Description of Stenotrophomonas sepilia sp. nov., isolated from blood culture of a hospitalized patient as a new member of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex.

Stenotrophomonas sepilia strain SM16975 (= JCM 32102; = KCTC 62052) is a new species isolated from the blood culture of a hospitalized patient. The biochemical characterization, phenotypic criteria, phylogenomic reconstruction, and genomic analysis were carried out to differentiate it from its phylogenetic neighbours, establishing novel species status in the genus Stenotrophomonas and within Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc).

Synthesis of some novel quinone diimine derivatives of benzo-15-crown-5 for application in Hg(2+) recognition.

A series of novel fluoroionophore bearing derivatives of benzo-15-crown-5 were synthesized by the amination of benzo-15-crown-5 followed by condensation with different quinones in the presence of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4 ) and 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane. The compounds were characterized by infrared, (1) H and (13) C nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of these compounds were studied. It was observed that the anthraquinone derivative was acting as an Hg(2+) ion sensor.

Clinical and economic implications of the use of nanoparticle paclitaxel (Nanoxel) in India.

Paclitaxel (Taxol), one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, is poorly soluble in water and requires cremophor, which often causes infusion reactions, as a solvent. Nanoxel, a nanoparticle formulation of the taxane, has been approved by the Indian regulatory authority. In the present article, we aim to describe the experience with the use of Nanoxel in India and its clinical and economic implications. We present three retrospective series in a common practice environment and an economic model. The first series shows no reactions in 596 Nanoxel infusions; the second series shows comparable adverse events other than infusion reactions between 83 patients who received Nanoxel and 32 treated with conventional paclitaxel. The third reveals comparable clinical outcomes for 51 patients treated with Nanoxel or conventional paclitaxel for gastroesophageal tumors. Finally, we describe an economic model which estimates savings of 21 580 Indian rupees per cycle with Nanoxel vis-à-vis conventional paclitaxel in the treatment of solid tumors in India. In conclusion, in an era in which the greatest challenge we face as medical oncologists is how to conciliate hard-won and incremental--but small--improvements in survival with exponentially rising drugs costs, it is refreshing to see a potential new formulation of a commonly used drug that may actually generate cost-savings while improving clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Further studies are clearly warranted to determine the optimal dose and schedule for Nanoxel as well as its comparative effectiveness to cremophor-based paclitaxel.

9-(4-Hy-droxy-3-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-3,3,6,6-tetra-methyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-deca-hydro-acridine-1,8-dione.

In the title mol-ecule, C24H29NO4, the central ring of the acridinedione system adopts a flat boat conformation and the four essentially planar atoms of this ring [maximum deviation = 0.001 (2) Å] form a dihedral angle of 85.99 (12)° with the benzene ring. The two outer rings of the acridinedione system adopt sofa conformations. In the crystal, O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).

Gastro-intestinal stromal tumour--a case report.

Gastro-intestinal stromal tumours are rare tumours of the gastro-intestinal tract. Among non-epithelial tumours of gastro-intestinal tract, gastro-intestinal stromal tumours are the commonest but as they are not extensively documented, they are underestimated, poorly understood and inadequately treated for various reasons, particularly at peripheral centres in India. The gravity of the problem increases further as these tumours respond poorly to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Here a case of gastro-intestinal stromal tumour is reported. The patient was a 35-year-old male who was admitted with evidence of subacute intestinal obstruction. The haematological and biochemical tests showed moderate anaemia, raised serum aminotransferase aspartate (AST, SGOT) and mild hypoproteinaemia. Laparatomy revealed a jejunal tumour which was resected. The routine histopathological examination revealed a spindle cell tumour suggestive of gastro-intestinal stromal tumour -intermediate risk group. Immunohistochemical study showed strong positivity for c-kit confirming the diagnosis of gastro-intestinal stromal tumour. The patient was then referred to oncology centre for further management.

Retroperitoneal Mass-lymphangiomyoma.

We report a case of retroperitoneal mass, in a postmenopausal lady,about a size 10-8 cm in left side of abdomen. This turned out pathologically lymphangio-myoma. Retrospectively when we searched in literature we found that, commonly lymphangiomyoma seen in premenopausal women and is associated with ascites or renal angiomyolipoma or plural effusion. But in our case CxR -PA was normal and abdominal USG was not showing renal or ovarian involvement. It was a rare case and presentation was rare than the literature.

Synthesis and LPG sensing properties of nano-sized cadmium oxide.

This paper reports the synthesis and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sensing properties of nano-sized cadmium oxide (CdO). The nano-sized CdO powder was successfully synthesized by using a chemical co-precipitation method using cadmium acetate and the ammonium hydroxide, as starting materials and water as a carrier. The resulting nano-sized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The LPG sensing properties of the synthesized nano-sized CdO were investigated at different operating temperatures and LPG concentrations. It was found that the calcination temperature and the operating temperature significantly affect the sensitivity of the nano-sized CdO powder to the LPG. The sensitivity is found to be maximum when the calcination temperature was 400 degrees C. The sensitivity to 75ppm of LPG is maximum at an operating temperature 450 degrees C and it was found to be approximately 341%. The response and recovery times were found to be nearly 3-5s and 8-10s, respectively. The synthesized nano-sized CdO powder is able to detect up to 25ppm for LPG with reasonable sensitivity at an operating temperature 450 degrees C and it can be reliably used to monitor the concentration of LPG over the range (25-75ppm). The experimental results of the LPG sensing studies reveal that the nano-sized CdO powder synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method is a suitable material for the fabrication of the LPG sensor.

Acetone vapor sensing properties of screen printed WO(3) thick films.

This paper presents acetone vapor sensing properties of WO(3) thick films. In this work, the WO(3) thick films were prepared by standard screen-printing method. These films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The acetone vapor sensing properties of these thick films were investigated at different operating temperature and acetone vapor concentrations. The WO(3) thick films exhibit excellent acetone vapor sensing properties with the maximum sensitivity approximately 456% at 300 degrees C in air atmosphere with fast response and recovery time.

Direct action of metyrapone on brain: implication in feeding.

While the inhibitory effect of metyrapone on the biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroid hormones is well known, the drug has not been tested for central actions. The present study is aimed at finding out the direct central action of metyrapone, if any, employing feeding behaviour as a test parameter. Low doses of metyrapone (10-1000 ng) administered via an i.c.v. route reduced the food intake in a dose dependent manner; the effect was functionally antagonized by concomitant administration of anti-CRF antisera. The results reveal for the first time, that metyrapone might be capable of exerting a direct action on the adrenal cortex.