Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from the medicinal plant Mentha cervina L. grown in Portugal

Mentha cervina is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Portugal in folk medicine, in different gastric disorders and inflammations of the respiratory tract. In order to validate those traditional uses, M. cervina essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC and GC–MS and their antimicrobial activity was tested against 23 bacterial strains (including multiresistant strains). The EOs were dominated by the monoterpenes pulegone (52–75%), isomenthone (8–24%), limonene (4–6%), and menthone (1–2%). The antibacterial activity of these EOs was compared to that of the main components standards. The most effective antibacterial activity was expressed by the EOs against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumanni, with MIC values of 1 mg/ml. The EOs complex mixtures were more active than the individual aromatic components supporting the hypothesis that the EOs antibacterial activity is a function of the synergistic effect of their different aromatic components. These results show the potential role of M. cervina EOs as antibacterial agents and validate the traditional use of this plant

First Direct Evidence of Chalcolithic Footwear from the Near Eastern Highlands

In 2008, a well preserved and complete shoe was recovered at the base of a Chalcolithic pit in the cave of Areni-1, Armenia. Here, we discuss the chronology of this find, its archaeological context and its relevance to the study of the evolution of footwear. Two leather samples and one grass sample from the shoe were dated at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU). A third leather sample was dated at the University of California-Irvine Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility (UCIAMS). The R_Combine function for the three leather samples provides a date range of 3627–3377 Cal BC (95.4% confidence interval) and the calibrated range for the straw is contemporaneous (3627–3377 Cal BC). The shoe was stuffed with loose, unfastened grass (Poaceae) without clear orientation which was more than likely used to maintain the shape of the shoe and/or prepare it for storage. The shoe is 24.5 cm long (European size 37), 7.6 to 10 cm wide, and was made from a single piece of leather that wrapped around the foot. It was worn and shaped to the wearer's right foot, particularly around the heel and hallux where the highest pressure is exerted in normal gait. The Chalcolithic shoe provides solid evidence for the use of footwear among Old World populations at least since the Chalcolithic. Other 4th millennium discoveries of shoes (Italian and Swiss Alps), and sandals (Southern Israel) indicate that more than one type of footwear existed during the 4th millennium BC, and that we should expect to discover more regional variations in the manufacturing and style of shoes where preservation conditions permit

Rib biomechanical properties exhibit diagnostic potential for accurate ageing in forensic investigations

Age estimation remains one of the most challenging tasks in forensic practice when establishing a biological profile of unknown skeletonised remains. Morphological methods based on developmental markers of bones can provide accurate age estimates at a young age, but become highly unreliable for ages over 35 when all developmental markers disappear. This study explores the changes in the biomechanical properties of bone tissue and matrix, which continue to change with age even after skeletal maturity, and their potential value for age estimation. As a proof of concept we investigated the relationship of 28 variables at the macroscopic and microscopic level in rib autopsy samples from 24 individuals. Stepwise regression analysis produced a number of equations one of which with seven variables showed an R2=0.949; a mean residual error of 2.13 yrs ±0.4 (SD) and a maximum residual error value of 2.88 yrs. For forensic purposes, by using only bench top machines in tests which can be carried out within 36 hrs, a set of just 3 variables produced an equation with an R2=0.902 a mean residual error of 3.38 yrs ±2.6 (SD) and a maximum observed residual error 9.26yrs. This method outstrips all existing age-at-death methods based on ribs, thus providing a novel lab based accurate tool in the forensic investigation of human remains. The present application is optimised for fresh (uncompromised by taphonomic conditions) remains, but the potential of the principle and method is vast once the trends of the biomechanical variables are established for other environmental conditions and circumstances

Cystic lesions in spinal astrocytoma [Spinal astrositomda kistik lezyonlar]

[No abstract available

GST isoenzymes in matched normal and neoplastic breast tissue

The potential to metabolize endogenous and exogenous substances may influence breast cancer development and tumor growth. Therefore we investigated GST activity and the protein expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) isoenzymes known to be involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous carcinogens in breast cancer tissue to obtain new information on their possible role in tumor progression

Influence of Cervitec gel on periodontal health of patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances

Background/purpose: This double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% chlorhexidine containing Cervitec gel on periodontal health during orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods: Twenty-five patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly assigned to the Cervitec (n = 13) or control (n = 12) groups. After clinical examination at first visit, all patients received professional prophylaxis, and 2 weeks later baseline (B) evaluations are performed. Later, oral hygiene procedures were refrained for 3 days until Day 0, during which the participants in the Cervitec group were instructed to brush with standard toothpaste (ST) (1 × 1) and Cervitec (1 × 1), whereas the control group received placebo (1 × 1) until Day 14. Between Day 14 and Day 28, patients returned to brushing with ST (2 × 1). The clinical measurements were recorded and subgingival plaque samples were collected at first visit, B, Day 0, Day 14, and Day 28. Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed for total bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), and Treponema denticola (T.d.) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: After receiving professional prophylaxis and oral hygiene instructions, remarkable improvements was seen in clinical and microbiological variables of the study. Although there was a significant reduction in the Quigley–Hein Plaque Index (mQHI) score at Day 14 in only the Cervitec group (P < 0.01), both the Cervitec group and the control group revealed significant reductions in the mQHI score at Day 28 compared with Day 0 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Intragroup and intergroup evaluations revealed no statistically significant alterations for P.g. and T.d. Conclusion: The present data suggested that brushing with Cervitec gel once a day has the potential to reduce bacterial accumulation around teeth and fixed appliances in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, within the limits of this study, Cervitec seems to have no significant effect on total bacteria, P.g., and T.d. levels of subgingival dental plaque

Sondaj sıvılarının neden olduğu formasyon hasarının deneysel ve nümerik değerlendirilmesi

Formasyon hasarı, petrol ve gaz kuyularında tanımlanması zor kavramlardan biridir. Sondaj sıvısının yarattığı formasyon hasarına yoğunlaşılan bu çalışmada, laboartuvar ve matematik modellemenin dahil edildiği entegre bir yaklaşım kullanılmıştır. Bu yaklaşımda, (1) laboratuvar çalışmalarından sondaj sıvısının neden olduğu formasyon hasarının değerlendirilmesi ve (2) matematik model ile fiziksel verilerin entegrasyonu birlikte incelenmiştir. Farklı sondaj sıvısı sirkülasyonlarından sonra ölçülen son geçirgenlik değerleri, ilk geçirgenlik değerlerinden düşük olmuştur. Filitrasyon suyu hacminin arttığı deneylerde, tapa karot yüzeyinde oluşan sondaj sıvısı kek kalınlıkları azalmış ve sondaj sıvısı tipine göre farklı kek kalınlıkları oluşmuştur. Matematik simulasyonlar, tapa karot boyunca ileri ve geri yönlerin her ikisinde farklı hacimsel akış hızlarıyla test edilmişlerdir. Zamana bağlı olarak her bir grid içerisinde, tıkanmaya neden olan tanecik konsantrasyonu artmış ve buda geçirgenliğin azalmasına neden olmuştur. Deneylerden elde edilen formasyon hasar değerlerinin simulasyon programından elde edilen değerlerle benzerlik gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir