Cocaine-Induced Asthma and the "Crack Lung": A Case Report.

Cocaine, the second most used illicit drug, is associated with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other complications. Lung involvement associated with cocaine use, also known as "crack lung syndrome" (CLS), can elicit new-onset and exacerbate chronic pulmonary conditions. A 28-year-old female with a history of chronic controlled asthma arrived at the Emergency Department (ED), referring to cocaine inhalation, followed by symptoms compatible with an asthmatic crisis, requiring immediate steroid and bronchodilator therapy. Radiological studies and bronchoscopy confirmed CLS diagnosis. Despite treatment with oxygen, bronchodilators, and steroids, the asthmatic crises persisted. However, after 48 hours, we observed a complete regression of the lung infiltrates. This case highlights the importance of clinical suspicion, bronchoscopy findings, and the potential co-occurrence of CLS with asthma exacerbations. While computed tomography (CT) scans can be helpful, they should not be the only tool to diagnose CLS. The successful management of CLS involves the use of bronchodilators, steroids, and oxygen therapy and abstaining from cocaine use. Researchers should conduct further studies to diagnose and treat CLS in conjunction with acute asthma symptoms to assist this patient population better.

Morphophysiological evaluation of Bauhinia divaricata L. (Fabaceae) plants at different water regimes / Avaliação morfofisiológica em plantas de Bauhinia divaricata L. (Fabaceae) em diferentes regimes hídricos

The pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia divaricata L.) tree is a species widely distributed in Brazil, it has a high ornamental and economic value. Its leaves are used in renal inflammations, such as diuretic, hypoglycemic, being considered a medicinal plant of popular use. The research was carried out in a greenhouse belonging to the Laboratório de Ecologia Vegetal, at the Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), from Universidade Federal of Paraíba (UFPB). The objective was to evaluate the morphophysiological characteristics of B. divaricata plants at different water regimes. The experimental design was completely randomized with five water treatments 1 (100% control), 2 (80%), 3 (60%), 4 (40%) and 5 (20%) of the container capacity. The height, number of leaves and stem diameter were evaluated weekly. At the end of the experiment the plants had their organs separated and taken to the greenhouse to obtain the dry matter of the leaves, stem, roots and total dry matter, and also, biomass allocation in the leaves, stem and roots. Plant height did not differ statistically between the treatments. The number of leaves, diameter, leaf, stem and root allocation and root and shoot dry matter were higher under water availability (100% of container capacity). For the production of B. divaricata L. seedlings water regime should be 100% and 80% of the container capacity, but the seedlings grow satisfactorily.

A pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia divaricata L.) é uma espécie arbórea, amplamente distribuída no Brasil, de alto valor ornamental e econômico. Suas folhas são utilizadas nas inflamações renais, como diuréticas, hipoglicemiantes, sendo considerada uma planta medicinal de uso popular. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em casa de vegetação pertencente ao Laboratório de Ecologia Vegetal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB). O Objetivo foi avaliar as características morfofisiológicas em plantas de Bauhinia divaricata em diferentes regimes hídricos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos hídrico 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% e 20% da capacidade de pote. Avaliou-se, semanalmente a altura, número de folhas e diâmetro do caule. Ao final do experimento as plantas tiveram seus órgãos separados e levados à estufa para obtenção da matéria seca das folhas, caule, raízes e massa seca total, e ainda, alocação de biomassa nas folhas, caule e raízes. A altura de plantas não diferiu estatisticamente entre os tratamentos, o número de folhas, diâmetro, alocação de folhas, caules e raízes e massas seca da raiz e parte aérea foram maiores sob maior disponibilidade de água (100% da capacidade do recipiente). Para a produção de mudas de B. divaricata L. o regime hídrico deve ser de 100% e 80% da capacidade do recipiente, porém as mudas crescem satisfatoriamente.

