Microbial transformation of asiatic acid by Alternaria longipes

Asiatic acid is a major pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Centella asiatica. It shows a variety of bioactivities. In order to obtain its derivatives, potentially useful for detailed pharmacological studies, the substrate was subjected to incubations with selected micro-organisms. In this work, asiatic acid was converted into three new compounds: 2α,3β,23,30-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (1), 2α,3β,22β,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (2), and 2α,3β,22β,23,30-pentahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (3) by the fungus Alternaria longipes AS 3.2875. The structures of the three metabolites were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectral data.     

Section 1 The effect of ibuprofen on lymphocyte stimulation by phytohaemagglutillin in Vitro

Summary

A study was carried out to determine the effects of ibuprofen, phenylbutazone and indomethacin at different concentrations on phytohaemagglutinin-induced stimulation of lymphocytes in vitro. The results indicate that all three drugs inhibit lymphocyte stimulation, and at concentrations achieved by ibuprofen and phenylbutazone in vivo. It may be, therefore, that part of the effect of ibuprofen in rheumatoid arthritis is due to inhibition of lymphocyte function.     

Transformation: are nurse leaders in critical care ready?

Aim The aim was to determine whether nursing leaders met the criteria for transformational and/or transactional leadership. Background Many changes have occurred in South Africa and are reflected in the health-care systems. As a result, it has become crucial to source leaders who are able to manage the change process effectively so as to ensure the success and survival of our health-care organizations. Methods The 45-item Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Rater) was completed by 41 respondents out of a population of 121. A proportional stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select the raters of seven leaders. Results Most nursing leaders role-modelled the culture of the organisation but did not stimulate their followers intellectually and did not demonstrate innovative motivation or individual consideration. Consequently, their followers may exhibit a lack of commitment to collective goals, with detrimental effects on the health-care organisation as a whole. Conclusions and implications for nursing managers Nursing leaders should be trained to become transformational leaders so as to encourage their followers to become innovative and motivated to render high quality nursing care.     

Survival of HeLa Cells Cultured in Vitro and Exposed to Protracted Gamma-irradiation

Summary

Experiments are described in which S₃ HeLa cells were exposed to gamma-radiation at dose-rates of 9·5 and 19 rad/hour (chronic irradiation). The cell-survival, in terms of reproductive integrity, was compared with the same cell-line irradiated at 44·9 rad/min (acute irradiation). It was found that while a ‘type C’ multi-hit curve was necessary to describe the survival of cells irradiated at 44·9 rad/min, a simple exponential function of dose was sufficient to describe the survival at 9·5 and 19 rad/min. The data were compared with the results of Berry and Cohen (1962).     

大面积脑梗死后出血性转化的CT诊断新认识

目的 提高对大面积脑梗死后出血性转化的CT诊断水平及新认识.方法 对60例大面积脑梗死后出血性转化的CT资料进行回顾性分析.结果 大面积脑梗死后复查头部CT,常规扫描37例,薄层扫描23例.出血性转化在梗死后1d检出3例,2～3 d检出16例,4～7 d检出9例,8～14 d检出32例.CT表现分3型：中心型（13例）、边缘型（21例）、混合型（26例）.结论“出血性转化”已代替“出血性脑梗死”和“梗死后出血”,大面积脑梗死最易发生出血性转化,影像学检查是诊断出血性转化的金标准,CT为首选的主要检查方法,薄层扫描更利于病变早期检出,对指导临床选择治疗方案及预后判断具有重要意义.     

Transforming vaccines supply chains in Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and in 2012 was suffering some of the lowest vaccination rates in the World. A combination of factors had resulted in a dysfunctional immunization cold chain and supply chain. Recognizing that the number of unimmunized children contributed to high levels of under-5-mortality, and that health MDGs would not be attained, Minister of State for Health Mohammed Pate launched a vaccines transformation project in 2013. In partnership with BMGF, GAVI, UNICEF, WHO, other donors and implementing partners the transformation journey has so far taken three years and achieved impressive results. It has though faced challenges along the way and with the financial burden of GAVI graduation facing Nigeria, the economic downturn and the decentralized funding of health services, the results are far from sustained. This paper documents the work undertaken at the Federal level and then highlights specific work undertaken in partnership with Lagos State Government. It identifies the importance of taking an end to end approach and looking at the root causes of weak system performance. The strategy combined simple innovations in how data was captured, recorded and used to drive decision making. It included a comprehensive and systematic approach to cold chain procurement, installation and maintenance with a shift to a culture of active cold chain maintenance that is performing with higher levels of uptime. It also included supply chain redesign at both the Federal and State level. Finally, it involved an institutional transformation at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to establish a data driven Department of Logistics and Health Commodities (DLHC) to manage the many challenges in immunizing 7.5 million children annually. While results have been impressive, there have been many challenges and lessons learned on the way. As Nigeria gets ready for its graduation from GAVI, a robust agile performing cold chain and supply chain will be essential for the good health of Nigeria’s children and its economy. The necessary transformation journey has only just begun.