Stability, antioxidant activity, in vivo safety and efficacy of creams with standardized wild apple fruit extract: a comparison of conventional and biodegradable emulsifiers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was in vitro and in vivo characterization of cosmetic cream with 6% of standardized wild apple fruit extract, stabilized by conventional non-ionic emulsifier-CEW, in order to determine the influence of emulsifiers (conventional vs. biodegradable) on the characteristics of creams and their effects on the skin. METHODS: Organoleptic and physico-chemical (pH values and electrical conductivity) analysis was performed, determination of fruit acids-FAs content (using HPLC analysis) and estimation of its antioxidant activity-AA (using DPPH test) during 180 days. In vivo study included following examinations: screening of safety profile (after creams application under occlusion during 24 h at human skin); skin moisturizing potential, transepidermal water loss-TEWL, skin pH after 28 days of cream application and hypopigmentation efficacy 7 days of cream application at artificially induced skin hyperpigmentation. RESULTS: Investigated cosmetic cream-CEW showed satisfactory organoleptic, physico-chemical characteristics, stability, FAs content (0.13%) and AA (19.25 ± 0.67 %RSC) after preparation, which remained unchanged over the study period. In vivo investigation revealed absence of skin irritation after CEW's application under occlusion. An increase of skin moisturization (after 14 days ΔEC was 18.52 ± 11.51 and after 28 days of applications 16.52 ± 9.36) during 28 day-study, with unchanged TEWL and skin pH values was shown. Decrease of melanin index was revealed, too (after 7 days ΔMI was -31.40 ± 16.50). CONCLUSION: Cosmetic cream stabilized by conventional emulsifier showed better antioxidant potential and weaker moisturizing and hypopigmentation effects related to the cream with same composition but stabilized by biodegradable emulsifiers. Based on all mentioned above, investigated cosmetic cream might be considered for potential use as modern, stable, safe and efficient cosmetic product in the prevention and/or treatment of oxidative stress-related skin changes and/or damages, for moisturization of dry, even irritated skin as well as for lightening of hyperpigmented skin. RÉSUMÉ: OBJECTIF Le but de l'étude était la caractérisation in vitro et in vivo d'une crème cosmétique contenant 6 % d'extrait normalisé de pomme sauvage, stabilisée par un émulsifiant non ionique conventionnel-CEW, afin de déterminer l'influence des émulsifiants (conventionnels vs biodégradables) sur les caractéristiques des crèmes et les effets sur la peau. MÉTHODES: Des analyses organoleptiques et physico-chimiques (pH et conductivité électrique) ont été effectuées, la détermination de la teneur en acides de fruits et en acides gras polyinsaturés (par CLHP), et l'estimation de sa teneur en activité antioxydante (AA) (à l'aide du test DPPH) pendant 180 jours. L'étude in vivo comprenait les examens suivants : dépistage du profil d'innocuité (après application de crèmes sous occlusion pendant 24 h sur la peau humaine); potentiel d'hydratation de la peau, perte d'eau transépidermique (PETE), pH de la peau après 28 jours d'application de la crème et efficacité de l'hypopigmentation après 7 jours d'application de la crème sur une hyperpigmentation de la peau induite artificiellement. RÉSULTATS: La crème cosmétique-CEW étudiée a montré des caractéristiques organoleptiques, physico-chimiques, une stabilité, une teneur en AG (0,13 %) et en AA (19,25 ± 0,67 % RSC) satisfaisantes après préparation, qui sont demeurées inchangées au cours de la période de l'étude. L'étude in vivo a révélé l'absence d'irritation cutanée après l'application de CEW sous occlusion. Une augmentation de l'hydratation de la peau (après 14 jours de DEC était de 18,52 ± 11,51 et après 28 jours d'applications de 16,52 ± 9,36) pendant l'étude de 28 jours, avec une PETE et des valeurs de pH cutané inchangées, a été démontrée. Une diminution de l'indice de mélanine a été mise en évidence également (après 7 jours, ΔMI était de 31,40 ± 16,50). CONCLUSION: La crème cosmétique stabilisée par un émulsifiant conventionnel a montré un meilleur potentiel antioxydant et des effets d'hydratation et d'hypopigmentation plus faibles par rapport à la crème de même composition mais stabilisée par des émulsifiants biodégradables. D'après les données précédentes, la crème cosmétique étudiée pourrait être considérée comme un produit cosmétique moderne, stable, sûr et efficace dans la prévention et/ou le traitement des changements et/ou dommages cutanés liés au stress oxydatif, pour l'hydratation de la peau sèche, voire irritée, ainsi que pour éclaircir la peau hyperpigmentée.

