Maternal high-cholesterol diet negatively programs offspring bone development and downregulates hedgehog signaling in osteoblasts.

Cholesterol is one of the essential intrauterine factors required for fetal growth and development. Maternal high cholesterol levels are known to be detrimental for offspring health. However, its long-term effect on offspring skeletal development remains to be elucidated.

Trace metals concentration in water hyacinth implicates the saltwater barrage altered hydrography of Kochi backwaters, southwest Coast of India.

This study in the Kochi backwaters (KBW) presents the distribution of 9 trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, Pb) in different parts (root, stolon and leaf) of the common water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes during three different seasons [Pre-Monsoon (PRM), Southwest Monsoon (SWM), and Northeast Monsoon (NEM)]. The hyacinth was collected from 4 sections upstream of the KBW where a saltwater barrage [Thannermukkom Barrage (TB)] prevents saltwater intrusion. Results showed that regardless of seasons, all the trace metals concentration in different parts of Eichhornia varied in the following order: roots > stolon > leaves.

Combinatorial inhibition of Angiotensin converting enzyme, Neutral endopeptidase and Aminopeptidase N by N-methylated peptides alleviates blood pressure and fibrosis in rat model of dexamethasone-induced hypertension.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and aminopeptidase N (APN) are responsible for generation of vasoactive peptides that regulates vasoconstriction, vasodilation and natriuresis, which altogether regulate blood pressure. Cumulative inhibition of ACE, NEP and APN effectively blocks the progression of respective pathways. In this study, N-methylated peptide inhibitors F-N(Me)H-L, V-N(Me)F-R and R-N(Me)V-Y were synthesized against ACE, NEP and APN respectively, using their respective physiological substrates.

Plant latex thrombin-like cysteine proteases alleviates bleeding by bypassing factor VIII in murine model.

Hemostasis is a tightly regulated process which maintains a fluid state of blood within the vasculature and provides thrombotic response upon tissue injury. Various scientific studies have implicated the role of plant latex proteases in hemostasis using in vitro experiments. However, in vivo models substantiate their role in hemostasis.

Active-site directed peptide l-Phe-d-His-l-Leu inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme activity and dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rats.

Hypertension is the fundamental cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Several natural and synthetic peptides are being used as antihypertensive agents, which target angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), the master regulator of angiotensin (Ang) II production. In this study, we have evaluated ACE-inhibitory potential of the tripeptide l-Phenylalanyl-d-Histidyl-l-Leucine (l-Phe-d-His-l-Leu) in vitro and its antihypertensive effect in rat model of dexamethasone-induced hypertension.

Purification and characterization of an anti-hemorrhagic protein from Naja naja (Indian cobra) venom.

Snake venom Kunitz-type proteins are well known to inhibit serine proteases but a few studies have also shown matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) inhibition. In view of the fact that MMPs and snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) have similar catalytic site, inhibition of SVMP activity by Kunitz-type proteins remains to be studied. Recent proteomic studies of Naja naja (N.

Differential action of medically important Indian BIG FOUR snake venoms on rodent blood coagulation.

Snakebite is a global health problem affecting millions of people. According to WHO, India has the highest mortality and/or morbidity due to snakebite. In spite of commendable research on Indian BIG FOUR venomous species; Naja naja and Bungarus caeruleus (elapid); Daboia russelii and Echis carinatus (viperid), no significant progress has been achieved in terms of diagnosis and management of biting species with appropriate anti-snake venom.

Inhibitory potential of three zinc chelating agents against the proteolytic, hemorrhagic, and myotoxic activities of Echis carinatus venom.

Viperbites undeniably cause local manifestations such as hemorrhage and myotoxicity involving substantial degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) at the site of envenomation and lead to progressive tissue damage and necrosis. The principle toxin responsible is attributed to snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs). Treatment of such progressive tissue damage induced by SVMPs has become a challenging task for researchers and medical practitioners who are in quest of SVMPs inhibitors.

Investigation of structural and luminescence properties of Ho(3+) doped YAlO3 nanophosphors synthesized through solution combustion route.

YAlO3:Ho(3+) (1-5mol%) nanophosphors have been prepared by solution combustion route using oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) as a fuel. The final product was well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis, etc. PXRD patterns confirm the formation of highly crystalline orthorhombic phase structure.

Fusarium solani causing quasi-invasive infection of the foot in an immunocompetent middle-aged man from South India.

Fusarium Solani is commonly found in soil, and it is associated with infections in immunocompromised individuals. Fusaroium solani causing infection in immunocompetent adult male is rare and usually overlooked. We report a case of mycetoma caused by Fusariom solani in an immunocompetent adult male from South India.

Comparison of 2006 WHO and Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommended growth charts of under five Indian children.

