Effect of low-level laser therapy on repair of the bone compromised by radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RDT) is commonly used for cancer treatment, but high doses of ionizing radiation can directly affect healthy tissues. Positive biological effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone repair have been demonstrated; however, this effect on surgical defects of bone previously compromised by radiotherapy has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of LLLT (λ?=?830 nm) in femur repair after ionizing radiation. Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group (GC, n?=?5) creation of bone defects (BDs) only; laser group (GL), with BD and LLLT (n?=?5); radiotherapy group (GR), submitted to RDT and BD (n?=?5); and radiotherapy and laser group (GRL), submitted to RDT, BD, and LLLT (n?=?5). GL and GRL received punctual laser application (DE?=?210 J/cm², P?=?50 mW, t?=?120 s, and beam diameter of 0.04 cm²) immediately after surgery, with 48-h interval during 7 days. Animals were euthanized at 7 days after surgery, and bone sections were evaluated morphometrically with conventional microscopy. Bone repair was only observed in nonirradiated bone, with significant improvement in GL in comparison to GC. GR and GRL did not present any bone neoformation. The result demonstrated a positive local biostimulative effect of LLLT in normal bone. However, LLLT was not able to revert the bone metabolic damage due to ionizing radiation.     

Amphiphilic Antimony(V) Complexes for Oral Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis

The need for daily parenteral administration is an important limitation in the clinical use of pentavalent antimonial drugs against leishmaniasis. In this study, amphiphilic antimony(V) complexes were prepared from alkylmethylglucamides (L8 and L10, with carbon chain lengths of 8 and 10, respectively), and their potential for the oral treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was evaluated. Complexes of Sb and ligand at 1:3 (SbL8 and SbL10) were obtained from the reaction of antimony(V) with L8 and L10, as evidenced by elemental and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analyses. Fluorescence probing of hydrophobic environment and negative-staining transmission electron microscopy showed that SbL8 forms kinetically stabilized nanoassemblies in water. Pharmacokinetic studies with mice in which the compound was administered by the oral route at 200 mg of Sb/kg of body weight indicated that the SbL8 complex promoted greater and more sustained Sb levels in serum and liver than the levels obtained for the conventional antimonial drug meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime [Glu]). The efficacy of SbL8 and SbL10 administered by the oral route was evaluated in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania infantum after a daily dose of 200 mg of Sb/kg for 20 days. Both complexes promoted significant reduction in the liver and spleen parasite burdens in relation to those in the saline-treated control group. The extent of parasite suppression (>99.96%) was similar to that achieved after Glu given intraperitoneally at 80 mg of Sb/kg/day. As expected, there was no significant reduction in the parasitic load in the group treated orally with Glu at 200 mg of Sb/(kg day). In conclusion, amphiphilic antimony(V) complexes emerge as an innovative and promising strategy for the oral treatment of VL.     

A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study of venlafaxine in the treatment of depression in dementia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine in the treatment of major depression in dementia. METHODS: Thirty-one outpatients who had dementia and major depression participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week, flexible dose clinical trial. The screening measures were Cornell Scale for depression in dementia, DSM-IV for depression and dementia and Mini-Mental State Examination. The outcome measures were response rate, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale and Clinical Global Impressions. RESULTS: The percentage of patients defined as Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale responders was approximately the same in the placebo and in the venlafaxine groups. Clinical Global Impressions showed no significant difference between the groups. The reasons for dropouts show borderline significance between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the venlafaxine and placebo-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support the hypothesis that venlafaxine improves mood in elderly demented patients.     

Nebulized Fluticasone Propionate vs. Budesonide as Adjunctive Treatment in Children with Asthma Exacerbation

Objectives: To compare the effects of nebulized fluticasone propionate (FP) and nebulized budesonide (BUD) in addition to inhaled salbutamol in children with mild asthma exacerbation. Methods: The study was a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel group design. One hundred and sixty-eight children, aged 4-15 years, were randomly allocated to receive either nebulized FP (250 mcg) or nebulized BUD (500 mcg) twice daily for 10 days. On presentation, at the end of treatment, and after a 7-day follow-up, clinical assessment and pulmonary function measurements were performed. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores, the use of rescue salbutamol, and morning/evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) values were recorded at home during the treatment period. Morning cortisol concentration (51 children) and overnight urinary cortisol excretion (30 children) were also measured in six centers at the start and at the end of the treatment. Results: Improvement of morning PEF was significantly higher in patients treated with FP (p = 0.032). The percentage of symptom-free nights was significantly higher in the BUD group (p = 0.006), but no difference was found in symptom-free days. No intergroup difference was detected in the percentage of days/nights free from rescue medication and in pulmonary function tests performed in outpatient settings. There was no evidence of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression. Conclusions: A short course of nebulized FP has the same effects as a double dose of nebulized BUD, when either drug is added to bronchodilator therapy in children with mild asthma exacerbation.     

Evaluation of pH levels and calcium ion release in various calcium hydroxide endodontic dressings

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Ca(2+) release and pH of 3 calcium hydroxide-based products used routinely as intracanal dressings, as well as the new gutta-percha points with calcium hydroxide. STUDY DESIGN: The pH and Ca(2+) release were assessed using Calen with camphorated paramonochlorophenol, saline calcium hydroxide paste, LC paste (Lopes and Costa paste-calcium hydroxide with olive oil), and calcium hydroxide containing gutta-percha points. The materials were inserted in polyethylene tubes and immersed in deionized water. The pH variation and Ca(2+) release were monitored periodically for 4 weeks. RESULTS: After 72 hours, materials 1 and 2 raise the pH from 9.6 and 8.2 to 11.4 and 11.3, respectively, while a small change was observed for materials 3 and 4. The calcium concentration released from materials 1, 2, 3, and 4 after 72 hours was 6.54, 4.98, 1.31, and 1.74 mg/dL, respectively. CONCLUSION: Calen plus camphorated paramonochlorophenol and saline calcium hydroxide paste exhibited the highest calcium release and pH levels.     

Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents: From traditional medicine to biotechnological applications

The genus Echinacea consists of 11 taxa of herbaceous and perennial flowering plants. In particular, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is widely cultivated all over the United States, Canada, and in Europe, exclusively in Germany, for its beauty and reported medicinal properties. Echinacea extracts have been used traditionally as wound healing to improve the immune system and to treat respiratory symptoms caused by bacterial infections. Echinacea extracts have demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and to be safe. This survey aims at reviewing the medicinal properties of Echinacea species, their cultivation, chemical composition, and the potential uses of these plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents in foods and in a clinical context. Moreover, the factors affecting the chemical composition of Echinacea spp. are also covered.