Comparative Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Oil and Vitis vinifera Seed Oil in an Experimental Model of Isoproterenol-Induced Acute Myocardial Ischemia in Rats.

The study's aim was to characterize the composition of Nigella sativa seed (NSO) and grape seed (GSO) oils, and to evaluate their cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effect on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced ischemia in rats. Materials and Methods: NSO and GSO supplements were physicochemically characterized. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were used to determine the phytochemical composition in the oils. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant activity were also determined. Pretreatment with 4 mL/kg/day NSO or GSO was administered to rats for 14 days. The experimental ischemia was induced by a single administration of ISO 45 mg/kg after 14 days. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed initially and 24 h after ISO. Biological evaluation was done at the end of experiment. Results: The HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and FTIR analyses showed that both NSO and GSO are important sources of bioactive compounds, especially catechin and phenolic acids in GSO, while NSO was enriched in flavonoids and thymol derivatives. Pretreatment with GSO and NSO significantly reduced ventricular conduction, prevented the cardiotoxic effect of ISO in ventricular myocardium, and reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and CK-Mb. Conclusion: Both NSO and GSO were shown to have an anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effect in ISO-induced ischemia.

Probiotics and prebiotics in atopic dermatitis: Pros and cons (Review).

Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which the skin barrier is impaired; thus, the permeability is increased. Hence, there is a greater risk of allergic sensitization, as well as a higher pH and lower protection against resident microbes. Since this condition is currently increasing among children, it requires further study, as little is known regarding the pathogenesis that makes the skin prone to chronic relapsing inflammation. Trying to standardize the data regarding the use of prebiotics and probiotics in AD, we encountered tremendous variability in the literature data. Literature abounds in conflicting data: studies regarding prophylactic and therapeutic applications, different types of strains and dosages, applications in young children up to 5 years of age and above, usage of probiotics alone, prebiotics alone or synbiotics combined. There are also conflicting data regarding the outcome of these studies; some confirming a positive effect of prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics and some showing no efficacy at all. The articles were divided into those assessing probiotics or prebiotics alone and a combination of the two, with studies showing a positive effect and studies proving no efficacy at all. We tried to critically analyze those articles showing weak and strong points. In summary, the most studied probiotics were the strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. The Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index was used to measure the efficacy of the treatment. Most studies compared their results with a placebo group and the efficacy when seen in moderate to severe forms of AD in patients with other allergic diseases present. However, the results are difficult to interpret, as in many studies the authors suggest that the disease may have a tendency to improve in time in some groups of patients.

Clinical impact of omalizumab in refractory chronic urticaria: One centre experience.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a debilitating disorder, which has a major impact on the quality of life of affected individuals, and is a substantial global burden. Refractory, difficult to treat cases pose a difficult challenge to patients and clinicians alike. Advances in the field of immunotherapy have led to novel and effective therapeutic strategies. Omalizumab, an immunomodulatory anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, inaugurated a new era in the treatment of refractory chronic urticaria. Several multicenter clinical trials have proven omalizumab to be a safe and effective option for the treatment of refractory symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria, while some small studies have shown its efficacy in chronic inductible urticaria as well. In this study, we bring forth updates in chronic urticaria approach, with a focus on our experience with anti-IgE therapy in different forms of chronic urticaria treated at the Allergy Department of the Professor Doctor Octavian Fodor Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Cluj-Napoca, Romania).

Knowledge influences attitudes toward vaccination in Romania.

Despite proven effectiveness and safety of vaccinations, immunization rates are decreasing across Europe, most countries having suboptimal vaccination coverage, leading to an increase in the number of cases of preventable contagious diseases. In recent years, the number of parents who have refused to vaccinate their children in Romania has decreased substantially, while the number of fatal complications due to measles outbreak is one of the highest in Europe. Since healthcare professionals have been identified as the main advocates for immunization, knowledge and attitudes of medical students and nurses is of particular interest. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 278 participants, divided into three groups: 183 medical students, 54 nurses and 41 non-medical professionals. The questionnaire included questions on demographics of participants, personal experience with vaccines, knowledge and attitude toward vaccination. The data was collected, centralized and analyzed using statistical methods. The survey was given to the medical students at the beginning of the Immunology course and again at the end, to test whether information received influenced their responses. The study revealed that a great majority of participants were themselves vaccinated [N=262 (94%)] and had/or would vaccinate their children [N=247 (95%)]. Satisfactory overall knowledge about effectiveness and safety concerns was observed, with 98% (N=270) considering vaccines as useful and over 96% (N=276) correctly identified their usefulness. When asked about adverse effects, concerning numbers [N=32, (19%)] of medical students answered incorrectly. After the Immunology course, however, there was significant improvement in knowledge on this topic (P<0.001), correlating with a positive shift in attitude towards current and future vaccines. We predict that better knowledge about vaccines, their efficacy and safety would help build the health provider's confidence in recommending vaccination and thus increased coverage rates.

Urticaria--an allergologic, dermatologic or multidisciplinary disease?

Urticaria is a frequent disease, with complex etiopathogeny, raising important problems in clinical practice. The life-time prevalence for any subtype of urticaria is about 20%. Urticaria and/or angioedema is a heterogeneous group of diseases that result from a large variety of underlining causes, are elicited by a great diversity of factors and present clinically in a high variable way. In the past few decades an increasing understanding of the pathomechanisms involved in urticaria has highlighted the heterogeneity of different subtypes. According to the clinical picture and associated signs and symptoms, urticaria can be a simple, self-limited disease or a very complicated and debilitating one. Urticaria is frequently caused by allergic reactions, but there are also many nonallergic causes. The majority cases of chronic urticaria have unknown (idiopathic) causes, with about 30-40% possibly having an autoimmune substrate. An autoimmune subset of chronic spontaneous urticaria is increasingly being recognized internationally, based on laboratory and clinical evidence that accrued over the last 20 years. Urticarial rash may be part of clinical picture of autoinflammatory diseases, a group of rare disorders of the innate immune system, mediated by Interleukin-1. Since urticaria is an early and prominent symptom of a complex clinical picture, the awareness of these disorders may help the diagnostic in early stages and prevent severe long-term complications. Management of urticaria is based on recommendations of EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline published in 2009 and updated during the 4th International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria (Berlin, November 2012).

Current aspects in etiopathogenesis and diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent disease that represents a major cause of disability and mortality in all countries, resulting in an important economic and social burden. The disease results from interaction between individual risk factors (like enzymatic deficiencies) and environmental exposures to noxious agents, like cigarette smoking, occupational dusts, air pollution and infections in childhood. The main mechanisms that may contribute to airflow limitation in COPD are fixed narrowing of small airways, emphysema and luminal obstruction with mucus secretions. COPD is characterised by a chronic inflammatory process in the pulmonary tissue, with a pattern different from bronchial asthma, associated with extrapulmonary effects and is considered now a complex, systemic disease. Optimal therapeutic targeting of COPD depends on a clear understanding of the precise mechanisms of these complex processes and on early and correct evaluation of disease severity.

Leukotrienes antagonists in the management of bronchial asthma.

Leukotrienes antagonists represent the first new class of anti-asthma drugs available in the last two decennia, based on the great progress from medical research to clinical practice. They have been already intensively studied in many clinical trials and continue to be an important subject of debate. This article intends to summarize the most recent data published in the literature about the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of asthma and the actions of leukotrienes antagonists, pointing out their benefits in the light of the concept of efficacy and effectiveness.