in vitro Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activities of Ribwort Plantain (Plantago Lanceolata L.) Root Fractions and Phytochemical Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), which belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, has been widely used as a herbal plant in traditional medicine across the globe. The present study aimed to investigate the biologically active substances of P. lanceolata root fractions, as well as the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of extracts. The cytotoxic activity of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-butanol extracts of P. lanceolata root was evaluated by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The P.lanceolata root extracts were also evaluated on gram-positive and negative bacteria by disc diffusion and microtiter broth dilution methods. The phytochemical content was also examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The P.lanceolata root extracts were cytotoxic; IC50 values against HCT-116 at 72 h were 168.553 µg/mL, 167.458 µg/mL, and 205.004 µg/mL for ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-butanol root extracts, respectively. The dichloromethane extract of P. lanceolata root had the highest inhibitory effect against S. paratyphi (14.00±1.0 mm) at the concentration of 100 mg/mL. The minimum MIC and MBC (5 and 15 mg/mL) were observed for dichloromethane extract of P. lanceolata root against S. paratyphi. The main composition of ethyl acetate extract was 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid and mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (60.93%). The major compositions in dichloromethane and n-butanol extracts were 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (60.64%) and 2-Methyl-1-butanol (.+/-.)- (17.85%). As evidenced by the results of the present research, P. lanceolata extracts are a significant source of bioactive metabolites. Therefore, they can play a prominent role in the production of pharmaceutical materials.

Laser processing of Ti6Al4V alloy: wetting state of surface and environmental dust effects.

Laser processing of Ti6Al4V alloy surface, via repetitive pulses, is realized incorporating the nitrogen assisting gas. The texture characteristics of the surface and wetting state are analyzed. The free energy of the laser treated surface is estimated. The influence of the dust particles on the treated and untreated surfaces is examined. The solution formed due to water condensate on the dust particles is evaluated. The adhesion of the mud dried solution on the treated and untreated surfaces is assessed through determining the tangential force required for the removal of the solution from the surface. The findings demonstrate that the high power laser repetitive pulse heating results in formation of the hieratically distributed micro/nano pillars on the workpiece surface. The wetting state of the processed surface remains hydrophilic because of the large gap size between the micro/nano pillars. The free energy of the laser textured surface is similar to that obtained for the TiN coated surfaces, which is because of the nitride compounds developed during the processing. The dried liquid solution strongly adheres at the surface and the force needed for removing the dried liquid solution is almost four times of the friction force at the surface. The liquid solution gives rise to locally scattered shallow pit sites on as received surface. This phenomenon does not occur for the laser treated surface, which is related to the passive layer developed on the surface.

Estimating the absorbed dose to critical organs during dual X-ray absorptiometry.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to estimate a patient's organ dose (effective dose) during performance of dual X-ray absorptiometry by using the correlations derived from the surface dose and the depth doses in an anthropomorphic phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anthropomorphic phantom was designed and TLDs (Thermoluminescent Dosimeters) were placed at the surface and these were also inserted at different depths of the thyroid and uterus of the anthropomorphic phantom. The absorbed doses were measured on the phantom for the spine and femur scan modes. The correlation coefficients and regression functions between the absorbed surface dose and the depth dose were determined. The derived correlation was then applied for 40 women patients to estimate the depth doses to the thyroid and uterus. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the surface dose and depth dose of the thyroid and uterus in both scan modes. For the women's dosimetry, the average surface doses of the thyroid and uterus were 1.88 microGy and 1.81 microGy, respectively. Also, the scan center dose in the women was 5.70 microGy. There was correlation between the thyroid and uterus surface doses, and the scan center dose. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the effective dose to the patient's critical organs during dual X-ray absorptiometry can be estimated by the correlation derived from phantom dosimetry.

Evaluation of Radiation Exposure to Staff and Environment Dose from [18F]-FDG in PET/CT and Cyclotron Center using Thermoluminescent Dosimetry.

BACKGROUND: PET/CT imaging using [18F]-FDG is utilized in clinical oncology for tumor detecting, staging and responding to therapy procedures. Essential consideration must be taken for radiation staff due to high gamma radiation in PET/CT and cyclotron center. The aim of this study was to assess the staff exposure regarding whole body and organ dose and to evaluate environment dose in PET/CT and cyclotron center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 patients participated in this study. Thermoluminescence, electronic personal dosimeter and Geiger-Muller dosimeter were also utilized for measurement purpose. RESULTS: The mean annual equivalent organ dose for scanning operator with regard to lens of eyes, thyroid, breast and finger according to mean±SD value, were 0.262±0.044, 0.256±0.046, 0.257±0.040 and 0.316±0.118, respectively. The maximum and minimum estimated annual whole body doses were observed for injector and the chemist group with values of (3.98±0.021) mSv/yr and (1.64±0.014) mSv/yr, respectively. The observed dose rates were 5.67 µSv/h in uptake room at the distance of 0.5 meter from the patient whereas the value 4.94 and 3.08 µSv/h were recorded close to patient's head in PET/CT room and 3.5 meter from the reception desk. CONCLUSION: In this study, the injector staff and scanning operator received the first high level and second high level of radiation. This study confirmed that low levels of radiation dose were received by all radiation staff during PET/CT procedure using 18F-FDG due to efficient shielding and using trained radiation staff in PET/CT and cyclotron center of Masih Daneshvari hospital.

Assessment of absorbed dose to thyroid, parotid and ovaries in patients undergoing Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery was originally introduced by Lars Leksell in 1951. This treatment refers to the noninvasive destruction of an intracranial target localized stereotactically. The purpose of this study was to identify the dose delivered to the parotid, ovaries, testis and thyroid glands during the Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedure. A three-dimensional, anthropomorphic phantom was developed using natural human bone, paraffin and sodium chloride as the equivalent tissue. The phantom consisted of a thorax, head and neck and hip. In the natural places of the thyroid, parotid (bilateral sides) and ovaries (midline), some cavities were made to place TLDs. Three TLDs were inserted in a batch with 1 cm space between the TLDs and each batch was inserted into a single cavity. The final depth of TLDs was 3 cm from the surface for parotid and thyroid and was 15 cm for the ovaries. Similar batches were placed superficially on the phantom. The phantom was gamma irradiated using a Leksell model C Gamma Knife unit. Subsequently, the same batches were placed superficially over the thyroid, parotid, testis and ovaries in 30 patients (15 men and 15 women) who were undergoing radiosurgery treatment for brain tumours. The mean dosage for treating these patients was 14.48 +/- 3.06 Gy (10.5-24 Gy) to a mean tumour volume of 12.30 +/- 9.66 cc (0.27-42.4 cc) in the 50% isodose curve. There was no significant difference between the superficial and deep batches in the phantom studies (P-value < 0.05). The mean delivered doses to the parotid, thyroid, ovaries and testis in human subjects were 21.6 +/- 15.1 cGy, 9.15 +/- 3.89 cGy, 0.47 +/- 0.3 cGy and 0.53 +/- 0.31 cGy, respectively. The data can be used in making decisions for special clinical situations such as treating pregnant patients or young patients with benign lesions who need radiosurgery for eradication of brain tumours.

Multi-element analysis of the human body using neutron activation.

The calibration described is of the Leeds in vivo neutron activation facility for the simultaneous measurement of total body Na, Cl, P, Ca, N and K. The effects of body size and shape have been incorporated into the calibration using a variable anthropomorphic phantom. The main interfering reactions are considered, and the method by which the results are corrected for these interferences described. The accuracy and precision of the technique have been determined. The procedure is suitable for measuring the critically ill since both irradiation and counting are performed with the patient lying supine. For a whole body dose equivalent of 0.5 mSv nitrogen was measured with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.2%; potassium was measured in the same counting period with a CV of 1.6%. Using a dose equivalent of 5 mSv sodium (2.2%), chlorine (1.6%) and phosphorus (2.9%) were also determined; for a 10 mSv dose equivalent calcium was measured with a CV of 3%.

The accuracy of total body nitrogen determined by neutron activation analysis.

Experiments have been performed to validate the technique of determining total body nitrogen by measuring the induced activity of 13N produced by the reaction of 14 MeV neutrons with nitrogen. Firstly, the accuracy of determining the counts due to nitrogen was studied by measuring the activities of the positron-emitting nuclides of C, Cl, K, P, and O, as well as N, produced by the irradiation of anthropomorphic phantoms with a surface neutron dose equivalent of 0.5 mSv (50 mrem). Secondly, the effect of variation of spatial sensitivity was studied by measuring the activation and detection efficiencies of small samples at many positions within an anthropomorphic phantom, and also by comparing the known amounts of nitrogen within a new type of phantom in which the elements are fixed, with the amounts measured using a calibration based on experiments with a Bush phantom in which the elements are freely diffusible within each phantom part. There was a maximum difference of only 4% between the measured and known amounts of nitrogen. It is therefore concluded that this technique provides a simple and accurate way of measuring total body nitrogen.

Technical modifications of ureteroneocystostomy in renal transplantation: an 18-year experience.

The treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease is renal transplantation. Urinary tract reconstruction is usually done by anti-reflux ureteroneocystostomy, of which there are several techniques. In this study, a comparison of previous studies related to complications and outcome of various extra-vesical uereteroneocystostomy techniques that were used in our center was made. From the year 1988, when renal transplantation was first performed in our center, we utilized many ureteroneocystostomy techniques including Lich-Grigoir, Barry, Tagochi, and finally Barry-Tagochi. With each conversion, we compared the results of the earlier technique with the new one. In addition, we collected the results of four previous studies conducted by our surgeons and analyzed the complications seen with ureteroneocystostomy. A total of 717 renal transplant recipients were included in our study; 214 of these patients were reimplanted by the Barry-Tagochi technique, 155 cases by the Barry technique, 44 cases by the Tagochi technique, and finally, 304 cases by the Lich-Grigor technique. There was no significant difference in the overall complications, urinary leakage and ureteral stenosis, and obstruction between the four groups. However, complicated hematuria was significantly more frequently seen in the Tagochi group (P = 0.002). Also, the mean time taken for ureteroneocystostomy was longer in the Lich-Grigor group (P = 0.001). We found that the Barry-Tagochi technique had an overall incidence of urological complications similar to that of the other extravesical techniques and was less time consuming.

