Tuesday, September 30, 2014

38-year-old heart mystery explained

Press Trust of India | Toronto | Published: Sep 30 2014, 16:55 IST
 
 
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Since 1976 medical researchers have known that the heart regulates its calcium sensitivity by phosphorylating (adding negative phosphate groups) to a key cardiac protein called troponin I. (Reuters)Since 1976 medical researchers have known that the heart regulates its calcium sensitivity by phosphorylating (adding negative phosphate groups) to a key cardiac protein called troponin I. (Reuters)
SUMMARYScientists have explained a 38-year-old mystery of how the function of a key cardiac protein changes in heart failure...
Scientists have explained a 38-year-old mystery of how the function of a key cardiac protein changes in heart failure.
Heart disease is the number-one killer in the developed world. The end stage of heart disease is heart failure, in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to satisfy the body's needs, researchers said.
The molecular structure of the heart muscle changes as heart failure progresses, though scientists cannot always agree on what changes are good or bad.
One change that occurs is an increase in "calcium sensitivity".
Calcium ions are pumped in and out of the muscle cell with each heartbeat, turning contractions on and off. When the calcium sensitivity increases, contractility increases, but at a price: the relaxation of the heart becomes slower.
Both phases of cardiac function are important: impaired contraction leads to systolic heart failure, while impaired relaxation leads to diastolic heart failure. Both types of heart failure are similar in terms of overall prevalence, symptoms and mortality.
Since 1976 medical researchers have known that the heart regulates its calcium sensitivity by phosphorylating (adding negative phosphate groups) to a key cardiac protein called troponin I.
The troponin complex is made up of three proteins, C, I, and T, which trigger muscle contraction in response to calcium.
In heart failure, the phosphate groups are removed from troponin I, but it wasn't known how this caused an increase in calcium sensitivity.
Peter Hwang, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, working with professor Brian Sykes in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, studied the troponin complex with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a powerful method that uses superconducting magnets to probe atomic level structure.
They observed that unphosphorylated troponin I binds to troponin C to keep it in an optimal orientation for triggering contraction.
The (N-terminal) region of troponin I that interacts with troponin C is very positively charged, while troponin C is very negatively charged, so adding negative phosphate groups to troponin I disrupts the interaction and releases troponin C so that it becomes less efficient at triggering contraction.
"Scientists believed that the dephosphorylation of troponin I seen in heart failure somehow caused the troponin complex to become less functional," said Hwang, lead author in the study.
"Actually, the change brings it into the optimal alignment to trigger contraction. The heart has other mechanisms of regulating calcium sensitivity that probably also act by stabilising
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Monday, September 29, 2014

See realtime coverage

Feeling disappointed? Blame your brain

TheHealthSite - ‎13 hours ago‎
brain Do you often wonder why you end up feeling disappointed? Well, don't blame those around you; it's your brain signalling that leads to disappointment, says a new study.
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Monday, September 22, 2014

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

World Alzheimer’s Day: Neurologists call for adopting national dementia guidelines

By News Desk
Published: September 22, 2014
The day is observed around the world on September 21.PHOTO: FILE
Neurologists and physicians across the country must adopt standard national dementia guidelines to diagnose and treat Alzheimer and dementia patients in Pakistan.
This was stated by Shifa International Hospital (SIH) Consultant Neurologist Prof Arsalan Ahmad while addressing participants of a community awareness seminar at the hospital to mark World Alzheimer’s Day.
The day is observed around the world on September 21. The consultants also arranged a separate seminar for physicians and clinicians to educate them on dementia diagnosis and management.
SIH Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Wahab Yousafzai and SIH Consultant Neurologist Dr Muhammad Azhar Saeed also addressed the seminar. During his presentation on “Alzheimer’s disease in Pakistan”, Arsalan said Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects the elderly, with the prevalence of the disease increasing with age. After the age of 65, the prevalence of dementia doubles with every 5 years’ increment in age.
He said dementia is a progressive deterioration of intellect, behaviour and personality, adding that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.
Among those 65 or older in the country, 160,000 to 240,000 are currently affected by dementia, of which 80,000 to 120,000 probably have Alzheimer’s disease, Arsalan informed.
Arsalan was of the view that the disease can be controlled only through giving due importance to dementia at administrative, educational, and healthcare forums as a chronic illness that is going to have a substantial impact on society, health care providers and the health budget.
He said we can manage dementia only by looking for early symptoms of dementia, identifying the type of dementia, excluding reversible causes of dementia, and rationalising laboratory investigation and neurological imaging. “Do not underestimate depression,” he warned, saying that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are going to be a major issue as our life expectancy rises. Yousafzai presented a talk on “Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia”.
He highlighted the diverse range of psychological reactions, psychiatric symptoms, and behaviours occurring in people with dementia. He added that 80 to 90 per cent of patients develop at least one distressing symptom during the course of their dementia.
Saeed gave his presentation on “Diagnosing dementia”, wherein he said the decline in intellectual function, which includes memory impairment, is one of the symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects short term and long term memory, emotions, mood, behavior and language of the patient, he informed, adding further that the disease makes doing usual tasks like cooking, cleaning, and driving difficult for patients, and with symptoms worsening over time.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2014.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011

