Soil water content and organic carbon availability are major determinants of soil microbial community composition

Exploration of environmental factors governing soil microbial community composition is long overdue and now possible with improved methods for characterizing microbial communities. Previously, we observed that rice soil microbial communities were distinctly different from tomato soil microbial communities, despite management and seasonal variations within soil type. Potential contributing factors included types and amounts of organic inputs, organic carbon content, and timing and amounts of water inputs. Of these, both soil water content and organic carbon availability were highly correlated with observed differences in composition. We examined how organic carbon amendment (compost, vetch, or no amendment) and water additions (from air dry to flooded) affect microbial community composition. Using canonical correspondence analysis of phospholipid fatty acid data, we determined flooded, carbon-amended (+C) microcosm samples were distinctly different from other +C samples and unamended (-C) samples. Although flooding without organic carbon addition influenced composition some, organic carbon addition was necessary to substantially alter community composition. Organic carbon availability had the same general effects on microbial communities regardless of whether it was compost or vetch in origin. In addition, flooded samples, regardless of organic carbon inputs, had significantly lower ratios of fungal to bacterial biomarkers, whereas under drier conditions and increased organic carbon availability the microbial communities had higher proportions of fungal biomass. When comparing field and microcosm soil, flooded +C microcosm samples were most similar to field-collected rice soil, whereas all other treatments were more similar to field-collected tomato soil. Overall, manipulating water and carbon content selected for microbial communities similar to those observed when the same factors were manipulated at the field scale.

Syntheses, calcium channel agonist-antagonist modulation activities, and voltage-clamp studies of isopropyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-pyridinylpyridine-5-carboxylate racemates and enantiomers

A novel group of racemic isopropyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-pyridinylpyridine-5-carboxylate isomers [(+/-)-12-14] were prepared using a modified Hantzsch reaction that involved the condensation of nitroacetone with isopropyl 3-aminocrotonate and 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde. Determination of their in vitro calcium channel-modulating activities using guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle (GPILSM) and guinea pig left atrium (GPLA) assays showed that the 2-pyridinyl isomer (+/-)-12 acted as a dual cardioselective calcium channel agonist (GPLA)/smooth muscle selective calcium channel antagonist (GPILSM). In contrast, the 3-pyridinyl [(+/-)-13] and 4-pyridinyl [(+/-)-14] isomers acted as calcium channel agonists on both GPLA and GPILSM. The agonist effect exhibited by (+/-)-12 on GPLA was inhibited by nifedipine and partially reversed by addition of extracellular Ca2+. In anesthetized rabbits, the 4-pyridinyl isomer (+/-)-14 exhibited a hypertensive effect that was qualitatively similar to that exhibited by the nonselective agonist Bay K 8644 and the 3-pyridinyl isomer (+/)-13, whereas the 2-pyridinyl isomer (+/-)-12 induced a hypotensive effect similar to that of the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine. Similar results were obtained in a spontaneously hypertensive rat model. In vitro studies showed that the (+)-2-pyridinyl enantiomer (+)-12A exhibited agonist activity on both GPILSM and GPLA, but that the (-)-2-pyridinyl enantiomer (-)-12B exhibited agonist activity on GPLA and antagonist activity on GPILSM. Whole-cell voltage-clamp studies using isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes indicated that (-)-12B inhibited the calcium current (ICa), that (+)-12A increased slightly ICa, and that (+/-)-12 inhibited ICa but the latter inhibition was less than that for (-)-12B. (-)-12B effectively inhibited ICa at all membrane potentials examined (-40-50 mV), whereas (+)-12A exhibited a weak agonist effect near the peak of the I-V curve. The 2-pyridinyl isomers (enantiomers) 12 represent a novel type of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel modulator that could provide a potentially new approach to drug discovery targeted toward the treatment of congestive heart failure and probes to study the structure-function relationships of calcium channels.

