The Influence of Calcium Chloride on the Setting Time, Solubility, Disintegration, and pH of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and White Portland Cement with a Radiopacifier

This study evaluated the influence of addition of 10% calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) on the setting time, solubility, disintegration, and pH of white MTA (WMTA) and white Portland cement (WPC). A test of the setting time was performed following the #57 ADA specifications and a test of the final setting time according to the ASTM. For the solubility tests disintegration and pH, Teflon rings were filled with the cements and weighed after setting. After 24 h in a desiccator, they were once again weighed. Thereafter, they were immersed in MiliQ water for 24 and 72 h and 7, 14, and 28 days, with maintenance in the desiccator and weighing between periods. The pH of water in which the rings were immersed was measured immediately after contact with them and in the other periods. The addition of CaCl(2) provided a significant reduction (50%) in the initial setting time of cements. The final setting time of WMTA was reduced in 35.5% and the final setting time of WPC in 68.5%. The WMTA with CaCl(2) absorbed water and gained weight with time, except for in the 24-h period. The addition of CaCl(2) to the WPC reduced its solubility. The addition of CaCl(2) increased the pH of WMTA in the immediate period and at 24 and 72 h and for WPC in the immediate period and at 24 h. The addition of CaCl(2) to WMTA and WPC reduced the setting times and solubility of both and increased the pH of cements in the initial periods. (J Endod 2009;35:550-554)

Ultrastructural features of the glandular region of the stomach of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887) with emphasis on the oxyntopeptic cell

The characteristics of the lining and glandular epithelial types of the wall of the stomach of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887) were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Columnar mucous cells were observed in the lining epithelial surface and the glandular epithelium that invaginated in the lamina propria showed secretory cells or oxyntopeptic cells as called by some authors in the literature. The columnar epithelial cells are narrow and show a basal nucleus. They are rich in organelles and contain secretory granules of round or rectangular shape heterogeneously electron dense in the apical portion. In the basal region of the glands there are secretory cells. The luminal half of these cells has abundant tubules (tubulo-vesicular system) that communicate with the external medium. Deeper basally in the cytoplasm there are the nucleus, mitochondria of various shapes and other scattered organelles.

Laryngeal and voice disorders in patients with gastroesophageal symptoms. Correlation with pH-monitoring

OBJETIVO: Investigar as alterações laríngeas e vocais em pacientes com sintomas de refluxo gastroesofágico e correlacioná-las com o exame de phmetria. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo que incluiu os pacientes atendidos nos ambulatórios de Distúrbios da Voz da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu no período de cinco anos com sintomas vocais e gastroesofágicos. Os pacientes foram submetidos à videolaringoscopia, às análises vocais perceptivo-auditivas, a analise vocal acústica computadorizada e ao exame de pHmetria de dois canais com monitorização durante 24 horas. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 57 pacientes (entre 21 a 65 anos; 45 mulheres e 12 homens). Desses, 18 apresentavam pHmetria normal (31,6%) e 39 alterada (68,4%). As videolaringoscopias registraram diversas lesões laríngeas tanto nos pacientes com pHmetria normal como alterada, sendo mais relevantes neste último grupo, destacando-se a paquidermia posterior. As avaliações vocais perceptivo-auditivas identificaram alterações vocais de diversas intensidades em ambos os grupos, mais importantes nos pacientes com pHmetria alterada. Todos os parâmetros acústicos, exceto Fo, mostraram-se alterados em ambos os grupos, quando comparados aos controles. CONCLUSÕES: Alterações vocais perceptivas e acústicas, e lesões laríngeas foram registradas tanto nos pacientes com phmetria normal como alterada, sinalizando para a importância da historia clínica e dos achados videolaringoscópicos no diagnóstico das laringites ácidas.

Disintegration of magnetic tablets in human stomach evaluated by alternate current Biosusceptometry

Oral administration is the most convenient route for drug therapy. The knowledge of the gastrointestinal transit and specific site for drug delivery is a prerequisite for development of dosage forms. The aim of this work was to demonstrate that is possible to monitor the disintegration process of film-coated magnetic tablets by multi-sensor alternate current Biosusceptometry (ACB) in vivo and in vitro. This method is based on the recording of signals produced by the magnetic tablet using a seven sensors array and signal-processing techniques. The disintegration was confirmed by signals analysis in healthy human volunteers' measurements and in vitro experiments. Results showed that ACB is efficient to characterize the disintegration of dosage forms in the stomach, being a research tool for the development of new pharmaceutical dosage forms. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validation of ACB in vitro and in vivo as a biomagnetic method for measuring stomach contraction

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Electrical and mechanical effects of hyoscine butylbromide on the human stomach: a non-invasive approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antiulcerogenic activity of four extracts obtained from the bark wood of Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae)

