Histological analysis of cobalt-chromium stents with and without Camouflage (R) polymer coating: experimental porcine carotid artery model

This study evaluated the arterial response to cobalt-chromium stents with and without polymer coating (Camouflage (R), Hemoteq AG, Wuerselen, Germany) implanted in pigs. Cobalt-chromium balloon-expandable stents (4 x 16 mm) were implanted in the common carotid arteries of nine pigs. Histological analysis of endothelialization, inflammation and injury was performed one month later. All stents were successfully deployed, and all but one animal survived the 30 study days. All arteries were patent. Endothelialization was nearly complete in most sections of all carotid stents in both groups. There were mild inflammatory infiltrate and mild-to-moderate injury, which were associated with the stent shafts and not significantly different between groups. Our findings suggest that, in porcine carotid arteries, the histological response to balloon-expandable cobalt-chromium stents coated with polymer (Camouflage (R), Hemoteq AG) is similar to the response to non-coated cobalt-chromium stents.

Prevalence of Rickettsia species antibodies and Rickettsia species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever

Rickettsia species antibodies have been detected in some cats but it is unknown whether infected cats develop clinical signs. The prevalence of Rickettsia species deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood from clinically ill cats has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if cats with fever (body temperature >= 102.5 degrees F [39.2 degrees C]) were more likely to have evidence of rickettsial infection than healthy, age-matched, control cats with a body temperature < 102.5 degrees F. Rickettsia species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed to detect rickettsial DNA extracted from blood (71 paired samples), indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were performed to detect serum antibodies against Rickettsia felis (90 paired samples) and Rickettsia rickettsii (91 paired samples), and the results between pairs were compared. All samples were negative for Rickettsia species DNA. More cats with fever were seropositive for R felis or R rickettsii than control cats, but results were not statistically significant. Results of this pilot study failed to show an association between Rickettsia species DNA or Rickettsia species antibodies and fever. (c) 2008 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of intestinal innervation in dogs with and without intussusception

Objective-To assess viability of innervation in bowel segments appearing macroscopically viable from dogs with intussusception. Animals-7 dogs without gastrointestinal dysfunction that had been euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study (control dogs) and 13 dogs with intussusception that underwent enterectomy and intestinal anastomosis (affected dogs). Procedures-A total of 31 samples of intestinal tissue were obtained from the control dogs; 28 samples were obtained from affected dogs during surgery. Samples were histologically and immunohistochemically prepared and subjectively scored for degree of vacuolization and staining, respectively. Other data collected included mean muscle cell density of circular and longitudinal muscular layers, ratio between areas of muscular layers, mean number of myenteric plexuses, mean ganglion cell density of myenteric plexuses, and degree of degeneration in neuronal plexuses as estimated through synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunoreactivity. Results-Mean muscle cell density of longitudinal muscular layers, ratio between areas of muscular layers, and synaptophysin immunoreactivity did not differ significantly between affected and control dogs; values of all other variables did. Correlations were evident between mean ganglion cell density in myenteric plexuses and mean muscle cell density in circular muscular layers, degree of neuronal degeneration in myenteric plexuses and NSE immunoreactivity, and degree of neuronal degeneration in myenteric plexuses and mean ganglion cell density of myenteric plexuses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Innervation may be impaired in bowel segments that appear macroscopically viable. Therefore, careful evaluation of preserved surgical margins during enterectomy and enteroanastomosis and monitoring of digestive function after surgery are important. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:636-642)

Bovine sperm cells viability during incubation with or without exogenous DNA

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of exogenous DNA and incubation time on the viability of bovine sperm. Sperm were incubated at a concentration of 5 x 10(6)/ml with or without plasmid pEYFP-NUC. Fluorescent probes, propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342, FITC-PSA and JC-1, were used to assess plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome membrane integrity (AMI) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) respectively at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of incubation. Exogenous DNA addition did not affect sperm viability; however, incubation time was related to sperm deterioration. Simultaneous assessment of PMI, AMI and MMP showed a reduction in the number of sperm with higher viability (integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes and high mitochondrial membrane potential) from 58.7% at 0 h to 7.5% after 4 h of incubation. Lower viability sperm (damaged plasma and acrosome membranes and low mitochondrial membrane potential) increased from 4.6% at 0 h to 25.99% after 4 h of incubation. When PMI, AMI and MMP were assessed separately we noticed a reduction in plasma and acrosome membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential throughout the incubation period. Therefore, exogenous DNA addition does not affect sperm viability, but the viability is reduced by incubation time.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: Performance of a rapid diagnostic test (Kalazar Detect (TM)) in dogs with and without signs of the disease

