Association of dopaminergic pathway gene polymorphisms with chronic renal insufficiency among Asian Indians with type-2 diabetes.

Background: Genetic markers conferring susceptibility to diabetes specific renal disease remains to be identified for early prediction and development of effective drugs and therapies. Inconsistent results obtained from analysis of genes from classical pathways generate need for examination of unconventional genetic markers having role in regulation of renal function. Experimental and clinical evidences suggest that dopamine is an important natriuretic hormone.

Initiating and cancer-propagating cells in TEL-AML1-associated childhood leukemia.

Understanding cancer pathogenesis requires knowledge of not only the specific contributory genetic mutations but also the cellular framework in which they arise and function. Here we explore the clonal evolution of a form of childhood precursor-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia that is characterized by a chromosomal translocation generating a TEL-AML1 fusion gene. We identify a cell compartment in leukemic children that can propagate leukemia when transplanted in mice.

Cobalt coordination induced functionalized molecular clefts: isolation of {Co(III)-Zn(II)} heterometallic complexes and their applications in Beckmann rearrangement reactions.

The present work shows that the Co3+ coordination to the deprotonated pyridine-amide ligands orients the noncoordinated or hanging pyridine rings, thus furnishing a cleft in which Zn2+ ions coordinate. The building block approach points out a strategy to incorporate a Lewis acidic metal center in the periphery. This strategy has been used to synthesize Co3+-centered-Zn2+-peripheral heterobimetallic complexes.

Social evils, poverty & health.

There is a close association between social circumstances and health. In India, there is a significant burden of both communicable and non communicable diseases. Risk factors responsible for these conditions are underweight, unsafe sex, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, indoor smoke pollution, zinc, iron and vitamin A deficiency, tobacco use, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

DNA methylation-independent loss of RARA gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia.

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha gene (RARA) encodes 2 major isoforms and mediates positive effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on myelomonocytic differentiation. Expression of the ATRA-inducible (RARalpha2) isoform increases with myelomonocytic differentiation and appears to be down-regulated in many acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. Here, we demonstrate that relative to normal myeloid stem/progenitor cells, RARalpha2 expression is dramatically reduced in primary AML blasts.

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of cobalt(III) complexes with pyridine-amide ligands.

The ligands 2-(N-(X-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine (X=2, 3 or 4 for HL1-HL3, respectively) and 2,6-bis(N-(Y-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine (Y=2, 3 or 4 for H2L4-H2L6, respectively) in their mono- and di-deprotonated forms have been used to synthesize kinetically stable cobalt(III) compounds [Co(L1-3)3] (1-3) and Na[Co(L4-6)2] (4-6), respectively. The Co(III) ion is in octahedral environment and is surrounded by three bidentate ligands in complexes 1-3 and two tridentate ligands in complexes 4-6. Ligands coordinate the cobalt center via amidic-N and pyridine-N centers forming a 5-membered chelate ring.

Atherosclerotic risk factors in adolescents.

Methods: We studied 200 school going children age ranging 12-18 yr with regard to their nutritional intake, family history, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and lipid profile.

Results: It was observed that adolescents received less energy from carbohydrates and more from fats in comparison to the recommended standard. Sodium intake was found to be very high whereas fibre intake was low.

Trends in prevalence of coronary risk factors in an urban Indian population: Jaipur Heart Watch-4.

Background: To determine prevalence of multiple coronary risk factors in a North Indian Punjabi community and to compare these with previous population based studies in the same city in North India we performed an epidemiological study.

Methods: A community-based epidemiological study that focused on lifestyle determinants of obesity and its correlates in migrants from Punjab was performed at a single location in Jaipur. A house-to-house enumeration was performed to enroll all adults>or=20 years age in the locality who were then invited for participation in the study.

Isoform-specific potentiation of stem and progenitor cell engraftment by AML1/RUNX1.

Background: AML1/RUNX1 is the most frequently mutated gene in leukaemia and is central to the normal biology of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. However, the role of different AML1 isoforms within these primitive compartments is unclear. Here we investigate whether altering relative expression of AML1 isoforms impacts the balance between cell self-renewal and differentiation in vitro and in vivo.

NOV (CCN3) functions as a regulator of human hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells.

Clinically successful hematopoietic cell transplantation is dependent on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Here we identify the matricellular protein Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (Nov, CCN3) as being essential for their functional integrity. Nov expression is restricted to the primitive (CD34) compartments of umbilical vein cord blood, and its knockdown in these cells by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference abrogates their function in vitro and in vivo.

