Lactones with methylcyclohexane systems obtained by chemical and microbiological methods and their antimicrobial activity

Eight new lactones (δ-chloro-, δ-bromo- and δ-iodo-γ-lactones), each with a methylcyclohexane ring, were obtained by chemical means from (4-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl) acetic acid or (6-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl) acetic acid. Whole cells of ten fungal strains (Fusarium species, Syncephalastrum racemosum and Botrytis cinerea) were tested on their ability to convert these lactones into other products. Some of the tested fungal strains transformed chloro-, bromo- and iodolactone with a methyl group at C-5 into 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-9-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one during hydrolytic dehalogenation. When the same lactones had the methyl group at C-3, no structural modifications of halolactones were observed. In most cases, the optical purity of the product was low or medium, with the highest rate for chlorolactone (45.4%) and iodolactone (45.2% and 47.6%). All of the obtained compounds were tested with reference to their smell. Seven halolactones and the hydroxylactone obtained via biotransformation of halolactones with 5-methylcyclohexane ring were examined for their antimicrobial activity. These compounds were capable of inhibiting growth of some bacteria, yeasts and fungi.

Immunoglobulins and their use in children

Immunoglobulin preparations are one of the products of the human plasma fractionation, where the plasma is obtained, in accordance with WHO guidelines from at least 1,000 donors. These preparations contain all IgG subclasses with various antigen characteristics. In clinical practice these drugs are used as replacement therapy in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as immunomodulatory therapy in many autoimmune diseases and systemic inflammatory diseases. Here we present characteristics of i.v. polyvalent, human immunoglobulin preparations available on the Polish market and the possibilities of their use in clinical practice, in children with hematological diseases. Considering the very low consumption of immunoglobulin preparations in our country as compared to other European countries, we would like to draw the attention of medical professionals, especially pediatricians and haematologists, to the benefits that stem from the use of these drugs in the therapy of children with haematological diseases. Our work will also facilitate the choice of an optimal polyvalent human immunoglobulin preparation for a particular patient.

Plant-mediated stereoselective biotransformation of phenylglyoxylic acid esters

Enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group of three phenylglyoxylic acid esters (methyl, ethyl, and n-propyl esters, 2-4) was conducted using blended plant materials (roots of carrot, beetroot, celeriac and parsley; apple). All used biocatalysts transformed these esters to the corresponding mandelic acid esters with high yield, preferably into the respective R-enantiomer. Butanedione addition improved the enantioselectivity of the reaction.

Antioxidant activity and spectroscopic data of isoxanthohomol oxime and related compounds

Oximes of isoxanthohumol (IXN), naringenin (N) and flavanone (FL) were synthesized with yields of 88-95% and their antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method. Although naringenin oxime (NOX) and flavanone oxime (FLOX) did not have any significant antioxidant effect (EC50=2.21 mM and 78.7 mM, respectively), isoxanthohumol oxime (IXNOX) showed a strong antioxidant activity (EC50=0.0411 mM), comparable to the activity of ascorbic acid (EC50=0.0181 mM). The structure of new compound IXNOX was established using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, by comparison to IXN, NOX and FLOX.

Modification of catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric method of hexavalent chromium determination in the presence of DTPA and nitrate

The voltammetric procedure for determination of traces of Cr(VI) [ Anal. Chim. Acta (1992) 262:103] was modified by changing the temperature of the measurements. It was found that at the temperature of 40 degrees C the time of decrease of the Cr(III) signal was shortened from 30 to 5 min. As a result the total analysis time was drastically shortened. The modified procedure does not show any disadvantage as compared to the original method. The results of Cr(VI) determination by the modified procedure are less affected by Cr(III) as compared to the original method. The detection limit of the method was 2.5 x 10(-11) mol L(-1) (1.2 ng L(-1)). The validation of the modified procedure was performed by comparison of the results of analyses of tap and river water samples with those obtained using original procedure.

Protective action of vitamin E on the subcellular structures of lymphocytes intoxicated with pesticides in vitro

Vitamin E was used as a protection for human lymphocytes in vitro against the toxic effects of dichlorvos, an organic phosphate pesticide. As the markers of the toxic changes in the lymphocytes lysosomes were chosen as a membrane structure, and nucleoli as a structure connected with protein synthesis. The obtained results were compared with the effects obtained previously in analogous studies after intoxication of lymphocytes with lindan and fenarimol. The experiment showed that vitamin E protected the lysosomal membranes more effectively than the nucleolar structure in these cells.

Vitamin E protects human leucocytes against toxic effects of lindan in vitro

Vitamin E (15 micrograms/ml and 60 micrograms/ml) was used for protection of human leucocytes against toxic effects of lindan (150 microM and 200 microM) in vitro. The protective effect of vitamin E manifested itself as maintenance of the phagocytic activity of granulocytes, the value of nucleologram in lymphocytes, and the proportion of euchrysin-negative lymphocytes near the values in controls.

Late toxic effects of long-term exposure to lindane in peripheral blood cells in rabbits. I. Function impairment and structural disturbances in leucocytes

Following lindane intoxication in daily doses of 0.1 LD50 during one month (total dose 2.0 LD50) functional changes were noted in granulocytes and structural changes in lymphocytes in peripheral blood of rabbits during 4 months after completion of lindane administration. A significant decrease of the phagocytic activity with a rise in the number of non-phagocytizing granulocytes, quantitative and qualitative changes of nucleoli and lysosomes were found in lymphocytes. The latest effect of lindane is regarded to be a raised number of non-phagocytizing granulocytes 4 months after withdrawal of the pesticide.

Late toxic effects of long-term exposure to lindane in peripheral blood cells in rabbits. II. Erythrocyte changes

After lindane administration in daily doses of 0.1 LD50 for one month (total dose 2.0 LD50) changes in the erythrocytes were found persisting for up to 4 months after withdrawal of the pesticide. A significant increase in the number of echinocytes, a greater per cent of reticulocytes, significantly raised level of denatured haemoglobin, and an increased number of erythrocytes of higher sensitivity to oxidating factors in relation to control group was observed.

[Cytotoxic effect of fenarimol on peripheral blood cells and organs]

The effect of fenarimol in blood cells and changes in liver and kidneys in rats were investigated. Fenarimol applied in doses 25 mg/ml intragastrically during 5 days, at 24h after the last doses caused functional and structural changes of blood cells and organs. The decreases of osmotic fragility of erythrocytes and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, and the increase of the percentage of lymphocytes without detectable lysosomes accompanied by the minor decrease of the number of blood cells was observed in the peripheral blood. The indistinctness of the structure of the hepatic lobules and of liver laminae and the vacuolized hepatic cells with pycnotic nuclei were visible in the liver. The abnormally enlarged cortical Malphighian++ glomeruli in kidney were found. The observed changes indicate the cytotoxic effect of fenarimol in strongly intoxicated rats. The impaired phagocytic activity of neutrophils may cause the growth of susceptibility to bacterial infection.