Bactericidal Effect of GaAIAs Laser on Anaerobic Photosensitized Periodontopathics- An In Vitro Study

Background: The mainstay of periodontal therapy remains the physical removal of subgingival plaque. The present study was conducted to determine bactericidal effect of GaAIAs laser on anaerobic photosensitized periodontopathics. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 adult patients of both genders of chronic periodontitis (Group I). Equal number of controls was also selected (Group II). In all patients subgingival plaque samples were collected. Samples were cultured anaerobically for 72 h at 37°C on blood agar, Brewer's agar culture plates. Bacteria were identified based on colony characteristics, hemolysis, pigmentation, and fluorescence. Results: The mean P. gingivalis count (CFU/ml) during undilution in group I was 302.4 and in group II was 401.5, at 1:10 was 204.5 in group I and 328.2 in group II, at 1:50 was 115.2 in group I and 276.3 in group II, at 1:100 was 27.8 in group I and 132.8 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean F. nucleatum count (CFU/ml) during undilution in group I was 212.4 and in group II was 291.5, at 1:10 was 125.5 in group I and 217.2 in group II, at 1:50 was 68.2 in group I and 150.3 in group II, at 1:100 was 17.8 in group I and 94.8 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Conclusions: Authors found that GaAIAs laser found to be effective in reducing periodontal pathogens.

Periodontal disease and salivary pH: Case control study

Background: Saliva is complex fluid maintaining microbiological flora and oral hygiene. It has varying composition and has diagnostic and prognostic value. The present case-control study was aimed at finding the association between salivary pH and periodontal disease. Materials and methods: Three groups consisting of persons with healthy gingiva, persons with generalized chronic gingivitis and those with generalized chronic periodontitis were studied. Results: It was seen that the saliva of patients suffering from chronic generalized gingivitis was alkaline in nature while that of patients with chronic generalized periodontitis was acidic when compared with health individuals. The difference between the groups was significant (p=0.00). Conclusion: Salivary pH can have prognostic value for periodontal disease.

Chronic Inflammatory Gingival Enlargement – A Case Report

Gingival enlargement, also synonymous with the terms gingival hyperplasia or hypertrophy, is defined as an abnormal overgrowth of gingival tissues. A case of 18–year–old female presenting with maxillary chronic inflammatory gingival enlargement. Surgical therapy was carried out to provide a good aesthetic outcome. The importance of patient motivation and compliance during and after therapy as a critical factor in the success of treatment.

A Survey on Effects of Caffeine in Psychiatric Outpatients / 医薬品情報学

Objective: Caffeine may cause dependence and sleep disturbance, and interact with psychotropic drugs.　Therefore, the caffeine intake of patients with mental disorders should be monitored.　However, in Japan, there is no report on the effects of caffeine in mental disease patients or on their caffeine intake.　Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey to clarify the perception of caffeine for psychiatric outpatients.Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey on caffeine recognition for outpatients at 8 medical institutions that advocate psychiatry.Results: We collected questionnaires from 180 people.　The knowledge of foods containing caffeine tended to be high in those who had a positive attitude toward caffeine.　More than 90% of those surveyed knew that coffee contains caffeine, but cocoa and jasmine tea were recognized by less than 25%.　Of those surveyed, 39.4% consumed caffeine‐containing beverages at night.　In addition, the rate of consumption of caffeine‐containing beverages tended to be higher at night because they had a positive attitude toward caffeine.Conclusion: The knowledge and intake situation of caffeine by patients with mental disorders differed depending on their interests and way of thinking about caffeine.　As caffeine intake may influence psychiatric treatment, correct knowledge regarding caffeine is important.

Anxiety Sensitivity and Comorbid Psychiatric Symptoms over the Course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Panic Disorder.

