A study on patients with coronary artery disease with special reference to bone mineral density

Background: Osteoporosis and Coronary artery disease are known to share common risk factors, like inflammation, but a direct relationship between the two has not been established. Some of the previous studies showed low BMD (osteoporosis and/orosteopenia) as an independent predictive factor for coronary artery disease in ambulatory patients. However, some reports have failed to demonstrate a direct relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and CAD or cardiovascular risk factors. This study was carried out to estimate bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and also to evaluate the association between bone mineral density and coronary artery disease.Methods: Hospital based prospective observational study, involving 96 consecutive patients who were referred for coronary angiography for the evaluation of established or suspected CAD and also patients who had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are enrolled in this study. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck using DXA scan.Results: The total number of subjects was 96. Out of 96, 24 (25%) patients were females and remaining 72 (75%) were males. Coronary angiography was carried out in all patients. 42 patients from the total had coronary angiography proven single vessel disease (SVD), 33 patients had double vessel disease (DVD) and 21 patients had triple vessel disease (TVD). DXA scan was carried out in all patients. T- score of neck of femur region and lumbar spine was calculated. Neither the presence of significant coronary stenoses ≥50% in two or more coronary vessels nor the prevalence of severe coronary stenoses ≥70% differed significantly between patients with normal bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis (p<0.05, respectively).Conclusions: The result of this study suggests that in patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of CAD, the prevalence of low BMD is high; however, there is no statistically significant relationship between osteoporosis, osteopenia and coronary artery disease state

Evaluation of Antitumor Efficacy of Chitosan-Tamarind Gum Polysaccharide Polyelectrolyte Complex Stabilized Nanoparticles of Simvastatin

Purpose: The present study was intended to fabricate chitosan (Ch)-tamarind gum polysaccharide (TGP) polyelectrolyte complex stabilized cubic nanoparticles of simvastatin and evaluate their potential against human breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: The antisolvent precipitation method was used for formulation of nanoparticles. Factorial design (32 ) was utilized as a tool to analyze the effect of Ch and TGP concentration on particle size and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles. Results: Formulated nanoparticles showed high entrapment efficiency (67.19±0.42–83.36 ±0.23%) and small size (53.3–383.1 nm). The present investigation involved utilization of two biological membranes (egg and tomato) as biological barriers for drug release. The study revealed that drug release from tomato membranes was retarded (as compared to egg membranes) but the release pattern matched that of egg membranes. All formulations followed the Baker–Lansdale model of drug release irrespective of the two different biological barriers. Stability studies were carried out for 45 days and exhibited less variation in particle size as well as a reduction in entrapment efficiency. Simvastatin loaded PEC stabilized nanoparticles exhibited better control on growth of human breast cancer cell lines than simple simvastatin. An unusual anticancer effect of simvastatin nanoparticles is also supported by several other research studies. Conclusion: The present study involves first-time synthesis of Ch-TGP polyelectrolyte complex stabilized nanoparticles of simvastatin against MCF-7 cells. It recommends that, in future, theoretical modeling and IVIVC should be carried out for perfect designing of delivery systems

Isolated coronary artery ectasia: Clinical, angiographic, and follow up characteristics

Background: Isolated Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered an uncommon angiographic finding with varying patterns of presentation and carries significant morbidity burden to the patient. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of this condition, to analyse its clinical, angiographic, and follow up characteristics. Patients and methods: Coronary angiography was performed in 4950 patients from January 2009 to August 2014. The epidemiological, clinical, angiographic, and follow up characteristics of 52 patients with isolated CAE were examined. Results: Of the 4950 angiograms analysed, isolated CAE was found in 52 patients, a prevalence of 1.05 %. The mean age of patients was 53.4 years. A predominance of the male sex was observed (71.1%). Angina on exertion was the most common presenting symptom (61.5%). Single vessel was involved in 61.5%. Left anterior descending artery was the most commonly involved vessel followed by right coronary artery, left circumflex and left main coronary artery. Type IV CAE as per Markis classification was the most common involvement. The median follow-up was 28 ± 20 months, during which 10 patients (19.2%) had recurrent chest pain, and four patients were re-hospitalised, three for unstable angina, one for myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The prevalence of isolated coronary ectasia was 1.05%. The majority of patients had single vessel involvement, and left anterior descending branch was the most common involved vessel. This condition may not be considered completely benign, as it is associated with atherosclerotic risk factors and occurrence of coronary events including angina and myocardial infarction

Europium-based dinuclear triple-stranded helicate vs. tetranuclear quadruple-stranded helicate : effect of stoichiometric ratio on the supramolecular self-assembly

