Proxy-reported health-related quality of life of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Pediatric rheumatology international trials organization multinational quality of life cohort study

Objective. To investigate the proxy-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinants in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods. In this multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional study, HRQOL of patients with JIA was assessed through the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and was compared with that of healthy children of similar age from the same geographic area. of joint inflammation, Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.Results. A total of 6,639 participants (3,324 with JIA and 3,315 healthy) were enrolled from 32 countries. The mean SD physical and psychosocial summary scores of the CHQ were significantly lower in patients with JIA than in healthy children (physical: 44.5 +/- 10.6 versus 54.6 +/- 4.0, P < 0.0001; psychosocial: 47.6 +/- 8.7 versus 51.9 +/- 7.59 P < 0.0001), with the physical well-being domain being most impaired. Patients with persistent oligoarthritis had better HRQOL compared with other subtypes, whereas HRQOL was similar across patients with systemic arthritis, polyarthritis, and extended oligoarthritis. A CHAQ score > 1 and a pain intensity rating > 3.4 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale were the strongest determinants of poorer HRQOL in the physical and psychosocial domains, respectively.Conclusion. We found that patients with JIA have a significant impairment of their HRQOL compared with healthy peers, particularly in the physical domain. Physical well-being was mostly affected by the level of functional impairment, whereas the intensity of pain had the greatest influence on psychosocial health.

Topical effect of propolis in the repair of sulcoplasties by the modified Kazanjian technique. Cytological and clinical evaluation.

A study was conducted to analyze the effects of propolis mouth rinse on the repair of surgical wounds after sulcoplasty by the modified Kazanjian technique. Twenty-seven patients who underwent sulcoplasty were divided into three groups: C1--patients who did not use the mouth rinse C2--patients who used a mouth rinse containing 5% aqueous alcohol T--patients who used a mouth rinse containing 5% propolis in aqueous alcohol solution. The patients returned 7, 14, 30, and 45 days after surgery for cytological and clinical evaluation. It was concluded that: 1) the mouth rinse containing propolis in aqueous alcohol solution aids repair of intra-buccal surgical wounds and exerts a small pain-killing and anti-inflammatory effect; 2) the vehicle employed has a minor irritant effect on intra-buccal surgical wounds; 3) exfoliative cytology allows epithelization of intrabuccal surgical wounds.

Pyrethroid residues in milk and blood of dairy cows following single topical applications

The presence of the pyrethroid insecticides flumethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin in milk and blood of 10 cows was determined after single dermal applications of recommended doses. Milk and blood samples were collected every 7 days over a 35 d period and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The highest residues in milk were found on day 28 for flumethrin and day 1 for deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin, while in blood the highest concentrations were present on day 28 for flumethrin and deltamethrin, the first day for cypermethrin, and day 14 for cyhalothrin.

Social organization of the eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus cerberus styx (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

The present study was carried out under field conditions in Rio Claro, Southeastern Brazil. The following average life-spans of adults of Mischocyttarus cerberus styx were observed: queens 191.1 days, workers 14.0 days, and males 10.7 days. The short longevity of workers is attributed to the early foraging activity which was performed since the first week of adult age. The life table of the workers revealed high mortality rates during the first three weeks of life. Twenty-four behavioral categories were reported for these wasps and a comparative behavioral catalogue showed that the solitary foundresses (pre-emergence stage) are significantly more active than the queens (post-emergence stage) because they have to perform all the tasks for the nest maintenance. On the other hand, the queens were highly active even in the presence of the workers. The small number of individuals on the nest was the probable cause of the high activity of the queens in the post-emergence colonies. There was no clear division of tasks among workers according to their age (in weeks), so that most of the behavior categories were potentially performed by any worker of any age. Dead queens were replaced by their daughters.

