Urethral obstruction by Dioctophyma renale in puppy

The authors describe the occurrence of obstruction of the pelvic urethra in a 6-month-old canine due to a single Dioctophyma renale female parasite. Diagnosis and treatment approaches are discussed.     

Cotton cellulose nanofiber/chitosan nanocomposite: characterization and evaluation of cytocompatibility

Abstract

Cellulose is a renewable polymer quite abundant on the Earth and very attractive for applications in the construction of eco-friendly biomedical products. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical-physical characteristics of cotton cellulose nanofiber (CCN)/chitosan nanocomposite and its cytocompatibility with human embryonic kidney cells. First, the chemical composition, swelling ratio and surface topography of the nanocomposite were evaluated. Cytocompatibility was then assessed through spreading, proliferation and viability of cells. The experimental results showed that the CCN was an effective nanomaterial agent for increasing the roughness surface of chitosan film. Cell proliferation and changes in cell morphology indicated that the nanocomposite led to improved cell spreading and growth. Cell viability did not decrease after 24?h. However, the cell survival on the nanocomposite was affected at 72?h. The results indicate that CCN/chitosan nanocomposite could be a promising biocompatible biomaterial for biomedical applications.     

Retreatability of BC Sealer and AH Plus root canal sealers using new supplementary instrumentation protocol during non-surgical endodontic retreatment

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementary techniques (ultrasonic tip/XP-endo Finisher R) in removing remaining filling materials...     

Stimulus-response properties of motor system in patients with cerebellar ataxia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the stimulus-response properties of the excitatory and inhibitory components of corticospinal projections at rest and during voluntary contraction in cerebellar patients. METHODS: We investigated motor evoked potential (MEP) and cortical silent period recruitment curves in response to increasing intensities of transcranial magnetic stimulation in 8 patients with 'pure' cerebellar syndromes and in 14 age-matched controls. The transcranial magnetic stimulation intensity was increased from 90 to 180% of the resting motor threshold. MEP recruitment curves were recorded at rest and during voluntary contraction in the right abductor pollicis brevis muscle. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found between patients and controls in MEP recruitment curves in either the resting or active condition. A significant difference was found between patients and controls in the cortical silent period threshold (patients: 33.2+/-3.4% of maximal stimulator output; controls 39.4+/-3.2%; P=0.01) and recruitment curve, the duration of the cortical silent period being longer in patients at transcranial magnetic stimulation intensities ranging from 90 to 130% of the resting motor threshold (patients: 135-191 ms; controls: 53-158 ms). No changes were found in the silent period evoked by peripheral nerve stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibitory components of corticospinal projections were recruited with a lower threshold in patients. No abnormalities were found in the recruitment of the excitatory networks. Our data show a prevalence of inhibitory phenomena in the motor cortex of cerebellar patients. These findings would appear to be specific to cerebellar diseases and are the opposite of those previously documented in movement disorders such as dystonia and Parkinson's disease. Our results suggest that the cerebellum and the basal ganglia may counteract each other in modulating the level of motor system excitability.     

Pharmacokinetics of 7-con-O-methylnogarol in patients with solid tumors

Summary The pharmacokinetics of 7-con-O-methylnogarol were investigated by HPLC assay with fluorometric detection in nine cancer patients with normal hepatic and renal function, after a 2-h infusion of 160 or 200 mg/m². The drug disappeared from plasma biexponentially with a mean elimination half-life of 38±3 h; the mean apparent volume of distribution and the plasma clearance were 805±91 l/m² and 14±2 l/h per m². Within 48 h of administration, urinary excretion of the drug and its metabolite 7-con-O-methyl-N-demethylnogarol accounted for 2%–15% and 0.1%–6% of the dose, respectively. Neither 7-con-O-methylnogarol nor its N-demethyl derivative was conjugated with glucuronic acid or sulfate in detectable amounts.     

Aging and Urbanization: The Neighborhood Perception and Functional Performance of Elderly Persons in Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area—Brazil

Currently, half of the world population resides in cities. The percentage of world population that is elderly is expected to double from 11% to 22% by 2050 and will be concentrated in urban areas of developing countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional status of elderly who live in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was employed as the theoretical model. Probabilistic sampling was used to select 1,611 elderly persons (defined as ≥60 years) for the study. The response variable “functional performance” was developed by counting the number of basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) that subjects found difficult to carry out. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model was fitted to the data. The prevalence of disability was 47.1%. Neighborhood self-perception revealed that 84.0% of the elderly were satisfied with their neighborhood, although only 18.4% trusted people around them. Concerns about walking around the neighborhood were: fear of being robbed (78.0%) and fear of falling due to sidewalk defects (48.2%), which caused a 62% increase in the number of ADL carried out with difficulty. It is well known that there is a continuous tendency for functional results to improve as the frequency of walking increases. Thus, urban infrastructure interventions, such as improving public sidewalks, might influence the frequency of elderlies walking in their neighborhoods. Making walking possible—or even pleasant—could increase their social participation and use of services.     

Pharmacokinetics of VM 26 given intrapericardially or intravenously in patients with malignant pericardial effusion

Summary Three patients with lung cancer (1 SCLC, 2 NSCLC) and pericardial malignant effusion received 100 mg/m² Teniposide (VM 26) i.v. and, 1 week later, 50 mg/m² intrapericardially. Plasma, pericardial, and urine levels of the drug were measured in all patients after the two treatments by a HPLC assay. After intrapericardial administration, a high VM 26 concentration was found in the pericardial cavity and slow systemic drug absorption was observed. Since the drug AUC after intrapericardial administration was approximately 15–21 times that after i.v. administration, it could be that this treatment is more effective against neoplastic deposits localized in the pericardium. Even though this small series does not permit conclusions to be drawn on the efficacy of VM 26 given intrapericardially, the lack of local toxicity, minimal systemic toxicity, and the response observed in two out of three patients given intrapericardial VM 26 suggest that further investigation should be carried out on this method of VM 26 administration.