1-(7-Chloroquinolin-4-yl)-2-[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene]hydrazine: a potent compound against cancer

Heteroaromatic derivatives (3a–f) have been synthesized and evaluated for their activity against four cancer cell lines. Among the studied compounds, 1-(7-Chloroquinolin-4-yl)-2-[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene]hydrazine (3e) exhibited an excellent cytotoxic activity against the referred lines, and especially on melanoma cells (MDAMB-435). In this case, compound 3e is four times more active than the standard substance Doxorubicin. Together with other results from our group, 7-chloro-4-quinolinylhydrazones derived from chloroquine could be considered a relevant finding toward the rational design of new leads for antitumor compounds.     

A rationale method for evaluating unscrewing torque values of prosthetic screws in dental implants

Objectives

Previous studies that evaluated the torque needed for removing dental implant screws have not considered the manner of transfer of the occlusal loads in clinical settings. Instead, the torque used for removal was applied directly to the screw, and most of them omitted the possibility that the hexagon could limit the action of the occlusal load in the loosening of the screws. The present study proposes a method for evaluating the screw removal torque in an anti-rotational device independent way, creating an unscrewing load transfer to the entire assembly, not only to the screw.

Material and methods

Twenty hexagonal abutments without the hexagon in their bases were fixed with a screw to 20 dental implants. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 used titanium screws and Group 2 used titanium screws covered with a solid lubricant. A torque of 32 Ncm was applied to the screw and then a custom-made wrench was used for rotating the abutment counterclockwise, to loosen the screw. A digital torque meter recorded the torque required to loosen the abutment.

Results

There was a significant difference between the means of Group 1 (38.62±6.43 Ncm) and Group 2 (48.47±5.04 Ncm), with p=0.001.

Conclusion

This methodology was effective in comparing unscrewing torque values of the implant-abutment junction even with a limited sample size. It confirmed a previously shown significant difference between two types of screws.     

A nomogram to predict postresection 5-year overall survival for patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND:

The clinical course of patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is difficult to predict with the currently available categorical staging systems of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a novel, clinically relevant, individualized prognostic model for patients with uterine LMS.

METHODS:

Patients with uterine LMS who presented at the authors' institution from 1982 to 2008 were analyzed. The nomogram model was chosen based on the clinical evidence and statistical significance of the predictors, including age at diagnosis, tumor size, histologic grade, uterine cervix involvement, extrauterine spread, distant metastases, and mitotic index. Five‐year overall survival (OS) was the predicted endpoint. The concordance probability (CP) was used as a predictive accuracy measure and compared with the CP of current staging systems. The model was internally validated using 200 bootstrap samples to correct for over fitting.

RESULTS:

One hundred eighty‐five of 270 patients were eligible for the nomogram analysis. The median follow‐up was 5.4 years, and the median OS was 3.75 years (95% confidence interval, 3‐6 years). The CP of the newly developed nomogram was 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.63‐0.72). This was superior to predictions based on AJCC and FIGO staging. The bootstrap‐validated CP was 0.65 with good calibration accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors developed and internally validated a uterine LMS‐specific nomogram to predict 5‐year OS. This novel, individualized prognostic model outperforms traditionally used categorical staging systems and may be useful for patient counseling and for better selection of patients for adjuvant therapy trials. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

Oral complaints in progressive systemic sclerosis: two cases report

Progressive systemic sclerosis is a chronic sclerotic disease which causes diffuse, increased deposition of extracellular matrix in connective tissue with vascular abnormalities, resulting in tissue hypoxia. Aesthetic and facial dysfunction are followed by important oral and facial manifestation of disturbances such as xerostomia, the lack of saliva in the mouth, and its associated complications. Most clinical manifestations begin with tongue rigidity. The facial skin changes and bone resorption of mandible angle are often reported. Other systemic changes include the involvement of internal organs which leads to serious complications as well as disorders in the cardiac muscle and Raynaud's phenomenon. The objective of the this paper is to report two cases of systemic sclerosis in patients with oral and facial manifestations of the disease. A brief review of the literature, focusing on deontological alterations is also presented.     

Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Auxiliary Treatment for Chronic Headache

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as an auxiliary analgesic treatment for chronic headaches and the influence of this treatment on the quality of life, as the effectiveness of acupuncture in chronic headache is still controversial.

Socio-demographic differentials in the functional decline among the elderly in Brazil

There is a positive reversion in the expectations regarding the health condition of the elderly population, possibly due to the progresses in medical technology; behavioural changes; development of special programmes for the elderly; improvements in the socio-economic status; decrease of infectious diseases. This study aims analyzing differentials in the prevalence rates of mobility disability among elderly people in Brazil. The data used were from 'The 1998 and 2003 National Household Survey (PNAD)', conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geographic and Statistics (IBGE). The two samples were nationally representative, including approximately 30 thousand individuals aged 60 years or more respectively. "Difficulty to walk more than 100 meters" was the variable selected as the indicator of disability. Socio-demographic status measures were sex, age group, region of residence and family income per capita. Comparison of the PNAD results of 1998 and 2003 showed that over that period in Brazil the elderly disability rates decreased among all socio-demographic groups considered. Public policies directed to the elderly must focus on reducing mobility disability.     

Horizontally root fractured teeth with pulpal vitality - two case reports

This case study reports the successful outcome of horizontal root fractures of two different patients, which took place in permanent incisors. Report 1 describes a case of a 29-year-old patient who suffered a mandibular trauma affecting mainly the lower central incisors, caused by a car accident. A panoramic radiograph was taken right after the accident and showed a horizontal root fracture in the middle third of tooth 42, which went untreated. Report 2 illustrates a case of a 17-year-old male patient who searched for orthodontic therapy and the periapical radiograph showed horizontal root fracture in tooth 11 caused by a previous trauma, which went untreated as well. There was healing through the reestablishment of pulp activity and dental coloration without professional intervention.     

Fully endoscopic stapes surgery (stapedotomy): technique and preliminary results

Stapedotomies are perfomed with the aid of surgical microscopes. However, the microscope has some limitations and may cause complications such as damage to the chorda tympani nerve. There are just a few cases and no series published on the use of sino-nasal endoscopes in stapedotomies.Objectivesa) To investigate the feasibility of using sino-nasal endoscopes in stapedotomies, focusing on the visualization of important structures. b) To show initial results, discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this instrument.Methods15 patients with otosclerosis were selected to undergo stapedotomies in 2010. The data and surgery videos were analyzed retrospectively (study case series). The anatomical conditions of the oval window niche and surgical steps were described and used to assess possible benefits of such procedures.ResultsThe surgeries were performed with endoscopes only and all relevant anatomical structures were visualized without difficulty. No complications were observed and 14 of the 15 patients reported improvement of their hearing, confirmed by postoperative audiological tests.ConclusionTotally endoscopic stapes surgeries are technically feasible, safe and promising. In this small series, the main advantages were: virtually no trauma to the chorda tympani nerve and excellent vision. The disadvantages were the lack of stereoscopic vision, having to work with one hand only and the learning curve.