This trial suggests that N-acetylcysteine may be a safe and effective option to augment standard treatment in patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background. Several remedial modalities for the treatment of tinnitus have been proposed, but an effective standard treatment is still to be confirmed. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on tinnitus accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss. Methods. This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on subjects suffering from tinnitus accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss. The study intervention was 20 sessions of low-level laser therapy every other day, 20 minutes each session. Tinnitus was assessed by three methods (visual analog scale, tinnitus handicap inventory, and tinnitus loudness) at baseline, immediately and 3 months after the intervention. Results. All subjects were male workers with age range of 30–51 years. The mean tinnitus duration was 1.85 ± 0.78 years. All three measurement methods have shown improved values after laser therapy compared with the placebo both immediately and 3 months after treatment. Laser therapy revealed a U-shaped efficacy throughout the course of follow-up. Nonresponse rate of the intervention was 57% and 70% in the two assessment time points, respectively. Conclusion. This study found low-level laser therapy to be effective in alleviating tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss, although this effect has faded after 3 months of follow-up. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand clinical trials registry with identifier ACTRN12612000455864).

Our findings imply that there are other factors in addition to nonoptimal BP that deserve integrating into the risk assessment criteria for developing hypertension.

The present trial aimed to evaluate the effects of pioglitazone on the mental status of nondiabetic metabolic syndrome patients. From 145 patients screened, 104 eligible volunteers (57% female; age 20–70 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either pioglitazone (uptitrated to 30 mg/day; P = 53) or matching placebo (P = 51) for 24 weeks. Depression and anxiety were quantified using the hospital anxiety and depression scale and stress level using the general health questionnaire 12 at baseline, week 12, and endpoint. Homeostasis model assessment was used to estimate insulin resistance. At week 24, pioglitazone was superior in mitigating depression score (P = 0.011). In trend analysis, the effect of time (P < 0.001) and group (P = 0.023) as well as the time by group interaction (P = 0.032) on the mean depression score was considerable. In contrast, significant decrements in anxiety and stress levels (P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, resp.) were comparable between two groups. With respect to our findings, alterations in depression severity were not correlated with changes in insulin resistance level (P = 0.145). In conclusion, our findings suggest that pioglitazone might be able to improve mood in nondiabetic insulin resistant patients. (Registered at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12611000351910.)

Daily coffee consumption is inversely associated with risk of type-2 diabetes (T2D). Cafestol, a bioactive substance in coffee, increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro and increases glucose uptake in human skeletal muscle cells. We hypothesized that cafestol can postpone development of T2D in KKAy mice. Forty-seven male KKAy mice were randomized to consume chow supplemented daily with either 1.1 (high), 0.4 (low), or 0 (control) mg of cafestol for 10 weeks. We collected blood samples for fasting glucose, glucagon, and insulin as well as liver, muscle, and fat tissues for gene expression analysis. We isolated islets of Langerhans and measured insulin secretory capacity. After 10 weeks of intervention, fasting plasma glucose was 28-30% lower in cafestol groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Fasting glucagon was 20% lower and insulin sensitivity improved by 42% in the high-cafestol group (p < 0.05). Cafestol increased insulin secretion from isolated islets by 75-87% compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Our results show that cafestol possesses antidiabetic properties in KKAy mice. Consequently, cafestol may contribute to the reduced risk of developing T2D in coffee consumers and has a potential role as an antidiabetic drug.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices produce noise, which may affect patient's or operators' hearing. Some cases of hearing impairment after MRI procedure have been reported with different patterns (temporary or permanent, unilateral or bilateral, with or without other symptoms like tinnitus). In this report, a case of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in an otherwise healthy patient underwent brain MRI was described. The patient's hearing loss was accompanied with tinnitus and was not improved after 3 months of followup.

Anticontractile influences of PVT are attenuated in coronary arteries from ZDF rats but unaffected in arteries from STZ-treated rats. Signs of endothelial dysfunction are evident in coronary septal arteries - with and without PVT - from ZDF rats but not STZ-treated rats. We propose that altered signalling between cardiomyocyte-rich PVT and coronary arteries can contribute to cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the rare causes of hearing loss which may cause reversible or irreversible, unilateral or bilateral hearing loss after acute or chronic exposure. In this report, we present a case of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in a secondary smelting workshop worker after an acute exposure to carbon monoxide. This complication was diagnosed by pure-tone audiometry and confirmed by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. Hearing loss has not improved after 3 months of followup.