Atherosclerosis is the root cause of the biggest killer of the 21st century. Mechanisms contributing to atherogenesis are multiple and complex. A number of theories-including the role of dyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation and infection by certain pathogens-have been propounded from time to time explain this complex phenomenon. Recently it has been suggested that atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, multistep disease that involves chronic inflammation at every step, from initiation to progression, and that all the risk factors contribute to pathogenesis by aggravating the underlying inflammatory process. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will aid in devising pharmaceutical and lifestyle modifications for reducing mortality resulting from coronary artery disease (CAD).A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Web sites of the National Library of Medicine (http:// www.ncbl.nlm.nih.gov/) and PubMed Central, the US National Library of Medicine's digital archive of life sciences literature (http:// www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/). The data were accessed from books and journals in which relevant articles in this field were published. The whole spectrum of coronary artery disease evolves through various events that lead to the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque and finally its complications. Atherosclerosis is the culprit behind coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The pathogenic mechanisms are varied and complex. Of late, the role of lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, and inflammation and infection as prime culprits in pathogenesis of CAD is the subject of intense research and debate. The appreciation of the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis provides a mechanistic framework to understand the clinical benefits of newer therapeutic strategies, and a better understanding of pathogenesis aids in formulating preventive and therapeutic strategies in reducing mortality resulting from CAD.An in-depth knowledge of the various pathogenic mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis can help in substantiating the current existing knowledge about the CAD epidemic. This knowledge will help clinicians to better manage the disease, which affects Indians in its most severe form.

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Background: Efficient laboratory service is the cornerstone of modern health care systems. Scientific innovations have contributed to substantial improvements in the field of laboratory science, but errors still prevail. These errors are classified as preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical, depending upon the time of presentation. Methods: The data for 67,438 routine venous blood specimens were scrutinized, and errors were documented over the period of 1 year in the clinical biochemistry laboratory of Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital in Delhi, India. Results: Preanalytical errors were most common, with a frequency of 77.1% followed by postanalytical 15% and analytical 7.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Our study illustrates the importance of proper venipuncture procedures, analytical expertise and correct transcription of numerical data for precise and accurate reporting of results to clinicians. There is an urgent need for close inter-departmental cooperation to meet the goal of ensuring patient well being.

A case control study was conducted at the Child Development and Early Intervention Clinic to determine the body iron status of children with ADHD, and study the correlation between the body iron status and ADHD symptoms. Serum ferritin was measured in newly diagnosed cases with ADHD and compared with that of controls. Correlation was studied between serum ferritin levels and the severity of ADHD symptoms as determined by Conners Rating Scale. Serum ferritin was found to be significantly lower in children with ADHD (6.04 ± 3.85 ng/mL) as compared to controls (48.96 ± 41.64 ng/mL, P value < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and oppositional subscore on Conners Rating Scale.