The intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum form structures composed of ordered phases with orthorhombic and hexagonal hydrocarbon-chain packing structures and, in addition, a structure composed of a disordered fluid phase. Although the fluid phase plays an important role in percutaneous penetration, little attention has been paid to it in the literature thus far. Recently, a method to esti...

outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients randomized to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker vs diuretics. JAMA 2002; 288: 2981–2997 3. Morganti A. Should a diuretic always be the first choice in patients with essential hypertension? The case for no. J Am Soc Nephrol 2005; 16: S70–S73 4. Ashraf N, Locksley R, Arieff AI. Thiazide-induced hyponatremia associated wi...

Ioannidis estimated that most published research findings are false, but he did not indicate when, if at all, potentially false research results may be considered as acceptable to society. We combined our two previously published models to calculate the probability above which research findings may become acceptable. A new model indicates that the probability above which research results should...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between nasal airway function and Eustachian tube (ET) functions and their impact on tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group (CSOM group) consisted of 33 patients scheduled to undergo tympanoplasty for CSOM. Two control groups were formed: a nasal septal deviation (NSD) group of 25 pati...

What does it mean for one mind to be a different version of another one, or a natural continuation of another one? Or put differently: when can two minds sensibly be considered versions of one another? This question occurs in relation to mind uploading, where one wants to be able to assess whether an approximate upload constitutes a genuine continuation of the uploaded mind or not. It also occu...

The human microbiome, especially in the intestinal tract has received increased attention in the past few years due to its importance in numerous biological processes. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology and analysis now allow us to better determine global differences in the composition of the gut microbial population, and ask questions about its role in health and disease. Thus far, r...

Syphilis still remains a major health concern worldwide because of the possibility of serious medical and psychological consequences, long-term disability, and death. Neurosyphilis (NS) may occur at any stage of infection. Its clinical presentation has been changing over recent years including- psychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms. Several recent studies have described cases with these sympt...

Recent debate and cases involving elite athletes raised the question whether or not Cannabis sativa (cannabis) should be considered doping in sports. Results from a 2010 report in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011) showed that cannabis is the most used illicit drug, with 17.4 million users smoking cannabis and 6.9 million users smoking cannabis o...

600 Estrogen alone and joint symptoms in the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trial Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD, Dominic J. Cirillo, MD, PhD, Charles B. Eaton, MD, Marcia L. Stefanick, PhD, Mary Pettinger, MS, Laura D. Carbone, MD, MS, Karen C. Johnson, MD, MPH, Michael S. Simon, MD, MPH, Nancy F. Woods, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD In this study the influence of estrogen a...

For many patients, living donor liver transplantation represents their only hope of receiving a lifesaving graft. In certain (albeit rare) cases, a minor will be the only suitable donor. Living liver donation by minors has been reported in several countries. In the academic literature and professional guidelines, little attention is paid to the development of an ethical framework for this pract...