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Archive for April 2009

Corneal diseases

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Cornea - a front part of an external fibrous envelope of an eyeball; nonvascular, high-sensitivity, transparent, an optically homogeneous envelope with smooth, a smooth surface. Except for protective and basic function the cornea is the main refracting surface of optical system of an eye.

Diseases of a cornea makes about 25 % of the general number of diseases of eyes, and quite often are the reasons of blindness and lowering of vision.

Diseases of a cornea are rather various. Most often there are inflammatory diseases of a cornea (keratitis), differing greater variety of forms and being one of principal causes of decrease in sight and blindness, and also keratikonus. The Most frequent reasons of keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis are virus and bacterial infections.

Keratikonus - a condition of an eye at which the normal spherical form of a cornea is broken, the cornea is bent. On a surface of an eye the camber similar to a cone that leads to strong easing of sight develops.

Dystrophies and degenerations of a cornea happen primary and secondary. In a basis primary local and general infringements of a metabolism with adjournment in a cornea of products of a pathological exchange lay. Secondary dystrophies develop after transferred keratitis, traumas, burns of eyes.

For the prevention of heavy complications of diseases of a cornea are required: proper diagnostics, duly and active treatment. Various medicinal substances are applied to local treatment in the form of drops, injections. Methods of electrophoresis, phonophoresis, treatment by laser radiation are used also.

For carrying out of purposeful treatment bacterial keratitis definition of sensitivity of microflora to antibiotics by crop of defeat separated from the center is necessary.

Instruction to the patient after change of a cornea

To you the microsurgery of change of a cornea is lead. The thin seam keeping a donor fabric, can long-standing time (about one year) to remain in a cornea. It allows you to start to work with the moderate physical activity earlier. At the same time, it is necessary to remember the periodic medical control over a condition of a seam.
Durable healing of a wound after change of a cornea comes only in 6-10 months after operation. Therefore after an extract from a hospital it is necessary for you to continue the recommended treatment in house conditions. Instilling drops or loading ointments can be made the purest hands before a mirror or in a prone position, as well as by means of relatives, using those receptions with which you have got acquainted in a hospital.

During the first month to sleep it is necessary on a back or on the party opposite to the operated eye. The food can be usual, it is necessary to exclude alcoholic drinks. Surplus of sweets is not desirable. Easy gymnastic exercises without jumps, run and inclinations are useful. During rest and walks during the first year after operation it is necessary to avoid stay on the bright sun. It is impossible to sunbathe. It is possible to use the blacked out glasses. The replaced cornea during several months, and sometimes several years, has the lowered sensitivity. Therefore it is impossible to rub sharply an eye a scarf or a hand, it is necessary to be cautious at washing, to cover the operated eye during a strong wind and to avoid walks in frosty days even on the second or the next years after operation. It will help to save a cornea from damages and freezing injury.

You can watch TV, go to museums, cinema and theatre if it is not connected with difficult and close moving to transport. It is possible to start the usual or limited work in 2-4 months depending on a condition of the operated eye and working conditions. Expansion of the general mode should be carried out one step at a time, however during the first year work with a slope of a head downwards, outdoor games, run, heavy physical work is absolutely counter-indicative. After an output for work do not forget to show to the oculist each 2-3 months within the first year after operation, especially if it is not removed an encircling stitch.

In case of occurrence of reddening and an ache in an eye, and blear-eyedness to you it is necessary for photophobia to see a doctor promptly. Only early the begun treatment can prevent deterioration of vision.
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Factors and the conditions causing irritation of a dental pulp

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The irritation of a pulp of a tooth can arise owing to caries of a teeth, as a result of preparation of a tooth and carious cavities, under influence a filler material, owing to penetration of microorganisms at not tight seal, at an exposure dentin.

Caries of a tooth serves as a principal cause of changes in a pulp and its inflammations. Already at initial damage dentin fibrilloblasts react adjournment secondary and formation of a layer scleroid dentin (adjournment of salts of calcium on walls of dentinal canaliculus) down to full occlusion of dentinal canaliculus. These processes should be considered as display of protective mechanisms of a pulp on action of a cue.

At processing of a caries and destruction of enamel of a bacterium get in dentin, however the inflammation of a pulp does not arise. It is established, that first signs of an inflammation come, when carious the cavity is separated from a pulp by a layer of 1,1 mm [Reeves R., Stanley H. R., 1996], i.e. the pulp practically is not infected up to an instant of penetration of microorganisms in secondary dentin [Massler, Pawlak J., 1977].

Preparation of a cavity without use of a water spray leads to its damage. Thus probability of damage of the in direct proportion area of preparation and depth of damage. Thus, preparation of a tooth under vinirs or artificial crownwork without due cooling serves a serious risk factor for a dental pulp.

Filler materials. There are the numerous data specifying irritating influence various of filler materials. From cements the most expressed adverse action renders silicate though specify, that it is shown at formation of a clearance between edge of enamel and dentin as microorganisms nestle close in dentin [Brannstrom, 1979].

Composites also are considered as irritating materials. First of all, toxicity of composites of the first generation was marked. Materials let out now as specify numerous supervision, render insignificant influence on a pulp.

During many years use of bondings was studied at sealing. It is proved, that improvement of a compounding bondings has allowed to achieve favorable reaction of a pulp to used composites.

Regional permeability as considers a number of researchers, is a principal cause of irritation of a pulp after sealing. The leading part thus belongs to microorganisms. With the purpose of the prevention of the specified changes in a pulp it is recommended to spend padding fabrics of a tooth and use bonding systems.

The exposure of dentin can occur after loss of a seal, as a result of deleting fabrics, at erosion, etc., that is accompanied by sensitivity action of irritating factors. Sensitivity can arise also at an exposure cervical dentin because canaliculus of dentin become opened.

The sheeting (direct) provides:

1) clarification of a surface of a pulp;

2) drying of a cavity;

3) imposing on the naked pulp of medical paste;

4) a seal from zinc oxide eugenic acid cement;

5) imposing of a constant seal.

Most widely used materials for protection of a pulp contain all calcium hydroxide. As a result of it above a site of an exposure it is postponed secondary dentin, forming the dentin bridge. Consider, that formation of a barrier occurs not due to the calcium containing in a material, closing a pulp.
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Hip Replacement Dislocation

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Hip replacement surgery is very successful; pain relief and increased ability to perform routine activities are among the best benefits of this procedure. Unfortunately, hip replacements have some potential complications. These complications are uncommon, but they do occur--sometimes in unforeseen circumstances. Among the most frequently seen complications of hip replacement surgery is dislocation of the hip replacement. Hip replacement dislocations occur in about 4% of first-time surgeries, and about 15% of revision hip replacements.

How do hip replacements work?

Hip replacements are most commonly performed in patients with severe arthritis of the hip joint. The hip replacement uses a metal and plastic implant to replace the normal ball-and-socket hip joint. By removing the worn out bone and cartilage of the hip joint, and replacing these with metal and plastic, most patients find excellent pain relief and improved motion of the hip joint.

Why do hip replacement dislocations occur?

Normal hip joints have many surrounding structures that help to stabilize the hip joint. These structures include muscles, ligaments, and the normal bony structure of the hip joint. Together, these structures keep the ball (the femoral head) within the socket (the acetabulum). When the hip replacement surgery is performed, the hip becomes less stable. By loosing some of these hip stabilizers, the metal and plastic hip replacement is prone to "coming out of joint," or dislocating.

What happens when a hip replacement dislocation occurs?

Patients who have a hip replacement are instructed on hip precautions. Hip precautions are various maneuvers a patient who has undergone a hip replacement needs to avoid. Hip precautions include:
  • Do not cross your legs
  • Do not bend our legs up beyond 90 degrees
  • Do not sit on sofas or in low chairs
  • Do not sleep on your side
Most physicians ease these precautions after rehabilitation, but total hip replacements are less stable than normal hips even years after surgery.

These activities place the hip joint in a position where the ball may fall out of the socket. Sometimes hip replacements are more prone to hip dislocation. Factors that can contribute to hip replacement dislocations include:

Sometimes patients have no identifiable cause for their sustaining a dislocation of their hip replacement.

What is the treatment of a hip replacement dislocation?

Hip replacement dislocation treatment depends on several factors. The first step is usually to reposition the hip joint. This procedure, called a reduction of the hip replacement, is performed under anesthesia--either light sedation in the emergency room, or general anesthesia in the operating room. During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will pull on the leg to reposition the hip within the socket.

Most often the hip "pops" back into position. X-rays will be obtained to ensure the hip is repositioned and to see if there is any identifiable reason for the dislocation. If multiple dislocations occur, surgery may be necessary to prevent further dislocations. The implants can be repositioned, or special implants can be used to try to prevent further dislocations. You will need to discuss with your orthopedic surgeon the cause of your dislocation, and what treatments are available for the problem.

Sources:

Soong M, et al. "Dislocation After Total Hip Arthroplasty" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., September/October 2004; 12: 314 - 321.
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Hernias at children: inguinal, umbilical, a hernia of a white line of a stomach. Symptoms. Methods of treatment.

