Evaluation of systemic and dermal toxicity and dermal photoprotection by sour cherry kernels

The present report describes outcomes of animal studies conducted to determine the systemic and dermal toxicity of Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) seed kernel contents; and a separate evaluation of the photoprotective capacity of the kernel oil fraction. B6 mice and Hartley guinea‐pigs were used for these experiments. Dosage groups of 6–8 animals were administered whole kernel meal in a dose range of 0–3000 mg/kg by gavage for 8 days, following which they were killed. The liver and kidney weights were recorded and histological examination performed on sections of these organs. Kidney function was assessed as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine and liver function by measurement of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. Dermal toxicity was evaluated in a Hartley guinea‐pig model by comparing UVB‐irradiated shaved skin to which the kernel oil had been applied with distilled water controls. In conclusion, no evidence of toxicity was observed to result from the consumption or dermal application of sour cherry seed kernel in the dose range at which it is likely to be used in foods or healthcare. Moreover, it was shown to have a powerful capacity to protect skin from UV damage. These results suggest it will prove to be a highly safe and effective addition to a wide range of products for general use. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acremonium kiliense: reappraisal of its clinical significance

A case of Acremonium kiliense peritonitis is described. Diagnosis was established by repeated isolation of the fungus from peritoneal dialysate and by its identification on the basis of morphological characteristics and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). This report and available literature suggest that A. kiliense may have a greater clinical significance than hitherto recognized.     

Ocular telehealth screenings in an urban community

The current U.S. economic recession has resulted in a loss of income, housing, and healthcare coverage. Our major goal in this socioeconomic setting was to provide ophthalmic remote health screenings for urban soup kitchen and homeless populations in order to identify and refer undetected vision-threatening disease (VTD). We assessed visual acuity, blood pressure, pulse/oxygen saturation, body mass index, and intraocular pressure for 341 participants at soup kitchens as part of the homeless outreach program in Newark, NJ. History of diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, last ocular examination, and ocular history were noted. Imaging was performed with an 8.2 megapixel non-mydriatic retinal camera with high-speed Internet ready for off-site second opinion image evaluation. Positive VTD findings were identified in 105 participants (31%) (mean age, 53.6 years), of whom 78% were African American, 73% males, and 62% smokers. We detected glaucoma in 34 participants (32%), significant cataract in 22 (21%), diabetic retinopathy in 5 (5%), optic atrophy in 1 (1%), age-related macular degeneration in 1 (1%), and other retinal findings in 43 (41%). The incidence of VTDs was higher among this cohort than among study groups in previous screenings (31% vs. 12%). This finding shows an increase in ocular morbidity in a younger, at-risk population with elevated rates of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Functional visual impairment was 2.5 times higher than the national average (16% vs. 6.4%). Comprehensive, community-based screenings can provide more sensitive detection of VTDs in high-risk groups with low access to ophthalmic care and can be an integral part of recession solutions for improving healthcare.     

Anxiety and subjective quality of life preoperatively and 4 months after reduction mammaplasty

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of anxiety, psychological distress, and subjective quality of life on the basis of the criteria of satisfaction and expectations in a group of women who had undergone reduction mammaplasty for cosmetic reasons. METHOD: The population consisted of 20 women who had requested breast reduction treatment [mean age, 34.70 (+/-10.94)] for cosmetic reasons. After being informed of the purpose of the study and after giving their written consent, the subjects took part in a psychological examination conducted at two different times (T1, initial medical consultation; T2, 4 months after surgery). At each of these stages, the psychological evaluation consisted of a clinical interview and questionnaires: the Subjective Quality of Life Profile, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the General Health Questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that the subjects improved significantly between T1 and T2 in terms of state anxiety (P=.04), trait anxiety (P=.002), sleeping disorders (P=.003), difficulty in enjoying their activities (P=.008), and a number of dimensions of subjective life quality: pain (P=.009), physical appearance (P=.003), social life (P=.03), and inner life (P=.03). The study showed that satisfaction with treatment was correlated with satisfaction with medical relations (P=.05) and medical information (P=.05) at T1 and with greater satisfaction with friendship relations (P=.05), sexual relations (P=.05), and inner life (P=.05) after the operation (P=.01). Conversely, a greater level of anxiety at T3 was correlated with reduced satisfaction with the surgical treatment (P=.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating surgical and cosmetic treatment in terms of psychological dimensions and emphasizes the improvement in psychological well-being during the postoperative phase.     

Adénocarcinome primitif du duodénum. A propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature

Abstract

The primitive tumours of the duodenum are rare. They account for 0.04% of all the tumours. The adenocarcinoma is the histological type most frequent.

Objective

The authors report two cases of primitive adenocarcinoma of the duodenum underlining the contribution of the imagery in the positive diagnosis and the extension of this pathology.

Observations

Two patients of male sex respectively aged of 37 and 60 years, consulting for atypical pain and high digestive haemorrhagic. The fibroscopy with biopsy highlighted an adenocarcinoma. Ultrasound showed a circumferential parietal thickening in one case, the abdominal computed tomography revealed a tissuemass in both caseswith signs of the neighbour extension in one case. The treatmentwas palliative in one case.

Conclusion

The positive diagnosis of the adenocarcinoma of duodenum rests on the fibroscopy. The imagery makes it possible to detect the small lesions and to contribute to the diagnosis in front of an atypical clinical signs or an insuperable tumour and to especially ensure the assessment of precise extension of this tumour with the development of the computed tomography and MRI.