Folk nomenclature and traditional knowledge of breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] diversity in four Anglophone Caribbean countries.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction to the Anglophone Caribbean in 1793, breadfruit has had a diverse history in the region, and there is a considerable repository of traditional knowledge about the crop, that is undocumented. Consequently, it remains underutilized as a food source, despite recognition of its potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. Understanding the folk taxonomy and traditional knowledge associated with its diversity and uses is a prerequisite to develop programs for its commercial production and utilization. METHOD: This study was conducted among 170 respondents who were selected across four Anglophone Caribbean countries and provided information on the ethnobotany and traditional knowledge associated with breadfruit biodiversity, including systems of naming, identification and classification of breadfruit cultivars or types. RESULTS: Breadfruit has socio-cultural and economic value and is produced for both home use and sale by most respondents (68%). The genetic diversity of breadfruit managed by the respondents is also important, as a total of 51 vernacular names were identified, with nine of those names recorded for the first time in this study. Breadfruit types were identified by morphological and agronomical characteristics, with other important traits relating to use and cooking quality. Classification of breadfruit cultivars or types was based on eating-quality, most suitable methods of preparation and ease of cooking. CONCLUSION: The ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge obtained from this study may be useful in assessing the genetic diversity of breadfruit and guiding future community-based conservation and classification studies of this important crop resource in the Caribbean. This is crucial to support the commercialization of breadfruit to improve its contribution to food and nutrition security.

Zinc detection in oil-polluted marine environment by stripping voltammetry with mercury-free nanoporous gold electrode.

Detection of Zn(II) in oil-polluted seawater via square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SW-ASV) utilizing thin gold electrodes sputtered onto nanoporous poly(acrylic acid)-grafted-poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PAA-g-PVDF) membrane is herein reported. Prior to SW-ASV, PAA grafted nanopores demonstrated to efficiently trap Zn(II) ions at open circuit. This passive adsorption followed a Langmuir law. An affinity constant of 1.41 L [Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text] and a maximum Zn(II) adsorbed mass q[Formula: see text] of 1.21 [Formula: see text]mol g[Formula: see text] were found. Applied SW-ASV protocol implied an accumulation step (- 1.2 V for 120 s) followed by a stripping step (- 1.2 to 1 V; 25 Hz; step: 4 mV; amplitude: 25 mV; acetate buffer (pH 5.5)). It revealed a Zn redox potential at - 0.8 V (Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference). Multiple measurements in synthetic waters close to the composition of production waters exhibited a decreasing precision with the number of readings R (1.65[Formula: see text] (R = 2) and 6.56[Formula: see text] (R = 3)). These membrane-electrodes should be used as disposable. The intra-batch mean precision was 14[Formula: see text] (n = 3) while inter-batches precision was 20[Formula: see text] (n = 15). Linear and linear-log calibrations allow exploitation of Zn(II) concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 [Formula: see text]g L[Formula: see text] and 100 to 1000 [Formula: see text]g L[Formula: see text] respectively. The LOD was 4.2 [Formula: see text]g L[Formula: see text] (3S/N). Thanks to obtained calibration, a detected Zn(II) content of 1 ppm in a raw production water from North Sea oil platform was determined.

Early warning sensors for monitoring mercury in water.

Poly-4-vinylpyridine grafted poly(vinylidene difluoride) (P4VP-g-PVDF) nanoporous polymer electrodes were found to be sensitive for Hg(II) analysis. The fabrication and characterization of functionalized nanoporous membrane-electrodes by FESEM and FTIR are presented. Functionalized nanopore charge state versus a large range of pH (1-10) was investigated by registering the streaming potential. This isoelectric point is achieved at the pKa of P4VP (pH = 5). Mercury adsorption at solid-liquid interface obeys a Langmuir law. A protocol for accurate Hg(II) analysis at ppb level was established. Calibration curves were performed and different real water samples (mineral water, ground water, surface water) were spiked and analyzed. The resulting sensor is intended to be integrated into existing systems or used standalone as portable devices. A first generation prototype exhibiting its own integrated potentiostat, its software and set of membrane-electrode pads is presented.

