Ethnozoological study of animals used by traditional healers in Silent Valley of Kerala, India

AIM OF STUDY

India has great biodiversity of fauna. The use of fauna with medicinal properties is a common practice since pre-hispanic times. In the last decade, there has been an interest in ethnozoological studies in India. Ethnozoological studies are necessary in order to discover new medications for human health. There is urgency in recording such data. This is the first ethnozoological study in which statistical calculations about animals are done by the ICF method in Kerala, India. The purpose of this study is to analyze and record traditional knowledge of animals utilized by the indigenous people living on Silent Valley, located in Palakkad district of Kerala, India and to document the traditional names, preparation and uses of these animals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field study was carried out for a period of September 2011 to August 2012 years in Kerala. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires among traditional healers. The collected data were analyzed through informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL).

RESULTS

This study recorded a total of 57 families, 66 genera, and 69 species of animals that produced 163 methods for usages. Mammalian occupied 29% of the total animals listed, followed by aves (28%), insects (17%), reptiles (10%), actinopterygii (4%), malacostraca, amphibians and clitellata (each 3%), chilopoda (2%) and gastropoda (1%) of the whole, respectively. In regards to usage, 68 species utilized as food products and medicinal uses, totaled 98.55% followed by one species for cosmetics (1.45%).

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the animals are still being used by the local healers of Palakkad district, to treat various illnesses. The empirical knowledge reported in this study will provide outstanding possibilities for the discovery of new sources of medicine for the drug industry.

Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and its control of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and blood sucking mosquito larvae

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using the leaf extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Pam-ZnO NPs). The synthesized Pam-ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, TEM and XRD analysis. TEM analysis of Pam-ZnO NPs showed the average size of about 20-50 nm. Pam-ZnO NPs control the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms (MRSA ATCC 33591) at the concentration of 8-10 μg/ml. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) images revealed that Pam-ZnO NPs strongly inhibited the biofilm forming ability of S. aureus. In addition, Pam-ZnO NPs showed 100% mortality of fourth instar mosquito larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus at the concentration of 8 and 10 μg/ml. The histopathological studies of Pam-ZnO NPs treated A. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus larvae revealed the presence of damaged cells and tissues in the mid-gut. The damaged tissues suffered major changes including rupture and disintegration of epithelial layer and cellular vacuolization. The present study conclude that Pam-ZnO NPs showed effective control of S. aureus biofilms and mosquito larvae by damaging the mid gut cells.

Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the Nelliyampathy hills of Kerala, India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inspite of tremendous advances made in allopathic medical practices, medicinal plants have played an important role throughout the world in treating and preventing a variety of diseases and hence there is urgency in recording such data. This is the first ethnobotanical study in which statistical calculations about plants are done by the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) method. The present study was aimed to identify plants collected for medicinal purposes by the traditional healers of Nelliyampathy hills, located in Palakkad district of Kerala, India and to document the traditional names, preparation and uses of these plants.

METHODS

The field study was carried out over a period of 2 years (2011-2013) using semi-structured interviews with 66 informants (most of the informants belonged to an age between 50 and 70 years) in six remote locations in the hills. Ethnomedicinal data was analyzed using frequency citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC) and use value (UV) along with a Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Demographic characteristics of participants, ethnobotanical inventory of plants and data on medicinal application and administration were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 85 medicinal plants belonging to 49 families were reported to be used against 19 different ailments in the hills. The maximum reported medicinal plant families were Cucurbitaceae with 6 species followed by Acanthaceae, Malvaceae and Fabaceae (each 5 species), Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae and Myrtaceae (each 3 species), the most dominant life form of the species includes herbs (42) followed by tree (20), climber (15) and shrub (8), the most frequent used part was leaves (40%) followed by root (14%), seed and flowers (each12%), fruit (9%), bark (7%), stem (2%), latex (2%), rhizome and whole plant (each 1%), the most common preparation and administration methods were paste (32%), powder (22%), decoction and juice (each 20%) and raw (4%), infusion and inhalation (each1% ). The Pearson correlation coefficient between RFC and UV was 0.638 showing highly positive significant association.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we have documented considerable indigenous knowledge about the native medicinal plants in Nelliyampathy hills for treating common ailments. The plants such as further investigated phytochemically and pharmacologically which leads to natural drug discovery development may be based on the present study. The study has various socioeconomic dimensions which are associated with the local communities.

Documentation and quantitative analysis of the local knowledge on medicinal plants in Kalrayan hills of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The aim of the present study was to document the medicinal plants by the traditional medical practitioners from Kalrayan hills of Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. Quantitatively analyses of the data were made to acquire some useful leads for further studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Successive free listing was the method adopted for the interview. In this study, 54 traditional healer medical practitioners were included and their knowledge on medicinal plants was gathered. The data were assessed with the help of two indices viz., informant consensus factor (Fic) and Informant Agreement on Remedies (IAR).

RESULTS

The present survey is in accordance with some of the aspects of our previous surveys. Regarding the demography of the informants, it exhibited unevenness in male-female ratio and majority of the informants were poorly educated. Practicing this system of medicine as part time job by majority of the informants might indicate the reduced social status of this medicinal system. The present study had recorded the usage of 81 species, which in turn yielded 1073 use reports. The major illness category 'aphrodisiac, hair care and endocrinal disorders' hold a high Fic values. Among the other illness categories, gastro-intestinal ailments, genito-urinary ailments and dermatological infection ailments have a high percentage of use reports. Eye ailments, general health, kapha ailments, psychological ailments and skeleton muscular system ailments were the other illness categories with high Fic values. Some of the claims viz., Argyrolobium roseum (aphrodisiac ailments), Rosa brunonii (eye ailments) Hibiscus surattensis (dermatological infections ailments), Bauhinia variegata (neurology Ailments), Cotinus coggygria (circulatory system/cardiovascular ailments) and Uvaria narum (gastro-intestinal ailments) which have relatively high consensus can be taken up for further biomedical studies, since no substantial studies have been conducted on them.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of our present study, we have highlighted some claims which are at high use in the study area but having little scientific support. Studies on such claims will provide scientific base to some extent which in turn will be useful to improve the health of indigenous people.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent valley of Kerala, India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal plants are treating and preventing a variety disease. There is urgency in recording such data. This is the first ethno botanical study in which statistical calculations about plants are done by ICF method. The present study was aimed to identify plants collected for medicinal purposes by the traditional healers of silent valley, located in Palakad district of Kerala, India and to document the traditional names, preparation and uses of these plants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field study was carried out a period of 2 years in Kerala. The ethno medicinal information was collected through interviews among traditional healers. The collected data were analyzed through use value (UV) informant consensus factor (F(ic)) and fidelity level (FL).

RESULTS

A total of 102 species of plants distributed in 95 genera belonging to 53 families were identified as commonly used ethno medicinal plants by traditional healers in silent valley for the treatment of 19 ailment categories based on the body systems treated. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of paste and administrated orally. F(ic) values of the present study indicated that dermatological infections/diseases and gastro-intestinal disorders had highest use reports and 7 species of plants has the highest fidelity level of 100%. The most important species according to their use value were Moringa oleifera (2.62), Curculigo orchioides (2.5) Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Vitex negundo (each 2.37), Carica papaya (2.12), Annona squamosa (1.87).

CONCLUSION

Gathering the present study, we can recommended the plants Moringa oleifera, Curculigo orchioides, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Vitex negundo, Carica papaya, Citrus hystrix, and Tribulus terrestris (with high use values), Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Aloe vera, Carum capticum and Discorea pentaphylla (newly reported claims with highest FL) for further scientific investigation based upon the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants can be an approach in the discovery and development of novel drug leads.

An evaluation of hepatotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving injection Doxorubicin

BACKGROUND

Hepatic dysfunction in the cancer unit has a significant impact on patient outcomes. The therapeutic application of anthracycline antibiotics are limited by side-effects mainly myelosuppression, chronic cardiotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity.

AIM

To assess the risk of Hepatotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving Inj. Doxorubicin.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The investigation was a prospective study that was conducted in cancer patients receiving Inj. Doxorubicin doses of 50 mg/m(2), and 75 mg/m(2) at a South Indian tertiary care hospital. Sample collection was carried out from pre-chemotherapy to 4(th) cycle. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), direct bilirubin and total bilirubin were assessed to determine hepatotoxicity. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-test, Pearson correlation using Graph-Pad Prism version 5.00 for Windows, Graph-Pad Software, San Diego, California, USA, www.graphpad.com.

