Antibacterial activity of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea L. leaves extracts against common nosocomial pathogens

In ancient times, botanical extracts were essential complementary method for microbial control. This study has been carried out to assess the antibacterial activities of methanol, acetone, and aqueous leaf extracts of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea L. against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, S. haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis) using the agar well diffusion method. Based on the inhibition zone's diameter or appearance, the tested MDR bacteria were identified as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant using the standard criteria. The current study's findings showed that the concentration, type of solvent and bacterial species had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the plant extracts. Results of the study revealed that the methanol and acetone extracts demonstrated moderate to excellent antibacterial properties against all tested bacteria at all predefined concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100%), with the zone of inhibition ranging from 15.66 to 27.66 mm. Among the tested solvents, the aqueous extract of J. phoenicea was the least effective against the clinical bacterial isolates. Further, the plant's leaf extracts were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Most importantly, neither the aqueous extract nor the standard antibiotics inhibited P. aeruginosa, while the methanol and acetone extracts displayed remarkable inhibition zones against all tested bacteria. Consequently, the plant extracts (acetone and methanol) in this study may provide insightful information about the potential use of J. phoenicea leaves as a natural antibacterial agent, which could be used to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Fibromuscular dysplasia presenting as a renal infarction: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Fibromuscular dysplasia is a non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the renal and internal carotid arteries.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 44-year-old Caucasian man who was admitted with complaints of loin pain and hypertension. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a right renal infarction with a nodular aspect of the right renal artery. Subsequent renal angiography revealed a typical 'string of beads' pattern of the right renal artery with thrombus formation. Oral anticoagulation was started and the secondary hypertension was easily controlled with anti-hypertensive drugs. At follow-up, our patient refused percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty as a definitive treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Fibromuscular dysplasia is the most common cause of renovascular hypertension in patients under 50 years of age. Presentation with renal infarction is rare.</p> <p>In fibromuscular dysplasia, angioplasty has been proven to have, at least for some indications, an advantage over anti-hypertensive drugs. Therefore, hypertension secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia is the most common cause of curable hypertension.</p

Findings in multi-detector row CT with portal phase enhancement in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis.

There exists no systematic evaluation on the findings in multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) with portal phase enhancement in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT). Patients with MVT between 2004 and 2006 were identified at Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. Thirty patients had MVT. Median age was 58 years (interquartile range, 46-72), and 57% (17) were men. MDCT with portal phase enhancement showed MVT in 19 out of 20 investigated patients at first evaluation, even though there was clinical suspicion in only one, and conservative management was possible in 19 (95%). Central and peripheral MVT was seen in 20 (100%) and six (30%) cases, respectively. Extra-hepatic and intra-hepatic portal and splenic vein thrombosis was seen in 17 (85%), nine (45%) and 15 (75%) cases, respectively. Venous collaterals were visible in 12 (60%) cases. The most frequent extra-vascular pathologies were mesenteric oedema (50%), ascites (40%), small bowel wall oedema (25%) and local small bowel wall dilatation (20%). The vascular findings in MVT are more pronounced than the intestinal findings in MDCT with portal phase enhancement, and evaluation of the mesenteric vessels should be included in routine MDCT scans for unclear acute abdomen

Impact of IL28B polymorphism on treatment induced viral clearance in HCV infected Egyptian patients

Background and objective: Interleukin (IL) 28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) was recently recognized as predictor of SVR in HCV infected patients treated by combination therapy of pegylatedinterferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). The aim of the current study was to assess IL 28B polymorphism SNP (rs12979860) as a predictor of response to combined Peg-INF/RBV therapy in Egyptian chronic HCV infected patients.Design and methods: The study was conducted on 247 HCV infected patients and 100 apparently healthy control subjects. All patients were treated with PEG-IFN-α/ribavirin; and they were classified according to their response to treatment. Genotyping of IL28B rs12979860 was performed on peripheral blood DNA using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.Results: The overall frequency of IL28B genotypes was 24.7%, 50.2% and 25.1% for genotypes CC, CT and TT respectively, while the response rate was 82%, 38.7% and 43.8% for genotypes CC, CT and TT respectively, moreover, genotype CC had increased probability to HCV clearance than both genotypes CT and TT with OR 7.71 (95%CI: 3.71-15.79).Conclusion: Genotyping of IL28B at SNP rs12979860 could be used as a guide to tailor treatment in Egyptian patients infected with HCV for better outcome.Key wards: Hepatitis C virus, Pegylated-interferon, ribavirin, sustained virological response, IL28