A synthesis of pseudoconhydrine and its epimer via hydroformylation and dihydroxylation.

A synthesis of the alkaloid pseudoconhydrine and its epimer has been achieved using tandem hydroformylation-condensation to form the six-membered ring and stereoselective dihydroxylation to introduce oxygenation. The stereoselectivity of dihydroxylation can be explained by lipophilic and electrostatic effects, supported by DFT calculations. The alkaloids can be obtained either by regioselective dehydroxylation or by rearrangement, followed by reduction.

Age-associated deficit of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in skeletal muscle: role of carnitine and lipoic acid.

Mitochondrial damage has implicated a major contributor for ageing process. In the present study, we measured mitochondrial membrane swelling, mitochondrial respiration (state 3 and 4) by using oxygen electrode in skeletal muscle of young (3-4 months old) and aged rats (above 24 months old) with supplementation of L: -carnitine and DL: -alpha-lipoic acid. Our results shows that the mitochondrial membrane swelling and state 4 respiration were increased more in skeletal muscle mitochondria of aged rats than in young control rats, whereas the state 3 respiration, respiratory control ratio (RCR) and ADP:O ratio decreased more in aged rats than in young rats. After supplementation of carnitine and lipoic acid to aged rats for 30 days, the state 3 respiration and RCR were increased, whereas the state 4 and mitochondrial membrane swelling were decreased to near normal rats. From our results, we conclude that combined supplementation of carnitine and lipoic acids to aged rats increases the skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration, thereby increasing the level of ATP.

Efficacy of levo carnitine and alpha lipoic acid in ameliorating the decline in mitochondrial enzymes during aging.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondria are central to energy production and are therefore fully integrated into the rest of the cell's physiological responses to stress. The age-related decline of capacity of each cell to manufacture energy (as ATP) is due to the progressive loss of structural integrity of mitochondria. It is apparent that as the body ages, the cells become less and less able to maintain threshold levels of cellular energy production. METHODS: In the present study we have evaluated the efficacy of carnitine, a mitochondrial metabolite and lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant on the activities of the tri carboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes like succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, Isocitrate dehydrogenase and electron transport complex I-IV in young and aged heart mitochondria. RESULT: We observed that there was an age-dependent decrement in the levels of the TCA cycle enzymes and electron transport chain complexes. Supplementation of carnitine (300 mg/kg bw/day) and lipoic acid (100 mg/kg bw/day) for 30 days brought the activities of these enzymes to almost near normal levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the combination of these drugs raises the mitochondrial energy producing capabilities by reversing the age-associated decline in mitochondrial enzyme activities and thereby protecting mitochondria from aging.

A microbiological study of anterior nasal packs in epistaxis.

Bleeding per nose is one of the comnonest ailment encountered by each and every otolaryngologvst Since hemostasis is immediate concern, anterior nasal pressure pack is put and is usually allowed to remain for 24-72 hours. Blood soaked pack and raw mucosal surface are good media for bacterial multiplication resulting in infection including sinusitis and sometimes toxic shock syndromes.Present study is conducted to work out bacterial flora of anterior nasal pack and effect of svstemic antibiotics in controlling it. Thirty cases of epistaxis of different etiology were included. Out of these 26 cases were positive on culture. These included Staphylococcus aureus 70%,. Pseudomonas aeruginosa twenty three percent. Klabsiella pneumonia and proteus mirabilis 3.3%, Streptococcus and Hemolyticus 3.3%. Details of type and duration of packing and its relation with organism cultured are discussed. It is concluded that the packing material should be soaked with antibiotics prior to use and should not be keep for more than 48 hours. And systemic antibiotics does not have any significant on this local infection due to packing.

Application of lactophenol cotton blue for identification and preservation of intestinal parasites in faecal wet mounts.

Wet mounting is the simplest and easiest technique for the examination of faeces. Routinely employed wet mounts in most of the laboratories include saline, iodine and buffered methylene blue. Lactophenol cotton blue [LCB] staining--mounting medium is commonly used for microscopic identification of fungi. LCB and its modifications were tested as staining mounting medium on parasite positive faecal samples [both fresh as well as formalin fixed] to stain and demonstrate morphology and to preserve parasitic elements [trophozoites, cysts, ova and larvae] in wet mounts. Protozoal cysts [Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia], helminthic OVA [Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia solium and Hymenolepis nana] and larvae [Strongyloides stercoralis] were well-stained and preserved their morphology in nailpolish enamel sealed LCB-faecal mounts. Morphology was better appreciated in LCB-formalin fixed faecal mounts as compared to LCB fresh faecal mounts and was well preserved by the end of twelve weeks.

Study of cryptosporidiosis in a rural area of Maharashtra.

Human cryptosporidiosis has been reported world wide, both from developed and developing countries and from urban and rural areas. Present study is undertaken to assess the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in human and cattle population (cows and calves) in and around the rural areas of Loni, district Ahmednagar, Maharashtra State. Human stool samples were collected from 220 patients of age ranging between newborn to 85 years, attending the Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni. The samples were examined using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Drug samples were also examined from 101 asymptomatic (apparently healthy and non-diarrhoeic) cows and calves from the same area, to detect Cryptosporidium. Three positive cases (1.36%) in human and 11 positive cases (10.89%) in cattle (cows and calves) were detected. It is assumed that in rural areas the most likely source of human infection is cattle. This is the first report of human infection by Cryptosporidium from rural Maharashtra and also the first report of occurrence in cattle from India.

Merkel cell tumor in pregnancy. A case report.

A Merkel cell tumor occurred in a young, pregnant woman. The patient delivered prematurely, and the infant died of prematurity. The patient died within two years of the diagnosis.