Creep attenuation in glassy polymer nanocomposites with variable polymer-nanoparticle interactions.

The use of nanoparticle reinforced polymer matrices in continuous fiber composites for infrastructure applications requires a comprehensive understanding of viscoelastic creep. Critical parameters affecting the mechanical reinforcement offered by nanoparticles include nanoparticle size and concentration, as well as the interaction between the nanoparticle surface and polymer matrix. Here, we study the viscoelastic creep of nanocomposite systems comprised of glassy thermoplastic polymers and spherical silica nanoparticles of varying sizes and surface functionalization using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) accelerated testing methodology. Significant differences in the nanoparticle dispersions in these nanocomposites were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and are attributed to differences in the polymer-polymer and polymer-particle interaction strengths. The DMA measurements indicate a decrease in compliance at short times with increased nanoparticle loading that is largely independent of nanoparticle dispersion morphology and polymer-particle interaction strength. Conversely, long term creep behavior shows a much stronger dependence on these parameters with the creep onset time increasing by up to three orders of magnitude. For similar nanoparticle loadings, the time to critical deformation in systems with well-distributed, networked nanoparticle morphologies was larger by an order of magnitude compared to systems exhibiting strong nanoparticle aggregation. The networked systems delayed the time to critical deformation by three orders of magnitude over that of neat polymer. The increase in time to critical deformation is also greater in composites with smaller nanoparticles at similar loadings, which we attribute to the development of percolated nanoparticle networks. These results demonstrate the significant effects polymer-particle interactions and dispersion morphologies can have on the long-term creep compliance of thermoplastic nanocomposites.

Precise Acid Copolymer Exhibits a Face-Centered Cubic Structure.

A linear polyethylene precisely functionalized with geminal phosphonic acid pendants on every 21st carbon atom exhibits face-centered cubic (FCC) packing of acid aggregates. X-ray scattering from isotropic films result in higher-order scattering peaks used to determine the lattice parameter at room temperature (aFCC = 4.19 nm) and above the melting temperature of the polyethylene matrix (aFCC = 4.06 nm). Upon stretching the precise acid copolymer, an anisotropic scattering pattern featuring two coexisting crystalline orientations results, both having the ⟨110⟩ direction of the FCC lattice along the stretching direction. This is the first report of cubic ordering of aggregates in an acid copolymer and it is the direct consequence of the molecular precision of the polymer.

Eventos adversos de la CPRE en el Hospital de San José de Bogotá / Adverse events of ERCP at San José Hospital of Bogotá (Colombia)

La colangiopancreatografía retrograda endoscópica (CPRE) se ha convertido en el procedimiento terapéutico por excelencia de la vía biliopancreática. A pesar de los avances tecnológicos continúa siendo la técnica con mayor morbimortalidad de la endoscopia digestiva. Las complicaciones de la CPRE incluyen la pancreatitis, perforación, hemorragia, colangitis y eventos cardiopulmonares que en centros de referencia ocurren hasta en un 10%, implicando una mortalidad hasta del 1%, sin incluir las fallas terapéuticas ni las reintervenciones. En los estudios prospectivos se ha demostrado un porcentaje mayor de morbilidad que en los retrospectivos, aunque en general, en los estudios publicados, se reconoce un porcentaje menor de complicaciones al que realmente ocurre. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo desde el 1 de abril de 2006 hasta el 30 de abril de 2007 en los pacientes del Hospital de San José a quienes se les practicó CPRE con un seguimiento durante un mes. Se incluyeron 381 pacientes, se excluyeron 9 (2,3%), de los restantes 372 pacientes estudiados el 79,6% fueron exitosos, el 8,3% reintervenidos, el 7,6% presentaron complicaciones (pancreatitis, perforación, hemorragia, colangitis, dolor, intolerancia a la sedación y eventos cardiopulmonares) y el 4,3% fueron fallidas. La mortalidad atribuida al procedimiento fue del 0,8%. Se determinaron las complicaciones debidas a la CPRE en un centro de enseñanza sugiriendo el establecimiento de centros de excelencia en busca de una mayor efectividad del procedimiento(AU)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the preferred treatment method for hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease. Despite technological progress this technique continues to account for the greatest morbidity and mortality caused by digestive endoscopic procedures. ERCP carries a risk of pancreatitis, perforation, hemorrhage, cholangitis and cardiopulmonary events occurring in upto 10% of patients in referral centers, implying a mortality of up to 1%, not including therapeutic failures or the need for re-intervention. A greater mortality rate has been demonstrated in prospective studies rather than in retrospective studies, but overall, the number of complications described in the literature is much lower than the number of complications that actually occur. A descriptive prospective study was conducted at San José Hospital from April 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007 in patients who underwent an ERCP and had a 1-month follow-up. A total of 381 patients were included; 9 (2.3%) were excluded, and of the remaining 372 there was an overall success in 79.6% of cases, 8.3% had a second intervention, 7.6% developed complications (pancreatitis, perforation, hemorrhage, cholangitis, pain, intolerance to sedatives, and cardiopulmonary events), and 4.3% were failed ERCP studies. The mortality rate of the ERCP procedure was 0.8%. ERCP-related complications were determined at a teaching center, and this suggests the need to implement centers of excellence in order to improve the efficacy of the procedure(AU)

