Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Ventilago madraspatana Gaertn., Rubia cordifolia Linn. and Lantana camara Linn.: isolation of emodin and physcion as active antibacterial agents

The antibacterial activity of the extracts of Ventilago madraspatana stem-bark, Rubia cordifolia root and Lantana camara root-bark, prepared with solvents of different polarity, was evaluated by the agar-well diffusion method. Twelve bacteria, six each of gram-positive and gram-negative strains, were used in this study. Chloroform and ethanol extracts of V. madraspatana showed broad-spectrum activity against most of the bacteria except S. aureus, E. coli and V. cholerae. On the other hand, the activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts of R. cordifolia and L. camara was found to be more specific towards the gram-positive strains, although gram-negative P. aeruginosa was also inhibited by the methanol extracts of both these plants in a dose dependent manner. The water extracts of V. madraspatana and L. camara were found to be inactive, while that of R. cordifolia was significantly active against B. subtilis and S. aureus compared with streptomycin and penicillin G used as standards. In the course of bio-assay guided fractionation, emodin and physcion were isolated for the first time from the stem-bark of V. madraspatana. It was noteworthy to find the MICs of emodin in the range 0.5-2.0 microg/mL against three Bacillus sp. Both the anthraquinonoid compounds inhibited P. aeruginosa, emodin being more effective, showing an MIC of 70 microg/mL.     

Huge ameloblastoma of jaw—A case report

Ameloblastoma is a tumor of odontogenic epithelium. It is a tumour of intermediate malignant potential which lies in the gray zone between benign and malignant neoplasm. A huge ameloblastoma revealing benign cytological features in FNAC is being reported. Ameloblastoma arises from odontogenic epithelium. This tumor can occur at any age. Though traditionally divided as solid and cystic, nearly all ameloblatomas show some cystic change. This tumor shows invasive property and a remarkable tendency of recurrence. The cases showing distant metastasis are recognized as malignant ameloblastoma. Ameloblastic carcinoma is a tumor with microscopic features of ameloblastoma that displays malignant features at cytological level.^[2] It usually has aggressive course. A case of large ameloblastoma with slow clinical course and benign cytological as well as histological features is being reported.     

Posthepatitis aplastic anaemia presenting only with bilateral vision loss

Aplastic anaemia is pancytopenia with marrow hypocellularity. Hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia is a varient or aplastic anaemia that follows an acute attack of seronegative hepatitis. Here a case of hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia presenting with sudden onset of severe simultaneous bilateral vision loss and without any other usual presenting signs is reported. Partial recovery of blood cell count occurred following immunosuppressive therapy. Posterior hyalodotmy helped rapid resolution of premacular subhyaloid haemorrhage. Although bilateral vision loss may rarely be the initial presentation of aplastic anaemia, no such report is known in hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia. Posthepatitis vision loss needs careful investigation to exclude an underlying haematological disorder.     

Ovarian haemangioma: A rare case report

INTRODUCTIONHaemangioma of ovary is a rare tumour.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report an ovarian haemangioma which presented as an acute abdomen due to an adnexal mass.DISCUSSIONWe report an ovarian haemangioma which presented as an acute abdomen due to an adnexal mass. Haemangiomas have been reported in other organs but ovarian haemangioma is a rare tumor, usually asymptomatic and presenting as an incidental finding. Large lesions tend to present clinically with pain. A few cases have been described in the literature.CONCLUSIONConsidering their rare occurrence such tumors are a diagnostic challenge.     

Leydig cell tumor: a report of two cases with unusual presentation

Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) are rare testicular tumors. They constitute 1-3% of all testicular tumors. We report two cases of LCT, one benign and the other one malignant, representing both ends of the spectrum. The case of benign LCT presented with infertility and was found to have azoospermia, and subsequently underwent orchidectomy. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of a benign LCT. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The sperm count improved subsequently, and a year later, he fathered a child. The case of malignant LCT was seen in another 47 year old male who presented with cough. On examination, a testicular swelling was found, and after orchidectomy, he was diagnosed to have malignant LCT on histopathologic examination.     

Soybean Peroxidase Catalyzed Enzymatic Synthesis of Pyrrole/EDOT Copolymers

Pyrrole/EDOT copolymers were synthesized using environmentally benign enzyme catalysis. PSS was used as the solubilizing template and charge‐balancing dopant. Soybean peroxidase was utilized as a catalyst for the copolymerization reactions to yield poly(pyrrole‐EDOT)/PSS complex. Systematic studies were conducted with varying monomer feed ratios, temperature, and pH. Here we report for the first time, the enzyme catalyzed polymerization of pyrrole and EDOT at an elevated pH = 5. The polymer composition was determined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Spectroscopic characterization [UV‐Vis, FTIR], thermal analysis, and electrical conductivity measurements for these complexes indicated the formation of stable conducting copolymers.