Hernia is an outwandering bodies from a cavity in norm them borrowed through properly existing or pathologically generated aperture with conservation of an integrity of envelopes, their covering, or availability of conditions for this purpose.
Let's consider a hernia of a forward belly wall of a stomach. It is the most widespread surgical pathologies at children. An original cause of progress of hernias - defect of progress of a belly wall. However there are some features which we shall consider separately.

Umbilical hernia. For 4-5 day after a birth of the child the umbilical cord disappears. The umbilical ring consists of two parts. The bottom part where pass umbilical arteries and a uric channel, are well reduced and form a dense cicatricial fabric. In the top part there passes a umbilical vein. Its walls thin, have no muscular environment, are badly reduced in the further. Quite often at weak peritoneal band and patent to a umbilical vein the umbilical hernia is formed. Except for it the major factor promoting occurrence of this pathology, frequent increase of intrabelly pressure is. It can be caused, for example, frequent we cry the child.
The aperture in the top part of a umbilical ring can be wide, and not trouble the child. But in case of small defect with firm edges concern of the child probably. As a rule, a umbilical hernia always can be reduced. The restrained umbilical hernia to meet in an adult practice more often. However we quite often should operate children with unreducible hernias (when hernial contents are attached to an internal wall of a leather of a forward belly wall by solderings).

Experience of out-patient supervision of children with the umbilical hernias diagnosed at early age, allows to tell with confidence, that to 5-7 years age often there comes self-healing. Liquidation of a hernia is assisted with strengthening a belly wall. It certainly massage, laying of children on a tummy, gymnastics. Surgical treatment it is begun not earlier than 5 years age. Properly and accurately lead operation, allows to eliminate a hernia with good cosmetic effect. As a rule, relapses does not happen.

Hernia of "a white line" stomach (anteperitoneal adipoma). If to lead a line between omphalus and ensiform shoot of a brest is and there is "a white line" stomach. At a direct muscle of the stomach, shaping given area, is from 3-6 tendinous crosspieces. In seat of intersection of these crosspieces and "a white line" stomach sometimes there are small defects. In them it is often stuck out anteperitoneal fat. If they settle down in immediate proximity from a umbilical ring, them name paraumbilical (periomphalic) hernias. Unfortunately, these hernias are not inclined to spontaneous closing. Treatment only operative, similar to operation at a umbilical hernia.

An inguinal hernia. Very frequent surgical disease at children. As a rule, all hernias at children of early age congenital. What reasons of occurrence of this pathology? It is a lot of opinions in this occasion at children's surgeons. It and weakness of a forward belly wall and feature of a structure inguinal areas and nonclosure vaginal a shoot abdominal membrane and a heredity. We shall try under the order, on an example of an congenital inguinal at the boy.
About from 6-th month of intra-uterine progress of the boy orchis fall from a belly cavity in marsupium on inguinal to the channel. Therefore these hernias name slanting. For presentation present itself, that on a tube (vaginal to a shoot abdominal membrane) as on the lift, orchis, conducted by the lowering mechanism from a belly cavity goes down in marsupium. Then under the plan there is a closing a pipe (vaginal shoot abdominal membrane) and by that the termination of the message between belly completely and marsupium. If it does not occur, at increase of intrabelly pressure in the nonclosure vaginal shoot of abdominal membrane leaves contents of a belly cavity. It is an inguinal hernia.
What for to an organism to strain and stretch a stomach when there is an opportunity to dump a superfluous pressure in "hernial contents". And frequently the child grows and … increases hernial bulge. Treatment of the given pathology only operative. Technically to carry out it at the child easier is more senior 1 year. However quite often operation is shown to the child at once at statement of the diagnosis. To wait dangerously. Occurrence of terrible complication - infringement inguinal hernias is possible. Hernial bulge in inguinal areas earlier that arising disappearing suddenly became firm, the child has begun to worry and has begun to cry, there was a vomiting, refusal of meal. At touch up to firm "bulla" in a groin to the child it is very painfull!!!
Most likely, there was an infringement inguinal hernias. To not give food, not give water and it is urgent to bring the child to the hospital. Muscles of a stomach have restrained contents of a hernial bag. It can be a site of a gut, a bladder or ootheca at girls. If urgently to not help the child after a while the site, deprived blood supplies, can be sphacelous, i.e. become lifeless. In that case treatment very heavy and long. In my practice there were 2 cases, hernial contents at the restrained hernia were a site of a blind gut with again changed an appendicular shoot. It was necessary to lead simultaneously with celotomy.

Believe, it is better to not lead up to infringement. To operate the child with a hernia it is necessary healthy, with good analyses and in the daytime. And it is possible only at scheduled operation. Every year in our branch, about to 500 children with the given pathology, scheduled operative interventions are spent. Operations last about 15-20 minutes, pass under a mask narcosis and the control of skilled anaesthesiologists. And here, after the small period of rehabilitation - your child is completely healthy. We have made all in time and properly.
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Peptic Ulcers

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of stomach and GI ulcers.

Alternative Names

Duodenal Ulcers; Gastric Ulcers; H. Pylori; Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs

Causes

Before the discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter (H.) pylori, the stomach was believed to be a sterile environment. Now, H. pylori is known to be a major cause of peptic ulcers. The bacteria appears to trigger ulcers in the following way:

  • H. pylori's corkscrew shape enables it to penetrate the mucous layer of the stomach or duodenum so that it can attach itself to the lining.
  • It survives its highly acidic environment by producing urease, an enzyme that generates ammonia and neutralizes the acid.
  • H. pylori then produces a number of toxins and factors that in certain individuals cause inflammation and damage to the lining, leading to ulcers.
  • It also alters certain immune factors that allow it to evade detection and cause persistent inflammation for a person's lifetime--even without invading the mucous membrane.


Even if ulcers do not develop, the bacterium is now considered to be a major cause of active chronic inflammation in the stomach (gastritis) and in the upper part of the small intestine (duodenitis).

It is also strongly linked to stomach (gastric) cancer and possibly other non-intestinal problems.

Factors That Trigger Ulcers in H. pylori Carriers. It should be noted that H. pylori is found in about 25% of people who do not have peptic ulcers. The magnitude of H. pylori infection, particularly in older people, may not always predict the presence or absence of peptic ulcers. Other variables, then, need to be present to actually trigger ulcers. They may include the following:

  • Genetic Factors. Some people harbor genetic strains of H. pylori that may make the bacteria more dangerous and increase the risk for ulcers in infected individuals. The most intensively investigated genetic factor is cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), which has been associated with both gastric and duodenal ulcers as will as with stomach cancer. Other genetic types that may also increase bacterial severity are called vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) and antigen-binding adhesin (BabA) genotypes. Some of these genetic factors may be more or less important for development of ulcers depending on ethnicity.
  • Immune Abnormalities. Some experts suggest that certain individuals have abnormalities in the immune response in the intestine that allow the bacteria to become injurious to the lining.
  • Lifestyle Factors. Although lifestyle factors (e.g., chronic stress, coffee-drinking, smoking) were long believed to be the primary cause of ulcers, it is now thought they only increase susceptibility to them in some H. pylori carriers.

When H. pylori was first identified as the major cause of peptic ulcers, it was found in 90% of people with duodenal ulcers and in about 80% of people with gastric ulcers. As more people are being tested and treated for the bacteria, however, the rate of H. pylori associated ulcers has declined. For example, a 2001 study suggested that about half of ulcers are not caused by H. pylori. Instead, they tend to be due to regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin and other common pain relievers. Genetic factors, or, rarely, Crohn's disease or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome also cause ulcers.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the second most common cause of ulcers and the rate of NSAID-caused ulcers is increasing. About 20 million people take prescription NSAIDs regularly, and over 25 billion tablets of over-the-counter brands are sold each year in America. The most common NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), although many others are available.

Their damaging effects appears to rest primarily on actions that block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the production of prostaglandins. The COX enzyme has two forms:

  • COX-2 causes intestinal contractions and inflammation. When NSAIDs block this enzyme, they help reduce pain and inflammation. This is their primary benefit.
  • COX-1 also protects the stomach by its release of prostaglandins that protect the mucous layer, maintain normal bicarbonate levels, and keep blood flowing in the intestinal tract. When NSAIDs block COX-2, they expose the mucous lining to attack.

Standard NSAIDs block both COX-1 and COX-2. Even if an NSAID is injected intravenously, the drug will still inhibit prostaglandins in the stomach and duodenum. NSAIDs are mild acids and can cause some injury by direct exposure to the lining of the stomach. Their primary damaging effects, however, are from their actions against COX-1. Studies suggest the following risks:

  • An analysis of controlled trials reported that about 1% of patients taking aspirin over a 28 month period will experience gastrointestinal bleeding. A significant risk existed even at low doses or with the use of modified-release formulations.
  • Of further concern was a 1998 study indicating that taking NSAIDs for only six months posed a risk for symptomatic ulcers that was greater than 1%.

The risk for bleeding is continuous for as long as a patient is on these drugs and may even persist for about a year after taking them. Taking short courses of NSAIDs for temporary pain relief should not cause major problems because the stomach has time to recover and repair any damage that has occurred.

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Herpes simplex

Definition

Herpes simplex is an infection that mainly affects the mouth or genital area.

