ST Index Research Articles

Establishment and Application of an Interplanetary Disturbance Index Based on the Solar Wind–Magnetosphere Energy Coupling Function and the Spectral Whitening Method

We develop a preliminary interplanetary disturbance index (J sW ) by applying the spectral whitening method to an energy coupling function with solar wind measurements during the years 1998–2014 as the input, which can be used as an indicator of perturbations in the near-Earth solar wind. The correlation and temporal variation between J sW and the geomagnetic disturbance index (J pG ) constructed from the same method have been analyzed in detail for 167 geomagnetic storms with the minimum D st index less than or equal to −50 nT. The time delay between J sW and J pG is clearly observable and varies for different events, according to which J sW is shifted backward with respect to J pG . We obtain a fairly good negative correlation between the shifted J sW and the J pG indices for the majority of events, and the significance level for 88% of the events (i.e., 147 events) does not exceed 0.05. A statistical analysis of the shifted J sW and the J pG indices for 147 selected events reveals that larger values of J sW and smaller magnitudes of J pG are commonly accompanied by enhanced southward magnetic fields, which implies that more solar wind energy is entering the magnetosphere and thus causing strong geomagnetic storms. Furthermore, a linear fit of the two indices suggests that the evolution of J pG can be predicted about 2 hr in advance based on J sW , indicating that J sW can provide early warnings of possible disturbances in the geomagnetic fields, which is crucial for space weather monitoring and operational forecasting.

Features of portal hemodynamics in patients with fatty liver disease: mechanisms of formation, clinical significance

There are few data in the literature on the state of portal and hepatic blood flow in patients with fatty liver disease, and portal hemodynamics at the pre-cirrhotic stage is practically not covered. The aim of the study was to study the features of portal hemodynamics in patients with fatty liver disease at the pre-cirrhotic stage. Materials and methods. The study included 43 patients (25 - patients with fatty liver disease and 18- a comparison group who applied to outpatient clinics of therapeutic profile aged 18-89 years (41.9% of men, 58.1% of women). The average age of the patients was 45.1± 19.4 years. Criteria for inclusion in the study: age 18 years and older; presence of fatty liver disease associated with metabolic conditions. Criteria for not being included in the study: the presence of viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune liver diseases, pregnancy, lactation, taking any medications, narcotic drugs, the presence of acute or exacerbation of chronic diseases. The anthropometric indicators of patients were evaluated: waist circumference (OT), body mass index (BMI), steatotic indices (St-index, Fatty Liver Index), liver fibrosis index (Fib 4). Portal hemodynamics was assessed using ultrasound Dopplerography on a Philips Affiniti 50 device. Sensor C5-1. The following criteria were evaluated: vessel diameter (mm), its cross-sectional area (PPP, cm2), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMX, cm/s), time-averaged average blood flow velocity (TAV, cm/s), Doppler perfusion index was calculated using the formula: V vol SPA / V vol SPA + V vol BB), the stagnation index was calculated using the formula: PPP/TAV. The results obtained. In patients with fatty liver disease, structural and hemodynamic shifts in the portal blood flow system are recorded: an increase in the diameter of the portal and inferior vena cava, a larger cross-sectional area, a low time-averaged maximum blood flow velocity and time-averaged average blood flow velocity, an increase in the stagnation index for these vessels, which reflects the process of remodeling the liver as a target organ in fatty liver disease and its vascular bed, forming a “stagnant liver”. Patients have lower values of the time-averaged average blood flow rate through the splenic vein, which indicates the initiation of collateral blood flow. Portal hemodynamics indicators correlate with metabolic parameters (anthropometric characteristics of patients (OT, BMI), steatotic indices (St index, FLI), but not with the liver fibrosis index (Fib 4). These hemodynamic features at the pre-cirrhotic stage of the disease, correlating with the severity of metabolic disorders, exacerbate structural changes in the liver and necessitate their correction in patients with fatty liver disease.

