A comparison of a new alcohol-free 0.2% chlorhexidine oral rinse to an established 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse with alcohol for the control of dental plaque accumulation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical efficacy of two formulations (alcohol and alcohol free) of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) rinses on plaque, gingivitis and discoloration of teeth. METHODS: This double-blind crossover study consisted of one group of 10 volunteer dental students that followed two 21-day experimental gingivitis test periods. During these periods, the subjects abstained from oral hygiene except for the oral rinse provided. The study started after an initial two-week preparation programme that included a professional prophylaxis and repeated oral hygiene instructions. This was repeated for the 14-day washout period between the two rinses, including prophylaxis as per the first stage of the study. A calibrated examiner performed the clinical measurements at the beginning (baseline) and end of each study stage. The presence and amount of plaque were recorded using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI) and gingival inflammation by the gingival index (GI) while the discoloration index (DI) was recorded on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the six anterior teeth of both the mandible and maxilla. RESULTS: Mean PI increased similarly for both solutions; however, the differences between initial and final values were statistically significant only for CHLOREL® . Similarly, the mean values for the GI showed small increases over the course of the study periods, but not statistically significant for either solution. The mean DI increased significantly for both solutions. Regarding the comparison of the initial and final values ​​between the solutions, per index, no statistically significant differences were observed. CONCLUSION: The non-alcoholic chlorhexidine rinse had comparable levels of action as the generally recognized gold standard alcoholic rinse.

Does the use of trypan blue during phacoemulsification affect the intraocular pressure?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of trypan blue on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small-incision cataract surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients (30 eyes) with bilateral, dense, age-related cataracts. METHODS: Patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, exfoliation, pigment dispersion syndrome, history of uveitis, recent use of topical or systemic steroids, and previous ocular surgery were excluded. The patients were randomly assigned to receive trypan blue during cataract surgery for enhancing capsulorrhexis in 1 of their eyes, while in the other eye, trypan blue was not used. Cataract surgery was performed in an identical fashion in both eyes, with a sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The same viscoelastic (sodium hyaluronate) was used in all cases and was thoroughly aspirated at the end of the procedure. All patients received a single dose of 250 mg acetazolamide 8 hours after surgery. No other antiglaucomatous agent was used during surgery or postoperatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperatively and at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: IOP values were similar in both groups at all 4 postoperative measurements. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP values between the eyes in which trypan blue was used and the control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of trypan blue during small-incision cataract surgery does not have any effect on IOP during the immediate and early postoperative period.

Serum adiponectin in chronic hepatitis C and B.

Adiponectin possesses anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherosclerotic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of serum adiponectin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C and B and correlate them with parameters exploring insulin resistance and indices of chronic liver disease. Seventy-two patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 73 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, matched for age and sex, were studied. All individuals were examined for serum concentrations of adiponectin, insulin, C-peptide and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Viral parameters and liver histology were also evaluated. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in HCV compared with HBV-infected patients. Correlation analysis in the whole group demonstrated that serum adiponectin was positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, globulins, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and staging score, while it was negatively correlated with body mass index, insulin, C-peptide and HOMA-IR. Logistic regression analysis identified type of infection (HCV vs HBV), alcohol consumption more than 25 g daily, serum total globulin and low C-peptide as significant predictive variables associated with high adiponectin levels. Higher levels of serum adiponectin in HCV compared with HBV patients could have a role in the slower disease progression of chronic HCV infection. In addition, alcohol intake more than 25 g daily seems to be a significant predictor for hyperadiponectinaemia in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C or B. Finally, in this study, a clear positive association between adiponectin and hepatic necroinflammation or staging score was not found.