Current visceral leishmaniasis (VL) control programs in Brazil include the infected dog elimination but, despite this strategy, the incidence of human VL is still increasing. One of the reasons is the long delay between sample collection, analysis, control implementation and the low sensitivity of diagnostic tests. Due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic dogs, the diagnosis of these animals is important considering their vector infection capacity. Hence, a rapid and accurate diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis is essential for an efficient surveillance program. In this study we evaluated the performance of rK39 antigen in an immunochromatographic format to detect symptomatic and asymptomatic Leishmania chagasi infection in dogs and compared the results with those using a crude antigen ELISA. The sensitivity of rK39 dipstick and ELISA were 83% vs. 95%, respectively, while the specificity was both 100%. Our results also demonstrated that the dipstick test was able to detect infected dogs presenting different clinical forms. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Treatment of infrabony defects with or without enamel matrix proteins: A 24-month follow-up randomized pilot study

Objective: To evaluate a comparison of open-flap debridement (OFD) with or without the use of enamel matrix proteins (EMP) for the treatment of infrabony defects. Method and Materials: Ten volunteers (38 infrabony defects) were randomized to receive OFD + EMP (test site) and OFD (control site). Clinical outcomes included mean changes in Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment level (RAL), gingival recession, width of keratinized tissue, and dental mobility at baseline and at 24 months. Results: A significant reduction of 4.21 +/- 0.97 mm was observed in PPD for the OFD + EMP group (from 6.30 +/- 0.99 mm to 2.09 +/- 0.97 mm) and of 3.28 +/- 1.23 mm for the OFD group (from 6.13 +/- 0.88 mm to 2.85 +/- 1.42 mm) (P < .001). The reduction in PPD was statistically significantly greater for OFD + EMP compared to OFD (P = .03). The mean RAL decreased from 13.26 +/- 1.88 mm to 7.57 +/- 2.05 mm for the OFD + EMP group (a gain of 5.69 +/- 1.96 mm) and from 13.37 +/- 1.71 mm to 8.13 +/- 1.34 min (P < .001) for the OFD group (a gain of 5.24 +/- 1.55 mm). Gingival recession was higher it) the OFD + EMP group than in the OFD group. The mean keratinized tissue significantly decreased from 4.41 +/- 1.39 mm to 3.63 +/- 1.54 mm for OFD flap group (P < .01). Conclusion: Both treatment modalities were efficient in improving RAL and PPD. Within groups, there was a significant reduction in keratinized tissue for OFD and a significant postoperative recession for the OFD + EMP group. Infrabony defects treated with OFD + EMP showed significantly more PPD reduction when compared to OFD. (Quintessence Int 2010;41:125-134)

Influence of Osteopenia in Autogenous Bone Graft Healing With or Without Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Membranes: Histologic and Histomorphometric Study in Rats

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate and qualitatively describe autogenous bone graft healing with or without an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane in ovariectornized rats. Materials and Methods: Eighty Wistar rats, weighing approximately 300 g each, were used. A graft was obtained from the parietal bone and fixed to the sidewall of each animal`s left mandibular ramus. The animals were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 20 in each group): group 1, sham operated and autogenous bone graft only- group 2, sham operated and autogenous bone graft covered by e-PTFE membrane; group 3, ovariectornized (OVX) and autogenous bone graft only- group 4, OVX and autogenous bone graft covered by e-PTFE membrane. The animals were sacrificed at five different time points: immediately after grafting or at 7, 21, 45, or 60 days after grafting. Histologic examination and morphometric measurement of the sections were performed, and values were submitted to statistical analyses. Results: Both groups (sham and OVX) experienced loss of the original graft volume when it was not covered by the membrane, whereas use of the membrane resulted in additional bone formation beyond the edges of the graft and under the membrane. Histologic analysis showed integration of the grafts in all animals, although a larger number of marrow spaces was found in OVX groups. Conclusions: Association of bone graft with an e-PTFE membrane resulted in maintenance of its original volume as well as formation of new bone that filled the space under the membrane. Osteopenia did not influence bone graft repair, regardless of whether or not it was associated with e-PTFE membrane, but descriptive histologic analysis showed larger numbers of marrow spaces in the bone graft and receptor bed and formation of new bone in the OVX animals. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2009;24:1074-1082

Comparison of GPX with or without solvent and hand files in removing filling materials from root canals-An ex vivo study

