Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 2-[p-substituted-phenyl]benzoxazol-5-yl-arylcarboxyamides

New 2-[p-substituted-phenyl ]benzoxazol-5-yl-arylcarboxyamides derivatives have been synthesized by reacting 5-amino-2-[p-substituted-phenyl ]benzoxazoles with substituted-arylcarboxylic acid chlorides. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR and (1)H NMR spectral data. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were investigated using the two-fold serial dilution technique against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast C. albicans in comparison with standard drugs. Microbiological results indicated that the synthesized compounds possess a broad spectrum of activity, having an MIC value of 25-200 microg/mL at molar concentration values of 3.45 x 10(-5) and 5.74 x 10(-4) against the tested microorganisms.     

Synthesis and microbiological activity of some novel N-[2-(p-substitutedphenyl)-5-benzoxazolyl]-cyclohexyl carboxamide, -cyclohexyl acetamide and -cyclohexyl propionamide derivatives

The synthesis and microbiological activity of a new series of N-[2-(p-substitutedphenyl)-5-benzoxazolyl]-cyclohexyl carboxamide, -cyclohexyl acetamide and -cyclohexyl propionamide derivatives (4-11) is described. The in vitro microbiological activity of the compounds was determined against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans in comparison with standard drugs. Microbiological results indicated that the synthesized compounds possessed a broad spectrum of activity against the tested microorganisms.     

The effects of HEMA-monomer and air atmosphere treatment of glass fibre on the transverse strength of a provisional fixed partial denture resin

This study focused on some mechanical properties such as the transverse strength, the maximal deflection, and the modulus of elasticity of resin reinforced with two different types of agents-treated and with untreated glass fibre, and without fibre. A Teflon mould was used to prepare six groups of specimens. Two different types of chemical modification agents, hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA)-monomer and air atmosphere were applied to create hydrophilic surfaces on the glass fibres. The flow rate was kept at two different levels, 25 and 60 mL min-1. The discharge powers of the surface treatment process were 15 or 20 W. The fibres were exposed to glow discharge conditions for the periods of 10 or 15 min. Without fibre specimens were the control group. The provisional resin was same in all groups. All the specimens were subjected to transverse testing with a cross-head speed of 5 mm min-1. The three-point load test was used to record the load of the fracture for each specimens. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was used to compare the transverse strength, the maximal deflection and the modulus of elasticity. The differences in the transverse strength and the maximal deflection between the six groups were found statistically significant but the modulus of elasticity was not statistically significant. The transverse strength of HEMA-monomer (group A) was shown the highest value (66.3 MPa). For without-fibre group, the value was 52.9 MPa. This difference was statistically significant when the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparing. Repairing or remaking provisional restorations can be a time-consuming endeavour. The added strength of the polymethyl methacrylate with the fibre can reduce clinical failures of provisional fixed partial dentures. The surface treatment process was increased the transverse strength and the maximal deflection. The clinical implication of chemical modification agents-coated fibres is reduced incidence of fixed provisional restoration failure.     

Effect of topically applied charged particles on healing of colonic anastomoses

HYPOTHESIS: Various forms of electrical stimulation can improve wound healing in different tissues, but their application to gastrointestinal tract healing has not been investigated. We assumed that positively charged diethylaminoethyl cross-linked dextran bead (diethylaminoethyl Sephadex [DEAE-S]) particles would have a beneficial effect on the healing of colonic anastomoses. DESIGN: Experimental animal study. SETTING: Animal research laboratory of a university hospital. ANIMALS: Forty female Wistar albino rats. INTERVENTIONS: Right colonic transection and anastomosis was performed in 5 animal groups. The control group received no treatment; the placebo group, methylcellulose gel; and the DEAE-S group, DEAE-S in methyl cellulose gel applied topically around the anastomoses. The fecal peritonitis (FP) group underwent cecal ligation and perforation simultaneously with the anastomosis to cause FP; the FP + DEAE-S group also received DEAE-S applied around the anastomoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After the completion of postoperative day 4, all rats were killed. Anastomotic bursting pressures and hydroxyproline concentrations in perianastomotic tissue were measured and compared. RESULTS: Mean bursting pressures were 115.1 mm Hg in the control group, 113.6 mm Hg in the placebo group, 159.4 mm Hg in the DEAE-S group, 62.8 mm Hg in the FP group, and 121.1 mm Hg in the FP + DEAE-S group (P =.001, 1-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]). The differences between the control vs DEAE-S groups, placebo vs DEAE-S groups, and FP vs FP + DEAE-S groups were significant (P<.05, t test). Mean hydroxyproline concentrations were 5.2 microg/mg in the control group, 4.9 microg/mg in the placebo group, 5.6 microg/mg in the DEAE-S group, 4.5 microg/mg in the FP group, and 5.4 microg/mg in the FP + DEAE-S group (P =.09, 1-way ANOVA). The difference between the FP and FP + DEAE-S groups was significant (P =.04, t test). CONCLUSIONS: A positively charged particle, DEAE-S, improves healing of colonic anastomoses in healthy rats and in rats with FP. This inexpensive, nontoxic material is easily applied and deserves further evaluation in gastrointestinal tract healing.     