Actinomycosis, a rare and unsuspected cause of anal fistulous abscess: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Primary perianal actinomycosis is rare. Sporadic cases, with lesions varying in extent have been reported. The infection is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces, which often is a saprophyte. Male gender and diabetes are risk factors, but the exact pathogenic mechanism remains speculative. The diagnosis is a challenge and often delayed, with a protracted history of masses and sinuses extending into the gluteal and genital region. The treatment, a combination of surgery and antibiotics, is poorly standardized. We report three cases and compare their characteristics to those of published cases, found by a computerized literature search (1968-2002). The lesions, a simple fistula-in-ano or a mass, were diagnosed in an early stage in all three patients. The infection always spread into the scrotum. There were no risk factors other than gender, except in one patient. The diagnosis was suspected by the observation of draining sulfur granules and promptly confirmed by histology in the three cases. All patients healed with antibiotics in addition to simple surgical procedures. Treatment consisted of amoxicillin for two weeks in two cases and more extended antimicrobial treatment in the third. These findings are contrasting with the classic picture of perianal actinomycosis. It is concluded that perianal actinomycosis can occur in the absence of risk factors and that early diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion. An infection with Actinomyces should be suspected in the presence of lesions containing watery purulent material with sulfur granules. The indication for extended antibiotherapy combined with sphincter damaging surgery may need to be revised in the presence of early detection.

Predisposing factors and clinical symptoms in HIV-negative patients with Candida oesophagitis: are they always present?

Candida oesophagitis (CO) is scarce among immunocompetent patients. This study aimed at evaluating predisposing factors, clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings in this group. We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients diagnosed as CO endoscopically (whitish plaques) and cytologically (fungal mycelia on brush cytology). Carcinoma, diabetes, acid suppression, steroids, gastric surgery and oesophageal motility disorders were considered as predisposing factors. Twenty of 55 patients lacked any predisposing factor for CO. These patients were more frequently asymptomatic (8/20) when compared with those with known predisposing factors (5/35) (p = 0.031). Moreover, dysphagia was more prevalent in the latter group (24/35 vs. 8/20; p = 0.039). Endoscopic findings correlated with the presence of neither predisposing factors nor symptoms (Wilcoxon p > 0.05). Thus, CO can be discovered in patients without apparent predisposing risk factors and clinical symptoms. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of transition from colonisation to infection.

Small doses of the unabsorbable substance polyethylene glycol 3350 accelerate oro-caecal transit, but slow gastric emptying in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Polyethylene glycol 3350 increases stool frequency and accelerates colonic transit. Used as a laxative, it proved effective in patients with normal and slow transit. Although free of severe side effects, it may cause nausea and vomiting. The effect of this substance on upper gut transit has not been studied. AIM: To investigate the effect of polyethylene glycol 3350 on gastric emptying and oro-caecal transit in 12 healthy subjects. METHODS: In a randomised controlled study, isosmotic polyethylene glycol 3350 electrolyte balanced solution, in the maximal recommended dose or isosmotic electrolyte solution, was administered after breakfast and lunch on separate days. Gastric half-emptying time and oro-caecal transit time were measured using [13C]-octanoate and lactose-[13C] ureide breath tests. RESULTS: Isosmotic polyethylene glycol 3350 electrolyte solution, as compared to isosmotic electrolyte solution, decreased oro-caecal transit time from 424+/-28 to 314+/-17 min (P = 0.001). Gastric half-emptying time was significantly increased (84+/-6 min versus 127+/-14 min; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Polyethylene glycol 3350 accelerate oro-caecal transit in healthy subjects, but also cause an important delay in gastric emptying. The delay in gastric emptying may be of clinical significance in patients who have associated gastroparesis.

Gastric ulcers and risk for cancer. Is follow-up necessary for all gastric ulcers?

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of initial endoscopy combined with histology and to define whether there is a point in following-up all gastric ulcers until complete healing. We have studied all patients with gastric ulcers documented at endoscopy during a 6-year period. Ulcers were macroscopically characterised as benign or suspicious for malignancy, and biopsies were taken. A follow-up endoscopy and histology was performed 4-6 weeks and 3 months after an anti-ulcer treatment. Resistant ulcers were treated surgically. All patients were followed-up clinically and endoscopically for a year after complete ulcer healing. 802 patients with gastric ulcers were enrolled. At initial endoscopy, 732 ulcers (91.3%) were macroscopically characterised as benign and 70 ulcers (8.7%) as suspicious for malignancy. In the group of endoscopically benign ulcers, only one (0.1%) had malignancy detected by biopsy in the first examination. None of these ulcers turned out to be malignant on subsequent examinations. From the suspicious for malignancy ulcers, 20 (28.6%) were proven to be malignant. Endoscopy may recognise with great accuracy benign ulcers, but it overestimates the malignant ones. The cost-benefit of serial follow-up endoscopies should be re-evaluated in ulcers that appear benign, and biopsies are negative at the initial examination.