RESULTS

Breast cancer patients comprised 37% (49/132) of the total female cancer patient population, of which 46 patients with a mean age of 46.6 (13.4) years were included and 30.4% (14/46) patients were developed hepatotoxicity. The mean standard deviation of SGOT, SGPT, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin in the pre-chemotherapy cycle to fourth chemotherapy cycle were found to be 21.97 (5.798) U/L and 181.3 (103.6) U/L, 23.17 (6.237) U/L and 147.6 (90.9) U/L, 0.1351 (0.1186) mg/dL and 0.5445 (0.4587) mg/dL, 0.3094 (1.346) mg/dL and 2.7163 (1.898) mg/dL simultaneously where P < 0.05 which were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

There exist a strong correlation between the use of Inj. Doxorubicin and risk for developing hepatotoxicity. The health-care professionals dealing with breast cancer patients need to have awareness for hepatotoxicity with the use of Inj. Doxorubicin therapy.

Ionizing radiation effects on sex steroid hormone levels in serum and milt of freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus

Effects of gamma rays on the sex steroid hormone levels [testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and 17β-estradiol (E2)] were studied in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Gamma radiation induced effects on hormone levels reported here for the first time in the fish. Since radionuclides released accidentally or during a nuclear disaster can contaminate inland water bodies, biomonitoring methods are required for assessing the impacts of certain dose levels of radiation that may ultimately result in ionizing radiation exposure to both humans and non-human biota. Three groups of (n=15 in each group) fishes were irradiated with a single dose of (60)Co 10Gy, 15Gy and 20Gy with a duration of .33, .50 and .66min. Significant decrease of the hormone levels was seen at higher doses of 15Gy and 20Gy. The sex steroid hormone levels in the fishes are vital for sperm production, development, differential functions related to the physiology and reproductive behavior. This study serves as biomonitoring tool to assess the ionizing radiation effects on reproductive behavior of aquatic biota.

Reasons for low quality of life in South Indian cancer patient population: a prospective observational study

Over the last decade, quality of life investigations of cancer patients' have became a critical evaluation parameter in the clinical cancer research and treatment evaluation programs. This study was carried out in a 1200 bed tertiary care teaching hospital, MGM Hospital, located at Warangal, India. Present study assessed the overall quality of life, symptoms of patients affected by breast, head and neck, cervical and stomach cancers by using guidelines and modules of The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The assessment was carried out in two phases, as review I at ≤2 cycles and review II at ≥5 cycles of treatment. Data were analyzed for 104 individuals with the mean age of 46.1±11.2 years. The evaluation was characterised as functional scale and symptom scale. In the functional scale physical, and role functions were significant (P<0.05) in all the 4 types of cancers studied. Additional, future perspective, social and emotional functions were observed to be significant in breast cancer, head and neck cancer and cervical cancer, respectively. Where as in symptom scale pain was observed to be significant for all cancers studied. Individually, breast cancer patient also showed significant parameters like fatigue, arm symptoms, and upset by hair loss. Head and neck cancer patients had insomnia and diarrhoea as additional significant symptom scale parameters. In cervical cancer patients, fatigue, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, and in stomach cancer patients, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia, reflex symptoms and eating restrictions were significantly affected. Most of the findings are similar to past studies in the respective type of cancer patients which shows that, quality of life was mostly influenced by the above mentioned factors and have some interesting implications for management and treatment of cancer.

Abstract P5-03-09: Phenotypic modulation of mammary stem cells by CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester)

Background: Over 30% of cancer patients and up to 60% of breast cancer patients routinely use alternative formulations, commonly in combination with allopathic treatment, which may be linked with fewer adverse events. The naturopathic formulation propolis, and its active component Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), is a widely available honeybee product with an extended safety history credited with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. We have previously shown that CAPE, inhibits growth of MCF-7 (ER+/PR+) and MDA-231 (TNBC) cells by cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; inhibits mdr-1 gene expression, NF-kB, and VEGF (1). In addition, CAPE inhibits the growth and tumorigenic potential of breast cancer stem cells derived from MDA-231 cells (2). We have demonstrated that CAPE, which is structurally similar to the hydroxamic acid class of HDAC inhibitors, mediates its effects on breast cancer through epigenetic modifications via histone deacetylase inhibition (unpublished data). We hypothesized that CAPE would inhibit mammary stem cells, which was tested in primary mouse mammary epithelial cells and a human breast epithelial cell line.

