Response of mitotic division of tomato plants [Lycopersicin esculentum cv pearl gone] to viral infection by potato virus Y and/or tobacco Mosaic virus

Disturbances in mitotic division in tomato plants in response to viral infection by potato virus Y [PVY] and/or tobacco mosaic virus-E [TMV- E] were determined after 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 days post inoculation. The results revealed that either PVY or TMV significantly lowered the mitotic division in tomato plants as indicated by the comparatively lower mitotic index than the respective control. PVY was much more effective than TMV-E. Complete arrest of mitotic division was recorded at 45 days post inoculation with either viruses. Mixed infection insignificantly affected mitotic division of tomato plants. Under all experimental conditions the percentage prophase increased with continued growth, whereas, the percentage of the other phases decreased

Study of effects of nifedipine on hypertensive patients with and without COPD

Nifedipine effects on hypertensive patients with and without COPD were studied in 50 patients [25 with COD and 25 without]. All patients were males with mild to moderate essential hypertension [D.B.P.90 -115]. Their age ranged from 30 to 74 years. Oral nifedipine 10 mg TID was given for one month. The following parameters were assessed before and after treatment in both groups with and without COPD: systolic blood pressure [S.B.P], diastolic blood pressure [D.B.P], mean arterial pressure [M.A.P], ventilatory function [F.E.V[1], F.E.F.[25-75%], PEFR], arterial blood gases, blood urea, serum creatinine, plasma Na and K and fasting blood glucose. The results showed that nifedipine significantly reduces the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure in patients with and without COPD. While ventilatory function parameters and arterial blood gases were not significantly affected in patients without COPD it showed significant increase in FEV[1] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] and decrease PO[2] in patients with COPD. Plasma Na, K, blood urea, serum creatinine were not significantly affected while fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated [but still within normal limits] in both groups of patients with and without COPD

Echo-doppler evaluation of mitral incompetence following acute myocardial infarction

This study was carried out to reevaluate the prevalence, significance and pathogenesis of mitral regurgitation [MR] following acute myocardial infarction [AMI] utilizing color Doppler imaging technique. This study included 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction. They were classified into two groups: group [1] with echo-Doppler evidence of MR and group II with no evidence of MR. Each group was further classified into three subgroups according to the site of infarction: anterior [subgroup A], inferior [subgroup B] and combined anterior and inferior infarction [subgroup C]. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, ECG, chest X-ray and complete echocardiographic examination. The results could be summarized as follows: echo-Doppler evidence of MR was found in 50% of the study population. It was commoner among patients with combined infarction [61.3%]. The total CK, mitral annular diameter and left ventricular volumes were significantly increased in patients with compared to those without MR, while FS% and E/A ratio were significantly reduced in patients with MR. The severity of MR was not closely related to the site of infarction, there was significant linear correlation [P < 0.05] between severity of MR and mitral annular diameter while no significant correlation [P > 0.05] was found between severity of MR and total CK. There was a close relationship between the site of infarction and the direction of MR jet. It was concluded that MR is a fairly common finding in patients with AMI. It was common among patient with combined infarction and finally it appears that there are two major causative factors of MR in patients with AMI, asynergy of papillary muscles and/or left ventricular wall and enlargement of the mitral annulus

Subclinical carditis in children with initial acute rheumatic fever: color-doppler echocardiographic study

The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of subclinical carditis in patients with ARF who had no evidence of clinical carditis, using color-Doppler echocardiography [CDE]. Thirty four patients with initial attack of ARF have no clinical evidence of carditis and twenty age and sex matched healthy children [as a control group] were studied. From the results obtained it was concluded that ARF without clinical carditis is not always a benign condition, because it is accompanied in most cases by subclinical carditis. The increased MVLT and valvular regurgitation detected by CDE unmasked subclinical carditis. So, the use of CDE study in patient with ARF would improve the identification of subclinical carditis and thus may be of great value to determine the prognosis of ARF

