Labeling index in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Two cell kinetic parameters, the 3H-thymidine labeling index (TLI) and the mitotic index (MI), were studied in vitro on fragments of squamous cell carcinoma tissue of the larynx. They were evaluated to identify those elements able to characterize the growth of these solid tumors. The values of these parameters were analyzed as a function of the clinical stage and the involvement of the regional lymph nodes. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the TLI from stage T1 to T3. No statistically significant differences in the TLI values were observed between the patients with positive and negative lymph nodes.     

Can homemade alcohol (raksi) be useful for preserving dead bodies? An experiment on wistar albino rats.

Introduction: Embalming is the through disinfection and art of preserving bodies after death using chemical substances. It keeps a body life like in appearance during the time it lies in a state prior to funeral. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of Raksi in sacrificed rats in arresting postmortem changes and establishing scientific fact whether Raksi can be an alternative to standard embalming constituent if it is not available. Material and methods: 50 albino rats were systematically randomized into control and experiment groups. Raksi and distilled water were injected for embalming purpose intraventricularly in experiment and control groups of rats respectively and kept for 48 to 96 hours for observation for postmortem changes. Result: Observations made at 48 and 72 hours of embalming revealed that Raksi can arrest postmortem changes in the rats up to 72 hours (3rd day) successfully in the experimental group whereas moderate to severe postmortem changes were seen in the control group. The experimental group showed mild degree of putrefactive changes, liberation of gases and liquefaction of tissues only at 96 hours (4th day) of embalming. Discussion: The Raksi used in this experiment contained 34% of alcohol, which was determined by an alcohol hydrometer. Experiment clearly demonstrated from its result that raksi can be utilised temporarily for embalming since it contains alcohol and has preservative, bactericidal and disinfectant properties. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that this knowledge if applied to dead human subjects, may preserve dead bodies temporarily allowing delayed funeral. Key words: Rat, Embalming, Homemade alcohol, Raksi, Funeral.     

Kettapeptin: isolation, structure elucidation and activity of a new hexadepsipeptide antibiotic from a terrestrial Streptomyces sp

The ethyl acetate extract of the Streptomyces sp. isolate GW99/1572 exhibited significant biological activity against Gram-positive bacteria and delivered kettapeptin (1), a new hexadepsipeptide antibiotic of the azinothricin type. The structure was elucidated by various 1D and 2D NMR techniques, mass spectrometry and by comparison of the NMR data with those of closely related antibiotics. The absolute configuration of the compound was derived by crystal structure analysis and by comparison with the optical rotation data of related compounds.     

Chinikomycins A and B: isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of novel antibiotics from a marine Streptomyces sp. isolate M045

In our screening of marine Streptomycetes for bioactive principles, two novel antitumor antibiotics designated as chinikomycins A (2a) and B (2b) were isolated together with manumycin A (1), and their structures were elucidated by a detailed interpretation of their spectra. Chinikomycins A (2a) and B (2b) are chlorine-containing aromatized manumycin derivatives of the type 64-pABA-2 with an unusual para orientation of the side chains. They exhibited antitumor activity against different human cancer cell lines, but were inactive in antiviral, antimicrobial, and phytotoxicity tests.     

Sorbicillin analogues and related dimeric compounds from Penicillium notatum

In our screening of microorganisms for new natural products, the fungus Penicillium notatum delivered further members of the sorbicillin family, namely, the sohirnones A [3, 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-methylphenyl)hex-4-en-1-one], B [4a, 1-(2,4,5-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethylphenyl)hexa-2,4-dien-1-one], and C [5, 1-(2,4,5-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethylphenyl)hex-4-en-1-one]. A stable tautomer of oxosorbicillinol (7) was characterized as 6, and the recently described 7-deacetoxyyanuthone (8) was reisolated. The additionally isolated rezishanones A-D (12-13c) are the first natural Diels-Alder products of sorbicillinol (1) with dienophiles not related with 1. The monomers and dimers showed weak antibacterial activity, but were inactive against fungi and algae. The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the NMR data with those of the structurally related 2',3'-dihydrosorbicillin (2) and, in the case of 4a, by transformation into the known sorrentanone (4b).     

Changes in patterns of the double burden of undernutrition and overnutrition in Nepal over time

Knowledge regarding nutrition transition in Nepal remains limited. This systematic review examined the shifts in undernutrition and overnutrition in Nepal during the past two decades. We searched PubMed for studies and reports published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2018. Publications with a sample size greater than or equal to 500 that reported prevalence of nutritional status were included. Six large national reports and 36 studies met study inclusion criteria and were included. Overall, available nationally representative data remained limited. The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2001 to 2016 showed that underweight prevalence decreased from 26.7% to 17.2% and prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 6.5% to 22.1% among women of reproductive age (15‐49 years). In preschool children, prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight decreased from 57.2% to 35.8%, 11.2% to 9.7%, and 42.7% to 27.0%, respectively. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was low among children and was higher in higher socio‐economic status (SES) groups. The overweight‐obesity/underweight ratios indicate a shift from undernutrition to overnutrition problem; it was more evident in urban areas and higher SES groups. In conclusion, Nepal is experiencing a nutrition transition. More research is warranted to address this shift, and well‐tailored public health efforts need to combat the double burden of overweight/obesity and undernutrition.     

Immune Restoration Syndrome with disseminated Penicillium marneffei and Cytomegalovirus co-infections in an AIDS patient

Background  

Penicillium marneffei is a dimorphic fungus, endemic in South-east Asia. The fungus causes severe disease in immunocompromised patients such as AIDS. However, no case of immune restoration disease of Penicillium marneffei is reported in literature from a non-endemic area.