In vitro effect of fluoride gels supplemented with nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate on enamel erosive wear.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the protective effect of fluoride (F) gels supplemented with micrometric or nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate (TMPmicro and TMPnano, respectively) against enamel erosion in vitro. METHODS: Bovine enamel blocks (n=140) were selected according to their surface hardness, and randomly divided into seven groups (n=20/group), according to the gels tested: Placebo (without F/TMP), 4,500 µg F/g (4500F), 9,000 µg F/g (9000F), 4500F plus 2.5% TMPnano (2.5% Nano), 4500F plus 5% TMPnano (5% Nano), 4500F plus 5% TMPnano (Micro 5%) and 12,300 µg F/g (Acid gel). Blocks were treated once during one minute with the gels, and submitted to erosive (ERO, n=10/group) or erosive plus abrasive (ERO+ABR, n=10/group) challenges 4 times/day, for 90 seconds for each challenge (under reciprocating agitation), during consecutive 5 days. Blocks were analyzed by profilometry, and by surface (SH) and cross-sectional hardness (∆KHN). Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA, and Fisher's LSD test (p<0.05). RESULTS: For ERO, both TMPnano-containing gels promoted enamel wear significantly lower than Placebo and 4500F, reaching levels similar to both positive controls (9000F and acid gel); significantly lower softening was observed for enamel treated with 4500F+5% Micro and 4500F+2.5% Nano. Also, the lowest ∆KHN values were observed for 4500F+2.5% TMPnano among the TMP-containing gels. For ERO+ABR, the lowest enamel wear was achieved by the use of 4500F+5% Nano among all gels, including both positive controls; lower softening was observed for Placebo and 9000F groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of 5% nano-sized TMP to a low-fluoride gel produced superior protective effects for enamel under both challenges conditions, when compared with micrometric TMP, reaching values similar to or superior than both positive controls, respectively for ERO and ERO+ABR. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The supplementation of low-F gels with TMP was shown to significantly improve their effects on enamel erosive wear, and the use of nano-sized TMP further enhances this protective action.

Prognosis of patients with severe cerebral venous thrombosis treated with decompressive craniectomy / Pronóstico en pacientes con trombosis venosa cerebral severa tratada con craniectomía descompresiva

Introduction: Despite the highly favorable prognosis, mortality occurs in nearly 2% of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), in which decompressive craniectomy (DC) may be the only way to save the patient's life. The aim of this report is to describe the risk factors, neuroimaging features, in-hospital complications and functional outcome of severe CVT in patients treated with DC. Materials and methods: Consecutive malignant CVT cases treated with DC from a retrospective third-level hospital database were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and functional outcomes were analyzed. Results: Twenty-six patients were included (20 female, age 35.4 ± 12.1 years); 53.8% of the patients had acute CVT, with neurological focalization as the most common symptom in 92.3% of the patients. Superior sagittal sinus thromboses were found in 84.6% of cases. Bilateral lesions were present in 10 patients (38.5%). Imaging on admission showed a parenchymal lesion (venous infarction ± hemorrhagic lesion) > 6 cm measured along the longest diameter in 25 patients (96.2%). Mean duration of clinical neurological deterioration was 3.5 days; eleven patients (42.3%) died during hospitalization. Conclusion: In patients with severe forms of CVT, we found higher mortality than previously reported. DC is an effective life-saving treatment with acceptable functional prognosis for survivors.(AU)

Introducción: A pesar del pronóstico favorable en pacientes con trombosis venosa cerebral (TVC), cerca de un 2% de estos pacientes fallecen, para los cuales la craniectomía descompresiva (CD) puede ser una opción terapéutica. El objetivo de este artículo es describir los factores de riesgo, las características de las neuroimágenes, complicaciones hospitalarias y evolución funcional, de pacientes con TVC severa tratados con CD. Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron características demográficas, clínicas y funcionales de casos consecutivos de TVC severa tratados con CD, a partir de una base de datos retrospectiva de un hospital de tercer nivel. Resultados: Veintiséis pacientes fueron incluidos (20 mujeres, media de edad 35,4 ±12,1 años); un 53,8% de los pacientes presentaron una TVC aguda, con manifestaciones neurológicas focales como el síntoma más frecuente en el 92,3% de los casos. La trombosis del seno sagital superior estuvo presente en el 84,6% y se presentaron lesiones bilaterales parenquimatosas en 10 pacientes (38,5%). La imagen al ingreso demostró lesiones parenquimatosas (infarto venoso ± lesión hemorrágica) > 6 cm (medida en el mayor diámetro de la misma), en 25 pacientes (96,2%). La duración media del deterioro neurológico fue de 3,5 días; 11 pacientes (42,3%) murieron durante la hospitalización. Conclusión: En pacientes con formas severas de TVC encontramos una mayor mortalidad que la publicada previamente; la CD podría ser una opción terapéutica en ese grupo de pacientes.(AU)

