Hypertensive Patients Exhibit Enhanced Thrombospondin-1 Levels at High-Altitude

Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) levels elevate under hypoxia and have relevance in several cardiovascular disorders. The association of THBS1 with endothelial dysfunction implies its important role in hypertension. To establish the hypothesis, we screened patients with hypertension and their respective controls from the two different environmental regions. Cohort 1 was composed of Ladakhis, residing at 3500 m above sea level (ASL), whereas Cohort 2 was composed of north-Indians residing at ~200 m ASL. Clinical parameters and circulating THBS1 levels were correlated in the case–control groups of the two populations. THBS1 levels were significantly elevated in hypertension patients of both cohorts; however, the levels were distinctly enhanced in the hypertensive patients of HA as compared to normoxia (p < 0.002). The observation was supported by the receiver operating curve analysis with an area under curve of 0.7007 (0.627–0.774) demonstrating the discriminatory effect of hypobaric hypoxia on the levels as compared to normoxia (p < 0.011). Significant correlation of THBS1 and mean arterial pressure was observed with upraised positive correlations in the hypertensive highlanders as compared to the hypertensive patients from sea-level. The prevalence of differential distribution of THBS1 and CD47 genes variants, their interactions, and association with the THBS1 levels were also determined. Genotype-interactions between THBS1 rs2228263 and CD47 rs9879947 were relevant and the regression analysis highlighted the association of risk genotype-interactions with increased THBS1 levels in hypertension. Genetic studies of additional thrombospondin pathway-related genes suggest the complex role of THBS1 in the presence of its family members and the related receptor molecules at HA.

“COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VARIOUS NASAL PARAMETERS AMONG NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN POPULATION OF INDIA”.

Background: The shape of the nose is a signature indicating the ethnicity ,race, age, and sex. Anthropometric parameters vary with age, sex, and ethnic background, and several authors have attempted to document normative values which may serve as references. Materials and Methods: This study includes measurement of different parameters of nose among 14 North Indian(9 males;5 females) and 61 South Indian medical students (27 males;34 females) using vernier calliper and was statistically analysed. Results: The means of various parameters were- 1)Nasal Breadth -2.8cm (North Indians) and 2.7 cm(South Indians).2)Nasal height5.2cm(North Indians) and 4.9cm(South Indians).3)The nasofacial angle-39.4 degree(North Indians) and 37.2 degree(South Indians).4)The nasolabial angle is 118.2 degree(North Indians) and 115.9 degree(South Indians).5)The nasofrontal angle 129.3 degree(North Indians) and 131.3degree(South Indians).6).The most common type of nose is leptorrhine in both North and South Indians. Conclusion: All the measurements can be used for evaluation of nasal deformity, treatment planning and post surgical evaluation of the correction achieved during rhinoplasty.

Tracing the Indian Population Ancestry by cis-linked Mutations in HBB Gene

BackgroundHuman left their genetic footprints during the time of migration throughout the different countries all over the world. Human evolution was studied through various markers. India is a country of rich heritage and cultural diversity. The modern Indian population is derived from two ancestral groups, viz.-Ancestral North Indians (ANI) and Ancestral South Indians (ASI).AimFinding out the migratory route of the modern Indian population by studying ‘cis’ acting mutations of human beta-globin (HBB) genes.Subjects and methodsA total of 120 thalassemia subjects were enrolled. DNA sequencing was done for mutation detection in the HBB gene. Some previous literature reviews were gone through for tracing mutations, all over the world and in the Indian subcontinent.ResultsNine thalassemia patients were found where HBB:c.92G>C and HBB:c.-92C>G mutations co-exist together in ‘cis’ condition. Only one patient had HBB:c.51delC and HBB:c.33C>A. The pedigree analysis confirmed the presence of these mutations in ‘cis’ condition and vertical transmission from one generation to the next. Literature reviews also reassure the co-existence of these mutations from different countries.ConclusionThe co-existence of these ‘cis’ acting mutations helps to point out the possible migratory route of ANI population after venturing out of Africa.

Verdict 2019: The expanded support base of the Bharatiya Janata Party

The verdict of 2019 indicates that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not only managed to retain its support base which it built in 2014, but also expanded it both geographically and socially. It managed to win seats in states where it had not performed well in earlier elections, and to get more votes amongst communities which had not voted for it earlier. The Congress could not improve upon its 2014 performance, but it is important to note that neither its votes nor its tally of seats decreased. The BJP improved upon its performance of 2014 largely at the cost of regional parties. The combined vote share of the regional parties witnessed a decline. Some regional parties did manage to hold onto their support base but others could not secure the support base they had held in 2014. In states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Karnataka and Maharashtra, the regional parties performed badly despite some of them having formed an anti-BJP alliance. The BJP’s gain in terms of vote share and seats, largely at the expense of regional parties in many states, begins a new debate about whether this is the beginning of the end of the dominance of regional parties in the North Indians states, or if it is a passing phase in Indian elections. If this decline in the importance of the regional parties is largely in respect of national elections, could there be a reversal in the trend during state assembly elections?