[Neuropathy in n-hexane poisoning].

N-Hexane is a solvent widely used in manufacturing as a cleaner, degreaser and component of rubber cement. Chronic exposure to -hexane either through contact with unprotected skin or inhalation can lead to the development of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological changes similar to those of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which requires careful differential diagnosis. This article presents three cases of severe predominantly motor polyneuropathy with demyelinating features in 15- and 16-year-old adolescents.

Austalides V and W, new meroterpenoids from the fungus Aspergillus ustus and their antitumor activities.

Two new austalide meroterpenoids, named austalides V and W (1 and 2), were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus ustus VKM F-4692. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. The main structural feature of both compounds is a tetrahydrofuranyl ring (G), a structural fragment, first found in austalides.

Resonant Grating without a Planar Waveguide Layer as a Refractive Index Sensor.

Dielectric grating-based sensors are usually based on the guided mode resonance (GMR) obtained using a thin planar waveguide layer (PWL) adjacent to a thin subwavelength grating layer. In this work, we present a detailed investigation of thick subwavelength dielectric grating structures that exhibit reflection resonances above a certain thickness without the need for the waveguide layer, showing great potential for applications in biosensing and tunable filtering. Analytic and numerical results are thoroughly discussed, as well as an experimental demonstration of the structure as a chemical sensor in the SWIR (short wave infrared) spectral range (1200-1800 nm).

Secondary metabolites of the genus Penicillium from undisturbed and anthropogenically altered Antarctic habitats.

From undisturbed Antarctic habitats (permafrost sediments 30-150 thousand years of age, water of Radok Lake) and superficial deposits contaminated with petroleum products, we isolated 14 and 9 strains of Penicillium fungi, respectively. Comparison of the fungal complexes showed them to differ by species composition; only two species-P. palitans and P.

Influence of operator skill level on the clinical outcome of non-surgical periodontal treatment: a retrospective study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of operators experience and skill on treatment results of initial non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Materials And Methods: Initial periodontal treatment was carried out by either second-year periodontal residents (PR) or last year dental students (DS). From the treatment records of patients in each group, plaque and bleeding indices, and pocket depth (PD) at baseline and at re-evaluation were collected retrospectively on each tooth at six locations.

Weight loss with mindful eating in African American women following treatment for breast cancer: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: Women with higher body mass index (BMI) following breast cancer (BC) treatment are at higher risk of BC recurrence and death than women of normal weight. African American (AA) BC patients have the highest risk of BC recurrence and gain more weight after diagnosis than their white counterparts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between a mindful eating intervention and weight loss in AA women following chemotherapy for BC.

Effect of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans from Aggressive Periodontitis patients on Streptococcus mutans.

Objectives: To determine in vivo association between Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Streptococcus mutans (Sm) in aggressive periodontitis patients (AgP) and the in vitro influence on Sm of saliva and of Aa strains isolated from individual Aa-positive patients.

Materials And Methods: Clinical indices and saliva samples were taken from 30 AgP patients. Aa and mutans streptococci levels were determined.

Collagen barrier membranes may accelerate bacterial growth in vitro: a potential clinical risk to regenerative procedures.

Objectives: Evaluate the antibacterial properties of three commercial collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Method And Materials: BioGide®, OsseoGuard®, and CopiOs® membranes were tested for antibacterial properties against Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis using a direct contact test (DCT). Samples of each membrane, sized 5 × 2 mm, were fixed to the side wall of 6 wells in a 96-well microtiter plate.

Mental health status among younger generation around Chernobyl.

Introduction: In order to improve our understanding of how to approach the younger generation around Chernobyl, we screened mental health status among young adults born after the accident living in the Gomel region, Belarus.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 697 medical students who were born after the accident. Participants were asked to answer self-administered questionnaires including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).

Mass-spectrometric monitoring of anesthesia adequacy.

Anesthesia adequacy was assessed with mass-spectrometric method by monitoring the ratio of mass concentrations of end-tidal CO2 and inhaled O2 in every respiratory cycle during surgery. For real-time monitoring, we used a mass spectrometer with electron ionization connected to the respiratory contour of inhalation anesthesia machine. The study has demonstrated advantages of the novel method in real-time assessment of adequacy of the total intravenous anesthesia.

Exo-metabolites of mycelial fungi isolated in production premises of cheese-making and meat-processing plants.

Data were obtained on the species composition of mycelial fungi isolated from the air of workrooms and production premises in cheese-making and meat-processing plants. The strains studied were shown to be capable of producing various low molecular weight compounds. Many of them are mycotoxins such as α-cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), mycophenolic acid (MPA), citrinin, cladosporin, roquefortine and ergot alkaloids.

The importance of histopathological diagnosis in the management of lesions presenting as peri-implantitis.

