Panniculitis–an unusual cutaneous manifestation of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by small vessel involvement that leads to tissue ischemia and fibroblast stimulation resulting in accumulation of collagen (fibrosis) in the skin and internal organs. Lipomembranous panniculitis is a peculiar type of fat necrosis and has been reported with clinical conditions, commonly with peripheral vascular diseases. We describe a case of a 43‐year‐old woman with SSc manifestations, who presented with black scaly skin plaques, associated with thickening of the subcutaneous fat tissue, on the lateral surface of her thighs, her calves, gluteal area and lower abdomen. Biopsy revealed lipomembranous panniculitis. Lipomembranous changes have been seen in connective tissue disorders such as lupus profundus, morphea, systemic sclerosis and panniculitis associated with dermatomyositis, but rarely in thighs, calves, gluteal area and lower abdomen. Almeida MSTM, Lima SCB, Carvalho LL, Almeida JVM, Santos LG, Rolim JRA, Rocha TE. Panniculitis–An unusual cutaneous manifestation of systemic sclerosis.     

Enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides in lymphocytes and platelets of immunosuppressed rats

NTPDase (EC 3.6.1.5) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes extracellular nucleoside tri-and/ or diphosphates to form ATP, which can serve as a substrate for ecto-5′- nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5), releasing adenosine, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation and an immunosuppressant agent. In this study, the activity of enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides was investigated in lymphocytes and platelets of immunosuppressed rats. NTPDase and ecto-5′-nucleotidase activities were determined by colorimetric assay with quantification of the inorganic phosphate released. A significant increase in NTPDase activity was observed in lymphocytes (about 30% in ATP hydrolysis and 80% in ADP hydrolysis, at p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). In platelets, there was a significant increase in 5′-nucleotidase activity in immunosuppressed rats (p < 0.01) when compared with controls. These results suggest that the hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides is modified in the immunosuppressed state, possibly to compensate for alterations that occur and to avoid the adverse effects of therapy.     

P300 Auditory Evoked Potential Latency In Elderly

Auditory cortical disorders in the elderly can be assessed by the P300. The lack of contemporary reference values of P300 latency in healthy elderly motivated this study.Aim: To estimate the effect of age on P300 latency in a group of elderly.Methods: We studied 62 elderly patients with pure tone thresholds up to 40 dB HL at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000 Hz, divided into groups according to age (60-64, 65-69 and 70-74 years). Were assessed by the P300 latency in response to the rare stimulus of 2000 Hz and 1000 Hz frequencies, both in the intensity of 80 dB HL.Study design: clinical, cross-sectional observational individual compared prospective.Results: The latency in Group 60 was 337.26 ms (SD 11.31) in Group 65 was 351.86 ms (SD 29.05) and in Group 70 it was 370.19 ms (SD 23.40). The linear regression of the values of P300 latency showed an increase of 2.85 ms per year of age. The statistical analysis showed that the results were significant.Conclusion: The P300 latency increases with age at a rate of 2.85 ms per year between the ages of 60 and 74 years.Send correspondence to: Maria José Santos Cóser – Rua Duque de Caxias 1668/304 Centro 97015-190 Santa Maria RS Brasil.Paper submitted to the BJORL-SGP (Publishing Management System – Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology) on January 20, 2008; and accepted on February 25, 2010. cod. 5686     

Associations of the CTLA-4 polymorphisms with type 1 diabetes in a Chilean population: Case-parent design

CTLA-4 plays a key role in T cells regulation. We analysed the CTLA-4 +49A/G and −318C/T polymorphisms in 178 cases of type 1 diabetes and their parents (534 individuals) from Santiago, Chile. A significant overall association with T1D (p = 0.028) was observed, possibly due to an overtransmission of the G–T haplotype.     

Vertical Root Fracture in Upper Premolars with Endodontic Posts: Finite Element Analysis

Upper premolars restored with endodontic posts present a high incidence of vertical root fracture (VRF). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) the smaller mesiodistal diameter favors stress concentration in the root and (2) the lack of an effective bonding between root and post increases the risk of VRF. Using finite element analysis, maximum principal stress was analyzed in 3-dimensional intact upper second premolar models. From the intact models, new models were built including endodontic posts of different elastic modulus (E = 37 or E = 200 GPa) with circular or oval cross-section, either bonded or nonbonded to circular or oval cross-section root canals. The first hypothesis was partially confirmed because the conditions involving nonbonded, low-modulus posts showed lower tensile stress for oval canals compared to circular canals. Tensile stress peaks for the nonbonded models were approximately three times higher than for the bonded or intact models, therefore confirming the second hypothesis.     

Caudal septoplasty: efficacy of a surgical technique-preliminnary report

Although not being the most frequent nasal septal deviations, those of the caudal septum account for many complaints. The correction of such defects has always been the subject of much controversy, and several different operative techniques have been described.AimTo assess the efficacy of a surgical technique for correcting caudal septal deviations.Materials and MethodsProspective study with preliminary reports of 10 patients who answered a standardized, specific questionnaire (the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, or NOSE), underwent acoustic rhinometry and had their noses photographed. Caudal deviations were then corrected through a surgical technique whereby the entire deviated portion is removed and a straight cartilage segment is placed between the medial crura of the alar cartilages, through a retrograde approach, to support the nasal tip. Sixty days after all patients were reassessed.ResultsAs for the NOSE questionnaire, mean pre-operative and post-operative scores were 82.39 and 7.39 respectively (p<0.001). Pre-operative acoustic rhinometry showed mean minimum crosssectional area (MCA) values of 0.352 and 0.431 cm2, whereas mean post-operative values were 0.657 and 0.711 cm2(p<0.0001).ConclusionsThe study results prove, both subjectively (patient satisfaction as measured with a standardized questionnaire) and objectively (acoustic rhinometry findings), that the proposed technique for correction of caudal septal deviation is safe and effective.     

Strength of Denture Base Resins Repaired with Auto- and Visible Light-Polymerized Materials

Purpose: Clinicians are still confused about the choice of repair method, which depends on factors such as the length of time required for processing, the mechanical strength of the repaired material, and the effect of stress concentration in the acrylic resins before the repair. The aim was to determine the impact and flexural strength characteristics, such as stress at yield, Young's modulus, and displacement at yield of denture base resins fractured and repaired by three methods using heat‐, auto‐, and visible light‐polymerized acrylic resins. Material and Methods: For impact and flexural strength tests, 18 rectangular specimens measuring 50 × 6 × 4 mm³ and 64 × 10 × 3.3 mm³, respectively, were processed using Impact 2000, Lucitone 550, Impact 1500, and QC‐20 acrylic resins. Fracture tests were performed according to ISO1567:1999. Afterward, all fractured specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days, and then repaired with (1) the same acrylic resin used for specimen fabrication (n = 6), (2) an autopolymerized acrylic resin (TruRepair, n = 6), and (3) a visible light acrylic resin (Versyo.com, n = 6). The repaired specimens were again submitted to the same fracture tests, and the failures were classified as adhesive or cohesive. Data from all mechanical tests after repair by the different methods were submitted to two‐way ANOVA, and mean values were compared by the Tukey test. Results: All acrylic resins showed adhesive fractures after impact and flexural strength tests. Differences (p < 0.05) were found among repair methods for all acrylic resins studied, with the exception of displacement at yield, which showed similar values for repairs with auto‐ and visible light‐polymerized acrylic resins. The highest values for impact strength, stress, and displacement at yield were obtained when the repair was made with the same resin the specimen was made of. Conclusion: Denture base acrylic resins repaired with the same resin they were made of showed greater fracture strength.