Lower total and percent of high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentration in South Asian kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Ethnicity is an important determinant of post-renal transplant outcomes. Limited data are available on cardiovascular risk differences in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) based on ethnicity.

Methods: A group of 129 clinically stable age-matched KTR [43 South Asian (SA), 86 Caucasian]) were assessed for plasma total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, cystatin C, apolipoproteins A1 and B, C-reactive protein, uric acid, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and transplant-specific plus traditional Framingham risk factors.

The protocol for the Be Our Ally Beat Smoking (BOABS) study, a randomised controlled trial of an intensive smoking cessation intervention in a remote Aboriginal Australian health care setting.

Background: Australian Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders (Indigenous Australians) smoke at much higher rates than non-Indigenous people and smoking is an important contributor to increased disease, hospital admissions and deaths in Indigenous Australian populations. Smoking cessation programs in Australia have not had the same impact on Indigenous smokers as on non-Indigenous smokers. This paper describes the protocol for a study that aims to test the efficacy of a locally-tailored, intensive, multidimensional smoking cessation program.

Molecular modeling of T. rangeli, T. brucei gambiense, and T. evansi sialidases in complex with the DANA inhibitor.

Trypanosomal (trans-) sialidases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of sialic acid residues between host and parasite glycoconjugates. Herein, we have used homology modeling to construct the 3D structures of sialidases from Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma evansi. Hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical molecular dynamics simulations were used to determine the interaction energy between the 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid inhibitor and the three sialidases studied here.

(S)-Benzyl 3-phenyl-carbamoyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinoline-2-carboxyl-ate.

There are two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(24)H(22)N(2)O(3). The heterocyclic ring assumes a twisted boat conformation and N-H⋯O inter-actions help to construct the three-dimensional network within the crystal packing.

World Heart Federation criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease--an evidence-based guideline.

Over the past 5 years, the advent of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has revealed a higher RHD burden than previously thought. In light of this global experience, the development of new international echocardiographic guidelines that address the full spectrum of the rheumatic disease process is opportune. Systematic differences in the reporting of and diagnostic approach to RHD exist, reflecting differences in local experience and disease patterns.

Synthesis, 2D-NMR and molecular modelling studies of pentacycloundecane lactam-peptides and peptoids as potential HIV-1 wild type C-SA protease inhibitors.

In this study, eight non-natural peptides and peptoids incorporating the pentacycloundecane (PCU) lactam were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors of the wild type C-SA HIV-protease. Five of these inhibitors gave IC(50) values ranging from 0.5 up to 0.

A survey of pedagogical approaches and quality mechanisms used in education programs for mental health professionals.

The provision of high-quality education and training that is responsive, relevant, accessible and evidence based is critical if the vision for quality mental health services presented in recent policy initiatives in Ireland is to be fulfilled. This paper reports the findings related to pedagogical approaches and quality assurance mechanisms utilized within mental health education. The study involved canvassing all Higher Education Institutions in Ireland.

Sitagliptin in glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-positive diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To describe a case illustrating the use of sitagliptin, an inhibitor of dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4), in anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-positive diabetes mellitus in association with a rare ataxic variant of stiff person syndrome.

Methods: We present our experience with use of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin for management of autoimmune diabetes in a elderly woman and highlight the association of diabetes with other autoimmune conditions.

Results: A 68-year-old Japanese woman presented with poorly controlled "type 2" diabetes mellitus, cerebral palsy, cerebellar ataxia, and hypothyroidism.

Cardiac sarcoidosis: a comprehensive review.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology characterized by noncaseating granulomas in involved organs. Organs involved with sarcoidosis include lymph nodes, skin, lung, central nervous system, and eye. Only 40-50% of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis diagnosed at autopsy have the diagnosis made during their lifetime.

6,12,18,24-Tetra-meth-oxy-4,10,16,22-tetra-kis-[(meth-oxy-carbon-yl)meth-oxy]-2,8,14,20-tetra-kis-(2-phenyl-eth-yl)resorcin[4]arene.

The title compound, C(76)H(80)O(16), is a macrocyclic structure. This novel resorcin[4]arene derivative has (meth-oxy-carbon-yl)meth-oxy 'head' groups on the upper rim. The compound has a C(2v) 'boat' geometry and there are a range of C-H⋯O contacts in the crystal structure.

(S)-Methyl 2-benzamido-3-(3,4-dimeth-oxy-phen-yl)propano-ate.

The dimethoxypbenzene ring in the title compound, C(19)H(21)NO(5), is gauche to the amide group and anti to the ester group. The chirality was confirmed to be S from two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and several short-contact inter-actions (2.

(S)-4-Phenyl-2-(1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinolin-3-yl)-1,3-thia-zole.

In the title compound, C(18)H(16)N(2)S, the N-containing ring adopts a half-chair configuration. The crystal packing features C-H⋯N contacts. There is no π-π stacking within the crystal structure.