A steady state model of agricultural waste pyrolysis: A mini review.

Agricultural waste is one of the main renewable energy resources available, especially in an agricultural country such as Serbia. Pyrolysis has already been considered as an attractive alternative for disposal of agricultural waste, since the technique can convert this special biomass resource into granular charcoal, non-condensable gases and pyrolysis oils, which could furnish profitable energy and chemical products owing to their high calorific value. In this regard, the development of thermochemical processes requires a good understanding of pyrolysis mechanisms. Experimental and some literature data on the pyrolysis characteristics of corn cob and several other agricultural residues under inert atmosphere were structured and analysed in order to obtain conversion behaviour patterns of agricultural residues during pyrolysis within the temperature range from 300 °C to 1000 °C. Based on experimental and literature data analysis, empirical relationships were derived, including relations between the temperature of the process and yields of charcoal, tar and gas (CO2, CO, H2 and CH4). An analytical semi-empirical model was then used as a tool to analyse the general trends of biomass pyrolysis. Although this semi-empirical model needs further refinement before application to all types of biomass, its prediction capability was in good agreement with results obtained by the literature review. The compact representation could be used in other applications, to conveniently extrapolate and interpolate these results to other temperatures and biomass types.

Characteristics of local recurrence of lung cancer and possibilities for surgical management.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between stage and histopathological characteristics of patients with lung cancer and local recurrence, as well as the incidence and the characteristics of local recurrence along with the possibility of surgical retreatment. METHODS: Studied were 51 patients with locally relapsing lung cancer, initially treated surgically from 2003 to 2007. The operations performed ranged from conservative wedge resections, standard lobectomies and pneumonectomies to extensive resections of the entire lung and chest wall. All patients underwent regular follow-up including thoracic CT scan every 3 months. RESULTS: All patients were diagnosed with local recurrence after a median of 10 months (range 1-30) after primary surgery with curative intent. There was no statistically significant link between type of surgery and time to local recurrence. Patients with pathological stage I,II, and IIIa had a significantly longer time to local recurrence than those with stage IIIb and IV. Local recurrence sites were the bronchial stump, mediastinal lymph nodes, the remaining lung parenchyma, chest wall and a combination of these. Surgical retreatment was possible in 20 of 51 patients (39.27percnt;). Chest wall was the commonest localization (20 of 51; 39.2%), also the most frequent in the group of surgically retreated patients (13 of 20; 65%). Squamous cell cancer (SCC) was the predominant histological type (38 of 51; 74.5%), followed by adenocarcinoma (9 of 51; 17.7%). CONCLUSION: SCC is the commonest locally relapsing lung cancer. The type of the initial surgical procedure didn't have any impact on the incidence of local recurrence, but the extent and completeness of surgery did. The time to local recurrence heavily depended on the primary tumor pathological stage. Chest wall was the commonest relapse site, and the most suitable for surgical retreatment, which was related to the quality of surgery.

The significance of HER-2 amplification and the size and type of pathological unicentric, initially operable clinical stage I and IIA/IIB breast cancer, in determining the treatment strategy.

