Oral selenium improved the disease activity in patients with mild Graves' orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease (GD), an autoimmune disorder arising from the activity of T lymphocytes against antigens that infiltrate thyroid tissue, orbital tissue and extraocular muscles. An increase in oxidative stress has been discovered in autoimmune thyroid disease, encouraging investigation into new forms of treatment. Selenium has been described as a treatment option given its antioxidant properties. The present study evaluates the decrease of progression and inflammatory signs in patients with mild GO with oral selenium supplementation. METHODS: Controlled, randomized, single center trial at an ophthalmology referral center in Mexico City. Patients at least 18years of age with mild GO according to the CAS classification were included; exclusion criteria in addition to corticosteroid treatment included smokers or selenium allergy. Each patient was randomized into one of two groups. Group A took placebo tablets which consisted of 100µg of starch twice a day for 6months, and group B took a 100µg selenium tablet twice a day for 6months. The patients from both groups were examined and evaluated using a CAS score before and after the first, third and sixth month of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients were studied. The pretreatment values showed no statistically significant differences between groups (P>0.05). Intergroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in palpebral fissure and CAS score between the pretreatment values and six months after treatment in the selenium group (P<0.05). No differences were found in any variables in the placebo group during the study period (P>0.05). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in a Mexican population demonstrating that oral selenium decreases clinical activity and stops progression in patients with mild GO.

Selection of improved Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. strains based on 2-deoxy-D-glucose resistance and physiological analysis.

A series of 2-deoxy-D-glucose resistant mutants was obtained from wild type Beauveria bassiana 88 (Bb 88) by UV irradiation. Five mutants were characterized on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Chitin Agar for both radial extension rate (V(r)) and specific growth rate (micro). These values were obtained after adjusting morphometric data to a mathematical model used for filamentous fungi. Additionally, the protease and lipase potency index, conidial size, viability, and production levels were analyzed. The highest values for those physiological measurements were obtained by mutant 882.5 which, relative to Bb 88, showed a 30% reduction in half-life (LT(50)) on Sphenarium purpurascens, 70% on Acheta domesticus, and 71% on Tenebrio molitor larvae and adults. The half lethal concentration (LC(50)) on T. molitor larvae was 2.8 x 10(5)conidia/mL (con/mL) and 1.5 x 10(6)con/mL, respectively, for mutant 882.5 and Bb 88. This demonstrates that mutant 882.5 is more virulent, with up to an 80% reduction in LC(50). This work provides a convenient method for improving strains to be used in biocontrol as a suitable alternative to transgenic constructs.

New method for the in vitro evaluation of dental alloy bonding systems.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Bonding systems are used in some fixed prosthetic devices with base alloys. However, different studies of the same dental alloy bonding agents, under similar circumstances, have yielded disparate results in bond strength testing. PURPOSE: This study compared directly 2 dental alloy bonding systems through a "duel" type of confrontation, which basically is a 2-way tensile force test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety Wiron 88 base alloy cylinders (diameter of 8 mm length 15 mm) were sandblasted on both sides with Al(2)0(3) powder (particle size 50 microm) during 10 seconds at an approximate distance of 5 mm, at an air pressure of 60 psi determined before sandblasting procedures. The surface of each cylinder was cleaned from Al(2)0(3) powder with a strong burst of oil-free air from a chairside air syringe. Thirty cylinders were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups for direct bond strength comparison: (1) Panavia 21 to Panavia EX, (2) Panavia 21 to Metabond, or (3) Panavia 21 to a combination of a resin bonding agent plus Panavia 21. Each group was composed of 10 specimens that used 3 cylinders for each specimen. Each side of the sample cylinder received the same quantity of cement and 1 cylinder at a time was bonded to it. Cylinder alignment was verified with a Boley gauge during luting procedures. The bonded 3-piece block was held together for 24 hours under a compressive force of 2 kg/cm(2) using a hydraulic press. Excess cement was removed with a brush, and the pertinent air sealant was applied to allow for autocuring of the cement. Specimens were later stored in water at room temperature for 48 hours before thermocycling procedures. Each specimen was thermocycled for 100 cycles with a 5-minute dwelling time in water at 4 degrees C and 60 degrees C. Specimens were subject to tensile force testing until debonding in 1 of the cylinders. RESULTS: The opposing pull duel test (OPDT) showed that the Panavia EX failed (40. 3 MPa) 10 of 10 duels against Panavia 21, whereas Panavia 21 failed (49.7 MPa) 9 of 10 duels against Metabond, and Panavia 1 failed (50. 1 MPa) 10 of 10 duels against Photobond+Panavia 21. ANOVA revealed significant differences (P <.05) between PAN-EX group and MET and PHB+P21 groups. However, no significant differences were found between MET and PHB+P21 groups. CONCLUSION: The opposing pull duel test was a valid method to directly compare bond strengths of 2 bonding systems to dental base alloys. There was a small dispersion of the values even though cement mixing and thickness variables were difficult to control. Duel tensile testing provides meaningful information on the superiority of one bonding system over another in this controlled environment.