Mandibular condylar process remodeling in rats with different bite-altering devices.

The objective was to compare different dental splint models and materials for inducing abnormal loading on the gross morphology and histological appearance of the mandibular condylar processes of Sprague Dawley rats. Three different types of dental splints (resin molar, aluminum incisor, stainless-steel incisor) were placed unilaterally to induce occlusal perturbation for 4 weeks. At that time, mandibular condylar processes were assessed by gross appearance and histology. Quantitative measurements were also conducted on the hematoxylin and eosin images for condyle shape. The results showed that although the condylar cartilage was affected by all splint types, the resin molar splint was associated with the most extensive mandibular condylar process remodeling, which was primarily a slant (skewness) of the lateral aspect of the condylar process. Additionally, quantitative measurements on the histological specimens demonstrated that the split and tilt angle of the left (ipsilateral) condylar processes in the resin molar group (124.8 ± 12.7° and 104.1 ± 12.7°, respectively) increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to right (contralateral) condylar processes (104.7 ± 5.8°and 91.6 ± 4.4°, respectively). However, no changes were noted on the thickness of the fibrocartilage layer at medial, central, and lateral regions of the condylar process. Another major finding is the high variability of morphology of the naïve animals. Future studies will assess the impact of longer durations of splinting, age, and sex on the remodeling of the mandibular condylar process, allowing for the development of diagnostics and therapies.

Hydrogen peroxide affects contractile activity and anti-oxidant enzymes in rat uterus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effects of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on uterine smooth muscle are not well studied. We have investigated the effect and the mechanism of action of exogenous hydrogen peroxide on rat uteri contractile activity [spontaneous and calcium ion (Ca(2+))-induced] and the effect of such treatment on anti-oxidative enzyme activities. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Uteri were isolated from virgin Wistar rats and suspended in an organ bath. Uteri were allowed to contract spontaneously or in the presence of Ca(2+) (6 mM) and treated with H(2)O(2) (2 microM-3 mM) over 2 h. Anti-oxidative enzyme activities (manganese superoxide dismutase-MnSOD, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-CuZnSOD, catalase-CAT, glutathione peroxidase-GSHPx and glutathione reductase-GR) in H(2)O(2)-treated uteri were compared with those in uteri immediately frozen after isolation or undergoing spontaneous or Ca(2+)-induced contractions, without treatment with H(2)O(2). The effect of inhibitors (propranolol, methylene blue, L-NAME, tetraethylamonium, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine) on H(2)O(2)-mediated relaxation was explored. KEY RESULTS: H(2)O(2) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and Ca(2+)-induced uterine contractions. After H(2)O(2) treatment, GSHPx and MnSOD activities were increased, while CuZnSOD and GR (In Ca(2+)-induced rat uteri) were decreased. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester antagonized the effect of H(2)O(2) on Ca(2+)-induced contractions. H(2)O(2)-induced relaxation was not affected by propranolol, potentiated by methylene blue and antagonized by tetraethylamonium, 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide, with the last compound being the least effective. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: H(2)O(2) induced dose-dependent relaxation of isolated rat uteri mainly via changes in voltage-dependent potassium channels. Decreasing generation of reactive oxygen species by stimulation of anti-oxidative pathways may lead to new approaches to the management of dysfunctional uteri.

[Perianal complications of Crohn disease]. / Perianalne komplikacije Kronove bolesti.

Perianal Crohn's diseases (PCD) means perianal skin lesions, affection of anal canal and onset of fistula-in-ano. These manifestations are present in 10-82 per cent of patients suffered from the Crohn's disease (CD). Fistula-in-ano is the most serious complications which significantly threaten a quality of life. Contemporary treatment of this kind of fistula-in-ano includes administration of immunosuppressive drugs, steroids, antimycotics and combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition, with long term local treatment. Successful results are obtained in 40-80%.

[Therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection using Lactobacillus acidophilus]. / Terapija Helicobacter pylori infekcije primenom Lactobacillusa acidohpilus.