Stromal podoplanin expression and its clinicopathological role in breast carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is still a serious health problem in 21st century and diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this malignant disease are subject to many research. While cancer research has been focused on tumour cells primarily, recent studies showed that tumour stroma contribute to carcinogenesis as well as tumour cells. Especially fibroblasts adjacent to epithelial tumour cells are not ordinary fibroblasts and play the critical role. Studies showed that these cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have different genetic profile and protein expression. One of the differently expressed molecules recently found is podoplanin. Podoplanin, utilised as a lymphatic endothelial marker, is found to be expressed in CAFs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the stromal expression of podoplanin in invasive breast carcinoma and clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS & METHODS: Podoplanin expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in 153 breast cancers. Tumours with ≥ 10% distinct cytoplasmic podoplanin staining in CAFs were considered as positive. RESULTS: In 65.3% of analysed tumours, podoplanin expression was found positive in CAFs. According to our results, podoplanin positive CAFs correlated significantly with tumour size (p= 0.012), tumour grade (p= 0.032) and cerbB2 score (p= 0.032). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that podoplanin expression by CAFs could predict poor patient outcome in breast carcinoma.

Evaluation of female athlete triad and gynecological complaints in young Turkish female athletes.

PURPOSE: Female athlete triad (FAT) is a serious healthcare concern in the young female population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of FAT and its relationship with gynecologic complaints of young Turkish female athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey and included 87 female athletes involved in a variety of sports as a case group and 85 sedentary female university students from Ege and Celal Bayar Universities. All subjects completed a questionnaire consisting of 32 separate questions assessing eating behavior, menstrual status, gynecologic and systemic complaints, psychological problems, and sexual history. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This survey involved 172 females in between to 30 years of age. The age of menarche was found to be significantly lower in the sedentary group (p = 0.00). Late menstruation and oligoamenorrhea were notable complaints among the athletes, and body mass index (BMI) was found to be statistically lower in the athletic group (p = 0.00). Cold hands and hair loss were seen more often in the sedentary group compared to the athletic group (p < 0.05). According to a logistic regression analysis, independent variables (BMI, menstrual status, and bone fractures) were found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Excessive sports activity can be hazardous in young female population. Lower BMI might be related to menstrual irregularity. Young female population should be informed about this relationship, especially athletes who are particularly at risk. Certain precautions should be taken into consideration in this population in order to get benefits of sports activity.

Médico dentista inventa fórmula que reduz duração da anestesia dentária

Descreve a descoberta de um produto que reduz para metade o tempo normal de desaparecimento do efeito da anestesia, para cerca de 85 minutos.

Significance of Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography of uterine and intraovarian arteries in the clinical diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIAL & METHOD: This study was planned as a cohort, controlled, prospective study. A total of 80 participants (40 with PCOS and 40 as a control group) were enrolled in the study. A Doppler system with a 6.0 MHz transvaginal probe was used when performing ultrasonography (USG) and Doppler examinations. Ovarian size and volume, number of follicles and stromal echogenity were evaluated by USG. Doppler flow studies were targeted to uterine and intraovarian arteries and the pulsatility index (PI) was assessed. The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T) and dihydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEAS) were measured by immunometric methods. RESULTS: The mean values of the number of follicles and the ovarian volume of both the right and left ovaries were higher in the group with PCOS than the control group (p < 0.05). The mean PI values of the right and left ovaries, respectively, were 0.84 +/- 0.23 and 1.09 +/- 1.17 in the group with PCOS, and 0.88 +/- 0.14 and 0.92 +/- 0.15 in the control group. The mean PI values of the right and left uterine arteries, respectively, were 3.25 +/- 0.98 and 3.33 +/- 1.12 in the group with PCOS, and 3.17 +/- 0.93 and 3.2 +/- 1.38 in the control group (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis of the ovarian volume, the number of follicles and Doppler parameters revealed that there was a positive correlation and statistically significant difference between the right ovarian volume and right uterine artery PI in the group with PCOS and the left ovarian volume and left uterine artery PI in the control group (p > 0.05). The mean stromal PI of the ovarian and uterine arteries were 0.96 +/- 0.61 and 3.29 +/- 1.02 in the group with PCOS and 0.9 +/- 0.12 and 3.19 +/- 1.14 in the control group, respectively (p > 0.05). In the group with PCOS, the mean ovarian volume and the mean number of follicles were 11.46 +/- 4.43 and 13.91 +/- 4.11, respectively, whereas they were 7.63 +/- 2.44 and 5.55 +/- 2.34 in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is not beneficial to use color Doppler transvaginal ultrasonography in the clinical diagnosis of patients with PCOS.

Effects of postpartum uterine curettage on maternal well-being in severe preeclamptic patients.

PURPOSE: We assessed the effect of postpartum uterine curettage on maternal recovery time in severe preeclamptic patients. METHOD: Fifty-six pregnant women with the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia in their third trimester were enrolled in the study. Uterine curettage was performed in the early postpartum period on 31 randomly selected patients and curettage was not performed in the remaining 25 patients. Prepartum mean arterial pressure (MAP) values, quantitative platelet counts, presence of proteinuria tested semiquantatitively, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), and uric acid levels were determined. FINDINGS: In the group that underwent curettage, we observed a faster drop in the mean arterial pressures monitored at two-hour intervals, especially after the sixth postpartum hour (p < 0.05). Average urine output recorded at four-hour intervals in the postpartum period was significantly higher in the curettage group compared to the non-curettage group (p < 0.05). The difference in the platelet counts of both groups was not significant at the 12th postpartum hour, however, at 24 hours, platelet counts in the curettage group were higher. In the postpartum period at the 12th and 24th hours there was no difference between the two groups with regard to LDH, AST, and ALT values (p > 0.05). RESULTS: In our study we have observed that uterine curettage performed in the postpartum period had favorable effects on blood pressure, platelet count, and urinary output and also helped in faster recovery from severe preeclampsia. We, therefore, consider that postpartum uterine curettage is useful for patients with severe preeclampsia that require faster recovery.

Combined administration of misoprostol in the first and second trimester missed abortion cases.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and adverse effects of combined (vaginal + oral) administration of misoprostol in missed abortion cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 48 missed abortion cases between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. Misoprostol-induced medical abortion was planned; the first dose (200 microg) was administered intravaginally and subsequent doses (200 microg each) orally every following hour. A maximum of six doses (1200 microg) were used. Revision curettage was performed on all subjects who aborted. RESULTS: The mean time interval from the first dose of misoprostol until the abortion was 6.27 +/- 3.02 hours. The success rate was 95% for the whole group. We observed misoprostol-related trembling in one patient and fever in two patients. CONCLUSION: We believe that our low-dose combined misoprostol protocol is a safe, effective and well-tolerated method with minimal adverse effects for the termination of both first and second trimester pregnancy losses.

