Determination of the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.) crude aqueous leaf extract against throat pathogens using broth and checkerboard dilution methods

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) crude leaf extract against pathogens that infect the throat, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans using the broth and checkerboard dilution methods.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study employed an experimental study design using broth dilution method for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against Candida albicans ATCC 14053 of P. amboinicus crude extract (PA extract). Checkerboard dilution method was then used for determination of the synergy between PA extract and the standard antimicrobials.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> In vitro growth inhibition of S. pyogenes (MIC 0.13 g/mL) and C. albicans (MIC 0.03 g/mL) was exhibited by the PA extract. The highest concentration of PA extract used in this study was not sufficient to demonstrate bactericidal and fungicidal activity (MBC >0.25 g/mL, MFC >0.25 g/mL). Results of checkerboard dilution method revealed that PA extract when combined with either penicillin (for S. pyogenes) or nystatin (for C. albicans) demonstrated indifference.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The crude extract of Plectranthus amboinicus has the capability to inhibit the growth of both S. pyogenes and C. albicans. This demonstrates its potential use in the treatment of throat infections caused by these organisms.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key Words:</strong> Plectranthus amboinicus, oregano, antimicrobial, throat infections, herbal medicine</p>

Coblation tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical and histopathological comparison with dissection-ligation, monopolar electrocautery and laser tonsillectomies.

INTRODUCTION: Coblation tonsillectomy is a relatively recently introduced surgical technique which attempts to bridge the gap between 'hot' and 'cold' tonsillectomy methods. AIM: To compare coblation tonsillectomy with three commonly used surgical techniques: cold dissection-ligation, monopolar electrocautery and CO2 laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomised, double-blinded clinical trial was undertaken of 60 adult patients divided into three equal study groups. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to have one tonsil removed with coblation and the second with one of the other three tonsillectomy techniques. Ten randomly selected tonsils resected by each method were sent for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Coblation was significantly faster to perform than laser and produced significantly less intra-operative blood loss than both the dissection-ligation and laser techniques. Subjective visual analogue scale comparisons showed a non-significant pain score difference between coblation and dissection-ligation on most post-operative days. Coblation produced consistently highly significantly (p < 0.001) less pain, compared with electrocautery up to the 12th post-operative day and laser up to the 10th post-operative day. There was no significant difference in tonsillar fossa healing, comparing coblation to both dissection-ligation and laser techniques. Monopolar electrocautery produced significantly slower healing than coblation after 7 post-operative days, with no significant difference after 15 post-operative days. Histopathological evaluation showed that coblation inflicted significantly less thermal tissue injury than either electrocautery (p = 0.001) or laser (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients, coblation tonsillectomy offers some significant advantages in terms of post-operative pain and healing, compared with other tonsillectomy techniques.

Free fetal DNA in maternal plasma in anembryonic pregnancies: confirmation that the origin is the trophoblast.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that free fetal DNA (ffDNA) circulating in maternal plasma originates mainly from the placenta we studied ffDNA levels in anembryonic pregnancies. METHODS: Maternal blood samples were collected from 15 normal first-trimester pregnancies in which fetal sex was subsequently determined and nine patients with a diagnosis of anembryonic gestation (AG). The Y chromosome DYS14 gene was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) for the determination of fetal sex in both plasma and chorionic tissue samples. Fetal sex in chorionic tissue samples was also determined using quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR). RESULTS: The correct sex result was obtained from maternal plasma in all. Four AG pregnancies were female (DYS14 negative) results. In five of the AG cases, the chorionic tissue was found to be male (by both QF-PCR and RT-PCR which agreed) and positive male signal was found in maternal plasma by RT-PCR. There was no statistical difference between median free fetal DNA concentration in plasma between the AG male cases (148.3 GE/mL) and controls (145.8 GE/mL). CONCLUSION: Since ffDNA levels are normal in pregnancies without a fetus, the data support the hypothesis that the trophoblastic cells are the major source ffDNA in maternal plasma.

Diaphragmatic injury. A clinical review.