ADHUNAA  BHAARAT (INDIA  TO DAY )

Was told , more the  night  darkens, brighter shines the stars
Was told, piercing the pale morn the new Sun is re-born
even re-told, over-riding this decaying  state--once on this Land
there was the glorious Past with tallest men ,-with lion- heart
consoled by -- even to day I search and walk the way!


Was told , more the Sun grows , brighter becomes the day
dissecting the past, I try to  analyse  the golden Past
extending up to deaf-sky, the cynical TIME laughs out loud
shouldering the Impotent Century, staggers the modern time
The DESPAIR ,now, hoisted  high and like a flag
after every frightening night the  next one is trampled more !


Then where to search  for a washed clean day,- beyond this night
for a devotional temple-time  with garlanded  dawn
All the manuscripts  now , are but filthy lies or porn
After night-club fleshy dance , -another aborting morn
This pregnant night too, groans with bleeding pain
the abortive plans are determined to disrupt the DAY !


Then, regain and better revive   now,  in another way  
with clenched fist and promise  and oath to succeed
then,kick out this  burden  obstructing  the way
And  with self-less sacrifice  restore the   treasures  lost
Listen now to the gasping  groan of mother land 
No more prayer ; but rescue the future -the  'Cesarean-way' !
   _____________________________
( was composed in Bengali  and published  from Calcutta,[periodical] India in 1974; now trans -created in English by the poet)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014


Phanibhusan Basu
Just now · Calcutta · 
MURDER --RAPE -- EBOLA VIRUS -CORRUPTION & SOODIPTO -POISON !
THE REAL ENVIRONMENT NOW AROUND ME !!
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  • Phanibhusan Basu
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

FIRST   RAYS   OF    'SUN - SHINE  '    ON  A    CORRUPTION - FED NATION !  
============================================================

চাপে ঢিলে হবে না সারদা তদন্ত, নির্দেশ মোদীর

জয়ন্ত ঘোষাল

নয়াদিল্লি, ১ সেপ্টেম্বর, ২০১৪, ০৩:৪৯:২৮
e e e print
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

The Telegraph
Follow Us: Facebook Twitter Feeds    | Saturday , August 30 , 2014 |
 
