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Parthenium hysterophorous, a widespread weed in India, contributes a substantial amount of lignocellulosic biomass. The key objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of producing xylanase enzyme from P. hysterophorus weed biomass using the fungus Aspergillus niger. The impact of various physiological factors was confirmed through a two-step approach: first, a one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) investigation, and subsequently, employing the RSM-based CCD method in statistical design. This research revealed that the RSM-based model led to the optimization of enzyme activity, resulting in a value of 2098.08 IU/gds for xylanase. This was achieved with an incubation time of 4.5 days, a medium pH of 6, and a cultivation temperature of 32.5 °C. Additionally, a pretreatment involving 1% NaOH and a 30-min autoclave treatment was found to alter the chemical composition of lignocellulose substrates (cellulose 43.87% and xylan 28.7%), thereby enhancing the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. Moreover, fermentable sugars were produced by autoclave-assisted alkali pretreatment (NaOH-1.0% w/v) at rates of 219.6 ± 2.05 mg/gds−1 by utilizing the crude xylanase from A. niger and 291.3 ± 1.2 mg/gds−1 from commercial xylanase enzyme. Our study revealed that P. hysterophorus served as a viable and affordable substrate for fermentable sugar liberation, and xylanase is a rate-limiting enzyme in enzymatic saccharification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was performed to analyse the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities of the essential oil separated from Curcuma caesia Roxb. (black turmeric) rhizomes. The essential oil of Curcuma caesia (C. caesia) rhizomes was separated by hydrodistillation technique. Further, essential oil was subjected to GC-MS and FTIR analysis for chemical analysis. Additionally, rhizome powder was investigated for nutritional content using standard reported methods. Subsequently, antioxidant potential of essential oil was analysed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay followed by α-amylase inhibitory assay. Results of the study suggested the presence of various important compound viz. curzerenone (29.78%), α-Bulnesene (14.43%), eucalyptol (13.32%), curzerene (4.88%), and camphor (4.71%), respectively. Similarly, potent antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities were observed in oil. It was concluded from the present work that essential oil of C. caesia rhizomes contains many therapeutic useful aromatic bioactive and nutritional components. Additionally, essential oil of C. caesia rhizomes exhibits profound antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomass of the lignocellulosic weed P. hysterophorus is abundant and wasteful in India. This study aimed to investigate the lignocellulosic weed P. hysterophorus for reducing sugar production. Therefore, several pretreatment methods, physical (Steam and Microwave), and chemical (alkalis and acids) were investigated to determine the statistically best conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis. The results revealed that alkali pretreatment (sodium hydroxide, 1.0% w/v) had the greatest impact on the production of reducing sugar (110.36 ± 0.05 mg/g substrate) from P. hysterophorus. The decrease in the lignin content and increase in carbohydrates from pretreated biomass was further validated using an ultrastructural technique (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction). The quantity of reducing sugars released was optimized using a response surface methodology, and the experimental results with optimized process variables gave 385.44 mg/g substrate reducing sugar. The investigations showed that P. hysterophorus can be utilized as a promising and low-cost biomass source for commercial ethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of atmospheric pollutants are causing significant concern across the globe and in India. The aggravated level of atmospheric pollutants in the surrounding environment poses serious threats to normal living conditions by deteriorating air quality and causing adverse health impacts. Pollutant concentration increases during harvesting seasons of Kharif/Rabi due to stubble burning and is aggravated by other points or mobile sources. The present study is intended to monitor the spatio-temporal variation of the major atmospheric pollutants using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data through cloud computing. Land Use/Land Cover (LULC-categorization or classification of human activities and natural coverage on the landscape) was utilised to extract the agricultural area in the study site. It involves the cloud computing of MOD64A1 (MODIS Burned monthly gridded data) and Sentinel-5P TROPOMI (S5P Tropomi) data for major atmospheric pollutants, such as CH4, NO2, SOX, CO, aerosol, and HCHO. The burned area output provided information regarding the stubble burning period, which has seen post-harvesting agricultural residue burning after Kharif crop harvesting (i.e., rice from April to June) and Rabi crop harvesting (i.e., wheat from September to November). The long duration of stubble burning is due to variation in farmers' harvesting and burning stubble/biomass remains in the field for successive crops. This period was used as criteria for considering the cloud computing of the Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data for atmospheric pollutants concentration in the study site. The results showed a significant increase in CH4, SO2, SOX, CO, and aerosol concentration during the AMJ months (stubble burning of Rabi