Management of intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cyst is an important complication of hydatid disease of the liver. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and eleven patients were operated upon for hydatid cyst of the liver between 1990 and 1998 in our hospital. Twenty-four patients with intrabiliary rupture of hepatic hydatid cyst were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Diagnosis of hydatid cyst was principally made using ultrasonography. We performed partial cystectomy + omentoplasty + transduodenal sphincteroplasty for 18 patients (75%). Daughter cysts and hydatid debris were found in common bile duct in 8 patients (33%). Internal opening of biliary fistula was found in 21 patients (87.5%). Morbidity rate was 12%. One patient died of unrelated causes. The average postoperative hospitalization period for the sphincteroplasty group was 7.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative radiologic examination and laboratory values were not helpful to exclude an intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cysts in our patients. If bile stained cystic fluid is found, it is clear that a communication between hydatid cysts and the biliary tree exist. Transduodenal sphincteroplasty can be preferred in the management of intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease because of short hospitalization, low morbidity, and ability to decompress intrabiliary pressure.     

Phlebectasia of left anterior jugular vein

We present a rare case of unilateral phlebectasia of the anterior jugular vein in a 56-year-old male patient whose complaint is a neck swelling that appears during talking. Although in this age group the most common cause of such a mass in the anterior aspect of the neck increasing in size during any type of straining or Valsalva manoeuvre is a laryngocele, phlebectasia of the anterior jugular vein should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography are the most useful and non-invasive methods to use for the investigation. Treatment should be conservative.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in plasma levels of lipid peroxide, vitamin E and vitamin C in women with preeclampsia and to investigate their relationship with diastolic blood pressure. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study consisting of 22 preeclamptic and 21 healthy pregnant women. Fasting venous blood samples were collected during the antepartum period and plasma levels of malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid were measured. RESULTS: In the preeclamptic group malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation product, was significantly increased, while vitamins E and C were significantly decreased compared to healthy pregnant women. A strong correlation was detected between malondialdehyde and antioxidant factors (vitamins E and C) with blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with previous studies suggesting that lipid peroxidation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, antioxidant nutrients are excessively utilised to counteract the cellular changes mediated by free radicals.     

Serum hyaluronic acid concentrations in children with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is associated with increased levels of hyaluronic acid (HA). AIM: To evaluate serum HA concentrations in children with cirrhosis and its relation with liver function tests and Child-Pugh score. METHODS: Twenty-two children with biopsy-proven liver cirrhosis were studied. All were assessed for the presence of ascites or encephalopathy and liver function tests were performed. Patients were categorized according to Child-Pugh criteria. Serum HA was measured using microELISA (normal 0-100 ng/mL). Twenty-two children with chronic hepatitis B and no cirrhosis were studied as controls. RESULTS: Serum HA level in the cirrhotic children was 85.2 (72.8) ng/mL; levels were high (166.0 [46.3] ng/mL; range 115-246) in 8 (36.4%) patients. Three of 11 (27.2%) Child-Pugh class A patients, 3 of 8 (37.5%) class B patients, and 2 of 3 (66.7%) class C patients had elevated serum HA values (p=ns). Serum HA levels correlated with direct bilirubin level. The control group had lower levels (4.8 [2.3] ng/mL; p< 0.05), which were in the normal range. CONCLUSION: Serum HA level may be useful as a diagnostic tool in children with cirrhosis.     

Clinical, socio-demographic, neurophysiological and neuropsychiatric evaluation of children with volatile substance addiction

BACKGROUND: Abuse of organic volatile substances in children has become a social health problem that is increasing in the recent years. Among these substances, toluene is highly preferred by abusers because of its euphoric effect, cheapness and easy availability. There is no published research on the clinical and neurophysiological evaluation of children with short-term volatile substance addiction. METHODS: In this study, socio-demographic characteristics were questioned in 12 children with a mean age of 15 years and a duration of toluene abuse for a mean of 2.3 years, and the clinical characteristics of central and peripheral nervous system damage caused by volatile substances, particularly by toluene were analysed, and probable neurological disorders were investigated by means of neurophysiological and neuropsychological tests. All tests were compared with a control group. RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent of the children included in the study had pathological findings in the neurological examination. There was pyramidal involvement in 25% and peripheral nerve involvement in 33.3% of the cases. Evaluation of the cognitive functions revealed 33.3% pathology in the 'Short Test of Mental Status' which assesses functions of orientation, attention, learning, arithmetic calculation, abstraction, information, construction and recall. Sensorial polyneuropathy was found in 33.3% of the cases in nerve conduction studies. Somatosensory-evoked potentials revealed pathology in 16.7% of the cases and brainstem-evoked potentials in 50% of the cases. No pathology was observed in electroencephalography and visual-evoked potentials. CONCLUSION: In our study, neurophysiological and neuropsychiatric tests revealed that toluene causes slow progressive, clinical and subclinical central and peripheral nerve damage. In Turkey, because of cheapness, easy availability and legal use of volatile substances, the clinical extent of systemic and neurological toxicity of volatile substance abuse is increasing. Abuse of volatile substances, a currently increasing social issue, may create important physical problems which can be permanent.