Influence of continuous isobaric rectal distension on gastric emptying and small bowel transit in young healthy women.

Patients with slow transit constipation frequently have delayed gastric emptying. In animals rectal distensions inhibit gastrointestinal motility. In healthy volunteers isovolumetric rectal distensions delay upper gut transit. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of continuous isobaric rectal distension on gastric emptying and oro-cecal transit in young females. Using validated 13C octanoic and lactose-[13C] ureide breath tests gastric half-emptying time and oro-cecal transit time for a meal were measured in 12 volunteers. The tests were repeated in randomized order: during isobaric balloon distension and during sham distension. Isobaric rectal distension was applied using a polyethylene bag connected to a barostat. Intraballoon pressure was kept just below the threshold for the urge sensation. Mean gastric half-emptying time during rectal distension (92.3 +/-5.1 min) was significantly higher than during sham distension (78.8 +/- 4 min; P = 0.015). Mean oro-cecal transit time during rectal distension (391.3 +/-29.1 min) and sham distension (328.8 +/- 38.4 min) were not significantly different. In conclusion, these findings indicate that isobaric rectal distension inhibits gastric emptying, but not small bowel transit in young healthy women. Studies in patients with constipation are indicated.

Topical cidofovir (HPMPC) is an effective adjuvant to surgical treatment of anogenital condylomata acuminata.

PURPOSE: Human papilloma virus infections of the anogenital region are very common and cause condylomata acuminata; cervical, penile, vulvar, or perianal intraepithelial neoplasia; and more rarely, invasive cancer. The currently available therapies often result in painful, extensive, slow-healing ulcerations and frequent early relapses. This study was aimed at determining the efficacy of topical application of the antiviral agent cidofovir at 1 percent. METHODS: Twenty patients treated with coagulations were compared with 27 patients treated with cidofovir. Lesions refractory to cidofovir were cleared up with additional coagulations. The number of patients previously treated for condylomata did not differ between the two groups. Significantly more patients treated with cidofovir, however, had an impaired immune status (37 percent) compared with the patients treated with coagulations (5 percent). RESULTS: Cidofovir alone cured the lesions in 32 percent of the patients and induced partial regression in 60 percent. However, in smokers, complete resolution of the condylomata occurred only in 16.6 percent compared with 66 percent of nonsmokers (P = 0.03). The number of coagulation sessions was much lower (P < 0.0005) in the cidofovir treated group (1 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.9 +/- 2). Furthermore, the relapse rate was significantly lower in the cidofovir group (3.7 vs. 55). All recurrences in the electrocoagulation group occurred within four months of confirmed lesion clearance. Topical applications of cidofovir 1 percent were well tolerated. Thirty-three percent of the patients reported only mild pain caused by erosive dermatitis. In contrast, coagulations caused painful ulcerations that necessitated the use of analgesics in all patients treated this way. CONCLUSIONS: Topical applications of cidofovir, an antiviral compound with activity against human papilloma virus, is effective in the majority of patients with perianal condylomata and is a valuable adjuvant to surgical treatment of these lesions.

Clear lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation in Marfan's syndrome.

Intracapsular clear crystalline lens extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were performed in 4 highly myopic eyes of 2 patients with Marfan's syndrome. One eye of each patient received an anterior chamber IOL and the other, a scleral-fixated posterior chamber IOL. The preoperative spherical equivalent ranged between -14.50 and -28.00 diopters (D) and axial length range, between 25.32 and 36.02 mm. The SRK II formula was used. Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from counting fingers to 20/80. Postoperative spherical equivalent correction ranged from -0.75 to +2.75 D. One eye had vitreous loss that was managed by anterior vitrectomy. Modern surgery for cataract and management of its complications suggest that clear crystalline lens extraction and IOL implantation can be attempted in selected cases with Marfan's syndrome.

