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Background: Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms is based on a photosensitizing substance which, in the presence of light and molecular oxygen, produces singlet oxygen, a toxic agent to microorganisms and tumor cells. This study aimed to evaluate singlet oxygen quantum yield of erythrosine solutions illuminated with a halogen light source in comparison to a LED array (control), and the photodynamic effect of erythrosine dye in association with the halogen light source on Streptococcus mutans., Methods: Singlet oxygen quantum yield of erythrosine solutions was quantified using uric acid as a chemical-probe in an aqueous solution. The in vitro effect of the photodynamic antimicrobial activity of erythrosine in association with the halogen photopolimerizing light on Streptococcus mutans (UA 159) was assessed during one minute. Bacterial cultures treated with erythrosine alone served as negative control., Results: Singlet oxygen with 24% and 2.8% degradation of uric acid in one minute and a quantum yield of 0.59 and 0.63 was obtained for the erythrosine samples illuminated with the halogen light and the LED array, respectively. The bacterial cultures with erythrosine illuminated with the halogen light presented a decreased number of CFU mL(-1) in comparison with the negative control, with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 0.312 and 0.156mgmL(-1)., Conclusions: The photodynamic response of erythrosine induced by the halogen light was capable of killing S. mutans. Clinical trials should be conducted to better ascertain the use of erythrosine in association with halogen light source for the treatment of dental caries., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The roots and seeds of the aconite (Aconitum napellus) contain alkaloids with modulatory activity on the sodium voltage-dependent channels; most fatal cases have been determined by ventricular tachycardia and respiratory paralysis. The only established treatment is supportive. We report a case of poisoning from Aconitum napellus, ingested by a husband and wife who thought the plant was "mountain chicory". They both had tachyarrhythmias, but the husband had more malignant episodes of hemodynamically unstable wide QRS tachycardia and respiratory paralysis requiring mechanical ventilation.

The haemodynamic responses to isometric exercise (handgrip) performed during right cardiac catheterization were tested in 9 elderly patients (1 female, 8 males) with average age of 67.8 +/- 2.3 years, without clinical and instrumental signs of cardiovascular disease. The parameters tested before and after handgrip were: heart rate (FC), systolic blood pressure (PAS), diastolic blood pressure (PAD), mean blood pressure (PAM), cardiac output (PC), cardiac index (IC), systolic index (IS), mean pulmonary pressure (PPM), end-diastolic pulmonary pressure (PPTD), systemic arterial resistance (RST), pulmonary arterial resistance (RPT), stroke volume (GS), left ventricular systolic stress index (ILS). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Student test. Stress produced a highly significant increase (p less than 0.001) of PPM (+28%) of PPTD (+ 33.1%), a modestly significant increase (p less than 0.01) of PAD (+ 15.6%), PAM (+ 18.2%), ILS (+ 24%,), RPT (+ 25%), a weakly significant increase (p less than 0.05) of PAS (+ 20%), RST (+ 15.6%). No significant variation attributable to FC, IC, IS, GS was observed. Our subjects presented a reduced tolerance to isometric exercise.

The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ibopamine (SB-7505), the 3,4-diisobutyrylester of N-methyldopamine, chronically administered to patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF) in whom traditional therapy had been ineffective. 55 patients chronically treated with cardiac glycosides and diuretics were assigned to an investigation covering three stages each lasting 7 days. Stage A: continuation of traditional therapy (glycosides and diuretics). Stage B: addition of ibopamine to the glycoside/diuretic therapy. Stage C: withdrawal of ibopamine. Heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, diuresis and 8 target symptoms of CHF (clinical scores) and hematochemical parameters were recorded throughout the three stages. The addition of ibopamine to traditional therapy led to a significant improvement. By contrast, after ibopamine had been withdrawn patients worsened. No hematochemical parameters were modified during the trial. None of the patients experienced any significant side-effects.

The effects of a mid-term antihypertensive treatment with Acebutolol (A) 400 mg once-daily alone, Enalapril (E) 20 mg once-daily alone and their combination (A + E) in 12 hypertensive patients (pts.) have been evaluated. The diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure values have been evaluated in supine and upright position and at the end of an exercise test. Basic values obtained after 3 weeks of treatment with placebo have been matched with values observed after 3 months of each treatment (A; A + E; E). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination, pts. were divided into two groups: the first group was given A, than A + E and finally E; in the second group the order was reversed. Our findings showed a more significant reduction of DBP in supine and upright position and after exercise (p less than .05) and of SBP in supine and upright position (p less than .05) after treatment with E. The addition of A to E did not produce a further significant reduction in blood pressure values except after exercise (p less than .01).

Ventricular arrhythmias complicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, when refractory to the correction of acidosis and hypoxia, may lead to a poor prognosis. Mexiletine efficacy was assessed in 14 patients (pts.) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and premature ventricular contractions; they entered a cross-over trial consisting of 7-day therapy with oral placebo and mexiletine (200 mg q.i.d.). The hourly means of premature ventricular contractions, their hourly peaks and the severity scores of arrhythmias were compared. The analysis of linear regression showed a slight spontaneous variability of premature ventricular contractions in the study group. Unexpectedly, the highly homogeneous data raised the question if this method of evaluation for anti-arrhythmic therapy reaches a satisfactory conclusion. Nevertheless, treatment with mexiletine significantly reduced the premature ventricular contractions count and their hourly peak (p less than 0.001) as well as their severity score (p less than 0.001). Analysis of linear regression and confidence intervals confirmed the efficacy of the drug. According to the statistical method used, antiarrhythmic therapy with mexiletine generally achieved its purpose in pts. with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.