Two recombination-dependent DNA replication pathways of bacteriophage T4, and their roles in mutagenesis and horizontal gene transfer

Two major pathways of recombination-dependent DNA replication, "join-copy" and "join-cut-copy," can be distinguished in phage T4: join-copy requires only early and middle genes, but two late proteins, endonuclease VII and terminase, are uniquely important in the join-cut-copy pathway. In wild-type T4, timing of these pathways is integrated with the developmental program and related to transcription and packaging of DNA. In primase mutants, which are defective in origin-dependent lagging-strand DNA synthesis, the late pathway can bypass the lack of primers for lagging-strand DNA synthesis. The exquisitely regulated synthesis of endo VII, and of two proteins from its gene, explains the delay of recombination-dependent DNA replication in primase (as well as topoisomerase) mutants, and the temperature-dependence of the delay. Other proteins (e.g., the single-stranded DNA binding protein and the products of genes 46 and 47) are important in all recombination pathways, but they interact differently with other proteins in different pathways. These homologous recombination pathways contribute to evolution because they facilitate acquisition of any foreign DNA with limited sequence homology during horizontal gene transfer, without requiring transposition or site-specific recombination functions. Partial heteroduplex repair can generate what appears to be multiple mutations from a single recombinational intermediate. The resulting sequence divergence generates barriers to formation of viable recombinants. The multiple sequence changes can also lead to erroneous estimates in phylogenetic analyses.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral roots in the dysimmune inflammatory polyneuropathies

The diagnosis of acute Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is based on clinical characteristics, abnormalities on nerve conduction studies, and nerve biopsy specimens indicating demyelination. Inflammation and edema are also common findings in nerve specimens. Immunotherapy is helpful in these dysimmune conditions. Occasionally the diagnosis is difficult to make, particularly when electrophysiological testing or nerve biopsy findings are not characteristic. The authors found contrast enhancement of lumbosacral roots in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome, but not in those with other demyelinating neuropathies. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging could be a useful tool in the diagnosis of the dysimmune inflammatory neuropathies.

Synthesis, rotamer orientation, and calcium channel modulation activities of alkyl and 2-phenethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(3- or 6-substituted-2-pyridyl)-5-pyridinecarboxylates

A group of racemic alkyl and 2-phenethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(3- or 6-substituted-2-pyridyl)-5-pyridinecarboxylates (13a-q) was prepared using a modified Hantzsch reaction that involved the condensation of a 3- or 6-substituted-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (7a-j) with an alkyl or 2-phenethyl 3-aminocrotonate (11a-d) and nitroacetone (12). Nuclear Overhauser (NOE) studies indicated there is a significant rotamer fraction in solution where the pyridyl nitrogen is oriented above the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring, irrespective of whether a substituent is located at the 3- or 6-position. A potential H-bonding interaction between the pyridyl nitrogen free electron pair and the suitably positioned 1,4-dihydropyridine NH moiety may stablize this rotamer orientation. In vitro calcium channel antagonist and agonist activities were determined using guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle (GPILSM) and guinea pig left atrium (GPLA) assays, respectively. Compounds having an i-Pr ester substituent acted as dual cardioselective calcium channel agonists (GPLA)/smooth muscle-selective calcium channel antagonists (GPILSM), except for the C-4 3-nitro-2-pyridyl compound which exhibited an antagonist effect on both GPLA and GPILSM. In contrast, the compounds with a phenethyl ester group, which exhibited antagonist activity (IC50 = 10(-5)-10(-7) M range) on GPILSM, were devoid of cardiac agonist activity on GPLA. Structure-activity relationships showing the effect of a substituent (Me, CF3, Cl, NO2, Ph) at the 3- or 6-position of a C-4 2-pyridyl moiety and a variety of ester substituents (Me, Et, i-Pr, PhCH2CH2-) upon calcium channel modulation are described. Compounds possessing a 3- or 6-substituted-2-pyridyl moiety, in conjuction with an i-Pr ester substituent, are novel 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel modulators that offer a new drug design approach directed to the treatment of congestive heart failure and may also be useful as probes to study the structure-function relationships of calcium channels.