Ethyl 4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-6-methyl-2-sulfanylidene-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(15)H(16)N(2)O(4)S, the dihedral angles between the planes of the benzodioxole and ester groups and the plane of the six-membered tetra-hydro-pyrimidine ring are 89.5 (1) and 20.2 (1)°, respectively.

4,10,16,22-Tetra-kis(2-chloro-acet-oxy)-6,12,18,24-tetra-meth-oxy-2,8,14,20-tetra-pentyl-resorcin[4]arene.

The title compound, C(60)H(76)Cl(4)O(12), has a macrocyclic structure and both the upper and lower rim have disordered atoms. There are no hydrogen bonds or π-π stacking inter-actions in the crystal.

1,1'-(Ethane-1,2-di-yl)bis-(3-phenyl-thio-urea).

The complete molecule of the title compound, C(16)H(18)N(4)S(2), is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the thio-urea group is 52.9 (4)°.

Acute spontaneously resolving pulmonary vasculitis: a case report.

This is the first description that we are aware of describing the spontaneous resolution of an acute pulmonary vasculitis, possibly secondary to microscopic polyangiitis. Haemoptysis is a common symptom for patients presenting to primary and tertiary referral centres, and pulmonary vasculitis is one of a variety of aetiologies that should always be considered. The pulmonary vasculitides are difficult diagnostic and management problems.

(1R,3S)-N-Benzhydryl-2-benzyl-6,7-dimeth-oxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinoline-3-carbothio-amide.

The title compound, C(38)H(36)N(2)O(2)S, has a heterocyclic ring that assumes a half-chair conformation. The phenyl rings of neighbouring mol-ecules align forming alternating chains parallel to [100] within the crystal packing. The absolute stereochemistry of the crystal was confirmed to be R,S at the 1- and 3-positions, respectively, by proton NMR spectroscopy.

4,5,6,10,11,12,16,17,18,22,23,24-Dodeca-kis-[(meth-oxy-carbon-yl)meth-oxy]-2,8,14,20-tetra-pentyl-resorcin[4]arene.

The title compound, C(84)H(112)O(36), has a macrocyclic structure. It has 12 (meth-oxy-carbon-yl)meth-oxy 'head groups' in the upper rim and exhibits a flattened boat geometry. Intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur.

(S)-Methyl 3-(3,4-dimeth-oxy-phen-yl)-2-[2-(diphenyl-phosphan-yl)benzamido]-propano-ate.

Mol-ecules of the title compound, C(31)H(30)NO(5)P, show a sttagered conformation about the C-C bond joining the dimeth-oxy-benzene group to the chiral centre, with the dimeth-oxy-benzene ring gauche to the amide group and anti to the ester group. In the crystal, weak inter-molecular N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds form layers parallel to (110).

Lung health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders: breathing easy is not so easy.

Objectives: In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, to (a) determine the disease burden of common chronic lung diseases and (b) identify areas of need with respect to lung health services.

Methods: Literature reviews and analyses of hospitalisation and mortality data were used to describe disease epidemiology and available programs and services. Key stakeholder interviews and an online survey of health professionals were used to evaluate lung health services across the state and to identify services, needs and gaps.

Synthesis and NMR elucidation of novel tetrapeptides.

The synthesis and NMR elucidation of Ala-Val-Pro-Ile and five novel peptide-based derivatives are reported. These peptides mimic the natural second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) protein. Purification was achieved using preparative HPLC and the NMR elucidation of all compounds is reported for the first time.

N-Benzyl-5-(dimethyl-amino)-naphthalene-1-sulfonamide.

The structure of the title compound, C(19)H(20)N(2)O(2)S, displays inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding, which generates inversion dimers. There is no π-π stacking in the crystal structure. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and naphthalene ring system is 59.

2-[(1R,3S)-6,7-Dimeth-oxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinolin-3-yl]-4-phenyl-1,3-thia-zole.

In the title compound, C(26)H(24)N(2)O(2)S, the dihedral angle between the thia-zole ring and the adjacent phenyl ring is 3.02 (15)°. The N-containing six-membered ring of the tetra-hydro-isoquinoline unit adopts a half-chair conformation.

1,1'-(Propane-1,3-di-yl)bis-(3-phenyl-urea).

The title compound, C(17)H(20)N(4)O(2), has crystallographic inversion symmetry. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between adjacent urea groups gives rise to infinite polymeric chains diagonally across the bc plane. With a centroid-centroid distance of 3.

3,3'-Diphenyl-1,1'-(butane-1,4-di-yl)dithio-urea.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(18)H(22)N(4)S(2), contains one half-mol-ecule, the complete mol-ecule being generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The crystal structure features two inter-molecular N-H⋯S hydrogen-bonding inter-actions, the first generating an infinite chain along the b axis and the second an infinite chain along the a axis, together forming an inter-locking structure.