Wild Edible Plants and Their Traditional Use in the Human Nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina

This article presents first systematical procedure results on traditional usage of wild, edible, vitaminous, and aromatic plants in the nutrition of human population in Bosnia and Herzegovina (W. Balkan peninsula; SE Europe). By method of an ethnobotanical interview, which comprised of over 250 persons, whose average age was 55, and by research on edible wild flora all around Bosnia and Herzegovina that extended over many years, detected were 308 plants belonging to 73 plant families that are being used in nutrition and diet of indigenous population. Edible wild plants are used as delicious vegetables, fruits, peer and spices, in either fresh, raw, or dried condition. Plants are being used for the making of cooked food (33%), fresh salads (19%), mush and bread (17%), or as fresh, wild fruits and drinks (13%) or as spices and ethno-pharmacological potions (10%). The majority of identified, wild edible plants may satisfy the daily human need for elementary nutrition material, particularly those of vitamins C and A, and for some minerals, according to the regulations of World Health Organization (WHO).     

Serum endostatin levels and regenerative capacities of normal and cirrhotic livers following partial hepatectomy in mice: the response to different resection sizes

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis has an important role in liver regeneration. Antiangiogenic response in remnant liver following resection and its relationship to regeneration is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hepatectomy size on serum endostatin levels, and the effect of endostatin levels to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in normal and cirrhotic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty noncirrhotic and 36 carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic mice were included in the study. Noncirrhotic mice were randomly divided into four main groups: sham, 20%, 40%, and 70% hepatectomy groups. Similarly, cirrhotic mice were randomly divided into three main groups: sham, 20%, and 40% hepatectomy groups. The mice in each group were further divided into two subgroups to compare serum endostatin levels and liver regeneration indexes on days 1 and 14. Liver regeneration was evaluated by the proliferating cell nuclear antigen-labeling index. Serum endostatin level was measured to evaluate antiangiogenic response. RESULTS: Serum endostatin levels on the first day and 14th day increased significantly in correlation with the hepatectomy size, both in normal mice and cirrhotic mice (P < 0.05). In normal mice with high regeneration indexes that underwent 40% and 70% hepatectomies, there was a significant increase in serum endostatin levels on the 14th day compared with the first day (P < 0.05). However, the increase in mice that underwent 20% hepatectomies was not significant. After 20% and 40% hepatectomies, first day serum endostatin levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic mice compared with normal mice (P < 0.05), which was independent of regeneration. Nevertheless, after 40% hepatectomies, 14th day serum endostatin levels were significantly lower in cirrhotic mice compared with normal mice, attributable to the limited regeneration capacity of cirrhotic liver (P < 0.05). Regeneration capacity of cirrhotic liver was low at all times. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that there is a significant relationship between serum endostatin levels and regeneration capacity after hepatectomy in normal mice. On the other hand, following resection of cirrhotic liver, regeneration capacity is depressed and high endostatin levels are independent of hepatic regeneration.     

Value of Dual Energy Computed Tomography for detection of myocardial iron deposition in Thalassaemia patients: initial experience

Purpose

The aim of our study was to compare the value of cardiac DECT (cDECT) for detection of myocardial iron deposition to T2*w cardiac MRI (cMRI).

Material and methods

Nineteen patients with clinical history of Thalassaemia underwent T2*-weighted cardiac MRI (cMRI) with a 1.5 T MR scanner (MAGNETOM Symphony, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) and cardiac dual energy CT (cDECT) with a DSCT scanner (SOMATOM Definition, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) on the same day. HU values obtained from cDECT scans and T2*-values from cMRI were statistically correlated to calculate significance levels. Table times were measured for both cDECT and cMRI and compared. Patients were asked to grade their subjective comfort during the examination.

Results

In all patients cDECT scans were successfully acquired.HU values of septal muscle correlated strongly with T2*-values, whereas no correlation was found for paraspinal muscle.Table time was significantly shorter for cDECT compared to cMRI (mean: 3.7 min vs. 11.2 min) and subjective patient comfort was rated comfortable for cDECT and average to poor for cMRI. Mean radiation dose was 0.71 mSv.

Conclusion

cDECT scans seem to be possible for evaluation of myocardial iron load in pediatric Thalassaemia patients.     

Pulmonary manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 67 patients

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by arterial and/ or venous thrombosis accompanied by persistently elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the pulmonary manifestations of APS and compare the levels of aPLs in patients with and without pulmonary involvement. We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients with the diagnosis of APS between October 2010 and May 2017. Demographic data, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings were recorded. The study included 67 patients (56 female/11 male) with a mean age of 39?±?13 years. Pulmonary manifestations such as parenchymal and/or vascular involvement were seen in 12 (17.9%) patients. The patients with and without pulmonary manifestations were not significantly different in terms of age (p?=?0.46), comorbidities (p?=?0.48) and APS duration (p?=?0.66). Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) was determined in 11 (16.4%), alveolar hemorrhage in 2 (3%) patients. Four patients with acute PE (36%) developed chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). One patient developed both CTEPH and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after acute PE during follow up. Antiphosholipid antibody IgM was highly positive in patients with PE compared to patients without PE (p?=?0.005). Other antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were not significantly different in patients with and without PE. None of the patients were deceased due to pulmonary manifestations of APS. PE was the most common pulmonary manifestation of APS. The development of CTEPH was high among APS patients. Patients with APS should be closely followed for the onset of PE and CTEPH.

