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Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more prone to thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism in them leads to an aggravation of microvascular complications. Screening for thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients will allow early treatment of hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its correlation with age, HbA1c, BMI and duration of diabetes. Methods: This was a cross sectional study that was conducted at department of medicine GSVM medical college, Kanpur. 200 female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient department without any prior history of thyroid disease, chronic liver disease or acute illness were recruited for the study. Results: Our study describes 14% prevalence of hypothyroidism (subclinical hypothyroidism 13.5%) among 200 diabetic subjects. Hypothyroidism was more common in older age group maximum seen in age group 70-79 years (66.7%). Hypothyroidism was more common in subjects having diabetes for a longer duration; maximum seen in 25-30 years group (40%). No correlation was found between BMI and hypothyroidism. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 14% among female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in this study. Overt hypothyroidism was 0.5 % and subclinical hypothyroidism was more common (13.5%) among the study subjects. Hypothyroidism was more common in older age group. and in subjects having diabetes for longer duration. No corelation was found between prevalence of hypothyroidism and body mass index (BMI).

Background: Liver disease impacts on hepatic synthesis of lipoproteins and lipogenesis but data on dyslipidemia during disease progression are limited. We want assess the patterns of dyslipidemia in with different etiology liver disease and its correlation with Child Pugh score from non-advanced (non-ACLD) advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) as it is unclear how progression to ACLD impacts on dyslipidemia-associated cardiovascular risk. Aim and objectives of current study were to determine serum lipid profile in patients with chronic liver disease and its correlation with Child Pugh score. Methods: It was Cross sectional, observational study conducted in 200 patients at KPS post graduate institute of medicine, GSVM medical college, Kanpur from December 2020 to October 2022. Results: In this study mean value of Serum Cholesterol (mg/dl) was 135.25 (27.88), Serum Triglycerides (mg/dl) was 122.27 (36.29), HDL Cholesterol was 46.92 (10.36), LDL Cholesterol was 62.77 (22.59), VLDL Cholesterol was 25.62 (8.71). In this study maximum patients of chronic liver disease were due to chronic alcohol intake which account for 76% patients, 2nd most common aetiology of chronic liver disease were chronic viral hepatitis and rest were due to Wilson disease, Budd Chiari syndrome non cirrhotic portal fibrosis and cryptogenic. Patients of chronic liver disease have negative correlation on lipid profile with Child Pugh score. Conclusions: From our study its was concluded that patients having higher CTP score having more derangement (low) in serum lipid profile (specially) serum cholesterol, serum HDL, serum VLDL) than the patients having low CTP score.

Background: Nearly 98% of total deaths in neonatal period occur in developing countries all over the world and are mainly caused by infection, asphyxia, LBW and prematuriy. Of all the neonatal deaths happening globally, nearly 30% occur in India. As per global reviews, nearly 15% newborns require facility based care, 10% newborns require SNCU treatment. Objectives: 1) To study the referral process of neonates admitted in Sick Newborn Care Units of Lucknow District. 2) To suggest measures (if, any) to improve the services provided for management of neonates in Sick Newborn Care Units. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 360 neonates managed in Sick Newborn Care Units of district Lucknow. Out of 5 government SNCUs in Lucknow, 3 were randomly chosen. The schedule was pretested on 10 percent of the total sample of neonates admitted to SNCU. Results: Maximum (74.8%) referrals came from the health facility, 25.2 percent referrals were from the community. In majority (68.3%) of the referred neonates, symptoms appeared within 24 hours of birth. In majority (52.8%) of the cases, symptoms were first seen by doctor at health facility, only in 0.8 percent cases, symptoms were seen by ASHA. Most frequent (27.6%) symptom observed in referred neonate was difficulty breathing.