crops) and OND months (stubble burning of Kharif crops) of each year. The results are validated with the ground control station data for PM2.5/PM10. and patterns of precipitation and temperature-gridded datasets. The trajectory frequency for air mass movement using the HYSPLIT model showed that the highest frequency and concentration were observed during OND months, followed by the AMJ months of each year (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). This study supports the role and robustness of Earth observation Sentinel-5P TROPOMI to monitor and evaluate air quality and pollutants distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture has the most significant contribution in fulfilling the basic human need, sustaining life, and strengthening the economy of any country. To feed the exploding population of the world, there has been a quantum jump in the production of agricultural commodities, which has led to the production of a substantial considerable quantity of agricultural and agro-industrial wastes. The bulks of these wastes are lignocellulosic in nature and consist of three main polymeric constituents, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are recalcitrant. The primary significant portions of these remain unutilized and are burnt in the field, leading to severe environmental aggression and wastage of resource. Farmers across the globe, including India, burn these agricultural wastes in their thousands of acre land, which contribute to spoiling the air quality index (AQI). This is very harmful, especially to children, pregnant women, old adults, and for patients suffering from respiratory diseases. The current manuscript sets up an agro-waste management platform by using paddy straw as a substrate for the production of nutritionally and medically rich oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida (Pf) and which is further used in the green synthesis of bimetallic (gold-platinum) Au-Pt nanoparticle. Yield performance and biological efficiency of Pf were calculated from the degraded paddy straw. The green synthesized Au-Pt NPs were structurally characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and zeta potential analysis. The prepared NPs showed a face-centered cubic crystal structure, icosahedral shape with a mean particle size of 16 nm. Furthermore, we examined the cytotoxic activity of Au-Pt NPs using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis by propidium iodide assay. We found that Au-Pt NPs exerted apoptotic activity on the human colon cancer cell line (HCT 116) in a dose-dependent manner from 12.5 to 200 μg/mL. Overall, our findings create a prototype and open a new door to synthesizing functional nanoparticle by using oyster mushroom as the substrate for paddy straw agro-waste management and the applicability of Pf in the synthesis of eco-friendly Au-Pt NPs. This is the first kind of approach that kills two birds with one stone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, ocular morbidities are one of the most underdiagnosed, underreported, and undertreated public health concern. Among estimated 39 billion blind in world, India shares major proportions, with majority of them living in rural population. In India, religious festivals like Kumbh Mela that involve mass gatherings are mainly attended by middle and elderly population who are usually susceptible to various ocular diseases. Therefore, we analyzed the data of our eye camp to document pattern and magnitude of ocular morbidities among pilgrims attending a mega religious festive event. Methods: In a cross‑sectional, descriptive study, we included all those patients who participated in a mega eye camp “Netrakumbh” from January to March 2019 at Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, India and were attended by voluntary ophthalmologist from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. Presenting chief complaints and detailed history were collected from all participants. All patients underwent comprehensive eye examination including visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopic examination, tonometry, etc., Data were compiled and analyzed utilizing SPSS 22.0. Results: A total of 47142 eyes of 23571 persons of all age groups (range 5 years to 70 years) with approximate equal gender distribution attending the mega eye camp were examined. The most common ocular morbidity noticed after ocular examination was refractive error with underlying cause majorly as presbyopia, followed by cataract, after cataract, convergence insufficiency, lids, and adnexal disease, etc. Conclusions: This study highlights the changing pattern of common ocular morbidities presently among middle and elderly populations in developing countries like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land surface temperature (LST) is crucial in surface energy balance, urban climatology, intensifying global change, ecological and environmental concerns. The present study examined the LST trends and spatio-temporal variation over India from 2002 to 2022. This includes comparison of LST for the summer and winter seasons over two decades. Secondly, the present study examined the LULC category wise LST variability during the day and night-time using MODIS (The Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) derived products. This study explored the feasibility of cloud computing for big data analysis for LST distribution in seven landuse categories over India, providing a conceptual response to global warming. Results showed the existence of spatial LST variation due to changes in land-use patterns and MODIS derived vegetation indices- NDVI. Daytime LST for the summer and winter seasons of 2002 