p38 MAP kinase mediated proteoglycan synthesis as a target for the prevention of atherosclerosis

The major underlying pathology of most cardiovascular disease is the chronic inflammatory disease of atherosclerosis. Type 2 diabetes, also recognised as an inflammatory condition, accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Current therapies for atherosclerosis target risk factors such as elevated blood lipids and hypertension and are of strong but limited efficacy. The "response to retention" hypothesis states that atherosclerosis is initiated by the accumulation of lipids through binding to extracellular matrix, and this is specifically the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains on proteoglycans. Many vasoactive agonists stimulate changes in the structure of the GAGs which increase lipid binding and the relevant signalling pathways are a potential therapeutic target. It has recently been demonstrated that the actions of transforming growth factor b; on vascular smooth muscle proteoglycan synthesis involves signalling through p38 MAP kinase and inhibition of this pathway reduces binding of lipids. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase will elicit a wide spread antiinflammatory response which may alleviate some of the deleterious processes in cardiovascular tissues. This article explores the potential for the actions of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors directed at proteoglycan synthesis in vascular smooth muscle to contribute to the beneficial outcomes from targeting p38 MAP kinase for the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Reliability and Reproducibility of Landmark Identification in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: Digital Lateral Vis-A-Vis CBCT-Derived 3D Cephalograms

Background: The aim of the retrospective observational study was to compare the precision of landmark identification and its reproducibility using cone beam computed tomography-derived 3D cephalograms and digital lateral cephalograms in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Methods: Cephalograms of thirty-one (31) North Indian children (18 boys and 13 girls) with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, who were recommended for orthodontic treatment, were selected. After a thorough analysis of peer-reviewed articles, 20 difficult-to-trace landmarks were selected, and their reliability and reproducibility were studied. These were subjected to landmark identification to evaluate interobserver variability; the coordinates for each point were traced separately by three different orthodontists (OBA, OBB, OBC). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with paired t-tests to compare the differences measured by the two methods. Real-scale data are presented in mean ± SD. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant at a 95% confidence level. Results: When comparing, the plotting of points posterior nasal spine (PNS) (p < 0.05), anterior nasal spine (ANS) (p < 0.01), upper 1 root tip (p < 0.05), lower 1 root tip (p < 0.05), malare (p < 0.05), pyriforme (p < 0.05), porion (p < 0.01), and basion (p < 0.05) was statistically significant. Conclusion: In patients with a cleft lip and palate, the interobserver identification of cephalometric landmarks was significantly more precise and reproducible with cone beam computed tomography -derived cephalograms vis-a-vis digital lateral cephalograms

Comparative Evaluation of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Chip and Soft Tissue Diode Lasers as a Supplement to Phase i Periodontal Therapy in Localized Chronic Moderate Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction. The current trial aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of neem chip and diode laser as a local drug delivery (LDD) agent as a supplement to phase I periodontal therapy in treatment of localized chronic moderate periodontitis. Materials and Methodology. Fourteen systemically healthy participants with 4-6 mm deep periodontal pockets at least in three quadrants (with no alveolar bony defect amenable to respective or regenerative osseous surgery, as seen in orthopantomograph) were selected for the trial. One week after phase I therapy, 10% absorbable chip of neem (commercially prepared by staff of a pharmacy college, Sheriguda, India) was placed in the periodontal pocket on one site, and soft tissue diode laser pocket sterilization was performed on the other site of the arch. Remaining one site was considered as a control. Parameters recorded clinically were plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and relative attachment level (RAL) measured at baseline, 21st day, and one month postoperatively. Results. Statistically significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters at one month as compared to baseline for both treatment groups. Conclusion. Neem chip supplemented with phase I therapy showed best improvement in clinical parameters followed by laser supplemented with phase I therapy in comparison to phase I therapy alone at one month follow-up. Clinical Significance. Neem chips are nature's products, affordable without side effects, with a potential to be used as a local drug delivery agent in treating moderate chronic periodontitis

Assistive Technology Intervention

The purpose of the Seven Hills Assistive Technology Intervention Process was to develop a process by which to introduce assistive technology in Seven Hills' homes. The team accomplished this by designing a quantitative measurement tool, a catalog of assistive technology options and a comprehensive process for Seven Hills to follow when introducing technology. - The team proved the process provides people with disabilities opportunities to increase their independence through the use of assistive technology by implementing the process in several Seven Hills homes. The team recommends that Seven Hills Foundation continues to use and improve this process in its efforts to expand the Assistive Technology department

