Cases of human fascioliasis in India: tip of the iceberg

This report presents two cases of human fascioliasis from different states in India. Although only few cases of human fascioliasis have been reported from India previously, both these cases were encountered within a span of three months at this tertiary care centre. Case 1 had significant symptoms with episodes of fever, abdominal pain and eosiniphilia and underwent multiple diagnostic procedures before the correct diagnosis was reached. Case 2, who had few symptoms, had fascioliasis diagnosed with minimal evaluation. These different presentations seen at two ends of the clinical spectrum of disease along with findings of peripheral eosinophilia, and radiological findings led to a presumptive diagnosis that was then confirmed by microscopic examination of bile. Morphometric analysis of ova from these cases was suggestive of infestation with F. gigantica or a F. gigantica-like hybrid. Both patients were treated with triclabendazole which was imported from Geneva. The need to be aware of the possibility of occurrence of this disease and the inclusion of drugs used for treating the disease, in the Indian drug list, should be emphasized.

Synthesis, growth, spectral and thermal properties of a new organic crystal: 2-carboxypyridin-1-ium trichloroacetate

A novel organic optical material complex of 2-carboxypyridin-1-ium trichloroacetate has been synthesized and crystals were grown from aqueous solution employing the technique of controlled evaporation. The crystal structure has been determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The single crystals were successfully grown by the slow evaporation method with dimensions 12 × 8 × 3 mm(3). FT IR spectral investigation has been carried out to identify the various functional groups present in the grown crystal. Molecular structure was confirmed by NMR spectral analysis. Melting point was found using thermal measurements.

2-(6-Methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-1-ylidene)propanedinitrile

In the title compound, C₁₆H₁₃N₃, the cyclo­hexene ring adopts a sofa conformation. An intra­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond generates an S(7) ring motif. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by pairs of N—H⋯N inter­actions, forming centrosymmetric dimers with an R₂²(14) motif.

2-(1,2,3,4-Tetra-hydro-9H-carbazol-1-yl-idene)propane-dinitrile

In the title compound, C(15)H(11)N(3), the cyclo-hexene ring adopts a sofa conformation. An intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bond generates an S(7) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by inter-molecular N-H⋯N, C-H⋯N and C-H⋯π inter-actions into a three-dimensional network.

Solid waste, its health impairments and role of rag pickers in Tiruchirappalli city, Tamil Nadu, Southern India

In India, the significant increase in the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) during the last few decades is due to the rapid population and economic development. Though the appropriate attempts are made through the 3-'R' principles, waste management still needs to be envisaged seriously by everybody for a cleaner and greener environment. Rag-pickers, who contribute to solid waste management to some extent, are the people who rummage through garbage bins to pick out 'rags' for their livelihood. These rag-pickers usually collect the materials that have good re-sale value as these materials are mostly recycled or reused. In the present study, the collection and the management of solid waste and the level of microbial pollution generated through air, soil and solid waste were studied. A questionnaire survey based on age, sex, educational status, socio-economic status, habits and health effects was conducted from 65 randomly selected rag-pickers from various places of Tiruchirappalli city The results revealed that they can be properly educated and trained to protect themselves from unhygienic practices and addiction. Either the Government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should devise a suitable proposal to monitor and make use of these unorganized rag-pickers who are indispensable to the society.

Fluoride removal from water using activated and MnO2-coated Tamarind Fruit (Tamarindus indica) shell: batch and column studies

The present work is concerned with the defluoridation capacities of activated (ATFS) and MnO(2)-coated Tamarind Fruit Shell (MTFS), using batch and column sorption techniques. In the batch technique, the dynamics of fluoride sorption, with respect to pH, [F](o) and sorbent dose, was studied. The applicability of pseudo-first order for ATFS and Ritchie-second order for MTFS was observed. The kinetics data were found to fit well with Temkin isotherm for ATFS and Langmuir for MTFS. The interaction of co-ions in the defluoridation capacity of the sorbent was studied. Column experiments were carried out under a constant fluoride concentration of 2mg/l, flow rate and different bed depths. The capacities of the breakthrough and exhaustion points increased with increase in the bed depth for ATFS unlike MTFS. The Thomson model was applied to the column experimental results. The characterization of the sorbents, ATFS and MTFS, was done using the FTIR, SEM and XRD techniques.

4-tert-Butyl-pyridinium picrate

In the title compound, C(9)H(14)N(+)·C(6)H(2)N(3)O(7) (-), the three nitro groups of the picrate anion are twisted out of the plane of the attached benzene ring; the dihedral angles are 32.8 (2), 10.5 (4) and 12.3 (4)°. The pyridinium cations and picrate anions are linked via bifurcated N-H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds. The ionic pairs are linked into a ribbon-like structure along [101] by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

