External application of seabuckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is difficult due to its liquid state in spite of its benefits for damaged skin. In order to overcome this inadequacy the semisolid emulsion with seabuckthorn oil was prepared. Previous research showed that this emulsion possessing an enhanced structure with liquid crystals showed a higher wound healing potential than seabuckthorn oil. The aim of this investigation was to characterize suitability of this emulsion for topical use. The emulsion was prepared by combining emulsifiers that form liquid crystals. Two different quantities of seabuckthorn oil were incorporated. Samples were prepared with 10% and 40% of seabuckthorn oil. Organoleptic characteristics were estimated visually and by smearing samples on a thin glass plate. Type of emulsion was determined by a conductometric method, while a pH value of the emulsion was measured by a pH meter. Samples of seabuckthorn emulsion were orange, semisolid, shiny, easily spreadable on skin, and the smear on the glass plate was homogeneous. There was an absence of smell and the emulsion could be rinsed by water after the application on skin, which is a desired characteristic of oil/water emulsions. Results of an electrical conductivity confirmed that an outer phase is water. Samples possesed an acceptable pH value for an external topical use. This research confirmed that constituents and a method used were suitable for preparing semisolid emulsion with seabuckthorn oil. Organoleptic properties, a pH value and a type of obtained emuslion appear to be adequate for topical use.

Sideritis scardica Griseb., Lamiaceae (ironwort, mountain tea), an endemic plant of the Balkan Peninsula, has been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of antimicrobial infections, gastrointestinal complaints, inflammation and rheumatic disorders. This study reports a comparison between conventional (hydrodistillation HD and solvent extraction SE) and alternative (supercritical carbon dioxide SC CO2) extraction methods regarding the qualitative and quantitative composition of the obtained extracts as analyzed by GC and GC-MS techniques and their anitimicrobial activity. Different types of extracts were tested, the essential oil EO obtained by HD, EO-CO2 and AO-CO2 obtained by SC CO2 at different preasures 10 and 30 MPa, at 40 °C, respectively, and the fractions A, B, C and D obtained by successive solvent extraction (SE) A: ethanol, B: diethyl ether, C: ethyl acetate and D: n-butanol). While EO was characterized by the presence of the high percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (30.01 and 25.54%, respectively), the rest of the investigated samples were the most abundant in fatty acids and their esters and diterpenes (from 16.72 to 71.07% for fatty acids and their esters, and from 23.30 to 72.76%, for diterpenes). Microbial susceptibility tests revealed the strong to moderate activity of all investigated extracts against the tested microorganisms (MIC from 40 to 2,560 μg/mL). Although differences in the chemical compositions determined by GC and GC-MS analysis were established, the displayed antimicrobial activity was similar for the all investigated extracts.

The  aim of this study was to compare the sociodemographic and clinical features of odon­togenic infections between hospitalized and non-hospitalized  children and to show what were the risk factors in children that could predict the course of odontogenic infection and indicate the need for hospital treatment. The design of our study was of the case-control type. The two study groups consisted of 70 inpatients and 35 outpatients with odontogenic infections who were treated at Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at Clinical Center in Kragujevac, Serbia. Clinical and sociodemographic data were col­lected retrospectively from patients' hospital re­cords. The following characteristics were signifi-cantly associated  with hospital treatment of chil-dren with acute odontogenic infection: li­ving in a village (OR =7.26,[1.43-36.96]), multi-spatial infection (OR =0.04, [0.00-0.91]), and affec­tion of upper face (OR = 0.01, [0.00-0.86]). Tooth extraction was important intervention in the treatment regimen and reduced frequency of hospitalization (OR=0.07, [0.01-0.70]). The dif­ferences between hospitalized and non-hospitali­zed children were not significant in regard to: ethnicity, employment of parents,  anatomical region of infection, side of the facial infection, source of infection (posterior or anterior deci­duous or permanent teeth), and treatment (drai­nage and incision, oral or parenteral antibiotics). In children with acute odontogenic infection it is necessary to do tooth extraction in timely manner, especially if the source of infection is tooth from upper jaw and if it is multi-spatial in­fection.