T3 and T4 hormones behavior in acute myocardial infarction

The main criterion for inclusion in study was freedom from diseases that may affect level of thyroidal hormones, subjects with history of drug intake that may affect thyroid function were excluded. All subjects underwent clinical examination, ECG, cardiac enzymes determination, some laboratory investigations and T3 and T4 radioimmunoassays on admission then on third and seventh days post AMI. The results showed a significant and transient decrease in TT3 and TT4 in early three days of AMI which returned to normal on seventh day after AMI. There was no significant relationship between TT3 and TT4, on one hand, and site or size of AMI, on the other hand. Also, there was no relationship of TT3 and TT4 and presence or absence of heart failure, however, patients with post myocardial infarction angina had a significantly higher TT3 in the day preceding the angina attack. So, it seems that this thyroidal hormones changes in adaptive process to limit the catabolism in such circumstances resulting in decrease of O2 consumption

Use of the initial electrocardiogram to predict in-hospital complications of suspected myocardial infarction

This study included 200 patients classified into positive and negative ECG groups according to the initial ECG. Initial ECG was classified as positive in presence of one or more of the following: Evidence of infarction, ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and strain or left bundle branch block. Patients with positive ECG [68%] and those with negative EGG [32%] were similar with respect to CAD risk factors and sex, however, age was higher and previous history of infarction or angina was more prevalent in positive ECG group. The risk of AMI was 7.8 times more likely in positive ECG group than those with negative ECG group [73.5% vs 9.4%]. Life threatening complications [ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, and complete A-V block] and mortality risk rates were 19.1% and 14.7%, respectively, in positive ECG group, while negative ECG group showed no complications and mortality was zero. There was no significant association between CAD risk factors, on one hand, and the presence or type of complications, on the other hand

Echocardiographic assessment of systolic and diastolic functions in athletic hearts

To evaluate the effects of relatively long term, minimum 3 years physical training on left ventricular [LV] systolic and diastolic functions, a total of 80 subjects [S] with age ranging between 18-40 years, were classified into 4 groups [G] and studied. GI, isometric exercise [20] S, GII, isotonic exercise [20] S, GIII, subjects retired for 3 years from endurance sporting program for at least 33 years. GIIIa, retired from isometric exercise [10] S, GIIIb, retired from isotonic exercise [10] Ss, IV, control [20] S. Clinical, ECG and Echo-Doppler examinations were done. Compared to the control G, GI and GII has significantly decreased heart rates, GI had significant increase in LV posterior wall thickness, while GII and IIb had significant increase in end diastolic dimensions or EDD. Left atrial size, LV mass, pulmonary peak velocity [PFV] and average acceleration were significantly increased in GI, II and III. Ejection fraction [EF] and mitral deceleration half-time were significantly increased in GII. Compared to GIIIa, PFV, mitral peak velocity; time velocity integral; deceleration time and deceleration half time as well as aortic time velocity itegral and average acceleration were significantly increased in GI. Compared to GIIIb, only tricuspid peak E. velocity was significantly increased in GII. In conclusion, the changes in systolic function in athletes in practice, GI and II are minimal except for EF which was increased in GII secondary to an increase in FDD. The changes in diastolic function are due probably to the increase in LV mass. Both of them did not return to the pre-exercise levels especially in GIIIb

Cardiovascular involvement in kwashiorkor

To find out the effects of protein calorie malnutrition on the cardiovascular thirty children with kwashiorkor [mean age = 18.9 +/- 1.29 months] and ten healthy children [mean age = 15 +/- 3.38 months] were enrolled in the present study. They were subjected to history taking and physical examination, biochemical investigations, chest roentegenogram, conventional 12-lead resting ECG, and both M- mode and 2-D echocardiography. Pericardial effusion was reported in 13.3% of kwashiorkor [Kwo] children. Many ECG abnormalities have been reported including decreased P-wave amplitude and duration, prolonged A-Tc interval, inverted T-wave in left precordial leads and increased R/S ratio in V. Echocardiographic examination revealed significant decrease of left ventricular mass [LVM] and left ventricular mass index [LVMI]. Ejection fraction [EF] and% fraction shortening [% F.S] although within normal range were reduced in kwashiorkor children compared with controls. This denotes that left ventricular function is preserved in spite of reduced myocardial mass. There was a significant positive correlation between body weight and each of LVM and LVMI. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between midarm circumference and each of EF and% FS

