The Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism And Dyslipidemia In Elderly Patients Of Calcific Aortic Stenosis: A Case Control study

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Apo E polymorphisms on plasma lipid profile and to identify the polymorphism of the apo-E gene as genetic predictor of calcific AS in Pakistani population.   Methodology: This was a case control study conducted in Dow University of Health Sciences and National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi. It included total of 100 individuals, 50 echocardiographically identified calcific AS cases and 50 age and gender matched controls. Apo E allele frequencies were computed, lipid profiles were estimated and Apo E gene polymorphism was identified by the techniques of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).   Result: Apo E 2, 3, and 4 allele frequencies were 16%, 52%, and 32% in calcific AS cases, and 10%, 52%, 28% in controls respectively (p=0.622). Out of 50 cases, 18% presented with mild AS, 22% moderate AS and 60% lied in severe calcific AS. It was observed that levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were higher in Apo E4 allele as compared to other genes in both cases and control.   Conclusion: The findings of this study suggested that Apo E4 allele of Apo E gene is an impotent risk factors for dyslipidemia while Apo E4 allele is not associated with calcific AS contemplates distinctive genetic backgrounds of CAD and AS

Effect of Reperfusion on Time Domain Parameters of Heart Rate Variability

Objective: To compare effect of reperfusion by measuring time domain parameters of heart rate variability before and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Study design: Quasi experimental study design Place and Duration: Department of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC/NIHD), Rawalpindi from January 2014 till January 2015. Patients and Methods: 40 patients with coronary artery disease having mean age of 55.20 ± 8.03 years were recruited by non-probability convenience sampling. DMS 300-4A Holter monitors were used to obtain 24 hours ambulatory ECG recording before and within 24 hours after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Digital ECG data were transferred to the computer and edited with the help of DMS Cardioscan software. Heart rate variability was analysed in time domains measures. For time domain analysis normal heart rate, SDNN, SDNNi, SDANN, RMSSD and pNN50 were recorded from 12 lead digital ECG data. Results: The results of our study demonstrated significantly decreased heart rate variability in coronary artery disease patients on comparison of pre and post-angioplasty values only SDNNi was significantly reduced (p-value = 0.035) whereas the reduction in SDNN and pNN50 was statistically insignificant (p-value > 0.05). On the contrary, SDANN and RMSSD displayed slight rise after angioplasty but it was not significant (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Reperfusion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty decreases heart rate variability within 24 hours after the procedure. Whereas, heart rate during the same period after angioplasty increases. This reflects autonomic balance shifts towards sympathetic predominance as indicated by reduced heart rate variability and rise in heart rate. This makes the susceptible patients vulnerable for development of ventricular arrhythmias especially during 24 hours after angioplasty. Therefore, patients with decreased heart rate variability are at risk of ventricular arrhythmogenesis so they may be kept under medical surveillance for at least 24 hours after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Role of evaporation time on the structural and optical properties of ZnO films deposited by thermal evaporator

Zinc oxide films are deposited on Si substrates by thermal evaporator for different evaporation times (ET). XRD pattern shows the development of different diffraction peaks related to Zn, ZnO and Zn2SiO4 phases which confirms the deposition of composite film. The orientation transformation is observed with increasing ET. The maximum peak intensity of ZnO (1 0 1) plane is observed at 3 h ET. The dislocation density observed in ZnO (1 0 1) plane varies from 1.53 × 10-3 nm-2 to 8.94 × 10-3 nm-2. The lattice parameters of ZnO are found to be a = 3.243 Å and c = 5.197 Å. FTIR analysis confirms the formation of ZnO films. SEM microstructures exhibit the formation nano-wires, nano-bars, nano-strips and nano-needles. The optical energy band gap of ZnO films deposited for various ET varies from 3.98 eV to 4.06 eV. Results show that the peak intensity of ZnO (1 0 1) plane, orientation transformation and the presence of Si content are responsible to increase the energy band gap of ZnO films

Correction: Dilpazeer et al. A Comprehensive Review of the Latest Advancements in Controlling Arsenic Contaminants in Groundwater. <i>Water</i> 2023, <i>15</i>, 478

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