4-Amino-pyridinium picrate

In the title compound, C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₆H₂N₃O₇⁻, the 4-amino­pyridinium cation is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.002 Å). The three nitro groups in the picrate anion are twisted away from the attached benzene ring [dihedral angles = 24.1 (1), 9.3 (3) and 21.4 (1)°]. In the crystal structure, the ions are linked into a three-dimensional network by N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

p53 and its influence in adenocarcinoma stomach

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Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of the malignancy in the world after lung cancer. Various pathogenesis have been given for the adenocarcinoma, like mutation in the E-catherin gene, amplification of COX-2, HGF/ SF, VEGF; deletion of FHIT, APC, p53 but none have provided a definite target for treatment. Methods: This is a immunohistochemical prospective experiment study done on 76 cases of Gastric Adenocarcinoma.The location of the tumors were recorded as in the proximal stomach (fundus and body) and distal stomach (antrum, prepylorus, and pylorus). PAb1801 clonewas obtained from the ZYMED LABORATRIES, San Franscisco. A standardised immunohistochemical method was followed in this study. Results: p53 mutations were seen 41 out of 76 cases(53.95%). And 23 out of 41(56.09%) cases of p53 expression of the total mutated cases expressed p53 100%. 20 out of 36 cases (55.55%) of age below 60 yrs and 21 out of 40 cases (52.55%) of age above 60 yrs were p53 positive. 33 out of 60 (55%)of the males and 8 out of 16 (50%) females were reported of having gastric adenocarcinoma with p53expression. The histology of the tissue samples from the gastric adenocarcinoma patients had following relationship with the p53 immunoreactivity, 20 out of 37 cases(54.05%) of the well differentiated,7 out of 17 cases (41.18% )of the moderately differentiated, and and 13 out of 21 cases(61.90%) of the poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma showed positive immunoreactivity. 15 out of 33 cases (45.45%)were localized to the proximal stomach and 30 out of 52 cases (57.69%)were localized to the distal stomach. 52.63 % of the non-mucinous type of gastric adenocarcinoma showed positive p53 immunoreactivity. Conclusions: The TP53 mutation is slightly more common in males than females, with greater occurrence in the late years of life. The mutation is more marked in the poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. The antral, pylorus,and the prepyloric parts of the stomach( the distal stomach) are more prone for mutated p53 induced adenocarcinoma.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Hedgehog signaling: Gli2 and its influence in squamous esophageal cancer

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Background: Gli family zinc finger proteins are mediators of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and are implicated as potent oncogenes. Gli2 plays a dual role as activator of keratinocyte proliferation and repressor of epidermal differentiation. This study is to determine the expression pattern and the extent of Hh-signaling molecule(Gli2) in squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus. Methods: A prospective immunohistochemical experimental study was done to identify the expression of Gli2 in 64 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus. The study population consisted of patients of the age group 38–87 yrs. The cases consisted of 29 cases of keratinised squamous cell carcinoma.. Of the 64 cases, 20 were well differentiated, 9 moderately differentiated and 35 poorly differentiated tumours. Results: See Table . Gli2 expression was 25%. The cytoplasmic expression is positive in 9 cases and nuclear expression is positive in 5 cases. The average intensity of cytoplasmic expression was more than that of nuclear expression.Gli2 is less expressed in elderly cancers.Gli2 expression is comparatively more in upper third tumours. There were no obvious differences amongst the sex, differentiation and keratinization. The reason can be attributed to the fact that Hh signalling pathway works in a time, concentration and position dependent manner.Conclusions: Deregulation of Hh signalling will result in defective proliferation and differentiation of cells. These findings can be used for better prognosis of the patients by using stem cell therapy and HH pathway inhibitors in the treatment for squamous cell carcinomas of oesophagus. Protein kinase A (Pka) maintains the Gli transcription factors in an inactive state, so activation of Pka with agonists such as forskolin would prevent Gli-mediated activation of target-gene transcription. Gli can also be inhibited at the RNA level by targeting its transcripts with antisense oligonucleotides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of expression of Gli2 in squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus. [Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Synthesis, crystal growth, structural, thermal and optical properties of naphthalene picrate an organic NLO material

Crystalline substance of naphthalene picrate (NP) was synthesized and single crystals were grown using slow evaporation solution growth technique. The solubility of the naphthalene picrate complex was estimated using different solvents such as chloroform and benzene. The material was characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) techniques. The electronic absorption was studied through UV-vis spectrophotometer. Thermal behavior and stability of the crystal were studied using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The second harmonic generation (SHG) of the material was confirmed using Nd:YAG laser.

Differences in active avoidance behaviour of hypoactive and hyperactive rats subjected to immobilisation stress

Open field activity was studied in Wistar rats. Animals with low scores of ambulatory and rearing behaviours were grouped as hypoactive and those with high scores as hyperactive. Acquisition of active avoidance learning in a shuttle box was studied in the two groups. Hyperactive rats in contrast to hypoactive rats showed a better acquisition of avoidance learning. Learning was suppressed in both groups by domperidone, but was facilitated by immobilisation stress in the hypoactive group only. The two groups did not differ in the basal and stress evoked heart rates. These observations suggest that immobilisation stress favours enhancement of the dopaminergic related behaviour like avoidance learning in hypoactive rats.

Rapid Dot enzyme immuno assay for the quantitation of rabies antibodies

A rapid dot enzyme immuno assay (Dot ELISA) for rabies antibody estimation has been standardized in which nitrocellulose sheet has been used as a solid support absorbing a commercial tissue culture rabies vaccine as antigen. The test was compared with a standard plate ELISA test. The results were comparable and the student "t' test for proportion revealed that plate ELISA test is significantly better (P 0.05) when compared to Dot ELISA for the number of sera with titre < 0.5 Iu/ml and in the case of > 0.5 IU/ml Dot ELISA is found to be better over plate ELISA test at the same significance level.