Risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in young and middle aged Indian males: a case control study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are common in India, yet there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the specific risk factors for the Indian population. Our research aimed to identify CVD risk factors in individuals under 50 and compare them with healthy controls, offering insights into preventing CVDs in this younger demographic. Methods: This study focused on newly diagnosed cases of CVDs in males under 50 and matched controls with same demographic parameters. Data on personal, medical, lifestyle and biochemical parameters was compared to identify and understand the key risk factors associated with CVDs in this specific population group. Results: Elevated body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio were linked to CVD, with BMI showing a significant association. High triglyceride (TGL) levels (>150 mg/dl) and LDL cholesterol levels (>130 mg/dl) were significantly associated with CVD. The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (>4.5) and low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl) were also linked to CVD risk. Diabetes mellitus was strongly associated with CVD (OR-14.04). Stress, as assessed by a stress score >12, was associated with CVD, although the association was not very strong (OR 1.39). Physical exercise was associated with a protective effect against CVD (OR-0.28). These findings emphasize the critical role of lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise and stress management in CVD prevention and highlight the importance of managing conditions like obesity and diabetes. Conclusions: This study not only deepens our comprehension of CVD prevention but also provides actionable guidance for fostering heart health, both within the studied population and in broader contexts.

Lethal Midline Granuloma Presenting as Facial Cellulitis.

Lethal midline granuloma (Midline granuloma, Midline reticulosis, Polymorphic reticulosis, and Angiocentric immunoproliferative lesion) is relatively a rare entity of unknown etiology characterized by a massive destruction, erosion and mutilation of the tissues of nose and upper respiratory passages. Unlike Wagner’s granulomatosis which is known for its multi organ involvement, lethal midline granuloma remains usually localized. Without therapeutic intervention it has a very high mortality. Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice which considerably improves both quality and quantity of life. Addition of chemotherapy gives additional benefit. Sporadic cases have appeared in literature from time to time under various synonyms.

Impact of external haematology proficiency testing programme on quality of laboratories.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: A reliable and reproducible report from a laboratory needs internal quality control within the laboratory and participation in external proficiency testing programmes (EPTP). This study conducted at the Department of Haematology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, which has been conducting an EPTP since 1992, was undertaken to assess the efficacy of this programme in improving the performance of participating laboratories in reporting test samples sent for Hb, total leucocyte count (TLC), reticulocyte count and assessment of peripheral blood smear (PBS). METHODS: The samples were prepared in our laboratory according to the International Standards Organization (ISO) guidelines. The performance of individual laboratories was assessed using robust Z score, which is an indicator of acceptability of the test result. RESULTS: An improvement in the overall percentage of laboratories with acceptable reports was seen during the study period. It has increased from 38,40,40 per cent in 1992 to 85, 90,94.7 per cent in 2006 for Hb, TLC, reticulocyte count, respectively. However, the results for peripheral smear assessment improved only marginally. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The external haematology proficiency testing programme run by our department for Hb, TLC, reticulocyte count, and peripheral blood smear assessment, has helped in improving the reporting standards of these parameters in Indian laboratories.

Changes in myosin ATPase activity in skeletal muscles of rat during cold stress.

Three skeletal muscles viz., gastrocnemius, pectoralis and diaphragm from rats acclimated to a low temperature (4 +/- 1 degrees C; 16 hr daily; maximum for 8 weeks) exhibit an increased myosin ATPase activity. An analysis of native myosin from these muscles under non-dissociating conditions reveals two myosin isozymes instead of a single isozyme expressed in control muscles. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) coupled with two dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D SDS-PAGE) confirms an increased phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) in muscles from cold acclimated rats.

Myosin isoforms in uterine smooth muscle during pregnancy in rat.

Effects of uterine stretching and physiological hypertrophy on myosin isozyme were investigated in rat during pregnancy. Both nonpregnant and pregnant rat uteri express a single myosin band on native gels. Analysis of native myosin under denaturing conditions revealed two myosin heavy chains (MHCs) with molecular mass of 204 and 200 kDa respectively. Filamin, a 240 kDa protein co-electrophoreses with myosin on native gels. No correlation is found between regulatory myosin light chain phosphorylation and pattern of myosin isozymes or the MHC. The results suggest that uterine stretching and physiological hypertrophy during pregnancy do not induce any changes in uterine myosin isozyme.