Adverse events of ERCP at San José Hospital of Bogotá (Colombia).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the preferred treatment method for hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease. Despite technological progress this technique continues to account for the greatest morbidity and mortality caused by digestive endoscopic procedures. ERCP carries a risk of pancreatitis, perforation, hemorrhage, cholangitis and cardiopulmonary events occurring in upto 10% of patients in referral centers, implying a mortality of up to 1%, not including therapeutic failures or the need for re-intervention. A greater mortality rate has been demonstrated in prospective studies rather than in retrospective studies, but overall, the number of complications described in the literature is much lower than the number of complications that actually occur.A descriptive prospective study was conducted at San José Hospital from April 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007 in patients who underwent an ERCP and had a 1-month follow-up. A total of 381 patients were included; 9 (2.3%) were excluded, and of the remaining 372 there was an overall success in 79.6% of cases, 8.3% had a second intervention, 7.6% developed complications (pancreatitis, perforation, hemorrhage, cholangitis, pain, intolerance to sedatives, and cardiopulmonary events), and 4.3% were failed ERCP studies. The mortality rate of the ERCP procedure was 0.8%.ERCP-related complications were determined at a teaching center, and this suggests the need to implement centers of excellence in order to improve the efficacy of the procedure.

Actividad antimicrobiana del extracto en metanol de Stevia Rebaudiana sobre bacterias Gram-negativas (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae) y Gram-positivas (Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus) contaminantes de cavidad oral e importantes en enfermedad periodontal / Antimicrobial activity of Stevia rebaudiana extract, in methanol, on Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus) contamining the oral cavity and relevant in periodontal disease

Objetivo: determinar la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto en metanol de Stevia rebaudiana sobre bacterias gram negativas y gram positivas, contaminantes de cavidad oral e importantes en enfermedad periodontal. Materiales y métodos. Estudio experimental (fase I) cuyo objetivo era la Stevia rebaudiana. Se realizó la obtención de plantas y microorganismos, preparación de los extractos y ensayos microbiológicos. Se busca estudiar la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto en metanol de hojas de stevia rebaudiana bertoni pulverizada. Los extractos stevia rebaudiana presentaron, en estudios anteriores, actividad sobre microorganismos cariogénicos (S. mutans y L. acidophilus); se cree que los extractos propuestos tengan una gran actividad sobre los microorganismos relacionados con enfermedad periodontal. Resultados y conclusiones. El solvente metanol indica que por sí sola la stevia rebaudiana no no tuvo acción inhibitoria sobre los dos microorganismos gram-negativos. La acción inhibitoria sobre los microorganismos se inicia a partir de 200 mg/ml.

Escleredema de Buschke y cefalea / Buschke’s scleredema and headache

No disponible

Galactomannan does not precede major signs on a pulmonary computerized tomographic scan suggestive of invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Detection of serum galactomannan (GM) antigen and presence of the halo sign on a pulmonary computerized tomographic (CT) scan have a high specificity but a low sensitivity to diagnose invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients at risk for this disease. To our knowledge, the relationship between the time at which pulmonary infiltrates are detected by CT and the time at which GM antigens are detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has not been studied. METHODS: In a prospective study, tests for detection of GM were performed twice weekly for patients with hematological malignancies who had undergone hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or had received induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy. A pulmonary CT scan was performed once weekly. Infiltrates were defined as either major or minor signs. IA was classified as proven, probable, or possible, in accordance with the definition stated by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group. RESULTS: We analyzed 161 episodes of infection in 107 patients (65 allogeneic HSCT recipients, 30 autologous HSCT recipients, and 66 induction and/or consolidation chemotherapy recipients). A total of 109 episodes with no IA, 32 episodes with possible IA, and 20 episodes with probable or proven IA were identified. Minor pulmonary signs were detected by CT in 70 episodes (43%), and major pulmonary signs were detected by CT in 11 episodes (7%). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed no significant association between detection of GM by EIA and detection of abnormal pulmonary signs by CT. A significant association was found between GM levels and receipt of piperacillin-tazobactam. GM test results were not positive before major signs were seen on CT images. Only 7 (10%) of 70 patients with minor pulmonary signs had positive GM test results before detection of the greatest pathologic change by CT. CONCLUSIONS: We show that detection of GM by EIA does not precede detection of major lesions by pulmonary CT. In the clinical setting, the decision to administer mold-active treatment should based on detection of new pulmonary infiltrates on CT performed early during infection, rather than on results of EIA for detection of GM.

1alpha,25(OH)2D3 induces capacitative calcium entry involving a TRPC3 protein in skeletal muscle and osteoblastic cells.

This work describes the involvement of TRPC proteins in capacitative calcium entry (CCE) induced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin-D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3] in chick skeletal muscle and in rat osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8) and the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in this non-genomic rapid response mediated by the hormone. We propose that an endogenous TRPC3 protein mediates 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 modulation of CCE in these cells, which seems to implicate VDR-TRPC3 association and the participation of an INAD-like scaffold protein.

1a, 25(OH)2D3 induces capacitative calcium entry involving a TRPC3 protein in skeletal muscle and osteoblastic cells

This work describes the involvement of TRPC proteins in capacitative calcium entry (CCE) induced by 1a,25-dihydroxy-vitamin-D3 [1a,25(OH)2D3] in chick skeletal muscle and in rat osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8) and the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in this non-genomic rapid response mediated by the hormone. We propose that an endogenous TRPC3 protein mediates 1a,25(OH)2D3 modulation of CCE in these cells, which seems to implicate VDR-TRPC3 association and the participation of an INAD-like scaffold protein.

Unenhanced helical computed tomography vs intravenous urography in patients with acute flank pain: accuracy and economic impact in a randomized prospective trial.

Unenhanced helical computed tomography (UHCT) has evolved into a well-accepted alternative to intravenous urography (IVU) in patients with acute flank pain and suspected ureterolithiasis. The purpose of our randomized prospective study was to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of UHCT vs IVU in the normal clinical setting with special interest on economic impact, applied radiation dose and time savings in patient management. A total of 122 consecutive patients with acute flank pain suggestive of urolithiasis were randomized for UHCT ( n=59) or IVU ( n=63). Patient management (time, contrast media), costs and radiation dose were analysed. The films were independently interpreted by four radiologists, unaware of previous findings, clinical history and clinical outcome. Alternative diagnoses if present were assessed. Direct costs of UHCT and IVU are nearly identical (310/309 Euro). Indirect costs are much lower for UHCT because it saves examination time and when performed immediately initial abdominal plain film (KUB) and sonography are not necessary. Time delay between access to the emergency room and start of the imaging procedure was 32 h 7 min for UHCT and 36 h 55 min for IVU. The UHCT took an average in-room time of 23 min vs 1 h 21 min for IVU. Mild to moderate adverse reactions for contrast material were seen in 3 (5%) patients. The UHCT was safe, as no contrast material was needed. The mean applied radiation dose was 3.3 mSv for IVU and 6.5 mSv for UHCT. Alternative diagnoses were identified in 4 (7%) UHCT patients and 3 (5%) IVU patients. Sensitivity and specificity of UHCT and IVU was 94.1 and 94.2%, and 85.2 and 90.4%, respectively. In patients with suspected renal colic KUB and US may be the least expensive and most easily accessable modalities; however, if needed and available, UHCT can be considered a better alternative than IVU because it has a higher diagnostic accuracy and a better economic impact since it is more effective, faster, less expensive and less risky than IVU. In addition, it also has the capability of detecting various additional renal and extrarenal pathologies.

