Background: The main target of the structural damage in osteoarthritisis the hyaline cartilage. New options such as PRP (platelet rich plasma) may cause structural improvement of the cartilage. Objective: The aim of ourstudywas to evaluate the evolution of the patients with knee osteoarthritis on PRP treatment. Material and method: The patients with osteoarthritis were evaluated at enrolment and every three months by ultrasound knee ecography. A semi-quantitative knee ultrasound score was applied to monitor changes before and after the treatment. The score was composed by the presence of the following: bursitis (1 point), hypoechogenic changes at the level of the hyaline cartilage in the anterior transversal window (1 point), asymmetrical narrowing of the cartilage (1 point), the involvement of the medial cartilage in the longitudinal approach (1 point), the involvement of lateral cartilage in the longitudinal approach (1 point) and the presence of step up lesions – osteophytes (1 point The evaluation was performed independently by two separate physicians. Another ultrasound – trained doctor was analysing all the images. Results: Twenty – nine patients were included in our study; with one patient excluded due to masive bursitis. No differences were found concerning the pathological findings between the first two evaluators (p: 0.1250). So far, only nine patients have been evaluated at three months, and we were unable to find any improvements or worsening concerning the ultrasound alterations (p: 0.0625). The ultrasound lack of modifications was not correlated with the functional status of the subjects. Conclusions: In the short term, the local treatment showed no improvement on structural damage, but it improved the overall status of the patients (less pain, improved mobility, a better quality of life).
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Radial Nerve Injury After Brachial Nerve Block- Case Series
Adding epinephrine to local anesthetics is recommended to extend the duration of peripheral nerve blocks. We describe in this article two cases of radial nerve injury possible due to coadministration of epinephrine during brachial plexus block.
The Assessment of Reperfusion Inflammatory Injury in Ischemic Preconditioned Diabetic Rats
Objective: The assessment of systemic reperfusion injury and the contractile force of the peripheral muscles post-acute ischemia of the hind limbs in healthy versus diabetic ischemic preconditioned rats. Method: The study included 16 Wistar rats divided into two groups: the control group and the diabetic ischemic preconditioned group. Acute ischemia was induced, followed by reperfusion. The assessment of reperfusion injury used biochemical, histopathological and functional determinations (peak tetanic tension-PTT, specific tension-ST). Results: Ischemia-reperfusion injury was more severe in control group regarding creatine-kinase (CK) (CK1=470.13 IU/L versus CK2=230.88 IU/L, p=0.0001) and myoglobin (390.25 ng/mL versus 47.99 ng/mL, p=0.025). Cytolysis enzymes were significantly increased in diabetic preconditioned rats (Alanine aminotransferase ALAT1=46 IU/L, ALAT2=167.8 IU/L, p=0.02; Aspartate aminotransferase ASAT1=106 IU/L, ASAT2=237.5 IU/L, p=0.016). Functional assessment (PTT and ST) highlighted roughly equal values. A paradoxical response occurred in diabetic rats (the contractile force increased during the period of the stimulation). Histopathological findings showed that rhabdomyolysis was more severe in the control group, while inflammatory systemic response due to reperfusion injury was less expressed in diabetic ischemic preconditioned rats. Conclusions: Ischemic preconditioning reduces the severity of reperfusion injury and allows the preservation of contractile muscle function in diabetic rats.
Clinical Aspects of the Schizoaffective Disorder in Comparison with Schizophrenia After a 15-year Evolution
Background: Schizoaffective disorder is currently one of the debated nosological categories, nowadays existing more controversial suppositions regarding its ranging.
Aim: The assumption of this study was that schizoaffective disorder is a version of schizophrenic disorder.
Methods: In pursuit of this supposition, two groups of subjects were selected, called group A, which includes subjects diagnosed with current schizoaffective disorder – according to ICD 10 – and group B, who were diagnosed with current schizophrenia. The two groups were relatively analyzed aiming at socio-demographic and clinical parameters at first admission and clinical evolution and global functioning 15 years past the first episode.
