Chemical Composition, In Vitro and In Silico Antioxidant Potential of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis Essential Oil.

The investigation aimed to study the in vitro and in silico antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis essential oil (MOEO). The chemical composition of MOEO was determined using GC-MS analysis. Among 36 compounds identified in MOEO, the main were beta-cubebene (27.66%), beta-caryophyllene (27.41%), alpha-cadinene (4.72%), caryophyllene oxide (4.09%), and alpha-cadinol (4.07%), respectively. In vitro antioxidant properties of MOEO have been studied in 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging, and inhibition of ß-carotene bleaching assays. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the radical scavenging abilities of ABTS and DPPH were 1.225 ± 0.011 µg/mL and 14.015 ± 0.027 µg/mL, respectively, demonstrating good antioxidant activity. Moreover, MOEO exhibited a strong inhibitory effect (94.031 ± 0.082%) in the ß-carotene bleaching assay by neutralizing hydroperoxides, responsible for the oxidation of highly unsaturated ß-carotene. Furthermore, molecular docking showed that the MOEO components could exert an in vitro antioxidant activity through xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition. The most active structures are minor MOEO components (approximately 6%), among which the highest affinity for the target protein belongs to carvacrol.

HPV genotyping and p16÷Ki-67 dual staining in the detection of high-grade cervical lesion in patients with LSIL on Pap smear.

p16÷Ki-67 dual-stained cytology, either alone or combined with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16÷18 genotyping, could be a useful tool for triage for colposcopy of HPV-positive patients. Based on this background, we aimed at comparing the diagnostic performance of the p16÷Ki-67 dual staining test, and high-risk HPV test for the detection of high-risk cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2÷3) in patients diagnosed with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) on Pap smear. We performed a retrospective study including 184 patients with LSIL cytology on Pap smear, of which 64 were referred for biopsy after colposcopy. Prior biopsy HPV genotyping and dual staining test were performed on all 64 patients. The mean age of the patients selected for conization was 36 years and seven months. The pathological exam showed that 28.13% (18÷64) from the patients LSIL on cytology were actually having CIN2÷3: 12 cases with CIN2, five cases with CIN3 and one case of in situ cervical carcinoma. HPV positive were 56.25% (36÷64) of the patients with LSIL. The p16÷Ki-67 dual staining test was positive in 29.69% (19÷64) of the patients with LSIL. Among women with LSIL cytology, the sensitivity and specificity of the HPV genotyping test for predicting CIN2÷CIN3 were 94.44% (17÷18) and 58.7% (27÷46), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the p16÷Ki-67 dual staining test were 66.67% (12÷18) and 84.78% (39÷46), respectively. Our results agree with other data available in literature and suggest that the p16÷Ki-67 dual staining test could be included in the management protocol of patients with modified cytology as a triage test before referring those patients for colposcopy.

In vitro fertilization represents a risk factor for vasa praevia.

Vasa praevia is a rare but very dangerous obstetrical condition. The purpose of our article is to evaluate data available in literature that indicate in vitro fertilization as a risk factor for vasa praevia. PubMed Library and Cochrane Database were searched using the keywords vasa praevia, in vitro fertilization, velamentous cord insertion, placenta praevia. The conditions related to in vitro fertilization that increase the risk of vasa praevia formation were identified and discussed. Also, the diagnosis and management options were reviewed. In vitro fertilization represents a risk factor for vasa praevia and all such pregnancies should be screened by transvaginal ultrasound for vasa praevia.

Macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic morphology of the gastric plexus--ontogeny of the celiac ganglion.

The vagus trunks, anterior and posterior, and their respective branches control the parasympathetic innervation of the stomach. After giving off a few thin branches, at the lower part of the esophagus and the cardiac region of the stomach, the anterior vagal trunk divides into its main branches: four or five consecutive direct branches which supply the upper part of the lesser curvature; these nerves do not form plexuses and thus, they may be individually dissected. One of the branches is stronger than the others and is called the principal anterior nerve of the lesser curvature (anterior nerve of Latarjet). The present study was conducted on eight fetuses of different gestational age (resulting from spontaneous abortions, without malformations), observing the Romanian laws of professional ethics, and 15 adult cadavers (male and female) whose celiac region was dissected macro- and mesoscopically to reveal both the celiac ganglia and their afferent and efferent vessels. For the microscopic study, we used the Bielschowsky silver staining method. The meso- and macroscopic dissections revealed the anterior and posterior vagal trunks in all the specimens (100%), as well as a rich gastric periarterial plexus. The microscopic samples focused on the ontogeny of the celiac ganglion in various gestational stages.

Chondrosarcoma of the upper end of the femur.

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that produces cartilage matrix. Occurs in the fourth to sixth decades and has a male to female ratio of 2/1. It is most common in the long bones and on the surface of the pelvis. The authors present a case of chondrosarcoma of the upper end of the femur of a 50-year-old female patient who has come in our Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology two month ago, complaining of severe and persistent pain in the left hip joint and presenting limitation of adduction movement, limitation of internal-external rotation movements, and also could not be able to do thigh flexion on the abdomen. The woman presented a four-month history of persistent and severe pain, not assigned at anti-inflammatory drugs. Laboratory tests not had shown any significance. On radiographies and magnetic nuclear resonance the lesion was shown very clear, deciding for biopsy. The tumor had been large surgical excised with safe limits. Histopathology indicated the histological feature as a differentiated chondrosarcoma, grade III. Our patient has started the chemotherapy and radiation.