Dentin enhances the effectiveness of bioactive glass S53P4 against a strain of Enterococcus faecalis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to test the impact of dentin powder on the antimicrobial efficacy of bioactive glass S53P4 (BAG). STUDY DESIGN: BAG was suspended (preincubated) in saline at 37 degrees C for different time periods with or without human dentin powder, hydroxylapatite, or decalcified dentin. Subsequently, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 cells were added to these suspensions and bacterial recovery measured with and without the use of gentle sonication. Furthermore, survival of bacteria in test and control suspensions was assessed over time. Supernatants of suspensions were analyzed for their element contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The effects of pH, silica, and osmolarity on E faecalis viability were assessed using specifically prepared solutions. RESULTS: BAG preincubated with dentin powder caused a significant (P < .05) decrease in viability compared to pure BAG suspensions. This was not based on adherence of bacteria to solid particles or agglutination of the cells, because sonication did not increase bacterial yields. Hydroxylapatite and decalcified dentin did not increase BAG killing efficacy. The additive effect of BAG + dentin powder was dose dependent, occurred only with solids in suspension, and increased with suspension time. An augmented dissolution of glass components, especially silicon, was measured in BAG + dentin powder compared to pure BAG suspensions or counterparts containing hydroxylapatite or decalcified dentin. High osmolarity per se did not affect E faecalis viability, whereas high pH and silica levels did. CONCLUSION: The observed phenomenon was related to an increased BAG dissolution triggered by dentin powder, causing elevated local pH and silica levels.     

Value of acute-phase angiography in the detection of vascular injuries caused by gunshot wounds to the head: analysis of 12 cases.

A study of the angiographic findings in consecutive civilian patients with cranial gunshot wounds examined in the acute stage has not been done. Most prior clinical studies have evaluated the findings in survivors in the subacute or chronic stages and have often been of war-time casualties. We determined the clinicoradiologic features of six cases of posttraumatic intracranial aneurysm, vascular occlusion, or arteriovenous fistula caused by penetrating missiles among 12 civilian patients who were examined in the acute posttraumatic stage (within 48 hr of injury) during a 1-year period. Three internal carotid/vertebral artery aneurysms, one external carotid artery aneurysm, one combined aneurysm/arteriovenous fistula of the vertebrobasilar circulation, and one cerebral venous occlusion were identified. The 50% overall prevalence of major vascular lesions in this series of civilian patients with penetrating missile injuries examined in the acute stage suggests these injuries are more common than previously suspected. It may indicate that selective cerebral angiography should be considered in the evaluation of the cranial vascular system of such persons.     

Enterovesical fistula secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendix

We report an unusual case of an enterovesical fistula secondary to adenocarcinoma of the appendix.     

Renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma. The role of the kidney in tumor-node-metastasis staging.

Renal pelvic carcinoma is a rare tumor. There are several staging systems currently in use based on a bladder cancer staging model. An analysis of the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, experience with 611 cases of renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma suggested that the kidney parenchyma may be a determinant in the anatomic spread of disease. A tumor-node-metastasis system for renal pelvic (separate from ureteral) cancer is recommended.     

Whistling face syndrome: MR imaging findings in the brain

Whistling face syndrome or cranio-carpotarsal dysplasia is a very rare disorder that consists of a characteristics facies and digital abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the brain in this syndrome has not been reported previously. This communication describes the brain malformations in an infant with the syndrome, which covered delayed myelination, thickened and infolded cortices (cortical dysplasia), dysplastic corpus callosum, and agenesis of the inferior vermis.     

