Rosai‐Dorfman disease successfully treated with thalidomide: A case report

Rosai‐Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disease which characterized by proliferation and overproduction of histiocytes in the lymph nodes appearing as lymphadenopathy, however, it may also occur in extranodal sites. The occurrence of unusual manifestations of the disease such as the appearance of the mass in an unusual area may increase the probability of misdiagnosis. Herein, we describe a case of RDD in an old woman with an unusual appearance of RDD in the leg that was successfully treated by thalidomide.     

Randomized controlled trial of 10% hydrogen peroxide whitening strips

OBJECTIVE: This research compared the clinical response of two different peroxide-containing gel formulations delivered using self-applied whitening strips. METHODOLOGY: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to compare a one-week 10% hydrogen peroxide thin (0.13 mm) bleaching gel (Crest Whitestrips Premium) to a marketed two-week 6% hydrogen peroxide strip (0.20 mm) control (Crest Whitestrips). The maxillary arch was treated twice daily for 30 minutes. Efficacy (L*a*b* color change) was measured objectively by digital image analysis after one and two weeks. RESULTS: A total of 40 adults ranging from 19-48 years of age participated in the study. Both treatments were effective in whitening teeth, as evidenced by a statistically significant improvement from baseline (p < 0.001) beginning at one week. At that time, the adjusted mean deltab* (SE) (yellowness reduction) for the 10% strip was -2.42 (0.147) compared to -1.91 (0.143) for the 6% strip, with the treatments differing significantly (p = 0.02). At two weeks, the adjusted mean deltab* (SE) for the 10% strip was -3.31 (0.182) compared to -2.49 (0.167) for the control. After two weeks, treatments differed significantly (p < 0.02) for deltab* and deltaL* (lightness improvement). Comparing results from two weeks of the 6% control strip to one week of the 10% strip, the mean deltab* treatment difference was -0.07 (90% confidence interval from -0.44 to +0.31). Both treatments were generally well tolerated, with mild and transient tooth sensitivity or oral irritation representing the most common adverse events. CONCLUSION: Vital bleaching with 10% hydrogen peroxide strips at one week was as effective as 6% hydrogen peroxide strips used for two weeks.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 6 antagonist,SB258585 exerts neuroprotection in a rat model of Streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer’s disease

Metabolic Brain Disease - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory decline. It has been suggested that 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6...     

Can serum level of N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide be used in patients with psoriasis as a predictor of cardiovascular disease?

Past studies have reported associations between psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. According to studies, N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is a useful screening test for cardiac disease. We examined the serum NT‐proBNP level in patients with psoriasis and compared them with nonpsoriatic healthy control subjects. Sixty‐one patients with psoriasis were enrolled, along with 61 age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) matched control subjects. In both groups, NT‐proBNP serum levels and lipid profile parameters were investigated. Means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. The median serum concentration of NT‐proBNP was higher in psoriatic patients than the control group (26.67 [interquartile range (IQR): 15.15–43.03 and range: 5–250] vs. 17.45 [IQR: 12.35–20.80 and range: 5–45.09, p < 0.0001). NT‐proBNP serum level in psoriatic arthritis patients (11%; 55.6 ± 25.7 pg/mL, 95% CI: 31.9–79.4 pg/mL) was higher than psoriasis patients without arthritis (35.8 ± 40.6 pg/mL, CI: 24.7–46.9, p < 0.001). NT‐proBNP levels were also positively correlated with BMI, lipid profile, and disease duration. NT‐proBNP is elevated in patients with psoriasis, consistent with the high risk of cardiovascular disease associated with psoriasis.     

Effects of Hypericum Scabrum extract on anxiety and oxidative stress biomarkers in rats fed a long-term high-fat diet

Metabolic Brain Disease - The continuous and long-term consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) leads to weight gain and obesity. A HFD and obesity increase the risks of psychiatric disorders, such as...     

Diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography for pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT: Right heart catheterisation is the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. However, echocardiography is frequently used to screen for this disease and monitor progression over time because it is non-invasive, widely available and relatively inexpensive. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis to determine the correlation of pulmonary pressures obtained by echocardiography versus right heart catheterisation and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography for pulmonary hypertension. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Papers First, the Cochrane collaboration and the Cochrane Register of controlled trials were searched and were inclusive as of February 2010. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were only included if a correlation coefficient or the absolute number of true-positive, false-negative, true-negative and false-positive observations was available, and the 'reference standards' were described clearly. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data from each study. Quality was assessed with the quality assessment for diagnostic accuracy studies. A random effects model was used to obtain a summary correlation coefficient and the bivariate model for diagnostic meta-analysis was used to obtain summary sensitivity and specificity values. Results 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis.The summary correlation coefficient between systolic pulmonary arterial pressure estimated from echocardiography versus measured by right heart catheterisation was 0.70 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.73; n=27).The summary sensitivity and specificity for echocardiography for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension was 83% (95% CI 73 to 90) and 72% (95% CI 53 to 85;n=12), respectively. The summary diagnostic OR was 13(95% CI 5 to 31).Conclusions Echocardiography is a useful and noninvasive modality for initial measurement of pulmonary pressures but due to limitations, right heart catheterisation should be used for diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary hypertension.