Laser therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an overview

Clinical Oral Investigations - To evaluate therapeutic effects of laser therapy on patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis assessing evidences from previously published systematic reviews. An...     

Myocardial revascularization. The evolution of 100 cases

The postoperative course of 100 pts. that underwent aorto-coronary bypass surgery was studied at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez": 84 were men and 16 women between 37 and 74 years. 56 had previous history of myocardial infarction, while in 16 of them occurred within 30 days of the surgical procedure. 88 had symptomatic angina and 8 were in cardiac failure. The coronariography showed trivascular lesions in 73% and 8 pts. had stenosis of the left main coronary artery. Two pts. had 5 coronary grafts, 4 had 17, 3 had 37, two 35 and one 9 pts. All anterior descending coronary arteries were grafted. 61 of them and the 8 main left damaged were grafted with internal mammary artery Afert surgery; 15 pts had AMI, 4 profuse bleeding, one cardiac failure and shock. CPK enzyme levels of 500 were found in the majority of the pts with AMI with 81.2 positive predictive value and negative of 97.6. Three pts died, two at the OR with cardiac failure one of them had ventricular rupture, and the last at the ICU also with cardiac failure. We emphasize that CPK values of 500 UI or more in the postoperative course may be diagnostic of AMI.     

Intestinal IFN-γ production is associated with protection from clinical signs,but not with elimination of worms,in Echinostoma caproni infected-mice

In the present paper, we assess the relationship between the expression of IFN-γ and the development of clinical signs in Echinostoma caproni-infected mice. For this purpose, we studied the course of the infection in three mouse strains: ICR (CD-1®) (a host of high compatibility with E. caproni), BALB/c (a prototypical Th2 strain), and BALB/c deficient for IFN-γ mice (IFN-γ^?/?). Infection in ICR mice is characterized by the elevated expression of IFN-γ and iNOS in the intestine concomitantly with the lack of clinical signs. In contrast, the infection was more virulent in BALB/c and IFN-γ-deficient mice that developed a severe form of the disease together with the absence of IFN-γ expression. The disease was more severe in IFNγ^?/? mice in which the disease was lethal during the few first weeks of the infection. The analysis of different parameters of the infection in each host strain showed that most of the features were similar in the three mouse strains, suggesting the IFN-γ plays a central role in that protection against severe disease. Thus, IFN-γ seems to play a dichotomous role in the infection facilitating the parasite establishment, but it may also benefit mice since it protects the mice from morbidity and mortality induced by the parasite.     

Management of Helicobacter pylori infection in Latin America: A Delphi technique-based consensus

AIM: To optimize diagnosis and treatment guidelines for this geographic region, a panel of gastroenterologists, epidemiologists, and basic scientists carried out a structured evaluation of available literature.METHODS: Relevant questions were distributed among the experts, who generated draft statements for consideration by the entire panel. A modified three-round Delphi technique method was used to reach consensus. Critical input was also obtained from representatives of the concerned medical community. The quality of the evidence and level of recommendation supporting each statement was graded according to United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria.RESULTS: A group of ten experts was established. The survey included 15 open-ended questions that were distributed among the experts, who assessed the articles associated with each question. The levels of agreement achieved by the panel were 50% in the first round, 73.3% in the second round and 100% in the third round. Main consensus recommendations included: (1) when available, urea breath and stool antigen test (HpSA) should be used for non-invasive diagnosis; (2) detect and eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in all gastroscopy patients to decrease risk of peptic ulcer disease, prevent o retard progression in patients with preneoplastic lesions, and to prevent recurrence in patients treated for gastric cancer; (3) further investigate implementation issues and health outcomes of H. pylori eradication for primary prevention of gastric cancer in high-risk populations; (4) prescribe standard 14-d triple therapy or sequential therapy for first-line treatment; (5) routinely assess eradication success post-treatment in clinical settings; and (6) select second- and third-line therapies according to antibiotic susceptibility testing.CONCLUSION: These achievable steps toward better region-specific management can be expected to improve clinical health outcomes.     

Muscular Reconstruction and Functional Morphology of the Forelimb of Early Miocene Sloths (Xenarthra,Folivora) of Patagonia

Early Miocene sloths are represented by a diversity of forms ranging from 38 to 95 kg, being registered mainly from Santacrucian Age deposits in southern‐most shores of Patagonia, Argentina. Their postcranial skeleton differs markedly in shape from those of their closest living relatives (arboreal forms of less than 10 kg), Bradypus and Choloepus. In order to gain insight on functional properties of the Santacrucian sloths forelimb, musculature was reconstructed and a comparative, qualitative morphofunctional analysis was performed, allowing proposing hypotheses about biological role of the limb in substrate preferences, and locomotor strategies. The anatomy of the forelimb of Santacrucian sloths resembles more closely extant anteaters such as Tamandua and Myrmecophaga, due to the robustness of the elements, development of features related to attachment of ligaments and muscles, and conservative, pentadactylous, and strong‐clawed manus. The reconstructed forelimb musculature was very well developed and resembles that of extant Pilosa (especially anteaters), although retaining the basic muscular configuration of generalized mammals. This musculature allowed application of powerful forces, especially in adduction of the forelimb, flexion and extension of the antebrachium, and manual prehension. These functional properties are congruent with both climbing and digging activities, and provide support for proposed Santacrucian sloths as good climbing mammals, possibly arboreal or semiarboreal, being also capable diggers. Their climbing strategies were limited, thus these forms relied mainly on great muscular strength and curved claws of the manus to move cautiously on branches. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.