Argolic Acid A and Argolic Methyl Ester B, Two New Cyclopentano-monoterpenes Diol from Nepeta Argolica

Two new cyclopentanomonoterpenes, argolic acid A (1) and argolic methyl ester B (2), in addition to four known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Nepeta argolica subsp. argolica. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

Constituents of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. viscidiflorus afforded three new [chrysothol (1), 2 and 4] and seven known compounds, including five sesquiterpenes, two cinnamic acid derivatives, two ketoalcohol derivatives and one coumarin glucoside. The structures of two previously reported compounds, 1b and 1c, were revised on the basis of chemical reaction. Structures of the compounds were determined by extensive NMR studies, including DEPT, COSY, NOE, HMQC, HMBC and X-ray analysis. The unpublished X-ray data of the known compounds 6 and 7 are reported. Compounds chrysothol (1), and 8-10 showed anti-cancer activity against human breast cancer cells.

Microbiological transformation of two labdane diterpenes, the main constituents of Madia species, by two fungi

Microbial transformation of 13R,14R,15-trihydroxylabd-7-ene (5) and 13R,14R,15-trihydroxylabd-8(17)-ene (6) by the fungus Debaryomyces hansenii gave 1 (13R,14R,15-trihydroxy-6-oxolabd-8-ene) and 3 (7alpha,13R,14R,15-tetrahydroxy-labd-8(17)-ene), respectively. While, microbial transformation of 5 by Aspergillus niger afforded 2 (3beta,13R,14R,15-tetrahydroxy-labd-7-ene), and 13R,14R,15-trihydroxylabd-8,17-ene (6) gave 3 and 4 (3R,14R,15-3-oxotetrahydroxy-labd-7-ene). The structures of the new compounds, 1 and 2, were assigned by 1D and 2D high-field NMR spectroscopic methods. Antimicrobial activity of these compounds were tested and their MIC were determined.

Absence of p300 induces cellular phenotypic changes characteristic of epithelial to mesenchyme transition

p300 is a transcriptional cofactor and prototype histone acetyltransferase involved in regulating multiple cellular processes. We generated p300 deficient (p300⁻) cells from the colon carcinoma cell line HCT116 by gene targeting. Comparison of epithelial and mesenchymal proteins in p300⁻ with parental HCT116 cells showed that a number of genes involved in cell and extracellular matrix interactions, typical of ‘epithelial to mesenchyme transition’ were differentially regulated at both the RNA and protein level. p300⁻ cells were found to have aggressive ‘cancer’ phenotypes, with loss of cell–cell adhesion, defects in cell–matrix adhesion and increased migration through collagen and matrigel. Although migration was shown to be metalloproteinase mediated, these cells actually showed a downregulation or no change in the level of key metalloproteinases, indicating that changes in cellular adhesion properties can be critical for cellular mobility.

Guyonianin A and B, Two Polyester Diterpenes from Algerian Euphorbia guyoniana

The dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia guyoniana afforded two new polyester diterpenes, named guyonianin A and B, a rare class of bicyclic diterpenes. Their structures were established by high-field NMR spectroscopic methods, including DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC.

Sylviside, a diterpene glucoside derivative from Gnaphalium sylvaticum

A new diterpene glucoside (1), named sylviside, was isolated from the aerial parts of Gnaphalium sylvaticum. Its structure was elucidated as 2beta,15alpha,20alpha-trihydroxy-19,20-dicarboxy-ent-kaur-16-ene 2beta-O-(2'-angelate)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, on the basis of spectroscopic analysis ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY), and was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Sylviside (1) displayed weak cytotoxicity against HeLa WT (human epitheloid cervical carcinoma) cells and was also evaluated for its effects on reversing multidrug resistance in HeLa cells overexpressing MDR1.

Salvidorol, a nor-abietane diterpene with a rare carbon skeleton and two abietane diterpene derivatives from Salvia dorrii

Salvidorol (1), a irregular nor-abietane-type diterpene, was isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia dorrii, in addition to two epimeric abietane diterpenes (2 and 3). This is the first report of a nor-diterpene with an irregular skeleton. The structures were established by high-field NMR techniques ((1)H-(1)H COSY, DEPT, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY and HRMS) and in case of 2 was confirmed by X-ray analysis.

Highly Oxygenated Guaianolides and Eudesman-12-oic Acids from Balsamorhiza sagittata and Balsamorhiza macrophylla

Investigation of lipophilic exudates from the aerial parts of Balsamorhiza sagittata and B. macrophylla afforded three new highly oxygenated guaianolides (1-3), in addition to known guaianolides, germacranolide and eudesmane acids. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and the data for the compounds are reported in Tables 1 and 2 and in Experimental.

A new heterocyclic glucoside from the fruits ofXanthiumpungens

A new thiazinedione glucoside, 7-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-8,8-dimethyl-4,8-dihydrobenzo[1,4]thiazine-3,5-dione (1) and named xanthiside, was isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Xanthium pungens. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic techniques including, IR, CIMS, high-resolution-EIMS, and extensive 400 MHz one- and two-dimensional NMR-analysis (1H, 13C-NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, COLOC, and NOE experiments).