Relationship between Pollen Counts and Weather Variables in East-Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergen sampling provides information regarding the onset, duration and severity of the pollen season that clinicians use to guide allergen selection for skin testing and treatment. OBJECTIVES: This atmospheric survey reports (1) airborne pollen contributions in Adana in one-year period (2) pollen onset, duration and peak level (3) the relationship between airborne pollen and selected meteorological variables and; (4) effects on symptoms in pollen allergic children. METHODS: Pollen sampling was performed with a volumetric Burkard Spore Trap. Meteorological data were measured daily from April 2001 to April 2002. Asthma symptom scores were investigated in 186 pollen allergic children that were on follow up in pediatric allergy outpatient clinics during same period. RESULTS: Average measurements included 82.5% tree pollen, 7.7% grass pollen and 9.8% herb pollen 54 taxa were identified during one year. The most prominent tree pollens were Cupressaceae, Eucalyptus and Pinus. The most common herb was Chenopodiaceae pollen family. When airborne pollen levels were examined in relation to single meteorological conditions; daily variations in total pollen counts were not significantly correlated with any variable studied (humidity, rainfall, temperature and wind) (p > 0.05). On the other hand, statistically significant relationship between pollen concentration and symptom scores were found (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were seen between both Gramineae and Herb pollen, and humidity and rainfall from March to July. However, positive correlations were detected between tree pollen counts and temperature and humidity in May and June. CONCLUSION: This survey is the first volumetric airborne pollen analysis conducted in the survey area in Adana. This study suggested that the effects of weather on pollen count and symptom scores in this population could not be clearly identified with the evaluation of one-year data. However, pollen counts had effect on allergic symptoms in pollen allergic children. Examination of the complex interaction of multiple whether parameters would perhaps more fully elucidate the relationship between meteorology and aerobiology and provide the clinician with information necessary to forecast pollen prevalence. An awareness of the ever chancing, local aeroallergen patterns requires regular monitoring. Such awareness serves as a useful guide in the effective testing and treatment of atopic patients.     

A New Bidesmosidic Triterpenoidal Saponin from the Roots of Symphytum officinale

A new triterpenoidal saponin having hederagenin as the aglycone was isolated from the roots of SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE L. The structure of this saponin was elucidated by FAB-MS, (1)H-, (13)C-NMR, 2D-NMR analyses and chemical studies as 3- O-[beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- L-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin 28- O-[beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl] ester.     

Idiopathic localized hydromyelia: dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord of probable congenital origin.

Three adult patients are reported with asymptomatic localized widening of the central canal of the spinal cord. These patients were followed for a period of 24 years by imaging and/or clinical history and physical examination without evidence of signs or symptoms related to the spinal cord. This condition probably represents persistence into adult life of a fetal configuration of the central canal of the spinal cord. This process may be termed "idiopathic localized hydromyelia" to distinguish it from syringomyelia secondary to such causes as Chiari malformation, trauma, infection, or neoplasm.     

A comparative study on the effects of apraclonidine and timolol on the ophthalmic blood flow velocity waveforms

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of topical timolol and apraclonidine on retrobulbar blood flow velocity waveforms in a group of healthy volunteers.Methods: Apraclonidine 1% and timolol maleate 0.5% single dose administrations were crossed over double masked in 12 healthy volunteers. The intraocular pressure measurements were followed by Doppler examination of the ophthalmic artery and the central retinal artery.Results: Intraocular pressure was reduced significantly on both treated and fellow eyes after timolol (p = 0.003, p = 0.04 respectively) and after apraclonidine (p = 0.002, p = 0.01 respectively). After apraclonidine administration end diastolic velocity, mean velocity decreased and pulsatility index increased in the ophthalmic artery of both treated and fellow eyes. Resistivity index increased and peak systolic velocity decreased only in the ophthalmic artery of treated eyes. All Doppler indices remained nonsignificant for central retinal artery of both eyes.After timolol administration there were no significant changes of the Doppler indices in the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery of the treated and fellow eyes.Conclusion: Topical timolol and apraclonidine significantly reduced the intraocular pressure. Single dose administration of apraclonidine 1% increased the vascular impedance distal to the ophthalmic artery. On the other hand, timolol 0.5% had no effect on vascular impedance.