The effects of extraction method on the measured tocopherol level and antioxidant activity of L. nobilis vegetative organs

Tocopherol contents of Tunisian Laurus nobilis vegetative organs were screened for antioxidant activity. Tocopherol isomers extracted by probe sonication and micro-scale saponification were analysed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection to determine the optimum extraction method. Total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Significant variations in the amounts of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols were observed with the two different extraction methods as well as with different plant parts. Leaf extract contained the highest amount of α-tocopherol (139 mg/100 g fresh weight), but root extract contained the highest content of flavonoids (11.12 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g dry weight or DW), total phenolics (55.45 ± 2.9 mg GAE/g DW) and condensed tannins (9.76 ± 0.1 mg CE/g DW). Acetonic extract of laurel leaf exhibited the highest antioxidant activity response to lipid peroxidation in the β-carotene-linoleic acid system, which may have been due to the high content of α-tocopherol. These findings suggest that laurel leaf may be a source of natural α-tocopherol and that it may be increasingly important for human consumption, as well as for the agro-food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.     

Advanced carcinoma of the tongue: Total glossectomy without total laryngectomy. review of 80 cases

Opinions are divided over the validity of total glossectomy without associated total laryngectomy for advanced carcinoma of the tongue. This retrospective study evaluates the oncologic and functional results obtained in 80 patients who underwent total glossectomy as a primary procedure or as salvage surgery. Satisfactory swallowing ability was obtained in 41 patients, and speech was understandable in 49 patients. The survival rate at 1 year was 65%, with early recurrence of the disease, which was especially frequent in patients with prior radiotherapy, being the major cause of death. The study confirms the poor prognosis of cases with mandibular involvement, and the fact that partial laryngectomy, when required, impairs functional results. In the light of the authors' experience, total glossectomy without total laryngectomy should only be undertaken in motivated and well-supported patients able to accomplish the difficult rehabilitation process.     

Chronic laryngitis in adults

BACKGROUND: Chronic laryngitis is a lingering inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, caused by specific aetiology and often irritative factors. AIM: To discuss clinic and therapeutic aspects of the pathology. METHODS: We report a retrospective stuy about 25 patients treated and followed for non specific chronic laryngitis over a period of 11 years (1994-2004). RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 54.2 years. Tobacco intoxication was noted in 72.7 of cases and Gastroesophageal reflux in 2 cases. The endoscopic examination of laryngeal lesions, realised in all cases, notes laryngeal keratosis in 88% of cases and congestive laryngitis in 12%. Histological analysis of the lesions reveals a dysplasia in 44% of cases. Clinical and endoscopic follow up of the patients discover malignant development in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: The treatment of chronic laryngitis is based on the suppression of etiologic factors and on laryngeal microsurgery with micro instruments and with laser techniques.     

Screening and management of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients

Diabetes represents as independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and the prognosis in term of survival rates is worse for diabetic patients who have CAD with report to those with CAD but no diabetes. The coronary artery disease in diabetes has specificities and, in particular, more extensive atherosclerosis. Diabetic patients are also more frequently asymptomatic. Due to the extreme complexity of ischemic vascular disease in patients with diabetes, an optimal therapeutic strategy is based on the correction of elevated blood glucose and lipid levels, of blood pressure, of platelet and coagulation abnormalities. Diabetic patients benefit from secondary prevention by drug therapy(aspirin, lipid lowering with statines, beta blocker and ACE inhibitors) to the same extent as, or more than, non-diabetic patients. Both percutaneous and surgical myocardial revascularization have been proved equally effective for CAD treatment in diabetes. A recent randomized trial has shown a significantly improved outcome after surgical revascularization. But, the effects of drug-eluting stents, which dramatically decrease the incidence of re-stenosis, seem promising.     

