Characterization of Gag and Nef-specific ELISpot-based CTL responses in HIV-1 infected Indian individuals

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to Gag have been most frequently linked to control of viremia whereas CTL responses to Nef have direct relationship with viral load. IFN-γ ELISpot assay was used to screen CTL responses at single peptide level directed at HIV-1 subtype C Gag and Nef proteins in 30 antiretroviral therapy naive HIV-1 infected Indian individuals. PBMCs from 73.3% and 90% of the study population showed response to Gag and Nef antigens, respectively. The magnitude of Gag-specific CTL responses was inversely correlated with plasma viral load (r = −0.45, P = 0.001), whereas magnitude of Nef-specific responses was directly correlated (r = 0.115). Thirteen immunodominant regions (6 in Gag, 7 in Nef) were identified in the current study. The identification of Gag and Nef-specific responses across HIV-1 infected Indian population and targeting epitopes from multiple immunodominant regions may provide useful insight into the designing of new immunotherapy and vaccines.     

Aqueous Cinnamon Extract (ACE-<Emphasis Type=Italic>c</Emphasis>) from the bark of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cinnamomum cassia</Emphasis>causes apoptosis in human cervical cancer cell line (SiHa) through loss of mitochondrial membrane potential

Background  

Chemoprevention, which includes the use of synthetic or natural agents (alone or in combination) to block the development of cancer in human beings, is an extremely promising strategy for cancer prevention. Cinnamon is one of the most widely used herbal medicines with diverse biological activities including anti-tumor activity. In the present study, we have reported the anti-neoplastic activity of cinnamon in cervical cancer cell line, SiHa.     

Adenocystic carcinoma of ethmoidomaxillary complex

Two cases of adenocystic carcinoma of the ethmoidomaxillary complex, which improved markedly with radiotherapy, are being reported.     

Activated Oxygen Species in Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is defined by inability of the heart to provide adequate blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to tissues and organs. There is now overwhelming evidence suggesting that oxygen-derived free radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of CHF. In vitro studies suggest that the highly toxic radical species damage sub-cellular membranes leading to the disruption in excitation-contractile coupling and eventually the dysfunction of the myocardium. In addition, these radicals destroy nitric oxide, a potent signaling molecule responsible for maintaining cardiovascular tone. Antioxidants hold great promise in minimizing the damage occurring as a result of the excessive generation of the free radicals during ischemia/reperfusion injury and CHF.     

A rare case of congenital malformation of the nose (triple nostrils)

Congenital midline and lateral anomalies of the nose are frequently reported, but a rare case of triple nostrils with double septum anomaly of the nose is reported.     

The oxygen free radical system: from equations through membrane-protein interactions to cardiovascular injury and protection.

Highly toxic oxygen radicals and their metabolites have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. These reactive oxygen species include the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and singlet oxygen. The central theme of this review is first to discuss the basic mechanisms of free radical generation from various potential sources, to point out and emphasise the growing importance of the role of singlet oxygen, and then to discuss in depth membrane-protein interactions that ultimately lead to myocardial damage and dysfunction. With this background, we highlight several novel therapeutic strategies aimed at interrupting the oxygen free radical mediated component of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. It is hoped that this thesis will then serve as a future impetus to challenge these hypotheses and further build on this truly unique system that has assumed such an important role in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion and inflammation. "To those of us who are humbly exploring the mysteries of science, we must project our findings and model our systems. For if correct, we have made a small contribution and, if wrong, we have forced others to eventually think." A V Hill, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of E H Starling's Linacre lecture (University College, London, 1968).     

Clinical Profile of Pharyngeal Malignancy in a Tertiary Care Centre,State of Uttarakhand

Pharynx is a common site of malignancy in the head and neck region. This study presents a series of 94 cases of pharyngeal malignancy conducted at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for a period of one year (2009–2010). Mean age at presentation was 56.8 years (age range 18–100 years). Male:Female ratio was 8.4:1.0. Maximum patients belonged to lower socio-economic status as per Kuppuswamy’s classification (2003). Majority of them were farmer (38.2%) by occupation and belonged to rural areas. 90.4% patients had history of tobacco smoking. Dysphagia was the commonest chief complaint. The most common subsite was oropharynx (51.0%) followed by hypopharynx (45.7%). Ulceroproliferative growth was the most common clinical finding. Histopathologically, squamous cell carcinoma (94.6%) was the commonest. CECT was the commonest and most useful radiological investigation done to see the extent of the disease.