Predictive Value of Dynamic Corneal Response Parameters Evaluated with Scheimpflug High-Speed Video (Corvis ST) on the Visual Field Progression in Prostaglandin Treated Ocular Hypertension and Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

The aim of this work is to compare the Corvis ST stress-strain index (SSI) and highest concavity (HC) parameters at baseline and 1month after initiating monotherapy with prostaglandin analogues (PGs) in eyes showing visual field (VF) progression or stability. In this prospective, single-center, observational study, newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve OAG patients were examined at baseline and 1month after beginning monotherapy with topical PGs monotherapy. Goldmann applanation tonometry pressure readings, Corneal Hysteresis (ORA-CH), and the Corvis ST measurements were obtained at both visits. VF progression (Humphrey) was evaluated based on data from 6 years of follow-up after the baseline visit. Stress-strain index (SSI) and HC parameters in progressing (P) and non-progressing (NP) eyes were the main outcome measures. Sixty-three eyes were analyzed; mean age was 64.63 ± 11.26years; 47 eyes were NP and 16 eyes were P according to the event analysis performed by the Humphrey device. There were no significant differences in IOP, CCT, or Corvis parameters between NP and P groups at baseline. Nevertheless, at 1 month, the SSI index was 1.60 ± 0.34 vs. 1.80 ± 0.34 (p = 0.003) in NP vs. P eyes, respectively. HC parameters were different between the groups at 1 month (p < 0.05) suggesting an increased scleral rigidity in the P group. There was no significant difference in IOP between groups at 1 month. The Corvis ST provides a corneal rigidity index (SSI) that seems to be related to VF progression when measured 1 month after initiating PGs monotherapy. Differences in HC parameters, indicative of increased scleral stiffness, are also evident at 1 month on latanoprost in the P eyes.

Rate-pressure product from exercise treadmill test corresponds to Duke treadmill score

Duke treadmill score (DTS) (sum of exercise duration, ST segment deviation and angina index) from exercise treadmill test (ETT) is validated for prediction of severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Rate-pressure product (RPP) (of peak heart rate and peak systolic blood pressure) is another composite score from ETT reflecting the exercise stress on the heart.

Effects Of Different Rhythm Music On Heart Rate And Ecg Index During Incremental Load Exercise

Moving with music has become a norm. Studies have shown that music can improve the burden of the heart. But during exercise, as the load of the heart increases, does music have the same effect, and does all types of music improve the burden of the heart? There are few studies. PURPOSE:To find out the most suitable type of music during incremental load exercise, and improve the heart safety of middle-aged people, and then prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular risk. METHODS:30 middle-aged people aged 40-60 were randomly divided into control group (C), fast music group (F) and slow music group (S). 10 people were selected from each rhythm music group. The initial load was 25 W, and the load increased by 25 W between each level, the final load reached 200 W. The experimental was accompanied by music, and the heart rate, ECG ST segment changes and other data were recorded. St-segment pressed ≥0.1MV during exercise was regarded as the criterion for determining ECG abnormalities. The collected data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA to observe the difference in the influence of different types of music on the two indicators. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the fast music group, the slow music group and the control group, the music had no significant effect on the changes of heart rate index and ECG ST segment index. (p > 0.05)(2) The ST segment tended to the baseline level in middle-aged men who listened to fast music. ST segments of middle-aged women who were in the control group were more tended to the baseline.(3) Listening to fast music delayed the rise of the heart rate in middle-aged people. CONCLUSIONS:(1) The effects of music with different rhythms on the heart rate and ECG ST segment index in the incremental load exercise of middle-aged people are not clear. (2) Listening to fast music has a positive significance on the delay of the heart rate rise of the middle-aged people in the incremental load exercise.

A variety-specific arrangement of histone H1 subtype (H1.b and H1.z) polymorphic variants in differently plumaged quails

ABSTRACT 1. This study was undertaken to evaluate genetic diversity among three varieties of Japanese quail (British Range, English White and Tuxedo) differing in plumage colour. The level of genetic variation was rated through the histone H1 polymorphic loci (H1.b and H1.z) containing quantitatively similar (P > 0.05) isoforms (H1.b1, H1.b2 and H1.z1, H1.z2) that form both homozygous (b1, b2 and z1, z2) and heterozygous (b1b2 and z1z2) phenotypes. 2. The complete set of histone H1 phenotypes were characteristic of the British Range and Tuxedo varieties. Phenotypes b2 and z2 were not detected in the English White variety. A lack of the former phenotypes resulted in excess of heterozygotes at loci H1.b (F = −0.563) and H1.z (F = −0.562), pointing to the presence of outbreeding. 3. The English White variety deviated from Hardy–Weinberg proportions (H1.b – Χ 2 = 7.61, P < 0.05 and H1.z – Χ 2 = 5.84, P < 0.05), in contrast to the British Range variety (H1.b – Χ 2 = 0.86, P > 0.05 and H1.z – Χ 2 = 0.86, P > 0.05) and Tuxedo (H1.b – Χ 2 = 1.6, P > 0.05 and H1.z – Χ 2 = 1.6, P > 0.05). The estimated values of the F ST index for loci H1.b (0.073) and H1.z (0.099) indicate a moderate genetic diversity of the quail population. 4. The distinct array and distribution of histone H1 phenotypes among quail varieties suggested that histone H1 allelic variants might have an individual impact on characteristic pigmentation of poultry.

