Association between empirically derived dietary patterns with blood lipids, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure in adults - the India migration study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns (DPs) in India are heterogenous. To date, data on association of indigenous DPs in India with risk factors of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular disease and diabetes), leading causes of premature death and disability, are limited. We aimed to evaluate the associations of empirically-derived DPs with blood lipids, fasting glucose and blood pressure levels in an adult Indian population recruited across four geographical regions of India. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the Indian Migration Study (2005-2007). Study participants included urban migrants, their rural siblings and urban residents and their urban siblings from Lucknow, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Bangalore (n = 7067, mean age 40.8 yrs). Information on diet (validated interviewer-administered, 184-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire), tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, physical activity, medical history, as well as anthropometric measurements were collected. Fasting-blood samples were collected for estimation of blood lipids and glucose. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify major DPs based on eigenvalue> 1 and component interpretability. Robust standard error multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the association of DPs (tertiles) with total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, fasting-blood glucose (FBG), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) levels. RESULTS: Three major DPs were identified: 'cereal-savoury' (cooked grains, rice/rice-based dishes, snacks, condiments, soups, nuts), 'fruit-vegetable-sweets-snacks' (Western cereals, vegetables, fruit, fruit juices, cooked milk products, snacks, sugars, sweets) and 'animal food' (red meat, poultry, fish/seafood, eggs) patterns. High intake of the 'animal food' pattern was positively associated with levels of TC (ß = 0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.17 mmol/L; p-trend = 0.013); LDL-C (ß = 0.07 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.14 mmol/L; p-trend = 0.041); HDL-C (ß = 0.02 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.04 mmol/L; p-trend = 0.016), FBG: (ß = 0.09 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.16 mmol/L; p-trend = 0.021) SBP (ß = 1.2 mm/Hg; 95% CI: 0.1, 2.3 mm/Hg; p-trend = 0.032); DBP: (ß = 0.9 mm/Hg; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.5 mm/Hg; p-trend = 0.013). The 'cereal-savoury' and 'fruit-vegetable-sweets-snacks' patterns showed no association with any parameter except for a positive association with diastolic blood pressure for high intake of 'fruits-vegetables-sweets-snacks' pattern. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate positive associations of the 'animal food' pattern with cardio-metabolic risk factors in India. Further longitudinal assessments of dietary patterns in India are required to validate the findings.

Oral manifestations in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Many systemic diseases exert their influence on oral health. Among these, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common. In this study, 100 patients who were previously diagnosed with GERD were examined following a 12-hour fast and evaluated in terms of the severity (grade) of the disease as well as any oral, dental, and/or salivary pH changes. Results found 11 patients with tooth erosion. These patients were older, and their average mean duration of GERD was longer in comparison to those without erosion. There was an inverse relationship between salivary pH and the GERD duration and grade of severity. As the GERD grade increased, the severity of tooth erosion increased. Patients with erosion also exhibited oral mucosal changes. Thus severe, long-term GERD was found to be potentially detrimental to oral soft tissues, dental structures, and salivary pH, whereas milder forms of the disease did not necessarily cause dental side effects.

Associations between active travel to work and overweight, hypertension, and diabetes in India: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing active travel (walking, bicycling, and public transport) is promoted as a key strategy to increase physical activity and reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally. Little is known about patterns of active travel or associated cardiovascular health benefits in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines mode and duration of travel to work in rural and urban India and associations between active travel and overweight, hypertension, and diabetes. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Cross-sectional study of 3,902 participants (1,366 rural, 2,536 urban) in the Indian Migration Study. Associations between mode and duration of active travel and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using random-effect logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, caste, standard of living, occupation, factory location, leisure time physical activity, daily fat intake, smoking status, and alcohol use. Rural dwellers were significantly more likely to bicycle (68.3% versus 15.9%; p<0.001) to work than urban dwellers. The prevalence of overweight or obesity was 50.0%, 37.6%, 24.2%, 24.9%; hypertension was 17.7%, 11.8%, 6.5%, 9.8%; and diabetes was 10.8%, 7.4%, 3.8%, 7.3% in participants who travelled to work by private transport, public transport, bicycling, and walking, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, those walking (adjusted risk ratio [ARR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.58-0.88) or bicycling to work (ARR 0.66; 95% CI 0.55-0.77) were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese than those travelling by private transport. Those bicycling to work were significantly less likely to have hypertension (ARR 0.51; 95% CI 0.36-0.71) or diabetes (ARR 0.65; 95% CI 0.44-0.95). There was evidence of a dose-response relationship between duration of bicycling to work and being overweight, having hypertension or diabetes. The main limitation of the study is the cross-sectional design, which limits causal inference for the associations found. CONCLUSIONS: Walking and bicycling to work was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in the Indian population. Efforts to increase active travel in urban areas and halt declines in rural areas should be integral to strategies to maintain healthy weight and prevent NCDs in India. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Reproducibility and validity of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire in an urban and rural area of northern India.

