A comparative study of HPLC and TLC separation of amino acids using Cu(II) ion

Separation of amino acids using Cu(II) by RP-HPLC and impregnated TLC is reported. For HPLC the sample mixture of amino acids containing copper (II) was injected into the column while for TLC the silica gel plates were impregnated with Cu(II). The mobile phase used in HPLC was acetate buffer (0.3 M, pH 6.0)-acetonitrile (9:1, v/v), and that in TLC was acetate buffer (0.3 M, pH 6.0):acetonitrile-n-butanol (12:5:10, by vol.). The results have been compared and discussed.

Antifungal steroidal lactones from Withania coagulance

Two new withanolides, 14,15 beta-epoxywithanolide I [(20S,22R) 17 beta, 20 beta-dihydroxy-14 beta,15 beta-epoxy-1-oxo-witha-3,5,24-trienolide] and 17 beta-hydroxywithanolide K (20S,22R) 14 alpha,17 beta,20 beta-trihydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,24-trienolide] have been isolated from the whole plant of Withania coagulance and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The latter compound was found to be active against a number of potentially pathogenic fungi.

Demonstration of acquisition of trauma management skills by senior medical students completing the ATLS Program

OBJECTIVE

To assess the teaching effectiveness of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Program among senior medical students.

DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND METHODS

We used objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and multiple choice question (MCQ) testing to assess 40 senior medical students (20 ATLS and 20 non-ATLS) at the University of Toronto. Pre- and post-ATLS, all students had four 15-minute OSCE stations and a 40-item MCQ test. The pre- and post-ATLS performance for the ATLS and non-ATLS group were compared.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Cronbach's reliability coefficients were 0.81 and 0.93 for the pre- and post-ATLS OSCEs. The mean (+/- SD) OSCE scores at the four pre-ATLS OSCE stations were 7.6 +/- 2.8, 7.4 +/- 2.3, 8.3 +/- 2.7, and 10.5 +/- 3.4 for the ATLS group and 6.5 +/- 2.1, 7.0 +/- 2.2, 7.6 +/- 2.5, and 9.6 +/- 3.1 for the non-ATLS group (p = NS). Post-ATLS scores for the four OSCE stations were: 15.5 +/- 1.6, 14.1 +/- 3.2, 12.3 +/- 2.9, and 18.3 +/- 1.0 (ATLS group) and 7.9 +/- 3.5, 6.3 +/- 2.8, 7.6 +/- 2.3, and 10.9 +/- 3.3 (non-ATLS group: p < 0.01). Pre-ATLS MCQ scores were 49 +/- 9 and 52 +/- 8% for the ATLS and non-ATLS groups respectively; the ATLS group increased MCQ scores to 83 +/- 5% and the non-ATLS group did not change (53 +/- 8%). Pre-ATLS scores for adherence to priorities were: 35 +/- 14% (ATLS) and 29 +/- 13% (non-ATLS: p = NS). Post-ATLS scores were 99 +/- 6% (ATLS) and 29 +/- 19% (non-ATLS; p < 0.01). The pre-ATLS organized approach to trauma ratings (range 1 to 5) were: 1.9 +/- 1.5 (ATLS) and 1.6 +/- 0.5 (non-ATLS; p = NS) compared to post-ATLS grades of 4.6 +/- 0.4 (ATLS) and 1.7 +/- 0.5 (non-ATLS: p < 0.01). All 20 students passed the ATLS course.

CONCLUSION

Using highly reliable trauma OSCE stations we have demonstrated trauma management skills acquisition by senior medical students after the ATLS course.

Allelic deletions on chromosome-17 and mutations in the p53 gene in tumors metastatic to brain

Metastasis associated with tumor progression denotes more aggressive tumor behavior, more malignant histology, and worsening patient prognosis. Brain is one of the common sites to which solid tumors metastasize. Since mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 are associated with tumor progression to malignancy in various cancers, we examined the molecular genetic profile of the p53 gene and also analyzed allelic losses of various genes on the short arm of chromosome 17 (17p) in 10 metastatic brain tumors (4 breast, 3 renal, 1 lung, 1 esophageal, and 1 squamous cell carcinoma) and in two of the primary tumors (I breast, 1 renal) corresponding to two of the 10 metastases. Six of the 10 metastatic tumors (4/4 breast, 1/1 esophageal and 1/1 squamous cell carcinoma) contained allelic loss and/or mutations of the p53 gene. The p53 gene profile was identical in both of the primary tumors and their corresponding metastases that were examined. If borne out by a larger series of analysis on tumors, especially from breast, as well as from other organs, detection of chromosome 17/p53 alterations may be of substantial clinical significance in predicting the metastatic potential of primary tumors.