PURPOSE: In order to determine the initial treatment strategies for primary operable unicentric breast cancer, the possible relationships of the amplification of human epidermal growth-factor receptor-2 (HER-2), with age, menstrual status, tumor pathological size (pT), histopathological tumor type (HP) and kind of surgical treatment were studied. METHODS: Analysed were 301 patients treated initially by surgery in the period 2006-2009. HP tumor type, pT and HER-2 status (using firstly immunohistochemistry and then chromogenic in situ hybridization/CISH) were determined. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to the presence (CISH+)/absence (CISH-) of HER-2 amplification. RESULTS: Data on pT and HER-2 analyses were available for 293/301 (98.3%) patients with ductal (DC) and lobular carcinoma (LC). Amplification of HER-2 was found in 66 (21.9%) patients. No significant difference between the two subgroups regarding age (p=0.08), menstrual status (p>0.05) and kind of operation (p>0.05) was found. HP showed statistically significant difference between DC (55; 83.3%) and LC (11; 16.7%) patients with HER-2 amplification (p<0.01). Further HP analysis of the type of cancer within the pT category as a subgroup showed significantly higher frequency of HER-2 amplification in DC patients for pT1 (p<0.01) and in pT2 + pT3pN0 (p<0.05) compared with patients with LC. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significantly higher incidence of HER-2 amplification in DC tumors, especially in pT1 and pT2, than in LC, which may influence the options in treatment strategies in primary unicentric operable DC type of breast cancer.

[Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma patients using Mitkovic type internal fixator].

Polytrauma remains a major social, economic and medicine affliction. Successful surgical treatment of polytrauma patient's requires an approach predicated on prioritizing injuries. An isoleted fractures rarely poses any threat but in association with multiple injuries, a fractures assumes greater significance. Proper management of femur fractures in po-lytrauma can gretly reduce the mortality and morbidity. In this work the results of the operative treatments of the femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma patients using Mitkovic type internal fixator (14 patients) and Kuntscher nail (9 patients) are compared. The average patients age was 28.43 years (range 16 to 61). Internal fixation using Mitkovic type internal fixator can be method of choose in treatment of femur fractures in polytrauma patient's. Its application is relatively simple. It doesn't damage the periosteal and meduullary bone vascularization, which favors osteosynthesis and provides considerable contribution in osteogensis.

[Increase of newly--detected in situ cancers in non-palpable breast lesions].

Great importance in detecting cancer in the phase of in situ lays in the fact that the epithelial layer is deprived of blood and lymph vessels, so metastases may develop only when basal membrane has been broken. This paper includes 46 operated women in whom it preoperatively had been verified suspect non-palpable lesion. The preoperative diagnostics included use of high- resolution mammography, aimed mammography, palpatory examination, as well as fine-needle aspiration (FNA), biopsy and cytologic analysis of the sample. The methodology of this work implies the use of stereotaxic marking, specimen mammography and ex-tempore pathohistology analysis. Out of 46 investigated patients in clinical stage T0N0M0, in whom there were no signs of malignant disease, and according to suspect lesion of initial screening mammography, malignant lesions of breast tissue were diagnosed in 19 patients (41%) intraoperatively. Three of these lesions (15,8%) were histopathologically verified as in situ. Comparing our results with data of the Institute of oncology and radiology of Serbia hospital registry (IORS) for the year 2001, from 1173 patients registered with malignant lesions, only 16 ones (1,4%) had in situ cancer, operated on the basis of the suspect mammography of clinical stage T0N0M0. Statistically significant difference was found related to the number of detected cancers in this early phase of the breast malignant disease. This limits surgical intervention to tumorectomy, with preservation of the remaining breast tissue, what brings to healing, justifying in that way, screening examinations and routine application of the most contemporary diagnostic procedures.

[Preoperative procedures in diagnosis of central and peripheral lung cancer].

