Prospective comparison among three intrarectal anesthetic treatments combined with periprostatic nerve block during transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Recent trends in prostate biopsy analgesia suggest a combination anesthetic to provide better pain relief than periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) alone. This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of three intrarectal local anesthesia (IRLA) combined with PPNB in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized study, 120 prostate biopsy patients were equally divided into four IRLA groups: group 1 (placebo) received simple lubrication; group 2 received 2% lidocaine gel; group 3 received 100 mg indomethacin suppository and group 4 received 5% prilocaine/lidocaine (EMLA) cream. PPNB with 2% lidocaine was applied in all groups. A ten-point visual analog scale evaluated both pain associated with the probe insertion and pain associated with prostate sampling. Adverse effects or complications due to anesthesia during and after the procedure were documented. RESULTS: Compared with group 1, groups 3 and 4 had significantly lower pain scores at both probe insertion and prostate sampling while group 2 showed no significant differences at both pain scores. Moreover, group 4 showed significantly lower pain scores at probe insertion compared to group 3, while no significant difference was observed at prostate sampling. Mild complications were observed in all groups with no significant difference in the incidence of complications between groups. CONCLUSION: Intrarectal application of EMLA cream is a more efficient pain reduction than either 2% lidocaine gel or 100 mg indomethacin suppository when applied combined with PPNB. This combination represents an effective option of pain relief for patients undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsy.

Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgal residual biomass.

The production of photosynthetic biofuels using microalgae is a promising strategy to combat the use of non-renewable energy sources. The microalgae residual biomass is a waste by-product of biofuel production; however, it could prove to have utility in the development of sustainable nutraceuticals and functional foods. In this study, a comprehensive characterisation of the under-utilised Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgae residual biomass is presented. Proximal composition, antioxidant capacity (using three different antioxidant assays; oxygen radical absorbance capacity; radical cation activity, ABTS; and radical scavenging activity, DPPH), and total phenolic content of free and bound polyphenols were determined. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of water activity, pH, water absorption index, water solubility index, and dispersibility were evaluated. Results revealed that P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass exhibits a relatively high protein and carbohydrate content, with values of 36.67% and 46.78%, respectively; and most carbohydrates were found as total dietary fibre (45.57%), of which insoluble dietary fibre was the most predominant (43.54%). Antioxidant capacity values for total phytochemicals of 106.22, 67.93, 9.54 µM TE g-1 dw were determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ABTS, and DPPH assays, respectively. Total phenolic content was found to be 2.90 mg GAE g-1 dw. Interestingly, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were higher in bound than in free phytochemical extracts. The physicochemical analysis showed P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass to have suitable properties for the generation of a beverage with Aw, pH, water absorption index, water solubility index, and dispersibility values of 0.45, 7.12, 3.40 g gel g-1 dw, 2.5 g solids 100 g-1 dw, and 90%, respectively. Hence, P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass could be considered a potential source of bioactive compounds suitable for the production of functional food exhibiting antioxidant capacity and high dietary fibre content.

Self-reported medical problems of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

BACKGROUND: Childhood sexual abuse has been established as an antecedent to specific psychological disorders in adulthood. Only recently have researchers begun to consider the effects of this early trauma on subsequent physical health status. The current study sought to explore the relationship between a history of childhood sexual abuse in female adults and subsequent self-reported medical complaints. METHODS: This consecutive sample study used a questionnaire to distinguish subjects with a sexual abuse history and those without such a history. Subjects were female patients over 18 years of age at a primary care health center. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the 523 subjects who completed the entire questionnaire acknowledged a history of sexual abuse in childhood. This percentage is consistent with estimates for the population at large. The abused group reported more problems in respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and gynecological functions. Statistically significant discriminating variables for those who had been abused were (1) total medical complaints reported, (2) previous mental health treatment, and (3) age of first sexual intercourse. Among the abused group, only 5.1% had ever disclosed information about their sexual abuse experiences to a physician. CONCLUSIONS: At least one in four women are survivors of childhood sexual abuse. These women rarely spontaneously reveal this history to a physician, yet they are more likely than nonabused patients to report multisystemic medical complaints. To avoid misdiagnosis and misuse of medical services, physicians should routinely obtain a thorough sexual history, particularly when the patient has multisystem complaints.