Induction and growth pattern of callus from Piper permucronatum leaves / Indução e padrão de crescimento de calos de folhas de Piper permucronatum

ABSTRACT Piper permucronatum is a perennial shrub, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. Traditionally, the tea of its leaves is used to combat menstrual and intestinal cramps, stomach pain, digestive problems, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and nausea. Its leaf’s essential oil is effective against Aedes aegypti larvae; its flavones and flavanones have a fungicidal effect against Clamidosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum; its hexanic extract is effective against Leishmania amazonensis. The objective of this study was to provide a protocol for callus induction from P. permucronatum leaves and an identification of the callus growth pattern, focusing on the deceleration phase, when the callus cells must be subcultured into liquid medium in order to produce a cell suspension cultures. Leaf explants were inoculated in a solid MS medium supplemented with factorial combinations of 2,4-D, BA, NAA and GA3. Callus formation was evaluated weekly until the 49th day. Subsequently, new explants were inoculated at the hormonal combination that resulted in the highest callus cell proliferation and, every seven days during a period of 70 days, samples were dried and weighed to determine the callus growth pattern. NAA and GA3 were not effective for callus induction. Combinations of 2,4-D and BA resulted in callus induction and proliferation. The highest percentage of callus induction was observed with the combination of 4.52 µM 2,4-D and 4.44 µM BA. The calluses thereby produced were friable and whitish. The callus growth pattern followed a sigmoid shape. The deceleration phase started on the 56th day of culture.

RESUMO Indução e padrão de crescimento de calos de folhas de Piper permucronatum. Piper permucronatum é um arbusto perene, uma planta medicinal native da Floresta Amazônica. Tradicionalmente, o chá de suas folhas é usado em casos de cólicas menstruais e intestinais, dores de estômago, problemas digestivos, diarreia, hemorragia e náusea. O óleo essencial das folhas é efetivo contra a larva de Aedes aegypti; suas flavonas e flavanonas têm efeito fungicida contra Clamidosporium cladosporioides e C. sphaerospermum; seu extrato hexânico é efetivo contra Leishmania amazonensis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar um protocolo para indução de calos em folhas de P. permucronatum e identificar o padrão de crescimento dos calos, com foco na fase de desaceleração, quando as células de calo devem ser subcultivadas em meio líquido para produzir culturas de células em suspensão. Explantes foliares foram inoculados em meio MS sólido suplementado com combinações fatoriais de 2,4-D, BAP, ANA e GA3. A formação de calos foi avaliada semanalmente até o 49º dia. Posteriormente, novos explantes foram inoculados na combinação hormonal que resultou na maior proliferação de células de calo e, a cada sete dias durante 70 dias, amostras foram secas e pesadas para determinar o padrão de crescimento dos calos. ANA e GA3 não foram efetivas para a indução de calos. Combinações de 2,4-D e BAP resultaram em indução e proliferação de calos. A maior porcentagem de indução de calos foi observada com a combinação de 4,52 µM de 2,4-D e 4,44 µM de BAP. Os calos produzidos eram friáveis e esbranquiçados. O crescimento dos calos seguiu um padrão sigmoide. A fase de desaceleração iniciou no 56º dia de cultivo.

Medicinal plants used in Rondônia, Western Amazon, Brazil / Plantas medicinais usadas em Rondônia, Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil

This study refers to the use of medicinal plants by populations in the Western Amazon and provides information that can be used in phytochemical studies. It draws upon the traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants in five regions of the state of Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon, focusing on native species. The field research was carried out in five municipalities of the state of Rondônia: Ariquemes, Buritis, Candeias do Jamari, Cujubim and Itapoa do Oeste, characterized by primary economic sectors: agriculture, cattle farming, plant extraction and mineral exploration. Structured interviews were applied to 227 persons chosen because of their prestige in the communities in relation to the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, identifying the therapeutic purpose, parts of the plant used and methods of preparation. The species were taxonomically identified. The ethnobotanic knowledge (inferred by the number of uses of medicinal plants per person) was correlated with the Brazilian region of origin, age, and gender of the interviewees. According to the collected data, 34 botanical families and 53 native species were identified. Of the 53 species, only 7 occur exclusively in the Amazon Forest: Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum., Psidium densicomum Mart. ex DC, Piper cavalcantei Yunck., Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew., Euterpe oleracea Mart., Croton cajucara Benth., Baccharis altimontana G. Heiden. The most common disorders treated with the plants were kidney problems, influenza, generalized infections and inflammations, malaria and high blood pressure. Leaves were the most used parts in preparations. Barks, fruits, roots, flowers, stems, seeds, oils, buds, tubercles, and rhizomes were also mentioned. Thirteen forms of preparations were recorded, and infusion and decoction were the most used. Syrups, juices, flour, sap, oil and parts of the plant blended with milk, honey and coffee or flamed, macerated and in the form of poultice, were also found. Persons from the Southeast region had more information compared with persons from the other regions; persons in the age groups between 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 had more information in comparison with the other age groups; and the female interviewees mentioned significantly more uses of medicinal plants than the male ones. The relatively small number of native Amazon species identified can be the result of the loss of knowledge about medicinal plants in the Amazon because of internal migration, extinction of local indigenous groups, increasing urbanization and consequent globalization of the lifestyles.

Este estudo se refere ao uso de plantas medicinais por populações da Amazônia Ocidental, fornece informações passíveis de utilização em estudos fitoquímicos e resgata o conhecimento tradicional a respeito do uso de plantas medicinais em cinco regiões do estado de Rondônia na Amazônia Brasileira com foco nas espécies nativas. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada nos cinco municípios de Rondônia: Ariquemes, Buritis, Candeias do Jamari, Cujubim e Itapoã do Oeste, caracterizados por atividades econômicas primárias: agricultura, pecuária e extrativismo vegetal e mineral. Entrevistas estruturadas foram aplicadas a 227 pessoas escolhidas por seu prestígio nas comunidades em relação ao conhecimento e uso de plantas medicinais, identificando a finalidade terapêutica, as partes das plantas utilizadas, e os métodos de preparação. As espécies foram taxonomicamente identificadas. O conhecimento etnobotânico (inferido a partir do número de citações por entrevistado) foi correlacionado com a região de origem, idade e gênero dos entrevistados. De acordo com os dados coletados, 34 famílias botânicas e 53 espécies nativas foram identificadas. Dentre as 53 espécies, apenas sete ocorrem exclusivamente na Amazônia: Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K.Schum., Psidium densicomum Mart. ex DC, Piper cavalcantei Yunck., Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew., Euterpe oleracea Mart., Croton cajucara Benth., Baccharis altimontana G. Heiden. As afecções mais comuns tratadas com plantas foram: problemas de fígado, gripe, infecções e inflamações generalizadas, malária, e hipertensão arterial. As folhas são as partes mais utilizadas nas preparações. Também foram mencionadas cascas, frutos, raízes, flores, caules, sementes, óleos, brotos, tubérculos e rizomas. Treze formas de preparação foram registradas sendo mais comuns as infusões e decoctos. Outras formas de preparação observadas foram xarope, suco, farinha, seiva, óleo, partes vegetais misturadas com leite, mel ou café, flambada, macerada e em forma de cataplasma. Pessoas da região Sudeste apresentaram maior número de informações do que as outras regiões; faixas etárias entre 50-59, 60-69 e 70-79 apresentaram maior número de citações que os outros grupos etários; e as mulheres mencionaram significativamente mais usos medicinais em comparação com os homens. O número relativamente pequeno de espécies nativas amazônicas identificadas pode ser um resultado da perda de conhecimento sobre plantas medicinais na Amazônia, devido à migração interna, extinção dos grupos indígenas locais, crescente urbanização e consequente globalização dos estilos de vida.

Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides frente à Staphylococcus sp. isolados de alimentos de origem animal / Assessment of the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides in relation to Staphylococcus sp. isolated from food of animal origin

Objetivou-se no trabalho avaliar a ação antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides frente à isolados de Staphylococcus sp. de alimentos de origem animal. Para tanto, realizou-se análise química da composição do óleo, teste de sensibilidade das bactérias frente a dez antibióticos de uso terapêutico e ao óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides, além da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e da concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). A análise cromatográfica do óleo apresentou o timol como composto majoritário (48,70%), além de pequena quantidade de carvacrol (1,14%). No teste de sensibilidade frente aos antibióticos, 75% dos isolados apresentaram resistência a, no mínimo, três antibióticos. Em relação ao óleo essencial, os isolados de Staphylococcus sp oriundos de leite bovino mostraram-se mais resistentes e os isolados de carne ovina apresentaram-se mais sensíveis. A CIM foi maior para os Staphylococcus sp. isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino (60µL/mL). Enquanto que para os isolados de carcaça de ovinos e queijo, a CIM foi de 15µL/mL e 30µL/mL respectivamente. A CBM, consequentemente, foi maior para os isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino, sendo de 240µL/mL e 120µL/mL respectivamente. O óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides apresenta atividade antimicrobiana sobre Staphylococcus sp. isolados de alimentos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides in relation to Staphylococcus sp. isolated from food of animal origin. For this purpose, we performed the chemical analysis to determine the oil composition, evaluated the bacteria sensibility to ten antibiotics of therapeutic use and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The chromatographic analysis showed that tymol was the main compound (48.70%) and that carvacrol was present in a small amount (1.14%). In the test of antibiotic susceptibility, 75% of the microorganism isolates were resistant to at least three of the ten antibiotics tested. The Staphylococcus sp isolated from bovine milk was more resistant to the essential oil of Lippia origanoides, and the microorganism isolated from sheep meat was more susceptible to this oil. The Staphylococcus sp. isolated from bovine or sheep milk showed a MIC of 60µL/mL and for those isolated from sheep carcass and cheese the MIC was 15µL/mL and 30µL/mL, respectively. Consequently, the MBC was higher for isolates from cow's (240µL/mL) and sheep's milk (120µL/mL) when compared with other food sources. These results suggest that the essential oil of Lippia origanoides has antimicrobial activity against staphylococcus sp. isolated from food.

Callogenesis in leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. by 2, 4-D and BA action / Calogênese em folhas de Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. pela ação de 2, 4-D e BAP

The Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. is a bush species of the Crassulaceae that is distinguished by its important medicinal properties. Its leaves are used as cataplasm to treat headaches and wounds. There is evidence for a hypotensive and anti-inflammatory effect. Techniques of plant tissue culture have been applied to plant species that produce substances likely to be explored in pharmacology, cell suspension being the main technique. At the industrial level, this method utilizes bioreactors in order to produce secondary metabolites on a large scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of in vitro combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxiacetic acid (2,4-D) and benzylaminopurine (BA) on callus induction in leaf explants of K. pinnata. Leaf fragments were inoculated in MS medium supplemented with 3.0% sucrose, 0.8% agar and factorial combinations of 2,4-D (0.00, 4.52, 9.06, 18.12 µM) and BA (0.00, 4.44, 8.88, 17.76 µM). The cultures were kept in the darkness at 24±2ºC for 50 days. The percentage of callus induction and the area of explants covered by callus cells were evaluated. In the absence of growth regulators, callus induction did not occur, with necrosis of all explants. The highest percentage of callus induction was 100%, obtained with the combination of 9.06 µM 2,4-D and 8.88 µM BA, but the calluses covered only 25% of the leaf area. The most efficient combination was 4.52 µM 2,4-D and 8.88 µM BA, resulting in 91% callus induction with 50 to 100% of the explants being covered by callus cells.

Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. é uma espécie arbustiva da família Crassulaceae que apresenta interessantes propriedades medicinais. Suas folhas são utilizadas em cataplasma para tratar enxaqueca e ferimentos. Há evidência de seu efeito como hipotensiva e anti-inflamatória. Técnicas de cultura de tecidos vegetais têm sido aplicadas para espécies que possuem substâncias passíveis de exploração na farmacologia, sendo a suspensão celular a principal técnica utilizada. A nível industrial, este método utiliza biorreatores para produzir metabólitos secundários em larga escala. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos in vitro de combinações do ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) e de benzilaminopurina (BAP) na indução de calos em explantes foliares de K. pinnata. Fragmentos foliares foram inoculados em meio MS contendo 3% de sacarose, 0,8% de ágar e combinações fatoriais de 2,4-D (0,00; 4,52; 9,06 e 18,12 µM) e BAP (0,00; 4,44; 8,88 e 17,76 µM). Os cultivos foram mantidos no escuro, a 24±2ºC por 50 dias. A porcentagem de indução de calos e a área dos explantes coberta por células de calos foram avaliadas. Na ausência de reguladores de crescimento não ocorreu indução de calos, com necrose de todos os explantes. A porcentagem mais alta de indução de calos foi de 100%, obtida com a combinação de 9,06 µM de 2,4-D e 8,88 µM de BAP, mas estes calos cobriram apenas 25% da área foliar. A combinação mais eficiente foi de 9,06 µM de 2,4-D e 8,88 µM de BAP, que resultou em 91% de indução e 50 a 100% da área dos explantes coberta por células de calos.