Genome analysis in five Italian beef cattle breeds

Chianina, Marchigiana, Maremmana, Podolica and Romagnola are the main Italian beef cattle breeds, and the quality of their products is largely recognized worldwide. This paper aims to determine the genetic variability and population differentiation by heterozygosity and fixation indices using SNPs data. The dataset was composed of 3,581 animals (Chianina, n = 909; Marchigiana, n = 879; Maremmana, n = 334; Podolica, n = 555; Romagnola, n = 904). The blood samples were collected in ANABIC performance testing station from 1985 to 2019. All the animals were genotyped with the GeneSeek GGP-LDv4 33k SNP chip containing 30,111 SNPs. The genotype quality control for each breed was conducted separately, and SNPs with call rate smaller than 0.95 and minor allele frequency larger than 5% were used for further analysis. Heterozygosity and F IS index were estimated in PLINK v1.9, and F ST index was estimated using the hierstat package of R 4.0.1 software. The genetic analysis highlighted low values of heterozygosity in the improved beef breeds compared to the heritage breeds; moreover, the low values of F IS indicated a positive effect of controlled genetic inbreeding in the studied breeds. The F ST ; analysis confirmed the historical origin of Marchigiana breed and the values are consistent with their common breeding programmes. In this study, the importance of monitoring genetic variability of Italian beef cattle breeds was emphasized in order to maintain breed identity and genetic diversity in the selection process. Keywords: bovine, SNPs, inbreeding References Bonadonna, T. (1976). Etnologia zootecnica. Turin, Italy: UTET. Bongiorni, S. et al. (2016). Transcriptomic investigation of meat tenderness in two Italian cattle breeds. Animal genetics, 47(3), 273-287. Cosentino, C. et al. (2018). Podolian cattle: reproductive activity, milk and future prospects. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 13(3). Dalvit, C. et al. (2008). Breed assignment test in four Italian beef cattle breeds. Meat Science, 80(2), 389-395. D’Andrea, M. et al. (2011). Genetic characterization and structure of the Italian Podolian cattle breed and its relationship with some major European breeds. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 10(4), e54. Goudet, J. (2005). Hierfstat, a package for R to compute and test hierarchical F‐statistics. Molecular Ecology Notes, 5(1), 184-186. Hall, SJG and Bradley, DG. (1995). Conserving livestock breed biodiversity. Tree, 10, 267–270. Holsinger, KE and Weir, BS. (2009). Genetics in geographically structured populations: defining, estimating and interpreting FST. Nature Reviews Genetics, 10(9), 639-650. Jordana, J. et al. (2003). Genetic structure of eighteen local south European beef cattle breeds by comparative F‐statistics analysis. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 120(2), 73-87. Lasagna, E. et al. (2015). Comparison of four Italian beef cattle breeds by means of functional genes. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 14(1), 3465. Maretto, F. et al. (2012). Genetic relationships among Italian and Croatian Podolian cattle breeds assessed by microsatellite markers. Livestock science, 150(1-3), 256-264. Moioli, B. et al. (2004). Genetic diversity between Piedmontese, Maremmana, and Podolica cattle breeds. Journal of Heredity, 95(3), 250-256. Purcell, S. et al. (2007). PLINK: a tool set for whole-genome association and population-based linkage analyses. The American journal of human genetics, 81(3), 559-575. Sbarra, F. et al. (2009). Heritability of performance test traits in Chianina, Marchigiana and Romagnola breeds. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 8(sup3), 107-109. Smaragdov, MG. et al. (2018). The Assessing the genetic differentiation of Holstein cattle herds in the Leningrad region using Fst statistics. Agricultural and Food Science, 27(2), 96-101. Vincenti, F. et al. (2007). The hypertrophic Marchigiana: physical and biochemical parameters for meat quality evaluation. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6(sup1), 491-493. Wright, S. (1965). The interpretation of population structure by F-statistics with special regard to systems of mating. Evolution, 395-420.

