INDICELE INTIMĂ MEDIE CAROTIDIAN LA COPIII OBEZI NĂSCUŢI CU GREUTATE MICĂ PENTRU VÂRSTA GESTAŢIONALĂ VERSUS CEI NĂSCUŢI CU GREUTATE NORMALĂ PENTRU VÂRSTA GESTAŢIONALĂ

Indicele intimǎ medie carotidian (IMc) este un cunoscut marker subclinic pentru aterosclerozǎ. Fenomenul de recuperare nutriţionalǎ la copiii nǎscuţi mici pentru vârsta gestaţionalǎ (SGA) a fost asociat cu obezitate precoce şi cu riscul dezvoltǎrii sindromului metabolic. Scop. De a determina dacǎ existǎ o asociere între SGA şi IMc; de a stabili valori prag ale IMc la copiii obezi. Material şi metodǎ. Studiul prospectiv a fot derulat pe o perioadǎ de un an (iulie 2012 – iunie 2013). Au fost analizaţi 122 de pacienţi cu obezitate, 96 de pacienţi nǎscuţi cu greutate normalǎ pentru naştere (AGA) şi 26 de pacienţi nǎscuţi cu greutate micǎ pentru naştere (SGA). Ambele loturi au fost omogene din punct de vedere al vârstei, sexului şi indicelui de masǎ corporalǎ (IMC). Folosind curba ROC au fost stabilite valori prag pentru ambele grupe. IMc a fost semnifi cativ mai crescut la lotul SGA (p = 0,0035). Valoarea prag de 0,049 cm pentru IMc a fost obţinutǎ la ambele loturi, cumulat, cu o specifi citate şi sensibilitate crescutǎ. Concluzii. Copiii nǎscuţi SGA se asociazǎ cu risc aterosclerotic. IMc este un cunoscut marker subclinic pentru aterosclerozǎ, fi ind o metodǎ ieftinǎ şi noninvazivǎ. Studii populaţionale extinse sunt necesare în vederea stabilirii unor valori prag în ceea ce priveşte IMc

Recent Advances in Investigation, Prevention, and Management of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): resistant Multidrug Strain Colonization and Its Risk Factors in an Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital

L

Equisetum arvense

Background. The antimicrobial activity of the Equisetum arvense L. extract and the mechanisms involved in the in vitro effects on endothelial vascular cells exposed to hyperosmotic stress were evaluated. Methods. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, and oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, in pretreatment with Equisetum arvense L., caffeic acid, and cathechin, were quantified. Results. The results have shown that Equisetum arvense L. exhibited antibacterial effects only on pathogenic gram-positive cocci. The modulatory activity of Equisetum arvense L. on endothelial cells exposed to hypertonic medium was different and depended on the concentration used. Low concentrations of tested compounds exerted antioxidant effect and diminished the activity of caspase-8 and also increased IκB expression while in high doses, Equisetum arvense L. was prooxidant, induced apoptosis, and decreased IL-6 secretion. Conclusions. These experimental findings suggest that Equisetum arvense L. has antibacterial effects on gram-positive cocci and, administered in low dose, may be a new therapeutic approach for diseases associated with hypertonic conditions or oxidative stress and apoptosis

COMMON CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS IN OBESE CHILDREN BORN SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE VERSUS APPROPRIATE FOR GESTATIONAL AGE

The intima media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT) is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The “catch-up growth” phenomenon in children born small for gestational age (SGA) has been linked to early onset obesity with the subsequent emergence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Aim: to determine the association between being born SGA and CIMT, a measure of atherogenesis and to establish cut off values for CIMT in obese children. Material and methods. A prospective study was carried out over a 1 year period (Jul 2012-June 2013). We analyzed 122 obese patients, 96 patients appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 26 patients SGA. Both groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. CIMT was measured in all the patients. Using ROC curve, cut off values have been obtained for both groups. Results. CIMT in obese children born SGA was signifi cantly increased as compared with obese children born AGA similar age, sex and BMI (p = 0.0035). A CIMT cut off value of 0.049 cm has been obtained with a high sensitivity and specifi city. Conclusion. Being born SGA increases the atherogenic risk. CIMT is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and is a noninvasive and inexpensive method for detecting development of subclinical atherosclerosis. Further population studies regarding reference values for CIMT in obese children born SGA and AGA are necessary

The Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Origanum vulgare</i> L. Correlated with the Gastrointestinal Perturbation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

(1) The metabolic syndrome (MS) promotes acute and chronic infections, due to the pro-inflammatory condition given by TNFα and IL6 or by affecting the microbiota. MS is also correlated with insulin resistance, causing inflammation and infections throughout the organism. (2) The purpose of this study was to track the effect of using the essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. (EOO) as an antibacterial treatment, compared to allopathic treatment with antibiotics in MS patients. A group of 106 people with MS was divided into four subgroups: L1—staphylococcal infection group, L2—Escherichia coli infection group, L3—streptococcal infection group with EOO treatment, and CG—control group without infection or treatment. (3) EOO is responsible for the antibacterial effect, and reduced minor uncomplicated infections. After a 10-day treatment, intestinal side effects were absent, improving the phase angle. (4) The results suggest that EOO may exhibit an antibacterial effect, similar to the antibiotic treatment, without promoting MS-specific dysbiosis, and it also improves the phase angle in patients, which is used as an index of health and cellular function

A Phytocomplex Consisting of Tropaeolum majus L. and Salvia officinalis L. Extracts Alleviates the Inflammatory Response of Dermal Fibroblasts to Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides

Background. The antimicrobial activity and effects of a phytocomplex consisting of Tropaeolum flos (T) and Salviae folium (S) extracts on the cytokine levels and transcription factors on dermal fibroblast BJ exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides were examined. Methods. In order to select the most optimal combination ratio of the two extracts for using in vitro, the physicochemical characterization of vegetal extract mixtures was performed and the antioxidant and antibacterial activities were evaluated on five different formulations of T : S, namely, 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 1, 3 : 1, and 1 : 3. The best combination of bioactive compounds with regard to antioxidant and antibacterial activities (T : S 1 : 2) was selected for in vitro evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect. Human dermal fibroblast BJ cells were treated with two doses of the extract mixture and then exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The levels of the cytokines involved in inflammatory response, namely, interleukin- (IL-) 6, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, IL-31, and IL-33, were quantified by ELISA, and the expression of transcription factors, namely, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and phosphorylated NFκB (pNFκB), were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results. The results have shown that the mixture of T : S 1 : 2 exhibited significant antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. LPS exposure increased the cytokine levels in BJ cells and enhanced the NFκB expression. The pretreatment of BF cells exposed to LPS with the two doses of the extract mixture markedly inhibited the increase of IL-33 and TNF-α levels and amplified the NFκB expression and its activation, especially with the high dose. The low doses of the extract reduced NFκB expression but increased its activation. Conclusions. These experimental findings suggest that the mixture of T : S 1 : 2 can exert some protection against bacterial infections and inflammation induced by LPS in BJ cells being a good therapeutic option in related conditions associated with inflammation

Physalis alkekengi L. Extract Reduces the Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis in Endothelial Vascular Cells Exposed to Hyperglycemia

To find new natural remedies in diabetes, this study investigated the biological activity of two extracts obtained from the fruits (PhyF) and herba (PhyH) of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii L. on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. The biological effect was quantified by malondialdehyde, IL-31 and IL-33 levels in correlation with physico-chemical characterization and antioxidant activity. Additionally, from PhyP extract, the caspase-3, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha; and nuclear transcription factor NFkB expressions were evaluated. HPLC analysis revealed a significant number of phenolic compounds, especially in PhyF extract, with a good antioxidant activity as highlighted by TEAC, CUPRAC or DPPH methods. On HUVECS cells, the extracts were not toxic even at high concentrations. Particularly PhyF extract, diminished lipid peroxidation and inhibited the IL-31 and IL-33 secretions induced by hyperglycemia. The inhibitory effect on proinflammatory cytokines was noticed after both doses of PhyF extract in parallel with the upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, PhyF, especially in a low dose, reduced caspase-3 active form. These experimental findings suggest that Physalis fruits extract exerted beneficial effects in hyperglycemia by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis being a good adjuvant option in diabetes