Background. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been used in epidemiological studies across the world to capture the usual food intake of individuals. As food habits vary in different population groups, FFQs should be validated before use. Hence, we determined the reproducibility and validity of FFQs designed for urban and rural populations of northern India. Methods. Separate FFQs, designed for urban and rural populations using standard methods, were administered to a sample of 200 subjects (100 urban and 100 rural) in the age group of 35-70 years in the beginning (baseline FFQ) of the study and after an interval of 1 year (1-year FFQ) to assess their reproducibility. Six 24-hour dietary-recalls, taken at an interval of 2 months over a period of 1 year, were used as a reference method to test the validity. Crude and energy- adjusted nutrient intakes estimated from FFQs and 24-hour dietary-recalls were compared using Pearson correlation coefficients. Bland and Altman plots were also used to test the agreement between the two methods. Results. Nutrient intakes were found to be similar at the baseline and 1-year FFQs in urban and rural areas. The unadjusted Pearson correlation between 24-hour dietary- recalls and 1-year FFQ ranged from 0.22 for vitamin C to 0.63 for iron in the urban area. It ranged from 0.06 for vitamin C to 0.74 for energy in the rural area. The correlations lowered after adjusting for energy and there was a minimal increase after de-attenuation. Conclusion. The FFQs were reproducible and valid for assessing nutrient intakes except for some micronutrients.

Spectroscopic investigations, quantum chemical, drug likeness and molecular docking studies of methyl 1-methyl-4-nitro-pyrrole-2-carboxylate: A novel ovarian cancer drug.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculation was used to analyse the structural and vibrational properties of Methyl 1-Methyl-4-nitro-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (MMNPC) using the cc-pVTZ basis set. The potential energy surface scan and the most stable molecular structure were optimized using Gaussian 09 program. A potential energy distribution calculation was used to calculate and assign vibrational frequencies using the VEDA 4.0 program package. The Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) were analysed to determine their related molecular properties. Ab initio density functional theory (B3LYP/cc-pVTZ) method with basis set was used to calculate 13C NMR chemical shift values of MMNPC in the ground state. Fukui function and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis confirmed the bioactivity of the MMNPC molecule. The charge delocalization and stability of the title compound were studied using natural bond orbital analysis. All experimental spectral values from FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-VIS, and 13C NMR are in good agreement with the value calculated by the DFT. Molecular docking analysis was carried out to find the MMNPC compound that can be used as a potential drug development candidate for ovarian cancer.

Phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts of Cuminum cyminum L. seeds along with the evaluation of antidiabetic properties by molecular docking approach.

In this contribution, ethanolic extracts of Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum) seeds were evaluated in terms of phytochemical content, total phenol and flavonoid contents. As far as the analytical techniques are concerned, UV-Vis, FTIR, HPLC, NMR (1H and 13C) and ESI-MS were performed. The binding capacity of five different antidiabetic enzymes was tested by in silico molecular docking studies. The HPLC, UV-Vis, FTIR, NMR and ESI-MS data highlighted the presence of seven biologically active molecules e.g. α-pinene, ß-pinene, Δ3-carene, ρ-cymene, α-terpineol, cuminaldehyde and linalool. The results coming from the in silico molecular docking studies showed that such phytochemicals present in the cumin seed extracts play an important role in the activity of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, C. cyminum is proven to be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its major secondary complications.

