TheScientificWorldJournal
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2011
ReviewHoney for wound healing, ulcers, and burns; data supporting its use in clinical practice.
The widespread existence of unhealed wounds, ulcers, and burns has a great impact on public health and economy. Many interventions, including new medications and technologies, are being used to help achieve significant wound healing and to eliminate infections. Therefore, to find an intervention that has both therapeutic effect on the healing process and the ability to kill microbes is of great value. ⋯ These properties might help to explain some biological and therapeutic properties of honey, particularly as an antibacterial agent or wound healer. The data presented here demonstrate that honeys from different geographical areas have considerable therapeutic effects on chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns. The results encourage the use of honey in clinical practice as a natural and safe wound healer.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2011
Case ReportsRight diaphragm spontaneous rupture: a surgical approach.
We present a case of spontaneous rupture of the diaphragm, characterized by nonspecific symptoms. The rapid diagnosis and appropriate surgical approach led to a positive resolution of the pathology.
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Jan 2011
The effects of montelukast on antioxidant enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines on the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys in a rat model of cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis.
We investigated the potential protective effects of montelukast (MLK) on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced tissue injury in vital organs - liver, heart, kidneys, and especially lungs - through inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokine response and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rats. The rat groups were (1) a 10-mg/kg MLK-treated CLP group; (2) a 20-mg/kg MLK-treated CLP group; (3) a 20-mg/kg MLK-treated, sham-operated group; (4) a CLP control group; and (5) a sham-operated control group. MLK treatment significantly decreased proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6) cytokine levels following CLP. ⋯ MLK treatment after CLP also potentially reduced mortality. The lung and kidney tissues were the most protected by MLK under sepsis conditions. We can suggest that MLK reverses the systemic inflammatory reaction to polymicrobial sepsis and thereby reduces multiple organ failure.
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A 45-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with a 1-week history of right upper abdominal pain and nausea. Ultrasonography showed a thickened duodenum with infiltration. Subsequent gastroscopy did not reveal any abnormalities. ⋯ Sewing needle perforations into the liver have been reported in children, adults, and psychiatric cases. Symptoms can vary from mild gastric pain to signs of peritonitis[2]. "Wait and see" is recommended for asymptomatic patients with no complications. Symptomatic patients (e.g., liver abscess) need surgical intervention[1,2,3].
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TheScientificWorldJournal · Apr 2010
ReviewMultiple functions of phosphoinositide-3 kinase enhancer (PIKE).
GTP-binding proteins are the molecular switches of numerous cellular functions, including migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In the past 10 years, we have characterized a novel class of GTPases called phosphoinositide-3 kinase enhancer (PIKE) that interacts with PI3K/Akt. In neurons, PIKE is involved in the protective mechanisms against neuroexcitotoxic insults by linking various receptors, such as mGluR1 and Unc5H2, to the PI3K cascade. ⋯ Thus, PIKE possesses multitudinous biological functions rather than solely acting as an apoptosis inhibitor. In this review, we will update our current knowledge of the role of PIKE in various cellular activities. Moreover, the functions of PIKE in peripheral tissues as revealed by the unique phenotypes in PIKE knock-out mice will be discussed as well.