The effects of ginger supplementation on markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

The present systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify relevant clinical trials evaluating the effects of ginger on serum CRP (C‐reactive protein), TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha), IL‐6 (interleukin‐6), PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), TAC (total antioxidant capacity), and MDA (malondialdehyde) from inception up to September 2019. Mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were pooled using a random‐effects model. Potential publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plot and Egger's weighted regression tests. After excluding irrelevant records, 20 full‐text articles that included 25 separate studies were included to the meta‐analysis. Pooled results of this study indicated a statistically significant effect of ginger on serum CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, TAC, and MDA levels following ginger supplementation in compared to the controls. Also, the effects of ginger on serum PGE2 was marginally significant. Moreover, the high heterogeneity was disappeared in subgroup analysis performed by age, duration, dosage, and quality. This current analysis indicates that ginger supplementation has a significant effects on serum inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.     

Case report and review of nonischemic spontaneous papillary muscle rupture reports between 2000 and 2015

Spontaneous papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare cardiovascular emergency. We present a 63‐year‐old male who presents with acute dyspnea who was found to have an anterior PMR, with no evidence of coronary artery disease, infection, or trauma. A review of cases of nonischemic spontaneous PMR published in 2000–2015 identified 11 additional cases of spontaneous PMR. Posterior and anterior papillary muscles involvement was identified in 54.5% and 45.5% of cases, respectively. Rapid identification due to advances in imaging modalities and improved surgical management has led to optimal outcomes in patients with spontaneous PMR.     

Cannabidiol promotes neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus during an abstinence period in rats following chronic exposure to methamphetamine

Metabolic Brain Disease - Chronic methamphetamine (meth) abuse can lead to certain deficits in the hippocampal function by affecting the hippocampal neurogenesis and plasticity. To determine...     

Successful use of azithromycin for Escherichia coli–associated renal allograft malakoplakia: a report of two cases

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - Malakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous disease associated with incomplete clearance of bacterial pathogens. A multimodal...     

An Innovative and Simple Approach to Functional Salivary Reservoir Fabrication

Saliva is a valuable oral fluid that is often taken for granted. Impaired salivary function is a major and a debilitating sequela of radiation treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. It can persist for years and thereby increases the risk of oral infection significantly. Moreover, it has a notably negative impact on the quality of life of such patients. To help overcome this problem, a number of techniques have been proposed for incorporating a reservoir containing salivary substitute into a removable prosthesis. A new design for a functional salivary reservoir is presented here. This design is simple to construct and easily maintained by the wearer. Details of its design, construction, and other potential advantages are presented.     

An Anatomic Study on Whether the Patella is Centered in an Ideal Anteroposterior Radiograph of the Knee

BackgroundCurrently, an anteroposterior radiograph of the knee is judged based on a centered position of the patella between the femoral condyles. We are not aware of any anatomic literature supporting this recommendation.Questions/PurposesOrthogonal images are required for accurate assessment of knee deformity. Although an image with the patella centered at the distal femur is generally accepted as a true anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the knee, there is minimal anatomic data to support that this view is orthogonal to a true lateral view of the knee where the condyles are overlapped. We designed an anatomical study to test the relationship between these two radiographic views.MethodsWe studied 428 well-preserved cadaveric skeletons ranging from 40 to 79 years of age at death. Centering of the patella was calculated based on distal femoral and patellar widths. Multiple regression analysis was then performed to determine the relationship between patellar centering and age, gender, ethnicity, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), femoral anteversion, and contralateral centering.ResultsAverage patellar centering was 0.13 ± 0.04, indicating that the average patella was laterally positioned in the distal femur. Only mLDFA and contralateral centering showed statistically significant independent correlations with patellar centering with modest standardized beta coefficients of 0.10 and 0.23, respectively.ConclusionsIn the average specimen, the patella is laterally deviated by 13% of the condylar width. Clinicians should be aware that a lateral view with the femoral condyles overlapped is not always orthogonal to a patella-centered AP view when planning and implementing deformity correction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9419-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.