Nonenzymatic Reactions in Natural Product Formation.

Biosynthetic mechanisms of natural products primarily depend on systems of protein catalysts. However, within the field of biosynthesis, there are cases in which the inherent chemical reactivity of metabolic intermediates and substrates evades the involvement of enzymes. These reactions are difficult to characterize based on their reactivity and occlusion within the milieu of the cellular environment.

Discovery, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Anaenamides C and D from a New Marine Cyanobacterium, sp.

Our ongoing efforts to explore the chemical space associated with marine cyanobacteria from coral reefs of Guam have yielded two new members of the anaenamide family of natural products, anaenamides C ( and D (). These compounds were isolated from a novel sp. (VPG16-58).

Discovery, Total Synthesis, and SAR of Anaenamides A and B: Anticancer Cyanobacterial Depsipeptides with a Chlorinated Pharmacophore.

New modified depsipeptides and geometric isomers, termed anaenamides A () and B (), along with the presumptive biosynthetic intermediate, anaenoic acid (), were discovered from a marine cyanobacterium from Guam. Structures were confirmed by total synthesis. The alkylsalicylic acid fragment and the C-terminal α-chlorinated -unsaturated ester are novelties in cyanobacterial natural products.

Isolation and Characterization of Anaephenes A-C, Alkylphenols from a Filamentous Cyanobacterium ( Hormoscilla sp., Oscillatoriales).

Three related new alkylphenols, termed anaephenes A-C (1-3), containing different side chains, were isolated from an undescribed filamentous cyanobacterium (VPG 16-59) collected in Guam. Our 16S rDNA sequencing efforts indicated that VPG 16-59 is a member of the marine genus Hormoscilla (Oscillatoriales). The structures of anaephenes A-C (1-3) were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and compounds assayed for growth inhibitory activity against prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell lines.

Iodinated Meroditerpenes from a Red Alga Callophycus sp.

Unique iodine-containing meroditerpenes iodocallophycoic acid A (1) and iodocallophycols A-D (2-5) were discovered from the Fijian red alga Callophycus sp. Because flexibility of the molecular skeleton impaired full characterization of relative stereochemistries by NMR spectroscopy, a DFT-based theoretical model was developed to derive relevant interproton distances which were compared to those calculated from NOE measurements, yielding the relative stereochemistries. The correct 2S,6S,7S,10S,14S enantiomers were then identified by comparison of theoretical and experimental ECD spectra.

An island of compassion.

This narrative describes the experience of a palliative care physician from Australia visiting the palliative care service at a cancer hospital in India. The place of compassion in an environment of limited resources is discussed.

The effectiveness and adverse effects profile of "burst" ketamine in refractory cancer pain: The VCOG PM 1-00 study.

This multi-centre study of adjuvant "burst" ketamine in palliative care in-patients documents its effectiveness, duration of pain relief, and adverse effects (AE) profile. Patients received a three-to-five day continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) of ketamine escalated from 100 to 300 to 500 mg/24 hours if required. When the effective or maximum tolerated dose was attained, the infusion was continued for three days and each patient assessed as a responder or non-responder using strict criteria.

Improving access to clinical information in after hours community palliative care.

Objective: To improve access to clinical information for nurses and doctors providing after hours community palliative care in a regional Australian setting.

Design: This was an action research project designed to improve collation and distribution of succinct, pertinent and timely information about unstable palliative care patients to nurses and general practitioners (GPs) involved in after hours care. Each week day, each patient's purpose-designed single-page information sheet was updated on the community palliative care service computers.

Advance directives in action in a regional palliative care service: "road testing" the provisions of the Medical Treatment Act 1988 (VIC).

In order to explore the usefulness and acceptability of the provisions of the Medical Treatment Act 1988 (Vic) for palliative care patients in a rural region in Victoria, Australia, between July and December 2004 patients were given information explaining the Act and the opportunity to discuss it with the research officer. Grounded theory methodology was used to evaluate client responses. Findings suggested that palliative care patients are willing to engage in advance care planning but they have to be well enough and need skilled, practical, face-to-face assistance to complete the required legal forms.

Evaluation of training on the use of Graseby syringe drivers for rural nonspecialist nurses.

Aim: to assess the impact of a training programme on nurse confidence in: setting up the Graseby syringe driver (GSD); explaining the GSD to patient and family; setting the rate on the GSD; putting appropriate type and dose of drugs in the GSD.

Study Design: training programme with pre-training, post-training and follow-up questionnaires.

Sample And Setting: palliative care nurse consultants presented half-day training sessions to 270 non-specialist nurses throughout the rural Grampians Health Region of Victoria, Australia.