Composição química e atividade inseticida do óleo essencial de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) sobre a broca-do-café (Hypothenemus hampei) Ferrari / Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) on coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) Ferrari

O óleo essencial das folhas de Schinus terebinthifolius foi obtido por hidrodestilação e analisado por CG-EM. O rendimento do óleo foi de 0,8%, sendo identificados 37 constituintes químicos. Os componentes principais foram germacreno D (25,0%), (E)-ß-cariofileno (17,5%) e δ -elemeno (10,5%). O óleo essencial foi diluído em acetona nas concentrações de 10-2 a 10-8 e aplicado aos insetos (Hypothenemus hampei) por aplicação tópica e exposição em superfície contaminada. As taxas de mortalidade foram avaliadas após 24 e 48 horas do início do experimento. A aplicação em superfície contaminada resultou em 25% de mortalidade no controle, enquanto nas diluições de 10-2 a 10-8 foram observados 100,0 a 30,0% de mortalidade. Na aplicação tópica, observou-se 27,5% de mortalidade no controle e 97,5 a 77,5% nas diluições de 10-2 a 10-8.

The essential oil from the leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by GC-MS. The oil yield was 0.8%, and 37 chemical constituents were identified. The main components were germacrene D (25.0%), (E)-ß-cariophyllene (17.5%) and δ-elemene (10.5%). The essential oil was diluted in acetone in concentrations of 10-2 to 10-8 and it was applied to insects (Hypothenemus hampei) by topical application and exposure to contaminated surface. Mortality rates were evaluated after 24 and 48 hours. The contaminated surface application resulted in 25.0% of mortality in control while the dilutions of 10-2 to 10-8 resulted in 100% to 30.0% of mortality respectively. In the topical application, it was observed 27.5% of mortality in control and 97.5 to 77.5% of mortality in dilutions of 10-2 to 10-8

Perfil de suscetibilidade de leveduras do gênero Candida isoladas de animais ao óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis L / Susceptibility profile of Candida spp. isolated from animals to the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L

Neste trabalho foram avaliadas a atividade antifúngica e composição química do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis (alecrim). O óleo essencial foi obtido, através da hidrodestilação, das partes aéreas da planta, o qual foi analisado por cromatografia gasosa com detectores de ionização em chama (GC/FID) e espectrometria de massas (GC/MS). Esse óleo foi testado em isolados de C. albicans da mucosa vaginal de fêmeas caninas, casos clínicos de candidíase em animais cepas padrões e espécies não-albicans, usando a técnica de microdiluição em caldo (CLSI-M27A2). A análise cromatográfica do óleo permitiu identificar como principais compostos cânfora, verbenona e 1,8-cineol. Os valores de CIM do óleo para os isolados padrões de C. albicans variaram entre 1,25 e 2,5 µL mL-1 e de 2,5 a 5,0 µL mL-1 para CFM, enquanto que para os isolados não-albicans observou-se CIM entre 1,25 e 5,0 µL mL-1 e CFM de 2,5 a 10,0 µL mL-1. C. albicans isolada de animais apresentou valores de 2,5 a >10,0 µL mL-1 para CIM e de 5,0 a >10,0 µL mL-1 para CFM. Os resultados demonstraram atividade fungicida e fungistática do óleo essencial de alecrim em isolados de Candida spp. provenientes de animais.

