Raising the graduation bar for the schools: expectations vs outcomes.

Educational reform is an ongoing concern of parents, educators, policy makers, and the public at large. The past 50 years have ushered in a new era of reform, whose major objective was to improve students' performance based on the use of statewide standardized testing and changes in graduation requirements. This study examined one such reform movement, initially developed during the late 1970s, which developed minimum competency testing standards as well as increased course demands to specify graduation requirements for public high school students.

A novel insulinoma tumor suppressor gene locus on chromosome 22q with potential prognostic implications.

The molecular mechanisms contributing to the tumorigenesis of insulinomas are still poorly understood. As moderate to high rates of LOH have been found on chromosome 22q in gastrinomas, we performed a finer deletion mapping study of chromosome 22q with 8 microsatellite markers in 15 insulinomas (4 malignant and 11 benign). Fourteen of 15 (93%) insulinomas revealed LOH on chromosome 22q, whereas the shortest region of overlap implicated a deletion of approximately 700 kb at 22q12.

Chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopropanes by cyclization of dilithiated nitriles with epibromohydrin.

The cyclization of 1,1-dianions with epibromohydrin results in chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective formation of functionalized hydroxymethyl cyclopropanes. [reaction: see text]

Regio- and diastereoselective cyclization reactions of free and masked 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1,2-dielectrophiles.

Despite their simplicity and synthetic usefulness, cyclisation reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1,2-dielectrophiles are problematic, since both dianions and 1,2-dielectrophiles are highly reactive compounds (low reactivity matching). In addition, 1,2-dielectrophiles are often rather labile, and reactions with nucleophiles can result in polymerisation, decomposition, formation of open-chained products, elimination or SET-reactions. These intrinsic limitations can be overcome by a proper reactivity tuning and by the use of electroneutral dianion equivalents (masked dianions) in Lewis acid catalysed reactions.

Prospective controlled trial of a standardized meal stimulation test in the detection of pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumours in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Background: Use of a standardized meal stimulation test has been recommended for the early diagnosis of pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumours (PETs) in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). The diagnostic value of this test was re-evaluated.

Methods: In a prospective, controlled trial 58 standardized meal stimulation tests (563 kcal) were performed in 12 patients with MEN 1 and histologically, biochemically and/or radiologically confirmed PETs (group 1), 11 carriers of an MEN 1 mutation with no evidence of PETs (group 2) and in 27 healthy controls (group 3).

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans by domino SN/SN' and SN/SN reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions.

The domino C,O-cyclodialkylation reaction of dilithiated 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene resulted in regio- and diastereoselective formation of 2-alkylidene-5-vinyltetrahydrofurans. The cyclization of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1-bromo-2-chloroethane regio- and diastereoselectively afforded 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans under thermodynamic reaction control.

Human germline gene therapy reconsidered.

This paper reevaluates the notion of human germline gene therapy (HGLGT) in light of developments in biomedicine, biotechnology, and ethical and policy analysis. The essay makes the following key points. First, because the distinction among "therapy," "prevention," and "enhancement" is not clear in human genetics, "gene therapy" is an inadequate descriptor of the process and goals of germline genetic alterations.

Further studies of blood levels of some tumor markers in the area polluted by polychlorinated biphenyls and control population.

The levels of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and thyroglobulin (TG) were measured in the serum of 245 employees of chemical factory formerly producing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) consisting of 54 males (age range 24-65 years, median 45) and 191 females (age range 20-69 years, median 45). The control population consisted of 636 adults from control areas of northwest and east Slovakia. The frequency of beta2-microglobulin levels lower than 1.

Synthesis of radialene-shaped pyrroles by multiple-anion-capture reactions of 1,3-dianions.

A new multicomponent reaction (multiple-anion-capture reaction) of 1,3-dianions with nitriles and oxalic acid-bis(imidoyl)chlorides is reported. This process allows for an efficient and regioselective synthesis of a variety of radialene-shaped pyrroles which constitute structurally new and interesting heterocyclic systems. The cyclization products can be considered as aza-analogues of the pharmacologically relevant substance class of 3-acetyltetramic acids.

Chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with alpha-chloroacetic acid chlorides and alpha-chloroacetic acetals.

Treatment of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with alpha-chlorocarboxylic acid chlorides resulted in chemo- and regioselective formation of 6-chloro3,5-dioxo esters, which were regioselectively converted into functionalised 3(2H)furanones. Chemo- and regioselective condensation of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with alpha-chloroacetic dimethyl acetal afforded 6-chloro-5-methoxy-3-oxo esters, which could be regio- and stereoselectively transformed into 2-alkylidene-4-methoxytetrahydrofurans.

