Maximally Efficient Biphoton Generation by Single Photon Decay in Nonlinear Quantum Photonic Circuits.

We develop a general nonperturbative formalism and propose a specific scheme for maximally efficient generation of biphoton states by parametric decay of single photons. We show that the well-known critical coupling concept of integrated optics can be generalized to the nonlinear coupling of quantized photon modes to describe the nonperturbative optimal regime of a single-photon nonlinearity and establish a fundamental upper limit on the nonlinear generation efficiency of quantum-correlated photons, which approaches unity for low enough absorption losses.

Validation of Salivary Markers, IL-1ß, IL-8 and Lgals3bp for Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an Indian Population.

Early detection and easier follow-up of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) would significantly improve the morbidity and mortality associated with it. With newer technologies, it has become possible to validate cancer biomarkers in saliva with high sensitivity and specificity. There is however a need to further validate these biomarkers in cohorts of different ethnic groups. Our objective was to validate previously evaluated salivary biomarkers in Indian population. The study enrolled 117 patients. These were grouped into subcatergories of 31 early (TNMstage I-II) and 27 late-stage OSCC (TNM stage III-IV), 30 PMOD and 29 post-treatment patients. There were 42 control subjects. We evaluated 3 protein markers, IL-1ß, IL-8 and LGALS3BP using ELISA, from unstimulated saliva samples. Statistical analysis was done to calculate p-value, ROC, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. Protein markers IL-1ß and IL-8 were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in OSCC patients. Though the markers could not discriminate PMOD and post-treatment subjects from controls, they proved to be significantly discriminatory between OSCC and controls. Both these markers were especially strong discriminators of late stage OSCC (stage III-IV). IL-1ß had the most statistically significant discriminative power (AUC = 0.9017) in late-stage OSCC followed by IL-8 (AUC = 0.7619). Although LGALS3BP was not found to be significantly elevated in late stage OSCC patients, but it was a significant discriminator of early stage OSCC (stage I-II) with p-value = 0.0008 and AUC = 0.7296. These salivary biomarkers have been discovered and validated in other ethnic groups earlier. Hence, the fact that these markers were discriminatory in Indian population too, strengthens the possibility of using these salivary biomarkers as screening tools in different ethnic cohorts. Such trials would potentiate use of a non-invasive tool, like saliva for diagnosis and follow-up of oral cancer.

A novel polyherbal microbicide with inhibitory effect on bacterial, fungal and viral genital pathogens.

A polyherbal cream (Basant) has been formulated using diferuloylmethane (curcumin), purified extracts of Emblica officinalis (Amla), purified saponins from Sapindus mukorossi, Aloe vera and rose water along with pharmacopoeially approved excipients and preservatives. Basant inhibits the growth of WHO strains and clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including those resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. It has pronounced inhibitory action against Candida glabrata, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis, including three isolates resistant to azole drugs and amphotericin B. Basant displayed a high virucidal action against human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1NL4.3 in CEM-GFP reporter T and P4 (Hela-CD4-LTR-betaGal) cell lines with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 1:20000 dilution and nearly complete (98-99%) inhibition at 1:1000 dilution. It also prevented the entry of HIV-1(IIIB) virus into P4-CCR5 cells (EC50 approximately 1:2492). Two ingredients, Aloe and Amla, inhibited the transduction of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) pseudovirus in HeLa cells at concentrations far below those that are cytotoxic and those used in the formulation. Basant was found to be totally safe according to pre-clinical toxicology carried out on rabbit vagina after application for 7 consecutive days or twice daily for 3 weeks. Basant has the potential of regressing vulvovaginal candidiasis and preventing N. gonorrhoeae, HIV and HPV infections.