Mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus

This research aimed to investigate various mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole- plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus. The extract showed remarkable larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus. During the larvicidal and pupicidal activities, the 24-hour lethal concentration (LC50) of extract against 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and pupae were 324.6, 495.6 and 950.8 ppm, respectively. During the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) bottle bioassay for adulticidal activity, the median knockdown times (KDT50) at 1.25% concentration was 123.4 minutes. During the filter paper impregnation bioassay for adulticidal activity, the KDT50 value at 0.138 mg/cm2 concentration was 48.6 minutes. The extract was fractionated into 14 fractions through silica gel column chromatography which were then combined into six fractions on the basis of similar retention factor (Rf) value. These fractions were screened for adulticidal activity by applying CDC bottle bioassay. The fraction obtained through 60:40 to 50:50% n-hexanes-chloroform mobile phase with 0.5 Rf value showed 100% adulticidal activity at 0.2% concentration. During oviposition deterrent activity, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) showed 71.3 ± 4.4% effective repellence and 0.6 ± 0.1 oviposition activity index. During adult emergence inhibition activity, the median emergence inhibition (EI50) value was 312.3 ppm. From the outcome of the present investigation, it is concluded that the n-hexane extract of C. botrys whole- plant possesses strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Synthesis of a tetrasubstituted bicyclo [2.2.2] octane as a potential inhibitor of influenza virus sialidase

A novel synthesis of the bicyclo [2.2.2] octane ring system has been achieved utilising a tandem Henry cyclisation as the key stage. This chemistry has been employed in the synthesis of a potential inhibitor of influenza virus sialidase.

Clinical experience in the use of cefuroxime in gonorrhoea

Cefuroxime, a new antibiotic derived from cephalosporin-C which is very stable in the presence of beta-lactamases produced by Gram-negative organisms, was used to treat 856 male patients and 340 female patients with uncomplicated gonorrhoea. In men the drug was used in three different doses, 1.5 g, 1 g, and 750 mg plus 1 g probenecid; in women 1 g and 750 mg cefuroxime plus 1 g probenecid was used. Cure rates ranged from 94.8% to 99.3%. The antibiotic was well tolerated and was free from side effects. Cefuroxime would be a valuable and efficient substitute for penicillin in the treatment of gonorrhoea due to beta-lactamase-producing strains of gonococci.

Single-dose treatment of gonorrhoea with cotrimoxazole. A report on 1,223 cases

1,223 ambulant patients with gonorrhoea were each treated with a single dose of eight tablets of cotrimoxazole. 1,069 patients were followed up (794 males and 275 females). Of these, only 46 (4%) failed to respond. Cotrimoxazole in the dosage used was well tolerated by all the patients, with very few side-effects. There was clear evidence that cotrimoxazole did not mask concomitant syphilitic infections; neither did it produce a gonococcal carrier state. The incidence of post-gonococcal non-specific urethritis was 6 per cent. At present cotrimoxazole seems to be the most useful alternative to penicillin in the treatment of gonorrhoea.