Evaluation of the Indian Migration Study Physical Activity Questionnaire (IMS-PAQ): a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Socio-cultural differences for country-specific activities are rarely addressed in physical activity questionnaires. We examined the reliability and validity of the Indian Migration Study Physical Activity Questionnaire (IMS-PAQ) in urban and rural groups in India. METHODS: A sub-sample of IMS participants (n = 479) was used to examine short term (≤ 1 month [n = 158]) and long term (> 1 month [n = 321]) IMS-PAQ reliability for levels of total, sedentary, light and moderate/vigorous activity (MVPA) intensity using intraclass correlation (ICC) and kappa coefficients (k). Criterion validity (n = 157) was examined by comparing the IMS-PAQ to a uniaxial accelerometer (ACC) worn ≥ 4 days, via Spearman's rank correlations (ρ) and k, using Bland-Altman plots to check for systematic bias. Construct validity (n = 7,000) was established using linear regression, comparing IMS-PAQ against theoretical constructs associated with physical activity (PA): BMI [kg/m2], percent body fat and pulse rate. RESULTS: IMS-PAQ reliability ranged from ICC 0.42-0.88 and k = 0.37-0.61 (≤ 1 month) and ICC 0.26 to 0.62; kappa 0.17 to 0.45 (> 1 month). Criterion validity was ρ = 0.18-0.48; k = 0.08-0.34. Light activity was underestimated and MVPA consistently and substantially overestimated for the IMS-PAQ vs. the accelerometer. Criterion validity was moderate for total activity and MVPA. Reliability and validity were comparable for urban and rural participants but lower in women than men. Increasing time spent in total activity or MVPA, and decreasing time in sedentary activity were associated with decreasing BMI, percent body fat and pulse rate, thereby demonstrating construct validity. CONCLUSION: IMS-PAQ reliability and validity is similar to comparable self-reported instruments. It is an appropriate tool for ranking PA of individuals in India. Some refinements may be required for sedentary populations and women in India.

Micronutrient supplementation improves physical performance measures in Asian Indian school-age children.

Micronutrients are important in physical work capacity and therefore performance. The impact of a multi-micronutrient-fortified nutritional beverage on physical performance measures among clinically healthy school-age children was assessed in a double-blind (for test and placebo groups), placebo-controlled, randomized trial in children aged between 7 and 10.5 y (n = 300). The participants with height- and weight-for-age Z-scores between 0 and ≥ -3 were randomized to 1 of 3 study arms: fortified choco-malt beverage powder (F), matched energy equivalent unfortified placebo (U), and untreated control (C). Participants in the F and C groups were given 40 g fortified (19 key vitamins and minerals) and unfortified choco-malt beverage, respectively, daily for 120 d. Primary efficacy outcomes included endurance and aerobic capacity using a 20-m shuttle test and step test. Other physical performance measures included speed (40-m sprint), visual reaction time, maximal hand grip, and forearm static endurance. Micronutrient status included thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, iron, pyridoxal phosphate, and vitamins B-12 and C. All measurements were made at baseline and the end of the intervention. There was a within-subject increase in aerobic capacity and whole body endurance (P < 0.05) accompanied by a significant improvement in the status of iron thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal phosphate, folate, and vitamins C and B-12 in the F group compared to the within-subject changes in the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). The study suggests that multiple micronutrient supplementation in similar populations may be beneficial in improving micronutrient status and enhancing aerobic capacity and endurance in children.

Imaging current distribution in a topological insulator Bi2Se3 in the presence of competing surface and bulk contributions to conductivity.

Two-dimensional (2D) topological surface states in a three-dimensional topological insulator (TI) should produce uniform 2D surface current distribution. However, our transport current imaging studies on Bi2Se3 thin film reveal non-uniform current sheet flow at 15 K with strong edge current flow. This is consistent with other imaging studies on thin films of Bi2Se3. In contrast to strong edge current flow in thin films, in single crystal of Bi2Se3 at 15 K our current imaging studies show the presence of 3.6 nm thick uniform 2D sheet current flow. Above 70 K, this uniform 2D sheet current sheet begins to disintegrate into a spatially non-uniform flow. The flow becomes patchy with regions having high and low current density. The area fraction of the patches with high current density rapidly decreases at temperatures above 70 K, with a temperature dependence of the form [Formula: see text]. The temperature scale of 70 K coincides with the onset of bulk conductivity in the crystal due to electron doping by selenium vacancy clusters in Bi2Se3. Thus our results show a temperature dependent competition between surface and bulk conductivity produces a temperature dependent variation in uniformity of current flow in the topological insulator.

The pathogenicity, structural and functional exploration of human HMGB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms using in silico study.

