The investigation of hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis) plant's inhibition effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and in silico studies

Hawthorn plant is used among people due to its cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties. But no scientific study has been done about Crataegus orientalis (Mill.) M.Bieb. The presented study was planned to determine the effects of ethanol and n-hexane extracts of Crataegus orientalis leaves on human plasma ACE enzyme. In the study, the effect of plant extracts on ACE was studied by the spectrophotometric method. The chemical composition of the plant extracts was determined by HPLC-DAD analyses. In addition, molecular doking and ADME prediction studies were carried out. As a result, the obtained data showed that Crataegus orientalis could have an important place in the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery studies, as it supports the traditional use of Crataegus orientalis as hypotensive. The results of the molecular docking studies revealed that the interactions of the selected compounds with the human ACE enzyme caused inhibition.

Analysis of ESAFORM 2021 cup drawing benchmark of an Al alloy, critical factors for accuracy and efficiency of FE simulations

This article details the ESAFORM Benchmark 2021. The deep drawing cup of a 1 mm thick, AA 6016-T4 sheet with a strong cube texture was simulated by 11 teams relying on phenomenological or crystal plasticity approaches, using commercial or self-developed Finite Element (FE) codes, with solid, continuum or classical shell elements and different contact models. The material characterization (tensile tests, biaxial tensile tests, monotonic and reverse shear tests, EBSD measurements) and the cup forming steps were performed with care (redundancy of measurements). The Benchmark organizers identified some constitutive laws but each team could perform its own identification. The methodology to reach material data is systematically described as well as the final data set. The ability of the constitutive law and of the FE model to predict Lankford and yield stress in different directions is verified. Then, the simulation results such as the earing (number and average height and amplitude), the punch force evolution and thickness in the cup wall are evaluated and analysed. The CPU time, the manpower for each step as well as the required tests versus the final prediction accuracy of more than 20 FE simulations are commented. The article aims to guide students and engineers in their choice of a constitutive law (yield locus, hardening law or plasticity approach) and data set used in the identification, without neglecting the other FE features, such as software, explicit or implicit strategy, element type and contact model.

Essential Oil, Aroma, and Fatty Acid Profiles of Five Endemic Salvia Taxa from Turkey with Chemometric Analysis

The essential oil, aroma, and fatty acid compositions of Salvia cerino-pruinosa var. cerino-pruinosa, S. cerino-pruinosa var. elazigensis, S. pseudeuphratica, S. rosifolia, and S. kurdica collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were analysed by GC-FID, GC/MS/Head Space and GC/MS. The results were evaluated chemometrically for principal component analyses and hierarchical clustering analyses using Minitab program. The main components of their essential oils have been determined as germacrene-D (41.79 % highest for these species), camphor (55.80 %), linalool (33.38 %), caryophyllene oxide (32.99 %), 1,8-cineole (26.30 %) and geraniol acetate (31.63 %), while for aroma 1,8-cineole (45.95 % highest for these species), camphor (58.54 %), D-limonene (40.83 %), linalool (27.67 %) and cis-linalool oxide (25.87 %). Oleic (72.65 % highest for these species), erucic (44.61 %), 2-palmitoleic (42.17 %) and nervonic (32.61 %) acids were determined as major components of their fatty acids. According to the PCA and HCA, the essential oil components of these Salvia taxa unaffected by the years, and accordingly, the Salvia taxa grouped among themselves.

Development and Validation of a Novel LC-MS/MS Method for the Quantitation of 19 Fingerprint Phytochemicals in Salvia Species: A Chemometric Approach

Being traditionally utilized mainly as appetizers and herbal teas as well as used to ease abdominal pains, colds and gastrointestinal issues, the genus Salvia L. has gained significant consideration owing to its remarkable phytochemicals and industrial importance. The present study aimed to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method for the qualitative and quantitative investigation of 19 fingerprint phytochemicals in six endemic Salvia species. The validation parameters of the developed LC-MS/MS method were repeatability (intermediate precision), recovery (accuracy), limits of detection and quantification, linearity and uncertainty (U% at 95% confidence level (k = 2)). Reversed-phase HPLC separation and mass spectrometry parameters were optimized for each analyte. Ethanol extracts of the studied Salvia species collected in three consecutive years were screened for their fingerprint phytochemicals by using the developed and validated LC-MS/MS method. Moreover, studied Salvia species were subjected to multivariate analysis such as principal component analysis techniques to demonstrate the variabilities in phytochemical contents by years and parts of the samples. Roots, flowers, leaves, branches and whole plant of the Salvia species collected in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were used for the analyses. It was observed that the roots and branches of Salvia species were similar in terms of their salvianolic acid A, caffeic acid, and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone components. Accordingly, apigenin, rosmarinic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, caffeic acid, salvianolic acid B, and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone were notable phytochemicals that were present in the studied Salvia species.

