Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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The aims of the study were to compare obesity and its association with risk factors of atherosclerosis in Arabs and South Asians in Kuwait and to define which of the anthropometric parameters is best suited for clinical purposes in general. ⋯ The degree of adiposity was different between Arabs and South Asians in Kuwait. Abdominal obesity had a different impact on cardiovascular risk factors in these two ethnic groups in Kuwait.
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The present study was carried out to determine the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of a methanol extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes (MEZZ) using various experimental model systems. ⋯ MEZZ produced antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities which may involve the inhibition of bradykinin-, prostaglandin-, histamine- and opioid-mediated processes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical comparison of 12 mg ropivacaine and 8 mg bupivacaine, both with 20 microg fentanyl, in spinal anaesthesia for major orthopaedic surgery in geriatric patients.
The aim of this study was to compare the haemodynamic and anaesthetic effects of 12 mg ropivacaine and 8 mg bupivacaine, both with 20 microg fentanyl, in spinal anaesthesia for major orthopaedic surgery in geriatric patients. ⋯ The data showed that 12 mg of ropivacaine and 8 mg of bupivacaine with 20 microg fentanyl in spinal anaesthesia can provide sufficient motor and sensory block for major orthopaedic surgery in geriatric patients. However, ropivacaine caused less motor block and haemodynamic side effects than bupivacaine during the procedure.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem which is increasing throughout the world and a major cause of death. However, current therapies fail to prevent disease progression or mortality. The mainstay of current drug therapy are long-acting bronchodilators; several longer-acting inhaled beta(2)-agonists and muscarinic antagonists (and combinations) are now in development. ⋯ Broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs may be more effective, and include inhibitors of the enzymes phosphodiesterase-4, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, NF-kappaB kinase and phosphoinositide 3 kinase-gamma and -delta, but side effects will be a major limitation so that inhaled delivery may be necessary. Perhaps the most promising approach is reversal of corticosteroid resistance through increasing histone deacetylase-2 activity. This might be achieved by theophylline-like drugs, phosphoinositide 3 kinase-delta inhibitors, more effective antioxidants and non-antibiotic macrolides.