Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids - a good idea?

Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic function may be associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome. omega-3 fatty acids decrease the production of putative mediators of inflammation, including interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor. Since interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are the principal polypeptide mediators of immunoregulation, reduced production of these cytokines by dietary supplementation with w-3, may be a possible mechanism for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. (C) 2002, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Drug withdrawal in patients with epilepsy: Prognostic value of the EEG

توصیه شده است که در کودکان واجد شرایط، هرچه سریعتر نسبت به قطع داروهای ضد صرع کودکان اقدام شود. به نظر می رسد که در هنگام تصمیم گیری نسبت به قطع داروهای ضد صرع می توان باتوجه به خصوصیات EEG بیماران، وقوع مجدد حملات را پیش بینی کرد. لذا با انجام یک مطالعه آینده نگر، کودکان در فواصل سه ماهه به مدت دو سال به منظور بررسی امکان پیش بینی حملات صرع قبل از قطع مصرف دارو با استفاده از EEG پیگیری شدند. هرکدام از الکتروانسفالوگرام ها برحسب وجود یا عدم وجود متغیرهای 1) فعالیت زمینه ای نوار (Background) و 2) فعالیت آهسته موضعی (Focal slowing) و 3) امواج سوزنی موضعی (Focal spike) و 4) امواج سوزنی نوک تیز منتشر (Generaliz sharp & spike wave) در دو حالت بیداری و اکتیواسیون (مثل هیپرونتیلاسیون) توسط یک نفر از متخصصین اعصاب مورد ارزیابی قرار می گرفتند. در صورت عود حملات، داروهای قبلی آنها مجددا تجویز می گردید. در این تحقیق، میانگین مدت زمان پیگیری بیماران از زمان شروع به قطع داروها 19 ماه بود. احتمال عود حملات پس از یکسال پیگیری 24.8 (26.5 و 22.5 :CI با احتمال 95) بدست آمد. در مورد وضعیت زمینه نوار مغز و وجود امواج نوک تیز سوزنی منتشر و موضعی و همچنین امواج آهسته موضعی (قبل از اقدام به قطع) در EEG بیماران با عود حملات ارتباط معنی داری یافت نشد. رابطه معنی داری در مورد مقایسه وضعیت فعلی EEG با نوارهای قبلی کودکان و عود حملات یافت گردید (

FAMILIARIZING NEW STUDENTS WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND STUDY SKILLS: ONE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THEIR FIRST SEMESTER

Introduction: It is essential to familiarize students with the university environment and let them reach to a level of attitude, knowledge and skill to be able to function actively in a student-centered manner. A workshop was designed for new medical students, in collaboration with senior students and office of vice-chancellor for education. The workshop was held during the third month of studying medicine in the January 1998. Methods: The program contained: introduction to medicine courses, different approaches to studying medicine including basic sciences, introduction to university and academic organization, methods of using library and scientific sources, interrelationship with senior student, strengthening responsibility moods. The workshop consisted of teamwork and general discussion sessions. Also, they were asked to answer the question that how should they attempt to become an informed and successful physician in the future. Results: Over 90 percent of participants were satisfied with their attendance in the workshop. Also, they demanded the continuation of running such workshops in different stages of their study years. The students estimated now –a-day medical education far from acceptable and optimal situation. Conclusions: It seems that assessing and meeting and meeting student's needs, especially in the first year of their study is very essential. Also, trying to find the causes of gradual frustration of medical students requires organized action by the educational authorities. Students themselves are considered as a strong, open minded and creative source of knowledge for solving their own problems. Performing such workshop by itself met some needs of medical students