Purpose: This study is a histopathological analysis of lesions clinically diagnosed as peri-implantitis (PI).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included microscopic findings in 117 peri-implant biopsies from lesions presenting clinical and radiographic features of peri-implantitis.

Results: The study group included 117 biopsies, mean age 55.

The effect of commonly used sutures on inflammation inducing pathogens - an in vitro study.

Introduction: Sutures are a vital part of nearly every surgical procedure designed to close and stabilize wound margins consequently allowing undisturbed wound healing.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antimicrobial effect of 4 commonly used sutures.

Materials And Methods: The Direct Contact Test was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 4 types of sutures: 2 absorbable and 2 non-absorbable braided sutures, immediately or after aging for 2 or 7 days.

Prognosis of thyroid nodules in individuals living in the Zhitomir region of Ukraine.

Objective: After the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP), the incidence of thyroid cancer increased among children. Recently, a strong relationship between solid thyroid nodules and the incidence of thyroid cancer was shown in atomic bomb survivors. To assess the prognosis of benign thyroid nodules in individuals living in the Zhitomir region of Ukraine, around the CNPP, we conducted a follow-up investigation of screening data from 1991 to 2000 in the Ukraine.

A culturally specific dietary plan to manage weight gain among African American breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study.

Breast cancer survival rates are lower in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasians, owing in part to a higher prevalence of obesity in the former, which increases the risk of recurrence and mortality. The Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) found that Caucasian women who followed a low-fat eating plan experienced a lower rate of cancer recurrence than women who maintained their usual diets. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a WINS plan tailored to the cultural needs of AA breast cancer survivors.

Urinary iodine concentrations of pregnant women in Ukraine.

Background: Iodine requirements increase during pregnancy and previous studies have reported the inadequate iodine status of pregnant women in areas that have achieved iodine sufficiency in the general population. We examined the urinary iodine (UI) concentrations of pregnant women in Ukraine, where the iodine status is showing improvement among the general population.

Methods: We enrolled 148 pregnant women<16 weeks pregnant and 80 healthy women as a control group living in Zhitomir, Ukraine.

Prospects of using photostimulation of the visual analyzer in sports medicine.

Experimental studies of photostimulation of the visual analyzer by combinations of red, green, blue, and yellow colors in a pulsed mode were carried out. Significant improvement of a visual acuity is shown after photostimulation course in patients with macular degeneration and degenerative changes of the optic nerve.

Histomorphometric analysis of maxillary sinus augmentation using an alloplast bone substitute.

Purpose: To evaluate the regenerative potential of a fully synthesized homogenous hydroxyapatite:β-tricalcium phosphate 60:40 alloplast material in sinus lift procedures.

Materials And Methods: Hydroxyapatite:β-tricalcium phosphate was used for sinus floor augmentation. After 9 months, 12 biopsies were taken from 12 patients.

Opposing effects of diabetes and tetracycline on the degradation of collagen membranes in rats.

Background: Increased collagenolytic activity, characteristic of uncontrolled diabetes, may compromise collagen membrane (CM) survival. Tetracycline (TCN) possesses anticollagenolytic properties and delays CM degradation in healthy animals. This study evaluates the degradation of TCN--immersed and -non-immersed CMs in rats with diabetes compared to those with normoglycemia.

Socket site preservation using bovine bone mineral with and without a bioresorbable collagen membrane.

The purpose of this study was to compare extraction sites augmented with bovine bone mineral (BBM) with and without resorbable membrane coverage. BBM particles were grafted in fresh human extraction sockets of 23 patients; in 12 of these patients, a guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane was applied. After 9 months of histomorphometric evaluation, cylindric hard tissue specimens were obtained.

Role sympathetic autonomic nervous system in the regulation of immune response during myasthenia.

In 12 patients with myasthenia, the content of β(2)-adrenoreceptors on the cell surface and activity of intracellular lymphocytic enzymes were determined by EIA and biochemical methods, respectively. In comparison with the normal, these patients demonstrated pronounced elevation in the content of β(2)-adrenoreceptors and significant changes in activity of lymphocytic enzymes. In 10 of 12 patients, administration of the agonists to β(2)-adrenoreceptors resulted in health improvement accompanied by normalization of EMG and immunobiochemical indices.

Timing of implant placement and augmentation with bone replacement material: clinical assessment at 8 and 16 months.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate implants placed at different times of bone augmentation.

Materials And Methods: Four implants were placed in seven dogs: one at a 6-month bovine mineral grafted site (6-month Bio-Oss® grafted site [6mBio]), one at a grafted membrane-protected simultaneously augmented (Fresh Bio-Oss® grafted site [FrBio]) site, one at a clotted (nongrafted clotted membrane-protected site [Clot]) membrane-protected site, and one at a pristine (nongrafted uncovered site [Cont]) site. Implants were exposed after 6 months.