Inhibition of MNNG‐induced gastroduodenal carcinoma in rats by synchronous application of wine or 11% ethanol

There are divergent opinions on the effect of ethanol in the carcinogenesis of gastroduodenal tumors. The effect of the synchronous application of 11% ethanol or wine (11% ethanol) and N‐methyl‐N'‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (100 μg/ml, MNNG) in a drinking solution on the incidence of gastroduodenal tumors was evaluated. Sixty outbred male Wistar rats were distributed among three groups. The animals drank MNNG and ethanol or wine for six months and consumed the same quantity of MNNG. Then they consumed a normal diet until the 13th month, when the experiment was terminated. The stomach and duodenum were examined histologically. In the stomach, 15 tumors (2 squamous paillomas, 4 squamous carcinomas, 1 sarcoma, and 8 adeno‐carcinomas) and 4 cases of dysplasia were found; in the duodenum, there were four cases of adenocarcinoma. There were 6 cases of multiple tumors.

Incidence of forestomach tumors did not differ among the groups, whereas the incidence of glandular stomach carcinoma and duodenal carcinoma was significantly lower in the groups treated with 11% ethanol or wine than in the control group. MNNG was not inactivated by ethanol in the drinking solutions. We concluded that the inhibitory effect on gastroduodenal carcinogenesis is the result of 11% ethanol ingestion and its protective action on the mucosa and not of the wine's nonethanol components.     

Prevalence of Endocrine Disorders in Morbidly Obese Patients and the Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Endocrine and Metabolic Parameters

Background

Several endocrine abnormalities, including hypothyroidism and Cushing??s syndrome (CS), are considered as causative factors of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endocrine disorders and obesity-associated co-morbidities, as well as the impact of substantial weight loss.

Methods

Screening was performed in 433 consecutive morbidly obese patients (age 41?±?12?years; BMI 47?±?6.9?kg/m²; women 76%). A 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST) was conducted to exclude CS, and thyrotropin (TSH) was measured to exclude hypothyroidism. Insulin sensitivity was estimated from oral glucose tolerance tests employing the Clamp-like index. Examinations were carried out at baseline, as well as at 6 and 12?months postoperatively.

Results

The prevalence of CS was below 0.6%. Before surgery, TSH was elevated compared to an age- and sex-matched normal weight control group (2.4?±?1.2 vs. 1.5?±?0.7???U/ml; p?2; p?p?+-group compared to the MetS^--group (15.0?±?6.3 vs. 13.5?±?6.3???g/dl; p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

CS appears to be a rare cause of morbid obesity. Normalization of slightly elevated thyrotropin after weight loss suggests that obesity causes TSH elevation rather than the reverse.     

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children with subureteral dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection: a single-centre, 7-year experience

Background

The goals of medical intervention in patients with vesicoureteral reflux are to allow normal renal growth, prevent infections and pyelonephritis, and prevent renal failure. We present our experience with endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children by subureteral dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection.

Methods

Under cystoscopic guidance, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer underneath the intravesical portion of the ureter in a subureteral or submucosal location was injected in patients undergoing endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux.

Results

A total of 282 patients (120 boys and 162 girls) underwent the procedure. There were 396 refluxed ureters altogether. The mean age of patients was 4.9 years. The mean overall follow-up period was 44 months. Among the 396 ureters treated, 76% were cured with a single injection. A second and third injection raised the cure rate to 93% and 94%, respectively. Twenty-two (6%) ureters failed all 3 injections, and were converted to open surgery.

Conclusion

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux can be recommended as a first-line therapy for most cases of vesicoureteral reflux, because of the short hospital stay, absence of complications and the high success rate.     

