The effect of telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, on alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Alcohol use disorder remains a major health problem. The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, including the nucleus accumbens region and multiple neural circuits, is involved in its complex underlying mechanism. For instance, alcohol intake stimulates the central and peripheral renin-angiotensin system and increases angiotensin II levels, which predominantly affect angiotensin 1 receptors both in the periphery and in the brain.

Activation of neutrophils by testosterone in Behçet's disease.

Objective: Gender differences, especially in disease severity, are observed in Behçet's disease (BD), a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. To determine the putative role of testosterone on neutrophil activity exhibited by patients with BD, peripheral blood neutrophils were examined in vitro before and after treatment with testosterone.

Methods: Peripheral blood neutrophils of 49 patients with BD (26M:23F), 33 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (23M:10F), 8 female patients with hirsutism and 31 healthy individuals (19M:12F) were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the anti-secretory efficacy of lansoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication was recommended for the prevention of atrophic gastritis in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients on long-term omeprazole treatment. It has been also shown that the treatment with proton pump inhibitors produces lower intragastric pH after H. pylori eradication in subjects with peptic ulcer and healthy individuals.

The investigation of sacroiliitis with different imaging techniques in spondyloarthropathies.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the value of different imaging techniques in spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients with inflammatory low back pain.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 54 patients who fulfilled the European spondyloarthropathy classification criteria and had inflammatory low back pain. They were subdivided into two groups according to changes on plain radiography rated on a 0-4 scale according to modified New York criteria.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on anti-thrombotic dose aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are two major causes of gastric injury but the effect of H. pylori eradication on the development of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastroduodenal mucosal injury induced by antithrombotic doses of aspirin.

Successful laparoscopic treatment of a ruptured primary ovarian pregnancy.

A 26-year-old woman had classic symptoms of primary ovarian pregnancy. Ultrasound examination disclosed a cystic mass surrounded by a complex mass that was compatible with hematoma in the pouch of Douglas, as well as an intrauterine device (IUD) displaced near the isthmic portion of the uterine cavity. Laparoscopy revealed a ruptured gestational sac in the cul-de-sac that was encapsulated by a hematoma originating from the right ovary.

Septic shock resulting in death after operative delivery.

Background: We report a young woman who developed septic shock after operative delivery in the 32nd week of pregnancy. Clinical features, treatment modalities and prognosis of this high-mortality-rate disorder are presented and discussed.

Case: A 24-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, was referred to our clinic in a confused state and immediately admitted to our emergency unit.

Gender influence on jejunal migrating motor complex.

The role of gender and the menstrual cycle in small bowel motility has not been clearly elucidated. Jejunal motility was recorded with a nasojejunal catheter incorporating five solid-state pressure transducers in ambulatory menstruating women and men of comparable age over 24 h. All women were studied twice, in the early follicular (early-F) and midluteal (mid-L) phases of the menstrual cycle, verified by determining serum levels of gonadal steroids and gonadotropins.