Changes in uterine myosin isozymes from goat during early pregnancy.

Changes in the expression of native myosin, myosin heavy chains (MHCs) and myosin light chains (MLCs) were investigated in goat uterus during early pregnancy. Electrophoresis of native myosin under non dissociating conditions displayed two isozymes differing in their proportions during gestation. Three MHC isoforms were obtained following sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Whereas 204 kDa (a smooth muscle MHC) and 196 kDa (a non muscle MHC) were recorded in uterus from non pregnant goat, uterus of pregnant goat displayed a third 200 kDa smooth muscle MHC. Two conspicuous proteins (154 and 140 kDa respectively) in addition to MHCs were also obtained when the myofibrillar extracts were analysed either in the presence or absence of proteolytic inhibitors. Non pregnant goat uterus showed a basal level (ca.5%) of phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chain. Uterine myosin from pregnant goat was recorded in a completely dephosphorylated state.

Myosin light chains (MLCs) heterogeneity in mammalian smooth and cardiac muscle.

A comparative study of myosin light chains (MLCs) has been made in the aorta, uterine and cardiac muscles (auricle, ventricle) of mice, pig, sheep and goat. Analysis of myosin light chains by sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) has revealed that (a) aorta myosin from mice, goat and pig has identical myosin light chains profile but pig aorta myosin lacks LC-2f; (b) uterine smooth muscle myosin depicts absence of LC-1f in sheep. Whereas satellite bands of LC-1f and LC-2f fractions are absent in pig uterine myosin, mice shows duplets for both the myosin light chains; (c) the auricular myosin in pig and goat is identical to chicken gizzard myosin used as reference and exhibits ALC-2s and ALC-1s fractions only while sheep auricular myosin lacks in ALC-1f; (d) the mice ventricular myosin depicts two satellite MLCs associated with fast migrating VLC-1s.

Effects of denervation and nerve crushing on chicken muscle.

When compared with the standard free muscle grafts, predenervated and nerve crushed chick gastrocnemius muscle grafts followed an identical and ordered sequence of tissue degeneration-regeneration. Atrophy of the fibres during ischaemic degeneration was accompanied by loss of weight, noncollagenous proteins and increment in lytic enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatase), glucose 6-phosphatase, glycogen and succinate dehydrogenase. Regeneration was more rapid in standard free muscle grafts. Trophic insults to muscle via denervation and nerve crushing prior to transplantation did not influence graft renewal when compared with standard free muscle grafts though relatively increased recovery was shown by predenervated muscle grafts.

Endothelin-1 and carbachol: differences in contractile effects and myosin phosphorylation in lamb tracheal smooth muscle.

Endothelin-1 is a new potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by the endothelial cells. The contractile effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were compared with those of cabachol in lamb tracheal smooth muscle. Equimolar concentrations (10(-6)M) of endothelin 1 and carbachol elicit rapidly rising isometric tension which is maintained indefinitely in a steady state when fibres are stimulated with carbachol. Fibre strips exposed to ET-1 cannot maintain peak isometric force beyond 15-20 min and instead these exhibit a decline in tension towards near relaxed state. In addition to an early transient relaxation, ET-1 stimulation results in a 20,000 Da myosin light chain phosphorylation pattern different from that of carbachol stimulation.

Endothelin-1 and okadaic acid induced contractions in tracheal smooth muscle of lamb.

Stimulation of lamb tracheal smooth muscle fibre strips with endothelin-1 and okadaic acid results in the development of isometric tensions which are long lasting. However, endothelin-1 is more potent constrictor than okadaic acid. An analysis of 20,000 Da regulatory myosin light chain by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis shows an identical phosphorylation pattern.

Reversal of endothelin-1-induced contractions by isoproterenol without myosin dephosphorylation in tracheal smooth muscle.

Effects of isoproterenol on isometric force, and 20,000 Da myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation were examined in smooth muscle fibre strips from lamb trachea stimulated with endothelin-1 (ET-1). ET-1 induced a rapidly rising isometric tension which was coupled with a multiple site phosphorylation of LC20. Isoproterenol addition at the time of peak isometric force resulted in a brisk relaxation of the fibre strips. Myosin light chain phosphorylation, however, remained unaffected.