Determination of fingerprints contents of different extracts and parts of six endemic Salvia taxa by GC-MS: Source species for valuable compounds with drug or drug potential

Public use of Salvia species and their importance in the scientific world is continually increasing. It is known that this use and the importance of Salvia species are mostly due to the terpenoid compounds that they contain. In this context, the terpenoid-steroid-flavonoid contents of extracts of six endemic Salvia (S. kurdica, S. pseudeuphratica, S. rosifolia, S. siirtica, S. cerino-pruinosa var. cerino-pruinosa and S. cerino-pruinosa var. elazigensis) species prepared with different solvents were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Within the framework of the ingredient analysis, content analysis of the ethanol extracts of the root, branch, leaf and flower parts of the species collected in the same period between 2015 and 2017 years was performed. In general, extracts prepared with chloroform and ethanol were found to contain a wide variety of compounds while petroleum ether extracts were found to contain much less varied compounds. In addition, in general, root extracts are richer in terpenoid compounds than aerial part extracts. Some species can be used as source species in terms of ferruginol, cryptanol, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, lup-(20)29-ene-2α-hydroxy-3β-acetate, salvigenin and β-sitosterol contents (52,114.28, 75,979.08, 101,247.41, 40,071.29, 33,952.13 and 34,010.90 μg analyte/g extract, respectively).

Phytochemical Fingerprints and Bioactivities of Ripe Disseminules (Fruit-Seeds) of Seventeen Gundelia (Kenger-Kereng Dikeni) Species from Anatolia with Chemometric Approach

Gundelia species are known as "Kenger-kereng dikeni" in Anatolia, and their aerial parts are consumed as food. Also, roots and seeds (disseminules) of the Gundelia species are used to prepare gum and coffee. The chemical contents of ethanol and hexane extracts of disseminules of 17 Gundelia species, 13 of them are endemic, were studied using LC/MS/MS and GC/MS. Additionally, their antioxidant potential and enzyme inhibitory capacity against acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase, urease, and tyrosinase were determined. The unsaturated fatty acid ratios of Gundelia species were higher than their saturated fatty acid ratio. The highest sum of oleic and linoleic acid was detected in G. tournefortii var. tenuisecta (70.42 %). β-Sitosterol, α-amyrin, 3-acetyllupeol were identified in 17 Gundelia species by GC/MS, while chlorogenic acid and luteolin by LC/MS/MS as major compounds. The ethanol and hexane extracts of G. siirtica, G. rosea, and G. mesopotamica indicated good cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Among all species, ethanol extract of G. colemerikensis exhibited the best activity in ABTS (IC₅₀ : 32.30±0.98 μg/mL), DPPH (IC₅₀ : 59.91±0.89 μg/mL), and CUPRAC (A_0.5 : 57.41±1.03 μg/mL) assays. Ethanol extract of G. colemerikensis also displayed the highest inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase (51.14±0.25 % at 200 μg/mL), urease (51.71±1.75 % at 200 μg/mL), and tyrosinase (39.50±0.85 % at 200 μg/mL) enzymes. According to the chemometric analysis of fatty acids, four groups were observed. Therefore, it is suggested that G. colemerikensis can be used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties.