Although continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) provide an augmentation in systemic perfusion, there is a scarcity of in vivo data regarding systemic pulsatility on support. Patients supported on CF-LVAD therapy (n = 71) who underwent combined left/right catheterization ramp study were included. Aortic pulsatility was defined by the pulsatile power index (PPI), which was also calculated in a cohort of high-output heart failure (HOHF, n = 66) and standard HF cohort (n = 44). PPI was drastically lower in CF-LVAD-supported patients with median PPI of 0.006 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.002-0.012) compared with PPI in the HF population at 0.09 (IQR, 0.06-0.17) or HOHF population at 0.25 (IQR, 0.13-0.37; p0.0001 among groups). With speed augmentation during ramp, PPI values fell quickly in patients with higher PPI at baseline. PPI correlated poorly with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in all groups. In CF-LVAD patients, there was a stronger correlation with LV dP/dt (r = 0.41; p = 0.001) than LVEF (r = 0.21; p = 0.08; pint0.001). CF-LVAD support is associated with a dramatic reduction in arterial pulsatility as measured by PPI relative to HOHF and HF cohorts and decreases with speed. Further work is needed to determine the applicability to the next generation of device therapy.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of intercrops in respect of weed suppression and chemical methods for effective weed control in pigeon pea and green gram based intercropping systems.The aim of this stydy to assess the most suitable weed management practices for pigeonpea + green gram intercropping system.Results revealed that the relative density of dicot weeds was lower than the relative weed density of monocot weeds and did not show any significant effect on weed dynamics of pigeon pea and green gram based intercropping systems whereas, the application of Pendimethelin @ 1.0 kg ai + Imazethapyr @0.1 kg ai/ha significantly minimum weed density, weed dry weight and maximum weed control efficiency recoreded compared to weedy plot at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing (DAS). This might be due to reduction in weed competition.

An effort has been made for obtaining the anharmonic properties of rocksalt structure solid starting from primary physical parameters VIZ. nearest neighbour distance and hardness parameter assuming long- and short-range potentials at an elevated temperature.The elastic energy density for a deformed crystal is expanded as power series of strains for obtaining coefficients of quadratic cubic and quartic terms which are known as the second, third and fourth order elastic constant respectively.When the values of the higher order elastic constants are known for a crystal, many of the anharmonic properties of the crystal can be treated within the limit of the continuum approximation in a quantitative manner.The higher order elastic constant are computed at 300K for rocksalt structure solids which are Alkali cyanides, Sodium and Potassium Halides. The first order pressure derivatives of second and third order elastic constants, the second order pressure derivative of second order elastic constant and partial contractions are evaluated at room temperature for these substances. The results thus obtained are compared with experimental and theoretical data and found in well agreement with present values.

An effort has been made for obtaining the anharmonic properties of rocksalt structure solid starting from primary physical parameters VIZ. nearest neighbour distance and hardness parameter assuming long- and short-range potentials at an elevated temperature. The elastic energy density for a deformed crystal is expanded as power series of strains for obtaining coefficients of quadratic cubic and quartic terms which are known as the second, third and fourth order elastic constant respectively. When the values of the higher order elastic constants are known for a crystal, many of the anharmonic properties of the crystal can be treated within the limit of the continuum approximation in a quantitative manner. The higher order elastic constant are computed at 300K for rocksalt structure solids which are Alkali cyanides, Sodium and Potassium Halides. The first order pressure derivatives of second and third order elastic constants, the second order pressure derivative of second order elastic constant and partial contractions are evaluated at room temperature for these substances. The results thus obtained are compared with experimental and theoretical data and found in well agreement with present values.

AimsAn artificial intelligence algorithm detecting age from 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been suggested to reflect ‘physiological age’. An increased physiological age has been associated with a higher risk of cardiac mortality in the non-transplant population. We aimed to investigate the utility of this algorithm in patients who underwent heart transplantation (HTx).Methods and resultsA total of 540 patients were studied. The average ECG ages within 1 year before and after HTx were used to represent pre- and post-HTx ECG ages. Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was defined as any coronary revascularization, heart failure hospitalization, re-transplantation, and mortality. Recipient pre-transplant ECG age (mean 63 ± 11 years) correlated significantly with recipient chronological age (mean 49 ± 14 years, R = 0.63, P < 0.0001), while post-transplant ECG age (mean 54 ± 10 years) correlated with both the donor (mean 32 ± 13 years, R = 0.45, P < 0.0001) and the recipient ages (R = 0.38, P < 0.0001). During a median follow-up of 8.8 years, 307 patients experienced MACE. Patients with an increase in ECG age post-transplant showed an increased risk of MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.24, 2.01), P = 0.0002], even after adjusting for potential confounders [HR: 1.58, 95% CI: (1.19, 2.10), P = 0.002].ConclusionElectrocardiogram age-derived cardiac ageing after transplantation is associated with a higher risk of MACE. This study suggests that physiological age change of the heart might be an important determinant of MACE risk post-HTx.

