Experimental dental bio-adhesives for direct restorations: the influence of PMnEDM homologs structure on bond strength.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PMnEDM dental monomer homologs chemical structure on shear bond strength between polymer-based composite and alloy. METHODS: Four light-cured experimental universal dental bio-adhesives (group codes: A (PMDM), B (PM2EDM), C (PM3EDM), D (PM4EDM)) were preliminarily evaluated with respect to sensitivity to ambient light, curing time, depth of cure, and uncured film thickness according to standardized procedures. Appropriate tests were performed to measure shear bond strength (SBS) of polymer-based composite to cobalt-based alloy with the use of the adhesives investigated. Variability of results was evaluated by use of the coefficient of variation (CV). Results were estimated with the aid of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), performed on the logarithmic values, with alpha=0.05 significance level. RESULTS: All materials passed the requirements according to physicochemical properties. Except for formulation D, all results estimating SBS were positive with respect to standardized requirements. The uppermost mean SBS was achieved for the A adhesive (11.45 MPa) and appeared to be significantly different compared to D one (5.07 MPa) (p=0.0495). Also the B adhesive, having slightly lower mean SBS value (10.50 MPa) exhibited a significant difference in respect to D one (p=0.0455). The means for other trial pairs did not differ statistically. SIGNIFICANCE: The materials here studied might be considered to have a practical use in dental clinics, especially the formulations B and C.     

Determination of clopidogrel metabolite (SR26334) in human plasma by LC-MS

A new, sensitive, specific and reproducible method for determination of clopidogrel metabolite (SR26334) in human plasma has been developed. After liquid-liquid extraction on Chem Elut cartridges with dichloromethane, samples were quantified using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with mass detection. The determination was performed on a Luna C18, 3 microm (75 mmx4.6 mm i.d.) column with an acetonitrile-water-formic acid mixture (60:40:0.1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 0.2 mL/min. Repaglinide was chosen as an internal standard and the time of analysis was 12 min. For SR26334 the limits of detection and quantification were 7.5 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL, respectively, and the calibration curve was linear up to 3000 ng/mL. The extraction recovery of SR26334 from plasma was within the range of 85-90%. The method has been successfully used to study clopidogrel metabolite pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers.     

Effect of prolonged exercise on the level of triglycerides in the rat liver

Summary This study examined the effect of prolonged exercise on the level of triglycerides (TG) in rat liver. The rats were divided into groups: 1-control, 2-treated with nicotinic acid, 3-fed with glucose during exercise, 4-fasted, 5-adrenalectomized, 6-adrenalectomized and fed with oil. In the control group, there was gradual accumulation of TG in the liver and their level was doubled at exhaustion as compared to the resting value. Nicotinic acid lowered the resting level of TG and prevented their accumulation during exercise. Administration of glucose during exercise partially prevented the increase in TG level in the liver. In rats fasted for 24 h before exercise, the net increase in liver TG level during exercise was similar to that in the controls. Adrenalectomy, like nicotinic acid, lowered TG level at rest and prevented its increase during exercise. Feeding the adrenalectomized rats with oil elevated the plasma free fatty acid level but did not result in accumulation of TG in the liver, either at rest or during exercise. It is concluded that prolonged exercise results in accumulation of TG in the liver and that the process depends on the supply of free fatty acids and glucose and requires the presence of glucocorticoids.This work was supported by the Polish Central Programme for Basic Research 06-02.     

Attitude of pregnant women towards labour--study of forms of preparation and preferences

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of alternative delivery techniques among pregnant women and their preferences concerning the course of labour. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 275 woman hospitalizated in obstetric wards in Puck and Ist Clinic in Warsaw were questionnaired in the period of July 2003 - February 2004. The mean age of women was 26 +/- 4.9. 55.7% of them were nulliparous, 44.3% multiparous. T-Student test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The majority of questionnaired women knew alternative positions during delivery and possible analgetic techniques. 25.1% of women attended labour school. 81.2% wanted to give birth in the hospital, 10% at home and 8.8% in the delivery room. 51.1% preferred waterbirth and 22.5% obstetric chair--most of them came from the big cities, were better educated and attended labour school. Almost half of all women are in favour of epidural anaesthesia of delivery. Caesarean section on request was supported by 13.8%. For 67.4% the presence of intimates during labour was important. CONCLUSIONS: Labour school has a significant influence on women's knowledge and their preferences. Waterbirth and other modern delivery techniques are very popular among better educated women from big cities, while those with lower education from small cities and villages prefer "classic" labour. Therefore promotion of modern delivery methods and active participation in labour should be concentrated on these groups of women. Nowadays obstetric departments should ensure not only safety of giving birth but also complete personal comfort for pregnant women.     