Seven years experience with LASIK for myopia.

PURPOSE: This paper presents the results of the last seven years with LASIK for the treatment of myopia. METHODS: 4170 eyes of 3163 patients with a mean preoperative spherical equivalent--9.66 diopters were submitted to LASIK. The eyes were divided in three groups according to the preoperative refraction: Group A (-5 to 10D), group B (-10 to 16D) and group C (over -16 D). RESULTS: At one year the percentage of eyes within +/- 1D of emmetropia was the following: group A: 84.4%, group B: 70.8%, and group C: 42.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The method is safe, effective, and predictable especially in the range of myopia between -5 and -15 D of myopia. Predictability could be further improved by secondary procedures.

Prevalence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations in normoxaemic patients with early liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) in normoxaemic patients with early liver cirrhosis and to compare their occurrence in progressive alcoholic versus postviral hepatic insufficiency. METHODS: Pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas measurements were performed in 75 consecutive patients with cirrhosis of alcoholic and postviral aetiology. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography was used to identify IPVD. RESULTS: All patients were grade A or B in accordance with the Child-Pugh modified classification. Arterial blood gas analyses showed normoxaemia in all patients. Eight of 75 patients (10.7%) had a positive contrast echocardiogram, all with a decreased diffusion capacity (D1CO < 75% of the expected value). The abnormality was more prominent with advancing stage of liver failure (4.5% in grade A versus 19.4% in grade B; P < 0.05) and more common in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (17.5% in alcoholic versus 2.9% in postviral cirrhosis; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In normoxaemic patients with early liver cirrhosis subclinical pulmonary vasodilatation, as assessed with contrast echocardiography, can occur. The finding is more prominent in alcoholic cirrhosis and possibly reflects an advancing degree of liver insufficiency.

Causes and clinical outcome of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a prospective analysis of 1534 cases.

Despite considerable improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, several studies suggest there has been no overall change in mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the effect of early emergency diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and medico-surgical collaboration in the clinical outcome of 1534 patients with acute upper GI bleeding treated in our hospital over the past five years. Emergency endoscopy and injection haemostasis were performed within 24 hours of admission, or immediately after resuscitation, in patients with massive bleeding; patients were then treated with close co-operation between surgeons and gastroenterologists. We observed an increase in the incidence of peptic ulcer (67%) with a simultaneous decrease in the incidence of gastroduodenitis (13.5%) as a cause of bleeding compared with the previous decade. In peptic ulcer bleeding, emergency surgical haemostasis was required in 92 patients (8.9%), while none of the patients with erosive gastroduodenitis required surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 2.9%, and in peptic ulcer bleeding patients 2.1% with a postsurgical mortality of 8.7%. Peptic ulcer remains the main cause of upper GI bleeding. Improved clinical outcome and low mortality can be achieved with early diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and medico-surgical collaboration.

