Glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible soybean (Glycine max) and canola (Brassica napus) dose response and metabolism relationships with glyphosate

Experiments were conducted to determine (1) dose response of glyphosate-resistant (GR) and -susceptible (non-GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and canola (Brassica napus L.) to glyphosate, (2) if differential metabolism of glyphosate to aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) is the underlying mechanism for differential resistance to glyphosate among GR soybean varieties, and (3) the extent of metabolism of glyphosate to AMPA in GR canola and to correlate metabolism to injury from AMPA. GR50 (glyphosate dose required to cause a 50% reduction in plant dry weight) values for GR (Asgrow 4603RR) and non-GR (HBKC 5025) soybean were 22.8 kg ae ha-1 and 0.47 kg ha-1, respectively, with GR soybean exhibiting a 49-fold level of resistance to glyphosate as compared to non-GR soybean. Differential reduction in chlorophyll by glyphosate was observed between GR soybean varieties, but there were no differences in shoot fresh weight reduction. No significant differences were found between GR varieties in metabolism of glyphosate to AMPA, and in shikimate levels. These results indicate that GR soybean varieties were able to outgrow the initial injury from glyphosate, which was previously caused at least in part by AMPA. GR50 values for GR (Hyola 514RR) and non-GR (Hyola 440) canola were 14.1 and 0.30 kg ha-1, respectively, with GR canola exhibiting a 47-fold level of resistance to glyphosate when compared to non-GR canola. Glyphosate did not cause reduction in chlorophyll content and shoot fresh weight in GR canola, unlike GR soybean. Less glyphosate (per unit leaf weight) was recovered in glyphosate-treated GR canola as compared to glyphosate-treated GR soybean. External application of AMPA caused similar injury in both GR and non-GR canola. The presence of a bacterial glyphosate oxidoreductase gene in GR canola contributes to breakdown of glyphosate to AMPA. However, the AMPA from glyphosate breakdown could have been metabolized to nonphytotoxic metabolites before causing injury to GR canola. Injury in GR and non-GR canola from exogenous application of AMPA was similar.

Effects of glyphosate on soil microbial communities and its mineralization in a Mississippi soil

Transgenic glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has enabled highly effective and economical weed control. The concomitant increased application of glyphosate could lead to shifts in the soil microbial community. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on soil microbial community structure, function and activity. Field assessments on soil microbial communities were conducted on a silt loam soil near Stoneville, MS, USA. Surface soil was collected at time of planting, before initial glyphosate application and 14 days after two post-emergence glyphosate applications. Microbial community fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed from these soil samples and soybean rhizospheres. Principal component analysis of the total FAME profile revealed no differentiation between field treatments, although the relative abundance of several individual fatty acids differed significantly. There was no significant herbicide effect in bulk soil or rhizosphere soils. Collectively, these findings indicate that glyphosate caused no meaningful whole microbial community shifts in this time period, even when applied at greater than label rates. Laboratory experiments, including up to threefold label rates of glyphosate, resulted in up to a 19% reduction in soil hydrolytic activity and small, brief (<7 days) changes in the soil microbial community. After incubation for 42 days, 32-37% of the applied glyphosate was mineralized when applied at threefold field rates, with about 9% forming bound residues. These results indicate that glyphosate has only small and transient effects on the soil microbial community, even when applied at greater than field rates.

Rapid development of enhanced atrazine degradation in a Dundee silt loam soil under continuous corn and in rotation with cotton

