Epigenetics of Obesity and Diabetes: Emerging roles and mechanisms of non-coding RNAs

Vidhi Sadana Vidhi is a Clinical yoga therapist; mentor for yoga therapy training in Krishnamacharya tradition. She holds a MSc in Public health from Kings College London.

She is Complementary and Natural Health Council Profession Specific Board member for Yoga Therapy and Yoga Researcher in the NHS. She has authored articles in yoga and patient group magazines. She supported Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH) rheumatology patient group with patient driven audits and held first in UK pilot study of Yoga Therapy. She has published articles in complementary therapies in medicine and also abstracts in EULAR, Innovations in Medicine Conference for Royal College of Physicians and International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health, Baltimore. She also completed her internship with London School of Hygiene and Topical medicine conducting a systematic review of behavioral interventions for chronic conditions in low and middle-income countries.

She is also on the mind-body medicine sub-committee supported by the Royal College of Medicine (RSM).

She teaches modular introductory course at Imperial College School of Medicine curriculum to their year medical students and was awarded Inspiration award 2017 (Runners Up). She delivers yoga therapy for the management of addiction in Rehab Clinics such as Promis Clinic as well as other trauma related physical and mental issues. She has collaborated with consultants and General Physicians around West London to deliver Yoga Therapy as a complementary healing modality.

Publications- Vidhi Sadana Sohdi

Sadana Vidhi. (2020). Pariṇāma Model: Contextualizing Experiences of Change in Participants of Pilot Study to Determine Efficacy of Individualized Yoga Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anxiety. Nat Ayurvedic Med 2020, 4(3): 00025. Doi: https://doi.org/10.23880/jonam-16000255.
Cartwright Tina, Cahill Margaret, Sadana Vidhi (2020). A mixed methods evaluation of an individualised yoga therapy intervention for rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot study, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 50. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102339.
Sadana Vidhi, Cartwright Tina, Cahill Margaret, Anie Kofi, Colaço Beranrd (2018). Yoga-therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: rapid improvement in PROMS, Ann Rheum Dis, volume 77, supplement Suppl, pp: A1852.
Sadana Vidhi (2017). Confrence Report - Individualised Yoga Intervention, Yoga Therapy Today, International Association of of Yoga Therapy.
Sohdi Vidhi, Colaço Beranrd, Hoffman M., Kirk J. (2017). Evaluation of Patient Compliance with Long Term Prescribed Rheumatic Medication at Local London Hospital Rheumatology Unit, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, volume 76, supplement 2, pp: 1545.
Vidhi Sohdi (2016). Yoga for Whiplash, Holistic Therapist Magazine.
Vidhi Sohdi (2016). Yoga for Anxiety, Spectrum Magazine, Summer edition.
Vidhi Sohdi (2015). Yoga for Rheumatic Conditions, Spectrum Magazine, Autumn edition.
Vidhi Sohdi (2015). How Yoga can Help Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes Update, Diabetes UK Spring edition.
Vidhi Sohdi (2015). Yoga for Diabetes, Spectrum Magazine, Winter edition.
Vidhi Sohdi (2009). Yoga for Back Pain, On Form Magazine, The Times of Malta , July Issue.
Vidhi Sohdi (2009). Yoga for Sleep Disordres, On Form Magazine, The Times of Malta, August Issue.
Vidhi Sohdi (2009). Yoga for Menopause, On Form Magazine, The Times of Malta, September Issue.
Vidhi Sohdi (2009). Yoga for Pregnancy, On Form Magazine, The Times of Malta, October Issue.
Vidhi Sohdi (2009). Yoga for Breathing Disorders, On Form Magazine, The Times of Malta, November Issue.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Name:	Dmitri Melkonyan
Address:	8 Allard place, Ingleburn, NSW 2565
Citizenship:	Australia:

Academic degrees:

Candidate of Technical Sciences (PhD) in the speciality of “Electrical Engineering”.

Doctor of Biological Sciences in the specialities of “Human and animal physiology” and “Biophysics”.

Academic titles:

Senior Research Fellow in the speciality of “Biological and Medical Cybernetics”.

Professor in the speciality of “Control in Biological and Medical Systems (Including the Application of Computer Technology)”.