The vitamin D receptor mediates rapid changes in muscle protein tyrosine phosphorylation induced by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3).

It has been recently shown that the fast non-genomic responses of 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] in skeletal muscle cells involve tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinase (ERK1/2), c-Src kinase and the oncoprotein c-myc. In the present work, blockade of vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression (> or =80%) by preincubation of chick embryonic muscle cells with three different antisense oligonucleotides against the VDR mRNA (AS-VDR ODNs) significantly reduced (-94%) 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulation of c-myc tyrosine phosphorylation and inhibited c-Src tyrosine dephosphorylation implying lack of c-Src activation by the hormone. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induces the formation of complexes between c-Src and c-myc, in agreement with the above results and previous studies showing hormone-dependent association between c-Src and tyrosine phosphorylated VDR and c-Src mediated c-myc tyrosine phosphorylation. MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was affected to a lesser extent (-35%) by transfection with AS-VDR ODNs implying that both VDR-dependent and VDR-independent signalling mediate hormone stimulation of MAPK. These are the first results providing direct evidence on the participation of the VDR in non-genomic 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) signal transduction. Activation of tyrosine phosphorylation cascades through this mechanism may contribute to hormone regulation of muscle growth.

The stimulation of MAP kinase by 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) in skeletal muscle cells is mediated by protein kinase C and calcium.

In previous work we have demonstrated that the steroid hormone 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] stimulates in skeletal muscle cells the phosphorylation and activity of the extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase isoforms ERK1 and ERK2. In the present study we evaluated the involvement of Ca(2+) and protein kinase C (PKC) on 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced activation of MAP kinase. The hormone response was found to depend on PKC stimulation since it was attenuated by the PKC inhibitors calphostin C (100 nM) and bisindolylmaleimide I (30 nM) and PKC downregulation by prolonged treatment with the phorbol ester TPA (1 microM). Removal of external Ca(2+), chelation of intracellular Ca(2+) with BAPTA (5 microM), inhibition of phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PLC) by neomycin, the calmodulin antagonist fluphenazine (50 microM) and the specific inhibitor of calmodulin kinase II, KN-62 (10 microM), significantly decreased 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-activation of MAP kinase. In addition, the Ca(2+)-channel blocker verapamil (5 microM) suppressed hormone-induced MAP kinase activity in these cells. Furthermore, the Ca(2+)-mobilizing agent thapsigargin and the Ca(2+)-inophore A23187 paralleled the phosphorylation of MAP kinase observed with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Taken together, these results indicate that PKC and Ca(2+) are two upstream activators mediating the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on MAP kinase in skeletal muscle cells.

The tyrosine kinase c-Src is required for 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 signalling to the nucleus in muscle cells.

We have recently shown that the hormonal form of vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), stimulates the enzymatic activity of the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase c-Src in skeletal muscle cells. In this study we show that intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ chelation with BAPTA and EGTA, respectively, blocked hormone stimulation of c-Src activity/dephosphorylation, indicating that the calcium messenger system is an upstream activator of c-Src. Tyrosine phosphorylation and stimulation of the growth-related mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by 1,25(OH)2D3 was shown to be dependent on activation of c-Src, since pretreatment with the c-Src specific inhibitor PP1 or muscle cell transfection with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against c-Src mRNA markedly reduced hormone stimulation of MAPK phosphorylation. Evidence was obtained indicating that MAPK is then translocated to the cell nucleus in active phosphorylated form and induces the expression of c-myc oncoprotein, as the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 abolished stimulation of c-myc synthesis by 1,25(OH)2D3. In addition, the hormone rapidly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of c-myc. In cells pretreated with PP1 (4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo-D3,4-pyrimidine), the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of c-myc was suppressed. Taken together, these results demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates proliferation-associated signalling pathways in skeletal muscle cells and implicate c-Src kinase as mediator of this response.