Mississippi Delta cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in rotation with corn (Zea mays L.) was evaluated in field experiments from 2000 to 2005 at Stoneville, Mississippi. Plots maintained under minimum tillage were established in 2000 on a Dundee silt loam with treatments including continuous cotton or corn and alternate cotton-corn rotations. Mineralization and dissipation of 14C [ring]-labeled atrazine were evaluated in the laboratory on soils collected prior to herbicide application in the first, second, third, and sixth years of the study. In soils collected in 2000, a maximum of 10% of the atrazine was mineralized after 30 days. After 1 year of herbicide application, atrazine-treated soils mineralized 52-57% of the radiolabeled atrazine in 30 days. By the sixth year of the study, greater than 59% of the atrazine was mineralized after 7 days in soils treated with atrazine, while soils from plots with no atrazine treatment mineralized less than 36%. The data also indicated rapid development of enhanced atrazine degradation in soils following 1 year of corn production with atrazine use. Atrazine mineralization was as rapid in soils under a rotation receiving biannual atrazine applications as in soils under continuous corn receiving annual applications of atrazine. Cumulative mineralization kinetics parameters derived from the Gompertz model (k and ti) were highly correlated with a history of atrazine application and total soil carbon content. Changes in the soil microbial community assessed by total fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis indicated significant interactions of cropping system and sampling date, with FAME indicators for soil bacteria responsible for differences in community structure. Autoclaved soil lost all ability to mineralize atrazine, and atrazine-mineralizing bacteria were isolated from these plots, confirming the biological basis for atrazine mineralization. These results indicate that changes in degradative potential of a soil can occur rapidly and some changes in soil properties may be associated with cropping systems, which can contribute to enhanced atrazine degradation potential.

Prediabetes and hypertension

Prediabetes occurs due to two basic defects--insulin resistance and/or beta-cell failure. An observation suggested that insulin resistance may be associated with essential hypertension. There are some thoughts to favour the argument that insulin resistant Individuals are at a higher risk to develop hypertension as compared to insulin sensitive individuals. Some pathophysiological causes which have been commonly observed and hypothesised are narrated in this article. Management of hypertension in prediabetes should include antihypertensives and therapeutic lifestyle modification. To manage hypertension in prediabetes one should think for dietary modification, reduced salt intake, physical activity, smoking cessation, use of statins and antihypertensives.

Enhanced degradation of atrazine under field conditions correlates with a loss of weed control in the glasshouse

Enhanced degradation of atrazine has been reported in the literature, indicating the potential for reduced residual weed control with this herbicide. Experiments were conducted to determine the field dissipation of atrazine in three cropping systems: continuous Zea mays L. (CC) receiving atrazine applications each year, Gossypium hirsutum L.-Z. mays rotation (CCR) receiving applications of atrazine once every 2 years and a no atrazine history soil (NAH). Subsequent laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted with soil collected from these cropping systems to determine atrazine degradation, mineralization and residual weed control. Field dissipation of atrazine followed first-order kinetics, and calculated half-life values for atrazine combined over 2003 and 2005 increased in the order of CC (9 d) = CCR (10 d) < NAH (17 d). Greenhouse studies confirmed that the persistence of atrazine was approximately twofold greater in NAH soil than in CC or CCR soil. Biometer flask mineralization studies suggested that enhanced degradation of atrazine was due to rapid catabolism of the s-triazine ring. Glasshouse efficacy studies revealed a loss of residual weed control in CC and CCR soil compared with NAH soil. These data indicate that, under typical Mississippi Delta field conditions and agronomic practices, the persistence of atrazine may be reduced by at least 50% if the herbicide is applied more than once every 24 months. Glasshouse studies suggest that under these conditions a loss of residual weed control is possible.

Biodegradable-polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting Infinnium stent: 9-Month clinical and angiographic follow-up results from the SIMPLE II prospective multi-centre registry study

BACKGROUND

SIMPLE II was a multi-centre, prospective registry study aimed at investigating the safety and efficacy of the Infinnium (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd, India) paclitaxel-eluting stent for the treatment of single de novo lesions in the native coronary arteries.

METHODS

One hundred and three patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease were treated for single de novo native coronary artery lesions using the Infinnium stent (paclitaxel concentration 1.4 mcg/mm2 released over 48 days) in a multi-centre, prospective study performed on 3 continents (Asia, Europe and South America). The primary safety endpoint was major adverse cardiac events at 30 days (MACE 30d) and efficacy was assessed by in-stent binary restenosis as measured by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) at six-month follow-up. A clinical follow-up was scheduled at nine months.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 58.5 years; 70.9% were males; 43.7% had unstable angina and 38.8% previous myocardial infarction. Risk factors included hypertension in 62.1%, hypercholesterolemia in 52.4%, current smoking in 32.0% and diabetes in 28.2%. Stent implantation was successful in all patients, with more than one stent being implanted in 9 patients (8.7%). Hierarchical MACE 30d was 2.9%. At nine months, 101 patients had clinical follow-up (1 patient had died and 1 refused). There was one death (1.0%), one Q-wave myocardial infarction (Q MI) (1.0%), three non-Q MIs (2.9%), one clinically-driven target lesion Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) (1.0%), and one clinically-driven target lesion repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (re-PCI) (1.0%). The overall event-free rate at nine months was 93.2%. QCA revealed in-stent and in-segment late loss of 0.38+/-0.49 mm and 0.18+/-0.46 mm, resulting in binary restenosis rates of 7.3% and 8.3%, respectively. There was one case of late stent thrombosis in the patient experiencing the Q MI and subsequent re-PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

