Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of helichrysum amorginum cultivated in Greece

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of the cultivated Helichrysum amorginum was investigated by GC and GC/MS. From the 29 identified constituents representing 85.0% of the total oil, spathulenol (36.6%) and β-pinene (12.5%) were the major components. Furthermore, it was found that the oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity against four Gram-negative bacteria, two Gram-positive and three pathogenic fungi. © 2004, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Helichrysum kraussii Sch. Bip. and H. rugulosum Less. from South Africa

The chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Helichrysum kraussii and H. rugulosum were analysed by GC and GC-MS. From the 39 identified constituents, representing 85.1% and 92.9% of the two oils, respectively, β-caryophyllene (30.7%, 12.6%), α-pinene (12.1%,-), β-caryophyllene oxide (-, 8.8%), cis-α-bisabolene (-, 22.7%), β-bisabolene (-, 4.7%) and α-humulene (9.8%, -) were found to be the main components. Furthermore, the oils were tested against six Gram-positive or - negative bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. It was found that oils from both plants, and especially that of H. rugulosum, exhibited interesting antibacterial activity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of two Helichrysum species from Tanzania

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Helichrysum cymosum and H. fulgidum, from Tanzania, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. A total of sixty-five compounds, representing 92.4% and 88.2% of the two oils, respectively, were identified, trans-Caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, β-pinene, p-cymene, spathulenol and β-bourbonene were found to be the main components. Furthermore, the oils were tested against six gram (±) bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. It was found that the oil of H. fulgidum exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, while the oil of H. cymosum was not active at all

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Helichrysum kraussii Sch. Bip. and H. rugulosum Less. from South Africa

The chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Helichrysum kraussii and H. rugulosum were analysed by GC and GC-MS. From the 39 identified constituents, representing 85.1% and 92.9% of the two oils, respectively, β-caryophyllene (30.7%, 12.6%), α-pinene (12.1%,-), β-caryophyllene oxide (-, 8.8%), cis-α-bisabolene (-, 22.7%), β-bisabolene (-, 4.7%) and α-humulene (9.8%, -) were found to be the main components. Furthermore, the oils were tested against six Gram-positive or - negative bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. It was found that oils from both plants, and especially that of H. rugulosum, exhibited interesting antibacterial activity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Screening for hypertension in children and adolescents to prevent cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in children, and may persist into adulthood. This systematic review was conducted for the US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation on the effectiveness of screening asymptomatic children and adolescents for hypertension in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified from Medline and the Cochrane Library (through July 2012). We included trials and controlled observational studies in asymptomatic children and adolescents on the effectiveness and harms of screening and treatment, as well as accuracy of blood pressure measurement. One author extracted study characteristics and results, which were checked for accuracy by a second author. RESULTS: No studies evaluated the effects of screening for hypertension on health outcomes. Two studies of screening tests for elevated blood pressure reported moderate sensitivities (0.65, 0.72) and specificities (0.75, 0.92). Sensitivities and specificities of child hypertension for the later presence of adult hypertension (7 studies) were wide ranging (0-0.63 and 0.77-1.0, respectively), and associations between child hypertension and carotid intima media thickening and proteinuria in young adults (3 studies) were inconsistent. Seven studies reported that drug interventions effectively lowered blood pressure in adolescents over short follow-up periods. No serious treatment-related adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: There is no direct evidence that screening for hypertension in children and adolescents reduces adverse cardiovascular outcomes in adults. Additional studies are needed to improve diagnosis and risk stratification of children with elevated blood pressure and to quantify risks and benefits of interventions

Peritoneal dialysis as a therapeutic solution in elderly patients with cardiorenal syndrome and heart failure: A case-series report

Background: The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of peritoneal dialysis (PD) on venous congestion, right ventricular function, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and clinical functional status in elderly patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and chronic heart failure (HF). Methods: A case series of 21 (17 males, age 70 ± 11 years) consecutive patients with HF along with diuretic resistance and right ventricular dysfunction (median renal failure duration 60 months, range 13-287 months, mean ejection fraction 36 ± 11%) having been engaged in PD; 76% of the patients were under automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), whereas the rest were under continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD). Patients’ PASP and central venous pressure (CVP) – through compression sonography – and body weight were evaluated before initiating the PD program and at 6 and 12 months. Results: During the follow-up period, the mortality rate was 8 deaths out of 21 patients (38%) A significant reduction by 29.9% in PASP levels (p = 0.013) and by 42% in CVP levels (p < 0.001), and in right ventricular function assessed by tricuspid annulus tissue Doppler velocity (p = 0.04) was observed, whereas patients’ weight increased by 3.7% (p = 0.001). New York Heart Association class improved in 12 patients, whereas in the remaining patients, it remained constant (p = 0.046). In 8 patients, complications were reported (mainly presence of Staphylococcus aureus). In conclusion, PD seems to confer a substantial benefit in clinical status, which is in line with improvement in venous congestion and right ventricular systolic pressure among elderly patients with HF along with CRS. © 2019 Hellenic Society of Cardiolog