Antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis heat-shock protein 60 kDa and detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and ureaplasma urealyticum are associated independently with chronic nongonococcal urethritis.

Background: Chronic nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a well-recognized clinical problem in genitourinary medicine clinics, but its etiology and optimal management are poorly understood.

Goal: The authors showed previously that antibody to chlamydial hsp60 is associated with urethritis 30 to 92 days after treatment of acute NGU (chronic NGU) and that the detection of ureaplasmas or is associated with chronic NGU in which symptoms or signs are present. The aim was to determine whether these associations are independent of each other.

A short diastereoselective synthesis of the putative alkaloid jamtine, using a tandem pummerer/mannich cyclization sequence.

Treatment of 2-phenylhex-5-enal with benzylamine followed by sequential reaction with ethylthioacetyl chloride and sodium periodate oxidation afforded a E/Z mixture of alpha-sulfinylamides. As anticipated from a 4pi-conrotatory mechanism, cyclization of each olefin afforded fused isoquinoline lactams as single diastereomers epimeric at the ethylthio position without any cross contamination. Some preliminary studies were directed toward the synthesis of mesembrine using a 3,4-dimethoxy aryl group.

An overview of holistic medicine and complementary and alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

An accumulating body of scientific evidence supports the notion that a holistic outlook on health and life and complementary and alternative medicine health practices can promote wellness and prevent and treat prostate disease. This overview explores some of the fundamental philosophical, diagnostic, and therapeutic differences between conventional and holistic medicine, and discusses how to integrate evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, holistic medicine, and conventional medicine for the prevention and treatment of prostate disease.

Mutagenically separated PCR assay for rapid detection of M41L and K70R zidovudine resistance mutations in CRF01_AE (subtype E) human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

A rapid zidovudine (ZDV) resistance genotypic assay was developed based on the mutagenically separated PCR (MS-PCR) technique to detect two ZDV-resistant mutations, M41L and K70R in CRF01_AE (subtype E). Endpoint dilution analysis revealed that the newly constructed MS-PCR assay could successfully detect three to nine copies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 template RNA. The test against wild-type and mutant template mixtures in different ratios demonstrated that the assay could detect 10% minor population, at least.

Insulin-like growth factor-I blocks Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) induction and intrinsic death signaling in cerebellar granule neurons.

Cerebellar granule neurons depend on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) for their survival. However, the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of IGF-I is presently unclear. Here we show that IGF-I protects granule neurons by suppressing key elements of the intrinsic (mitochondrial) death pathway.

Evolution of the DUT gene: horizontal transfer between host and pathogen in all three domains of life.

The ubiquity of the dut gene in Eukarya, Eubacteria, and Archaea implies its existence in the last common ancestor of the three domains of life. The dut gene exists as single, tandemly duplicated, and tandemly triplicated copies. The dUTPase is encoded as an auxiliary gene in the genomes of several DNA viruses and two distinct lineages of retroviruses.

Human foamy virus integrase fails to catalyse the integration of a circular DNA molecule containing an LTR junction sequence.

The presence of closed circular forms of the linear DNA genome of human foamy virus (HFV) has not been established. The ability of the HFV integrase (IN) to catalyse the integration of these circular forms (termed 2 long terminal repeat (LTR) circles) was investigated, with a view to producing a novel hybrid vector. To this end, a construct was made containing, in addition to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) marker gene, the last 27 bp of the 3' U5 LTR region of HFV fused to the first 28 bp of the 5' U3 LTR, the latter representing a 2LTR circle.

Tandem Pummerer/Mannich cyclization cascade of alpha-sulfinylamides as a method to prepare aza-heterocycles.

A series of alpha-sulfinylenamides was conveniently prepared by the condensation of a primary amine with a ketone, followed by reaction of the resulting imine with ethylsulfenylacetyl chloride and subsequent oxidation with sodium periodate. When treated with p-TsOH, cyclization occurred to produce fused isoquinoline lactams by a mechanism that involves an initial Pummerer reaction followed by a subsequent cyclization of the resulting N-acyliminium ion onto the tethered aromatic ring. The isolation of a single diastereomer was rationalized in terms of a Nazarov-type 4pi-electrocyclic reaction followed by pi-cyclization onto the least hindered side of the N-acyliminium ion.

