[Phenotypic characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae strains isolated from urocultures].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus agalactiae strains isolated from urocultures in order to obtain new data regarding circulating phenotypes in Urology Department.

Methods: For identifications of Streptococcus agalactiae strains we used Pastorex Strep (BioRad). The sensitivity of isolated germs to antimicrobials was tested using standardised Kirby-Bauer technique.

Is the effect of reported physical activity on disability mediated by cognitive performance in white and african american older adults?

This study examined if reported physical activity has beneficial outcomes on disability through cognitive performance-mediated effects and if these mediation effects are comparable for White and African American elders. Longitudinal data from the Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old study (N = 4,472) are used to test mediation in multilevel models. During the 7-year follow-up, cognitive performance mediated the effects of reported physical activity on disability in the entire sample and in Whites but not in African Americans.

[Multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Romania in the last years (2004-2007)--an extremely important social phenomenon].

The emergence of resistance to drugs used to treat tuberculosis (TB), and particularly multidrug resistant (MDR-TB) strains, has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective global TB control. In many other countries, the extent of drug resistance is unknown and the management of the patients with MDR-TB is inadequate. In countries where drug resistance has been identified, specific measures need to be taken within TB control programmes to address the problem through appropriate management of patients and adoption of strategies to prevent the propagation and dissemination of drug resistant TB, including MDR-TB.

Tannic acid incorporation in chitosan-based microparticles and in vitro controlled release.

Chitosan, a natural polycationic polysaccharide, was coupled with two polyanionic polymers: Na-alginate and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and with tannic acid (TA) obtaining three species of self-assembled complexes: chitosan/alginate/TA (sample 1), chitosan/TA (sample 2) and chitosan/CMC/TA (sample 3). The microparticle formation was achieved by dropwise addition of one solution into other by using a coaxial airflow sprayer. These systems were characterized with regard to particle size distribution, thermal stability, tannic acid entrapment efficiency.

[New tendencies in controlled drug release--liposomes entrapped in polymer matrices].

Liposomes entrapment in different forms of polymers represents in the last few years a method to modify the drug release kinetics in order to attend the specificity of this phenomenon. This will result generally in complex systems in which liposomes are dispersed in polymer matrices like gels, hydrogels and microparticles. As a consequence the drug release will be influenced by both polymer matrix and small carrier entrapped in.

Collagen-hydroxyapatite composites with applications as bone substitutes: synthesis and characterisation.

Unlabelled: The paper presents synthesis, swelling properties and in vitro degradation tests of collagen-hydroxyapatite composites, in the order to obtain new bone substitutes. Also, by using a 3D analysis with finite element the tension distribution at bone--synthesised substitute interface and in bone by comparing to bone substitute was determined.

Materials And Method: Collagen type I from tendon bovine source, provided from Sigma-Aldrich, has been used for materials synthesis.

[New ophthalmic insert].

Unlabelled: Controlled release of drugs on ocular level is an important care for modern pharmacology. New studies targets are medical ophthalmic products with prolonged action (controlled release, target release). The hydrogel is an important segment in these studies.

[The effects on growth velocity of inhaled corticosteroids therapy in children with asthma].

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated growth suppressive effects in case of use of inhaled corticosteroids therapy.

Objective: To assess growth velocity during 12 months of inhaled corticosteroids therapy in children with persistent asthma.

Methods: Measurements of height were performed in the study group including 109 children with mild and moderately severe, persistent asthma, after 12 month with low or medium doses of either beclomethasone dipropionate or fluticasone propionate.

Comparison of risk adjustment methodologies in surgical quality improvement.

Background: All hospitals are required to perform quality assurance activities. Many risk adjustment methodologies have been developed, and many medical centers use 1 or more than 1 risk adjustment program in an attempt to characterize their outcomes better rather than simply assessing unadjusted outcome statistics. The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) both produce risk-adjusted outcome data.

Prevention perspective in orthodontics and dento-facial orthopedics.

In the present context of the public health directions, considering WHO main objective, that "all people of the world could reach the highest possible health level", in medicine, the accent is put on prevention. In spite of the important progresses achieved in orthodontics field, the treatment still remains a symptomatic one. In this context, we must ask ourselves what are the prevention theoretical and practical coordinates in orthodontics, which measures are available or could be elaborated for preventing the malocclusions development.

The occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of salmonellae isolated from commercially available canine raw food diets in three Canadian cities.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolated from commercially available canine raw food diets in Canada. A total of 166 commercial frozen raw food diet samples were purchased from randomly selected local pet stores in three Canadian cities for a period of 8 months. All samples were evaluated for the presence of Salmonella, serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility.

[Laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity--preliminary results].

Purpose: The present study aims to reveal, on one hand, the efficiency of the laser photocoagulation in the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and, on the other one, to answer two questions: 1. Why do some ROPs still go wrong, in spite of laser therapy? 2. What can we do about it?

Material/method: A retrospective study has been performed, including the 21 prematurely newborns that have been treated by laser photocoagulation, for ROP, in Cluj-Napoca, between April 2006-September 2007.

Subtotal laparoscopic splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization for the thrombocytopenia because of portal cavernoma--case report.