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare GPX instruments and hand files for gutta-percha removal. Study design. Fifty maxillary central incisors with a single straight canal were instrumented and filled. The teeth were divided into 5 groups of 10 specimens each, according to the gutta-percha removal techniques: group 1: GPX (21-mm-long teeth); group 2: GPX and xylol as solvent (21-mm-long teeth); group 3: GPX (25-mm-long teeth); group 4: GPX and xylol as solvent (25-mm-long teeth); and group 5: hand files and xylol as solvent. The amount of time for gutta-percha removal and the number of fractured instruments were evaluated. Radiographs were taken, and the teeth were grooved longitudinally and split. The area of residual debris was measured using Sigma Scan software. Results. The time for filling material removal was significantly shorter when GPX was used (P < .05). Overall, hand files and solvent produced fewer remnants of filling materials (P < .05). In the GPX 25 mm-long teeth group, the filling material was not removed in the apical third. Conclusions. Under the experimental conditions, the GPX instruments proved to be faster than hand instruments in removing root filling materials; however, hand instruments left a smaller amount of residual filling materials on the canal walls. The GPX instruments did not pull the gutta-percha beyond its tip. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 110: 675-680)

Mineral trioxide aggregate with or without calcium chloride in pulpotomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of the pulp tissue against mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with or without 10% calcium chloride (CaCl2). Pulpotomies were performed in 4 canines and 8 premolars of two 8-month-old dogs. MTA with or without CaCl2 was applied on the pulp tissue. The animals were killed after 90 days, and the specimens were processed for the microscopic analysis. Pulp tissue response was similar for MTA with and without CaCl2 Pulp vitality was present in all specimens, along with pulp repair with formation of mineralized tissue bridging. The addition of CaCl2 to MTA did not change its biologic properties in formation of mineralized barrier after pulpotomy.

Treatment stability in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with 2 maxillary premolar extractions or without extractions

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the occlusal stability of Class II malocclusion treatment with and without extraction of 2 maxillary premolars. Methods: A sample of 59 records from patients with complete Class II malocclusion was used. This sample was divided into 2 groups with the following characteristics: group 1, comprising 29 patients treated without extractions, and group 2, comprising 30 patients treated with extraction of 2 maxillary premolars. Dental cast measurements were obtained before and after treatment and at a minimum of 2.4 years after treatment. The pretreatment, posttreatment, and postretention occlusal statuses were evaluated with the peer assesment rating index. The occlusal indexes at the postretention stage and the posttreatment changes and percentages of posttreatment changes were compared with t tests. Results: The nonextraction and the 2 maxillary premolar extraction treatment protocols of complete Class II malocclusions had no statistically significant differences in occlusal stability. Conclusions: Finishing Class II malocclusion treatment with the molars in a Class II relationship has similar occlusal stability as finishing with the molars in a Class I relationship. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;138:16-22)

Preventive effect of iron gel with or without fluoride on bovine enamel erosion in vitro

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect in vitro of experimental gel containing iron and/or fluoride on the erosion of bovine enamel. Methods: To standardize the blocks (n = 80), specimens (4 x 4 mm) were previously selected to measure the initial microhardness. The blocks were randomly allocated into four groups of 20 samples each: C (control, placebo gel); F (fluoride gel, 1.23% NaF); Fe (iron gel, 10 mmol/L FeSO(4)) and F + Fe (fluoride + iron gel). The gels were applied and removed after 1 minute. The blocks were then submitted to six alternating remineralization and demineralization cycles. The beverage Coca-Cola (R) (10 minutes, 30 mL) was used for demineralization, and artificial saliva (1 hour) for remineralization. The effect of erosion was measured by wear analysis (profilometry). Data were analysed by ANOVA and the Tukey test for individual comparisons (p <0.05). Results: The mean wear (+/- SD, mu m) was C: 0.94 +/- 0.22; F: 0.55 +/- 0.12; Fe: 0.49 +/- 0.11 and F + Fe: 0.55 +/- 0.13. When the experimental gels were used, there was statistically significant reduction in enamel wear in comparison with the control (p <0.001). However, the experimental gels did not differ significantly among them. Conclusions: The gels containing iron with or without fluoride are capable of interfering with the dissolution dental enamel in the presence of erosive challenge.