Going forward into the 21st century. Stewart Conference endpaper.

The issues addressed in these brief remarks represent some of the most serious problems that we will need to solve if we hope to deliver the kind of health care that is needed in the new century. What a challenge! In approaching this task we will have to be so much more creative than we have ever been. As our colleague, Joann Disch (2000), suggested in a recent column, we will need to learn that creativity is often a matter of asking the right questions.

Potential multiple endonuclease functions and a ribonuclease H encoded in retroposon genomes.

Among the retroposons, the source of the endonuclease activity is known to be variable and can be provided as either a retroviral-like integrase or a protein similar to the cellular apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease. It has also been reported that other retroposon and retrointron sequences have limited similarity to various eubacterial endonucleases. We investigated whether any retroposon genomes possibly encode multiple endonuclease functions.

Comparative response of African HIV-1-infected individuals to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: Few data exist on the virological response to antiretroviral therapy of individuals infected with African HIV-1 subtypes. Our objective was to compare the response, in our clinic, of African HIV-1-infected patients with their British and European contemporaries treated with the same regimes.

Design: The St Mary's Hospital HIV database was used to identify drug-naive African and European patients starting a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen.

Suppression of death receptor signaling in cerebellar Purkinje neurons protects neighboring granule neurons from apoptosis via an insulin-like growth factor I-dependent mechanism.

Neuronal apoptosis contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative disease. Primary cerebellar granule neurons are an established in vitro model for investigating neuronal death. After removal of serum and depolarizing potassium, granule neurons undergo apoptosis via a mechanism that requires intrinsic (mitochondrial) death signals; however, the role of extrinsic (death receptor-mediated) signals is presently unclear.

Radiological features of epiploic appendagitis and segmental omental infarction.

Epiploic appendagitis and segmental omental infarction are more frequently encountered with the increased use of abdominal ultrasound and Computed tomography (CT) in the radiological assessment of the patient who presents clinically with acute abdominal pain. Recognition of specific imaging abnormalities enables the radiologist to make the correct diagnosis. This is important, as the appropriate management of both conditions is often conservative.

A new method for the preparation of 2-thio substituted furans by methylsulfanylation of gamma-dithiane carbonyl compounds.

Several related methods for the preparation of differentially substituted 2-thiofurans are described. The general procedure involves the formation of a thionium ion from a gamma-dithianyl substituted carbonyl compound followed by cyclization of this reactive intermediate onto the tethered carbonyl group. Two methods for thionium ion generation were explored.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of (-)-macrolactin A.

The total synthesis of (-)-macrolactin A, a 24-membered macrolide, has been achieved using a newly developed 1,3-diol synthon for the introduction of two key stereogenic centers. The synthon was derived from sequential use of the Noyori asymmetric reduction followed by chiral sulfoxide methodology. Tellurium-derived cuprate organometallics offered an efficient and highly stereoselective means for installation of the C8 Z/E-diene, while the C15 E/E-segment was derived from a Julia-Lythgoe olefination.

Perineural cysts presenting as complex adnexal cystic masses on transvaginal sonography.

Objective: This study describes the sonographic features of sacral perineural cysts that initially presented as adnexal complex cystic masses on transvaginal sonography.

Conclusion: Perineural cysts may have a complex cystic appearance, including septation and internal debris, on transvaginal sonography. The extraovarian, extraperitoneal, and posterior location on real-time sonography are suggestive features.

Improvements in measures of vision and self-reported visual function after cataract extraction in patients with late-stage age-related maculopathy.

Purpose: A recent study indicated that patients with cataracts and early age-related maculopathy may benefit from cataract extraction. To ascertain whether cataract extraction in the presence of concurrent advanced age-related maculopathy was also associated with a clear benefit, we studied visual function and self-reported visual functioning in a cohort of 12 patients pre- and post-phakoemulsification. METHODS.

Differential susceptibility of retroviruses to nucleoside analogues.

Retroviruses may cause diseases in their vertebrate hosts. They are distinguished by their common means of replication involving reverse transcription, a process inhibited by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and other compounds used in antiretroviral chemotherapy. Previous work on NRTIs has been limited to their effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (for review see Ho & Hitchcock, 1989; Weller, 1999) and little information exists regarding the efficacy and therapeutic potential of these drugs against other retroviruses.