Materials and Methods: Single mammary epithelial cells were isolated from Balb/c mice and cultured for 8 days in Ultra Low Attachment 96 well plates using mammosphere media containing 5%FBS and 5% Matrigel (3). The first generation of mammospheres were dissociated into single cells and recultured in the presence of CAPE for 8 days in secondary and tertiary passages. Alternatively, a Let7c-miRNA reporter expressed in MCF10a non-malignant human mammary epithelial cells were sorted to isolate Let7c-negative cells and placed in mammosphere culture and similarly treated with CAPE for 7 to 10 days. The mammospheres were stained with luminal marker K18 and basal marker K14 and examined using immunofluorescent microscopy.

Results: CAPE treatment results in a dose dependent decrease in mammosphere forming efficiency (MFE) of mammospheres obtained from a primary culture of mammary gland derived epithelial cells as well as those derived from the MCF10A cell line. Furthermore, MFE of tertiary cultures is reduced even after CAPE is removed. Interestingly, mammospheres shifted from predominantly K14 to K18 positive in those mammospheres that formed at the lowest CAPE treatment concentration.

Conclusion: CAPE inhibits mammosphere formation from normal mouse mammary gland and from a non-malignant human mammary cell line. The mechanism of CAPE effects may lie in its established role in inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or via epigenetic mechanisms, among others. Interestingly, CAPE causes a shift from a basal to a luminal cell phenotype in mammospheres, suggesting an effect on lineage commitment.

References

1) *Wu J, *Omene C, Karkaszka J, et al. CANCER LETTERS. 2011 Sep 1;308(1):43-53. Epub 2011 May 13. (* Share 1st authorship)

2) Omene C, Wu J, Frenkel K. INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUGS. 2012 Aug;30(4):1279-88. Epub 2011 May 3.

3) Guo W, Keckesova Z, Donaher JL, et al. CELL. 2012 Mar 2;148(5):1015-28.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P5-03-09.

Insect Antifeedant Potent Halogen Substituted Phenyl Chalcones

Some 2′,3′,4′-trichlorophenyl chalcones [(E)-1-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-3-(substituted phenyl)-2-propen-1-ones] have been synthesised using sulfated Titaniacatalyzed solvent-free aldol condensation between 2,3,4-trichloroacetophenone and substituted benzaldehydes. The purities of synthesised chalcones were checked by their analytical, physical and spectroscopic data reported in literature. The insect antifeedant activities of these chalcones have been studied using 4th instar larvae Achoea Janata L by castor leaf disc bio-assay method. The chloro substituted chalcones shows significant insect antifeedant activity.

Propagation of <i>Dendrobium aggregatum</i> by green capsule culture

An efficient protocol for propagation of Dendrobium aggregatum using the axenic immature seeds, derived from green capsule, was developed. The immature embryos from 120 days old capsules after pollination were germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplement with various concentration of BAP alone or in combination with NAA along with coconut water, and the same media were used for induction, multiplication, elongation and rooting in vitro shoots. MS medium with the addition of 3% sucrose 1.5 mg L-1 Benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 15% coconut water (CW) favoured the higher rate of germination, more number of protocorm like bodies, production of maximum number of shoots, elongation of shoots, as well as root formation. During acclimatization, 95% of the plantlets survived after one month.

Spectral Correlations and Antimicrobial Activities of Some (E)-N-Benzylidenepyridin-2-Amines

A series of aryl imines have been synthesized by Fly-ash: PTS catalyzed microwave assisted oxidative coupling of amines and aldehydes under solvent-free conditions. The yield of the imines has been found to be more than 90%. The purity of all imines has been checked using their physical constants and spectral data as published earlier in literature. The UV λmaxC=N(nm), infrared νC=N(cm-1), NMR δ(ppm) of CH=N and C=N spectral data have been correlated with Hammett substituent constants and F and R parameters using single and multi-linear regression analysis. From the results of statistical analysis, the effect of substituents on the above spectral data has been studied. The antimicrobial activities of all imines have been studied using Bauer-Kirby method.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis, Spectral Studies and Antimicrobial Activities of some 2′,4′-Difluorophenyl Chalcones

Some 2′,4′-difluorophenyl chalcones have been synthesized under microwave irradiation using aldol condensation between 2,4-difluoroacetophenone and substituted benzaldehydes using catalytic amount of hydroxyapatite. The yields of the chalcones are more than 85%. The purities of these synthesized chalcones were examined by their physical constants and spectroscopic data. The UV absorption maxima (λmax, nm), infrared stretches (ν, cm-1) of CO, fingerprint region of CHip/op, CH=CHop, C=Cop modes, NMR chemical shifts (δ, ppm) of vinyl proton, carbon and carbonyl carbons have been assigned and correlated with Hammett substituent constants, F and R parameters using single and multi-regression analysis. From the statistical analysis the effect of substituent on the above spectral frequencies can be discussed. The antimicrobial activities of these synthesized chalcones have been screened using Bauer-Kirby method.

