Structural and vibrational studies of molecular conductors using quantum mechanical methods: 1,3-Dithiole-2-thione, 1,3-dithiole-2-one, 1,3-dioxole-2-one and 1,3-dioxole-2-thione.

Computations were carried out by employing the RHF and density functional theory (DFT) methods to investigate the geometries, atomic charges, harmonic vibrational frequencies for the 1,3-dithiole-2-thione (DTT), 1,3-dithiole-2-one (DTO), 1,3-dioxole-2-thione (DOT) and 1,3-dioxole-2-one (DOO) molecules and their radical cations. The geometrical parameters and atomic charges on various atomic sites of the DTT and DOT molecules and their radical cations suggest extended conjugation in these systems. Contrary to this, for the DOO(+) and DTO(+) ions there is no evidence in favour of such conjugation, however, the neutral molecules exhibit some conjugation.

Acceptability and feasibility of medical abortion in Nepal.

Objective: To test the feasibility and acceptability of a simplified mifepristone-misoprostol regimen for early abortion in 2 tertiary teaching hospitals and 2 family planning clinics in Nepal.

Methods: Consenting pregnant women (n=400) with amenorrhea of 56 days or less seeking termination of pregnancy received 200 mg of oral mifepristone followed 48 hours later with 400 microg of oral misoprostol, administered either at home or at the clinic. Prospective data were collected to determine the women's experience, abortion outcome, and the operational requirements for providing the method.

Dynamics of laser-ablated carbon plasma: formation of C2 and CN.

We report time-resolved imaging of a laser-ablated carbon plasma plume to investigate the expansion dynamics of C(2) and CN in an ambient atmosphere of nitrogen gas at various pressures. An attempt is made to locate C(2) and CN species in the carbon plasma plume and correlate them with the results of spectroscopic observations. The ablated C(2) and CN species decelerate due to collisions with nitrogen gas and are localized in the slower part (approximately 300 ns) of the expanding plume.

2-Chloro-8-methyl-quinoline-3-carbaldehyde.

The quinoline fused-ring system of the title compound, C(11)H(8)ClNO, is planar (r.m.s.

2-Chloro-7,8-dimethyl-quinoline-3-carbaldehyde.

All the non-H atoms of the title compound, C(12)H(10)ClNO, lie on a crystallographic mirror plane orientated perpendicular to the crystallographic b axis.

Accidental Outbreak of Non-Bacterial Food Poisoning.

Background: Troops deployed in isolated garrisons face erratic supply of rations. At times they resort to use of locally grown plants without knowledge of local flora, resulting in accidental food poisoning.

Methods: This is a descriptive, analytical and epidemiological study of one such outbreak of food poisoning, due to use of a locally grown plant as vegetable, amongst soldiers of a unit in high altitude.

New functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes: synthesis and antimalarial activity against multi-drug resistant P. yoelii in mice.

A series of new amino functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes 8-16 and ester functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes 17-19 have been synthesized and evaluated against multi-drug resistant Plasmodium yoelii in Swiss mice. Amino functionalized trioxepanes 14, the most active compound of the series, showed 100% clearance of parasitaemia by oral route on day 4 and 75% protection to the treated mice beyond day 28.

Plasmodium berghei merozoite surface protein-9: immunogenicity and protective efficacy using a homologous challenge model.

Merozoite surface protein-9 (MSP-9) from Plasmodium is considered a promising vaccine candidate due to its location and possible role in erythrocyte invasion. We report the identification and characterization of Plasmodium berghei MSP-9 (PbMSP-9) and its properties as an immunogen using a recombinant PbMSP-9 fragment to immunize BALB/c mice. PbMSP-9 was found to harbor erythrocyte binding and serine protease activity.

Infrared and ab initio studies of conducting molecules: 2,5-diamino-3,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone.

2,5-Diamino-3,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone has been synthesized by modifying the procedure reported in literature. Its IR spectrum has been recorded in the solid phase in the range 4000-400cm(-1). Ab initio calculations have been performed using Gaussian '03 program to compute optimized geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies along with intensities in IR and Raman spectra and atomic charges at RHF/6-31+G*, B3LYP/6-31+G* and B3LYP/6-311++G** levels.

Trans-anal protrusion of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheter with silent bowel perforation: report of ten cases in children.

Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting used in the treatment for hydrocephalus is associated with several complications. Mechanical failure of shunt is the commonest complication of all. Visceral/bowel perforation is an unusual but serious complication of VP shunting.

Comparison of full-field digital mammography and screen-film mammography for detection and characterization of simulated small masses.

Objective: The two objectives of this study were to create an ex vivo phantom model that closely mimics human breast cancer for detection tasks and to compare the performance of full-field digital mammography with screen-film mammography in detecting and characterizing small breast masses in a phantom with a spectrum of complex tissue backgrounds.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen phantom breast masses of varying sizes (0.3-1.

BI-RADS-MRI: a primer.

Objective: Variations in breast MRI techniques and descriptions of morphologic findings led to the development of a breast MRI lexicon. This lexicon, the American College of Radiology's BI-RADS-MRI, includes terminology for describing lesion architecture and enhancement characteristics. We show the use of these descriptors on breast MR images obtained at our institution.