BACKGROUND: Actual problem in diagnostics and therapy of lung cancer is early diagnostic and choice of diagnostic procedure. The AIM of this work was to assess the sensitivity of various histocytologic methods in diagnosis of central and peripheral lung cancer lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 2003-2004, 348 patients with lung infiltrates suspect for malignancy were treated in University of Kragujevac Clinical Center. For the preoperative diagnostics, their sputum, bronchoaspirate, aspirate obtained by fine needle percutaneous biopsy and specimens obtained by forceps biopsy during fiber-bronchoscopy were analyzed using standard cytohistology methods. RESULTS: Lung cancer was diagnozed in 155 out of 348 patients. The malignant lesions were centrally located in 123 patients (79,4%), while peripheral localization was found in 32 patients (20,6%). In the former patients, forceps biopsy was positive in 89,4%, and when combined with bronchoaspirate analysis, positive results were obtained in 91,9% of patients. In patients with peripherally located lesions, fine needly biopsy was positive in 68,8%, while citological analysis of sputum and bronchoalveolar aspirate were positive in only three (9,4%) patients. When all three methods were combined, positive results were found in 25 (78,1%) patients. CONCLUSION: The central localization of tumors was four times greater than the peripheral one. In the patients with central tumour site, the best results were obtained when forceps biopsy specimens and sputum were analysed cytologically. The combination of transcutaneous fine-needle biopsy, bronchoscopy and sputum gave the best results in the group of patients whose lesions were located peripherally.

[Evaluation of the value of local protective methods using latex prosthesis and fibrin glue in colonic anastomoses]. / Procena vrednosti lokalnih protektivnih metoda latex proteze i fibrinskog lepka na anastomoze kolona.

In this experimental study on small animals (Wister rats) performed evaluation of local protective methods--latex prosthesis and fibrine adhesives--on colon anastomosis healing--prevention of dehiscency. Ninety experimental animals in whom segmental left colon resection was done, were divided into three groups of 30 animals. In the control group after segmental resection termino-terminal anastomosis with single-layer continuous suture was performed. In the second and third group with the same animals, anastomosis protection was performed with endoluminal latex prosthesis and extraluminal application of fibrine adhesives. In the postoperative course where the animals were monitored for 21 days in the control group, 3 (10%) died of acute diffuse peritonitis the cause of which was anastomosis dehiscency, in the latex prosthesis 2 animals (6.6%) died, while in the extraluminally applied fibrine glue group all animals survived. The results of this experiment demonstrate that local protective measures for colon anastomoses may produce better results, with fibrine adhesive administration as the best modality.

[D-dimer in the early detection of deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity]. / D-dimer u ranom otkrivanju tromboze dubokih vena donjih ekstremiteta.

Deep vein thrombosis is important social and health care problem for its high incidence, pulmonary embolism-related mortality, and long-term sequelae which may be disabling (post-thrombotic syndrome and ulceration). The aim of our work was to determine the diagnostic potential and importance of D dimer in the early detection of deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities. Prospectively we have analyzed a group of 47 patients who were admitted to vascular department of Surgical Clinic in Nis during the period from 1.8.2001. to 31.3.2003. with echosonographically verified deep vein thrombosis of no more than 48 hours of duration. D dimer was measured before anticoagulant treatment started using commercial Nycomed test. The activation of coagulation process was detected with increase in D dimer values in 44 out of 47 examined patients (93.61%). D dimer is highly sensitive diagnostic tool that should be routinely used in the patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis of leg.

[Fasciocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of soft tissue defects below the knee]. / Fasciokutani reznjevi u rekonstrukciji mekotkivnih defekata potkolenice.

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the lower leg from 1966-2003, using fasciocutaneous flaps is discussed in this paper. Our experience with soft tissues defects in 69 patients is shown here. Different types of fasciocutaneous flaps were used (proximally and distally based fasciocutaneous flap, island, fasciosubcutaneous) based on septocutaneous perforators of all 3 main arterial trunks of the lower leg. We had complete or almost complete necrosis in only 4 patients, whereas in other patients flaps survived. Results obtained using fasciocutaneous flaps, even in reconstruction of war wounds convinced us that fasciocutaneous flaps are reliable method of reconstruction of the soft tissue defects of the lower leg, especially its distal third and regions of malleoli.