Protocolo clínico de pacientes con historia de uso de bifosfonatos / Clinical protocol for patients with history of use of biphosphonates

Los bifosfonatos son un grupo de medicamentos que se han estadoutilizando en los últimas décadas para el tratamiento de padecimientos que se caracterizan por destrucción o pérdida ósea, cáncer, menopausiay enfermedades óseas no malignas por lo cual es muy importante realizar una amplia y correcta historia clínica para evitar las posibles complicaciones en la fase de cicatrización de los procedimientos quirúrgicos odontológicos. Al atender a un paciente con antecedentes de haber usado este medicamento, se debe conocer la farmacocinética y farmacodinamia para poder planificar el tratamiento pre-, trans- y postoperatorio de los pacientes que serían sometidos principalmente a extracciones dentarias, por lo cual actualmente se puede clasificar a este tipo de pacientes de acuerdo a los resultados de la prueba de laboratorio de la proteína C-telopéptido. Una vez determinado el riesgo del paciente de acuerdo a los resultados de dicha prueba se puede realizar un plan de tratamiento más seguro y eficaz para el paciente en donde se tomen las precauciones necesarias para no evitar una osteonecrosis mandibular o maxilar. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente con historia de bifosfonatos en donde se hace el tratamiento de acuerdo a los lineamientos actuales para tratar a este tipo de pacientes.

Bisphosphonates are a group medications that have been used for the last decades for the treatment of conditions that are characterized bybone loss or destruction, cancer, menopause and non-malignant bone diseases, which is why it is very important to make a broad and correctmedical history to avoid the possible complications in the healing phaseof dental surgical treatments. When treating a patient with a history of this drug we should know the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to be able to plan the pre, trans and postoperative treatment of patientsmainly subject to dental extractions, which is why currently this type ofpatients can be classified according to the results of the laboratory testof the C-Telopeptide protein. Once the patient’s risk has been determined according to the results of this test, an effective and safe treatmentplan can be started for the patient in which the necessary precautionsare taken to not develop a mandibular or maxillary osteonecrosis. We present a case of a patient with a history of bisphosphonates wherethe treatment is done according to the current guidelines for treatingthis type of patients.

Restauración postendodóncica: técnica con postes accesorios de fibra de vidrio / Postendodontic restoration: a technique with accessory fiber glass posts

Utilizar esta técnica implica grandes ventajas, ya que se reduce el volumen de cemento de resina, lo que disminuye la probabilidad de contracción, formación de burbujas y vacíos internos, los cuales representanáreas de debilidad en la restauración postendodóncica. Esta técnica ya ha sido propuesta y debidamente investigada por algunos autores. Se aplica en dientes con conductos radiculares amplios que han sido debilitados por restauraciones defi cientes, desmineralización de la dentina, fi ltraciones en la corona y poste radicular o simplementeconductos amplios en pacientes de corta edad. Tenemos la firme convicciónde que no podemos garantizar la permanencia de un órgano dentalen la cavidad oral, pero sí podemos intentar prolongar su permanenciaen el alvéolo el mayor tiempo posible. La técnica que se describe en elpresente artículo consiste en colocar postes accesorios de fi bra de vidriodespués del poste principal, logrando reducir el espesor de película delagente cementante a un grado ideal.

The use of this technique, shows significant advantages, as the thicknessof the resin cement is reduced, in consequence, the contraction ratio,bubble formation, and internal voids are reduced, which represent areasof weakness in the post-endodontic restoration, this technique has beenalready proposed and properly investigated by certain authors. Thisis applied on teeth with enlarged canals, that have been weakened byineffi cient restorations, dentin demineralization, bacterial fi ltration ofcrown and post, or simply wide canals in young patients. We have afi rm conviction, that we can´t guarantee the permanence of a dentalorgan in the oral cavity, but we can try to lengthen its permanency onthe alveolus as much as possible. The technique that´s described in thisarticle, consists in placing accessory posts of fi ber glass after placingthe main post, achieving a reduction of the cement fi lm thickness toideal thicknesses.