Revelation of genetic diversity and genomic footprints of adaptation in Indian pig breeds.

In the present study, the genetic diversity measures among four Indian domestic breeds of pig namely Agonda Goan, Ghurrah, Ghungroo, and Nicobari, of different agro-climatic regions of country were explored and compared with European commercial breeds, European wild boar and Chinese domestic breeds. The double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) data of Indian pigs (102) and Landrace (10 animals) were generated and whole genome sequencing data of exotic pigs (60 animals) from public data repository were used in the study. The principal component analysis (PCA), admixture analysis and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Indian breeds were closer in ancestry to Chinese breeds than European breeds.

Estimation of microsatellite-based autozygosity and its correlation with pedigree inbreeding coefficient in crossbred cattle.

In countries where farming is largely subsistence, no pedigree records of farm animals are maintained at farmers' herd and scientific mating plans are not observed which leads to the accumulation of inbreeding and loss of production potential. Microsatellites have been widely used as reliable molecular markers to measure inbreeding. We attempted to correlate autozygosity estimated from microsatellite data with the inbreeding coefficient () calculated from pedigree data in Vrindavani crossbred cattle developed in India.

Using student-designed cases to foster creative and critical thinking skills in biochemistry.

Background: In this novel intervention, we have tried to incorporate case-based learning with creative and critical thinking. Creative thinking indulges students to generate and apply new concepts in specific situations, seeing current situations in a new light, identifying alternative theories, and exploring new links that help generate a positive outcome. This may involve combining various hypotheses to form something original, sifting and refining ideas to discover possibilities, constructing new theories, and acting on intuition.

Exploration of allelic variants in short tandem repeats (STRs) flanking milk production QTLs and their association with milk production traits in Indian water buffaloes.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are co-dominant, highly polymorphic marker loci, distributed throughout the genome and useful for identification and mapping of QTLs associated with variation in traits of economic significance. Allelic variants were identified in STRs located in close vicinity of cattle QTLs for milk production,, viz. BMS713, BM6404, BM4513, BM121, BM6105, TGLA245, BL1100, BMS1948, BMS711, BM1443, BM1706, BM6438, BM143, BM415, ETH131, ETH 2, and BM1329 in 109 water buffaloes of Murrah breed.

A case of nonvalvular endocarditis with biventricular apical infected thrombi.

We report what appears to be the first case of biopsy-proven nonvalvular endocarditis with biventricular apical infected thrombi. A 47-year-old man presented with hypoxic respiratory failure from a multilobar pneumonia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed biventricular apical masses suggestive of nonvalvular endocarditis with infected thrombi.

Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control and Lifestyle Factors in Young to Middle-Aged Adults with Newly Diagnosed Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: While progress in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been noted over the past several decades, there are still those who develop CVD earlier in life than others.

Objective: We investigated traditional and lifestyle CVD risk factors in young to middle-aged patients compared to older ones with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with a new diagnosis of obstructive CAD undergoing coronary intervention was performed.

The Changing Landscape of Diabetes Therapy for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the most common cause of death in T2D. Despite improved risk factor control, however, adults with T2D continue to experience substantial excess CVD risk. Until recently, however, improved glycemic control has not been associated with robust macrovascular benefit.

Lowering LDL-Cholesterol and CV Benefits: Is There a Limit to How Low LDL-C Needs to be for Optimal Health Benefits?

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been implicated as one of the major risk factors causing ASCVD based on multiple hierarchical levels of evidence. The advent of powerful LDL-C lowering therapies, such as the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, have raised the question of how low to target LDL-C and whether there are any adverse safety events associated with a very low LDL-C level.

Evaluation of renal function in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Introduction: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have a few or no symptoms or signs of thyroid dysfunction and thus by its very nature, SCH is a laboratory diagnosis. Serum creatinine is elevated and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values are reversibly reduced in overt hypothyroid patients. We hypothesize that SCH also may be associated with low GFR.

Internet Survey: Health Screening in Sports.

While cardiovascular screening protocols exist, they have been focused on teenaged and college aged athletes versus adult athletes. To assess community awareness of health screening as related to adult athletes, we have created an internet questionnaire (QN). The survey was posted through social media (e.

Prevalence of unrecognized diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome are important targets for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease. However, the prevalence in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention is not well defined. We aimed to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with previously unrecognized prediabetes, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Suboptimal risk factor control in patients undergoing elective coronary or peripheral percutaneous intervention.

Background: The American Heart Association recommends targeting 7 cardiovascular (CV) health metrics to reduce morbidity and mortality. Control of these targets in patients undergoing CV intervention is uncertain.

Methods: We prospectively studied patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary or peripheral intervention from November 2010 to May 2012.

Decisional answer tree analysis of exudative age-related macular degeneration treatment outcomes.

The use of intravitreal ranibizumab in exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD) has become commonplace. We aim to investigate the early predictors of this treatment outcome. Seventy-one treatment-naive eyes of 71 patients with eAMD of all lesion subtypes who received intravitreal ranibizumab treatment and completed 12 months of follow-up were included.

Chronic consumption of trans-fat-rich diet increases hepatic cholesterol levels and impairs muscle insulin sensitivity without leading to hepatic steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia in female Fischer rats.

Background: The impact of industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs) on lipid metabolism and health remains elusive.

Methods: We compared the effect of long-term (52 weeks) ingestion of 10% partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, providing 4.2% of total energy from TFAs, on hepatic lipid metabolism and muscle insulin sensitivity in weanling female Fischer rats with that of palmolein (monounsaturated fatty acid, MUFA), sunflower (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA), and a blend of sunflower and fish oil (n-3 PUFA).

Glaucoma surgery: trainee outcomes and implications for future training: southeast Scotland.

Aim: Postoperative outcome of trainee glaucoma surgery compared with glaucoma specialist consultant surgery. Survey of Scottish consultant ophthalmologists' views on trainee surgery.

Method: Retrospective analysis of 128 trainee and 176 consultant trabeculectomies, with minimum postoperative follow-up of 2 years.

Deficiency of suppressor enhancer Lin12 1 like (SEL1L) in mice leads to systemic endoplasmic reticulum stress and embryonic lethality.

Stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays an important causal role in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, and diabetes mellitus. Insight into the genetic determinants responsible for ER homeostasis will greatly facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these debilitating diseases. Suppressor enhancer Lin12 1 like (SEL1L) is an ER membrane protein and was thought to be involved in the quality control of secreted proteins.

Long-term daily high and low doses of azithromycin in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Long-term administration of azithromycin (AZM) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has improved outcomes. However, the doses and schedule of administration are not very well studied in children with CF.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of two doses of azithromycin (5mg/kg/day and 15mg/kg/day) on FEV(1) and pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis.

Methotrexate treatment in 13 children with severe plaque psoriasis.

Background: Severe plaque psoriasis in childhood has a significant morbidity and can warrant the use of systemic agents, although there are no published clinical trials in this group.

Objectives: We report a series of 13 children with severe plaque psoriasis treated with low-dose once-weekly methotrexate.

Methods: We reviewed the notes of all 13 children treated with low-dose methotrexate at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Cultivable bacterial diversity of alkaline Lonar lake, India.

Aerobic, alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated and characterized from water and sediment samples collected in the winter season, January 2002 from alkaline Lonar lake, India, having pH 10.5. The total number of microorganisms in the sediment and water samples was found to be 10(2)-10(6) cfu g(-1) and 10(2)-10(4) cfu ml(-1), respectively.