Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel acyclic nucleoside analogues of 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl)uracils

We present the discovery of a novel category of 5-substituted acyclic pyrimidine nucleosides as potent antiviral agents. A series of 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl] (5-7), 1-[(2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy)methyl] (8-10), and 1-[4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1-butyl] (11-13) derivatives of 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl)uracil were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity in cell culture. 1-[4-Hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1-butyl]-5-(1-azido-2-chloroethyl)uracil (12) was the most effective antiviral agent in the in vitro assays against DHBV (EC(50) = 0.31-1.55 microM) and HCMV (EC(50) = 3.1 microM). None of the compounds investigated showed any detectable toxicity to several stationary and proliferating host cells.

MoSe2 and WSe2 nanotubes and related structures

MoSe2 and WSe2 nanotubes are obtained by the reduction of the corresponding triselenides in hydrogen or by the decomposition of the ammonium selenometallates in a hydrogen atmosphere.

The ability of helical CT to preoperatively stage endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated helical CT as an imaging modality for preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three radiologists retrospectively and independently reviewed the preoperative helical CT scans of 25 consecutive patients with endometrial carcinoma. The presence or absence of deep myometrial invasion and the presence or absence of cervical involvement were evaluated on helical CT and compared with pathologic findings at hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Helical CT has a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 42% for the detection of deep myometrial invasion (stage IC). Helical CT has a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 70% for the detection of cervical involvement (state II). These results compare poorly with those of MR imaging (sensitivity 92%, specificity 90% for the detection of deep myometrial invasion; sensitivity 86%, specificity 97% for the detection of cervical involvement).

CONCLUSION

Helical CT is insensitive and nonspecific compared with MR imaging for the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma. MR imaging remains the imaging modality of choice.

Cytomorphologic features of classic and variant lobular carcinoma: A comparative study

There are several subtypes of lobular carcinoma (LC), and their cytomorphologic features differ from classic lobular carcinoma (CLC). The finer details of the differences between CLC and variant lobular carcinoma (VLC) have not been adequately studied. A comparative study of 54 cases of CLC and VLC was done in order to verify any statistically significant differences between them. All cases had histologic confirmation of the diagnosis. Six parameters, which included cellularity, signet-ring cells, intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL), anisonucleosis, cell size, and prominent nucleoli, were studied. The only statistically significant findings were cellularity and cell size when compared to CLC. The cellularity in VLC was higher and the cells in VLC were larger when compared to CLC. There are no definite diagnostic features to identify VLC; however, in a cellular specimen with plenty of large cells with other features of LC, one should have a high index of suspicion of VLC.

Clinical profile of stroke in relation to glycaemic status of patients

Present study was undertaken in fifty consecutive patients of acute stroke to assess the role of glycemic status on clinical profile of stroke. Majority of patients (76%) were in age group of 41-70 years. The patients were classified into four groups: euglycemics (33), known diabetics (8), newly diagnosed diabetics (6) and stress hyperglycemics (3). Diabetics as well as stress hyperglycemics had higher prevalence of larger sized severe haemorrhagic stroke with poor outcome and there was positive correlation between them.

Metabolic studies in congenital vitamin D deficiency rickets

Congenital rickets in 3 newborns of mothers with advanced nutritional osteomalacia, healed with maternal breast milk feeding when mothers alone were given calcium supplements and 7.5 mg of intravenous D2 and the mother baby pair protected from sunlight. Maternal plasma biochemistry indicated more severe vitamin D deficiency compared to their newborns (intrauterine foetal priority). The first dose of 7.5 mg of vitamin D3 and calcium supplements to mother healed osteomalacia but did not appear to heal the rickets of their breast fed infants (extrauterine maternal priority for vitamin D). A second dose given at 3 months interval healed the rickets in their infants and the biochemistry of the mother and baby returned towards normal. Congenital rickets developed when maternal bone mineral and vitamin D stores had been completely exhausted. Raised IPTH levels in the newborn suggested that foetal parathyroids were responsive to hypocalcaemic stimulus.

