Commercial 3y-tzp and nanostructured zirconia for ceramic veneering: a sem study.

Short Communication selected from the Oral Presentations of the 56th Congress of the Groupèment International pour la Recherche Scientifique en Stomatologie et Odontologie, Peñafiel (Portugal) May 2012.

[Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients]. / Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clínico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes.

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patient's life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6%) and in 16 as relapse (31.3%). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7%, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40%) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2%). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2% of blood cultures, 94.1% of CSF cultures and 79.06% of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1% and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6% of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.

Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clÝnico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes / Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patient's life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6) and in 16 as relapse (31.3). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2 of blood cultures, 94.1 of CSF cultures and 79.06 of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1 and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6 of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.

Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clYnico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes / Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patients life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6) and in 16 as relapse (31.3). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2 of blood cultures, 94.1 of CSF cultures and 79.06 of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1 and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6 of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.(AU)

Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clínico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes. / [Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients]

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patients life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6

) and in 16 as relapse (31.3

). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7

, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40

) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2

). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2

of blood cultures, 94.1

of CSF cultures and 79.06

of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1

and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6

of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.

[Disseminated infection due to strongyloides stercoralis in AIDS patients. A report of 2 cases]. / Infección diseminada por strongyloides stercoralis en pacientes con SIDA. A propósito de 2 observaciones.

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that infects humans worldwide. Infected patients with severe involvement of cellular immunity may develop a syndrome characterized by the dissemination of larvae throughout the body. Extraintestinal strongyloidiasis has been infrequently reported and despite the prevalence of the helminth in tropical and developing countries there are few cases reported in AIDS patients. Most patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis present with fever, cough, diarrhea and shortness of breath. Chest radiographs usually show diffuse infiltrates. The diagnosis has been made by finding the helminth in respiratory secretions or stool. Enteric organisms like Escherichia coli can often be isolated in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. We report two cases of disseminated strongyloidiasis in AIDS patients, in which stercoralis larvae were detected in sputum and stool samples.

Infección diseminada por strongyloides stercoralis en pacientes con SIDA. A próposito de 2 observaciones / Disseminated infection due to strongyloides stercoralis in AIDS patients. A report of 2 cases

El Strongyloides stercoralis es un nematelminto de distribución universal, que en pacientes con alteraciones de la respuesta inmune celular, puede provocar infecciones diseminadas graves. Las formas extraintestinales de la estrongiloidosis han sido publicadas con poca frecuencia, a pesar de la elevada prevalencia de infección por este parásito en áreas de clima tropical y en países en vías de desarrollo. Existen escasas publicaciones en pacientes con SIDA. La mayoría de los casos presentan compromiso gastrointestinal, respiratorio, cutáneo y del SNC. La radiografía de tóraz revela la existencia de infiltrados intersticiales difusos. El diagnóstico se confirma por el hallazgo de las larvas rhabditoides en las materias fecales o en el esputo e incluso en el LCR. Con frecuencia, las infecciones diseminadas por este helminto se asocian con septicemias o meningitis causadas por bacilos gram negativos, especialmente Escherichia coli. Presentamos 2 casos de estrongiloidosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA con hallazgo de larvas en materias fecales y esputo.

Infección diseminada por strongyloides stercoralis en pacientes con SIDA. A propósito de 2 observaciones. / [Disseminated infection due to strongyloides stercoralis in AIDS patients. A report of 2 cases]

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that infects humans worldwide. Infected patients with severe involvement of cellular immunity may develop a syndrome characterized by the dissemination of larvae throughout the body. Extraintestinal strongyloidiasis has been infrequently reported and despite the prevalence of the helminth in tropical and developing countries there are few cases reported in AIDS patients. Most patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis present with fever, cough, diarrhea and shortness of breath. Chest radiographs usually show diffuse infiltrates. The diagnosis has been made by finding the helminth in respiratory secretions or stool. Enteric organisms like Escherichia coli can often be isolated in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. We report two cases of disseminated strongyloidiasis in AIDS patients, in which stercoralis larvae were detected in sputum and stool samples.