Fluoride release by restorative materials before and after a topical application of fluoride gel

The release of fluoride from restorative materials (Vitremer, Ketac-Fil, Fuji II LC and Freedom) was evaluated during two 15-day periods, before and after a topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF). For each material, 6 specimens were made, which were immersed in 2 ml of deionized water. The fluoride concentration dosages in the solutions were read at intervals of 24 hours for 15 days. After this period, the specimens of each material received treatment with APF gel for 4 minutes and the fluoride released was analyzed at 24-hour intervals during the following 15 days. The analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p < 0.05) showed that the total mean fluoride released during the initial 15 days was greater for Vitremer and Ketac-Fil and lower for Fuji II LC and Freedom; and in the final 15 days there was a difference in release readings, with the greatest value for Vitremer, followed by Fuji II LC, Ketac-Fil and Freedom. The comparison of the results between the 1st day and the 16th day (after gel application) showed a greater fluoride release on the 16th day for Vitremer, Fuji II LC and Freedom and was equal for Ketac-Fil. Although all the materials evaluated gained fluoride with the application of APF, the data suggest that the resin-modified ionomers are more efficient in releasing fluoride to the medium than the other materials.

Histological study of hamster buccal mucosa following topical application of DMBA and exposition to low power 337 nm laser light

The aim of the present work is to analyze the histological changes on hamster buccal mucosa caused by the topical use of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and exposition to a 220 μJ/pulse nitrogen laser light (@ 337 nm) at an average power of 2,3 mW. Twenty-one hamsters divided into two experimental groups were treated six times with DMBA. One hamster was kept as control. Group I was composed by ten hamsters and was submitted only to DMBA. Group II, also with ten hamsters, received the same treatment as group I and was exposed to the laser radiation. The time duration of each irradiation section was 10 seconds. All the treatment happened in alternated days. The histological analysis took place twice, after the end of the treatment and after sixty days. Both experimental groups presented dilatation of vessels, thickening of the epithelial tissue and the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. The preliminary results indicates that in group II the number of dilated vessels and its new area are much more significant than in group I.

Effect of topical application of 5-FU on the corneoscleral limbus of rabbits

• Aim: To observe the effects of topical application of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the rabbits corneal limbus. • Methods: 5-FU was applied topically to the corneoscleral region of rabbits eyes. The animals were sacrificed immediately or 7, 15, 30 and 60 days later, and tissues were submitted to histological examination. • Results: All animals presented corneoscleral deepithelization close to the site of application during the immediate post-operative period, whereas on the 4th postoperative day ulceration was no longer present. Histological examination showed absence of epithelium and slight edema. After one week (G2), 2 animals presented epithelial defects, thickened epithelium with larger basal cells and loose chromatin, and slight subepithelial edema. The remaining groups showed no alterations. • Conclusion: The 5-FU topically on the corneoscleral limbus postpone the epitelization.

Efficacy of topical permethrin as repellent against aedes aegypti's bites

Mosquitoes are the most important vectors of infectious diseases and their bites are related to several adverse skin reactions. Permethrin impregnated clothes are an efficient strategy against arthropods' bites; however, its topical efficacy as a repellent has not been well established. We studied the response to permethrin lotion 5 percent and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) spray 50 percent applied to the unprotected forearms of 10 volunteers. Each arm was exposed to 20 female mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti. We performed 71 bilateral comparative measurements evaluating the timing for the first bites. The average times for the arm without the product, with permethrin 5 percent, and with DEET 50 percent were: 7.9 seconds, 336.2 seconds and 7512.1 seconds. The results showed a significant difference between repellency times between either product and unprotected controls. In addition, there was a significant difference in time to first bite between permethrin and DEET treated arms (p<0.01). Permethrin affords some repellent activity against Aedes aegypti bites in this experimental setting. However, permethrin's profile of repellency was significantly inferior to that of DEET. © 2008 Dermatology Online Journal.

