The local magnetic fields from computer monitors are well known. Recently a hypothesis was published that these magnetic fields may lead to a 400% increase of mercury dissolution from dental amalgam fillings. In MRI the exposure to the magnetic field exceeds by far the exposure from computer monitors. Therefore, this study examined the amalgam-related mercury release for typical MRI conditions, separated for both the static and the variable magnetic fields in a 1.5 T MR-unit. First, 20 dental cavities were filled with a non-gamma-2 amalgam, and the mercury release was measured for 14 days in a non-magnetic environment. Second, one half of the specimens were exposed to a static magnetic field for 24 hours (group A), while the other specimens were exposed to a repetitive gradient echo sequence for 60 minutes (group B). In both experiments there was no significant increase in mercury release due to MRI. This in vitro study demonstrated no evidence of an elevated mercury dissolution from a non-gamma-2 amalgam during magnetic field exposure by MRI; therefore, there is no increased risk to health.

Dental Amalgam↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement and functional treatment results following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft].

AIM: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a mid-third patellar tendon autograft. METHODS: A clinical and radiological assessment was performed on 50 patients (21 male, 29 female, mean age 32 years, range 18 to 57 years) following ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft. The average follow-up examination was performed 18 (12 to 30) months after the operation. RESULTS: 33 patients (66 %) developed a tibial bone tunnel enlargement > 1 mm. We found a positive correlation (+ 0.59) of the grade of activity and the muscle status (+ 0.56) to the tibial bone tunnel enlargement. Patients with a major tibial bone tunnel enlargement performed at a higher (p < 0.05) postoperative activity grade (5.2 versus 4.1 in the Tegner grading), rated higher in the Lysholm (88 versus 77 points) and IKDC scores (p < 0.05) and reported a better subjective functional outcome (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation of the results of the knee stability tests and the age of the patients to the grade of tibial bone tunnel enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: In ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft we recommend early rehabilitation as the concomitant tibial bone tunnel enlargement does not significantly influence the clinical outcome or knee stability.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Why thimerosal allergy?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A new digital tomosynthesis method with less artifacts for angiography.

A new nonlinear reconstruction method for tomosynthesis is described. This method is suited for "dilute" objects, i.e., objects in which most of the voxels have negligibly small absorption. Images of blood vessels filled with contrast material approximate this condition if the background is subtracted. The technique has been tested experimentally using a wire phantom and a prepared human heart. The results show significantly less artifacts than the well-known back projection. It is possible to get diagnostic image quality with a few projections. The reconstruction algorithm can be realized with dedicated real-time hardware.

Angiography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical response to gold as a circulating contact allergen.

In order to study the flare-up of contact allergy, 35 patients with a contact allergy to gold were given an intramuscular injection of 10 mg gold sodium thiomalate, i.e. the anti-rheumatic drug Myocrisin. Clinical reactions comprised an eczematous flare-up of previously positive patch tests to gold and of a previous dermatitis, which occurred in 80% and 26%, respectively; a toxicoderma-like rash in 46%; and a transient fever in 60%. With the antigen rapidly reaching the bloodstream, the technique provides an experimental human model for studying flare-up mechanisms in contact allergy.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Medicament contact allergy.

During a two-year period contact allergy to topically applied medicaments in the urban population of Malmö was investigated prospectively by patch testing patients with suspected products and their ingredients as well as with standard allergens. Contact dermatitis to specified medicaments was diagnosed in 40 of 408 patients with a positive patch test, and to standard allergens of medicament nature in a further 123 patients. Medicament contact allergy therefore constituted 40% of all allergies observed. This is equivalent to an annual incidence of 43/100,000. Among responsible products the leading antigens were ethylenediamine, phenylbutazone, myristyl alcohol, chlorocresol and cincocaine. In comparison with patients having other contact allergies the present material of medicament contact allergy was characterized by a rather high mean age (57 years), a higher percentage of males, a higher percentage of lower leg and anogenital dermatitis, and a lower percentage of hand dermatitis. A secondary spread occurred in half the cases of lower leg and anogenital dermatitis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quality concept of parenterals in Europe.

Different types of dosage forms are available for parenteral use. They include solutions and suspensions for injection and infusion, sterile powders and lyophilisates which are administered after reconstitution with water for injection or other solutions and finally, controlled-release products (e.g., microparticles or implants). For the quality characterization of the drug products the quality concept of the drug substance has to be considered in addition to the finished product. Several Guidelines on the European basis and others are available, but the harmonisation of the quality concept on an international basis is highly appreciated by pharmaceutical industries. The ICH process is an extremely positive development aiming for a unique chemical and pharmaceutical documentation which can be submitted to all authorities worldwide. Beside the existing standards already internationally harmonised additional aspects will be discussed which include for the quality concept of the drug substance the manufacture and quality control during manufacture and specification of impurities and for the drug products particulate matter tests, specification of content, uniformity of mass and content and the biopharmaceutical characterization.

European Union↗