Application of dermal microdialysis for the determination of bioavailability of clobetasol propionate applied to the skin of human subjects

Dermal microdialysis was used to assess the bioavailability of a topical corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate, following application onto the skin of human subjects. The penetration of clobetasol propionate from a 4% m/v ethanolic solution applied onto 4 sites on one forearm of healthy human volunteers was studied. A lipid emulsion, Intralipid?, was used as the perfusate and linear microdialysis probes with a 2-kDa cutoff were inserted intradermally at the designated sites. The results indicated that Intralipid could be used as a suitable perfusate for in vivo microdialysis of this lipophilic drug of interest. Furthermore, the study clearly demonstrated the application of dermal microdialysis as a valuable tool to assess the bioavailability/bioequivalence of clobetasol propionate penetration into the skin following topical application.     

Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus strains circulating in Belgian patients co-infected with HIV and HBV: overt and occult infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have similar transmission routes, implying that patients infected with HIV are at particular risk for HBV infection. Patients who are co-infected with HIV and HBV progress more rapidly to end-stage liver disease and different HBV genotypes may have a distinct impact on disease progression. One hundred ninety-one anti-HBc-positive sera from Belgian patients co-infected with HIV and HBV were collected during 1998-2008. Full-length HBV genomes as well as large S or partial S genes were amplified and their molecular evolutionary history was analyzed. Clinically, 30 (65.8%) patients were categorized as "overt infection" and 16 (34.7%) cases were categorized as "occult infection." Five distinct HBV genotypes comprising A (69.6%), E (19.6%), followed by D, C, and G were detected. HBV genotype A was observed in all clinical groups and in patients with varying ethnical background. HBV genotype E could be detected in African patients who were mostly infected by heterosexual contacts. Several clinically important mutations at the HBs major hydrophilic region were detected in the new isolates but with no significant difference between occult and overt infection. The high prevalence of HBV genotype A in overt and occult cases, and in particular the detection of certain HBV subgenotypes in patients co-infected with HIV and HBV that carry diagnostic escape mutations, may provide useful information for national guidelines for prophylaxis and treatment.     

Fracture resistance and reinforcement of immature roots with gutta percha,mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium phosphate bone cement: a standardized in vitro model

Abstract –  Endodontic treatment of immature teeth is often complicated because of flaring root canals and open apices for which apexification is needed. Long‐term prognosis for these teeth is surprisingly low because of cervical root fractures occurring after an impact of weak forces. In this study, an experimental model was developed to determine the fracture resistance of immature teeth and to test the hypothesis that endodontic materials succeed in reinforcing them. Compact and hollow bone cylinders from bovine femurs were used as standardized samples. In order to evaluate the experimental model, fracture resistance in both groups was evaluated by determining the ultimate force to fracture (UFF) under diametral tensile stress. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean values of UFF for both groups, independently of the sampling location or subject. In a following setting, the hypothesis that obturation with gutta percha (GP), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or calcium phosphate bone cement (CPBC) reinforces the hollow bone samples was investigated. Obturation resulted in a significant reinforcement for all materials, but the degree of reinforcement depended on the material. The experimental model appeared to be suitable for in vitro investigation of reinforcement and fracture resistance in a standardized way.     

Forensic age estimation based on magnetic resonance imaging of third molars: converting 2D staging into 3D staging

Background: Established methods to stage development of third molars for forensic age estimation are based on the evaluation of radiographs, which show a 2D projection. It has not been investigated whether these methods require any adjustments in order to apply them to stage third molars on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which shows 3D information.

Aim: To prospectively study root stage assessment of third molars in age estimation using 3 Tesla MRI and to compare this with panoramic radiographs, in order to provide considerations for converting 2D staging into 3D staging and to determine the decisive root.

Subjects and methods: All third molars were evaluated in 52 healthy participants aged 14–26 years using MRI in three planes. Three staging methods were investigated by two observers. In sixteen of the participants, MRI findings were compared with findings on panoramic radiographs.

Results: Decisive roots were palatal in upper third molars and distal in lower third molars. Fifty-seven per cent of upper third molars were not assessable on the radiograph, while 96.9% were on MRI. Upper third molars were more difficult to evaluate on radiographs than on MRI (p?p?=?.375). Inter- and intra-observer agreement for evaluation was higher in MRI than in radiographs. In both imaging techniques lower third molars showed greater inter- and intra-observer agreement compared to upper third molars. MR images in the sagittal plane proved to be essential for staging.

Conclusion: In age estimation, 3T MRI of third molars could be valuable. Some considerations are, however, necessary to transfer known staging methods to this 3D technique.     