Aims: Anxiety sensitivity (AS) might be the core vulnerability in the pathogenesis of AXIS I diagnosis and might be the important transdiagnostic target for the interventions for comorbid psychiatric symptoms in panic disorder (PD). This study aimed to examine the relationship of changes in the three factors of AS and changes in comorbid psychiatric symptoms over the course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for PD. Methodology: One hundred eighteen patients with PD were treated with manualized group CBT. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined the associations between the changes in subscales of Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) and the changes in factors of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) involving Physical Concerns, Mental Incapacitation Concerns, and Social Concerns over the course CBT. Results: Reductions in Mental Incapacitation Concerns of ASI were related to decreases in 8 SCL-90-R scales, including Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Hostility, Phobic Anxiety, Paranoid Ideation, Psychoticism, and GSI. Reductions in Physical Concerns were related to decreases in 5 SCL-90-R scales, including Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, Phobic Anxiety, and GSI. Discussion: The present study suggests that reductions in AS, especially mental and physical dimensions, predict comorbid psychiatric symptoms reduction over the course of CBT for PD.

Massage and Reiki used to reduce stress and anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial / Massagem e Reiki para redução de estresse e ansiedade: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado / Masaje y Reiki para reducción de estrés y ansiedad: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

ABTRACT Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of massage and reiki in the reduction of stress and anxiety in clients at the Institute for Integrated and Oriental Therapy in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Method: clinical tests randomly done in parallel with an initial sample of 122 people divided into three groups: Massage + Rest (G1), Massage + Reiki (G2) and a Control group without intervention (G3). The Stress Systems list and the Trace State Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate the groups at the start and after 8 sessions (1 month), during 2015. Results: there were statistical differences (p = 0.000) according to the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) for the stress amongst the groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.014) with a 33% reductions and a Cohen of 0.78. In relation to anxiety-state, there was a reduction in the intervention groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01) with a 21% reduction in group 2 (Cohen of 1.18) and a 16% reduction for group 1 (Cohen of 1.14). Conclusion: Massage + Reiki produced better results amongst the groups and the conclusion is for further studies to be done with the use of a placebo group to evaluate the impact of the technique separate from other techniques. RBR-42c8wp

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade da Massagem e Reiki na redução de estresse e ansiedade em clientes do Instituto de Terapia Integrada e Oriental, em São Paulo (Brasil). Método: ensaio clínico controlado randomizado paralelo com amostra inicial de 122 pessoas divididas em 3 grupos Massagem+Repouso (G1), Massagem+Reiki (G2) e Controle sem intervenção (G3). Foram avaliados pela Lista de Sintomas de Stress e pelo Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado, no início e após 8 sessões (1 mês), durante o ano de 2015. Resultados: houve diferença estatística (p = 0,000) segundo ANOVA para o estresse entre os grupos 2 e 3 (33% de redução e Cohen de 0,98) e entre os grupos 1 e 3 (p = 0,014), 24% de redução e Cohen de 0,78. Para a ansiedade-estado, houve redução nos grupos de intervenção comparados ao grupo Controle (p < 0,01), com 21% de redução para o Grupo 2 (Cohen de 1,18) e 16% de redução para o grupo 1 (Cohen de 1,14). Conclusão: a Massagem+Reiki conseguiu melhores resultados entre os grupos e se sugere outro estudo com uso de placebo para o Reiki, para avaliar o alcance da técnica em separado. RBR-42c8wp

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de Masaje y Reiki para reducción del estrés y ansiedad en clientes del Instituto de Terapia Integrada y Oriental, en Sao Paulo, Brasil. Método: ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado paralelo, con muestra inicial de 122 personas divididas en 3 grupos Masaje+Reposo (G1), Masaje+Reiki (G2) y Control sin intervención (G3). Los participantes fueron evaluados a través de la Lista de Síntomas de Stress y por el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado, en el inicio y después de 8 sesiones (1 mes), durante el año de 2015. Resultados: hubo diferencia estadística (p = 0,000) según ANOVA para el estrés entre los grupos 2 y 3 (33% de reducción y Cohen de 0,98) y entre los grupos 1 y 3 (p = 0,014), 24% de reducción y Cohen de 0,78. Para la ansiedad-estado, hubo reducción en los grupos de intervención comparados al grupo Control (p < 0,01), con 21% de reducción para el Grupo 2 (Cohen de 1,18) y 16% de reducción para el grupo 1 (Cohen de 1,14). Conclusión: entre los grupos, el Masaje+Reiki consiguió mejores resultados; se sugiere realizar otro estudio con uso de placebo para el Reiki, para evaluar el alcance de la técnica de forma separada. RBR-42c8wp

