Male/female differences in indomethacin effects in preterm infants

To test whether indomethacin prophylaxis has sex-mediated effects on severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III and IV) and on long-term outcomes in extremely-low-birth-weight infants. A secondary analysis was performed in the entire "Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms study" cohort. The results suggest a weak differential treatment effect of indomethacin by sex.     

Transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiographic identification of hiatal hernia

We report a case of a middle-aged woman in whom a transesophageal echocardiogram showed a mass-like lesion posteriorly near the descending thoracic aorta. We were able to make a definitive diagnosis of this mass as a hiatal hernia because of a thick inner lining measuring 6-9 mm in thickness similar to the stomach mucosa, and the presence of a few microbubbles within the mass. In addition, the microbubbles increased considerably after 10 cc of agitated normal saline flush via a nasogastric tube.     

Live three-dimensional right parasternal and supraclavicular transthoracic echocardiographic examination

In the present study, we describe the usefulness of the recently developed technique of live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of normal cardiac structures and adjacent vessels using the right parasternal and supraclavicular approaches. Examples of some abnormalities diagnosed from these approaches are also illustrated.     

Reduction of chrysotile asbestos-induced genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by garlic extract

Asbestos fibers are well known environmental carcinogen, however, the underlying mechanisms of their action have still not clearly been identified. Asbestos is capable of depleting glutathione and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are important mediators of damage in biological system. Asbestos-induced mutagenecity, may be mediated by the generation. It is known that a number of scavengers and antioxidants attenuate asbestos-induced ROS release. Furthermore, it is known that garlic, contains numerous sulfur compounds and glutathione precursors which act as antioxidants and also demonstrate anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether garlic extract has any influence on asbestos-mediated genotoxicity. As an assay system, we applied the micronucleus assay, sister chromatid exchanges, and chromosomal aberrations with human peripheral blood lymphocytes, which has already been used to analyze the genotoxicity of asbestos fibers. Our results indicate that garlic extract, when administered to the lymphocytes cell culture simultaneously with chrysotile reduced the rates of micronucleus formation, sister chromatid exchanges, and chromosomal aberrations significantly. We conclude that garlic extract may be an efficient, physiologically tolerable quencher of asbestos-mediated genotoxicity.     

Cellular schwannoma of the paranasal sinuses: initial report of a case

Cellular schwannomas are a benign variant of classic schwannomas. Their histologic appearance closely mimics that of malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors, which are high-grade sarcomas. In this article, we describe what to our knowledge is the first reported case of a cellular schwannoma of the paranasal sinuses and only the 33rd reported case of any schwannoma at this site. We also discuss the histology and management of cellular schwannomas and review the pertinent literature.