Clinical trial for evaluating the effectiveness and tolerability of topical Sphaeralcea angustifolia treatment in hand osteoarthritis

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Sphaeralcea angustifolia Cavanilles & Don (Malvaceae), known in Mexico as “Vara de San José”, is used in Mexican Traditional Medicine as an anti-inflammatory and, more specifically, for treating rheumatism. Anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated in different pharmacological models.

Aim of the study

The therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability of the topical administration of a gel elaborated with a standardized Sphaeralcea angustifolia extract applied to patients with Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) was evaluated.

Materials and methods

A pharmaceutical formulation in a gel presentation that contained a standardized extract (hydroxycoumarin content) of Sphaeralcea angustifolia was elaborated and later evaluated in a double-blind, randomized study controlled with a similar formulation containing 2% diclofenac. Treatments were administered topically for 4 weeks on the affected hand(s). Clinical evolution was followed weekly by means of the Algofunctional Index (AFI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results and discussion

A total of 130 participants were included in the study. Among these, 113 were considered in the analysis (55 in the experimental group and 58 in the control group). In both groups, important improvement in the patients' symptomatology was noted. Therapeutic effectiveness was 89% and 91.3% in the two groups, respectively, without a statistically significant difference between the groups. None of the treatments presented any adverse effects.

Conclusion

The 4-week topical administration of a gel formulation elaborated with a 1% standardized extract of Sphaeralcea angustifolia showed therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability when administered to patients with HOA, without exhibiting significant differences when compared with the effect observed in patients treated with 2% diclofenac.     

Gestational exposure to Byrsonima verbascifolia: Teratogenicity,mutagenicity and immunomodulation evaluation in female Swiss mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Byrsonima verbascifolia is used in folk medicine to treat diarrhea, intestinal infections, chronic wounds, Chagas disease, inflammation and as a diuretic. However there is no investigation regarding the Byrsonima verbascifolia hydrometanolic extract (BVHME) used during gestation.

Materials and methods

The pregnant females were randomly divided into 5 groups. Control group received saline plus DMSO (1%) in a volume of 0.1 mL/10 g (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the gestational period. The Pre-treatment group received the BVHME, via gavage, at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.) for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to the appearance of the vaginal plug. The Organogenesis group received the BVHME at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, on the 5–15th gestational day. The Gestational group received the BVHME at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, throughout the gestational period (from the 1st to the 18th day of pregnancy). The Pre+Gestational group received the BVHME at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to throughout the gestational period. The clinical signals of maternal and fetuses toxicity were evaluated, as the mutagenicity and immunomodulation tests were performed.

Results and conclusions

The present investigation shows, for the first time, that the use of Byrsonima verbascifolia extract in pregnant Swiss mice, did not alter the female reproductive function, mutagenicity or immunostimulation as well as not interfere with embryofetal development at least in our experimental conditions.     

Differential regulation of sunitinib targets predicts its tumor-type-specific effect on endothelial and/or tumor cell apoptosis

Purpose

Sunitinib is an inhibitor of tyrosine-kinase receptors, and no biomarker predictive of sunitinib response is available. The purpose of this preclinical study was to show whether sunitinib molecular targets could be used as biomarkers to assess tumor response to sunitinib in human cancer cell line xenografts of three different tumor types.

Methods

Using mice xenografted with liver, breast and renal carcinoma cell lines, we sequentially analyzed the effect of 7-day sunitinib treatment on tumor and vascular compartments.

Results

In all xenografts, microvessel damage occurred from Day 1. Tumor damage also occurred in liver, breast, but not in renal xenografts. Using specific human and mouse probes for genes encoding sunitinib targets, we showed a significant relation between apoptotic tumor cell numbers and human PDGFRΒ and RET mRNA expression in liver cancer and to human VEGFR2 expression in breast cancer xenografts. In contrast, in renal cancer xenografts, vascular effect evaluated by measuring endothelial cell apoptosis was related to mouse Vegfr1, Vegfr2 and Vegfa-164 expression.

Conclusion

This study identifies sunitinib vascular and tumor effects according to different tumor types and shows that sunitinib molecular targets used as biomarkers enable assessment of therapeutic response.     