Rare trisubstituted sesquiterpenes daucanes from the wild Daucus carota

Phytochemical and biological investigation of the roots of the wild Daucus carota ssp. carota afforded three new and four known compounds, including four sesquiterpenes daucane esters (1-3 [new], and 4), one polyacetylene (5), one sesquiterpene coumarin (6), and sitosterol glucoside. The structures of the new compounds were determined by comprehensive NMR studies, including DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC analyses. Based on an agar diffusion assay, 1, 2 and 4-6 were screened and found to contain a range of low antibacterial activities against four gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces scabies, Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus cereus) and two gram negative species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) as well as antifungal against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger using cup agar diffusion assay.

Eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives from Senecio aegyptius var. discoideus

Investigation of a CH(2)Cl(2) extract of the aerial parts of Senecio aegyptius var. discoideus afforded nine eremophilane compounds, of which six are new (1-6), namely, 1beta-hydroxy-8alphaH-eremophil-7(11),9-dien-8beta,12-olide (1), 1beta,8alpha-dihydroxyeremophil-7(11),9-dien-8beta,12-olide (2), 1beta-hydroxy-8alpha-methoxyeremophil-7(11),9-dien-8beta,12-olide (3), 1-oxo-8alpha-methoxy-10alphaH-eremophil-7(11)-en-8beta,12-lactam (4), 1beta,10beta-epoxy-8alpha-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8beta,12-olide (5), and 1beta,10beta-epoxy-8alpha-methoxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8beta,12-olide (6). The structures of 1-6 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature data. The antibacterial activity of the isolated compounds was tested against Bacillus cereus and a Serratia sp.

Optimal Amounts of Fluorescent Dye Improve Expression Microarray Results in Tumor Specimens

Expression microarrays have great potential for clinical use but variability of the results represents a challenge for reliable practical application. The amount of fluorescent dye used in microarray experiments is a significant source of variability that has not been systematically studied. Here we demonstrate that the quantity of Cy3 dye affects microarray results performed on tumor specimens. Signal-to-noise ratios and coefficients of variation are significantly improved by increasing Cy3 to 150-180 pmol, but any further increase does not improve the data. In conclusion, optimal amounts of dye reduce variability and improve reliability of expression microarray experiments.

Polyol monoterpenes and sesquiterpene lactones from the Pacific Northwest plant Artemisia suksdorfii

Five new polyol monoterpenes (1-5) and seven new sesquiterpene lactones (6-12), along with five previously identified compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia suksdorfii. The structures of the new compounds were established by high-field NMR techniques (1H, 13C, 1H-1H DEPT, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and in case of 6 confirmed by X-ray analysis.

Nor-ent-kaurane diterpenes and hydroxylactones from Antennaria geyeri and Anaphalis margaritacea

In a study of Pacific Northwest plants of the Asteraceae family, a nor-ent-kaurane diterpene and a known diterpene, both displaying antibacterial activities, were isolated together with scopoletin and sitosterol-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside from the aerial parts of Antennaria geyeri. Anaphalis margaritacea afforded two hydroxylactones. The structures were established by one and two dimensional NMR techniques, IR and CIMS.

Ectopic pregnancy diagnosis and the pseudo-sac

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of an ultrasound finding of a pseudo-sac (PS), a uterine sac without a double decidual ring or a yolk sac, on the management of cases with possible ectopic pregnancy.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of a series of cases.

SETTING

A general hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Seventy-seven patients who had a diagnostic laparoscopy over a period of 3 years for suspected ectopic pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of the ultrasound finding of a PS on predicting a negative finding at laparoscopy.

RESULT(S)

The report of a PS is significantly associated with a false-positive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION(S)

A diagnosis of PS should not be interpreted as indicative of an ectopic pregnancy because radiological differentiation between an early intrauterine pregnancy failure and an ectopic pregnancy is not possible.

Expression microarray reproducibility is improved by optimising purification steps in RNA amplification and labelling

Background

Expression microarrays have evolved into a powerful tool with great potential for clinical application and therefore reliability of data is essential. RNA amplification is used when the amount of starting material is scarce, as is frequently the case with clinical samples. Purification steps are critical in RNA amplification and labelling protocols, and there is a lack of sufficient data to validate and optimise the process.

Results

Here the purification steps involved in the protocol for indirect labelling of amplified RNA are evaluated and the experimentally determined best method for each step with respect to yield, purity, size distribution of the transcripts, and dye coupling is used to generate targets tested in replicate hybridisations. DNase treatment of diluted total RNA samples followed by phenol extraction is the optimal way to remove genomic DNA contamination. Purification of double-stranded cDNA is best achieved by phenol extraction followed by isopropanol precipitation at room temperature. Extraction with guanidinium-phenol and Lithium Chloride precipitation are the optimal methods for purification of amplified RNA and labelled aRNA respectively.

