Nitric oxide in the nucleus raphe magnus modulates cutaneous blood flow in rats during hypothermia

Objective(s): Nucleus Raphe Magnus (NRM) that is involved in the regulation of body temperature contains nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Considering the effect of NO on skin blood flow control, in this study, we assessed its thermoregulatory role within the raphe magnus. Materials and Methods: To this end, tail blood flow of male Wistar rats was measured by laser doppler following the induction of hypothermia. Results: Intra�NRM injection of SNP (exogenous NO donor, 0.1� 0.2 μl, 0.2 nM) increased the blood flow. Similarly, unilateral microinjection of glutamate (0.1� 0.2 μl, 2.3 nM) into the nucleus increased the blood flow. This effect of L�glutamate was reduced by prior intra NRM administration of NO synthase inhibitor NG�methyl�L�arginine or NG�nitro�L�arginine methyl ester (L�NAME, 0.1 μl, 100 nM). Conclusion: It is concluded that NO modulates the thermoregulatory response of NRM to hypothermia and may interact with excitatory amino acids in central skin blood flow regulation. © 2015, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Prognostic value of mean platelet volume in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: We sought to determine the role of mean platelet volume (MPV) for predicting long-term outcomes of elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: On the basis of retrospective cohort study, we collected characteristics of 680 patients undergoing elective PCI from October 2005 to August 2010. The patients who had preoperative MPV were assessed for developing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during 1-year follow- up. They were categorized into two groups including MPV <9.6 fL (n=89) and MPV �9.6 fL (n=92). Data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression. Results: One-hundred eighty one patients (26.6) met inclusion criteria. The MACE was observed in 29 patients (16); and its rate in low- and high-MPV groups was 11.2 and 20.7, respectively (p=0.084). MPV was significantly higher in the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40 compared with that of �40 (p<0.001). There were a significant and negative correlation between MPV and platelet count (r=-0.305, p<0.001), and significant and positive correlations between MPV and platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) (r=0.615, p<0.001 and r=0.913, p<0.001; respectively). The best MPV cut-off point was 9.25 fL; the sensitivity and specificity were 79 and 38, respectively. Elevated MPV was the best predictor of MACE at 1-year follow-up (OR=11.359, 95 CI 2.481-51.994, p=0.002). Conclusion: The results indicate that preoperative MPV is an independent predictor of the MACE at 1-year follow-up in the patients undergoing elective PCI. Moreover, it may be useful for risk stratification in such cases. © 2015 by Turkish Society of Cardiology

A Rare Case Report of Saddle Embolism in the Abdominal Aorta Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objective: Systemic embolism can be one of the unfortunate side effects of left ventricular thrombus following acute heart infarction, and its timely diagnosis and treatment is very important. In this report, a patient with saddle embolism in the abdominal aorta due to the complete separation of the left ventricular thrombus following acute anterior infarction is presented. Case Report: The patient is a 60-year-old man who referred to the emergency room complaining of severe retrosternal chest pain, nausea and cold sweats. In the ECG, he had ST segment elevation in leads V1-V5, and with the diagnosis of acute anterior infarction with ST segment elevation (acute anterior STEMI), he underwent primary angioplasty with stent placement (Primary PCI) on the left anterior descending artery. In transthoracic echocardiography three days later, a large thrombus was seen in the apex of the left ventricle. Seven days after stent implantation, the patient experienced severe pain and paraplegia of the lower limbs. In Doppler ultrasound, bilateral iliac artery occlusion was seen. Despite treatment with aspirin, clopidogrel, and anticoagulants, the left ventricular thrombus was embolized to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta and caused bilateral acute ischemia of the lower limbs. The patient underwent emergency embolectomy and was discharged one week later with a stable condition and two antiplatelets and warfarin. Three months later, warfarin was discontinued. Conclusion: According to this case report, abdominal aortic saddle embolism following acute myocardial infarction may rarely be seen. Paying attention to clinical symptoms, careful examination and quick diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis. In any patient with a left ventricular thrombus following an acute myocardial infarction, the possibility of systemic embolism should be considered

Some aspects of the Liouville equation in mathematical physics and statistical mechanics

This paper presents some mathematical aspects of Classical Liouville theorem and we have noted some mathematical theorems about its initial value problem. Furthermore, we have implied on the formal frame work of Stochastic Liouville equation (SLE)