Speech intelligibility with and without noise in individuals exposed to electronic music

Audiometry is the main way with which hearing is evaluated, because it is a universal and standardized test. Speech tests are difficult to standardize due to the variables involved, their performance in the presence of competitive noise is of great importance. Aim: To characterize speech intelligibility in silence and in competitive noise from individuals exposed to electronically amplified music. Material and Method: It was performed with 20 university students who presented normal hearing thresholds. The speech recognition rate (SRR) was performed after fourteen hours of sound rest after the exposure to electronically amplified music and once again after sound rest, being studied in three stages: without competitive noise, in the presence of Babble-type competitive noise, in monotic listening, in signal/ noise ratio of + 5 dB and with the signal/ noise ratio of 5 dB. Results: There was greater damage in the SRR after exposure to the music and with competitive noise, and as the signal/ noise ratio decreases, the performance of individuals in the test also decreased. Conclusion: The inclusion of competitive noise in the speech tests in the audiological routine is important, because it represents the real disadvantage experienced by individuals in daily listening.

Assessment of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis without the need for measurement of height

Conventional whole-body single frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) of body composition typically uses height as a surrogate measure of conductor length. A new method of BIA analysis for the prediction of body cell mass (BCM) and extracellular water (ECW, as % body weight) not using height has been introduced-the Soft Tissue Analyser (STA(TM), Akern Sri, Florence, Italy)-making it ideal for use in subjects where measurement of height is difficult or impossible. The performance of the new analytical method in predicting BCM and ECW in 139 normal control subjects was assessed by comparison with reference data obtained from a four-component (4-C) model of body composition and with predictions obtained from conventional BIA analysis. Both predicted BCM and ECW were strongly (r = 0.82, SEE = 6.3 kg and 0.89, SEE = 1.3 kg respectively) correlated with the corresponding 4-C model measurements although differing significantly from the lines of identity (P < 0.0001). Fat-free mass, calculated from STA estimates of BCM and ECW, was better predicted (r = 0.91, SEE = 5.6 kg). The significant differences in STA-group mean values for BCM and ECW and wide limits of agreement compared with the reference data indicate that the method cannot be used with confidence for prediction of these body compartments despite the obvious advantage of not requiring an accurate measurement of height. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Clinically significant drug interactions with agents specific for migraine attacks

The drugs which provide specific relief from migraine attacks, the ergopeptides (ergotamine and dihydroergotamine) and the various 'triptans' (notably sumatriptan), are often prescribed for persons already taking various migraine preventative agents, and sometimes drugs for other indications. As a result, migraine-specific drugs may become involved in drug-drug interactions. The migraine-specific drugs all act as agonists at certain subclasses of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-MT) receptor, particularly those of the 5-HT1D subtype, and produce vasoconstriction through these receptor-mediated mechanisms. The oral bioavailabilities of these drugs, particularly those of the ergopeptides, are often incomplete, due to extensive presystemic metabolism. As a result, if migraine-specific agents are coadministered with drugs with vasoconstrictive properties, or with drugs which inhibit the metabolism of the migraine-specific agents, there is a risk of interactions occurring which produce manifestations of excessive vasoconstriction. This can also occur through pharmacodynamic mechanisms, as when ergopeptides or triptans are coadministered with methysergide or propranolol (although a pharmacokinetic element may apply in relation to the latter interaction), or if one migraine-specific agent is used shortly after another. When egopeptide metabolism is inhibited by the presence of macrolide antibacterials, particularly troleandomycin and erythromycin, the resultant interaction can produce ergotism, sometimes leading to gangrene. Similar pharmacokinetic mechanisms, with their vasoconstrictive consequences, probably apply to combination of the ergopeptides with HIV protease inhibitors (indinavir and ritonavir), heparin, cyclosporin or tacrolimus. Inhibition of triptan metabolism by monoamine oxidase A inhibitors, e.g. moclobemide, may raise circulating triptan concentrations, although this does not yet seem to have led to reported clinical problems. Caffeine may cause increased plasma ergotamine concentrations through an as yet inadequately defined pharmacokinetic interaction. However, a direct antimigraine effect of caffeine may contribute to the claimed increased efficacy of ergotamine-caffeine combinations in relieving migraine attacks. Serotonin syndromes have been reported as probable pharmacodynamic consequences of the use of ergots or triptans in persons taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There have been two reports of involuntary movement disorders when sumatriptan has been used by patients already taking loxapine. Nearly all the clinically important interactions between the ergopeptide antimigraine agents and currently marketed drugs are likely to have already come to notice. In contrast, new interactions involving the triptans are likely to be recognised as additional members of this family of drugs, with their different patterns of metabolism and pharmacokinetics, are marketed.