Association of TGFbeta1, TNFalpha, CCR2 and CCR5 gene polymorphisms in type-2 diabetes and renal insufficiency among Asian Indians.

Background: Cytokines play an important role in the development of diabetic chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1) induces renal hypertrophy and fibrosis, and cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and regulated upon activation and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) mediate macrophage infiltration into kidney. Over expression of these chemokines leads to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis.

Low birth weight and insulin resistance in mid and late childhood.

Objective: Low birth weight is associated with adult insulin resistance and diabetes. We conducted this study to correlate low birth weight with insulin resistance in mid and late childhood.

Methods: Children whose birth weight records were available were successively enrolled from middle and low socioeconomic status urban schools in western India.

Cardiovascular changes in thyroid disorder.

Thyroid hormones have a profound effect on the metabolism. The cardiovascular system is particularly sensitive to this metabolic alteration. Therefore it is not surprising that thyroid dysfunction can produce dramatic cardiovascular effects, often mimicking primary cardiac disease.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of fixed dose lovastatin and niacin(ER) combination in asian Indian dyslipidemic patients: a multicentric study.

Asian Indian dyslipidemia is characterized by: borderline high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B; high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apoA1; and high lipoprotein(a) (lp[a]). We performed a controlled multicentric trial in India to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed dose combination of lovastatin and niacin extended release (niacin(ER)) formulation in patients with moderate to severe dyslipidemia. Consecutive subjects that satisfied the selection criteria, agreed to an informed consent, and with no baseline presence of liver/renal disease or heart failure were enrolled in the study.

In vivo fluorescein staining of SI-30NB silicone intraocular lens.

We report a case of a 48-year-old pseudophakic woman who presented 3 weeks after Heidelberg retinal angiography using intravenous sodium fluorescein 2%. Bilateral retinal vasculitis with severe retinal ischemia and extensive capillary dropouts had been diagnosed. Anterior segment examination revealed green staining on the silicone optic of the 3-piece SI-30NB intraocular lens (IOL) (AMO), with no cell or flare in the aqueous humor.

Scheimpflug imaging in late Capsular Bag Distention syndrome after phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To describe two cases of late Capsular Bag Distention syndrome (CBDS) and posterior capsular opacification (PCO) as documented on Pentacam.

Design: Case series.

Methods: A 55-year-old male and a 72-year-old female presented three years after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with a complaint of decreased vision.

Zero prevalence of diabetes in camel milk consuming Raica community of north-west Rajasthan, India.

Objectives: Preliminary trials reflected the low prevalence of diabetes in Raica community consuming camel milk habitually. Our objective was to describe the prevalence and clinical factors associated with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes (DM) among adults (>or=20 years) in large population group.

Design: Population based, cross sectional study

Methods: 2099 participants from different villages of north-west Rajasthan were selected using stratified sampling of a representative Raica and non-Raica Community, consuming or not consuming camel milk.

Role of scheimpflug imaging in traumatic intralenticular foreign body.

Purpose: The role of Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging in evaluation of penetrating eye injury and intralenticular foreign body (ILFB).

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A 35-year-old male presented to our clinical practice with penetrating eye injury and endophthalmitis.

Smoking, educational status and health inequity in India.

Health related behaviours, especially smoking and tobacco use, are major determinants of health and lead to health inequities. Smoking leads to acute respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and asthma in younger age groups and non communicable diseases such as chronic lung disease, cardiovascular diseases and cancer in middle and older age. We observed an inverse association of educational status with tobacco use (smoking and other forms) in western Indian State of Rajasthan.

Chronic renal insufficiency among Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes: I. Role of RAAS gene polymorphisms.

Background: Renal failure in diabetes is mediated by multiple pathways. Experimental and clinical evidences suggest that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has a crucial role in diabetic kidney disease. A relationship between the RAAS genotypes and chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) among type 2 diabetes subjects has therefore been speculated.

Field- and pressure-induced phases in Sr4Ru3O10: a spectroscopic investigation.

We have investigated the magnetic-field- and pressure-induced structural and magnetic phases of the triple-layer ruthenate Sr4Ru3O10. Magnetic-field-induced changes in the phonon spectra reveal dramatic spin-reorientation transitions and strong magnetoelastic coupling in this material. Further, we are able to deduce key magnetoelastic coupling parameters, and evidence that the magnetic moments are localized on the Ru sites.