Background: Selective COX-2 inhibitors (celecoxib) are effective anti-inflammatory drugs, though they may increase cardiovascular risk. Objectives: To verify the possible pathophysiological role of COX-2 inhibitors on experimental atherosclerosis and its clinical outcomes in patients with unstable angina (UA). Methods: Atherosclerosis was induced in twenty four Boscat rabbits and celecoxib was administered as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent. At the end of experiment, the animals were killed and their serum and aortic tissues were evaluated for lipid profile and histopathological examination. In the human study, forty UA patients (group I: received the usual regimen of UA and aspirin for 30 days and group II: additionally received celecoxib and ten controls were incorporated into the study. Estimation of CRP, IL-6 and lipid profiles was carried out at the baseline and 30 days after. Results: Celecoxib administration attenuated the progression of atherosclerosis. Also, after 30-days, group II of UA patients showed a significant reduction of inflammatory markers, risky lipids and CV events with a raise in HDL levels when compared to group I. Conclusion: Celecoxib has beneficial lowering effect on the levels of inflammatory markers, risky lipids and on the size of atheromatous patches. This may explain its potential role in decreasing CV events in UA patients.

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Background: Hospitalization occurs more often in diabetic than non-diabetic patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Data on these issues are limited in the Middle East, particularly in new nations suffering from a high prevalence of diabetes. Objectives: We studied the contribution of diabetes to the hospital admission rates and evaluated the database- documented causes and outcomes of hospitalization of people with diabetes in a tertiary hospital. Methods and Patients: This was a descriptive, retrospective, electronic records-based study. We identified 14,032 episodes accounted for by diabetes (i.e. 19.1% of the total 51,169 episodes) between 2000-06. Results: 19.1% of admission episodes involved diabetes with an ascending linear trend. The median length of stay was five and four days for diabetes as a primary diagnosis and as a secondary diagnosis respectively. Diabetes as a primary diagnosis was noted in 1,227 patients. The mean age was 42.5 years, and majority were in the 50-70 years age group. Most patients were admitted from the emergency room (71%). Reason for admission was attributed to diabetes per se in >50%, and the majority were discharged home in good condition. On the other hand, diabetes was present as a secondary diagnosis in 8,540 patients (3,494 women and 2,794 Emirati nationals). The mean age of this subgroup was 58.4 years with majority being 41-80 years old. These patients were admitted either as a medical emergency (70%) or directly from home (27%). Patients were admitted under internal medicine (36%), cardiology (27%) and haematology (21%) services. The majority (91%) were discharged home in good condition. A total of 353 patients died while hospitalized (23 with diabetes as a primary diagnosis and 330 when it was a secondary diagnosis respectively. The age at death was 68.8 and 65.4 years in the two subgroups respectively. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that diabetes is associated with a high number of inpatient episodes. These involved mainly middle-aged adults due to medical and cardiovascular complications of diabetes, and poses a high burden on both health care and the economy.

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We present a 44 year-old female with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor-induced visceral angioedema. The patient presented with a short history of diarrhea. Her symptoms resolved with the elimination of lisinoprol. Her Computed tomography finding were reversed too.

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Objectives: To investigate and compare the immediate electrophysiological, clinical, and short term follow up clinical efficacies of ultrasound, laser and interferential current in the management of primary carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Eighty-four Patients (66 females and 18 males) with clinical and electrophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome were divided randomly into three treatment groups at King Faisal University. First group: received ultrasound therapy (3 MHz, 1 watt/cm², 5 min/session), the second group: received laser therapy(100% intensity; 9 joules applied for 15 minutes per session), and the third group: received interferential current therapy (70 Hz for 20 minutes). Therapy was applied for a total of 11 sessions over a period of three weeks. Electrophysiological measurements established before and immediate after treatment. Clinical evaluation was performed before, immediate, 2 and 6 months after treatment. Clinical evaluation parameters included pain assessment by visual analogue scale and frequency of awaking from sleep. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in both immediate electrophysiological and clinical parameters after treatment by three modalities used in this study with different level of improvement. Improvement was significantly more pronounced in the interferential current group (85.7%), followed by ultrasound group (75%), laser (57.1%). After 2 months follow up, there was deterioration in all three groups in the clinical symptoms, which was further declined in 6 months period. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a beneficially immediate effect of local treatment of median nerve in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome with ultrasound, laser and interferential current therapies. The group of patients with mild grade of showed the best response among the others. Short-term (2 and 6 months) follow up did not support initial results and the short-term clinical benefits of this treatment were not found in our study.

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There is a progressive use of advanced technological innovations in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diabetes. The fourth annual Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) was held recently over four days in London. In this report, some of the latest news emanating from the meeting will be highlighted. Specifically those presentations that described new types of insulin and blood sugar sensing tools make loop pump therapy closer to reality.

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