Improved imaging of carotid artery bifurcation using helical computed tomographic angiography

Although duplex scan and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provide reliable and noninvasive tests for detecting extracranial carotid artery disease, they sometimes fail to differentiate between high-grade stenosis and total carotid occlusion. Helical computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is a safe, noninvasive technique that allows the rapid acquisition of data that can be reconstructed into two- and three-dimensional images. Axial images can be magnified and provide a cross-sectional view of the carotid vessel and the atherosclerotic plaque. Maximal intensity projection technique allows data to be reconstructed into images that closely resemble conventional arteriograms. Helical CTA has previously been shown to have a diagnostic accuracy approaching 90%. We present two case reports demonstrating the utility of helical CTA in carotid artery imaging when duplex scan and MRA results are ambiguous. These cases illustrate improved carotid imaging with helical CTA. Duplex scan results are unreliable in the presence of thick calcified plaques, and severe stenoses can be misread as occlusion by duplex and MRA due to low blood flow. Thus, helical CT angiography should be considered as a confirmatory test, before arteriography, when duplex scan or MRA results are equivocal.

Synthesis and calcium channel-modulating effects of alkyl (or cycloalkyl) 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-pyridyl-5-pyridinecarboxylate racemates and enantiomers

A group of racemic alkyl (or cycloalkyl) 1,4-dihydro-2,6- dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl)-5-pyridinecarboxylate isomers (6-14) were prepared using a modified Hantzsch reaction that involved the condensation of nitroacetone with an alkyl (or cycloalkyl) 3-aminocrotonate and 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde. Determination of their in vitro calcium channel-modulating activities using guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle (GPILSM) and guinea pig left atrium (GPLA) assays showed that the 2-pyridyl isomers acted as dual cardioselective calcium channel agonists (GPLA)/smooth muscle selective calcium channel antagonists (GPILSM). In contrast, the 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl isomers acted as calcium channel agonists on both GPLA and GPILSM. In the C-4 2-pyridyl group of compounds, the size of the C-5 alkyl (or cycloalkyl) ester substituent was a determinant of GPILSM antagonist activity where the relative activity profile was cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl > t-Bu, i-Bu, and Et > MeOCH2CH2 > Me. The point of attachment of the C-4 pyridyl substituent was a determinant of GPLA agonist activity where the potency order was generally 4- and 3-pyridyl > 2-pyridyl. (+)-Cyclohexyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-pyridyl)-5- pyridinecarboxylate [(+)-14a] was a less potent calcium antagonist (IC50 = 5.27 x 10(-6) M) than the (-)-enantiomer (IC50 = 7.48 x 10(-8) M) on GPILSM. In the GPLA assay, (+)-14a exhibited a much more potent agonist effect (EC50 = 8.45 x 10(-6) M) relative to the marginal agonist effect produced by (-)-14a. The C-4 2-pyridyl compounds (enantiomers) constitute a novel type of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel modulator that could provide a new drug design concept directed toward the treatment of congestive heart failure, and for use as probes to study the structure-function relationships of calcium channels.

GMI, a protein from Ganoderma microsporum, induces ACE2 degradation to alleviate infection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-pseudotyped virus

BACKGROUND

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a global serious pandemic and is responsible for over 4 million human deaths. Currently, although various vaccines have been developed, humans can still get SARS-CoV-2 infection after being vaccinated. Therefore, the blocking of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be potential therapeutic strategies. Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI), a small fungal protein, is cloned from Ganoderma microsporum. It exhibits anti-cancer and immunomodulatory functions. Currently, it is still unclear whether GMI involves in interfering with viral infection.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the potential functions and mechanisms of GMI on inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection.

METHODS

The effects of GMI were examined in vitro on ACE2 overexpressing HEK293T (HEK293T/ACE2) cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2 Spike lentiviral pseudovirus encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The infection efficacy was determined using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The protein level of ACE2 was verified by Western blot. The effects of GMI on cell viability of HEK293T/ACE2 and lung epithelial WI38-2RA cells were determined by MTT assay. Mice received GMI via nebulizer.

