Disproportionate head growth retardation in cystic fibrosis

Monthly increments of length, weight gain, and head circumference were recorded from birth to 4 years of age in 52 children with cystic fibrosis. At birth the children showed stunting. Standard deviation (SD) scores at birth for height, weight, and head circumference were -1.24, -0.72, and -1.82 respectively. Over the first four years, length and weight SD scores showed a consistent improvement. However, there was very limited improvement in head circumference, which stabilised 1 SD below the mean from 1.5 years to 4 years. Our data suggest that head growth lags behind gain in height and weight in children with cystic fibrosis despite good nutritional management in early infancy. The data may also support the expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in choroid plexus and ependyma.

Detection of composite edges

The paper presents a new parametric model-based approach to high-precision composite edge detection using orthogonal Zernike moment-based operators. It deals with two types of composite edges: (a) generalized step and (b) pulse/staircase edges. A 2-D generalized step edge is modeled in terms of five parameters: two gradients on two sides of the edge, the distance from the center of the candidate pixel, the orientation of the edge and the step size at the location of the edge. A 2-D pulse/staircase edge is modeled in terms of two steps located at two positions within the mask, and the edge orientation. A pulse edge is formed if the steps are of opposite polarities whereas a staircase edge results from two steps having the same polarity. Two complex and two real Zernike moment-based masks are designed to determine parameters of both the 2-D edge models. For a given edge model, estimated parameter values at a point are used to detect the presence or absence of that type of edge. Extensive noise analysis is performed to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed operators. Experimental results with intensity and range images are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed edge detection technique as well as to compare its performance with the geometric moment-based step edge detection technique and Canny's (1986) edge detector.

Activation of lymphocytes of normal and tumor bearing mice by mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone

Mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone, was assessed for its immunomodulatory potential. The phytochemical induced extensive in vitro proliferation of murine splenocytes and thymocytes at the doses of 5-40 micrograms ml-1. Suppression of the proliferative response of the cells was observed with higher doses of mangiferin. Mangiferin also activated the splenocytes of tumor hosts at early and late stages of tumor growth. The Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Con A unresponsive splenocytes of advanced tumor bearer proliferated extensively in response to mangiferin. Mangiferin when used with Con A produced additive stimulatory effect and induced heightened DNA synthesis of normal and advanced tumor bearers' splenocytes.

Mycotoxins produced by Fusarium oxysporum in the seeds of Brassica campestris during storage

Three recognized mycotoxins, viz. diaxetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone, along with the fatty esters of these toxins were isolated from the flask culture extractives of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht (IMI 273220) as also from seeds of Brassica campestris var. sarson (mustard) infected with this fungus in storage. Evaluation of biological activity and toxicity of the extractives and the effects of prolonged ingestion of the mouldy seeds by animals suggest that the infected seeds may present high toxin-risk to humans.

Occurrence of free and conjugated 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes and zearalenone in banana fruits infected with Fusarium moniliforme

Three recognized 12,13-epoxytrichothecene mycotoxins, trichothecolone, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin, and a hyperestrogenic factor, zearalenone, together with the fatty acid esters of trichothecolone, scirpenetriol, T-2 tetraol, and zearalenone, were isolated from the flask culture extractives of Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon (IMI 225232) as well as from the fruit of banana (Musa sapientum L.) infected with the same fungus in the field and in storage. The total concentrations of these toxins in the naturally infected fruits were quite high (0.8 to 1.0 mg/g of fruit). F. moniliforme infections of banana fruits, being of wide occurrence in the world, could cause serious health problems in humans when the infected fruits are ingested for a prolonged period of time.

New 6-Aryl-2-pyrones from Gentiana pedicellata*

Three new 6-aryl-2-pyrones, viz. pedicellin ( 1), pedicellanin ( 2), and pedicellatin ( 3), have been isolated from the whole plant of GENTIANA PEDICELLATA W ALL., collected when in flower. The compounds have been characterized on the basis of chemical transformation and comprehensive spectral evidence. This is the first report of occurrence of 6-aryl-2-pyrones in a member of the family Gentianaceae. The other secondary metabolites, e.g. triterpene, secoiridoid, and degraded carotenoid, present in this species are typical of the GENTIANA. 1 and 2 produced significant adaptogenic and anti-stress effects in animal models thereby justifying the use of the title species in popular medicine.

Alkaloid constituents of Sida acuta, S. humilis, S. rhombifolia and S. spinosa

Three types of alkaloidal constituents, viz., beta-phenethylamines, quinazolines and carboxylated tryptamines, in addition to choline and betaine have been isolated from Sida acuta Burm., S. humilis Willd., S. rhombifolia L., and S. spinosa L. and characterized by their physical and spectral properties, and by chemical transformations. The qualitative and quantitative variations in the alkaloidal constituents of roots and aerial portions at different stages of growth were also noted. Elaboration of the quinazoline alkaloids seems to be a characteristic feature of this genus. The favourable combination of sympathomimetic amines and vasicinone in these species would account for their major therapeutic uses in the Indian system of medicine.

Justicisaponin-I, a new triterpenoid saponin from Justicia simplex

A new triterpenoid saponin, named justicisaponin-I, has been isolated from Justicia simplex D. Don. (Acanthaceae). It has been assigned oleanolic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-O-ferulate structure (1) on the basis of chemical transformation and comprehensive spectral evidence. Justicisaponin-I has produced significant sperm acrosomal membrane stabilizing action and may prove to be a potent antifertility agent.

Chemical constituents of gentianaceae XXVIII: flavonoids of Enicostemma hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verd

The whole plant of Enicostemma hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verd. (Gentianaceae) was collected at different growth stages and was shown to contain seven flavonoids: apigenin (I), genkwanin (II), isovitexin (III), swertisin (IV), saponarin (V), 5-O-glucosylswertisin (VI), and 5-O-glucosylisoswertisin (VII). Compounds VI and VII previously were unreported in nature. The yields of the flavonoids varied with the growth stage. The biochemical and chemotaxonomic significance of these results is appraised.

Toxic substances produced by Fusarium V: occurrence of zearalenone, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin in moldy corn infected with Fusarium moniliforme Sheld

Sweet corn infected with Fusarium moniliforme Sheld. (CMI-IMI 204057) while growing in the fields was shown to contain zearalenone, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin. Assays by spectral, chemical, and biological methods established the presence of these substances, with zearalenone being the most abundant. In vitro cultures of the fungus also produced the three toxins.

Selective demethylation of polymethoxyxanthones with aqueous piperidine

Data are presented for selective demethylation of eight polymethoxyxanthones with aqueous piperdine. Clarification and rationalization of the present and previous observations are made. The mechanism is defined in terms of both resonance effects and steric factors.