An outbreak of H1N1 Influenza A among the students and staff of school X, Kozhikode, January 2020.

Background: An outbreak of fever and cough was notified to public health authorities by the management of school X among their students, Kozhikode district, Kerala, on Jan 1, 2020. We conducted an outbreak investigation to confirm the diagnosis, describe the case patients by time, place, and person, and propose appropriate recommendations.

Materials And Methods: We defined a probable case of influenza as any student or staff of school X, Kozhikode district with a fever and cough between Dec 30, 2019, and Jan 14, 2020.

Molecular insights into Pashmina fiber production: comparative skin transcriptomic analysis of Changthangi goats and sheep.

Ladakh, one of the highest inhabited regions globally, hosts the unique Changthangi goat, renowned for producing Pashmina, the world's most luxurious natural fiber. In comparison, the fiber derived from Changthangi sheep is considered next only to Pashmina. This research endeavors to compare the skin transcriptome profiles of Changthangi goats and Changthangi sheep, aiming to discern the molecular determinants behind the recognition of Changthangi goats as the source of Pashmina.

Comprehensive evaluation and validation of optimal reference genes for normalization of qPCR data in different caprine tissues.

Background: Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a highly reliable method for validating gene expression data in molecular studies due to its sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency. To ensure accurate qPCR results, it's essential to normalize the expression data using stable reference genes.

Methods: This study aimed to identify suitable reference genes for qPCR studies in goats by evaluating 18 candidate reference genes (ACTB, BACH1, B2M, GAPDH, HMBS, HPRT1, PGK1, PPIA, PPIB, RPLP0, RPL19, RPS9, RPS15, RPS28, SDHA, TBP, UXT, and YWHAZ) in 10 different caprine tissues (heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, rumen, skin, spleen, and testis).

Identification of novel endogenous control miRNAs in heart failure for normalization of qPCR data.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are utilized as biomarkers for a wide range of disorders. Circulating miRNAs are proposed as potential markers in the clinical identification of heart failure (HF). However, identifying miRNA biomarkers in HF requires identification of robust endogenous control miRNAs for normalization in differential expression analysis.

Identification and validation of stable reference genes for expression profiling of target genes in diverse ovine tissues.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a widely-used technique for quantifying the expression of target genes across various tissues, as well as under different pathological and physiological conditions. One of the challenges associated with this method is the need to identify optimal reference genes (RGs) that maintain consistent expression levels under diverse experimental settings, thereby ensuring accurate biological interpretation. In this study, we conducted a thorough analysis of 18 candidate RGs (ACTB, BACH1, B2M, GAPDH, HMBS, HPRT1, PGK1, PPIA, PPIB, RPLP0, RPL19, RPS9, RPS15, RPS28, SDHA, TBP, UXT, and YWHAZ) across 10 ovine tissues (muscle, skin, kidney, liver, intestine, rumen, lung, testis, heart, and spleen) obtained from five individual sheep.

Genetic insights into fiber quality, coat color and adaptation in Changthangi and Muzzafarnagri sheep: A comparative skin transcriptome analysis.

Changthangi sheep, which inhabit the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, are known for their fine fiber production and are characterized by grey skin and either black or white coats. In contrast, Muzzafarnagri sheep from the plains of Uttar Pradesh produce coarse wool and have white skin and coats. We conducted comparative global gene expression profiling on four biological replicates of skin from each breed.

Mutations in the Rett Syndrome Patients from South India.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects the females. Most cases of RTT are caused by a de novo mutation in the MECP2 gene located on the X chromosome. About 1000 MECP2 mutations have been found to be associated with RTT.

Aberrant reactive aldehyde detoxification by aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 influences endometriosis development and pain-associated behaviors.

Endometriosis affects ∼176 million women worldwide, yet on average, women experience pain ∼10 years from symptom onset before being properly diagnosed. Standard treatments (drugs or surgery) often fail to provide long-term pain relief. Elevated levels of reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) have been implicated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis and upon accumulation, reactive aldehydes can form protein-adducts and/or generate pain.

microRNAs in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: Efforts to unravel the extensive impact of the non-coding elements of the human genome on cell homeostasis and pathological processes have gained momentum over the last couple of decades. miRNAs refer to short, often 18-25 nucleotides long, non-coding RNA molecules which can regulate gene expression. Each miRNA can regulate several mRNAs.

