Predictors of acute myocardial infarct size in STEMI patients receiving thrombolytic therapy: A delayed contrast enhanced cardiac MRI study

AbstractIntroductionDelayed contrast enhanced Cardiac MRI has been accepted as a standard tool worldwide for determination of infarcted myocardium and viability. Infarct size as determined by cardiac MRI has important therapeutic and prognostic information.MethodsTwenty six STEMI patients who had received thrombolytic therapy were subjected to cardiac MRI assessment at 5–7 day of admission. Base line variables of the study population were compared with the acute infarct size as determined by the Cardiac MRI.ResultsThe mean acute infarct size in our study population was 27.2 ± 17.4% of LV. We found through univariate analysis that final infarct size was dependent on time to thrombolysis (p = 0.04), Status of Thrombolysis (p = 0.01), smoking status (p = 0.02), location of infarct (p < 0.00001), presence of microvascular obstruction (p = 0.01) and viability status (p = 0.0004). Thus, larger acute infarct size was seen in delayed time to thrombolysis, failed status of thrombolysis, smokers, anterior location of the infarct, presence of microvascular obstruction and non viable myocardial status.ConclusionInfarct size as determined by Cardiac MRI has been shown to carry important therapeutic and prognostic information. We have tried to evaluate predictors of acute infarct on cardiac MRI in STEMI patients during their initial hospital stay. Knowing the predictors of acute infarct size can help in early intervention and provide prognostic information for future cardiac events

Epigenetic distortion to VDR transcriptional regulation in prostate cancer cells

AbstractThe current study aimed to examine the gene specific mechanisms by which the actions of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are distorted in prostate cancer. Transcriptional responses toward the VDR ligand, 1α,25(OH)2D3, were examined in non-malignant prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1) and compared to the 1α,25(OH)2D3-recalcitrant prostate cancer cells (PC-3). Time resolved transcriptional studies for two VDR target genes revealed selective attenuation and repression of VDR transcriptional responses in PC-3 cells. For example, responses in PC-3 cells revealed suppressed responsiveness of IGFBP3 and G0S2. Furthermore, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that suppressed transcriptional responses in PC-3 cells of IGFBP3 and G0S2 were associated with selective VDR-induced NCOR1 enrichment at VDR-binding regions on target-gene promoter regions. We propose that VDR inappropriately recruits co-repressors in prostate cancer cells. Subsequent direct and indirect mechanisms may induce local DNA methylation and stable transcriptional silencing. Thus a transient epigenetic process mediated by co-repressor binding, namely, the control of H3K9 acetylation, is distorted to favor a more stable epigenetic event, namely DNA methylation.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Vitamin D Workshop’

Thermal and thermo-hydraulic performance investigation of double-pass packed bed solar air heaters under external recycle

In the present investigation, two types (Type A and Type B) of the double-pass packed bed solar air heater under external recycle are investigated theoretically. In Type A, the porous media is considered in the upper channel, whereas in Type B, the porous media is considered in the lower channel. Iron scraps are used as a packed bed material (porous media) to strengthen the convective heat transfer coefficient for air flowing through the packed bed. The mathematical model for these two air heaters operating under forced convection mode is presented. The results revealed that the thermal and thermo-hydraulic efficiencies of Type A are higher as compared to Type B. In order to validate the models, the theoretical results obtained from the conventional model of Type B are compared with the theoretical results obtained from the previous investigation and showed that good agreement is achieved

Thermal performance assessment of recyclic double-pass flat and V-corrugated plate solar air heaters

Double-pass solar air heaters occupy an important place among solar air heating systems, because of minimal heat loss and maximum thermal efficiency with marginal heater size and cost. In the present work, investigations related to the thermal performance predictions have been carried out for double-pass flat and V-corrugated absorber plate solar air heaters under recycle operation. The mathematical models proposed herein are solved using an analytical approach that uses an iterative solution procedure. Furthermore, based on simulation results obtained from the analytical study, the optimum value of the recycle ratio, the mass flow rate, the absorptivity and the emissivity at which the heaters yield the maximum value of the thermal efficiency have been identified and presented using response surface methodology (RSM). The results of RSM revealed that the mathematical models are significant. In addition, results of the present study are validated and compared with previous studies. A reasonable agreement and significant improvement have been achieved

