New montmorillonite silylpropylethylenediamine palladium(II) complex in oxidation of terminal olefins

Selective oxidation of terminal olefins to methyl ketones in quantitative yields using a newly synthesised heterogenised catalyst, montmorillonite silylpropylethylenediamine palladium(II) complex and hydrogenperoxide as reoxidant is described. A display of tenfold activity by the heterogenised catalyst, when compared with analogous palladium acetate-hydrogenperoxide under identical conditions is another special feature

Montmorillonite substrate selectivity in alcohol oxidation

An unusual display of sequential and preferential molecular recognition in favour of trans-tert-butyl-cyclohexanols 1, primary alcohols 3 and o-benzyl alcohols as against cis-tent-butylcyclohexanols 2, secondary alcohols 4 and p-benzylalcohols, respectively, is described

Cerebral Aspergillus arteritis with bland infarcts: A report of two patients with poor outcome

Two patients with cerebrovascular aspergillosis, in the form of arteritis, thrombosis and bland infarcts are reported. One patient had systemic lupus erythematosus with disseminated aspergillosis in lungs, kidneys and brain. The other patient was immunocompetent and had sphenoid sinusitis. Both the patients were diagnosed at autopsy only, despite extensive imaging and laboratory studies. High index of clinical suspicion and early aggressive antifungal therapy are required since definite diagnostic modalities are not available

Optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas: Is tissue diagnosis essential?

Background: Optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas are sellar-suprasellar lesions with variable radiological features. The advocated treatment is mainly primary radiotherapy without a histological diagnosis. However, in developing countries, like India infective granulomas (tuberculomas) in the suprasellar region radiologically can mimic optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas. Hence primary radiotherapy without histological confirmation may have deleterious consequences. Aim: The aim of the paper was to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in these lesions and to analyze the feasibility of primary radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of 24 patients with either histologically proven optic chiasmatic "pilocytic astrocytoma" or radiologically suspected optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas were analyzed. They were grouped into three groups on the basis of radiological features and treated with a suspected diagnosis. The final diagnosis was correlated with preoperative diagnosis, and the feasibility of managing these lesions without a histopathological confirmation is discussed. Results: The three radiological groups were: Group-1 solid tumors with or without microcysts in 9 patients (histology: 8 pilocystic astrocytomas and 1 tuberculoma); Group-2 mixed tumors with solid and cystic components in 9 patients (histology: 7 pilocytic astrocytomas and 2 craniopharyngiomas); Group-3 ring enhancing lesions in 6 patients (all the 6 patients initially received antituberculous treatment, in 3 patients the lesion resolved and in the remaining 3 patients the lesion was subjected to biopsy as it did not resolve, the biopsy was suggestive of pilocytic astrocytoma). Thus, MRI was shown to have a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 50% for diagnosing optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas. Conclusions: Various lesions like craniopharyngiomas, tuberculomas can mimic optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas radiologically, and it is not possible to diagnose them with certainty on the basis of radiological findings alone. Biopsy and tissue diagnosis should always be sought before instituting radiotherapy or chemotherapy for optic chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas