Weed growth inhibitors from Aspergillus fischeri TISTR 3272.

Chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Aspergillus fischeri TISTR 3272 showed good growth inhibitory activity on Mimosa pigra and Echinochloa crus-galli. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the active extracts led to the isolation of five known compounds, (+)-terrein (1), (-)-6-hydroxymellein (2), two diketopiperazines (cyclo-(S-Pro-S-Leu) (3) and cyclo-(S-Pro-S-Val) (4)) and butyrolactone I (5). Compounds 2-5 were reported for the first time in this fungus.

Management of cervical paragangliomas.

Two cases of vagal body tumours are reported for their surgical consequences of immediate post-operative airway obstruction in one case, and tachycardia hypotension and severe dysphagia requiring cricopharyngeal myotomy in another. An unusual case of carotid body tumour which had the same clinical picture was also reported for comparative surgical treatment. The surgical management of both tumours was reviewed and it was found that 28-43 per cent of carotid body tumour resection would have vascular operation while dissection of vagal body tumour usually did not.