Precursors of arteriosclerosis in childhood. Protocol and firsts results concerning plasma lipids and carbohydrate tolerance in 520 school children at Pordenone (Italy) (author's transl)]

The cardiological centers of Pordenone and Cittadella (Italy) organized by the Institute of Clinica Medica II of Padua University, have carried out a study on the "Precursors of arteriosclerosis in children", according to a WHO protocol. In this paper some results of the Pordenone study are reported, concerning serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and blood glucose 1 h after 1 g/Kg glucose per os. 520 school children, males and females, aged 6, 9, 12, 15 years, entered the study. Mean serum TC resulted significantly higher at age 12 as compared to the other age classes. Serum TG progressively increased with age. Mean serum TC and TG in our italian children and adolescents were silimar to those reported in studies from other countries. Blood glucose resulted significantly higher in children than in adolescents. The distribution of the blood glucose values was bimodal. After having arbitrarily fixed cut-off points for serum TC, TG and blood glucose, the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia was determined. The prevalence figures have shown that at the pediatric age it is possible to identify subjects at "risk" of developing arteriosclerosis.     

Noninvasive transcutaneous low frequency ultrasound enhances thrombolysis in peripheral and coronary arteries

Previous studies have shown that external ultrasound with low frequencies and high intensities can enhance thrombolytic drug-induced clot dissolution during in vitro experiments. In this series of studies, we evaluated the efficacy of peripheral and coronary thrombolysis in vivo in animals by using noninvasive transcutaneous ultrasound combined with thrombolytic drugs (streptokinase and tPA) and/or microbubbles agents (dodecafluoropentane [DDFP] and perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin [PESDA]). Thrombotic occlusions were induced in 74 rabbit iliofemoral arteries and 24 canine left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries in this in vivo study. By using the combination of transcutaneous ultrasound and streptokinase, the angiographic patency rate in rabbit iliofemoral arteries was higher (56%-100%) than with ultrasound (6%; P < or = 0.0036) and streptokinase alone (6%; P < or = 0.0012). Also, with transcutaneous ultrasound and microbubbles, the angiographic patency rates were 76%-100% as compared with ultrasound alone (0%, P < or = 0.0003) or microbubbles alone (9%, P < or = 0.0001). In the canine study of acute myocardial infarction, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade flow at 90 minutes in the tPA alone group was 0.92 +/- 1.4 as compared with 2.42 +/- 1.9 in the tPA plus transthoracic ultrasound group (P = 0.006). There was much improved reperfusion with tPA plus ultrasound as compared with tPA alone. In vivo animal studies demonstrate that noninvasive transcutaneous ultrasound can greatly enhance the effect of clot dissolution with thrombolytic drugs and/or microbubbles, and has the potential for clinical application as an adjunctive method to improve arterial thrombolysis.     

Isolation of Micro-organisms from Phyllosphere of Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) T.J. Kop. from Darjeeling Hills

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Microbial association is considered as a significant innovation for land colonization of mosses. Plagiomnium...     

Effect of Immunosenescence on the Induction of Cardiovascular Disease Pathogenesis: Role of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

It is well established that the immune potential declines with age. However, there is a great paucity of information regarding role of monocytes in elderly suffering from cerebrovascular accident. This present study was undertaken to investigate if the functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells have any correlation to the manifestation of an age-associated cerebrovascular disorders: myocardial infraction, cerebrovascular (infract & hemorrhage). An age-associated inhibition in the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by monocytes was observed while the production of nitric oxide (NO) remained unaltered in the response of monocytes, obtained from normal elderly donors, to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in vitro. Cerebrovascular pathologies were found to be associated with an augmentation of IL-1 production by monocyte, while NO production was augmented in case of CVA (hemorrhage) and MI. Trace element copper was found to be lower in the serum of patients suffering from CVA, while concentration of zinc was found to be elevated in serum compared to these trace elements in normal adults. Thus these factors are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related cerebrovascular disorders.     

The ‘quadriceps angle’: correlation between clinical and radiographic measurements from a study in North Bengal

Introduction: Quadriceps angle (Q angle) is one of the most important indicators of stability of patello-femoral joint. Orthopedic surgeons often measure the Q angle clinically in patients suffering from patello-femoral joint dysfunction or in subjects particularly young active sportspersons who are prone to injury of this joint. But the clinical method of measurement of Q angle is not standardized, and its value depends on various methods used. But the radiological method of measurement of Q angle is more accurate. However, due to the expense and time involved, the clinical method is preferred over the radiological one in practice. Aim: This study was aimed at studying the correlation and regression between the radiographic Q-angle values and the clinical ones, so that the former can be predicted easily from the latter. Materials and methods: Q angle was measured both clinically and radiographically in both knee joints of 93 adult subjects in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Result: Statistically significant correlation followed by the regression analysis could reveal simple linear regression equations for predicting the radiological Q-angle values from the clinical Q angle, derived separately in both males and females in right and left sides, separately. Conclusion: Thus, from a known clinical Q-angle value, we can derive the respective radiological Q angle, indirectly avoiding the entire troublesome maneuver in regular practice. So the present study recommends this method in clinical fields because this is a more rational and ideal approach to estimate the radiological Q angle. Increase in the Q angle beyond 20–22° predisposes to patellar dislocation which should be kept in mind while screening athletes, especially females. This tendency can be countered by quadriceps exercises and appropriate footwear.     

Retrospective comparative study of efficacy,safety and outcome of percutaneous intervention for Budd-Chiari syndrome patients with bilirubin less than 3 and 3–6 mg/dl

Objective:Comparing the efficacy, safety and outcome of percutaneous intrervention for Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) patients with bilirubin less than 3 and 3–6 mg dl⁻¹.Methods and materials:188 BCS patients having serum bilirubin ≤6 mg dl⁻¹ and underwent percutaneous interventions were divided into two groups based on bilirubin level: 151 patients having bilirubin <3 mg dl⁻¹ were included in Group 1; and 37 patients having bilirubin 3–6 mg dl⁻¹ were included in Group 2. Both group were compare for technical success (successful recanalization of hepatic venous stenosis or creation of portocaval shunt with post-procedure gradient ≤5 mm of Hg), Safety (procedure-related mortality/morbidity or patient required transplantation) and outcome (resolution of clinical symptoms and survival).Results:Technical success was 94.7% in Group 1–89.1% in Group 2 with overall success rate was 93.6%. No significant differences observed between the two groups in regards to procedure related complication. Overall transplant-free survival at 1 and 5 years after intervention in both groups was 96.3 and 91.2% respectively. 1-year and 5-year survivals in Group 1 was 96.7%, and 93.1%, whereas Group 2 was 94.6 and 90.1% with no statically significantly difference between the two groups (p = 0.59). Percutaneous intervention results are good in patients having bilirubin up to 6 mg dl⁻¹, i.e. mild to moderate liver dysfunctions.Conclusion:Technical success, survival and outcome of percutaneous intervention in BCS patients having serum bilirubin 3–6 mg dl⁻¹ was comparable to patients having bilirubin level <3 mg dl⁻¹.Advances in knowledge:Percutaneous intervention treatment is suitable for treatment for symptomatic BCS patients having bilirubin up to 6 mg  dl⁻¹.