Cross-sectional Study Comparing Different Therapeutic Modalities For Cystic Lymphangiomas In Children.

Here, we describe our experience with different therapeutic modalities used to treat cystic lymphangiomas in children in our hospital, including single therapy with OK-432, bleomycin and surgery, and a combination of the three modalities. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study including patients treated from 1998 to 2011. The effects on macrocystic lymphangiomas and adverse reactions were evaluated. Twenty-nine children with cystic lymphangiomas without any previous treatment were included. Under general anesthesia, patients given sclerosing agents underwent puncture of the lesion (guided by ultrasound when necessary) and complete aspiration of the intralesional liquid. The patients were evaluated with ultrasound and clinical examinations for a maximum follow-up time of 4 years. The proportions of patients considered cured after the first therapeutic approach were 44% in the surgery group, 29% in the bleomycin group and 31% in the OK-432 group. These proportions were not significantly different. Sequential treatment increased the rates of curative results to 71%, 74% and 44%, respectively, after the final treatment, which in our case was approximately 1.5 applications per patient. The results of this study indicate that most patients with cystic lymphangiomas do not show complete resolution after the initial therapy, regardless of whether the therapy is surgical or involves the use of sclerosing agents. To achieve complete resolution of the lesions, either multiple operations or a combination of surgery and sclerotherapy must be used and should be tailored to the characteristics of each patient.

Molecular Variations In Aromatic Cosolutes: Critical Role In The Rheology Of Cationic Wormlike Micelles.

Wormlike micelles formed by the addition to cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) of a range of aromatic cosolutes with small molecular variations in their structure were systematically studied. Phenol and derivatives of benzoate and cinnamate were used, and the resulting mixtures were studied by oscillatory, steady-shear rheology, and the microstructure was probed by small-angle neutron scattering. The lengthening of the micelles and their entanglement result in remarkable viscoelastic properties, making rheology a useful tool to assess the effect of structural variations of the cosolutes on wormlike micelle formation. For a fixed concentration of CTAB and cosolute (200 mmol L(-1)), the relaxation time decreases in the following order: phenol > cinnamate> o-hydroxycinnamate > salicylate > o-methoxycinnamate > benzoate > o-methoxybenzoate. The variations in viscoelastic response are rationalized by using Mulliken population analysis to map out the electronic density of the cosolutes and quantify the barrier to rotation of specific groups on the aromatics. We find that the ability of the group attached to the aromatic ring to rotate is crucial in determining the packing of the cosolute at the micellar interface and thus critically impacts the micellar growth and, in turn, the rheological response. These results enable us for the first time to propose design rules for the self-assembly of the surfactants and cosolutes resulting in the formation of wormlike micelles with the cationic surfactant CTAB.

Microencapsulação de óleo essencial de laranja

It was done microencapsulation of natural essencial orange oil through spray-drying. The purpose was to use the best proportion of wall materials among maltodextrin, acacia gum, and modified starch (capsul) in order to retain greater amount of orange oil. The orange oil (10%) and maltodextrin (36%) remained constant. Three spray drying temperatures were employed: 180°C, 200°C and 220°C, therefore, nine final products were obtained. The superficial and inner oil concentrations were measured. The microcapsules were also examined through optical and scanning electron microscopy. The three temperatures employed did not affect the microencapsulation. The microstructure of the capsules were almost similar regardless the proportion employed among the carbohydrates to wall composition. At light microscopy it was observed a great heterogeneity of capsules diameters, and probably not smooth surfaces; at scanning electron microscopy it was clear that the walls displayed porosity over round surfaces. The best retention was given by the formula containing 10% of capsul, 10% of orange oil and 36% of maltodextrin, when total oil retention was 94%, regardless the drying temperature here employed.