Unlabelled: An 8-year-old girl presented with a history of pain in the right hypocondrium, multiple petechiae in the skin, and ecchimoses at sites of minor trauma. Laboratory investigations showed severe thrombocytopenia. Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed portal and splenic vein cavernomatous transformation and splenomegaly.

The occurrence and anti-microbial susceptibility of Salmonellae isolated from commercially available pig ear pet treats.

In Canada, there have been reported outbreaks of human salmonellosis related to exposure to animal-derived pet treats, involving pig ear treats, beef steak patty dog treats and pet treats of seafood origin. As a follow-up to recommendations made to the pig ear treat industry in 1999, a total of 245 pig ear treats were purchased in two Canadian cities to provide evidence of adoption of the recommendations and to determine the current levels of Salmonella contamination of pig ear treats available at pet stores. An overall prevalence of 4% was observed, with isolates exhibiting resistance to up to seven anti-microbials.

Perceptions of Illness, coping, and well-being in persons with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners.

Despite greater attention to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), little is known about reactions to this potentially threatening diagnosis among persons with MCI (PWMCI) and their care partners. Psychologic reactions, perceptions of illness, and coping responses of 46 individuals recently diagnosed with MCI and 29 care partners were assessed with questionnaires assessing psychologic well-being, illness perceptions, coping, and perceived needs for services. Care partners and PWMCI report normal levels of psychologic well-being, showing less distress than is commonly found in Alzheimer disease (AD) caregivers.

Release of liposome-encapsulated calcein from liposome entrapping gelatin-carboxymethylcellulose films: a presentation of different possibilities.

Liposome entrapment in films consisting of gelatin (GEL) or GEL/sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) mixtures, as a method to alter drug release kinetics from polymeric films and/or incorporate sensitive bioactive molecules in solid films, was investigated. Bulk or thin complex (liposome trapping) films were formed by crosslinking (with glutaraldehyde) solutions of GEL or GEL/NaCMC in presence of calcein-encapsulating or rhodamine-labeled liposomes (Rho-Lip). Rho-Lip were observed by confocal microscopy to be homogenously distributed in the films.

[Assessment of retinopathy of prematurity].

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the ROP, the factors that influence this disease in very low birth weight newborns that are included in the neonatal screening program.

Material And Method: It is a retrospective study performed on 82 preterm newborns managed by The Neonatology Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic I from Cluj over a period of 15 months. There were assessed: prenatal factors, birth, perinatal pathology, therapy received, incidence of ROP and the necessity for laser therapy The statistical analysis has been performed in Epi 6.

[Prophylactic CPAP versus therapeutic CPAP in preterm newborns of 28-32 gestational weeks].

Unlabelled: Strategies in ventilation and in exposure to the oxygen that minimise lung injury improved the prognosis of the extremely low weight newborns. Avoiding intubation can prevent the reduction of mucociliary flow, injury of the mucosa and infection. Using early CPAP isn't unanimous; there are differences between studies in what are concerned: the beginning of the treatment, gestational age, methods.

Total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer.

The surgical treatment of endometrial cancer is still a matter of debate. Two of the most controversial issues are the beneficial effect of lymphadenectomy and the feasibility of laparoscopy. The aim of the case report was to describe the feasibility of total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in a 56-years-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

The white-black disability gap revisited: does an incident heart attack change this gap?

Background: A myocardial infarction (MI) results typically in abrupt functional deterioration immediately postevent, followed by recovery. The post-MI health disparities experienced by black older adults may be attributable to the social and health correlates of race. We explored patterns of change in functional status in a community-based sample of 243 older white and black persons hospitalized for an incident MI.

[The significance of neuroimaging in the evaluation of the newborn with neonatal asphyxia].

Unlabelled: This is a retrospective study of 3069 newborns admitted to the Neonatology Department of the 1st Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Material And Method: We considered 38 newborns with the diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia. The neuroimaging performed was transphontanellar ultrasonography, CT-scan, MRI, depending on case.

Immunity status against coxsackie viruses B in 25 patients with acute myocarditis.

Viruses are an important cause of myocarditis, particularly the enterovirus group B coxsackievirus. Viral infection may be suspected on the basis of history and presentation and can be proved by direct or serological identification of virus. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocarditis and were investigated with a serologic test battery covering Coxsackie viruses group B types 1 to 5 at the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses in Cantacuzino Institute Bucharest, Romania.

Molecular analysis of the first avian influenza H5N1 isolates from fowl in Romania.

Since the events of avian influenza (AI) caused by H5N1 subtype from Hong Kong (1997), the people worldwide have been confronted with new waves of epizootic influenza. In 2005 in Romania an unprecedent H5N1 epizootic occurred in domestic and wild birds. Therefore an immediate investigation by molecular approach of this highly pathogenic H5N1 strain was necessary.

[Aminoglycoside resistance of enterobacteria isolated from urinary infections in surgical departments].

The aim of the study was to determine the aminoglycosides resistance of Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from urocultures. Identification of the germs was performed by the API system (BioMerieux) and susceptibility tests was performed by disk-diffusion test (CLSI standards) and with API strips. For detecting the resistance to aminoglycosides we used gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin and amikacin.