Stimulating the discussion on saliva substitutes: a clinical perspective

Xerostomia is a significant problem commonly faced by patients and oral health practitioners. There is no cure for this condition, which commonly manifests as a side effect of medications, head and neck irradiation and other systemic conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and type 2 diabetes. It may also arise idiopathically. Therefore, treatment is palliative and takes the form of oral lubricants and saliva substitutes which aim to reduce symptoms associated with xerostomia as well as prevent oral disease secondary to it. Recently there has been an expansion of the number and range of products available in Australia for the palliative management of xerostomia. It is imperative then that oral health professionals have a sound understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using such products as patients tend to be well informed about new products which are commercially available. This article discusses some of the most commonly available products used for the symptomatic relief and preventive management of xerostomia. Amongst the plethora of products available to the patient suffering from xerostomia, no single product or product range adequately reproduces the properties of natural saliva and therefore consideration of patients' concerns, needs and oral health state should be taken into account when formulating a home care regime. With Australia's ageing population and its heavier reliance on medications and treatments which may induce xerostomia, oral health professionals are likely to encounter this condition more than ever before and therefore an understanding of xerostomia and its management is essential to patient care.     

The response effect of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell lines to oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (o-MWCMTs)

Background

The applications of oxidized carbon nanotubes (o-CNTs) have shown potentials in novel drug delivery including the brain which is usually a challenge. This underscores the importance to study its potential toxic effect in animals. Despite being a promising tool for biomedical applications little is known about the safety of drugs in treating brain diseases. The toxicity of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (o-MWCNTs) are of utmost concern and in most in-vitro studies conducted so far are on dendritic cell (DC) lines with limited data on PC12 cell lines.

Objectives

We focused on the effect of o-MWCNTs in PC12 cells in vitro: a common model cell for neurotoxicity.

Methods

The pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNTs) were produced by the swirled floating catalytic chemical vapour deposition method (SFCCVD). The p-MWCNTs were then oxidized using purified H₂SO₄/HNO₃ (3:1v/v) and 30% HNO₃ acids to produce o-MWCNTs. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the MWCNTs. The PC12 cells were cultured in RPMI medium containing concentrations of o-MWCNTs ranging from 50 to 200 µg/ml.

Results

The o-MWCNTs demonstrated slight cytotoxicity at short time period to PC12 neuronal cells whilst at longer time period, no significant (p > 0.05) toxicity was observed due to cell recovery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the o-MWCNTs did not affect the growth rate and viability of the PC12 cells due to lack of considerable toxicity in the cells during the observed time period but further investigations are required to determine cell recovery mechanism.     

Urticarial vasculitis as a symptom of Muckle-Wells syndrome?]

A patient is reported with a history of several years of chronic urticaria, transient fever, arthralgias and secondary systemic amyloidosis. A biopsy of an urticarial lesion showed necrotizing vasculitis and amyloid deposits in the eccrine sweat glands. Amyloid A deposits were also detected in kidney and rectum biopsies. This patient is likely to represent a variant of the Muckle-Wells syndrome (chronic relapsing urticaria, fever, arthralgia, deafness and renal amyloidosis). Hitherto undescribed is the presence of a necrotizing vasculitis as cause of the urticarial rash; further investigation will determine whether or not this finding represents the rule rather than an exception.     

Connection and Disconnection in Abusive Relationships

topic . The way in which women's need for connection can lead to destructive relationships in which emotional and physical paralysis is characteristic
purpose . To demonstrate how a woman's sense of disconnection that occurs in abusive relationships may be misinterpreted or worse, labeled and stigmatized, by healthcare providers
source . Theories of growth and development that emphasize how a woman's sense of self and value derive from being able to maintain highly empathic affiliations
conclusion . The behavioral manifestation of disconnection must be understood so that healthcare providers can provide the most effective care possible     

Healing: Analysis of the concept

Healing, a concept familiar to many nurses has recently gained wide recognition and use in both professional and lay circles. In spite of the wide use and scrutiny of the term, the concept remains confusing and inexact. Lack of clarity in meaning leads to multiple definitions, communication problems and difficulties in measurement and theory development. Continued discussion and examination of healing and related concepts will help nurses more clearly define this important concept. The Walker and Avant method of concept analysis can be applied to the concept healing for exploring and clarifying its meaning. Healing, as defined here, is a natural, active and multidimensional process that is individually expressed with common patterns. Body condition, personal attitudes and relationships influence healing.