Antibacterial activity of ginger extracts and its essential oil on some of pathogenic bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of ginger extracts ( cold-water, hot-water, ethanolic and essential oil ) against some of pathogenic bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Salmonella sp , Klebsiella sp , Serratia marcescens, Vibrio cholerae , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus sp) was investigated using Disc diffusion method , and the results were compared with the antimicrobial activity of 12 antibiotics on the same bacteria . The results showed that the ginger extracts were more effective on gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative . V. cholerae and S. marcescens,were the most resistant bacteria to the extracts used , while highest inhibition was noticed against Streptococcus sp (28 mm) . The ethanolic extract showed the broadest antibacterial activity ( 11 to 28 mm ) , in comparison with moderate activity of essential oil , it was observed that the cold-water extract was more effective on the bacteria than hot-water extract . Ginger ethanolic extract presented higher diameter of inhibition zone for Streptococcus sp than in Ciprofloxacin , Cefotaxime , Cefalotin , Cephalexin and Cephaloridine , also it was found a similarity between the higher inhibition zones of ethanolic extract of ginger and some antibiotics for S. aureus , E. coli , Salmonella sp and Klebsiella sp . V. cholerae and S. marcescens,also highly resistant to antibiotics . Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of ginger revealed the present of glycosides, terpenoids, flavonids and phenolic compound

Independent and combined effects of all-out sprint and low-intensity continuous exercise on plasma oxidative stress biomarkers in trained judokas

The purpose of this study was to assess oxidative stress biomarkers prior to and following different forms of exercise. Ten elite male judokas (age: 18.1±1.7 years, athletic experience: 6 years with a training frequency of 6 Judo-sessions/week) performed three cycle ergometry sessions comprising a 30s Wingate test (MAX), 30 min at 60% maximal-aerobic-power-output (LOW) or these two exercise protocols combined (COMBINED) in a repeated-measures design. Venous blood-samples were collected before, and 0(P0), 5(P5), 10(P10) and 20(P20) min after each exercise protocol and assessed for malondialdehyde concentration ([MDA]), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) content, and total-antioxidant-status (TAS). Plasma [MDA] was found to be increased above baseline at P0 and P5 in the MAX, LOW and COMBINED conditions (p<0.05), but was greater at P10 and P20 in the LOW condition compared to MAX and COMBINED conditions (p<0.05). Plasma GPX and SOD content increased above baseline at P0 in MAX and COMBINED and at P5 in LOW (p<0.05), with GR content being similar between groups at P0 and P5 (p>0.05). Twenty min post-exercise, plasma GPX, SOD, GR content and TAS were lower in the MAX compared to the LOW and COMBINED conditions (p<0.05). In conclusion, the findings from this study reveal that redox-related biomarkers exhibited divergent response dynamics following different forms of exercise, which might have implications for understanding the mechanisms of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue and adaptive remodeling

Amalgam management among clinical dental students a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey

To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of amalgam management by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) clinical dental students. Materials and methods: Validated written questionnaires were distributed to the year 4 and year 5 students as well as lecturers who were involved in the clinical sessions. Data was collected over two months. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 software. There were no significant differences between the students and clinical lecturers in terms of (1) knowledge of mercury exposure from amalgam and (2) amalgam handling practices (p > .05), except for the usage of high-volume evacuators and rubber dams as well as pouring of amalgam wastes from the filters into the sinks. As for amalgam-disposal practices, the responses were varied but there were no significant differences between the both groups as well (p > .05). Overall, 83% and 52.4% of the students disposed of non-contact and contact amalgam wastes respectively into closed containers which contained oil. Interestingly, 69.2% of the students claimed that they followed the prescribed amalgam management protocol at the clinic, even though 70.8% of them did not know the exact protocol and wanted to learn more about the same. The KAP of IIUM’s clinical dental students were not significantly different from those of the lecturers. However, the amalgam management protocol at the clinic should be revised to better organize the same

The challenge of criteria for interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features

International audienc

Interstitial Pneumonia With Autoimmune Features (IPAF)

A significant proportion of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) manifest autoimmune features, but do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for a definite connective tissue disease (CTD). In 2015, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) "Task Force on undifferentiated Forms of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease" proposed classification criteria for a so-called research category of Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features (IPAF). These classification criteria were based on a combination of features from three domains: a clinical domain consisting of extra-thoracic features; a serologic domain with specific autoantibodies; and a morphologic domain with imaging patterns, histopathological findings or multi-compartment involvement. Patients meeting IPAF criteria tend to have a history of smoking similar to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The most frequent clinical and serological markers of autoimmune features are Raynaud' phenomenon and positive antinuclear antibodies, respectively. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia is the predominant radiologic and histopathologic pattern, although patients meeting IPAF criteria through the clinical and serologic domains may also have a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Management should be carefully individualized on a case-by-case basis in keeping with the wide heterogeneity of IPAF and lack of evidence in this particular subgroup of patients. Prognosis is generally intermediate between that of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease, but substantially variable according to the predominant histologic and radiologic patterns. As acknowledged by the Task Force, the proposed classification scheme of IPAF is a research concept that will need revision and refinement based on data to better inform prognostication and patient care