A GC-MS method validation for quantitative investigation of some chemical markers in Salvia hypargeia Fisch. & C.A. Mey. of Turkey: Enzyme inhibitory potential of ferruginol

In the present study, a GC-MS method used for quantitative screening of 26 compounds (sclareolide, sclareol, ferruginol, cryptanol, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, suginal, 9,10-dihydro-7,8-dimethyl-2-(1-methylethyl) phenanthren-3-ol, sugiol, inuroyleanone, 12-demethylmulticauline, 7α-hydroxy-β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, salvigenin, sinensetin, α-amyrin, lupeol, lupenone, 3-acetyl lupeol, 1α,21α-dihydroxy-2,3-(1'1'-dimethyl-dioxymethylene) urs-9(11),12-dien, uvaol, betulin, pyxinol, lup-(20),29-ene-2α-hydroxy-3β-acetate, betulin 3β, 28β-diacetate, 21α-hydroxy,2α,3β-diacetoxy urs-9(11),12-dien) specific to Turkish Salvia species was developed and validated. According to the GC-MS analysis results, Salvia hypargeia Fisch. & C.A. Mey. roots were found to be rich in ferruginol (30787.97 µg/g extract) and lupenone (23276.21 µg/g extract), and leaves in lupeol (20625.92 µg/g extract). Additionally, the essential oil and aroma contents of this species were identified by GC-MS technique. According to the LC-MS/MS results, especially S. hypargeia leaf extract was rich in rosmarinic acid (38035.7 µg/g extract) and isoquercitrin (4136.91 µg/g extract). Furthermore, anticholinesterase, antiurease, antityrosinase and antielastase inhibitory, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities of the ethanol extracts, essential oil, and major components of the species were evaluated. Antioxidant potentials of all extracts of this species were quite high in all studied antioxidant methods. Moreover, butyrylcholinesterase and elastase inhibitory capacities of ferruginol, the major component of S. hypargeia roots, were notable. For these reasons, this species has a high potential for food and pharmaceutical industries. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This new GC-MS method was applied to S. hypargeia Fisch. & C.A. Mey. and it indicated that this species possessed high amount of ferruginol and lupeol, and that this species could be used for their natural sources. According to the results of the activity studies (antioxidant, anticholinesterase, tyrosinase, elastase, and cytotoxic), this method was used to exhibit which compound may be responsible for the activities. This developed and validated method could be easily applied to determine major/active/toxic secondary metabolites of Salvia species which are used and/or could be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Phytochemical and biological investigations on two Nepeta species: Nepeta heliotropifolia and N. congesta subsp. cryptantha

In the present study, the essential oil and aroma compositions of Nepeta heliotropifolia (NH) and N. congesta subsp. cryptantha (NC) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC/FID), and their phenolic compounds by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, urease, and tyrosinase activities of essential oils obtained from NH and NC aerial parts and ethanol extracts prepared from different parts of NH and NC were investigated. The major constituent of water-distilled essential oils was found to be germacrene D (36.7% and 38.5%, respectively), and their main aroma component was eucalyptol (48.0% and 24.7%, respectively). Among the studied parts of NH and NC, their flowers extracts were found to be the richest in phenolic compounds and in which the most abundant compound was rosmarinic acid (8,909.91 and 4,317.20 μg/g, respectively). NH and NC flower extracts exhibited also strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays. Among the tested samples, NH essential oil indicated the best cytotoxic effect against PDF, HT-29, and MCF-7 (IC₅₀ 52.34, 25.89, and 44.70 μg/ml, respectively), and the highest butyrylcholinesterase (77.21 ± 1.12% inhibition) and moderate acetylcholinesterase (41.36 ± 0.69% inhibition) inhibitory activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This is the first report on the essential oil and aroma compositions, the phenolic compounds, the antioxidant with total phenolic and flavonoid contents, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, urease, and tyrosinase activities of Nepeta heliotropifolia and N. congesta subsp. cryptantha, except for their essential oil compositions. The reported results suggested that Nepeta heliotropifolia and N. congesta subsp. cryptantha flowers being rich in rosmarinic acid and having strong antioxidant potential, and NH essential oil possessing significant cytotoxic and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effect could be source for nutraceutical, food, and drug industries.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of an endemic plant of Turkey Salvia kronenburgii on breast cancer cell lines

Context

The natural products derived from plants are the important sources that can be used for breast cancer treatment. Salvia species and their derived products were recommended as potential antitumor substances.

Aim

The potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Salvia kronenburgii have been investigated on breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231.

Materials and Methods

Determination of chemical compounds of S. kronenburgii was done using a gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry system and a dual-stage commercial thermal desorption injector. Growth inhibition of the S. kronenburgii was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and ATP viability assays. The cell death mode was detected by fluorescent dyes. Genotoxic effect of S. kronenburgii was measured by comet assay.

