CREMOFAC - a database of chromatin remodeling factors

Motivation: Chromatin-remodeling is an important event in the eukaryotic nucleus rendering nucleosomal DNA accessible for various transaction processes. Remodeling Factors facilitate the dynamic nature of chromatin through participation of the collective action of (i) ATP and (ii) Non-ATP dependent factors. Considering the importance of these factors in eukaryotes, we have developed, CREMOFAC, a dedicated and frequently updated web-database for chromatin-remodeling factors. Results: The database harbors factors from 49 different organisms reported in literature and facilitates a comprehensive search for them. In addition, it also provides in-depth information for the factors reported in the three widely studied mammals namely, human, mouse and rat. Further, information on literature, pathways and phylogenetic relationships has also been covered. The development of CREMOFAC as a central repository for chromatin-remodeling factors and the absence of such a pre-existing database heighten its utility thus making its presence indispensable

A study of waist circumference, waist-hip ratio as markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus and their correlation with family history of diabetes

Background: Type 2 Diabetes, is almost an ‘epidemic’ in India. A lot has to be done to prevent or at least postpone its onset. Hence finding bio-markers is important to warn people and create awareness. In India people pay a lot of importance to Family History, and though a positive family history, may predict Diabetes, we wanted to study its correlation to other bio-markers.Methods: Waist circumference, Waist hip ratio was measured in 184 Type 2 Diabetes patients .And history of Diabetes in mother, father or both was recorded .Data tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Of the total number (n=184) type 2 diabetes patients studied, males were 93, females 91. 74.2 % males and 83.5 % females had a waist circumference above cut-off (90 cms for males and 80cms for females). 35 males and 42 females had a family history of diabetes. Of these, Father was diabetic in 16 males and 16 females, while mother was diabetic in 19 males and 26 females.Conclusions: Waist circumference and waist hip ratio above cut-off values emerged as common positive findings in majority of type 2 diabetic patients. Family history, individually as Paternal or Maternal Diabetes did not show statistically significant correlation with waist circumference or Waist-hip ratio

Hypersplenism in a young girl: managed non-surgically

A 16-years-old female, non-alcoholic, presented with pain in left hypochondrium and distention of abdomen. Her USG Abdomen, portal vein doppler and CT abdomen revealed chronic thrombosis of intrahepatic portion of portal vein with multiple collaterals and gross splenomegaly suggestive of portal hypertension. Trans jugular liver biopsy showed no regeneration or fibrosis of liver. Endoscopy showed grade III oesophageal and gastric varices. Splenic artery embolisation was done for hypersplenism. Post procedure CT abdomen revealed large areas of splenic infarction-sequelae of splenic artery embolization.

An interesting case of young onset diabetes mellitus

A 24 years old female, was admitted with symptoms of urinary tract infection. She was married and had bad obstetric history. She was known diabetic for 16 years of age and was on regular treatment with injection human insulin mixtard since the time of diagnosis, but had no episode of diabetic ketosis/ ketoacidosis. She had a positive family history of diabetes. She was further evaluated and was found to have normal C peptide levels and islet cell antibodies were found to be negative. Hence, the possibility of MODY (monogenic diabetes) was considered. Her genetic testing could not be done due to financial constraints. But a trial of sulfonylureas was given along with reduction in the dose of insulin to which she responded well and is presently well controlled

T2D-Db: An integrated platform to study the molecular basis of Type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a non insulin dependent, complex trait disease that develops due to genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The advanced stage in type 2 diabetes mellitus leads to several micro and macro vascular complications like nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, heart related problems etc. Studies performed on the genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology of this disease to understand the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus has led to the generation of a surfeit of data on candidate genes and related aspects. The research is highly progressive towards defining the exact etiology of this disease.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>T2D-Db (Type 2 diabetes Database) is a comprehensive web resource, which provides integrated and curated information on almost all known molecular components involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the three widely studied mammals namely human, mouse and rat. Information on candidate genes, SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) in candidate genes or candidate regions, genome wide association studies (GWA), tissue specific gene expression patterns, EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) data, expression information from microarray data, pathways, protein-protein interactions and disease associated risk factors or complications have been structured in this on line resource.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Information available in T2D-Db provides an integrated platform for the better molecular level understanding of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its pathogenesis. Importantly, the resource facilitates graphical presentation of the gene/genome wide map of SNP markers and protein-protein interaction networks, besides providing the heat map diagram of the selected gene(s) in an organism across microarray expression experiments from either single or multiple studies. These features aid to the data interpretation in an integrative way. T2D-Db is to our knowledge the first publicly available resource that can cater to the needs of researchers working on different aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p

Comparative study of Growing/ Immobilized biomass verses resting biomass of A.lentulus for the effect of pH on Cu 2+ metal removal

ABSTRACT Biosorption of Cu (II) ions from aqueous solution was studied using A.lentulus immobilized by sodium alginate (4.0 g) and gelatin (1.0 g) prepared into a 0.05M CaCl 2 solution under constant stirring. Uptake of metal was very fast at 25 min initially and equilibrium was attained within 125 min. Higher Cu(II) uptake was observed by selected biomass (4.0g/l) immobilized in calcium chloride at 35 o C, 180 rpm when initial Cu 2+ ions concentration was 100mg/l. The optimum condition of pH, biomass concentration and heavy metal concentration were determine for microbial growth on biosorbents and correlated with heavy metal removal. The observed condition was applied for the biosorption process in immobilized and dead fungal cells. The biosorption of immobilized cells of A. lentulus was 96.6% of Cu whereas the dead cells of A. lentulus were 84%

Placental damages from ultrasonic changes to histopathological findings in maturing placenta in pregnancy complicated with hypertension: an observational clinical study

Background: The development of mild hypertension or preeclampsia at or near term is associated with minimal maternal and neonatal morbidities. Obstetric ultrasound provides a cornerstone to other modalities used for assessing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Placental architecture is modified in PE and eclampsia. This study was designed to detect the placental changes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and correlation with ultrasonic and histopathological changes.Methods: The study group comprised of 42 patients with pregnancy complicated with hypertension with period of gestation above 20 weeks and B.P. more than 140/90 mm of Hg measured on two occasions 6 hours or more apart. The control group consists of 42 normotensive patients matched with age and parity. One ultrasonic examination was performed between 28 weeks and 34 weeks and another after 34 weeks till term. Apart from routine parameters i.e. BPD, AC, FL, Amniotic fluid index, EBW and gestational age routine placental grading were performed according to the classification proposed by Grannum and associates. To evaluate perinatal outcome following measurement were studied birth weight immediately after delivery, mode of delivery, perinatal morbidity and mortality, APGAR score, presence of fetal distress.Results: In 97.62% cases (41 out of 42) of control group showed Grade–II changes as opposed to 57.14% of cases (24 out of 42) in study group before 34 weeks. All 21 cases in study group showing Grade ‘III’ changes before 34 weeks had infarction, calcification, increased syncytial knots, fibrinoid necrosis from 95.23 to 100% of these cases showed all these changes. Only 2 cases (9.52%) showed perivascular hemorrhage having Grade ‘III’ before 34 weeks.Conclusions: Accelerated maturation of placenta in pregnancy complicated with hypertension are more common in the hypertensive group. Increased histopathological degenerative changes e.g. calcification, fibrinoid necrosis etc., are more marked even before 34 weeks of gestation in hypertensive group