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Influenza A (H1N1) commonly known as swine flu, has covered a large part of the globe rapidly since the outbreak started in Mexico on 18th March, 2009. Given the rapid worldwide spread of the virus, it is important to identify the symptoms that require screening for influenza A(H1N1). Therefore, this study was planned to determine the clinical predictors of influenza A(H1N1) in the population of Kanpur city. Study sample comprised all cases with flu-like symptoms suspected of having influenza A(H1N1) whose nasopharyngeal samples had been sent for laboratory examination. Of the 119 samples sent to the laboratory, 34 were found to be positive for influenza A(H1N1). Best predictors found were fever with shortness of breath (positive predictive value=87.5%) followed by fever with cough without other cold like features (positive predictive value=68.6%). None of the clinical signs had all the attributes of a good predictor of influenza A(H1N1). Fever with cough was the most sensitive (70.6%) and fever with shortness of breath was the most specific indicator (98.8%). Therefore, it was concluded that symptoms like fever with cough without other cold like features and fever with shortness of breath should not be ignored and require expert medical attention for screening of influenza A(H1N1).

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AIMS: To maximize spore production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B128, and its antagonism to the fungal pathogen Botrytis elliptica B061. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the 5-l stirred-tank bioreactor (STR), with the 0.5 vvm aeration rate, an agitation rate of 200 rev min(-1) significantly enhanced the spore yield compared to the same in 300 rev min(-1) cultivations. In a 20-l airlift bioreactor (ALR) the maximal spore production was further increased with a controlled aeration rate of 2.5 vvm operated in a 24-mesh net-draft tube mode, and no pH control cultivation. This spore yield in the 20-l ALR was five- and eightfold higher; in addition the cultivation period was 19 h shorter, compared to that obtained from shaker flask and in the 5-l STR cultivations respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although culture conditions are still to be optimized, by using an ALR with net-draft tube, a scaling up from shaker flasks and STR to ALR of spore production by the strain B128 is technically feasible. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The spore yields obtained using bioreactors were much higher than those previously reported. The freshly produced spore preparations from the B128 strain significantly antagonized the grey mould pathogen B. elliptica.

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The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and determine the absolute bioavailability and metabolism of DRF 4367, a novel COX-2 inhibitor, in mice. In addition, the in vitro metabolism of DRF 4367 was studied in mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human liver microsomes. Following oral administration, maximum concentrations of DRF 4367 were achieved after about 1 h. Upon intravenous (IV) administration, the concentration of DRF 4367 declined in a bi-exponential fashion with a terminal elimination half-life of 4.0 h. The elimination half-life was unchanged with route of administration. The volume of distribution and systemic clearance of DRF 4367 in mice were 0.80 l h(-1) kg(-1) and 0.14 l kg(-1), respectively, after IV administration. The absolute oral bioavailability of DRF 4367 was 44%. In all species of liver microsomes examined, the primary route of metabolism for DRF 4367 was demethylation of benzyl methoxy to form a hydroxy metabolite (M1). The formation of this metabolite was mediated by CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 enzymes. M1 was not found to possess COX-2 inhibitory activity. Chemical-inhibition studies showed that quinidine (selective for CYP2D6) and ticlopidine (selective for CYP2C19) inhibited the formation of the hydroxy metabolite of DRF 4367, whereas potent inhibitors selective for other forms of CYP did not inhibit this oxidative reaction. Upon oral or IV administration of DRF 4367 to mice, unchanged DRF 4367, M1, the O-glucuronide conjugate of M1 (M1-G) and the O-sulfate conjugate of M1 (M1-S) were identified in bile.

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The total synthesis of heliannone A (1) and (R,S)-heliannone B (2), two bioactive flavonoids originally isolated from Helianthus annuus cultivars, is described.

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The interaction of alpha-chymotrypsin, invertase, alcohol dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase with some ionic and non-ionic surfactants, viz. sodium dodecyl sulphate, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and Triton X-100, has been examined by studying the effect of varying surfactant concentrations on enzyme activities as well as by determining the time-dependent inactivation and the time-independent inhibition. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax, for alpha-chymotrypsin-catalysed reaction in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate were evaluated. Anionic surfactants markedly decreased enzyme activity, whereas cationic surfactants were less effective. Nonionics showed no effect. This change in enzyme activity was also dependent on the nature of enzyme.

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A case is reported in which death occurred after a patient's adamant refusal to accept blood transfusion, despite prompt control of blood loss. The management of this situation is discussed. Reconstitution of the circulating volume was followed by survival for 2 hours after surgery. The haemoglobin level fell to 1.8 g/dl.

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