Enantioselective synthesis of a costic acid analogue with acaricidal activity against the bee parasite Varroa destructor

One major disease of the pupae and the adult bee is the so-called Varroosis that is owing to the bee parasite Varroa destructor. It is an ectoparasite of bees, causing significant losses in the bee population needed for honey production as well as for pollination in agriculture. Costic acid is a sesquiterpene-carboxylic acid present in the plant Dittrichia viscosa. Recent studies by our group have shown that costic acid acts as acaricide against V. destructor. Oxalic acid is also an acaricide commonly used against varroa mites. In spite of its structural simplicity-it is the simplest bicarboxlic acid-it is equipotent to costic acid which consists of a trans-decalin system with three chiral centres. The basic goal of this project was to design and synthesize a hybrid entity, incorporating aspects of both oxalic acid and costic acid that would be more active than the parent compounds. This approach introduces a useful strategy for the preparation of congeners of bioactive compounds and proposes a structural framework for a new series of acaricidal agents.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: A Single-Center Experience in Greece

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is an important tool in the treatment of various forms of adult hydrocephalus, and its use is evolving over the past years, proving in many cases more effective than the more traditional ventriculoperitoneal shunts. We present the experience from our department while comparing the results and complications with the international literature.

Visual loss after treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension with lumboperitoneal shunting

Both idiopathic intracranial hypertension and intracranial cerebrospinal fluid hypotension, spontaneous or iatrogenic, display visual disturbances, including visual loss, visual field deficit, transient visual obscurations, and diplopia. We present a case of a long-standing idiopathic intracranial hypertension, primarily manifesting with visual disturbances and documented pre-existing concentric visual field deficit, treated with a lumboperitoneal shunt after conservative treatment failure, leading to an unexpected exacerbation of visual field deficit and acute visual loss, probably due to shunt catheter malfunction and subsequent intracranial hypotension. We provide a step-by-step documentation of cerebrospinal fluid volume and consequent intracranial pressure fluctuations effect on visual field alterations over a significant period of time, attempting an insight on pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the relationship between intracranial pressure and optic nerve functionality. Interdepartmental collaboration in such cases could ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment, leading to the possibility of either halting the progression or even reversing established visual loss, sparing our patients from a lifetime disability and improving their quality of life.

Coexistence of spinal intramedullary teratoma and diastematomyelia in an adult

STUDY DESIGN

A case report of intramedullary spinal cord teratoma with remote diastematomyelia in a female adult.

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare case of a dysembryogenic spinal tumor with concurrent split cord malformation and to define the importance of early surgical removal of the tumor.

SETTING

A department of neurosurgery in Greece.

METHODS

A 44-year old woman, presented with progressive lower limb muscle weakness, gait disturbances and dysesthesias in the trunk and lower extremity. She underwent plain radiographs, CT and MRI scan, which revealed an exophytic intramedullary spinal cord tumor at the level of T8-T10 and distant diastematomyelia in the upper lumbar spine (L2-L3). She underwent surgical intervention. The tumor was subtotally removed. No attempt was made to treat diastematomyelia.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the patient's neurological status started to improve gradually. After 1 year she exhibited better strength in the lower limb muscles and improved sensation. The histological examination demonstrated mature spinal teratoma consisting of ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal elements.

CONCLUSIONS

In adult patients with intramedullary masses of possible dysembryogenic origin, the whole spine must be examined for additional dysraphic lesions. The choice and the timing of a surgical intervention are strongly dependent on the clinical picture.