The present study clearly indicates the synergistic and therapeutic effect of a  resveratrol-curcumin combination. We also show that both compounds exert beneficial effect either cooperatively or through differential molecular mechanisms in counteracting aluminum-induced neuroinflammation.

IntroductionRetroperitoneal leiomyomata are rare. They are either mistaken preoperatively for malignant retroperitoneal tumors or dealt with as cases of subserous leiomyomata that turn out intraoperatively to be huge retroperitoneal masses of unknown nature.Case presentationWe report the case of a 46-year-old nulligravid female patient of Middle Eastern ethnicity who presented to our university hospital with lower abdominal as well as pelvic pain along with a bloated sensation. She also reported noticing an unusual increase in her abdominal girth. These symptoms developed over the previous two months. Preoperative investigation by means of an ultrasound suggested a degenerated subserous huge uterine leiomyoma. An abdominal hysterectomy was planned. Intraoperatively, a normal sized uterus was found, the surface of which was studded with multiple variable sized pedunculated subserous leiomyomata. Another huge retroperitoneal soft to firm mass was found extending from her left pelvic wall to the level of her spleen, with no connections to her uterus. The mass was excised and a histopathological examination revealed a degenerated leiomyoma.ConclusionSome unusually located extra-uterine leiomyomata have been reported; retroperitoneal leiomyoma being among them. The origin of such tumors is still obscure; a parasitic origin as well as Müllerian cell rests or smooth muscle cells in the retroperitoneal vessels wall have been suggested. An 'iatrogenic' origin for such growths is also a possible theory. The origin of uncommonly located leiomyomata is an unexplored issue that merits more investigation.

Introduction: Visceral pleural biopsy and peripheral lung biopsy can be undertaken at the same time as parietal pleural biopsy during medical thoracoscopy, with or without coexistence of a pleural effusion with lung disease.Objective: To assess the accuracy and safety of medical thoracoscopy for the evaluation of peripheral parenchymal pulmonary lesions.Patients: We studied 15 patients with peripheral parenchymal pulmonary disease, the cause of which had not been determined after initial investigations, including needle biopsy and thoracocentesis if pleural effusion is present. Two patients have solitary peripheral lesions while thirteen have diffuse pathology. Seven patients have pleural effusion in addition to parenchymal lesions.Methods: Only one patient had thoracoscopy under general anaesthesia while the remaining fourteen were given local anaesthesia with mild sedation. Visually directed biopsies were taken from the lung using electrocautery in all patients. Biopsies were taken also from the parietal pleura in only seven patients.Measurements: We recorded clinical characteristics, laboratory data, findings and duration of thoracoscopy, and any complications associated with the procedure.Results: A definitive diagnosis was established in 12 patients: 4 patients had primary bronchogenic carcinoma while 5 patients had metastases. Only 3 patients had benign parenchymal disease. Overall, thoracoscopy had a sensitivity of 80% for the diagnosis of peripheral parenchymal pulmonary lesions. Thoracoscopy was well tolerated under local anaesthesia and entailed hospitalization for less than 48 h in most cases. No deaths occurred, although 6.7% of patients had major complications, and 20% had minor complications.Conclusions: Among patients with peripheral parenchymal pulmonary lesions remaining undiagnosed after usual initial investigation and even transthoracic needle biopsies, thoracoscopy done under local anaesthesia is a rapid, safe, and well-tolerated procedure with an excellent diagnostic yield that is equivalent to that of thoracotomy.

No abstract