Prognosis of patients with severe cerebral venous thrombosis treated with decompressive craniectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the highly favorable prognosis, mortality occurs in nearly 2% of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), in which decompressive craniectomy (DC) may be the only way to save the patient's life. The aim of this report is to describe the risk factors, neuroimaging features, in-hospital complications and functional outcome of severe CVT in patients treated with DC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive malignant CVT cases treated with DC from a retrospective third-level hospital database were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and functional outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included (20 female, age 35.4±12.1 years); 53.8% of the patients had acute CVT, with neurological focalization as the most common symptom in 92.3% of the patients. Superior sagittal sinus thromboses were found in 84.6% of cases. Bilateral lesions were present in 10 patients (38.5%). Imaging on admission showed a parenchymal lesion (venous infarction±hemorrhagic lesion)>6cm measured along the longest diameter in 25 patients (96.2%). Mean duration of clinical neurological deterioration was 3.5 days; eleven patients (42.3%) died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe forms of CVT, we found higher mortality than previously reported. DC is an effective life-saving treatment with acceptable functional prognosis for survivors.

Prognosis of patients with severe cerebral venous thrombosis treated with decompressive craniectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the highly favorable prognosis, mortality occurs in nearly 2% of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), in which decompressive craniectomy (DC) may be the only way to save the patient's life. The aim of this report is to describe the risk factors, neuroimaging features, in-hospital complications and functional outcome of severe CVT in patients treated with DC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive malignant CVT cases treated with DC from a retrospective third-level hospital database were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and functional outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included (20 female, age 35.4±12.1 years); 53.8% of the patients had acute CVT, with neurological focalization as the most common symptom in 92.3% of the patients. Superior sagittal sinus thromboses were found in 84.6% of cases. Bilateral lesions were present in 10 patients (38.5%). Imaging on admission showed a parenchymal lesion (venous infarction±hemorrhagic lesion)>6cm measured along the longest diameter in 25 patients (96.2%). Mean duration of clinical neurological deterioration was 3.5 days; eleven patients (42.3%) died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe forms of CVT, we found higher mortality than previously reported. DC is an effective life-saving treatment with acceptable functional prognosis for survivors.

[Characteristics of motor behaviour in premature infants during the first months of postnatal life. A literature review]. / Rasgos característicos del comportamiento motor del niño con prematurez durante los primeros meses de vida posnatal: una revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of motor behaviour in premature infants during the first months of postnatal life, according to the available evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out; this method forms part of secondary studies under investigation and describes a phenomenon in detail based on primary sources of information. RESULTS: The literature search in the databases consulted yielded 7,228 articles; of these, 15 more were identified through "snowball" search strategies. At the start of the screening process, 63 eligible records were chosen based on their title and summary, and 14 were excluded because they were duplicates. A total of 49 articles were selected for a full text revision and, of these, 37 were excluded because they did not meet all the inclusion criteria. Finally, 12 articles were selected to prepare the qualitative synthesis of the present research work. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with neonates born at term, premature infants demonstrate a particular motor repertoire, due to the immaturity of their systems; their motor behaviour follows a line of development mainly characterised by deficits in muscle tone, postural control, muscle balance, and antigravity muscle activation.

Physicochemical characterization of nopal pads (Opuntia ficus indica) and dry vacuum nopal powders as a function of the maturation.

This paper presents the physicochemical and nutrimental characterization of fresh nopal (Opuntia ficus indica, Redonda variety) and nopal powder produced at different stages of development. Nopal powder was obtained by dry vacuum technique using 10(2) Torr and low temperature (40 degrees C). The results showed that the nutrimental and mineral composition of nopal changes as a function of the maturation as follow: The ash content increases from 18.41 for nopalitos (60 g of weight) to 23.24% (nopal pads 200 g); calcium content increases from 1.52 to 3.72%, while phosphorous exhibits an opposite trend: 0.43 to 0.27%, respectively. Calcium oxalate was determined by X-ray diffraction and SEM microscopy and quantified by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Calcium oxalate decreases from 7.95 to 3.47 mg/g and the Ca/P ratio varies from 3.6 to 11. The soluble fibre decreases from 25.22 to 14.91%, while insoluble fibre increases from 29.87 to 41.65%. These results suggest that nopal could be an important source of minerals within the diets of people in Mexico and the rest of Latin America.