Risk Prediction of Cardiovascular Events Using Thickness of Carotid Intima Media: An Institutional Based Study

Background: The load of coronary artery disease is on therise worldwide, developing countries, Like India, are acceptinglifestyle alterations that predispose to cardiovascular disorders.The present study was conducted with the aim to determinethe role of carotid intima media thickness in predictingcardiovascular events.Materials and Methods: The present prospective study wasperformed in the Department of Cardiology, Dr. Ram ManoharLohia Hospital & PGIMER, New Delhi, India. A detailed historyof all the subjects including medical history, biochemicalevaluation and ECG was performed amongst all the patients.The thickness of internal carotid artery and common carotidartery were measured bilaterally. A total of 3 readings wereobtained and mean was calculated. All the data thus obtainedwas arranged in a tabulated form and analyzed using SPSSsoftware.Results: A total of 200 subjects were enrolled in the study, themean age of the subjects was 44.87+/-3.89 years. There were120 males and 80 females in the study. The mean thickness ofright common carotid amongst cases was 0.12 ± .0085 andamongst control was 0.05 ± 0.0095. There was a significantdifference between the two as the p value was less than 0.05.Conclusion: Association between intimal thickness andcoronary artery disease is significant. Atherosclerosis is evenlydistributed amongst vasculature and primarily responsible forheart diseases.

Prognostic role of C-reactive protein in acute stroke.

Background & objective: Stroke is a dreadful health hazard all over the world as well as in our country and one of the leading causes of mortality & morbidity. The relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and post stroke outcome is not well studied especially in Bangladesh. We were interested to study this relationship in our country. Materials & methods: A cross sectional prospective study was performed on 50-stroke patients. Serum CRP & Lipid profile was determined. Post stroke outcome was measured by modified ranking scale (good outcome, score within 0 – 2 & bad outcome, score within 3 – 6). The subjects were divided in two groups, CRP level above or below 10 mg/L. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. Chi-square test & Spearman’s rho correlation test was done to see the level of significance. Results: Mean serum CRP level was 9.69 mg/L that was higher than normal subjects. Correlation analysis between serums CRP level of stroke patients with post stroke outcome was found to be positively correlated (r = 0.598/p<0.01). Conclusion: Serum CRP level may be used as a prognostic marker in stroke patients and it helps to make necessary management plan to physician.

Interactions of bacterial polysaccharides with cationic dyes: Physicochemical studies.

Capsular polysaccharides (SPS) are an integral component of gram-negative bacteria, and also have potential use as vaccine. In this paper, interactions of SPS isolated from Klebsiella strains K20 and K51 with cationic dyes pinacyanol chloride (PCYN) and acridine orange (AO) were studied by absorbance and fluorescence measurements. Both the polysaccharides having glucuronic acid as the potential anionic site induced strong metachromasy (blue shift ~100 nm) in the PCYN. The spectral changes were studied at different polymer/dye molar ratios (P/D = 0-40). A complete reversal of metachromasy was observed upon addition of co-solvents, suggesting the breakaway of dye molecules from the biopolymer matrix. Binding constant, changes in free energy, enthalpy and entropy of the dye polymer complex were also computed from the spectral data at different temperatures to reveal the nature of the interaction. Quenching of fluorescence of AO by the polymers and the incorporated mechanisms were also explored.

Studies on induction of metachromasy in cationic dye pinacyanol chloride by Klebsiella K7 capsular polysaccharide.

The acidic capsular polysaccharide isolated from Klebsiella K7 induced metachromasy in the cationic dye pinacyanol chloride indicating its chromotropic character. Interaction of the biopolymer with the cationic dye was studied by visible absorption spectrophotometry, and thermodynamic parameters of the interaction evaluated. The polymer induced a metachromatic blue shift in the spectrum from 600 nm to 495 nm. The spectral changes were studied during interaction of the dye with the polymer at different polymer/dye molar ratios (P/D = 0 approximately 50). Effects of co-solvents on the stability of the dye-polymer compound were studied. A complete reversal of metachromasy was observed upon addition of different alcohols and urea solution. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from the spectral data indicated chromotropic character of the polymer in interacting with the cationic dye molecules in solution.

Chromotropic character of bacterial acidic polysaccharides: Part III--Interaction of cationic dye pinacyanol chloride with Klebsiella K15 capsular polysaccharide.

Interaction of cationic dye pinacyanol chloride with the acidic capsular polysaccharide isolated from Klebsiella serotype K15 has been investigated by spectral measurements. Klebsiella K15 polysaccharide consists of hexasaccharide repeating units containing one residue each of glucuronic acid and glucose, and four residues of galactose. Glucuronic acid acts as the potential anionic site and the biopolymer interacts with the dye cations. It induces metachromasy in the dye and a blue shift of about 100 nm is observed in the visible absorption spectrum of the dye. Spectral measurements have been carried out at different polymer/dye molar ratios. Stoichiometry of polymer and dye in the polyanion-dye compound (1:1) indicates that every potential anionic site of the polyanion is associated with the dye cation, and stacking conformation is thus suggested. Effect of different non-aqueous solvents in reversing metachromasy has also been studied. Interaction studies exhibit chromotropic character of the biopolymer.

Chromotropic character of bacterial acidic polysaccharides: Part II--Induction of metachromasy in cationic dye pinacyanol chloride by Klebsiella K10 capsular polysaccharide.

The acidic capsular polysaccharide isolated from Klebsiella K10 exhibited chromotropic character with respect to induction of metachromasy in the cationic dye pinacyanol chloride (1-ethyl-2-[3-(1-ethyl-2(1H)-quinolylidene)propenyl]quinolinium chloride). Klebsiella K10 polymer consists of hexasaccharide repeating units containing one residue of glucuronic acid along with other neutral sugars in each repeating unit. It induces a metachromatic blue shift in the visible absorption spectrum of the dye from 600 nm to 500 nm. The spectral changes have been studied during interaction of the dye cations with the polyanions at different polymer/dye molar ratios. The polyanion-dye compounds are formed with polymer/dye stoichiometry of 1:1, indicating formation of stacking conformation. The complete reversal of polymer-induced metachromasy has also been observed by the addition of ethanol and urea.