Novel hydroxy- and amidino-substituted benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles as antibacterial and antiproliferative agents.

Aim: The aim was synthesis of novel benzazoles bearing amidino and 2-hydroxyphenyl substituents to explore their biological activity. Methods: Condensation of 5-substituted salicylaldehydes and intermediates gave new benzazoles by previously published and developed procedures, which were tested for antibacterial and antiproliferative activity in vitro. Results: The best antibacterial activity showed benzimidazole with 2-imidazolinyl group 27 and benzothiazole with an unsubstituted amidine 48 (minimum inhibitory concentration 8 µg/ml). Benzothiazole 53 proved most potent at inhibiting proliferation of all cancer cells (IC50: 1.2-2.0 µM). Conclusion: Most active compounds have been recognized as lead compounds for additional optimization to improve their biological activity. The type of amidine moiety markedly influenced the biological activity. Benzothiazoles showed improved antiproliferative activity in comparison to benzimidazoles.

Aplasia Cutis Congenita in a Newborn Child Associated with Two Fetus Papyraceous.

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare inborn lesion, presenting with absence of skin. The etiology is unknown and is probably not attributable to a single cause but to a combination of genetic factors. Multiple causes have been suggested for ACC: syndromes and teratogens, intrauterine infection--varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus--fetal exposure to cocaine, heroin, alcohol, or antithyroid drugs. The most common site is the scalp. We report a case with multiple lesions on the trunk, resembling an instance with ACC group 5. This form of ACC occurs in association with the in utero death of a twin or more (in this case triple) fetus. Histological findings are available in very few reports. Therapy options depend on the characteristics of the lesion, but conservative treatment is usually chosen.

Endoscopic features of gastric mucosa in children having pathohistological evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is common in children from developing countries, particularly in adolescents. It is associated with chronic gastritis and stomach cancer. A characteristic endoscopic finding in children is nodular gastritis. The aim of this study was to assess and confirm association of nodular gastritis, mainly of anthral mucosa, with Hp infection in children. A total of 195 children 1 to 15 years of age were studied during a two-year period (2004-2006). There were 107 girls (54.9%) and 88 boys (45.1%). The patients presented with recurrent epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, sour mouth, regurgitation, bloating or other dyspeptic symptoms. The complaints were recorded by a structured interview with parents and older children. Upper endoscopy was performed in all children. The presence and degree of mucosal granulation was recorded and two samples of mucousa from the antrum and the small curvature were taken. Biopsy material was processed for histology as usual, stained with 2% Giemsa and examined by a pathologist for the presence of Hp. A total of 40 of 195 children (20.5%) have had positive Hp infection and a 27 of 40 (67.5%) have had a granular aspect of anthral mucosa at the endoscopy. Sensitivity of the finding was 87.5%, specificity 93.5%, positive predictive value 73%, negative predictive value 91.8%, p < 0.05. Average age of those patients was 11.5 +/- 3.0 years. Subjective symptoms of dyspepsia (as recorded by the questionnaire) were often associated with Hp positivity, but short of statistical significance. No difference between boys and girls was noted. Endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis, especially in areas of antrum and small curvature, showed a highly positive correlation with Hp infection.