[Reconstruction of large defects of the abdominal wall using dermal and synthetic grafts]. / Rekonstrukcije velikih defekata trbusnog zida primenom koznog i sintetskog grafta.

Large defects of abdominal wall (greater than 8 cm in diameter) related to different cause, are still difficult problem of modern surgery. The best results in order to obtain safe and permanent anatomical and functional abdominal wall integrity are reached by autogenous dermal and synthetic grafts. Controversies concerning quality of these procedures are still presents. Our work is based on two equal experimental groups of 20 Vister rats each, with large artificial abdominal wall defects: one treated with autogenous dermal graft, another with synthetic Mersilene mesh graft. The animals from both groups were sacrificed in previous planned time intervals (3rd, 7th, 14th and 48th days). Afterwards detailed microscopic and gross examination of abdominal wall reparation and quality of reconstructed abdominal wall defects had been performed. According to our results both methods are easy to be performed and safety surgical procedures. Overestimated usage of synthetic grafts should be diminished because of advantages of autologous dermal graft--availability, substitution of firmly fibrosis tissue and endurance against infection.

[Adverse effects reported after inductive doses of the intravenous anesthetics, thiopentone, etomidate and propofol]. / Nezeljane dejstva registrovana posle indukcijske doze intravenskih anestetika tiopentona, etomidata i propofola.

It was confirmed that even 10 minutes long general anesthesia necessary for surgery can cause postoperative morbidity. This fact is of the utmost importance for the choice of anesthetics, especially when the operation is to take place in out-patient conditions. The aim of this study was to compare clinical efficacy, tolerability and adverse effects of thiopental, etomidate and propofol. The study comprised 165 out-patients scheduled for legal abortion under general intravenous anaesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. In patients from the first group (n = 53) anesthesia was induced with thiopental 5 mg/kg, in the second group (n = 54) with etomidate 0.3 mg/kg, and in the third group (n = 58) with propofol 2.5 mg/kg. Blood pressure, heart rate and adverse effects were monitored during anesthesia and operation and immediately thereafter. The best quality of anesthesia and the best working conditions of gynaecologist were after the use propofol, then after thiopental, followed by etomidate. Frequency of adverse effects was significantly greater after anesthesia with etomidate (26.06%), when compared to propofol (9.69%) and thiopental (9.09%). Immediately after induction to anesthesia, adverse effects were found after the use of thiopental, etomidate and propofol in 7.5%, 9.07% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. During anaesthesia, adverse effects were registered in 5.6%, 37.03% and 5.1% of patients in thiopental, etomidate and propofol group, respectively. In the same three groups, frequency of adverse effects in the immediate post-anesthetic recovery period was 15.09%, 62.09% and 17.06%, respectively. It could be concluded that in this study, out of the three anesthetics investigated, propofol had the greatest clinical efficacy and tolerability and the lowest incidence of adverse effects.

[Cardiovascular effects of induction doses of the intravenous anesthetics, propofol, etomidate and thiopentone]. / Kardiovaskularni efekti indukcione doze intravenskih anestetika propofola, etomidata i tiopentona.

After reviewing the results of published comparative studies by numerous authors we have noticed that propofol, among the other intravenous anesthetics, has the strongest cardiovascular effects. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular effects of induction doses of propofol, etomidate and thiopentone. A total of 165 female patients were randomly divided into three groups, and each one received a different anesthetic agent: propofol 2.5 mg/kg (n = 58), etomidate 0.3 mg/kg (n = 54) or thiopentone 5 mg/kg (n = 53). the patients were scheduled for abortion (gravidity up to 12 weeks of gestation) in out-patient conditions. Indirect registration of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and palpatory registration of radial pulse was performed: on admittance, immediately before the induction of anaesthesia and 2, 5 and 10 min thereafter. Following the administration of induction dose of propofol, a significantly greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed then after the administration of etomidate or thiopentone. Slowing down of radial pulse was also more marked in propofol, then in etomidate or thiopentone group. The results of our study had shown that the induction dose of propofol had stronger effects on cardiovascular system, compared to the induction doses of etomidate or thiopentone.

