Spirulina or Arthrospira is a blue-green alga that became famous after it was successfully used by NASA as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. It has the ability to modulate immune functions and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the release of histamine by mast cells. Multiple studies investigating the efficacy and the potential clinical applications of Spirulina in treating several diseases have been performed and a few randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews suggest that this alga may improve several symptoms and may even have an anticancer, antiviral and antiallergic effects. Current and potential clinical applications, issues of safety, indications, side-effects and levels of evidence are addressed in this review. Areas of ongoing and future research are also discussed.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane, which causes joint damage and bone destruction. Extra-articular manifestations are numerous, involving multiple organ systems. Rheumatoid nodules are common extra-articular findings occurring in 20% RA patients. They develop most commonly in pressure areas (elbows and finger joints) and may occasionally affect internal organs including pleura, lungs, meninges, larynx, and others. Furthermore, RA affects the ear, nose, and throat, causing various otorhinolaryngological symptoms. In this report we describe two patients with RA and laryngeal involvement, mostly rheumatoid nodule formation, with a review of the literature.

The goal of this report is to describe the therapeutic methods and surgical techniques used by Hippocrates (5th century BC) in the treatment of nasal injuries. We studied the original Greek texts of the (generally considered genuine) Hippocratic book Mochlicon and, especially, the analytical On Joints. We identified the treatments and techniques applied to the restoration of injured noses. We found that Hippocrates classified nasal injuries, from simple contusions of soft tissues to complicated fractures. Hippocrates provided detailed instructions for each case, from poultice application and bandaging to reconstruction and reshaping of the nasal bones in cases of fractures and deviation. Hippocrates' texts reflect the interest of the classical period in nasal injuries, a common enough accident in athletics. Hippocratic conservative and surgical management for each form of injury was adopted by later physicians and influenced European medicine.

BackgroundTo assess the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in the Greek general population and its risk factors.MethodsQuestionnaire based epidemiological, adult participants’ survey. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) was used for the assessment of LPR prevalence. The RSI questionnaire was completed by 340 (183 male and 157 female) randomly selected subjects. Subjects with RSI score ≥13 were considered as LPR patients and those with RSI score <13 were considered as non LPR subjects.ResultsThe prevalence of LPR in the general Greek population was found to be 18.8 % with no statistically significant difference between the two genders (p > 0.05). The age group of 50–64 years showed the higher prevalence rate. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption were found to be related with LPR. No reported concomitant disease or medication was found to be related with LPR.ConclusionsLPR prevalence in the Greek general population was found to be 18.8 %. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption were found to be related with LPR.