Natural radioactivity levels of (226)RA and (40)K in soil of Zanjan province, Iran.

Radioactivity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides, (226)Ra and (40)K, in soil samples of Zanjan province, in north-west of Iran and from 21 geographical areas was measured by gamma spectrometry. The activity concentration of (226)Ra ranged from 58.4 + or - 1.8 to 132 + or - 3.1 Bq kg(-1) with the mean value of 88.5 + or - 22.9 Bq kg(-1). The activity concentration of (40)K ranged from 267 + or - 5.9 to 791 + or - 8.1 Bq kg(-1) with the mean value of 497.4 + or - 162.6 Bq kg(-1). The mean values for absorbed dose rate in air and annual effective dose were determined as 62.6 + or - 16.5 nGy h(-1) and 0.076 + or - 0.02 mSv, respectively.

Comparision of barry and barry-taguchi ureterovesical reimplantation techniques in kidney transplantations: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for chronic renal failure. Using a suitable ureterovesical anastomosis technique can prevent most of risks for kidney graft. Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy is becoming popular in renal transplantation because of the low complication rate and technical ease. The decreased complication rate is due to limited bladder dissection and the need for a shorter ureteral segment from the donor. OBJECTIVE: In this study we assessed the effectiveness and complications of a new technique, Barry-Taguchi technique and compared it with Barry technique. METHODS: We recorded all urological complications developed in the recipient's kidney between September 2004 and March 2007 (mean follow-up 12 months) after performing extravesical Barry-Taguchi (new technique) and Barry ureteroneocystostomy. The urological complications studied included complicated hematuria, urinary fistula, and ureteral stenosis. RESULTS: A total 100 patients who underwent Barry-Taguchi technique and 98 patients who underwent Barry technique were studied. The incidence of urological complications in Barry-Taguchi and Barry re-implantation technique was 4% (n=4) and 5% (n=5%), respectively. These complications included 1 urinary leakage and 3 ureteral obstructions for Barry-Taguchi technique, and 4 obstructions and 1 leakage from Barry group. In both trial groups, no complicated hematuria has occurred. In addition, the recorded time taken for ureteral anastomosis ranged from 4 to 16 (mean 8.3) min for Barry-Taguchi technique and 5 to 20 (mean 9.9) min in Barry technique. CONCLUSION: The Barry-Taguchi extravesical ureteroneocystostomy technique is a rapid and rather simple technique. Without increasing the incidence of urological complication rate, it is a reliable method for performing ureteroneocystostomy.

Outcomes of stenting with overlapping drug-eluting stents versus overlapping drug-eluting and bare-metal stents for the treatment of diffuse coronary lesions.

INTRODUCTION: we investigated the outcomes of stenting with overlapping drug-eluting stents (DES) versus overlapping stenting with a combination of drug-eluting and bare metal stents (BMS) in very long coronary lesions (≥ 25 mm). METHODS AND RESULTS: fifty-two patients treated with either overlapping DES-DES (n = 22) or DES-BMS (n = 30) were selected from a registry of 588 patients with very long coronary lesions. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the preceding 48 hours were excluded. The DES-DES combination was more frequently used for longer lesions compared with the DES-BMS group (47.95 ± 9.25 vs 39.98 ± 9.15 mm, p = 0.003). Left anterior descending artery lesions were also more frequently treated with the DES-DES combination (95.5 vs 66.7%, p = 0.02). In four patients in the DES-BMS group, overlapping stents were used for the coverage of dissections. Peri-procedural non-Q-wave MI occurred in one patient in the DES-BMS group. On follow up, only one case of non-fatal MI occurred in a patient with overlapping DES-DES. CONCLUSION: overlapping a BMS in the proximal part of a long DES instead of exclusive deployment of two or more overlapped DES seems to be a safe and feasible therapeutic strategy in our practice.

Multi-element analysis of the living body by neutron activation analysis-application to critically ill patients receiving intravenous nutrition.

Neutron activation analysis has been used to determine the total content in the body of N, K, Na, Cl, P and Ca in 25 critically ill surgical patients before and after a 14-day course of intravenous nutrition. Muscle elemental composition was also determined in these patients at the same time as the total body analysis. Over the 14-day period of intravenous feeding the total body contents of all the measured elements increased (2-9.7 per cent) but only the increase in K was statistically significant. Muscle chemistry suggested an intracellular K depletion which was corrected over the study period. The results of the total body multi-element analysis were interpreted to show a mean gain of 1.25 l of extracellular fluid and 0.51 l of intracellular fluid and direct measurement of total body water suggested that this interpretation was probably valid. The first application of the technique to patients with nutritional and metabolic problems has quantified the weight gained by two body compartments during a 2-week period of intravenous nutrition. Its further application should help to solve a number of nutritional and metabolic problems in clinical surgery.