was found to be 45.17 °C and 39.13 °C, respectively. Outcomes illustrate declining trends in range (LST min -LST max) for winter seasons, initially, it was observed as 56.29 °C for 2002 while later on it was observed to be 20.21 °C and 20.87 °C for 2021 and 2022 respectively. The LST min (summer) has shown an increasing trend towards upper LST values, from −3.01 °C to 12.21 °C from 2002 TO 2022. LST min _ winter has shown a rising trend towards the upper LST values from −17.16 °C to 9.15 °C in 2022. The maximum LST for the DRs was observed to be 61.56 °C, followed by UR as 56.24 °C. The findings demonstrate that daytime LST min and LST max are found to be 19.50 °C to 56.24 °C for UR, 29.5 °C to 61.56 °C for DR, 19.24 °C to 54.08 °C for SAR, −21.1 °C to 0.05 °C for SCR and 15 °C to 32.18 °C for FHR. NDVI-LST (daytime, nighttime and diurnal temperature range) feature space generates an obtuse triangle and depicts a negative correlation of vegetation for a few LULC categories. The outcomes indicated that desert and snow regions have highest LST max followed by urban and semiarid regions during daytime. During the nighttime, desert and urban regions have the highest temperature followed by semi-arid and forest regions. The outcomes support the efficacy of earth observation datasets and help to facilitate a better understanding of LULC and its impact on regional climate. • Spatio-temporal trends of LST max and LST min over two decades. • Examined and compared diurnal LSTs for seven land use categories. • Diurnal temperature range is getting narrower over a time period. • LST-NDVI feature space depicts negative correlation for forest types. • NDVI analysis were important in explaining LST max variation for LULC. • Mangroves showed minimum and snow regions showed large fluctuations in LST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate patients' knowledge regarding the post-insertion care of complete denture prosthesis. One hundred and twenty-five complete denture-wearing patients who reported to the department of prosthodontics, HKES S Nijalingappa Institute of Dental Science and Research, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India constituted the sample. Questionnaires were distributed to them. The χ-test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Questionnaire results showed that: 59.2% of the subjects, with a mean age of 69.28 years, had used the same complete denture for less than a year; 36% of them slept with their prosthesis in their mouth; 83.82% were male; 100% of upper class subjects removed there prosthesis before sleep; 67.2% removed their prostheses at some point during the day; 35.2% removed their prostheses and kept them in a separate denture box with water; 97.6% of patients cleaned their denture daily; there was a statistically significant difference in frequencies of cleaning between socioeconomic status (χ-test = 48.25, P < 0.05); 94.26% of subjects used a toothbrush for prosthesis cleaning; there was a statistically significant difference in other aids used to clean the prostheses between socioeconomic status (χ-test = 57.20, P < 0.05); 50.40% of the population reported ulceration due to prostheses; and 85.5% of subjects never used adhesive to retain their denture. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the edentulous patients surveyed had limited awareness of prostheses hygiene and long-term oral care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) infection causes significant yield loss in tomato. The availability of a conventional tolerance source against this virus is limited in tomato. To understand the molecular mechanism of virus tolerance in tomato, the abundance of viral genomic replicative intermediate molecules and virus-directed short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) by the host plant in a naturally tolerant cultivar H-88-78-1 and a susceptible cultivar Punjab Chhuhara at different time points after agroinfection was studied. We report that less abundance of viral replicative intermediate in the tolerant cultivar may have a correlation with a relatively higher accumulation of virus-specific siRNAs. To study defence-related host gene expression in response to ToLCNDV infection, the suppression subtractive hybridization technique was used. A library was prepared from tolerant cultivar H-88-78-1 between ToLCNDV-inoculated and Agrobacterium mock-inoculated plants of this cultivar at 21 days post-inoculation (dpi). A total of 106 nonredundant transcripts was identified and classified into 12 different categories according to their putative functions. By reverse Northern analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we identified the differential expression pattern of 106 transcripts, 34 of which were up-regulated (>2.5-fold induction). Of these, eight transcripts showed more than four fold induction. qRT-PCR analysis was carried out to obtain comparative expression profiling of these eight transcripts between Punjab Chhuhara and H-88-78-1 on ToLCNDV infection. The expression patterns of these transcripts showed a significant increase in differential expression in the tolerant cultivar, mostly at 14 and 21 dpi, in comparison with that in the susceptible cultivar, as analysed by qRT-PCR. The probable direct and indirect relationship of siRNA accumulation and up-regulated transcripts with the ToLCNDV tolerance mechanism is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standardization of herbal formulations is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs, based on the concentration of their active principles. This article reports on standardization of Ajmodadi churna, a polyherbal ayurvedic medicine used as a carminative and