A STUDY ON RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL STROMA TUMOURS.

Introduction:.Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are believed to originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) or from the precursors of ICCs. Most GISTs show an activating mutation in either the c-kit or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene. Tumor size, mitotic rate, and anatomic location correlate with potential malignancy and recurrence rate. The aim of our study is to Aim & Objectivesobserve the demographic and clinical characteristics of GIST in our clinical environment.Method- 30 patients who are diagnosed with GIST managed during the period from Jun 2017 to July 2022 were reviewed in terms of demographics, clinical presentation, location of tumor, characteristics, management, histopathology, IHC analysis, post op follow up & recurrence.The risk stratification in terms of size, mitotic index, site of tumour was observed & classified using modified NIH classification. Results- Out of 30 cases male patient's- 73% (n- 22); female patients27%(n-8). Mean age was 60 years with a range of 44-81 years. Most common clinical presentation was abdominal mass, Abdominal pain. Commonly involved sites are stomach and small bowel.4 cases who underwent multiple organ resection 2 cases developed recurrence in which 1 underwent palliative Whipple's procedure and one was medically managed. GIST Conclusion- s are rare entities with a variety of clinical features, Common sites for GIST are stomach & small intestine. Surgery is the main stay of management in GIST. Neo adjuvant therapy will help in down staging the tumour. Wedge resection & resection &anastomosis will be adequate for stomach in small bowel GIST. En-bloc resection should be considered if adjacent structures are involved. Overall GIST has favourable prognosis if diagnosed early.

Chromatographic study of sitagliptin and ertugliflozin under quality-by-design paradigm

Abstract The present study entails the systematic development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the analysis of sitagliptin and ertugliflozin in a fixed-dose combination. Analytical quality by design (AQbD) concepts were used to define critical method variables, employing Pareto risk assessment and a Placket-Burman screening design, preceded by a Box-Behnken design with response surface analysis to optimise critical method parameters such as % acetonitrile (X1), buffer pH (X2) and column oven temperature (X3). Multiple response optimisation (Derringer's desirability) of variables was accomplished by studying critical analytical attributes, such as resolution, retention time and theoretical plates. The title analytes were separated effectively on a PRONTOSIL C18 column at 37 °C using a mobile phase of acetonitrile:acetate buffer, pH 4.4 (36:64 percent v/v), pumped at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, and UV detection at 225 nm. Linearity was observed over a concentration range of 25-150 µg/mL and 3.75-22.5 µg/mL at retention times of 2.82 and 3.92 min for sitagliptin and ertugliflozin, respectively. The method obeyed all validation parameters of the ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. The proposed robust method allows the study of the selected drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms as well as in drug stability studies under various stress conditions.

Speciation of heavy metals and their distribution in surface sediments of the northwestern part of the ROPME Sea Area

Aim: To analyze samples of marine sediment at 24 stations for heavy metals as per sequential Community Bureau of Reference protocol in order to obtain metal distribution pattern in Kuwait offshore.Methodology: In the present study, a centrifugal particle-size analyzer was used for measuring sediment grain size. The Community Bureau of Reference scheme was deployed for the sequential extraction of heavy metal speciation, and the fractionation was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Results: Grain-size analysis showed that the study area contained 71.8% silt, 22.6% sand and 5.56% clay at most locations. The average abundance of total concentration of heavy metals was found in the following order: lead< cobalt< copper< zinc< chromium< nickel. The mobility order of exchangeable fraction of heavy metals decreased in the order lead> nickel> zinc> cobalt> copper; in the reducible fraction: lead> copper> zinc> cobalt> nickel; in the oxidizable fraction: lead> chromium> copper> nickel> cobalt> zinc and in the residual fraction:cobalt> chromium> nickel> zinc> copper>lead, respectively. Interpretation: The outcome of the present study cannot establish the actual form of species of a given metal in the sediment; though, it appears to be useful in categorizing the metals within several prevailing geochemical fractions.