Results

S. kronenburgii showed antiproliferative effect in a dose-dependent manner on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines by inducing apoptosis-like cell death. The pyknotic cell nuclei were observed at the cell lines in response to S. kronenburgii. Furthermore, significant increase was shown in genetic damage index and frequencies in the damaged cells.

Conclusion

S. kronenburgii might be a promising natural source for cancer therapy. Further experiments need to be done in vivo to understand of the anticancer effects of this plant.

Trace Element Analysis by ICP-MS and Chemometric Approach in Some Euphorbia Species: Potential to become a Biomonitor

In this study, the branch, leaves, flowers, roots and mixed parts of different nine Euphorbia species were analyzed for their trace element contents by using ICP-MS. The samples were digested by concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a microwave by ICP-MS before the analysis. The accuracy and precision of the method was evaluated by CRM 1573a Tomato Leaves. Trace element contents accumulated in different parts of each sample were contrasted. Minitab Statistical Software Inc., programme was used for the multivariate analysis of 12 toxic metals of seeds, roots, branches, leaves, flowers, and mixed parts of Euphorbia species collected from Diyarbakir, Kayseri, Malatya, Mardin, Trabzon, and Van cities.When the studied Euphorbia species are compared in terms of their metal contents; V, Tl, Cr, and Ni metals in E. eriophora, Ba in E. aleppica, As and Co metals in E. segıieriana, Ag and Se metals in E. craspedia, Cu and Cd metals in E. fistulosa, Cs and Pb metals in E. grisophylla, Zn in E. macroclada and also Rb and Sr metals in E. denticulata were determined higher. It was determined that the studied species accumulated some metals at highly amounts especially in the root and leaf parts. In general, it can be said that Euphorbia species have high potential to become a biomonitor. For this reason, it can be predicted that these species will be used as ornamental plants in landscape architecture due to both their toxic metals retention properties and their beautiful appearance.

Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew induces apoptosis without PARP or cytokeratin 18 cleavage in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Pelargonium species have various uses in folk medicine as traditional remedies, and several of them have been screened for their biological activity, including anticancer. Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew (P. quercetorum) is traditionally used for its anthelminthic activity. However, little is known about its biological activity or its effect on cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the cytotoxic activity of P. quercetorum extract on lung cancer cell lines with varying properties. Following the analyses of its chemical composition, the cytotoxic activity was screened by the adenosine triphosphate viability test. M30-Apoptosense^® and M65 EpiDeath^® enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to determine the cell death mode (apoptosis vs. necrosis). For apoptosis, additional methods, including Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and Hoechst 33342 staining, were employed. The cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was assayed by western blotting to further dissect the apoptosis mechanism. The methanol extract of P. quercetorum caused cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner. The mode of cell death was apoptosis, as evidenced by the positive staining of the cells for Annexin-V-FITC and the presence of pyknotic nuclei. Notably, neither PARP cleavage nor cytokeratin 18 fragmentation were observed. P.quercetorum caused cell death by an apoptosis mechanism that is slightly different from classical apoptosis. Therefore, future in vivo experiments are required for further understanding of the effect of this plant on cancer cells.

Chemical profile by LC-MS/MS, GC/MS and antioxidant activities of the essential oils and crude extracts of two Euphorbia species

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of two Euphorbia species. The major component of the fatty acid compositions obtained from the petroleum ether extracts was identified as palmitic acid for Euphorbia gaillardotii and Euphorbia macroclada. The main constituents of the essential oils were identified as arachidic acid for E. gaillardotii and tetratetracontane for E. macroclada. Among the 27 studied compounds, hesperidin, rutin, hyperoside and quinic, malic, gallic and tannic acids were found to be the most abundant compounds in the two Euphorbia species. The methanol extracts of E. gaillardotii and E. macroclada showed strong antioxidant activity in all tested methods. Particularly, IC50 values of E. macroclada methanol extract that was the richest in terms of total phenolic-flavonoid contents were found to be lower than α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene in β-carotene bleaching, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free and ABTS cation radical scavenging methods.