Immunohistochemical expression of HLA-DR in the conjunctiva of patients under topical prostaglandin analogs treatment

PURPOSE: Subclinical inflammation may be observed in patients using topical antiglaucomatous drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate inflammation in conjunctiva of glaucoma patients using prostaglandin analogs, by the detection of an immunogenetic marker (HLA-DR) and compare the effect of 3 different drugs: latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost in the induction of this inflammation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were evaluated without and with prostaglandin analogs topical therapy. Imprints of conjunctival cells were obtained, fixed on glass slides, and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Before the use of prostaglandin analogs, 4 of the 33 patients evaluated presented expression of HLA-DR in the conjunctiva (mild). After 1 month on prostaglandin analog treatment, all but 1 patient presented HLA-DR staining. HLA-DR expression of these 32 patients was scored as mild (19 patients), medium (11 patients), or intense (2 patients). The differences were statistically significant both when the presence and the increased expression of HLA-DR were considered (P<0.001). When the 3 different groups were analyzed (latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost) no statistically significant difference was found (P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The use of prostaglandin analogs eye drops provokes a subclinical inflammatory reaction, observed by HLA-DR expression, even after a short period of treatment, independently of the class of the prostaglandin analogs used. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Institutional organization of the State for incorporating the environmental dimension in development planning

Includes bibliography

Topical Calendula officinalis L. successfully treated exfoliative cheilitis: A case report

Authors describe a case of recurrent exfoliative cheilitis that responded to treatment with a standardized topical preparation of Calendula officinalis L. An eighteen-year-old man was referred to UNESP - São Paulo State University, Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, São José dos Campos Dental School to investigate a chronic dry scaling lesion on his lips. The patient's main chief was aesthetic compromising. Corticoid therapy was suspended and Calendula officinalis ointment 10% for ad libitum use has been prescribed. The results presented allow the authors to consider Calendula officinalis L. as a potential therapy in cases of cheilitis exfoliative. © 2009 Roveroni-Favaretto et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Trade and the environment in the context of the World Trade Organization

Includes bibliography

Tax performance and reform in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Includes bibliography

Cytogenetic evidence for de novo synthesis of rRNA and involvement of nucleolar material in the organization of cell structures during spermiogenesis of Chariesterus armatus (Heteroptera, Coreidae).

The nucleolar material of Chariesterus armatus was analyzed during spermiogenesis in cell preparations impregnated with silver nitrate. Nucleolar corpuscles were observed in spermatids at the beginning of the process, showing that this organoid is also maintained after meiosis. In addition, nucleoli were seen in the round spermatids connected to the X-chromosome (bearer of the nucleolar organizer in C. armatus), indicating de novo synthesis of nucleolar material. This differs from the reorganization of ribosomal granules, transported from meiotic spermatocytes to round spermatids, where they would support protein synthesis, which is reported for other species. We also observed connections of nucleolar corpuscles to the nuclear membrane regions where the tail and the acrosome will be formed, suggesting close involvement of the nucleolar material in the formation of these structures. In addition to the nucleolar bodies, we detected silver-positive structures, which will require new approaches to clarify their role. One of these structures, observed in the cytoplasm, appears to correspond to the chromatoid body, which has been found in several organisms, but is still poorly understood; another is a complex structure to which the tail appears to be connected. We conclude that C. armatus is an appropriate model for understanding not only the synthesis of rRNA in the spermiogenesis, but also the functional meaning of the close relationship of nucleolar material with other structures during this process.

Topical use of fluorides for caries control

Since the early findings on the protective effects of fluoride present in drinking water upon caries incidence and prevalence, intensive research has been conducted in order to determine the benefits, safety, as well as the cost-effectiveness of other modalities of fluoride delivery. The present chapter reviews the various forms of topical fluoride use - professionally and self-applied - with special emphasis on clinical efficacy and possible side effects. The most widely used forms of fluoride delivery have been subject of several systematic reviews, providing strong evidence supporting the use of dentifrices, gels, varnishes and mouth rinses for the control of caries progression. Dentifrices with fluoride concentrations of 1,000 ppm and above have been shown to be clinically effective in caries prevention when compared to a placebo treatment, but the evidence regarding formulations with 450-550 ppm is still subject of debate. Therefore, the recommendation for low-fluoride dentifrice use must take into account both risks and benefits. The evidence for the combined use of two modalities of fluoride application in comparison to a single modality is still inconsistent, implying that more studies with adequate methodology are needed to determine the real benefits of each method. Considering the currently available evidence and risk-benefit aspects, it seems justifiable to recommend the use of fluoridated dentifrices to individuals of all ages, and additional fluoride therapy should also be targeted towards individuals at high caries risk. © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.