Causes

There are two different strains of herpes simplex viruses:

  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. It is the most common herpes simplex virus and most people develop it in childhood. HSV-1 often causes lesions inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters), or infection of the eye (especially the conjunctiva and cornea). It can also lead to infection of the lining of the brain (meningoencephalitis). It is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. By adulthood, up to 90% of people will have antibodies to HSV-1.
  • Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted. Symptoms include genital ulcers or sores. In addition to oral and genital sores, the virus can also lead to complications such as infection of the lining of the brain and the brain itself (meningoencephalitis) in neonatal infants due to infection during birth. However, some people have HSV-2 but do not show symptoms. Up to 30% of U.S. adults have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact.


A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of herpes. It usually affects health care providers who are exposed to saliva during procedures. Sometimes, young children also can get the disease.

The herpes virus can infect the fetus and cause abnormalities. A mother who is infected with herpes may transmit the virus to her newborn during vaginal delivery, especially if the mother has an active infection at the time of delivery.

It's possible for the virus to be transmitted even when there are no symptoms or visible sores.

Symptoms

  • Mouth sores
  • Genital lesions -- there may first be a burning or tingling sensation
  • Blisters or ulcers -- most often on the mouth, lips and gums, or genitals
  • Fever blisters
  • Fever -- especially during the first episode
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin

Exams and Tests

Many times, doctors can tell whether you have a herpes-simplex infection simply by looking at the lesions. However, certain tests may be ordered to be sure of the diagnosis. These tests include:

Treatment

Some cases are mild and may not need treatment.

People who have severe or prolonged cases, immune system problems, or frequent recurrences may need to take antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex).

People who have more than 6 recurrences of genital herpes per year may need to continue taking antiviral medications to reduce recurrences.

Support Groups

Support groups and dating services are available for people with genital herpes.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The oral or genital lesions usually heal on their own in 7 to 10 days. The infection may be more severe and last longer in people who have a condition that weakens the immune system.

Once an infection occurs, the virus spreads to nerve cells and stays in the body for the rest of a person's life. It may come back from time to time and cause symptoms, or flares. Recurrences may be triggered by excess sunlight, fever, stress, acute illness, and medications or conditions that weaken the immune system (such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or the use of corticosteroids).

Possible Complications

  • Meningitis
  • Encephalitis
  • Eczema herpetiform (widespread herpes across the skin)
  • Infection of the eye -- keratoconjunctivitis
  • Prolonged, severe infection in immunosuppressed individuals
  • Pneumonia
  • Infection of the trachea

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms which appear to be herpes infection. There are many different conditions that can cause similar lesions (especially in the genital area).

If you have a history of herpes infection and develop similar lesions, tell your health care provider if they do not get better after 7 to 10 days, or if you have a condition that weakens your immune system.

Prevention

Preventing herpes simplex is difficult since people can spread the virus even when they don't have any symptoms of an active outbreak.

Avoiding direct contact with an open lesion will lower the risk of infection.

People with genital herpes should avoid sexual contact when they have active lesions. Safer sex behaviors, including the use of condoms, may also lower the risk of infection.

People with active herpes lesions should also avoid contact with newborns, children with eczema, or people with suppressed immune systems, because these groups are at higher risk for more severe disease.

To decrease the risk of infecting newborns, a cesarean delivery (C-section) is recommended for pregnant women who have an active herpes simplex infection at the time of delivery.

References

Workowski KA, Berman SM. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. August 4, 2006;55(RR-11):1-94.

Stoopler ET. Oral herpetic infections (HSV 1-8). Dent Clin North Am. 2005 Jan;49(1):15-29, vii.

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.


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Cranial mononeuropathy III - compression type

Definition

Cranial mononeuropathy III is a problem with the function of the third cranial nerve, which is located behind the eye.

Alternative Names

Third cranial nerve palsy; Oculomotor palsy; Pupil-involving third cranial nerve palsy

Causes

Cranial mononeuropathy III - compression type is a mononeuropathy, which means that only one nerve is affected. It affects the third cranial (oculomotor) nerve, one of the cranial nerves that controls eye movement. Local tumors or swelling can press down on and damage the nerve.



Causes may include:

  • Brain aneurysms
  • Disorders such as mononeuritis multiplex
  • Infections
  • Poorly formed blood vessels (vascular malformations)
  • Sinus thrombosis
  • Tissue damage from loss of blood flow (infarction)
  • Trauma (from head injury or caused accidentally during surgery)
  • Tumors or other lesions (especially tumors at the base of the brain and pituitary gland)

Rarely, people with migraine headaches may have a temporary problem with the oculomotor nerve. This is probably due to a spasm of the blood vessels. In some cases, no cause can be found.

Symptoms

Other symptoms may occur if the cause is a tumor or trauma. Decreasing consciousness is a serious sign, because it could indicate brain damage or death.

Exams and Tests

An eye examination may show:

  • Enlarged (dilated) pupil of the affected eye
  • Eye movement abnormalities
  • Eyes that are not aligned (dysconjugate gaze)

A complete medical and nervous system (neurological) examination can show whether any other parts of the body are affected.

Other tests may include:

Treatment

Some cases may get better without treatment. Treating the cause (if it can be found) may relieve the symptoms in many cases.

Treatment may include:

  • Corticosteroid medications to reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the nerve
  • Surgery to treat eyelid drooping or eyes that are not aligned
  • Wearing an eye patch or prisms

Outlook (Prognosis)

Some cranial nerve dysfunctions will respond to treatment. A few cases result in some permanent loss of function. If the problem is caused by brain swelling due to a tumor or stroke, those conditions may be life-threatening.

Possible Complications

  • Permanent eyelid drooping
  • Permanent vision changes

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call the local emergency number (such as 911) or go to the emergency room if you have:

  • Double vision
  • No feeling in or control over parts of your body
  • Signs of changed consciousness
  • Unusual headache

Prevention

Quickly treating disorders that could press down on the nerve may reduce the risk of developing cranial mononeuropathy III.

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Colitis - a problem of intestines

Very often at people the wrong opinion concerning such disease as colitis is created. They assume, that colitis is a gripe. However, this incorrect assumption. The word colitis has occurred from the Greek word "kolon" which is translated as a large gut. Actually colitis is an inflammatory disease of a mucous membrane of thick intestines.

Colitis in sharp forms pass very violently, but during too time it is very fast. Chronic colitis in turn proceed very long and languidly. Sharp colitis are very often accompanied by an inflammation of thin guts and a stomach. The medicine knows some types of colitis. Among them: ulcer, infectious, ischemic, medicinal, radiating and some other types of colitis. Ulcer colitis it is accompanied by occurrence of chancres in paries of intestines. At ischemic prick blood badly reaches intestines.

There is a big number of the reasons of occurrence colitis. It can be intestinal infections, an infection in a bilious bubble or a pancreas, long application of antibiotics, infringement of blood supply of a gut. If to speak about a wrong feed it also influences formation of colitis. More often this abusing flour and animal food, also a spicy food and alcohol. If at you a dysbacteriosis of intestines, worms, a bad heredity or a food allergy, quite probably, that you become "hostage" of colitis. One more very frequent factor of occurrence of colitis is the wrong mode of day, a frequent mental or physical overstrain.

The basis of any colitis includes damage of a mucous membrane of a gut. If colitis is caused by an intestinal infection then disease passes with rough influence on an organism. During the moment of disease various bacteria and parasites get on a mucous membrane of a gut and start it to damage. During this moment in a gut of the patient there is an inflammatory process. Because of it the wall of a gut swells. The gut cannot normally function any more. The wrong operating mode causes desires on defecation, a diarrhea and painful sensations in a stomach. At the patient at prick constantly the temperature raises.

First attributes of colitis are a pain in the field of a stomach and a unstable chair. Rumbling and a swelling of a stomach can disturb the patient. In a dung there can be a slime or blood. The person with colitis feels slackness, weakness. The given disease proceeds more often, approximately, some weeks.

If happens you got a colitis, it is necessary for you to address necessarily to the gastroenterologist. Only him can put you the correct diagnosis. Also you should hand over the analysis кала and to pass some researches on various devices.

Treatment of any kind of colitis requires a special diet. All other treatment is appointed depending on the reasons of disease. If at you has appeared colitis because of an intestinal infection then to you will necessarily appoint antibiotics. In case of if you became the owner of this disease because of application of a plenty of medicines then all medical products are canceled.

Medicinal therapy, physiotherapy, psychotherapy – all this methods of treatment colitis. Sanatorium treatment of this disease very well helps.

Colitis, as well as all other diseases, requires duly treatment. For this reason leave all businesses on then and engage for the beginning in the health. Visiting of the gastroenterologist will help you to get rid from colitis and to feel far more confidently and better.
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Jon's Health Tips - Sports Drinks

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I drink a lots of sports drink while playing soccer – and it really seems to help more than water – I recently switched to a zero calorie drink – with no apparent loss of efficacy. But I had no idea that the question of how sports drinks help was such a mystery – until I read about the research described here:

It has long been known that sugary drinks and sweets can significantly improve athletes' performance in endurance events. The question is how?