RESULTS

GMI did not affect the cell viability of HEK293T/ACE2, WI38-2RA and macrophages. Functional studies showed that GMI inhibited GFP expressing SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus from infecting HEK293T/ACE2 cells. GMI slightly interfered the interaction between ACE2 and Spike protein. GMI interacted with S2 domain of Spike protein. Specifically, GMI dramatically reduced ACE2 expression in HEK293T/ACE2 and WI38-2RA cells. Mechanistically, GMI induced ACE2 degradation via activating protein degradation system, including proteasome and lysosome. Abolishing proteasome and lysosome by MG132 and bafilomycin A1, respectively, rescued GMI-reduced ACE2 levels. In addition, GMI triggered dynamin and lipid raft-mediated ACE2 endocytosis. ACE2 levels were downregulated in the lung tissue after the mice inhaling GMI.

CONCLUSIONS

GMI prevents SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection via induction of ACE2 degradation in host cells. Our findings suggest that GMI will be a potential prevention agent to alleviate SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Enantioselective syntheses and calcium channel modulating effects of (+)- and (-)-3-isopropyl 5-(4-methylphenethyll) 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates

The (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of 3-isopropyl 5-(4-methylphenethyl) 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate were synthesized using an efficient highly enantioselective (ee > or = to 96%) variant of the Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis. The key step in this procedure involved the asymmetric Michael addition of a metalated chiral aminocrotonate, derived from D-valine or L-valine, respectively, to the Knoevenagel acceptor (Z)-2-isopropoxycarbonyl-1-(2-pyridyl)-but-1-en-3-one. Both enantiomers exhibited a dual cardioselective partial calcium channel agonist (positive inotropic)/smooth muscle selective calcium channel antagonist effect. The relative in vitro smooth muscle calcium channel antagonist activities of the (-):(+) enantiomers was 26:1. In contrast, the (+)-enantiomer exhibited a greater in vitro positive inotropic effect on guinea pig left atrium where the contractile force was maximally increased by 14.8% at a concentration of 1.63 x 10(-8)M.

PEDOT:PSS in Solution Form Exhibits Strong Potential in Inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 Infection of the Host Cells by Targeting Viruses and Also the Host Cells

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic with over 5 million fatalities. Vaccines against this virus have been globally administered; however, SARS-CoV-2 variants with spike protein mutations are continuously identified with strong capability to escape vaccine-elicited protection. Due to the high mutation rate and transmission ability, the development of a broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor is highly in demand. In this study, the effect of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) against SARS-CoV-2 was investigated. The treatment of pseudoviruses carrying the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with PEDOT:PSS strongly blocked SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection in human ACE2-expressing cells without causing cytotoxicity. Specifically, PEDOT:PSS showed great potential in both inactivating viruses and rendering antiviral activity to the treated cells. The effects of other PEDOT:PSS solutions with different chemical ratios and properties were also validated to find the high inhibition capacity against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection. The transcriptomic data reveal that PEDOT:PSS-treated cells were endowed with transcriptional alteration, and it could be reverted after the removal of PEDOT:PSS from the culture medium. Importantly, PEDOT:PSS also exhibited broad-spectrum inhibition effects on the pseudovirus carrying the spike protein isolated from different variants. In combination with the advantage of high biocompatibility, PEDOT:PSS could thus be considered a potential therapeutic and prophylactic material against SARS-CoV-2.

Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein acts as a multifunctional broad-spectrum antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 by interfering virus binding to the host cells and spike-mediated cell fusion

BACKGROUND

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible coronavirus that has caused over 6 million fatalities. SARS-CoV-2 variants with spike mutations are frequently endowed with a strong capability to escape vaccine-elicited protection. Due to this characteristic, a broad-spectrum inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 infection is urgently demanded. Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI) was previously reported to alleviate infection of SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2 downregulation whereas the impact of GMI on virus itself was less understood. Our study aims to determine the effects of GMI on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and the more detailed mechanisms of GMI inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection.

