Comparing changes in transient-evoked otoacoustic emission and pure-tone audiometry following short exposure to industrial noise

It has been suggested that otoacoustic emissions, particularly transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), might be more sensitive in assessment of changes to the cochlea caused by noise than pure-tone audiometry (PTA). The aim of the study was to compare temporary threshold shifts with the changes in TEOAE following a six-hour exposure to industrial noise at the intensity of 85-97 dB (A). Thirty two male employees of a metal factory were screened. TEOAE, PTA and tympanometry were included in the hearing test battery. Both, PTA and TEOAE showed significant reduction due to noise exposure, but no correlation between temporary threshold shifts and decreases in either the overall TOAE level or the level of otoacoustic emission in the frequency bands was found. Our results confirm the high sensitivity of TEOAE to short exposure to industrial noise. This study may recommend this measurement as a method of evaluation for TTS conditions for hearing conservation programme purposes, in addition to pure-tone audiometry.     

Synthesis, and antiprotozoal and antibacterial activities of S-substituted 4,6-dibromo- and 4,6-dichloro-2-mercaptobenzimidazoles.

The synthesis and some germicidal activities in vitro of two congener series of S-substituted 4,6-dihalogeno-2-mercapto-1H-benzimidazoles are reported. There was no substantial difference between antibacterial activities of corresponding 4,6-dichloro- and 4,6-dibromo-derivatives. The present results confirm lower susceptibility to substituted benzimidazoles of Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of a majority of the novel derivatives ranged between 25 and 100microg/ml for Gram-positive bacteria. The most active compounds (MICs for Gram-positive bacteria: 0.78-50microg/ml) were 4,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole and 4,6-dibromo-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole that were 4-32 times more potent than nitrofurantoin against all Gram-positive bacteria utilized but Escherichia faecalis, against which they were, respectively, 2 and 4 times less potent than nitrofurantoin. Among Gram-negative bacteria used, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Bordetella bronchiseptica were most sensitive (as evidenced by a number of MICs 400microg/ml). All the new compounds were at least several times more active against Giardia intestinalis (IC(50): 0.006-0.053microg/ml), and a half of them were at least several times more active against Trichomonas vaginalis (IC(50): 0.0015-0.182microg/ml) than metronidazole (IC(50): 0.210 and 0.037microg/ml, respectively), the drug of choice in the treatment of G. intestinalis and T. vaginalis infections.     

Synthesis and structure evaluation of new complex butylarylpiperazin-1-yl derivatives

A series of arylpiperazine derivatives of 1,16-diphenyl-19-azahexacyclo-[14.5.1.0^2,15.0^3,8.0^9,14.0^17,21]docosa-2,3,5,7,8,9,11,13,14-nonaene-18,20,22-trione and 4,10-diphenyl-1H,2H,3H,5H-indeno[1,2-f]isoindole-1,3,5-trione was synthesized. The pharmacological profile of compound 4 at the 5-HT_1A receptor was measured by binding assay. The title compounds were tested in cell-based assay against the human immunodeficiency virus type-1. The X-ray crystallographic studies of derivatives 2, 6, 7, 11, 19, and 20 were presented.     

Parietal network underlying movement control: disturbances during subcortical electrostimulation

Our understanding of brain movement control has changed over the last two decades. Recent findings in the monkey and in humans have led to a parallel and interconnected network. Nevertheless, little is known about these networks. Here, we present two cases of patients with a parietal low-grade glioma. They underwent surgery under local anesthesia with cortical and subcortical mapping. For patient 1, subcortical electrostimulation immediately posterior to thalamocortical fibers induced movement disorders, with an inhibition of leg and arm movements medially and, more laterally, an acceleration of arm movement. For patient 2, electrostimulation of white matter immediately posterior to thalamocortical fibers induced an inhibition of both arm movement. It means that the detected fibers in the parietal lobe may be involved in the motor control modulation. They are distributed veil-like immediately posterior to thalamocortical pathways and could correspond to a fronto-parietal movement control subnetwork. These two cases highlight the major role of the subcortical connectivity in movement regulation, involving parietal lobe, thus the necessity to be identified and preserved during brain surgery.