Effect of Microwave Radiation on Growth, Enzyme Activity (Amylase and Pectinase), and/or Exopolysaccharide Production in Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans, Xanthomonas campestris and Pectobacterium carotovora.

Aim: To investigate effect of microwave (MW) radiation on bacterial growth, enzyme activity (amylase and pectinase), and exopolysaccharide production. Study Design: The study was designed to investigate effect of MW radiation on bacterial growth, enzyme activity, and exopolysaccharide production. Particularly the non-thermal effects were focused. Thermal effects were avoided (minimized) by keeping the bacterial suspension in ice while exposing to MW radiation. Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India, between November 2012 and May 2013. Methodology: The present study investigated the effect of MW (90 W) radiation on bacterial growth, enzyme activity (amylase and pectinase), and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Test parameters viz. growth, enzyme activity, and EPS production of populations originated from MW treated cells were compared to those originated from untreated control. Thermal effects of MW radiation were avoided (minimized) by placing inoculum vial(s) in a ice containing beaker during MW exposure. Results: MW treatment was found to be capable of altering bacterial growth, enzyme activity, and EPS production significantly. Amylase activity in B. subtilis suffered a heavy loss of 67.43% (P<0.01) following 6 min MW exposure. Pectinase activity in MW treated (4 min duration) B. subtilis was 169.92 times higher (P<0.01) than that of control. MW treatment for 4 min and 6 min duration were able to induce EPS production in Xanthomonas campestris by 46.15% (P<0.01) and 53.84% (P<0.05) respectively. Conclusion: MW treatment was found to alter growth, enzyme activity, and EPS production significantly in the test bacteria. This study positively suggests existence of nonthermal effects of MW radiation on biological entities. Further investigation on mode of action of these MW specific athermal effects, and on their genetic stability are warranted.

Curcumin sensitizes lung adenocarcinoma cells to apoptosis via intracellular redox status mediated pathway.

The present study demonstrates that curcumin acts as pro-oxidant and sensitizes human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) to apoptosis via intracellular redox status mediated pathway. Results indicated that curcumin induced cell toxicity (light microscopy and MTT assay) and apoptosis (AnnexinV-FITC/PI labeling and caspase-3 activity) in these cells. These events seem to be mediated through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide radicals (SOR) and enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation. These changes were accompanied by increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH) and -glutamylcysteine synthetase (-GCS) activity, but decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio. The induction of apoptosis and decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio was also accompanied by sustained phosphorylation and activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). On the other hand, addition of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, blocked the curcumin-induced ROS production and rescued malignant cells from curcumin-induced apoptosis through caspase-3 deactivation. However, L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a GSH synthesis blocking agent, further enhanced curcumin-induced ROS production and apoptosis in A549 cells. Decreased GSH/GSSG ratio seems to be a crucial factor for the activation of MAPK signaling cascade by curcumin. The study therefore, provides an insight into the molecular mechanism involved in sensitization of lung adenocarcinoma cells to apoptosis by curcumin.