Two europium-based helicates, namely the dinuclear triple-stranded helicate [Eu2L3] (1) and tetranuclear quadruple-stranded helicate [Eu4L4(NO3)](3+) (2), were achieved by the self-assembly of the succinohydrazone derived bis-tridentate ligand (H2L) and Eu3+ ions in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively. Both the helicates were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Structural analysis of both the helicates revealed optically inactive 50:50 mixtures of left- (Lambda) and right-hand (Delta) helicates in one unit cell. In 1, both the europium centers lie along the three-fold axis whereas in 2, four europium centers are arranged in a triangular fashion around the four-fold axis, which passes through the center of the quadruple stranded helicate. In 2, the presence of a nitrate ion on the nucleation of the aesthetically pleasing tetranuclear quadruple stranded helicate is significant. Apart from the molar ratio, the role of the bridging modes of the ligand, anion and noncovalent interaction on the self-assembly of two helicates are also discussed

A review on pharmacological potential of asteracantha longifolia

Acanthaceae plant Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees is used to make the ayurvedic medication ‘Kokilaaksha' and the Unani drug Talimakhana. The seeds are aphrodisiac, bitter, tonic, and sedative, and are used to treat blood problems. Antitumor, hypoglycemic, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation, hepatoprotective, and haematopoietic activity are all known properties of the plant. Lupeol, stigmasterol, butelin, fatty acids, and alkaloids are all found in it. The focus of this review paper is on Talimakhana's phytochemical, pharmacological, and other relevant characteristics

Role of Echocardiography In Acute Rheumatic Fever Compared With Jones Criteria

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the sequel of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), is a very common cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. RHD results in enormous disease burden translating into huge economic and social losses in India. Classical ARF is still encountered across the country. The diagnosis of RF remains clinical. Echocardiography is a very important diagnostic tool to detect valvular lesions in patients with carditis of acute rheumatic fever. Jones criteria has been modified several times but the role of echocardiography in detecting carditis is not been mentioned in any modifications. Methods and Material: The study was conducted from November 2007 to October 2009, for duration of 2 years in GSVM medical college, Kanpur. Patients with joint pain (arthritis, arthralgia), chest pain, dyspnoea, palpitation, chorea (involuntary movements), subcutaneous nodule, erhythema marginatum, sore throat, skin infection, recurrent upper respiratory tract infection etc, who visited OPD, health camps, or were admitted in Medicine and Pediatrics department were included in the study. Thus selected patients were undergone detailed history taking, clinical examinations particularly they were evaluated to find out whether they were having symptom/signs of carditis and fulfilling Jones criteria to diagnose Acute Rheumatic fever. The same patients were evaluated with Echocardiography to detect carditis. Results: 40 patients were diagnosed as acute rheumatic fever based on revised Jones criteria. Only 24 patients showed carditis clinically, but Echocardiography showed 27 patients with evidence of carditis. Ventricular septal defect was also detected in 3 patients, which was wrongly detected as carditis in clinical examination. 21 patients had carditis clinically, but echocardiography diagnosed carditis in 27 patients. (p value &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Echocardiography plays a very important role in detection of carditis. Echocardiographic confirmation of carditis could be accepted as major criteria

Prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its antimicrobial sensitivity profile among post-operative wound infections in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Post-operative wound infection or surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant cause of nosocomial infection among patients who have undergone surgery. Objective: The present prospective study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the isolates of post-operative wound infection and to study their antimicrobial sensitivity profile. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of Microbiology of a teaching tertiary care hospital for a period of six months from January 2021 to June 2021. During this period, a total of 100 post operative wound swabs were processed according to the standard microbiological techniques. The identification of bacterial isolates was done by standard biochemical (HiMedia, Mumbai) and automated (Vitek 2-Compact System, BioMérieux Inc., France) techniques. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) of the isolates was performed on Mueller Hinton agar (HiMedia, Mumbai) by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Choice of the antimicrobials and the interpretation of results were done in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines-2020. Statistical Analysis: The collected data was transferred to the computer and Microsoft Excel 2000 (version 9) Analysis Tool Pack was used for analysis of data. Chi-square test was performed and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 100 wound swabs studied, 93% revealed growth while 7% samples were sterile. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated among highest number of infected wound swabs (26 %) and comparatively higher number (61.53 %) was detected among male patients and those that belonged to 61-80 years of age group (46.15 %). The abscess drainage was the most common type of post operative wound (38.46%) followed by surgery of diabetic foot (30.76%). P.aeruginosa was susceptible to colistin (96.7%) followed by meropenem (76.92%) and imipenem (73.07%).Conclusions: In the present study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was the most common surgical site infection in our healthcare setting and was found to be dependent on age and sex of the individuals who had undergone surgery. Enormous amount of drug resistance was revealed by the isolates. Continuous monitoring of susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa through surveillance, formulation of antibiotic policy and infection control practices is essential in individual health care settings in order to prevent further emergence of resistance

Quadricuspid aortic valve – A case report and literature review

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital cardiac entity. The recognition of quadricuspid aortic valve has clinical significance as it leads to aortic valve dysfunction in majority, commonly aortic regurgitation, severe enough for surgical correction. Preoperative diagnosis is essential as it is often associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities including abnormally located coronary ostia. We report a case of quadricuspid aortic valve in a forty-five year old asymptomatic male and review the available literature