Pink oyster mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) owns a pleasant colour, good sensory attributes, high nutritional value, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and medicinal properties. Cultivation of different types of mushroom has been accepted as a short-term income generating avenue under crop production for livelihood of the farmers. The present study was carried out to assess the nutritional quality, anti-oxidant activities and economic benefits of pink oyster mushroom at Research farm of G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during 2015–18. The fresh whole mushroom was assessed for yield and physical parameters. It was exposed to 60±20C temperature for 8 h to prepare dried mushroom powder. The dried powder was used for proximate composition analysis and anti-oxidant activity study. The cost to benefit ratio was calculated on the basis of gross expenditure and net profit incurred in the trial field. The high contents of protein, fat and carbohydrate along with good anti-oxidant property and biological efficiency revealed the mushroom as a rich source of quality nutrients. The yield of 740.60 g/kg wheat straw withbenefit to cost ratio of 2.60 depicted economical viability of mushroom farming. The study concludes that, pink oyster mushroom farming can be explored for nutritional security in alleviating the malnutrition with economic benefits to the farmers in Uttarakhand.

Despite interest in left ventricular (LV) recovery, there is an absence of data on the relationship between intrinsic LV hemodynamics and both reverse remodeling on a continuous flow LV assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy. We hypothesized that the markers of intrinsic LV function would be associated with remodeling, optimization, and outcomes.Patients with continuous flow LVADs between 2015 and 2019 who underwent combined left and right heart catheterization ramp protocol at a single institution were enrolled. Patients were stratified by response to continuous flow LV assist device therapy: full responders, partial responders, or nonresponders per the Utah-Inova criteria. Hemodynamic data, including LV hemodynamics of peak LV dP/dt and tau (τ) were obtained at each phase. The 1-year heart failure hospitalization-free survival was the primary end point. Among 61 patients included in the current study 38 (62%) were classified as nonresponders, 14 as partial responders (23%), and 9 as full responders (15%). The baseline LV dP/dt and τ varied by response status (P ≤ .02) and generally correlated with reverse remodeling on linear regression. Biventricular filling pressures varied with τ and there was an interaction effect of speed on the relationship between τ and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (P = .04). Last, τ was a prognostic marker and associated with 1-year HF hospital-free survival (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.07, P = .02 per millisecond increase).Significant correlations between τ and LV dP/dt and reverse remodeling were noted, with τ serving as a prognostic marker. A higher LVAD speed was associated with a greater reliance on LVAD for unloading. Future work should focus on defining the optimal level of LVAD support in relation to LV recovery.

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The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of various levels of social support with quality of life (QOL) among school teachers in Kashmir. It has been found that social support and its three dimensions namely support from signicant others; support from family and support from friends had a positive signicant relationship with quality of life and its four dimensions. Understanding the relationship between perceived social support and QOL in teachers may provide guidance to the healthcare providers, family members and social services about the importance of social support to the nation builders of the society.

The survival benefits of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension have been well described. However, the significance of right heart hemodynamic changes and their impact on survival remains poorly understood. We sought to characterize the effects of these changes. We conducted a single center, retrospective review of 159 patients who underwent PTE between 1993 and 2015. Echocardiographic and right heart catheterization data were compared longitudinally before and after PTE in order to establish the extent of hemodynamic response to surgery. Kaplan Meier estimates were used to characterize patient survival over time. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess factors associated with long-term mortality. Among the 159 patients studied, 74 (46.5%) were male with a median age of 55 (IQR: 42-66). One-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival was 91.0% (95% CI: 86.6-95.6), 79.6% (73.5-86.3), 66.5% (59.2-74.7), and 56.2% (48.1-65.8). Of the 9 candidate risk factors that were evaluated, only advanced age and increased cardiopulmonary bypass time were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of mortality. Pre- and postsurgical echocardiographic imaging data, when available, revealed a median reduction in right ventricular systolic pressure of 29.0 mm Hg (P0.0001) and improvement of tricuspid regurgitation (P0.0001), both of which appeared to be sustained across long-term follow-up. Improvements in right heart hemodynamics and tricuspid valvular regurgitation persist on long term surveillance following PTE. While patient selection is often driven by the distribution of disease, close postoperative follow up may improve outcomes.

A hollow ZnO pitchfork was synthesized via a hydrothermal technique for the pollutant degradation.