an antispasmodic, and is a strong wormifuge, and helps in all painful conditions like sciatica and stiffness in back and also restores normal digestive functions. Ajmodadi churna was prepared as per Ayurvedic Formulary of India. In-house preparation and the marketed drug have been standardized on the basis of organoleptic characters, physical characteristics, and physico-chemical properties. The set parameters were found to be sufficient to evaluate the churna and can be used as reference standards for the quality control/quality assurance laboratory of a Pharmaceutical house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timely access to antiretroviral therapy is a key to controlling HIV infection. Late diagnosis and presentation to care diminish the benefits of antiretrovirals and increase risk of transmission. We aimed to identify late presenters in patients sent for first CD4 T cell count after HIV diagnosis, for therapy initiation evaluation. Further we aimed at identifying patient factors associated with higher risk of late presentation.Methods: Retrospective data collection and analysis was done for 3680 subjects visiting the laboratory for CD4 T cell counts between 2001 and 2007. We segregated the patients on basis of their CD4 T cell counts after first HIV diagnosis. Factors associated with risk of late presentation to CD4 T cell counts after HIV diagnosis were identified using univariate analysis, and the strength of association of individual factor was assessed by calculation of odds ratios.Results: Of 3680 subjects, 2936 (83.37%) were defined as late presenters. Late testing varied among age groups, transmission categories, and gender. Males were twice as likely to present late as compared to females. We found significant positive association of heterosexual transmission route (p < 0.001), and older age groups of 45 years and above (p = 0.0004) to late presentation. Female sex, children below 14 years of age and sexual contact with HIV positive spouse were associated with significantly lower risks to presenting late. Intravenous drug users were also associated with lower risks of late presentation, in comparison to heterosexual transmission route.Conclusions: The study identifies HIV infected population groups at a higher risk of late presentation to care and treatment. The risk factors identified to be associated with late presentation should be utilised in formulating targeted public health interventions in order to improve early HIV diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Our objective was to analyze the incidence, etiopathology, diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the genitourinary fistula in an Indian population. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the genitourinary fistulae repaired at the Department of Urology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, between January 1990 and December 2006. The surgical approach varied in each patient. Interposition grafts or flaps were used as and when required. The main outcomes analyzed were the incidence, etiology, surgical approaches, accessory procedure required, need for tissue interposition, cure rate per repair and overall success rate. Results: Out of 558 cases, 403 were vesicovaginal, 84 ureterovaginal, 43 urethrovaginal and 28 vesicouterine fistulae. The most common etiology was obstructed labor (72.2%), followed by hysterectomy. The transvaginal route was preferred for repair wherever possible. The transabdominal route was adopted for the repair of supratrigonal vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal and vesicouterine fistulae and if bladder augmentation was required. Conservative management was successful in 1.9% of the vesicovaginal fistulae and in 8 cases of ureterovaginal fistula. The remaining cases were managed surgically with excellent results. Conclusion: Genitourinary fistulae are not life-threatening but are socially debilitating. Surgical repair provides the definitive cure, but expectant treatment can be tried in selective patients. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the different plant sources of Shankhpushpi viz., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (EA), Convulvulus pluricaulis Choisy. (CP), Canscora decussata Schult. (CD) and Clitorea ternatea Linn. (CT) for their identification utilizing the technique of thin layer chromatography (TLC). Shankhpushpi is vigorously advertised for its effects on learning and memory in print and electronic media in India. Various phytoconstituents have been reported in these herbs namely, p-coumaryl derivatives, xanthones, anthocyanins and flavonones. We explored the two phytochemical markers, namely scopoletin and mangiferin for their presence or absence in all the species by performing co-TLC of the ethanolic extracts with the markers. These chromatographic studies led us to conclude that scopoletin is present as a major constituent in all whereas mangiferin is present in CD only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Haplogroups found in Chattisgarh population predate the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). • Maternal ancestry remained stable until the Holocene and diversified during the Neolithic period. • The maternal ancestry in this region predates any kind of social stratification. • Whole mitogenomes demonstrate a high power of discrimination (0.9256) within the Chhattisgarh population. The central region of India boasts a rich tribal heritage and the highest number of tribal populations in the country. Analysing the genetic history of this population can offer valuable insights into various demographic processes that shaped the gene pool of present-day settlers of this