Antimicrobial Activity of Various Extracts of Ocimum Basilicum L. and Observation of the Inhibition Effect on Bacterial Cells by Use of Scanning Electron Microscopy

The antimicrobial activities of chloroform, acetone and two different concentrations of methanol extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. were studied. These extracts were tested in vitro against 10 bacteria and 4 yeasts strains by the disc diffusion method. The results indicated that the methanol extracts of O. basilucum exhibited the antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. While the chloroform and acetone extracts had no effect, the methanol extracts showed inhibition zones against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and two different strains of Escherichia coli. The cells of microorganisms, which were treated and untreated with plant extracts, were observed by using the scanning electron microscope. It was observed that the treated cells were damaged.     

Increased P-wave dispersion a risk for atrial fibrillation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown that a prolonged P-wave dispersion is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to evaluate P-wave dispersion in adolescents with anorexia nervosa at diagnosis. We evaluated electrocardiographic findings, particularly the P-wave dispersion, at initial assessment in 47 adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Comparison of P-wave dispersion between adolescents with anorexia nervosa and controls showed a statistically significant higher P-wave dispersion in patients with anorexia nervosa (72 ± 16.3 msec) when compared to the control group (43.8 ± 9.5 msec). Percent of body weight lost, lower body mass index, and higher weight loss rate in the patients with anorexia nervosa had no effect on P-wave dispersion. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa has a high mortality rate we believe that cardiac pathologies such as atrial fibrillation must also be considered in the medical evaluation.     

流行性乙型脑炎减毒活疫苗大面积接种后安全性和流行病学效果的5年观察

目的 考核乙脑减毒活疫苗大面积接种后的安全性和降低乙脑发病率,在乙脑高发区安徽省蒙城和涡阳县进行为期５年（１９９２￣１９９６年）的人群观察。方法 观察对象１￣６岁儿童。１岁初免１针,２岁加强１针。结果 通过５年连续观察共接种乙脑活疫苗３３５９４１人。 表明：①疫苗对小龄儿童接种后近期和５年内均未出现不良反应,表明疫苗是安全的。②当地乙脑平均总发病率有显著性下降,从接种观察前１９８７￣１９９１年的１     

γ射线诱导癌细胞凋亡致敏树突状细胞后的免疫应答

目的 观察树突状细胞（DCs）从γ射线诱导的凋亡胆管癌细胞获取抗原后，抗肿瘤免疫应答及对胆管癌细胞的特异性免疫杀伤效果。方法 用粒－巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（GM－CSF）加白介素－4（IL－4）从人外周血分化、诱导DCs,γ射线在体外诱导培养的人胆管癌细胞凋亡，将DCs、T淋巴细胞和凋亡胆管癌细胞共培养，同时设计不同类型肿瘤细胞（坏死胆管癌细胞及培养胆管癌细胞）作对照，7d后，分离、富集DCs、T淋巴细胞进行免疫应答及肿瘤细胞杀伤试验。结果 与凋亡胆管癌细胞共培养之DCs可以有效提呈胆管癌细胞抗原，有强烈的免疫应答，刺激的细胞毒T淋巴细胞（CTLs)特异性地杀伤胆管癌细胞。结论 γ射线诱导癌细胞凋亡可以致敏rhGM-CSF加rhIL-4从人外周血单核细胞诱导、扩增出的DCs并产生显著的杀伤胆管癌细胞的免疫反应，可望成为特异性免疫治疗肿瘤的一条新途径。     

Bone measurements of infants with hyperbilirubinemia by quantitative ultrasound: the influence of phototherapy

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible effects of phototherapy on bone status of term infants evaluated by measurement of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS).

Materials and methods: The phototherapy group (n?=?30) consisted of children who had undergone phototherapy for at least 24?h and the control group (n?=?30) comprised children who had not received phototherapy. Blood samples were obtained from all infants for serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D concentrations. The left tibial quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements were performed using a commercial device.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between phototherapy-exposed and nonexposed infants in terms of Ca, P, ALP, PTH and vitamin D levels. Comparison of bone SOS between the phototherapy-exposed and control group revealed no statistically difference. Also, no significant difference in Z-score for SOS was observed between those with or without exposure.

Conclusion: The data of our study indicate that phototherapy treatment has no impact on bone status in the hyperbilirubinemic infants. Although there is no statistically significant evidence of an excess risk of bone damage following phototherapy, studies with larger sample sizes and longer duration of follow-up are needed to gain a better understanding of its effects.     