Smad 2 and p38 MAP mediated signalling of proteoglycan synthesis in vascular smooth muscle

Atherosclerosis is the underlying pathological process of most cardiovascular disease. A critical component of the "response to retention" hypothesis of atherogenesis is proteoglycan/ low density lipoprotein (LDL) binding. Transforming growth factor (TGF- ) is present in atherosclerotic lesions, regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proteoglycan synthesis via an unknown signaling pathway, and increases proteoglycan/ LDL binding. This pathway was investigated using the activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor SB431542 and inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase as a possible downstream or alternative mediator. TGF- stimulated and SB431542 inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad2/3. In human VSMC, TGF- increased [35S]sulfate incorporation into proteoglycans associated with a 19% increase in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain size by size exclusion chromatography. SB431542 caused a concentration-dependent decrease in TGF- -mediated [35S]sulfate incorporation with 92% inhibition at 3 M. Two different p38MAPkinase inhibitors, SB203580 and SB202190, but not the inactive analogue SB202474, concentrationdependently blocked TGF- -mediated [35S]sulfate incorporation. TGF- increased [3H]glucosamine incorporation into glycosaminoglycans by 180% and [35S]Met/Cys incorporation into proteoglycan core proteins by 35% with both effects completely inhibited by SB431542. Blocking both Smad2/3 and p38 MAP kinase pathways prevented the effect of TGF- to increase proteoglycan to LDL binding. TGF- mediates its effects on proteoglycan synthesis in VSMCs via the ALK5/Smad2/3 phosphorylation pathway as well as via the p38 MAP kinase signaling cascade. Further studies of downstream pathways controlling proteoglycan synthesis may identify potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease

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Not AvailableSequential and open field planting at monthly intervals (starting from June to November) of two quantitatively short day marigold species (Tagetes species) was conducted. The results revealed that 50% yield could not be compensated due to differential accurnula- tion of heat degree days. The remaining 50% of the flower yield is differentially compensated either by increase in flower number (10%) or by reduction ill flower fresh weight (50%). The African marigold on an average accumulated 10% lower ADD compared to the French type. Genotypic differences in the accumulation of heat degree days by 38% and 15% at 50% flowering and post- flowering ill African and French types might have influenced the flower quality. The mean accumulated degree days were 10% more in French marigold species in comparison to the African marigold. Genotypic differences regarding the accumulated heat degree days at flowering and post-Ilowerlng stages were most important for quality flower production.Not Availabl

Exploring distributed user interfaces in ambient intelligent environments

In this paper we explore the use of Distributed User Interfaces (DUIs) in the field of Ambient Intelligence (AmI). We first introduce the emerging area of AmI, followed by describing three case studies where user interfaces or ambient displays are distributed and blending in the user’s environments. In such AmI environment, technology is hidden capturing contextual information aimed at different applications, each displaying information tailored to the user. We end the paper with lessons learned from these case studies

Frontal and axial evaluation of craniofacial morphology in repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate patients utilizing cone beam computed tomography; An observational study

The current study was conducted to assess the extent of maxillary arch collapse on the cleft vis-a-vis non-cleft sides in the same individual presenting withunilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Thirty-one children (eighteen boys andthirteen girls) with surgically repaired UCLP, who met the inclusion criteria, were selected. Following the acquisition of CBCT scans, fourteen bilateral landmarks were selected. The distance of the bilateral landmark was calculated from the midsagittal plane on the cleft and non-cleft sides for both frontal and axial views. Tracings were done;the data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis;and intra-observer variability was checked with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and two-way ANOVA. Subsequently, the measurements were subjected to paired t-tests at the 95% level of significance with Bonferroni correction. A significant reduction of pyriforme and an alveolar crest above the maxillary 1st molar were discerned in frontal analysis on the cleft side. In the axial view, the zygomatic arch, malar, porion and alveolar crest at the molar region were non-significant, but the alveolar crest at the premolar region (p < 0.004)) was significantly decreased. In the frontal analysis, pyriforme and the alveolar crest above the maxillary 1st molar, and, in the axial view, premolar widths, showed significant reduction when comparing the cleft vis-a-vis non-cleft sides