The effect of endoscopic injection therapy on the clinical outcome of patients with benign peptic ulcer bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the effect of endoscopic injection therapy on the clinical outcome of patients with benign peptic ulcer bleeding. METHODS: In this study 1203 patients admitted with peptic ulcer bleeding over a 5-year period (January 1987 to April 1991) before endoscopic therapy and 1028 patients admitted with peptic ulcer bleeding after introduction of endoscopic therapy (May 1991 to March 1996) were assessed. Endoscopic therapy was performed in all patients with active bleeding or non-bleeding visible vessels during emergency endoscopy with injection of adrenaline, 1:10,000 in 0.9% saline. RESULTS: The introduction of injection therapy was associated with a reduction in transfusion requirements (from 5.1 +/- 2.6 to 3.4 +/- 1.8 units), hospitalization days (from 10.8 +/- 6.5 to 7.8 +/- 5.1 days), surgical interventions (from 50.6% to 23.6%), and mortality (from 12.9% to 4.6%) in patients with active bleeding or non-bleeding visible vessels (P < 0.05) but remained unchanged in the rest. Patients with gastric ulcer had a more pronounced reduction in emergency surgical haemostasis and mortality than patients with duodenal ulcer. There were no deaths or procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic injection therapy with adrenaline/saline is a simple, low-cost, and safe method that improves the clinical outcome and reduces the mortality in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Seasonality in the prevalence of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The seasonal fluctuations of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding treated from 1991 to 1996 in Patras, Greece, were analyzed retrospectively. During that period, 1992 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding were admitted to our hospital. After patients who were not residents of the region served by our hospital were excluded, the remaining 1879 cases were reviewed. We observed seasonal fluctuation with low prevalence in winter and an increase in spring and autumn with two peaks in April and October (p < 0.00001). The seasonal prevalence parallels that of duodenal ulcer bleeding, which follows a similar fluctuation (p < 0.00001). Bleeding due to gastric ulcers or other causes presented no periodicity. Seasonal fluctuation, both in total numbers of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and in duodenal ulcer bleeding, was statistically significant only in patients not receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p < 0.00001). We conclude that upper gastrointestinal bleeding shows a seasonal fluctuation parallel to duodenal ulcer bleeding and is not related to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The seasonal pattern supports the traditional view of duodenal ulcer exacerbations.

Photorefractive keratectomy with a transition zone for myopia from -7 to -14 diopters.

PURPOSE: To study transition zone excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in moderate and high myopia defined as a spherical equivalent of -7.00 diopters (D) or more. The follow-up period was 18 months. METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 patients with myopia of 7.00 to -13.50 D (mean +/- SD, -921 +/- 1.98) underwent transition zone (5.0 to 7.0 mm transition zone) PRK using the Aesculap Meditec Mel 60 excimer laser. The mean attempted correction was 8.3 +/- 1.64 D (range: -6.50 to -12.00 D). RESULTS: At 18 months, 83% achieved an unaided visual acuity of 20/50 or better and HOW 12% 20/25 or better. Eighty-eight percent were within +/-2 D of emmetropia. the mean spherical equivalent was -1.1 D (+3.00 to -9.00 D). CONCLUSIONS: Transition zone PRK is useful in moderate to high myopia. Regression, as well as overcorrection are issues for further investigation.

Histological evaluation of phthalocyanine mediated photodynamic occlusion of corneal neovascularization enhanced by hyperbaric oxygenation.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effective irradiation parameters for photodynamic thrombosis of experimental corneal neovascularization enhanced by simultaneous hyperbaric oxygenation. METHODS: Neovascularization was provoked in both eyes of each of 35 albino rabbit corneas using the intracorneal suture technique. The lasered animals were divided in 3 groups. Group 1 (10 rabbits) was treated under hyperbaric conditions (28 atm for 25 min.); group 2 (5 rabbits) was treated breathing pure oxygen delivered by a face mask; group 3 (10 rabbits) was treated breathing room air. The fourth group (10 rabbits) was used for control. Animals were anaesthetized, and irradiation of new corneal vessels was carried out 30 minutes after the injection of 5 mg/kg chloroaluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine. A 670 nm diode laser with a power 4 mW and a spot diameter 350 mm was used. Exposure times necessary for vascular occlusion were registered. Histological examination was carried out at the end of the follow-up time. RESULTS: Exposure times were significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 as compared to group 3 (1.75 +/- 0.15 min., 3.1 +/- 0.4 min., and 4.75 +/- 0.15 min. respectively). Total light dose averaged 490 J/cm,2 870 J/cm,2 and 1330 J/cm,2 respectively. Histological examination revealed thrombus formation in the targeted vessels of all three investigated groups. CONCLUSION: Combination of PDT with hyperbaric oxygenation results in an acceleration of the photodynamic process and provides for a possibility of significant reduction of photodynamic dose.