Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is used commonly as a non-invasive test for assessment of degree of atherosclerosis. The present study, in a tertiary care centre of Eastern India was aimed to determine the relation between CIMT and the known and novel risk factors of ischemic stroke. Of the 62 patients studied, 82% were hypertensive and 61% were smokers, 95% were above 50 years of age. Seventy one percent of our patients had high CIMT. CIMT was signifi cantly related to high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fi brinogen, LDL levels and age of the patient. By logistic regression analysis, hsCRP, fi brinogen and age were signifi cantly associated with high CIMT. When the patients have elevation of both hsCRP and fi brinogen, the risk of high CIMT were even higher. Our study highlights the needs for better screening in high risk patients.

Objective: To investigate the elemental composition of the leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) due to the plant's wide application in the indigenous medicinal system and its chemical constituents' importance. Methods: The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for quantitative analysis of various elements. Results: Total 13 important elements were analyzed in leaves and flowers of C. roseus. Results indicated the presence of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cr, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Mn in both leaves and flowers. The most important finding of the work was that, leaves of C. roseus showed high concentration of all elements except K and Zn while flowers of C. roseus showed higher concentration of K and Zn. Conclusions: The elemental composition in both leaves and flowers of C. roseus were found to be different. Therefore, different parts of this medicinal plant are enriched in some micro and macro nutrients like Fe, Ca, Na, K, Zn, which are very important for biological metabolic system as well as human health.