The spree of tackling climate change issues stems from every global corner, which remains unique to specific agro-ecosystems. Rural India with a fair majority of livelihoods dependent on agriculture, are facing the severity of challenges to cope up with climate change. Therefore, livelihood analysis is an important aspect to address the climate change issues. Present study was conducted in the year 2020-21, in a climatically vulnerable state of India, Odisha, which suffers from climate induced natural disasters both in coastal and non-coastal ecosystems. Sustainable livelihood framework was followed in analyzing differential level of human, social, physical, financial and social assets holding of three dominant livelihood groups, viz., crop, livestock and crop + livestock farmers in one each coastal and non-coastal districts covering a total of 200 farm households. The analyses showed contrasting livelihood status with varied level of assets, crop + livestock farmers having above average overall livelihood level and social assets being at above average level contributing highest to overall livelihood status. Overall level of coastal livelihoods was at lower level as compared to non-coastal livelihoods. Better livelihood assets along with both technological and institutional interventions result in better insulation to rural households against ill effects of climate change events.

Tapentadol Hydrochloride is a Tapentadol is a centrally acting analgesic. It has 33% bioavailability due to its first pass effect and hence possesses problems in the development of oral sustained release formulations. Mucoadhesive thermo reversible in-situ nasal gel of Tapentadol HCl was designed and developed to sustain its release due to the increased nasal residence time of the formulation. Poloxamer 407 (PF 127) was selected as it has excellent thermo sensitive gelling properties. HPMCK4M was added to impart mucoadhesive to the formulation, and PEG 400 was used to enhance the drug release. 32 Factorial designs were employed to assess the effect of concentration of HPMCK4M and PEG 400 on the performance of in-situ nasal gel systematically and to optimize the formulation. An optimized in-situ nasal gel was evaluated for appearance, pH, drug content, gelation temperature, mucoadhesive force, viscosity and ex-vivo permeability of drug through nasal mucosa of a goat. Additionally, this formulation was proved to be safe as histopathological studies revealed no deleterious effect on nasal mucosa of a goat after prolonged exposure of 21 days to the optimized formulation. Thus the release of Tapentadol Hydrochloride can be sustained if formulated in an in-situ nasal gel containing poloxamer 407 to achieve its prolonged action.

Kanpur is a city which has huge number of leather product units and leather processing plants. These units are one of major contributors of keratinous waste and produces keratinous material as waste in the form of hairs, hides, dermis. During the present study 83 keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 40 soil samples of urban waste and cattle field habitat of various localities. From 20 samples of urban waste, 44 keratinophilic fungi were isolated, 39 fungi recorded from Cattle field. The frequency of genera Chrysosporium was recorded in urban waste (29.54%) and cattle field soil (20.51%). Maximum (13.83%) frequency was recorded in the case of Chrysosporium indicum in urban waste.

Forests are the main reservoir of terrestrial carbon and thus play a significant role in the global carbon budget. To quantify the forest carbon stock, it is essential to assess the forest biomass. The regular monitoring of forest biomass is necessary to understand the carbon source/sink nature of the forests. Integration of field inventory with remote sensing (RS) data offers an efficient and reliable method for large-area forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation and mapping. The availability of the Earth observation data has made it feasible to quantify forest carbon stocks from local to global scales.The availability of optical satellite data for the past five decades has led to its extensive use in forest biomass studies. Spectral reflectance and spectral indices derived from optical RS data are used as redictor variables for AGB estimation. However, cloud cover and saturation of spectral values limit the use of optical RS data in AGB studies. Despite the limitations, optical RS data has been extensively tested and used for forest biomass/carbon assessment from local to global levels due to its long legacy. In this context, the present review highlights the utility of optical RS data in forest AGB estimation using various approaches.

Background: Nature-Inspired Algorithms (NIAs) are the most efficient way to solve advanced engineering and real-world optimization problems. Since the last few decades, various researchers have proposed an immense number of NIAs. These NIAs get inspiration from natural phenomenon. A young researcher attempting to undertake or solve a problem using NIAs is bogged down by a plethora of proposals that exist today. Not every algorithm is suited for all kinds of problem. Some scores over others. Objective: This paper presents a comprehensive study of seven NIAs, which have new and unique inspirations. This study shall useful to easily understand the fundamentals of NIAs for any new entrant. Conclusion: Here, we classify the NIAs as natural evolution based, swarm intelligence based, biological based, science based and others. In this survey, well-establish and relatively new NIAs, namely- Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA), Firefly Algorithm (FA), Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA), Water Cycle Algorithm (WCA), Jaya Algorithm and Anti-Predatory NIA (APNIA), have been studied. This study presents a theoretical perspective of NIAs in a simplified form based on its source of inspiration, mathematical formulations, control parameters, features, variants and area of application, where these algorithms have been successfully applied.

