Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrullus vulgaris</Emphasis> on some functional indices of selected tissues of Wistar rats

Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon) is a fruit with prophylactic and therapeutic potentials. In an attempt to maximize these potentials, the seed and rind are now often consumed together with the pulp. This study aimed at evaluating the implications of such consumption. Study involved the use of 35 Wistar rats grouped into seven with a control group administered distilled water, and the other groups administered varying concentrations of the pulp and whole fruit for 28 days. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT, AST) were assayed in the serum and liver. Total protein of the serum and selected tissues was determined and malondialdehyde (MDA) level measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in both whole fruit and pulp. Significant increases (p < 0.05) were seen in the liver ALT levels while there was a decreased (p < 0.05) intestinal total protein in the treatment groups. No significant (p ? 0.05) difference was seen in the serum and pancreas MDA levels while an increased (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA level was observed. Increased liver ALT levels in all the treatment groups might be due to high glutamate levels of C. vulgaris. Decreased (p ? 0.05) intestinal total protein might be indicative of protein loss, while elevated (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA levels in the groups administered whole fruit is suggestive of a defect in absorption at the intestinal epithelium. Hence, whole fruit consumption of C. vulgaris should be done with caution as it has potential to cause intestinal oxidative stress.     

Symptomatic epilepsy due to a huge frontal sinus mucocele. A case report

We report the case of a 57-year-old man complaining of headaches and adult onset seizures. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a process which proved to be a huge frontal sinus mucocele, eroding the posterior wall of the frontal sinus and compressing the left frontal lobe. An osteoplastic flap procedure with cranialization and obliteration of the frontal sinus was performed. The seizures and headache disappeared postoperatively. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and surgical approaches for grand frontal sinus mucoceles are briefly discussed.     

Estimating the occurrence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among Gulf War (1990-1991) veterans using capture-recapture methods

OBJECTIVE: Using data from a recent report that indicated a 2-fold higher risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, we applied capture-recapture methodology to estimate possible under-ascertainment of ALS cases among deployed and non-deployed military personnel who were on active duty during that war. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: One of the most serious concerns facing field epidemiological investigations is that of case ascertainment bias, particularly when it is differential among the study groups. Capture-recapture methods, however, have promise as an approach to assessing the impact of case ascertainment bias in such studies. To overcome potential limitations of any one approach, three different estimation methods were used: log-linear models, sample coverage, and ecological models, to obtain a comprehensive view of under-ascertainment bias in these populations. RESULTS: All three approaches indicated differential undercount of ALS cases with modest under-ascertainment likely to have occurred among non-deployed military personnel, but little under-ascertainment among the deployed. After correcting the rates for under-ascertainment, the age-adjusted risk of ALS remained elevated among military personnel who had been deployed to S.W. Asia during the 1991 Gulf War, confirming the earlier report. CONCLUSIONS: Capture-recapture methods are a useful approach to assessing the magnitude of case ascertainment bias in epidemiological studies from which ascertainment-adjusted estimates of rates and relative risks can be calculated.     

The role of ThinPrep cytology in the investigation of lung tumors

AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of liquid-based cytology with the ThinPrep (TP) (Cytyc; Cytyc, Co, Boxborough, MA, USA) technique, using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for sampling, in the investigation of suspicious pulmonary lesions. METHODS: We performed percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided FNA biopsy of focal pulmonary lesions in 80 adult patients. Study subjects were all consecutive patients and potential candidates for surgery. The sample was then examined by both conventional smears (CS) and TP techniques. TP smears of all FNA were prepared from needle rinsing obtained following preparation of CS. All cytological diagnoses were correlated with the CS and/or thoracotomy histological diagnoses in order to evaluate the role of liquid-based cytology with the TP technique. RESULTS: Using TP technique diagnosis was successfully established in 75 patients out of 80, whereas using CS cytology diagnosis was established in 54 patients (p<0.001, z=3899). Inadequate material was observed in 5 cases (6.25%) with the TP technique and in 13 cases (16.25%) with the CS technique (z=-2.77, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the TP technique has a good overall yield for the diagnosis of suspicious for malignant lung lesions. We found that the accuracy of determining lung cancer was excellent.     

口腔复发性阿弗它性溃疡(RAV)的心理分析与治疗

目的通过对RAV患者发病前后的心理因素分析,显示RAV的发生、发展与患者精神因素的关系.方法从540例RAV门诊病例中分离出具有明显心理因素的100例RAV病人.1∞例中发生于精神创伤之前43例,发生于精神创伤之后57例.结果痊愈58例(58%),显效14例(14%),有效13例(13%),无效15例(15%).本文对RAV病人的心理因素分析及精神治疗与护理体会进行了讨论.结论口腔复发性阿弗它性溃疡(RAV)的发生、发展与患者的精神心理因素有密切关系.     

The Possible Importance of Glutamine Supplementation to Mood and Cognition in Hypoxia from High Altitude

Hypoxia induced by low O₂ pressure is responsible for several physiological and behavioral alterations. Changes in physiological systems are frequent, including inflammation and psychobiological declines such as mood and cognition worsening, resulting in increased reaction time, difficulty solving problems, reduced memory and concentration. The paper discusses the possible relationship between glutamine supplementation and worsening cognition mediated by inflammation induced by high altitude hypoxia. The paper is a narrative literature review conducted to verify the effects of glutamine supplementation on psychobiological aspects. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases and gray literature by Google Scholar for English articles. Mechanistic pathways mediated by glutamine suggest potential positive effects of its supplementation on mood and cognition, mainly its potential effect on inflammation. However, clinical studies are scarce, making any conclusions impossible. Although glutamine plays an important role and seems to mitigate inflammation, clinical studies should test this hypothesis, which will contribute to a better mood and cognition state for several people who suffer from problems mediated by hypoxia.