INTRODUCTION: In vitro experiments with Lactobacillus acidophilus have revealed its inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori and its application in treatment of Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 15 patients have undergone gastroscopy with biopsy and by histopathological examination. Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis was detected. During a two-month period these patients took acidophilus milk (3 x 250 ml a day) prepared according to a special protocol and which contained 4 x 10(9)-1 x 10(10) live cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus at the moment of preparation. Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NAS, gained from lyophilized preparation Bio-Nate (Natren Inc. USA) was used as a test organism. Control gastroscopy was performed 2 months later. RESULTS: 14 patients have completed the examination. All of them were satisfied with the taste of acidophilus milk and could stand it well, whereas in 6 out of 14 Helicobacter pylori was eradicated. DISCUSSION: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is recommended in all cases of Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis associated with peptic ulcer, as well as in absence of ulcer when subjective difficulties occur. Antibiotic therapy is often unsuccessful and most often associated with risks of significant adverse effects, being the consequence of intestinal microflora disorders. The aim of using Lactobacillus acidophilus in the therapy is to reduce risks of adverse effects. In our study, by using acidophilus milk only, without other therapy, eradication of Helicobacter pylori was achieved in 6 out of 14 patients. All patients could stand the therapy well and were satisfied with the taste of the preparation. The number of examinees was small in regard to making conclusions, but the results are encouraging and show that apart from established in vitro effect. Lactobacillus acidophilus has a potential in vivo effect.

[Diseases of the upper segment of the gastrointestinal tract and Helicobacter pylori infection]. / Oboljenja gornjih segmenata gastrointestinalnog trakta i infekcija Helicobacterom pylori.

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most frequent infection in humans. It is assumed that over 50% of total world population suffer from this infection. Chronic gastritis is the most usual consequence of this infection. Development of peptic ulcer appears in case of 10 to 20 percent of infected people with the increased risk of malignancy. In the group of 819 examined patients at the Clinic for gastroenterology and hepatology of the Institute for internal diseases, the presence of helicobacter pylori was confirmed in case of 69.18% of patients. The infection was equally observed in both sexes and its frequency was higher with the increase of age, reaching its peak in the sixth decade of life (75.24%). The highest frequency was found in patients with duodenal ulcer (84.85%) and hyperplastic stomach polyp (81.82%) and lowest in case of resected stomach (56.52%). We also establish the dependence of the type and degree of pathohistological changes and the Helicobacter pylori infection.

[Urinary system tumors in patients with endemic nephropathy on chronic hemodialysis]. / Tumori urinarnog sistema kod bolesnika s endemskom nefropatijom i na hronicnoj hemodijalizi.

We studied 161 patients who started dialysis from January 1st 1979 to December 31st 1993. Out of 79 males, 26 (32.91%) had the diagnosis of urothelial tumors, and out of these 22 patients (84.61%) had tumors of the upper urothelium. Twenty one (80.76%) of the patients were operated. The predialysis period starting with tumor diagnosing was 61.92 months averaging. The average survival of these hemodialysed patients was 46.07 months. Out of 82 females, 22 (26.82) had tumors of the urinary tract, and out of these 21 patients (95.45%) had tumors of the upper urothelium. Eighteen (81.81%) of them were operated. The predialysis period starting with tumor diagnosing was 84 months, on the average. The average survival was 37.39 months. The results confirm high frequency of tumors of the upper urothelium in patients with endemic nephropathy.

[Helicobacter pylori in patients with diseases of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract]. / Helicobacter pylori u bolesnika sa oboljenjima gornjih delova gastrointestinalnog trakta.

Among the patients subjected to esophoagogastroduodenoscopy because of different clinical indications, 108 were examined for the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the antral gastric mucosa. Microbiological analysis of the antral gastric mucosa biopsies were conducted by direct microscopy, the urease test and by growing in nutritious media. Positive findings were recorded in 38 (86.36%) patients with endoscopically diagnosed chronic gastritis, 29 (80.56%) patients with duodenal ulcer and 19 (67.86%) patients with ventricular ulcer. The majority of the positive findings were recorded by direct microscopy--86 (79.63%) while the bacterial culture was positive in 66 (61.11%) cases.

