Microwave-assisted synthesis and spasmolytic activity of 4-indolylhexahydroquinoline derivatives.

In the present study a microwave-assisted one-pot method was applied for the synthesis of 18 novel condensed 1,4-dihydropyridines carrying the indole moiety. The compounds were achieved by the reaction of appropriate 1,3-cyclohexanedione, substituted indole carboxaldehyde derivative, alkyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate in methanol, according to a modified Hantzsch reaction. The structure elucidation of the compounds was carried out by spectral methods including X-ray studies. Their spasmolytic activities through calcium channel blockade were assayed on isolated rat ileum. The obtained results indicated that the introduction of the brom atom on the indole ring altered the mentioned activity positively.

Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by early vaginal bleeding.

The association between early gestational bleeding and suboptimal pregnancy outcome was examined. Postpartum women were interviewed during January-October 1998 at the two main obstetric hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt. Of 1503 singleton deliveries, 10.6% reported bleeding; 63.5% and 36.5% during first and second trimesters respectively. Bleeding was more frequent among women of age > 33 years, with history of low-birth-weight babies or previous miscarriage. Suboptimal outcomes occurred more often among women reporting bleeding than among those who never bled and the risk of such outcomes significantly increased with second trimester bleeding. Risk of a low-birth-weight baby, preterm delivery and perinatal death significantly decreased with increasing interpregnancy interval for women with first trimester or second trimester bleeding.

Aspergillosis in camels affected with a specific respiratory and enteric syndrome.

During the summer of 1990 deaths, occurred in racing camels (Camelus dromedarius) associated with a specific disease syndrome. Clinical signs included pyrexia, coughing, lachrymation, oedema of the throat and submandibular region and enlargement of submandibular lymph nodes. In terminal cases nervous signs were present and sometimes there was bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. Of 480 camels at least 70 animals were affected with the disease and about 40 died. Morbidity and mortality was greater in camels recently imported. Consistent necropsy findings were extensive petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhage beneath the epicardium, endocardium and visceral pleura and in the mediastinal lymph nodes, and haemorrhagic oedema of the pharyngeal and laryngeal areas. Haemorrhages occurred more variably in abdominal organs and on the omasal and abomasal mucosa. Bronchopneumonia, omasitis and abomasitis were observed on microscopic examination, together with liver and kidney lesions of presumed toxic origin. Fungal hyphae and, occasionally, the characteristic conidial morphology of Aspergillus fumigatus were seen in sections and direct smears from lesions in the respiratory and alimentary tracts. A fumigatus was cultured from trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lung tissue, heart blood, omasum, abomasum, ileum and submandibular lymph nodes. Whether the role of Aspergillus in the overall syndrome is primary or secondary has not been established; no other potential aetiological agent has been identified.

Effect of curing R-plasmids in Salmonella species on their serum sensitivity.

Thirteen salmonella strains of clinical isolates were tested for serum sensitivity, antibiotic resistance, colicin production and plasmid existence. Nine serum resistant strains were smooth and harboring plasmids of different sizes. Transfer of R-plasmids by conjugation from three strains to E. coli K12 conferred slight decrease in serum sensitivity. Curing the nine resistant strains with ethidium bromide or acriflavine affected their serum resistance, plasmid content and cell surface. Rough isolate of S. johanesberg became serum sensitive after curing the R-factors. The suggested mechanisms involved in the change in serum sensitivity after curing are discussed.