The human HMGB1 gene mutations have a major impact on several immune-related diseases and cancer. The detrimental effect of non-synonymous mutations of HMGB1 has not been investigated yet, hence the present study aims to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms and their implications on the structure-function of human HMGB1. The multifaceted HMGB1 protein acts as pleiotropic cytokine and regulates essential genes for coordinated cellular functions. The mutational effect on HMGB1 was analyzed by sequence-based homology methods, supervised learning methods, and structure-based methods. The study identified 58 non-synonymous mutations in human HMGB1, out of which only 2 mutations; R10T (rs61742222) and F103C (rs61733675) were classified as the SNPs with highest deleterious and disease-causing mutants. The effect of these mutations in structure of HMGB1 was scrutinized and the R10T mutant found to have a distinct structural behaviour in the B-box domain. In addition, R10T mutant predicted that it affects the MoRF function of HMGB1 and it could disrupt the DNA binding or/and protein partner interaction activity by HMGB1. F103C mutation takes place at the TLR binding and cytokine inducing region of HMGB1, hence it could affect the protein binding activity which involves in many cellular signaling. The study identified potent mutations R10T (a cancer-causing somatic mutation) and F103C (a novel mutation) and these mutations either directly or indirectly hinder DNA binding activity and TLR and cytokine binding of HMGB1. These findings will help in understanding the molecular basis of these promising mutations and functional role of human HMGB1 in cancer and immunological diseases.AbbreviationsAGERAdvanced glycosylation end product-specific receptorCXCLChemokine (C-X-C motif) liganddbSNPThe single nucleotide polymorphism databaseHMGB1High mobility group box 1LINCSLINear Constraint SolverMDSMolecular dynamics simulationMoRFMolecular recognition featuresNPTNumber of particle, Pressure and TemperatureNVTNumber of particle, Volume and TemperaturensSNPNon-synonymous SNPPBCPartial boundary conditionPCAPrincipal component analysisPMEPartial mesh EwaldRMSDRoot mean square deviationRMSFRoot mean square fluctuationSNPSingle nucleotide polymorphismSPCSingle-point chargeTLRToll-like receptorUTRUn-translated RegionCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring the binding mechanism and kinetics of Piperine with snake venom secretory Phospholipase A2.

Secreted venom Phospholipase A2 is highly responsible for pharmacological effects like neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, hemolytic, anti-coagulation, and platelet aggregation. Neutralization of these pharmacological behaviors is one of the challenges existing for many decades and a potent drug compound for this is very much needed to control local effects of venom sPLA2. In this study, we investigated binding mechanism and kinetics of inhibition of Piperine (major constitute of Piper nigrum) with sPLA2 using DFT, MD simulation, MM-PBSA, and SPR method. Frontier MO properties were suggested that it procured better chemical reactivity and druglikeness and binding mode of Piperine with EcPLA2 defined that it occupied well in N-terminal hydrophobic cleft. The persistence of Piperine interactions with and without calcium ion was analyzed and confirmed by MD simulation analysis. The dPCA-based FEL shows the nature of apo- and Piperine-bound conformational behavior of EcPLA2 including intermediate forms. Further, binding energy of Piperine was calculated by high-throughput MM-PBSA which states that calcium ion presence enhances the Piperine binding by additional electrostatic interactions. Finally, kinetics of inhibition between Piperine and EcPLA2 implied that it secured better binding affinity (KD: as 1.708 pM) and the result gives clear evidence for the binding mechanism and binding energy calculated. In conclusion, Piperine was authenticated with better drug ability, entrenched binding interaction, and robust kinetics of inhibition with EcPLA2 through which it can become an exceeding drug candidate for pharmacological as well as catalytic activity of sPLA2.

Preparation, characterization and molecular modeling studies of the beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with benzoguanamine and its analytical application as chemosensor for the selective sensing of Ce4.

The inclusion complex of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) with benzoguanamine (BGA) has been investigated in three states. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectral techniques are used in liquid state. FTIR, NMR and MASS techniques are used in solid state and virtual state studies are done by molecular simulation work. The binding constants for the formation of 1:1 BGA:ß-CD inclusion complex is estimated by UV-Visible and fluorescence spectral techniques. The chemosensory ability of BGA:ß-CD complex was investigated thoroughly for various metal cations and we found the emission of complex showed a linear increase in the intensity for Ce4+ with the linearity range of 1000 µM-2000 µM. Sensitivity analysis shows good sensing for Ce4+ with the LOD of 671 µM and LOQ of 2034 µM. Our result suggests that the BGA:ß-CD inclusion complex would be promising material for developing solid state sensory device for sensing Ce4+.

Npp106p, a Schizosaccharomyces pombe nucleoporin similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nic96p, functionally interacts with Rae1p in mRNA export.

