Autologous bone marrow transplantation in a dog with lymphoma: a clinical study

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

A sociodemographic, clinical study of patients with venous ulcer

Background Venous ulcer is the most serious consequence of chronic venous insufficiency and is responsible for almost 70% of chronic leg ulcers. The main purpose of this research was to describe social, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with venous ulcers and to identify some professional repercussions of this pathology.Subjects and methods We evaluated patients with a clinical picture compatible with venous ulcer. The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, and the clinical characteristics and professional repercussions of the pathology were studied. We used the ankle-brachial index to identify associated arterial disease. The body mass index (BMI) was used for the classification of the nutritional condition of the patients.Results A total of 120 patients were included in the study (90 females and 30 males; 80.8% White; 44.2% > 60 years old). Ninety-one per cent of the patients had been in education for less than 4 years, and 89.7% were on the poverty line. Thirty-five per cent were retired, 2.5% were receiving government help due to disease and 4.2% were unemployed. About 16% of patients were out of work due to the disease, and 49.2% presented some degree of disability in terms of work tasks. The ulcer area was less than 30 cm(2) in 69.1% of patients. The first ulcer episode occurred in 13.4 years on average, and 64.2% of patients had recurrent episodes. Females presented on average 5.65 pregnancies, and 75.4% of patients were overweight.Conclusion Venous ulcer occurred mainly in the low-income population, who presented with little formal education. Generally, the ulcers were present for a long time and were recurrent, with repercussions for the capabilities of patients to work.

Antibiotic treatment schemes for very severe community-acquired pneumonia in children: a randomized clinical study

Objective. To compare clinical response to initial empiric treatment with oxacillin plus ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in hospitalized children diagnosed with very severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods. A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted among children 2 months to 5 years old with a diagnosis of very severe CAP in the pediatric ward of São Paulo State University Hospital in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from April 2007 to May 2008. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by type of treatment: an oxacillin/ceftriaxone group (OCG, n = 48) and an amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (ACG, n = 56). Analyzed outcomes were: time to clinical improvement (fever and tachypnea), time on oxygen therapy, length of stay in hospital, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, and complications (including pleural effusion).Results. The two groups did not differ statistically for age, sex, symptom duration before admission, or previous antibiotic treatment. Time to improve tachypnea was less among ACG patients than OCG patients (4.8 +/- 2.2 versus 5.8 +/- 2.4 days respectively; P = 0.028), as was length of hospital stay (11.0 +/- 6.2 versus 14.4 +/- 4.5 days respectively; P = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for fever improvement time, time on oxygen therapy, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, or frequency of pleural effusion.Conclusions. Both treatment plans are effective in treating very severe CAP in 2-monthto 5-year-old hospitalized children. The only analyzed outcome that favored amoxicillin/clavulanic acid treatment was time required to improve tachypnea.

Comparison of denture microwave disinfection and conventional antifungal therapy in the treatment of denture stomatitis: a randomized clinical study

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

Denture disinfection by microwave irradiation: A randomized clinical study

Processo FAPESP: 05/02384-4

Influence of Microwave Disinfection on the Linear Dimensional Stability of Complete Dentures: A Clinical Study

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

The use of hydroxyapatite for arthrodesis in dogs and cats: a clinical study

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

Clinical Study of a Multivitamin and Polymineral Complex Associated With Panax ginseng Extract (Natus Gerin (R))

This study aimed to stablish the efficacy of a multivitamin and polyminerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin(R)) on patients subjected to common physical or mental stress. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical examination. Group A received Natus Gerin(R) capsules and B placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken daily during meals during four weeks. Mood and physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 176 patients enrolled, 17 were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 81 completed the study in group A and 78 in group B. The treatment with Natus Gerin(R) increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 and 30 days, group A showed a significant increase in average scoring score from 1.78 to 3.78, and finally 5.32 points. The study has shown that the daily use of Natus Gerin(R) can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stress.

