Elimination of Elyzol® 25% Dentalgel matrix from periodontal pockets

Abstract Elyzo® 25% Dentalgel (EDG) which is developed for use in the treatment of periodontitis is a suspension of metronidazole benzoate (40%) in a mixture of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and triglyceride (sesame oil). Metronidazole can be detected in the periodontal pockets 24–36 h after application. The aim of the present study was to estimate the period of time that the gel matrix persists on periodontal pockets after 1 application of EDG. 12 patients were included in the study. From each patient, 1 sample was taken before and immeditely after, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after application. Subgingival scaling followed by absorption of gingival crevicular fluid with filter paper was used for sampling. The sampling unit was 1 tooth. Each sample was assayed for the amount of GMO and oleic acid (a degradation product of GMO) by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. To allow determination of the GMO dose applied into the pockets and to estimate the recovery rate of the sampling method, 1 tooth in each patient was selected for sampling as soon as the gel had set, i.e., about 10 min after application. Only in 1 patient was a detectable amount of GMO within the pocket revealed 24 h after application. This amount was approximately 0.5% of the mean GMO dose applied around 1 tooth. GMO was found no longer than 12 h in the remaining patients.     

CSF markers for Alzheimer's disease: total tau, phospho-tau and Abeta42.

Today we have the first therapeutic compounds for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) e.g. acetylcholine esterase inhibitors and in the near future we may expect new compounds such as gamma- and beta-secretase inhibitors. This has demanded increased accuracy in the diagnosis of AD and thus, among other possible approaches, diagnostic markers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have become a rapidly growing research field. Especially early in the course of the disease, when correct diagnosis is most difficult, such biomarkers would be especially valuable as one might expect the compounds to have the greatest potential of being effective. Two of the defining lesions in AD brains are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles with beta-amyloid (Abeta) and tau proteins as the main components respectively. Abeta and tau proteins are secreted to body fluids including plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In this paper we review CSF markers for AD, with focus on their role in the clinical diagnosis. Reduced CSF levels of the 42 amino acid form of Abeta (Abeta42) and increased CSF levels of total tau (T-tau) in AD have been found in numerous studies, with high sensitivity figures. However, the specificity against other dementias is lower. The addition of phospho-tau (P-tau) seems to increase the specificity, since normal levels are found in other dementias and in cerebrovascular disease. An increasing number of studies suggests that these CSF markers perform well enough to have a role in the clinical work-up of patients with dementia if used together. We stress that the CSF markers should be combined with the clinical information and brain-imaging techniques.     

Indoor application of anti-cholinesterase agents and the influence of personal protection on uptake

The relationship between plasma-cholinesterase (ChE) measures and the uptake of anti-cholinesterase agents among 125 greenhouse sprayers in connection with normal working conditions were studied. An in-season ChE depression was observed indicating absorption of organophosphate (OP) or carbamate insecticides (p=0.0001). The in-season enzyme depression among sprayers, exclusively exposed to carbamates (p=0.06), probably reflects chronic percutaneous or oral uptake in the intervals between spraying by cultivating pretreated flowers. The frequency of applications (p=0.03) and the wearing of protective clothings (p=0.02) seems to be working habits, which significantly influenced the ChE activities, whereas gloves or face mask did not (p>0.05). Especially, the wearing of whole-body protective clothing (p=0.008) are of particular value in preventing percutaneous absorption.     

Sustained attention and awareness of disability in chronic neglect

The possible causative role of defective sustained attention and awareness of disability on the persistence of neglect was explored. The study included stroke patients who had had moderate or severe neglect 1–5 years before the start of the present examination. Questionnaire responses showed that the patients were aware of their disability. Impaired sustained attention was associated with poor performance in two out of three tests most sensitive in detecting neglect. This, together with indications of compensation on neglect tests, is interpretated as providing support for the hypothesis that chronic neglect is related to an impaired sustained attention.     

3H-Thymidine Autoradiography and Cytophotometric Analysis of Needle Aspirates from Human Tumours During Radiation Therapy, Endocrine Therapy and Chemotherapy

Cell kinetic variables in human turnours were investigated before and during therapy. Tumour cell material was collected by sequential thin needle aspiration biopsy. Small variations in DNA replication could be detected by ³H-thymidine autoradiography. In tumours with a high rate of replication, therapy induced changes could also be detected with flow cytometry and static cytophotometry. Endocrine treatment with glucocorticoids, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were associated with reduced rates of DNA replication in malignant lymphomas. The conformity between labelling index and S-phase estimates from DNA histograms was poorer in biopsy specimens collected during therapy than in pretreatment specimens.     

Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties of Surface-active Alkyltrimethylammonium Bromides in the Rat

Abstract: Acute intravenous toxicity and pharmacological properties of surface-active alkyltrimethylammonium bromides (C₁₀-C₂₀) were studied in female rats. The acute toxicity of the surfactants decreased with an increasing length of the alkyl chain up to a chain length of 16 carbon atoms. Death appeared to be due to respiratory failure. The twitch responses of sciatic nerve-gastrocnemius muscle preparations were reversibly depressed at direct and indirect stimulation following intravenous injections of sublethal doses of C₁₀-C₁₄. Doses blocking the twitch responses of indirectly stimulated gastrocnemius corresponded to about half the LD50, and at these doses C₁₀-C₁₄ caused a transient decrease in respiratory rate. The C₁₆ homologue caused respiratory arrest without affecting the twitch responses of gastrocnemius at relative low intravenous doses. Sublethal intravenous doses of C₁₂-C₂₀ caused, apparently due to vasodilatation, a tarnsient fall in arterial blood pressure. The depressor response increased and the twitch response decreased with an increase in the length of the alkyl chain up to a chain length of 16 carbon atoms. Both the depression of skeletal muscle contraction and the vasodilatation is suggested to originate from a non-specific effect of the surfactants on muscle cells.