Evaluation of the damage caused by clamping or section of cervical sympathetic nerve in rabbits / Avaliação do dano causado pela clipagem ou secção do nervo simpático cervical em coelhos

PURPOSE: To study the macro and microscopic evaluation of the damage caused by clamping or section of cervical sympathetic nerve in rabbits, quantifying the collagen in the lesions. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided into two groups of ten, doing in group 1 (section) section of the right cervical sympathetic nerve, while in group 2 (clipping) clipping of the nerve. All rabbits were induced to death on the seventh day after surgery. The macroscopic variables were: consequences of nerve lesion, clip appearance, presence of infection and adhesions around the nerve. Microscopy used hematoxylin-eosin staining to evaluate the stages and the degree of inflammation and necrosis, and F3BA Picrosirius red staining to quantify collagen. Mann-Whitney test was used for comparisons of collagen types I and III between groups. Fisher exact test analyzed the macroscopic variables, the degree of inflammation and necrosis. RESULTS: There was no discontinuity of nerve injury in the clipping group, as well as the clip was closed in all animals. The presence of severe adhesions was significantly higher in the clipping group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference on other variables macroscopically analyzed. There was no significant difference between groups regarding the type of inflammatory process and its intensity, as well as the presence of necrosis and collagen deposition in the nerves. CONCLUSIONS: In the macroscopic evaluation, the section caused discontinuity, which did not occur in the clamping group; there was no development of local infection; the clipping of the cervical sympathetic nerve was linked to the presence of a greater number of adhesions in comparison to the section group. Microscopically, no difference existed in relation to the type and intensity of inflammation reaction between the groups; occurred predominance of chronic and severe inflammation on the specimens; the necrosis was noticed equally in both groups; there was predominance of type I collagen deposition in relation to type III in both groups.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a lesão provocada pela secção e pela clipagem no nervo simpático cervical de coelhos, avaliando-se a macroscopia, microscopia e quantificando-se o colágeno nas lesões. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 20 coelhos, distribuídos em dois grupos de dez, sendo nos animais do grupo 1 (secção) realizada secção do nervo simpático cervical direito, enquanto nos do grupo 2 (clipagem) realizada a clipagem desse nervo. Todos os coelhos foram induzidos à morte no sétimo dia de pós-operatório. As variáveis macroscópicas avaliadas foram: presença de lesão de descontinuidade do nervo, aspecto do clipe, presença de infecção e de aderências ao redor do nervo. A microscopia com hematoxilina-eosina foi feita para avaliar as fases, o grau do processo inflamatório e a presença de necrose; a coloração de Picrosirius red F3BA quantificou o colágeno. Utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney nas comparações dos colágenos tipo I e tipo III entre os grupos. As variáveis macroscópicas, o grau do processo inflamatório e presença de necrose foram analisadas pelo teste de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Não houve lesão de descontinuidade do nervo no grupo clipagem, assim como o clipe encontrou-se fechado em todos os animais desse grupo. A presença de aderências intensas foi significativamente maior no grupo clipagem (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa quanto às demais variáveis analisadas macroscopicamente. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto ao tipo de processo inflamatório e sua intensidade, assim como quanto à presença de necrose e ao depósito de colágeno nos nervos. CONCLUSÕES: Na avaliação macroscópica, a secção causou lesão de descontinuidade, o que não ocorreu na clipagem; não houve desenvolvimento de infecção local; a clipagem do nervo simpático cervical foi associada à presença de maior quantidade de aderências em relação à secção. Na avaliação microscópica reconheceu-se não haver diferença no tipo e na intensidade do processo inflamatório entre os grupos; ocorreu predomínio de processo inflamatório crônico e acentuado; as necroses ocorreram igualmente em ambos os grupos; houve predomínio de depósito de colágeno tipo I em relação ao tipo III em ambos os grupos.

Parkinsonism and intractable hiccup in a patient with relapsing sarcoidosis

We describe a 56-year-old man with relapsing sarcoidosis who presented with persistent hiccup responsive to steroid and clonazepam treatments. The patient also showed parkinsonism. The interval between the initial presentation and current symptoms was about 30 years. Brain MRI demonstrated foci of abnormal signal intensity in the cerebral white matter bilaterally, with decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and FLAIR images. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the brain showed diffuse linear enhancement throughout the cerebral white matter with a confi guration suggesting perivascular infi ltration. Spinal MRI revealed spotty gadolinium-enhancing lesions from C2 to T3 segments. This case suggests that in some sarcoidosis patients intractable hiccup may be associated with high spinal cord lesions and parkinsonism with frontal white matter lesions.

