Biocompatibility investigation of different pharmaceutical excipients used in liquid dosage forms.

Aqueous pharmaceutical solutions provide prosperous living conditions for microbiological agents. In order to eliminate these microbes, we use preservatives which can harm human cells as well. Their cytotoxicity is concentration-dependent and the aim of our study was to find how other pharmaceutical excipients modify the cytotoxic attributes of preservatives. We tested the following compounds: methylparaben, benzalkonium chloride, polysorbate 20, Labrasol® and hydroxyethyl cellulose. The MTT tests indicated that surfactants increase the cytotoxicity while polymers may decrease it in some cases.

Myeloperoxidase evokes substantial vasomotor responses in isolated skeletal muscle arterioles of the rat.

AIMS: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) catalyses the formation of a wide variety of oxidants, including hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and contributes to cardiovascular disease progression. We hypothesized that during its action MPO evokes substantial vasomotor responses. METHODS: Following exposure to MPO (1.92 mU mL(-1)) in the presence of increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), changes in arteriolar diameter of isolated gracilis skeletal muscle arterioles (SMAs) and coronary arterioles (CAs) and in the isometric force in basilar arteries (BAs) of the rat were monitored. RESULTS: Myeloperoxidase increased vascular tone to different degrees in CAs, SMAs and BAs. The mechanism of increased vasoconstriction was studied in detail in SMAs. MPO-evoked vasoconstrictions were prevented by the MPO inhibitor 4-aminobenzhydrazide (50 µM), by endothelium removal in the SMAs. Surprisingly, the HOCl scavenger L-methionine (100 µM), the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) antagonist SQ-29548 (1 µM) or the non-specific cyclooxygenase (COX) antagonist indomethacin (1 µM) converted the MPO-evoked vasoconstrictions to pronounced vasodilations in SMAs, not seen in the presence of H2O2. In contrast to noradrenaline-induced vasoconstrictions, the MPO-evoked vasoconstrictions were not accompanied by significant increases in arteriolar [Ca(2+)] levels in SMAs. CONCLUSION: These data showed that H2O2 -derived HOCl to be a potent vasoconstrictor upon MPO application. HOCl activated the COX pathway, causing the synthesis and release of a TXA2-like substance to increase the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in vascular smooth muscle cells and thereby to augment H2 O2 -evoked vasoconstrictions. Nevertheless, inhibition of the HOCl-COX-TXA2 pathway unmasked the effects of additional MPO-derived radicals with a marked vasodilatory potential in SMAs.

Thermoluminescent and dosimetric properties of X ray phosphors.

Rare earth doped oxide, phosphate, etc. are radioluminescent phosphors that have a broad application in X ray imaging, in luminescent screens, image transformers and in fluorescent lamp manufacturing. Some of them have interesting thermoluminescence features as well, which makes the phosphors applicable also in dosimetry. Two of these materials are Sr3(PO4)2 and BaFCl activated with europium. The general radioluminescence (RL) and thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of these materials was investigated earlier and the preliminary results have already been published elsewhere. The aim of the present work is to investigate the interesting properties of these phosphors mainly from a dosimetric point of view (sensitivity, dose dependence, etc.).

[Dance therapy in laryngectomy patients: our experience]. / Terapia através da dança com laringectomizados: relato de experiência.

This study describes the first contact of laringectomized people with dance in the Group of Support to Ostomized-Laringectomized Patients. This study aimed at searching for elements about the therapeutic and educative importance of dance to them. The technique utilized was group dynamics with the participation of twenty patients. Music and body movements were resources employed for the development of therapy through dance. Results showed a good involvement of the patients in the dynamics though verbal and non-verbal language as well as a decrease in stress.

The etiological significance of the primal scene in perversions.

The etiological significance of the actually observed primal scene in fetishism and other perversions is discussed. The impact of the primal scene on the pathology of part object relationships, self and object image, and on the development of superego structures in perversion is stressed.