Needle localization for excisional biopsy of breast lesions: comparison of effect of use of full-field digital versus screen-film mammographic guidance on procedure time.

The time required to perform needle localization with full-field digital (FFD) mammography was compared with the time required to perform it with screen-film (SF) mammography in 158 women with breast lesions. The time needed to position the patient before the first image was acquired, needle placement time, and total procedure time were compared between techniques. Regression modeling was performed to assess the effect of mammographic guidance method while simultaneously adjusting for other significant covariates.

DNA prime-protein boost immunization in monkeys: efficacy of a novel construct containing functional domains of Plasmodium cynomolgi CS and TRAP.

We report the efficacy of a bimodal immunization regimen that involved priming with naked DNA (multiple doses) followed by a booster with recombinant protein in rhesus monkeys with a chimeric construct containing the N-terminus of thrombospondin-related adhesive protein and the C-terminus of circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium cynomolgi. The vaccinated animals developed high titer antibodies against the chimeric antigen, the two components of the hybrid and the native proteins of sporozoites. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from the vaccinated animals had significant in vitro T cell proliferation activity when stimulated with the recombinant chimeric protein.

Mammographic-pathologic correlation of apocrine metaplasia diagnosed using vacuum-assisted stereotactic core-needle biopsy: our 4-year experience.

Objective: To determine whether focal apocrine metaplasia of the breast has distinctive mammographic characteristics, we evaluated apocrine metaplasia diagnosed by vacuum-assisted stereotactic core-needle biopsy and correlated mammographic imaging and histopathologic findings.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database for records of all vacuum-assisted stereotactic core-needle biopsies performed during a 4-year period. Five hundred thirty-eight lesions were biopsied, of which 302 (56%) were benign.

Amino terminus of Plasmodium falciparum acidic basic repeat antigen interacts with the erythrocyte membrane through band 3 protein.

The acidic basic repeat antigen (ABRA) of Plasmodium falciparum is localised in the parasitophorous vacuole, and associates with the merozoite surface at the time of schizont rupture. By virtue of its protease-like activity, it is implicated in the process of merozoite invasion and schizont rupture, and therefore, possibly interacts with erythrocyte membrane proteins to execute its function during these events. In this study, using Escherichia coli expressed recombinant fragments of ABRA, we have demonstrated that ABRA interacts with red blood cells through its N-terminus.

Lactating adenoma: a diagnosis of exclusion.

This is a case of a large lactating adenoma which developed in a 26 year old primagravida during the third trimester of her pregnancy. The presentation was that of a grossly enlarged and engorged breast with breast erythema, warmth and tenderness. Radiologic and pathologic examinations were difficult because of the lactational changes in the breast and areas of infarcted tissue within the large tumor.

Immunogenicity of recombinant fragments of Plasmodium falciparum acidic basic repeat antigen produced in Escherichia coli.

The acidic basic repeat antigen (ABRA) of Plasmodium falciparum is a potential vaccine candidate against erythrocytic stages of malaria. We report, for the first time, the immunological characteristics of recombinant ABRA constructs. The recombinant proteins representing different fragments of ABRA were expressed in Escherichia coli, either as fusions with maltose binding protein or as 6X histidine tagged molecules, and purified by affinity chromatography.

Expression and characterisation of Plasmodium falciparum acidic basic repeat antigen expressed in Escherichia coli.

The acidic basic repeat antigen (ABRA) of Plasmodium falciparum has been localised on the merozoite surface and in the parasitophorous vacuole. It is one of the antigens enriched in the clusters of merozoites formed with growth inhibitory immune serum and possesses chymotrypsin-like activity. Chymostatin, an inhibitor of chymotrypsin, inhibits malaria invasion as well as autoproteolysis of ABRA.

Primary inflammatory carcinoma of the breast: retrospective review of mammographic findings.

Objective: Our goal was to describe the mammographic characteristics of primary inflammatory carcinoma of the breast.

Materials And Methods: We identified the medical records of 43 women who participated in a chemotherapy protocol for primary inflammatory carcinoma of the breast between 1994 and 1997. Mammograms were available for review in 26 women (age range, 34-78 years; mean age, 56 years).

Mammographic findings after breast conservation therapy.

Breast conservation therapy for breast cancer involves lumpectomy or segmental mastectomy followed by radiation therapy. Masses, fluid collections, architectural distortion, scarring, edema, skin thickening, and calcifications are posttreatment findings that may mimic or mask local tumor recurrence. Despite the overlap between posttreatment changes and tumor recurrence, the two entities can usually be distinguished by the characteristic mammographic appearances of posttreatment sequelae and by comparing interval findings on successive studies.

Extracoelomic fluid osmometry and electrolyte composition during early gestation in the baboon.

Objective: Access to extracoelomic fluid offers the opportunity to assess and potentially treat genetic disorders early in pregnancy. We have been using the pregnant baboon as a model to develop techniques and evaluate the feasibility of sampling extracoelomic fluid. The aim of this study was to determine the osmolality, oncotic pressures, and electrolyte composition of the baboon's extracoelomic fluid between days 39 and 41 of gestation and to compare them with those of maternal blood.