The Infinnium paclitaxel-eluting stent appears to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of single de novo lesions in coronary arteries in a patient population with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Foliar washoff potential and simulated surface runoff losses of trifloxysulfuron in cotton

The surface runoff potential of trifloxysulfuron {N-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)carbamoyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoy)-pyridin-2-sulfonamide sodium salt} in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems has not been evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine sorption/desorption coefficients for trifloxysulfuron; (ii) quantify foliar washoff of trifloxysulfuron when applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage; and (iii) determine the surface runoff potential of trifloxysulfuron when applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage and to bare soil. Freundlich sorption and desorption coefficients were 1.15 and 1.22, respectively. Sorption data indicated that trifloxysulfuron was moderately sorbed to soil and that it will be transported primarily in the dissolved phase of surface runoff. Foliar washoff studies revealed that approximately 91% of trifloxysulfuron applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage was available for washoff 72 h after application. Simulated rainfall (7.5 cm h-1) applied 1 day after herbicide application (7.9 g ha-1) resulted in average concentrations of trifloxysulfuron in surface runoff water of 0.8 microg L-1 for bare plots and 1.3 microg L-1 for cotton plots. Cumulative trifloxysulfuron losses in surface runoff from bare plots and cotton plots were 0.13 and 0.21 g ha-1, respectively. These values correspond to fractional losses of 1.7% for bare plots and 2.7% for cotton plots. Greater runoff losses of trifloxysulfuron from cotton plots were attributed to foliar washoff. Trifloxysulfuron runoff losses may be curtailed if the herbicide is applied early postemergence when canopy coverage is minimal, thereby reducing the potential for foliar washoff.

Simulated glyphosate drift influences nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation in non-glyphosate-resistant soybean

Nontarget injury from glyphosate drift is a concern among growers using non-glyphosate-resistant (non-GR) cultivars. The effects of glyphosate drift on nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation potential, nodule mass, and yield of non-GR soybean were assessed in a field trial at Stoneville, MS. A non-GR soybean cultivar 'Delta Pine 4748S' was treated with glyphosate at 12.5% of use rate of 0.84 kg of active ingredient/ha at 3 (V2), 6 (V7), and 8 (R2, full bloom) weeks after planting (WAP) soybean to simulate glyphosate drift. Untreated soybean was used as a control. Soybeans were sampled weekly for 2 weeks after each glyphosate treatment to assess nitrate assimilation and N2 fixation potential. Nitrate assimilation was assessed using in vivo nitrate reductase assay in leaves, stems, roots, and nodules. Nitrogen fixation potential was assessed by measuring nitrogenase activity using the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Nitrogen content of leaves, shoots, and seed and soybean yield were also determined. In the first sampling date (4 WAP), glyphosate drift caused a significant decrease in NRA in leaves (60%), stems (77%), and nodules (50%), with no decrease in roots. At later growth stages, NRA in leaves was more sensitive to glyphosate drift than stems and roots. Nitrogenase activity was reduced 36-58% by glyphosate treatment at 3 or 6 WAP. However, glyphosate treatment at 8 WAP had no effect on nitrogenase activity. Nitrogen content was affected by glyphosate application only in shoots after the first application. No yield, seed nitrogen, protein, or oil concentration differences were detected. These results suggest that nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation potential were significantly reduced by glyphosate drift, with the greatest sensitivity early in vegetative growth. Soybean has the ability to recover from the physiological stress caused by glyphosate drift.

