Maternal hypercholesterolemia during gestation is associated with elevated lipid levels of two-day-old neonates.

Maternal hypercholesterolemia (MHC) during pregnancy is associated with the risk of developing aortic lesions in fetuses. There is also a possibility of faster progression of atherosclerosis in offspring born to hypercholesterolemic mothers (HCM) during their adulthood. We investigated whether elevated maternal cholesterol levels during pregnancy influence the lipid levels in offspring. We analyzed the lipid profile of mothers during the three trimesters, cord blood (CB) at birth, and neonatal blood (NB) on Day 2 postpartum in the offspring. Cholesterol levels of HCM significantly increased throughout gestation when compared to normocholesterolemic mothers (NCM). CB lipid levels of newborns of HCM were similar to the newborns of NCM. While NB of offspring of HCM had elevated levels of triglycerides (TG) (p < 0.01) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (p < 0.01) when compared to the offspring of NCM. MHC also resulted in low newborn birthweight (p < 0.05) and low placental efficiency (ratio of newborn birth weight to placental weight) (p < 0.01) but no change was observed in umbilical cord length or placental weight. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed no significant changes in the protein expression of genes involved in TG metabolisms such as LDLR, VLDLR, CETP, and PPARG. We report that MHC in mothers decreases placental efficiency and newborn birthweight while increasing lipid levels in neonates on the second postpartum day. Given that TG levels modulate the circulating Low-Density lipoproteins, the increase in these levels in neonates gains importance. Whether these consistently high levels cause atherosclerosis in early adulthood warrants further investigation.

Comparison of oral propranolol, oral rifampicin, and intravitreal anti-VEGF in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of oral propranolol, oral rifampicin, and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies on resolution-time and visual outcome in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: A total of 30 patients with CSCR were randomized into three groups of 10 patients. Group A was given oral propranolol, Group B was given oral rifampicin 4 weeks each, and Group C was given 0.05 ml intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF. Comparisons of mean BCVA, contrast sensitivity, and central macular thickness (CMT) performed between baseline and follow-up at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Results: Statistically significant improvement in BCVA and contrast sensitivity was noted among all three groups. Complete resolution of SRF as indicated by CMT was seen at the end of 4 weeks in Group C, whereas there was a steady decline in CMT until 3 months in Groups A and B. Conclusion: Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy shows a significantly faster SRF resolution. However, oral propranolol and oral rifampicin could prove as a useful, cost-effective treatment of CSCR.

Analysis of neuroendocrine factors in response to conditional stress in zebrafish Danio rerio (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

Challenges in the aquatic environment disrupt the homeostasis mechanisms of many teleost fishes. Induction of stress affects the circulating levels of catecholamine and has an impact on development and reproduction. It is not known how osmotic and hypoxic stress could affect the catecholamine and serotonin levels in zebrafish despite its well-known action in the vertebrate brain. This study thus investigates how serotonin (5-HT), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) in the brain of female zebrafish respond to hypoxic (air) and osmotic conditions (salinity of 10 ppt). Analysis of zebrafish brain utilizing HPLC with PDA detector using reverse-phase PrimeSep column indicated that osmotic stress, air response and its combination modified 5-HT, NE and E levels. The tested stressors elevated 5-HT (>2.8 µM) while lowering NE (<3.00 µM) and E (<1.02 µM) levels in the brain as opposed to exposure to non-stressed fish. In addition, reproductive markers such as vitellogenin (Vtg1) and estrogen receptor (ERα) mRNA expression in the brain were up-regulated after osmotic stress, whereas air exposure down-regulated ERα mRNA expression but up-regulated Vtg1 compared to non-stressed fish. Overall, the data indicate that acute osmotic stress and air exposure that lowered catecholamine E and NE and elevated 5-HT levels could up-regulate mRNA expression of ERα and Vtg1 genes in the zebrafish brain, thus presenting evidence for a role of neurotransmitters on reproductive signals during acute conditional stress in the brain of wild zebrafish.

On the macro-micro-morphology of organs of host invasion in hemiparasite Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser.

Loranthaceae family includes hemiparasitic members which are seen invading a wide range of commercial crops. Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser is very common on mango trees. Though parasitic in nature, this mistletoe is also medicinally important as fetoprotective, against vesicular calculi and kidney infections. This study is an attempt to document macro-microscopical features of parasitic root, fruit and host-mistletoe tissue interaction in the haustorium of H. elasticus growing on mango stems. Collection, preservation, sectioning, staining and photomicrography of the root, fruit and host-mistletoe union were done as per standard methodologies of anatomical studies. Though there is resemblance to the normal roots in morphology as well as anatomy, the microscopic finding of large number of branched stone cells in the roots is interesting. The morpho-anatomical features recorded would help in understanding the infection biology of this mistletoe. The eradication during the earlier stages of its establishment from seed or from the root creeping over the surface of the host can help in controlling this parasite infection on commercially important host plants.