This case study covers various aspects of social media as an alternative and cost-effective tool of marketing and promotion. The case also highlights the social media promotion tools used by a social media consultancy start-up for a client, and how it failed to achieve desired results. In this world of digitisation, social media marketing is a trend that is prevalent across the globe. Social networks have changed the way information is delivered to the customers, shifting from traditional push marketing to pull marketing. Entrepreneurs are using social media marketing to promote their product or services by this they can not only promote their venture but at the same time efficiently utilise their marketing budget. Vanya’s Dance Planet is such an organisation which used social media marketing to reach out to its target prospective customers. It required structured planning, professional knowledge about various social media platforms, and creative writing skills to post content on these platforms. The consultant organisation We4U planned and executed the social media campaigns for Vanya’s Dance Planet getting professional help from social media consultancy start-ups which can be a wise decision for some entrepreneurial ventures. But sometimes these professional tie-ups would end up with loss of time, money and trust. This case study deliberates upon such a fallout.

Aims Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the major cause of increased morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation. Peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED) is associated with early atherosclerosis and future risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in non‐heart transplant population. We aimed to investigate the association of PED with future MACE, and plaque progression assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) after heart transplantation. Methods and results We included 66 transplant patients who underwent serial IVUS surveillance for CAV and baseline assessment of peripheral endothelial function using reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry. PED was defined as reactive hyperaemia index

Small patella syndrome presents with small or absent patellae and may result in pulmonary arterial hypertension, typically in children. A pathogenic canonical splice site variant, c.1021+1G>A in the T-box transcription factor 4 (TBX4) gene, currently not included in commercial gene panel, was detected in an adult with pulmonary arterial hypertension and absent patellae. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Central Illustration

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of meaning in life and its two sub dimensions with quality of life and its four sub dimensions among school teachers in three districts of Kashmir. The present study revealed that meaning in life and its two dimensions namely presence of meaning and search for meaning had a positive signicant relationship with quality of life and its sub dimensions. Our result also suggests that Understanding the relationship between meaning in life and quality of life will be helpful for family members, counsellors, and government to chalk out a strategy about the teacher's lives and their working environment in various schools

Group decision-making is a participatory process in which multiple individuals collectively perform situation analysis, think of alternative courses of action, and select the best alternative to solve the problem. Similarly, in the context of Self-help groups, group decision-making is a necessary process. However, decisions made collectively tend to be more effective than decisions made by a single individual. Still, group members face various constraints while group decision making like social pressure toward conformity, individual domination, conflicting secondary goals, undesirable compromises, ambiguous responsibility, and time. Most studies suggest that SHG members perceived problems faced during group decision-making as a significant constraint. Considering a shortage of empirical research indicating the exact reason for group failures, what makes a group successful, and the factors that lead to ineffective group decision-making, the study aimed at systematically and scientifically developing a group decision-making index to study the group decision-making of the Self-help groups, various factors affecting the group decision-making process, and quantitatively measuring how different groups vary in their group decision-making ability, Thus, an instrument was developed using a two-step method, i.e., instrument designing and judgmental evidence. After that, the validity of the instrument was computed through Item-Content Validity Index (I-CVI) method. Finally, it was narrowed down to 48 statements distributed among ten indicators. The reliability coefficient of the tool was found to be 0.80. Thus, it was found that the group decision-making indexes had appropriate content validity and internal consistency to measure and quantify the group decision-making process of selected Self-help Groups. The study recommends the use of the developed index for studying the root cause of ineffectiveness in group decision-making in various Self-help groups, which will help in the formulation of strategy for overcoming the constraints related to group decision-making as reported by various SHGs.

The present study is to assess the slope stability of road cuts along the National Highway 150 (202 present). Rock mass classification enables preliminary assessment of rock slope failure and guide the planners to choose suitable alignment for road construction and engineering structures. This technique includes collection of data from the intact rock and discontinuity parameters. Seven locations have been selected for slope stability analysis using RMR, SMR and CoSMR techniques. These empirical methods are used to determine the mode of failures and characterise the slope as well. Kinematic analysis deciphers the causes of instability and the mode of discontinuous rock failures. Results shows majority of road section between Ukhrul and Jessami falls under partial stable to unstable zone.

