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This study- a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, observer-blinded, non-inferiority study among volunteers between 18–55 y old in Türkiye- evaluated the impact of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection before the first dose of inactive TURKOVAC on post-vaccine local and systemic adverse events (AEs) comparing with CoronaVac. Of 1266 participants analyzed, 27.7% had a previous COVID-19 history. Local and systemic AEs were observed in 37.3% and 39% of the participants. The frequency of AEs was slightly higher in the first 30 minutes and 24 hours among participants with a COVID-19 history; none were severe. 1203 participants had a second dose vaccination, and 27.3% had a history of COVID-19. The frequencies of local and systemic AEs after the second dose were similar between those with and without a COVID-19 history. The TURKOVAC and CoronaVac showed similar frequencies of local and systemic AEs in the first 30 minutes after vaccination.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and effectiveness in terms of osseointegration of dental implants composed of novel injectable bone grafts with and without ostrich eggshell particles and membrane protein in rabbit femur. Methods: Sixteen adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. A bone defect was created in each animal’s right and left femur, and a dental implant was placed adjacent to the defect. Two graft materials were prepared, one containing the membrane protein and the other not. In two groups, the defects were filled with these materials. In the negative control group (NC, (n:8)), the defects were left empty. A commercial product of biphasic calcium sulfate was used as a positive control material (PC, n = 8). The graft groups were defined as the group with the membrane protein (MP+, (n:8)), and without the membrane protein (MP−, n:8). The animals were euthanized at the 12th week after surgery. The samples were investigated using histology, histomorphometry, and micro-computed tomography. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests (p = 0.05). Results: Both the PC and MP+ groups had similar newly formed bone areas, and the mean values of these groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the MP− and NC groups. The PC group had the highest amount of unresorbed material, while the MP− group had the lowest amount of unresorbed material. The bone–implant contact (BIC) scores of the PC and MP+ groups were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the NC group. The connective tissue area of the PC group was the lowest, which was significantly lower than the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The grafts produced are highly biocompatible and also showed osteoproductivity. Their cost-effectiveness and osteoproductive activity require further investigation.

We present the interim results of the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the two-dose schedules of TURKOVAC versus CoronaVac. This was a randomized, observer-blinded, non-inferiority trial (NCT04942405). Volunteers were 18–55 years old and randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either TURKOVAC or CoronaVac at Day 0 and Day 28, both of which are 3 μg/0.5 mL of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. The primary efficacy outcome was the prevention of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at least 14 days after the second dose in the modified per-protocol (mPP) group. Safety analyses were performed in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) group. Between 22 June 2021 and 7 January 2022, 1290 participants were randomized. The mITT group consisted of 915 participants, and the mPP group consisted of 732 participants. During a median follow-up of 90 (IQR 86–90) days, the relative risk reduction with TURKOVAC compared to CoronaVac was 41.03% (95% CI 12.95–60.06) for preventing PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19. The incidences of adverse events (AEs) overall were 58.8% in TURKOVAC and 49.7% in CoronaVac arms (p = 0.006), with no fatalities or grade four AEs. TURKOVAC was non-inferior to CoronaVac in terms of efficacy and demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile.