METHODS

ACE2-overexpressing HEK293T cells (HEK293T/ACE2) and SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses carrying spike variants were used to study the effects of GMI in vitro. Infectivity was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Fusion rate mediated by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was examined with split fluorescent protein /luciferase systems. The interactions of GMI with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and ACE2 were investigated by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

GMI broadly blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection in various cell lines. GMI effectively inhibited the infection of pseudotyped viruses carrying different emerged spike variants, including Delta and Omicron strains, on HEK293T/hACE2 cells. In cell-free virus infection, GMI dominantly impeded the binding of spike-bearing pseudotyped viruses to ACE2-expressing cells. In cell-to-cell fusion model, GMI could efficiently inhibit spike-mediated syncytium without the requirement of ACE2 downregulation.

CONCLUSIONS

GMI, an FDA-approved dietary ingredient, acts as a multifunctional broad-spectrum antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and could become a promising candidate for preventing or treating SARS-CoV-2 associated diseases.

Containment wells to form hydraulic barriers along site boundaries

In the field, aquifer remediation methods include pump and treat procedures based on hydraulic control systems. They are used to reduce the level of residual contamination present in the soil and soil pores of aquifers. Often, physical barriers are erected along the boundaries of the target (aquifer) site to reduce the leakage of the released soil contaminant to the surrounding regions. Physical barriers are expensive to build and dismantle. Alternatively, based on simple hydraulic principles, containment wells or image wells injecting clear water can be designed and built to provide hydraulic barriers along the contaminated site boundaries. For brevity, only one pattern of containment well system that is very effective is presented in detail. The study briefly reports about the method of erecting a hydraulic barrier around a contaminated region based on the simple hydraulic principle of images. During the clean-up period, hydraulic barriers can considerably reduce the leakage of the released contaminant from the target site to surrounding pristine regions. Containment wells facilitate the formation of hydraulic barriers. Hence, they control the movement of contaminants away from the site that is being remedied. However, these wells come into play, only when the pumping operation for cleaning up the site is active. After operation, they can be filled with soil to permit the natural ground water movement. They can also be used as monitoring wells.

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein: Targeting glycoprotein gB to inhibit EBV and HSV-1 infections via viral fusion blockage

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) are members of the Herpesviridae family and cause various human malignancies and acute infections. Despite their clinical significance, effective treatments remain limited. Here, we report the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI), a safe dietary ingredient known for its immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, and antiviral properties. GMI effectively blocks EBV infection in epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner by targeting both viral and host cells. Notably, GMI displays antiviral activity across multiple EBV strains in epithelial cell infection and represses EBV infection in primary B cells. Mechanistically, GMI interacts with the EBV fusion glycoprotein gB and the host epithelial receptor EphA2 to disrupt viral fusion. Given the structural conservation of gB among herpesviruses, GMI was tested against HSV-1. Remarkably, GMI effectively blocks HSV-1 infection by targeting viral binding and fusion, as well as interacting with HSV-1 gB. In silico modeling suggests that GMI may interact with EBV and HSV-1 gB domain I, contributing to its antiviral activity. Our findings provide the first evidence that GMI suppresses both EBV and HSV-1 infections by targeting the conserved gB-mediated fusion process, suggesting its potential as an antiviral against herpesviruses that rely on fusion-mediated entry.

Synthesis and beta-adrenergic antagonist activity of novel (3-oxazolinyl-1,4-dihydropyridyl) propanolamines

A novel class of 1-(1-[4-phenyl(n-butyl or methyl)-3-(4,4-dimethyloxazolin-2-yl)-1,4- dihydropyridyl])-3-tert-butyl(or isopropyl)amino-2-propanols (7-12) were synthesized for evaluation as beta-adrenergic antagonists. Replacement of the naphthyloxy moiety of propranolol by a 1-[1-(4-n-butyl)-3-(4,4-dimethyloxazolin-2-yl)-1,4-dihydropyrid yl] group resulted in a significant decrease in cardiac beta 1-adrenergic antagonist activity which indicates that this group is not a suitable isostere for an aryloxy moiety. 1-(1-[4-n-Butyl-3-(4,4-dimethyloxazolin-2-yl)-1,4-dihydropyridy l])-3- isopropylamino-2-propanol (10) showed a modest beta 2-adrenergic antagonist selectivity for trachea (beta 2/beta 1 = 3:1).

