[Ultrasound-guided longitudinal tenotomy for plantar fasciitis. Technical note and systematic review]. / Tenotomía longitudinal ecoguiada para el tratamiento de fascitis plantar. Nota técnica y revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: plantar fasciitis or fasciosis is a cause of foot pain with cases resistant to conservative treatment. Surgery is reserved for patients who have not responded to conservative treatment, shock waves, or corticosteroid injections. The aim of this publications is to carry out a systematic review of the available literature and to describe a specific technique for the treatment of plantar fasciosis consisting of the longitudinal tearing of the plantar aponeurosis assisted with ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a systematic search was carried out for previous publications on longitudinal tenotomy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "Curettage", "Tenotomy" and "Plantar Fasciitis" were included. The electronic search included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Trip database, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) databases. A detailed description of the technique was included with the intention that it can be reproduced. CONCLUSION: longitudinal tenotomy represents an alternative for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. It is based on the extrapolation of knowledge in the Achilles tendon territory with a supporting pathophysiological basis. It is a non-invasive technique that can be performed on an outpatient basis and that would allow the rapid incorporation of the patient to their activities. Longitudinal tenotomy would prevent the patient from undergoing major surgeries.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la fascitis o fasciosis plantar es una causa de dolor en el pie, en la cual frecuentemente se encuentran casos resistentes al tratamiento conservador. La cirugía queda reservada para los pacientes que no han respondido a tratamientos conservadores, ondas de choque o infiltraciones con corticosteroides. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura disponible y describir una técnica para el tratamiento de la fascitis o fasciosis plantar consistente en el rasgado longitudinal de la aponeurosis plantar asistido con ecografía. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de publicaciones previas sobre la tenotomía longitudinal en el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Se incluyeron los encabezados de temas médicos o MeSH (Medical subjects headings por sus siglas en inglés), en inglés: Curettage, Tenotomy y Plantar Fasciitis. La búsqueda electrónica incluyó las bases de datos de PubMed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Trip database y National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE por sus siglas en inglés). Se realizó una descripción detallada de la técnica con la intención de que pueda ser reproducida. CONCLUSIÓN: la tenotomía longitudinal representa una alternativa para el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Se basa en la extrapolación del conocimiento en el territorio Aquíleo con una base fisiopatológica de respaldo. Se trata de una técnica no invasiva que se puede realizar de forma ambulatoria y que permitiría la rápida incorporación del paciente a sus actividades. La tenotomía longitudinal podría evitar al paciente someterse a cirugías de mayor envergadura.

First record of Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae) cultured in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.

First record of Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae) cultured in Brazil / Primeiro registro de Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) em tuvira Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae), cultivado no Brasil

The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro registro de Trichodina heterodentata em tuviras Gymnotus carapo. Um cultivo de tuviras no município de Jataí, estado de Goiás, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, apresentou taxas de mortalidade de peixes de 3-4% por tanque. A análise macroscópica constatou que os peixes tinham lesões na pele e brânquias. Raspados do tegumento e brânquias foram confeccionadas e secas ao ar à temperatura ambiente e impregnadas com nitrato de prata para identificar as espécies de Trichodinidae causadoras das lesões. Os tricodinídeos foram identificados como T. heterodentata, e suas características foram comparadas com as de T. heterodentata registradas para outras espécies de peixes hospedeiros. Observou-se que a presença de T. heterodentata estava associada ao manejo inadequado dos peixes, baixa qualidade da água, altas taxas de densidade de estocagem e manejo nutricional inadequado.

First record of Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae) cultured in Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro registro de Trichodina heterodentata em tuviras Gymnotus carapo. Um cultivo de tuviras no município de Jataí, estado de Goiás, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, apresentou taxas de mortalidade de peixes de 3-4% por tanque. A análise macroscópica constatou que os peixes tinham lesões na pele e brânquias. Raspados do tegumento e brânquias foram confeccionadas e secas ao ar à temperatura ambiente e impregnadas com nitrato de prata para identificar as espécies de Trichodinidae causadoras das lesões. Os tricodinídeos foram identificados como T. heterodentata, e suas características foram comparadas com as de T. heterodentata registradas para outras espécies de peixes hospedeiros. Observou-se que a presença de T. heterodentata estava associada ao manejo inadequado dos peixes, baixa qualidade da água, altas taxas de densidade de estocagem e manejo nutricional inadequado.

