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Meta-analysis provides a systematic access to the previously studied microarray datasets that can recognize several common signatures of stresses. Three different datasets of abiotic stresses on rice were used for meta-analysis. These microarray datasets were normalized to regulate data for technical variation, as opposed to biological differences between the samples. A t-test was performed to recognize the differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between stressed and normal samples. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed the functional distribution of DEGs in different stressed conditions. Further analysis was carried out using software RICE NET DB and divided into three different categories: biological process (homoiothermy and protein amino acid phosphorylation), cellular component (nucleus and membrane), and molecular function (zinc ion binding ad DNA binding). The study revealed that 5686 genes were constantly expressed differentially in Oryza sativa (2089 upregulated and 3597 downregulated). The lowest P value (P = 0.003756) among upregulated DEGs was observed for naringenin, 2-oxoglutrate 3-dioxygenase protein. The lowest P value (P = 0.002866816) among the downregulated DEGs was also recorded for retrotransposon protein. The network constructed from 48 genes revealed 10 hub genes that are connected with topological genes. These hub genes are stress responsive genes that may also be regarded as the marker genes for drought stress response. Our study reported a new set of hub genes (reference genes) that have potentially significant role in development of stress tolerant rice
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Background: Depression is an important global public health problem and is a major cause of disability and premature death. The present study was conducted to compare effi cacy and safety of amisulpride and escitalopram on Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) among depression patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal. Methods: The study was conducted in patients for 1-year in the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital. A total of 117 depression patients were divided into two groups. Group I (58 patients) received amisulpride tablet at a dose of 50 mg/day and Group II (59 patients) were given escitalopram at a dose of 10 mg/day. The patients were required to follow-up at 4, 8 and 15 weeks. The effi cacy of the drugs was calculated by HAM-A. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were monitored at every follow-up. Appropriate statistical tools using Graphpad instat 3.0 were used for analysis p<0.05 was considered signifi cant. Results: HAM-A score in group receiving amisulpride at 0 and 15 weeks was 19.83±0.33 and 8.17±0.32 (p<0.0001). HAM-A score in group receiving escitalopram at 0 and 15 weeks was 20.76±0.28 and 8.98±0.24 (p<0.0001). Gastrointestinal disturbances, sexual disturbances, amenorrhea, lactation, agitation, and insomnia were the commonly encountered ADRs. Conclusion: Both amisulpride and escitalopram were highly effective in the treatment of anxiety in depression patients during the study period. Further, more clinical studies with longer follow-up duration are needed to substantiate the therapeutic effects of amisulpride.
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Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the major causes of hospital admissions. The objective of this study was to ascertain the various ADRs occurring in a tertiary care teaching hospital at Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Methods: The ADRs were collected from January 2010 to June 2014 by the Department of Pharmacology in Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. A total of 123 ADRs were collected, analyzed and assessed on WHO causality assessment scale. Results: A total of 123 ADRs were assessed. Male:female ratio was 1.5:1. Age-wise distribution of ADRs was done: 0-15 years had 15 (12.19%), 16-30 had 50 (40.65%), 31-45 showed 25 (20.32%), 46-60 years 22 (17.88%) and >60 years had 11 (8.94%). 112 (91.05%) ADRs were serious, and 11 (8.94%) were non-serious. As per the WHO causality assessment scale, 91 (73.98%) ADRs were probable, 30 (24.39%) were possible, and 2 (1.62%) were certain. Most commonly occurring ADRs were fixed drug eruption in 42 (34.14%) patients, erythematous maculopapular rash in 20 (16.26%) patients and urticarial rash in 15 (12.19%) patients, followed by others. The drugs most frequently associated with ADRs were non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), fluoroquinolones, penicillins, cephalosporins and phenytoin sodium, followed by others. Conclusions: Majority of ADRs were probable according to WHO causality assessment scale. Most common ADR was fixed drug eruption. Most frequent drugs associated with ADRs were NSAIDs. ADRs contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in patients; thereby pose a huge burden on the society.
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The research findings in the field of Rhizobium-legume symbiosis reported worldwide during the years 2002 and 2003 (up to September) have been summarized. The information is presented under the various topics, viz., isolation and characterization of rhizobial strains, physiological aspects of nitrogen fixation, rhizosphere interactions and root surface signals, genomics and proteomics, plant genes involved in nodule formation, bioremediation and biocontrol, and review articles and conference reports. The postal and e-mail addresses of the concerned scientists have also been included.