Validity of exercise QRS scoring versus thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy in diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Present study was designed to evaluate a new CAD index based on exercise-induced QRS changes [Athens QRS score] in 26 patients complaining of angina pectoris who underwent maximal treadmill exercise ECG and exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Athens QRS score

ST-segment changes as a non-invasive marker of coronary artery patency following streptokinase therapy in acute myocardial infarction

ST-segment changes and angiocardiographic findings were compared in 42-patients with AMI soon after thrombolysis. The% ST-segment change 3 hours after treatment [In the lead showing the greatest initial ST-segment elevation] was compared with the TIIMI perfusion grades [Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Trial] obtained 24 hours after treatment. Global ejection fraction and regional wall motion were assessed by cineventriculography 14 days later. Prediction of coronary artery pantency by a reduction of >25%in ST-segment elevation 3 hours after thrombolytic treatment had a sensitivily of 96% and specificity of 43%. Where the ST-segment elevation was reduced by > 25% the global ejection fraction was well maintained whether or not the infarct related vessel was patent. In patients with a reduction of <25%in ST-elevation, the ejection fraction was significantly lower and regional wall motion abnormality was more severe. Reduction in ST-elevation of>25% within 3-hours of thrombolysis indicates either a patent infarct related artery or preservation of left ventricular function when the ST-elevation dose not fall by >/= 25%. Persistent coronary artery occlusion is likely [predictive accuracy 86%] and is associated with a lower ejection fraction. These patients may benefit from further treatment or additional interventions

Neutrophil function in subjects with major coronary artery disease risk factors

In order to assess the neutrophil function in subjects with CAD risk factors without manifest ischemic heart disease, 60 males participated in the present study. Fifteen were healthy as a control with mean age of 28 +/- 6 years, fifteen were chronic smokers with mean age 50 +/- 8 years and fifteen were hypercholesterolemics with mean age of d39 +/- 12 years. Subjects with clinical or laboratory evidence of infection or intercurrent febrile illness, diabetes mellitus, hepatic or renal impairment, and /or history of drug intake that may affect neutrophil function were excluded. All subjects underwent; [1]. Clinical, some hematological and biochemical examination [2] neutrophil function assessment [chemotaxis assay and intracellular killing activity]. It was found that peripheral blood total and differential leukocytic counts were similar in the study groups. Neutrophil function was enhanced in smokers and hypercholesterolemics, whereas it was normal in hypertensives. Neutrophil function hyperactivity did not correlate with either duration of smoking or the number of cigarettes smoked per day, while it showed positive correlation with serum cholesterol level. It was suggested that neutrophil function may play a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Moreover, suppression of hyperactive neutrophil may have a role in prevention of CAD in risky subjects

Corrected Q-T interval in insulin dependent diabetic patients with cardiac autonomic neuropathy

The present study was designed to throw light on Q-T interval in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and on its relationship to the cardiac autonomic neuropathy [CAN]. Fifteen healthy subjects as a control group with mean age of 46 +/- 8 years [9 males, 6 females] and 30 patients with mean age of 48 +/- 7 years [19 males and 11 females] were participated in the study. Their electrolyte balance was within normal. Patients with other medical or cardiovascular diseases were excluded. No drugs that may affect Q-T interval and/or autonomic nervous system were being administered. All subjects underwent clinical examination, fasting and post-prandial glucose level, Q-Tc interval determination and autonomic function tests. It was found that 15 out of the 30 patients [50%] had CAN. All patients with CAN but none without CAN had prolonged Q-Tc interval exceeding 440 m.sec.Patients with CAN showed a significant prolongation of Q-Tc interval compared with both control subjects and patients without CAN, whereas, no significant difference was reported between control subjects and patients without CAN. Q-Tc interval showed a positive correlation with both the extent of CAN and the duration of diabetes. So an abnormal resting Q-Tc interval may be objective evidence for CAN and the longer the resting Q-Tc interval, the more severe the CAN. Serious ventricular arrhythmias associating Q-Tc interval prolongation may be a possible explanation for sudden unexplained death in these patients. Finally ambulatory ECG monitoring may be recommended and drugs that are known to prolong Q-T interval should be avoided in such patients

