Evaluation of antibacterial,antifungal and modulatory activity of methanol and ethanol extracts of Padina sanctae-crucis

Background

Multi-resistantmicroorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida tropicalis e Candida krusei are the main causes of microbial infections. Padina sanctae-crucis is a seaweed often used to check the contamination of ecosystems by materials such as heavy metals, but studies of the antimicrobial activity of the same seaweed were not found.

Methods

The tests for the minimum inhibitory concentration and modulation of microbial resistance, with the use of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Padina Sanctae-cruces combined with drugs of the class of aminoglycosides and antifungal were used to evaluate the activity against the cited microorganisms.

Results

Was observed a modulation of antibiotic activity between the natural products and the E. coli and S. aureus strains, indicating a synergism and antagonism respectively.

Conclusions

The results showed a moderate modulatory effect against some microorganisms studied.     

The pulmonary mesenchymal tissue layer is defective in an in vitro recombinant model of nitrofen-induced lung hypoplasia

Despite modern treatments, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains associated with variable survival and significant morbidity. The associated pulmonary hypoplasia is a major determinant of outcome. To develop better treatments, improved comprehension of the pathogenesis of lung hypoplasia is warranted. We developed an in vitro cell recombinant model to mimic pulmonary hypoplasia and specifically to investigate epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and to decipher which tissue layer is primarily defective in nitrofen-induced CDH-associated lung hypoplasia. Epithelial cells (E) and fibroblasts (F) were isolated from E19 control ((C)) and nitrofen-induced hypoplastic rat lungs ((N)). Cells were recombined and cultured as either homotypic [(F(C))(E(C)) and (F(N))(E(N))] or heterotypic [(F(C))(E(N)) and (F(N))(E(C))] recombinants. Recombinants containing F(N) fibroblasts had a thickened fibroblast tissue layer and there were fewer organized alveolar-like epithelial structures compared with those in control (F(C))(E(C)) recombinants. These F(N) recombinants exhibited a decrease in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and cleaved caspase-3 positive cells. Cell proliferation was arrested in recombinants containing F(N) fibroblasts, which also exhibited increased p27(Kip1) and p57(Kip2) expression. In conclusion, fibroblasts, and not epithelial cells, appear to be the defective cell type in nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs due to a decreased ability to undergo apoptosis and maintain overall proliferation. This may explain the characteristic pulmonary interstitial thickening and hypoplasia observed in both nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs as well as human hypoplastic CDH lungs.     

Laparoscopic correction of umbilical hernias using a transabdominal preperitoneal approach: results of a pilot study

Background  Laparoscopic repair of umbilical hernias is usually based on the open underlay procedure in which the mesh is placed intra-abdominally. To prevent complications such as adhesions, bowel obstruction and fistula formation we developed a new laparoscopic approach, placing the mesh in the preperitoneal space. Methods  Our laparoscopic approach concerns a standardised procedure with introduction of three intra-abdominally placed trocars. The ventral abdominal wall is incised in a lengthwise manner approximately 5 cm from the umbilical defect, followed by development of the preperitoneal space, reposition of the umbilical peritoneal sac and placement and fixation of a Prolene^TM mesh. The mesh is secured using transfascial Prolene^TM sutures; the peritoneal defect is closed with a running Vicryl^TM suture. Data on 17 patients with primary umbilical hernias laparoscopically operated on between April 2002 and March 2006 are presented. Results  The 11 men and 6 women had a mean age of 57.8 years (range 37–91 years) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.6 kg/m² (range 23.7–37.9 kg/m²). Mean hernia size was 1.95 cm (range 1–3 cm), average mesh size was 110 cm² (range 100–150 cm²). Mean operating time was 85.6 min (range 60–120 min). Mean hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 1–3 days). No major complications were seen. No recurrences were observed during a mean follow-up of 36.2 months (range 13–62 months). Conclusions  The preperitoneal laparoscopic technique for umbilical hernia repair combines the advantages of a laparoscopic, minimally invasive, approach, avoiding the potential complications related to intra-abdominal mesh position.     

Nursing home care: whodunit?

Aims and objectives. (1) To analyse and compare (changes and differences in) activity profiles of various types of nursing home care. (2) To assess the impact of integrated care on these activity profiles. Background. Because of an ongoing introduction of integrated nursing home care, caregivers increasingly have to co‐ordinate their activities, engage into interprofessional relationships and take over each other's tasks. Consequently, activity profiles [i.e. combinations of (contributions to) care activities and the roles that perform them] are expected to change. Design/methods. At three measurement points in the period 1999–2003, caregivers (in 18 different roles) recorded and listed direct and indirect care activities. A total of 41 335 lists were analysed to derive activity profiles of traditional, transitional and integrated nursing home care in the Netherlands. Results. Traditional, transitional and integrated care shared some comparable activity profiles. Integrated care differed from the other types with respect to the contribution of the geriatric nurse, recreational activities supervisor, nutrition assistant, household assistant and nursing assistant to activities such as extra care, handling food and club activities. Contrary to the other roles, the licensed practical nurse contributed to (almost) all activities in all types of care. Conclusions. Nursing home care has several recurring activity profiles. These profiles are the same in all types of nursing home care. The introduction of integrated care implies that particular profiles have to be added to these profiles. As a generalist, the licensed practical nurse seems to play a key role in all activity profiles. Relevance to clinical practice. Because of demographic and financial pressures, integrated care for older people becomes increasingly important. By addressing the impact of integrated care on activity profiles, this paper provides information on how new types of care can be delivered in the most effective manner.