Quality of life and self-esteem outcomes following rhytidoplasty

To evaluate improvement in patients' quality of life and self-esteem as a result of rhytidoplasty, 32 Caucasian female patients with facial rhytidosis, aged 46 to 68, were selected consecutively from a waiting list and underwent rhytidoplasty. The widely used health evaluation tool Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, a specific tool for self-esteem assessment, were used. Evaluations were carried out preoperatively and in the second and sixth months postoperative. Significant improvements were observed in 4 out of 8 aspects evaluated through SF-36, as well as in self-esteem, 2 and 6 months after surgery. The results presented here indicate that rhytidoplasty confers substantial improvement in health status and psychologic functioning of patients by increasing both quality of life and self-esteem.     

Protein L-agarose for adsorption of autoantibodies: a potential tool for extracorporeal treatment

This work investigated the adsorption of autoantibodies such as anti-SS-A/Ro, anti-SS-B/La, anti-Sm, and anti-dsDNA on protein L-agarose gel. In order to determine better conditions for IgG adsorption on this matrix, some buffer systems were tested. Adsorption data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models. The experimental isotherms were best described by the Langmuir-Freundlich model, which indicated negative and positive cooperativities for binding in the presence of PBS and HEPES buffers, respectively. The K(d) values for phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) were 2.8 x 10(-7) M and 3.2 x 10(-7) M, respectively, which indicate a high affinity between IgG and the immobilized protein L. The amount of protein adsorbed per amount of protein loaded was high for anti-Sm (44%) and anti-dsDNA (46%), but low for anti-SS-B/La (9%). The amount of albumin adsorbed was lower than 0.06 mg/mL, which may remove the need for a plasma replacement solution in clinical apheresis.     

Squamous cell carcinoma in bladder extrophy

Bladder extrophy is a rare congenital malformation that nowadays is surgically corrected in neonatal period. We present a case report of a 71-year-old male with a verrucous squamous cell carcinoma arising in a classical uncorrected form of bladder extrophy.     

Spermatic cord mass as a manifestation of systemic vasculitis: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis in the spermatic cord in a 35-year-old man with an antecedent of brain stroke 3 years before. The clinical manifestation was as a painless left scrotal mass. The diagnosis was established by histological examination of the spermatic cord. We discuss the physical findings, radiological features and pathological findings, reviewing the literature for previous similar cases.     

In vitro antifungal susceptibilities of Sporothrix schenckii in two growth phases

We have determined the antifungal susceptibilities of 34 clinical isolates of the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii to 11 drugs using a microdilution method. In general, the type of growth phase (mycelial or yeast) and the temperature of incubation (30 or 35 degrees C) exerted a significant influence on the MICs.     

The effect of insertion and photopolymerization techniques on microleakage of class V cavities--a quantitative evaluation

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate by spectrophotometry the influence of the incremental technique and progressive light curing in the microleakage of Class V cavities. Forty samples were prepared with class V cylindrical cavities on the buccal root surface of bovine incisive teeth and filled with composite resin (Z250). The samples were divided into four groups: I: cavity was bulk filled and the composite was light cured for 40 seconds; Group II: cavity was bulk filled and a 'soft-start" polymerization was used; Group III: cavity was filled with the incremental technique in two coats and light cured for 40 seconds; Group IV: cavity was filled with the incremental technique in two coats and light cured with "soft-start" polymerization. After the restoration, the specimens were thermally stressed for 3,000 cycles in bath at 5 +/- 2 degrees C and 55 +/- 2 degrees C, protected with nail enamel, colored with 2% methylene blue and cut into sections. These sections were triturated and the dye was recovered with PA ethanol and the supernatant was evaluated. The data were submitted to ANOVA and the results showed the following averages: bulk filled and conventional photopolymerization (I) 0.06075 microg/ml; bulk filled and progressive photopolymerization (II) 0.04030 microg/ml; incremental insertion and conventional photopolymerization (III) 0.04648 microg/ml; incremental insertion and progressive photopolymerization (IV) 0.04339 microg/ml. No significant statistic differences were observed among the mean values. The Degulux "soft-start" equipment probably emits too high initial light intensity to promote progressive photopolymerization.     

Antiproliferative and apoptotic potencies of glucocorticoids: nonconcordance with their antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties

Relative antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive potencies of glucocorticoids (GC) were previously well defined. Nonetheless, GC also regulate cell proliferation and programmed death (apoptosis). The aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of different GC on the modulation of cell survival. The GC-sensitive lymphoblast cell line CEM-c7/14 was submitted to 48 h-exposure to GC (dose-response curve from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M). Cell survival was analyzed employing the DimethylTiazol-Tetrazolium (MTT) test. For each GC at least 4 experiments were performed in quadruplicate. Responses to different GC at the same molarity were analyzed by ANOVA on Ranks. Cell responses to the same GC in different concentrations were tested by repeated measures ANOVA. The EC50 for each GC was calculated with the GraphPad Prism 3.0 software. The use of low concentrations (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) of hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone determined a similar effects on cell survival, which was less prominent than that observed with betamethasone, budesonide or momethasone. Momethasone was the most potent GC, inducing the most intense dexamethasone reduction on cell survival at the lowest concentration (10(-8) M). Momethasone and methylprednisolone were the two GC with the strongest impact on cell survival. Our findings suggest that antiproliferative and apoptotic potencies of GC are different from those previously reported antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive actions.     

Prenatal intramedullary gliofibroma

Summary A case of an unusual congenital intramedullary tumor of the spinal cord is reported. A paraplegic 11-day-old boy with hypotonia and atrophy of the abdominal and lower-extremity muscles showed a complete myelographic block between T-5 and T-8. Surgical exploration disclosed an elongated tumor mass within the spinal cord, that blended with the surrounding nervous-system tissue. Light and electron microscopy showed that the tumor was composed of intermingled well differentiated astrocytes and fibroblasts. These two cell types often were surrounded by the same basal lamina. There were no intercellular junctions. Gliofibrils were abundant, and the interstitial spaces contained abundant collagen and reticulin fibers There were no histological signs of malignancy. We conclude that this is a case of prenatally arising gliofibroma.