Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Zirconium Dioxide Nanoparticles from : Applications in Dye Degradation, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity.

Zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO NPs) have gained significant attention due to their excellent bioavailability, low toxicity, and diverse applications in the medical and industrial fields. In this study, ZrO NPs were synthesized using zirconyl oxychloride and the aqueous leaf extract of as a stabilizing agent. Analytical techniques, including various spectroscopy methods and electron microscopy, confirmed the formation of aggregated spherical ZrO NPs, ranging from 15 to 30 nm in size, with mixed-phase structure composed of tetragonal and monoclinic structures.

The therapeutic management of South African dyslipidaemic patients at very high cardiovascular risk (CARDIO TRACK): a cross-sectional study.

Background: Dyslipidaemia is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time the study was conducted, guidelines recommended a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target of less than 1.8 mmol/l and a reduction of at least 50% if the baseline LDL-C was between 1.

2020 Heart Failure Society of South Africa perspective on the 2016 European Society of Cardiology Chronic Heart Failure Guidelines.

Heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a condition frequently encountered by healthcare professionals and, in order to achieve the best outcomes for patients, needs to be managed optimally. This guideline document is based on the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure published in 2016, and summarises what is considered the best current management of patients with the condition. It provides information on the definition, diagnosis and epidemiology of HFrEF in the African context.

A Narrative Review and Expert Panel Recommendations on Dyslipidaemia Management After Acute Coronary Syndrome in Countries Outside Western Europe and North America.

Patients who have experienced an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at very high risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Dyslipidaemia, a major risk factor for CVD, is poorly controlled post ACS in countries outside Western Europe and North America, despite the availability of effective lipid-modifying therapies (LMTs) and guidelines governing their use. Recent guideline updates recommend that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the primary target for dyslipidaemia therapy, be reduced by ≥ 50% and to < 1.

PCSK9 Inhibitors: From Nature's Lessons to Clinical Utility.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a novel class of non-statin lipid lowering therapy that reduce LDL-cholesterol by 50 - 60%. PCSK9 inhibitors decrease LDL-cholesterol by preventing intracellular degradation of LDL receptors; subsequently, a greater number of LDL-receptors are available on the cell surface to extract circulating LDL.

Objective: To describe the origins of PCSK9 inhibitors and their current use in clinical practice.

Marfan syndrome: a case report and pictorial essay.

We report a case of Marfan syndrome (MFS) in a South African patient, which is extraordinary because of the large constellation of clinical, radiological and vascular anomalies in a single patient. A literature search from 1950 to date did not show a similar report of such extensive clinical characteristics of MFS.

Baseline Characteristics of Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction in the PARAGON-HF Trial.

Background: To describe the baseline characteristics of patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction enrolled in the PARAGON-HF trial (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Global Outcomes in HFpEF) comparing sacubitril/valsartan to valsartan in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Methods And Results: We report key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, and baseline therapies, of 4822 patients randomized in PARAGON-HF, grouped by factors that influence criteria for study inclusion. We further compared baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in PARAGON-HF with those patients enrolled in other recent trials of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Association Between Hyperuricemia and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: To investigate the association between hyperuricemia and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted with AMI to the Coronary Care Unit at R. K.

Incidence of Alzheimer's disease in India: a 10 years follow-up study.

Objective: To determine overall and age-specific incidence rates of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a southern Indian province, Kerala.

Materials And Methods: A 10-year (2001-2011) prospective epidemiologic study of community residing subjects aged ≥55 years at enrollment. The catchment area included four urban and semi-urban regions of Trivandrum city in Kerala, India, was selected to provide a range of demographic and socioeconomic representation.

Obesity-associated genetic variants in young Asian Indians with the metabolic syndrome and myocardial infarction.

Objective: Associations between obesity-related polymorphisms and the metabolic syndrome in 485 young ( ≤ 45 Years) Asian Indian patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 300 matched controls were assessed.

Methods: Genetic variants included the adiponectin 45T→G and 276G→T, LEPR K109R and Q223R, MC4R-associated C→T and FTO A→T polymorphisms.

Results: The metabolic syndrome, as defined by NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria, was diagnosed in 61 and 60% of patients, respectively.

Qualitative aspects of learning, recall, and recognition in dementia.

Objective: To determine whether learning and serial position effect (SPE) differs qualitatively and quantitatively among different types of dementia and between dementia patients and controls; we also wished to find out whether interference affects it.

Materials And Methods: We administered the Malayalam version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) to 30 cognitively unimpaired controls and 80 dementia patients [30 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 30 with vascular dementia (VaD), and 20 with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)] with mild severity on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale.

Results: All groups were comparable on education and age, except the FTD group, who were younger.

Effects of statin therapy according to plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in the Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure (CORONA): a retrospective analysis.

Background: We examined whether the antiinflammatory action of statins may be of benefit in heart failure, a state characterized by inflammation in which low cholesterol is associated with worse outcomes.

Methods And Results: We compared 10 mg rosuvastatin daily with placebo in patients with ischemic systolic heart failure according to baseline high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) <2.0 mg/L (placebo, n=779; rosuvastatin, n=777) or > or = 2.

