Comparative histological analysis of cerebellum of representative species of elasmobranchii

SUMMARY: In elasmobranch fishes, variations in gross structural organization of cerebellum has been extensively explored. The basic histological features of cerebellum although conserved in the group but the comparative account on subtle cellular variations is largely underestimated. The present study aims to explore the histological and cellular variations in different layers of cerebellar cortex of the representative elasmobranchs' species belonging to different habitat. Our findings showed that the histological architecture of cerebellar granular layer between the examined species varies noticeably. By and large increase cellular density were observed in all the layers of cerebellum in the representative species of shark compared to ray. The findings were then compared and discussed with reference to their habitat and behavior.

En los peces elasmobranquios, las variaciones en la organización estructural general del cerebelo se han explorado ampliamente. Las características histológicas básicas del cerebelo, aunque se conservan en el grupo, pero la descripción comparativa de las variaciones celulares sutiles es limitada. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo explorar las variaciones histológicas y celulares en diferentes capas de la corteza cerebelosa de las especies representativas de elasmobranquios pertenecientes a diferentes hábitats. Nuestros hallazgos mostraron que la arquitectura histológica de la capa granular del cerebelo entre las especies examinadas varía notablemente. Se observó un gran aumento de la densidad celular en todas las capas del cerebelo en las especies representativas de tiburón en comparación con la raya. Luego, los hallazgos se compararon y discutieron con referencia a su hábitat y comportamiento.

Synthesis and in silico study of 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives as suitable therapeutic agents

Abstract In the study presented here, a new series of 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives was targeted. The synthesis was initiated by the treatment of different secondary amines (1a-h) with 4-bromomethylbenzenesulfonyl chloride (2) to obtain various 1-{[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}amines (3a-h). 2-Furyl(1-piperazinyl)methanone (2-furoyl-1-piperazine; 4) was then dissolved in acetonitrile, with the addition of K2CO3, and the mixture was refluxed for activation. This activated molecule was further treated with equi-molar amounts of 3a-h to form targeted 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives (5a-h) in the same reaction set up. The structure confirmation of all the synthesized compounds was carried out by EI-MS, IR and 1H-NMR spectral analysis. The compounds showed good enzyme inhibitory activity. Compound 5h showed excellent inhibitory effect against acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase with respective IC50 values of 2.91±0.001 and 4.35±0.004 µM, compared to eserine, a reference standard with IC50 values of 0.04±0.0001 and 0.85±0.001 µM, respectively, against these enzymes. All synthesized molecules were active against almost all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains tested. The cytotoxicity of the molecules was also checked to determine their utility as possible therapeutic agents.

Chewing of betel, areca and tobacco: perceptions and knowledge regarding their role in head and neck cancers in an urban squatter settlement in Pakistan.

The link of betel, areca and chewable tobacco with head and neck cancers is clearly established. Fifty eight percent of the global head and neck cancers occur in South and Southeast Asia, where chewing of betel, areca and tobacco are common. This study was carried out to establish the pattern of use of Paan, Chaalia, Gutka, Niswar, Tumbaku and Naas among population of squatter settlement of Karachi and to determine the perceptions and knowledge regarding their role in the etiology of head and neck cancers. It was a cross-sectional study, performed at Bilal colony in Karachi. Through systematic sampling, 425 subjects [a male and female from a household] were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Knowledge regarding etiology of head and neck cancers was classified in ordinals of "good", "some" and "poor", for each substance separately, while practices were classified into "daily user", "occasional user" and "never user". About 40% of the participants were chewing at least one item [betel, areca or tobacco products] on daily basis. This prevalence was 2.46 times higher among males than females and 1.39 times higher among adolescents than adults. At least 79% of the participants were classified as having poor knowledge about the carcinogenicity of each of these items. Knowledge increased with age and level of education. Health hazards of these items were poorly recognized and about 20% perceived at least one of these items to be beneficial. Positive attitudes were seen regarding the steps to curb the production, business and consumption of these substances. In conclusion, prevalence of chewing of betel, areca and tobacco among adults and adolescents is high. Deficiency in knowledge and wrong perception of favorable effect of chewing products is common. Besides curtailing the availability of chewing products, correct knowledge regarding its ill-effects should be inculcated among population to decrease the burden of head and neck cancers.