Human khat (Catha edulis) chewers have elevated plasma leptin and nonesterified fatty acids

In this study, the effect of regular khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing (200 and 400 g) in humans on plasma leptin, nonesterified fatty acid, triacyglycerol, and total cholesterol levels was investigated. The results presented show that khat chewing increases plasma leptin concentration particularly in individuals who chew 400 g of khat leaves. The significance of increased plasma leptin is in explaining the underlying mechanism of the observed effects associated with khat chewing such as loss of appetite, decreased body weight, and hyperthermia. The decreased body weight was evident from the significantly lower body mass index of the khat leaves chewers group as compared to the non–khat leaves chewers group (control). Moreover, like leptin, the plasma levels of nonesterified fatty acids were significantly higher in those chewing 400 g of khat leaves. On the other hand, the plasma levels of triacylglycerol were significantly lower in the 2 khat-chewers groups (200 and 400 g of khat leaves), whereas plasma cholesterol levels were not affected by the 2 levels of khat leaves used in this study. The significance of these results may suggest that khat leaves may contain a component(s) that has the ability to reduce body weight via decreasing appetite.     

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis: Review of the published work and report of one case

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis is an extremely rare inflammatory non-neoplastic destructive lesion of the testis. We report a 44-year-old man who presented with right scrotal swelling and two discharging sinuses. Testicular tumor markers were normal. Scrotal ultrasound showed heterogeneous testicular areas and irregular margin of the tunica. Surgical exploration revealed infected, unhealthy testicular tissue with necrosis and tumor-like lesion. Orchidectomy was done and histopathology showed xanthogranulomatous orchitis.     

Anatomic study of a new axial skin flap based on the cutaneous branch of the medial plantar artery

A new axial skin flap based on the middle cutaneous branch of the medial plantar artery was evaluated in 33 fresh cadaver legs. The vascular pedicle of the skin flap is based on the middle cutaneous artery, its venae comitantes, and segments of the great saphenous vein, if necessary. The middle cutaneous artery is the largest cutaneous branch, arising from the medial plantar artery 2.5 cm distal to its origin. The diameter of its origin is 1.2 mm, and its pedicle is 2 cm long. The midline of the flap runs from the first web space to the heel tip. The upper and lower borders of the flap are 3 to 4 cm on either side of this line. The upper border is medial to the extensor hallucis tendon, and the lower border is medial to the abductor hallucis. Distally, the border begins 2 cm proximal to the metatarsalphalangeal joint; proximally, the border is at the middle of the medial malleolus. The flap diameter can be up to 8 × 12 cm. The middle cutaneous branch of the medial plantar artery was found in all cadaver specimens, except for one with a common trunk. The new flap design leaves the major blood supply to the foot and the plantar aponeurosis intact. It is easy to harvest and may be used either as an island flap or free flap. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Histological, histochemical and electron microscopic changes of the placenta induced by maternal exposure to hyperthermia in the rat.

Both clinical and experimental investigations have shown that maternal hyperthermia during critical stages of embryo development can induce malformations in the offspring. Studies of the effect of heat stress on the placental functions are limited to the ewes, but that on microscopic structure is unknown. In the present study, rats were exposed to 41 or 42 degrees C for 1 h on gestation day (GD) 9. The controls were sham treated. Fetuses and placentas were collected on GD 20. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and several craniofacial malformations were observed in the fetuses of the heat-treated group. The placentas of the 42 degrees C group were significantly lighter in weight than those of the control. Light microscopy (LM) revealed thickening, hyalinization and occasional lymphocytic infiltration of the decidua basalis. Giant cells were prominent and glycogen cells had degenerated, leaving behind large cysts in the basal (spongy) zone. Best's carmine stain with or without diastase indicated the reduction in number and degeneration of glycogen cells and cyst formation. The labyrinthine zone was relatively thin in comparison to that of the controls. Perivascular fibrosis and paucity of vascularization were other features of the placentas of the hyperthermia group. Electron microscopy (EM) revealed lipid droplet accumulation in the trophoblast, the presence of myelin bodies and an increased production of collagen in the basal zone. Perivascular fibrosis appeared to have contributed to placental barrier thickening. EM also revealed accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets in the trophoblasts and fibrin secretion into the extracellular space of the labyrinthine zone. These data suggest that placental pathology possibly contributes to fetal growth retardation in maternally heat-stressed rat fetuses.     

Biatrial aspergillosis in a patient with immunocompetency.

A 24-year-old man presented with a 24-hour history of pain and numbness in his left arm. The patient's clinical presentation of peripheral embolism was corroborated by angiography. Echocardiographic study showed masses in both right and left atria. Pathologic specimen from the embolus confirmed the diagnosis of aspergillosis.     

Simultaneous Bilateral Tibial Tuberosity Avulsions—Over 6-Year Follow-up

Abstract Simultaneous bilateral avulsions of the tibial tuberosity are rare injuries. The authors found only five reported cases in the orthopedic literature. We add a further case of bilateral avulsions of the tibial tuberosity with the longest reported follow-up.     

Acute gluteal abscess following intramuscular chloroquine injection: a clinical and experimental study

This prospective study contains clinical and experimental parts. In the clinical study, 125 patients given intramuscular chloroquine for malaria were followed for 2 months in order to detect local injection site complications. Adequate local antiseptic conditions were ensured before giving the injection. Twenty-three patients (18.4%) had minimal local reaction in the form of redness, induration and/or a lump. No pyogenic abscess was noted in contrast to a previous report. In the second part of the study, an experimental animal (Green monkey) was given either chloroquine phosphate, Ampiclox or normal saline intramuscularly. The injection site was later biopsied and histologically examined. Intramuscular chloroquine was found to cause severe inflammatory reactions and muscle necrosis, whereas other injections had very minimal local effects. It is concluded that intramuscular chloroquine causes muscle necrosis which may lead to acute pyogenic abscess if minimal contamination takes place.     

Retinal arteriovenous communication in retinitis pigmentosa with Refsum's disease-like findings

In this report we describe, herewith, a patient with primary pigmentary dystrophy of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) associated with unilateral retinal arteriovenous communication and exudative retinal detachment. The patient had complete resolution of the retinal detachment following laser photocoagulation treatment. Such association has not been previously reported.