Arthroscopic management of intra- and juxta-articular osteoid osteoma of the upper extremity: a systematic review of the literature

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - Intra- and juxta-articular osteoid osteoma (OO) is rare and can result in irreversible joint damage. Recently, arthroscopic surgery is...     

Short-term orlistat therapy improves fatty infiltration indices and liver fibrosis scores in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome

Background and study aimsPatients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exhibit features of metabolic syndrome, including a high body mass index, central obesity, high blood pressure, and abnormal lipid profile values. Orlistat, an intestinal lipase enzyme inhibitor, improves insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate the effects of short-term therapy with orlistat on the components of metabolic syndrome associated with NAFLD and explore its effect on liver fibrosis scores.Patients and methodsAn open-label placebo-controlled clinical study using orlistat for 12 weeks was carried out on 50 patients with NAFLD. They were divided into a placebo group (Group I) and an orlistat treatment group (120 mg per day, Group II). The diagnosis of NAFLD was made by ultrasonography and laboratory investigations. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and hepatic liver enzymes, fasting lipids, and blood glucose levels were determined before and after treatment. Lipid indices including cholesterol (Chol-I), triglyceride (TG-I), triglyceride-glucose (TYG-I), and the scores for lipid fibrosis using the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and Fibrosis-4 score (Fib-4) were also determined.ResultsOrlistat significantly improved the anthropometric and metabolic indices (TG-I, TYG-I) and liver enzymes. Orlistat demonstrated a favorable impact on the NAS and Fib-4 scores for liver fibrosis.ConclusionOrlistat improves the components of metabolic syndrome, leading to the improvement of insulin resistance and thereby improves fatty infiltration of the liver. To a lesser extent, orlistat improved the liver fibrosis scores.     

Recurrent shock and pulmonary edema due to acetazolamide medication after cataract surgery

Objective

We report a patient with recurrent shock and transient non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema within a period of two months – every time occurring after cataract surgery and a single oral dose of standard post-operative medication with acetazolamide.

Data sources

Records of the intensive care unit, review of the literature.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates a rare but severe side effect of acetazolamide. We also present a review of the literature to raise the awareness of health care providers for this special form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema.     

Neuroprotective effect of Crocus sativus against cerebral ischemia in rats

Metabolic Brain Disease - The present study aimed to investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the neuroprotective effect of Crocus sativus (saffron) against cerebral...     

A review on non-edible oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel: physicochemical properties and production technologies

There is increasing concern regarding alleviating world energy demand by determining an alternative to petroleum-derived fuels due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, rapid population growth, and urbanization. Biodiesel can be utilized as an alternative fuel to petroleum-derived diesel for the combustion engine. At present, edible crops are the primary source of biodiesel production. However, the excessive utilization of these edible crops for large-scale biodiesel production might cause food supply depletion and economic imbalance. Moreover, the utilization of edible oil as a biodiesel feedstock increases biodiesel production costs due to the high price of edible oils. A possible solution to overcome the existing limitations of biodiesel production is to utilize non-edible crops oil as a feedstock. The present study was conducted to determine the possibility and challenges of utilizing non-edible oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. Several aspects related to non-edible oil as a biodiesel feedstock such as overview of biodiesel feedstocks, non-edible oil resources, non-edible oil extraction technology, its physicochemical and fatty acid properties, biodiesel production technologies, advantages and limitation of using non-edible oil as a feedstock for biodiesel production have been reviewed in various recent publications. The finding of the present study reveals that there is a huge opportunity to utilize non-edible oil as a feedstock for biodiesel production.

There is increasing concern regarding alleviating world energy demand by determining an alternative to petroleum-derived fuels due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, rapid population growth, and urbanization.     

Erysipelas of the upper extremity following locoregional therapy for breast cancer

Cellulitis is a well-known complication of lymphedema of the lower extremities. Erysipelas of the upper extremity complicating breast cancer therapy has never been reported in the English-language literature. We describe seven breast cancer patients with erysipelas of the upper extremity. Five had a predisposing injury to the extremity. All patients responded very well to intravenous antibiotics without any sequelae. They had rapid resolution with typical desquamation. No long-term sequelae were seen except for mild increase of lymphedema. Erysipelas should be listed as a rare complication after locoregional therapy for breast cancer. Intravenous penicillin should be used as the initial therapy. Prevention of arm lymphedema and avoidance of any trauma to the arm are important prophylactic measures. Sentinel lymph node biopsy reduces the rate of axillary lymph node dissection and thus should reduce the incidence of lymphedema and erysipelas.