Association of oestrogen receptor beta 2 (ERβ2/ERβcx) with outcome of adjuvant endocrine treatment for primary breast cancer – a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) modulates ERα activity; wild type ERβ (ERβ1) and its splice variants may therefore impact on hormone responsiveness of breast cancer. ERβ2/ERβcx acts as a dominant negative inhibitor of ERα and expression of ERβ2 mRNA has been proposed as a candidate marker for outcome in primary breast cancer following adjuvant endocrine therapy. We therefore now assess ERβ2 protein by immunostaining and mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR in relation to treatment outcome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>ERβ2-specific immunostaining was quantified in 141 primary breast cancer cases receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy, but no neoadjuvant therapy or adjuvant chemotherapy. The expression of mRNA for ERβ2/ERβcx was measured in 100 cases by quantitative RT-PCR. Statistical analysis of breast cancer relapse and breast cancer survival was performed using Kaplan Meier log-rank tests and Cox's univariate and multivariate survival analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>High ERβ2 immunostaining (Allred score >5) and high ERβ2 mRNA levels were independently associated with significantly better outcome across the whole cohort, including both ERα positive and negative cases (Log-Rank P < 0.05). However, only ERβ2 mRNA levels were significantly associated with better outcome in the ERα + subgroup (Log-Rank P = 0.01) and this was independent of grade, size, nodal status and progesterone receptor status (Cox hazard ratio 0.31 P = 0.02 for relapse; 0.17 P = 0.01 for survival). High ERβ2 mRNA was also associated with better outcome in node negative cases (Log Rank P < 0.001).</p> <p>ERβ2 protein levels were greater in ERα positive cases (T-test P = 0.00001), possibly explaining the association with better outcome. Levels of ERβ2 protein did not correlate ERβ2 mRNA levels, but 34% of cases had both high mRNA and protein and had a significantly better outcome (Log-Rank relapse P < 0.005).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High ERβ2 protein levels were associated with ERα expression. Although most cases with high ERβ2 mRNA had strong ERβ2 immunostaining, mRNA levels but not protein levels were independently predictive of outcome in tamoxifen-treated ERα + tumours. Post-transcriptional control needs to be considered when assessing the biological or clinical importance of ERβ proteins.</p

Seroepidemiology of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infections in Pune, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In India, Pune was one of the badly affected cities during the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic. We undertook serosurveys among the risk groups and general population to determine the extent of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infections.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pre-pandemic sera from the archives, collected during January 2005 to March 2009, were assayed for the determination of baseline seropositivity. Serosurveys were undertaken among the risk groups such as hospital staff, general practitioners, school children and staff and general population between 15^thAugust and 11^thDecember 2009. In addition, the PCR-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 cases and their household contacts were also investigated. Haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assays were performed using turkey red blood cells employing standard protocols. A titre of ≥1:40 was considered seropositive.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Only 2 (0.9%) of the 222 pre-pandemic sera were positive. The test-retest reliability of HI assay in 101 sera was 98% for pandemic H1N1, 93.1% for seasonal H1N1 and 94% for seasonal H3N2. The sera from 48 (73.8%) of 65 PCR-confirmed pandemic H1N1 cases in 2009 were positive. Seropositivity among general practitioners increased from 4.9% in August to 9.4% in November and 15.1% in December. Among hospital staff, seropositivity increased from 2.8% in August to 12% in November. Seropositivity among the schools increased from 2% in August to 10.7% in September. The seropositivity among students (25%) was higher than the school staff in September. In a general population survey in October 2009, seropositivity was higher in children (9.1%) than adults (4.3%). The 15-19 years age group showed the highest seropositivity of 20.3%. Seropositivity of seasonal H3N2 (55.3%) and H1N1 (26.4%) was higher than pandemic H1N1 (5.7%) (n = 2328). In households of 74 PCR-confirmed pandemic H1N1 cases, 25.6% contacts were seropositive. Almost 90% pandemic H1N1 infections were asymptomatic or mild. Considering a titre cut off of 1:10, seropositivity was 1.5-3 times as compared to 1:40.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infection was widespread in all sections of community. However, infection was significantly higher in school children and general practitioners. Hospital staff had the lowest infections suggesting the efficacy of infection-control measures.</p

A randomized clinical study to evaluate the effect of <i>Tagaradi yoga</i> in the management of insomnia

75-80Sleep which is described in Ayurveda as co-pillar of life is a periodic state of rest accompanied by varying degrees of conscious and relative inactivity. Derangement of sleep either qualitatively or quantitatively may terminate into medical illness. Insomnia is a highly prevalent common sleep disorder which adversely affects the health and quality of life of a person causing irritability, fatigue, disorientation, lack of concentration and poor performance at work. Present study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of certain indigenous drugs in the management of insomnia. In present open labeled, randomized clinical trial, 24 patients of insomnia were given hydroalcoholic extract derived from roots of Tagara (Valeriana jatamansi Jones syn. Valeriana wallichi DC.), rhizome of Jatamansi [Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.] and rhizome of Vacha (Acorus calamus L.) in capsule form in the ratio of 2:1:1, respectively for 15 days. The drug was administered with water at bed time. Present trial drug showed statistically significant increase in duration of sleep with reduction in time taken for initiating sleep after the therapy. Effect of Tagaradi yoga on other parameters like quality of sleep, feeling of low performance in work, day time headache, time of awakening, post sleep state and irritability during waking hours also showed statistically significant improvement