Infección diseminada por strongyloides stercoralis en pacientes con SIDA. A próposito de 2 observaciones / Disseminated infection due to strongyloides stercoralis in AIDS patients. A report of 2 cases

El Strongyloides stercoralis es un nematelminto de distribución universal, que en pacientes con alteraciones de la respuesta inmune celular, puede provocar infecciones diseminadas graves. Las formas extraintestinales de la estrongiloidosis han sido publicadas con poca frecuencia, a pesar de la elevada prevalencia de infección por este parásito en áreas de clima tropical y en países en vías de desarrollo. Existen escasas publicaciones en pacientes con SIDA. La mayoría de los casos presentan compromiso gastrointestinal, respiratorio, cutáneo y del SNC. La radiografía de tóraz revela la existencia de infiltrados intersticiales difusos. El diagnóstico se confirma por el hallazgo de las larvas rhabditoides en las materias fecales o en el esputo e incluso en el LCR. Con frecuencia, las infecciones diseminadas por este helminto se asocian con septicemias o meningitis causadas por bacilos gram negativos, especialmente Escherichia coli. Presentamos 2 casos de estrongiloidosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA con hallazgo de larvas en materias fecales y esputo. (Au)

Stenting in a patient with a single coronary artery and myocardial infarction.

The single coronary artery is an uncommon congenital defect. We report on a patient admitted to our hospital with an acute myocardial infarction and a single coronary artery arising from the left sinus of Valsalva who was treated with coronary angioplasty and stent implantation. We have not found an identical report of stenting in such an anomaly in the medical literature.

Traumatic spinal cord injury complicating ankylosing spondylitis.

The aim of this paper is to review the incidence and characteristics found in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) occurring in patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The incidence of patients with traumatic SCI admitted to our unit from January 1984 to February 1996 was 2% (15 out of 893). They were all men with a mean age of 56 years. Most frequently the etiology of the lesion was a motor vehicle accident and the injury was mainly due to a hyperextension mechanism. Acute spinal fracture occurred in 13 patients, all involving the cervical region. No fracture was observed in two patients with thoracic neurological level. Three patients presented with an interval free period of neurological symptoms in whom a spinal epidural hematoma was visualized with magnetic resonance imaging. On admission eight patients were diagnosed as having complete SCI and the other seven an incomplete SCI. In the acute phase, respiratory complications were most frequent, causing six patients to die. Treatment was conservative in 14 patients. Multidisciplinary management of these patients should be implemented in an institution equipped with both a Spinal Injury Unit and an Intensive Care Unit.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging correlation in acute spinal cord injury.

The aim of this study was to correlate traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patient's outcome with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed within the first 15 days following trauma. We retrospectively analyzed 55 SCI patients. Upon admission, 28 were diagnosed as having a complete SCI (51%), versus 27 with an incomplete SCI (49%). All of the patients with a normal pattern on MRI (four cases), had an incomplete SCI, whereas all patients (15 cases) presenting with a hemorrhage pattern (Type 1) had a complete SCI (P = 0.0001). Fourteen of the 15 individuals (93.4%) with the edema pattern (Type II) had an incomplete SCI (P = 0.001), while the other patient had neurological deterioration, and a syrinx was noted 2 years later (6.6%). Among the 10 individuals showing a contusion pattern (Type III), seven were admitted with an incomplete SCI (70%) and three with a complete SCI (30%). The compression pattern tends to be associated with a complete SCI in 77.8% (seven of nine patients). All patients with a transection pattern on MRI (two cases) were clinically diagnosed as having a complete SCI. Early functional prognosis may be established on the basis of clinical presentation of SCI and associated MRI. Cord hemorrhage and transection are irreversible, while edema has a potential for neurological recovery. Cord contusion tends to be associated with an incomplete SCI, unlike the compression pattern, in which the prognosis depends on the degree of the initial neurological damage.

The possible value of ascorbic acid as a prophylactic agent for urinary tract infection.

The effect of ascorbic acid on urine pH was studied in spinal cord injury patients. Their urine was not colonized by urease positive microorganisms. The study was designed to compare the baseline urine pH value and the urine pH value after the administration of placebo or ascorbic acid 500 mg/6 h. The diet and medical treatment were not controlled. A significant decrease in urine pH value was not obtained. There was no clinical benefit from the use of ascorbic acid.