Effects of oxytocin and anaesthesia on vascular tone in pregnant women: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study using non-invasive pulse wave analysis

BackgroundOxytocin is an uterotonic drug with profound cardiovascular effects, which in compromised patients could lead to serious events. The objective was to investigate whether oxytocin affects cardiac function and vascular tone in large and small arteries. We hypothesized that oxytocin decreases arterial vascular tone and elevates cardiac output.Methods51 pregnant women were randomised to treatment with 8.3 μg (5 U) oxytocin or placebo injection during first trimester surgical evacuation of the gravid uterus under general anaesthesia. Oxytocin or placebo was administered once either early or late in the procedure, in a double-blind fashion. Digital photoplethysmography pulse wave analysis variables, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and electrocardiographic ST index were recorded before and after anaesthesia and after each injection. Non-parametric statistics were used with a two-sided P value < 0.05 considered significant.ResultsAnaesthesia induced a significant fall in blood pressure, heart rate and vascular tone in small and peripheral arteries. Oxytocin had a vasodilatory effect on small and peripheral arteries and increased the left cardiac ventricular ejection time. The ST index decreased.ConclusionsPulse wave analysis indicated peripheral vasodilation and increased cardiac output after oxytocin, implying increased myocardial oxygen demand. These effects might have been enhanced by the vasodilating effects of anaesthesia. Previous studies have demonstrated myocardial ischaemia after oxytocin, as reflected by a decrease in ST index in the present study.Trial registrationTrial registration number ISRCTN17860978, 2018/03/14, Retrospectively registered.

Assessing footprints of natural selection through PCA analysis in cattle

Assessing footprints of natural selection through PCA analysis in cattle

Evaluating the role of smokeless tobacco use indices as brief measures of dependence

IntroductionThere is considerable interest in using brief measures of dependence for evaluation and treatment of tobacco dependence. The Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) is a validated measure of dependence among cigarette smokers. However, a similar index has not been studied among ST users. The aim of this study is to develop similar ST use indices and evaluate their utility as concise dependence measures. Time to first chew/dip of the day (TTFD), number of cans of ST used per week (CPW), and number of dips/chews per day (DPD) were used to create three ST use indices; heaviness of ST use index (HSTI), ST dependence index (STDI), and ST quantity frequency index (ST-QFI). MethodsThe study was based on data collected from a community based sample of exclusive ST users living in Oklahoma. Participants completed the self-administered survey which included dependence scales and questionnaires to measure sociodemographic factors and tobacco use characteristics. Saliva samples were obtained to measure cotinine concentration. Method of scoring for TTFD and DPD was similar to the scoring scheme employed for HSI items. DPD was transformed by a series of statistical tests into a three category scoring variable. Concurrent validity and reliability of the ST use indices were evaluated and overall accuracy of ST use indices was assessed. Level of agreement between the ST use indices and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence for ST users (FTND-ST) was calculated to find the extent these indices were equivalent to FTND-ST in measuring dependence. ResultsST use indices were significantly correlated with FTND-ST. ST users who had higher HSTI or STDI scores were more likely to have Tobacco Dependence Screener (TDS) based dependence diagnosis (OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.12, 2.02 and OR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.16, 2.02, respectively). Study findings showed that all ST use indices were predictors of cotinine concentration. The internal consistency assessed by Cronbach's alpha indicated that STDI had acceptable reliability. At the optimal cutoff scores, both HSTI and STDI had good level of agreement with FTND-ST (k=0.81, p<0.0001 and k=0.71, p≤0.0001, respectively). ConclusionsComponents of physical dependence are interrelated and each ST use item, TTFD, CPW, and DPD, explains a different dependence feature. Significant association of HSTI and STDI with other tobacco dependence measures and FTND-ST suggests that these indices are valuable brief measures of dependence among ST users and can be used as a substitute for FTND-ST, similar to HSI in smoking dependence studies. A concise dependence measure like HSTI or STDI has reduced response burden and is an effective tool in clinical and research setting.

