A study on dyslipidaemia in subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterised by elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in association with normal free thyroid hormones. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of serum lipid alterations in patients with stable subclinical hypothyroidism in comparison to age- as well as sex-matched euthyroid group and also subgroup analysis between them in regard to age of presentation, sex, antithyroperoxidase (anti TPO) positivity, and TSH value. In this study, 100 patients of SCH were recruited, age ranged 17-68 years, majority (78%) being females, presenting mainly with non-specific symptoms and compared with 52 euthyroid control regarding lipid parameters. Of the subclinical hypothyroidism patients, only 10% had goitre and anti TPO was positive in 52% cases. Serum lipoprotein (a) above the age of 20 years, and total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density liporpotein cholesterol in the age group of 40-50 years were significantly elevated. In addition, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in anti TPO positive cases and serum triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in anti TPO negative patients showed statistically significant higher levels. In males only lipoprotein (a), but in females total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and liproprotein (a)--all were significantly elevated.     

Effects of several antimalarials and phenothiazine compounds on the formation of coat structure from clathrin

We have evaluated the effects of two phenothiazine and several antimalarial drugs on the rates of polymerization of 8S clathrin molecules to 300S coat structures. Most of the drugs investigated have been shown in other studies to inhibit receptor-mediated endocytosis through the coated pit regions of plasma membranes. The two types of drugs were found to accelerate the polymerization rate without having much effect on the size distribution of the polymer species. The activities of the drugs appear to depend on a dibasic moiety and a large, hydrophobic aromatic ring in their structures.     

Aortic Calcification in a Patient With Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome

We present chest radiographs, echocardiographic image, and selective coronary angiogram of an 18-year old patient with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome.     

Activation of nuclear receptor CAR ameliorates diabetes and fatty liver disease

Constitutive androstane receptor CAR (NR1I3) has been identified as a central mediator of coordinate responses to xenobiotic and endobiotic stress. Here we use leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob) and ob/ob, CAR^−/− double mutant mice to identify a metabolic role of CAR in type 2 diabetes. Activation of CAR significantly reduces serum glucose levels and improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Gene expression analyses and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp results suggest that CAR activation ameliorates hyperglycemia by suppressing glucose production and stimulating glucose uptake and usage in the liver. In addition, CAR activation dramatically improves fatty liver by both inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis and induction of β-oxidation. We conclude that CAR activation improves type 2 diabetes, and that these actions of CAR suggest therapeutic approaches to the disease.     

Dispersion of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Poly(Pyridinium Salt)s Containing Various Rigid Aromatic Moieties

Dispersions of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with several poly(pyridinium salt)s containing various aromatic diamine moieties are prepared via a non‐covalent coagulation in DMSO. The interactions between SWNTs and polymers are characterized with various spectroscopic techniques. The ¹H NMR spectra suggest that strong interactions exist. The UV?Vis absorption spectra are independent of the incorporation of SWNTs. The resulting composites display high quenching efficiency in the photoluminescent properties; and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal the well‐dispersed SWNTs in the ionic polymer matrices. The enhanced thermal stability of the composites is determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The fully grown lyotropic LC properties of the poly(pyridinium salt)s are disrupted by the introduction of SWNTs.