Prevalence and diversity of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in untreated drinking water in portugal

We examined the prevalence and diversity of carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB) in untreated drinking water. Prevalence was estimated in plate count agar (PCA) and R2A media with or without antibiotics. Clonal relatedness of isolates was established by repetitive extragenic palindroitic (REP)-PCR. Phylogeny was based on the 16S rRNA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disc diffusion methods. Genes encoding beta-lactamases and integrases were inspected by PCR. CRB ranged from 0.02% to 15.9% of cultivable bacteria, while ampicillin-resistant bacteria ranged from 1.5% to 31.4%. Carbapenem-resistant isolates affiliated with genera Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Janthinobacterium, Chryseobacterium, Sphingobacterium, Acidovorax, Caulobacter, Cupriavidus, and Sphingomonas. CRB were highly resistant to beta-lactams, but mostly susceptible to other classes. Transmissible beta-lactamase genes and integrase genes were not detected. The genus-specific bla(L1) was detected in 61% of the Stenotrophomonas isolates. Contrarily to what has been reported for extensively used antibiotics, low levels of carbapenem resistance were detected in untreated drinking water, often represented by intrinsically resistant genera. Production of chromosomal-encoded carbapenemases was the prevalent carbapenem resistance mechanism. Results suggest that the dissemination of anthropogenic-derived carbapenem resistance is at an early stage. This presents an opportunity to rationally develop monitoring strategies to identify dissemination routes and assess the impact of human actions in the environmental resistome.     

Maxillary expansion and molar rotation using the Nitanium Molar Rotator

In a presentation illustrated by clinical cases, the author describes the Nitanium Molar Rotator (NMR), its indications and its use, its advantages and its disadvantages. He also shows how to incorporate this super flexible arch wire with excellent memory and tight fitting bracket insertion in lateral sectors in order to maximize expansion of the maxilla. With this device orthodontists can create or modify the tipping of molars as they are being distalized.     

Evolution of β-lactams resistance in Gram-negative bacteria in Tunisia

Antimicrobial resistance is a major health problem worldwide, but marked variations in the resistance profiles of bacterial pathogens are found between countries and in different patient settings. In Tunisia, the strikingly high prevalence of resistance of bacteria to penicillins and cephalorosporins drugs including fourth generation in clinical isolates of Gram negative bacteria has been reported. During 30 years, the emerging problem of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates is substantial, and some unique enzymes have been found. Recently, evidence that Gram-negative bacteria are resistant to nearly all available antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, have emerged.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the edible medicinal halophyte Tamarix gallica L. and related polyphenolic constituents

Tamarix gallica is a halophytic species having hepatotonic and stimulant properties, as it was traditionally used in the treatment of various liver disorders. Leaf and flower infusion have anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheic proprieties. In this work, we have investigated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and flower extracts and their phenolic composition. Results showed that flowers exhibit a higher antioxidant activity as compared to the leaves, IC₅₀ values of the flower extracts are being 1.3 (β-carotene bleaching) to 19 times (lipid peroxidation inhibition) lower than those for leaves. Accordingly, flower extracts exhibited the highest total phenolic content (135.35 mg GAE/g DW) and RP-HPLC analysis showed that syringic acid, isoquercitin as well as catechin were the major phenolics. Furthermore, Tamarix extracts showed appreciable antibacterial properties against human pathogen strains. The mean inhibition zone was from 0 to 6.5 mm when the concentration increased from 2 to 100 mg/l. The strongest activity was recorded against Micrococcus luteus and the lowest activity was observed against Escherichia coli. Moreover, organ extracts show a weakly to moderate activity against the tested Candida. These findings suggest that Tamarix may be considered as an interesting source of antioxidants for therapeutic or nutraceutical industries and for food manufactures.     

A novel extended-spectrum TEM-type beta-lactamase, TEM-138, from Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis

A novel natural TEM beta-lactamase with extended-spectrum activity, TEM-138, was identified in a ceftazidime-resistant clinical isolate of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis. Compared to TEM-1, TEM-138 contains the following mutations: E104K, N175I, and G238S. The bla(TEM-138) gene was located on a 50-kb transferable plasmid. Expression studies with Escherichia coli revealed efficient ceftazidimase and cefotaximase activities for TEM-138.