Fields of interest: Analysis and modeling of biological signals including EEG, ERP, ECG, VEP and EMG. Quantitative methods of psychophysiological research.

Grant awards:

Grant RYR000 from the International Science Foundation for the project: “The Coding Role of Facilitatory Synapses” (1994)

Linkage Grant HTECH.LG 930981 on the Priority Area on High Technology from the NATO scientific and environmental affairs division for the project “Simulation of Epileptogenesis via Computer Reconstructions of Neuronal Processes”, in collaboration with professor G. Kostopoulos (University of Patras, Greece). 1993-1995.

Publications: More than 90 scientific papers, and a monograph “Transients in Neuronal Systems”, Publ. House of Armenian Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, 1987.

Patent application No. PCT/AU2014/050283 – D. Melkonyan. Decomposition of non-stationary signals into functional components (HMcIP ref: P31071PC00), 2014
Melkonian D, Barin E. Non-linear dynamics and fractal composition of human electrocardiogram: a proposed universal formula for ECG waveforms. (2016) Fractal Geometry and Nonlinear analysis in Medicine and Biology 2(2), 1-9; DOI: 10.15761/FGNAMB.1000132
Kozlowska, K, Melkonian, D, Spooner, C.J., Scher S., Meares, R. Cortical arousal in children and adolescents with functional neurological symptoms during the auditory oddball task. October 2016, Neuroimage Clinical 10/2016; DOI:10.1016/j.nicl.2016.10.016
Melkonian D, Blumenthal T. (2013) Dynamics of the eyeblink EMG at global and microscopic scales. The Open Cybernetics and Systemics Journal 7, 11-22.
Melkonian D, Korner A., Meares R., Bahramali H. (2012) Increasing sensitivity in the measurement of Heart Rate Variability: the method of Non-Stationary RR time-frequency analysis. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine 108: 53-67.
Melkonian D., Barin E., and Bahramali H. (2011) Chaotic dynamics of ECG waveforms at global and microscopic scales: theory and applications. The Open Cybernetics and Systemics Journal, 5, 16-28.
Meares R., Schore A., Melkonian D. (2011) Is borderline personality a particularly right hemispheric disorder? A study of P3a using single trial analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45: 131-139
Melkonian D. (2010) Similar basis function algorithm for numerical estimation of Fourier integrals. Numerical algorithms, 54: 73-100.
Bahramali, H., Melkonian, D., O’Connell, O. (2008) Self regulation of the heart: natural frequency and damping of the heart contractions. The Open Cybernetics and Systemics Journal 2, 1-10.
Meares, R., Gerull,F., Korner, A., Melkonian, D., Stevenson, J., & Samir. H., (2008) Somatization and Stimulus Entrapment. Journal of The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, 36(1): 165-180.
Melkonian, D., Meares, R., Bahramali, H., Harris, A., & Williams, L. (2007) Numerical Fourier transform spectroscopy of EEG waveforms using similar basis function algorithm. Trends in Applied Spectroscopy, 6: 69-77.
Harris, A., Melkonian, D., Williams, L., & Gordon, E. (2006) Dynamic spectral analysis findings in first episode and chronic schizophrenia. International Journal of Neuroscience, 116: 223-246.
Meares, R., Melkonian, D., Gordon, E., & Williams, L. (2005) Distinct pattern of P3a event-related potential in borderline personality disorder. NeuroReport, 16: 289-293.
Hermens, D.F., Williams, L.M., Lazzaro, I.., Whitmont, S., Melkonian, D., & Gordon, E. (2004) Sex differences in adult ADHD: a double dissociation in brain activity and autonomic arousal. Biological Psychology, 66: 221–233.
Melkonian, D., Blumenthal, T.D., & Meares, R. (2003) High resolution fragmentary decomposition – a model based method of non-stationary electrophysiological signal analysis. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 131: 149-159.
Blumenthal, T.D., & Melkonian, D. (2003) A model based approach to quantitative analysis of eyeblink EMG responses. Journal of Psychophysiology, 17:1-11.
Melkonian, D., Gordon, E., & Bahramali, H. (2001) Single-event-related potential analysis by means of fragmentary decomposition. Biological Cybernetics, 85: 219-229.
Melkonian, D., Blumenthal, T., & Gordon, E. (1999) Numerical Fourier transform spectroscopy of EMG half-waves: fragmentary-decomposition-based approach to nonstationary signal analysis. Biological Cybernetics, 81:457-467.
Melkonian, D., Gordon, E., Rennie, C., & Bahramali, H. (1998) Dynamic spectral analysis of event-related potentials. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 108: 251-259.
Melkonian, D., & Kostopoulos, G.K. (1996) Stochastic particle formulation of the vesicle hypothesis. Relevance to short-term phenomena. NeuroReport, 7: 937-942.
Melkonian, D., & Kostopoulos, G.K. (1996) Novel approach to a quantitative treatment of the quantal transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. Neuroscience Letters, 209: 13-16.
Melkonian D. (1993) Direct evidence for the synaptic resonance phenomenon. NeuroReport, 5: 217-220
Melkonian D. (1993)Transient analysis of a chemical synaptic transmission. Biological Cybernetics, 68: 341-350
Melkonian D. (1992) Pattern dependent form of synaptic modification and its quantal origins. NeuroReport, 3: 937-940
Melkonian D. (1991) Double barrier quantal model of neurotransmitter relese. NeuroReport, 2: 719-722.
Melkonian, D. (1990) Mathematical theory of chemical synaptic transmission. Biological Cybernetics, 62:539-548.