Indigenous recombinant streptokinase vs natural streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction patients: Phase III multicentric randomized double blind trial

BACKGROUND

Streptokinase is the most widely used thrombolytic agent and can now be made using recombinant DNA technology. The present trial was initiated to assess an indigenous recombinant streptokinase (Shankinase, r-SK).

AIM

To compare the efficacy and safety of indigenous recombinant streptokinase (Shankinase, r-SK) and natural streptokinase (Streptase, n-SK).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Double blind, randomized, non-inferiority, multicentric, parallel study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients of AMI < 6 hours of chest pain and 2 mm ST elevation in 2 contiguous chest leads V(1)-V(6) or 1 mm in limb leads were randomized to receive 1.5 miu of either r-SK or n-SK. CK Peaking and decrease of > or = 50% ST segment were used to assess reperfusion.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Difference in the groups was assessed by chi-square or paired t test as required. Probability value < 0.05 was considered significant with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Overall 150 patients were recruited (96 r-SK group and 54 in n-SK group) and demographic and clinical profile of the groups was comparable. Reperfusion was seen in 68.2% (58) and 69.4% (34) patients in r-SK and n-SK groups respectively. Commonly seen adverse events were fever in 7 (8.5%), hypotension in 3 (3.6%), nausea in 2 (2.4%) patients. Minor bleeding were seen in 4 (4.8%) of patients.

CONCLUSION

Indigenous recombinant Streptokinase (r-SK) is as efficacious as natural streptokinase (n-SK) in establishing reperfusion as assessed by non-invasive parameters with comparable side effect profile.

Aminomethylphosphonic acid, a metabolite of glyphosate, causes injury in glyphosate-treated, glyphosate-resistant soybean

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was developed by stable integration of a foreign gene that codes insensitive enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, an enzyme in the shikimate pathway, the target pathway of glyphosate. Application of glyphosate to GR soybean results in injury under certain conditions. It was hypothesized that if GR soybean is completely resistant to the glyphosate, injury could be caused by a metabolite of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), a known phytotoxin. Glyphosate and AMPA effects on one- to two-trifoliolate leaf stage (16-18-days old) GR and non-GR soybean were examined in the greenhouse. In GR soybean, a single application of glyphosate-isopropylammonium (1.12-13.44 kg/ha) with 0.5% Tween 20 did not significantly reduce the chlorophyll content of the second trifoliolate leaf at 7 days after treatment (DAT) or the shoot dry weight at 14 DAT compared with Tween 20 alone. A single application of AMPA (0.12-8.0 kg/ha) with 0.5% Tween 20 reduced the chlorophyll content of the second trifoliolate leaf by 0-52% at 4 DAT and reduced shoot fresh weight by 0-42% at 14 DAT in both GR and non-GR soybeans compared with Tween 20 alone. AMPA at 0.12 and 0.50 kg/ha produced injury in GR and non-GR soybean, respectively, similar to that caused by glyphosate-isopropylammonium at 13.44 kg/ha in GR soybean. AMPA levels found in AMPA-treated soybean of both types and in glyphosate-treated GR soybean correlated similarly with phytotoxicity. These results suggest that soybean injury to GR soybean from glyphosate is due to AMPA formed from glyphosate degradation.

Impact of glyphosate on the Bradyrhizobium japonicum symbiosis with glyphosate-resistant transgenic soybean: a minireview

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] expressing an insensitive 5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene has revolutionized weed control in soybean production. The soybean nitrogen fixing symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, possesses a glyphosate-sensitive enzyme and upon exposure to glyphosate accumulates shikimic acid and hydroxybenzoic acids such as protocatechuic acid (PCA), accompanied with B. japonicum growth inhibition and death at high concentrations. In a series of greenhouse and field experiments, glyphosate inhibited nodulation and nodule leghemoglobin content of GR soybean. Glyphosate accumulated in nodules of field-grown GR soybean, but its effect on nitrogenase activity of GR soybean was inconsistent in field studies. In greenhouse studies, nitrogenase activity of GR soybean following glyphosate application was transiently inhibited especially in early growth stages, with the greatest inhibition occurring under moisture stress. Studies using bacteroid preparations showed that the level of glyphosate inhibition of bacteroid nitrogenase activity was related to in vitro glyphosate sensitivity of the B. japonicum strains. These studies indicate the potential for reduced nitrogen fixation in the GR soybean system; however, yield reductions due to this reduced N2 fixation in early stages of growth have not been demonstrated.