Clearly, 'sports' drinks and tablets contain calories. But this alone is not enough to explain the boost, and the benefits are felt even if the drink is spat out rather than swallowed. Nor does the sugary taste solve the riddle, as artificial sweeteners do not boost performance even when they are indistinguishable from real sugars.

Writing in the latest issue of The Journal of Physiology, Ed Chambers and colleagues not only show that sugary drinks can significantly boost performance in an endurance event without being ingested, but so can a tasteless carbohydrate – and they do so in unexpected ways.

The researchers prepared drinks that contained either glucose (a sugar), maltodextrin (a tasteless carbohydrate) or neither, then carefully laced them with artificial sweeteners until they tasted identical. They asked endurance-trained athletes to complete a challenging time-trial, during which they rinsed their mouths with one of the three concoctions.

The results were striking. Athletes given the glucose or maltodextrin drinks outperformed those on 'disguised' water by 2 - 3% and sustained a higher average power output and pulse rate, even though didn't feel they were working any harder. The authors conclude that as-yet unidentified receptors in the mouth independent from the usual 'sweet' taste buds must be responsible. "Much of the benefit from carbohydrate in sports drinks is provided by signalling directly from mouth to brain rather than providing energy for the working muscles," explained Dr Chambers.

The team then used a neuro-imaging technique known as fMRI to monitor the athletes' brain activity shortly after giving them one of the three compounds. They found that both glucose and maltodextrin triggered specific areas of the brain associated with reward or pleasure, while the artificial sweetener did not. This acts to reduce the athletes' perception of their workload, suggest the authors, and hence enables them to sustain a higher average output.

Their findings support the emerging 'central governor hypothesis' – the theory that it is not the muscles, heart or lungs that ultimately limit performance, but the brain itself, based on the information it receives from the body. Stimulating the brain in certain ways – such as swilling sugary drinks – can boost output, perhaps giving athletes that all-important edge over their rivals.
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Noma

Definition

Noma is a type of gangrene that destroys mucous membranes of the mouth and other tissues. It occurs in malnourished children in areas of poor cleanliness.

Alternative Names

Cancrum oris; Gangrenous stomatitis

Causes

The exact cause is unknown, but may be due to bacteria called fusospirochetal organisms.

This disorder most often occurs in young, severely malnourished children between the ages of 2 and 5. Often they have had an illness such as measles, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, cancer, or immunodeficiency.

Risk factors include Kwashiorkor and other forms of severe protein malnutrition, poor sanitation and poor cleanliness, disorders such as measles or leukemia, and living in an underdeveloped country.

Symptoms

Noma causes sudden, rapidly worsening tissue destruction. The gums and lining of the cheeks become inflamed and develop ulcers. The ulcers develop a foul-smelling drainage, causing breath odor and an odor to the skin.

The infection spreads to the skin, and the tissues in the lips and cheeks die. The process can eventually destroy the soft tissue and bone. Eventual destruction of the bones around the mouth cause deformity and loss of teeth

Noma can also affect the genitals, spreading to the genital skin (this is sometimes called noma pudendi).

Exams and Tests

Physical examination shows inflamed areas of the mucous membranes, mouth ulcers, and skin ulcers. These ulcers have a foul-smelling drainage. There may be other signs of malnutrition.

Treatment

Antibiotics and proper nutrition helps stop the disease from getting worse. Plastic surgery may be necessary to remove destroyed tissues and reconstruct facial bones. This will improve facial appearance and the function of the mouth and jaw.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In some cases, this condition can be deadly if left untreated. Other times, the condition may heal over time even without treatment. However, it can cause severe scarring and deformity.

Possible Complications

  • Disfigurement
  • Discomfort

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Medical care is needed ifmouth sores and inflammation occur and persist or worsen.

Prevention

Measures to improve nutrition, cleanliness, and sanitation may be helpful.

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Nevus pigmentary, dysplastic, blue, boundary, removal of nevus

Pigmentary nevus - a good-quality congestion of pigmentary cells on a skin. Pigmentary nevus it is seldom possible to meet at babies; they start to be shown in the childhood, and especially much they appear in youthes, and with the years number of pigmentary nevuses one step at a time decreases. The type of pigmentary nevuses can be various - they can be flat or acting above a surface of a leather, the smooth or covered hair. It is necessarily necessary for adult people to pay attention to variation of their form, color or appearance as it can be one of initial symptoms developing malignant melanoma.

Dysplastic nevuses is pigment spots of the complex form and with not sharp borders, slightly rise above a level of a skin, painting varies them from red-brown up to dark-brown on a pink background.

Dysplastic nevuses for the first time have drawn to itself attention the unusual type and the raised frequency in some families (are transferred by right of succession). As a rule, dysplastic nevuses is larger than ordinary birthmarks, reaching 5–12 mm in diameter.

Boundary pigmentary nevus. Develops in the field of dermo-epidermal joints and it is characterized raised melanocyte by activity. Clinically it looks like flat is dark-brown or black papule in diameter up to 1 sm, with a smooth dry surface is more often. The important differential-diagnostic sign boundary pigmentary nevus is the total absence on it of hair. Boundary nevus can sometimes look a spot roundish or wrong outlines with equal wavy edges. Favourite localization at boundary nevus is not present. It can settle down on a leather of the person, a neck, a trunk. According to the literature, pigmentary nevuses on a skin of a palm, soles, genitals almost always are boundary. Boundary nevus is congenital is more often, however can appear in the first years of a life or even after puberty.

Blue (dark blue) nevus represents sharply limited from a surrounding skin papule is dark-dark blue or bluish color, roundish outlines, densely-elastic consistence with a smooth hairless surface. It is characterized by massive congestions of melanin in deep layers of derma, that causes its blue color. The size of papule no more than 0,5 sm though in the literature individual supervision huge blue nevus are described, reaching several centimeters in diameter. Settles down blue nevus more often on the person, finitenesses, buttocks. Localization in an oral cavity is possible. Blue nevus meets at representatives of Asian people is more often. Congenital it never happens and appears mainly after puberty. Progress of melanoma on seat blue nevus is observed seldom, but such cases are described, as has induced it to carry to danger of melanoma.

Huge pigmentary nevus - always congenital. It increases in sizes in process of growth of the child, reaching the big size (from a palm and it is more) and borrows sometimes the most part of a trunk, a neck and other areas. Usually on a significant extent a surface of nevus is torous, warty, with deep cracks on a skin. Often there are sites trichauxis (hair nevus). Color variate from grayish up to black, often non-uniform on various sites of nevus. Malignization of huge pigmentary nevus according to various authors occurs in 1,8 % up to 10 % of cases.

Papillomatous nevus is characterized rough, torous by a surface. It is often localized on hair parts of a head, but happens and on any other site of an integument. The sizes more often greater, up to several centimeters, outlines are wrong, color variates from color of a normal skin up to brownish, less often - is dark-brown or even black. Similar fibroepithelial papilloma quite often happens it is penetrated by hair.

Removal of nevuses

Any pigmentary new growths of a skin require attention and vigilance.

Their treatment consists in radical (within the limits of not changed leather) removal by a method surgical ablation (stages are presented on illustrations in the bottom of page). Use modern noninvasive sutural and rules of aesthetic surgery allows to achieve materials undistinguished postoperative cicatrical tissue.
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Epilepsy. Guidance for patients.

Epilepsy - one of the most widespread diseases of nervous system which cause of the prominent features represents a serious medical and social problem. Among the children's population frequency of epilepsy makes 0,75-1 %, from them of 65 % can live practically without attacks provided that they pass appropriating medical examination and receive appropriate treatment. Epilepsy - disease of the brain, described attacks of infringements of impellent, sensitive, vegetative or cogitative functions. Thus during between attacks the patient can be absolutely normal, nothing differing from other people. It is important to note, that the individual attack yet is not an epilepsy. Only repeated attacks - the basis for an establishment of the diagnosis of epilepsy. At epilepsy attacks also should be spontaneous, i.e. nothing to be provoked; they appear always unexpectedly. The attacks arising at temperature (pyretic spasmes), a fright, at a capture of blood, as a rule, have no attitude to epilepsy.

The reasons of occurrence of an epilepsy depend on age. At children of younger age the most frequent causal factor got epilepsy is oxygen starvation during pregnancy (hypoxia), as well as congenital developmental anomalies of a brain, intra-uterine infections (a toxoplasmosis, a cytomegaly, a roetheln, a herpes, etc.); less often - a patrimonial trauma. There are also forms of epilepsy with hereditary predisposition (for example, youthful myoclonic epilepsy). At these forms the risk of a birth of the sick child if one of parents is sick of epilepsy, is low and makes no more than 8 %. Extremely seldom there are progressing hereditary forms of epilepsy, mainly, in families with close relatives marriage or in the certain ethnic groups (for example, among a Finno-Ugrian population). In these families the risk of a birth of the sick child can be very high and reach 50 %.

Thus, allocate a "symptomatic" epilepsy (when it is possible to find out structural defect of a brain), an autopathic epilepsy (when there is a hereditary predisposition and structural changes in a brain are absent) and a cryptogenic epilepsy (when the reason of disease to reveal it is not possible).

