Regression of atherosclerotic lesions and control of plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol by Anna Pavala Sindhooram therapy

Plasma and lipoprotein distribution of cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia associated with moderate hypothyroidism and after Anna Pavala Sindhooram (APSm) therapy in rat models. Feeding atherogenic diet increased all the three lipoprotein classes (HDL, LDL and VLDL). When APSm was administered for 90 days at a dose of 30 mg/rat/day, orally with and without atherogenic diet, it brought down the already raised levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in LDL and VLDL. Histological studies on the aorta revealed that APSm therapy produces regression of the atherosclerotic lesions.     

Translational activation of 5′-TOP mRNA in pressure overload myocardium

The present study was conducted to determine the magnitude and duration of ribosomal protein translation in response to pressure overload and determine if additional, paracrine events associated with mechanical transduction, such as integrin activation using a bioactive peptide ligand, RGD or endothelin stimulation lead to ribosomal protein translation. Polysome analysis of ventricular tissue samples obtained from an in vivo model of right-ventricular pressure overload (RVPO) showed a significant shift in the proportion of a 5′-terminal oligopyrimidine (5′-TOP) mRNA, rpL32, associated with the polysomal fraction when compared with non-5′-TOP mRNAs, β-actin and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), in the early stages of the hypertrophic response (24–48 h). Furthermore, this increase in polysome-bound rpL32 mRNA was accompanied by the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70 S6 kinase (S6K1), and S6 ribosomal protein. In our in vitro studies, treatment of primary cultures of adult feline cardiomyocytes (cardiocytes) with 100 nM endothelin, 9 mM RGD, 100 nM insulin, or 100 nM TPA activated mTOR via distinct signaling pathways and resulted in an increased proportion of polysome-bound rpL32 mRNA. Pre-treatment of cardiocytes with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin blocked the agonist-induced rpL32 mRNA mobilization to polysomes. These results show that mechanisms that regulate ribosomal biogenesis in the myocardium are dynamically sensitive to pressure overload. Furthermore, our in vitro studies indicate that distinct pathways are operational during the early course of hypertrophic growth and converge to activate mTOR resulting in the translational activation of 5′-TOP mRNA. Returned for 1. revision: 18 June 2007 1. Revision received: 28 August 2007 Returned for 2. revision: 30 August 2007 2. Revision received: 6 September 2007     

Comparative evaluation of H&H and WFNS grading scales with modified H&H (sans systemic disease): A study on 1000 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurosurgical Review - The comparative studies on grading in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) had several limitations such as the unclear grading of Glasgow Coma Scale 15 with neurological deficits in...     

Independent impact of plasma homocysteine levels on neurological outcome following head injury

Homocysteine (tHcy) has been hardly studied among patients with head injury. This study was to evaluate whether there is any independent impact of tHcy levels on neurological outcome following head injury in a multivariate model. Patients admitted within 24 h of injury were included in the study, along with 20 age- and gender-matched controls. Plasma levels of tHcy were measured at admission using direct immunoassay. All the variables were analyzed with respect to tHcy levels and outcome according to Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at 3 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using SPSS 21. There were a total of 72 patients in the study. tHcy levels were significantly higher after head injury (mean 24.03[SD ± 16.0] μmol/L), compared to matched controls (mean 16.62 [SD ± 10.4] μmol/L) (p = 0.05). Patients with severe head injury, acute SDH, or diffuse higher radiological grades had greater levels of tHcy compared to others. There was a significant relationship between tHcy level and neurological outcome. tHcy levels were significantly higher in patients who had unfavorable GOS (mean 36.22[±25.3] μmol/L), compared to those with favorable GOS (mean 22.71[±14.3] μmol/L) (P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, tHcy level (adj. odds ratio [OR] 1.17, P = 0.05) and Glasgow Coma Scale (adj. OR 5.17, P = 0.01) had significant association with neurological outcome at 3 months independent of age, dietary habit, radiological grading and of each other. tHcy level has significant independent impact on neurological outcome and may be useful as a prognostic marker following head injury.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T variant and hyperhomocysteinemia in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients from India

Metabolic Brain Disease - Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism (C677T, A1298C) has been implicated in increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. The present study was designed...     

Erratum to: Report of novel genetic variation in NPHS2 gene associated with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in South Indian children

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is found in 10–20 % of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). In SRNS patients, common...