Vidhi Sadana Mirela Olympia Fagarasan Palmer
P.O.Box 1054
Anaheim, CA 92815
Phone: (619) 204-3342
E-Mail: mirelafagarasan@netscape.net, olympiapalmer@yahoo.com

SUMMARY

I work in academia as an internationally recognized neuropharmacology and neuroimmunology researcher. I published more than 500 scientific reports in the field of neuropsychopharmacology and signal transduction . I am leading a laboratory interested in understanding the fundamental neurobiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders to contribute at development of new pharmacological treatments. We use genetic, neuroendocrine and neurochemical methods. We recognize the role of the immune system in modulating neuropsychiatric diseases and we are developing in vitro cellular models and in vivo animal models to study the neuro-immune interactions under normal and disease states I has successfully combined research, teaching, administration and clinical care and continue to work on advancing our understanding of serious mental illness and drug development. We used to translate research findings into medical practice for the purposes of diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases. I has published scientific reports on peptides, their receptors, signal transduction and the role of these neuropeptides in the immune systems. I hold patents for using modified peptides in the treatment of septic shock. I have skills and expertise in receptor pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, in vivo and in vitro cell culture, biochemistry, animal models, cell and molecular biology. I has lectured worldwide on these subjects and the others. I have 19 years of research experience with development and use of in vitro models to test compounds, such as receptor binding, receptor activation, signal transduction, receptor-receptor interactions, and induction of changes in cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore I validated appropriate assays and models of diseases, screen compounds, and study mechanisms of action.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Neuroendocrinology

WORK EXPERIENCE

Professor of Neuropharmacology:	University of South California, Los Angeles P September 1996- present
Senior Scientist:	Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York September 1994 –September 1996
Senior Scientist:	George Washington University, Washington D.C. and Peptide Technologies, Maryland September 1992-September 1994
Visiting Scientist:	National Institute of Mental Health and Peptide Design, Bethesda, MD September 1987-September 1992