Allocate nidal (franctional, focal, local) attacks, at which spasmes or original sensations (for example, numbness) in the certain parts of a body can be observed; most often - on behalf of or finitenesses, especially in hands. Nidal attacks can be shown also by short attacks of visual, acoustical, olfactory or flavouring hallucinations; short-term sensation of a pain or discomfort in a stomach; inflow of ideas with impossibility to concentrate; sensation «already seen» or «never seen»; attacks of unmotivated fear. The consciousness at these attacks is usually kept (simple fractional attacks), and the patient in details describes the sensations.
Deenergizing consciousness without falling and spasmes (complex fractional attacks) is possible. Thus the patient continues automated to carry out the interrupted action. During this moment can meet automatisms: chewing, stroking bodies, rub palms and so forth thus is made impression, that the person is simply absorbed by the activity. Duration of franctional attacks usually no more than 30 sec. After complex of fractional attacks short-term confusion of consciousness, drowsiness are possible.

Generalized attacks happen convulsive and non-convulsive (absenses). Generalized convulsive tonic-clonic attacks - the most serious, shocking, frightening parents and attacks surrounding type, nearby not the heaviest. Sometimes in some hours or even days up to an attack patients test some phenomena named by harbingers: the general discomfort, alarm, aggression, irritability, a sleeplessness, sweaty, the feeling of heat or a cold, etc. If directly ahead of an attack of the patient feels aura (discomfort in a stomach, visual sensations, unreality surrounding and so forth), and then loses consciousness and falls in spasmes such attack refers to again-generalized.
During aura some patients have time to secure themselves, having called to the aid associates or having reached up to a bed. At primarily-generalized convulsive attacks of the patient does not feel aura; these attacks are especially dangerous the suddenness. Favourite time of their occurrence - the period soon after awakening patients. In the beginning of an attack (a tonic phase) there is a pressure of muscles and shrill shout is often observed. During this phase probably biting language. Short-term respiratory standstill with the subsequent occurrence of cyanosis develops. The clonic phase of an attack further develops: there are rhythmical twitchings muscles, is usual with involving all finitenesses. In the end of clonic phases it is often observed incontience of urine. Spasmes usually stop spontaneously in some minutes (2-5 mins). Then the post attack period comes, described drowsiness, confusion of consciousness, a headache and approach of a dream.

Non-convulsive generalized attacks called by absense. They arise almost exclusively at children's age and an early youth. The child suddenly fades (deenergizing of consciousness) and steadfastly looks in one point; the sight seems absent. Attacks proceed all some 5-20 seconds and often remain not noticed. These attacks are very sensitive to hyperventilation - are provoked by the deep forced breath during 2-3 minutes

Allocate also myoclonic attacks: involuntary reduction of muscles of all body or its parts, for example, hands or a head, thus the patient can reject aside subject matters being hands. These attacks quite often arise in the morning, especially if the patient has not slept. The consciousness at them is kept. Atopic attacks are characterized by sudden full loss of a muscular tone owing to what the patient sharply falls. Convulsive reductions are absent. Children of the first year of a life have a special type of heavy attacks - infantile spasms. The given attacks proceed serially in the form of nods, folding of a trunk, bending of hands and legs. Children with this type of attacks usually lag behind in impellent and mental progress.

Exist about 40 various forms of epilepsy and different types of attacks. The doctor should lead indispensable inspection and precisely diagnose the form of epilepsy and character of attacks. Thus for each form there is certain an antiepileptic preparation and the programme of treatment.
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Illnesses of the spinal cord

Illnesses of a spinal cord often lead to irreversible neurologic infringements and to proof and expressed invalidization. Insignificant on the sizes the pathological centers cause occurrence of pamplegia, paraplegia and infringements of sensitivity from top to bottom from the center as through the small area of cross-section section of a spinal cord pass practically all axifugal impellent and eisodic sensitive spending ways. Many illnesses, especially accompanied a compression of a spinal cord from the outside, carry inversive character in this connection sharp defeats of a spinal cord should be carried to the most critical urgent conditions in neurology.

The spinal cord has a segmentary structure and innervate finitenesses and a trunk. 31 pairs spinal nerves that does anatomic diagnostics concerning simple depart from it. To define localization of pathological process in a spinal cord allow border of frustration of sensitivity, paraplegia and other typical syndromes. Therefore at diseases of a spinal cord careful inspection of the patient with application of additional laboratory tests, including a nuclear magnetic resonance, computer tomography, myelography and research somatosensory the caused potentials is required. Owing to ease in carrying out and the best resolution computer tomography and the nuclear magnetic resonance supersede standard myelography. Especially valuable information on internal structure of a spinal cord gives a nuclear magnetic resonance.

Parity of an anatomic structure of a spine column and spinal cord with clinical symptoms

The universal organization of a longitudinal axis spinal cord by a somatic principle allows to identify easily reasonably the syndromes caused by defeat of a spinal cord and spinal nerves. Longitudinal localization of the pathological center establish on the uppermost border of sensitive and impellent dysfunction. In the mean time the parity between bodies of spondyles (or their superficial reference points, awned shoots) and the segments of a spinal cord located under them complicates anatomic interpretation of symptoms of diseases of a spinal cord. Syndromes of defeat of a spinal cord describe according to the involved segment, instead of a being next to spondyle.
During embryonal progresses the spinal cord grows more slowly a spine column so the spinal cord comes to an end behind of a body of the first lumbar spondyle, and its radices accept more steep descending direction to reach innervate them structures of finitenesses or internal bodies. The useful rule consists in that. That is radices (except for CVIII) leave rachial the channel through apertures above bodies of spondyles appropriating them, whereas chest and lumbar radix — under the same spondyles. The top cervical segments lay behind of bodies of spondyles with same numbers, bottom cervical — on one segment above a spondyle appropriating them, top chest — on two segments above, and bottom chest — on three. Lumbar and sacral segments of a spinal cord [(the last shape a brain cone (conusmedullaris)] are localized behind of spondyles ThIX—li. To specify propagation various extramedullary processes, especially at spondylosis, important carefully to measuresagittal diameters of the rachial channel. In norm at cervical and chest levels these parameters make 16—22 mm; at a level of spondyles li-liii-nearby 15—23 mm and below — 16—27 mm.

Clinical syndromes of diseases of a spinal cord

As the basic clinical symptoms of defeat of a spinal cord serve loss of sensitivity the border which are passing on a horizontal circle on a trunk, i.e. «A level of frustration of sensitivity», and weakness in finitenesses, innervate descending corticospinal fibres. Infringements of sensitivity, especially paresthesia, can appear in stops (or one stop) and to extend upwards, originally making impression about polyneuropathy before the constant border of frustration of sensitivity will be established. The pathological centers leading a break corticospinal and bulbospinal of ways at same level of a spinal cord, cause paraplegia or pamplegia, accompanied increase of a muscular tone and deep tendinous reflexes, and also the symptom of Babynskiy.
At detailed survey usually find out segmentary infringements, for example a strip of changes of sensitivity top level conducting touch frustration (a hyperalgesia or a hyperpathia), and also a hypotonia, an atrophy and the isolated loss deep tendinous reflexes. A level conducting frustration of sensitivity and segmentary semiology approximately specify localization cross-section affect. As an exact localizing attribute the pain felt on an average line of a back, especially at a chest level serves, the pain in interscapular areas can appear the first symptom of a compression of a spinal cord. Radicular pains points on primary localization of the spinal defeat located more lateralis. At involving the bottom department of a spinal cord — a brain cone of a pain are often marked in the bottom part of a back.

At an early stage of sharp cross-section defeat in finitenesses the hypotonia, instead of spasticity because of a so-called spinal shock can be marked. The given condition can be kept about several weeks, and it is erroneous it sometimes accept for extensive segmentary defeat, but later reflexes become high. At the sharp cross-section defeats especially caused by a heart attack, to a paralysis often precede short clonic or myoclonic movements in finitenesses. Other important symptom of cross-section defeat of the spinal cord, requiring close attention, especially at a combination with spasticity and availability of a level of sensitive frustration, vegetative dysfunction, first of all a delay serves wet.

Significant efforts are undertaken for clinical differentiation intramedullary (inside of a spinal cord) and extramedullary compression defeats, but the majority of rules are approximate and do not allow to differentiate one from others reliably. To the attributes testifying in favour of extramedullary of pathological processes, concern radicular pains; a syndrome half spinal affcets Brown-Sekar; symptoms of defeat peripheral effector neuron within the limits of one-two segments, often asymmetric; early attributes of involving of corticospinal ways; essential decrease in sensitivity in sacral segments.
On the other hand, hardly focalized the burning pains, the dissociated loss of painful sensitivity safety of sarcous-articulate sensitivity, conservation of sensitivity in the field of perineum, sacral the segments, late arising and less expressed the pyramidal semiology, normal or slightly changed structure SMZH are usually characteristic for intramedullary defeats. «Untact sacral segments» means safety of perception of painful and temperature irritations in sacral dermatome, it is usual with SIIInoSV. With rostral zones above a level of frustration of sensitivity. As a rule, it is an authentic sign the intramedullary defeats, accompanied involving of the most internal fibres spinothalamic ways, but not mentioning the most external fibres providing touch innervation sacral dermatome.