First record of Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae) cultured in Brazil / Primeiro registro de Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) em tuvira Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae), cultivado no Brasil

The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro registro de Trichodina heterodentata em tuviras Gymnotus carapo. Um cultivo de tuviras no município de Jataí, estado de Goiás, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, apresentou taxas de mortalidade de peixes de 3-4% por tanque. A análise macroscópica constatou que os peixes tinham lesões na pele e brânquias. Raspados do tegumento e brânquias foram confeccionadas e secas ao ar à temperatura ambiente e impregnadas com nitrato de prata para identificar as espécies de Trichodinidae causadoras das lesões. Os tricodinídeos foram identificados como T. heterodentata, e suas características foram comparadas com as de T. heterodentata registradas para outras espécies de peixes hospedeiros. Observou-se que a presença de T. heterodentata estava associada ao manejo inadequado dos peixes, baixa qualidade da água, altas taxas de densidade de estocagem e manejo nutricional inadequado.

Tenotomía longitudinal ecoguiada para el tratamiento de fascitis plantar. Nota técnica y revisión sistemática / Ultrasound-guided longitudinal tenotomy for plantar fasciitis. Technical note and systematic review

Resumen: Introducción: la fascitis o fasciosis plantar es una causa de dolor en el pie, en la cual frecuentemente se encuentran casos resistentes al tratamiento conservador. La cirugía queda reservada para los pacientes que no han respondido a tratamientos conservadores, ondas de choque o infiltraciones con corticosteroides. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura disponible y describir una técnica para el tratamiento de la fascitis o fasciosis plantar consistente en el rasgado longitudinal de la aponeurosis plantar asistido con ecografía. Material y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de publicaciones previas sobre la tenotomía longitudinal en el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Se incluyeron los encabezados de temas médicos o MeSH (Medical subjects headings por sus siglas en inglés), en inglés: Curettage, Tenotomy y Plantar Fasciitis. La búsqueda electrónica incluyó las bases de datos de PubMed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Trip database y National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE por sus siglas en inglés). Se realizó una descripción detallada de la técnica con la intención de que pueda ser reproducida. Conclusión: la tenotomía longitudinal representa una alternativa para el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Se basa en la extrapolación del conocimiento en el territorio Aquíleo con una base fisiopatológica de respaldo. Se trata de una técnica no invasiva que se puede realizar de forma ambulatoria y que permitiría la rápida incorporación del paciente a sus actividades. La tenotomía longitudinal podría evitar al paciente someterse a cirugías de mayor envergadura.

Abstract: Introduction: plantar fasciitis or fasciosis is a cause of foot pain with cases resistant to conservative treatment. Surgery is reserved for patients who have not responded to conservative treatment, shock waves, or corticosteroid injections. The aim of this publications is to carry out a systematic review of the available literature and to describe a specific technique for the treatment of plantar fasciosis consisting of the longitudinal tearing of the plantar aponeurosis assisted with ultrasound. Material and methods: a systematic search was carried out for previous publications on longitudinal tenotomy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms «Curettage¼, «Tenotomy¼ and «Plantar Fasciitis¼ were included. The electronic search included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Trip database, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) databases. A detailed description of the technique was included with the intention that it can be reproduced. Conclusion: longitudinal tenotomy represents an alternative for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. It is based on the extrapolation of knowledge in the Achilles tendon territory with a supporting pathophysiological basis. It is a non-invasive technique that can be performed on an outpatient basis and that would allow the rapid incorporation of the patient to their activities. Longitudinal tenotomy would prevent the patient from undergoing major surgeries.

Is there any relation between serum levels of total testosterone and the severity of erectile dysfunction?

The objective of this study was to correlate the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) with the total testosterone serum levels (TT) in a normal population. During a screening program for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer, 1071 men aged from 40 to 90 y, were invited to answer the questionnaire of the Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a method to diagnose and classify ED. The IIEF-5 scores ranged from 1 to 25 and the ED was classified into five groups according to the scores: severe (1-7), moderate (8-11), mild-moderate (12-16), mild (17-21) and no ED (22-25). Besides the questionnaire, all subjects had their TT serum levels determined based on the blood sample obtained between 08:00 and 10:00. The analysis of the relationship between the different degrees of ED and TT levels was then studied. Of the 1071 men, 965 were included in the study (90.1%). Eighty-eight percent of these were Caucasian and 12% black. The mean age of the population was 60.7 y. The prevalence of all degrees of ED was 53.9%. The degree of ED was mild in 21.5%, mild to moderate in 14.3%, moderate in 6.3% and severe in 11.9%. The variation of TT serum concentrations was similar (P>0.05) in the different age groups. Furthermore, the TT serum levels were not different for individuals with and without ED (P>0.05) and similar concentrations of TT was observed in the different severity degrees of ED (P>0.05). Only one (0.7%) man in the group of individual with maximal score had subnormal levels of TT. ED presented a clear association with the subjects' aging, but neither correlation between TT levels and ED, nor with its severity, could be demonstrated in the present study.

