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...     

Is High Preprocedural Renal Resistive Index Sensitive Enough to Predict Iodine Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Receiving Intra-Arterial Iodinate Contrast?

PurposeRenal Resistive Index (RRI) is a newly introduced sonographic index in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) development. It has been suggested that RRI > 0.69 should be considered as a risk factor for CIN development. The present study aimed to calculate the predictive value of RRI using a cutoff point of 0.69.MethodsA total of 90 patients who were a candidate for coronary vessels angiography were enrolled in this study. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed and RRI was measured. Patients were followed up for 48 hours after contrast media exposure for the CIN development. The diagnosis of CIN was based on a 25% relative rise or 0.5 mg/dL absolute rise in creatinine level. The predictive values of RRI were measured using 0.69 as a cutoff point.ResultsOut of 90 patients, CIN developed in 3 patients and 17 patients had preprocedural RRI > 0.69. Of 3 patients with CIN, 1 had RRI > 0.69. Using 0.69 as the cutoff point, the measured sensitivity and specificity of RRI were 33.3% and 83.9%, respectively.ConclusionsRRI > 0.69 is not a sensitive index in predicting the CIN development and cannot be used as an independent factor.     

The effects of diode laser (660 nm) on the rate of tooth movements: an animal study

Lasers in Medical Science - Low-level laser has been indicated to have the capability to facilitate the differentiation of the osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells which are responsible for the bone...     

Does Prior Abdominal Surgery Influence Conversion Rates and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Right Colectomy in Patients with Neoplasia?

Purpose  The study investigated the impact of prior abdominal surgery on conversions and outcomes of laparoscopic right colectomy. Methods  A consecutive series of 414 patients with cancer or adenomas who underwent a laparoscopic right colectomy from March 1996 to November 2006 were studied for surgical conversions and outcomes. Conversion was defined as an incision length > 7 cm. Results  Patients with prior abdominal surgery (n = 191) were compared with patients with no prior abdominal surgery (n = 223), and showed no significant differences in age, ASA classification, length of stay, operative time, blood loss, harvested nodes, tumor size, and specimen length. Significantly more wound infections occurred in the prior abdominal surgery group (22 vs.12, P = 0.023). Body mass index > 30 showed a three-fold increased risk of conversion. Fifteen percent of the no prior abdominal surgery patients and 17 percent of the prior abdominal surgery patients were converted (P > 0.05). Conversion was associated with a longer mean length of stay (8.8 days) relative to laparoscopically completed cases (6.3 days) regardless of prior abdominal surgery history (P < 0.0001). Conclusions  Laparoscopic right colectomy for neoplasia was not associated with a higher conversion rate or morbidity in patients with prior abdominal surgery. Prior abdominal surgery is not a contraindication to laparoscopic right colectomy. Presented at the 15th International Congress of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery, Athens, Greece, July 4 to 7, 2007.     

No effect of risedronate on femoral periprosthetic bone loss following total hip arthroplasty: A 4-year follow-up of 61 patients in a double-blind,randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background and purpose

We have previously shown that during the first 2 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA), periprosthetic bone resorption can be prevented by 6 months of risedronate therapy. This follow-up study investigated this effect at 4 years.

Patients and methods

A single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out from 2006 to 2010 in 73 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip who were scheduled to undergo THA. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 35 mg risedronate or placebo orally, once a week, for 6 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the percentage change in bone mineral density (BMD) in Gruen zones 1 and 7 in the proximal part of the femur at follow-up. Secondary outcomes included migration of the femoral stem and clinical outcome scores.

Results

61 of the 73 patients participated in this 4-year (3.9- to 4.1-year) follow-up study. BMD was similar in the risedronate group (n = 30) and the placebo group (n = 31). The mean difference was −1.8% in zone 1 and 0.5% in zone 7. Migration of the femoral stem, the clinical outcome, and the frequency of adverse events were similar in the 2 groups.

Interpretation

Although risedronate prevents periprosthetic bone loss postoperatively, a decrease in periprosthetic BMD accelerates when therapy is discontinued, and no effect is seen at 4 years. We do not recommend the use of risedronate following THA for osteoarthritis of the hip.Adaptive bone remodeling around the femoral stem following total hip arthroplasty (THA) results in regional loss of bone mass, especially in proximal parts of the femur—most of which takes place within the first postoperative year (Bodén et al. 2006, Sköldenberg et al. 2006). Periprosthetic bone loss may predispose to periprosthetic fracture, aseptic loosening, and difficulties at revision surgery (Lindahl 2007, Streit et al. 2011, Sköldenberg et al. 2014).The bisphosphonate (BP) risedronate has been used successfully to prevent osteoporotic fractures, mainly in the hip and vertebrae, by inhibiting osteoclast activity (McClung et al. 2001). In recent years, the possible use of BPs to prevent or ameliorate periprosthetic adaptive bone resorption, osteolysis, and implant migration has been investigated thoroughly in animal models and humans. The short-term results of several studies showing the effects of postoperative BP treatment in reducing periprosthetic bone loss up to a year after the arthroplasty have already been published (Venesmaa et al. 2001, Wilkinson et al. 2001, Hennigs et al. 2002, Wilkinson et al. 2005, Arabmotlagh et al. 2006).We have previously found that risedronate given once a week for 6 months after THA reduces periprosthetic bone resorption around an uncemented femoral stem in the first and second postoperative year (Sköldenberg et al. 2011). We now report the 4-year outcome in the same cohort.     

High Frequency of Acquired ADAMTS13 Deficiency After Hemolysis in Hemiscorpius Lepturus (Scorpion) Stung Children

Objective

To estimate the frequency of acquired ADAMTS13 deficiency in severe cases of Hemiscorpius lepturus stung patients and the frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) in these patients.

Methods

Sixty scorpion stung children who were referred with severe hemolysis and hemoglobinuria were studied. None of them had received blood products and no one had a past medical history of renal failure.

Results

Plasma levels of ADAMTS13 and ADAMTS13 antibody (IgG) were measured using ELISA. ADAMTS13 was decreased in 91.7 % of patients and the anti-ADAMTS13 antibody (Ab) was increased in 98.3 %. ADAMTS13 decreased in all of the patients with acute kidney injury and none of those with normal levels of ADAMTS13 developed renal failure; all patients with AKI had also increased levels of ADAMTS13Ab. Acute kidney injury was found in 23.3 % and had significant association with severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, pyuria, hematuria and considerable proteinuria (p?<?0.001). Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) developed in 6.7 % and 10 % respectively.

Conclusions

The index findings demonstrate that Hemiscorpius lepturus sting is usually associated with ADAMTS13 deficiency, and increased ADAMTS13 autoantibody. These combined mechanisms may contribute to scorpion sting-induced coagulopathies and may predispose patients to develop DIC and HUS.