To identify components of the mRNA export machinery in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a screen was developed to identify mutations that were synthetically lethal with the conditional mRNA export allele rae1-167. Mutations defining three complementation groups were isolated, and here we report the characterization of npp106 (for nuclear pore protein of 106 kDa). This gene encodes a predicted protein that has significant similarity to the Nic96p nucleoporin of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Consistent with Npp106p being a nucleoporin, a functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Npp106p localized to the nuclear periphery. In contrast to NIC96, the npp106 gene is not essential. Moreover, a delta npp106 mutant did not show cytoplasmic mislocalization of a simian virus 40 nuclear localization signal-GFP-LacZ reporter protein, and a fraction of cells had accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus. A consequence of the synthetic lethality between rae1-167 and npp106-1 was the accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus when cells were grown under synthetic lethal conditions. In addition to npp106-1, which is a nonsense mutation that truncates the protein at amino acid 292, the delta npp106 mutation was synthetically lethal with rae1-167, suggesting that the synthetic lethality is a consequence of the loss of a function of npp106. We further demonstrate that a region between amino acids 74 and 348 of Npp106p is required for complementation of the synthetic lethality. These results uncover a potential direct or indirect involvement of Npp106p in mRNA export.

Sequence diversity and ligand-induced structural rearrangements of viper hyaluronidase.

Hyaluronidases (Hyals) are a class of carbohydrate-active enzyme involved in angiogenesis, cancer proliferation, tumour growth and venom spreading. Functionally significant Hyals are responsible for the fast spreading of venom to the target site of action. The absence of molecular diversity and the structural and functional behaviour of snake venom Hyals was the inspiration for the objective of this study. Echis pyramidum leakeyi hyaluronidase (EHY)-based phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of two functional groups of Hyals which had diverged from the coral snake (the ancestor). The structure was modelled and it was found that the E-loop region (211-224 AA) was only present in EHY compared to the templates which may account for the significant function of viper Hyal. The best interacting ligands were screened from the selected plant derivatives and MYR consisted of better pharmacophore features (AADDRRR) in comparison with other ligands. Furthermore, the HOMO, LUMO, and MO energies and energy gaps of CGA, MIM and MYR were calculated by DFT analysis. EHY-ligand complex stability and interactions were investigated through MD simulation and FEL analysis. These revealed that MIM and MYR or their derivative compounds could be prominent lead molecules for both EHY and other eukaryotic Hyals. PCA analysis of both the non-ligated and ligated forms confirmed that loop-III (86-96 AA) and E-loop region structural rearrangements were essential for the association and dissociation process of the substrate. Particularly, ARG92 and LYS219 are determined as important key residues from the conformational changes. These regions' dynamic behaviour can be associated with HA binding and the catalytic function of EHY. This result can extend our knowledge of viper Hyal functional behaviour and provides structural insight to target eukaryotic Hyals as forthcoming drug targets in cancer treatment and venom spreading.

Magneto-transport behaviour of Bi2Se3-xTex : role of disorder.

Magneto-resistance and Hall resistance measurements have been carried out in fast-cooled single crystals of Bi2Se3-xTex (x = 0 to 2) in 4-300 K temperature range, under magnetic fields up to 15 T. The variation of resistivity with temperature that points to a metallic behaviour in Bi2Se3, shows an up-turn at low temperatures in the Te doped samples. Magneto-resistance measurements in Bi2Se3 show clear signatures of Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) oscillations that gets suppressed in the Te doped samples. In the Bi2SeTe2 sample, the magneto-resistance shows a cusp like positive magneto-resistance at low magnetic fields and low temperatures, a feature associated with weak anti-localisation (WAL), that crosses over to negative magneto-resistance at higher fields. The qualitatively different magneto-transport behaviour seen in Bi2SeTe2 as compared to Bi2Se3 is rationalised in terms of the disorder, through an estimate of the carrier density, carrier mobility and an analysis in terms of the Ioffe-Regel criterion with support from Hall Effect measurements. We demonstrate that by introducing Te, in the strongly disordered samples a smooth crossover of SdH and WAL can be seen in the Bi2Se3-xTex series, both of which provide signatures for the presence of topological surface states.

Heart rate and systolic blood pressure variability: the impact of thinness and aging in human male subjects.