Rheumatic mitral valve prolapse

To find out the incidence of MVP in patients with well documented history of rheumatic fever with or without rheumatic valvular heart disease, 139 patients and 25 healthy subjects [control group] were enrolled in the present study. Patients were classified clinically into: group I patients with only history of rheumatic fever, group II patients with rheumatic M.R., group III patients with rheumatic M.S. group IV A: patients with rheumatic combined mitral valve disease and group IVB patients with rheumatic multivavular heart disease. All subjects underwent clinical and echocardiographic examination [M-mode 2-D and Echo-Doppler] MVP was diagnosed on basis of a high threshold recent criteria. It was found that MVP auscultatoryisigns were more prevalent in our patients than other studies which can reflect the role plaved by rheumatic fever in production of this signs. The overall incidence of MVP was 35.3% in patients versus 16% in control group. The incidence was 67.8% in group I, 73.91% group II. 23.53% in group III, 18.18% in group IVA and 4.76% in group IVB. Anterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse and non-ejection clicks were more prevalent in group I, while both leaflets prolapse was more prevalent in group II. The incidence of MVP was higher in mild M.R. while it has no relation to the severity of M.S. Isolated MVP in our country seems to be mostly due to rheumatic affection of the mitral valve leaflets. The entity of rheumatic MVP may be suspected in patients specifically with echocardiographically mitral valve leaflets tips thickening in the presence of history of rheumatic fever. Such group of patients should be managed as rheumatic heart disease patients

Value of recovery systolic blood pressure in diagnosis of coronary artery disease

In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of recovery systolic blood pressure changes in coronary artery disease [CAD], 30 male subjects complaining of chest pain had undergone both treadmill exercise test and coronary angiography, 19 had CAD [mean age = 48 years] and 11 were normal [mean age = 39 years]. The systolic blood pressure recovery ratios [R1, R2 and R3] were obtained by dividing recovery systolic blood pressure at 1, 2 and 3 minutes post exercise by peak exercise systolic blood pressure. The rate of decline in post exercise systolic blood pressure and in recovery ratios of CAD cases were slower than normal. During exercise there was no decrease in systolic blood pressure in CAD cases. The sensitivity of R1, R2 and R3 equal to or more than 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 respectively were 63.2 percent, 94.7 percent and 94.7 percent while the specificity were 90.9 percent, 90.9 percent and 63.6 percent in comparison with 52.6 percent sensitivity and 81.8 percent specificity of S-T segment depression. A highly significant direct relationship was found between R1, R2 and R3 on one hand and the number of diseased vessels, on the other hand, while S-T segment depression showed nonsignificant correlation with diseased vessels. We can conclude that the recovery systolic blood pressure abnormalities are more sensitive and specific for CAD than exercise systolic blood pressure and S-T segment abnormalities

Arterial blood pressure in smokers versus non-smokers: an epidemiological study

To find out the smoking-blood pressure [B.P.] relationship, an epidemiologic study of smoking and B.P. in a working population [1566 males] is presented. The study population comprised group I [975 males, mean age 30 +/- 5 years] and group 11 [591 males, mean age 48 +/- 6 years]. Each main group was subdivided into non-smokers, light smokers, heavy smokers and ex-smokers subgroups. Subjects with evidence of cardiovascular diseases, family history of hypertension and/or drugs that may affect B.P. were excluded. Physical examination included weight, height and B.P. measurement. It was found that systolic B.P., diastolic B.P. and mean B.P. were lower in heavy smokers than non-smokers, while in light smokers and ex-smokers B.P. was similar to non smokers in both young and old age groups. There was a negative correlation between systolic, diastolic and mean B.P. on one hand and duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked per-day on the other hand. The lower B.P. in heavy smokers could not be explained by relative weight; however, it appears to be a reversible phenomenon. Smoking- B.P. negative correlation is confirmed, this finding indicates that the role of smoking as a risk factor for hypertension is not sure. This observation should clearly not detract the well described synergistic effect of smoking and hypertension on the atherosclerotic process and the adverse effect on health in general