Phase II clinical study of an association for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (Cystex (R))

Painful bladder syndrome associated with interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a clinical condition characterized pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and urinary frequency. In this study, 22 patients were assigned to make two visits over a three weeks period. The patients were randomly, double-blinded assigned in two groups. The first group received Cystex (R) capsules. The second group received placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken three times a day away from meals. The change from baseline in the O'Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem index was the primary outcome parameter. Changes in functional bladder capacity and intensity of pain and urgency have been chosen as secondary outcome parameters. Mood as well as physical and sexual activity were rated by 10 questions on a scale 0 to 6. The ratings were analyzed and the average for each patient in both groups Cystex (R) and placebo was determined as the quality of life index. For the primary outcome there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. Mean symptom score-sum decreased from 28.4 to 20.5 in the Cystex (R) group compared with 29.5 to 26.8 in the placebo group (p<0.05). For the secondary end points, pain and urgency intensity improved statistically significantly in the Cystex (R) group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). The frequency and functional bladder capacity improved to greater degree in the Cystex (R) group. The differences were statistically significant for comparison of frequency (p<0.05) and not for functional bladder capacity (p>0.05). In our study, Cystex (R) enhanced quality of life over the placebo showing a statistically significant. This trial have shown that the efficacy and safety of therapy with Cystex (R) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and is an alternative for patients suffering from this pathology. Therefore, it can be concluded that the composition of Cystex (R), increased the quality of life in treated patients.

CLINICAL STUDY of NATURAL INFECTION BY Trypanosoma cruzi IN DOGS RESIDING IN A RURAL AREA IN MATO GROSSO do SUL STATE, BRAZIL

This study was carried out to describe the clinical characteristics of natural infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs that reside in a rural area of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Conventional and nonconventional diagnostic methods were used for screening T. cruzi infection in 75 dogs that lived in the area. Cardiovascular tests and biochemical examination of sera were also performed in four confirmed positive dogs. The following techniques were employed: indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. cruzi epimastigote antigens (EAE-ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. cruzi excreted-secreted trypomastigote antigens (TESA-ELISA) with antibodies detected in 45.33% (n = 34), 24.0% (n = 18) and 12.0% (n = 9) of the dogs, respectively. The current prevalence of the infection was confirmed as 10.7% (n = 8) by immunoblotting test with T. cruzi excreted-secreted antigens (TESA-blot). The test that showed the best concordance index (Kappa; 0.93), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.5%) was TESA-ELISA, that when associated with IFAT had the same results as those obtained by TESA-blot (10.7%). Three out of the four chagasic animals showed enlarged cardiac silhouette on X-ray and an increase of the P-wave duration and QRS complex in electrocardiogram. Two dogs presented conduction disturbances, right bundle branch block in one dog and first-degree atrioventricular block and sinus arrest in another. The ecodopplercardiography presented left-ventricular-wall thickness increased during diastole, decrease of the shortening fraction and inversion in the speed peaks of the E and A waves, indicating the presence of systolic and diastolic disorders. The four animals showed enzymatic activities of creatine kinase (221-404 U/L), MB fraction of creatine kinase (189-304 U/L), elevated total proteins (7.6-10.2 g/dL) and total globulins (4.6-7.7g/dL) and reduction of albumin/globulin ratio, which suggested a myocardial injury and continuous antigenic stimulus.

Urinary bladder washings in autopsies. A cytopathologic study of 63 cases

The sediment from urinary bladder washings from 63 consecutive autopsies was cytologically studied in order to achieve a better understanding of the changes in urothelial cells collected from hospital populations. The observed alterations were correlated with alterations in the urinary system and with therapy preceding death. The specimens obtained were of good quality. In 39.7% of the cases, the sediment contained giant superficial multinucleated cells. Three of nine cases previously subjected to radiation or chemotherapy showed atypical urothelial cells. In three cases with immunosuppression, there was cytologic evidence of subclinical infection by polyomavirus, and virus particles were identified by electron microscopy of the vesical mucosa. The study of the smear background offered additional information: the sediment contained hyaline or hematic or hyaline-cellular casts in 17.4% of the cases, in all of which there were renal tubulopathies when the kidney sections were studied. The method is useful for a good evaluation of the autopsy as well as for training in urinary cytopathology.