Infrared Spectral Analysis of Waste Pet Samples

There are fifteen waste PET bottles and a commercial grade ABS was collected from local supplier of Chidambaram town. The ABS was used to study the mechanical properties of PET blend composites. This study was performed by FT-IR spectroscopy. From the characteristics infrared stretching bands the mechanical properties of samples were discussed

Electrochemical Reduction Potential Correlation of some Insect Antifeedant Potent 2-Phenothiazinyl Chalcones

A series containing twelve substituted styryl 2-phenothiazenyl ketones have been synthesized. The electrochemical potentials of carbonyl and vinyl groups were measured. These potentials are correlated with Hammett substituent constants, F and R parameters. From the results of statistical analyses, the effects of substituent on the group reduction potentials have been discussed. The insect antifeedant activities of these chalcones have been studied using 4th instar larvae Achoea Janata L with castor leaf discs.

Gold nanoparticles as an HIV entry inhibitor

Gold nanoparticles stabilized with polyethylene glycol were used to study their cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against HIV-1 in the laboratory. The HeLa-CD4-LTR-B-gal cell line was used with gold nanoparticles to determine the cell viability using luminescent assay. The 50% cytotoxicity concentration, IC50 of gold nanoparticles was found to be 1.12±0.05 mg/ml. M-tropic, T-tropic, dual tropic and resistant isolates were inhibited by gold nanoparticles and their inhibition concentration ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 mg/ml. The mechanism of gold nanoparticles against HIV-1 is not clear but it inhibits the HIV-1 fusion. In this study, the gold nanoparticles were used to analyze their mode of antiviral activity and the experimental results showed that they inhibit the viral entry by binding with gp120 and prevent CD4 attachment. These properties of gold nanoparticles make them as an effective antiviral inhibitor.

3-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1,5-benzo-thiazepin-4(5H)-one

In the title compound, C17H15NO2S, the thia-zepine ring adopts a slightly distorted twist-boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean plane of the benzo-thia-zepin ring system and the benzene ring is 65.7 (1)°. In the crystal, pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link inversion-related mol-ecules into dimers, generating R2 (2) (8) ring motifs. These dimers are further linked by C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [inter-centroid distance between the benzene rings of the benzo-thia-zepine unit = 3.656 (3) Å] into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

(Z)-3-(3,4-Di-meth-oxy-benz-yl)-1,5-benzo-thia-zepin-4(5H)-one

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₇NO₃S, the thia­zepine ring adopts a slightly distorted twist-boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean plane of the benzo­thia­zepin ring system and the benzene ring is 60.3 (1)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by two pairs of inversion-related N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating alternating R₂²(8) and R₂²(6) ring motifs, respectively, in a zigzag supra­molecular chain that runs along the c axis. These chains stack along the a axis via S⋯C [3.424 (2) Å] contacts. A three-dimensional supra­molecular network is consolidated by C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [inter-centroid distance between di­meth­oxy­benzene rings = 3.815 (1) Å]. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin, with a refined value of the minor twin fraction of 0.2477 (6) .

Solvent-free synthesis, spectral correlations and antimicrobial activities of some aryl imines

A series of aryl imines have been synthesized by Fly-ash: H2SO4 catalyzed microwave assisted process under solvent-free conditions. The yields of the imines have been found to be more than 87%. The purity of all imines has been checked using their physical constants and spectral data as published earlier in literature. The UV λmaxCN(nm), infrared νCN(cm(-1)), NMR δ(ppm) of CH and CN spectral data have been correlated with Hammett substituent constants and F and R parameters using single and multi-linear regression analysis. From the results of statistical analysis, the effect of substituents on the above spectral data has been studied. The antimicrobial activities of All synthesised imines have been studied using Bauer-Kirby method.

