From pill to pain: Alendronate-induced esophageal injury-A case report and review.

Background: Alendronate is used to treat Paget's bone disease, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and postmenopausal osteoporosis because it suppresses osteoclast activity to stop bone resorption. Case report: We present an exceptional case of esophagitis caused by alendronate. Blood tests and other data were normal when the patient was taken to the hospital, but an endoscopic examination revealed significant esophageal redness, erosion, and ulceration, along with pseudomembrane. The patient was given medicine after receiving a diagnosis of alendronate pill-induced esophagitis based on the pathological findings. Conclusion: This case report is a timely reminder of the importance of thorough pharmacovigilance, patient education, and smart therapeutic decision-making in the context of alendronate use. To properly treat and prevent problems with the esophagus caused by alendronate, additional research is required.

The Value of Percutaneous Shoulder Puncture with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Differentiation of Rotator Cuff Tear Subtypes: A Preliminary Prospective Study.

Imaging tests perform relatively well in the detection of rotator cuff tears (RCTs), exhibiting high sensitivity and specificity, mainly among larger full-thickness tears (tear width >1 cm). However, these tests are relatively less accurate in the detection of small full-thickness tears and partial-thickness tears. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of percutaneous ultrasound-guided tendon lesionography (PUTL) using the SonoVue and the value of percutaneous shoulder puncture via contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-a combination of percutaneous ultrasound-guided subacromial bursography (PUSB) and PUTL-in the detection of RCT subtypes. Conventional ultrasound (US), CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and prospectively evaluated in 97 patients who had undergone arthroscopy because of suspected RCTs. The rates of detection of the various subtypes of RCTs using CEUS, PUSB, PUTL, US and MRI were evaluated. The RCT subtype detection rate via CEUS was significantly higher than the rates via US and MRI (96.9%, 74.2% and 76.3%, respectively), as were the detection rates for small full-thickness tears combined with partial-thickness tears (98.2%, 60.0% and 61.8%, respectively). The detection rate with PUSB was significantly higher than those with US and MRI in assessing full-thickness tears combined with bursal-side partial-thickness tears (93.9%, 65.3% and 65.3%, respectively). The detection rate with PUTL was significantly higher than those with US and MRI in assessing the corresponding subtypes (100.0%, 69.2% and 76.9%, respectively). On the basis of our findings, we consider PUTL a tolerable and feasible procedure. Percutaneous shoulder puncture using CEUS can be an effective alternative method with better diagnostic performance than US and MRI for the detection of RCT subtypes.

Comparison of casting precision of two kinds of commercially available gypsum-bonded investment with different setting and thermal expansion characteristics / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate expansion characteristics of two kinds of commercial investment (Cristo balite Micro II and Cristo Quick), and their effects on cast accuracy of a dental Ag-Pd casting alloy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two kinds of investment were mixed at the ratio of 1:3. The setting and thermal expansion curves of the investment were recorded according to the requirements of ISO7490 and expansion rate calculated, respectively. Plate-like wax-patterns with pre-marked points were invested in casting rings (lined with ceramic fiber liners with thickness of 0.45 mm). Castwell M.C dental alloy were melted with gas flame and cast with a centrifugal casting machine. The differences between the castings and the wax patterns at corresponding points were calculated to represent the dimensional changes of the investment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The setting, thermal and total expansion rates were 0.68, 1.18, 1.86 for Cristo balite Micro II, and 0.94, 1.03, 1.97 for Cristo Quick. The setting and thermal expansion rates were statistically significant between two kinds of investment (P < 0.05), while not for the total expansion rates (P > 0.05). Effect of different investment on the precision of castings was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Within the scope of this study, gypsum-bonded investment with similar total expansion rates but different expansion characteristics has no effect on the casting precision of Ag-Pd dental alloys.</p>

[Effects of immunotherapy with infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection by Chinese materia medica].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Chinese materia medica on immune intervention of infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection. METHOD: Thirty-one children of recurrent respiratory tract infection were randomly divided into two groups: therapy group was treated with oral Chinese materia medica (b. i. d), control group was only treated with oral carboxymethyl liquor (< 4 years, 3 mL; 4-7 years, 5 mL; > 7 years, 7 mL, t. i. d). The change of IL-12,TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-13, IL-6 and IL-4 in different time were observed and analyzes. RESULT: Compared with the control group, the level of IL-12 and IL-2 was significantly increased after treatment of oral Chinese materia medica (P < 0.01), however, the level of TNF-alpha, IL-13, IL-4, and IL-6 was decreased after treatment (P < 0.01). During one years follow-up study, the frequency of respiratory infection every year of therapy group was significantly decreased than that of control group. CONCLUSION: Chinese materia medica could prevent infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection effectively, increase humoral immunity function and ensure normal growth in children.

Effects of immunotherapy with infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection by Chinese materia medica / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Chinese materia medica on immune intervention of infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-one children of recurrent respiratory tract infection were randomly divided into two groups: therapy group was treated with oral Chinese materia medica (b. i. d), control group was only treated with oral carboxymethyl liquor (< 4 years, 3 mL; 4-7 years, 5 mL; > 7 years, 7 mL, t. i. d). The change of IL-12,TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-13, IL-6 and IL-4 in different time were observed and analyzes.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the control group, the level of IL-12 and IL-2 was significantly increased after treatment of oral Chinese materia medica (P < 0.01), however, the level of TNF-alpha, IL-13, IL-4, and IL-6 was decreased after treatment (P < 0.01). During one years follow-up study, the frequency of respiratory infection every year of therapy group was significantly decreased than that of control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese materia medica could prevent infantile recurrent respiratory tract infection effectively, increase humoral immunity function and ensure normal growth in children.</p>