Association of homocysteine and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) gene polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the population of North India

The implications of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the level of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) have been extensively studied in various ethnic groups. Our aim was to discover the association of MTHFR (C677T) polymorphism and homocysteine level with CAD in north Indian subjects. The study group consisted of 329 angiographically proven CAD patients, and 331 age and sex matched healthy individuals as controls. MTHFR (C677T) gene polymorphism was detected based on the polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion with HinfI. Total homocysteine plasma concentration was measured using immunoassay. T allele frequency was found to be significantly higher in patients than in the control group. We found significantly elevated levels of mean homocysteine in the patient group when compared to the control group (p = 0.00). Traditional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking habits, a positive family history and lipid profiles (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol), were found significantly associated through univariate analysis. Furthermore, multivariable logistics regression analysis revealed that CAD is significantly and variably associated with diabetes, hypertension, smoking, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. Our findings showed that MTHFR C677T polymorphism and homocysteine levels were associated with coronary artery disease in the selected population

Cardiovascular syphilis with coronary stenosis and aneurysm

AbstractCardiovascular manifestations of tertiary syphilis include aortitis, aortic root dilation, aneurysm formation, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. Coronary ostial lesions have been detected in as many as 26% of patients with syphilitic aortitis. However nonostial coronary stenosis and coronary aneurysms in same patient is rarely described in cardiovascular syphilis

Exploitation of Developed Coal mine Pillars with Double Ended Slicing and Stowing - A Case of Example

In India, underground coal production is mostly depends upon the conventional bord and pillar method of mining. Technology available with us for the faster exploitation of developed coal miens pillars are only semi-mechanization with SDL/LHD. The statistics of the productivity per SDL/LHD with stowing in India is around 100 tonne which is quite low. Therefore, there is a need to thick about the new technology which increases the productivity form developed coal mines pillars per SDL/LHD. Increasing area of roof exposure for faster rate of extraction by driving two opposite slices from the same split will be one of the options. In the present paper authors have conducted the scientific study for the optimum exploitation 7.3m thick XI seam which is at about 445m depth of cover at Digwadih Colliery under Tata Steel. The upper workable XIV seam is standing on developed pillars. Study concluded that splitting as a final operation with stowing in bottom section and then exploitation of full top section with double ended slicing and stowing with restricted panel width will be one of the suitable methods of extraction for the above seam. Single ended slicing and double ended slicing method of extraction with stowing have been experimented in top section in the above mine and it was found that average productivity was increased from 105 tonne per SDL

Right-atrial myxoma clinically mimicking recurrence of rheumatic valve disease long time after mitral valve repair

Right atrial myxomas are rare. Its occurrence in a previously operated patient of rheumatic mitral stenosis posed clinical diagnostic challenge. We herein report a case of right atrial myxoma who had undergone mitral valve repair 20 years ago and now presented in congestive heart failure. The tumor was arising from the ostium of the coronary sinus and prolapsed into the right ventricle causing significant right ventricular inflow and outflow obstruction. Urgent repeat cardiac surgery was successfully performed to remove the tumor along with mitral valve replacement. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic problems resulting from this unusual association

Evaluation of gamma glutamyl transferase as a marker of cardiovascular risk, in 200 angiographically proven coronary artery disease patients

Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is emerging as a promising marker for assessing cardiovascular risk. GGT predicts cardiovascular mortality in the population and is positively associated with traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was undertaken on 200 north Indian CAD patients diagnosed with coronary angiography to study relation of GGT with risk factors for CAD and severity of CAD. GGT values ranged from 5 to 69U/L and were divided in 4 quartiles. GGT was positively associated with triglyceride (p = 0.008) and VLDL cholesterol (p = 0.002) in our subjects. Also an increase in total cholesterol from GGT quartile I to quartile IV (p = 0.28) was noted

Empirical approach for designing of support system in mechanized coal pillar mining

Mechanized room-and-pillar system of coal pillar mining using side dump loading machine or load haul dumper machine, or by continuous miner, is the presently most dominant underground method of extraction in India. Under this method of extraction, strata control is a major problem affecting safety and productivity of the mine. As per existing Director General of Mine Safety guidelines, systematic support rules must be followed at the depillaring faces irrespective of immediate roof rock type and competency. Therefore, there is a high chance that sometimes these systematic support rules give unnecessarily high support, or sometimes inadequate support, which may lead to roof failure at the face. As a result, there is a big loss of life and material including coal in terms of left-out ribs/stooks and other associated mining equipment deployed at the faces. Therefore, in the present paper, authors attempted to develop generalized empirical equations for estimating the required support load density at different places of the face based on geotechnical parameters of the mine and physico-mechanical properties of the immediate roof rocks for designing of support system during mechanized coal pillar mining

Evidence of apoptosis in right ventricular dysfunction in rheumatic mitral valve stenosis

Background & objectives: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality in valvular heart disease. The phenomenon of apoptosis, though rare in cardiac muscle may contribute to loss of its function. Role of apoptosis in RV in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease is investigated in this study. Methods: Patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis formed two groups based on RV systolic pressure (RVSP) as RVSP <40 mmHg (group I, n=9) and RVSP ≥40 mmHg (group II, n=30). Patients having atrial septal defect (ASD) with RVSP <40 mmHg served as control (group III, n=15). Myocardial performance index was assessed for RV function. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed on muscle biopsy procured from RV to assess expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 3 and Fas) and anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2). Apoptosis was confirmed by histopathology and terminal deoxynucleotide-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling. Results: Group II had significant RV dysfunction compared to group I (P=0.05) while caspase 3 (P=0.01) and cytochrome c (P=0.03) were expressed excessively in group I. When group I was compared to group III (control), though there was no difference in RV function, a highly significant expression of pro-apoptotic genes was observed in group I (Bax, P=0.02, cytochrome c=0.001 and caspase 3=0.01). There was a positive correlation between pro-apoptotic genes. Nuclear degeneration was present conforming to apoptosis in valve disease patients (groups I and II) while it was absent in patients with ASD. Interpretation & conclusion: Our findings showed evidence of apoptosis in RV of patients with valvular heart disease. Apoptosis was set early in the course of rheumatic valve disease even with lower RVSP, followed by RV dysfunction; however, expression of pro-apoptotic genes regressed