In this large cross-sectional study, we found for the first time systemic inflammation (CRP) to be independently associated with microvascular dysfunction in patients with RA. This strong correlation was independent of other conventional vascular risk factors.

Concurrent with the misbalance of oxidizing agents and antioxidants, high blood pressure is a major physical burden condition in the current scenario. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Tumor necrosis factor-α, inhibitor improves clinical symptoms however their outcome on high blood pressure has not been investigated. We investigated the inflammatory marker TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in hypertensive patients. We measured randomly blood pressure using an ambulatory observe in hypertensive patients, measured systolic BP X 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP X 90 mmHg were considered hypertensive. Total 60 cases were considered in the study that involves 30 hypertensive patients and 30 normal control. Measurements of serum concentrations of TNF-α, MDA, FRAP in hypertension patients was done in both the groups. Serum TNF-α was found to be remarkably increased in study subjects as compared to normal group (r=0.32, p<0.0001*). Serum MDA was also raised in hypertensive as compared to control (r=0.99**, p<0.0001*). While Serum FRAP was found to be decreased in hypertensive group in comparison to healthy control (r=0.23, p<0.0001*). It is concluded that high blood pressure leads to generation of oxidative stress with remarkable elevation of TNF-α and malondialdehyde levels. While reduced FRAP indicates its probable role in lipid peroxidation and in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Systemic inflammation (CRP) is an independent predictor of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection in patients with RA. ETAN but not MTX therapy reduces arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection and may thus improve CV morbidity in RA.

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An important component of the innate immune system, the natural killer cells that originate from the lymphoid cell lineage, hold tremendous potential as an effective therapeutic tool to combat a variety of cancers. Their vast capability to kill altered cells such as opsonized cells (antibody coated), tumour cells, genotoxically changed cells without affecting the healthy cells of the body, make them an effective therapeutic agent for various types of cancers. Besides, through interplay and molecular crosstalk via several cytokines, they also augment the adaptive immune response by, promoting the differentiation, activation and recruitment of component cells of the system. With the current advance knowledge of Natural Killer (NK) cells, their receptor-ligand interactions involved in functional regulation, various mechanistic approaches involving the role of cytokines led to desired modulation of NK cell activity in a tailor-made manner, for triggering clinically relevant responces. Several strategies have been adopted by researchers, to augment the efficacy of NK cells. Still many challenges exist for increasing the therapeutic relevance of these cells.

A broad range of health-care practices is required to exploit the beneficial effects of Ayurveda, which is the most ancient system of medicines. Being the essence of Ayurvedic medicines, Indian medicinal plants manifest miraculous effects in curing a vast range of diseases and disorders among humans and can be better called as "elixirs of life." Currently, there is much growing interest in the use of these medicinal plants as modulators of the complex immune system. Through a number of vast researches conducted in the area, it is being explored that many of the chemicals in the form of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, lactones, and glycoside products are responsible to cause alterations in the immunomodulatory properties. Keeping in mind, the tremendous potential of the medicinal plants and their derived drugs, I am introducing this review with a purpose to globally popularize the Indian herbal medicines as immunomodulators.

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate the changes in characteristics of perioral musculature at rest and when smiling, with respect to age and gender, measured along the vertical plane in a randomly selected sample of a North Indian population. Materials and Methods: Perioral musculature of 195 subjects (divided into three age groups) was recorded using standardized videographic methods. Two frames of each subject-at rest and widest posed smile-were analyzed for a comprehensive list of parameters. Data was evaluated using SPSS version 16 software. Two-way analysis of variance and post hoc least significant difference tests were conducted. Results: Significant observations were increased resting upper lip length for females; decreased upper lip thickness, maxillary incisor exposure, and lip elevation for males; and increased smiling upper lip length for both sexes. Conclusions: With age, the smile gets narrower vertically, especially for the male population. The pattern of change observed in the present study must be considered and incorporated during treatment planning to deliver healthier and long-lasting results to patients of all age groups. (Angle Orthod. 2013;83:468-475.)