Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity and acute toxicity of Sida cordifolia L. (Malva-branca)

Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation of the oral mucosa, blenorrhea, asthmatic bronchitis and nasal congestion. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects and acute toxicity of an aqueous extract of S. cordifolia were evaluated in animal models. The extract was prepared using leaves collected before the flowering period. The aqueous extract (AE) showed a significant inhibition of carrageenin-induced rat paw edema at a dose of 400 mg/kg administered orally, but did not block the edema induced by arachidonic acid. The AE also increased the latency period for mice in the hot plate test, and inhibited the number of writhes produced by acetic acid at the oral dose of 400 mg/kg. The aqueous extract of S. cordifolia showed low acute toxicity in mice.     

Streptococcal infections

OBJECTIVES: To review the main diseases caused by the different strains of streptococcus, and to discuss the practical aspects of clinical diagnosis and the range of therapeutic treatments. METHODOLOGY: A review of the literature and a selection of the most meaningful themes for the pediatricians. RESULTS: The majority of the streptococcus described here are susceptible and have sensibility to penicillin. Different kinds of treatments aim at a better support to the offered scheme, including smaller amounts of doses per day, short-lived treatment and lowcost. CONCLUSION: Streptococcus infections are very frequently seen in the pediatrician's office. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis, and if possible a more simplified therapeutic treatment.     

Phase II evaluation of a high-dose mitoxantrone based induction regimen in untreated adults with acute myeloid leukemia

To evaluate a regimen including high-dose mitoxantrone in previously untreated adults with AML, 45 patients aged 21-59 (median 41) were given cytarabine, 3 g/m2 days 1-5, mitoxantrone, 80 mg/m2 day 2 and etoposide, 150 mg/m2 days 1,3,5. Post-remission therapy consisted of 5 cycles combining the same agents at reduced doses. Complete remission was seen in 36 patients. The observed 3-year survival is 28%. Cytogenetic pattern and CD34 expression correlated with response and survival. Significant toxicity included myelosuppression, mucositis, diarrhea and hyperbilirubinemia. Ventricular ejection fraction was generally reduced, with clinical cardiac dysfunction in only 2 patients. This high-dose mitoxantrone combination can be administered to young adults with AML with tolerable toxicity and results comparable to those of other dose-intensive regimens.     

Dual stimulation using corifollitropin alfa in 54 Bologna criteria poor ovarian responders – a case series

Research question

What are the reproductive outcomes of Bologna criteria poor responders undergoing dual stimulation (DuoStim) and subsequent cryopreserved embryo transfer?

Sleep and weight-height development

Objectives

To describe the association between sleep duration and weight–height development in children and adolescents.

The Portuguese version of “The Utrecht questionnaire for outcome assessment in aesthetic rhinoplasty”: validation and clinical application

Introduction

The evaluation of surgical outcomes measured by patient satisfaction or quality of life is very important, especially in plastic surgery. There is increasing interest in self-reporting outcomes evaluation in plastic surgery.

Risk factors for dental caries in children with cerebral palsy

This study was conducted to examine the oral condition and the salivary and microbiological parameters associated with dental caries in 62 children with cerebral palsy, who came from households of low socioeconomic status (Study Group). This group had mixed (6 to 11 years old) and permanent (11 to 16 years old) dentition. Dental examinations were performed to measure dental caries, plaque index, salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, salivary flow rate, pH of stimulated saliva, and buffer capacity of saliva. A group of 67 non-handicapped children from similar socioeconomic backgrounds also were examined using these parameters (Control Group). Data were analyzed statistically by non-parametric tests and by correlation. The results showed that children with cerebral palsy who had permanent dentitions had a higher mean decayed, missing and filled surfaces index, as well as a higher plaque index for both sexes. Microbiological examination revealed higher levels of mutans streptococci among Study Group subjects with mixed dentition than in the Control Group. Also, lactobacillus counts were higher in the Study Group, regardless of sex or dentition. With respect to salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity, lower mean values were obtained for the Study Group.     

Study and value of high amplification atrial signal in arterial hypertension]

The aim is the analysis of the P wave on the signal averaged ECG in 31 pts: 12 control pts (6 M, 6 W, 40 +/- 10 y) 12 HTA (9 M, 3 W, 60 +/- 7 y), 7 pts (5 M, 2W, 48 +/- 7 y) with sustained paroxystic atrial fibrillation (AF) without organic heart disease, without antiarrhythmic drugs. We measured the filtered P wave duration (Ad), the integral of Ad, the root mean square voltage of Ad for the last 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 msec and the duration of P wave on the ECG in lead II (P II) and the echocardiographic dimensions of the atria (LAd). HTA Ad (132 +/- 12 msec)* et > control Ad (116 +/- 10 msec) HTA LAd (38 +/- 3 mm) et > control LAd (31 +/- 0.7 mm) HTA PII (120 +/- 1.5 mm)* et > control PII (88 +/- 10 mm). The difference between HTA Ad (132 +/- 12 msec) and AF Ad (129 +/- 7 msec) is not significant. The linear regression tests don't show correlation between P II and Ad and between LAd and Ad in HTA group. There is a correlation between Ad and LAF in AF group (r = 0.83, p 0.02). HTA RMS 2o (2.2 + 0.6 microV), control RMS 2o (3.9 + 1.8 V) but HTA RMS 2o and AF RMS 2o (2.4 +/- 0.6 microV) are not significantly different and are not correlated with LAd and PII. A long duration of P filtered P wave and a low RMS 2o observed in HTA group and AF group would be a criteria of atrial vulnerability. p < 0.05.     

Somatomedin-C and growth hormone levels in anorexia nervosa in relation to the puberal or post puberal stages

1. 1. Plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C and GH were determined in 21 patients diagnosed as anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 44 controls.

2. 2. Somatomedin-C concentrations were significantly lower in pubertal AN patients than in controls, but not in post pubertal patients.

3. 3. GH was increased in both pubertal and post pubertal AN patients, although more in pubertal AN patients.

4. 4. Our results suggest that the hormonal alterations that appear in AN constitute a mechanism of defense against starvation. The activation of these defense mechanisms and the degree of modification produced in normal hormonal patterns depend not only on caloric intake but also on metabolic requirements.