Environmental Aldehyde Sources and the Health Implications of Exposure.

Aldehydes, which are present within the air as well as food and beverage sources, are highly reactive molecules that can be cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. To prevent harm from reactive aldehyde exposure, the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) metabolizes reactive aldehydes to a less toxic form. However, the genetic variant of ALDH2, ALDH2*2, significantly reduces the ability to metabolize reactive aldehydes in humans.

Telomeres in neurological disorders.

Ever since their discovery, the telomeres and the telomerase have been topics of intensive research, first as a mechanism of cellular aging and later as an indicator of health and diseases in humans. By protecting the chromosome ends, the telomeres play a vital role in preserving the information in our genome. Telomeres shorten with age and the rate of telomere erosion provides insight into the proliferation history of cells.

miRNAs as biomarkers of neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the result of progressive deterioration of neurons, ultimately leading to disabilities. There is no effective cure for NDDs at present; ongoing therapies are mainly aimed at treating the most bothersome symptoms. Since early treatment is crucial in NDDs, there is an urgent need for specific and sensitive biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis of these disorders.

Perinatal asphyxia alters neuregulin-1 and COMT gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex in rats.

Epidemiological studies suggest that perinatal complications, particularly hypoxia-related ones, increase the risk of schizophrenia. Recent genetic studies of the disorder have identified several putative susceptibility genes, some of which are known to be regulated by hypoxia. It can be postulated therefore that birth complications that cause hypoxia in the fetal brain may be associated with a dysregulation in the expression of some of the schizophrenia candidate genes.

Zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) and verbal deficits in individuals with autism.

Background: In a genome-wide association study of autism, zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to be nominally associated in verbally deficient individuals with autism. Zinc finger protein 804A copy number variations (CNVs) have also been observed in individuals with autism. In addition, ZNF804A is known to be involved in theory of mind (ToM) tasks, and ToM deficits are deemed responsible for the communication and social challenges faced by individuals with autism.

Vldlr overexpression causes hyperactivity in rats.

Background: Reelin regulates neuronal positioning in cortical brain structures and neuronal migration via binding to the lipoprotein receptors Vldlr and Lrp8. Reeler mutant mice display severe brain morphological defects and behavioral abnormalities. Several reports have implicated reelin signaling in the etiology of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after heart transplantation.

Five patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after heart transplantation are reported. Four had severe clinical symptoms, whereas 1 was asymptomatic. Mechanical ventilatory support was necessary in 1 because of respiratory distress.

Calcified thrombus in the right atrium: a rare complication of long-term parenteral nutrition in a child.

A 5-year-old boy with short-bowel syndrome who receives home parenteral nutrition developed a calcified thrombus that involved the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right atrium. Symptoms included 3 to 4 months of intermittent fever and 2 months of vague chest pain. Blood could not be aspirated from the IVC catheter and an IVC contrast study demonstrated the calcified thrombus.

A suggested technique for harvest of the cardiac graft from the heart-lung recipient in domino heart transplantation.

The performance of the domino heart transplant operation presents unusual technical problems related to preservation of the sinus node and integrity of the venae cavae. An alternative technique that may simplify this procedure is suggested.

Thromboembolic complications of the Symbion AVAD System.

The Symbion Acute Ventricular Assist Device (AVAD) System is an experimental paracorporeal pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) for single or biventricular assist. Eleven patients were implanted but 2 died within 24 h and were excluded from the study. Nine patients, four with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and five with biventricular assist devices (BIVADs), with a mean implant time of 24 days, were studied to determine the incidence and site of thrombus formation within the device and the incidence of thromboembolic complications.

Heart-lung transplantation: the initial Arizona experience.

Since November 1985, cardiopulmonary transplantation has been performed at the University of Arizona heart transplant program. Seven patients, five women and two men, have undergone heart-lung transplantation. Five patients had primary pulmonary hypertension, and two patients had Eisenmenger's complex.

Extracorporeal pulsatile biventricular support after cardiac transplantation.

A donor heart failed to adequately sustain hemodynamic function after cardiac transplantation. The cause of the donor heart dysfunction was unknown, and there were no definite risk factors identified to suggest the heart would not recover. A Symbion Acute Ventricular Assist Device System was used to support both ventricles.