Possible involvement of IFN-gamma in early mortality of Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected BALB/c mice after febrifugine treatment.

Parasitemia patterns, survival and cytokine levels of Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected BALB/c mice, treated orally with the alkaloidal mixture of febrifugine and isofebrifugine at a dose of 1 mg/kg twice a day for 4 consecutive days were monitored. Whereas the untreated mice showed a progressive increase in parasitemia and ultimate death, the alkaloid mixture-treated group showed a transient suppression of parasitemia during the course of treatment. However, the parasitemia increased on discontinuation of treatment, leading to earlier death of mice in the treated group than in the infected but untreated controls. Mice in the infected but untreated group displayed a significant elevation in serum IFN-gammay levels during the first week post-infection (pI) and from Day 14 pI, relative to the levels in the uninfected controls. In contrast, although mice in the alkaloid mixture-treated group displayed no significant elevation in serum IFN-gamma levels during the first week pI, they showed considerable levels on Day 14 pI. There were no significant differences in serum IL-4 levels among the groups. The titers of the parasite-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 were significantly elevated from Day 11 pI in both the treated and untreated groups. There was a significant difference in survival duration between the IFN-gamma-/- mutant and BALB/c mice. IFN-gamma-/- mutant mice showed a decrease in parasitemia levels while receiving medication, which was significantly lower than those of the treated BALB/c mice. The results of the present study suggest that although IFN-gamma is significant for protective immunity in mice with malaria infection, it may play an adverse role post-medication, causing earlier mortality of treated BALB/c mice.

Seroprevalence of susceptibility to morbillivirus infection on giant panda in captivity / 中国兽医学报

Canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralizing antibody (NT) titer was examined against the sera from 7 giant pandas aged between 8 to 21 years housed at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding,China.Anti-CDV NT titer against the Onderstepoort strain showed a wide range from × 2 to×256 (median=16),even though the ani-mals had been receiving an attenuated live vaccine made from an anonymous domestic CDV strain twice a year since 2003.A single administration of attenuated morbillivirus antigen often be enough to give corresponding host a steady immunogenicity.Anti-CDV-NT variation in the giant panda suggests some deficiency in the relationship between the vaccine and the host.

Citofotometria do ADN de células do colo do útero infectadas e näo infectadas pelo papiloma vírus humano / Cytophotometric of the cervix cells DNA infected and non infected by the papiloma human virus

Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar características citofotométricas dos núcleos das células do colo uterino infectadas ou näo pelo HPV, considerando o número de cópias virais. Incluiu-se 69 pacientes entre 16 e 48 anos, que realizavam avaliaçäo ginecológica de rotina, citologia oncótica e colcoscopia. As suspeitas de lesäo por HPV à colcoscopia, foram consideradas grupo de estudo e submetidas à biópsia (n=40); as que näo apresentaram lesäo foram consideradas grupo controle (CT, n=29). Confirmou-se a infecçäo ou näo de HPV pela captura híbrida, quantificando ainda em baixa cópias virais (BC ,100) e altas cópias(AC.100). Realizou-se citofotometria pela coloraçäo de FEULGEN e uso do sistema SAMBA 4000. Os resultados demonstram: área nuclear menor em AC que CT e BC (p<0,05), com alta sensibilidade na diferenciaçäo de CT x AC e BC x AC; densidade óptica integrada maior em BC que CT e AC (p<0,05); BC e AC apresentaram maior índice de pequenos agrupamentos de cromatina e de contraste que CT; BC e AC apresentaram menor índice de grandes agrupamentos de cromatina e de energia que CT; a taxa de ploidia foi semelante entre os tres; BC apresentou mais núcleos nas fases S, G2 e M que CT. Concluiu-se que a citofotometria do ADN do núcleo das células do colo uterino foi capaz de diferenciar entre CT, BC e AC, em diferentes níveis de sensitividade e especificidade, segundo os diversos parâmetros analisados, dos núcleos infectados pelo HPV em comparaçäo aos näo infectados