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Fagarasan, M. O.; Galea, V.; Toader, S.: "Chronic poisoning with trifluoperazine in rats. Kinetics of metabolites and hematologic changes." Clujul Medical, 57(2): 143-146, 1984.
Fagarasan, M. O Quai, I.; Popa, L.;.: "Histopathological neuronal changes in acute intoxications with psychotropic drugs." Probleme de Medicine Legala, 17-18: 206-209, 1985.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Fagarasan, E.: "Determination of hydroxi-metabolites of amitriptyline by mass spectrometry. Revista de Chimie, 37 (8): 775-726, 1986.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Eskay, R.; Axelrod, J.: "Interleukin 1 potentiates the secretion of beta-endorphin induced by secretagogues in a mouse pituitary cell line (AtT-20). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86: 2070-2073, 1989.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Axelrod, J.: "Interleukin 1 amplifies the action of pituitary secretagogues via protein kinases. International J. Neurosci., 51, 311-313, 1990.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Bishop, J. F.; Rinaudo, M. S.; Axelrod, J.: "Interleukin 1 induces early protein phosphorylation and requires only a short exposure for late induced secretion of beta-endorphin in a mouse pituitary cell line." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87, 2229-2555, 1990.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Aiello, F.; Muegge, K.; Durum, S.; Axelrod, J.: "Interleukin 1 induces beta-endorphin secretion via Fos and Jun in AtT-20 pituitary cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87, 7871-7874, 1990.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Axelrod, J.; Catt, J. K.: "Interleukin 1 potentiates agonist induced secretion of beta-endorphin in anterior pituitary cells." Biochem. and Biophys. Res. Comm. 173 (3): 988-993, 1990.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Arora, P. V.; Axelrod, J.: "Interleukin 1 potentiates the secretion of b-endorphin induced by secretagogues: Dynamics of interleukin 1 internalization in pituitary cells. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiat., 15, 551-560, 1991.
Fagarasan, M. O.: "Effects of IL-1 on AtT-20 cells: Methods and Overview. Neurobiology of Cytokines. Methods in Neurosciences, Vol. 16, Erol de Souza, (ed.) 327-341, 1993.
Moody, T. W.; Fagarasan, M. O.; Zia, F.; Cesnjoy, M.; Goldstein, A. L.: "Thymosin Alpha 1 down regulates the growth of human non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo". Cancer Res., 53, 5214-5218, 1993.
Moody, T.; W.; Zia, F. Venugopal; R., Korman, L. ,Y.; Goldstein A., L, Fagarasan, M. O.,: " Corticotropin -Releasing Factor stimulate cyclic AMP, arachidonic acid release and growth of lung cancer cells." Peptides, 15, (2): 281-285, 1994.
Zia, F.; Fagarasan, M. O.: Bitar, K.; Coy, D.,H., Pisegna, J.,R.; Wang, S., A., Moody, T.,W. " Pituitary adenilate cyclase activating peptide receptors regulate the growth of non-small lung cancer cells" Cancer Research 55(21): 4886-91, 1995.
Moody, T.,W.; Fagarasan, M. O.; Zia, F., " Neuromedin B stimulates arachidonic acid release, c-fos gene expression and the growth of c6 glioma cells". Peptides, 16, (6), :1133-1140., 1995.
Knight, M., Fagarasan, M. O.; Takahashi, K., Gebblaoui, A., Z., Ma,Y., Ito, Y. Separation and purification of peptides by high -speed counter-current chromatography." J. Chromatogr. A, 702 (1-2) :207-214, 1995.
Moody, T., W; Zia, F.; Venugopal, R.; Fagarasan, M. O.; Oie, H.; Hu, V. " GRP receptors are present in non small cell lung cancer cells" J. of Cellular Biochemistry., Supplement , 24 : 247-56, 1996.
Fagarasan, M. O,; Aisen, P. S.: "IL-1 and Anti-inflammatory drugs modulate Amyloid beta cytotoxicity in PC12 cells" . Brain Research 723, 231-234, 1996.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Efthimioupolos, S.: " Mechanism of amyloid beta-peptide (1-42) toxicity in PC12 cells." Molecular Psychiatry 1, 398-403, 1996.
Fagarasan, M. O.; Sevilla D.; Baruch B.; Santoto J.; Marin D.; and Aisen P.S.: Plasma C3a levels in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Research 3, 137-140, 1997.
Badamchian, M; Fagarasan, M.O.; Danner, R.L., Goldstein, A.L. : Thymosin beta 4 reduces lethality and down regulates inflammatory mediators in endotoxin-induced septic shock. “Int. J. of Imm. Pharm”. 2003

PATENTS

Method of treating septic shock using thymosin beta 4.
Method of treating septic shock by preventing actin polymerization.