Aetiology of new onset seizures in cases admitted to an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital: a two year study

Background: Seizures are a common neurological disorder encountered globally in regular medical practice. Hospital onset seizures may occur in patients who never had a history of seizure before hospitalization and may be due to causes that lead to hospitalization or acquired during hospitalization like stroke, neuro infection etc. The objectives of this study were the purpose of the present study was to study the incidence and to describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients developing new onset seizures in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective study for two years was conducted on cases of seizures admitted in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. The etiology of all the cases was recorded based on the clinical history and necessary investigations like EEG and imaging studies of the brain in cases if required.Results: About 238 cases with males 177 and females 61 cases were enrolled, and 31-50 years was most common age group. Diabetes was the most common co morbidity associated and generalized seizures were most common. CVA was most common etiology (26.89%) and idiopathic next common. Infarct was most common cause of CVA and meningitis in infections. Generalized tonic clonic seizures was most common in cases with CVA as the aetiology followed by infective cases.Conclusions: It is mandatory to deal cautiously and carefully the cases of seizures developing in an ICU in addition to proper history and examination, each patient must undergo detailed EEG, imaging investigations and other ancillary investigations if necessary.

A comparative study on the effect of dispersed and undispersed Kuwait crude oil on egg hatching and larval survival of Epinephelus coioides

Aim: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dispersed and undispersed Kuwait crude oil on egg hatching and larval survival of Epinephelus coioides. Methodology: In the present study, the toxic effects of crude and dispersed oil using three formulations of oil dispersants against multiple life stages of Epinephelus coioides was assessed. The lethal concentration was calculated by ToxCal® software developed by Tidepool Scientific, LLC. Results: Specifically, the following life stages were investigated: embryonated eggs (EE), larvae hatched during exposure (LHE) and hatched larvae (HL). Chemical analysis showed that Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations were higher in dispersed than undispersed oil solutions, indicating accommodation of more petroleum hydrocarbons in the aqueous phase. Acute static toxicity tests produced variable LC50 values for all chemical preparations and all fish life stages. Crude oil dispersed with both Corexit® EC 9500A and Corexit® EC 9527A separately was more toxic to both EE and LHE stages than undispersed oil, but crude oil dispersed with Slickgone® NS resulted in lower toxicity. Furthermore, all three types of dispersed oil exerted higher toxicity than undispersed oil at HL stage. Interpretation: A life stage dependent effect demonstrated variation in the toxicity of both dispersed and undispersed crude oil to fish. Few life stages were more sensitive than others to either dispersed or undispersed crude oil toxicity. While dispersion of an oil slick with oil dispersant has proved to be an effective tool in the oil response strategy, the fate of dispersed oil can exert lethal effects on embryo-larval stages of marine fish present near the spill.

Attenuation Of Diabetic Nephropathy In Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats By Methanolic Extract Of Bougainvillea Spectabilis Aerial Parts

Diabetic nephropathy has become a leading cause of end stage renal failure worldwide. To develop Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, the present study investigated the protective effects of methanolic extract of Bougainvillea spectabilis (MEBS) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. In this study, diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats. STZ diabetic rats were treated with oral doses of MEBS (200 and 400 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period body, kidney weight, blood glucose levels, serum and urine parameters were investigated. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide levels were determined in the kidney along with histopathological examination of the same. MEBS significantly increased body weight, lowered blood glucose levels and ameliorated kidney hypertrophy index in the STZ-diabetic rats. The extract also decreased the levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, advanced glycation end products and albumin in serum and urine, respectively. MEBS significantly increased the antioxidant parameters in the kidney. Histological evaluation revealed that MEBS treated STZ-diabetic rats demonstrated reduced vacuolar degeneration of tubules; periodic acid Schiff base (PAS) positivity staining intensity in glomeruli and basement membrane thickening. Present findings provide experimental evidence that MEBS has potential antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and anti-glycation activities which might be helpful in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Prevalence Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Hashimoto‘S Thyroiditis And Its Relation To Anti–Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies

Context: vitamin D deficiency has been considered a risk factor for several autoimmune diseases. Few studies examined prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune thyroid disease and have produced conflicting results. Aims: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT)and to assess the correlation between vitamin D and Anti– thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO–Ab). Settings and Design: This is a cross sectional case control study. Methods and Material:A total of 100 subjects, 50 HT patients and 50 healthy controls who were age and sex matched were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D, fT4, TSH, TPO–Abwere measured. Subjects were categorized as vitamin D deficient(<12 ng/ml),vitamin D insufficient(12–20 ng/ml) and vitamin D sufficient (>20 ng/ml) based upon recent consensus guidelines. HT patients were categorized into euthyroid, sub clinical hypothyroid and overt hypothyroid based on fT4 and TSH. Results:The mean 25(OH)D level was 13.19±7.43ng/ml and 13.66±8.61ng/ml in HT patients and healthy controls respectively.Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 56% in HT and 50% in controls. Vitamin D insufficiency was observed in 20% of HT and 36% of healthy controls. There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D levels of overt hypothyroid, subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid HT patients(p=0.23). Pearson correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between vitamin D and TPO–Ab,TSH and fT4. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy controls was similar. Vitamin D deficiency did not differ between euthyroid,sub clinical hypothyroid and overt hypothyroid patients of HT.There was no correlation between vitamin D and TPO–Ab.

A prospective study of pattern of hepatic dysfunction in dengue fever patient in coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: DENV (dengue viral infection) is a non-hepatotropic RNA virus, but hepatic involvement is common. High level of viremia is associated with involvement liver and other organs. Present study is a prospective study which is aimed to know about the, pattern of hepatic involvement in dengue patients admitted in General Medicine Dept Konaseema Institute of Medical Science.Methods: This is a prospective hospital-based study conducted in the Department of General Medicine Konaseema Institute of Medical Science Amalapuram Andhra Pradesh, from December 2015 to December 2017. During two year of study period 126 clinically and serologically positive patients of Dengue fever, Dengue haemorrhagic fever and Dengue shock syndrome, classified as per the, definition of national vector borne disease control programme Govt. of India.Results: Mean value of total bilirubin was 0.8 mg/dl in DF patients, 0.96mg/dl in DHF patients and 1.08mg/dl in DSS patients. Mean value of AST was 77.44(IU/L) in DF group, 112.32 IU/L in DHF group and 486.28 in DSS group. In DF group mean ALT in DHF group was 94.36 (IU/L) and it was 386.42 IU/L in DSS group. Mean value of serum albumin was 3.97 gm/dl in DF group, 3.65 gm/dl in DHF group and 3.49 gm/dl in DSS group. Serum globulin mean value was 2.98mg/dl in DF group, 2.86 gm/dl in DHF group and 2.69 gm/dl in DSS group. Serum alkaline phosphate level was also increased in all the groups, mean value of ALP was 118.46 IU/L in DF group, 164.32 IU/L in DF group, 164.32 IU/L in DHF patients and 342.42 IU/L in DSS group.Conclusions: The pattern of hepatic involvement of liver in dengue fever varies as per the severity of disease. In milder case of dengue fever liver function test was normal but there was hepatomegaly was present commonly but in severe form of disease pattern of hepatic involvement varies from tender hepatomegaly to significant increase in liver enzyme.

An evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among medical students and doctors at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Drugs are one of the most commonly used interventions in medical therapeutics. Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the backbone of pharmacovigilance (PV) program. Under-reporting of ADRs by prescribers was possibly due to lack of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding PV. This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of medical students (grouped to sixth and eighth semester) and medical doctors about PV in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: It was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study administered to 246 medical students and doctors. Study tool was a validated questionnaire containing 15 questions to evaluate KAP of PV among medical students and doctors. A descriptive analysis of data was done where necessary, statistical significance for associations between the group and their responses to questionnaire was provided using Pearson Chi square test and Fisher exact test.Results: Sixty-eight percent of the participants (90% doctors; 76% eighth-semester and 46% sixth-semester medical students) know the correct definition of PV. Sixty-one percent of the participants (67% sixth-semester, 61% doctors and 53% eighth-semester) think that reporting is a professional obligation for them. Only 15% of the participants have ever been taught or trained on how to report an ADR.Conclusions: Medical doctors and students lack adequate knowledge and practice of reporting ADRs, but they seem to have a positive attitude towards the PV program. Our study findings strongly suggest that there is a great need to create awareness amongst them to promote reporting of ADRs.

Leydig cell tumor of ovary with primary hyperparathyroidism: A rare association.

