Dietary soy containing phytoestrogens does not activate the hemostatic system in postmenopausal women

The soybean is rich in isoflavone phytoestrogens, which are ligands for estrogen receptors, but it is unknown whether soy/phytoestrogens have similar procoagulant effects to estrogen. In this randomized double-blind trial, 40 healthy postmenopausal women of age 50-75 yr received soy protein isolate (40 g soy protein, 118 mg isoflavones) (n = 19) or casein placebo (n = 21). Plasma markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial dysfunction were measured at baseline and 3 months. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Compared with casein placebo, soy decreased triglycerides (P < 0.005) and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio (P < 0.001) and increased lipoprotein (a) (P < 0.05). Activity of coagulation factor VII (VIIc) decreased similarly in both groups (P < 0.005). Prothrombin fragments 1 + 2 (a marker of thrombin generation) decreased in the soy group (P < 0.005), but the change was not different from the casein group. There was no effect of soy on soluble fibrin (a marker of fibrin production), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (a marker of fibrinolytic inhibitory potential), D-dimer (a marker of fibrin turnover), or von Willebrand factor (a marker of endothelial damage). In conclusion, the results of the current study do not support biologically significant estrogenic effects of soy/phytoestrogens on coagulation, fibrinolysis, or endothelial function.     

New Perspectives on Lamellar Keratoplasty

Lamellar (anterior and posterior) keratoplasty entails the surgical replacement of diseased-only corneal tissue, while healthy host corneal tissue is preserved. Selective keratoplasty offers several advantages in comparison to penetrating keratoplasty such as a lower rate of graft rejection, less endothelial cell loss, faster/superior visual rehabilitation and enhanced resistance to closed injury. The surgical approach of “partial corneal transplantation” may be divided into anterior and posterior: techniques including superficial and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (SALK and DALK, respectively) and endothelial keratoplasty as well as Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). These novel surgical procedures are rapidly becoming the preferred therapy option for specific corneal dysfunctions involving the corneal stroma (SALK, DALK), or corneal endothelium (DSAEK, DMEK). During the past decade, the continuing advancement of surgical techniques and the development of innovative surgical instruments have significantly enhanced corneal transplantation. Lamellar keratoplasty techniques facilitate corneal surgery, provide patients with superior outcomes and can successfully restore vision in corneal-related blindness. Nevertheless, more long-term evidence is needed to better evaluate these promising new techniques.     

Further Identification of The Hyperunstable α-Globin Chain Variant Hb Heraklion [codons 36/37 (–CCC); Pro→0 (α1)] in Greek Cases With Co-Inherited α+-Thalassemia Mutations

We report four Greek cases (from three unrelated families), who all had a similar atypical thalassemia intermedia phenotype, characterized by chronic moderate anemia, mild hemolysis and splenomegaly in the absence of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) fractions. In all four cases (two unrelated children and two siblings), DNA analysis identified common α⁺-thalassemia (α⁺-thal) mutations in trans to the in frame 3 bp deletion (?CCC) on the α1-globin gene between codons 36 and 37, which has previously been reported as Hb Heraklion in a single Greek case. Clinical, hematological and biochemical findings in all cases, including a follow-up evaluation of the original case, are described. All the cases originated from the Greek island of Crete.     

Effects of opiates on the growth of neuron-enriched cultures from chick embryonic brain

Neuron-enriched cultures derived from 6-day-old chick embryo cerebral hemispheres were treated with morphine or methadone, 10(-5) M or 10(-6) M, on days 4-6 or 6-8 in culture and were evaluated morphologically and biochemically at day 9 using phase contrast microscopy and choline acetyltransferase activity (ChAT) as a cholinergic marker. The treatment of the cultures with morphine markedly affected their growth pattern; specifically, we observed an increased number of flat cells presumptively glia, and aggregates sided by flat cells and devoid of thick bundles of neuritic processes that normally characterize neuron-enriched cultures. These morphologic changes were reflected in a drastic decrease of ChAT activity in cultures treated from day 4 to day 6 but not from 6 to 8. In contrast to morphine, exposure to 10(-6) M methadone from day 4 to day 6 resulted in reduced ChAT activity but the growth pattern of the cultures remained morphologically intact. We suggest that morphine exerts a general neurotoxic effect whereas methadone may affect some specific cholinergic function.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae)

The in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae) were investigated. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 36 compounds constituting 90.8% of the total oil. Eucalyptol, camphor, alpha-terpineol, beta-pinene, and borneol were the principal components comprising 60.7% of the oil. The oil strongly reduced the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (IC(50)=1.56 micro g/ml) and exhibited hydroxyl radical scavenging effect in the Fe(3+)-EDTA-H(2)O(2) deoxyribose system (IC(50)=2.7 micro g/ml). It also inhibited the nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation of rat liver homogenate (IC(50)=13.5 micro g/ml). The polar phase of the extract showed antioxidant activity. The oil showed antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Candida krusei while water-insoluble parts of the methanolic extracts exhibited slight or no activity. This study confirms that the essential oil of Achillea millefolium possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in vitro.     

QSAR Studies of Some Sulphonamidobenzophenone Oximes with Antiviral Activity

A study of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) has been performed for some sulphonamidobenzophenone oximes to investigate the mechanism of their antiviral activity against polio and rhino viruses. It has been shown that viral macromolecule synthesis could be the target of their action and that the antiviral activity of the compounds is predominantly controlled by steric factors.     

Changes in suicidal behavior among nation-wide general population samples across Greece

Summary During recent years, two nationwide crossectional domestic surveys on psychosocial issues and health status were carried out in Greece. Both studies were conducted with identical methodology (personal interview) and screening instruments, with probability samples of 4083 adults aged 20–64 years (study A) and 3708 respondents of the same age range (study B). The time interval between the first and the second study was 6 years. The presence of self-reported suicidal behavior during the last month prior to the interview was examined. In study A, 2.8% of males and 6.8% of females respondents reported a recent suicide ideation compared to 6.4% of the males and 14.9% of the female suicide ideators in study B.However, only 0.27% of the males and 1.10% of the females in study A attempted suicide. These proportions were doubled in study B. The prevalence of depressive symptoms on the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was high among the respondents reporting a previous suicide ideation and suicide attempts.Discriminant analysis revealed several social and psychiatric factors predicting suicidal behavior.Department of Anthropology and Social Policy Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences     

Family burden in chronic mental illness: a review of research studies

Early research has established that burden exists and has identified certain behaviours of mentally ill relatives that family members find most distressing Further research has confirmed the accuracy of the early work and has focused on the severity of mental illness Recent research has stressed the importance of social support in the study of caregiver burden This paper explores the research literature that covers the concept of caregiver burden in the area of mental illness and also presents developed instruments for the study of caregiver burden