An analytical model to predict the thermal performance of a novel parallel flow packed bed solar air heater

A design of a parallel flow solar air heater with packed material in its upper channel and capable of providing a higher heat flux compared to the conventional non-porous bed double flow systems is presented. An analytical model describing the various temperatures and heat transfer characteristics of such a parallel flow packed bed solar air heater (PFPBSAH) has been developed and employed to study the effects of the mass flow rate and varying porosities of the packed material on its thermal performance. The model employs an iterative solution procedure to solve the governing energy balance equations describing the complex heat and mass exchanges involved. To validate the proposed analytical model, comparisons between theoretical and experimental results showed that good agreement is achieved with reasonable accuracy. Also, PFPBSAH is found to perform more efficiently than the conventional non-porous double flow solar air heaters with 10-20% increase in its thermal efficiency. Furthermore, the effect of the fraction of mass flow rate in the upper or lower flow channel of PFPBSAH device on its performance, has also investigated theoretically. The fraction of the mass flow rate in the respective channels of the PFPBSAH is shown to be dominant parameter in determining the effective thermal efficiency of the heater.Packed bed Parallel flow Porosity Thermal power Effective efficiency

A Persuasive in the Management of Indralupta (Alopecia areata) with Ayurvedic approach

The aim of the case study is to evaluate the efficacy of Leech therapy along with ayurvedic treatment in Alopecia areata (INDRALUPTA). It is prospective interventional case report on alopecia areata treated with leech therapy and ayurvedic formulations. Using a subjective evaluation, an improvement in growth of hair on bald patches over scalp region was observed. An 18-year-old female patient, resident of Delhi, presented with complaints of two bald patches (right parietal &amp; vertex) over the scalp without any secondary changes. With these complaints, the patient visited Shalya Tantra, Outpatient department (OPD No 16) at Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, New Delhi. She took treatment for six weeks and got complete remission in her symptoms. Line of treatment adopted was tridosha shamaka, rakta-shodhaka and raktamokashana (Leech application). Leech therapy supplemented with ayurvedic formulations have definite role in Alopecia Areata (Indralupta) especially of recent origin. A case series or pilot study may further strengthen above case report and open new treatment arena for such cases. This case report can also be used to formulate hypothesis for management of baldness from an ayurvedic perspective

Mycorrhiza: An Ecofriendly Bio-Tool for Better Survival of Plants in Nature

Modern agriculture is currently enduring rapid changes in defiance of the continuing increase of the global population and the various consequent environmental challenges. Crop quality is becoming as important as crop yield and can be characterized by several parameters. Extensive use of chemical fertilizers leads to food safety concerns globally; hence, the use of mycorrhizal symbionts have proven to be beneficial for the sustainable growth of the agricultural cropping system. Microflora inhabiting the soil entails various ecological interactions which are associated with agricultural performances. Amongst these microflora, mycorrhizal fungi are the critical suppliers of nutrients, with restricted diffusion capacities of minerals such as phosphorus, nitrate, zinc, sulfur etc. Mycorrhizae are the obligatory biotrophs that depend upon their host plant for the nutritional requirements. They act as the key contributors to sustainable agro-ecological enforcement and impact globally on the eco-systemic processes. These soil inhabitants devote themselves to the continuous nutrient flow and extemporize resistance against various environmental stresses like drought, flood, metal toxicity, salinity, etc. This review briefly highlights the taxonomic co-evolution, factors affecting mycorrhizal behaviors (phytohormonal regulation), and the concise mechanistic approach (improved water status, photosystems, stomatal conductance, ionic uptake, C &amp; N fixation) to combat various environmental stresses (biotic/abiotic). Plant growth regulators play a crucial role in this symbiotic establishment with the plant roots. Auxins, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones are responsible for the establishment of mycorrhizal association. On the other hand, ethylene, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acids can promote or downregulate this process in the plants. Whereas, gibberellic acids and salicylic acids negatively impact on mycorrhizal association. The hormonal homeostasis (in response to fungal associations) leads to the activation of transcriptional and signaling cascades which ensues various physio-morphological changes for the benefit of the plant. The role of phytohormones in the regulation of plant-fungus mutualism, and the impact of mycorrhization on the activation of molecular and transcriptional cascades, have been described along with the potential applications of agricultural produce and soil rehabilitation