Browm-Sekar syndrome designate aggregate of symptoms half cross-section defeat of the spinal cord, shown homolateral monocles hemiplegia with loss of muscular-articulate and vibrating (deep) sensitivity a combination with contralateral loss of painful and temperature (superficial) sensitivity. The top border of frustration of painful and temperature sensitivity quite often define on 1—2 segments below a site of damage of a spinal cord as spinothalamic ways after formation synapse in a back horn pass fibres in opposite lateral funicle, rising upwards. If there are segmentary infringements in the form of radicular pains, muscular atrophies, fading tendinous reflexes they usually happen unilateral.

The pathological centers limited by the central part of a spinal cord or mentioning in basic it, mainly amaze neurocyte of grey substance and segmentary conductors, decussate at the given level. The most widespread processes such are a bruise at a spinal trauma, myelosyringosis, tumours and vascular defeats in pool of a forward spinal artery. At involving a cervical department of a spinal cord the syndrome of the central spinal defeat is accompanied by weakness of the hand significantly more expressed in comparison with weakness of a leg, and the dissociated frustration of sensitivity (analgesia, i.e loss of painful sensitivity distribution in the form of a cape on shoulders and the bottom part of a neck, without anesthesia, i.e. losses of tactile sensations, and at safety of vibrating sensitivity).

The defeats localized in the field of body C or below, squeeze the spinal nerves which are a part of a horse tail, and cause languid asymmetric paraparesis with areflexia to which dysfunction of a bladder and an intestines, as a rule, accompanies. Distribution of sensitive frustration reminds outlines of a saddle, reaches level L and corresponds to zones innervation radicular, entering in a horse tail. Achilles and knee reflexes are lowered or are absent. Pains, irradiate in perineum or a hip are often marked. At pathological processes in the field of a cone of a spinal cord of a pain are expressed more poorly, than at defeats a horse tail, and frustration of functions of an intestines and a bladder arise earlier; die away only Achilles reflexes. Compression processes can simultaneously grasp as a horse tail, and a cone and to cause the combined syndrome of defeat peripheral effector neuron with some hyperreflection and symptom of Babinskiy.

The classical syndrome of the big occipital aperture is characterized by weakness of muscles of a humeral belt and a hand after which there is a weakness homolateral legs and, finally, contralateral hands. Volumetric processes of the given localization sometimes give a suboccipital pain extending on a neck and shoulders. Other certificate of a high cervical level of defeat syndrome of Gorner which is not observed at availability of variations below segment TII serves. Some illnesses can cause sudden «insult-like» myelopathy without previous symptoms. To their number concern a epidural haemorrhage, hemorrhachis, a heart attack of a spinal cord, an incomplete dislocation of spondyles.
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Diagnostics and treatment of tinea

A tinea represents a fungoid infection which can amaze set of parts of a body of the person. Below we shall designate sites of a body on which can appear dermatosis.
The-part of a head covered by hair.
- A smooth leather of a trunk.
- Nails.
- Stops of legs.
- Inguinal area.
- A skin of the face on which the vegetation settles down.

The given infection is widely widespread. If in time to undertake elimination of illness and to observe all doctor's instructions such effective treatment will give the favorable forecast. But can be and so, that at the started illness the chronic form tinea develops.
Infection tinea occurs at direct contact to the sick person, or through the polluted subjects. Among these subjects there can be a footwear, towels or mats in bathroom. The activator of disease tinea is the fungus.

Treatment of illness individually, depends on the form of its display. At disease of tinea it is necessary to address to the doctor. In fact depending on the form of disease of defeat of a leather differ on appearance and duration of existence of illness.

From a tinea of a hair parts of a head basically suffer children, and is characterized by occurrence small, one step at a time extending папул on a head, as well as a peeling, loss of hair on the amazed sites. Also on seat of papule can be formed inflamed, furuncular-like units.
At disease of a tinea of a smooth skin, papules extend on any sites of a skin, there are flat formations, dry, covered by scaly crust or damp, covered by crusts. Depending on a degree of their increase, the centers of spots are cleared, giving a classical picture of a leather in the form of circles.

A tinea nails begins with tips of one or more nails on legs or hands. In the second case disease is shown far less often, than in the first. Illness leads to a gradual thickening of nails, variation of their color, a curvature. Under them the substance formed from of died cells accumulates. As a result, the nail can be completely destroyed.
A tinea stop causes finely lamellar peeling of a skin, occurrence of bubbles between fingers. In heavy cases the infection can lead to inflammatory process of all the stops, described a strong itch and a pain at walking.

A tinea of an inguinal areas it is characterized by occurrence red, with precise borders, spots in an inguinal areas. The designated spots can extend on buttocks, internal surfaces of a hips and external genitals.
At diagnostics of a tinea, it is carried out scrape from the amazed sites of a leather. The received material investigate by means of a microscope.
A tinea, as a rule, it is treated by preparations for external application. Local treatment proceeds within two weeks after disappearance of symptoms. Also, at treatment of a tinea use the open damp bandages.
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Palm Oil Not a Healthy Substitute for Trans Fats

Wednesday, April 15, 2009





Manufacturers are now required to state on food labels the amount of trans fatty acids, also called hydrogenated fats, in packaged foods. Both trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids are associated with elevated heart disease risk factors.

Now, authors of an Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-supported study have addressed the question of whether palm oil, whose functional characteristics are similar to trans fats, would be a good substitute for partially hydrogenated fat.

Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are created during a hardening process called hydrogenation, which serves to make oils suitable for use in products that require solid fats, such as baked goods and breakfast bars. The clinical trial was designed to compare--on heart disease risk--the effect of four different oils as they are commonly consumed.

Lead scientist Alice H. Lichtenstein and colleagues conducted the study. She is with the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.

Fifteen adults, both male and female, volunteered for the study. Their levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol were moderately high at 130 milligrams per deciliter of blood or above, and all were aged 50 or older. They each consumed each of four 35-day experimental diets. The fats tested were partially hydrogenated soybean oil (moderately high in trans fat), palm oil (high in saturated fat), canola oil (high in monounsaturated fat), and soybean oil (high in polyunsaturated fat).

The findings suggest that consuming either of the diets enriched with equivalent high amounts of palm oil or partially hydrogenated soybean oil would result in similar unfavorable levels of LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (a protein, attached to fat particles, that carries bad cholesterol throughout the bloodstream). That's when compared to consuming either of the diets enriched with canola and soybean oils high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, respectively.

The results suggest that palm oil would not be a good substitute for trans fats by the food industry, the authors wrote.

Read more about this research in the April 2009 issue of Agricultural Research magazine, available online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr09/fats0409.htm
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Basal ganglia of endbrain and movement

Basal ganglia are located in the basis of a endbrain and represent the important subcrustal connecting link between associative areas of a cerebral cortex and impellent areas of a cerebral cortex. Following structures are concern to basal ganglia: a striped kernel of basal ganglia consisting caudate nucleus of basal ganglia and shells of basal ganglia, a pale sphere of basal ganglia subdivided on internal and external departments, a black substance of basal ganglia and a subthalamic kernel of basal ganglia. In structure of basal ganglia often include also a fencing and less often - amygdala.

Infringements of movements are caused by defeat of basal kernels - the anatomically isolated group of pair subcrustal structures.

Basal kernels facilitate movements started by a bark and suppress extra accompanying movements. Striatum receives the somatotopic organized projections almost from all zones of a bark. These projections are organized in the form of parallel ways which begin from frontal areas, postcentral (somatotopic) areas, precentral (motor) areas and parietotemporal-occipital areas.

Neurocytes of striatum send fibres to the structures shaping the main axifugal way of basal kernels - to a mesh part of a black substance and a medial pale sphere.

Thus, at braking neurocytes a mesh part of a black substance and a medial pale sphere exciting influence thalamus on a bark amplifies - as promotes simplification of movement started by a bark.

On the contrary, at excitation neurocytes a mesh part of a black substance and a medial pale sphere exciting influence thalamus on a bark suppresses - that leads to braking of unnecessary movement.

On a spinal cord basal kernels have no direct output. The direct way from striatum to a mesh part of a black substance and a medial pale sphere is formed brake by fibres. Their function consists in strengthening exciting influence of kernels thalamus on those departments of a motor bark which are responsible for the necessary movement. The indirect way is organized more difficultly. Its function consists in suppression of exciting influence thalamus on other departments of a motor bark.

Thus, if activation of a direct way from striatum strengthens excitation of a motor bark activation of an indirect way - weakens.

Activity of these two ways is adjusted with the compact part of a black substance sending to striatum dopaminergic fibres. These fibres raise direct a axifugal way to striatum (through neurocytes with D1-receptors) and brake - indirect (through neurocytes with D2-receptors). Striatum sends also brake gamma-aminobutyric acid fibres to a compact part of a black substance, forming that with it a negative feedback. Finally, activity of striatum modulate it cholinergic inserted neurocytes - antagonists dopaminergic neurocytes.
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Bronchiolitis

Etiology

Many diseases have bronchiolitis like clinical displays, vast majority from them virus ethiology. A respiratory-syncytial virus (РС) consider as the most frequent reason bronchiolitis. It is established, that from 40 up to 75 % of children acts in hospital with the diagnosis bronchiolitis, caused this virus. Other activators can be rhinovirus, a virus parainfluenza (type 3), adenovirus (type 3, 7 and 21), a virus of a flu and, occasionally, a virus of an epidemic parotitis. Though in children of advanced age Mycoplasma pneumoniae usually causes disease of the bottom respiratory ways, but at chest age it seldom causes bronchiolitis.

