Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

Familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a): double heritable risk and new therapeutic opportunities

Abstract: There is compelling evidence that the elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population. Like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, Lp(a) particles contain cholesterol and promote atherosclerosis. In addition, Lp(a) particles contain strongly proinflammatory oxidized phospholipids and a unique apoprotein, apo(a), which promotes the growth of an arterial thrombus. At least one in 250 individuals worldwide suffer from the heterozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), a condition in which LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) is significantly elevated since birth. FH-causing mutations in the LDL receptor gene demonstrate a clear gene-dosage effect on Lp(a) plasma concentrations and elevated Lp(a) levels are present in 30-50% of patients with HeFH. The cumulative burden of two genetically determined pro-atherogenic lipoproteins, LDL and Lp(a), is a potent driver of ASCVD in HeFH patients. Statins are the cornerstone of treatment of HeFH, but they do not lower the plasma concentrations of Lp(a). Emerging therapies effectively lower Lp(a) by as much as 90% using RNA-based approaches that target the transcriptional product of the LPA gene. We are now approaching the dawn of an era, in which permanent and significant lowering of the high cholesterol burden of HeFH patients can be achieved. If outcome trials of novel Lp(a)-lowering therapies prove to be safe and cost-effective, they will provide additional risk reduction needed to effectively treat HeFH and potentially lower the CVD risk in these high-risk patients even more than currently achieved with LDL-C lowering alone.

Mast Cell Tryptase Degrades HDL and Blocks Its Function as an Acceptor of Cellular Cholesterol

Abstract: Objective— In human atherosclerotic lesions, degranulated mast cells are found in the vicinity of macrophage foam cells. Mast cell granules contain tryptase, a tetrameric serine protease requiring glycosaminoglycans for stabilization. No endogenous inhibitors have been described for tryptase, and the physiological functions of the enzyme are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of human tryptase on the integrity of high density lipoprotein (HDL)3 and on its ability to release cholesterol from cultured mouse macrophage foam cells. Methods and Results— Incubation of HDL3 with tryptase led to degradation of its apolipoproteins. Tryptase predominantly degraded a quantitatively minor subfraction of HDL3 that is lipid poor, exhibits electrophoretic pre-β mobility, and contains either apolipoprotein A-I or apolipoprotein A-IV as its sole apolipoprotein. Moreover, tryptase caused functional changes in HDL3 by destroying its ability to promote high-affinity efflux of cholesterol from macrophage foam cells, ie, the pre-β-HDL-dependent component of the process. Human aortic proteoglycans increased the ability of tryptase to proteolyze HDL3, suggesting that the proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix of the arterial intima provides an appropriate environment for the extracellular actions of tryptase. Conclusions— By depleting pre-β-HDL, mast cell tryptase may impair the initial step of reverse cholesterol transport and will then favor cellular accumulation of cholesterol during atherogenesis.

Water-deficit accumulates sugars by starch degradation--not by de novo synthesis--in white clover leaves (Trifolium repens).

Abstract: Labeling 13CO2 in steady-state condition was used to estimate quantitative mobilization of recently fixed carbon or stored sugar during water-deficit in white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Water-deficient gradually decreased leaf-water parameters and total amount of recently fixed carbon. Amount of 13C incorporated into glucose, sucrose and soluble sugars fraction rapidly decreased after 3 days of water-deficit treatment. In contrast, the previously stored soluble sugars significantly increased after 5 days of water-deficit with a coincidence of significant decrease in starch concentration. A highly significant (P < or = 0.001) relationship between the decrease in leaf-water potential caused by water-deficit and the increase in ratio of soluble sugar/starch concentration was observed in water deficit-stressed plants. The data indicate that soluble carbohydrate accumulated by water-deficit treatment is mainly because of the hydrolysis of previously stored starch rather than to de novo synthesis.

Mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) can be more productive than monocultures. Evidence from over 100 years of observation of long-term experiments

Abstract: Aim of study: The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of species mixing of Scots pine and Norway spruce on the productivity at the stand and species level. We also analysed to what extent the mixing effects is modified by drought stress. Area of study: The study was conducted in N-E Poland and based on three experiments located in Maskulinskie, Strzal/owo and Kwidzyn Forest Districts. Material and methods: We evaluated long-term mixed-species experiments in Scots pine and Norway spruce which are under continuous survey since more than 100 years. Stand productivity was analysed based on the periodic annual increment and total yield of stem volume. Growth and yield were compared between mixed and neighbouring pure stands. As a substitute for the missing Norway spruce monocultures, we used appropriate yield table data. In order to characterize the effect of water supply on the mixing effects, we correlated the Martonne index of aridity with the ratio of Scots pine growth in mixed versus pure stands. Main results: We found that the mixed stands exceed the weighted mean of the pure stands’ volume productivity on average by 41%. At the species level Scots pine benefits from the mixture by 34% and Norway spruce by 83%. Growth periods with harsh climate conditions reinforce overyielding, while periods with mild conditions reduce the benefit of mixing. The overyielding of mixed stands, especially when growing under unfavourable conditions, is explained by niche complementarity of both species and discussed in view of the stress-gradient-hypothesis. Research highlights: The revealed overyielding of mixed compared with neighbouring pure stands, particularly under harsh weather conditions, substantiates the preferences of Scots pine-Norway spruce mixtures regarding climate change.