Structured gastroenterological intervention and improved outcome for patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms following pelvic radiotherapy.

Purpose: Fifty percent of patients develop chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms following pelvic radiotherapy that adversely affect quality of life. Fewer than 20 % are referred to a gastroenterologist. We aimed to determine if structured gastroenterological evaluation is of benefit to this patient group.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channel block by hydrolysis-resistant tetracaine derivatives.

To meet a pressing need for better cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel antagonists, we have increased the biological stability of tetracaine-based blockers by synthesizing amide and thioamide linkage substitutions of tetracaine (1) and a higher affinity octyl tail derivative (5). We report the apparent K(D) values, the mechanism of block, and the in vitro hydrolysis rates for these compounds. The ester linkage substitutions did not adversely affect CNG channel block; unexpectedly, thioamide substitution in 1 (compound 8) improved block significantly.

Swan-Ganz catheter-induced pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm: a case of complete resolution without intervention.

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm is a well-recognized and potentially lethal complication of pulmonary artery catheterization. A surgical or interventional radiologic approach has been advocated as the treatment of first choice. A pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm developed in 70-year-old woman after the insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Unprecedented oxylipins from the marine green alga Acrosiphonia coalita.

The Oregon marine chlorophyte Acrosiphonia coalita produces an assortment of oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids, or oxylipins. The smallest of these was a 10-carbon conjugated trienal 1 with antimicrobial properties. Related to 1 were three novel branched-chain conjugated trienals 4, 5, and 9 in which the aldehyde was present as a branch on a 17-carbon fatty acid chain.