Carotid intima media thickness and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in South Asian immigrants: could dysfunctional HDL be the missing link?

IntroductionSouth Asian immigrants (SAIs) in the US exhibit higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors compared with other ethnic populations. Conventional CAD risk factors do not explain the excess CAD risk; therefore there is a need to identify other markers that can predict future risk of CAD in high-risk SAIs. The objective of the current study is to assess the presence of sub-clinical CAD using common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), and its association with metabolic syndrome (MS) and pro-inflammatory/dysfunctional HDL (Dys-HDL).Material and methodsA community-based study was conducted on 130 first generation SAIs aged 35-65 years. Dys-HDL was determined using the HDL inflammatory index. Analysis was completed using logistic regression and Fisher's exact test.ResultsSub-clinical CAD using CCA-IMT ≥ 0.8 mm (as a surrogate marker) was seen in 31.46%. Age and gender adjusted CCA-IMT was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (p = 0.008), hypertension (p = 0.012), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p < 0.001) and homocysteine (p = 0.051). Both the presence of MS and Dys-HDL was significantly correlated with CCA-IMT, even after age and gender adjustment. The odds of having Dys-HDL with CCA-IMT were 5 times (95% CI: 1.68, 10.78).ConclusionsThere is a need to explore and understand non-traditional CAD risk factors with a special focus on Dys-HDL, knowing that SAIs have low HDL levels. This information will not only help to stratify high-risk asymptomatic SAI groups, but will also be useful from a disease management point of view

Center-based prevalence of anxiety and depression in women of the northern areas of Pakistan

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women of the Northern areas. Methods: A cross-sectional center-based study was conducted at Singal Medical Center (SNIC), Gilgit, in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: One hundred and twenty women, between the ages of 16 and 60, attended the SMC over a two month period and were included in the study. Using HADS, it was found that 50% of the women had anxiety and/or depression; 25% suffered only from anxiety, 8% from depression and 17% had features of both. Conclusion: This study supports the previous studies of stress in remote areas and also contradicts the belief that people who live in the remote rural areas lead stress-free lives or have low rates of psvchiatric morbidit

Non-natural Olefin Cyclopropanation Catalyzed by Diverse Cytochrome P450s and Other Hemoproteins

Recent work has shown that engineered variants of cytochrome P450_(BM3) (CYP102A1) efficiently catalyze non-natural reactions, including carbene and nitrene transfer reactions. Given the broad substrate range of natural P450 enzymes, we set out to explore if this diversity could be leveraged to generate a broad panel of new catalysts for olefin cyclopropanation (i.e., carbene transfer). Here, we took a step towards this goal by characterizing the carbene transfer activities of four new wild-type P450s that have different native substrates. All four were active and exhibited a range of product selectivities in the model reaction: cyclopropanation of styrene by using ethyl diazoacetate (EDA). Previous work on P450_(BM3) demonstrated that mutation of the axial coordinating cysteine, universally conserved among P450 enzymes, to a serine residue, increased activity for this non-natural reaction. The equivalent mutation in the selected P450s was found to activate carbene transfer chemistry both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, serum albumins complexed with hemin were also found to be efficient in vitro cyclopropanation catalysts

Atherothrombosis in South Asians: Implications of Atherosclerotic and Inflammatory Markers

South Asian immigrants (SAIs) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality compared with other populations. The major challenge associated with primary prevention of cardiovascular to coronary artery diseases (CAD) in SAIs involves early and accurate detection of CAD in asymptomatic individuals at high cardiovascular risk. Inflammatory processes are now recognized to play a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and are found to be associated with future CV risk in a variety of clinical settings. Imaging measures, such as common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), are being applied as surrogate markers for end-points, such as myocardial infarction (MI) and death in clinical trials. Considering high CAD risk in SAIs and knowing that conventional risk factors may not fully explain the excess CAD risk in this group, studies on the role of CCA-IMT in CAD prediction have been discussed. Also, C-reactive protein (CRP) validity in risk prediction, the role of dysfunctional high density lipoprotein (HDL) as a CAD risk marker in SAIs have been presented

Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches for Hypertension Control and Prevention in Churches

Hypertension (HTN) is a highly prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV), cerebrovascular, and renal diseases and disproportionately affects African Americans (AAs). It has been shown that promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles, ones that involve best practices of diet and exercise and abundant expert support, can, in a healthcare setting, reduce the incidence of hypertension in those who are at high risk. In this paper, we will examine whether similar programs are effective in the AA church-community-based participatory research settings, outside of the healthcare arena. If successful, these church-based approaches may be applied successfully to reduce the incidence and consequences of hypertension in large communities with potentially huge impact on public health