Activation of Src kinase in skeletal muscle cells by 1, 1,25-(OH(2))-vitamin D(3) correlates with tyrosine phosphorylation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and VDR-Src interaction.

The rapid effect of 1 alpha,25(OH(2))-vitamin D(3) [1 alpha, 25(OH(2))D(3)] on tyrosine kinase Src and its relationship to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was investigated to further characterize the hormone signaling mechanism in chick muscle cells. Exposure of cultured myotubes to 1 alpha,25(OH(2))D(3) caused a time-dependent increase in Src activity, which was evident at 1 min (one-fold) and reached a maximum at 5 min (15-fold). Immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody of immunoprecipitated Src showed that the hormone decreased Src tyrosine phosphorylation state with maximal effects at 5 min. Using a database for protein consensus motifs we found a putative tyrosine phosphorylation site (amino acids 164-170: KTFDTTY) within the primary sequence of the chick VDR. When the myotube VDR was immunoprecipitated it appeared onto SDS-PAGE gels as a single band of 58 kDa recognized by an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Prior treatment of cells with (1)alpha,25(OH(2))D(3) significantly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the VDR (two- to three-fold above basal levels). In agreement with Src being a SH2-domain containing protein involved in recognition of tyrosine-phosphorylated targets, immunoprecipitation with anti-Src antibody under native conditions followed by blotting with anti-VDR antibody, or using the antibodies in inverse order, showed that the VDR co-precipitates with Src, thus indicating the existence of a VDR/Src complex. Stimulation with the cognate VDR ligand significantly increased formation of the complex with respect to basal conditions. These results altogether provide the first evidence to date for 1 alpha,25(OH(2))D(3) activation involving Src association to tyrosine phosphorylated VDR.

Involvement of tyrosine kinase activity in 1alpha,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 signal transduction in skeletal muscle cells.

In cultured chick skeletal muscle cells loaded with Fura-2, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and genistein abolished both the fast inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphatedependent Ca(2+) release from internal stores and extracellular Ca(2+) influx induced by 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)). Daidzein, an inactive analog of genistein, was without effects. Tyrosine phosphatase inhibition by orthovanadate increased cytosolic Ca(2+). Anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblot analysis revealed that 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)D(3) rapidly (0.5-10 min) stimulates in a concentrationdependent fashion (0.1-10 nm) tyrosine phosphorylation of several myoblast proteins, among which the major targets of the hormone could be immunochemically identified as phospholipase Cgamma (127 kDa), which mediates intracellular store Ca(2+) mobilization and external Ca(2+) influx, and the growth-related proteins mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (42/44 kDa) and c-myc (65 kDa). Genistein suppressed the increase in phosphorylation and concomitant elevation of MAPK activity elicited by the sterol. Both genistein and the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 abolished stimulation of DNA synthesis by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). The sterol-induced increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of c-myc, a finding not reported before for cell growth regulators, was totally suppressed by the specific Src inhibitor PP1. These results demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation is a previously unrecognized mechanism involved in 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis in hormone target cells. In addition, the data involve tyrosine kinase cascades in the mitogenic effects of 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)D(3) on skeletal muscle cells.

Acute modulation of Ca2+ influx on rat heart by 17beta-estradiol.