This cross-sectional study was undertaken to compare WHO and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommended growth charts compiled by Agarwal. 2105 children aged less than 5 years, attending 132 Anganwadi centres in Mysore city, were included by simple random sampling method. Weight and height of all children were recorded and plotted on both WHO and IAP charts.

The study of lipid profile, diet and other cardiovascular risk factors in children born to parents having premature ischemic heart disease.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a marker for ischemic heart disease (IHD), which can be detected in early childhood and tracks to adulthood. Dyslipidemia, along with factors like diet, obesity and sedentary activity, increases the risk of a child developing IHD in adulthood. Early detection and modification of these risk factors can prevent IHD.

GATA4 specific nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms in congenital heart disease patients of Mysore, India.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, affecting 1% of all live births. The recent exponential increase in the knowledge of medical genetics has revolutionized the understanding of CHDs during the past few decades. GATA4, a transcription factor, is involved in heart development.

Racecadotril for childhood gastroenteritis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Racecadotril is an antidiarrhoeal drug with intestinal antisecretory mechanism of action.

Aim: To assess racecadotril efficacy as an adjunct to oral rehydration solution, against oral rehydration solution alone or with placebo in childhood acute gastroenteritis.

Methods: Individual patient data meta-analysis following multilevel mixed models testing the significance of the treatment effect adjusted for baseline covariates.

A maiden report on CRELD1 single-nucleotide polymorphism association in congenital heart disease patients of Mysore, South India.

Cardiac malformations contribute greatly to cardiovascular disease in the young, constituting a major portion of clinically significant birth defects. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a common congenital cardiac birth defect, affecting nearly 1% of all live births. Although significant advances have been made in understanding mechanisms controlling heart formation, the causes of most CHD in humans remain undefined in the vast majority of cases.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of NKX2.5 found in congenital heart disease patients of Mysore, South India.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a common congenital birth defect, affecting nearly 1% of all live births, and is the most common cause of infant death. NKX2.5 is an important transcription factor expressed during vertebrate heart development and involved in the regulation of septation during cardiac morphogenesis and in the maturation and maintenance of the atrioventricular node throughout life.

Lack of association between asthma and ABO blood group.

ABO is the most important blood group system in transfusion and transplantation practices. Glycosyltransferases are controlled by the ABO system which is helpful in building oligosaccharide structures on the cell surface of erythrocytes and vascular endothelium and in the exocrine secretion system, including the respiratory tract. We analyzed the ABO blood group of 200 children and adults with asthma as well as that of 2000 healthy subjects as controls.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in patients with asthma exacerbation.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) are important factors in immunological processes of inflammatory cell buildup in target tissues. Studies have suggested that these molecules could be important markers of inflammatory diseases. This study was undertaken to assess the levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin during an acute attack of asthma in adults and children and to establish normal values (95th percentile) in healthy control subjects.

Redefining the World Health Organization algorithm for diagnosis of pneumonia with simple additional markers.

Objectives: WHO to examine the value of additional markers like history of previous respiratory distress and response to bronchodilator (BD) to redefine these guidelines.

Methods: Fifty (50) patients were analysed for presence of fever. Those who were febrile were put on antipyretic to look for resolution of tachypnea.

Essential hypertension in early and mid-adolescence.

Objectives: To detect prevalence of essential hypertension in early and mid adolescents and to identify various risk factors.

Methods: Blood pressure was recorded in 503 apparently normal school students in 10 to 16 yr age group as per standard guidelines. Detailed clinical examination was done in all cases.

Modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Objective: Acute respiratory infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under five children in developing countries. Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify various modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in children aged 1 mth to 5 yr.

Methods: 104 ALRI cases fulfilling WHO criteria for pneumonia, in the age group of 1 mth to 5 yr were interrogated for potential modifiable risk factors as per a predesigned proforma.

Self abortion of attacks in patients with Hot Water Epilepsy.

A cross sectional hospital based study was undertaken to find out the various clinical aspects and management of Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE) in children. Of the 71 cases analysed, 67.6% had onset of seizures in the first decade of life.

Missense mutation G296S in GATA4 is not responsible for cardiac septal defects.

Background: The most common type of congenital heart disease is the cardiac septal defects, which has reported to be caused by a missense mutation (G296S) in exon 3 of the GATA4 gene.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to find out whether GATA4 gene is the prime cause of the septal defects in Mysore population.

Materials And Methods: GATA4 gene analyses were undertaken on 21 confirmed CHD cases by PCR and DNA sequencing.

De novo isochromosome 18p in a female dysmorphic child.

Isochromosome 18p results in tetrasomy 18p. Most of the i(18p) cases reported so far in the literature are sporadic due to de novo formation, while familial and mosaic cases are infrequent. It is a rare chromosomal abnormality, occurring once in every 140,000 livebirths, affecting males and females equally.