[Propofol and thiopentone in elective cesarean section: effect on the mother and neonate]. / Propofol i tiopenton kod elektivnog carskog reza: uticaj na majku i novorodjeno dete.

All the anesthetics used for induction of anesthesia in cesarean section cross the placenta and can induce neonatal depression. The aim of this investigation was to compare intravenous anesthetics propofol and thiopentone as induction agents in patients scheduled for elective cesarean section and studying of their affection of mothers and new-born children. A total of 40 female patients were scheduled for elective cesarean section. They were randomly divided in two equal groups, each of them was to receive different anesthetic: propofol 2.5 mg/kg (n = 20) or thiopentone 5 mg/kg (n = 20). Orotracheal intubation was facilitated with suxamethonium 1.5 mg/kg. Anesthesia was maintained by controlled ventilation with mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (50%:50%) and pancuronium 4 mg. After extraction of the foetus, anesthesia was maintained with mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (70%:30%), fentanyl 0.15-0.20 mg and pancuronium 1-2 mg. At the end of operation, competitive neuromuscular block was antagonised with neostigmine. There were no significant differences among the groups, as regards age, body weight and height, ASA classification grade and week of gestation. Following induction of anesthesia, a significantly greater decrease of blood pressure and heart rate was found in the propofol group, when compared with the patients in thiopentone group. During the induction and maintenance of anesthesia, the frequency of adverse effects was greater in thiopentone, than in propofol group (6/20 versus 2/20 patients). There was no significant difference between the groups when induction-delivery (l-D) interval was concerned. The new-borns from the propofol group had significantly higher Apgar score in the 1st minute (8.35) and 5th minute (9.25), than the new-borns in thiopentone group (7.90 and 8.90, respectively).

Epidemiological survey of trichinellosis in Yugoslavia.

In a long term epidemiological survey that included different hosts for Trichinella spiralis among wild and domestic animals, the parasitological and serological screening revealed a high number of positive animals. The incidence of T. spiralis in grazing pigs was high, 21.76% (170 examined) but most of positive animals were lightly infected (0.016-0.02 l/g). While out of 2,394 pigs raised in small private farms, 1.67% were positive with high infection rates, none of the pigs raised on a modern breeding and fattening farm were seropositive. A repeated survey in grazing pigs performed five years later and in the same area, showed the prevalence of seropositive pigs to be still high (22% of 100 examined pigs). The same data were confirmed by detection of specific anti-Trichinella antibodies in Western blotting procedure. One of 2,031 serologically (IgG-ELISA) examined horses from Croatia reacted positively with very high OD values. Different characteristics of biological patterns (RCI, female fecundity, capsule formation, isoenzyme analysis) were found between two well distinguished groups of isolates. The first group consisted of well defined T1 isolates with patterns described by the Reference Centre for Trichinellosis, Rome, Italy. The data obtained by isoenzyme analysis of the representative sylvatic isolate were comparable to T3 characteristics of isolates from foxes in Italy.

[Importance of oxygen free radical for physiology, pathology and therapy]. / Znacaj slobodinih radikala kiseonika u fiziologiji, patologiji i terapiji.

This article briefly reviews biochemistry of oxygen free radical production, physiological mechanisms of anti-free radical tissue protection and the pathological processes which, at least partly, depend on free radical production and lipid peroxidation. Special accent is put on therapeutic implications of numerous experimental findings in this scientific field. The aim of this paper is to call attention of the physicians to the entirely new concept of pathogenesis of many serious diseases, which affords new therapeutic opportunities.