Epidemiology

Using widely widespread clinical term «the whistling child at a respiratory infection», Henderson and co-author. Have noted, that the highest frequency of disease was at children of the first year of a life: 11,4 cases on 100 children in a year. On the second to year of a life frequency decreased to 6 cases on 100 children in a year. In Houston frequency РС bronchiolitis, demanding hospitalization, in families with a low social level made 5 cases on 100 chest babies in a year. About 80 % of the hospitalized children 6 months Therefore authors were more younger have come to conclusion: the the child is more younger, the more hard at it disease proceeds and is more often hospitalization is required.

Babies with heavy forms bronchiolitis have a low level of the antibodies transferred from mother. From the hospitalized children with the proved Óß-infection at 18-20 % can arise apnoea to which contribute prematurity and early age of the child. Other group of high risk for occurrence of the Óß-infection is made by patients with VPS. At the general lethality 1-2 % in this group at the Óß-infection it reaches 37 %.

Epidemic of the Óß-virus develops annually in the winter while frequency contamination viruses parainfluenza decreases a little. The disease caused by the Óß-virus, is very infectious, if in collective there is a patient, as a rule, all contact children (98 %) fall ill. Transfer of the Óß-virus to family as is significant. Reasonably to be ill to one member of family that 46 % of the others were infected.

Frequency of hospital infections is high. During flash of the Óß-infection of 45 % of tentatively not infected hospitalized children were ill with this infection. The risk of disease raised with an increase of duration of hospitalization. Probably, its basic source in hospital is the medical personnel which distributed a virus, catching through the secrets allocated by infected patients. Infection occured approximately in 42 %.

Clinical aspects

Usually the baby catches from the senior children or adults with an infection of respiratory ways.

Diagnosis: bronchiolitis

Cough, cold, ptarmus are the first symptoms of disease. In the subsequent at patients on a background of irritability respiratory frustration with polypnea, participation in breath of auxiliary muscles, dry rattles progress. There can be an insignificant fever. The appreciable short wind causes difficulty of the certificate sucking. Physical survey reveals signs of sharp inflammatory disease of respiratory ways: polypnea, cyanosis, inflating of wings of a nose and impaction compliant seats of a chest wall. Lungs emphysematous, the edge of a liver can act on some fingers from under a costal arch. At lungs auscultation - dry diffuse and damp rattles, lengthening of an exhalation.

Indispensable laboratory researches at the patient with heavy bronchiolitis include: the roentgenogram of a thorax; the clinical analysis of blood; research of arterial gases of blood; virologic definition of the Óß-virus and antibodies to it; crop of blood on microflora if it is impossible to exclude a bacterial pneumonia.

Radiological inspection of the child with sharp bronchiolitis shows availability sharp emphysema lungs at the majority of patients. At half of children define peribronchial sealings. Leukocytosis usually is absent. RS the virus can be identified by reaction of linkage complement or indirect immunofluorescence antibodies in film, taken with a mucous membrane of a nose.

For diagnostics of respiratory insufficiency at bronchiolitis it is necessary to investigate arterial gases of blood. On the basis of a series from 32 patients the Hall and co-authors have established, that average saturation by oxygen of hemoglobin has made 87 %. Hypoxemia persistence, proceeding 3-7 weels, even on a background of clinical improvement of a condition.
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Honey Beats Sinusitis

Tuesday, April 14, 2009




Honey effective in killing bacteria that cause chronic sinusitis

Honey is very effective in killing bacteria in all its forms, especially the drug-resistant biofilms that make treating chronic rhinosinusitis difficult, according to research presented during the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in Chicago, IL.

The study, authored by Canadian researchers at the University of Ottawa, found that in eleven isolates of three separate biofilms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicicillin-resistant and -suseptible Staphylococcus aureus), honey was significantly more effective in killing both planktonic and biofilm-grown forms of the bacteria, compared with the rate of bactericide by antibiotics commonly used against the bacteria.
Given the historical uses of honey in some cultures as a homeopathic treatment for bad wound infections, the authors conclude that their findings may hold important clinical implications in the treatment of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis, with topical treatment a possibility.

Chronic rhinosinusitis affects approximately 31 million people each year in the United States alone, costing over $4 billion in direct health expenditures and lost workplace productivity. It is among the three most common chronic diseases in all of North America.


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Broccoli Sprouts


A small, pilot study in 50 people in Japan suggests that eating two and a half ounces of broccoli sprouts daily for two months may confer some protection against a rampant stomach bug that causes gastritis, ulcers and even stomach cancer.

Citing their new "demonstration of principle" study, a Johns Hopkins researcher and an international team of scientists caution that eating sprouts containing sulforaphane did not cure infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). They do not suggest that eating this or any amount of broccoli sprouts will protect anyone from stomach cancer or cure GI diseases.

However, the study does show that eating a daily dose of broccoli sprouts reduced by more than 40 percent the level of HpSA, a highly specific measure of the presence of components of H. pylori shed into the stool of infected people. There was no HpSA level change in control subjects who ate alfalfa sprouts. The HpSA levels returned to pretreatment levels eight weeks after people stopped eating the broccoli sprouts, suggesting that although they reduce H. pylori colonization, they do not eradicate it.

"The highlight of the study is that we identified a food that, if eaten regularly, might potentially have an effect on the cause of a lot of gastric problems and perhaps even ultimately help prevent stomach cancer," says Jed W. Fahey, M.S., Sc.D., an author of the paper who is a nutritional biochemist in the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The discovery that sulforaphane is a potent antibiotic against H. pylori was reported in 2002 by Fahey and colleagues at Johns Hopkins. "Broccoli sprouts have a much higher concentration of sulforaphane than mature heads," Fahey explains, adding that further investigation is needed to affirm the results of this clinical trial and move the research forward. The study, published April 6 in Cancer Prevention Research, builds on earlier test-tube and mouse studies at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere about the potential value of sulforaphane, a naturally occurring biochemical found in relative abundance in fresh broccoli sprouts. (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2002/may/020528.htm) Sulforaphane appears to trigger cells in the body, including in the gastrointestinal tract, to produce enzymes that protect against oxygen radicals, DNA-damaging chemicals, and inflammation.

In the new report, the team also shows that when H. pylori-infected mice sipped broccoli-sprout smoothies for eight weeks, there was up to a fourfold increase in the activity of two of these key enzymes that protect cells against oxidative damage. In addition, the number of Helicobacter bacteria in the mice's stomachs decreased by almost a hundredfold it did not change in infected control animals that drank plain water. The researchers also noted a greater than 50 percent reduction in inflammation of the primary target of this bacterium - the body of the stomach - in treated mice but not in controls.

In a related experiment, the team fed the same dose of broccoli sprouts for the same amount of time to H. pylori-infected mice that had been genetically engineered to lack the Nrf2 gene that activates protective enzymes. "These knock-out mice didn't respond," Fahey says, which confirms previous findings for a role of Nrf2 in protection against H. pylori-induced inflammation and gastritis.

Classified a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, H. pylori is a gastrointestinal tract germ that manages to thrive in the lining of the stomach despite the strength of natural acids there that rival that of car batteries. Afflicting several billion people - roughly half of the world's population - this corkscrew-shaped bacterium has long been associated with stomach ulcers, which now are frequently cured by antibiotics. Research strongly suggests that the bacteria also are linked to high rates of stomach cancer in some countries, that strains resistant to standard antibiotics are prevalent, and that multiple courses of standard antibiotics do not always eliminate the infection.

Working in Japan where there is high incidence of chronic H. pylori-infection, the research team gave 25 H. pylori-infected subjects two and a half ounces (70 grams) per day of broccoli sprouts for two months. Another 25 infected people consumed an equivalent amount of alfalfa sprouts which, although rich in phytochemicals, don't contain sulforaphane.

The researchers assessed the severity of Helicobacter infection at the start of the study, after four and eight weeks of treatment, and again eight weeks after intervention was stopped. They used breath tests to assess colonization by H. pylori bacteria and blood tests to judge the severity of inflammation in the stomach lining; in addition, they looked for antigens in stool samples to help determine the extent of the infections.

"We know that a dose of a couple ounces a day of broccoli sprouts is enough to elevate the body's protective enzymes," Fahey says. "That is the mechanism by which we think a lot of the chemoprotective effects are occurring."

"What we don't know is whether it's going to prevent people from getting stomach cancer. But the fact that the levels of infection and inflammation were reduced suggests the likelihood of getting gastritis and ulcers and cancer is probably reduced."

"It's exciting that a chronic bacterial infection that poses great hazards to hundreds of millions of people globally can be ameliorated by a specific dietary strategy," says Paul Talalay, M.D., John Jacob Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and director of the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center at Johns Hopkins' Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences.

