Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

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Not AvailableDryland horticulture constitutes major part in horticulture crop production. Moisture stress is one of the major limiting factor in production of mango in dryland horticulture, since the rainfall is highly erratic and it is not possible to utilize available rainwater efficiently. Mango is one of the major crop grown in Ramanagara district covering an area of 22172 ha. Due to poor soil and water conservation practices in mango moisture retention is low in the soil that affects productivity. In this context, front line demonstration on Microcatchment techniques was conducted in the mango grower’s field in an area of 6ha. Microcatchment techniques means development of small structures across land slope which captures surface runoff and stores in plant zone for subsequent plant use. Micro-catchment techniques including half-moon, V-shaped, and diamond shaped bunds were constructed across each mango plant. Further vetivera grass was planted over the catchment bund to control erosion. Highest average mean fruit yield/tree was recorded in half-moon water harvesting system and is significantly superior to other water harvesting system and minimum was in control plots. The fruit yield was increased by 22.2% in compare with control and B:C ratio was found to be 2.9. The demonstrated area received annual average rainfall of 21.8mm which conserves110ltrs of water per catchment. Several educational programmes were conducted to popularize Micro-catchment techniquesNot Availabl

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Not AvailableAn attempt was made to assess the impact of technological interventions initiated by KVK, Ramanagara under Integrated Farming System (IFS) among farmers. A great majority of the stakeholders lacked knowledge about improved varieties of ragi, redgram, horse gram, cowpea & foxtail millet. In order to increase the yield and productivity of these crops, improved varieties were inducted to farmers. Farmers were stimulated to go for cultivation of different vegetables in their backyards primarily for house consumption through introduction of nutrition kit developed by Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bangalore. Farmers expressed that this intervention reduced the drudgery of going out and buying the vegetables to the extent of 20 % and on an average each family produced about 80 kg of vegetables generating average revenue of ` 1026 per season. Improved giriraja chicks were introduced to farmers wherein there was 67 % increase in the number of birds after three years while each family could earn on an average of ` 6200/- from chicken. Considering egg production, each family could earn average net income of ` 6800/- at the end of three years. Out of one sheep inducted, it is worthy to note that each family could maintain an average of 5 sheep’s per family after three years. At this rate it could be articulated that ` 13,750/- was the average net income gained by each family from the sheep meat. The wilt incidence in redgram could be controlled to the extent of 75 % through introduction of trichoderma subsequent to which there was additional increase in income of ` 4300/- per ha. Promotion of improved fodder crops namely CO-3 & CO-4 resulted in 6.6 % increase in milk yield.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFodder crops play a vital role in agriculture since continuous supply of nutritious green fodder in sufficient quantity is basic requirement for livestock to cater milk production and also to maintain the health of the livestock. The availability of good quality green fodder is far less than the requirement in Ramanagara district of Karnataka state. The production of fodder in Ramanagara district accounts to 50 % deficit, resulting in underfed and poorly maintained livestock. Further the cattle are not fed according to their age and the weight. The present situation calls for the adoption of improved production technology in fodder crops to obtain maximum biomass per unit area in order to meet the demand. Farmers are in need of highly palatable multicut green fodder that yields throughout the year. Farmers also lack knowledge about the availability of high yielding multicut fodder crop. In the milieu, KVK Ramanagara conducted an On-farm testing on “Performance of Multicut Fodder in Ramanagara District” at Hombalammanapete of Magadi Taluk in five farmers’ field. In this study three high yielding multicut fodder crops namely CO-3, COFS-29 and DHN-6 were compared with NB-21 fodder grown locally. Improved cultivation practices of fodder were adopted in the trial under the supervision of KVK Scientist. After every cut growth, yield and quality parameters were recorded such as stem length (cm), Number of tillers per hill, leaf length (cm), Leaf width (cm), Number of leaves per hill, stem girth (cm) and palatability (%) was recorded at every harvest. Observation recorded on the parameters cumulatively confirmed that DHN-6 multicut fodder recorded highest yield (220t/ ha/ year) followed by COFS-29 (160t/ ha/ year) and Co-3 (160t/ha/year) when compared to locally grown NB- 21 (120t/ ha/ year). Highest palatability (93%) was recorded in COFS-29 followed by DHN-6 which was 92%.Not Availabl

Association of dietary fiber intake with serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Urban Asian-Indian adults with type 2 diabetes

Context: There is little data correlating dietary fibre (DF) intake and cardiovascular risk in Asian Indians with diabetes. Aim: To assess the DF intake and its association with lipid profile (total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein [LDL] - cholesterol levels) in urban Asian Indians with diabetes. Subjects and Methods: Dietary assessment using validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was conducted in 1191 free-living adults with known diabetes in the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study. Subjects taking medication for dyslipidemia, and those with cardiovascular disease and implausible energy intake (n = 262) were excluded, leaving 929 participants. Anthropometric and relevant biochemical parameters were measured using standardized techniques. Results: Diabetic individuals who consumed DF < median intake (29 g/day) had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (49.5% vs. 40.1% [P = 0.01]) and higher LDL cholesterol (46.2% vs. 35.5% [P = 0.001]) than those in the > median intake of DF group. The risk of hypercholesterolemia (odds ratio [OR] =1.38 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.85], P = 0.04), and high LDL cholesterol (OR: 1.43 [95% CI: 1.06-1.94], P = 0.02) was higher among those whose DF intake was less than the median. Serum triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were not associated with DF intake. The main sources of DF were vegetables and legumes. Conclusion: In urban Asian Indians with diabetes, lower DF intake is positively related to total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels