The effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

The aim of the current randomized control trial (RCT) study was to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed extract on memory, depression, quality of life, blood pressure, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in adult AD patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted in geriatric homes in Iran. The study participants included 82 AD patients with mild-to-moderate memory deficit. Patients in the intervention group received 5 cc of fenugreek seed extract for 4 months and subjects in the control group received a placebo. Memory, depression, quality of life, and BP levels, as well as serum MDA and TAC, were assessed before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in serum levels of TAC (p < 0.001) and a reduction in serum MDA status (p < 0.001) after 4 months of fenugreek seed extract supplementation. In addition, increasing levels of memory (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001), as well as reduction of depression (p = 0.002), systolic BP (p < 0.001), and diastolic BP (p < 0.001) levels were detected in the intervention group compared with baseline. Fenugreek seed extract supplementation in AD patients shows promising positive effects on memory, quality of life, BP, and selective oxidative indices levels.     

Reversal to normal anatomy after one-anastomosis/mini gastric bypass,indications and results: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review evaluates the indications and outcomes of one-anastomosis/mini gastric bypass (OAGB/MGB) reversal to normal anatomy. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles published by October 1, 2020, including the keywords “one anastomosis gastric bypass,” “OAGB,” “mini gastric bypass,” “MGB,” “reversal,” “reverse,” “malnutrition,” and “reversal bariatric surgery”. After examining 182 papers involving 11,578 patients, 14 studies were included. A reversal was performed in 119 patients on average 23.6 months after the primary OAGB/MGB surgery. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.92 ± 3.47 kg/m² and the mean albumin level was 25.17 ± 4.21 g/L at reversal. The mean length of the common channel (CC) was 383.57 ± 159.35 cm, with a mean biliopancreatic limb (BPL) length of 214.21 ± 48.45 cm. Pooled estimation of the meta-analysis of prevalence studies reported a prevalence of 1% for reversal. The major signs and symptoms of protein-energy malnutrition were the leading causes of the reversal of OAGB/MGB. Bleeding, leakage, and death due to severe liver failure were the most reported complications after reversal, with an overall incidence of 10.9%. In conclusion, OAGB/MGB reversal has a prevalence of 1% and has a complication rate of 10.9%. Protein-energy malnutrition with hypoalbuminemia was the most common etiology. The mean lengths of BPL and CC were reported as 215 cm and 380 cm, respectively, in the cases. Therefore, special attention should be paid to malnutrition in all OAGB/MGB patients during follow-up to prevent severe malnutrition and subsequent increase in reversal procedures.     

Hemorrhoid Disorder and Anal Intercourse: Is There a Solution?

Archives of Sexual Behavior -     

Correlation of optic nerve sheath diameter measurements by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

BackgroundTraditionally, intracranial pressure is measured by direct ventriculostomy, which is invasive. Noninvasive measures such as bedside ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have been advocated and utilized recently to assess the intracranial pressure. The role of this study is to determine the degree of agreement between measurements of the optic nerve sheath diameter by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsRetrospective chart review of 100 consecutive patients who had both MRI and CT scan of the head from January 1, 2011, until March 31, 2013, at our center was performed. A discrepancy of 0.2 mm between the 2 measurements was set as acceptable difference. The measurements of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) were compared for agreement between the 2 modalities using the method by Bland and Altman.ResultsA total of 100 patients with both MRI and CT scan of the head were selected. Of these 100 patients, 24 were male and 76 were female. The average age was 63 years. No ONSD abnormality was detected in any of the patients. The discrepancy in measurements of the ONSD between CT and MRI in transverse plane was less than the predetermined cut-off value of 0.2 mm. Within-subject variance was estimated at 0.0058 for both CT and MRI.ConclusionComparable results without significant discrepancy as predetermined by the study groups were obtained from CT scan. Measurement of ONSD by CT scan can be used to indirectly asses the intracranial pressure in addition to clinical assessment and other signs of increased intracranial pressure on CT scan.     

Freehand correction of scoliosis in Rett’s syndrome

We present the case of an 18-year-old girl with a scoliosis (long C-shaped curve) in association with an atypical Rett’s syndrome. In order to attain a full correction and to provide her with adequate posture and sitting balance, segmental instrumentation was utilised from the high thoracic spine to the pelvis. We describe the procedure including the relevant pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative imaging.     

Immune checkpoints in targeted-immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer: New hope for clinical development

Immunotherapy has been recently considered as a promising alternative for cancer treatment. Indeed, targeting of immune checkpoint (ICP) strategies have shown significant success in human malignancies. However, despite remarkable success of cancer immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer (PCa), many of the developed immunotherapy methods show poor therapeutic outcomes in PCa with no or few effective treatment options thus far. In this process, immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is found to be the main obstacle to the effectiveness of antitumor immune response induced by an immunotherapy method. In this paper, the latest findings on the ICPs, which mediate immunosuppression in the TME have been reviewed. In addition, different approaches for targeting ICPs in the TME of PCa have been discussed. This review has also synopsized the cutting-edge advances in the latest studies to clinical applications of ICP-targeted therapy in PCa.KEY WORDS: Immune checkpoint, Pancreatic cancer, Tumor microenvironment, Immunotherapy, Clinical development     

The role of peer support education model on the quality of life and self-care behaviors of patients with myocardial infarction

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of peer education on the quality of life and self-care behaviors of patients with myocardial infarction.MethodsIn this clinical trial, 70 patients with myocardial infarction meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to experimental (n = 35) or control (n = 35) groups using block randomization. Patients in the intervention group received two one-hour training sessions on the third day after myocardial infarction during the CCU stay along with routine care. Education intervention was performed by peers. The control group will follow routine care. All patients selected were assessed using McNews' quality of life questionnaire and Miller self-care questionnaire, respectively before the intervention and also one month after discharge. Chi-square and t-test were used to analyze the data.ResultsAfter the intervention, the mean of quality of life and the mean score of self-care behaviors in the experimental group were significantly higher compared to the control group.ConclusionsAccording to the results, to improve the quality of life and promote the self-care behaviors in such patients, using peer education along with healthcare professionals is recommended.Practice ImplicationThis patient education approach had a significant impact on quality of life and self-care behavior.     

Positron emission tomography in imaging evaluation of staging,restaging, treatment response,and prognosis in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a prevalent public health problem worldwide. While imaging has played a major role in this disease, there still remain many challenges and opportunities. Positron emission tomography with various physiologically based radiotracers is fundamentally suited to interrogate this biologically and clinically heterogeneous disease along the course of its natural history. In this article, I review briefly the published evidence for the use of positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, 11C-acetate, and 18F- or 11C-choline in the imaging evaluation of prostate cancer. Although the focus of the article will be on these radiotracers given the accumulated experience with them, but I will also comment on the outlook for the use of other emerging PET radiotracers such as those targeted to the prostate-specific membrane antigen and the amino acid metabolism pathway. It is anticipated that PET will play major role in the evaluation of prostate cancer in the current evidence-based medicine environment. There will also be exciting novel prospects for the use of therapeutic-diagnostic (theransotic) pairs in the management of patients with prostate cancer.