Leydig cell tumors of ovary are extremely rare sex cord stromal tumors that account for <0.2% of ovarian cancers. Most of these tumors can cause hyperandrogenism. A 54 year old multiparous postmenopausal woman, known diabetic and hypertensive, presented with progressive virilization, bone pains and depressed mood for 2 years. Diagnostic evaluation revealed markedly elevated testosterone with normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Computerized tomography of abdomen showed right ovarian mass with multiple cysts in both kidneys. Biochemical investigations revealed hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia and elevated parathormone (PTH) levels. Sestamibi scan for parathyroids was suggestive of right inferior parathyroid adenoma. Histopathology of the resected right ovarian tumor was consistent with leydig cell tumor of ovary. Postoperatively serum testosterone and blood glucose levels were normalized, but PTH levels remained high. PTH levels were normalized after resection of parathyroid adenoma

A comparative study of trace element levels in coronary artery tissue of Coronary heart disease patients with serum levels in healthy individuals.

Background: Cardiovascular disease/Coronary artery disease (CAD), leading cause of global morbidity and mortality covers any disease of the circulatory system. In -vivo antioxidant nutrients which include vitamin C, trace elements such as Se, Zn and Cu play a crucial role in defending against oxidant damage. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes occurring in the levels zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and Selenium (Se) in coronary artery tissues of patients with CAD. Material and methods: Coronary artery samples collected from these patients during bypass surgery from known CAD patients. These samples were analyzed for Se, Zn, and Cu; results are expressed in terms of wet weight. Normal Healthy serum Se, Zn, and Cu levels were also analyzed to compare with coronary artery samples. Results: The levels of Zn, Cu and Se in patient’s coronary artery samples were observed to be very low when compare to Zn, Cu and Se levels of healthy person’s serum samples. In addition, our study showed that the levels of Zn and Cu in coronary artery samples were low when they compared to heart tissue Zn and Cu levels from CVD patients from other studies. Whereas, Se levels in coronary artery samples in our study are same as heart tissues samples in previous other studies. Yet, there was limited/no observational studies were published to identify levels of trace element levels in coronary artery samples. Hence our present observations interpreted the levels of Zn, Cu and Se in coronary artery samples with 20 numbers of sample size only; further, higher number of samples needed to formulate the standard reference ranges of these trace elements in setting up a newer biochemical marker in correlation/interpretation of CVD/CAD. Conclusion: The finding of our results showed that Se levels in coronary artery observed to be same as heart tissue levels from other study. The myocardial clinical manifestation seems to be due to alteration of levels of these trace elements in serum, tissue levels in patients. In our studies, however, the patients with coronary heart disease had,in general, lower concentrations of Zinc,copper in serum than the healthy controls.

Development of dissolution test method for a telmisartan/amlodipine besylate combination using synchronous derivative spectrofluorimetry

The dissolution process is considered an important in vitro tool to evaluate product quality and drug release behavior. Single dissolution methods for the analysis of combined dosage forms are preferred to simplify quality control testing. The objective of the present work was to develop and validate a single dissolution test for a telmisartan (TEL) and amlodipine besylate (AML) combined tablet dosage form. The sink conditions, stability and specificity of both drugs in different dissolution media were tested to choose a discriminatory dissolution method, which uses an USP type-II apparatus with a paddle rotating at 75 rpm, with 900 mL of simulated gastric fluid (SGF without enzymes) as the dissolution medium. This dissolution methodology provided good dissolution profiles for both TEL and AML and was able to discriminate changes in the composition and manufacturing process. To quantify both drugs simultaneously, a synchronous first derivative spectrofluorimetric method was developed and validated. Drug release was analyzed by a fluorimetric method at 458 nm and 675 nm for AML and TEL, respectively. The dissolution method was validated as per ICH guidance.

O processo de dissolução é considerado como uma importante ferramenta in vitro para avaliar a qualidade do produto e o comportamento de liberação do fármaco. Prefere-se um ensaio único de dissolução para formas farmacêuticas contendo associação de fármacos pela simplificação dos testes de controle de qualidade. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver e validar um teste de dissolução único para forma farmacêutica comprimidos contendo telmisartana (TEL) e besilato de anlodipino (AML) associados. Condições "sink", estabilidade e especificidade de ambos os fármacos nos diferentes meios de dissolução foram avaliadas para selecionar um método de dissolução discriminatório, que utiliza um aparato do tipo II da USP, com pás girando a 75 rpm e 900 mL de fluido gástrico simulado (SGF sem enzima) como o meio de dissolução. Estas condições proporcionaram bons perfis de dissolução para ambos, TEL e AML, sendo capaz de discriminar as mudanças na composição e processo de fabricação. Para quantificar os dois fármacos simultaneamente, um método de fluorescência derivada sincronizado foi desenvolvido e validado. A quantidade de fármaco liberado foi analisada pelo método fluorimétrico em 458 e 675 nm para a AML e TEL, respectivamente. O método de dissolução foi validado de acordo com a orientação da ICH.

Evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract and fractions of Eugenia jambolana root bark and isolation of phytoconstituents

Eugenia jambolana Lam., Myrtaceae, is a widely distributed and traditionally well known plant in India. The root bark of the plant was extracted with ethanol and then successively fractionated into petroleum ether fraction, chloroform fraction, n-butanol fraction and methanol fraction. The extract and fractions of the plant material were evaluated for the antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin-induced nociception test, and anti-inflammatory activity was screened by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet induced granuloma formation and adjuvant induced arthritis in rat models. The test materials showed the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect in dose dependent manner and the petroleum ether fraction was found to be most potent among the test materials. At 400 mg/kg b.w., p.o. dose petroleum ether fraction significantly inhibited 54.28% writhing response and 73.77% formalin induced nociception in mice. The fraction with same dose showed significant 79.31% inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, 57.78% anti-proliferative effect and 77.93% inhibition of adjuvant induced arthritis. The bioactive petroleum ether fraction was then subjected to column chromatography which led to isolate three compounds, namely, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and lupeol. These compounds were characterized and identified by IR, ¹H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy.

A fatal case of bone marrow embolism of unknown cause masquerading clinically as dengue shock syndrome.

Bone marrow fat embolism usually occurs following multiple bone fractures, intraosseous surgical procedures, following vigorous cardiac resuscitation, ecclampsia, sickle cell anemia, malignancies, etc. We present a case of 70-year-old male who presented with fever, cough with expectoration, respiratory distress, altered sensorium, hypotension and thrombocytopenia, and diagnosed to have dengue shock syndrome and expired within 1 day of admission. Postmortem lung biopsy revealed bone marrow fat embolism.

Proteus syndrome: A rare case report.

Proteus syndrome (PS) is a rare hamartomatous disorder characterized by various cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, including vascular malformations, lipomas, hyperpigmentation, and several types of nevi. Partial gigantism with limb or digital overgrowth is pathognomonic of PS. We report a rare case of PS in a 50-year-old man who presented with inferior wall myocardial infarction and was incidentally detected to have hypertrophy of index and middle fingers of both the hands.

In vivo and in vitro effect of Acacia nilotica seed proteinase inhibitors on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) larvae.

Acacia nilotica proteinase inhibitor (AnPI) was isolated by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and resulted in a purification of 10.68-fold with a 19.5% yield. Electrophoretic analysis of purified AnPI protein resolved into a single band with molecular weight of approximately 18.6+1.00 kDa. AnPI had high stability at different pH values (2.0 to 10.0) except at pH 5.0 and are thermolabile beyond 80°C for 10 min. AnPI exhibited effective against total proteolytic activity and trypsin-like activity, but did not show any inhibitory effect on chymotrypsin activity of midgut of Helicoverpa armigera. The inhibition kinetics studies against H. armigera gut trypsin are of non-competitive type. AnPI had low affinity for H. armigera gut trypsin when compared to SBTI. The partially purified and purified PI proteins-incorporated test diets showed significant reduction in mean larval and pupal weight of H. armigera. The results provide important clues in designing strategies by using the proteinase inhibitors (PIs) from the A. nilotica that can be expressed in genetically engineered plants to confer resistance to H. armigera.

Vanadium supplementation reduces high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia, hyper insulinemia & hyperglycemia in rabbits.

Vanadium is considered as an essential trace element in some animals. In human’s classification of vanadium as an essential nutrient is still a topic of debate among various research groups. Nutritionally vanadium is thought to be a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. Increased levels of insulin in blood (hyperinsulinemia) associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Increase intake of fat induces hyperinsulinemia which may leads development of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to know the effect of vanadium supplementation on high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. In this study New Zealand white breed male rabbits divided into three groups. Group-I: rabbits fed with standard diet Group-II: fed with group-I diet and egg yolk, Group-III: rabbits fed with group-II diet and supplemented with 0.5mg/kg of elemental vanadium as sodium meta vanadate. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Triglycerides were significantly decreased in G-III when compared to G-II after the experiment. HDL-cholesterol levels are similar in G-II & G-III. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were significantly decreases in G-III than G-II. The present study shows the antidiabetic and antilipidemic role of vanadium in the experimental rabbits. Supplementation of vanadium may prevents hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk factors like, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in diabetes mellitus.

