Apolipoprotein A1 as a potential biomarker in the ascitic fluid for the differentiation of advanced ovarian cancers.

Context: Primary ovarian cancer and ovarian metastasis from non-ovarian cancers in advanced stage are closely mimicking conditions whose therapeutics and prognosis are different.

Objective: To identify biomarkers that can differentiate the two variants of advanced ovarian cancers.

Methods: Gel-based proteomics and antibody-based assays were used to study the differentially expressed proteins in the ascitic fluid of fourteen patients with advanced ovarian cancers.

Designed Chemical Intervention with Thiols for Prophylactic Contraception.

Unlike somatic cells, sperm have several-fold more available-thiols that are susceptible to redox-active agents. The present study explains the mechanism behind the instant sperm-immobilizing and trichomonacidal activities of pyrrolidinium pyrrolidine-1-carbodithioate (PPC), a novel thiol agent rationally created for prophylactic contraception by minor chemical modifications of some known thiol drugs. PPC, and its three derivatives (with potential active-site blocked by alkylation), were synthesized and evaluated against live human sperm and metronidazole-susceptible and resistant Trichomonas vaginalis, in vitro.

Increased coexpression of c-KIT and FLT3 receptors on myeloblasts: independent predictor of poor outcome in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Significance of mutations in FLT3 and c-KIT genes in AML has been well established, but role of their coexpression has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical significance of FLT3 (CD135) and c-KIT (CD117) coexpression on myeloblasts in AML.

Methods: Using flow-cytometry, we prospectively observed in 115 AML patients that CD135, CD117, and CD135+CD117 coexpression was expressed in 95 (82%), 104 (90%), and 81 (70%) patients respectively.

Oleic acid vesicles: a new approach for topical delivery of antifungal agent.

The occurrence of topical fungal infections is increasing nowadays. Cutaneous fungal infections like cutaneous candidiasis are more prominent in patients associated with AIDS. Current available strategies for the treatment of cutaneous fungal infections are creams or gels which show various adverse effects on skin along with systemic absorption.

Propitious role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in an experimental bile duct ligation model: potential clinical implications in obstructive cholangiopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMC) in rat bile duct ligation (BDL) model.

Methods: Wistar rats were categorized into four Groups A-D. Normal liver biopsy was taken from Group A.

Polymeric microparticles-based formulation for the eradication of cutaneous candidiasis: development and characterization.

Cutaneous candidiasis is a common topical fungal infection which may be more prominent in patients associated with AIDS. It is usually treated by conventional formulations such as cream, gel, which show various adverse effects on skin along with systemic absorption. To overcome these drawbacks, various novel drug delivery systems have been explored.

Superior vena cava syndrome and poor performance status at presentation affect survival in mediastinal T-lymphoblastic lymphoma--a single institute experience from India.

Analysis of mediastinal T-lymphoblastic lymphomas (T-LBL) with T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia has precluded identification of prognostic factors. Newly diagnosed T-LBL patients presenting with mediastinal mass and <20% bone marrow involvement were analyzed for clinical features and outcome. In 55 patients with median age 18 years, 39 (71%) had "B" symptoms, 46 (83.

Eradication of superficial fungal infections by conventional and novel approaches: a comprehensive review.

During the last two decades, the occurrence of fungal infections either superficial or systemic has been increasing. Moreover, fungal infections become more difficult to treat when they show coupling with immunogenic diseases like AIDS. Superficial fungal infections are associated with skin, nail and eye and are less prominent to systemic infection.

The role of 18F-fluoride PET-CT in the detection of bone metastases in patients with breast, lung and prostate carcinoma: a comparison with FDG PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP bone scan.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the role of (18)F-fluoride PET/CT, FDG PET/CT and (99m)Tc-MDP bone scans in the detection of bone metastases in patients with lung, breast and prostate carcinoma.

Methods: This was a prospective study including patients for staging (S) and restaging (R). Seventy-two patients (23S, 49R) with infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma, 49 patients (25S, 24R) with prostate adenocarcinoma and 30 patients (17S, 13R) with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), without known bone metastases but with high risk/clinical suspicion for the same, underwent a (99m)Tc-MDP bone scan, FDG PET/CT and (18)F-fluoride PET/CT within 2 weeks.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by chemoradiation in locally advanced cervical carcinoma: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate role of dose dense neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to standard concurrent chemo-radiation (CCRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods: Between June 2010 and December 2011, 28 patients (median age - 51 years, range, 35 to 67 years) with locally advanced cervical cancer received NACT using paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (AUC-2) weekly for 6 doses. After a mean interval of 15 days (range 7-23 days), the patients then received definitive radiation and concomitant weekly infusion of cisplatin (40 mg/m(2) for 6 doses).

Synergistic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-2 on progression free survival in multiple myeloma.

Bone marrow neoangiogenesis plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) and depends on the interplay of angiogenic cytokines. We investigated the levels of angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2 and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HiF-1α) in MM patients and their association with treatment outcome. Serum levels and mRNA expression of VEGF, Ang-2, Ang-1, bFGF and HiF-1α were evaluated in 71 MM patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Potential distribution of an invasive species under climate change scenarios using CLIMEX and soil drainage: a case study of Lantana camara L. in Queensland, Australia.

Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity which may be intensified by the effects of climate change, particularly if favourable climate conditions allow invasives to spread to new areas. This research explores the combined effects of climate change and soil drainage on the potential future distribution of Lantana camara L. (lantana) in Queensland, Australia.

Solitary plasmacytoma: 10 years' experience at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Plasma cell dyscrasias account for 1% of all malignancies and 10% of hematological malignancies. About 5% of patients with a plasma cell dyscrasia present with either solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) or, less commonly, a soft tissue mass, extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of monoclonal plasma cells. In this study we present the clinical features, management and outcome of 60 patients with solitary plasmacytoma, who constituted 5.

Angiopoietins as biomarker of disease activity and response to therapy in multiple myeloma.

Tumor angiogenesis is a complex process involving interplay of several angiogenic regulators. In the present study, mRNA expression and circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), hypoxia inducible factor (HiF)-1α, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) and bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated in multiple myeloma (MM). Compared to healthy controls, the levels of VEGF, bFGF, Ang-2, HiF-1α and cEPCs were significantly higher and Ang-1 and Ang-1/Ang-2 were lower in MM (p < 0.

Predictive modeling and mapping of Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) distribution using maximum entropy.

One of the available tools for mapping the geographical distribution and potential suitable habitats is species distribution models. These techniques are very helpful for finding poorly known distributions of species in poorly sampled areas, such as the tropics. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) is a recently developed modeling method that can be successfully calibrated using a relatively small number of records.

Climate change impacts on the future distribution of date palms: a modeling exercise using CLIMEX.

Climate is changing and, as a consequence, some areas that are climatically suitable for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivation at the present time will become unsuitable in the future. In contrast, some areas that are unsuitable under the current climate will become suitable in the future.

Vascular KCNQ (Kv7) potassium channels as common signaling intermediates and therapeutic targets in cerebral vasospasm.

Cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by prolonged severe constriction of the basilar artery, which often leads to ischemic brain damage. Locally elevated concentrations of spasmogenic substances induce persistent depolarization of myocytes in the basilar artery, leading to continuous influx of calcium (Ca) through voltage-sensitive Ca channels and myocyte contraction. Potassium (K) channel openers may have therapeutic utility to oppose membrane depolarization, dilate the arteries, and reduce ischemia.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: identification of prognostic factors.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prognostic factors on the outcome of patients with MM after ASCT.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed results of 170 consecutive patients (121 male and 49 female) of MM who underwent ASCT. Patients' median age was 52 years (range, 26-68 years).

Level of accessibility of radiological diagnostic tools of high technology and its effect on human health: study of ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI in different perspective.

The study was conducted at JNMC, Aligarh, India, to discern the obstacles/hurdles that stood in the way of the patients and the high technology diagnostic tool. For this purpose several parameters were taken eg, education/literacy, occupation and income group, etc. From the study 97% chose to undergo USG and only 3% were defaulters; 86% chose to undergo CT scan and only 14% were defaulters; 79% chose to undergo MRI and 21% were defaulters.

Interrelationship and expression profiling of cyclooxygenase and angiogenic factors in Indian patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is classically illustrated by a desynchronized cytokine system with rise in inflammatory cytokines. There are recent reports which emphasized the potential role of angiogenesis in the development of MM. Role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is well documented in the pathogenesis of solid tumors, but little is known about its occurrence and function in hematologic neoplasms.

Expression of leptin and its receptor in corpus luteum during estrous cycle in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Leptin is supposed to play a crucial role in ovarian luteal dynamics. The present study was aimed to investigate the importance of leptin and its receptors in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the estrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry techniques were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors.

Natural history of primary precursor B lymphoblastic lymphoma of the ovary: report of a rare case.

The involvement of the ovaries in lymphomatous processes is a relatively rare phenomenon. Secondary involvement as a part of systemic disease is common as compared to de novo primary lymphoma. Mostly, primary ovarian lymphomas are diffuse large B cell type, whereas the precursor lymphoblastic lymphomas are extremely rare and only four cases have been reported previously.

Genetic characterization of UCS region of Pneumocystis jirovecii and construction of allelic profiles of Indian isolates based on sequence typing at three regions.

Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. To study the genetic diversity of P. jirovecii in India the upstream conserved sequence (UCS) region of Pneumocystis genome was amplified, sequenced and genotyped from a set of respiratory specimens obtained from 50 patients with a positive result for nested mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (mtLSU rRNA) PCR during the years 2005-2008.

Dasatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia: a limited Indian experience.

Aim: To report our experience of the use of dasatinib in various phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods: Ten patients in various phases of CML, not responding to imatinib and started on dasatinib, were included and analyzed. The baseline characteristics of the patients and their salient features including the duration and response to initial therapy as well as to dasatinib, were noted.