Lipid atherogenic risk markers can be more favourably influenced by the cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate isomer than a conjugated linoleic acid mixture or fish oil in hamsters

The aim of our present study was to compare the efficiency of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and fish oil in modulating atherogenic risk markers. Adult male hamsters were given a cholesterol-rich diet (0.6 g/kg) for 8 weeks; the diet was supplemented with 5 g cis-9,trans-11-CLA isomer/kg, 12 g CLA mixture (CLA-mix)/kg, 12 g fish oil/kg or 12 g fish oil+12 g CLA-mix/kg. The plasma cholesterol status was improved only with the cis-9,trans-11-CLA (HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol:LDL-cholesterol ratio, P<0.05), but was of borderline significance for CLA-mix (HDL-cholesterol:LDL-cholesterol ratio, P=0.06), with an increase (33-40 %) in the liver lipoprotein receptors (scavenger receptor-type I and LDL ApoB/E receptor) and HDL-binding protein 2 (P<0.05). A 100 % pigment gallstones incidence and a slight insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment index) were observed in the CLA-mix-fed hamsters (P=-0.031). In comparison, fish-oil feeding alone improved merely the scavenger receptor-type I and HDL-binding protein 2 liver status and faeces sterol output. For most of our present observations, the concomitant intake of fish oil and CLA-mix gave dominant effects that were exclusive and specific to one or the other oil. In conclusion, part of the beneficial effects of CLA in the present study can be ascribed to the cis-9,trans-11-isomer, and these did not generally overlap with those of fish oil. In addition, the CLA-mix effects are clearly affected by the marine (n-3) fatty acids.     

Autologous transfusion program

The term autologous transfusion describes transfusion of any blood component that was donated by intended recipient. A recipient who serves as his or her own donor receives the safest possible transfusion in that the risks of transfusion-transmitted infection and alloimmunization are eliminated. A preoperative autologous transfusion program provides many benefits to the donor-patient the blood donor center and the hospital transfusion service; requires a good communication between the transfusion physician and the collecting facility and needs a rigorous technical organization of the blood bank to ovoid the human errors of testing and labeling. Underutilizaton of autologous blood programs in our country is possibly related to a lack of awareness on the part of all the contributors.     

Fever revealing Behçet's disease: Two new cases

Behçet's disease (BD) is an uncommon cause of fever of unknown origin. We report two cases, both involving 42-year-old males, who initially presented with prolonged fever and who were ultimately diagnosed as having BD after a delay of 12 and 21 months, respectively. Both patients developed pulmonary aneurysms. Although fevers resolved after therapy, both patients died within the first year after diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware that long-term fever may be an inaugural sign of BD, especially in individuals living in countries along the ancient Silk Road or Mediterranean basin.     

Morbidity and mortality related to the native lung in single lung transplantation for emphysema.

It has been advocated that a major drawback of single lung transplantation (SLT) is the risk of serious complications arising from the native lung. The morbidity and mortality related to the native lung in 46 patients who underwent SLT for pulmonary emphysema in Clichy from 1988 to 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. In particular, infectious complications and native lung hyperinflation were searched. Complications arising from the native lung are not unusual after SLT for subjects with emphysema, and it was concluded they are not responsible for a substantial mortality.