Efficient synthesis of gamma-alkylidenetetronic esters by sequential Lewis acid catalyzed.

A new approach for the synthesis of gamma-alkylidenetetronic acids and esters is reported which involves Me3SiOTf-catalyzed, regio- and stereoselective cyclization of 4-alkoxy-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride. The alpha-hydroxy group of the butenolides is efficiently functionalized by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions via the corresponding enol triflates.

Direct transformation of silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes.

The first elimination reactions of silyl enol ethers to lithiated allenes are reported. These reactions allow a direct transformation of readily available silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes. The action of three to four equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) on silyl enol ethers results in the formation of lithiated allenes by initial allylic lithiation, subsequent elimination of a lithium silanolate, and finally, lithiation of the allene thus formed.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of Nor-nonactinic acid derivatives--kinetic reaction control in the Lewis acid mediated domino reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1-bromo-2,3-epoxypropanes.

Reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with epibromohydrin derivatives results in formation of functionalized 2-alkylidene-5-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofurans. These reactions proceed by chemoselective attack of the dianion onto the carbon attached to the bromine atom and subsequent nucleophilic attack of the resultant monoanion onto the epoxide. The cyclization products, which were formed with very good regio- and stereoselectivities, are of pharmacological relevance and represent versatile building blocks for the synthesis of natural products.

Autoimmune thyroiditis with severe hypothyroidism resistant to the treatment with high peroral doses of thyroxine: case report.

Female patient (42 yr) suffered from autoimmune thyroiditis resulting in severe hypothyroidism. She was treated for several years by district physician with the dose of 150 microg L-thyroxine daily. Since the level of TSH was repeatedly very high and no improvement of clinical signs has been observed, she was referred to the Medical Faculty Hospital.

Adrenocortical carcinoma--our experience with 11 cases.

Background And Aims: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumour with an incidence of approximately 0.5-2 cases per million per year. Diagnosis is mostly delayed and prognosis is poor.

Pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: surgery or surveillance?

Background: The management of pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumors (PETs) remains controversial in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with MEN 1 and PETs were analyzed for outcome of surgery and surveillance with special regard to the genotype based on MEN1 gene mutation analysis.

Results: Nine patients had gastrinomas, 5 had nonfunctioning tumors, 4 had insulinomas, 2 had insulinomas and gastrinomas, and 1 had a VIPoma.

Multiple primaries in pancreatic cancer patients: indicator of a genetic predisposition?

Background: The genetic basis of several familial cancers including breast and colon cancers has been identified recently. The occurrence of multiple cancers in one individual is also suggestive of a genetic predisposition. To evaluate inherited predisposition in pancreatic cancer we compared the clinical data of pancreatic cancer patients with and without multiple primaries as well as the frequency of malignancies among their relatives.

Text processing and feedback: what have we learned?

In studies on the effects of feedback on text comprehension, it was determined that text content interacts differentially with the feedback provided. Specifically, the types of memorial representations sought must be considered in terms of type of text, feedback timing, frequency, and modality.

Changes of serum TSH level during oral glucose tolerance test: comparison of morning and evening test with plain circadian TSH rhythm.

Objective: To compare the changes of TSH level in serum during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with those resulting from a plain circadian rhythm and, in addition, to compare such changes between the morning and evening hours.

Methods: Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in groups of 8-20 adults after the oral administration of glucose (75 g in 400 ml tap water) at 8.00, 10.

Regioselective synthesis of medium-sized bicyclic butenolides by lewis acid catalyzed cyclization of cyclic 1, 3-Bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride.

A new strategy for the synthesis of medium-sized bicyclic gamma-alkylidenebutenolides is reported which involves Me(3)SiOTf-catalyzed cyclization of cyclic 1, 3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride.

Domino reaction of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes with oxalyl chloride: general and stereoselective synthesis of gamma-alkylidenebutenolides.

The Lewis acid catalyzed cyclization of oxalyl chloride with 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes 3, derived from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 1, provides a new and general approach for the synthesis of gamma-alkylidenebutenolides 4, a pharmacologically and synthetically important class of substances. A variety of butenolides were efficiently prepared in good yields and with very good regio- and stereoselectivities. An up-scaling of the reaction was possible.