The canine melanophilin gene polymorphisms in Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer

The aim of this study was to determine the population genotypic structure based on polymorphisms located in exon 1 ( c.-22G>A ) and exon 7 ( R199H ) of canine gene encoding melanophilin ( MLPH ). The genomic DNA were obtained from in total 49 samples of Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer and analysed using PCR-RFLP methods. The prevalence of G allele has been found in case of both identified loci. The highest frequency has been observed for heterozygous animals and its sufficient proportion was confirmed also by the coefficient of heterozygosity (0.71 or 0.67) and the F IS index values (-0.45 or -0.47). The F ST index showed expected high degree of genetic similarity between analysed populations resulted from their breeding purposes and common founders. The genotyping of such polymorphisms can be perspective mainly due to the fact that the MLPH gene was associated with the coat colour dilution and also alopecia not only in human but as well as in dog populations.

102 Early evaluation of myocardial dysfunction in women with history of preeclampsia: The role of speckle tracking

Introduction PE increases the prevalence of morphologic and functional alterations of the left ventricle. These changes can persist after pregnancy and would increase the risk of patients to develop chronic hypertension. A commonly used tool in prediction of cardiovascular disease is transthoracic echocardiography (TT-EC). Using TT-EC, patients with early asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction can be identified, which is useful because these patients have benefit with pharmacologic therapy despite being asymptomatic. A new technique for TT-EC (Speckle Tracking) has been developed that is more sensitive to evaluate cardiac functional alterations before they become clinically recognizable. There are currently no studies that evaluate heart function at short or long term after birth in patients with history of PE using speckle tracking. Objective To evaluate if the Speckle Tracking technique can identify early asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction in patients with past history of PE. Method A pilot case-control study was performed in Clinica Davila. 14 patients that had their delivery in our institution were recruited. 6 patients diagnosed with severe preeclampsia (sPE), 4 moderate preeclampsia (mPE) and 4 controls. One year after their delivery a Speckle Tracking index (ST index) using transthoracic echocardiography was performed. Results Our analysis show that patients with history of PE decrease the ST index in comparison with women without history of PE but without statistical significance (p = 0.0729). Dividing by severity of PE the data show significantly difference in the ST index of women with mPE (p = 0.0286), but not in woman with sPE (p = 0.3905), in comparison with the controls. Conclusion Women with history of PE and with asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction showed decrease of the ST index. Speckle tracking analysis could be a good technique to identify if women with history of PE can develop cardiac dysfunction.

Pulse wave analysis by digital photoplethysmography to record maternal hemodynamic effects of spinal anesthesia, delivery of the baby, and intravenous oxytocin during cesarean section

Objective: To investigate changes in maternal ECG ST index, blood pressure (BP), cardiac left ventricular (LV) ejection function and vascular tone/stiffness in large and small arteries occurring during elective cesarean section (CS) in spinal anesthesia.Material and methods: Twenty-six women were monitored with photoplethysmographic digital pulse wave (PW) analysis (DPA) before and after spinal anesthesia, after delivery of the baby, after 5 IU oxytocin bolus IV, and 5 min later. Statistics with Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank and Friedman tests at a p < 0.05 were performed.Results: Spinal anesthesia resulted in significantly decreased BP, increased ST index and LV ejection time, and small-artery vasodilation. Delivery of the baby resulted in global vasoconstriction and increases in systolic BP and heart rate (HR). Oxytocin lowered BP, HR and ST index, increased LV ejection power and caused both large- and small-artery vasodilation. ST index and BP recovered after 5 min, but low HR and low vascular tone persisted.Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia and oxytocin caused arterial vasodilation and cardiac affection. Oxytocin caused a decrease in HR despite a fall in BP, indicating a direct negative chronotropic effect. Delivery of the baby caused momentous cardiovascular changes, possibly due to maternal emotions and auto-transfusion of blood from the uterus.

