Seeds of Zizyphus lotus: In Vivo Healing Properties of the Vegetable Oil.

The present study has been undertaken in order to highlight the healing effect of Zizyphus lotus vegetable oil. The seeds of this plant contain an oil rate of 30%. The obtained results on the main elements composing the vegetable oil have shown that Zizyphus lotus vegetable oil has a low value of acidity index and it presents a not negligible degree of unsaturation. The value of the peroxide index of Zizyphus lotus vegetable oil is less than 10 which characterizes the most of conventional oils. Furthermore, the spectral analysis by gas chromatography has shown the presence of 53 majority and minority molecules. Thus, the evaluation of the healing activity of Z. lotus seed vegetable oil has demonstrated a highly significant effect against the negative control and silver sulfadiazine was used as conventional treatment for burns. Based on the obtained results, we can suggest that the oil extracted from the seeds of the studied plant could be used to cure wounds.

[Multiple sclerosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties]. / Sclérose en plaques associée à un syndrome des antiphospholipides : difficultés diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.

Strokes are the main neurological manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome. Other clinical presentations are possible and may mimic classic symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). A 46-year-old woman, with a history of two miscarriages, presented four subacute neurological episodes (optic neuritis, right facial paralysis, paraparesis of the thigh, and right brachial monoparesis). Using McDonald criteria, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was retained. Because of the occurrence of thrombocytopenia during a final relapse, we reconsidered the diagnosis of MS. Search for antiphospholipid antibodies was positive. All clinical manifestations and complementary tests were compatible with the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis. Given the great similarity of clinical, radiological and biological findings in the two diseases, non-thrombotic neurological manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome can be difficult to distinguish from MS associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

[Stroke revealing granulomatosis]. / Accident vasculaire cérébral révélant une granulomatose.

INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system involvement is rare in Wegener granulomatosis. Stroke is the most common event suggestive of the disease. COMMENT: A 35-year-old woman, who was followed for rhinitis and mild asthma, described gradual decline of visual acuity in the right eye over two months, persistent nasal obstruction and fronto-orbital headache since a few weeks. She presented left hemiparesis due to a stroke, associated with exophthalmos and deficits of the optic nerve and abducens of the right eye. The otolaryngological examination found signs of crusty rhinitis and right nasal stenosis. The diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was established on the basis of the clinical findings, radiological aspects and the presence of ANCA. The patient was treated by antiplatelet agents and high-dose corticosteroids associated with immunosuppressive drugs including cyclophosphamide in a monthly bolus. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates two of the three pathogenic mechanisms that may account for central nervous system involvement in Wegener granulomatosis: vasculitis, extension by contiguity of granulomatous tissue from the nasal cavity or sinuses, and in situ formation of a granuloma into the brain parenchyma or meninges.

[Efficacy and safety of cyclophosphamide treatment in progressive multiple sclerosis]. / Efficacité et tolérance du cyclophosphamide dans le traitement de fond des formes progressives de la sclérose en plaques.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclophosphamide (CPM) is used empirically in the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its efficacy in naive patients with progressive multiple sclerosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients were retrospectively included (17 secondary multiple sclerosis, 14 primary progressive multiple sclerosis), and received infusions of CPM (600mg/m(2)) every eight weeks, for 18 months. Evaluation was based on time to EDSS progress. RESULTS: Among patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, 94% were stable or improved at six months, 77% at 12 months, and 75% at 18 months. The same result was reported in 69.2% of primary progressive multiple sclerosis at six months, 64% at 12 months, and 55.5% at 18 months. We found no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the CPM is efficient in progressive multiple sclerosis; however, its place must be reconsidered before establishing an international consensus for treatment; open label studies are needed to validate the present findings.

Time of initial detection of fetal structures and anatomic differentiation by using B-mode ultrasound examination in bitches.

Ultrasonographic examinations of 10 pregnant bitches with known breeding dates were made on successive days to establish the identifiable characteristics of pregnancy. Subsequent serial examinations were made to sonographically characterize normal canine prenatal development based about the first mating. The initial detection of the fetal and extra-fetal structures were as follows: gestational sac at day 17.88 +/- 1.13 (16-21); zonary placenta in the uterine wall at day 23.70 +/- 0.78 (23-25); embryo initial detection at day 22.80 +/- 1.03 (21-24); heartbeat at day 23.0 +/- 0.94 (22-24); yolk sac membrane at day 24.8 +/- 0.78 (24-26); amnionic membrane at day 26.81 +/- 0.60 (26-28); fetal movement at day 30.40 +/- 1.64 (28-32); stomach at day 33.40 +/- 1.07 (32-35); urinary bladder at day 34.90 +/- 1.19 (33-37); skeleton at day 35.10 +/- 0.73 (34-36).