Comparative analysis of labor in twin pregnancies in years 1987-91 and 1997-2001

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the course of twin pregnancy deliveries with particular regard to parity, the way of pregnancy termination, indications for cesarean section and sterility treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studied material consisted of two groups of patients who gave birth to twins in our clinic: the first one of 62 women in years 1997-2001 and the second group of 92 women in years 1987-1991. The average age of patients was 29.4 vs 28.7 respectively. RESULTS: There were 48.3% of primiparas in the first group, comparing to 44.5% in the second. The average time of pregnancy termination was 35 vs 35.97 Hbd respectively. Premature labours contributed to 80.6% vs 52% of all cases, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Obstetrical procedures were applied in 6.5% vs 25% of cases respectively (p = 0.003). The indications for cesarean section have changed in regard to the position of the second fetus (when first in cephalic longitudinal lie, second in other than cephalic) and therefore contributed to 78.5% of cases in first and only 12.5% in second group. Thus the application of obstetrical procedures on the second fetus decreased to 18.2% vs 63% (p=0.002). In both groups cesarean sections were most often performed when the position of the first fetus was other than cephalic. In both groups the mediana of Apgar score of the second twin was lower than of the first. But the number of stillborns and general neonatal deaths significantly decreased over the years (0.8% and 2.4% vs 4.9% and 5.36%). Comparing both studied groups, the rate of the twin pregnancy after sterility treatment is rising: 16% vs 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of the second twin position as an indication for cesarean delivery has risen over the years, thereby displacing the use of obstetrical procedures in those cases. In spite of earlier pregnancy termination and higher premature labour rate, there is a significant drop in the number of stillborns and neonatal deaths. In the age of infertility treatment, the number of twin pregnancy is rising.     

Retrospective assessment of epidural analgesia during labor according to parturients

AIM: The aim of the study was to find out parturients' evaluation of epidural analgesia (EA) during labor and factors influencing their opinion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 women, aged 26-42, who gave birth at I Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Warsaw, filled in a specially prepared inquiry. Primiparas contributed to 87% of the study group. The results were analyzed according to analgesia evaluation as: very good (group A-64%), good (group B-30%) and insufficient (group C-6%). RESULTS: Patients evaluated their pain according to Visual Analog Scale before and after EA was applied in the I and II stage of labor, respectively. Significant differences regarding the pain level in the II stage were observed--among patients from group C it was even higher than before EA was applied. That group more often notified perineum pain during the II stage of labor. Feeling uterine contractions, tenesmus and drugs' side effects had no influence on women's opinion. The way of grading EA depended on parity and education--patients from group C were all well-educated primiparas. The time of making a decision about willing to give birth with EA also depended on parity--multiparas decided earlier than primiparas. Women's main source of information about labor EA were press and books (56%), than labor school (26%), other women (24%) and only for 20% their gynaecologist. In spite of the differences in their answers, the majority of women would decide on labor EA again (95%) and recommend it to others (98%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients gives labor EA very positive opinion. Insufficient pain control in the II stage of labor and perineum pain are the main factors lowering EA evaluation--it seems important to pay more attention to that fact in the future. Time of making a decision about EA and women's opinion depend on parity. As press is the main source of information for patients, the wider promotion of EA by medical staff seems necessary.     

Blood flow parameters in the arteries of the eye in premature children

PURPOSE: of the study was to evaluate blood flow in the arteries of the eye in preterm neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color Doppler imaging (CDI) of ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries was performed in 36 preterm infants and 19 full-term infants. Maximal systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistance index--RI and pulsatility index--PI were assessed for the studied vessels. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in ophthalmic artery blood flow between preterm and normal newborns. End-diastolic velocity in central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries in preterm infants was significantly lower and resistent index and pulsatility index was higher. The Doppler color ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique which can be useful for the estimation of the hemodynamic parameters in the arteries of the eye in the prematures. CONCLUSIONS: The recorded changes in the ultrasound measurements of the blood flow in the eye arteries in premature children comparing to the normal newborns, can be the evidence for the immaturity of the vessel system in the preterm born neonates.     

The estimation of functional results after surgical treatment for ectopia lentis in children

PURPOSE: To review the visual outcome of planned pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for ectopia lentis in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1997-2002, 116 eyes were operated because of lens subluxation, mainly because of decreased visual acuity (<0.4). Lens subluxation was associated with homocystinuria in 4 patients (8 eyes), Marfan's syndrome in 30 (54 eyes), congenital simple ectopia lentis in 16 (31 eyes), post trauma in 6 (6 eyes), and congenital ectopia lentis and pupillae in 9 (17 eyes). Time of observation ranged between 1 to 6 years (mean 3.4). RESULTS: After surgery, we achieved best-corrected visual acuity improvement in 89%. Unsatisfactory visual results were due to amblyopia (9 eyes), complications of retinal detachement surgery (3 eyes), uveitis (2 eyes), glaucoma (1 eye). CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana lensectomy, vitrectomy and scleral-fixated IOL implantation give quick and good functional results. To achieve these results, visual rehabilitation and amblyopia treatment is necessary.     

Tezacitabine blocks tumor cells in G1 and S phases of the cell cycle and induces apoptotic cell death

Tezacitabine (FMdC) is a new cytostatic/cytotoxic agent widely investigated in clinical trials and on the cellular level. In a previous paper (3) we worked on human and murine leukemia (L-1210, HL-60, and MOLT-4) cells, and in this paper we investigated the influence of FMdC on the cell cycle and apoptosis in vitro of three other leukemias (CCRF-SB, KG-1, and Jurkat), and human solid tumor (carcinoma) cell lines (COLO-205, MCF-7, and PC-3). We found that FMdC induces the G1 (at concentrations higher than 10 nM). and S-phase (at low concentration) leaky block of the cell cycle. FMdC also effectively induces apoptotic death of cells by the caspase 3/7 pathway. We found also that FMdC induces intensive changes in the protein metabolism. These changes are correlated with the cell death.