Synthesis, Cytotoxic and Anti-bacterial studies of some novel derivatives of N'-[(2E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl]-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy) acetohydrazide.

An efficient method for preparing chalcones, commencing from acetohydrazide and substituted aromatic aldehydes, have been developed. The reaction of acetohydrazide with substituted aldehydes in the presence of ethanol to yield chalcones 4(a-j) and further the compounds thus obtained were identified by IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectral data and have been screened for their anti-cancer and anti-microbial activity. All the compounds shown significant anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus, B. Subtilis, S. typhi and E. coli and potent anti-fungal activity against A. Niger and C. Albicans. Further moderate activity against carcinoma cells.

In vitro anticancer activity of microbial isolates from diverse habitats / In vitro atividade anticancerígena de isolados microbianos de diversos habitats

Extracts from natural products, especially microorganisms, have served as a valuable source of diverse molecules in many drug discovery efforts and led to the discovery of several important drugs. Identification of microbial strains having promising biological activities and purifying the bio-molecules responsible for the activities, have led to the discovery of many bioactive molecules. Extracellular, as well as intracellular, extracts of the metabolites of thirty-six bacterial and twenty-four fungal isolates, grown under unusual conditions such as high temperature, high salt and low sugar concentrations, were in vitro tested for their cytotoxic potential on various cancer cell lines. The extracts were screened on HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines to study the cytotoxic potential. Nuclear staining and flow cytometric studies were carried out to assess the potential of the extracts in arresting the cell cycle. The crude ethylacetate extract of isolate F-21 showed promising results by MTT assay with IC50 as low as 20.37±0.36 µg/mL on HeLa, and 44.75±0.81 µg/mL on MCF-7 cells, comparable with Cisplatin. The isolate F-21 was identified as Aspergillus sp. Promising results were also obtained with B-2C and B-4E strains. Morphological studies, biochemical tests and preliminary chemical investigation of the extracts were also carried out.

Extratos de produtos naturais, especialmente de microrganismos, constituíram-se em fonte valiosa de diversas moléculas em muitas descobertas de fármacos e levaram à descoberta de fármacos importantes. A identificação de espécies microbianas que apresentam atividade biológica e a purificação de biomoléculas responsáveis pelas atividades levou à descoberta de muitas moléculas bioativas. Extratos extracelulares tanto quanto intracelulares de metabólitos de 36 isolados de bactérias e 24 isolados de fungos, que cresceram sob condições não usuais, como alta temperatura, alta concentração de sal e baixa concentração de açúcar, foram testados in vitro quanto ao seu potencial citotóxico em várias linhagens de câncer. Os extratos foram ensaiados em células HeLa e MCF-7 para o estudo do potencial citotóxico. A coloração nuclear e os estudos de citometria de fluxo foram realizados para avaliar o potencial dos extratos em bloquear o ciclo celular. O extrato bruto em acetato de etila do isolado F-21 mostrou resultados promissores no ensaio de MTT, com IC50 de 20,37±0,36 µg/mL em células HeLa e 44,.75±0,81 µg/mL em células MCF-7, comparativamente à cisplatina. O isolado F-21 foi identificado como Aspergillus sp. Resultados promissores foram obtidos com cepas B-2C e B-4E. Realizaram-se, também, estudos morfológicos, testes bioquímicos e investigação química preliminar dos extratos.

Escobar syndrome in three male patients of same family.

We describe three male individuals from a consanguineous south Indian family affected with the multiple pterygium syndrome (Escobar syndrome). Common clinical features included short stature, multiple pterygium, skeletal anomalies, and normal intelligence. The first report of this condition was made in 1902 from this same place (Pondicherry) and the disease received its present popular name Escobar syndrome in 1982. The genetic defect for this condition was identified in 2006 as mutation in the fetal acetylcholine receptor.