Modeling the time behavior of the D st index during the main phase of magnetic storms generated by various types of solar wind

Results of modeling the time behavior of the Dst index at the main phase of 93 geomagnetic storms (-250 < Dst ≤ -50 nT) caused by different types of solar wind (SW) streams: magnetic clouds (MC, 10 storms), corotating interaction regions (CIR, 31 storms), the compression region before interplanetary coronal ejec� tions (Sheath before ICME, 21 storms), and "pistons" (Ejecta, 31 storms) are presented. The "Catalog of LargeScale Solar Wind Phenomena during 1976-2000" (ftp://ftp.iki.rssi.ru/pub/omni/) created on the basis of the OMNI database was the initial data for the analysis. The main phase of magnetic storms is approx� imated by a linear dependence on the main parameters of the solar wind: integral electric field sumEy, dynamic pressure Pd, and fluctuation level sB in IMF. For all types of SW, the main phase of magnetic storms is better modeled by individual values of the approximation coefficients: the correlation coefficient is high and the standard deviation between the modeled and measured values of Dst is low. The accuracy of the model in question is higher for storms from MC and is lower by a factor of ~2 for the storms from other types of SW. The version of the model with the approximation coefficients averaged over SW type describes worse varia� tions of the measured D st index: the correlation coefficient is the lowest for the storms caused by MC and the highest for the Sheathand CIRinduced storms. The mo del accuracy is the highest for the storms caused by Ejecta and, for the storms caused by Sheath, is a factor of ~1.42 lower. Addition of corrections for the prehis� tory of the development of the beginning of the main phase of the magnetic storm improves modeling param� eters for all types of interplanetary sources of storms: the correlation coefficient varies within the range from r = 0.81 for the storms caused by Ejecta to r = 0.85 for the storms caused by Sheath. The highest accuracy is for the storms caused by MC. It is, by a factor of ~1.5, lower for the Sheathinduced storms.

Microsatellite variation and genetic structure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) populations in Gomishan bay and Gorganroud River (Southeast of the Caspian Sea)

Common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) population has been declined in the Caspian Sea in the recent years, mainly due to human manipulation. This valuable species needs to be protected in the Caspian Sea. Considering the commercial value of common carp, its rehabilitation program has been established. In the present study, 8 microsatellite loci were used to assess genetic variation and population structure of common carp in Gomishan bay (GB) and Gorganroud River (GR). These two regions are the most important habitat of common carp. Mean actual (N a ) and expected (N e ) alleles numbers were 15.12 and 11.35 for GB and GR, respectively. Mean observed (H o ) and expected (H e ) heterozygocity were 0.99 and 0.90 for GB and GR, respectively. Results, also, showed that all investigated loci were polymorphic. Twelve out of 16 tested locus×region combinations showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) which could be mainly due to increase in H e . F ST index was found to be 0.011. Hence, AMOVA showed that observed variation was related to within population (99%) as well as between populations (1%). According to the results, it is suggested that studied populations have a great allelic richness and gene flow.

A comparative study of the C-reactive protein and the ST-score (ECG) as prognostic indicators in acute myocardial infarction in a rural resource-constrained hospital setting in central India: A cross-sectional study

Context:The electrocardiogram remains a crucial tool in identification of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been found to be strong predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) and future cardiovascular events.Aims:The aim of the present study was to compare hs-CRP and ST-Score (STS) as prognostic indicator in acute ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in central rural India.Settings and Design:Cross sectional study, rural hospital in central India.Material and Methods:In all patients of STEMI, STS, ST index and hs-CRP were measured on admission and serially. The Primary outcome was all cause mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcome were heart failure, life threatening arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, re-infarction, hospital stay and re-admission.Statistical analysis used:We used Student's t test to compare means, Chi-square test to compare proportions and Mann Whitney test to compare medians. P value <0.05 will be considered significant. Crude odds ratios were computed to assess the strength of association between risk factors and independent variable along with 95% confidence intervals.Results:STS was significantly higher in patients with poor outcome, when compared with good outcome (20.27mm vs.12.47mm, P = 0.002). On multivariate regression model STS was significant predictor of composite outcome events (OR = 2.74; 95% [CI], 1.46 to 5.17; P = 0.002). The area under the ROC curve was 0.70, with sensitivity of 73.5%, specificity of 58.7%; PPV of 68.3% and NPV of 64.2%. hs-CRP in patients with poor outcome vs. good outcome (6mg/L vs. 3.74mg/L, P = 0.003) and (P = 0.06, 0.85 and 0.12) respectively.Conclusions:STS on admission is independent predictor while hs- CRP is not in resource constrained settings.

