As excessive stress hampers students' performance, stress management is required for medical students. This study was aimed to assess the effect of Mind Sound Technology (MST), an intelligence enhancing program, on psychological well-being of medical undergraduates during exam stress.