Pharmacognostic research on Viola tricolor L. (Violaceae).

UNLABELLED: In this study we analyzed the chemical composition and we evaluated the diuretic activity of aerial parts of V. tricolor L. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For saponins and mucilages we have performed gravimetric methods, whereas for carotenoids, spectrophotometric determinations and HPLC analysis were performed. We studied the diuretic activity of tincture, using furosemide as the reference drug in male Wistar-Bratislava rats. RESULTS: We established the content in saponins (5.98%), mucilages (14.20%) and total carotenoids (18.46 mg/100 g). In fresh vegetal drug we have determined by HPLC 8 carotenoids: violaxanthin (352 microg/100 g), antheraxanthin (711 microg/100 g), lutein (1575 microg/100 g), zeaxanthin (1488 microg/100 g), alpha-cryptoxanthin (66 microg/100 g), beta-carotene 5,6-epoxide (133 microg/100 g), beta-carotene (1678 microg/100 g) and 9Z-beta-carotene (312 microg/100 g). We observed a moderate diuretic effect of tincture (diuretic index 1.103, saluretic index of Na+ 1.181, and saluretic index of K+ 1.365). CONCLUSIONS: Violae tricoloris herba contains a high amount of saponins and mucilages and it can be recommended to complete the diuretic treatment.

Chronic sensorimotor polyneuropathy associated with tacrolimus immunosuppression in renal transplant patients: case reports.

Tacrolimus is used widely for immunosuppression following transplantation. It has rarely been linked to the development of peripheral neuropathy. However, one study also reported improvement in peripheral neuropathy after tacrolimus use. We have reported herein two patients who developed chronic sensorimotor polyneuropathy after tacrolimus use following renal transplantation. One patient had an unusual presentation with bilateral facial and extremity weakness and a relapsing course. The other patient presented with focal sensory symptoms in one hand. Electrophysiological studies confirmed widespread, predominantly demyelinating or axonal polyneuropathy. We concluded that patients on tacrolimus should be carefully monitored for symptoms suggestive of peripheral neuropathy.

The use of psychotropic medications during breast-feeding.

OBJECTIVE: The authors reviewed the risks and benefits regarding the use of psychiatric medications during breast-feeding as they relate to the health and well-being of mothers and their infants. Strategies are discussed to limit infant exposure to a medication while effectively treating the nursing mother. METHOD: A MEDLINE search of the literature since 1955 was conducted to determine the use of psychotropic medications in breast-feeding women. Search items included each of the categories of psychopharmacologic agents as well as each of the agents in association with nursing, breast-feeding, postpartum, lactation, and breast milk. RESULTS: No controlled studies on the safety of psychotropic medications in nursing mothers were found. Case reports and small case series for each of the different psychotropic medications serve as the basis for suggested treatment guidelines for the management of psychiatric illnesses in breast-feeding women. Thus, each case needs to be considered on an individual basis, with a thoughtful analysis of the risks and benefits of nursing and exposure of the infant to medication. The baseline clinical status of the infant should also be reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Women are vulnerable postpartum to psychiatric disorders and frequently face the need to decide whether to take psychotropic medications while breast-feeding. Should psychiatric medication be indicated, the parents should be provided with the available information regarding the effects of these medications on the neonate. In this way, an informed decision can be made. When psychotropic medication is used during breast-feeding, it is strongly recommended that the infant's pediatrician be involved in monitoring the infant.

[The efficiency of an original selective medium in isolating and identifying gram-negative bacteria in urinary tract infections]. / Eficienta unui mediu selectiv original în izolarea si identificarea bacteriilor gramnegative din infectiile tractului urinar.

The authors examined 449 samples of urine, bacteriologically important for the minor infection, collected from the patients with clinical forms of urinary infection. Using a selective medium--CMV, enteric agar (Romanian patent--9345/1989), 567 strains of gram-negative germs, chemically belonging to group I (Enterobacteria)-475/83.77%, or to groups II-VI, 66/11.64% were isolated. Other 20 strains, 4.69% could not be identified. Of the total of samples, 333/74.16% were with monobacterial flora versus 116/25.83% samples with pluribacterial flora referring to Enterobacteria associated among them--64/55.17% or to Enterobacteria associated to other gram-negative germs--33/30.17%. Likewise, double or multiple associations among the germs outside the Enterobacteriaceae family were found. The results showed the etiologic participation of 22 bacterial species to which other nonidentified gram-negative microorganisms were added. Our data, more comprehensive than the mentions of the other authors show the efficiency of the culture medium experimented. It has the following advantages: the isolated colonies have a wide chromatic and structural range, showing, in fact, the reactions between the bacterial enzymes and the substances belonging to the medium;--it identifies directly, in the isolation slides, some frequently met species;--it guides sensibly the pricking out; it permits the establishment of the proportion among the types of colonies.

[Observations on 4 atypical cases of blastocystosis]. / Observatii privind patru cazuri atipice de blastocistoza.

The paper reports on four atypical cases of blastocystosis with prevalence of digestive and cutaneous disorders and of the allergic and general phenomena. The diagnosis could be established only after revealing Blastocystis hominis in the fecal parasitologic examination. The disappearance, in all the four cases, of varied clinical, delayed signs after treatment with metronidazol and stamycine (in two or even four repeated treatment schedules at 10 days' interval) is the proof that Bl. hominis might be the agent (unique or associated with other parasites) of some polymorphous disorders. Our findings are a call to specialists and clinicians for investigating the parasite and using an adequate treatment.

[Dynamics of intestinal parasitic diseases in a students' hospital]. / Dinamica parazitozelor intestinale într-un spital studentesc.

The present study, carried out in 1972-1975, extends, previous investigations on the dynamics of parasitic intestinal diseases. A number of 2723 Romanian and foreign students admitted to a students' hospital were investigated, finding 402 positive cases. Blood eosinophilia was likewis determined in 227 of these cases. There was a 3% decrease in the incidence of parasitic diseases, more marked among the foreign students. The most frequently encountered parasite was Tricocephalus; lambliasis showed a slight increase. The importance of coproparasitologic and haematologic examinations for the prevention, detection and treatment of parasitic diseases in the community investigated is emphasized.