Front Page > Story

See-no-Saradha minister
Red flags that Amit Mitra missed

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Calcutta, Aug. 29: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today wondered aloud during a television interview while referring to the Saradha scandal: “If the Sebi and the RBI do not inform, how do we get to know?”
Not at all, chief minister, someone brighter, sharper and smarter than both the Sebi and the RBI could have informed you.
He usually occupies the seat right next to you and he answers to the name Amit Mitra, the finance and industries minister of Bengal.
Not one but at least four red flags had fluttered in front of Mitra between 2011 and 2012 that should have alerted him to the cash-collection scandal that was in the making.
The year 2011 resonates with significance, not just because the 34-year rule of the Left ended in Bengal but also because it heralded the “golden age” of Saradha. (See chart)
RED FLAG I
Year: 2012
Date: September 25, 2012 (eight months before Saradha collapsed)
Event: The 119th State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting
Present: Finance minister Amit Mitra; then SLBC chairman and United Bank of India chief Bhaskar Sen and several others
Consider an entry in the minutes of the meeting: “He (Sen) specially mentioned about the feedback received from the rural branches that certain non-banking entities are mobilising deposits from the rural masses citing unrealistic promises in respect of future return…. He emphasised on the need for putting in place a safe net to protect the interest of small savers.”
A bank official present at the meeting recalled today that Mitra had delivered his speech immediately after Sen’s welcome address. “The minister spoke of the need to work on the Kisan Credit Card, financial inclusion, crop insurance etc. He did not say anything on the ponzy (unrealistically high returns) schemes,” the official said.
It is not clear whether Mitra, after he returned from the meeting, had drawn Mamata’s attention to what Sen had red-flagged or whether the finance minister recommended remedial measures to the chief minister.
The chief minister has been saying she became aware of the crisis only after Poila Baisakh last year (April 14, 2013).
The Telegraph tried this evening to verify with Mitra whether the minutes of the meeting were authentic and how he had responded then. An aide who took the first call disconnected the line as soon as he heard the newspaper’s name. Called a second time, the aide said the minister was busy and would get back. Till midnight, there was no response.
RED FLAG II
Years: 2011 and 2012 (Saradha’s golden age)
Place: The finance minister’s table
Mitra need not go to banking conferences to find out what is happening in his financial backyard. He is the most powerful financial authority in the state and information flows to him regularly without fail.
The small savings directorate places on the finance minister’s table data that no finance minister of Bengal, a state once known for high volume of small savings, can afford to ignore.
The data in 2011-12 (Mitra’s first year and office) and 2012-13 (by when Trinamul was well entrenched in power) were deafening. Net small savings deposits (the amount left after withdrawals) had turned negative in 2011-12, meaning collections were less than withdrawals.
A year before in 2010-11 (the last financial year of the Left regime), net small savings deposits in Bengal had accounted for Rs 8,300 crore. (See chart)
Why such a yawning gap did not prompt the government to press the panic button only Mitra can answer.
“This is something which cannot escape the eyes of a finance minister as better collection leaves open a window for the state to avail itself of loans on easy terms. The finance minister of a cash-strapped state cannot overlook the situation,” said an official.
Now the Enforcement Directorate has dug up damning data: the years 2011-12 and 2012-13, when the net small saving deposits turned negative, were also the time when Saradha’s collections skyrocketed. Saradha’s funds collection doubled to Rs 1,008 crore in 2011-12 and it scooped up as much as Rs 806 crore the following year.
RED FLAG III
Period: December 2011 to December 2012
Place: The finance department under Mitra
Three letters were sent by the directorate of small savings to its parent, the finance department, according to sources. The letters were sent between December 2011 and 2012, the peak years for Saradha.
The letters sought to warn the finance department that illegal deposit-mobilising companies had grabbed a big chunk of the small-savings pie with the help of state-appointed agents, officials said.
“The directorate mentioned that the majority of the 33,000 state-appointed agents, who are supposed to collect small savings deposits, were encouraging the rural populace to put money in illegal deposit mobilising companies,” said a finance department official.
RED FLAG IV
Year: 2011
Place: Finance department
Veteran officials said Mitra had a chance to be aware of the threat as soon as he took oath as a minister.
In 2010, the then Left Front government had written a letter to the Sebi mentioning the name of Saradha. The Left government had wanted an inquiry against the deposit mobilising company, said an official.
“A copy of the letter was definitely in the files kept in the finance department. The file must have been placed before Mitra, who should have carried the process forward as parties in power change but the government remains,” said a retired IAS officer.
No doubt, the Sebi and the RBI were snoring. But what about the finance minister, CM?
 More stories in Front Page
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

I  THINK :
EVERY  INDIAN  SHOULD  GET  T  A    VAROT ROTNO    FOR  ENDURING  CORRUPTION  AT  ALL LEVEL , ALL  TIME'
AND  SOME  Y. RAZA  TOO.
Karuna writes to President, PM, seeking Bharat Ratna for Anna : India, News - India Today
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014

CBI recovers 1 kg of gold from Rakesh Kumar’s locker

,TNN | Aug 22, 2014, 06.07 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The arrested Central Board of Film Certification CEO Rakesh Kumar had ignored several agents in different states to himself pocket more and more money, which ultimately sealed his fate and led to his arrest.

CBI sources say that an authorized agent, who used to work for CBFC was ignored by Rakesh Kumar as he had his own favorite agents who would work for him and collect money on his behalf.

This agent approached the CBI after which Rakesh Kumar was arrested and his web of corruption unearthed. This authorized agent for censor certification had approached CBI alleging that Shripati Mishra (another agent) had been demanding Rs 70,000 on behalf of Kumar for issuing the censor certificate for a regional language film from Chhattisgarh "Mor Dauki Ke Bihav".

Mishra was arrested along with advisory panel member of the Censor Board Sarvesh Jaiswal last week.

CBI has so far recovered papers of at least six properties from Rakesh Kumar, said sources. On Thursday, CBI recovered more than 1 kg of gold from two bank lockers owned by Rakesh Kumar's wife. Earlier, the agency had reportedly recovered 2 kg of gold and diamond jewellery from him.

CBI is presently questioning several agents in the scandal to know more about Rakesh Kumar's dealings and films which were in pipeline and for which he had already taken money.

It is suspected that Rakesh Kumar may have invested in some properties in the name of other persons as well.

When asked whether more arrests could be made in the scandal and big names from Bollywood could be examined, CBI officials said that they need to collect solid evidence before laying hands on somebody who has already paid the bribes.

An Indian Railways Personnel Officer, Kumar joined as CEO of CBFC in January this year.

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