Estrogens initiate their action by binding to specific intracellular receptors and then acting on gene expression. In addition, there is growing evidence of a direct membrane effect via interaction with a cell surphase receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of 17beta-estradiol on Ca2+ fluxes through second messenger pathways in rat cardiac muscle. Exposure of rat ventricle to low levels of 17beta-estradiol (10(-12)-10(-8) M) increased 45Ca2+ influx within 1 min (+38%); the response was biphasic, peaking at 2 and 5 min (+60 and +55%, respectively). The effect of the hormone on rat heart seems to be specific since 17alpha-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, and progesterone were devoid of activity. The effect of 17beta-estradiol (5 min, 10(-10) M) was suppressed by nitrendipine (1 microM) and LaCl3 (10 microM), involving the activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the acute increase of rat heart calcium influx by the hormone. 17Beta-estradiol rapidly increased cAMP content and PKA activity of rat cardiac muscle in parallel to the changes in Ca2+ uptake. In addition the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMPS suppressed 17beta-estradiol-dependent Ca2+ influx. Altogether, the data suggest the involvement of the cAMP/PKA messenger system in the nongenomic modulation of Ca2+ influx in rat cardiac muscle by physiological levels of 17beta-estradiol.

Efecto de un dentífrico triclosán/copolímero sobre la formación de placa bacteriana / Effect of a copolymer/triclosan dentifrice on dental plaque formation

Un total de 97 adultos, hombres y mujeres, en su mayoría representados en estudiantes de odontología de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, completaron un estudio clínico doble ciego de seis (6) semanas diseñado para el efecto sobre la formación de placa de un dentífrico que contenía un 0.3 por ciento de triclosán y un 2 por ciento de gantrez, al compararlo con un dentífrico placebo. Los sujetos fueron clasificados en dos (2) grupos balanceados de acuerdo con los porcentajes de placa iniciales. Durante el estudio los sujetos no utilizaron ningún otro procedimiento de higiene bucal, y se les asignó el uso del dentífrico placebo o del dentífrico T/C durante las siguientes 6 (6) semanas. Después de este tiempo se realizó una evaluación de la formación de placa, en la cual se evidenció que el dentífrico T/C suministró una reducción del 34.5 por ciento de la placa establecida el compararse con el dentífrico placebo y una reducción del 71.1 por ciento según el índice de severidad de placa, igualmente al ser comparada con el placebo. Esta reducción de placa fue estadísticamente significativa al 99 por ciento del nivel de confianza, se concluyó que el uso del dentífrico Tricolosán/Copolímero dos (2) veces al día reduce al índice de severidad de placa en un grado altamente significativo, sin obtenerse ningún efecto colateral adverso como la presencia de manchas extrínsecas

[The importance of the diagnostic imaging of malignant gastrointestinal tumors for radiotherapy]. / Die Bedeutung der diagnostischen Bildgebung maligner gastrointestinaler Tumoren für die Radiotherapie.

The importance of diagnostic imaging in malignant gastrointestinal tumors has moved from the primary diagnosis towards staging and follow-up studies. An accurate staging by diagnostic radiology is the cornerstone in planning radiation therapy. Especially in estimating the T- and N-stage as well as the primary diagnosis in esophagus-, gastric and rectal cancer endoscopy with endoscopic ultrasound is the method of choice. When planning radiation therapy barium studies of the esophagus and contrast enema of the colon are important. Only in the case of gastric lymphoma an upper gastrointestinal series is necessary. In the case of suspected recurrent rectal cancer CT-guided biopsy distinguishes between tumor recurrence and reactive fibrosis.

Effect of a mouthrinse containing triclosan and a copolymer on plaque formation in the absence of oral hygiene.

Twenty male and female adult subjects were entered into a 7-week, double-blind clinical study to determine the effect on plaque formation of a mouthrinse containing 0.03% [corrected] triclosan and 0.25% of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid, as compared to 1) a water placebo mouthrinse, 2) a matching alcohol placebo mouthrinse, and 3) Plax antiplaque pre-brushing dental rinse. The subjects were stratified according to their initial plaque scores and assigned in a type of randomized block design (repeated Latin square), so that each subject received each of the four mouthrinses only once for 1 week during the study. The subjects did not use any other oral hygiene procedure (including use of a toothbrush and dentifrice) during the 1-week period of time when they rinsed with their assigned mouthrinse product. The results indicated that use of the triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse provided a 49.8% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to the water placebo mouthrinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01). Similarly, the use of the triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse provided a 47.6% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to Plax antiplaque pre-brushing dental rinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01). The results further indicated that use of the triclosan/copolymer provided a 31.2% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to the alcohol placebo mouthrinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01).