Cardioprotective and Antihypertensive Potential of Morus alba L. in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction and Renal Artery Ligation-Induced Hypertension

The present study was aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective and antihypertensive effect of ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Morus alba L. in rats. Rats were orally treated with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanol extract of Morus alba leaves (EASF 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for three weeks. Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered at an interval of 24 h for two days for induction of myocardial infarction. The parameters like ST segment, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, pressure-rate index, vascular reactivity, heart weight, cardiac markers, and antioxidant enzymes were measured. Hypertension was induced by left renal artery ligation method. The effect of EASF was evaluated on blood pressure and cumulative concentration response curve (CCRC) of CaCl 2 on phenylephrine pre-ontracted isolated rat aortas. Oral administrati on of EASF signifi cantly reduced ST segment, heart rate, arterial pressure, pressure-rate index, heart weight, LDH, CK-MB, and SGOT, whereas the levels of antioxidant enzymes were increased significantly. EASF reduced the pressor response to catecholamines and also showed protection from hypertrophy and degenerative changes on myocardial muscles. The ligation of renal artery significantly increased the blood pressure and CCRC of CaCl 2 shifted to the left. EASF significantly reversed these changes. The observations propose that Morus alba may possess beneficial role in the treatment of myocardial infarction and hypertension through the regulation of antioxidant defensive mechanisms and blockade of calcium channels, respectively.

Studying ionospheric responses to magnetic storms depending on the local time of the storm main phase onset

A morphological analysis of vertical sounding data obtained in Irkutsk from 2003 to 2008 has been performed. The AE index was used to determine the geomagnetic activity level, and the storm main phase onset was registered based on the D st index. The ionospheric response to a magnetic storm was estimated based on the relative deviation of the critical frequency and altitude of the ionospheric F2 region from the median values. Superstrong magnetic storms and storms without positive initial phases were not considered when the data were selected. We found that positive ionospheric disturbances, which were accompanied by an increase in the F2 region maximum altitude, predominated between the storm initial phase and main phases during all considered magnetic storms. Between these storm phases, negative disturbances were only registered at night. Predominance of positive ionospheric disturbances over negative ones can be related to the selection of storms for studies.

On the Interaction between Electroencephalogram Bands of Normal Elderly Women and Demented Elderly Women

[Purpose] This study investigated the potential of quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis for dementia diagnosis by examining the correlation between each frequency band of EEG using a sample of normal and demented elderly women. [Subjects] Thirty-three elderly women (17 normal, 16 demented) without history of brain disease were participated in this study. [Methods] EEGs of the subjects were measured continuously for 5 minutes while subjects' eyes were closed. The AT index was defined as the ratio of the theta wave to the SMR wave; the AC index was defined as the ratio of the low beta wave to alpha wave; and the ST index was defined as the ratio of the high beta wave to the alpha wave. The differences in brain activity between normal and demented elderly women were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and the SPSSWIN (ver. 12.0) program. [Results] All areas showed a lower AT index among normal elderly women compared to demented elderly women. In the P4 area, the AC index and the ST index were significantly higher in normal than in demented elderly women, indicating there is a difference in brain activity between normal and demented elderly women. [Conclusion] These results show that quantitative EEG analysis can be used for dementia diagnosis.

Comparative Analysis of Brain Activation between Healthy Elderly Women and Healthy Adult Women

[Purpose] This study determined the differences in the brain activation between healthy elderly women (75.89 ± 6.44 years of age) and healthy adult women (22.11 ± 2.04 years). [Subjects] Twenty-seven healthy elderly women who could independent daily living with no history of brain diseases such as stroke or schizophrenia and 27 healthy adult women who are studying at S university in Busan were as participants in this study. [Methods] Examinations used twenty electrodes attached to the head to capture electrical brain signals during brain activated states such as the awaked state and the data were compared between the two groups of women. The AT index is the ratio of theta waves and SMR waves. The AC index is the ratio of alpha waves to low beta waves. The ST index is the ratio of high beta waves to alpha waves. The Mann-Whitney test was conducted to examine changes in EEG. [Results] Fp1, Fp2, Fz, F3, F4, F7, F8, and Pz areas indicate a significantly lower AT index in the healthy elderly women than in the healthy adult women. The Fp1, Fp2, Fz, F3, F4, F7, F8, Pz, P3, and P4 areas all showed a significantly higher AC index in the healthy elderly women, they who also had a significantly higher ST index than the healthy adult women in the Fz, F3, F4, F8, Pz, P3, and P4 areas. [Conclusion] We showed that the brain of the healthy elderly women lacks rest for processing information which is received during eyes open. We also demonstrated the capability of the quantitative EEG in the examination of cognitive impairments.