Results: The results showed that there are differences on diagnosis at first hospitalization in subjects who subsequently developed schizoaffective disorder, which could have been produced by an episode of schizophrenia, an episode of acute and transient psychosis or an affective episode. Also, the long-term outcome of the subjects showed differences between the two groups regarding the number of hospitalizations – which is much higher in subjects from schizoaffective group than in those with schizophrenia. The schizoaffective disorder group shows superior professional and family functioning in comparison with the group diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Conclusions: The conclusion of this study is that schizoaffective disorder is a nosological entity different from schizophrenia. In order to clarify its nosological status, neurophysiologic, laboratory examinations and family studies are needed.
Comparative Study On Chiral Separation Of Pyrethroic Acids with Amino and Neutral Cyclodextrine Derivatives
Background: Pyrethroids are used as synthetic insecticides. They have more intensive effects than pyrethrum acid, or natural analogues found in the flowers of Chrysanthenum cinerariaefolium (Fam. Asteraceae). In the pyrethroic acids, both the geometric and chiral isomerisms appear as cumulated, therefore these compounds can be successfully used to study chiral separation.
The aim of the study was to separate by means of positively ionizable selector: permethyl- monoamino-b-cyclodextrin (PMMAbCD), monoamino-b-cyclodextrin (MAbCD) and other neutral b-cyclodextrin derivatives, the enatiomers and diastereomers of permethrinic, deltamethrinic and chrysanthemic pyrethroic acids.
Methods: Pyrethroic acids studied were chrysanthenum, permethrynic and deltamethrinic with pKa values 5,1±0,4. As chiral selectors, we used cyclodextrins: permethyl-monoamino-b-cyclodextrin( PMMAbCD) and monoamino-b-cyclodextrin( MAbCD) particularly the positively charged cyclodextrins. Experiments were carried out on a Hewlett Packard 3DCE system (Hewlett Packard, Waldbronn, Germany) with diode array UV detector at 25 °C. To characterise the separation of enantiomers we used resolution values Rs (calculated by half-width method).
Results: The PMMAbCD at 15 mM is an effective chiral separation agent for pyrethroic acids as it can fully separate all isomers of chrysanthemic, permethrinic and deltamethrinic acids with the exception of trans chrysanthemic acid which was only partially separated.
Conclusion: The best chiral separation agent toward pyrethroic acids studied was found to be permethyl-momoamino-b-cyclodextrin (PMMAbCD). The cis isomers show higher selectivity than trans isomers in the ionized form of acids. Our results show that dissociation alone can not fully explain the appearance of experimental curves, should take into consideration stereochemistry contributions.
Stability Studies of Ampicillin Trihydrate in Suspensions and Acidic Aqueous Solutions
Background: Ampicillin in trihydrate form is a b-lactamine antibiotic frequently used in therapy as suspensions and capsules. Because of the low stability only dry suspensions are sold, and also the low stability in acidic environment is source of unwanted side effects and bioavailability variations.
Aim: Our goal was to stabilize ampicillin so that a better stability can be obtained both in water suspensions and acidic solutions. This way misuse due to faulty preparation, side effects and bioavailability problems can be avoided.
Methods: In order to assess the changes in the ampicillin concentration high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods have been used.
Results: None of the tried excipients improved stability of ampicillin suspensions. In contrast cyclodextrins and magnesium salts of glutamic and aspartic acid greatly improved the stability of ampicillin acidic solutions. In high amounts cyclodextrins also change the decomposition kinetic of ampicillin, which is usually a first order kinetic process.
Conclusions: Cyclodextrins and magnesium salts of glutamic and aspartic acid have the potential to be used in ampicillin containing formulations in order to increase its stability, bioavailability and to reduce adverse effects.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effect of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Calcium Hydroxide and Calcium Hydroxide with Iodoform on Microbial Growth in Vitro
Background: The success of treatment of a young permanent tooth with pulp necrosis appropriate each stage of development depends primarily on the complete sterilization of infected root canals using specific endodontics drugs capable of destroying pathogenic microorganisms, especially obligate and facultative anaerobic bacteria.
Aim: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of the three most used intraradicular substances, respectively mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide with iodoform on anaerobic bacteria isolated from infected root canals and also on pure bacterial species, namely Staphylococcus Aureus , Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans, cultures coming from the collection of the microbiology laboratory.
