Fuchs' Adenoma of the Choroid Simulating a Choroidal Hemangioma

We report the case of a 54-year-old female who was referred to us with an amelanotic mass on the posterior pole of the left eye involving the macula. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed a hyperfluorescent choroidal mass. Indocyanine green chorioangiography revealed a hypofluorescent choroidal lesion with hyperfluorescent margins. B-scan ultrasonography showed a choroidal mass with moderate reflectivity. Choroidal biopsy was performed, which revealed the diagnosis of Fuchs'' adenoma.Key Words: Fuchs'' adenoma, Ciliary body, Choroid, Hemangioma     

Comparison of Nigella sativa- and Exercise-Induced Models of Cardiac Hypertrophy: Structural and Electrophysiological Features

Exercise training is employed as supplementary therapeutic intervention for heart failure, due to its ability to induce physiological cardiac hypertrophy. In parallel, supplementation with Nigella sativa (N. sativa) was found to enhance myocardial function and induce cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we aim to compare the morphological and electrophysiological changes associated with these patterns of cardiac hypertrophy and the possible changes upon administration of N. sativa to exercise-trained animals. Fifty-six adult Wistar rats were divided into: control, Nigella-treated (N), exercise-trained (E), and Nigella-treated–exercise-trained (NE) rats. Daily 800 mg/kg N. sativa was administered orally to N and NE. E and NE ran on treadmill, 2 h/day. At the end of 8 weeks ECG, body weight (BW), heart weight (HW), and left ventricular weight (LVW) were recorded. Hematoxylin and Eosin and periodic acid–Schiff sections were prepared to study the histology of left ventricles and to measure diameter of cardiomyocytes (Cdia). HW/BW, LVW/BW, and mean Cdia were significantly higher in all experimental animals compared to the controls. Histology showed normal cardiomyocytes with no fibrosis. ECG showed significantly lower heart rates, higher QRS amplitude, and ventricular specific potential in NE group compared to control group. Supplementation of N. sativa demonstrated a synergistic effect with exercise training as Nigella–exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy had lower heart rate and well-matched electrical activity of the heart to its mass. Therefore, this model of cardiac hypertrophy might be introduced as a new therapeutic strategy for treatment for heart failure with superior advantages to exercise training.     

Perspective on hormone therapy 10 years after the WHI

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone trials are among the most influential and debated research studies in women's health in recent medical history 0005 and 0010. This year (2013) marked the 10th anniversary of the publication of the WHI results and this past decade has been nothing less than revolutionary. We have witnessed a transformative evolution in our understanding of, and in the practice of, menopause management and herein summarize the strides the field has traversed over the past 10 years.     

Multiphasic effect of morphine on the release of substance P from rat trigeminal nucleus slices

It is generally accepted that morphine acts presynaptically to inhibit substance P (SP) release from afferent terminals in the trigeminal nucleus. Recent studies, however, provide evidence that opioids produce both inhibitory and excitatory effects on SP release which are concentration- and receptor subtype-dependent. In the present study, we have examined a wide range of morphine concentrations on K(+)-evoked SP release from rat trigeminal nucleus caudalis slices. Immunoreactive SP was measured in perfusates. Morphine produced multiphasic effects on K(+)-evoked SP release without affecting basal release. A very low nanomolar concentration (1 nM) suppressed release, higher nanomolar concentrations (100-300 nM) facilitated release, a low micromolar concentration (3 microM) suppressed release, and a higher micromolar concentration (30 microM) facilitated release. These effects were abolished by opioid receptor blockade with naloxone (30 nM). Thus, morphine produces a complex bi-directional modulation of SP release from TNC which is concentration- and possibly receptor subtype-dependent.     

Preparation and Evaluation of Low-Dose Calcitriol Dry Powder Inhalation as Host-Directed Adjunct Therapy for Tuberculosis

Pharmaceutical Research - It is unclear whether Vitamin D is efficacious as a host-directed therapy (HDT) for patients of tuberculosis (TB). We investigated pulmonary delivery of the active...