     

Lidocaine for prevention of propofol injection-induced pain: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study of the effect of duration of venous occlusion with a tourniquet in adults

Background: Many patients experience pain on injection of propofol. The use of lidocaine to prevent propofol injection pain is common. The analgesic effect of pre-injected lidocaine has been found to increase when a tourniquet is used.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of various venous occlusion times with lidocaine analgesia to prevent pain during propofol injection.Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study, women aged 18 to 45 years, classifed as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical sta- tus I or II, who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia induced with propofol, were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups: group 1, 2% lidocaine 20 mg in saline in a total volume of 10 mL and no venous occlusion; group 2, 2% lidocaine 20 mg in saline in a total volume of 10 mL plus venous occlusion for 15 seconds; group 3, 2% lidocaine plus venous occlusion for 30 seconds; group 4, 2% lidocaine plus venous occlusion for 60 seconds; and group 5, saline 10 mL and no venous occlusion. When the first 25% of the calculated propofol dose was administered, patients were asked about propofol-induced pain using a verbal pain scale (0 = no pain; 1 = mild pain; 2 = moderate pain; and 3 = severe pain). All patients and the anesthesiologist who evaluated pain severity were blinded to the study preparation being used.Results: The study comprised 100 women who were randomly divided into 5 groups of 20 patients each. Significantly more patients in group 5 (18 [90%] patients; P < 0.05) reported pain compared with the other treatment groups. In groups 2, 3, and 4, in which venous occlusion was applied, pain was reported during propofol injection in 6 (30%), 7 (35%), and 2 (10%) patients, respectively. The incidence of reported pain was significantly greater in group 1 (lidocaine without venous occlusion) than in group 4 (P < 0.05); however, the incidence of pain was similar in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3.Conclusions: The present study found that pretreatment with lidocaine 20 mg with or without venous occlusion significantly reduced the incidence and the severity of pain during the injection of propofol when compared with the group with no venous occlusion administered saline. In addition, pretreatment with lidocaine 20 mg plus venous occlusion for 60 seconds significantly reduced the incidence of propofol-induced pain compared with lidocaine without venous occlusion.     

An amperometric enzyme electrode for creatine determination prepared by the immobilization of creatinase and sarcosine oxidase in poly(vinylferrocenium)

A new enzyme electrode for the determination of creatine was developed by immobilizing creatinase (CI) and sarcosine oxidase (SO). The enzymes were co-immobilized in a poly(vinylferrocenium) matrix onto the surface of a platinum working electrode. Crosslinking with glutaraldehyte (GA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was selected as the best immobilization method for the enzymatic system. Determination of creatine was performed by the oxidation of enzymatically generated H2O2 at + 0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The linear working range of the electrode was 2.0 x 10(-5) - 3.2 x 10(-4) M and the response time was about 50 s. The effects of pH, temperature, enzyme ratio and buffer concentration were investigated and optimum parameters were found to be 7.5, 37 degrees C, 2.5:1 (CI:SO) and 0.05 M, respectively. The stability and reproducibility of the enzyme electrode have been also studied.     

Maximum P Wave Duration and P Wave Dispersion in Adult Patients with Secundum Atrial Septal Defect: The Impact of Surgical Repair

Background: Patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) have an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF). Previously it was shown that maximum P wave duration and P wave dispersion in 12‐lead surface electrocardiograms are significantly increased in individuals with a history of paroxysmal AF. We studied P maximum and P dispersion in adult patients with ASD during normal sinus rhythm. In addition, the impact of surgical closure of ASD on these variables within 1 year after surgery was evaluated. Methods: Thirty‐four patients (21 women, 13 men; mean age: 35 ± 11 years) operated on for ostium secundum type ASD and 24 age‐matched healthy subjects (13 women, 11 men; mean age: 37 ± 10 years) were investigated. P maximum, P minimum, and P dispersion (maximum – minimum P wave duration) were measured from the 12‐lead surface electrocardiography. Results: P maximum was found to be significantly longer in patients with ASD as compared to controls (115.2 ± 9 vs 99.3 ± 14 ms; P < 0.0001). In addition, P dispersion of the patients was significantly higher than controls (37 ± 9 vs 29.8 ± 10 ms; P = 0.003). P minimum was not different between the two groups (P = 0.074). After surgical repair of ASD, 10 patients (29%) experienced one or more episodes of paroxysmal AF. Patients with postoperative AF were older (45 ± 6 vs 30 ± 10 years; P = 0.001), and had a higher preoperative pulmonary artery peak systolic pressure as compared to those without postoperative AF (51 ± 11 vs 31 ± 9 mmHg; P < 0.0001). No significant difference in the pulmonary‐to‐systemic flow ratio was observed preoperatively between the two groups (P = 0.56). P maximum and P dispersion were significantly higher in patients with postoperative paroxysmal AF at baseline and at postoperative first month, sixth month, and first year as compared to those without it (for P maximum P = 0.027, P = 0.014, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001, respectively; for P dispersion P = 0.037, P = 0.026, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001, respectively). In addition, in patients with postoperative AF, no significant changes were detected in both of these P wave indices during postoperative follow‐up. However, in the other group, P maximum and P dispersion were found to be significantly decreased at postoperative 6 months and 1 year as compared to baseline. P minimum was similar throughout the postoperative follow‐up as compared to baseline in both groups. Conclusions: Mechanical and electrical changes in atrial myocardium may cause greater P maximum and P dispersion in patients with ASD. Surgical closure of the ASD can regress these pathological changes of atrial myocardium with a result in decreased P maximum and P dispersion. However, higher P maximum and P dispersion at baseline, which have not decreased after surgery, may be associated with postoperative paroxysmal AF, especially for older patients.