In this work the antifungal activity and chemical composition of the Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) essential oil against Candida spp. were evaluated. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts, and analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This oil was tested against fourteen isolates of Candida sp. (ten C. albicans and four no-albicans species) by the microdillution broth assay (CLSI-M27A2). Chromatography analyses of the essential oil showed compounds, as camphor, verbenone and 1,8-cineole as major constituents. MIC and MFC values for C. albicans standard strains were 1.25 - 2.5 µL mL-1 and 2.5 - 5.0 µL mL-1, respectively. MIC and MFC for the non-albicans species were 1.25 - 5.0 µL mL-1 and 2.5 - 10.0 µL mL-1, respectively. C. albicans isolates obtained from animals exhibited MIC and MFC values of 2.5 - > 10.0 µL mL-1 and 5.0 - > 10.0 µL mL-1, respectively. According to the results, the essential oil of rosemary presented fungicidal and fungistatic activities against Candida spp.

Plasma levels of leptin in patients with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure [CHF] is a syndrome characterized by energy dysregulation. In this study, plasma levels of leptin, a protein hormone secreted by adipocytcs and involved in energy regulation, were determined in fourty patients with CHF divided into two equal groups; mild CHF patients, with New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class 2, and severe CHF patients with NYHA functional class 3 or 4. Left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] as determined by echocardiography was < 45% in all patients. The study included also 20 healthy subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index, as controls. Plasma leptin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. showed significant elevation in plasma leptin levels in patients with severe CHF [8.3 +/- 0.5 ng/nil] compared to controls [5.2 +/- 0.4 ng/ ml, p < 0.001] and mild CHF patients [6.8 +/- 0.6 ng / ml, p< 0.05], with a significant difference between mild CHF patients and controls [p < 0.05]. Signifcant negative [r = 0.362, p < 0.05] and positive [r = + 0.376, p < 0.05] correlations were noticed between plasma leptin levels and each of LVEF and NYHA functional class respectively. we found that patients with CHF were hyperleptinenic with significant correlation between plasma leptin levels and severity of the disease. Further studies arc recommended to clarify the significance of these findings, and we wonder whether leptin could be a marker and / or mediator of energy dysregulation in CHF patients

Increased carotid intimal medial thickness in type 2 diabetes: relation to D-dimers

We investigated common carotid artery intimal - medial thickness [CCA-IMT] as an evidence of generalized atherosclerosis and D-dimers plasma concentrations as a measure of fibrinolytic activity, in 30 type 2 diabetic subjects [with no clinical coronary artery disease [CAD] cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease] and 15 healthy control subjects. Also the interrelation between CCA-IMT and D-dimers plasma concentrations and their relations with lipid status and blood sugar levels were evaluated. Diabetic subjects had significantly higher CCA-IMT and D-dimers plasma concentrations than control subjects. In diabetic subjects CCA-IMT and D-dimers plasma concentrations were significantly directly correlated with each other [P<0.01] and with FBS. 2 hPPBS, HbA[Ic], duration of diabetes, plasma fibrinogen, serum cholesterol, LDL-C and age of diabetic subjects. Diabetic subjects with better blood sugar control [FBS<140mg/dl] had significantly lower D-dimers plasma concentrations and non significantly less CCA-IMT than those with poor blood sugar control [FBS>140mg/dl]. suggesting that control of hyperglycaemia reduce haemostatic activation significantly. It is concluded that type 2 diabetic subjects without clinical CAD.cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular diseases, have a higher degree of atherosclerosis than normal control. Also this atherosclerosis is associated with enhanced Fibrin deposition and degradation as evidenced by increased D-dimers plasma concentrations. The control of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia that accompanies diabetes, possibly reduce or even prevent the progression of intimal medial thickening and will reduce significantly the activation of haemostasis leading to reduction of CAD and stroke risk

HIV transmission in sexual partners of persons with HIV/AIDS attending the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yangon.

