ABSTRACT
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is characterized by impaired urinary concentrating ability, despite normal or elevated plasma concentrations of the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP). NDI can be inherited or acquired. NDI can result from genetic abnormalities, such as mutations in the vasopressin V2 receptor (AVPR2) or the aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel, or acquired causes, such as chronic lithium therapy. Congenital NDI is a rare condition. Mutations in AVPR2 are responsible for approximately 90% of patients with congenital NDI, and they have an X-linked pattern of inheritance. In approximately 10% of patients, congenital NDI has an autosomal recessive or dominant pattern of inheritance with mutations in the AQP2 gene. In 2% of cases, the genetic cause is unknown. The main symptoms at presentation include growth retardation, vomiting or feeding concerns, polyuria plus polydipsia, and dehydration. Without treatment, most patients fail to grow normally, and present with associated constipation, urological complication, megacystis, trabeculated bladder, hydroureter, hydronephrosis, and mental retardation. Treatment of NDI consist of sufficient water intake, low-sodium diet, diuretic thiazide, sometimes in combination with a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (indomethacin) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or hydrochlorothiazide in combination with amiloride. Some authors note a generally favorable long-term outcome and an apparent loss of efficacy of medical treatment during school age.
ABSTRACT
The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...].
ABSTRACT
Essential oils are concentrated natural extracts derived from plants, which were proved to be good sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. This study followed the effect of some commonly used essential oils in micellar and aqueous extract on some of the most common pathogenic bacteria. Frankincense, myrtle, thyme, lemon, oregano and lavender essential oils were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both micellar and aqueous extracts were used for determination of their minimal inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The most active oils were oregano, thyme, lemon and lavender, while the least active were frankincense and myrtle. Oregano oil presented up to 64 times lower MICs/MBCs than ethylic alcohol, if considered as standard, on all bacteria. Most susceptible bacteria were the Gram-positive cocci, including methicillin resistant S. aureus, while the most resistant was P. aeruginosa. With some exceptions, the best activity was achieved by micelles suspension of essential oils, with MICs and MBCs ranging from 0.1% to > 50% v/v. Only oregano and lavender aqueous extracts presented bactericidal activity and only on K. pneumoniae (MIC = 6.3%). Thyme, lemon and oregano oils present significantly lower overall average MICs for their micellar form than for their aqueous extracts. The present results may suggest some formulas of colloid or micelle suspensions of whole essential oils such as oregano, thyme or lemon oil, that may help in antimicrobial fight. Aqueous extracts of oregano or thyme oil with good antibacterial activity could also be used in selected cases.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlations between the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 and the anthropometric measurements in malnourished vs. non-malnourished children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have examined 219 children from Pediatric Clinic I, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures, Romania, during January 1, 2012-March 1, 2013 and divided according to Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m(2)) in the following two groups: 164 with normal nutritional status - control group (BMI between -2SD and +2SD), and 55 children with malnutrition (BMI <-2SD). All the children were evaluated anthropometric: BMI, weight for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), tricipital skinfold (TSF) and paraclinical: IL-6 and IL-8 levels. RESULTS: From 219 children, 25.1% were malnourished. The mean age was 5.16 years in malnourished. IL-6 and IL-8 mean levels were 2.54 pg/mL, respectively 6.83 pg/mL in malnourished and 6.02 pg/mL, respectively 9.06 pg/mL in non-malnourished. By statistically comparing IL-6 in malnourished group vs. control group, we observed decreased values (p<0.0001) and also significantly lower values for IL-8. We also obtained statistical differences between the two groups in BMI, W/A, MUAC and TSF. The BMI SD have an increasing trend line, from -4SD in newborn malnourished to -2SD in near 18-year-old malnourished; the trend line had only a slight ascension in non-malnourished children. CONCLUSIONS: The interleukin levels and BMI, W/A, MUAC and TSF are significantly lower in malnourished children than in non-malnourished. This functional impairment may be involved in the malnutrition to develop a specific immune response in these children.
