Medicine

Introduction: Studies have shown that a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a routine including daily exercise or physical activity, can independently affect relapse rates and survivorship in breast cancer patients. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful anti-oxidant molecules, capable of preventing tumor formation and proliferation. Exercise...

Curcumin is a compound with anti-tumor effects in a tolerable dose. A recent paper by Rowe et al described that curcumin induced DNA damage in triple negative breast cancer cells and regulated BRCA1 protein expression and modification. Related research and potential use of curcumin will be discussed in this article....

We present three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients successfully treated with traditional herbal medicine (THM: Kampo). The treatment with THM resulted in a decrease in RA disease activity such as DAS28, as well as in the serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) in 3 cases. These observations suggest that...

Background: Doppler echocardiographic studies of left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) had shown different patterns of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Aim: This cross-sectional study was designed to study the LV systolic and diastolic function in patients with β-TM using Pulsed Doppler (PD)...

Background: Doppler echocardiographic studies in patients with β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) had shown different patterns of left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunctions. Aim: This cross-sectional study was designed to study the LV systolic and diastolic function in patients with β-TM using Pulsed Doppler (PD) Echocardiogram and assess the QTc interval...

Condensed Abstract: The prevalence and prognostic importance of CM occurring as a consequence of AF is poorly defined. This study investigated the incidence of CM in patients with AF, its clinical features and long-term outcomes. We demonstrated that CM is common in patients presenting acutely with newly diagnosed rapid AF,...

Background: Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) varies considerably in heart failure (HF) despite similar degrees of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Bradykinin alters vascular tone and common variations in the kinin B2 receptor (BDKRB2) gene exists. We hypothesized that genetic variation in this receptor would influence PAP in HF. Methods: 131...

Objectives: Hemoptysis is an alarming symptom of underlying lung disease. Clinicians are often unsure how to deal with and follow up patients who have had a single episode of hemoptysis, especially if the cause remains unknown despite thorough examination, because a second, more severe episode of hemoptysis might occur despite...

Objective: Presentation of chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis chronica that is an uncommon but important differential diagnosis for particular benign and malignant tumours. Case report: A 32-year-old woman presented with a painful, hyperkeratotic nodule on her left antihelix. The lesion was treated with cryotherapy and resolved completely. Conclusion: Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis should be considered...

Introduction: Thyroid hemangioma is very rare, and only a few cases have previously been reported. We encountered a patient with thyroid hemangioma diagnosed after surgery. Case Report: A 71‑year‑old woman visited our hospital with a mass in the left thyroid region. A 5‑cm, elastic mass of the thyroid was palpable in...

Cortisol concentrations in hair collected from young male and female adults were assayed and compared for differences along shaft length and between body sites. No significant differences were found between hair shaft sites, supporting a model of the hair shaft as “alive” and responsive to environmental demand in terms of...

Cortisol concentrations in hair and saliva collected from male and female adults over a 15-hour period were compared for differences in overall level and cyclic pattern. Typical diurnal fluctuations were noted for both salivary and hair cortisol, with some individual differences that are congruent with the previous literature. Issues of...

Objective: The purpose of this community-based study was to determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian adults with varying levels of English language proficiency. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used consisting of a sample of 1,603 Asian adult men and...

The treatment for localized advance gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is far from ideal. Up to 50% of patient developed post-operative recurrence and died within 5 years. Recently, imatinib was found to significantly improve recurrence-free survival in post-operative patients. The role of adjuvant therapy in high risk GIST patients is discussed....

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a decline in cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease and cerebro-vascular disease are the most common causes of dementia. Many factors (genetic, life style, vascular etc.) appear to play some role in the development of dementia. Statins significantly reduce vascular disease and could reduce cognitive impairment...

The term ‘frailty’ has often been used—by clinicians and researchers alike—to characterize the most vulnerable and weak amongst the elderly. The treatment and care of this subgroup of older individuals presents the most challenge to clinicians and other health care professionals. Although there is no clear consensus on the issue...

Objective: To evaluate adjuvant chemotherapy use for Stage III colon cancer. Methods: This analysis included 973 patients with surgically treated stage III colon cancer. Socioeconomic information from the 2000 census was linked to patients’ residential census tracts. Vital status through 12/31/02 was obtained from medical records and linkage to state vital...

Adenomatoid tumors are responsible for 30% of all paratesticular masses. These are usually asymptomatic, slow growing masses. They are benign tumors comprising of cords and tubules of cuboidal to columnar cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and fibrous stroma. They are considered to be of mesothelial origin supported by histochemical studies and...

Background: Infants with neonatal hydronephrosis and a normal voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) are presumed to have ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). There is little current information about the natural history of children with hydronephrosis or clinical factors that predict resolution of the radiological abnormality. Objective: To determine the time course until spontaneous resolution...

Background: Indians are suspected to have higher body fat percent at a given body mass index (BMI) than their western counterparts. Objective: To estimate percent body fat in apparently healthy Indian children and adolescents by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and explore linkages of BMI with body fat percent for better health...

Stress-related diseases have been predicted to become major contributors to the Global Disease Burden within the next 20 years. Of these, depression is one of the principal identifiable sources of concern for public mental health, and has been hypothesized to be an outcome of prolonged stress. Examination of the hyper-responsiveness...

Background and Methods: Anthroposophic treatment for anxiety disorders includes special artistic and physical therapies and special medications. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 64 consecutive adult outpatients starting anthroposophic treatment for anxiety disorders under routine conditions. Main outcomes were Anxiety Severity (physician and patient ratings 0–10), Self-rating Anxiety Scale...

Hysterectomies were unknown in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology until the 19th century. In the 20th century they were perhaps too frequently performed whereas the 21st century has witnessed a steep decline in hysterectomy numbers. It is therefore an opportune time to review the indications for hysterectomies, hysterectomy techniques...

The gonadal arteries normally arise from the abdominal aorta. There are reports about the variant origin of these arteries. In the present study, we investigated the origin and course of the gonadal arteries and clinical implications of variant gonadal arteries are discussed. Out of 60 dissections, in 55 cases the...

The drug Levodopa (LD) is an efficient compound for the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its short half life generates plasma behaviour of LD with peaks and troughs. Therefore, following the LD transport into the brain and the conversion to dopamine, an alternating stimulation of nigrostriatal postsynaptic dopamine...

Darunavir is an oral peptidomimetic HIV-1 protease inhibitor with antiretroviral activity against wild type HIV strains and HIV strains with protease inhibitor mutations. Ritonavir-boosted darunavir is rapidly absorbed and it has a higher bioavailability than unboosted darunavir. In HIV infected adults, the pharmacokinetic profile of darunavir showed that the drug...

Background: There is controversy about the appropriate treatment for severely displaced and unstable comminuted fracture of distal radius (type C of AO or OTA classification). Recently, there has been an increase in the number of predilection for surgical management of this fracture. Aim: To determine the radiographic outcome in type C...

Objective: To identify significant risk factors associated with repeat emergency department (ED). Visits for violent injuries in youth fi rearm victims. Methods: The study subjects of this retrospective cohort study were fi rearm victims aged 18 and younger presenting to a Pediatric Emergency Department/Trauma Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin...

Background: Ureteral catheters are valuable indispensable devices may readily acquire biofilms on the inner or outer surfaces. This study evaluated the efficacies of ureteral catheters impregnated with ciprofloxacin, N-acetylcysteine each alone and in combination on microbial adherence. Methods: Antimicrobial durability of ureteral catheters coated, through instant dip method, with ciprofloxacin were...

Modern medicine has brought us many miracle cures. In the 21st century, especially, we are blessed with increasingly powerful disease combating tools, such as functional genomics, proteomics and stem cells. Decades of medical and pharmaceutical research have produced thousands of medicines that allow us to treat and prevent diseases better...

The causes of chronic vulvar pain are many and when not accompanied by obvious physical signs they are difficult to unravel. Many common vulvar dermatoses can manifest without obvious erythema or mucocutaneous lesions, as can some less common disorders of both infectious and allergic origin. In addition localized and generalized...

Inadequate patient handoffs have been an area of focus for patient safety improvement. Insufficient communication and risks or “shortcuts” taken by staff members during handoffs could negatively affect the safety of patients in a department of obstetrics and gynecology. Other factors that contribute to inadequate handoffs are the caregiver feeling...

