Potential role of Nigella sativa supplementation with physical activity in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: a contemporary review

Sport Sciences for Health - The widespread prevalence and mortality of coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) lead many researchers to study the SARS-CoV-s2 infection to find a treatment for this...     

Progression of sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease: a 5-year longitudinal study

Journal of Neurology - Sleep disorders can occur in early Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the relationship between different sleep disturbances and their longitudinal evolution has not...     

Sleep and respiratory outcomes in neonates with Pierre Robin sequence: a concise review

There are no standardized management algorithms for neonates with Pierre Robin sequence. Currently available literature is variable in terms of outcomes assessed across studies. In this paper, we have aimed to summarize the currently available literature on longitudinal sleep and respiratory outcomes in Pierre Robin sequence neonates with a focus on identifying gaps in literature and areas for future research development.

     

Helicobacter pylori Protection Against Reflux Esophagitis

Background and Aim

Negative association has been reported between presence of Helicobacter pylori and developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori (HP) can be protective against GERD in an African American (AA) population.

Methods

From 2004 to 2007, we studied 2,020 cases; esophagitis (58), gastritis (1,558), both esophagitis and gastritis (363) and a normal control group (41). We collected their pathology and endoscopy unit reports. HP status was determined based on staining of gastric biopsy.

Results

HP data was available for 79 % (1,611) of the cases. The frequency of HP positivity in gastritis patients was 40 % (506), in esophagitis patients 4 % and in normal controls 34 % (11), while HP was positive in 34 % of the patients with both esophagitis and gastritis. After adjusting for effects of age and sex, odds ratio of HP was 0.06 (95 % CI 0.01–0.59; P value = 0.01) for the esophagitis group versus the normal group.

Conclusions

Our results show H. pylori has a significant negative association with esophagitis in AAs which may point to a protective role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of esophagitis. In addition, H. pylori may be the reason for the low GERD complications in AAs.     

Synthesis methods for nanosized hydroxyapatite with diverse structures

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the major mineral constituent of vertebrate bones and teeth. It has been well documented that HAp nanoparticles can significantly increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of man-made biomaterials. Over the past decade, HAp nanoparticles have therefore increasingly been in demand, and extensive efforts have been devoted to develop many synthetic routes, involving both scientifically and economically new features. Several investigations have also been made to determine how critical properties of HAp can be effectively controlled by varying the processing parameters. With such a wide variety of methods for the preparation of HAp nanoparticles, choosing a specific procedure to synthesize a well-defined powder can be laborious; accordingly, in the present review, we have summarized all the available information on the preparation methodologies of HAp, and highlighted the inherent advantages and disadvantages involved in each method. This article is focused on nanosized HAp, although recent articles on microsized particles, especially those assembled from nanoparticles and/or nanocrystals, have also been reviewed for comparison. We have also provided several scientific figures and discussed a number of critical issues and challenges which require further research and development.     

Tracheal intubation with size 1 Airtraq in a 3 month old child with occipital meningocele: A novel experience

Meningocele is a neural tube defect where meninges protrude through a skeletal defect. Occipital meningocele compounded with the problems of paediatric airway itself pose challenges to anaesthesiologist in securing and maintaining airway. We present a case report of a 3 month-old-child with occipital meningocele posted for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus, who was successfully intubated using a size 1 Airtraq optical laryngoscope.     

Effects of hair removal alexandrite laser on biometric parameters of the skin

The effects of alexandrite laser (AL) on skin parameters such as melanin content, skin layer depth, elasticity, and density have not been investigated through biometric methods. We aim to assess the effect of AL on the skin parameters through biometric devices to determine whether it has positive effects on treated region. In this pretest-posttest study, we recruited patients who attended Laser Clinic of Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from January through December 2014. Patients had to be free of any dermatologic conditions and lesion at the site of treatment or any contraindication to laser therapy. Baseline measurements were performed and patients received four sessions of AL therapy (spot size, 12 mm; fluence, 12 J/cm²; and pulse width, 5 Hz) with 4-week intervals. Four weeks after the last treatment session, the same parameters were assessed that included skin color, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dermis and epidermis density and depth (through skin ultrasonography), melanin content, erythema intensity, and skin elasticity. Biometric parameters of 33 patients (27 females [81.8 %]), with mean (SD) age of 35.7 (9.5)?years were evaluated. The mean percent changes of skin parameters were as follows: skin color, 5.88 % through Visioface and by 56.8 % through Colorimeter devices (became lighter); melanin content, ?15.95 %; TEWL, ?2.96 %; elasticity, +14.88 %; dermis depth ?19.01 %; and dermis density, +1580.11 % (P?<?0.001 for changes in each parameter). AL could decrease melanin content of the skin and make the skin thinner while it could increase elasticity and density of epidermis and dermis, which might indicate increased collagen content of skin.