Evaluation and importance of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) during pregnancy and its prevalance in the three trimesters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten pregnant women in their first trimester attending the antenatal outpatient clinic with no urinary tract complaints were included in the study. After perineal cleaning, urine samples were obtained from all patients for culture and microscopic evaluation. Approximately 1 ml urine was sampled using the mid-stream catch technique. Patients with bacterial counts over 100,000 with the mid-stream catch technique were considered to have asymptomatic bacteriuria. Patients fulfilling the criteria for bacteriuria were treated with either penicillin or cephalosporine for one week, depending on the in-vitro sensitivity test results. RESULTS: ASB rate in the study group was 8.1%. E. coli was isolated as the pathogenic organism in 77.77% of the cases with ASB. ASB was found to be more frequent in patients over age 25 and the average age of pregnant women with ASB was 29.89 +/- 5.80 (p < 0.05). Average duration of gestation in the group with ASB was 28.11 +/- 2.26 weeks. ASB rate in the group age 35 and over was 22.22% (p < 0.05). ASB was diagnosed in nine patients; one of these patients was in the first trimester, two were in the second trimester, and six in the third trimester. Clustering in the third trimester was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ASB distribution in the first, second, and third trimesters was 0.9%, 1.83%, and 5.6%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between advanced maternal age and incidence of ASB. Women with no bacteriuria in their initial examination in the first trimester developed bacteriuria in the later trimesters. We, therefore, suggest that it would be prudent to screen pregnant women for bacteriuria in the second and third trimesters.

Unicornuate uterus and unilateral ovarian agenesis associated with pelvic kidney.

In this report, we present a case of unilateral müllerian and ovarian agenesis associated with pelvic kidney. The patient was a 27-year-old woman who complained of an inability to conceive. We performed a hysterosalpingogram, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and an excretory urogram (IVP). At laparoscopy, we found an unicornuate uterus without a rudimentary horn. The right round ligament, fallopian tube, and ovary were present, but they were absent at the left side. Postoperative IVP revealed a pelvic kidney. Ultimately, her infertility was found to be due to a male factor: the abnormal semen of her partner. The couple was referred to our in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit. Because of the close embryologic association between the genital and urinary tracts, evaluation of the urinary tract in any patient with a genital or gonadal anomaly is necessary.

Comparison of the intrapartum analysis of Doppler blood flow velocity waveform of the umbilical artery and fetal heart rate tracing for the prediction of perinatal outcome.

This study was performed to determine the value of umbilical artery Doppler flow velocity waveform (FVW) analysis and fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing in the course of labour for predicting poor perinatal outcome. The randomised, controlled and prospective study was carried out on 99 singleton term pregnant women in labour at the Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Hospital, Istanbul. All patients were evaluated by both methods during the intrapartum period. Blood gases and pH of umbilical venous blood and 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores of the newborn infants were determined immediately after delivery. For the prediction of poor perinatal outcome, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of FHR were 72.0%, 85.1%, 60.1% and 90.0%, respectively. FHR was pathological in all four cases with a neonatal death, whereas only two had pathological Doppler FVW. We conclude that FHR is a more sensitive method than umbilical artery Doppler FVW analysis (72.0% versus 36.0%) in the prediction of poor perinatal outcome during the intrapartum period. A combination of the two tests increases the specificity of the prediction of poor perinatal outcome from 89.2% and 85.1% to 94.9%. High negative predictive values of both tests should reassure the clinician when the test results are normal.

Pentoxifylline in male-factor infertility: its therapeutic efficacy after oral administration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the oral use of pentoxifylline improves the fertilization ability, concentration and motility of spermatozoa of poor fertilizer male subject. DESIGN: Analysis of the spermiogram parameters before and after oral pentoxifylline administration. SETTING: Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Hospital, Department of Infertility. PATIENTS: Fourteen healthy, untreated male partners of couples who applied to our infertility department and were found to have poor semen parameters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data of the semen analyses and fertilization rates are compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before the treatment, the average percentage sperm motility and density were 30.1 +/- 8 (%) and 14.8 +/- 3.2 (10(6)/ml), respectively. The same parameters were found to be 37.8 +/- 13 (%) and 19.5 +/- 10 (10(6)/ml), respectively, following the treatment. Not significant, p = 0.08 and p = 0.116, respectively). CONCLUSION: None of the semen parameters evaluated were improved by oral administration of pentoxifylline. Therefore pentoxifylline does not increase percentage motility and density of spermatozoa or the fertilization rates.