Background and Objectives: Curcumin (Cc) as an active substance is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic effects, together with its role in cholesterol regulation, and its use in different gastrointestinal derangements. On the other hand, curcumin can be used for its properties as an inactive substance, with Cc particles being more often tested in pharmaceutical formulations for drug delivery, with promising safety records and kinetics. The aim of this research was to obtain and characterize polyurethane microparticles that can be used as a carrier with a controlled Cc release. Materials and Methods: The in vitro samples were characterized by the Zetasizer procedure, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, while the in-vivo measurements on human subjects were performed by non-invasive skin assays (trans-epidermal water loss, erythema, and skin hydration). A total of 16 patients with oropharyngeal cancer stages II and III in equal proportions were recruited for participation. Results: The experimental values of sample characteristics using the Zetasizer identified a mean structural size of 215 nm in the polyester-urethane preparate (PU), compared to 271 nm in the curcumin-based PU. Although the size was statistically significantly different, the IPDI and Zeta potential did not differ significantly (22.91 mV vs. 23.74 mV). The average age during the study period was 57.6 years for patients in the PU group, respectively, and 55.1 years in those who received the curcumin preparations. The majority of oropharyngeal cancers were of HPV-related etiology. There were no significant side effects; 75.0% of patients in the PU group reporting no side effects, compared to 87.5% in the Cc group. The 48 h TEWL measurement at the end of the experiment found a statistically significant difference between the PU and the Cc group (2.2 g/h/m2 vs. 2.6 g/h/m2). The erythema assessment showed a starting measurement point for both research groups with a 5.1-unit difference. After 48 h, the difference between PU and PU_Cc was just 1.7 units (p-value = 0.576). The overall difference compared to the reference group with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was statistically significant at a 95% significance level. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the obtaining of almost homogeneous particles with a medium tendency to form agglomerations, with a good capacity of encapsulation (around 60%), a medium release rate, and a non-irritative potential. Therefore, this polyester-urethane with Cc microparticles can be tested in other clinical evaluations.
The aim of the study was to observe, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the ratio of bacterial biofilm coverage of adenoidal tissue in children diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis (CR), compared to the ratio of adenoid bacterial biofilm coverage in children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We also performed histopathological and immunohistochemical tests to correlate the results with the images obtained from SEM. We estimated, using an image analysis program, the coverage ratio with bacterial biofilm on the surface of the lymphatic tissue. Adenoid vegetation extracted from children with CR had a higher percentage of bacterial biofilm coverage compared to the group diagnosed with OSA. In the nasopharynx of children with CR, the bacterial biofilm had a constant role of infection generator, and adenoidectomy was the only effective therapeutic procedure to relieve the symptoms. Allergy tests were performed in all children to establish a link between CR, OSA and allergic rhinitis.
We herein present a case involving a 78-year-old patient who had aspirated a laryngotracheal foreign body 3 days prior to hospital admission. The patient had severe congenital intellectual disability; however, no agitation, suffocation, or death occurred despite almost complete laryngeal obstruction. The laryngotracheal foreign body was removed by tracheotomy and suspended microlaryngoscopy.
Chronic rhinosinusitis with chronic adenoiditis in children represents a global public health issue, seriously affecting the quality of parents and children life, because of its irritating symptoms like intermittent snoring, mouth breathing, dry mouth, nasal obstruction, headaches increased irritability and focus disorders on children. Bacterial biofilms are highly associated with the chronic infectious processes in children. Correct therapeutical management of this diagnostic combination is mandatory to improve the quality of one’s life. Objectives. The aim of the study is: to observe the ratio of adenoid mucosa covered with bacterial biofilm extracted from the nasopharynx of 50 paediatric patients suffering of chronic rhinosinusitis (RSC) and chronic adenoiditis (CA); and to point the fact that the adenoids contaminated with bacterial biofilm are a generator for chronic upper airway infections in children. Material and methods. We have measured using an image analysis program the bacterial biofilm covering the entire surface of the extracted adenoids mases, from 28 girls and 22 boys aged between 5 and 12 years diagnosed with CRS and CA. Control visits were performed to verify symptom improvement at 1, 3 and 6 months. Outcomes. Adenoids extracted from paediatric patients diagnosed with CRS and CA presented bacterial biofilms coverage on almost the entire mucosa (86.75%). Conclusions. Adenoid mases removed from paediatric patients with CSR and CA have most of their mucosal covered with bacterial biofilm. In the nasopharynx of paediatric patients with CSR and CA, bacterial biofilm can play the role of a constant fountain of infection. Adenoid mass removal explains the symptomatic improvement observed post operatory in the CRS with CA paediatric patients that do not respond to antibiotic therapy.
We present the case of a 54-year old woman diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media, who was admitted to the ENT Department with four-week-old, sudden-onset, left-sided facial nerve paralysis, and ipsilateral otalgia and hemicrania. Physical examination revealed positive signs of acute postaural inflammation. The patient’s facial nerve paralysis was scored as VI, according to the House-Brackmann scale. A cranio-facial computer tomography examination revealed mastoid cavity opacification, mucosal hypertrophy, and signs of chronic osteitis, with minimal mucous accumulation. The patient underwent a radical modified mastoidectomy with type-I tympanoplasty to verify the presence of a cholesteatoma, and to remove the offending lesions. Post-operatively, patient evolution was favorable, and prognosis remained encouraging. The patient’s evolution will be followed by check-ups every three months to assess progress and benefits of the treatment.
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