The determination of high-risk pregnancy: the use of antenatal scoring system.

AIMS: A standardized antenatal scoring system is not available in order to detect high-risk pregnancies at primary health care units in Turkey. The authors aimed to evaluate the applicability of the "Knox scoring system" in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine pregnant women were included in study. They were assessed upon admission and then the same women were reassessed at the onset of labor by Knox scoring system. RESULTS: The Knox scoring system identified 65 pregnant women (50.4%) as high-risk upon admission while 22 pregnant women (17.1%) as high-risk at the onset of labor. Twelve pregnant women (9.3%) (one case of perinatal death and 11 cases of perinatal morbidity) had poor perinatal outcomes during the study period. The Knox scoring form administered upon admission yielded 58% sensitivity, 50% specificity, and 10% positive predictive value, while 91% sensitivity, 90% specificity, and 50% positive predictive value at the onset of labor. The diagnostic value of the Knox scoring system for determining high-risk pregnancies was not found statistically significant regarding admission (ROC value: 0.655; p > 0.05), while statistically significant regarding the onset of labor (ROC value: 0.946; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Knox scoring system for determining high-risk pregnancies seems to be effective at the onset of labor.

Optimization of extracellular endoxylanase, endoglucanase and peroxidase production by Streptomyces sp. F2621 isolated in Turkey.

AIMS: To determine the effect of environmental conditions on the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and to assess the potential use of these enzymes in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose material. METHODS AND RESULTS: The production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, endoxylanase, endoglucanase and peroxidase during the growth of Streptomyces sp. F2621 in basal salts-yeast extract medium containing different carbon sources and the effect of a number of environmental parameters (e.g. carbon sources and concentrations, pH and temperature) were investigated. The highest endoxylanase (22.41 U ml(-1)) and peroxidase (0.58 U ml(-1)) activities were obtained after 2-4 days of incubation at 30 degrees C in a basal salts medium containing 0.4% (w/v) oat spelt xylan and 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract, corresponding to C : N ratio of 6 : 1. Cell-free extracellular enzyme preparations from the strain were capable of releasing both sugar and aromatic compounds during incubation with eucalyptus paper pulp, straw and xylan. Overall, 9.3% hydrolysis of xylan occurred after 24-h incubation. However the rates of hydrolysis of paper pulp and straw were approximately twofold less than xylan hydrolysis, although the total percentage hydrolysis of available substrate (24.5% and 16.3%, respectively) was greater than xylan hydrolysis. CONCLUSIONS: The high levels of enzyme production achieved under batch cultivation conditions, coupled with no significant production of endoglucanase during the growth phase of organism and the release of both sugar and aromatic compounds from paper pulp and straw signify the suitability for these enzymes for industrial applications such as pulp and paper production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results highlight the environmental conditions for the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and suggest the use of streptomycetes and/or their enzymes in industrial processes.

Antiviral activity of Sanicula europaea L. extracts on multiplication of human parainfluenza virus type 2.

The antiviral activity of Sanicula europaea L. extracts against human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV-2) was examined. The extract prepared from the leaves of the plant and a fraction separated from the crude extract with gel filtration chromatography were found to inhibit HPIV-2 replication without any toxic effect on Vero cells. The acidic fraction obtained from the crude extract of S. europaea leaves was found to be the most active fraction with plaque inhibition assay at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Unfortunately, antiviral activity was not detected in the molecules purified from the crude ethanol extract of Sanicula leaves.

Acute side effects of iopromide and diatrizoate in urography.

PURPOSE: In a prospective study, we compared the acute (0-2 h) side effects of ionic and nonionic contrast media in 767 patients undergoing intravenous urography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nonionic contrast medium (iopromide) was compared to an ionic contrast medium (diatrizoate). RESULTS: Side effects occurred in 25 patients (7.9%) receiving iopromide and in 104 patients (23.1%) receiving diatrizoate (p < 0.01). The reactions in the iopromide group were mild in 11 patients, moderate in 5, and severe in 1. The reactions were 83, 19 and 2, respectively, in the diatrizoate group. The number of reactions that required treatment was equal in the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: At intravenous urography, iopromide induced fewer side effects compared to diatrizoate.

Saniculoside N from Sanicula europaea L.

Extracts from the aerial parts of Sanicula europaea L. were investigated for their anti-HIV activity, and the 50% ethanolic extract was shown to exhibit the highest activity. A new triterpene saponin glycoside, 21 beta-(angeloyloxy)-3-O-[beta-D-arabinopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl propyl ester]-3 beta,15,16,22 alpha,28 beta-pentahydroxy-delta(12)-oleanene, saniculoside N (1), in addition to the known phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid (2), and caffeic acid (3) were isolated as major components. Rosmarinic acid was established as the principal active substance.

Antiviral effect of Sanicula europaea L. leaves extract on influenza virus-infected cells.

We have investigated the influence of Sanicula europaea L. extracts on influenza virus growth in MDCK cells. Fractions I, II, and III separated from Sanicula extract with Sephadex column chromatography were found to be non-toxic against MDCK cells. The growth of influenza A/PR/8/34 was completely inhibited by these fractions, while that of influenza B/Lee/40 was not affected. Fractions II and III have been shown not to have a direct virucidal activity on influenza A/PR/8/34. Influenza A/Vic/1/75 produced microscopic plaques in the presence of the extract. In vitro RNA synthesis with viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was also inhibited by a water soluble extract of Sanicula. These observations suggest that the Sanicula extract contains an anti-influenza virus substance.