Abstract Background Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside the fruit of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae). It possesses various pharmacological activities but is used in Cameroon only for its flavor in making cakes. The present study thus aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity and antibiotic modifying activities of crude seed kernel methanol extract (MFS), fractions (MFSa-e) as well as 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone from Myristica fragrans against a panel of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Methods The modified rapid p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric assay was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) on the tested bacteria, as well as those of antibiotics in association with the extract and/or isolated compound. Column chromatography was used for the fractionation and purification of the seed kernel extract whilst the chemical structures of compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques. Results Phytochemical investigations lead to the isolation of 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone from the fraction MFSb. The crude extract showed antibacterial activity with MICs ranging from 32 to 1024 μg/mL on the majority of the 29 tested Gram-negative bacterial strains. Fraction MFSb inhibited the growth of 100% (29/29) of the tested bacterial strains, as well as the compound 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone (12/12) with a MIC values ranging from 32 to 1024 μg/mL, and 4 to 128 μg/mL respectively. The lowest MIC value (4 μg/mL) was recorded with 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone against Providencia stuartii ATCC299645 as well as the best MBC value (16 μg/mL) against the same strain. In the presence of Phenylalanine-Arginine-β-Naphthylamide (PAßN), an efflux pumps inhibitor, the activity of the extract increased on 73.33% (11/15) meanwhile that of 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone increased on 100% tested bacteria. The compound 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone potentiated the activity of antibiotics in the majority of the tested bacterial strains. Conclusion The results of the present work provide additional information on the use of nutmeg and it major antibacterial component, 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone, as a potential drug in the treatment of bacterial infections including multidrug resistant phenotypes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated with severe respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The virus has been able to spread promptly across all continents in the world. The current pandemic has posed a great threat to public health concern and safety. Currently, there are no specific treatments or licensed vaccines available for COVID-19. We isolated SARS-CoV-2 from the nasopharyngeal sample of a patient in Turkey with confirmed COVID-19. We determined that the Vero E6 and MA-104 cell lines are suitable for supporting SARS-CoV-2 that supports viral replication, development of cytopathic effect (CPE) and subsequent cell death. Phylogenetic analyses of the whole genome sequences showed that the hCoV-19/Turkey/ERAGEM-001/2020 strain clustered with the strains primarily from Australia, Canada, England, Iran and Kuwait and that the cases in the nearby clusters were reported to have travel history to Iran and to share the common unique nucleotide substitutions.

Summary: The aim of this study is to identify the beliefs and perceptions associated with hand hygiene performance in two different institutions with limited resources and recently established infection control programme later than developed institutions. The study was conducted in two different hospitals (University Hospital—U-hospital and Community Hospital—C-hospital) in the same city by a selfadministered questionnaire. Most questions were drawn from questionnaires used previously in other studies from “industrialized” countries based on “The Theory of Planned Behavior”. All nurses, nurse students (last class), physicians and intern medical students in the U-hospital, and all nurses in the C-hospital were included into the study. Of 1764 questionnaires, 941 (41%) were returned. The return rate was highest for nurses in C-hospital (63.8% [303 of 475]) and lowest for senior physicians in U-hospital (7.5% [16 of 212]). Out of the respondent a total of 16 (1.7%) were senior physicians, 110 (11.6%) were physician assistants, 400 (42.6%) were nurses in the U-hospital, 303 (32%) were nurses in the C-hospital, 66 (7%) were medical students and 46 (4.9%) were nurse students. Seven hundred and ninety five (85.9%) of 926 respondents were female. Respondents provided demographic information and data about various behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that determined their intentions with respect to performing hand hygiene. Among individuals from the other professional categories, a greater percentage of U-hospital nurses (57.6% vs. 53.9%, respectively) believed that healthcare-associated infections to be greater than 20%, and mortality rate among infected patients to be greater than 5%. C-hospital nurses generally believed the frequency, severity, and impact of healthcare-associated infections to be lower than U-hospital nurses and other individuals. However, all professional categories believed