Botulinum toxin treatment for bladder dysfunction

Botulinum toxin A is available under three different protein complexes that are not interchangeable until appropriate comparative studies are undertaken. The best studied for the treatment of urinary incontinence as a result of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and overactive bladder/idiopathic detrusor overactivity is onabotulinum toxin A. This brand is only approved for the treatment of urinary incontinence as a result of neurogenic detrusor overactivity at a dose of 200 U and idiopathic detrusor overactivity at a dose of 100 U. In patients with detrusor overactivity as a result of spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, 200 U of onabotulinum toxin A should be injected in 30 different sites above the trigone. It was shown to be highly effective in curing or decreasing urinary symptoms of incontinence, increasing quality of life, increasing bladder capacity and decreasing maximal detrusor pressure. This effect was independent of the concomitant use of oral anticholinergic drugs. Adverse events were mild, mainly urinary tract infections and high postvoid residual requiring clean intermittent catheterization. In patients with overactive bladder/idiopathic detrusor overactivity, 100 U of onabotulinum toxin A should be injected in 20 sites above the trigone. It markedly decreases urinary incontinence and improves quality of life. Frequency and urgency episodes are also decreased. Adverse events are mild, mainly urinary tract infections and urinary retention. The latter occurred in just 5% of the patients. Candidates for onabotulinum toxin A treatment should be warned that the effect of the toxin is transient and that repeated injections will be required to maintain the effect in the long term. There is no evidence that repeated injections will have a decreased efficacy.     

Reconstruction of parietal bone defects with adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells. Experimental study

Purpose:This study assessed the regeneration potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from adipose tissue associated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in bone regeneration.Methods:Thirty Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinos) were divided into five groups (according to the grafting material and time to euthanasia): (1) autograft - 14 days (control), (2) autograft - 28 days (control), (3) MSC + PRP - 14 days, (4) MSC + PRP + papaverine - 14 days and (5) MSC + PRP + papaverine - 28 days. After euthanasia, the graft was removed and histological slides were prepared. They were assessed by a blinded pathologist using a previously published histological scale as parameter.Results:There was some degree of neoformed bone trabeculae (NBT) in 93.3% of the samples, as well as osteoblastic activity (OA). The autograft groups (14 and 28 days) had higher levels in the formation of bone trabeculae. Nonparametric data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and proved not to be statistically significant at p < 0.05.Conclusions:Experimental parietal bone reconstruction, combining MSC, PRP and papaverine presented regeneration in all groups with no significant difference among them.Key words: Bone Regeneration, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Tissue Engineering, Rats     

Use of the connective tissue graft for the coverage of composite resin-restored root surfaces in maxillary central incisors

The purpose of this article is to report the use of the subepithelial connective tissue graft technique combined with the coronally positioned flap on a composite resin-restored root surface to treat Miller Class I gingival recessions associated with deep cervical abrasions in maxillary central incisors. Clinical measurements, including gingival recession height, probing depth, and bleeding on probing (BoP), were recorded during the preoperative clinical examination and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. During the follow-up periods, no periodontal pockets or BoP were observed. The periodontal tissue of the teeth presented normal color, texture, and contouring. In addition, it was observed that creeping attachment had occurred on the restoration. This case report shows that this form of treatment can be highly effective and predictable in resolving gingival recession associated with a deep cervical abrasion.     

Effect of light-curing unit and adhesive system on marginal adaptation of class v composite restorations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light-curing units (LED or halogen) on the marginal adaptation of composite restorations performed with etch-and-rinse and self-etching adhesive. Class V cavities were prepared on bovine teeth with the gingival margin on dentin and the incisal margin on enamel. The cavities were restored with a micro-hybrid resin composite using an etch-and-rinse (Single Bond 2--SB) or a self-etching adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond--CL). The light-activations were performed using halogen lamp (Optilux 501--QTH) or second-generation light-emitting diode (Radii-Cal--LED) (n = 10). After finishing and polishing the restorations, epoxy replicas were prepared. The marginal adaptation was analyzed under scanning electronic microscopy with 500x of magnification. The greatest gap width at each margin was recorded. Data were submitted to Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests (a = 0.05). SB and CL showed similar behavior of enamel margins when the light-activations were performed with QTH. The same was observed for dentin margins with LED. When the LED was used, higher gap measurements at enamel margins were observed with CL, while higher gap values in dentin were observed for SB within QTH. No significant difference between substrates was found when CL was used. However, SB had significantly higher gap measurements in dentin. The light-curing unit seems to affect the marginal adaptation of resin composite restorations. However this effect was dependent on the adhesive and the location of the margin.     

Decreased phagocytic function in neutrophils and monocytes from peripheral blood in periodontal disease

Phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes constitutes the main defense mechanism against bacterial challenges in periodontitis. Phagocytosis by neutrophils has already been evaluated, whereas phagocytic function of monocytes has hardly been addressed so far.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes in periodontitis.

Material and Methods

The sample included 30 subjects with severe periodontitis and 27 control subjects without periodontal disease. The phagocytic index (PhI) was calculated as the mean number of adhered/ingested Saccharomyces cerevisiae per phagocytozing monocyte or neutrophil multiplied by the percentage of phagocytes involved in phagocytosis.

Results

A significant reduction in phagocyte functions was observed in individuals with periodontitis. The median of PhI of neutrophils using non-sensitized S. cerevisiae was 3 for the control group, and 1.5 for the periodontitis group (p=0.01, Mann-Whitney test). The median of PhI of monocytes with non-sensitized S. cerevisiae was 26.13 for the control group, and 13.23 for the periodontitis group (p=0.03, Mann Whitney test). The median of PhI of monocytes assessed with sensitized S. cerevisiae was 97.92 for the control group and 60.1 for the periodontitis group (p=0.005, t-test).

