Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Vitamin E and C supplementation prevents decrease of eicosapentaenoic acid in mononuclear cells in chronic hepatitis C patients during combination therapy of interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin.
We investigated the effects of vitamin E and C supplementation on the fatty acid composition of mononuclear cells and on the clinical observations in patients who had chronic hepatitis C and received interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha-2b) and ribavirin combination therapy. ⋯ Antioxidant vitamin supplementation during IFN-alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy prevented a decrease in EPA of mononuclear cell phospholipids. If a further decrease in the ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA can be achieved by using oral EPA supplementation, the efficacy of IFN-alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy may be improved.
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This study evaluated the physiologic properties of high protein buckwheat flour (PBF) by examining its effects on serum cholesterol and body fat in rats and on cholesterol gallstone formation in mice. ⋯ This study demonstrated that PBF has strong activities against hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and gallstone formation, suggesting a potential usefulness of PBF as functional ingredient.
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We describe the case of a 2-mo-old infant who weighed 3.5 kg, had alveolar interstitial pneumopathy on mechanical ventilation, and developed a duodenal perforation due to a 6-Fr polyurethane transpyloric tube. ⋯ If there is a clinical suspicion of intestinal perforation secondary to insertion of a transpyloric tube, the position of the tube must be confirmed by radiographic and echographic techniques. In case of doubt, the tube should be withdrawn and endoscopic or contrast radiographic evaluation must be performed.