that good hand hygiene effectively prevents infections (98%). In univariate analysis, receipt of structured training in hand hygiene, perceived colleagues adherence's as good, adherence models good practices for others, having been observed for their adherence (normative beliefs), the perception that hand hygiene is relatively easy to perform and high workload (control beliefs) was associated with good hand hygiene. However, in multivariate analysis, high self reported adherence to hand hygiene was independently associated with receipt of structured training in hand hygiene, perceived good adherence by colleagues, the perception that hand hygiene is relatively easy to perform and having been observed for their adherence. In a country with limited resources, intention to comply was associated with training and strong normative and control beliefs. Also, in two different kinds of institution with the similar hand hygiene promotion campaign in the same city, the believes of nurses were different. In developing countries, more resources have to be allocated for training of HCWs and easy access for hand hygiene products. Keywords: Hand hygiene, Healtcare workers’ adherence, Nosocomial infection, Developing country, Training

Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is based on cell-mediated immunity, most importantly involving CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. The aim of this study was to evaluate CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell profiles and CD19+ and CD3-CD(16+56)+ populations in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B-lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells were evaluated in 75 active (APTB) and 25 inactive (IPTB) pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 20 healthy subjects (HCs). The results were compared at different stages of antituberculosis treatment in the APTB patients and also according to X-ray findings in the newly diagnosed APTB patients. The percentages of CD4+ T cells were significantly lower (P

Aim: In this study, histology of the skin and number and area of the argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) of the germinal matrix epithelial cells of the chinchilla were investigated by light microscopic techniques. Materials and Methods: Skin samples were taken from 15 adult healthy chinchilla, fixed in formol saline and immersed in parafine. Tissue sections were stained with Crossman's trichrome, Gordon and Sweet's reticuler fiber, Verhoef's elastic fibre and AgNOR staining methods. The total thickness of epidermis and dermis, hair follicle numbers per square milimetres, and number and area of AgNORs of the germinal matrix epithelial cells were measured. Results: AgNORs were seen as 1-4 black dots which distributed in the nuclei of the germinal matrix cells of the hair follicles. The chinchilla compound hair follicle consisted of one or two primary follicles surrounded by multiple smaller secondary follicles. The ratio of secondary to primary hair follicles (S/P) was 13/1. Conclusion: In further studies on a larger population seasonal differences, determination of number and distribution of hair follicules and AgNOR parameters in the germinal matrix cell should be used as significant criteria for fur quality in selection.

Brucella species are facultative intracellular bacteria, and therefore a limited number of antibiotics are effective against these organisms. The side effects of drug combination schemes, and the incidences of relapses and therapeutic failures, have led to investigations of new drugs to treat brucellosis. The purpose of this study was to test the in vitro susceptibility of 50 Brucella melitensis isolates to fucidic acid, which has not previously been used for the treatment of brucellosis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fucidic acid to 50 B. melitensis isolates that were obtained from blood and bone marrow cultures of patients with brucellosis were studied by the broth microdilution method. The MIC50 and MIC90 values for the 50 B. melitensis strains’ susceptibility to fucidic acid were determined to be 0.5 and 2µg/ml, respectively, and the MIC range was 0.125–2.0µg/ml. Further experiments are needed to reassess the activity of fucidic acid against intracellular Brucella spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate how zinc (Zn) deficiency and supplementation affect glycogen content of the liver and plasma lactate and leptin levels of rats performing acute swimming exercise just before the blood samples were obtained. Four sets of 10 rats each served as the (1) Zn-deficient group, (2) Zn-supplemented group, (3) swimming controls, and (4) normal controls. Plasma lactate levels of Zndeficient animals were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (p<0.01), and those in the swimming controls (group 3) were significantly higher than in the Zn-supplemented animals, group 2 (p<0.01). The plasma glucose of the Zn-deficient group was significantly higher than all other groups (p<0.01) and that of group 2 was significantly lower than group 4 (p<0.01). Glycogen levels in liver of the Zn-deficient animals was significantly lower than groups 2 and 4 (p<0.01), and, in turn, were higher than for group 3 (p<0.01). The plasma leptin and Zn levels of group 1 were significantly lower than in all other groups (p<0.01). These results suggest that Zn deficiency exerts a negative influence in the