Advanced Interpolation Techniques for N.C. Machines

This paper describes two methods for curve and surface interpolation. The layout of the machine and the implementation of these methods on an N.C. machine are discussed. The requirement for additional computational power to implement these interpolation methods is addressed by a network of computers called transputers. The interface between the controller and the network is described. This network also provides the ability to do interference checking in real time using the subdivision technique. The advantage of this implementation is that it enhances the ability of the conventional controller and avoids problems such as communication errors, jerky motion, gouging, and closed architecture. The method used to determine the accuracy of the interpolator is described and some results are given. Curved surfaces described as a series of B-spline curves can be machined using the curve interpolator, whereas a B-spline surface can be machined with the surface interpolator. Sample surfaces are machined to show the ability of the controller in both the curve interpolation and surface interpolation modes.

TLC separation of certain tetracycline and amino glycopeptide antibiotics

The separation of tetracycline and amino glycopeptide antibiotics was achieved on silica gel thin layers. Tetracycline antibiotics were resolved on a Co+2 (1.0%) impregnated silica gel layer using ethanol:acetic acid:water (10:6:6, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Amino glycopeptide antibiotics were separated on an untreated silica gel layer using the mobile phase n-butanol:formic acid:water (6:5:7, v/v/v). The spots of these antibiotics were located by exposing the chromatoplate to iodine vapours.

Hemodynamics of heartworm infection

To determine the hemodynamic responsiveness of dogs testing positive for heartworms (direct blood smear), we compared the response of control and heartworm-infected animals to stellate stimulation (SS). Using the anesthetized, open-chest model, twenty dogs (10 control and 10 heartworm-positive) were instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure (LVP), arterial pressure (AP), and coronary flow velocity (CFV) of the left circumflex coronary artery. CFV was converted to flow per gram tissue (CBFG) by weighing the perfusion area of the circumflex artery. The average wet weight of the worm mass infecting the dogs was 1.0 +/- 0.1 g, which represented an average of 5% of the right ventricular free wall weight. Overall heart size and right ventricular weights were greater in the heartworm-positive animals, as well as heart weight to body weight ratios. Prior to SS, LVP was the same for both groups. However, dP/dt and CBFG were 21% and 19% lower, respectively, in the heartworm-positive animals. Stellate stimulation sufficient to produce a 30-mmHg rise in AP led to 25%, 13%, and 40% increases in LVP, dP/dt, and CBFG, respectively, in the control animals. Increases of 22%, 10%, and 52% in the same parameters were observed in the heartworm-positive animals. Although control dP/dt and CBFG in the heartworm-positive animals were lower than in the heartworm-negative animals, heartworm infection at this level did not hinder myocardial responsiveness to SS.

Implementation of a two-dimensional electrophoresis-related laboratory information processing system: database aspects

A laboratory information processing system (LIPS) has been developed to provide support for various laboratory activities related to two-dimensional electrophoresis. In this paper we present the relational schema for each level of activity and the application development of LIPS, in terms of the relational database management system being used. We also discuss our experience with the current system.

Management of empyema thoracis

Over a 5-year period, 65 adult patients with empyema thoracis were treated. The cause of the empyema was postpneumonic in 52%, postresectional in 24%, a complication of minor surgical procedures in 14%, posttraumatic in 5%, and the result of miscellaneous causes in 5%. In the postpneumonic group, infection resulted from a single aerobic organism in 41%, multiple aerobic organisms in 9%, single anaerobic organisms in 12%, and mixed aerobic-anaerobic organisms in 18%. Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Peptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and diphtheroids were the most common organisms, accounting for 55% of bacterial isolates. All 34 patients with postpneumonic empyema were initially treated with drainage, which was successful in two thirds. The remainder, 12 patients, ultimately required thoracotomy. Decortication was combined with intrathoracic transposition of extrathoracic skeletal muscles in 9 patients. There was no reoperation or recurrence of infection, and thoracoplasty was avoided; residual spaces were filled by the transposed muscle.