The use of the simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool to study the prevalence of erectile dysfunction.

The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a non-selected population using the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool. In a non-institutionalized population and during a free screening program for prostate cancer (Prostate Cancer Awareness Week of Santa Casa Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil), from 26 to 30 July 1998, all men who were attending were invited to complete a sexual activity questionnaire (the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function-IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool for ED. The possible scores for the IIEF-5 range from 5 to 25, and ED was classified into five categories based on the scores: severe (5-7), moderate (8-11), mild to moderate (12-16), mild (17-21), and no ED (22-25). Of the 1071 men who participated in the program, 965 (90.1%) were included in this study. Of the responding men 850 were Caucasian (88%) and 115 were black (12%). The mean age of the men was 60.7 y, ranging from 40 to 90 y old. In this sample the prevalence of all degrees of ED was estimated as 53.9%. In this group of men, the degree of ED was mild in 21.5%, mild to moderate in 14.1%, moderate in 6.3%, and severe in 11.9%. According to age the rates of ED were: 40-49 (36.4%); 50-59 (42.5%); 60-69 (58.1%); 70-79 (79.4%), and over 80 y (100%) showed ED (P<0.05). The Pearson coefficients between the variables age and IIEF-5 showed a statistically significant inverse (negative) relation (r=-0.3449; P<0.05). ED is highly prevalent in men over 40 and this condition showed a clear relationship to aging, as demonstrated in other studies published. The simplified IIEF-5, as a diagnostic tool, showed to be an easy method, which can be used to evaluate this condition in studies with a great number of men.

Is there any association between Peyronie's disease and serum collagen markers?

Several theories regarding the pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease have been investigated under many clinical conditions. We have investigated the association of Peyronie's disease with the most common markers of collagen disease. Several serum markers of collagen disease (mucoproteins, C-reactive protein, antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, lupus erythematosus cells, proteinograms) of 30 patients with Peyronie's disease were compared with those obtained from 30 patients, matched for age, with other urological conditions unrelated to the penis. Mucoproteins were altered in 66.7% of patients of the Peyronie's disease group and in 46.7% of the control patients (P>0.05). C-reactive protein was altered in 23.3% of the Peyronie's disease patients and in 13.3% of the control patients (P>0.05). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was reactive in 16.7% of the tested group and in 6.7% of the control group (P>0.05). The rheumatoid factor was elevated in 6.7% of the patients from both groups (P>0.05). LE cells were normal in all the patients in our study. No statistical significance between the two groups was found in the protein electrophoresis test. Only the Waaler-Rose test (rheumatoid hemagglutination test) was statistically significant in our study (P<0.05). We have not found any significant association between the serum markers of collagen diseases in patients with Peyronie's disease, except the rheumatoid hemagglutination test (Waaler-Rose).

Prevalence of Peyronie's disease in men over 50-y-old from Southern Brazil.

The pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease still remains an enigma and few epidemiological studies are available. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Peyronie's disease in males older than 50 y. From 26 to 30 July 1998, 1071 men attended the 'Prostate Cancer Awareness Week of Santa Casa Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil'. In the prostate exam they also consented to be screened for Peyronie's disease. They underwent the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire for evaluation of the erectile condition. The presence of a well-defined plaque in the penis was the diagnostic criterion for Peyronie's disease. The men were examined by five senior residents, under supervision by the staff Urologist. Men younger than 50 y as well as patients under intracavernous injection therapy for erectile dysfunction were excluded from the study. Chi2 test was used for statistical analysis. Nine hundred and fifty-four (89.1%) out of the 1071 men with a mean age of 62 y (ranging from 52 to 77) were included in the study. Peyronie's disease plaques were found in 35 men (3.67%). Eight hundred and forty-five (88.6%) were Caucasians. There was no significant statistical difference regarding age (P > 0.05). The presence of erectile dysfunction in the men with Peyronie's disease and without this condition, was 68.6% and 53.5%, respectively (P > 0.05). From this data we can conclude that the prevalence of Peyronie's disease is higher than in formerly reported studies. Further observations should be carried out in different communities and in other groups of patients in order to confirm our results.

The adsorption of cellulose ethers in aqueous suspensions of pyrantel pamoate: effects on zeta potential and stability.