above-mentioned parameters and that Zn supplementation has the opposite effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and effectiveness in terms of osseointegration of dental implants composed of novel injectable bone grafts with and without ostrich eggshell particles and membrane protein in rabbit femur. Methods: Sixteen adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. A bone defect was created in each animal's right and left femur, and a dental implant was placed adjacent to the defect. Two graft materials were prepared, one containing the membrane protein and the other not. In two groups, the defects were filled with these materials. In the negative control group (NC, (n:8)), the defects were left empty. A commercial product of biphasic calcium sulfate was used as a positive control material (PC, n = 8). The graft groups were defined as the group with the membrane protein (MP+, (n:8)), and without the membrane protein (MP−, n:8). The animals were euthanized at the 12th week after surgery. The samples were investigated using histology, histomorphometry, and micro-computed tomography. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p = 0.05). Results: Both the PC and MP+ groups had similar newly formed bone areas, and the mean values of these groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the MP− and NC groups. The PC group had the highest amount of unresorbed material, while the MP− group had the lowest amount of unresorbed material. The bone–implant contact (BIC) scores of the PC and MP+ groups were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the NC group. The connective tissue area of the PC group was the lowest, which was significantly lower than the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The grafts produced are highly biocompatible and also showed osteoproductivity. Their cost-effectiveness and osteoproductive activity require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite major developments in the management of septic shock, the mortality rate had progressively increased. Ibuprofen has been shown to have beneficial physiological effects when used as a treatment. However, there are conflicting results with respect to survival. This study aims to investigate the effect of ibuprofen on vital functions, various physiological parameters and survival during endotoxic shock in rabbits. Methods: Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were randomly separated into four groups. The first group received only saline, the second was given 2 mg/kg intravenous endotoxin at t0, the third received 30 mg/kg ibuprofen 30 minutes after endotoxin administration, whilst the fourth group received ibuprofen 30 minutes before the endotoxin. Respiratory and heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature were recorded. Complete blood counts were performed and thromboxane B2 was measured every 30 minutes for the first two hours, and then hourly over the course of the experiment. Urine samples were collected at the same time points for the measurement of prostaglandin E2. Results: Ibuprofen was found to improve respiratory rate, heart rate, and arterial pressure. However, it did not improve the negative effects of endotoxin on body temperature, haematocrit values, white blood cell count, and thrombocyte number. Thromboxane B2 levels in group IV were significantly lower than in the other groups, and the increase started at a later timepoint. In ibuprofen-treated animals, Prostaglandin E2 levels stayed low for at least 90 minutes, but started to rise thereafter. While the average survival in Group II animals was 192.9 ± 46.9 minutes, those of groups III and IV were 339.1 ± 33.5 minutes (p < 0.05) and 383.0 ± 39.6 minutes (p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Ibuprofen appears to increase survival in endotoxic shock-induced animals. Therefore, it may be helpful for the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with, or who are likely to develop, septic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the interim results of the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the two-dose schedules of TURKOVAC versus CoronaVac. This was a randomized, observer-blinded, non-inferiority trial (NCT04942405). Volunteers were 18–55 years old and randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either TURKOVAC or CoronaVac at Day 0 and Day 28, both of which are 3 μg/0.5 mL of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. The primary efficacy outcome was the prevention of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at least 14 days after the second dose in the modified per-protocol (mPP) group. Safety analyses were performed in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) group. Between 22 June 2021 and 7 January 2022, 1290 participants were randomized. The mITT group consisted of 915 participants, and the mPP group consisted of 732 participants. During a median follow-up of 90 (IQR 86–90) days, the relative risk reduction with TURKOVAC compared to CoronaVac was 41.03% (95% CI 12.95–60.06) for preventing PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19. The incidences of adverse events (AEs) overall were 58.8% in TURKOVAC and 49.7% in CoronaVac arms (p = 0.006), with no fatalities or grade four AEs. TURKOVAC was non-inferior to CoronaVac in terms of efficacy and demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) increase the risk of excessive blood