Titanium dioxide and modified titanium dioxide by silver nanoparticles as an anti biofilm filler content for composite resins

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a composite resin modified by TiO₂ and TiO₂/Ag nanoparticles and their influence over different properties.

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.     

Hepoxilin B3 and its enzymatically formed derivative trioxilin B3 are incorporated into phospholipids in psoriatic lesions

In previous studies we observed that normal human epidermis forms 12-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-oxo-ETE) and hepoxilin B3 (HxB3) as major eicosanoids, both being elevated in psoriasis. We also observed that normal epidermis, in a reaction probably catalyzed by 12-lipoxygenase, only synthesize one of the two possible 10-hydroxy epimers of HxB3. We have now extended these previous studies investigating further transformation of HxB3 into trioxilin B3 (TrXB3) and esterification of both into phospholipids. Phospholipids were extracted from normal epidermis and from psoriatic scales. A combination of high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated the occurrence of HxB3 and TrXB3 in the phospholipids of psoriatic lesions. Alkaline- and phospholipase-A2-mediated hydrolysis of the phospholipids yielded similar quantities of both HxB3 and TrXB3 indicating their preference for the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids. The thin layer chromatography analysis of the phospholipid classes after incubation of epidermal cells with [14C]-labeled HxB3, TrXB3, 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), 12-oxo-ETE, or 15-HETE showed that 12-HETE was the most esterified (12-HETE >15-HETE > TrXB3 > 12-oxo-ETE > HxB3). HxB3 and TrXB3 were mainly esterified in phosphatidyl-choline and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine. HxB3 was also enzymatically converted into TrXB3 in vitro. HxB3 epoxide hydrolase-like activity was not observed when boiled tissue was incubated with [14C]-HxB3, this activity being located in the cytosol fraction (100,000 x g supernatant) of fresh tissue. These findings suggest that in vivo some part of HxB3 is transformed into TrXB3 and both compounds are partially incorporated into the phospholipids.     

Erythema nodosum associated with sporotrichosis

Case 1 A 34‐year‐old woman had ulcerated lesion 2 cm in diameter on the right leg of 2 months’ evolution. She also presented painful erythematous nodules on lower limbs accompanied by arthralgia appearing 1 month after the initial lesion ( Figure 1a ). The patient reported having been scratched on the right leg by a cat with sporotrichosis 15 days before the initial symptoms. Examination of the ulcerated lesion showed growth of Sporothrix schenckii, and histological investigation of one nodule showed a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the hypodermis with a predominantly septal distribution, negative upon culture for fungi ( Figure 1b ). Radiographic examination of left ankle showed increased soft tissue, while other ancillary tests were normal. The patient was treated with itraconazole 100 mg/day for 4 months, with regression of Erythema nodosum (EN) on day 20.

Figure Figure 1  Open in figure viewer PowerPoint (a) Ulcerated lesions on right calf and erythematous nodules on lower limbs. (b) Histopathology of one lower limbs nodule, displaying small granuloma in the subcutaneous cellular tissue (HE, 4 ×)     

Pigmented apocrine hidradenoma

Apocrine hidradenoma is a benign adnexal neoplasm. It has no specific site predilection, and usually affects middle-aged people. The same as other tumors of the sweat glands, there is a pigmented variety. We present the case of a 92-year-old male who consulted his physician for a slow-growing asymptomatic lesion in the right groin which had been developing for 2 years. After the histopathological study, the diagnosis was established as pigmented apocrine hidradenoma.     

Association of GJB2 gene mutation with cochlear implant performance in genetic non-syndromic hearing loss

Objective

To analyze the association of GJB2 gene mutations with cochlear implant performance in children.

Methods

Sixty-five consecutive children who underwent cochlear implantation due to congenital profound senseurineural hearing between 2006 and 2008 were included in the study. In children, GJB2 gene mutation analysis was performed. Their auditory performance was assessed using MAIS, MUSS and LittlEARS tests.

Results

Twenty-two of sixty-five patients GJB2 mutations, and 35delG was the most frequent mutation. No significant difference was found between the auditory performance of mutation positive and negative children after one year follow up (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

GJB2 gene mutations do not impact on the outcome of cochlear implantation.     

PFAPA syndrome in siblings. Is there a genetic background?

“PFAPA syndrome” is an autoinflammatory entity composed of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis. There have been many reports of children with the disease, but only occasionally have been described in siblings, and no specific genetic mutation has been determined yet. Corticosteroids are the mainstay in the treatment of the acute attacks. The role of surgery in long-term follow-up (tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy) is controversial. We report two brothers affected with the syndrome, in whom corticosteroids as the only treatment led to an improvement. A genetic work-up was performed, making very unlikely other possible syndromes of recurrent fever. Conclusion: PFAPA syndrome is the most common recurrent periodic fever disorder described in childhood. Its genetic background has not been elucidated yet. Our contribution with two siblings affected with PFAPA syndrome further support the genetic basis for the entity.