Colour and constitution of conjugate bases of benzodifurantrione, its ring-opened derivatives and benzodifuranone dye analogues.

The observation of ready deprotonation of the phenylogous enol of benzodifurantrione (BDT) to give a bright violet conjugate base has led to two follow up explorations. Extension of BDT enol by insertion of a -phenylene unit into the enol C-O bond gives the known bright red 4-hydroxylated benzodifuranone dyes. Their deprotonation results in previously unreported near infrared-absorbing conjugate bases.

The effect of melatonin on ultrasound markers of follicular development: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial.

Background: Melatonin is a potent oxygen scavenger and is capable of altering blood flow in various vascular beds.

Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of melatonin on ovarian vascular indices during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Materials And Methods: This is a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial.

Melatonin in Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

To explore in a small pilot study whether oral melatonin, administered during ovarian stimulation increases clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) after IVF and what dose might be most effective. Pilot double-blind, dose-finding, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in private IVF clinics in Australia between September 2014 and September 2016. One hundred and sixty women having their first cycle of IVF or ICSI were randomized to receive placebo (n = 40), melatonin 2 mg (n = 41), melatonin 4 mg (n = 39), or melatonin 8 mg (n = 40) twice per day (BD) during ovarian stimulation.

The impact of melatonin on the sleep patterns of women undergoing IVF: a double blind RCT.

Study Question: Does melatonin result in a dose-response effect on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in women undergoing IVF?

Summary Answer: Melatonin, even when given at high doses twice per day, does not cause significant daytime sleepiness or change night time sleep quantity or quality.

What Is Known Already: Melatonin is being increasingly used as an adjuvant therapy for women undergoing IVF owing to its antioxidative effects. It is widely considered to be sedative but there are scant objective data on the effects of melatonin on sleep in the setting of IVF.

Generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from human deciduous periodontal ligament stem cells.

Human deciduous periodontal ligament stem cells have been introduced for as an easily accessible source of stem cells from dental origin. Although recent studies have revealed the ability of these stem cells in multipotential attribute, their efficiency of hepatic lineage differentiation has not been addressed so far. The aim of this study is to investigate hepatic lineage fate competence of periodontal ligament stem cells through direct media induction.

Quantification of mesenchymal stem cell growth rates through secretory and excretory biomolecules in conditioned media via Fresnel reflection.

An efficient and low cost optical method for directly measuring the concentration of homogenous biological solutes is proposed and demonstrated. The proposed system operates by Fresnel reflection, with a flat-cleaved single-mode fiber serving as the sensor probe. A laser provides a 12.

Benzodifurantrione: a stable phenylogous enol.

The first example of a stable phenylogous enol, resulting from an extended keto-enol tautomerization across a benzene ring, is described. The enol has been isolated, and its structure was proven by X-ray crystallography. The equilibrium between the keto- and enol-tautomers has been extensively studied and quantified in solution by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy.

Evolution of the complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy after a decade: a follow up of the Monash experience.

A retrospective review of medical records was performed to assess the incidence and types of significant complications encountered during laparoscopic hysterectomy which would affect the use of a laparoscopic approach versus other routes of hysterectomy. A total of 526 consecutive patients' medical data between January 1994 and August 2007 were reviewed. Two hundred and thirty-two laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies and 294 total laparoscopic hysterectomies were performed at Monash Medical Centre, a Melbourne tertiary public hospital, and three Melbourne private hospitals, by or under the supervision of three surgeons.

Antagonists of the human adenosine A2A receptor. Part 2: Design and synthesis of 4-arylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives.

We describe herein the discovery and development of a series of 4-arylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines which are potent adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists. These novel compounds show high degrees of selectivity against the human A(1), A(2B) and A(3) receptor sub-types. Moreover, a number of these compounds show promising activity in vivo, suggesting potential utility in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Antagonists of the human adenosine A2A receptor. Part 1: Discovery and synthesis of thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-4-methanone derivatives.

The (-)-(11R,2'S)-enantiomer of the antimalarial drug mefloquine has been found to be a reasonably potent and moderately selective adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist. Further investigation of this compound has led to the discovery of a series of keto-aryl thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives, which are potent and selective antagonists of the adenosine A(2A) receptor. These derivatives show selectivity against the A(1) receptor.

Ignorance of electrosurgery among obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of skill of laparoscopic surgeons in electrosurgery.

Design: Subjects were asked to complete a practical diathermy station and a written test of electrosurgical knowledge.

Setting: Tests were held in teaching and non-teaching hospitals.

Safer laparoscopic trocar entry: it's all about pressure.

This prospective observational study aimed to assess the feasibility of adapting peritoneal hyperdistention to 25 mmHg during laparoscopy in an Australian hospital environment. A total of 1150 consecutive diagnostic or operative laparoscopies were performed. All cases were monitored for early detection of untoward physiological changes.

Synthesis and transcription studies on 5'-triphosphates derived from 2'-C-branched-uridines: 2'-homouridine-5'-triphosphate is a substrate for T7 RNA polymerase.

The 5'-triphosphates of 2'-hydroxymethyluridine (2'-homouridine) and 2'-hydroxyethyluridine were prepared from the corresponding acetyl-protected nucleosides by initial phosphitylation with 2-chloro-5,6-benzo-1,2,3-dioxaphosphorin-4-one. 2'-Acetamidouridine 5'-triphosphate was prepared in an analogous fashion from uridine 2'-C-, 3'-O-gamma-butyrolactone, in which the 3'-hydroxyl group is internally protected as the lactone. Subsequent treatment with ammonia gave the required acetamido triphosphate.

A direct pyrophosphatase-coupled assay provides new insights into the activation of the secreted adenylate cyclase from Bordetella pertussis by calmodulin.

Continuous recording of the activity of recombinant adenylate cyclase (CyaA) of Bordetella pertussis (EC ) by conductimetric determination of enzyme-coupled pyrophosphate cleavage has enabled us to define a number of novel features of the activation of this enzyme by calmodulin and establish conditions under which valid activation data can be obtained. Activation either in the presence or absence of calcium is characterized by a concentration-dependent lag phase. The rate of formation and breakdown of the activated complex can be determined from an analysis of the lag phase kinetics and is in good agreement with thermodynamic data obtained by measuring the dependence of activation on calmodulin concentration, which show that calcium increases k(on) by about 30-fold.