clotting, but their role in COVID-19 remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the presence of conventional APAs used in the classification of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in patients with severe lung infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to compare these results with non-COVID-19 critically ill patients Methods: Thirty-one COVID-19 patients (COVID group) and 28 non-COVID-19 critically ill patients (non-COVID group), were included in the study. Anti-cardiolipin (ACA) (IgG, IgM), anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 (Anti-β2GPI) (IgG, IgM, and IgA), and if the patient had not received any anti thrombotic agent before blood collection, lupus anticoagulant (LAC) tests were studied from the plasma of the patients. For testing ACA and Anti-β2GPI, ELISA method was used, while fully automated coagulometer device was used for LAC test. Results: APAs were positive in 25.81% in the COVID group (8/31) and 25% in the non-COVID group (7/28). LAC was the most common APA present in 23.08% of the COVID-19 group, who underwent measurement (6/26), while 3.57% of the non-COVID group was LAC positive (1/28) (p=.047). In the COVID group, ACA IgM, and IgG were positive in 6.45% and 0%, respectively (2/31 vs 0/31). In the non-COVID group, ACA IgM was not positive in any patient, while ACA IgG was positive in 7.14% (2/28). Anti-β2GPI IgG and IgM tests were not positive in any patient in either the COVID or the non-COVID group. Anti-β2GPI IgA were positive in 6.45% and 14.29%, respectively (2/31 vs 4/28). Conclusion: In this study, APAs were equally positive in critically ill patients among COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 patients. Only LAC was more observed in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory failure and death are the leading causes of severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Hyper‐inflammation and cytokine storm cause lung damage. This study aimed to compare the low‐dose and high‐dose effects of tocilizumab, an IL‐6 receptor antagonist. Method: Patients with severe pneumonia and hyper‐inflammation signs because of COVID‐19 were included in this retrospective study. Patients receiving tocilizumab <200 mg intravenously were classified as the low‐dose group, and receiving ≥200 mg as the high‐dose group, and those not treated with tocilizumab as the control group. Demographic and clinical data of patients who died and survived in both low‐high dose and control patients were compared. According to symptom day and radiological infiltration, patients with tocilizumab were also evaluated in two groups as early and late periods at tocilizumab administration time. Results: A total of 160 patients were included in the study; 70 were treated with a low dose and 50 with high‐dose tocilizumab. Forty patients were in the control group. Age, comorbidity and clinical features were similar in the control, low‐dose tocilizumab and high‐dose tocilizumab groups. The mortality rate (12.9%, 30.0%, 37.5, P =.008) was less in the low‐dose tocilizumab group. The secondary infection rate was higher in the high‐dose group than in the low‐dose tocilizumab and control groups (44.0%, 10.0%, 10.0%, P <.001). Distinguishing between those patients who died and survived, age (OR: 1.1589, P <.001), higher APACHE II scores (OR: 1.225, P =.001) and needs for non‐invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 14.469, P <.001) were the most critical risk factors. Low‐dose tocilizumab was associated with a lower mortality rate (OR: 0.244, P =.012). Conclusion: The use of tocilizumab at a low dose is associated with lower secondary infections and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated with severe respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The virus has been able to spread promptly across all continents in the world. The current pandemic has posed a great threat to public health concern and safety. Currently, there are no specific treatments or licensed vaccines available for COVID-19. We isolated SARS-CoV-2 from the nasopharyngeal sample of a patient in Turkey with confirmed COVID-19. We determined that the Vero E6 and MA-104 cell lines are suitable for supporting SARS-CoV-2 that supports viral replication, development of cytopathic effect (CPE) and subsequent cell death. Phylogenetic analyses of the whole genome sequences showed that the hCoV-19/Turkey/ERAGEM-001/2020 strain clustered with the strains primarily from Australia, Canada, England, Iran and Kuwait and that the cases in the nearby clusters were reported to have travel history to Iran and to share the common unique nucleotide substitutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allanblackia genus, an endless source of bioactive compounds, was investigated for its antibacterial properties. The chemical study of the methanol extract from the fruits of Allanblackia gabonensis resulted in the isolation of the undescribed guttiferone BL (1) along with the known kaempferol (2), morelloflavone (3), morelloflavone 7″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and β-sitosterol. Their structures were determined using spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against five Gram-negative and two Gram-positive strains using a broth micro-dilution method. Compounds displayed low to significant activity against the tested bacterial strains with MICs ranging from 8 to 512 