Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2: role in atherosclerosis and utility as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk

Atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations are widely prevalent throughout the world. Atherogenesis is highly complex and modulated by numerous genetic and environmental risk factors. A large body of basic scientific and clinical research supports the conclusion that inflammation plays a significant role in atherogenesis along the entire continuum of its progression. Inflammation adversely impacts intravascular lipid handling and metabolism, resulting in the development of macrophage foam cell, fatty streak, and atheromatous plaque formation. Given the enormous human and economic cost of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease and amputation, and premature death and disability, considerable effort is being committed to refining our ability to correctly identify patients at heightened risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease and acute cardiovascular events so that they can be treated earlier and more aggressively. Serum markers of inflammation have emerged as an important component of risk factor burden. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) potentiates intravascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. A variety of epidemiologic studies support the utility of Lp-PLA2 measurements for estimating and further refining cardiovascular disease risk. Drug therapies to inhibit Lp-PLA2 are in development and show considerable promise, including darapladib, a specific molecular inhibitor of the enzyme. In addition to substantially inhibiting Lp-PLA2 activity, darapladib reduces progression of the necrotic core volume of human coronary artery atheromatous plaque. The growing body of evidence points to an important role and utility for Lp-PLA2 testing in preventive and personalized clinical medicine

Characterisation and microbial activity of neem oil nano-emulsions formulated by phase inversion temperature method

137-142This study has been carried out to prepare neem oil-in-water nano-emulsions stabilized by Brij 30 surfactant using the phase inversion temperature (PIT) method at three different temperatures, i.e., 60, 75 and 80°C. Compositions of homogenous phase have been identified in the pseudo-ternary phase diagram. Among the total seventeen formulations, three formulations (NB1, NB2 and NB3) have been short-listed and characterized for emulsion size and viscosity. The selected formulations have shown emulsion size of 348-981 nm in diameter. The volume percentage ratio of Brij 30 to neem oil have shown significant effect on the droplet size of nano-emulsions. Formulations having lower concentration of Brij 30 have displayed a smaller emulsion droplet size (348 nm). The NB3 formulation (4% neem oil, 11% Brij 30 and 85% deionized water) has exhibited the highest stability after 60 days of storage. Antimicrobial study has shown that in contrast to raw neem and Ampicillin (synthetic drug), NB1 exhibited best result in terms of minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) reduction by 100% against E-coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and S. pyogenus

Transparency is the key towards sustainable production and consumption

Current levels of consumption have pushed the global eco-system towards the brink that is irreversible damage, threatening various interconnected natural domains. Companies have replaced their humanity for assembly-line workers with dismally low wages and stressful working conditions to pursue profits. For these reasons it is imperative to establish a new concept for economies to revolve around sustainability, via 'Radical Transparency' in production chains. Numerous eco-labels and standards do exist but they offer fragmented coverage and sometimes even confuse both businesses and consumers. Therefore a common language and an overall system is required to inform all parties, allowing economies to achieve their sustainability goals. The proposed solution is built across two main categories, "People" and "Earth" and involves various criteria across socio-environmental domains. The common language is translated into a Standard built upon four pillars: - Pure (health and safety, authenticity, transparency), - Fair (workers rights, education and personal development, fair trading practices), - Life (biodiversity, animal welfare, natural resources conservation), - Renew (energy and GHG reduction, waste reduction, clean air, water and soil). Under each pillar, a set of principles articulate the essence of the concept in relation to product and company sustainability - representative of a M.E.C.E. (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhausting) system. The Standard has been designed to be applicable to all products and services, becoming increasingly specific for each product category. Principles from the Standard can be integrated into the core of businesses which will feed into production to meet the increasing demand for sustainable goods and services. Furthermore, the communication of a product's sustainability is essential and will lead consumers toward a more responsible lifestyle. This knowledge motivates the consumer to make informed decisions and this will incentivise the industry to offer alternatives - ultimately, building the path to a Sustainable Economy

Unusual lung mass: Benign or Malignant?

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of lung is a rare tumour. It is a slowly growing, indolent tumour. Average time that elapses before diagnosis is reported to be two years. We report the case of a patient who remained well inspite of harbouring primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of lung for 15 years