Conclusion

This protocol provides targets that generate highly reproducible microarray data with good representation of transcripts across the size spectrum and a coefficient of repeatability significantly better than that reported previously.

Seasonal variations of aerosol residence time in the lower atmospheric boundary layer

During a one year period, from Jan. 2002 up to Dec. 2002, approximately 130 air samples were analyzed to determine the atmospheric air activity concentrations of short- and long-lived (222Rn) decay products 214Pb and 210Pb. The samples were taken by using a single-filter technique and gamma-spectrometry was applied to determine the activity concentrations. A seasonal fluctuation in the concentration of 214Pb and 210Pb in surface air was observed. The activity concentrations of both radionuclides were observed to be relatively higher during the winter/autumn season than in spring/summer season. The mean activity concentration of 214Pb and 210Pb within the whole year was found to be 1.4+/-0.27 Bq m(-3) and 1.2+/-0.15 mBq m(-3), respectively. Different 210Pb:214Pb activity ratios during the year varied between 1.78 x 10(-4) and 1.6 x 10(-3) with a mean value of 8.9 x 10(-4) +/- 7.6 x 10(-5). From the ratio between the activity concentrations of the radon decay products 214Pb and 210Pb a mean residence time (MRT) of aerosol particles in the atmosphere of about 10.5+/-0.91 d could be estimated. The seasonal variation pattern shows relatively higher values of MRT in spring/summer season than in winter/autumn season. The MRT data together with relative humidity (RH), air temperature (T) and wind speed (WS), were used for a comprehensive regression analysis of its seasonal variation in the atmospheric air.

Terpenes from Inula verbascifolia

The aerial parts of Inula verbascifolia afforded two new xanthanes and a new germacranolide derivative, together with the known compounds inusoniolide, 4-O-dihydroinusoniolide and 9beta-hydroxyparthenolide. The structures were determined by spectral methods (IR, HRMS,1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC).

Flavonoids and terpenoids from the resinous exudates of Madia species (Asteraceae, Helenieae)

The resinous material accumulated on aerial parts of Madia species is shown to consist mainly of diterpenes, containing a series of flavonoid aglycones. A6- and/or 8-O-substitution is characteristic for many of these flavonoids. Three known rare diterpenes were found and the structure elucidation of a diterpene with a new carbon skeleton, named madiaol, is reported.

Bioactive constituents of Leptadenia arborea

The aerial part of Leptadenia arborea has been shown to contain pinoresinol (1), syringaresinol (2), leucanthemitol (3) and E-ferulaldehyde (4). These known compounds are being reported for the first time from this plant. Among them, syringaresinol has shown an inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase. The IC(50) (the concentration of 50% enzyme inhibition) value of this compound was 200 microg/ml.

Resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) cases

Out of 350 acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) patients 110 (31.4%) were positive on culture. Among then (35.5%) yielded from upper respiratory tract infection (URI) and 64.5% yielded from lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). Predominant bacterial isolates from URI were Staph aureus (12.4%) and Strepto. pyogen (9.8%) whereas predominant agent from LRI were Strepto. pneumoniae (14.7%) and Haemophilus influenzae (8.6%). Capsular typing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and type specific antisera revealed that 64.7% of the isolates were type-b and rest were non-b. The most frequent resistance pattern of H. influenzae was found resistant to penicillin-ampicillin (64.7%) followed by SMX-TMP (14.7%) and tetracycline (5.9%). Among penicillin-ampicillin resistant strains, 81.8% were beta lectamase positive and 18.2% were beta lectamase negative. Among beta lectamase positive strains 66.7% were capsular type-b and 33.3% were non-b, had MICS < or = 8 microgram/ml. and < or = 4 microgram/ml. respectively. 5.9% strains of Strepto. pneumoniae was found resistant to SMX-TMP, 5.9% to penicillin-ampicillin and 2.9% to cephalexin. Common resistance pattern of Staph aureus was penicillin-ampicillin (60%), SMX-TMP (37.2%) and tetracycline-erythromycine-cephalexin (11.4%). Strepto. pyogen was found resistant to tetracycline in 12.2% cases and to SMX-TMP in 8.3% cases.

Vaginal sacrospinous fixation: experience in a district general hospital

This is an observational retrospective study, which included 77 patients who underwent sacrospinous fixation (SSF) over a period of 3 years in a district general hospital. Casenotes were reviewed and all patients were invited to attend a further review appointment (14-49 months). The object was to determine short- and long-term success of SSF,particularly in elderly (28% were > or = 70 years), obese (24.7%) and medically compromised (64.9%) patients. Fifty-two patients (67.5%) had previous gynaecological procedures, while the remaining 25 (32.5%) had no previous surgery. Intra- and postoperative complications were 3.9% and 32.5%, respectively. There was considerable relief of patients' symptoms at both short- and long-term followup, while the rate of recurrence of vault prolapse was 10.3%. Our experience suggests that SSF appears to be a safe and effective procedure, especially for those who may constitute surgical or anaesthetic risks. It has a reasonable success rate, good postoperative recovery and acceptable long-term results.