A study was conducted in the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yangon, for one year from August 1996 to 1997, to assess the extent and the factors related to HIV transmission among sexual partners of HIV/AIDS cases. It was a cross-sectional comparative study on 67 (61 males, 6 females) HIV positive individuals with or without AIDS, and their sexual partners. Separate interviews of index cases and partners were done, and clinical examination and laboratory tests for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were performed. HIV transmission was found in 41.8% of the partners. Male-to-female transmission was 39.3% (n=61) and female to male transmission was 66.7% (n=6), Seven and one half percent of the partners were suffering from AIDS. There were 4 (6.6%) pregnant mothers and 1 (25%) was HIV positive. Though 75% of the partners did not use condoms during their married life, HIV transmission was significantly reduced in the condom users (odds ratio (OR) = 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.98 p = < 0.05). The seropositive men who were less than 30 years of age had greater HIV transmission (OR = 5.67, 95% CI 1.13-36.46). However, socio-demographic factors, number of marital partners and age of first sex partners, duration of marriage, number of sexual relationships between these couples, duration of HIV positivity and AIDS infection, immunological status of the index group and STD positivity among partners had no significant association with the transmission of HIV. This study demonstrated that the transmission of HIV was high among the sexual partners of persons with HIV infection. It also highlighted the requirement of effective counseling and preventive measures against HIV infection among the couples.

Some anatomical studies on the arterial blood supply of the tarsal joint of the goat

The work was carried out on 10 pelvic limbs of the 5 normal goats of both sexes; 8 of them were treated by ordinary routine methods used to study the arteries. The other two limbs were prepared to X-ray films. The dissection and X-ray films revealed that, the dorsal aspect of the tarsal joint in goat received its arterial supply via the branches of the A. dorsalis pedis. While the A. saphena and its branches, A. plantaris medialis et lateralis, were considered as the main sources of the arterial supply of the plantar aspect of that joint

Treatment of trochantric fractures using the dynamic hip screw

Forty three patients with trochanteric fractures were surgically treated using the dynamic hip screw. Their mean age was sixty four. Two patients died during the postoperative hospital stay, three patients died during the first three months postoperatively of medical causes unrelated to the surgery and two patients were lost for follow up. The other thirty-six patients could be regularly followed up for an average period of seven months. Seventy five per cent of these patients could regain their prefracture level of activity. Two failures occurred, one due to improper implant choice and the other due to an operative technical error

Treatment of femoral shaft fractures by straight dynamic compression plates

Plating of the femoral shaft fractures is usually indicated for cases not suited for intramedullary nailing. Although the interlocking nail has made the field of plating much narrower, yet the plate is still popularly used. A group of femoral shaft fractures treated by plating is presented, the cases were treated according to the AO principles. The cases were assessed around 4 months and one year post operatively according to a special follow up system depending on a numerical score and formed of eight points namely pain, weight bearing, walking ability, quadriceps function, knee movement, union, alignment and infection. The complications included infection, malalignment, failure of fixation, delayed union and non union

Shoulder-forearm functional coupling after forearm diaphyseal fractures

A group of adult patients with forearm diaphyseal fractures were treated by AO plate osteosynthesis. The clinical versus functional recovery of forearm rotation was assessed. It was found that pronation loss is more common than supination loss but since pronation loss can be compensated for by shoulder abduction, the ultimate functional recovery of rotation is good

Cast bracing of tibial shaft fractures

Eighty patients with simple tibial shaft fractures were treated conservatively at Orthopaedic Department Ain Shams University. Forty patients were treated functionally by below knee brace, designed originally by Sarmiento [1970] and modified recently by us and the rest conventionally by above knee plaster cast. The average healing time of the functionally treated cases was eight weeks compared with 13.7 weeks of the control group. The rate of healing was found to be correlated with the time of weight bearing, the earliest was the time of weight bearing, the faster was the union. Comminuted and lower third tibial fractures took longer time to heal in the functional group but still less than the other group. The functionally treated cases showed full range of both knee and ankle joints with no wasting of the thigh or calf muscles. Complications of the functional bracing technique was found to be minimal

Late effects of poliomyelitis: a report of two cases

Two cases of post-polio-syndrome are described and in reviewing the literature viral versus aging etiology is discussed

Cardiac abnormalities in the thalassaemia syndromes.

Cardiac complications are the leading cause of death in patients with the thalassaemia syndromes. The cardiac abnormalities may be the result of chronic anaemia or iron overload. The cardiac status was evaluated in 30 patients with thalassaemia to determine whether the structural and functional changes could be related to the degree of anaemia or to other factors suggesting iron overload. Clinical, radiological, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic methods were employed. The study provided evidence that cardiac abnormalities were due to undertransfusion. Echocardiography provides a reliable, noninvasive means of assessing cardiac abnormalities in patients with thalassaemia.