Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance: Herbals

This is the fourth in a series of six articles to discuss the major classes of dietary supplements (vitamins; minerals; amino acids; herbs or botanicals; metabolites, constituents/extracts, or combinations). The major focus is on efficacy of such dietary supplements to enhance exercise or sport performance

Influence of cinnamic acid on lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine release and Klebsiella infection in mice

The effect of a complex of propolis constituents, cinnamic acid and L-lysine, on host defence mechanisms was investigated. After intraperitoneal (ip) application of cinnamic acid lysine complex (CN·Ly) to mice at a dose of 3 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days prior to inoculation with Klebsiella pneumoniae, a protective effect was observed. The action of CN·Ly was associated with its ability to provoke proliferation of thymic and splenic lymphocytes and to augment mitogen-induced proliferation, and the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). In all experiments, a solution of L-lysine in a concentration equivalent to the lysine content in the complex was used for comparison. The results indicated that free lysine acted in a mitogen-like manner predominantly on T-lymphocytes. In the complex, lysine played the role of a carrier and exhibited a less pronounced effect

Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Combination of Bone Substitute Material for Alveolar Ridge Augmentation - a Case Report

Background: Different barrier membranes and augmentation techniques are used in oral surgery to recover lost bone structures with varied success. Recently, a combination between bone graft materials and Platelet-Rich-Fibrin (PRF) is implemented in the periodontology and implantology

Optimizing the Learning Curve in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Introduction: In the recent decades, the surgical treatment of colorectal neoplasms is further developed with a minimally invasive approach, following the complex approach, modern guidelines and classic oncological principles. Any conventional operation can be performed via laparoscopy and in addition to that it produces a better image of the pelvis. Thus, a high-quality surgery, with a maximal sphincter conservation, minimal blood loss and quicker recovery of the patients can be carried out.Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze factors influencing the period of gaining experience with laparoscopic colorectal resections. We evaluated this surgery performed in the Second Surgery at the „Alexandrovska` Hospital (March, 2013-Februrary, 2016) for a period of three years.Materials and Methods: 317 patients with colonic and rectal neoplasms were operated on. Their average age was 61.4 and the gender distribution was - 172 males (54.3%) and 145 females (45.7%). Laparoscopic approach was planned in 37 (11.7%) of them. The following factors were taken into consideration: location of the tumor, the need to use automatic devices, duration of the surgery, etc. The compared indicators, related to decision making for laparoscopic approach, are the technique used and the obtained result, the duration of the intervention, financial resources and the number of conversions.Results: There were 5 are rectal amputations (13.5%), 14 anterior resection (37.8%) and two intersphincteric resections with coloanal anastomosis (5.4%), 6 (16.2%) right hemicolectomies, 5 left colectomies (13.5%) and three sigma resections (8.1%). The average postoperative stay reported was 6.2 days. The mean operative time was 212 minutes. A steady tendency to reduce it was observed (from 330 to 120 min.). Due to the advanced process, conversion was performed in 5 cases (13.5%).Conclusion: The use of automatic stapling devices and high-energy hemostatic devices predetermines the higher cost of the laparoscopic surgery. It gives the advantages of less postoperative pain and shortened hospitalization. The longer training curve depends on resource availability and personal technical skills. This use of this metehod gives the necessary advantage to patients without oncological safety compromise

Delineation of the motor disorder of Lesch-Nyhan disease.

Contains fulltext : 51161.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is caused by deficiency of the purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). Affected individuals exhibit over-production of uric acid, along with a characteristic neurobehavioural syndrome that includes mental retardation, recurrent self-injurious behaviour and motor disability. Prior studies involving relatively small numbers of patients have provided different conclusions on the nature of the motor disorder. The current study includes the results of a multi-centre international prospective study of the motor disorder in the largest cohort of patients studied to date. A total of 44 patients ranging from 2 to 38 years presented a characteristic motor syndrome that involved severe action dystonia superimposed on baseline hypotonia. Although some patients also displayed other extrapyramidal or pyramidal signs, these were always less prominent than dystonia. These results are compared with a comprehensive review of 122 prior reports that included a total of 254 patients. Explanations for the differing observations available in the literature are provided, along with a summary of how the motor disorder of LND relates to current understanding of its pathophysiology involving the basal ganglia