region. In this study, we utilize a recently validated Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique to sequence 24 tribal mitogenomes from the Chhattisgarh population for genetic ancestry and forensic analysis. The identified ancient haplogroups in this population can be traced back to the pre-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) period. Our Bayesian analysis provides evidence for maternal ancestral expansion following the earliest Out-of-Africa migration, followed by a prolonged steady phase. We identified three basal founding haplogroups, M2, R5, and U2 in the Chhattisgarh region that diversified during the Neolithic period. Indistinct distribution pattern of these haplogroups among tribes and castes suggests that the maternal ancestry of Chhattisgarh population predates any kind of social stratification that exists today in the Indian subcontinent. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that this region remained unaffected by the Last Glacial Maximum. The forensic analysis of the mitogenomes demonstrates a high power of discrimination (0.9256) within the Chhattisgarh population, thus supporting the applicability of mitogenome NGS technology in forensic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Retinal angiogenesis is a hallmark of diabetic retinopathy. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Functional SNP-1562C>T in the promoter of the MMP-9 gene results increase in transcriptional activity. The present work was designed to evaluate the contribution of functional SNP-1562C>T of MMP-9 gene to the risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in north Indian Population.Methods: This Case control study comprised of a total of 645 individuals in which 320 were T2DM patients out of which 73 had PDR, 98 had non- proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 149 T2DM cases without any eye related disease (DM) and 325 non diabetic healthy individuals as controls (non DM controls). Genotyping for SNP-1562C>T of MMP-9 was done by polymerase chain reactions followed by restriction analyses with specific endonucleases (PCR-RFLP). DNA sequencing was used to ascertain PCR-RFLP results.Results: T allele frequency in PDR patients was 32.1%, 20.4% in NPDR, 15.4% in DM and 13.7% in controls. Statistically significant difference was observed in both allele and genotype distribution between the PDR versus non-DM control group (p<0.0001 by T allele; p=0.002 by TT and p<0.0001 by CT genotype).Conclusions: The present study suggests that the functional SNP-1562C>T in the promoter of the MMP-9 gene could be regarded as a major risk factor for PDR as increased MMP-9 production from high expressing T allele may promote retinal angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polyfunctional CD8+ T-cells have been described as most competent in controlling viral replication. We studied the impact of antigen persistence on the polyfunctional immune responses of CD8+ T-lymphocytes to HIV Gag and Nef peptides and polyclonal stimuli in 40 ART naïve HIV infected individuals and analyzed the alterations in T-cell functionality in early and late stages of infection. Significantly elevated level of global response and polyfunctional profile of CD8+ T-cells were observed to polyclonal stimulation, than HIV specific antigens in chronically infected individuals. However no key differences were observed in CD8+ T-cell functional profile in any of the 15 unique subsets for Gag and Nef specific antigens. The subjects in early stage of infection (defined as a gap of 6 months or less between seroconversion and enrolment and with no apparent clinical symptoms) had a higher degree of response functionality (4+ or 3+ different functions simultaneously) than in the late stage infection (defined as time duration since seroconversion greater than 6 months). The data suggest that persistence of antigen during chronic infection leads to functional impairment of HIV specific responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Persistent inflammation and impaired neovascularization in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients may lead to development of macro- and microvascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the secondary microvascular complications of T2DM. Improper activation of the innate immune system may be an important contributor in the pathophysiology of DR. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important mediator of innate immunity, and genetic alterations in TLR4 support inflammation in the hyperglycemic condition. The present work was designed to investigate whether the TLR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs4986790, rs4986791, rs10759931, rs1927911, and rs1927914 are associated with DR in a north Indian population., Methods: The study group of 698 individuals (128 DR, 250 T2DM, 320 controls) was genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium between SNPs were determined using Haploview software., Results: Combined risk genotypes of TLR4 SNPs rs10759931 (odds ratio [OR] 1.50, p = 0.05) and rs1927914 (OR 1.48, p = 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with pathogenesis of DR. A total of 14 haplotypes with frequency >1% were obtained using Haploview software. Haplotypes ACATC (37.5%) and ACATT (14.8%) were the two most common haplotypes obtained., Conclusions: Results of the present case-control study that included 698 north Indian subjects suggested that TLR4 SNPs rs10759931 and rs1927914 modulate the risk of DR in T2DM cases. Association analysis using haplotypes showed none of the haplotypes were associated with either susceptibility or resistance to DR in a north Indian population.

