Cranio-maxillofacial surgery in Corpus Hippocraticum.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the medical thoughts and practice through the ages constitutes a particular qualification for every practicing physician and surgeon, in order to become a participant of Medicine's continuity and a conscientious practitioner. Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery constitutes a significant part of the surgical writings of Corpus Hippocraticum. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The original texts of the Hippocratic Collection written in ancient Greek, as they were published along with a translation into modern Greek in G. Pournaropoulos 'Hippocrates' Works', (edited by A. Martinos), Athens 1968, were studied for any account referring to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. RESULTS: The medical views and opinions of Hippocrates regarding Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology in particular, as well as Dental Medicine in general, are disseminated in the various books of Corpus Hippocraticum, and although they are almost 3000 years old, they are still in line with current thinking to a great extent. The scope of Hippocratic perspicacity and experience regarding Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery includes dentoalveolar surgery, orofacial infections, maxillofacial trauma, dentofacial abnormalities and orthognathic surgery, as well as cranio-maxillofacial injuries. CONCLUSION: Corpus Hippocraticum in spite of time remains a unique and unrivalled work, where one can realize the power of observation, sagacity and the clinical judgement of Hippocrates regarding every aspect of Medicine, and in particular Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.     

柱前荧光标记高效液相色谱法对血浆中l-麻黄碱和d-伪麻黄碱的定量分析

l-麻黄碱和d-伪麻黄碱是生药麻黄中早为人知而至今仍被广泛用于临床的一对手性异构生物碱。由于二者为生药麻黄中的主要成分但药理活性不同,为便于临床监控及有效用药,高分辨高灵敏度的检测方法的开发迫在眉睫。本文以易于得到的dansylchloride为柱前荧光标识试剂,在确定了最佳衍生化及分离条件的基础上,建立了理想的色谱分析系统(线性检测范围1～800ng·ml^-1)。同时运用此方法,完成了对静注l-麻黄碱和d-伪麻黄碱后豚鼠血浆内该对手性异构体水平的考查,并且定量检测了服用中成药小青龙合剂后人血浆中的该对手性异构体。     

Pachygyriclike changes: topographic appearance at MR imaging and CT and correlation with neurologic status

Studies of 23 pediatric patients with pachygyriclike changes (PLCs) examined with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were reviewed to determine topographic patterns and correlate them with various clinical syndromes and degrees of neurologic impairment. Three types of topographic distributions were identified: unilateral, diffuse, and bilateral nondiffuse (of which eight of 10 showed frontotemporal predominance). PLCs were an isolated finding in seven patients, were associated with various congenital syndromes in nine patients, and were associated with congenital infection in seven patients, six of whom showed marked white matter abnormalities. Although most patients had severe developmental delay, three with nondiffuse PLCs had less severe impairment, permitting less required care.     

Expression of the inhibin/activin subunits alpha (α), beta-A (βA) and beta-B (βB) in benign human endometrial polyps and tamoxifen-associated polyps

Background Inhibins (INH) are dimeric glycoproteins, composed of an alpha subunit (INH-) and one of two possible beta subunits (INH-A or INH-B). They have substantial roles in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumours. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of INH-, INH-A and INH-B in normal human endometrium and glandular-cystic endometrial polyps, and polyps caused by tamoxifen use.Materials and methods Tissue samples were obtained from women in the proliferative, early secretory and late secretory phase as well as glandular-cystic polyps and endometrial polyps associated with tamoxifen use (n=5 each). Immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies, a semi-quantitative analysis and statistical evaluation was performed.Results INH-, INH-A and INH-B were primarily observed in glandular and luminal epithelial cells, with a variant staining intensity in stromal cells. INH- in glands was significantly higher during the early secretory phase (p<0.05) and the late secretory phase (p<0.01) than in the proliferative phase with a significant difference between the early secretory and the late secretory phases (p<0.01). INH-A expression was significantly higher during the late secretory than the proliferative phase (p<0.05) and the late secretory than the early secretory phase (p<0.05), with no significant differences for INH-B. Glandular-cystic polyps showed significantly lower expression of INH- and INH-A than the late secretory endometria (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Additionally, tamoxifen-associated polyps also demonstrated a significantly lower expression of INH- and INH-A than late secretory endometria (p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively). No statistical differences were observed between tamoxifen-associated and glandular-cystic polyps.Discussion INH-, INH-A and INH-B were expressed in normal endometrium and endometrial polyps. A cyclical expression of INH- and INH-A in normal glands may reflect a functional and hormone-dependent role in human endometrium. Significant differences in staining reaction between the late secretory endometria and polyps suggest that this tissue remains in the proliferating state rather than the secretory state. Therefore, endometrial polyps may be tumours of dysregulation with mainly proliferating characteristics, being unable to synchronise with normal endometrium.     

Isolation of intestinal spirochaetes from homosexuals

Spirochaetes were isolated from rectal swabs of two homosexuals and the faeces of a third, using simple isolation techniques not previously applied to specimens of this type. The ease of culture of these organisms will enable their distribution and pathogenicity to be studied, particularly in relation to their significance in homosexuals.     

A pilot, open label, clinical trial using hydroxyzine in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of myelin destruction. Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption precedes pathological or clinical findings and could involve mediators from perivascular brain mast cells, such as histamine and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Mast cells could be activated by many triggers, including acute stress that has been correlated with MS exacerbations. We considered that the histamine-1 (H1) receptor antagonist hydroxyzine, which also partially inhibits brain mast cells and has anxiolytic properties, may reduce MS symptoms. This open label, pilot, clinical trial investigated the effect on MS of an oral solution of hydroxyzine (100 mg per day), together with caffeine (200 mg per day) to reduce sedation. Twenty patients (8 males; 12 females) with relapsing-remitting or relapsing-progressive MS completed the study (12 +/- 1 months) and were evaluated using disability scales. Most patients on hydroxyzine (75%) remained stable or improved neurologically and all but one showed improved mood. Hydroxyzine could be used as an adjuvant in MS, but the small number of patients enrolled and the short duration of the study precludes any definitive conclusions. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study is warranted.