Objective: The study was conducted to determine the preservative activity of ethanolic extract of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) pericarp and its compatibility in an antacid suspension. Methods: The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and was used as preservative in a formulated antacid suspension. Compatibility with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients were analyzed using fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Preservative activity of the formulation against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was assessed using the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) antimicrobial effectiveness test, with methylparaben as positive control and suspension without preservative as negative control. Results: The extract exhibited pharmaceutical compatibility with API and excipients. The formulation revealed comparable reduction in microbial count of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa with positive control at Day 14 (p=0.916, 0.624, 0.335). At Day 28, comparable activity with positive control was only observed against E. coli and S. aureus (p=0.999, 0.854). However, it displayed significant increase in activity against P. aeruginosa (p=0.010) at Day 28. These activities may be attributed to glycosides and reducing substances present in the extract. Conclusion The ethanolic extract from Garcinia mangostana L. pericarp acted as a preservative in the formulation of an antacid suspension. It conformed to the USP criteria for antimicrobial effectiveness test on bacteria.
Garcinia mangostana ; Suspensions

With isolated strams of dermatophytes, susceptibility tests were undertaken to antifungal drugs, and the results of both tests by inoculation of fungal suspensions and, fungal mats were compared, also the combined actior.s of drugs against isolated strains were evaluated, Diverse susceptibiIity patterns were observed among different fungal species, however, no arminor susceptibility differences were detected among strains of same species. Among drugs tested, tolnaftate showed the most strong antifungal ar.tion, and Ep, floccoaum was the most and T. mentagrophytes was the least sensitive species to drugs. MIC levels by mats inoculation were generally far higher than that of fungal suspension, particularly with tolnaftate it was several hundred folds higher by fungal mats inoculatian. Combined actions of drugs were generelly elevated against test strains, when miconazole cornbined with tolnaftate, the action was synergistic against T. mentagrophytes, and when tolnaftate combined with griseofulvin or siccarin cornbined with griseofulvin, thactions were elevated to T. rubrum.
Arthrodermataceae* ; Griseofulvin ; Miconazole ; Suspensions ; Tolnaftate

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of temporary luting cements on bovine dental pulp-derived cells (bDPCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different temporary cements were tested: Rely X Temp E (3M ESPE), Ultratemp (Ultradent), GC Fuji Temp (GC), and Rely X Temp NE (3M ESPE). The materials were prepared as discs and incubated in Dulbecco's modified eagle's culture medium (DMEM) for 72 hours according to ISO 10993-5. A real-time cell analyzer was used to determine cell vitality. After seeding 200 microL of the cell suspensions into the wells of a 96-well plate, the bDPCs were cured with bioactive components released by the test materials and observed every 15 minutes for 98 hours. One-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer tests were used to analyze the results of the proliferation experiments. RESULTS: All tested temporary cements showed significant decreases in the bDPCs index. Rely X Temp E, GC Fuji Temp, and Rely X Temp NE were severely toxic at both time points (24 and 72 hours) (P<.001). When the cells were exposed to media by Ultratemp, the cell viability was similar to that of the control at 24 hours (P>.05); however, the cell viability was significantly reduced at 72 hours (P<.001). Light and scanning electron microscopy examination confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: The cytotoxic effects of temporary cements on pulpal tissue should be evaluated when choosing cement for luting provisional restorations.
Cell Survival ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Suspensions

BACKGROUNDArtificial joints present certain problems such as osteal absorption and lysis induced by wear debris which leads to loosening of the prosthesis over a period of time. Here we propose a design of an artificial magnetic suspension joint that was prepared by integrating the medical theories of modern material science, magnetism, and medical physics.

METHODSAccording to clinical characteristic of biological and mechanical for hip joint, we designed the appearance and dimensions of magnetic suspension joint and placed neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets in the prosthesis. As the same time, we performed mechanical and biological experiments using artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models.

RESULTSBy simulated the human hip structure and the external load, we discovered the artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models had much lesser amount and size of wear debris than the ceramic/ceramic artificial hip joint prosthesis in friction wear tests. The force between the artificial joints with magnetic materials that we have calculated is feasible for application of artificial joint. The design of artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models was plausible technically and safe biologically.

CONCLUSIONArtificial magnetic suspension hip joints may effectively reduce the incidence of the loosening of prosthesis over a period of time.

Clubroot symptoms occurred severely on roots of Pak-Choi (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis) grown in greenhouses in Gwangju city, Gyeonggi province, Korea in September, 2008. The incidence of the disease symptoms reached as high as 90% in three greenhouses investigated. The root galls collected from the greenhouses were sectioned using a scalpel and observed by light microscope. Many resting spores were found in the cells of the root gall tissues. Suspension of resting spores was prepared from the root galls and inoculated to roots of healthy Pak-Choi plants. Each of five resting spore suspensions caused clubroot symptoms on the roots, which were similar to those observed during the greenhouse survey. Resting spores of the pathogen were observed in the cells of the affected roots. The clubroot pathogen was identified as Plasmodiophora brassicae based on its morphological and pathological characteristics. This is the first report that Plasmodiophora brassicae causes clubroot of Pak-Choi.
Brassica ; Incidence ; Korea ; Light ; Plasmodiophorida ; Spores ; Suspensions

