Risk reduction with clopidogrel in the management of peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition typified by decreased arterial blood flow in the non-coronary branches of the aorta as a result of chronic atherosclerosis. Despite the higher prevalence of PAD compared with other cardiovascular entities such as myocardial infarction and stroke, far less import is given to its diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we highlight principal diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in the management of PAD and its complications. We particularly emphasize the role of clopidogrel in the reduction of risks associated with PAD

Contribution of Gandhian Thought to Corporate Responsibility

Mahatma Gandhiji transformed contemporary capitalists amidst the criticism from leftist quarters that he was working for a compromise in the interests of the Indian bourgeoisie. The purpose of this paper is to present a forerunner of today’s conversations in the world about corporate social responsibility (CSR). Gandhiji not only befriended a number of businesspersons but also advised them to consider their role as a steward of their wealth and businesses that they held. We intend to substantiate his pious intentions derived from his understanding of Bhagavad Gita, which suggested to him that one could enjoy one’s acquired wealth by renouncing it. Persuaded by such moral disposition, Gandhiji argued that it is the surest method to evolve a new order of life of universal benefit of all people in the society as opposed to the order in which most of us live for ourselves without regard to what happens to our neighbour. The paper is based on archival materials representing his conceptualisation and acceptance of trusteeship and the collaborations of the capitalists that lived in his times.Â

Case Report Cardiac Gated Computed Tomography Used to Confirm Iatrogenic Aortic Valve Leaflet Perforation after Mitral Valve Replacement

Aortic insufficiency from iatrogenic valve perforation from nonaortic valve operations is rarely reported despite the prevalence of these procedures. Rapid diagnosis of these defects is essential to prevent deterioration of cardiac function. In this paper, we describe a young man who reported to our institution after two open cardiac surgeries with new aortic regurgitation found to be due to an iatrogenic perforation of his noncoronary aortic valve cusp. This defect was not appreciated by previous intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and was inadequately visualized on follow-up transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms. In contrast, cardiac gated computed tomography clearly visualized the defect and its surrounding structures. This case highlights the utility of cardiac gated computed tomography for cases of suspected valvular perforation when echocardiography is not readily available or inadequate imaging is obtained

Identification of a Vitamin-D Receptor Antagonist, MeTC7, which Inhibits the Growth of Xenograft and Transgenic Tumors In Vivo

Vitamin-D receptor (VDR) mRNA is overexpressed in neuroblastoma and carcinomas of lung, pancreas, and ovaries and predicts poor prognoses. VDR antagonists may be able to inhibit tumors that overexpress VDR. However, the current antagonists are arduous to synthesize and are only partial antagonists, limiting their use. Here, we show that the VDR antagonist MeTC7 (5), which can be synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol (6) in two steps, inhibits VDR selectively, suppresses the viability of cancer cell-lines, and reduces the growth of the spontaneous transgenic TH-MYCN neuroblastoma and xenografts in vivo. The VDR selectivity of 5 against RXRα and PPAR-γ was confirmed, and docking studies using VDR-LBD indicated that 5 induces major changes in the binding motifs, which potentially result in VDR antagonistic effects. These data highlight the therapeutic benefits of targeting VDR for the treatment of malignancies and demonstrate the creation of selective VDR antagonists that are easy to synthesize

Climate Variability, Local Environmental Changes and Rural Livelihood Systems : A Case Study of Three Coastal Villages in India <Research Note>

The paper examined the trends of climate variability and local environmental changes and their implications on livelihood of the people at local level in two Coastal districts in the state of Odisha in India. A trend analysis of the climatic variables has been made based on Indian Meteorological Department database and the perception of local communities on implications of these as well as other local environmental changes on livelihood has been discussed through a case study in three coastal villages. The trend analysis has been conducted at district and regional level where as the perception analysis has been done at village level. The perception study is based on a survey of 210 households in 3 villages, extensive discussion with key informants in the local community, focused group discussions, and direct observation of the researchers. The analysis of time series meteorological data shows that there is a moderate change in climatic variables. Interestingly, the analysis of community perception at local level found some conformity between local perceptions and scientific claims about the trends of climate variability and local environmental changes. The results show that climatic variation impacts the livelihood systems of rural communities through its interaction with local natural environmental resources and other socio-economic characteristics of the communities. Local people also have considerable knowledge about the changes happening in the natural resources around them and trying to adapt to the change

Cardiac Gated Computed Tomography Used to Confirm Iatrogenic Aortic Valve Leaflet Perforation after Mitral Valve Replacement

Aortic insufficiency from iatrogenic valve perforation from nonaortic valve operations is rarely reported despite the prevalence of these procedures. Rapid diagnosis of these defects is essential to prevent deterioration of cardiac function. In this paper, we describe a young man who reported to our institution after two open cardiac surgeries with new aortic regurgitation found to be due to an iatrogenic perforation of his noncoronary aortic valve cusp. This defect was not appreciated by previous intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and was inadequately visualized on follow-up transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms. In contrast, cardiac gated computed tomography clearly visualized the defect and its surrounding structures. This case highlights the utility of cardiac gated computed tomography for cases of suspected valvular perforation when echocardiography is not readily available or inadequate imaging is obtained