Hydrazine sulfate influence on nutritional status and survival in non-small-cell lung cancer

This randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial compares the influence on nutritional status and survival of hydrazine sulfate with placebo addition to cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy in patients with unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial consisted of 65 patients with advanced, unresectable NSCLC who had had no prior chemotherapy, were at least partially ambulatory (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status [PS] level 0-2), and who had adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function. All patients received the same defined combination chemotherapy (cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin) and the same defined dietary counseling with the addition of either three times daily oral hydrazine sulfate (60 mg) or placebo capsules. Hydrazine sulfate compared with placebo addition to chemotherapy resulted in significantly greater caloric intake and albumin maintenance (P less than .05). Considering all patients, survival was greater for the hydrazine sulfate compared with placebo group (median survival, 292 v 187 days), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance. In favorable PS patients (PS 0-1), survival was significantly prolonged (median survival, 328 days v 209 days; P less than .05) for hydrazine sulfate compared with placebo addition. In a multifactor analysis, PS, weight loss, and liver involvement were the final variables. Objective response frequency and toxicity were comparable on both arms. Hydrazine sulfate may favorably influence nutritional status and clinical outcome of patients with NSCLC. Further definitive studies of hydrazine sulfate addition to therapeutic regimens in NSCLC are warranted.

Genetic variability of proto-oncogenes for breast cancer risk and prognosis

This paper summarizes the results of a study on human breast cancers performed mainly at the Centre René Huguenin in collaboration with other American and French groups, and supported in part by a Grant from the Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC) Villejuif. During this work, the following conclusions emerged: c-myc proto-oncogene amplification is a common alteration in ductal invasive tumors, more frequently found in recurrent and metastatic tumors, suggesting a role for c-myc in tumor progression. However, in the current state of our study, it does not appear to be linked to prognosis; parts of the short arm of chromosome 11 are deleted in 20% of tumors resulting in hemizygosity for several genes (c-ha-ras, beta globin, pTH, calcitonin, catalase). These deletions seem to be linked with aggressiveness of tumors; a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) study of c-ha-ras has shown a significant association of the frequency of rare ha-ras alleles in cancer patients compared to that of normal individuals. Although this result is currently a matter of controversy, further studies must be independently repeated to be conclusive; -- another RFLP was found in c-mos proto-oncogene, which is detected only in patients with breast cancers or other types of tumors. The molecular basis for this RFLP has been elucidated. The significance of this association is unknown.

Demethylpeceyline, A New Dimeric Indoline Alkaloid from Petchia ceylanica

A new dimeric indoline alkaloid has been isolated from the leaves of PETCHIA CEYLANICA. Its structure has been assigned as 1 on the basis of spectral studies. Its stereochemistry has been established by NOE difference measurements.

Portal vein injury

With the increasing number of traumatic injuries being seen in emergency departments, physicians must be aware of the less common and less obvious types of serious injury. Portal vein injury is serious (death rate 50%) and may be diagnosed only at laparotomy. Fortunately this injury is rare. Its management can be difficult, but an awareness of the possible methods of treatment could be life-saving. The authors report their experience with this injury and survey the literature on the subject.

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system: a diagnostic problem

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) is difficult to diagnose because of the difficulty in differentiating it from multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, metastatic disease, chronic granulomatous disease, and cerebral cysticercosis. With the patient presented in this report, no abnormalities were found after performing laboratory tests, using radiographic modalities, and taking biopsies. Dexamethasone treatment was initiated, and patient's symptoms improved.Primary CNS lymphoma was not diagnosed until a year after presentation, due to lack of tissue diagnosis. CNS must be suspected when a diagnosed tumor treated with steroid is not found at surgery. It is suggested that a computerized tomographic scan be requested before the start of steroid therapy, as the lesion can disappear with steroid treatment.

Influence of nandrolone decanoate on weight loss in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The short term addition of nandrolone decanoate to combination chemotherapy given to patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated in a randomized, prospective trial. Patients were treated with doxorubicin 50 mg/M2 intravenously, cyclophosphamide 300 mg/M2 intravenously, CCNU 50 mg/M2 orally, vincristine 1.4 mg/M2 intravenously, with and without cisplatin 50 mg/M2 intravenously, all given every 28 days. In addition, patients were randomized to receive either nandrolone decanoate 200 mg intramuscularly weekly for 4 weeks or no additional therapy. Patient age, disease extent, performance score, and pretreatment weight loss were similar in the two treatment arms. Objective antitumor response frequency was comparable on both treatment arms with median survival somewhat longer for patients receiving the androgen (median survival 5.5 months without and 8.2 months with nandrolone decanoate). There was a trend for less severe weight loss on the nandrolone decanoate arm (average weight loss 0.8 +/- 0.15 kg versus 0.21 +/- 0.18 kg, respectively), with half as many patients experiencing weight loss on nandrolone decanoate (25% versus 12%). A separate concurrent study has demonstrated decreased free testosterone levels in 66% of patients with advanced cancer studied prior to chemotherapy treatment, therefore, further prospective studies in which pretreatment testosterone levels are used to guide androgen administration are needed to define more precisely a role for androgen replacement therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Isolation and 13C-NMR Studies on Cathovaline, an Alkaloid from the Leaves of Catharanthus roseus