An 11-channel radio frequency phased array coil for magnetic resonance guided high-intensity focused ultrasound of the breast

In this study, a radio frequency phased array coil was built to image the breast in conjunction with a magnetic resonance guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) device designed specifically to treat the breast in a treatment cylinder with reduced water volume. The MRgHIFU breast coil was comprised of a 10-channel phased array coil placed around an MRgHIFU treatment cylinder where nearest-neighbor decoupling was achieved with capacitive decoupling in a shared leg. In addition a single loop coil was placed at the chest wall making a total of 11 channels. The radio frequency coil array design presented in this work was chosen based on ease of implementation, increased visualization into the treatment cylinder, image reconstruction speed, temporal resolution, and resulting signal-to-noise ratio profiles. This work presents a dedicated 11-channel coil for imaging of the breast tissue in the MRgHIFU setup without obstruction of the ultrasound beam and, specifically, compares its performance in signal-to-noise, overall imaging time, and temperature measurement accuracy to that of the standard single chest-loop coil typically used in breast MRgHIFU.

2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-1,3-benzothiazole

In the title compound, C₁₃H₈N₂O₂S, the essentially planar benzothia­zole system [maximum deviation = −0.012 (1) Å for the S atom] is oriented at a dihedral angle of 48.3 (1)° with respect to the benzene ring. The nitro group is substanti­ally twisted from the plane of its attached benzene ring [dihedral angle = 52.0 (1)°]. The crystal packing features C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate C(6) helical chains propagating along [010]. Weak C—H⋯π inter­actions also occur in the crystal.

(E)-6-Methyl-3-(2-methyl-benzyl-idene)-chroman-2-one

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₆O₂, the heterocyclic ring of the chroman-2-one system adopts a slightly distorted screw-boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the least-squares planes of the coumarin ring system and the benzene ring is 67.5 (1)°. The crystal packing features C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which link the mol­ecules into centrosymmetric R₂²(8) dimers, and C—H⋯π inter­actions.

Methyl (Z)-2-[(4-bromo-2-formyl-phen-oxy)meth-yl]-3-(4-methyl-phen-yl)acrylate

In the title compound, C(19)H(17)BrO(4), the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 82.9 (2)°. The mol-ecular structure is stabilized by an intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(7) ring motif. The crystal packing is stabilized by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate two centrosymmetic ring systems with R(2) (2)(18) and R(2) (2)(14) graph-set motifs. The crystal packing is further stabilized by inter-molecular π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.984 (2) Å].

Methyl (2E)-2-[(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl)methyl]-3-phenylprop-2-enoate

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₃NO₄S, the thia­zolidine ring is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.010 (2) Å for the carbonyl C atom between the N and S atoms] and is oriented at a dihedral angle of 60.1 (1)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into zigzag chains running along the c axis by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is further stabilized by C—H⋯π inter­actions involving the benzene ring.

Methyl (Z)-2-[(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)methyl]-3-(2-methylphenyl)prop-2-enoate

The C=C bond in the title compound, C₁₅H₁₅NO₄S, has a Z configuration. The thia­zolidine ring is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.008 (1) Å for the N atom] and is oriented at a dihedral angle of 59.1 (1)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal, pairs of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link centrosymmetrically related mol­ecules into dimers, generating R₂²(18) ring motifs. The crystal packing is further stabilized by C—H⋯π and C—O⋯π [O⋯centroid = 3.412 (2) Å and C—O⋯centroid = 115.0 (1)°] inter­actions.

(Z)-Methyl 2-bromo-methyl-3-(2-chloro-phen-yl)acrylate

In the title compound, C(11)H(10)BrClO(2), the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the plane of the acrylate unit is 62.1 (1)°. The crystal packing is stabilzed by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-Cl⋯π inter-actions [Cl⋯centroid = 3.829 (1) Å and C-Cl⋯centroid = 165.3 (1)°].

(Z)-Methyl 2-[(4-bromo-2-formyl-phen-oxy)meth-yl]-3-o-tolyl-acrylate

In the title compound, C(19)H(17)BrO(4), the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 82.1 (1)°. The mol-ecular structure is stabilized by an intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond which generates an S(7) ring motif. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions. Inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions are involved in the formation of centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(16) dimers, which are connected into supra-molecular tapes running along the [100] direction.