Effects of ginsenosides on vascular reactivity in rat cerebral and renal arteries

Objective To investigate possible mechanisms underlying the antioxidant property(1)and the in vitro vasodilator effects(2)of the two ginsenosides,Rb1 and Rg1,in isolated rat renal and cerebral arteries.Methods Arterial rings were mounted in a multi-channel myograph for recording of isometric tension.To examine the antioxidant activity,some rings were exposed to a free radical-generating reaction(hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase)with and without pre-treatment with ginsenosides.The calcium antagonistic effects were tested on rings contracted by membrane depolarization in elevated extracellular potassium ions,a condition that promoted Ca2+ influx in vascular smooth muscle cells.Results Ginsenosides protected endothelial function(endothelial nitric oxide-dependent relaxation)against oxidative stress;(2)ginsenoside Rb1 reduced the high K+-induced contractions of both renal and cerebral arteries while ginsenoside Rg1 relaxed the rat cerebral artery but not the renal artery.Conclusions Ginsenosides are vaso-protective via(1)the antioxidant activity which protects endothelial cell function and(2)the inhibition of Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle.The vasodilator effects may suggest the potential preventive or therapeutic values of ginsenosides against stroke and renal hypertension.     

Small cavity mastoidectomy—5 year review

It has been recognized that the traditional method of open mastoid surgery often produces a larger mastoid cavity than necessary. Small cavity mastoidectomy is advocated to reduce the size of the mastoid cavity by exteriorizing the cholesteatoma from the epitympanum backwards. When this operation is performed in a sclerotic mastoid bone, the resulting cavity is very small. The 5 year review of 39 ears with small cavity mastoidectomy is presented. Not only were the mastoid cavities small, they remained stable and trouble-free. It also enabled the patients to enjoy swimming and minimizing wax accumulation within the cavities. The hearing results after 5 years were comparable to that of the closed technique. Formation of cholesterol granuloma behind the concho-meatal flap was an uncommon complication.     

UV-PROTECTIVE SUNGLASSES FOR UVA IRRADIATION PROTECTION

Background. Eye protection with uva -blocking solar shields is recommended on the day of puva treatment and the following day for our patients; however, many patients found this eyewear cosmetically unacceptable. Method. We investigated 34 pairs of sunglasses to determine their suitability for providing adequate protection. The method used was modified from the technique used by Moseley et al. in 1988. Results. We found that 21 (61.8%) of the 34 pairs of sunglasses and only 9 (53%) of the 17 pairs of sunglasses used by our patients were “satisfactory.” Expensive brands and polarizing sunglasses do not guarantee optimal uva protection. Conclusion. We recommend that all patients should use wrap-around solar shields for optimal eye-protection, while undergoing puva treatment. The availability of more cosmetically acceptable glasses will encourage better patients' compliance to protect their eyes with optical aids.     

Myringoplasty for subtotal perforation

It is often reported that the repair of subtotal perforations is less successful than that of smaller perforations, mainly because it is technically more difficult. The author's surgical technique for subtotal perforations is presented and the results compared with that of myringoplasty for smaller perforations. The study shows that subtotal perforations are associated with a higher incidence of abnormal middle ear mucosa (x²= 11.75, d.f. = 2) and damage to the malleus (x²= 5.60, d.f. = 1) than smaller perforations. However, the success rate of subtotal perforation closure (92.5%) is as good as the closure rate for smaller perforations (94.1%). It is concluded that the size of the perforation is not a major factor in determining whether the graft will be successful in myringoplasty.     

LOCAL TREATMENT OF TRACHOMA WITH SULFANILAMIDE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS CONCENTRATION IN THE AQUEOUS HUMOR*

Since the publication of the brief report by Heineman (1) on the original use of sulfanilamide in the treatment of trachoma followed shortly by that of more extensive studies of Loe (4a), and Lian (3a), a large number of articles on the same subject have appeared in medical literature. The authors have not been unammous in their opinions in regard to the degree of effectiveness of the drug on trachoma. They may be generally divided into three groups: First, those (2) who con- sider sulfanilamide as of doubtful or of no value at all in the treatment of trachoma; second, those (3) who consider sulfanilamide only as a useful adjunct to the usual local trachoma treatment; (To them. sulfanilamide alone does not cause healing. But it becomes an effec tive agent when used together with other chemical or mechanical measures) snd finally, those (4) who have obtained more or less con- sistently good results with the use of sulfanilamide alone.     

Association between symptoms and subtypes of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder and sleep problems/disorders

This study aimed to investigate the association between attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and subtypes, and sleep schedules, daytime inadvertent napping, and sleep problems/disorders in children and adolescents with and without ADHD. The sample included 325 patients with ADHD, aged 10–17 years [male: 81.5%; combined type (ADHD‐C): 174; predominantly inattentive type (ADHD‐I): 130; predominantly hyperactive‐impulsive type (ADHD‐HI): 21], and 257 children and adolescents without lifetime ADHD (non‐ADHD). We conducted psychiatric interviews with the participants and their mothers before making the diagnoses of ADHD, other psychiatric disorders, and sleep problems or disorders. We also collected the medication treatment data and parent and teacher reports of ADHD symptoms. Multi‐level models were used for data analyses controlling for sex, age, psychiatric comorbidities, and treatment with methylphenidate. The ADHD‐C and ADHD‐I groups had more daytime inadvertent napping. In general, the three subtypes were associated with increased rates of sleep problems/disorders. Specifically, ADHD‐C rather than ADHD‐I was associated with circadian rhythm problems, sleep‐talking, nightmares (also ADHD‐HI), and ADHD‐I was associated with hypersomnia. The most‐related sleep schedules and problems for inattention and hyperactivity‐impulsivity were earlier bedtime, later rise time, longer nocturnal sleep, more frequent daytime napping, insomnia, sleep terrors, sleep‐talking, snoring, and bruxism across informants. The findings imply that in addition to the dichotomous approach of ADHD and considering the psychiatric comorbid conditions, ADHD subtypes and symptom dimensions need to be considered in clinical practice and in the research regarding the association between ADHD and sleep problems/disorders.