Evaluation of the First Trial of a White Coat Ceremony as a Ceremony of Passage: A Method for Teaching Professionalism in Undergraduate Medical Education / 医学教育

Purposes: We performed a white coat ceremony for medical students, because there had not been a definite passage ceremony to create the desire to serve and the awareness of being physician. Opinions about the ceremony were with a questionnaire survey. Methods: The ceremony of white coat conferment was performed for the first time for 112 fourth-year medical students on January 11, 2001, just before the start of clinical training. A white coat and an identification badge with photograph were presented to the medical students, who were taking the first step to becoming a physician. A questionnaire survey was performed the next day to evaluate students' feelings. The questionnaire asked about student's 1) sense of responsibility to be engaged in medical practice, 2) feelings of kindness to patient, 3) love for of their school, 4) attachment to the white robe, 5) consciousness of being a professional, 6) sense of mission as a physician, 7) motivation to learn, 8) feelings of seriousness, and 9) desire to live ethically. A listening survey for the school staff and students was also included. Results: Clear improvements in consciousness were recognized in all items of the questionnaire (P>.0001). Approximately 80% of students approved of the ceremony being performed annually from the following year. The ceremony had had no established form, but many people acknowledged its significance. However, some students who did not realize the significance of the ceremony because it was performed in the middle of the semester. Conclusions: Although this was the first experience for us, many students and teaching staff were understanding and responded favorably to this passage ceremony. The ceremony to instill medical professionalism in student doctors will be improved with further efforts and experiences.

Mensuraçäo das variaçöes da força mecânica desenvolvida na ponta da lâmina de elevadores de Seldin angulados, portadores de dimensöes-procedênciais diferentes / Measurement of variations of mechanical force developed upon the active edge of angulated Seldin elevators carrying differents dimensions-origins

O objetivo da presente tese foi obter uma mensuraçäo acurada das variaçöes da força mecânica desenvolvida na ponta da lâmina de elevadores de seldin angulados, de números 1R e 1L, portadores de diferentes dimensöes. Foram utilizados vinte e seis elevadores dentais, previamente usinados, com as seguintes procedências: quatro americanos, quatro alemäes e dezoito nacionais de três marcas diferentes. Após as mensuraçöes, estes elevadores foram submetidos a um dispositivo de ensaio de elevadores (DEE). Assim, cada elevador desalojou a raiz dentária de resina de um modelo do segmento posterior da arcada dentária mandibular, também em resina. As raízes foram fixadas aos modelos com um selante à base de silicona que, em nosso experimento, desempenhou funçäo semelhante a dos ligamentos alvéolos-dentários. Após a colocaçäo do modelo da arcada dentária mandibular no DEE, posicionamos a ponta da lâmina do elevador no espaço existente entre a raiz de resina e o modelo suporte, e acionamos a manivela do DEE, imprimindo um movimento de rotaçäo na lâmina do elevador, resultando no desalojamento da raiz. Uma célula de carga, disposta no fio de aço que traciona a polia do DEE, mediu a força desenvolvida para o desalojamento da raiz, através de um impulso elétrico, transmitido ao registrador potenciométrico. O registro gráfico da força permitiu-nos calcular a força máxima. Os valores médios da força máxima medida na ponta da lâmina de elevadores de Seldin angulados, de números 1R e 1L, permitiu-nos concluir, pela metodologia proposta, que existem variaçöes da força máxima presente na ponta da lâmina destes elevadores, que pela procedência diversificada apresentam diferentes dimensöes