Urologic aspects of traumatic central cord syndrome

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is a subset of spinal cord injury, characterized by more motor involvement of the upper extremities than the lower extremities and sacral sensory sparing. Patients with central cord syndrome have been reported to have a good rehabilitation and urologic outcome. Our purpose was to assess the urologic outcome in a group of patients with central cord syndrome. We reviewed 23 patients with central cord syndrome who were admitted to Hines VA Hospital between 1983 and 1991, 20 of whom were older than 50 years of age. Urodynamic studies showed detrusor hyperreflexia with a synergistic EMG in 15 patients and detrusor hyperreflexia with external urethral sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in five patients. Three patients with no urologic problems were not tested. Bladder sensation was preserved during filling in all patients. At follow-up (median = 2-4 months), 16 patients (70 percent) were voiding, seven of whom required either occasional external or intermittent catheterization; nine were voiding independently. The seven other patients (30 percent) required either continuous external or intermittent catheterization (including the five with DSD). Urologic morbidity in the period after SCI included: urinary tract infections (12), renal (2) and bladder calculi (2), superficial bladder cancer (1), epididymitis (1) and none (6). Fifteen patients (65 percent) were ambulatory at follow-up while four patients needed wheelchairs. Data were not available for the other four patients. Urodynamic studies in three of the wheelchair-bound patients showed that two of them had DSD. Most patients with central cord syndrome have favorable urologic and rehabilitation outcomes and can be managed conservatively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluoride metabolism and fluoride content of stones from children with endemic vesical stones

Twenty children with endemic vesical stones showed normal plasma and urinary excretion of fluoride on a mean fluoride intake of 2.5 +/- 0.8 mg/24 h. The mean fluoride content of the stones obtained from these children was 315.6 +/- 264.9 micrograms/g in the nucleus and 229.9 +/- 212.8 micrograms/g in the periphery (this was not statistically significant). Calcium-containing stones had a higher fluoride content than stones containing uric acid and ammonium urate. It was concluded that children with endemic vesical stones have normal fluoride metabolism. Trace quantities of fluoride present equally in the nucleus and peripheral parts of the stones suggest that fluoride does not cause initiation or growth of the nucleus of vesical stones and is adventitiously deposited with calcium salts in these stones.

Chemical evolution of peroxidase--amino acid pentacyanoferrate (II) complexes as model

Complexes of the type [Fe(II)(CN)5(L)]n- (where n = 3, or 4; L = glycine, histidine, imidazole, and triglycine) are proposed as evolutionary model of peroxidases. Detailed kinetic investigation for disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide catalysed by [Fe(II)(CN)5(L)]n- complexes at 40 degrees C and pH 9.18 are discussed. Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalysed by above complexes conforms to Michaelis-Menten type kinetics.

Ascorbic acid in thyroidectomized rats. II) Ascorbic acid status of the storage tissues and hepatic biosynthesis of glucuronic acid

Depletion of ascorbic acid from adrenals, brain and epididymis along with loss in weight were noticed in the state of thyroidectomy. This decrease appears to be due to an effect of thyroidectomy on the membrane integrity since the membrane bound sialic acid was found to be significantly lowered in these tissues as a consequence of the elevated activity of sialidase. Thyroidectomy was also found to cause an adverse effect on the activities of hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase and beta-glucuronidase with no alteration in UDP-glucose dehydrogenase.

Ulnar compression neuropathy: an uncommon complication in surgical repair of pressure ulcers

Four patients with paraplegia at levels T3 or below were required to remain in the prone position for periods of 3 to 5 weeks following plastic surgical repair of their pressure ulcers. Serial nerve conduction studies permitted early identification of compromise of ulnar nerve function prior to onset of symptoms. These objective findings are helpful in encouraging patients to protect the nerve, thus preventing palsy.

Heterotopic ossification in the lumbar region. Report of a case

Delayed appearance of heterotopic ossification in the lumbar region occurred in a 34-year-old man with a high thoracic paraplegia. The occurrence of lumbar heterotopic ossification seems not to have been previously reported in the literature.