[The postoperative status of the gastroduodenum--clinical and endoscopic analysis of 2 years' of hospital data]. / Postoperativna stanja gastroduodenuma--klinicka i endoskopska analiza dvogodisnjeg hospitalnog materijala.

In 72 patients operated on for gastric ulcer, hospitalized at the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Novi Sad within two years (1989, 1990) we analyzed clinical disorders, biochemical status and endoscopic findings. 75% of the patients were males and 25% females, mean age being 49 years. In 70.83% the two-thirds Billroth II resection was performed, in 15.28% the two thirds Billroth I resection, in 9.72% truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, while in 4.17% supraselective vagotomy was carried out. The mean period of time after the operation was 12 years. The majority of patients complained about gastrointestinal disorders, and manifest hemorrhage was detected in 4.17% of the patients. The symptoms of the afferent loop syndrome and early dumping syndrome were verified in one patient from each group. The endoscopic finding was normal in only 2.78%, reflux esophagitis in 6.94%, chronic gastritis with and without erosions in 86.11%, chronic anastomositis in 69.44%, recurrent ulcer in 29.16% out of which hemorrhagic ulcer was found in 4.17%. Malignant neoplasm of the stomach stump was endoscopically evidenced and histologically proved in 2.78%. Multiple associated endoscopic changes were found in 58.33%. The analysis indicates the diversity of postoperative disorders after one of the operations on gastroduodenum, requiring postoperative follow ups of the patients with subjective discomfort, appropriately set diagnosis and individual therapeutical approach to prevent more serious complications.

Anemia in Balkan endemic nephropathy.

The severity of anemia in patients at different stages of the evolution of two tubulointerstitial nephropathies, Balkan endemic nephropathy and chronic pyelonephritis, was compared to clarify the previous observations that anemia appears earlier and is more severe in Balkan endemic nephropathy than in other renal diseases. The role of erythropoietin insufficiency as the cause of anemia in endemic nephropathy was studied as well. The severity of anemia increased with the impairment of renal function in endemic nephropathy and was similar to anemia in chronic pyelonephritis. However, in patients with endemic nephropathy at the initial stage of renal insufficiency significantly lower red cell concentrations were found compared with control subjects from the endemic region. In contrast, patients with pyelonephritis did not have decreased red cell concentrations at the early phase of their renal failure, suggesting that earlier appearance of anemia is characteristic for endemic nephropathy. To confirm this finding a study involving larger number of patients would be necessary. The serum erythropoietin levels, inappropriately low for the degree of anemia in patients with renal failure, were unrelated to the type of tubulointerstitial nephropathy.

Erythropoietin and anemia in the progression of Balkan endemic nephropathy and other renal diseases.

We have investigated anemia in patients at different stages of the evolution of three chronic renal diseases: Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), chronic pyelonephritis (PN) and chronic glomerulonephritis (GN). A total of 88 patients with creatinine clearances from 9 to 118 ml/min and hemoglobin concentrations from 70 to 160 g/l were studied with regard to the relationship, if any, between erythropoietin production and the type and stage of nephropathy. Anemia in BEN was a particular focus of interest since it had been stated that in BEN, anemia precedes renal failure. Our data neither prove nor disprove this statement. A significant positive correlation between creatinine clearance and hemoglobin concentration was found in all three nephropathies, indicating that in the patients studied the severity of anemia increased with the impairment of renal function regardless of the underlying disease. Serum levels of immunoreactive erythropoietin were in the normal range in 54 patients, moderately increased in 20 and slightly decreased in 14. The erythropoietin level appears to be unrelated to the stage of renal failure or the type of nephropathy. The only exception was the subgroup where the patients with glomerulonephritis and normal renal function had increased serum erythropoietin levels and significantly higher parameters of red blood cell concentration than the patients from the same subgroup with tubulointerstitial nephropathies. In patients with severe renal failure and anemia, serum erythropoietin levels were inappropriately low for the degree of anemia, indicating that erythropoietin plays a role in the pathogenesis of the anemia.