Promoting Wellbeing in Collegiate Aviation Programs

This study explores the impact of mental wellness workshops on the mental health and resilience of collegiate aviation pilots in Part 141 training programs, with a focus on awareness, coping strategies, and stigma reduction. The high-pressure environment of aviation training often exacerbates mental health challenges, underscoring the need for effective wellness interventions. The research investigates how participation in mental wellness workshops enhances pilots\u27 awareness and understanding of mental health issues, aiming to foster a more informed and resilient cohort of future aviation professionals. It further examines the perceived benefits of these workshops in improving coping strategies and stress management skills, which are crucial for maintaining mental well-being and performance under pressure. Through the workshop intervention, pilots reported a heightened awareness of mental health concerns and a greater understanding of the impact such issues can have on their personal and professional lives. Additionally, the study explores the extent to which the workshop contributes to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health within aviation and increases help-seeking behavior among students. Participants noted a more open approach to discussing mental health, with some indicating a higher likelihood of seeking support when needed. Overall, the findings suggest that mental wellness workshops play a critical role in cultivating resilience among collegiate aviation pilots, promoting healthier attitudes toward mental health, and enhancing the coping mechanisms necessary for navigating the stresses of aviation training and careers

Transcriptome sequencing identifies SPL7-regulated copper acquisition genes FRO4/FRO5 and the copper dependence of iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis

24 Pags., 9 Figs., 2 Tabls., with Supplemental Data (15 Figs., 3 Tabls., 1 Method, 1 Data Set).The transition metal copper (Cu) is essential for all living organisms but is toxic when present in excess. To identify Cu deficiency responses comprehensively, we conducted genome-wide sequencing-based transcript profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type plants and of a mutant defective in the gene encoding SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE7 (SPL7), which acts as a transcriptional regulator of Cu deficiency responses. In response to Cu deficiency, FERRIC REDUCTASE OXIDASE5 (FRO5) and FRO4 transcript levels increased strongly, in an SPL7-dependent manner. Biochemical assays and confocal imaging of a Cu-specific fluorophore showed that high-affinity root Cu uptake requires prior FRO5/FRO4-dependent Cu(II)-specific reduction to Cu(I) and SPL7 function. Plant iron (Fe) deficiency markers were activated in Cu-deficient media, in which reduced growth of the spl7 mutant was partially rescued by Fe supplementation. Cultivation in Cu-deficient media caused a defect in root-to-shoot Fe translocation, which was exacerbated in spl7 and associated with a lack of ferroxidase activity. This is consistent with a possible role for a multicopper oxidase in Arabidopsis Fe homeostasis, as previously described in yeast, humans, and green algae. These insights into root Cu uptake and the interaction between Cu and Fe homeostasis will advance plant nutrition, crop breeding, and biogeochemical research.We acknowledge postdoctoral fellowships to M.B. from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; a Deutsche Forschungsgemeinshaft Heisenberg fellowship and funding from the FRONTIERS program at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the European Union InP Public Health Impact of Long-Term, Low-Level Mixed Element Exposure in Susceptible Population Strata (FOOD-CT-2006-016253) to U.K.; a grant from the National Science Foundation (IOS-0919739) to E.L.C.; a postdoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Foundation of Science and Technology (MEC-FECYT) to D.C.; National Institutes of Health Grant GM42143 to S.S.M.; and support from the University of California, Los Angeles–Department of Energy Institute for Genomics and Proteomics under Contract DE-FC02-02ER63421 to M.P.Peer reviewe

Experimental Study of Progressive Crushing Behaviour in Pultruded E-Glass Tubes Using Crown Triggers and A New Perforated Trigger

An experimental study is conducted on the progressive crushing behavior and the energy absorption during crushing of pultruded fiberglass tubes, initiated by two types of crush triggers, a previously tested crown trigger, and a new perforated trigger. These crush triggers are introduced at the loading end of a pultruded E-Glass/vinyl-ester, circular tube coupon. Coupons with various trigger diameters and number of holes are crushed under quasi-static compression, to evaluate the trigger effectiveness, crushing response, and energy absorption during sustained crushing. It is observed that all trigger types induced progressive crushing in the splaying mode, characterized by the formation of a debris wedge propagating between the tube wall and a series of fronds or petals on both sides of the tube wall. In terms of trigger response, crown triggers perform better than perforated triggers as the mean crushing load stabilizes and remains relatively uniform across a large displacement, with some periodic oscillations with a small amplitude. Perforated triggers also induced progressive crushing but at significantly lower loads as compared to crown triggers and with crushing load values oscillating with large amplitudes. A combination of a crown and bevel trigger is the most effective in reducing the initial load spike and maintaining a stable load during crushing. Crown triggers with smaller diameters displayed greater energy absorption than those with larger diameters when Specific Sustained Crushing Stress (SSCS) values are compared