μg/mL. Morelloflavone (3) presented significant activity against E. coli ATCC8739 (MIC = 8 μg/mL) while guttiferone BL (1) exhibited low activity (MICs = 256–512 μg/mL) against all the tested strains. The crude extract also had moderate to significant activity against the tested bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) with or without ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in patients with advanced liver disease and to analyse whether the use of LDV/SOF treatment is associated with a new occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during and after LDV/SOF treatment. The Turkish Early Access Program provided LDV/SOF treatment to a total of 200 eligible CHC patients with advanced liver disease. The median follow‐up period was 22 months. All patients were Caucasian, 84% were infected with genotype 1b, and 24% had a liver transplantation before treatment. The sustained virological response (SVR12) was 86.0% with ITT analysis. SVR12 was similar among patients with Child‐Pugh classes A, B and C disease and transplant recipients. From baseline to SVR12, serum ALT level and MELD score were significantly improved (P < 0.001). LDV/SOF treatment was generally well tolerated. Only one patient developed a new diagnosed HCC. Seventeen of the 35 patients, who had a history of previous HCC, developed HCC recurrence during the LDV/SOF treatment or by a median follow‐up of 6 months after treatment. HCC recurrence was less commonly observed in patients who received curative treatment for HCC compared with those patients who received noncurative treatment (P = 0.007). In conclusion, LDV/SOF with or without ribavirin is an effective and tolerable treatment in CHC patients with advanced liver disease. Eradication is associated with improvements in liver function and a reduced risk of developing a new occurrence of HCC. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin is an effective and tolerable treatment in hepatitis C virus–infected patients with advanced liver disease. Eradication is associated with improvements in liver function and reduces the risk of developing a new occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside the fruit of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae). It possesses various pharmacological activities but is used in Cameroon only for its flavor in making cakes. The present study thus aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity and antibiotic modifying activities of crude seed kernel methanol extract (MFS), fractions (MFSa-e) as well as 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone from Myristica fragrans against a panel of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Methods: The modified rapid p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric assay was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) on the tested bacteria, as well as those of antibiotics in association with the extract and/or isolated compound. Column chromatography was used for the fractionation and purification of the seed kernel extract whilst the chemical structures of compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques. Results: Phytochemical investigations lead to the isolation of 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone from the fraction MFSb. The crude extract showed antibacterial activity with MICs ranging from 32 to 1024 μg/mL on the majority of the 29 tested Gram-negative bacterial strains. Fraction MFSb inhibited the growth of 100% (29/29) of the tested bacterial strains, as well as the compound 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone (12/12) with a MIC values ranging from 32 to 1024 μg/mL, and 4 to 128 μg/mL respectively. The lowest MIC value (4 μg/mL) was recorded with 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone against Providencia stuartii ATCC299645 as well as the best MBC value (16 μg/mL) against the same strain. In the presence of Phenylalanine-Arginine-β-Naphthylamide (PAßN), an efflux pumps inhibitor, the activity of the extract increased on 73.33% (11/15) meanwhile that of 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone increased on 100% tested bacteria. The compound 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone potentiated the activity of antibiotics in the majority of the tested bacterial strains. Conclusion: The results of the present work provide additional information on the use of nutmeg and it major antibacterial component, 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone, as a potential drug in the treatment of bacterial infections including multidrug resistant phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcal meningitis is a very rare type of infection in healthy adults. Such patients may present with the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Rapid diagnosis of infection, rapid intervention to reduce intracranial pressure and appropriate antifungal therapy are important to reduce mortality. In here we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis infection. An immunocompetent patient presented to our clinic with the complaints of headache and dizziness for a month. The findings of the physical examination supported with meningitis. Cryptococcus neoformans growth was observed on blood and cerebrospinal fluid culture. Despite the appropriate antifungal therapy, patient died because of the delaying in the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]