Chemical Composition and Biocontrol Activity of Different Essential Oils against Soil-Borne Fungal Pathogens.

In this study, the efficacy of the essential oil of Mentha longifolia, Achillea arabica and Artemisia absinthium plants were evaluated against important soil-borne fungal pathogens as Verticillium dahliae, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium oxysporum. Essential oils were obtained from plants by hydrodistillation method and the chemical components of essential oils were determined by analyzing by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components found as piperitone oxide (13.61%), piperitenone oxide (15.55%), pulegone (12.47%), 1-menthone (5.75%), and camphor (5.75%) in M. longifolia, á-selinene 13.38%, camphor 13.34%, L-4-terpineneol 8.40%, (-)-á-Elemene 7.01%, 1,8-cineole 4.71%, and (-)-spathulenol 3.84% in A. arabica, and á-thujone (34.64%), 1,8-cineole (19.54%), pulegone (7.86%), camphene (5.31%), sabinene (4.86%), and germacrene-d (3.67%) in A. absinthium. The antifungal activities of the oils were investigated 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.00, and 2.00 µl/ml concentrations with the contact effect method. M. longifolia oil (1.00 and 2.00 µl/ml) has displayed remarkable antifungal effect and provided 100% inhibition on mycelial growth of V. dahliae, R. solani and F. oxysporum. The results obtained from this study may contribute to the development of new alternative and safe methods against soil-borne fungal pathogens.

Effect of bencyclane fumarate on intestinal ischaemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Post-ischaemic intestinal tissue damage appears to be due to the formation of oxygen radicals. Free radical-initiated lipid peroxidation following intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) may disrupt mucosal integrity. Indirectly, the radicals trigger the accumulation of neutrophils within the affected tissue, initiating inflammatory processes that lead to severe mucosal lesions. We have investigated the protective effect of bencyclane fumarate, a vasodilating Ca(2+) channel blocker, which has been used for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases, on intestinal ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no IR injury, n = 16), an ischaemic control group (IR, n = 16), and BF-treated group (pretreatment 5 mg/kg bencyclane fumarate + IR, n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, namely malondialdehyde; free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels; an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity and mucosal damage were investigated. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the BF group. In addition, in the BF group, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the IR group. CONCLUSION: The pretreatment of rats with bencyclane fumarate before intestinal ischaemia attenuates the mucosal damage in intestinal IR injury, probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation and antioxidant activity.

[Can dexpanthenol prevent peritoneal adhesion formation? An experimental study]. / Peritoneal adezyon olusumu dekspantenol uygulamasiyla azaltilabilir mi? Deneysel çalisma.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneum has an intrinsic fibrinolytic activity that breaks the peritoneal adhesions. Ischemic peritoneal injuries interfere with this fibrinolytic activity. Local application of dexpanthenol, the alcohol form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) accelerates wound healing by increasing mitosis. We hypothesized that dexpanthenol would decrease peritoneal adhesions. METHODS: In rats, antimesenteric border of cecum was abraded with gauze. No medication was given to the control group (n=15). Dexpanthenol was administered intraperitoneally (IP) (n=15, 25 mg/kg, before abdominal closure) or intravenously (IV) (n=15, 25 mg/kg, for 9 days after operation) in the experiment groups. On postoperative day 10, adhesions were graded; activities and concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), tPA/PAI-1 complex and hydroxyproline contents were determined in peritoneum. RESULTS: Adhesion formation was decreased in IP dexpanthenol group compared with control group (p=0.034). tPA concentration and activity and tPA/PAI-1 complex levels were increased in the treated groups compared to controls. PAI-1 levels were similar among the three groups. Peritoneal hydroxyproline levels were lower in animals receiving IV dexpanthenol compared with control animals and in addition, they remained unchanged in IP dexpanthenol treated group (p=0.009, p=0.84, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that dexpanthenol administration through IP may reduce peritoneal adhesion formation probably by altering peritoneal fibrinolytic activity.

Lamotrigine reduces intestinal I/R injury in the rat.

I/R injury of the intestine is a life-threatening emergency with mortality rates still more than 60%. We have investigated the protective effect of lamotrigine (LTG), an antiepileptic drug, which has an established neuroprotective effect, on intestinal I/R injury in rats. Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no I/R injury; n = 16), an ischemic control group (I/R, n = 16), and an LTG-treated group (pretreatment 5 mg kg-1 LTG + IR; n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels, an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and mucosal damage were investigated. Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the LTG group. Moreover, in the LTG group, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the I/R group. The pretreatment of rats with LTG before intestinal ischemia ameliorates the mucosal damage in intestinal I/R injury probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation, and antioxidant activity.

Pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative, reduces peritoneal adhesions and increases peritoneal fibrinolysis in rats.

Peritoneum has an intrinsic fibrinolytic activity that breaks the peritoneal adhesions. Peritoneal injuries with ischemia interfere this fibrinolytic activity and cause adhesions. Pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative, improves blood flow by decreasing its viscosity and also increases fibrinolytic activity in plasma. We hypothesized that pentoxifylline would increase peritoneal fibrinolysis and ameliorate adhesions. A rat model of peritoneal adhesion (cecal abrasion with gauze, n = 15 for each group) was used to test this hypothesis and cardinal parameters of peritoneal fibrinolysis were measured in peritoneal samples. No medication was given in control animals, while pentoxifylline was administered intraperitonealy (IP) (25 mg/kg, before abdominal closure to whole abdomen) or intravenously (IV) (25 mg/kg, for 9 days after operation) in the experimental groups. At postoperative day 10, peritoneal biopsies were obtained and adhesions were graded qualitatively. Activities and concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), tPA/PAI-1 complex and hydroxyproline contents were determined. Total adhesion scores were decreased in both treated groups. Mean levels of tPA concentration and tPA activity were increased in the treated groups compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The tPA/PAI-1 complex levels were similar among the three groups. PAI-1 levels were lower in animals receiving IP pentoxifylline compared to control animals and those treated with IV pentoxifylline (p = 0.048, p = 0.015, respectively). Peritoneal hydroxyproline levels were similar among the three groups. Our results suggest that pentoxifylline administration either through IV or IP may reduce peritoneal adhesion formation probably by altering peritoneal fibrinolytic activity.

Prognostic factors of peptic ulcer perforation.

OBJECTIVES: Today a perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a rare condition. However, emergency surgery for perforated ulcer presently carries a mortality risk of up to 30%. The aim of this study is to analyze and define factors influencing surgical prognosis in patients operated upon for PPU. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients treated for PPU in Suleyman Demirel University, Surgical Department between January 1995 to January 2004. Univariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for mortality in PPU by chi-square test, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests using SPSS for Windows statistical software. We accepted statistical significance for p values <0.05. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 17.7%. The present study confirms the age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, coexisting medical disease, elapsed time from symptoms to operation, blood pressure, pulse, serum albumin and creatinine levels, hemoglobin level and diameter of perforation as valid prognostic factors in whole series, whereas a previous history of peptic ulcer disease, chronic ingestion history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol ingestion, smoking habits, site of perforation, type of surgical treatment (simple suture or resection), postoperative complications did not appear to be related to prognosis. CONCLUSION: Age, gender, ASA classification, coexisting medical disease, elapsed time from symptoms to operation, blood pressure, pulse, serum albumin and creatinine levels, hemoglobin level and diameter of perforation are factors significantly associated with fatal outcomes in patients undergoing emergency surgery for PPU. Thus, such factors need to be carefully taken into account during the general workup of patients admitted for PPU.

Intestinal obstruction caused by a strangulated Morgagni hernia in an adult patient.

A Morgagni hernia is a congenital herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through a retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. The reported incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernias is estimated to be 1 in between 2000 to 5000 births. Morgagni hernias comprise 2% of diaphragmatic hernias. Most Morgagni hernias are found and repaired in children, but 5% are found in adults. They are usually asymptomatic and often found incidentally on chest radiography. Symptoms of these hernias are attributable to the herniated viscera. Morgagni hernias containing bowel may require repair on presentation because of the risk of incarceration. We present a case of an incarcerated and strangulated Morgagni hernia in a 71-year-old woman admitted to our clinic for abdominal pain and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis was made preoperatively by chest radiography, sonography, and computed tomography. Emergent laparotomy was performed, with the herniated transverse colon and omentum reduced into the abdomen. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired, followed by resection of the strangulated omentum. In conclusion, a Morgagni hernia may cause intestinal obstruction. Routine radiographic studies are usually sufficient to arrive at the diagnosis, but a CT scan and sonography may be necessary. Laparotomy is appropriate for the management of symptomatic adult patients with Morgagni hernias, particularly those with findings of intestinal strangulation, with laparoscopic treatment an alternative approach in selected cases.

Intestinal obstruction due to a mesenteric cyst.

Mesenteric cysts are rarely thought of, may be difficult to diagnose, and are usually asymptomatic except when complicated. Intestinal obstruction is a rarely reported complication of these cysts. A case of mesenteric cyst that was causing obstruction of the large bowel is presented, along with a review of the literature.