The blood viscosity parameters of one hundred and fifty cases of WHO grade I and II hypertension of Indian origin, on treatment with calcium antagonists, were measured and a six-monthly follow up was conducted for a period of three years. The whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), red cell rigidity (RG) and hematocrit (Hct) were monitored. Occurrence of stroke was considered as the outcome variable and it was observed that sixteen cases of stroke occurred during the follow up period (10.7% incidence). After excluding known risk factors of age, sex, addictions, blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels and underlying diseases, it was observed that an increased whole blood viscosity > 6 centiPoise was associated with an increased risk of stroke (Relative risk 2.9, 95% confidence interval 2.2 to 3.7). An increased red cell rigidity in a hypertensive patient was found to be an independent risk factor for stroke. Patients with red cell rigidity greater than 4 had 4 times (Relative risk 3.6, 95% confidence interval 3.2 to 4) higher risk of stroke as compared with patients with red cell rigidity levels less than 4. Treatment with drugs modifying the rheological profile and aiming at improving the red cell deformability should thus be considered in hypertensive patients in an attempt to prevent the occurrence of stroke.

Blood Viscosity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spleen-shape as a genetic marker in X/Gf mice.

This study revealed that the triangular shaped spleen of X/Gf mice constitutes a genetically dominant characteristic over normal spleen shape of C3H mice. The agouti coat color of C3H mice is dominant over the white color of the X/Gf strain. The mode of transmission of triangular shape of the spleen in X/Gf mice, as well as their white coat color indicates Mendelian autosomal inheritance involving two independent genes. Although the pedigree lends support to this inference, we are aware that the small number of F2 offspring available for this study limits the conclusions to be drawn from the segregation ratio and statistical evaluation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Two-dimensional pulsatile hemodynamic analysis in the magnetic resonance angiography interpretation of a stenosed carotid arterial bifurcation.

A two-dimensional pulsatile hemodynamic analysis based on the finite-element technique was performed on a minimally stenosed carotid artery to identify the possible explanation for the differences in the x-ray and magnetic resonance carotid angiograms of a patient. The magnetic resonance angiogram was obtained by applying the maximum intensity projection algorithm to axial slices, acquired using the time-of-flight principle. The differences in the x-ray and magnetic resonance depictions were interpreted based on velocity profile, wall shear stress, and streamline data provided by the hemodynamic analysis. The specific contribution of the stenosis was further isolated from that of the bifurcation by comparing the flow patterns within the stenotic artery with those of its normal counterpart. The Doppler spectral velocity wave form of the patient constituted the basis for the pulsatile flow velocity specification. The analysis took into consideration the non-Newtonian viscosity of blood. The numerical procedure was validated through different convergence criteria and through shear stress comparisons. The importance of hemodynamic analyses in relation to magnetic resonance angiography was further discussed along with possible shortcomings of the technique.

Angiography↗

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Amoebic liver abscess: is response to metronidazole declining?

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Antitrichomonal Agents↗

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Accident and emergency. Making use of photography.

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Emergency Service, Hospital↗

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A carbon-skeleton walk: a novel double rearrangement of glutaryl-CoA catalyzed by the human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase.

Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase is a member of the coenzyme B12-dependent family of isomerases and interconverts methylmalonyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA. We have examined the ability of the enzyme to effect a double rearrangement reaction when presented with glutaryl-CoA, a substrate analog with a three-carbon template on which two successive 1,2 migrations can occur. Our results demonstrate that the enzyme converts glutaryl-CoA to both methylsuccinyl-CoA and ethylmalonyl-CoA. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a double rearrangement reaction catalyzed by a coenzyme B12-dependent enzyme.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