Cytokines are involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis likely mediating the crosstalk among Sertoli and germ cells to facilitate germ cell movement across the seminiferous epithelium during cellular events such as germ cell differentiation. Members of the Interleukin-1 (IL-1) family are pleiotropic cytokines that are involved in inflammation, immunoregulation, and other homeostatic functions. Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-1β, and the IL-1 antagonistic molecule (IL-1 Ra) are present in the testis under normal homeostasis and they further increase upon infection/inflammation. In the present study we have examined the association of C + 3953T polymorphism of the human IL-1B gene with human male infertility. The case control study comprised of two groups: 222 infertile patients and 230 fertile healthy control men. Genotyping for SNP C + 3953T IL-1B was carried out by polymerase chain reaction followed by analysis with specific endonucleases (PCR-RFLP). DNA sequencing was used to validate the PCR-RFLP results. The genotype frequencies of the IL-1B Taq C/T polymorphism were compared between infertile men and controls. The frequency was significantly higher in asthenozoospermic patients compared to fertile control men (odds ratio = 10.4, CI: 2.50- 43.96, p = 0.001). The C + 3953T of the IL-1B gene is associated with male infertility risk in the asthenozoospermic patients from an Indian population.

The variants of transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene have been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its several secondary complications. Here, we aimed to examine the possible role of one of the common variant of this gene, rs7903146 (C/T), with impairment of wound healing in cases with T2DM. A total of 750 individuals, including 322 patients with T2DM and 120 patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and 308 controls, were analyzed for rs7903146 variant of the TCF7L2 gene. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. For rs7903146 variant, TT genotype frequency in patients with DFU was 10.8% and in controls was 5.2%. Risk genotype (TT) frequencies showed statistically significant difference between the DFU patients versus non-DM control group (odds ratio = 2.44, P = .037, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-5.64) compared with nonrisk genotype (CC + CT). In the present study, a positive significant association between DFU and the TT genotype of rs7903146 (C/T) variant of TCF7L2 gene was found.

Genes of different pathways regulate spermatogenesis, and complexity of spermatogenic process indicates that polymorphisms or mutations in these genes could cause male infertility. Detoxification pathway is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis by reducing oxidative stress and contributes to the maintenance of global methylation in concert with other pathways. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) belong to the family of phase II antioxidant enzymes involved in the cellular detoxification of various physiological substances. Glutathione S-transferases act as an antioxidant and protect spermatozoa from oxidative stress. Increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with reduced activity of GSTs may result in sperm membrane damage and DNA fragmentation. A case-control study was done to elucidate the role of deletion polymorphism of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes from GSTs family on idiopathic human male infertility. The study comprises 2 groups: 113 nonobstructive azoospermia patients and 91 healthy fertile controls. Genomic DNA was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes. The study showed statistically significant protective association of GSTT1 null genotype with human male infertility (odds ratio [OR]: 0.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.143-0.9966, P = .048) but not with GSTM1 null genotype (OR: 0.66, 95% CI 0.3653-1.2234, P = .19). Also, combination of null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 confers protective effect (OR: 0.28, CI 0.0801-0.948; P = .04). Probably, individuals bearing GSTM1 and GSTT1 (-/-) genotypes may have protective effect by gene-gene interaction mechanism. In summary, our study underscores the significance of combined effect of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes in modulating the risk of male infertility.

