Vascular stenosis asymmetry influences considerably pressure gradient and flow volume.

Vascular stenosis is often described only by its percentage in both clinical and scientific praxis. Previous studies gave inconclusive results regarding the effect of stenosis eccentricity on its hemodynamic effect. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate and quantify the effect of stenosis severity and eccentricity on the pressure drop. A combination of pressure and flow measurements by Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) method was used. Models of the same stenosis significance but with different levels of eccentricity were studied in vitro by PIV. This study has shown that stenosis asymmetry is associated with more profound pressure drop and flow volume decrease. On the contrary, pressure drop and flow volume decrease were not further significantly influenced by the level of asymmetry. Hemodynamic changes associated with stenosis eccentricity must be taken into account in both clinical and scientific studies.

The immunomodulatory property of a novel synthetic compound adamantylamide dipeptide.

The adjuvant effect of a novel synthetic compound adamantylamide dipeptide (AdDP) was tested in a model of delayed hypersensitivity to ovalbumin in guinea pigs, and of immunostimulatory activity in the experiments with 3H thymidine where DNA biosynthesis was measured in several immunocompetent organs after administration of adamantylamide dipeptide. In both tests, the compound proved to be active since delayed hypersensitivity was potentiated and a marked increase in the utilization of 3H thymidine in liver, thymus and spleen has been observed. The novel compound appeared to be devoid of other effects of MDP such as pyrogenicity and arthritogenicity.