Maria Morello, PhD
Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Department of Experimental Medicine
Tor Vergata University, Rome
Mobile (+39)328.6111139
University (+39)06.72596608
Hospital (+39)06.20902351
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9023-1106

Personal Information
Maria Morello, PhD, is a full-time senior researcher and adjunct professor at University of Tor Vergata, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry. She also performs hospital care activities at University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome (PTV)-Clinical Biochemistry section.
Born on the 15th of June 1968, she currently lives in Rome and is married with two children.
In 1991 she graduated (cum laudae) in Biological Science at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in collaboration with CNR, elaborating a thesis entitled “Distribution of Nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor and acetyl choline transferase enzyme (ChAT) levels in the central nervous system of stressed rodents” (supervisors: Prof. Rita Levi Montalcini and Prof. Luigi Aloe).
In 1993 she qualified as Clinical Biologist at University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
In 1993 to 1994 she received a scholarship from Italian Space Agency (ASI) to carry out studies on the alterations of the concentrations of some bio-elements in the brain and muscles of rats subjected to simulated hypo-gravity.
In 1995 she obtained a permanent position as a Researcher at Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine (ex Med 26-Neurology).
From 1995 to 2006 she was a Biologist at the Divisional Service of Neuromuscular Diseases (Santo Eugenio-University Hospital, Rome), studying morphological analysis of neurons and muscle biopsies (applying and validating immunoenzymatic and immunocytochemical techniques).
In 1995 she obtained a grant (ITA-USA CNR-grant-short term mobility) as visiting researcher at the College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA, to conduct research in order to characterize neurons of the basal ganglia of rats, by ultrastructural analysis (using immunocytochemical and histochemical techniques).
In 1999 she received a grant (ITA-UK CNR-grant-short term mobility) as visiting researcher at the Medical Research Council, Anatomical Neuropharmacological Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Oxford, UK, working on a project in neuroscience entitled: “Role of neuronal nitric oxide/cGMP pathway in rodent brain”.
In 2007 she obtained a permanent position as Director Biologist at the Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine University Hospital of Tor Vergata (PTV), Rome (BIO12-E05/E3). She is currently responsible on the validation of medical lab examinations, such as biochemical exams, at the urgency, autoimmunity, protein, hematological and allergology sections.
From 2013 to 2017 she was a visiting Researcher (collaboration ITA-FRA), and worked with the Equipe “Plasticité olfactif et réparation du système nerveux”, UMR 7259 Neurobiologie des interactions cellularires et neurophysiopathologie (NICN), CNRS Aix-Marseille, France; where she worked on a project regarding the neurogenesis in animal models of Alzheimer Disease.
In 2017 she obtained a Doctoral Degree (PhD) in “Applied Medical and Surgical Sciences, Clinical Nutrition” (in collaboration with the University of Tor Vergata and the University of Marseille), presenting a thesis entitled: “Vitamin D and Alzheimer’s disease effects of supplementation/depletion on neurogenesis, amyloid plaques and cognition” (supervisors: Prof A. De Lorenzo, and Prof. F. Feron).
From 1995 to 2007 she carries teaching activity in neurosciences fields: Neuroanatomy and neurobiology (course for neurophysiopathology technicians), From 2007-today, she carries teaching activity in Biochemistry: Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Laboratory practices (to medical students- Faculty of Medicine), Human Clinical Biochemistry (Master's degree course in Medical Biotechnology), Biochemical monitoring of rehabilitation (Master’s degree course in Science and Techniques of Motor Activity), Pathophysiological Diagnostics (Undergraduate course for Orthopedic Technicians), Clinical Biochemistry (Specialization Course in Clinical Pathology for Biologist and Medical Doctors).
Starting form 1993 she contributed to several research projects concerning studies on Neurosciences, Neurobiology and Biochemistry.
In the recent years, her research activity has been focused mainly on the study of biochemical markers in neurodegenerative diseases as well as cytokines and vitamins in autoimmune diseases and the evaluation of cytokine and inflammatory markers in Covid.
She is a member of several national and international scientific organizations and societies: Italian Association of Neuropathology, Italian Association of Electron Microscopy, SIMEL, Italian Association, Laboratory Medicine, SiBioc Italian Association, Laboratory Medicine, SIES Italian society of hematology.
She is the author of several publications in national and international scientific journals and has given several oral presentations at national and international congresses, conventions and meetings.