An adaptive heuristic for Feeder Network Design with optional transshipment

This paper studies the Feeder Network Design Problem (FNDP), which considers the design of a minimum cost liner shipping network for the transportation of cargo (containers) between a given hub port and a set of feeder ports. In addition to determining the services to operate (i.e., the routes), the FNDP deals with deciding the fleet of vessels to deploy on these services. In contrast to most FNDPs previously studied in the literature, the feeder network can, if found beneficial, be a hub-and-spoke system where cargo can be transshipped at any feeder ports. Thus, we denote our problem as the Feeder Network Design with Optional Transshipment (FND-OT). To solve the FND-OT, we propose a novel adaptive Heuristic with a special data structure for solution representation, which gives significant speed-ups. Furthermore, a new escape algorithm is used to escape from local optima. We show that the adaptive heuristic outperforms an existing solution algorithm in the literature on a set of realistic test instances. We also present results for a new set of instances adapted from a previously published benchmark suite (LINER-LIB) and show that including the possibility of having cargo transshipment in the FNDP can give significant benefits and reduced costs.publishedVersio

Pulmonary function test results are correlated with 6-minute walk distance, distance-saturation product, and 6-minute walk work in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis

International audienceBackground and objective: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multicystic lung disease. Although a correlation between pulmonary function test (PFT) results and exercise capacity appears probable, it has not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess whether PFT results correlate with 6-minute walk test (6MWT) results in patients with LAM.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with a diagnosis of LAM followed in a French ref-erence centre over a 13-year period. PFT and 6MWT data were collected. Distance-saturation product (DSP) and 6-minute walk work (6MWORK) were calculated. Results: A total of 62 patients were included. Their median forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 82.7 % predicted and their median forced vital capacity (FVC) was 96.7 % predicted. The median diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was 58.5 % predicted and was decreased in 79 % of the patients. The median 6-minute walk distance was 535 m, which was 90.9 % of the 602 m predicted distance. The median DSP was 497.4 m % and the median 6MWORK was 32,910 kg.m. The distance walked during the 6MWT was significantly correlated with FVC%predicted (R = 0.435), FEV1 %predicted (R = 0.303), TLC%predicted (R = 0.345), FRC%predicted (R = 0.262), RV/TLC ratio (R =-0.271), and DLCO%predicted (R = 0.279). DSP and 6MWORK were each significantly correlated with different PFT results.Conclusion: The present study shows that PFT results are potential predictors of the exercise capacity in patients with LAM. Additional studies are required to evaluate the interest of DSP and 6MWORK in LAM

Bioreactance assessment of cardiac output lacks reliability for the follow-up of patients with pulmonary hypertension

International audienceCardiac output (CO) is one of the primary prognostic factors evaluated during the follow-up of patients treated for pulmonary hypertension (PH). It is recommended that it be measured using the thermodilution technique during right heart catheterization. The difficulty to perform iterative invasive measurements on the same individual led us to consider a non-invasive option. The aims of the present study were to assess the agreement between CO values obtained using bioreactance (Starling ™ SV) and thermodilution, and to evaluate the ability of the bioreactance monitor to detect patients whose CO decreased by more than 15% during follow-up and, accordingly, its usefulness for patient monitoring. A prospective cohort study evaluating the performance of the Starling ™ SV monitor was conducted in patients with clinically stable PH. Sixty patients referred for hemodynamic assessment were included. CO was measured using both the thermodilution technique and bioreactance during two follow-up visits. A total of 60 PH patients were included. All datasets were available at the baseline visit (V0) and 50 of them were usable during the follow-up visit (V1). Median [IQR] CO was 4.20 l/min [3.60–4.70] when assessed by bioreactance, and 5.30 l/min [4.57–6.20] by thermodilution (p&lt;0.001). The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.51 [0.36–0.64], and the average deviation on Bland-Altman plot was -1.25 l/min (95% CI [-1.48–1.01], p&lt;0.001). The ability of the monitor to detect a variation in CO of more than 15% between two follow-up measurements, when such variation existed using thermodilution, was insufficient for clinical practice (AUC = 0.54, 95% CI [0.33–0.75])