A novel method to evaluate salivary flow rates of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy: a pilot study.

Introduction: The procedure used to evaluate salivary flow rate is called sialometry. It can be performed through several techniques, but none appears to be really efficient for post-radiotherapy patients.

Objective: To adequate sialometry tests for head and neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Impact of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Late effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer treatment have been increasingly investigated due to its impact on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, low salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy. Twenty-nine patients with radiation-induced xerostomia received laser sessions twice a week, during 3 months (24 sessions).

Low-Level Laser for Mitigation of Low Salivary Flow Rate in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiochemotherapy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the impact of low-level laser (LLL) on low salivary flow rate in patients undergoing radiochemotherapy (RT-CT) for head and neck cancer.

Background Data: LLL has shown efficiency in preventing hyposalivation in patients under different pathological conditions, including those undergoing RT-CT.

Methods: During all RT-CT, 17 patients received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only.

Low-level laser therapy for the prevention of low salivary flow rate after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To determine whether low-level laser therapy can prevent salivary hypofunction after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 23 head and neck cancer patients, of whom 13 received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only. An InGaAlP laser was used intra-orally (at 660 nm and 40 mW) at a mean dose of 10.

Strategies to evaluate the impact of rectal volume on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the rectal volume influence on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-one patients with prostate cancer underwent a series of three computed tomography scans including an initial planning scan and two subsequent scans during 3D-CRT. The organs of interest were outlined.

Sex hormones and biomarkers of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration: implications for female reproductive events in bipolar disorder.

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that women with bipolar disorder are at higher risk for mood episodes during periods of intense hormonal fluctuation (e.g., premenstrual, postpartum, perimenopause).

Long-term oral effects in patients treated with radiochemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the late oral complications and the role of salivary gland hypofunction in the severity of mucosal reaction in nonsurgical head and neck cancer patients, submitted to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Five hundred fifteen charts from patients treated between 2005 and 2009 were reviewed, and 41 patients met the inclusion criteria. Salivary gland function was assessed using a simplified grading system (GSX) and sialometry.

[Mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy].

The objective of present study was to classify oral mucositis according to the Common Toxicity Criterion (CTC) international parameters in head and neck tumor patients simultaneously treated with radio and chemotherapy, and characterize a patient profile in our area, observing the individuals' habits, tumor characteristics, treatment protocol and acute reaction intensity. Fifty patients undergoing simultaneous 66 to 70 Gy megavoltage radiotherapy and cisplatin/carboplatin chemotherapy were evaluated in this study. Weekly evaluations of the degree of mucositis were perfoemed according to CTC, a four-degree ordinal scale; 36% of all patients and 100% of those with diabetes discontinued treatment due to mucositis, showing that this pathology contributes to the severity of mucositis.

Protracted hypofractionated radiotherapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy: a pilot study of clinical and radiologic response.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic response of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy given low-dose orbital radiotherapy (RT) with a protracted fractionation.

Methods And Materials: Eighteen patients (36 orbits) received orbital RT with a total dose of 10 Gy, fractionated in 1 Gy once a week over 10 weeks. Of these, 9 patients received steroid therapy as well.

Longitudinal follow-up of bipolar disorder in women with premenstrual exacerbation: findings from STEP-BD.

Objective: The impact of hormonal fluctuation during the menstrual cycle on the course of bipolar disorder is poorly understood. The authors determined the course of illness and time to relapse of bipolar disorder in prospectively followed women with premenstrual exacerbation.

Method: Participants were 293 premenopause-age women with bipolar disorder who were followed prospectively for 1 year as part of the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder.

Social dysfunction in bipolar disorder: pilot study.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the social skills of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods: A group of 25 outpatients with bipolar disorder type I were evaluated in comparison with a group of 31 healthy volunteers who were matched in terms of level of education, age, sex and intelligence. Both groups were assessed using a self-report questionnaire, the Brazilian Inventario de Habilidades Sociais (IHS, Social Skills Inventory).

Verbal fluency dysfunction in euthymic bipolar patients: a controlled study.

Objective: To study the executive functioning in euthymic bipolar patients in comparison to healthy controls and to examine the relationship between neuropsychological deficits and clinical variables.

Methods: Twenty-five euthymic bipolar patients and 31 controls underwent a battery of executive tasks including mental flexibility, inhibitory control and verbal fluency tests.

Results: There were no significant differences between bipolar patients and controls in relation to mental flexibility and inhibitory control.

Efficacy of hormone therapy with and without methyltestosterone augmentation of venlafaxine in the treatment of postmenopausal depression: a double-blind controlled pilot study.

Objective: This study evaluated the augmentation of venlafaxine with hormone therapy in the treatment of postmenopausal depression. The hormones evaluated were estrogen (0.625 mg) in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.