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are particularly susceptible to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Practitioners should keep themselves updated with the most current DDI information, particularly involving new anticancer drugs (ACDs). Databases can be useful to obtain up-to-date DDI information in a timely and efficient manner. Our objective was to investigate the DDI...

Objective: To review the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Data Sources: Literature was accessed via MEDLINE (1950–February 2009) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1960–2009) using the medical subject heading terms omega-3 fatty acids and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Additional references were found by...

Introductory Editorial by Dr David Simar, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.

Today’s medicine is in the midst of an undeniable crisis. Calls to reform healthcare are in the forefront of economic and political discussions worldwide. Economic pressures reduce the amount of time physicians can spend with patients contributing to burnout among medical staff and endangering the patient iatrogenically. Politicians are getting...

Christine Patterson1 and Heather Arthur21School of Nursing Faculty of Health Sciences McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 2Cardiovascular Nursing Research Faculty of Health Sciences School of Nursing McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.AbstractLimited information exists on how adolescents decide to use complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). There are also no instruments specific to CAM,...

Introductory Editorial by Dr David A. Fishbain, Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology, Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.

Rita K. Upmacis Center of Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Abstract Atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by plaque formation in the arterial wall that can lead to heart attack and stroke, is a principal...

Ida C. Elle, Louise C.B. Olsen, Mai-Britt Mosbech, Steven V. Rødkær, Dennis Pultz, Sanne G. Boelt, Julius Fredens, Pernille Sørensen and Nils Joakim Færgeman Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark. Abstract Regulation and coordination of lipid metabolism involve...

The Nokia Wrist–Attached Sensor Platform (NWSP) was developed at the Nokia Research Center during the NUADU project to facilitate research and demonstrations of use cases of wearable wireless sensors. A wrist–worn pedometer application was implemented as one of the demonstrations of the capabilities of the platform. In this paper the...

Single port transumbilical laparoscopic surgery (LESS, SILS, ENOTES) is a technique which has recently emerged with a view to improving the cosmesis following minimal access surgery, aiming to achieve ‘scarless’ surgery. This rapidly progressing technique is facilitated by developments in port and instrument technology, allowing surgeons to perform a wider...

Hypercholesterolemic diets are associated with oxidative stress that may contribute to hypercholesterolemia by adversely affecting enzymatically-generated oxysterols involved in cholesterol homeostasis. An experiment was conducted to examine whether the cholesterol-lowering effects of the antioxidants selenium and α-tocopherol were related to hepatic oxysterol concentrations. Four groups of male Syrian hamsters (n...

Aim: To assess serum Cu/Zn SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) concentration in autistic children and evaluate its possible relationship to GI Symptoms. Subjects and Methods: Serum from 50 autistic children (31 with chronic digestive disease (most with ileo-colonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) and inflammation of the colorectum, small bowel and/or stomach) and 19...

The presence of a patent internal mammary artery (IMA) represents a well-known technical challenge in redo cardiac surgery. Dissection of the IMA and controlling its flow during cardioplegic delivery has thus been considered essential steps. This maneuver however, is associated with the risk of damaging the IMA. Herein, we...

Lung perfusion/ventilation was introduced as a means to minimize cardiopulmonary (CPB)-related pulmonary ischemic injury. Current results in the literature are divergent, and the role of gas exchange during lung perfusion/ventilation during CPB, remains undefined. This report details a) the technique of continuous lung perfusion/ventilation during CPB, b) provides initial observations,...

The Unani eye drop is an ophthalmic formulation prepared for its beneficial effects in the inflammatory and allergic conditions of the eyes. In the present study, the Unani eye drop formulation was prepared and investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity, using in vivo and in vitro experimental models respectively....

Currently about 25% of Americans die in nursing homes, many with poorly controlled pain and other symptoms, with minimal provisions for psychosocial support. New models are necessary to lessen structural and process barriers to give effective end-of-life care in nursing homes. Objectives: 1) To extend hospital-based Bioethics Consultation Services (BCS) and...

Mr. Smith is an 85-year-old nursing home patient who has suffered from dementia for the past eight years. He has been bed bound and uncommunicative for the last six months. He was admitted with aspiration pneumonia three times in the past year. Over the last few months he has lost...