Transparent dressing for rhytidectomy.

Several dressings have been proposed for rhytidectomy. At present, the type most frequently used consists of flat cotton strips soaked in mineral oil placed on the incisions and along the mandibular line. Gauze sponges are then placed on the cheeks and an elastic net is wrapped around the head and left open anteriorly to expose the face and eyes. Despite its widespread use, this technique presents problems. It is uncomfortable for the patient, it is tight and confining, it obstructs hearing, complicates hygiene, attracts unnecessary attention, and, most importantly, does not permit visualization of the surgical site or of the complications that might arise, such as hematomas. Thus, we propose a more efficient dressing made of sterilized, transparent PVC film of the type used to protect food in the refrigerator (Saran Wrap-like). This dressing has proved to be more comfortable for the patient, is not tight or confining, does not cause changes in hearing, facilitates local hygiene, does not attract unnecessary attention on the part of the patient himself or of third parties and, most importantly, it is transparent and adheres to all points of the skin flap, permitting early visualization of complications, such as hematomas.

Pharmacological assay of Cordia verbenacea. III: Oral and topical antiinflammatory activity and gastrotoxicity of a crude leaf extract.

The antiinflammatory effects and gastrotoxicity of a lyophilized 70% ethanol extract of the leaves of Cordia verbenacea were investigated through experimental models in rats and mice. The oral administration of 1.24 mg/kg of the extract significantly inhibited nystatin-induced oedema. Topical application of the extract at a dose of 0.09 mg/ear in mice was clearly more effective than 1.0 mg/ear of naproxen in the reduction of the ear oedema induced by corton oil. At antiinflammatory doses, the extract showed an important protective effect on the gastric mucosa, reducing significantly the number of gastric lesions.

Pharmacological assay of Casearia sylvestris. I: Preventive anti-ulcer activity and toxicity of the leaf crude extract.

An ethanol extract of the leaves of Brazilian Casearia sylvestris, given orally, inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. At a prophylactic dose of 57.5 mg/kg, the extract showed a reduction of gastric juice more effective than misoprostol (500 micrograms/kg). In reducing hydrochloric acid output, the extract was less effective than misoprostol, cimetidine (32.0 mg/kg) and atropine (5.3 mg/kg). With the extract, the pH of the stomach contents was not significantly different from that of controls. Stress-induced lesions produced by restraint and water immersion were significantly prevented by the extract for all levels of severity when compared with the controls. The extract appeared more effective than misoprostol in suppressing light lesions, was equivalent to cimetidine and misoprostol for moderate lesions, and less effective than cimetidine and misoprostol for severe lesions. Toxicological experiments indicated a low acute toxicity, confirmed by subchronic daily testing. The oral LD50 value of greater than 1840 mg/kg was over 32 times higher than the antiulcerogenic ED50 (57.5 mg/kg).

Anti-inflammatory activity and sub-acute toxicity of artemetin.

The 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (artemetin) from Cordia verbenacea DC (Boraginaceae) showed marked anti-inflammatory activity using various experimental models in rats. Artemetin significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced paw edema following oral doses from 30.4 to 153.9 mg.kg-1. The doses of 102.6 and 153.9 mg.kg-1 showed an inhibitory effect similar to that of 50.0 mg.kg-1 of calcium phenylbutazone. The ED50 value of artemetin in rats was estimated to be 67.07 mg.kg-1. Repeated administration of artemetin at doses of 67.07 mg.kg-1 for a 6-day period reduced granuloma formation with a response comparable to that of 20.0 mg.kg-1 of calcium phenylbutazone. This same dose of artemetin also reduced the vascular permeability to intracutaneous histamine. Sub-acute toxicological experiments indicated a very low toxicity.

Anti-inflammatory activity of oleoresin from Brazilian Copaifera.

The oleoresin from Brazilian Copaifera species yielded copalic acid and sesquiterpenes and showed marked anti-inflammatory activity using various experimental models in rats. The oleoresin significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced pedal edema following oral doses from 0.70 to 2.69 ml/kg, but was somewhat less effective than 50 mg/kg calcium phenylbutazone. Repeated administration of the oleoresin at a dose of 1.26 ml/kg for a 6-day period reduced granuloma formation with a response comparable to that of 20 mg/kg of calcium phenylbutazone. This same dose of oleoresin also reduced the vascular permeability to intracutaneous histamine. The LD50 value of the oleoresin in rats was estimated to be 3.79 (3.21-4.47) ml/kg.

Estudo toxicologico de sudoxicam, potente agente antiinflamatorio nao-esteroide. / Toxicological study of sudoxicam, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory agent

Os efeitos toxicos de sudoxicam, N-(2-tiazolil)-4-hidroxi-2-metil-2H-1,2-benzotiazina-3-carboxamida 1,1-dioxido, foram estudados em ratos Wistar, determinando suas toxicidades aguda e subaguda. A DL50, baseada na mortalidade ocorrida no periodo de 6 dias apos administracao oral de dose unica de sudoxicam,foi de 144,0 mg/kg. Doses diarias, por via oral, de 1 mg/kg e 5 mg/kg durante 30 dias foram bem toleradas pelos animais. Quanto ao ganho de peso corporal e consumo de racao, nao houve diferenca significante entre os animais tratados e os do grupo controle, nesse periodo experimental. O exame macroscopico do figado, baco e rins nao revelou nenhuma lesao nos orgaos. A atividade teratogenica de sudoxicam foi testada em embrioes de galinha, injetando-o no saco vitelino de ovos embrionados de galinhas Garrinson, no 8o. dia de incubacao. Observou-se maior letalidade com a utilizacao de doses elevadas. Entretanto, nao foi constatada nenhuma malformacao nas doses de 5 micrograma/ovo e 500 micrograma/ovo