Effects of Swimming Exercise on Learning and Memory in the Kainate-Lesion Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Introduction: An aerobic exercise (Ex) augments neurogenesis and may ameliorate learning and memory deficits in the rat Kainic Acid (KA) model of temporal lobe epilepsy in the short-term but whether it reverses learning and memory deficits after a substantial period of delay remains unclear.

Aim: This study tests the hypothesis that aerobic Ex attenuates the learning and memory deficits associated with kainate seizures in the long-term.

Materials And Methods: A total of 60 rats were subjected to chemical lesioning using KA and to an Ex intervention consisting of a 30 days period of daily swimming for 15 min, immediately after KA lesioning (immediate exposure) or after a 60 days period of normal activity (delayed exposure).

Unique Application of Cryocone to Diagnose Umbilical Pilonidal Cyst.

Patients with umbilical disorders who present with complaints of a mass, pain, tenderness or discharge will typically have a differential diagnosis including umbilical hernias, pyogenic granuloma, endometriosis, Sister Mary Joseph nodule and urachal or epidermoid cysts. We would add the inclusion of pilonidal sinus disease and present the case of a patient with an umbilical pilonidal cyst. The use of a cryocone with lubricating jelly, in this case, proved to be an easy and convenient method that aided in visualization and diagnosis of this fairly uncommon condition.

Effects of a Dietary Beetroot Juice Treatment on Systemic and Cerebral Haemodynamics- A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Beetroot Juice (BJ) contains dietary nitrates that increase the blood Nitric Oxide (NO) level, decrease Blood Pressure (BP), increase athletic performance and improve cognitive functions but the mechanism remains unclear. Ultrasonographic measurement of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity with computation of Cerebral Augmentation Index (CAIx) is a measure of the reflected flow signal, modulated by changes in cerebrovascular resistance and compliance.

Aim: This pilot study tests the hypothesis that ingestion of an amount of BJ sufficient to raise the blood NO level two-to three-fold, decreases Transcranial Doppler (TCD) measured CAIx.