The effect of Origanum majorana tea on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled pilot study

AimsThe effect of Origanum majorana tea consumption on motor and non-motor symptoms was investigated in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, measured by validated tools.MethodsSixty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and under conventional medication were enrolled voluntarily in the study. All participants were randomized on double-blind to placebo or Origanum majorana. Clinical assessment with validated tools (UPDRSIII, NMSS, and BDI) was done before Origanum majorana or placebo consumption (Day 0) and at the end of the experiment (Day 30).ResultsThe treatment groups were similar at baseline on demographic and clinical variables. During the course of study, nine participants withdrew for reasons of noncompliance and inability to follow-up. Fifty-one participants completed the study. Upon completion of 30 days of treatment, Origanum majorana tea consumption did not decrease the UPDRSIII score ([UPDRSIII^] D0 = 18.76 ± 8.58, D30 = 16.52 ± 7.96, p = 0.069) at the p value was 0.07. However, a statistically significant improvement was noted in NMSS and BDI scores (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Assessment of the UPDRSIII, NMSS and BDI scores of the patients did not reflect any improvement with placebo. No side effect was detected during the study^.ConclusionThese findings show improvement of depressive and non-motor signs in patients with Parkinson's disease in the group that consumed Origanum majorana tea in combination with conventional therapy. Improvement of motor signs may need an extended treatment period. However, more research with a large number of participants and lasting longer than 1 month is needed to argue these findings.     

Event-related potential changes due to early-onset Parkinson’s disease in parkin (PARK2) gene mutation carriers and non-carriers

ObjectiveTo investigate cognitive functions in non-demented patients with early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD), and to compare PARK2 gene mutation carriers and non-carriers by means of event-related brain potentials (ERPs).MethodsThe participants comprised patients with early-onset PD (EOPD) and healthy controls (HC). Patients with EOPD were divided into two groups as carriers of known pathogenic variants of PARK2 gene (EOPD-PC) and non-carriers of genes involved in familial PD (EOPD-NC). ERP data were collected during auditory oddball and visual continuous performance test (CPT).ResultsBoth EOPD groups (EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC) displayed reduced and delayed P3 in response to oddball target and CPT NoGo. CPT Go P3 was reduced in EOPD-NC but not in EOPD-PC. Oddball target N1 was reduced and P2 was enhanced in both EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC. In both cognitive tasks, RTs were prolonged and accuracy was lower in EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC.ConclusionsWe found several EOPD-related neurophysiologic changes, implying impairments in cognitive functions. Pairwise comparisons between EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC revealed no significant ERP marker.SignificanceIn this study, the confounding effect of normative aging was somewhat excluded compared with many previous studies. In contrast with the many oddball studies in non-demented PD, we clearly observed reduced and prolonged P3 in early-onset PD. Our NoGo P3 findings also contribute to the limited ERP research concerning response inhibition.     

Nerve ultrasound reference data in children from two to seven years

ObjectiveWe examined selected peripheral and spinal nerves of children aged between two and seven years.MethodHigh resolution ultrasound was performed in 116 children (2–7 years of age) at 19 predefined landmarks of median, ulnar, tibial, fibular, sural and radial nerves, the vagus as well as cervical spinal nerve 5 and 6. Further, side-to-side measuring and grey-scale analysis was done at selected nerve sites.ResultsNerves of children were on average smaller than those of adults. Nerve growth correlates significantly with age in all nerves, the mean values were similar in the age of two to four years and five to seven years. Body mass index (BMI) and gender showed moderate effect at some nerve sites, however not uniformly in all. A side-to-side difference of up to 30% in median, and up to 20% in tibial nerve can occur in healthy individuals. Grey-scale analysis for echointensity has been performed in median, ulnar and tibial nerves.ConclusionNerve size increases with age, BMI and gender have moderate effect. A side-to-side-difference of up to 30% can exist.SignificanceReference values of nerve cross-sectional area, side-to-side-difference and echo intensity are necessary to detect nerve pathology in children as well as in adults.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Risk for Upgrade to Malignancy After Breast Core Needle Biopsy Diagnosis of Lobular Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PurposeLobular neoplasia (LN) detected on breast core needle biopsy is frequently managed with surgical excision because of concern for undersampled malignancy. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the risk for upgrade to malignancy in the setting of imaging-concordant classic LN diagnosed on core biopsy.MethodsPubMed and Embase were searched for original articles published from 1998 to 2020 that reported rates of upgrade to malignancy for classic LN, including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and classic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Two reviewers extracted study data and assessed the following quality criteria: exclusion of variant LCIS, exclusion of imaging-discordant lesions, and outcome reporting for ≥70% of lesions. For studies meeting all criteria, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy (invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ) and invasive malignancy for all LN, ALH, and LCIS were estimated using random-effects models.ResultsFor 65 full-text articles included in the review, the risk for upgrade to any malignancy ranged from 0% to 45%. Among the 16 studies that met all quality criteria for the meta-analysis, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy were 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8%-5.2%) for all LN, 2.5% (95% CI, 1.6%-3.9%) for ALH, and 5.8% (95% CI, 2.9%-11.3%) for LCIS. Risks for upgrade to invasive malignancy were 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.4%) for all LN, 0.4% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.2%) for ALH, and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.0%-5.9%) for LCIS.ConclusionsThe risk for upgrade to malignancy for LN found on breast biopsy is low. Imaging surveillance can likely be offered as an alternative to surgical management for LN, particularly for ALH.     

Bilateral optic nerve edema presenting as initial manifestation of thyroid eye disease

A 48-year-old smoker with a history of hyperthyroidism treated 10 years prior to presentation with radioactive iodine ablation of the thyroid gland presented to his ophthalmologist with a 2-week history of transient loss of vision in the right eye occurring for 1 to 2 hours each morning. He denied ocular pain, diplopia or change in the prominence of one or both eyes. Examination revealed 2 mm of relative proptosis on the right, bilateral temporal flare and lower lid retraction. There was minimal upper lid retraction and no evidence of lid lag. Ocular motility was full. Dilated fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral optic nerve edema, right more than left. CT of the orbit demonstrated enlargement of the extraocular muscles bilaterally with marked enlargement of the right medial rectus and left inferior rectus muscles resulting in crowding at the orbital apex bilaterally. Laboratory testing revealed the patient to be hyperthyroid. The patient was treated with high dose oral steroids followed by orbital radiation. Hyperthyroidism was managed by the patient’s primary care physician. Visual symptoms rapidly improved with oral steroids and orbital radiation. Optic nerve edema completely resolved. Repeat CT imaging demonstrated a reduction in the enlargement of the extraocular muscles with relief of bilateral optic nerve compression.