Quassia amara L., a neotropical forest shrub of the Simaroubaceae family, is widely used in Caribbean folk medicine and in some northern states of Brazil for the treatment of gastric ulcers. This plant is a source of numerous compounds including both beta-carbonile and cantin-6 alkaloids as well as, primarily, the bitter compounds known as quassinoids. We analyzed the possible antiulcerogenic activities of four extracts of different polarities: 70% ethanol (70% EtOH), 100% EtOH, 100% dichloromethane (DCM), and 100% hexane (HEX) obtained from Quassia amara bark. All extracts, administered at doses of 5000 mg/kg orally and 1000 mg/kg intraperitoneally, caused neither toxicity or death. In the indomethacin[bethanechol-induced gastric ulcer, 70% EtOH, 100% EtOH, DCM and HEX extracts, 100 mg/kg, p.o., inhibited the gastric ulcer (22.5, 23.4, 50.5, 46.8%, respectively). 70% EtOH, 100% EtOH, DCM, and HEX extracts reduced the gastric injury induced by the hypothermic restraint-stress test in mice (70.7, 80, 60, 82.7%, respectively). In the pylorus ligature of the mouse stomach, following pre-treatment with a single intraduodenal administration of 100 mg/kg of each extract, only 70% EtOH did not change the biochemical parameters of gastric juice. 100% EtOH, DCM and HEX extracts presented decreased gastric juice content, increased pH values and decreased acid output. We also determined the antiulcerogenic activity on HCl-EtOH-induced gastric ulcers in mice at four doses (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg, p.o.), then evaluated the possible dose-dependent relation and calculated the ED50 values. Except for 70% EtOH at a dose of 25 mg/kg, the other extracts showed significantly activity (p<0.05). The free mucous amount in the gastric stomach content was also evaluated. All extracts showed significant increases (p<0.05) of free mucous. This effect was abolished when the animals were pre-treated with indomethacin. Prostaglandin synthesis was evaluated by the administration of HEX extracts by the oral route (100 mg/kg). Prostaglandin synthesis was significantly, increased by 52.3% (p<0.05), and this effect was abolished with prior administration of indomethacin. We concluded that Quassia amara is a probable source for a new drug to treat gastric ulcers, and the mechanism of its activity relates to cytoprotective factors, such as mucous and prostaglandins, but there is still the possibility that antisecretory activity is involved in its antiulcerogenic effect.

Evaluation of the antiulcerogenic and analgesic activities of Cordia verbenacea DC. (Boraginaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Histology and Histochemistry of the Stomach Epithelium of Pachycondyla (= Neoponera) villosa (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The Use of Response Surface Methodology in Optimization of Lactic Acid Production: Focus on Medium Supplementation, Temperature and pH Control

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rhamnolipid emulsifying activity and emulsion stability: pH rules

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ventilatory compensation of the alkaline tide during digestion in the snake Boa constrictor

The increased metabolic rate during digestion is associated with changes in arterial acid-base parameters that are caused by gastric acid secretion (the 'alkaline tide'). Net transfer of HCl to the stomach lumen causes an increase in plasma HCO3- levels, but arterial pH does not change because of a ventilatory compensation that counters the metabolic alkalosis. It seems, therefore, that ventilation is controlled to preserve pH and not P-CO2, during the postprandial period. To investigate this possibility, we determined arterial acid-base parameters and the metabolic response to digestion in the snake Boa constrictor, where gastric acid secretion was inhibited pharmacologically by oral administration of omeprazole. The increase in oxygen consumption of omeprazole-treated snakes after ingestion of 30% of their own body mass was quantitatively similar to the response in untreated snakes, although the peak of the metabolic response occurred later (36 h versus 24 h). Untreated control animals exhibited a large increase in arterial plasma HCO3- concentration of approximately 12 mmol 1(-1), but arterial pH only increased by 0.12 pH units because of a simultaneous increase in arterial P-CO2 by about 10 mmHg. Omeprazole virtually abolished the changes in arterial pH and plasma HCO3- concentration during digestion and there was no increase in arterial P-CO2. The increased arterial P-CO2 during digestion is not caused, therefore, by the increased metabolism during digestion or a lower ventilatory responsiveness to ventilatory stimuli during a presumably relaxed state in digestion. Furthermore, the constant arterial P-CO2, in the absence of an alkaline tide, of omeprazole-treated snakes strongly suggests that pH rather than P-CO2 normally affects chemoreceptor activity and ventilatory drive.

Effects of inhibition gastric acid secretion on arterial acid-base status during digestion in the toad Bufo marinus

Digestion affects acid-base status, because the net transfer of HCl from the blood to the stomach lumen leads to an increase in HCO3- levels in both extra- and intracellular compartments. The increase in plasma [HCO3-], the alkaline tide, is particularly pronounced in amphibians and reptiles, but is not associated with an increased arterial pH, because of a concomitant rise in arterial Pco(2) caused by a relative hypoventilation. In this study, we investigate whether the postprandial increase in Paco(2) of the toad Bufo marinus represents a compensatory response to the increased plasma [HCO3-] or a state-dependent change in the control of pulmonary ventilation. To this end, we successfully prevented the alkaline tide, by inhibiting gastric acid secretion with omeprazole, and compared the response to that of untreated toads determined in our laboratory during the same period. In addition, we used vascular infusions of bicarbonate to mimic the alkaline tide in fasting animals. Omeprazole did not affect blood gases, acid-base and haematological parameters in fasting toads, but abolished the postprandial increase in plasma [HCO3-] and the rise in arterial Pco(2) that normally peaks 48 h into the digestive period. Vascular infusion of HCO3-, that mimicked the postprandial rise in plasma [HCO3-], led to a progressive respiratory compensation of arterial pH through increased arterial Pco(2) Thus, irrespective of whether the metabolic alkalosis is caused by gastric acid secretion in response to a meal or experimental infusion of bicarbonate, arterial pH is being maintained by an increased arterial Pco(2). It seems, therefore, that the elevated Pco(2), occuring during the postprandial period, constitutes of a regulated response to maintain pH rather than a state-dependent change in ventilatory control. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.