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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). In this study, the association between disease severity and BMD in patients with IBD was evaluated. Associations between BMD and the Montreal classification, disease activity and drug therapy were also tested. A cross-sectional prevalence study with a comparison group was conducted. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were evaluated: 68 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 60 with Crohn's disease (CD). The control group consisted of 67 healthy subjects. All patients and controls had BMD measured and in IBD patients, current medications, hospitalization, and disease location, extent and phenotype, according to the Montreal classification, were recorded. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to evaluate categorical variables. In the CD group, most patients were diagnosed between 17-40 years of age. Ileocolonic and non-stricturing non-penetrating disease were the most frequent disease location and behavior, respectively. In UC patients, extensive colitis was the most frequent disease location. UC and CD patients were more likely to have osteopenia than controls (OR=14.93/OR=24.38, respectively). In the CD group, male patients, perianal disease, penetrating behavior and age at diagnosis >40 years were associated with low BMD. Taking azathioprine and infliximab also seemed to be associated with osteopenia. In the UC group, we observed an association between low BMD and male patients, left colitis, corticosteroid use and hospitalization. Disease activity was not associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis in CD and UC patients. Disease severity seems to be associated with osteopenia in IBD patients.

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AIM: To evaluate the mechanical behaviour of structurally compromised root filled bovine roots after restoration with accessory glass fibre posts. METHODOLOGY: Fifty roots of bovine teeth received conventional post preparations with a cervical diameter of 3.5 mm. The roots were assigned to five groups (n = 10): group MP - cast metal post, group GP - glass fibre post and group AGP - glass fibre post plus accessory glass fibre posts. In groups GP-R and AGP-R (similar to groups GP and AGP), 2 mm of coronal tooth structure were left intact. All groups were subjected to an elastic limit assay and tested in an universal machine for fracture resistance. Repeated measures anova were performed to examine differences in fracture resistance; fracture modes were analysed by Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: The mean fracture resistance values (kgf) were 61.8 (MP), 63.1 (GP), 55.5 (AGP), 56 (GP-R) and (53.1) AGP-R. No statistically significant difference was found between groups. The Fisher's exact test indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the fracture mode amongst groups MP, GP and AGP, indicating 100%, 50% and 10% of catastrophic fractures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of accessory glass fibre posts affected the fracture mode favorably: 90% of fractures in group AGP were in the coronal third.

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The iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis and spinalis thoracis muscles were studied electromyographically in six male individuals between 18 and 23 years old. They were connected to co-axial needle electrodes while in orthostatic, kneeling and sitting positions performing movements of flexing, extending and rotating the trunk. In the total flexing of the trunk the muscles did not present any action potential. The results showed intense potential for action while flexing the trunk 45 degrees, extending the trunk beginning at 45 degrees of flexing and in homolateral rotation for the muscles analyzed in the orthostatic position, emphasizing the iliocostalis lumborum muscle in the extension of the trunk which registered very strong action potentials in all individuals. There were similar results for movements of flexing and extending the trunk in the kneeling position, emphasizing the longissimus thoracis muscle in the movement of hyperextension. In the sitting position the more intense potentials were for the movements of extension, flexing with rotation and homolateral rotation of the trunk, emphasizing the longissimus thoracis muscle with strong potentials.

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With the advent of the illustrated press, in 1840, the art of caricature initiated an interesting dialogue with historical painting and portraiture. The article shows dr. Oswaldo Cruz as target of this humorous language in the early twentieth century. Caricature -- a line that cries out -- recognizes the pain of its injured subject and, under an unwritten intersubjective pact, uses humor to release the violence of suffered aggression.