Nationwide study of Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases TEM, SHV and CTX-M in Turkey

Four hundred and forty extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates were collected from 10 different hospitals in Turkey between 2011 and 2012. Clinical specimens consisted of urine (80.45%), blood (6.59%), cerebrospinal fluid (1.13%), pleural fluid (2.95%), wound (4.31%) and sputum (4.54%). ESBL-coding genes (CTX-M1, CTX-M2, TEM, SHV) were detected by PCR. According to the PCR and sequencing results, CTX-M1 was the most prevalent β-lactamase 83.18% (366/440), followed by TEM 44.09% (194/440), CTX-M2 31.81% (140/440) and SHV 1.81% (8/440). Sequencing results showed that TEM and SHV types were TEM-1b and SHV-11, respectively. Rate of the strains harboring only CTX-M1, CTX-M2, TEM-1b and SHV-11 were 30.90%, 3.63%, 2.27% and 0.23%, respectively. Rate of the strains harboring the combinations of CTX-M1-CTX-M2, CTX-M1-CTX-M2-TEM-1b, CTX-M2-TEM-1b, CTX-M1-TEM-1b, CTX-M1-CTX-M2-TEM-1b-SHV-11, CTX-M1-TEM-1b-SHV-11, CTX-M1-SHV-11, CTX-M1-CTX-M2-SHV-11, CTX-M2-SHV-11, CTX-M2-TEM-1b-SHV-11, TEM-1b-SHV-11 were 12.95%, 11.59%, 2.95%, 26.13%, 0.45%, 0.68%, 0.22%, 0.22%, 0%, 0% and 0%, respectively. This is a nationwide study of ESBL-producing E. coli in Turkey. These results shows that CTX-M1 group is the most common type of class A β-lactamases among ESBL-producing E. coli strains in Turkey.

A Comparison of the Forces Applied to a Manikin during Laryngoscopy with the Glidescope® and Macintosh Laryngoscopes

The force applied during laryngoscopy can cause local tissue trauma and can induce cardiovascular responses and cervical spine movement in susceptible patients. Previous studies have identified numerous operator and patient factors that influence the amount of force applied during intubation. There are few studies evaluating the effect of different laryngoscope blades and no study involving video laryngoscopes. In this study we measured the forces using two laryngoscopic techniques. Three FlexiForce Sensors® (A201-25, Tekscan, Boston, MA, USA) were attached to the concave blade surface of a Macintosh and a GlideScope® laryngoscope. Experienced anaesthetists performed Macintosh and GlideScope intubations on the Laerdal® Airway Management Trainer manikin. Compared to Macintosh intubations, the GlideScope intubations had equal or superior views of the glottis with 55%, 58% and 66% lower median peak, average and impulse forces applied to the tongue base. The distal sensor registered the most force in both devices and the force distribution pattern was similar between the devices. The findings suggest that the GlideScope requires less force for similar or better laryngoscopic views, at least in a manikin model.

Imaging Findings of a Patient with Incomplete Phenotypical Expression of the PHACES Syndrome

SUMMARY

We present imaging findings of a patient with an incomplete form of the PHACES syndrome with dolichosegmental intracranial arteries as the predominant component, and discuss the etiopathological and clinical significance of this finding.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility and serotype distribution of pneumococci strains isolated from meningitis patients]

Treatment of life threatening pneumococcal infections such as meningitis has recently become problematic due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility data usually derived from the studies that included all clinical pneumococcal isolates. However, resistance patterns of this microorganism isolated from meningitis cases in our country are not exactly known. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from meningitis cases. This retrospective study was designed in three university hospitals in Turkey and 72 pneumococci isolated from patients with meningitis were evaluated. In this study disk diffusion test and E-test methods were used to determine the susceptibility of pneumococci to some antibiotics. All S. pneumoniae isolates were serotyped using Quellung reaction. Although resistance for oxacillin was found by disc diffusion method in 11 isolates, only six of them were found to be resistant by E-test. By the latter procedure, no resistance was recorded against ceftriaxone and meropenem, while chloramphenicol resistance was found as 1.4%. In our study, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin resistance were 2.8%, TMP-SMX resistance was 26.4%, while no vancomycin resistance was detected by disk diffusion. In evaluation of 72 pneumococci, we found 16 different serotypes and four isolates could not be serotyped. The serogroup 23 (n: 19) was the most common one followed by serotype 19 (n: 9) and serotype 14 (n: 7). Of six resistant isolates, three pneumococci were serogroup 23 and the remaining were from three different serotype/serogroups 11, 14 and 19. As a result penicillin resistance in pneumococci isolated from meningitis was low and there was no resistance to ceftriaxone. It seems that ceftriaxone is an appropriate choice for empirical treatment of meningitis in our patients. These findings also revealed that pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule vaccines in use cover most of the invasive pneumococcal serotypes.