Studies on the alkaloidal constituents of the leaves of CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS have resulted in the isolation of cathovaline. (13)C-NMR studies have been carried out on the alkaloid using ADEPT and APT pulse sequences. Cathovaline has not been previously reported from this plant but has been isolated from the roots of CATHARANTHUS LANCEUS (Boj. ex. A. De) pich (1) and CATHARANTHUS OVALIS Markgraf, sp. nov. (2).

Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, CCNU, and vincristine with or without cisplatinum in non-small cell lung cancer

To evaluate the role of cisplatinum in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer, 48 patients received either a doxorubicin (adriamycin) 50 mg/m2 I.V., cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 I.V., lomustine (CCNU) 50 mg/m2 p.o., vincristine (oncovin) 1.2 mg/m2 I.V. (ACCO) combination or the same drugs plus cisplatinum 50 mg/m2 I.V. (PACCO) in a prospective sequential trial. No patient had received prior chemotherapy. Patients receiving the two regimens were comparable with regard to median age, performance status, histologic subtype, disease extent, and weight loss. Objective response frequency was only 5% in the initial 20 patients receiving ACCO treatment compared to a response frequency of 28% (7% complete) in the 28 patients receiving cisplatinum in the PACCO treatment arm (p less than 0.06). Patients achieving objective response lived significantly longer than nonresponders (9.1 months vs. 3.8 months, p less than 0.05). Although median survival was similar on the two regimens (6.1 months for ACCO vs. 7.6 months for PACCO), more than four times as many patients were alive after 1 year in the PACCO treatment group (24% vs. 5%). Predominant toxicity consisted of moderately severe nausea and vomiting (63% on PACCO vs. 34% on ACCO, p less than 0.05) and myelosuppression with WBC less than 3,000/mm3 occurring in the majority of patients on both regimens. These results suggest cisplatinum addition to a doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, lomustine, and vincristine combination may be associated with increased 1-year survival in the non-small cell lung cancer patient population.

Malignant paraganglioma of the prostate and retroperitoneum

A case of malignant paraganglioma of the prostate, metastatic to the retroperitoneal area, is reported. The literature is reviewed and the possible origin of the disease is discussed. We believe that this is the first report of this entity of prostatic origin.

Cytologic findings in female and male offspring of DES treated mothers

Data on vaginal, cervical, and endocervical samples and urine specimens of 84 female offspring exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero and 43 controls have been presented. The colposcopic and histopathologic findings were correlated with the cytologic findings. Our preliminary findings indicate that the cytologic technique is reliable as screening test for vaginal epithelial changes in the DES-exposed females provided the sampling procedure is adequate. In 79 male patients, 42 DES-exposed and 37 controls, the pre-massage urine, the prostatic fluid, the post-massage urine and aspirate of cysts of the epididymis when existing were examined by cytologic techniques. No tumor cells were found in the cytologic specimens of the exposed and unexposed male and female offspring.

Virus-like particles in an estranuclear mutant of Neurospora crassa

A particulate fraction not present in wild-type cells has been isolated from the cytoplasm and from lysed mitochondria of the respiratory-deficient extranuclear mutant "abnormal-1" of Neurospora crassa. The particles have a density between 1.13 and 1.2 g/ml. They appear in thin sections after OsO(4) fixation as virus-like polymorphic vesicles containing an electron-dense nucleoid of 120-170 nm in diameter. The central core is surrounded by one or two "unit membrane" envelopes of 100 A thickness. The particles contain a single-stranded 33S RNA that is converted to 7-9S RNA by heat treatment in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and that differs in its base composition from mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA. They contain 7% phospholipids rich in phosphatidylethanolamine and two major proteins, a lipoprotein of molecular weight 15,000 and a glycoprotein of molecular weight 95,000. It is suggested that these virus-like particles originate within mitochondria.