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Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) describes a range of conditions associated with the rupture of high-risk or vulnerable plaque. Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is associated with many changes in its microenvironment which could potentially cause rapid plaque progression. Present-day PET imaging presents a plethora of radiopharmaceuticals designed to image different characteristics throughout plaque progression. Improved knowledge of atherosclerotic disease pathways has facilitated a growing number of pathophysiological targets for more innovative radiotracer design aimed at identifying at-risk vulnerable plaque and earlier intervention opportunity. This paper reviews the efficacy of PET imaging radiotracers 18F-FDG, 18F-NaF, 68Ga-DOTATATE, 64Cu-DOTATATE and 68Ga-pentixafor in plaque characterisation and risk assessment, as well as the translational potential of novel radiotracers in animal studies. Finally, we discuss our murine PET imaging experience and the challenges encountered.

Chalcones are a valuable molecule of medicinal importance due to presence of reactive ketoethylenic group -CO-CH=CH-, belonging to the flavonoid family. These reactive α,β-unsatutated keto function in chalcones are responsible for their biological activity. Chalcone can be synthesized by several methods using aldehydes and ketones as starting material. This review is focused about different methods of synthesis and versatile biological activity of chalcones including antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, antimalarial, antituberculosis etc.

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The present study involves the discovery of quality of soils associated with dump mines and native forest encompassing the Kakari mine, a coal mining site in Sonbhadra, to distinguish the effect of coal mining on associated soil ecosystem. Soil ecophysiological indicator of the site was analyzed in terms of floral diversity by method of quadrat analysis, which revealed that dumps were devoid of any floral community whereas the natural forest around the mines was enriched with a number of plant species. Importance value index (IVI) was calculated and with respect to their IVI index the tree species viz., Acacia mangium (23.17, 24.48 & 26.81) and Acacia catechu (20.34, 22.10 & 25.36) were found to be the most dominant species. Soil enzymatic and physico-chemical analysis were analyzed by standard method and the result emphasized that dump soils possess poor enzymatic activity and acidic pH due to the decomposition of waste material in dumps which eventually affects the microbial diversity of soil and its fertility. The plant growth promotion (PGP) and stress tolerance characteristics of bacterial isolates were further examined so that the potential isolates will be utilized further to reclaim and remediate soil property of degraded soils. The promising isolates were characterized by BIOLOG identification system and isolate NU36 and NU25 showed greatest similarity with Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. respectively. Based on the potential to produce plant growth promoting substances and withstand in stressed environment the most promising isolates will be used to remediate soil and reclaim soil characteristics.

Background: The world’s adolescent population (age 10–19 years) is estimated to stand at more than 1 Billion, yet adolescents remain largely neglected, difficult-to-measure, and hard-to-reach. Population in which the needs of adolescent girls, in particular, are often ignored. Anemia during adolescence limits growth and delays the onset of menarche, which in turn may later lead to cephalopelvic disproportion. In armed forces young serving soldiers make the backbone of forces, anemia in this group affects man hour badly. So, study was planned to assess prevalence of anemia in these two groups.Methods: A prospective study was carried out with 340 girls and 500 serving adults and prevalence of anemia was carried out with respect to different prevailing factors.Results: The prevalence of severe, moderate and mild anemia in girls was 0.5%, 10.6% and 27.9% respectively and in serving soldiers prevalence of anemia was 1.8%, 2.8% and 3.4 % respectively.Conclusions: In the present study, the prevalence of anemia was found to be 39% in adolescent girls and 8% in serving soldiers. Strongest predictor to anemia in adolescent girls was history of excessive menstrual bleeding and vegetarian diet. Age group, age at menarche and BMI did not affect anemia prevalence. Strongest predictor to anemia in soldiers was age.

Early clinical exposure as a part of vertical integration is an intervention that bridges the gap between the basic and clinical sciences. It can be achieved by exposing undergraduate medical students to clinical cases at an early stage. This study was conducted with an aim to introduce first professional MBBS students to clinical cases in Orthopaedics as a part of an early clinical exposure module in Anatomy and to analyse its impact and feasibility. Methodology: A prospective, cross over, intervention was conducted to introduce 139 first year MBBS students to patients in Orthopaedics OPD. Feedback and perceptions regarding the module were obtained both from the students and the participating faculty. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data was conducted. Result: Students perceived the early clinical exposure module very well. They agreed that it had helped them in understanding the applied anatomy of the topics and found it to be interesting and motivating. Students were motivated for self-directed learning and an overwhelming majority of respondents agreed that more topics should be covered in similar modules. Conclusion: Early exposure to clinical aspects of basic sciences provides a structured setting for clinical correlation of knowledge and learning the importance of communication skills. This is an innovative interactive teaching strategy which is feasible to conduct and improves learning outcomes.

Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders affecting 20% of world’s population. There is emerging data that yoga therapies may be useful in managing modest elevations in BP. Yoga, specific yogic exercise (Sudarshan kriya) taught as a training protocol under Art of living course (AOL), is especially attractive as a candidate therapy in the management of elevated BP because of its combination of gentle physical activity. Hence, this study was undertaken to compare the effects of SDK on blood lipid levels.Methods: A total of 300 patients of hypertension and prehypertension were taken in the study where control group were given drugs treatment and life style modification and yoga group additionally had undergone yoga training. Lipid levels were estimated in both groups at entry, 06 months and 12 months and analyzed.Results: Lipid levels at entry were same in both while the yoga therapy group showed decrease in TG, LDL and VLDL at six months and 12 months but decrease was not significant. HDL levels showed significant increase in yoga group (P<0.05) at six months which was maintained at 12 months more so in diabetic patients.Conclusions: Yoga therapy has beneficial effect on serum lipid levels and should be included in therapy along with other measures.