BACKGROUND: The ABO blood group typing test (ABO test) is an initial pre-transfusion test based on hemagglutination. Although various factors affect hemagglutination strength, few studies have examined how these factors can be applied in clinical laboratories and their effects on hemagglutination. This study was conducted to analyze the factors affecting hemagglutination strength in the ABO test using a tube method applied in many laboratories. METHODS: We conducted a detailed questionnaire survey of 51 laboratories which use the ABO test with a tube method. We also analyzed the results of the ABO test (cell and serum typing) with 40 specimens using factors affecting hemagglutination at a tube method and applied differently in each laboratory. RESULTS: Each laboratory used various methods to prepare red cell suspensions as specimens or reagents and used different reagent to sample ratios, centrifugation protocols, and shaking test tubes before evaluating hemagglutination strength. By testing various combinations of these factors, direct sampling from the red cell layer of the original specimen was found to have the largest effect on lowering hemagglutination strength in cell typing tests. In serum typing tests, various factors influenced hemagglutination strength, including shaking the tube before analysis and the concentration of a home-made red cell suspension used as a reagent. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve accurate results in the ABO test by the tube method, detailed guidelines that include the factors affecting hemagglutination strength determined in this study should be established.
Centrifugation ; Hemagglutination* ; Indicators and Reagents ; Methods* ; Suspensions

BACKGROUND: Silver has been used for disinfection and sterilization. We aimed to confirm the in-vitro antibacterial effects of nanocrystalline silver-coated gauze. METHODS: Fourteen clinical isolates each of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii were used. Bacterial suspensions made in tryptic soy broth were exposed to Ordinary and silver-coated gauze. Bacteria were then harvested from the gauze immediately and after 24 h incubation, cultured on blood agar plates and eunmerated for viable counts. The number of colonies was converted into common logarithms for comparison. RESULTS: The number of colonies recovered from silver-coated gauze was significantly lower than those recovered from ordinary gauze when harvested immediately after exposure (E. coli, 3.06 vs 1.73; A. baumannii, 3.13 vs 1.98; P<0.001). After 24 h incubation of exposed gauze, silver-coated gauze produced less than 1 CFU/mL, whereas ordinary gauze produced a number of colonies significantly higher than it did immediately after exposure (E. coli, 4.13; A. baumannii, 4.46; P<0.001). Conclusion: Compared with ordinary gauze, silver-coated gauze was shown to have 99.99% antibacterial effect.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Agar ; Bacteria ; Disinfection ; Escherichia coli ; Silver ; Sterilization ; Suspensions

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is the most prevalent species found in human yeast infections. The germ tube test is still frequently used for its rapid presumptive identification. Recently Candida dubliniensis as well as C. albicans has been reported to form germ tubes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the germ tube test at various conditions for rapid presumptive identification of C. albicans. METHODS: C. albicans ATCC 14053, C. albicans ATCC 18804, C. dubliniensis ATCC MYA 646, and C. dubliniensis KCTC 17427 were tested. Human pooled serum (HPS), HBV, HCV infected patient serum, fetal bovine serum (FBS) and rabbit serum (RS) were used for germ tube test. The germ tube formation was evaluated at different keeping condition of various sera, after mixing with 5 different bacterial suspensions and at various incubation conditions. RESULTS: The germ tube formation of C. albicans was more in the RS or FBS than in the HPS. For the various sera fresh sample was always the best expression of germ-tube forming ability. In the HCV infected patient serum and mixing with Pseudomonas aeruginosa germ tube formation was suppressed. C. dubliniensis did not form germ tube in the HPS, only formed in the FBS or RS. CONCLUSION: For rapid presumptive identification of C. albicans not C. dubliniensis the best selection of serum is the fresh HPS. We recommend the examination with isolated colony free from bacteria after incubation for 2 to 3 hours.
Bacteria ; Candida ; Candida albicans ; Humans ; Mya ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Suspensions ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: High-density calcifications on CT images can appear as high signals on T1-weighted MR images, but with differing extents and degrees. This study investigated CT and MR images of calcifications of various types and concentrations. METHODS: We analyzed CT and MR images of two cases of bilateral basal ganglia calcifications and experimental suspensions of calcifications of different types and concentrations. RESULTS: The density of CT calcifications increased in proportion to their concentration regardless of their type. However, the MR signals differed with the types and concentrations of calcification. A high signal was one of the most noticeable signs on T1-weighted MR images for calcium phosphate, and it increased for concentrations up to 0.2 g/mL before leveling off. The signal for all types of calcification decreased on T2-weighted and especially fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. CONCLUSIONS: High signals are characteristic of calcification on T1-weighted MR images, and are often stronger than those on CT images. A low signal appears consistently on FLAIR MR images regardless of the calcification type. These findings might be helpful in evaluating calcifications apparent in MR images.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Suspensions

BACKGROUND: Recently the sensitive measurement of radiation damage to DNA using flowcytometric analysis of nucleoid preparations was reported which allows an analysis of damage within the DNA of single cells. We applied flowcytometric analysis of the nucleoids for the detection of DNA damage by UVB. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the method of detecting UVB-induced damage of DNA by flowcytometry and to elucidate the usefulness of this method to detect cell damage. METHODS: Human melanoma cells were cultured and were irradiated with various of UVB. Immediately after UVB irradiation nucleoid suspensions were prepared and flowcytometric analysis was done. RESULTS: The changes in fluorescence, forward scatter, and side scatter reflected damage of DNA induced by UVB quite well especially at lower UVB doses. CONCLUSION: Flowcytometric analysis of nucleoid will be a useful methosd to detect DNA damage by UVB.
DNA ; DNA Damage ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Methods ; Suspensions ; Ultraviolet Rays*