Treatment of muscle spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy using BTX-A: a pilot study

This study was designed to verify the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) used as a neuromuscular block on spastic masticatory musculature of children with cerebral palsy. Six patients who had spastic-tetraplegic cerebral-palsy, aged 5 to 20 years were selected. All patients had spasticity of the jaw muscles, bruxism, lower lip trauma, limited mouth opening, and difficulties in cleaning the oral cavity. The patients were sedated under general anesthesia, while the dentist injected the masseter and temporalis muscles bilaterally with 150 and 75 units of BTX-A each. Clinical examinations were conducted at 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after the initial appointment. We found statistically significant decreases in muscle spasticity and bruxism ( p = 0.002), improved inter-incisal opening ( p = 0.002), improved oral hygiene ( p = 0.031), and less lower lip trauma ( p = 0.060) after the neuromuscular blocking.     

NDT competence of nurses caring for patients with stroke.

Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) is the most used rehabilitation approach in the treatment of patients with stroke in the Western world today, despite the lack of evidence for its efficacy. The aim of this study was to conduct an intervention check and measure the nurses' competence, in positioning stroke patients according to the NDT approach. The sample consisted of 144 nurses in six neurological wards who were observed while positioning stroke patients according to the NDT approach. The nurses' combined mean competence scores within the wards was 195 (70%) of 280 (100%) possible, and for each ward the mean score varied between 181 (65%) and 206 (74%). This study indicates that nurses working in hospitals where the NDT approach has been implemented have the knowledge and skills to provide NDT nursing.     

Endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy: an audit of difficulties, outcome, and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the procedure in terms of technical difficulties, patient satisfaction, symptom relief, recurrence, and further management. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study including 41 patients who underwent endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy. Clinical notes were reviewed, and patients were sent a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using the chi(2) square test. SETTING: Teaching hospital. RESULTS: Larger pouches had the best results; 81.578% were satisfied with the surgery, and 86.84% had improved swallowing. Complications presented in 6 patients (15%), including a perforated pouch and an esophageal perforation. Complications were more frequent in small pouches. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy offers rapid recovery in most patients, with early oral intake and short hospital stay. There is a high degree of symptoms relief, and the patient's satisfaction rate is high. The assessment of the pharyngeal pouch size is an important factor when deciding the best management for a patient with a pharyngeal pouch.     

Diagnostic utility of S100A1 expression in renal cell neoplasms: an immunohistochemical and quantitative RT-PCR study.

S100A1 is a calcium-binding protein, which has been recently found in renal cell neoplasms. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemical detection of S100A1 in 164 renal cell neoplasms. Forty-one clear cell, 32 papillary, and 51 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas, and 40 oncocytomas, 164 samples of normal renal parenchyma adjacent to the tumors and 13 fetal kidneys were analyzed. The levels of S100A1 mRNA detected by quantitative RT-PCR analysis of frozen tissues from seven clear cell, five papillary, and six chromophobe renal cell carcinomas, four oncocytomas, and nine samples of normal renal tissues adjacent to neoplasms were compared with the immunohistochemical detection of protein expression. Clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas showed positive reactions for S100A1 in 30 out of 41 tumors (73%) and in 30 out of 32 (94%) tumors, respectively. Thirty-seven renal oncocytomas out of 40 (93%) were positive for S100A1, whereas 48 of 51 (94%) chromophobe renal cell carcinomas were negative. S100A1 protein was detected in all samples of unaffected and fetal kidneys. S100A1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in all normal kidneys and renal cell neoplasms, although at very different levels. Statistical analyses comparing the different expression of S100A1 in clear cell and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas observed by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods showed significant values (P<0.001), such as when comparing by both techniques the different levels of S100A1 expression in chromophobe renal cell carcinomas and oncocytomas (P<0.001). Our study shows that S100A1 protein is expressed in oncocytomas, clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas but not in chromophobe renal cell carcinomas. Its immunodetection is potentially useful for the differential diagnosis between chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma. Further, S100A1 protein expression is constantly detected in the normal parenchyma of the adult and fetal kidney.     

Advanced systemic sclerosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension and complete atrioventricular block: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs, in which the heart is frequently (40-70% of patients) and severely involved. Pulmonary hypertension affects 10-15% of patients with SSc and is one of the most important complications adversely influencing their survival. CASE REPORT: The case report presents a 59-year-old male patient with advanced systemic sclerosis whose initial examination revealed pulmonary hypertension, rhythm and atrioventricular conduction disturbances, and elevated level of NT-proBNP. After six months the patient deteriorated; an increase in NT-proBNP level and progression of pulmonary hypertension were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The described case is followed by a discussion of cardiovascular involvement in systemic sclerosis and emphasizes that heart involvement in SSc may have very serious clinical implications.     

Absolute and relative activities of platinum-complexes on human tumors as evaluated by an antimetabolic in vitro assay

An in vitro assay, which evaluates drug effect on ³H-thymidine incorporation, was used to investigate the absolute and relative activities of cisplatin (DDP), carboplatin (CBDCA) and iproplatin (CHIP) on 317 specimens from untreated tumors, including breast and ovarian cancers and malignant melanomas. Similar activities were generally observed for DDP and CHIP, whereas CBDCA exhibited a lower, although not significantly different cytotoxicity on breast and ovarian cancers. The relative activities of Platinum analogues were analyzed on 239 two-way drug sensitivity comparisons. The overall agreement rates ranged from 80.2 to 83.9% for the different comparisons. High coresistance, from 61.1 to 93.8%, was observed for all the comparisons, regardless of the tumor type. Cosensitivity rates were poor for breast and ovarian cancers, from 0 to 37.5%, whereas for melanomas an association in sensitivity was observed in 80% of the cases.     

Effectiveness of health education for puerperae

A survey was conducted in early 1985 among 366 new mothers at 3 hospitals in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, to assess their level of health information regarding the care of newborns. The 11 study variables included breastfeeding, weaning, bathing the newborn, care of clothing and equipment for the baby, well baby visits, vaccination, accidents and safety, parent-child relations, sex education, and the puerperium. The level of information on these topics was generally low and was adequate only for breastfeeding. The information deficit was not related to urban or rural residence, parity, or educational level. The lack of knowledge of new mothers was attributed to the lack of motivation of health personnel at all levels to provide health education, inadequate use of existing information channels, and a lack of emphasis on health education within the general educational system.