Aims Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) play a role in vascular repair and plaque stability, while osteocalcin (OC) expressing CPCs have been linked to unstable plaque and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, their role in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) has not been elucidated. This cohort study aimed to investigate the contribution of CPCs on CAV progression and cardiovascular events after heart transplantation. Methods and results A total of 80 heart transplant patients (mean age 55 ± 14 years, 72% male) undergoing annual intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) had fresh CPCs marked by CD34, CD133, and OC counted in peripheral blood using flow cytometry, on the same day as baseline IVUS. CAV progression was assessed by IVUS as the change (Δ) in plaque volume divided by segment length (PV/SL), adjusted for the time between IVUS measurements (median 3.0, interquartile range (IQR) [2.8, 3.1] years), and was defined as ΔPV/SL that is above the median ΔPV/SL of study population. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was defined as any incident of revascularization, myocardial infarction, heart failure admission, re-transplantation, stroke and death. Patients with higher CD34+CD133+ CPCs had a decreased risk of CAV progression (odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.37, 0.92], p = 0.01) and MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% CI [0.66, 0.99], p = 0.05) during a median (IQR) follow up of 8.0 years (7.2, 8.3). Contrarily, higher OC+ cell counts were associated with an increased risk of MACE (HR 1.26, 95% CI [1.03, 1.57], p = 0.02). Conclusions Lower levels of CD34+CD133+ CPCs are associated with plaque progression and adverse long-term outcomes in patients who underwent allograft heart transplantation. In contrast, higher circulating OC+ levels are associated with adverse long term outcomes. Thus, CPCs might play a role in amelioration of transplant vasculopathy, while OC expression by these cells might play a role in progression. Translational perspective The results of the current study suggest lower levels of circulating CD34+CD133+ cell levels are associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy progression and future adverse cardiovascular events, while higher OC+ cell levels are associated with a greater risk of future cardiovascular events. Further studies confirming our findings might elucidate the role of circulating progenitor cells in the pathophysiology of CAV. Moreover, our findings might support the use of circulating progenitors as biomarkers, as well as the notion of cell therapy as potential treatment option for CAV, a disease with severe burden and limited treatment options.

Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles are of great interest compared to their bulk counterpart due to their higher surface area, enhanced possibilities of bio-distribution and high rate of reactivity. I...

Enhanced platelet reactivity may play a role in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) progression. The use of antiplatelet agents after heart transplantation (HT) has been inconsistent and although aspirin (ASA) is often a part of the medication regimen after HT, limited evidence is available on its benefit.CAV progression was assessed by measuring the difference in plaque volume and plaque index between the last follow-up and the baseline coronary intravascular ultrasound examination. Overall, 529 HT recipients were retrospectively analyzed (337 had ≥2 intravascular ultrasound studies). The progression in plaque volume (P = .007) and plaque index (P = .002) was significantly attenuated among patients treated with early ASA (within the first year after HT). Over a 6.7-year follow-up, all-cause mortality was lower with early ASA compared with late or no ASA use (P.001). No cardiac deaths were observed in the early ASA group, and the risk of CAV-related graft dysfunction was significantly lower in this group (P = .03). However, the composite of all CAV-related events (cardiac death, CAV-related graft dysfunction, or coronary angioplasty) was not significantly different between the groups (P = .16).Early ASA use after HT may delay CAV progression and decrease mortality and CAV-related graft dysfunction, but does not seem to affect overall CAV-associated events.

The present study reports on carbonaceous aerosol concentrations determined in total suspended particles (TSP) from three mountainous sites Devasthal (2450 m asl), Manora Peak (1940 m asl), and Bhimtal (1413 m asl) in Kumaun province of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. The concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were measured using IMPROVE_thermal optical reflectance protocol. Results showed that TSP and carbonaceous species varied significantly and decreased with increasing altitudes. Seasonal/(diurnal) analysis indicated that TSP and carbonaceous species were significantly higher during summer than winter, while day-night-time variation was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis was performed between carbonaceous species and meteorological factors which showed significant positive correlations with planetary boundary layer, temperature, and solar radiation. OC and EC were noted to be strongly correlated (correlation coefficient > 0.8), implying similar emission sources and atmospheric processes. The ratios of OC/EC varied from 2.4 to 9.3 (Devasthal), 2.1 to 8.6 (Manora Peak) and 1.9 to 4.3 (Bhimtal), which suggested mixed sources of biomass burning, coal combustion and vehicular emissions. The large variations in OC/EC ratios suggested the presence of secondary organic carbon (SOC) and it contributed higher during winter (~ 40–45%) to total OC than summer (~ 26–35%) at all sites could be attributed to higher condensation of secondary species, low temperature and large emissions of VOC precursors during winter.