Synchronous incidental double parathyroid adenomas and papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case report with literature review.

The association between parathyroid and thyroid diseases is not uncommon; however, the concurrent presence of parathyroid adenoma and thyroid cancer is rare. Awareness of this situation will enable clinicians to consider possible parathyroid pathology in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. The presence of parathyroid adenoma leading to primary hyperparathyroidism and the coexistence of thyroid papillary cancer is rare. We report a case of a 55-year-old female with papillary cancer admitted for surgery. Preoperative laboratory findings revealed normal calcium level and normal intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. Thyroidectomy and excision of abnormal enlarged double parathyroid glands were performed. Histological examination revealed parathyroid adenoma. Serum calcium was within the normal range after surgery. We recommend a preoperative check of calcium in patients with thyroid cancer.

Treatment of dental plaque biofilms using photodynamic therapy: a randomised controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality involving a dye that is activated by exposure to light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen to form oxygen species causing localised damage to microorganisms. AIM: To determine the most effective bactericidal incubation and irradiation times of erythrosine-based PDT on in vivo-formed dental plaque biofilms. METHODS: A randomised controlled study; 18-healthy adult participants wearing intraoral appliances with human enamel slabs to collect dental plaque samples in two separate periods of two weeks each for use in arm-1 and arm-2. These accumulated dental plaque samples were treated with PDT under different experimental conditions. Incubation times with photosensitiser (erythrosine) of 15 min and 2 min were used in arm-1 and arm-2, respectively, followed by light irradiation for either 15 min (continuous) or as a fractionated dose (5 × 30 sec). Following treatment, percentage reductions of total bacterial counts were compared between the different groups. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ Bacterial Viability Kit were used to visualise the effect of PDT on in vivo-formed biofilms. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the percentage of total bacterial counts (~93-95%) of in vivo-formed biofilms were found when using either 2 min or 15min incubation times and applying 15 min continuous light. Although when applying fractionated light, there was more cell death when 15 min incubation time was used (~ 91%) compared with the 2 min incubation time (~ 64%). CLSM results supported these findings. CONCLUSION: Improving the clinical usefulness of PDT by reducing its overall treatment time seems to be promising and effective in killing in vivo-formed dental plaque biofilms.

Galangin ameliorates changes of membrane-bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia

Objective: To assess the protective effect of galangin on membrane bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Methods: A single low dose of streptozotocin was injected to adult male albino rats to induce hyperglycemia. Galangin (8 mg/kg) or glibenclamide 600 μg/kg as a standard drug was given orally once daily for 45 days by gavage. Membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases were determined including total ATPase, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues (kidney, liver, and heart). Results: The levels of total ATPases, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues were significantly altered in diabetic rats as compared to that in normal rats. After 45 days of treatment with galangin or glibenclamide, the levels of these enzymes were similar to that of normal control rats. Conclusions: Oral administration of galangin or glibenclamide can improve activities of these membrane-bound ATPases towards normal levels. Mechanism of galangin needs to be further explored in future.