Plasma concentration of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in chronic heart failure: prediction of cardiovascular events and interaction with the effects of rosuvastatin: a report from CORONA (Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure).

Objectives: We investigated whether plasma amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a marker of cardiac dysfunction and prognosis measured in CORONA (Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure), could be used to identify the severity of heart failure at which statins become ineffective.

Background: Statins reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in many patients with ischemic heart disease but not, overall, those with heart failure. There must be a transition point at which treatment with a statin becomes futile.

Lipid profiles and associated gene polymorphisms in young Asian Indian patients with acute myocardial infarction and the metabolic syndrome.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the association between serum lipid levels and the metabolic syndrome, together with polymorphisms in lipid-associated genes, in young Asian Indians with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: The study population comprised 492 patients who were 45 years old or younger. We assessed lipid levels and the frequencies of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq-1 B, lipoprotein lipase (LPL)S447X, -93 T/G, apolipoprotein B (APO B) 96bp ins/del, lipoprotein(a) (LP[a]) pentanucleotide repeat, and apolipoprotein E (APO) E epsilon 2/3/4 polymorphisms in relation to the metabolic syndrome using both National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions.

Purification and characterization of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidative deaminase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5.

An enzyme involved in the catabolism of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) was isolated from Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (DOPP) and ammonia from DOPA. Formation of ammonia by DOPA oxidative deaminase was O2 dependent and the enzyme isolated to its homogeneity has 100% affinity for DOPA.

Genetic variants associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in young Asian Indians with myocardial infarction.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess whether an association exists between the metabolic syndrome and polymorphisms in genes involved in insulin resistance in young Asian Indian patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: The study population comprised 467 patients who were 45 years or younger. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions were used to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

The role of echocardiography and its comparison with NT-proBNP measurements in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: This study investigated the use of echocardiography in the early detection of regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The relationship between RWMA and mechanical complications, as assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography, and admission levels of amino terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT- proBNP) was also examined.

Material/methods: The study population comprised 226 patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of AMI.

Rosuvastatin in older patients with systolic heart failure.

Background: Patients with systolic heart failure have generally been excluded from statin trials. Acute coronary events are uncommon in this population, and statins have theoretical risks in these patients.

Methods: A total of 5011 patients at least 60 years of age with New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV ischemic, systolic heart failure were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of rosuvastatin or placebo per day.

Metabolic syndrome in young Asian Indian patients with myocardial infarction.

Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its impact on hospital outcomes in young South African Indians (< or = 45 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using both the National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions.

Methods And Results: The study population comprised 389 patients with AMI. The metabolic syndrome as defined by the NCEP ATP III criteria was found in 235 (60%) patients and in 223 (57%) according to the IDF criteria, with only a 79% concordance between the two definitions.

Rhodethrin: a novel indole terpenoid ether produced by Rhodobacter sphaeroides has cytotoxic and phytohormonal activities.

A novel metabolite was isolated from the culture supernatants of Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5 when grown on L-tryptophan as sole source of nitrogen under photoheterotrophic conditions. It was identified by IR, NMR ((1)H, (13)C) and MS as an indole terpenoid ether [3-hydroxy-6-(1H-indol-3-yloxy)-4-methylhexanoic acid] and is named as rhodethrin. Rhodethrin at 0.

Catabolism of L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine by Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5 occurs through 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5 utilized l-phenylalanine as sole source of nitrogen for growth. The metabolites of l-phenylalanine catabolism, i.e.

Prognostic value of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide measurements in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of admission N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements for the outcome of adverse events, and to compare it with that of cardiac troponin T in the assessment of risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the hospital stay and at six months following hospital discharge.

Methods: The study population consisted of 200 Asian Indian patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACS to the Coronary Care Unit at RK Khan Hospital, Durban, South Africa. A reference group comprising 100 healthy Indian individuals drawn from the same community and who did not suffer from cardiovascular disease was also analysed.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and platelet glycoprotein IIIa (PGIIIa) polymorphisms in young Asian Indians with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The relationship between polymorphisms in the genes for plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1(PAI-1) and platelet glycoprotein IIIa (PGIIIa), clinical and environmental features, and the risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in Asian Indian subjects living in South Africa, has been investigated.

Methods: The prevalence of the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G and the PGIIIa PI A1A2 polymorphisms was examined in 195 unrelated Asian Indian patients ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Coagulation gene polymorphisms as risk factors for myocardial infarction in young Indian Asians.

Background: The relationship between pro-coagulant gene polymorphisms, clinical features and the risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indian Asian subjects resident in South Africa has been investigated.

Methods: The prevalence of the beta-fibrinogen -455G/A and -148C/T, and the factor VII 10 bp 5' promoter insertion/deletion and R353Q polymorphisms were examined in 195 unrelated Indian Asian patients (< or = 45 years) who presented with myocardial infarction (MI). Results were compared with those from 107 unaffected siblings (18-45 years) and 300 healthy age- and race-matched control subjects.