OBJECTIVE: Recent experience at King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was reviewed to identify the pitfalls in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injuries, and attempt to develop a scheme by which early diagnosis is achieved in order to avoid the sequelae of delayed presentations. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the surgical service, with the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury was undertaken during the period June 1994 through to June 1999. RESULTS: The total number was 8 patients, and the age ranged between 6-71 years. Of these patients 5 were diagnosed immediately post-traumatic, 2 with delayed presentation, and one with recurrent post-traumatic repair. This case was excluded. Six patients presented following blunt and one after penetrating trauma. Rupture occurred mainly on the left dome of the diaphragm in 5 patients and on the right in 2. Complications ranged from mild chest symptoms to severe respiratory and multi-system involvement. CONCLUSION: Diaphragmatic injuries occurred in 2%-5% of multiple trauma victims. It is considered a predictor of serious associated injuries, However, as many as 10%-30% are missed during the initial evaluation. A high index of suspicion is required, and judicious use of diagnostic aids should be employed to reach early diagnosis to avoid the sequelae of missed injuries.

The potential benefits of genetic testing in breast and ovarian cancer.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.

Molluscicidal activity and clinico-pathological effect of Agave lophantha.

Dry powder and different extracts of Agave lophantha were tested against Biomphalaria alexandrina. The results showed that the butanol extract has high molluscicidal activity. The activity of the dry powder has been found to be stable under the effect of some simulated field conditions. Also the toxicological effect of the plant on mice was tested through determination of certain parameters such as total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase enzymes as well as histopathological study on liver and kidney.

[Embryonary rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear. Apropos of a case]. / Rabdomiosarcoma embrionario de oído medio. A propósito de un caso.

The subject presented for its rarity is a case of rhabdomyosarcoma embryonal ear in girl patient 6 years old. Her clinic first gave a wrong diagnosis of chronic otitis of the middle ear with otorrhea and facial paralysis. A malignant tumour was suspected during the operation. A histopathology study confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. A review of the literature is made and details given of how often it occurs, and incidence, histopathology types, treatment and prognosis.

[Tuberculosis in current clinical otorhinolaryngology]. / La tuberculosis en la clínica otorrinolaringológica actual.

39 cases of ENT tuberculosis diagnosed in the last 15 years are studied. We review the annual incidence, the distribution by age and sex and the different found localization: oropharyngeal, laryngeal cervical ganglionar, salivary and otical ones. We analyse the concomitance with tuberculous pulmonary lesions and the results of diagnostic explorations: Mantoux, bacilloscopy and biopsy. We discuss the method, diagnostic difficulties, therapeutic behaviour and the consequences of misdiagnosis.

Digestive system malignancies in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia: an analysis of 158 patients.

Retrospective evaluation of 158 patients with digestive system neoplasms was carried out. The disease pattern was compared to that noted in other parts of Arabia, other Middle East countries, Africa, and the West. An attempt was made to analyze potential aetiological factors in the Saudi population. At all cancer sites of the digestive system the male to female ratio was 3:1. Generally more younger patients with advanced cancer were encountered than reported in series from the Western hemisphere. The poor results of therapy were generally attributed to the advanced stage at presentation. The high frequency of GIT cancer and in particular the apparently rising incidence rate of colorectal cancer was attributed to dietary habits and the changing lifestyle of the population. Hepatitis B viral infection was the likely cause of primary hepatocellular cancer (PHC) although dietary factors could not be ruled out. Schistosomiasis was found not to play a role in the causation of either PHC or colorectal cancer.

Laparoscopic, gynecographic and ultrasonographic vs. clinical evaluation of a pelvic mass.

One hundred fourteen patients with a clinically proven or suspected pelvic mass were subjected to pelvic examination and ultrasonography. Gynecography and laparoscopy were carried out in only 45 patients; those procedures were contraindicated in the other patients. The study showed that in patients with a large pelvic mass both clinical examination and ultrasonography had high diagnostic accuracy; therefore, the latter procedure does not seem to be necessary in the preoperative investigation of these patients. However, in patients with a small pelvic mass an additional diagnostic tool is recommended--ultrasonography for uterine masses and laparoscopy for adnexal ones.

Comparative evaluation of laparoscopy and hysterosalpingography in infertile patients.

A comparative study of hysterosalpingography (HSG) and laparoscopy in the investigation of infertility is presented. From 1973-1977, 352 cases were investigated with both HSG and laparoscopy. In 57.67% of the cases there was complete agreement between HSG and laparoscopy. The study included 168 cases of unexplained infertility and 184 cases with abnormal hysterosalpingographic findings. Pelvic adhesions were demonstrated in 151 cases by laparoscopy as compared to 76 cases in which its presence was only suspected by HSG. Laparoscopy revealed a 57.14% of associated pelvic pathology in cases of unexplained fertility. The present study concludes that laparoscopy as compared to HSG is not only more informative, but also more accurate and conclusive.