This work examined the physico-chemical phenomena induced in aqueous suspensions of pyrantel pamoate by two varieties of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) of different molecular weights, and the effects of these phenomena on the physical stability of the suspension. The mechanism of the interfacial adsorption of the polymer was investigated by constructing adsorption isotherms: for the two HPMC varieties, the isotherms were of type L and were fitted with the Langmuir model; of the NaCMCs, only the variety with higher molecular weight was adsorbed, its adsorption isotherm being of type S (sigmoidal). The resulting monolayer films were characterized viscosimetrically, determining their thickness and the number of polymer molecules adsorbed per unit area. The nonionic polymers formed thinner, more continuous monolayers than the NaCMC. Only the nonionic polymers significantly altered the zeta potential of the systems. In the range of conditions studied, all the polymers stabilized the initially flocculated systems, decreasing sedimentation volume and increasing the time necessary to redisperse them (the redispersability value). This stabilization occurred either by the steric mechanism (HPMCs and the high-molecular-weight NaCMC) or by depletion mechanisms (low-molecular-weight NaCMC). Owing to the complexity of these mechanisms, sedimentation volume was not found to be a useful index of the consistency of the sediments obtained from the suspensions.

Interactions between hydroxypropylcelluloses and vapour/liquid water.

Understanding of the uptake of water vapour or liquid water by cellulose-based polymers is important because of the influence of these processes on many of the biologically or technologically relevant properties of these polymers. In this work we studied these processes in the cases of twelve hydroxypropylcelluloses with low or medium-high degrees of substitution (L-HPCs and HPCs, respectively), characterization of which showed significant differences in structural and physical parameters (substitution pattern, crystallinity, particle size, specific surface area, and intraparticular porosity). Water vapour sorption-desorption isotherms determined to characterize the uptake of water vapour were fitted well by the Young-Nelson model, the optimized parameters of which indicated that at all relative humidities the capacity to bind water vapour as a surface monolayer is greater for HPCs than L-HPCs, but the capacity to absorb water vapour internally is greater for L-HPCs than HPCs. Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB) models fitted the sorption-desorption isotherms less well. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments showed all sorbed water vapour to be held as non-freezing water. Isoperibol microcalorimetry experiments carried out to investigate interactions with liquid water showed enthalpies of hydration/dissolution of between -62.86 and -71.35 J g(-1) for L-HPCs and between -82.95 and -99.80 J g(-1) for HPCs, and DSC showed average numbers of non-freezing water molecules per polymer repeat unit of 2.65-4.19 for L-HPCs and 18.10-22.42 for HPCs. DSC characterization of the kinetics of the water uptake by 10 mg compacts obtained by direct compression of hydroxypropylcelluloses showed faster uptake by L-HPC compacts than by HPC compacts, among which there were significant differences in capacity for diffusive uptake. The explanations of the above differences in terms of the different substituent contents, particle sizes and porosities of the HPCs is supported by multiple linear regression analyses.

Evaluation of low-substituted hydroxypropylcelluloses (L-HPCs) as filler-binders for direct compression.

The aims of this study were to assess the potential value of low-substituted hydroxypropylcelluloses (L-HPCs) as excipients of direct compression, and to investigate relationships between the chemical and physical properties of the polymers and (a) the powder rheological behavior and (b) drug release profiles from direct compressed tablets elaborated with (1:1) theophylline:L-HPC mixtures. Experiments were performed with five L-HPC varieties of different nominal particle sizes and degree of substitution. The products were characterized with regard to the moisture content, density, IR and Raman spectroscopy, hydroxypropyloxy content, heat of hydration, particle size, specific surface and porosity, and important differences were found in relation with all these properties. The differences in specific surface principally determine the flow and compaction properties of the powders, and the mechanical and microstructural properties of the tablets. The control of the hydroxypropyloxy content and the particle size of the L-HPCs allow the theophylline release profile to be regulated.

Microviscosity of hydroxypropylcellulose gels as a basis for prediction of drug diffusion rates.

This study investigated the influence of the rheological properties of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) gels on the in vitro release of theophylline included in the gel at 0.2 g/l. Experiments were performed with six HPC varieties (mean molecular weight between 5x105 and 1.2x106, nominal viscosity between 100 and 4000 mPa.s) at concentrations of 0-2% (w/w). Theophylline diffusion coefficients at 37 degrees C ranged from 3.5x10-7 to 1.1x10-3 cm2/min, and were in all cases markedly higher than those predicted on the basis of gel macroviscosity as determined by capillary viscometry. In general, the theophylline diffusion coefficient declined exponentially with HPC concentration; in the case of the lowest-molecular-weight HPC, however, the diffusion coefficient remained constant to HPC concentrations of up to 0.8%, probably because of the high entanglement concentration of the HPC. Gel microviscosities as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) with latex microspheres (162 nm diameter) were considerably lower than the macroviscosities determined by capillary viscometry, and similar to microviscosities estimated on the basis of theophylline diffusion. Nevertheless, macroviscosity was correlated with microviscosity, suggesting that it is of value for approximate estimates of rates of diffusion of theophylline from HPC gels.