BACKGROUND: Life spans are steadily increasing in developing countries where 'thinness' is widely prevalent. However, the interaction of aging and thinness has been poorly studied in terms of its physiological consequences. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of aging and 'thinness' (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2) on resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability indices in the frequency domain. SUBJECTS: Ninety seven healthy male subjects were divided into two age categories; young; 18-30 yrs and old superior 60 yrs. The subjects were further divided on the basis of BMI into young, thin (n=32), young, normal BMI (BMI 18.5-25, n = 27), old, thin (n = 15) and old, normal BMI (n = 23) groups. METHODS: Cardiac autonomic nerve function was determined using heart rate variability indices in the frequency domain (low frequency, cardiac sympathetic 0.04- 0.15 Hz; high frequency, cardiac parasympathetic 0.15-0.4 Hz). Vasomotor sympathetic activity was determined from the low frequency component of SBP variability. Baroreflex sensitivity was determined from the spectral power of both RR variability and SBP variability between 0.07 to 0.14 Hz. RESULTS: Thinness was associated with a reduction in the absolute total, low and high frequency heart rate power spectrum as compared to individuals of normal BMI, but this difference was only apparent in young adults (P < 0.05) and not in older subjects. The age related decline in heart rate variability (absolute units) was apparent for subjects of both low and normal BMI (P < 0.05). There were no differences in SBP variability either with age or BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that aging has a pronounced effect on heart rate variability, which may mask differences in heart rate variability related to thinness.

Structural investigations in BaFe(2-x)Ru(x)As2 as a function of Ru and temperature.

We present the results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements on powdered single-crystal samples of BaFe(2-x)Ru(x)As2, as a function of Ru content, and as a function of temperature, across the spin-density wave transition in BaFe(1.9)Ru(0.1)As2. The Rietveld refinements reveal that with Ru substitution, while the a-axis increases, the c-axis decreases. In addition, the variation of positional coordinates of As (z(As)), the Fe-As bond length and the As-Fe-As bond angles have also been determined. In the sample with x = 0.1, temperature-dependent XRD measurements indicate that the orthorhombicity shows the characteristic increase with a decrease in temperature, below the magnetic transition. It is seen that the c-axis, the As-Fe-As bond angles, Fe-As bond length and positional coordinates of the As show definite anomalies close to the structural transition. The observed anomalies in structural parameters are analysed in conjunction with restricted geometric optimization of the structure using ab initio electronic structure calculations.

The human RAE1 gene is a functional homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rae1 gene involved in nuclear export of Poly(A)+ RNA.

A Schizosaccharomyces pombe temperature-sensitive mutant, rae1-1, was previously identified by us as being defective in nuclear export of Poly(A)+ RNA when grown at restrictive temperature. Here, we report the isolation of the human homologue of the S. pombe rae1 gene. The RAE1 genes are highly conserved in evolution in both structure and function. The human RAE1 cDNA, when expressed from the CMV-promoter, can suppress partially the temperature sensitivity of the rae1-1 mutant. This is also reflected by increased Poly(A)+ RNA export at a restrictive temperature. An epitope tagged human Rae1p localizes to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm in transiently transfected HeLa cells. We discuss the potential role of Rae1p in nuclear cytoplasmic trafficking in yeast and higher eukaryotic cells.

Physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease in India.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise has been inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in Western populations; however, the association has not been examined in India where physical inactivity levels in urban areas are now comparable with the West. METHODS: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study and collected data from 350 cases of acute myocardial infarction and 700 controls matched on age, gender, and hospital in New Delhi and Bangalore. We used conditional logistic regression to control for the matching and other risk factors. RESULTS: Of the controls, 48% participated in some form of leisure-time exercise compared with 38% of cases. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, people in the highest level of leisure-time exercise (>145 metabolic equivalents [MET]-minutes per day, equivalent to 36 minutes of brisk walking per day) had a relative risk of 0.45 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.66) compared with non-exercisers. Multivariate adjustment for other risk factors did not substantially alter the association. We observed a positive association between non-work sedentary activity and CHD risk; people with >3.6 hours per day of sedentary activity (for example, television viewing) had an elevated risk of 1.88 (95% CI: 1.09, 3.20) compared with <70 minutes per day in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Leisure-time exercise, including as much as 35-40 minutes per day of brisk walking, was protective for CHD risk and sedentary lifestyles were positively associated with risk of CHD. Given limited resources for care of CHD in India and the important role of physical exercise in disease risk in urban India, improvements in physical activity should be promoted.

Elimination of ColE1 group (pBR322 and pBR329) plasmids in Escherichia coli by alpha-santonin.

alpha-Santonin, a compound extracted from the flower heads of Arthemisia maritima plant, was effective in elimination of small, multicopy, relaxed plasmids (pBR322 and pBR329 with CoLE1 origin of replication in Escherichia coli, whereas plasmids of IncF1, H1 and X group were totally refractory under similar conditions, suggesting that this agent was specific in curing the CoLE1 group of plasmids.