Postprandial alterations in heart rate and arterial pressure control during hemodialysis in chronic uremics

In order to assess the effect of standard meal on heart rate and arterial pressure during hemodialysis in chronic uremics, 15 patients with a mean age of 42 +/- 7 years were enrolled in this study. No patient had evidence of cardiovascular diseases and no drugs that may affect the autonomic nervous system were being administered. After autonomic function had been assessed each patient's heart rate and blood pressure were studied twice, during two standard hemodialysis sessions, control hemodialysis [HD] and snack hemodialysis [HD]. Blood and dialysate flows as well as ultrafiltration rate were kept identical during the two study days. Arterial blood pressure fell significantly during both the control HD and the snack HD, heart rate showed significant increase during snack HD, while during control HD it did not so. There was no significant difference between control HD and snack HD regards heart rate and arterial blood pressure. However, cases with evidence of sympathetic dysfunction [who experienced postural hypotension during autonomic function assessment] showed more marked fall in arterial pressure after the snack than during the corresponding period in the control HD. Hence these patients with sympathetic dysfunction specifically should be advised to avoid food ingestion two hours before and also during hemodialysis

Latent myocardial ischemia in healthy middle age chronic smokers: exercise stress test study

60 apparently healthy males participated in this study, group 1 comprised 20 non smoker individuals, group IIA comprised 22 males with < 20 years of cigarette smoking and group IIB comprised 18 males with > 20 years of cigarette smoking. Smokers were selected to fulfill criterion of smoking at least 20 cigarettes per day for at least 10 years. Treadmill exercise ECG was conducted according to Bruce protocol to predict latent myocardial ischemia. Some blood chemistry [F.B.S., uric acid, lipoprotein profile] was also done. Subjects with coronary artery disease risk factors were excluded. Basal as well as maximal heart rates in smokers nearly similar to non smokers. Maximal systolic and diastolic B.P. were higher in group IIB than other groups, also shorter duration of exercise in smoker groups was noted. Three subjects [7.5%] of smokers developed VPBs, one of them in group IIB who developed ventricular bigeminy associated with typical chest pain and positive ECG for ischemia. Among smokers latent myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in two cases [5%] and according to duration of smoking the incidence was 11% versus 0% in group IIB and group IIA respectively. Neither latent myocardial ischemia nor arrhythmias was reported among non smokers. Total cholesterol / HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were higher in smokers than non smokers but did not correlate with duration of smoking. In conclusion: [1] chronic cigarette smoking is a risk not only for acute myocardial infarction as previously reported but also for latent myocardial ischemia even in absence of other risk factors. This risk is related to duration of smoking and increases with increasing age, LDL/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratio's. [2] lipoprotein derangement in smokers is not related to duration of smoking. [3] serial treadmill ECG rather single entrance test and a large sample of population would likely have improved the sensitivity for prediction of latent myocardial ischemia in young and middle age smokers

Nausea and vomiting as predictors of presence, location and size of acute myocardial infarction

In a trial to assess the value of nausea and/or vomiting in prediction presence, location and/or size of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in patients presenting with acute chest pain and electrocardiographic [ECG], changes suggestive of coronary heart disease [CHD], 220 patients were included in the present work. They classified into AMI group [G1], [which was further classified into anterior Q-wave infarction [G[1a]], inferior Q-wave infarction [G[1b]] and non-Q-wave infarction [G[1c]] and noninfarction group [G[11]]. Nausea and/or vomiting were good predictors of AMI [85% positive predictive value]. They had no relation to infract site [67% in anterior infarction group VS. 65% in inferior infarction group with insignificant difference between them]. Using peak serum creatine kinase [CK] level, as an index of infect size, nausea and/or vomiting were good predictors of larger infarction [nausea and/or vomiting were present in 54%, 70%, 79% and 86% in patients with peak serum CK level < 1.000 IU/liter, > 1000 IU/liter, > 1.500 IU/liter, and > 2.000 IU/liter, respectively]. Thus, nausea and/or vomiting are important predictors in diagnosing AMI and are associated with larger myocardial infarctions but do not suggest infarctions in a particular location