Degradation of hydroxypropylcellulose by Rhizomucor: effects on release from theophylline-hydroxypropylcellulose tablets.

The stability of several varieties of hydroxypropylcellulose was monitored during 3 years of storage (1) under the conditions recommended by manufacturers and official pharmacopoeias (simple storage in closed containers) and (2) at zero relative humidity. After 1 year, severe degradation of the varieties with lower initial pH and particle size stored at ambient relative humidity was shown by changes in their molecular weight and in the pH and apparent viscosity of 2% aqueous dispersions. Microbiological analyses showed the observed degradation to be attributable to the action of fungi of the genus Rhizomucor. The changes in apparent viscosity significantly affected the release of theophylline from direct compression tablets formulated with the degraded excipients.

A comparison of gas-liquid chromatography, NMR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy for determination of the substituent content of general non-ionic cellulose ethers.

This paper describes and compares three techniques that can be used to characterize the substituent content of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC and L-HPC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC): gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with a BP1 column and FI detection, 13C-NMR spectroscopy of hydrolysed samples, and Raman spectroscopy. GLC and 13C-NMR spectroscopy both allow independent quantification of hydroxypropoxyl and methoxyl contents. 13C-NMR spectroscopy, though requiring lengthier sample preparation, has the advantage of also quantifying the degree of substitution at each substitutable glucopyranose hydroxyl. Raman spectroscopy may be useful for rapid approximate estimation of hydroxypropoxyl content.

Use of the crushing strength parameter for quality control of phenobarbital-microcrystalline cellulose tablets.

Three variables of the tablet manufacturing process (duration of mixing with lubricant, maximum compression force and compression rate) were studied for their effects on various properties of direct compression phenobarbital-microcrystalline cellulose tablets. Mixing time and maximum compression force were found to have a marked influence on friability and dissolution rate; crushing strength was found to be a useful parameter for quality control.

Nifedipine/atenolol interactions in gastrointestinal absorption and biotransformation.

The combination of nifedipine and atenolol is widely used for the treatment of hypertension. In the present study, experiments performed in rats indicated that neither drug affects the gastric or intestinal absorption of the other. In assays of the biotransformation of nifedipine in liver homogenates, breakdown was much more rapid in homogenates from male rats than from female rats. In the presence of atenolol, the breakdown rate was significantly increased in homogenates from male rats, and significantly reduced in homogenates from female rats.

[Family planning counseling centers in Brazil]. / Consultori per la pianificazione familiare in Brasile

PIP: The authors describe conditions in Brazil that led to the establishment of family planning centers in 1965 and their institutionalization in 1971. Their organization is described, and a table showing attendance at family planning clinics is presented. Family planning is discussed in relation to social conditions in Brazil, and the results of an empirical study of population growth and family planning are introduced. The study includes tabulated results of a survey undertaken in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in 1967-1977 to examine attitudes toward contraception, use of the pill, and government policy on birth control.^ieng

Atropine role in the pharmacological erection test: study of 228 patients.

PURPOSE: We determined the efficacy of atropine sulfate combined with papaverine hydrochloride, prostaglandin E1 and phentolamine mesylate in the pharmacological erection test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 230 consecutive patients with erectile dysfunction was randomized for pharmacological erection test and received an intracorporeal combination of 50 mg. papaverine hydrochloride, 10 micrograms. prostaglandin E1, 0.2 mg. phentolamine mesylate and 0.075 mg. of atropine sulfate (group 1), or the same combination without atropine sulfate (group 2). Erectile response was evaluated subjectively and by intracorporeal pressure measurement. RESULTS: In group 1, 40 patients (35.1%) showed only tumescence, and 22 (19.3%) had poor erection. In group 2, 45 patients (39.5%) had tumescence and 17 (14.9%) poor erection. In both groups 52 patients (45.6%) had rigid erection. There was no statistically significant difference regarding erectile response and intracorporeal pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of atropine sulfate did not improve results of the pharmacological erection test when combined with 50 mg. papverine hydrochloride, 10 micrograms, prostaglandin E1, and 0.2 mg. phentolamine mesylate.