Quantitative Computed Tomography: What Clinical Questions Can it Answer in Chronic Lung Disease?

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has recently gained an important role in the functional assessment of chronic lung disease. Its capacity in diagnostic, staging, and prognostic evaluation in this setting is similar to that of traditional pulmonary function testing. Furthermore, it can demonstrate lung injury before the alteration of pulmonary function test parameters, and it enables the classification of disease phenotypes, contributing to the customization of therapy and performance of comparative studies without the intra- and inter-observer variation that occurs with qualitative analysis. In this review, we address technical issues with QCT analysis and demonstrate the ability of this modality to answer clinical questions encountered in daily practice in the management of patients with chronic lung disease.

     

Carotid intima media thickness measurements coupled with stroke severity strongly predict short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a machine learning study

Metabolic Brain Disease - Acute ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity, functional disability and mortality worldwide. The objective was to evaluate IS risk factors and...     

Gene transduction in skin cells: preventing cancer in xeroderma pigmentosum mice

UV radiation is the most common risk factor for skin cancer. Patients with the autosomal recessive DNA repair disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) suffer high incidence of skin cancer after sunlight exposure. XP-mutant mice are attractive models to study this syndrome, as they, too, develop UV radiation-induced skin tumors, mimicking the human phenotype. Recombinant adenovirus carrying the human XPA gene was used for in vivo gene therapy in UVB-irradiated skin of such mice. Virus s.c. injection led to the expression of the XPA protein in basal keratinocytes and prevented deleterious effects in the skin, including late development of squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, efficient adenovirus gene delivery to the skin is a promising tool for reconstitution of specific DNA repair defects in XP patients.     

The Short-term Clinical Performance of a Silorane-based Resin Composite in the Proximal Contacts of Class II Restorations

Aim: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the proximal contact of a silorane-based resin composite with a conventional methacrylate-based resin composite in class II restorations after a 6 months follow-up period. Materials and methods: After obtaining informed consent, 33 patients were randomly allocated into a test group (Filtek P90/Adhesive System-3M ESPE) or control group (Filtek P60/ Adper SE Plus-3M ESPE), and 100 direct resin composite restorations (n = 50) were placed. A single operator performed the cavities and restorations. After rubber dam placement, a metal matrix and wooden wedge were placed. The restorative systems were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 1 week, the restorations were finished and polished. The proximal contacts were assessed blindly and independently by two calibrated examiners (kW = 0.8) at the baseline and after 6 months according to a three-step grading criteria. Data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed Rank tests (a = 0.05). Results: After 6 months, 96% of the restoration contacts were present for evaluation. The frequencies of restorations classified as Bravo in control and test groups were 6 and 8% at the baseline, and 6.25 and 12.75% after 6 months. No significant difference was found between the restorative materials (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test) neither between baseline and 6 months period (p > 0.05; Wilcoxon signed Rank tests). Conclusion: Both materials performed satisfactorily over 6 months follow-up period. Clinical significance: The short-term clinical performance of a silorane-based resin composite in the proximal contacts of class II restorations was similar to the well-known methacrylate-based resin composite. Keywords: Clinical trial, Resin composite, Silorane, Proximal contact. How to cite this article: Goncalves FS, Castro CDL, Bueno AC, de Freitas ABDA, Moreira AN, Magalhaes CS. The Shortterm Clinical Performance of a Silorane-based Resin Composite in the Proximal Contacts of Class II Restorations. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):251-256. Source of support: FAPEMIG (Process CDS-APQ-01606-09) and CNPq (Process 474679-2009 8) Conflict of interest: None declared.     

Blood pressure decrease with ingestion of a soya product (kinako) or fish oil in women with the metabolic syndrome: role of adiponectin and nitric oxide

The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of fish oil and a soya-based product on inflammatory markers and endothelial function measured by NO in women with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of sixty-five women (mean age: 47·9 (sd 9·98) years) were studied in a 90-d parallel, randomised design. A control group maintained their usual diet; the second group received 29?g/d of soyabean (kinako); the third group received 3?g/d of fish oil n-3 fatty acids; and the fourth group received fish oil (3?g/d) and kinako (29?g/d). Anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), inflammatory markers, anti-inflammatory marker (adiponectin) and NO concentrations were evaluated. In relation to the baseline values, the group that received fish oil and kinako concomitantly presented a statistically significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP; P?相似文献   

CT pulmonary densitovolumetry in patients with acromegaly: a comparison between active disease and controlled disease

Objective:

Our purpose was to compare the findings of CT pulmonary densitovolumetry and pulmonary function in patients with active acromegaly and controlled acromegaly and, secondarily, to correlate these findings.

Methods:

11 patients with active acromegaly, 18 patients with controlled acromegaly and 17 control subjects, all non-smokers, underwent quantification of lung volume using multidetector CT (Q-MDCT) and pulmonary function tests.

Results:

Patients with active acromegaly had larger total lung mass (TLM) values than the controls and larger amounts of non-aerated compartments than the other two groups. Patients with active acromegaly also had larger amounts of poorly aerated compartments than the other two groups, a difference that was observed in both total lung volume (TLV) and TLM. TLV as measured by inspiratory Q-MDCT correlated significantly with total lung capacity, whereas TLV measured using expiratory Q-MDCT correlated significantly with functional residual capacity.

Conclusion:

Patients with active acromegaly have more lung mass and larger amounts of non-aerated and poorly aerated compartments. There is a relationship between the findings of CT pulmonary densitovolumetry and pulmonary function test parameters.

Advances in knowledge:

Although the nature of our results demands further investigation, our data suggest that both CT pulmonary densitovolumetry and pulmonary function tests can be used as useful tools for patients with acromegaly by assisting in the prediction of disease activity.     

PINE NANOCELLULOSE AND BACTERIAL NANOCELLULOSE DRESSINGS ARE SIMILAR IN THE TREATMENT OF SECOND-DEGREE BURN? EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN RATS

? Open in a separate windowCrusts in 7^th follow-up day: G1 yes; G2 no; G3 no (left to right)