The effect of ethanol intake on tendon healing: a histological and biomechanical study in a rat model

Introduction  

Ethanol has a suppressive effect on inflammation and the immune system, but the effect of ethanol on tendon healing in vivo has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the histological and biomechanical effects of ethanol intake on tendon healing in a rat tendon injury model.     

Applying Health Belief Model to Unveil Employees’ Workplace COVID-19 Protective Behaviors: Insights for the Hospitality Industry

The overwhelming majority of the countries around the globe have witnessed severe cases of the COVID-19 outbreak. Unfortunately, many countries are still beset with such an infectious disease. Despite the fact that there is currently no specific approved cure for this deadly infection, restrictions (e.g., lockdown and border closing) are gradually eased. Meanwhile, businesses are reopening and outdoor leisure activities are about to start again based on strict health, social distancing, and hygiene rules. However, as we still have a long way to reach an ultimate treatment for such deadly virus, changing human behavior sounds the best defense in tackling this challenge till a vaccine is developed for protection against COVID-19. With this realization, using Health Belief Model as the theoretical underpinning, our study endeavors to unveil employees’ adherence to protective health behaviors (PHBs) in the hospitality industry, which is known as a people-focused, labor-intensive, and service-oriented business. This is so crucial since there is a high degree of (frequent) interaction between employees and customers in hotels. Moreover, such establishments are known as areas where customers engage in a variety of activities that make health concerns even more crucial. To achieve the objectives of this research, we used secondary data obtained from one of the largest hotel-related online communities in the world: the ‘Tales from the front desk’. Using template analysis approach, 1680 employees’ comments were examined. The results revealed that hotel employees found themselves at high risk of being infected and several obstacles that impeded their PHBs in the workplace were identified. Our study will provide momentous implications about PHBs against COVID-19 for the hospitality industry.     

Spectroscopic,antiproliferative and antiradical properties of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with amino acid based Schiff bases

Novel six Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from 4-aminobenzoic acid with terephtaldehyde and amino acids (glycine, β-alanine). Structures have been proposed from elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, NMR, TGA, DTA, and magnetic measurements. Spectroscopic studies suggest that coordination occurs through azomethine nitrogen, hydroxyl group, and carbonyl oxygen of the ligands to the metal ions. The elemental analyses of the complexes where L is Schiff base ligands, are confined to the stoichiometry of the type M₂L₂(CH₃COO)₂ [M = Cu(II)]; and M₂L(CH₃COO)₂ [M = Ni(II) and Zn(II)]. The cytotoxicity activities of the compounds against human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell line have been studied. Ligands and their Zn(II) compounds inhibited cell proliferation of MCF-7 cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil. Our results show that the synthesized compounds induced oxidative damage by increasing the lipid peroxidation in yeast since MDA formation was increased, and it could be concluded that the synthesized compounds caused oxidative stress. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the synthesized compounds were very much lower than those of standard antioxidants.     

Chronic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch: a case report

Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta is a rare condition and usually occurs following blunt trauma. It is almost fatal in the absence of prompt surgical treatment. We describe the case of a 56-year-old male suffering from intermittent non-massive hemoptysis, mild dysphagia, and atypical chest pain for 1 month who has no history of trauma. A saccular aneurysm at the aortic arch between left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperatively, compression of surrounding structures including trachea and esophagus by the aneurysmal sac (6 x 8 cm in diameter) was seen. Pseudoaneurysm adherent to the upper lobe of the left lung was resected and entire aortic arch replacement with a prosthetic graft was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful and neither specific changes on histologic examination nor any evidence of infection could be detected.     

Single-dose methotrexate for the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy

Objective The objective of this study was to review our experience with single dose intramuscular methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy and to evaluate major confounding factors that relate to the success of therapy.Patients and methods The selection criteria were patients who had a stable hemodynamic status and an ectopic gestational mass of <4 cm. on ultrasound. Patients were not excluded from MTX therapy either by a baseline serum -hCG titer or by the presence of fetal cardiac activity demonstrated on ultrasonography. Thirty- four of 86 patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy and treated with single-dose MTX between July 1999 and November 2001 were reviewed retrospectively.Results The mean pre-treatment -hCG level was 2,490±2,912 mIU/ml. Twenty-two patients (73.3%) were successfully treated with a single-dose of MTX. Eight patients (26.6%) required a second dose 1 week after the first injection and 2 patients received three doses. Thirty of the 34 patients (88%) were successfully treated with MTX. The mean pre-treatment -hCG level was significantly lower in patients who were successfully treated with MTX than in patients who failed MTX therapy (1,932±2,361 mIU/ml vs. 6,955±2,690 mIU/ml respectively, p<0.05). The mean pre-treatment serum -hCG level was higher in patients who had a second MTX injection as compared to patients who were successfully treated with a single injection of MTX (3,272±3,551 mIU/ml vs. 1,280±2,273 mIU/ml respectively, p>0.05). The mean time to resolution of -hCG was 26.5 days (10 to 37 days) with MTX. All 3 patients who failed medical therapy had -hCG level >4,000 mIU/ml and 2 of them had positive fetal cardiac activity.Conclusion In conclusion, this study showed that medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy with systemic single-dose methotrexate seems to be an option for some patients with unruptured tubal pregnancy.     

Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to maximum exercise and aerobic capacity in hemiplegic patients

This study evaluated cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to maximum exercise and aerobic capacity in hemiplegic patients and clarified the relationship between the resulting data and motor disability. Twenty patients with stroke and fifteen healthy controls were included in the study. Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to maximum exercise were investigated with an electronically braked arm crank ergometer. Vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, peak expiratory flow rate, forced vital capacity, maximum voluntary ventilation, peak power output, respiratory exchange ratio, and exercise time were reduced in stroke patients when compared with the controls. No relationship was found between these data and motor disability. The hemiplegic patients showed a significant respiratory dysfunction and reduced exercise tolerance. These findings suggest that a program of ventilatory and aerobic training should be considered early after stroke to avoid cardiorespiratory problems and deconditioning.     

Double-chambered right ventricle mimicking asymmetric septal hypertrophy

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is an uncommon congenital heart disease. Anomalous muscle bundles in the right ventricle divide the right ventricle into two portions and cause intracavitary obstruction of the right ventricle. We report a patient with DCRV mimicking asymmetric septal hypertrophy. We did clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic evaluation. Surgical intervention was successfully managed.     

Infected myocardial hydatid cyst imitating left ventricular aneurysm

We report a case of infected intracardiac hydatid cyst in a patient who had complaints of chest pain, exertional dyspnea, palpitation, evening fever and fatigue. Echocardiography demonstrated a left ventricular apical cystic mass in 7 cm diameter. Magnetic resonance imaging and hemagglutination test confirmed the diagnosis. Single capsulated cyst full of pus was surgically removed by using cardio-pulmonary bypass. Histopathological examination revealed an infected hydatid cyst. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient remains free of symptoms after one year of follow-up.