To compare the accuracy of artificial neural network (ANN) analysis and multi-variate regression analysis (MVRA) for renal stone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). A total of 276 patients with renal calculus were treated by ESWL during December 2001 to December 2006. Of them, the data of 196 patients were used for training the ANN. The predictability of trained ANN was tested on 80 subsequent patients. The input data include age of patient, stone size, stone burden, number of sittings and urinary pH. The output values (predicted values) were number of shocks and shock power. Of these 80 patients, the input was analyzed and output was also calculated by MVRA. The output values (predicted values) from both the methods were compared and the results were drawn. The predicted and observed values of shock power and number of shocks were compared using 1:1 slope line. The results were calculated as coefficient of correlation (COC) (r2 ). For prediction of power, the MVRA COC was 0.0195 and ANN COC was 0.8343. For prediction of number of shocks, the MVRA COC was 0.5726 and ANN COC was 0.9329. In conclusion, ANN gives better COC than MVRA, hence could be a better tool to analyze the optimum renal stone fragmentation by ESWL.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of multivitamin and micronutrient supplementation in azoospermic patients with maturation arrest. A total of 35 azoospermic patients showing maturation arrest on testicular biopsy were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. Untreated group (n=11) without any treatment and treated group (n=24) who received multivitamins, micronutrients and co-enzyme Q10. The sperm concentration, motility and morphology were evaluated at monthly interval. The results showed reduction in liquefaction time and relative viscosity of the semen in the treated group. Further, in treated group there was appearance of spermatozoa (4.0 million/ml) exhibiting progressive motility (7%) and normal morphology (6%), even in the first follow up visit. The sperm count, motility and normal morphology increased significantly on subsequent visits. Within 3 months (3 visits) 2 pregnancies were reported. These observations indicate that multivitamin and micronutrient supplementation improve the qualitative and quantitative parameters of seminogram in patients with azoospermia of maturation arrest.

Renal transplantation is an established mode of management for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In India, majority of the patients with ESRD depend upon live donors for renal transplantation and renal vascular anomalies are commonly seen in these potential donors. We present our experience in renal transplantation using donors with vascular anomalies. During the period between 2001 and 2004, we performed 36 live related donor renal transplantations. All study patients had only one donor each, with compatible blood group. Ten of the donors had vascular anomalies. Three had bilateral double arteries, one had double left and single right renal artery, one had bilateral triple arteries, one had triple arteries on left and double arteries on right side, of which one had early branching, two had bilateral early branching of arteries, and two other cases had double renal veins. Open donor nephrectomy was performed in all the cases. End-to-side anastomosis with external iliac vein and artery of the recipient was performed by the parachuting technique. Eight kidneys had immediate diuresis after transplantation. In two kidneys, diuresis started 2-3 hours after administration of 120 mg of furosemide. All patients had serum creatinine ranging between 0.9 and 1.8 mg/dl by the 10th post-operative day. Follow-up of these cases have varied from one month to two years. In the current scenario, multiple arteries in the donor are no longer considered relative contraindications for renal transplantation. With good surgical skill and experience in bench surgery, all such donors can be accepted. Use of external iliac artery for anastomosis with the technique of parachuting makes the procedure easy and safe.

A retrospective analysis of 252 cases of vesicovaginal fistulae was done to analyse its etio-pathology and management in an Indian population. After a thorough evaluation, different techniques of fistula closure were used for repair and the results were listed. The main outcome measures were the etiology of the fistula, need for tissue interposition and cure rate per repair as well as the overall cure rate. We compared our results with literature and concluded that simple and small fistulae should be repaired with layered closure. All complicated fistulae should be repaired with tissue interposition or tissue graft. This is the first study from India compiling 10 years of experience on vesicovaginal fistula.