Retention of provisional crowns cemented with eight temporary cements: comparative study

Many temporary cements are commercially available; therefore, it is necessary to indicate them for each clinical requirement with regard to the tensile strength of prosthetic retainers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the retention of provisional crowns cemented with eight temporary cements, over full crown preparations with standardized mechanical principles as height, taper, and length. For that purpose, eighty human first premolars received full crown preparation with standardized height and taper. Provisional crowns were fabricated and luted with eight brands of temporary cements. Twenty four hours after cementation, the restorations were submitted to tensile strength test in a universal testing machine and the data submitted to ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. Mean tensile strength values ranged from 20.1N for Nogenol cement to 67.5N for Hydro C cement. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between Hydro C and the other groups, except for Temp Bond and Rely X Temp, which presented statistically significant difference when compared to Freegenol and Nogenol temporary cements. The crowns cemented with Hydro C cement were more retentive that than those cemented with the other cements, except for Rely X Temp and Temp Bond. The less retentive crowns were those cemented with Nogenol and Freegenol temporary cements.     

Hydrophobicity of graphene as a driving force for inhibiting biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Objective

To evaluate the surface and wettability characteristics and the microbial biofilm interaction of graphene coating on titanium.

Tissue destruction in periodontitis: bacteria or cytokines fault?

The pathogenesis of periodontal disease involves the sequential activation of a great variety of components of the host immune response, primarily acting to defend periodontal tissues against bacterial aggression, but also functioning as mediators of tissue destruction. The expression of the disease results from the interaction of host, microbiological agents, and environmental factors. Leukocytes play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease, producing different cytokines, chemokines, and other mediators, thus generating a host defense response, as well as inducing tissue inflammation and bone destruction. The aim of this review is to address the role of some inflammatory mediators in response to bacterial aggression in periodontitis.     

Comparison of congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratios calculated by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Objective: To compare congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) volume to head circumference ratios (CVRs) determined by different imaging modalities and calculation techniques.

Methods: Fetal thoracic lesion images by ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively reviewed and the CVRs were calculated. The CVR^US was determined by the standard method. The CVR^MRI was calculated from T2-weighted sequences (HASTE/SSH-TSE) in two ways, dimensional measurements analogous to US technique (MRI-D) and by using a MRI-software calculated volume (MRI-V). CVR values between methods were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank testing, Bland–Altman analyses, and Spearman correlations.

Results: Appropriate images were available to compare CVR^US to CVR^MRI-D for 20 patients and CVR^US to CVR^MRI-V for 18 patients. There were no significant differences in CVR values between modalities. By Bland–Altman analyses, the CVR measurements were largely within the limits of agreement: 18 of 20 for CVR^MRI-D and 17 of 18 for CVR^MRI-V, with a slight bias towards larger measurements by MRI.

Conclusions: Though values varied between modalities for individual patients, there was no systematic difference in CVRs determined by US or MRI. Fetal prognostic category for CPAMs did not change based on MRI in any patient in this series.     

Sugarcane biopolymer membrane: experimental evaluation in the middle ear

New developments on biomaterials are important in surgery. The behavior of a new membrane produced from sugarcane will be evaluated in the middle ear of rats.Aim: This study analyzed the results from the interaction of the sugarcane-base biopolymer membrane in the middle ear of a rat.Materials and Methods: We ran an experimental, prospective, paired study with 24 Wistar rats. The sugarcane-base polymer membrane was inoculated in the right ear; and an autologous fascia in the left ear. The rats were divided in 3 groups of 8, and slaughtered at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Histological analyses were performed on the rats' middle ear mucosa and their tympanic membranes.Results: There was an inflammatory reaction on the experimental group and middle ear subacute exudate in 50%of the cases; 30% chronic exudate; and 20% was normal. In the control group there was only one case of exudate. The inflammation was initially described as intense, but it decreased over time. Myringosclerosis was observed in both groups. The sugarcane biopolymer membrane was absorbed later when compared with fascia.Conclusion: The sugarcane biopolymer membrane induced an inflammatory reaction in the middle ear which decreased over time, and mild fibrosis. Future studies can indicate its use in otolaryngology.     

Auditory processing performance in blind people

Hearing has an important role in human development and social adaptation in blind people.ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of temporal auditory processing in blind people; to characterize the temporal resolution ability; to characterize the temporal ordinance ability and to compare the performance of the study population in the applied tests.MethodsFifteen blind adults participated in this study. A cross-sectional study was undertaken; approval was obtained from the Pernambuco Catholic University Ethics Committee, no. 003/2008.ResultsTemporal auditory processing was excellent - the average composed threshold in the original RGDT version was 4.98 ms; it was 50 ms for all frequencies in the expanded version. PPS and DPS results ranged from 95% to 100%. There were no quantitative differences in the comparison of tests; but oral reports suggested that the original RGDT original version was more difficult.ConclusionThe study sample performed well in temporal auditory processing; it also performed well in temporal resolution and ordinance abilities.