Initial tooth displacement in vivo as a predictor of long-term displacement.

In the past, the dry skull has been used as a hypothetical model to test initial orthodontic and orthopaedic force systems. However, the question as to whether this hypothetical model can be used as a predictor of long-term displacements in vivo remains unanswered. In this study, an attempt was made to compare initial tooth displacement with the long-term effect after application of the force system for a longer period of time, in six adult dogs. Tooth displacement was obtained by applying a force by means of a coil spring (push) system. Following application of a force of 50 g in the first series (n = 3) and 80 g in the second series (n = 3), initial displacements were registered by means of speckle interferometry. The long-term displacement was registered by means of standardized cephalometry in the same dog by leaving the force system in place for 5 weeks. The mean values of the displacement vectors of the second premolars in the six dogs were compared. A paired t-test revealed no significant differences between the initial and long-term displacements in any of the dogs. The results show that both groups of measurements belong statistically to the same sample and that initial tooth displacement measured by means of speckle interferometry is a valuable predictor for forecasting long-term displacement in vivo after 5 weeks.     

Beyond the desktop: emerging technologies for supporting 3D collaborative teams

The emergence of several trends, including the increased availability of wireless networks, miniaturization of electronics and sensing technologies, and novel input and output devices, is creating a demand for integrated, fulltime displays for use across a wide range of applications, including collaborative environments. In this paper, we present and discuss emerging visualization methods we are developing particularly as they relate to deployable displays and displays worn on the body to support mobile users.     

Clinical pharmacokinetics of piroxicam

Piroxicam is readily absorbed after oral administration. Food and antacids have been shown not to interfere with its bioavailability. Piroxicam is highly bound (approximately 99%) to plasma proteins and has a small distribution volume (approximately 10 l). Despite its high plasma binding, the drug readily penetrates into synovial fluid. Piroxicam has a long elimination half-life of about 50 h. Elimination of the parent drug is mainly the result of biotransformation. The elimination of piroxicam is impaired in some elderly patients, resulting in a high interindividual variability in average steady state levels following a standard 20 mg/day dosage regimen.     

Maximum-likelihood estimation in Optical Coherence Tomography in the context of the tear film dynamics

Understanding tear film dynamics is a prerequisite for advancing the management of Dry Eye Disease (DED). In this paper, we discuss the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and statistical decision theory to analyze the tear film dynamics of a digital phantom. We implement a maximum-likelihood (ML) estimator to interpret OCT data based on mathematical models of Fourier-Domain OCT and the tear film. With the methodology of task-based assessment, we quantify the tradeoffs among key imaging system parameters. We find, on the assumption that the broadband light source is characterized by circular Gaussian statistics, ML estimates of 40 nm +/− 4 nm for an axial resolution of 1 μm and an integration time of 5 μs. Finally, the estimator is validated with a digital phantom of tear film dynamics, which reveals estimates of nanometer precision.OCIS codes: (030.0030) Coherence and statistical optics, (110.3000) Image quality assessment     

ELIMINATION OF DIFLUNISAL AS ITS ACYL GLUCURONIDE, PHENOLIC GLUCURONIDE AND SULFATE CONJUGATES IN BILE-EXTERIORIZED AND INTACT RATS

1. The disposition of diflunisal (DF) was investigated in both bile-exteriorized and intact rats given 10 and 100 mg/kg doses intravenously (i.v.). 2. In addition to the phenolic glucuronide (DPG) and acyl glucuronide (DAG) conjugates, the sulfate conjugate (DS) was found to be a major metabolite. The glucuronides were excreted preferentially in bile, whereas DS was excreted almost exclusively in urine. 3. In bile-exteriorized animals, recoveries of DPG, DAG and DS in bile were 12.2%, 23.8%, 0.4%, respectively, and in urine, 10.3%, 5.6% and 15.2%, respectively, at the 10 mg/kg dose; and in bile, 11.3%, 41.6% and 1.0% respectively, and urine 2.9%, 1.1% and 17.0%, respectively, at the 100 mg/kg dose. 4. Total plasma clearance of DF and formation clearance of DF to DPG were reduced at the higher dose, suggesting saturation of this glucuronidation pathway. Formation clearances of DF to DAG and DS were little affected by the dose change. 5. Considerable enterohepatic recirculation of DF was apparent from the prolongation of DF and its conjugates in plasma of rats with an intact bile flow into the gut. The net metabolic effect of such cycling was enhancement of overall DS formation, from 15.6% and 18.0% of the 10 and 100 mg/kg doses, respectively, in bile-exteriorized rats to 28.5% and 42.1% of the doses respectively, in the intact animals.