Terapia fotodinámica con azul de metileno en úlceras cutáneas infectadas con Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Fusarium spp / Photodynamic Therapy With Methylene Blue for Skin Ulcers Infected With Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusarium spp

La terapia fotodinámica tiene una importante acción antimicrobiana. Se presentan 2 casos clínicos de úlceras crónicas en las extremidades inferiores sobreinfectadas por hongos y bacterias de difícil manejo, en los que el tratamiento fotodinámico con azul de metileno como fotosensibilizante resultó en la curación clínica y microbiológica. No se presentaron efectos adversos reseñables. La posibilidad de utilizar la terapia fotodinámica con azul de metileno en el manejo de las úlceras crónicas sobreinfectadas constituye una interesante alternativa para reducir el uso de antibióticos y disminuir la aparición de resistencias (AU)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality with significant antimicrobial activity. We present 2 cases of chronic lower limb ulcers in which fungal and bacterial superinfection complicated management. PDT with methylene blue as the photosensitizer led to clinical and microbiological cure with no significant adverse effects. PDT with methylene blue is a valid option for the management of superinfected chronic ulcers, reducing the use of antibiotics and the induction of resistance (AU)

Photodynamic Therapy With Methylene Blue for Skin Ulcers Infected With Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusarium spp. / Terapia fotodinámica con azul de metileno en úlceras cutáneas infectadas con Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Fusarium spp.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality with significant antimicrobial activity. We present 2 cases of chronic lower limb ulcers in which fungal and bacterial superinfection complicated management. PDT with methylene blue as the photosensitizer led to clinical and microbiological cure with no significant adverse effects. PDT with methylene blue is a valid option for the management of superinfected chronic ulcers, reducing the use of antibiotics and the induction of resistance.

A new HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of memantine in human plasma.

A sensitive, selective, simple and fast HPLC method based on the formation of derivative with fluorescamine was developed for the determination of memantine (ME) in human plasma. Separation was achieved on a CN column (200 mm×4.6 mm) using acetonitrile-10 mM orthophosphoric acid containing 1 mL/L triethylamine (45:55, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Emission and excitation wavelengths were 480 and 380 nm, respectively. Amantadine was used as an internal standard. Calibration graphs were rectilinear over the range of 1.0-100.0 ng/mL. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.3 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation values were found to be <2.03%. Average recovery was also found to be around 94%. Proposed method was applied for the pharmacokinetic study in a healthy volunteer after a single oral administration of 20 mg of ME.

The effect of placement of glass fibers and aramid fibers on the fracture resistance of provisional restorative materials.

The fracture resistance of provisional restorations is an important concern for the restorative dentist. The fracture resistance of a material is directly related to its transverse strength. Six specimens of similar dimensions were prepared from three resins (PMMA, PEMA and BIS acryl-composite). The resins were reinforced with glass and aramid fibers. The samples were tested immediately after the material set, following seven days of wet storage using three-point compression loading. The results were analyzed with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Fracture resistance of the specimens was statistically different (p < 0.001) among the materials. Specimens reinforced with glass fibers showed higher transverse strength (149.82 MPa). The fiber reinforcement of resin materials increased the strength values (20-50%). Within the limitations of this study, the transverse strengths of PMMA, PEMA and BIS acryl-resin composites were improved after reinforcement with glass and aramid fibers.

Comparative study of the physical properties of core materials.

This study was undertaken to measure physical properties of materials used for direct core buildups, including high-copper amalgam, visible light-cured resin composite, autocured titanium-containing composite, polyacid-modified composite, resin-modified glass-ionomer, and silver cermet cement. Compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and flexural strength of six core materials of various material classes were measured for each material as a function of time up to 3 months at different storage conditions, using a standard specification test designed for the materials. Three different storage conditions (dry, humid, wet) at 37 degrees C were chosen. Materials were manipulated according to manufacturers' instructions for use as cores. Mean compressive, diametral tensile, and flexural strengths with associated standard deviations were calculated for each material. Multiple comparison and Newman-Keuls tests discerned many differences among materials. All materials were found to meet the minimum specification requirements, except in terms of flexural strength for amalgam after 1 hour and the silver cermet at all time intervals.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of beta-aminopropionitrile in rabbits.

beta-Aminopropionitrile (beta APN), inhibits the activity of lysyl oxidase, an important enzyme for the post-translational formation of inter- and intramolecular covalent cross-linking between the connective tissue proteins, collagen and elastin. We became interested in the possible use of this compound as a therapeutic agent in the so-called human collagen diseases. beta APN's action mechanism is known, but its pharmacokinetics in rabbits have not yet been determined. The present study defined the kinetic parameters of beta APN in rabbits, after oral or intravenous (iv) administration. The HPLC technique was recently modified using OPA (ortho-phthalaldehyde) as the derivative agent. beta APN plasma concentration vs time following the iv administration of 200 mg/kg was best described by the biexponential equation C = 92.43.e(-0.0728 t) + 61.78.e(-0.0088 t) (t1/2 beta = 78.73 +/- 5.19 min; Vc = 1.29 +/- 0.04 L.kg-1). After oral administration, beta APN followed a zero-order absorption pattern (Ko = 3.02 +/- 0.34 mg.kg-1.min-1), which means that the beta APN reached the blood very quickly.

"In vitro" effects of methyl-mercury on the nervous system: a neurotoxicologic study.

Many of the currently prevailing toxicologic problems are due to the use of organic mercurial compounds in pesticides and fungicides. During recent years, environmental pollution has originated from the incorrect use of these organometals. Methyl-mercury (Me-Hg) is absorbed quickly from the gastrointestinal tract and is distributed to most tissues. The most important effect of Me-Hg is on the nervous tissue and is more relevant in the fetal brain. We were interested in assessing the neurotoxic effects of Me-Hg on the central and peripheral nervous system. Neuronal cells cultures from 14-day-old fetal Wistar rats and ciliary ganglion cells cultures from 8-day-old chick embryos were used. Various Me-Hg concentrations (10(-3) M to 10(-8) M) were added to these cultures after 36 hr to study the morphologic changes. At 10(-3) M and 10(-4) M concentrations, cellular degeneration and death in the central nervous system (CNS) were noted. At 10(-5) M concentrations, axonal and nerve fibers degeneration, loss of synapsis, and inhibition in the cellular development in CNS were seen; regroupment and destruction in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) was noted. Finally, at 10(-6) M and 10(-7) M concentrations, there were hardly any modifications in the CNS, whereas only the nervous processes were affected in the PNS.

Ethylene glycol action on neurons and its cholinomimetic effects.

Ethylene glycol (EG) is the most representative of the glycols. It is a compound used as painting and plastic solvent, as antifreeze, and in dyes and synthetic fibers. It may also appear as a wine pollutant. Due to these various uses and conditions, EG can produce intoxication in men and animals. The pathologic effects are due to its metabolism resulting in the formation of oxalic and glycolic acids which are eliminated through the kidney causing renal failure. The toxic effects on the nervous system are not well known. In some circumstances, convulsions may occur. To study the neurotoxic effects of EG, we used cultures of nerve cells from Wistar rat embryos which we exposed to EG in doses between 10(-4) M and 10(-8) M. The changes in neurons consisted of neuronal degeneration, decrease in number of AChE+ cells, and reactive cellular grouping. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 2.06 x 10(-7) M.