Mechanical and physical properties of silorane and methacrylate-based composites

ObjectivesThis study measured the degree of conversion (DC), sorption, solubility and microhardness of methacrylate (Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z350XT) and silorane-based composites (Filtek P90).MethodsDC was measured using near infrared spectroscopy immediately and 24 h after the photoactivation. Sorption and solubility measurements were performed after 24 h, 4 weeks and 12 weeks of storage in water. Knoop microhardness was measured after 24 h and after thermal cycling. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's, Tamhane or paired t-tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe DC for P90 (37.22 ± 1.46) was significantly lower than the Z250 (71.44 ± 1.66) and Z350 (71.76 ± 2.84). Water sorption was highest in the Z250 and lowest in the P90. All the tested composites exhibited similar values after 24 h of immersion, and no significant differences were observed. No significant differences were observed between the solubilities of the P90 composite (12 weeks) and the Z250 or Z350 composites (4 weeks). KHN values were less elevated for the P90 composite and similar for the Z250 and Z350 composites. An effect of thermal cycling on KHN values was observed for all the composites (p < 0.001).ConclusionsSilorane produced the lowest DC and KHN values and exhibited lower water sorption and solubility compared to methacrylate-based composites. These differences suggest that silorane composites exhibit better hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion compared to conventional methacrylate-based composites.Clinical significanceSilorane had higher hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion than the methacrylate-based resins, despite the lower values of DC and KHN recorded.     

Electromiografía laríngea en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los trastornos de la voz

Introduction and objectivesLaryngeal electromyography, together with clinical evaluation, is a valuable tool in voice disorder management. It assesses the integrity of laryngeal nerves and muscles, contributing to the diagnosis of many diseases, especially laryngeal movement disorders. Our purpose was to describe the experience of the first Spanish series with laryngeal electromyography in evaluating voice disorders.MethodsA prospective study was designed to evaluate laryngeal movement disorders with laryngeal electromyography. Both the cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles were tested routinely and, in some cases, the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. The laryngeal electromyography technique and result interpretation were performed by a laryngologist and a neurophysiologist.ResultsWe included 110 patients, with the most common symptom being dysphonia. Laryngeal electromyography was performed in 85% of cases. Primary diagnosis before electromyography was laryngeal immobility. Positive predictive value for diagnosis in cases of paralysis was 88%.ConclusionsLaryngeal electromyography is a useful adjunct, together with clinical evaluation, for diagnosis and management of motion abnormalities in the larynx in patients who present with dysphonia.     

Diagnóstico microbiológico de las infecciones intraabdominales

Intra-abdominal infections represent a large and wide group of diseases which include intra- and retro-peritoneal infections. Some of them could be defined as uncomplicated, where the infectious process is limited to the organ or tissue of origin (appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis…). Complications occur when the infection spreads to the peritoneum, triggering localised peritonitis and abdominal abscesses.     

Dermatoses in Latin American Immigrant Children Seen in a Universitary Hospital of Spain

Over the past 10 years Spain has become an important immigrant receiver country as the proximity with Africa and the cultural facilities with Latino-American countries have made of Spain a very attractive place to settle down for immigrants. From 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2007, all the pediatric patients visits (0–14 years old) seen in the units of the Dermatology Section of the University General Hospital of Alicante (Spain) were prospectively recorded. During the study period 3,108 visits were recorded. Of these, 447 (14.3 %) were generated by immigrant children, 243 (54.3 %) being episodes requested by 167 Latin American patients. Latin children consulted mainly in the outpatient clinic, like Spanish children. The most frequent type of dermatoses in these patients was eczema/atopic dermatitis. Infectious dermatitis showed no differences between them and Spaniards, but scabies was six times more frequent in the formers.     

Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich Fibrin Have Same Effect as Blood Clot in the 3-Dimensional Alveolar Ridge Preservation. A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial

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Inhibition of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl–Coenzyme A Reductase and Application of Statins as a Novel Effective Therapeutic Approach against Acanthamoeba Infections

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic pathogen in humans, whose infections most commonly manifest as Acanthamoeba keratitis or, more rarely, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Although there are many therapeutic options for the treatment of Acanthamoeba, they are generally lengthy and/or have limited efficacy. Therefore, there is a requirement for the identification, validation, and development of novel therapeutic targets against these pathogens. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely used for these validation purposes and has proven to be a powerful tool for Acanthamoeba therapeutics. Ergosterol is one of the major sterols in the membrane of Acanthamoeba. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, one of the precursors for the production of cholesterol in humans and ergosterol in plants, fungi, and protozoa. Statins are compounds which inhibit this enzyme and so are promising as chemotherapeutics. In order to validate whether this enzyme could be an interesting therapeutic target in Acanthamoeba, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against HMG-CoA were developed and used to evaluate the effects induced by the inhibition of Acanthamoeba HMG-CoA. It was found that HMG-CoA is a potential drug target in these pathogenic free-living amoebae, and various statins were evaluated in vitro against three clinical strains of Acanthamoeba by using a colorimetric assay, showing important activities against the tested strains. We conclude that the targeting of HMG-CoA and Acanthamoeba treatment using statins is a novel powerful treatment option against Acanthamoeba species in human disease.     

Análisis y minimización del riesgo de rotura de stock aplicado a la gestión en farmacia hospitalaria

ObjectiveTo determine how many dispensary drugs should be in the safety stock in a tertiary hospital in accordance with the risk level and the number of days that the hospital is able to withstand a stockout.MethodsWe statistically analysed the infliximab order recorded over a period of 120 days. This drug is relevant for this study as it is costly and is immediately supplied to the clinic. Using the data records for purchasing and dispensing in our department, we created a table to compare the level of risk assumed with the number of units in stock and the number of days that the safety stock should last. In addition, we calculated how much stock there should be in accordance with different heuristic rules used by pharmacy departments.ResultsIn the period being studied, the daily order was 11.4 ± 14.8 units of infliximab. Using the methodology proposed, we discovered that there should be 79 units in the safety stock. Other hospital rules determine values of 47 and 119 units.ConclusionsThe method proposed allows us to discover the risk level that is assumed when selecting the safety stock. Therefore, we are able to design a safety stock policy consistent with the risk level adopted. Under certain assumptions the safety stock quota provided by this method could be reduced. Lastly, there is a notable difference between the safety stock values suggested by different rules, as it has been shown in this article.