Conclusion

The data demonstrated a reduction in the function of phagocytes, suggesting a decrease in immune defenses in periodontitis.     

The role of chemokines in uveitis

Inflammation is part of the physiological process that aims at repairing the damage produced by different causes such as infection, trauma, and autoimmune disease. However, when this physiological process is not regulated, it can contribute to the increase in tissue damage. Chemokines and their receptors are major factors involved in the process of cell migration into inflamed tissues. In the ocular diseases, mainly in uveitis, such proteins have been identified as important mediators of the inflammation process. This review discusses the role of chemokines in several ocular diseases, with emphasis on the uveitic process.     

Mandibular fractures in children: long term results

Mandibular fractures in children treated in our department between March 1994 and January 2001 were retrospectively studied. Age, sex, type of fracture, etiology and evolution after treatment, functional mobility and maximal mouth opening were recorded. The population consisted of 19 patients who sustained 30 fractures. The patients ages ranged from 1.5 to 18 years. The mean time of follow up was 28 months. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1. Traffic and bicycle accidents were the main causes of the fractures. The condyle was involved in 16% of the cases, the subcondylar region in 28%. Fractures were multiple in half of the cases. Isolated fractures of the condyloid joint were treated conservatively. For isolated subcondylar fractures, maxillomandibular fixation was the treatment in 40% of the cases. Otherwise, conservative functional treatment was used. Children with a combination of body and condyle fractures were treated by open reduction and maxillomandibular fixation. Neither infection nor retarded facial growth was observed. Only one case of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and one case of temporomandibular pain syndrome were recorded. Associated lesions might concern the extremities, the brain and the cervical spine.     

Multiparameter flow cytometric characterization of epidermal cell suspensions prepared from normal and hyperproliferative human skin using an optimized thermolysin-trypsin protocol

Reliable flow cytometric analysis of normal and diseased skin requires pure epidermal single-cell suspensions. Several methods to separate the dermis from the epidermis are available. The proteolytic enzyme thermolysin separates the epidermis from the dermis at the lamina lucida and therefore permits reliable dermoepidermal separation. In the present study an optimized cell isolation procedure using thermolysin and trypsin is described, which is particularly suitable for punch biopsies. A 16–20-h (overnight) incubation of biopsies taken from normal and hyperproliferative skin with thermolysin (0.5 mg/ml) at 4°C produced a selective separation of the dermis and epidermis. After a 30-min trypsin incubation (0.25 mg/ml) at 37°C a cell suspension was produced which was characterized by minimal cell damage (cellular debris and clumps), a high recovery of basal cells and high quality DNA histograms. Furthermore, dermal contamination was very low. The thermolysin-trypsin separation methodology followed by triple-labelling flow cytometry provided a precise quantification of the percentage of keratin 10-positive cells, vimentin-positive cells and cells in S and G₂M phases. Proliferative activity was selectively measured in the basal, the suprabasal and the non-keratinocyte compartment at various time intervals during epidermal regeneration after adhesive tape stripping. In contrast to the non-keratinocytes, the percentage of cells in S and G₂M phases in the basal keratinocytes and in the suprabasal compartment increased 44–48 h after stripping. The increased proliferation following tape stripping was paralleled by an increased invasion of vimentin-positive cells into the epidermis and preceded by a decreased number of keratin 10-positive cells. Thermolysin-trypsin separation followed by three-colour flow cytometry permits a highly selective characterization of normal and hyperproliferative epidermis.     

Facial scars after a road accident: Combined treatment with PDL and Q‐switched ND:YAG laser

We report the case of a woman who presented with several facial scars following a road accident. Treatment was carried out using combined laser treatment with pulsed dye laser (PDL) and the Q‐switched neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser (QS Nd:YAG laser). No side effects or complications from treatment were noted or reported. The patient had very good cosmetic results with this combined technique. A variety of facial scars – erythematous, pigmented, atrophic and hypertrophic – may occur as a result of trauma, surgery, burns and skin disease. Surgery with other adjunctive methods including radiotherapy, intralesional steroids and pressure therapy has shown variable results. Laser treatment has been attempted for scar revision since the 1980s. The PDL is the optimal treatment for reducing scar bulk and symptoms. It also decreases the erythema and telangiectasia associated with scars, normalizes the skin surface texture and improves scar pliability. The QS Nd:YAG laser (1064?nm) is highly effective for traumatic tattoo removal, resulting in complete clearance in the majority of cases.     

The use of ablative lasers in the treatment of facial melasma

Melasma represents a pigmentary disorder that is difficult to treat. This study aimsto broadly review the use of ablative lasers (Er:YAG and CO2) in the treatment ofmelasma, presenting the level of evidence of studies published to date. A total of 75patients were enrolled in four case series studies (n=39), one controlled clinicaltrial (n=6) and one randomized controlled clinical trial (n=30). Studies on theEr:YAG laser showed better results with the use of short square-shaped pulses, whichdetermined low rates of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and long-lastingmaintenance of results. Likewise, studies on the CO2 laser proved the benefits ofshort pulse duration along with low-density energy. Post-treatment maintenance withthe use of antipigmenting creams was necessary and effective to sustain long-termresults. Ablative lasers may represent another useful and effective tool againstmelasma. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and difficulty in sustaining long-termresults still represent the main limitations to a broader use of ablative lasers.Based on actual evidence, the use of this technology should be restricted to patientswith recalcitrant disease. Further studies will help establish optimal laserparameters and treatment regimens.