Serum leptin levels in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown an association of serum leptin levels with cardiovascular diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess levels of serum leptin in patients presenting with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-four consecutive patients presenting with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction were studied and 46 controls were taken from patients who presented with chest pain but had no history of myocardial infarction in the past. There were 59 patients with anterior wall infarction and 31 had inferior wall infarction and in 4 it was a combination of anterior and inferior wall infarction. The serum leptin levels in patients with myocardial infarction was 6.51 +/- 6.76 ng/ml versus 2.86 +/- 2.22 ng/ml in controls. In the multivariate analysis the odds ratio for serum leptin with myocardial infarction was 1.45 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.2 to 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that serum leptin level is elevated in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Decapod crustacean chelipeds: an overview.

The structure, growth, differentiation and function of crustacean chelipeds are reviewed. In many decapod crustaceans growth of chelae is isometric with allometry level reaching unity till the puberty moult. Afterwards the same trend continues in females, while in males there is a marked spurt in the level of allometry accompanied by a sudden increase in the relative size of chelae. Subsequently they are differentiated morphologically into crusher and cutter making them heterochelous and sexually dimorphic. Of the two, the major chela is used during agonistic encounters while the minor is used for prey capture and grooming. Various biotic and abiotic factors exert a negative effect on cheliped growth. The dimorphic growth pattern of chelae can be adversely affected by factors such as parasitic infection and substrate conditions. Display patterns of chelipeds have an important role in agonistic and aggressive interactions. Of the five pairs of pereiopods, the chelae are versatile organs of offence and defence which also make them the most vulnerable for autotomy. Regeneration of the autotomized chelipeds imposes an additional energy demand called "regeneration load" on the incumbent, altering energy allocation for somatic and/or reproductive processes. Partial withdrawal of chelae leading to incomplete exuviation is reported for the first time in the laboratory and field in Macrobrachium species.