Antifungal Activity of Ethanol-extracted Bixa orellana (L) (Achiote) on Candida albicans, at Six Different Concentrations.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal activity of six different concentrations of the ethanol extract of Bixa orellana (L) (Achiote) on the strains of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethanol extract of Bixa orellana (L) (BEE) was prepared in six different concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%), which were confronted with the positive control group (Nystatin 100,000 UI/mL). The total sample consisted of n = 174 wells inoculated with each concentration evaluated in the Petri dishes. The cultivation procedure was carried out at a temperature of 37°C, and then the 6 mm diameter wells on which the sowing of the Candida albicans in suspension was carried out. Subsequently, the BEE (Achiote) was inoculated in all the concentrations mentioned in the same way for Nystatin; finally, the inhibition halos were evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer method at the scheduled times of 24, 48, and 72 hours. RESULTS: The highest antifungal activity was found at 24 hours and this increased directly proportional to the concentration of BEE (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%): 11 ± 0, 11 ± 0, 13.1 ± 1.3, 17.2 ± 0.8, 19.1 ± 1.0, and 21.4 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference when compared with Nystatin, at p > 0.05 Conclusion: It was shown that 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100% BEE had an antifungal effect against Candida albicans. However, there were no statistically significant differences against the effect of Nystatin at 100,000 IU/mL, who has an inhibitory effect greater than BEE, with a significance level of p < 0.05. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This article describes the antifungal activity and the possible impact on dentistry that the use of Bixa orellana (L) may have because according to our results it had an antifungal effect against strains of Candida albicans. This opens a great line of research to potentially use this natural resource in dentistry. How to cite this article: Poma-Castillo L, Espinoza-Poma M, Mauricio F, et al. Antifungal Activity of Ethanol-extracted Bixa orellana (L) (Achiote) on Candida albicans, at Six Different Concentrations. J Contemp Dent Pract 2019;20(10):1159-1163.

[Thinking organization and defense mechanisms in bipolar disorders. Clinical and psychopathological study on bipolar I and bipolar II]. / Pensiero e difese nei disturbi bipolari. Studio clinico e psicopatologico su bipolari I e bipolari II.

AIM: The aim of this research is to explore the psychical functioning in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder people through the analysis and comparison of their thought styles and defense patterns. METHODS: 29 bipolar I and bipolar II people afferent to Palermo University Policlinical Psychriatic Hospital Department were selected during the whole 2009-2010 year. The following tests were administred: Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale-R (WAIS-R) in order to measure the general cognitive function; Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI) in order to measure defense patterns. Afterwards, the results of the two tests were analysed and compared. OUTCOME: Bipolar disorder people use cognitive mechanisms and defense strategies that are very different from standard population. Bipolar I subjects show both wider and more serious cognitive deterioration and stricter defense mechanisms than bipolar II subjects. Generally bipolar patients show an immature personality based on archaic mechanisms that can be found in all the spheres of their personality: emotions, cognition, Ego-strength, adaptability to reality. DISCUSSION: The peculiar achieved cognitive and defense profile leads to important considerations about how psychological strategies can contribute to use "bespoke" treatments for these patients.

Carcinoma de la trompas de falopio presentación de caso / Fallopian tube carcinoma case presentation

Se reporta una paciente con diagnóstico histopatológico de Adenocarcinoma papilar infiltrante de la trompa de Falopio moderadamente diferenciado, que invade hasta la capa muscular, sin rebasar a ésta, con metástasis a un ganglio del epiplón y no invade endometrío. Operada en la clínica de Onco-Ginecología y Patología cervical del Departamento de Gineco-obstetricia Hospital Obrero No 2 de la Caja Nacional de Seguro, constituyendo el único caso conocido en nuestro Hospital. Se completa el tratamiento remitiendo al Servicio de Oncología.

Its report a patient with a diagnosis of papillary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tubes moderately differentiated, than invades until the muscle layer, without exceeding this layer, metastasis to the ganglyon of epiplon and does not invades endometrial layer. Operated at the Onco-gynecology and cervix pathology clinic of the Department of Gynecology - obstetrics of the Hospital worker at the CNS, been the only one case Knowed in our hospital. The treatment its completed sent the patient to the oncology service.