Influence of bethanechol on salivary parameters in irradiated patients

BACKGROUND

Some studies have shown evidence that the prophylactic use of bethanechol chloride (BC) may be useful in preventing the incidence and/or severity of xerostomia (XT). However, the indication of BC in irradiated patients with XT needs to be better characterized. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of BC on XT, salivary flow rate, and salivary composition in patients previously submitted to head and neck radiotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty five irradiated patients complaining of XT used 50 mg/day of BC for 3 months, and the salivary parameters were evaluated in 4 Phases (Before BC therapy, after one month of BC, 2 months of BC, and 3 months of BC). Biochemical analysis included buffering capacity; pH; total protein concentration (TP); amylase concentration (AM); catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (PX) activities. In addition, unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates were determined and XT was classified.

RESULTS

According to the XT grading system used, patients showed improvement in XT between Phase 1, and Phases 2, 3 and 4. In addition, some changes were observed in TP concentration (decreased); AM concentration (increased); and PX and CAT activities (decreased and increased, respectively) after Phase 2, for stimulated saliva collection (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that when BC was used to treat salivary gland dysfunction induced by head and neck radiotherapy, improvement in XT symptoms, and some changes in saliva composition were shown.

Lithium Induces Glycogen Accumulation in Salivary Glands of the Rat

Lithium is administered for the treatment of mood and bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to verify whether treatment with different concentrations of lithium may affect the glycogen metabolism in the salivary glands of the rats when compared with the liver. Mobilization of glycogen in salivary glands is important for the process of secretion. Two sets of experiments were carried out, that is, in the first, the rats received drinking water supplemented with LiCl (38,25 and 12 mM of LiCl for 15 days) and the second experiment was carried out by intraperitoneal injection of LiCl solution (12 mg/kg and 45 mg LiCl/kg body weight) for 3 days. The active form of glycogen phosphorylase was not affected by treatment with LiCl considering the two experiments. The active form of glycogen synthase presented higher activity in the submandibular glands of rats treated with 25 and 38 mM LiCl and in the liver, with 25 mM LiCl. Glycogen level was higher than that of control in the submandibular glands of rats receiving 38 and 12 mM LiCl, in the parotid of rats receiving 25 and 38 mM, and in the liver of rats receiving 12 mM LiCl. The absolute value of glycogen for the submandibular treated with 25 mM LiCl, and the liver treated with 38 mM LiCl, was higher than the control value, although not statistically significant for these tissues. No statistically significant difference was found in the submandibular and parotid salivary glands for protein concentration when comparing experimental and control groups. We concluded that LiCl administered to rats influences the metabolism of glycogen in salivary glands.

Ion release and mechanical properties of calcium silicate and calcium hydroxide materials used for pulp capping

AIM

To compare the ion release and mechanical properties of a calcium hydroxide (Dycal) and two calcium silicate (MTA Angelus and Biodentine) cements.

METHODOLOGY

Calcium and hydroxyl ion release in water from 24-h set cements were calculated from titration with HCl (n = 3). Calcium release after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days at pH 5.5 and 7.0 was measured using ICP-OES (n = 6). Flexural strength (FS) and modulus (E) were tested after 48-h storage, and compressive strength (CS) was tested after 48 h and 7 days (n = 10). Ion release and mechanical data were subjected to anova/Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney tests, respectively (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Titration curves revealed that Dycal released significantly fewer ions in solution than calcium silicates (P < 0.001). Calcium release remained constant at pH 7.0, whilst at pH 5.5, it dropped significantly by 24% after 21 days (P < 0.05). At pH 5.5, MTA Angelus released significantly more calcium than Dycal (P < 0.01), whilst Biodentine had superior ion release than Dycal at pH 7.0 (P < 0.01). Biodentine had superior flexural strength, flexural modulus and compressive strength than the other cements, whilst MTA Angelus had higher modulus than Dycal (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate calcium and hydroxyl ion release in solution was significantly lower for Dycal. In general, all materials released constant calcium levels over 28 days, but release from Dycal was significantly lower than Biodentine and MTA Angelus depending on pH conditions. Biodentine had substantially higher strength and modulus than MTA Angelus and Dycal, both of which demonstrated low stress-bearing capabilities.

Pneumonia eosinofílica aguda com evolução para síndroma de dificuldade respiratória aguda: caso clínico

The Authors present a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) associated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in a previously healthy young adult, medicated with nitrofurantoin. AEP must be included in the differential diagnosis of community adquired pneumonia, as well as a cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome; its diagnosis is suggested by the presence of eosinophilic alveolitis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The early diagnosis of AEP and corticosteroid therapy may be lifesaving.

Efeitos do carprofeno no ganho de força tênsil muscular e cutânea em ratas (Rattus norvegicus) submetidas à Laparorrafia mediana

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Emprego de n-butil-cianoacrilato associado ou não à sutura na síntese de gastrotomias em ratos (Rattus norvegicus)

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

[Drowning: tematic review and casuistic analysis in the Intensive Care Medicine Service of University Hospital of Coimbra (1989-2002)]

Drowning is a major cause of accidental deaths, especially in childrens. In this review (part one) the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatments (with an enphasis on the ressuscitation) are discussed. From 1989 to 2002 part two) we recorded the clinical course of the 19 patients vitims of submersion admited to our ICU. We conclued that the majority of patients are young (mean = 37,3 years), mortality is high (26%), but the complete recovery is possible (63%). The cardio-respiratory arrest or Glasgow Coma Scale < or = 5 were related with poor prognosis, only with 3 survivors (1 without sequels). Trauma associated lesions were observed only in one patient.

Non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm diagnosed after a road traffic accident

A 38 year old man with a huge unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, complicated with severe valvar aortic regurgitation, is described. The aneurysm was detected by echocardiography in the asymptomatic patient who presented with an intense precordial diastolic rumble after a road traffic accident. The patient had successful surgery for the aneurysm and aortic valve replacement. Possible aetiologies for the aneurysm and a brief revision of clinical aspects and treatment are discussed.

Age differences in personality across the adult life span: parallels in five cultures

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in the United States have shown consistent changes between college age and middle adulthood. There appear to be declines in 3 of the 5 major factors of personality--Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness--and increases in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. To examine cross-cultural generalizability of these findings, translations of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory were administered to samples in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, and South Korea (N = 7,363). Similar patterns of age differences were seen in each country, for both men and women. Common trends were also seen for the more specific traits that define the major factors. Because these nations differ substantially in culture and recent history, results suggest the hypothesis that these are universal maturational changes in adult personality.

Age differences in personality across the adult life span: parallels in five cultures

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in the United States have shown consistent changes between college age and middle adulthood. There appear to be declines in 3 of the 5 major factors of personality--Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness--and increases in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. To examine cross-cultural generalizability of these findings, translations of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory were administered to samples in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, and South Korea (N = 7,363). Similar patterns of age differences were seen in each country, for both men and women. Common trends were also seen for the more specific traits that define the major factors. Because these nations differ substantially in culture and recent history, results suggest the hypothesis that these are universal maturational changes in adult personality.

[Differential imaging diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm in the course of a myocardial infarct]

Differential diagnosis between true and false left ventricular aneurysms is not always easy, despite the use of imaging techniques of great diagnostic accuracy. We report a case in which the distinction between these two situations offers some difficulty. Finally, we review the characteristics of ventricular aneurysms and that of pseudoaneurysms, focusing on the aspects that enable their differentiation.