Talalay directs the lab where, in 1992, his team discovered the health-promoting properties of sulforaphane. A longtime proponent of cancer prevention and chemoprotection, Talalay eats fresh broccoli sprouts regularly, as does Fahey.
"I like them," Fahey says. "I eat them all the time, but not every day. Variety is the spice of life: I eat blueberries on the other days."










Produce and leafy greens in the photo are (clockwise from top): romaine lettuce, cabbage, cilantro in a bed of broccoli sprouts, spinach and other leafy greens, green onions, tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce.
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Soy




Soy protein, isoflavones, and cardiovascular health: an American Heart Association Science Advisory for professionals from the Nutrition Committee.

Soy protein and isoflavones (phytoestrogens) have gained considerable attention for their potential role in improving risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This scientific advisory assesses the more recent work published on soy protein and its component isoflavones.

In the majority of 22 randomized trials, isolated soy protein with isoflavones, as compared with milk or other proteins, decreased LDL cholesterol concentrations; the average effect was approximately 3%. This reduction is very small relative to the large amount of soy protein tested in these studies, averaging 50 g, about half the usual total daily protein intake. No significant effects on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), or blood pressure were evident. Among 19 studies of soy isoflavones, the average effect on LDL cholesterol and other lipid risk factors was nil. Soy protein and isoflavones have not been shown to lessen vasomotor symptoms of menopause, and results are mixed with regard to soy's ability to slow postmenopausal bone loss. The efficacy and safety of soy isoflavones for preventing or treating cancer of the breast, endometrium, and prostate are not established; evidence from clinical trials is meager and cautionary with regard to a possible adverse effect. For this reason, use of isoflavone supplements in food or pills is not recommended. Thus, earlier research indicating that soy protein has clinically important favorable effects as compared with other proteins has not been confirmed.

In contrast, many soy products should be beneficial to cardiovascular and overall health because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and low content of saturated fat.

Soy May Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition explores how soyfood consumption may lower the risk of colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, in postmenopausal women. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 71,560 American women were diagnosed with the fourth most common cancer in 2008.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine researchers found that women who consumed at least 10 grams of soy protein daily were one-third less likely to develop colorectal cancer in comparison to women who consumed little soy. This is the amount of soy protein available in approximately one serving of tofu (1/2 cup), roasted soy nuts (1/4 cup), edamame (1/2 cup) or soy breakfast patties (2 patties).

The study observed soy intake in 68,412 women between the ages of 40 and 70, all free of cancer and diabetes prior to the initial screening. Researchers identified 321 colorectal cancer cases after participants were monitored for an average of 6.4 years. After adjusting for confounding factors, total soyfood intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk among postmenopausal women.

“Research this comprehensive demonstrates how important it is for baby boomer and older women to add soy into their daily diet,” said Lisa Kelly, RD, MPH, for the United Soybean Board. “Furthermore, the study’s recommended serving is a simple and affordable nutritional step towards everyday wellness.”
Evidence shows soy can play an important role in a healthy diet for a variety of reasons. It is a source of high-quality protein, and contains relatively little saturated fat as well as zero grams of trans fat. Soy protein also directly lowers blood cholesterol levels. And, for postmenopausal women in particular, the largest and longest trial published to date reported that the phytoestrogens in soy reduced hot flashes by 50 percent. A range of products – from soymilk to soy burgers to soy protein bars – can help deliver soy’s benefits with convenience.

Soy Nuts May Improve Blood Pressure

Substituting soy nuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet appears to lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and also may reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure, according to a report in the May 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

The American Heart Association estimates that high blood pressure (hypertension) affects approximately 50 million Americans and 1 billion individuals worldwide. The most common-and deadly-result is coronary heart disease, according to background information in the article. Women with high blood pressure have four times the risk of heart disease as women with normal blood pressure.

Francine K. Welty, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, assigned 60 healthy post-menopausal women to eat two diets for eight weeks each in random order. The first diet, the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, consisted of 30 percent of calories from fat (with 7 percent or less from saturated fat), 15 percent from protein and 55 percent from carbohydrates; 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day; two meals of fatty fish (such as salmon or tuna) per week; and less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day. The other diet had the same calorie, fat and protein content, but the women were instructed to replace 25 grams of protein with one-half cup of unsalted soy nuts. Blood pressure and blood samples for cholesterol testing were taken at the beginning and end of each eight-week period.

At the beginning of the study, 12 women had high blood pressure (140/90 milligrams of mercury or higher) and 48 had normal blood pressure. "Soy nut supplementation significantly reduced systolic [top number] and diastolic [bottom number] blood pressure in all 12 hypertensive women and in 40 of the 48 normotensive women," the authors write. "Compared with the TLC diet alone, the TLC diet plus soy nuts lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure 9.9 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively, in hypertensive women and 5.2 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively, in normotensive women."

In women with high blood pressure, the soy diet also decreased levels of low-density lipoprotein ("bad") cholesterol by an average of 11 percent and levels of apoliprotein B (a particle that carries bad cholesterol) by an average of 8 percent. Cholesterol levels remained the same in women with normal blood pressure.

"A 12-millimeter of mercury decrease in systolic blood pressure for 10 years has been estimated to prevent one death for every 11 patients with stage one hypertension treated; therefore, the average reduction of 15 milligrams of mercury in systolic blood pressure in hypertensive women in the present study could have significant implications for reducing cardiovascular risk and death on a population basis," the authors write.__"This study was performed in the free-living state; therefore, dietary soy may be a practical, safe and inexpensive modality to reduce blood pressure. If the findings are repeated in a larger group they may have important implications for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women on a population basis," they conclude.




Eating soy early in life may reduce breast cancer among Asian women

Asian-American women who ate higher amounts of soy during childhood had a 58 percent reduced risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
"Historically, breast cancer incidence rates have been four to seven times higher among white women in the U.S. than in women in China or Japan. However, when Asian women migrate to the U.S., their breast cancer risk rises over several generations and reaches that of U.S. white women, suggesting that modifiable factors, rather than genetics, are responsible for the international differences. These lifestyle or environmental factors remain elusive; our study was designed to identify them," said Regina Ziegler, Ph.D., M.P.H., a senior investigator in the NCI Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG).

The current study focused on women of Chinese, Japanese and Filipino descent who were living in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles or Hawaii. Researchers interviewed 597 women with breast cancer and 966 healthy women. If the women had mothers living in the United States, researchers interviewed those mothers to determine the frequency of soy consumption in childhood.

Researchers divided soy intake into thirds and compared the highest and lowest groups. High intake of soy in childhood was associated with a 58 percent reduction in breast cancer. A high level of soy intake in the adolescent and adult years was associated with a 20 to 25 percent reduction. The childhood relationship held in all three races and all three study sites, and in women with and without a family history of breast cancer. "Since the effects of childhood soy intake could not be explained by measures other than Asian lifestyle during childhood or adult life, early soy intake might itself be protective," said the study's lead investigator, Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H., a staff clinician at the NCI's Clinical Genetics Branch.

"Childhood soy intake was significantly associated with reduced breast cancer risk in our study, suggesting that the timing of soy intake may be especially critical," said Korde. The underlying mechanism is not known. Korde said her study suggests that early soy intake may have a biological role in breast cancer prevention. "Soy isoflavones have estrogenic properties that may cause changes in breast tissue. Animal models suggest that ingestion of soy may result in earlier maturation of breast tissue and increased resistance to carcinogens."

As provocative as the findings are, Ziegler cautioned that it would be premature to recommend changes in childhood diet. "This is the first study to evaluate childhood soy intake and subsequent breast cancer risk, and this one result is not enough for a public health recommendation," she said. "The findings need to be replicated through additional research."

Soybean component reduces menopause effects

Soy aglycons of isoflavone (SAI), a group of soybean constituent chemicals, have been shown to promote health in a rat model of the menopause. The research, described in BioMed Central's open access journal Nutrition & Metabolism, shows how dietary supplementation with SAI lowers cholesterol, increases the anti-oxidative properties of the liver and prevents degeneration of the vaginal lining.

Robin Chiou led a team of researchers from National Chiayi University, Taiwan, who studied the effects of the dietary supplement on a group of female rats that had undergone ovary removal. He said, "These ovariectomized animals are a good model for study of the menopause as the loss of oestrogen from the ovaries mimics the natural reduction in oestrogen seen in menopausal women. SAI itself has weak oestrogenic properties and we've shown here that menopause-related syndromes can be prevented or improved by dietary supplementation with the compounds it contains".

In comparison to control animals, the authors found that the ovariectomized rats fed a diet enriched with SAI showed increased liver antioxidative activities and improved lipid profiles. Levels of harmful LDL cholesterol were reduced, while beneficial HDL cholesterol was increased. According to Chiou, "It is generally agreed that the higher HDL and the lower LDL concentrations are of benefit in chemoprevention of cardiovascular diseases. Our findings support the indication that soybean consumption may prevent coronary heart disease".

The authors hope that dietary soy supplementation may provide an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which has been linked to the development of uterus and breast cancers.
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