The geometry of triple-balloon dilation

Triple-balloon dilation (TBD) of a variety of luminal structures has been successfully, though infrequently, used. A mathematical model is presented for the selection of balloon sizes, and equations and tables are derived that allow the user to estimate more accurately the size of balloons needed for TBD of structures with large lumina. With TBD, an approximately circular lumen can be formed. Also, TBD allows smaller, higher-pressure balloons to be used instead of single, low-pressure, large balloons. However, multiple puncture sites may be required for TBD.     

Decreasing cariogenic bacteria with a natural, alternative prevention therapy utilizing phytochemistry (plant extracts)

The association between the oral microbiota and oral diseases is well established. Various antimicrobial agents including antibiotics are commercially available against oral pathogenic bacteria. For the reasons of antibiotic resistance, their adverse effects and financial considerations in the developing countries, there is a need for alternate preventive and curative treatment options that are also safe, effective and economical. Traditional medicines have been used since ancient times for the treatment of oral diseases including dental caries, periodontal diseases that affect the majority of the population and can affect a person's overall health. Natural phytochemicals are certain organic components isolated from plants and some of these extracts are considered to be beneficial to health. They serve as antioxidants, enhance immune response, provide protection against oral cancer and other diseases and also repair DNA damage caused by smoking and other toxic exposure, and detoxify carcinogens. The natural products derived from medicinal plants have proven to be an abundant source of biologically active compounds, many of which have been the basis for the development of new lead chemicals for pharmaceuticals. They are considered to be good alternatives to synthetic chemicals. This article presents a review of natural alternatives derived from plants and plant products that can serve as a prevention and treatment option against cariogenic bacteria.     

Oxidants in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem that affects approximately 10% of the US adult population and is associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and high economic cost. Chronic renal insufficiency, once established, tends to progress to end-stage kidney disease, suggesting some common mechanisms for ultimately causing scarring and further nephron loss. This review defines the term reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM), or oxidants, and presents the available experimental evidence in support of the role of oxidants in diabetic and nondiabetic glomerular disease and their role in tubulointerstitial damage that accompanies progression. It concludes by reviewing the limited human data that provide some proof of concept that the observations in experimental models may be relevant to human disease.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus and sickle cell disease

A case of 10-year-old girl with an unusual association of sickle cell disease (SCO) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is presented. The report discusses the clues to the diagnosis of this rare combination with review of relevant literature and highlights the diagnostic dilemma that may arise because of the similarity of symptoms.     

Study of mast cells in non-neoplastic skin lesions

Sixty non-neoplastic skin lesions were studied for mast cells by toluidine blue stain. The highest numbers of mast cells were seen in the viral infections of the skin (50/mm2) and lowest number of mast cells in congenital diseases (17/mm2). Out of the cutaneous bacterial infections, highest numbers of mast cells were seen in leprosy (44/mm2) while in lupus vulgaris they were much less (37/mm2). In leprosy cases it was observed that as the lesions moved from indeterminate to both polar tuberculoid and lepromatous, the mast cell count increased. It could therefore be summarised that periodic follow-up of indeterminate and borderline lesions for mast cell count might help in predicting stability of lesions. In non-infectious squamous and papular lesions the mean mast cell count was 39/mm2. The highest numbers of mast cells in the non-infectious vesicular and bullous lesions were in bullous pemhigoid (57/mm2) and lowest in dermatitis (38/mm2).