Synthesis and beta-adrenergic antagonist activity of novel (3-cyanodihydropyridyl)propanolamines

The synthesis and beta-adrenergic antagonist activities of 1-(1-dihydropyridyl)-3-alkylamino-2-propanols (9-16) in which the aryloxy group of aryloxypropanolamines (1) is replaced by a 1-[2-t-(n-)butyl-3-cyano-1,2-dihydropyridyl] (9-12) or 1-[6-t-(n-)butyl-3-cyano-1,6-dihydropyridyl] (13-16) moiety is described. These replacements resulted in a substantial reduction in beta 1 (atria) and beta 2 (trachea) adrenergic antagonist activities relative to the reference drug metoprolol. Structure-activity correlations indicate the relative potency order is 1,2-dihydropyridyl greater than 1,6-dihydropyridyl, n-Bu greater than t-Bu for dihydropyridyl substituents, and that this class of compounds are non-selective beta-antagonists with a beta 1/beta 2 selectivity ratio close to unity.

Assessing quality of life for multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients

OBJECTIVE

One can hypothesize that Mycobacterium genus originated more than 150 million years ago and has evolved to become one of the leading lethal infectious diseases. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patients are directly affected by the disease and other subjective issues, such as related diseases, medical costs and social issues, which all have negative impacts on patient quality of life (QOL). Our purpose is to define the status of health-related QOL for international MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients.

METHODS

Systematic review is a good method for searching and selecting related researches and articles. As such, we have searched for and cited related articles on reputable databases, such as PubMed, Cochrance, and Google Scholar. A data overview was performed to draw conclusions and results on the QOL of MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients.

RESULTS

A total of 18 articles were included, using instruments from the World Health Organization, Euroqol, Short Form, AQ and the Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire. The QOL of MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients was found to be compromised due to the strong resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, economic pressure and community alienation.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of QOL and health-related QOL studies on MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients are limited, especially with XDR-TB patients. Significant numbers of MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients still have sequelae after completing treatment, reducing the health-related QOL among these patients.

Synthesis and beta-adrenergic antagonist activity of heterocyclic propanolamines

The synthesis and beta-adrenergic antagonist activities of a group of 1-(heteroaryloxy)- and 1-(heteroaryl)-3-alkylamino-2-propanols is described. beta 1-Adrenolytic (atria) structure-activity correlations indicated that replacement of the 1-naphthyl moiety of propranolol by a 4-quinolyl- (10), 2-quinolyl- (24), or 2-pyrimidyl- (26) heterocyclic moiety resulted in a 10-16 fold reduction in activity. The 1-(4-quinolyloxy)- (10) and 1-(2-quinolyloxy)- (24-25) heteroaryl moieties provided more potent activity than the structurally related 1-[2-(2H-isoquinolin-1-one)]- (31-32) or 1-[3-(3H-quinazolin-4-one)]- (35-36) moieties. All compounds tested exhibited weak beta 2-adrenolytic activity on trachea. Although the most potent beta 1-antagonist, 1-(2-pyrimidyloxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol (26), was 13-fold less potent than metoprolol, it exhibited a beta 1/beta 2 selectivity ratio superior to the cardioselective metoprolol.

[Detection of hyperamylasuria. Value of a quick test]

A new reactive strip was used in a hospital admission unit, to detect amylasuria in the urine of 76 patients consulting for abdominal pain (population A) and of 68 unselected patients (population B). Detection on admission by this method was concordant with subsequent laboratory detection in 93% of the cases. The fast test was positive for amylasuria in 17 patients: 13 (17.1%) in population A and 4 (5.9%) in population B. The 8 patients recorded as "+" had moderate amylasuria with multiple but ill-defined symptoms mostly abdominal. The 9 patients recorded as "++" had marked amylasuria highly suggestive of an abdominal disease, including 4 cases of chronic pancreatitis.