Active Iron Sites of Disordered Mesoporous Silica Catalyst FeKIL-2 in the Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Iron-functionalized disordered mesoporous silica (FeKIL-2) is a promising, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and highly efficient catalyst for the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polluted air via catalytic oxidation. In this study, we investigated the type of catalytically active iron sites for different iron concentrations in FeKIL-2 catalysts using advanced characterization of the local environment of iron atoms by a combination of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Techniques (XANES, EXAFS) and Atomic-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (AR STEM). We found that the molar ratio Fe/Si ≤ 0.01 leads to the formation of stable, mostly isolated Fe³⁺ sites in the silica matrix, while higher iron content Fe/Si > 0.01 leads to the formation of oligonuclear iron clusters. STEM imaging and EELS techniques confirmed the existence of these clusters. Their size ranges from one to a few nanometers, and they are unevenly distributed throughout the material. The size of the clusters was also found to be similar, regardless of the nominal concentration of iron (Fe/Si = 0.02 and Fe/Si = 0.05). From the results obtained from sample characterization and model catalytic tests, we established that the enhanced activity of FeKIL-2 with the optimal Fe/Si = 0.01 ratio can be attributed to: (1) the optimal concentration of stable isolated Fe³⁺ in the silica support; and (2) accelerated diffusion of the reactants in disordered mesoporous silica (FeKIL-2) when compared to ordered mesoporous silica materials (FeSBA-15, FeMCM-41).     

Simple vibroacoustic foetal stimulator

Primary objective: To build and test a simple vibroacoustic foetal stimulator. Research design: A vibroacoustic foetal stimulator was constructed and subjected to bench testing. Clinical trial was carried out in comparison to an electro larynx. Main outcomes and results: Screening specificity of 98% and 100% sensitivity was achieved, with no decrease in specificity due to user's maladjustments. The device was characterized by simple use, maintenance and disinfection. Conclusions: The device is a good screening instrument for foetal health in prenatal care, despite its simplicity and low price.     

Ambulatory oral surgery: 1-year experience with 11?680 patients from Zagreb district,Croatia

Aim

To examine the types and frequencies of oral surgery diagnoses and ambulatory oral surgical treatments during one year period at the Department of Oral Surgery, University Hospital Dubrava in Zagreb, Croatia.

Methods

Sociodemographic and clinical data on 11 680 ambulatory patients, treated between January 1 and of December 31, 2011 were retrieved from the hospital database using a specific protocol. The obtained data were subsequently analyzed in order to assess the frequency of diagnoses and differences in sex and age.

Results

The most common ambulatory procedure was tooth extraction (37.67%) and the most common procedure in ambulatory operating room was alveolectomy (57.25%). The test of proportions showed that significantly more extractions (P < 0.001) and intraoral incisions (P < 0.001) were performed among male patients, whereas significantly more alveolectomies and apicoectomies were performed among female patients (P < 0.001). A greater prevalence of periodontal disease was found in patients residing in Zagreb than in patients residing in rural areas.

Conclusion

The data from this study may be useful for planning of ambulatory oral surgery services, budgeting, and sustaining quality improvement, enhancing oral surgical curricula, training and education of primary health care doctors and oral surgery specialists, and promoting patients’ awareness of the importance of oral health.Oral health is essential to general health and well-being, and tooth loss is an important indicator of oral health status. Reduction of tooth loss is one of the targets for achieving global goals for oral health (1).Croatian dental health system, along with general health care, is regulated by the Health Care Law and divided into three levels of care: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary dental health care is performed by doctors of dental medicine with the help of dental assistants; it includes prevention, detection, and treatment of oral diseases, as well as rehabilitation of the masticatory system. Secondary or specialist outpatient dental health care treats patients in need of expert opinion, advice, or treatment. Tertiary care provides care only for patients requiring hospitalization.In order for the system to work properly and without overload, levels of health care must cooperate. Most patients with oral needs visit a primary health care system dentist, so further education of these professionals is essential for a better system of specialist referrals and a more efficient health care system. In Croatia, there are no data about the types and frequencies of oral surgery treatment so the aim of this study was to gain insight into the types and frequencies of diagnoses and ambulatory surgical treatments at the Department of Oral Surgery at University Hospital Dubrava in Zagreb, Croatia. We also investigated whether there was a significant difference in clinical diagnoses and procedures according to sex, age, and place of residence.