Oxidative stress and anxiety-like symptoms related to withdrawal of passive cigarette smoke in mice: beneficial effects of pecan nut shells extract, a by-product of the nut industry

The present study evaluated the role of pecan nut (Carya illinoensis) shells aqueous extract (AE) against oxidative damage induced by cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) and behavioral parameters of smoking withdrawal. Mice were passively exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 weeks (6, 10, and 14 cigarettes/day) and orally treated with AE (25 g/L). CSE induced lipid peroxidation in brain and red blood cells (RBC), increased catalase (CAT) activity in RBC, and decreased plasma ascorbic acid levels. AE prevented oxidative damage and increased antioxidant defenses of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. In addition, AE reduced the locomotor activity and anxiety symptoms induced by smoking withdrawal, and these behavioral parameters showed a positive correlation with RBC lipid peroxidation. Our results showed the beneficial effects of this by-product of the pecan industry, indicating its usefulness in smoking cessation.

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for development of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure and primary liver cancer. There are now seven antiviral agents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of chronic HBV infection. Despite the fact that there are between 1.4 and 2 million chronic HBV infections in the United States, fewer than 50,000 people per year receive prescriptions for HBV antiviral medications. This report discusses possible explanations for the disparity between the number of people who are chronically infected and the number of people who receive treatment. Explanations for this incongruence include the potentially large number of infected persons who are unscreened and thus remain undiagnosed, and lack of access, including insurance, education and referral to appropriate medical care, particularly for disproportionately infected populations.

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for development of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure and primary liver cancer. There are now seven antiviral agents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of chronic HBV infection. Despite the fact that there are between 1.4 and 2 million chronic HBV infections in the United States, fewer than 50,000 people per year receive prescriptions for HBV antiviral medications. This report discusses possible explanations for the disparity between the number of people who are chronically infected and the number of people who receive treatment. Explanations for this incongruence include the potentially large number of infected persons who are unscreened and thus remain undiagnosed, and lack of access, including insurance, education and referral to appropriate medical care, particularly for disproportionately infected populations.

[Hydrogenated products in Brazil: trans isomers, physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition]

The shortening Brazilian market has wide range of products for specific use, mainly at industrial level. In the present work 19 samples of shortenings, 14 samples of margarines and 9 samples of spreads were studied. Iodine index, softening point, trans fatty acids, solid fat content and fatty acid composition were determined in all samples. High levels of trans fatty acids in most of the samples were observed (30%), varying between 0-62%. Correlations for thermal characteristics of the samples between the fat groups were not found. In Brazil most of shortenings are produced for blends of soy bean oils with different level of hydrogenation.

Reversible common variable immunodeficiency syndrome induced by phenytoin

Phenytoin-induced panhypogammaglobulinemia mimicking the common variable immunodeficiency syndrome is rare. We describe a patient who, while being treated with phenytoin and corticosteroids, developed panhypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent pneumonia, eosinophilia, and a transient rash. Immunoglobulin levels, which had been normal prior to phenytoin therapy, returned to normal over a period of several months after the drug therapy was stopped. Levels of IgG subclasses and numbers of B cells, T cells, and T-cell subsets were determined during the recovery period. In a review of the reported cases, eosinophilia and rashes were frequently noted. These findings, along with recurrent infections in a patient receiving phenytoin therapy, should prompt a careful evaluation of the patient's immunologic status.

Ofloxacin versus trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole in acute cystitis

The clinical and bacteriological efficacy and adverse reactions of ofloxacin vs trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole were investigated in a double-blind, randomised study in 250 female patients (125 in each group) with acute, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections. The dosages of ofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole were 100mg and 160mg + 800mg twice daily, respectively. The duration of therapy was 3 days. 81% of the patients had significant bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was isolated in 76% and Staphylococcus saprophyticus in 11% of the infections. The bacteriological elimination, clinical cure and improvement rates of the evaluable patients on ofloxacin treatment were 92 and 95%, respectively. The corresponding figures on trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole therapy were 88 and 90%. Adverse reactions were clinically unimportant, and none of the patients had to stop treatment. Mild and transient side effects, mainly from the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system and skin, were reported by 19 and 22% of the patients in the ofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole groups, respectively. None of the differences in clinical and bacteriological efficacy and side effects of ofloxacin vs trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole were statistically significant. Ofloxacin appears to be an appropriate antibiotic for short term therapy of acute, uncomplicated, lower urinary tract infections, comparing favourably with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole treatment in this study.

A multicentre placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of mianserin and chlordiazepoxide in general practice patients with primary anxiety

In a double-blind multicentre trial in general practice, 144 patients with primary anxiety received daily treatment with mianserin or chlordiazepoxide, 30-60 mg, or placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three treatments in the 106 patients who completed the 6-week trial. However, there was a substantial trend in favour of mianserin (P = 0.1), but not chlordiazepoxide, over placebo as assessed by the difference in overall improvement on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. This trend may be clinically significant since more patients dropped out from the placebo group because of lack of effect or deterioration than did from the active treatment groups, particularly during the latter part of the trial. Side effects occurred to a similarly low extent with all treatments, except that mianserin caused more weight gain and, initially, more drowsiness than placebo, while placebo produced more nausea and vomiting. Taken together with the evidence from previous trials in patients with anxiety, these results support the notion that mianserin has anxiolytic properties.