Material and methods: Anaerobic species grown on specific culture medium were prepared in the form of bacterial suspension using standardized system of 0, 5 McFarland turbidity diluted by half. The three drugs tested were used in different concentration and to each of them was added 1 ml of bacterial suspension obtained previously. From each sample obtained were made insemination on specific anaerobic medium and interpretation of results was made by comparing the number of bacterial colonies grown.
Results: Following this study MTA has failed to demonstrate superiority over calcium hydroxide in terms of antibacterial properties results showing that each substance tested has elective action on bacterial species.
Conclusion: All endodontic materials tested have shown antimicrobial properties able to effectively sterilize infected root canals but they compared different actions on bacterial species taken to study depending on the amount of active substance tested.
Considerations Upon a Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Guided Percutaneous Cryotherapy Guidance
Hepatocellular carcinoma represents 5 % of the cases of death in the world. The recent epidemiological data show a major increase of its incidence in the western countries and USA, the explanation being through the growth in the incidence of viral hepatopathies, especially with hepatitis C virus. Of the patients diagnosed with hepatocarcinoma, 70 % benefit from palliative treatment only. The curative treatment in the case of hepatocarcinoma includes surgical resection, liver transplant, radiofrequency. Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided percutaneous cryotherapy, the method in progress of evaluation, seems to give spectacular results in the case of small size, non resectable situated very close to the hepatic hylum. The evolution of a patient with viral cyrrhosis C complicated with a hepatocarcinoma and the problems related to hepatocarcinoma treatment while waiting for liver transplantation was the object of an analysis that allowed the emphasis of the lack of tumoral progress and the reduction of tumoral volume until its disappearing from an imagistic point of view.
Is Psychiatry a Profession Associated with High Anxiety?
Background: Depending on intensity, anxiety can have an adapting and mobilizing role, or it can represent a serious risk.
Aim: To examine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms for those who work in a clinic of psychiatry.
Material and method: Group consists of 35 persons who work in the Acute Psychiatric Clinic II – Targu Mures. Anxiety was measured as a current emotional state and as a trait by Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Results: Applying Spielberger’s Inventory 33.3% of the female and 28.5% of the male might be suspected of suffering from significant anxiety symptoms as a state. Also the subject’s predisposition to anxiety as a trait of the subject’s personality is important, 24% of female and 43% of men had levels of anxiety over 60% compared with standards.
Conclusions: An important number of people who work in psychiatry have high scores of anxiety. Further studies are needed to clarify to what extent this relates to a high prevalence of anxiety disorders.
Lymph Node Harvest in Resected Colon Cancer Specimens
Background: The number of lymph nodes evaluated may be a measure of quality in colon cancer care and appears to be inadequate in most patients treated for colon cancer. We performed a systematic review of the evidence for the association between lymph node evaluation and oncologic outcomes in patients with colon cancer.
Aim: The adequate lymph node evaluation for cancer involvement, prognosis and adequate treatment of patients with colon cancer.
Method: It included information about diagnosis, patient age at diagnosis, the surgical procedure that was performed, anatomic location of the cancer, histology, tumor size, number of LN identified, number of LN positive for cancer, general stage (local, regional or to distance, TNM stage /A7CC). Rectal cancer was excluded. We analyzed data from the cancer registry of 1st Surgical Clinic of Sibiu including 287 patients with colon cancer. This registry includes follow-up information from 1998 to 2009. Identification of ≥12 LN (lymph nodes) in resected colon cancer specimens has been considered as a quality indicator. In patients with resected colorectal cancer, LN the involvement has particular importance for patient prognosis and adjuvant therapy.
Results: The average number of LN identified increased from 6±3 during 1998–2003, to 14±5 during 2003–2009. The proportion of patients diagnosed with positive LN increased from 31.6% during 1998–2003 to 37% during 2003–2009. No significant change in the proportion of patients diagnosed with just one positive LN (10% versus 10.6%) was observed.
Conclusion: The results suggest a relationship between the survival and identification of 12+ LN for stage I or II, considering the disease.