[Investigation of serum IgG subclass distributions and anti-HBs response in healthy adults after hepatitis B vaccination]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of serum total IgG (tIgG) subtypes before and after hepatitis B vaccinations in young adults and the relationship between anti-HBs titers and tIgG subtypes. Thirty-eight young adults (29 female, 9 male; age range: 18-20 years) who were the students of Malatya Health Care Profession High School were included in the study. Their anti-HBs and total anti-HBc markers' were negative. The study group were immunized with 20 microg/mL recombinant HBV vaccine intramuscularly (Engerix B) at 0, 1st, and 6th months. The tIgG subtype distributions before vaccination and anti-HBs and tlgG subtype distributions after vaccination were investigated. Serum samples were collected one month after the third dose vaccination, and anti-HBs were found negative (<10 IU/ml) in 8 subjects (21%), low positive (10-100 IU/ml) in 14 subjects (37%), and high positive (>100 IU/ml) in 16 subjects (42%). There was no difference between the response groups in terms of tIgG subtype distributions obtained before vaccination. After vaccination, while there was no increase in the tIgG subtypes in the unresponsive group, increased IgG1 levels were determined in low and high response groups. The IgG1 increment ratio was more evident in high response cases. We concluded that IgG1 subtype titer was the most important indicator for the evaluation of the efficacy of active HBV immunization.

Bilateral bifid mandibular condyle

Bilateral bifid mandibular condyles are rare and may appear as a congenital or developmental anomaly. A case of bilateral bifid mandibular condyles is reported. The patient had no history of trauma and no link was apparent with respect to the patient's medical history. In this case, the condition was an incidental panoramic radiographic finding. Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed bilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction. The radiographic appearance of this anomaly and the literature on bilateral bifid condyles are reviewed.

Treatment of a giant orbitofacial vascular malformation and ophthalmic artery aneurysms with intralesion glue injections: case report

We describe a giant left orbital vascular malformation that was treated with both percutaneous and transarterial embolization. Feeder artery aneurysms thrombosed as a result of retrograde reflux of embolic material into the distal ophthalmic artery. In this presentation, we emphasize the efficacy of percutaneous embolization and retrograde thromboses of two intradural saccular ophthalmic artery aneurysms.

Cranial MRI in neonatal hypernatraemic dehydration

Severe neonatal hypernatraemia is a life-threatening electrolyte disorder because of its neurological complications. These are brain oedema, intracranial haemorrhages, haemorrhagic infarcts and thromboses. There are few reports concerning the radiological findings in the central nervous system in severe neonatal hypernatraemia. Cranial MRI findings in hypernatraemia have been reported in an older child, but have not been described in newborn infants. We report the cranial MRI findings in a newborn infant with acute renal failure and severe hypernatraemia.

Arteriovenous fistula: a cause of torticollis

Torticollis is a symptom that may represent a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from a simple etiology to a life-threatening pathology. Pediatricians have to suspect central nervous system abnormalities whenever faced with torticollis. The authors report an arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction in a patient presenting with torticollis.

Cerebral infarct associated with factor V Leiden mutation in a boy with hemophilia A

An 11-year-old boy with mild hemophilia A was admitted to our hospital because of focal convulsions. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an old occipital infarct. Protein C, S, antithrombin III, anticardiolipin antibodies and fibrinogen were normal. Heterozygosity for factor V Leiden mutation was detected. We suggest that factor V Leiden mutation should be studied in hemophiliacs with thrombosis.

Unusual appearance of intracranial fibromuscular dysplasia. A case report

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) of intracranial arteries is seen rarely and usually limited to the intrapetrosal internal carotid artery or carotid siphon. The authors report a case with recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosed angiographically as FMD with extensive involvement of intracranial arteries. Angiography showed large fusiform dilatations and multiple aneurysms along the left intracranial internal carotid artery into its major branches, middle cerebral and posterior communicating arteries, and tip of the basilar and posterior cerebral arteries. Such an angiographic appearance has not been previously reported. Radiologic findings are demonstrated and possible pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.