Prevalence of renovascular abnormality in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of renal artery disease and to correlate the underlying risk factors like age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, urea and creatinine in patients who have undergone angiogram for cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the reports of angiogram of patients who have undergone cardiac catheterization in Vijaya Heart Foundation for cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTS

The prevalence of renovascular stenosis is 12.4%. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the group of patients with renovascular stenosis compared with group having coronary artery disease is not statistically significant (p > 0.8). Univariate and multivariate logistic identified age, diabetes, hypertension and urea as independent predicators of renal artery stenosis; while variables like sex and serum creatinine were not associated.

CONCLUSION

High prevalence of unsuspected renovascular abnormalities is found in patients who undergo angiography for cardiovascular disease. Factors like age, diabetes, hypertension and urea could be clinical predicators of renal artery stenosis. Hence renal arteries should be visualized routinely in patients undergoing coronary angiogram for cardiovascular disease.

Isoflavone, glyphosate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid levels in seeds of glyphosate-treated, glyphosate-resistant soybean

The estrogenic isoflavones of soybeans and their glycosides are products of the shikimate pathway, the target pathway of glyphosate. This study tested the hypothesis that nonphytotoxic levels of glyphosate and other herbicides known to affect phenolic compound biosynthesis might influence levels of these nutraceutical compounds in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. The effects of glyphosate and other herbicides were determined on estrogenic isoflavones and shikimate in glyphosate-resistant soybeans from identical experiments conducted on different cultivars in Mississippi and Missouri. Four commonly used herbicide treatments were compared to a hand-weeded control. The herbicide treatments were (1) glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at 3 weeks after planting (WAP), followed by glyphosate at 840 g/ha at 6 WAP; (2) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied preemergence (PRE), followed by glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at 6 WAP; (3) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied PRE, followed by glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at full bloom; and (4) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied PRE, followed by acifluorfen at 280 g/ha plus bentazon at 560 g/ha plus clethodim at 140 g/ha at 6 WAP. Soybeans were harvested at maturity, and seeds were analyzed for daidzein, daidzin, genistein, genistin, glycitin, glycitein, shikimate, glyphosate, and the glyphosate degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). There were no remarkable effects of any treatment on the contents of any of the biosynthetic compounds in soybean seed from either test site, indicating that early and later season applications of glyphosate have no effects on phytoestrogen levels in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. Glyphosate and AMPA residues were higher in seeds from treatment 3 than from the other two treatments in which glyphosate was used earlier. Intermediate levels were found in treatments 1 and 2. Low levels of glyphosate and AMPA were found in treatment 4 and a hand-weeded control, apparently due to herbicide drift.

Dissipation of the defoliant tribufos in cotton-producing soils

Soil dissipation of the cotton defoliant tribufos was measured in laboratory incubations and on 0.2-ha research plots. Computed 50% dissipation time (DT(50)) using nonlinear and linear kinetic models ranged from 1 to 19 days. Data indicated that exchangeable soil aluminum inhibited tribufos-degrading soil organisms. Nevertheless, measured DT(50) values were 40 to 700 times less than the aerobic soil half-life (t(1/2)) values used in recent tribufos risk assessments. DT(50) values suggest that risk estimates were overstated. However, edge-of-field runoff concentrations measured on research plots exceeded invertebrate LOECs, thus some aquatic risk is indicated. Field data also suggested that volatilization may be a significant soil dissipation pathway. From this result, we conclude that volatilization should be included in simulation models used for pesticide registration. This will likely improve the accuracy of model outputs for products such as tribufos. Potential volatilization losses indicate a need to evaluate the atmospheric behavior of tribufos.

Euglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of PAT5A: a unique thiazolidinedione with weak peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma activity

The euglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of PAT5A, a novel pyridine analog of thiazolidinedione, have been evaluated in different animal models. Administration of PAT5A to db/db mice resulted in dose-dependent decreases in plasma glucose, triglyceride, and insulin levels, and an improved glucose tolerance. The glucose-lowering activity of PAT5A was better than that of troglitazone and comparable to that of rosiglitazone. In addition, PAT5A showed better lipid-lowering activity than troglitazone or rosiglitazone. A similar profile was seen in ob/ob mice. In high-fat-fed Sprague Dawley rats, PAT5A treatment reduced plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. An in vitro peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) transactivation assay in HEK-293 cells showed poor transactivation for PAT5A compared with rosiglitazone. PAT5A did not show any PPARalpha- or PPARdelta-activating properties. Ex vivo study in db/db mice treated with PAT5A showed decreased activity of liver glucose 6-phosphatase, a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis. A 28-day probe toxicity study in Wistar rats did not show any treatment-related alterations in hematologic and biochemical parameters, nor any macroscopic and microscopic changes in the vital organs, whereas rosiglitazone treatment increased liver and heart weights. Our results indicate that PAT5A is a potent insulin sensitizer and hypolipidemic compound with a weak PPARgamma activation potential. Both in vivo and in vitro results suggest that PAT5A improves glucose kinetics and lipid levels through mechanisms not related to PPAR activation.

Periodic intermittent electromechanical dissociation: hemodynamic correlate of a malfunctioning mechanical prosthetic valve

We describe a patient who developed the unusual haemodynamic phenomenon of periodic intermittent electromechanical dissociation during regular sinus tachycardia about 20 hours after mitral valve replacement with a tilting disc mechanical prosthesis. Echocardiographic confirmation allowed prompt and life saving corrective surgery for a stuck prosthetic valve disc.

Fatty acid profile and the atherogenic risk in fish consuming and non fish consuming people

Epidemiological studies have indicated a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in populations with a high habitual intake of marine fish and fish oils, and this apparent protection may be due to the presence of n-3 fatty acids in the dietary fish. Two populations, a rish consuming one from coastal area and an inland one with non fish consuming from Nellore district or South India were selected for the present study. A total of one thousand healthy subjects were randomly chosen (500 in each population) from both sexes, aged from 20 to 70 years. The concentration of serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in fish consumers, whereas HDL-cholesterol was higher in fish consumers than in non fish consumers. The difference between the percent quantities of the three n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) was highly significant (p < 0.001) with a greater value in fish consumers.

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta complicating cardiac surgery: role of echocardiography in the diagnosis

Pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta is a rare postoperative complication which, once identified, needs urgent attention. This report describes 5 consecutive patients with this complication who presented 2-15 months following open heart surgery. The role of cross-sectional echocardiography in diagnosis of this condition is highlighted.

Ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation: a hemodynamic and angiographic profile in Indian subjects

The records of 362 patients of Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) were analysed to find out the incidence of aortic regurgitation (AR) and their hemodynamic and angiographic features. Thirty-seven patients (10.2%) were found to have AR, whose mean age was 13.4 years (range: 2-45) and male to female ratio was 5:1. Of the 37 cases 31 (84%) had infracristal and 6 (16%) had supracristal VSD. In 31 patients with infracristal VSD the prolapsing cusp was Right Coronary Cusp (RCC) in 14 (48%), Noncoronary Cusp (NCC) in 12 (41%) and both RCC and NCC in 3 (11%). Of the 6 patients with supracristal VSD the prolapsing cusp was RCC in 5 (83%) and NCC in 1 (17%). In two patients the AR was due to bicuspid aortic valve. The pulmonary artery pressure was normal in 26 of 37 (70.2%) patients and the left to right shunt was 1.5:1 or less in 23 of 37 (62%) patients. Nineteen of the 37 patients (51.3%) had grade I or II AR and the remaining 18 (48.7%) had grade III or IV AR. There was no relationship between the severity of AR and the location of the VSD. In conclusion, in this series, the incidence of VSD+AR is relatively higher and that of supracristal VSD is lower. In majority of patients the left to right shunt is small and pulmonary artery pressure within normal limits. The prolapse of RCC is more common in supracristal VSD and there is no relation between the severity of AR and the location of the VSD.