A huge bladder cystine stone

An unusual cystine stone that occur only in patients, who have cystinuria is presented in 24-year-old man. Radiographs showed a giant bladder stone shadow, 8.0 x 10.0 x 5.0 cm in size. The literature was reviewed to identify the giant stones as well as the huge cystine stone which is exceptional yet as.     

超声评价2型糖尿病女性患者膀胱异常改变

目的 探讨超声评价2型糖尿病(T2DM)女性患者膀胱异常改变的临床价值。方法 将60例T2DM女性患者分为2组:A组,30例,病程>10年;B组,30例,病程≤10年。30名健康体检者作为C组。采用超声诊断仪分别测量膀胱排空后、适度充盈时的左右径、上下径及前后径,测量适度充盈时膀胱壁厚度、逼尿肌厚度(DWT),计算膀胱残余尿量(PRV)、膀胱重量(UEBW)。对3组的年龄、体质量指数(BMI)、PRV、DWT、UEBW分别进行统计学分析。结果 各组间年龄、BMI、PRV差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。A组DWT明显大于B组、C组(P均<0.05),B组和C组间DWT差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组和B组UEBW均明显大于C组(P均<0.05),且A组UEBW大于B组(P<0.05)。结论 超声可无创、准确地评价女性T2DM患者膀胱的异常改变,对于临床早期诊断具有重要意义。     

Dry eye in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dry eye is reported to be associated with several neurological diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients with hemiplegia after stroke for dry eye and compare their results with a control group.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia and 45 individuals as the control group were included in the study. Tear function tests (Schirmer and tear breakup time) and a dry eye questionnaire for dry eye symptoms (ocular surface disease index) were performed and the results of the two groups were compared.

Results: Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (11.3 ± 8.2 mm and 20.6 ± 11.6 mm, respectively, p < .001). Tear breakup time results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (7.9 ± 3.1 s and 12.1 ± 4.3 s, respectively, p < .001). Ocular surface disease index scores were not significantly different between hemiplegia and control groups (21.6 ± 20.0 and 19.8 ± 13.9, respectively, p = .635). Schirmer scores lower than 10 mm (60% and 30%, p < .001) and tear breakup time results lower than 10 s (65.6% and 28.9%, p < .001) were also higher in the hemiplegia group compared to control group.

Conclusion: We found lower Schirmer test and tear breakup time results and similar OSDI scores in hemiplegia patients compared to controls. Hemiplegia patients may have dry eye without typical symptoms. This should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.     

Serum,salivary, and tissue levels of plasminogen in familial Mediterranean fever,amyloidosis, and chronic periodontitis

1 Background

There are no published studies regarding the role of the plasminogen (PLG) system in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), FMF‐associated secondary amyloidosis, or chronic periodontitis (CP), although recent limited data have focused on the association between FMF and chronic periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum, salivary, and gingival tissue levels of PLG in patients with CP, FMF, and amyloidosis.

2 Methods

The study population included 122 patients with FMF (only FMF, and FMF and amyloidosis and 128 individuals who were systemically healthy controls. Blood and salivary samples were obtained from the cases and controls, and clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Serum and salivary PLG levels were assessed. The gingival tissue samples of the case and control groups were analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically for amyloid deposition and PLG.

3 Results

The amyloidosis group had significantly more severe clinical periodontal parameters than those of the FMF and systemically healthy groups (P < 0.05). Salivary levels of PLG were significantly higher in the FMF and amyloidosis groups compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). The FMF with periodontitis and amyloidosis with periodontitis groups had higher salivary PLG levels compared with those in the CP group. Serum and salivary PLG levels were significantly associated with the clinical periodontal parameters in the FMF group. The amyloidosis cases had hyperplasia, severe inflammation, and activation of the gingiva.

4 Conclusion

The PLG system could play an important role in inflammatory diseases, such as chronic periodontitis, FMF, and FMF‐associated secondary amyloidosis.     

What are the requirements for patient-centered breast imaging? Communication preferences of mammography patients in Turkey

Abstract

We have investigated communication preferences of mammography results in 90 patients through a structured interview approach. About 81% of patients expressed that they wanted to get the results, and 18% expressed that getting the results does not help if they are incomprehensible. In patients who want to get the results, 80% preferred face-to-face interaction with physicians, whereas the others preferred other modes of communication to prevent loss of time. Majority of patients infavor of face-to-face interaction (57%) preferred both the referring physician and the radiologist. Comprehensibility and fast delivery of reports, plus direct communication with radiologists are the requirements in mammography patients while implementing patient-centered radiology.