A randomized clinical study to evaluate the effect of <i>Tagaradi yoga</i> in the management of insomnia

75-80Sleep which is described in Ayurveda as co-pillar of life is a periodic state of rest accompanied by varying degrees of conscious and relative inactivity. Derangement of sleep either qualitatively or quantitatively may terminate into medical illness. Insomnia is a highly prevalent common sleep disorder which adversely affects the health and quality of life of a person causing irritability, fatigue, disorientation, lack of concentration and poor performance at work. Present study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of certain indigenous drugs in the management of insomnia. In present open labeled, randomized clinical trial, 24 patients of insomnia were given hydroalcoholic extract derived from roots of Tagara (Valeriana jatamansi Jones syn. Valeriana wallichi DC.), rhizome of Jatamansi [Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.] and rhizome of Vacha (Acorus calamus L.) in capsule form in the ratio of 2:1:1, respectively for 15 days. The drug was administered with water at bed time. Present trial drug showed statistically significant increase in duration of sleep with reduction in time taken for initiating sleep after the therapy. Effect of Tagaradi yoga on other parameters like quality of sleep, feeling of low performance in work, day time headache, time of awakening, post sleep state and irritability during waking hours also showed statistically significant improvement

Optical, mechanical and structural properties of PMMA/SiO2 nanocomposite thin films

We have fabricated PMMA/SiO2 nanocomposite flexible thin films of 60 mu m thicknesses by using solution casting method in the presence of transverse electric field. In this paper, we have investigated the effect of SiO2 nanoparticle (NP) loading on optical and mechanical properties of the composite thin film. The SEM images show that nanocomposite thin films have a smoother and uniform morphology. The transmittance peak near 1103 cm(-1) in FT-IR spectrum confirms the presence of SiO2 NPs in the composite thin film. It is observed that optical bandgap decreases with an increase in the SiO2 NP concentration. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that presence of SiO2 NP enhances the mechanical strength of the composite thin film

Privacy-Preserving Mutual Authentication in RFID with Designated Readers

We study privacy-preserving mutual authentication in radio-frequency identification systems with designated readers (PP-MADR in short). In PP-MADR, each tag has its designated-reader group instead of all readers, and only tags and their designated readers can authenticate each other. Other readers and adversaries cannot trace tags or know their designated readers. The most challenging task of constructing such a PP-MADR protocol is the verification of reader designation without compromising tag privacy. We found that traditional solutions are impractical due to linear storage growth on tags, linear computation growth on tags, or requiring new key generations for designated readers. In this paper, we show how to construct such an efficient PP-MADR protocol. In our protocol, each tag stores constant-size secret state and performs constant-time computation for mutual authentication. When a tag is created, the server does not generate new private keys for designated readers. Our protocol captures the strong privacy property, where tags cannot be traced and designated readers cannot be distinguished, even if tags are corrupted by adversaries

Examination of aqueous oxidized cellulose dispersions as a potential drug carrier: II. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of phenylpropanolamine release from microparticles and pellets

The purpose of this research is to investigate the release of phenylpropanolamine from oxidized cellulose-phenylpropanolamine (OC-PPA) complexes prepared using aqueous OC dispersions (degree of neutralization, DN, 0–0.44) and phenylpropanolamine-hydrochloride (PPA.HC1) (concentration, 0.5 M or 1.4 M) in vitro and in vivo. The results showed a faster drug release from the OC-PPA complex made using the OC dispersion with a DN value of 0.22 than from those prepared using dispersions with DN values of 0.29 to 0.44. No significant difference existed between the release profiles of OC-PPA microparticles made using OC dispersions with DN values of 0.29 to 0.44 OC-PPA complexes that contained smaller size particles or higher drug levels, or that were processed by freeze drying released PPA faster. Compared with microparticles, the pellets of OC-PPA complexes released PPA more slowly initially. An increase in pH or ionic strength of the dissolution medium increased the release of PPA, which is attributable to increased polymer hydration and solubilization at higher pH and ionic strength conditions. The OC-PPA pellets implanted subcutaneously in rats released 100% of their PPA in 9 to 12 hours. Agood correlation was found between the in vivo and in vitro release data. Tissue pathology results showed no significant inflammatory tissue reactions. In conclusion, the partially ionized aqueous OC dispersions have the potential to be used as an implantable biodegradable carrier for amine drugs

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Not AvailablePlant beneficial rhizobacteria (PBR) is a group of naturally occurring rhizospheric microbes that enhance nutrient availability and induce biotic and abiotic stress tolerance through a wide array of mechanisms to enhance agricultural sustainability. Application of PBR has the potential to reduce worldwide requirement of agricultural chemicals and improve agro-ecological sustainability. The PBR exert their beneficial effects in three major ways; (1) fix atmospheric nitrogen and synthesize specific compounds to promote plant growth, (2) solubilize essential mineral nutrients in soils for plant uptake, and (3) produce antimicrobial substances and induce systemic resistance in host plants to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Application of PBR as suitable inoculants appears to be a viable alternative technology to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, PBR enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, influence dynamics of mineral recycling, and tolerance of plants to other environmental stresses by improving health of soils. This report provides comprehensive reviews and discusses beneficial effects of PBR on plant and soil health. Considering their multitude of functions to improve plant and soil health, we propose to call the plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) as PBR.Not Availabl