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The central nervous system (CNS) was studied in 252 HIV-infected patients from the States of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, the regions with the highest incidence of AIDS in the country. We compared the frequency and morphology of opportunistic infections and CNS changes caused by the HIV, with those described in other series and briefly analysed the risk factors involved in our cases. There were CNS lesions in 230 cases (91.3%), 30 (11.9%) with multiple infections and/or tumours. Most infections were opportunistic (65.4%), including 15.4% viral and 50% bacterial, fungal or protozoal infections. The most frequent was toxoplasmosis (34.1%), followed by cryptococcosis (13.5%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (7.9%) and nodular encephalitis (6.7%). Primary lymphomas were observed in 4% of the cases and HIV encephalitis or leukoencephalopathy in 10.7%. Other opportunistic and HIV associated lesions were present in a limited number of cases and there were also vascular and non-specific lesions. Our study confirms the high frequency of CNS lesions in HIV infected patients. They are morphologically similar to those previously described. However, the higher incidence of toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, a lower incidence of viral opportunistic and HIV-associated lesions, and the presence of rarer lesions such as histoplasmosis and chagasic encephalitis, differ from other series, and may reflect geographical and/or socio-economic factors.

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We report a case of fatal chagasic meningoencephalitis in an AIDS patient. Acute exacerbation of chronic Chagas' disease with involvement of the CNS is uncommon and occurs only in immunocompromised patients. This is the third such reported reactivation and it underscores the importance of considering Chagas' disease in HIV-positive patients from endemic regions.

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Ten cases of choroid plexus tumors (3 papillomas and 7 carcinomas) were tested for the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cytokeratin. None of the papillomas and one of the carcinomas were positive with GFAP antisera. Cytokeratin-positive cells were present in 2 of 7 carcinomas and in all papillomas. There seems to be a positive correlation between the degree of the tumor differentiation and the expression of intermediate filaments.

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Extraneural metastases of brainstem gliomas are exceedingly rare. Only four such cases are reported in the literature. We report on a case of a 3-year-old girl with an anaplastic astrocytoma of the brainstem which metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes.

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Degos disease is a rare disorder, characterized by a vasculopathy of unknown origin that leads to typical skin lesions and involves other organ systems. It is frequently a lethal condition; death occurs as a consequence of intestinal perforation. In about 20% of cases, the central nervous system is involved and the neurological symptoms can be prominent. The incidence of the disease in children is very uncommon. We report the case of teenage girl who had Degos disease with prominent neurological involvement.

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The neuropathologic study of 22 Brazilian cases of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was performed. Thirteen cases (59%) showed neuropathologic lesions. These included infection by Toxoplasma (n = 4), Cryptococcus neoformans (n = 3), viral encephalitis (n = 4), primary lymphomas (n = 2), isolated cerebral infarct (n = 1), and reactive gliosis (n = 1). In 2 cases, primary lymphoma and viral encephalitis were associated. Axonal spheroids in the gracilis and cuneatus nuclei were present in a case of toxoplasmosis. Mammillary bodies lesions consistent with Wernicke's encephalopathy were found in a case of viral encephalitis. In addition, circulatory changes (focal cortical infarcts) were associated lesions in 3 cases. These findings were compared with the main series reported in American and European literature.

PIP: Involvement of the central nervous system is not uncommon in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The neuropathologic aspects of 22 consecutive autopsies of Brazilian AIDS victims were investigated to gain more information on this manifestation. 13 (59%) of these cases exhibited neuropathologic changes, including infection by Toxoplasma (4 cases), Cryptococcus neoformans (3 cases), viral encephalitis (4 cases), primary lymphomas (2 cases), isolated cerebral infarct (1 case), and reactive gliosis (1 case). In 2 cases, primary lymphoma and viral encephalitis were associated. 3 of the 4 cases of toxoplasmosis had macroscopical abscesses in the region of the internal capsule, basal ganglia, or thalamus. Axonal spheroids in the gracilis and cuneatus nuclei were present. All 3 cryptococcosis cases demonstrated a meningeal inflammatory process; in addition, multiple microcysts were found in the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres and in the basal ganglia in 2 of these cases. The 4 encephalitis cases showed multiple microglial nodules and occasional foci of perivascular lymphocytic cuffings, with dissemination of lesions throughout the grey structures of the central nervous system. All 22 patients autopsied in this series were male; 19 were homosexual. Previous studies of the incidence of neurologic complications in AIDS reported in the US and European literature have yielded rates between 23-73%.

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