Optically active diaryl tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives.

In (1R,3S)-6,7-dimethoxy-3-(methoxydiphenylmethyl)-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, C(31)H(31)NO(3), (I), and (1R,3S)-2-benzyl-3-[diphenyl(trimethylsiloxy)methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, C(40)H(43)NO(3)Si, (II), the absolute configurations have been confirmed to be R and S at the isoquinoline 1- and 3-positions, respectively, by NMR spectroscopy experiments. Both structures have monoclinic (P2(1)) symmetry and the N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-chair conformation. The asymmetric unit of (I) contains one molecule, while (II) has two molecules within the asymmetric unit.

Pilot study of comparative placental morphometry in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies suggests possible maladaptations of the fetal component of the placenta.

Objective: Adequate maternal, intervillous and fetal blood flow are all necessary for fetal well-being. Compromise to any part of this exchange would be detrimental to pregnancy outcome. Pre-eclampsia is associated with reduced maternal spiral artery flow, resulting in reduced placental perfusion.

Multiple component patient safety intervention in English hospitals: controlled evaluation of second phase.

Objective: To independently evaluate the impact of the second phase of the Health Foundation's Safer Patients Initiative (SPI2) on a range of patient safety measures. Design A controlled before and after design. Five substudies: survey of staff attitudes; review of case notes from high risk (respiratory) patients in medical wards; review of case notes from surgical patients; indirect evaluation of hand hygiene by measuring hospital use of handwashing materials; measurement of outcomes (adverse events, mortality among high risk patients admitted to medical wards, patients' satisfaction, mortality in intensive care, rates of hospital acquired infection).

Large scale organisational intervention to improve patient safety in four UK hospitals: mixed method evaluation.

Objectives: To conduct an independent evaluation of the first phase of the Health Foundation's Safer Patients Initiative (SPI), and to identify the net additional effect of SPI and any differences in changes in participating and non-participating NHS hospitals.

Design: Mixed method evaluation involving five substudies, before and after design.

Setting: NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects of Ficus exasperata vahl. (Moraceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats.

The hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effects of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) (family: Moraceae) leaf aqueous extract (FEE) were investigated in experimental rat models. In this study, spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHR) (type 1 diabetes), obese Zucker (type 2 diabetes) and Wistar rats were used. Three (A, B and C) groups of rats, each group consisting of 10 rats, were used.

(1R,3S)-Methyl 6,7-dimeth-oxy-1-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxyl-ate.

The title compound, C(20)H(23)NO(5), is the third in a series of tetra-hydoisoquinoline (TIQ) compounds that are precursors to novel chiral catalysts. The N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-boat conformation. No hydrogen bonding is observed in the crystal structure.

{(1R,3S)-2-Benzyl-6,7-dimeth-oxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinolin-3-yl}diphenyl-methanol.

In the title compound, C(37)H(35)NO(3), a precursor to novel chiral catalysts, the N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-chair conformation. Inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules in the crystal structure.

(S)-N-Benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxamide.

The structure of the title compound, C(18)H(20)N(2)O, at 173 K has hexa-gonal (P6(1)) symmetry. The N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-chair conformation. In the crystal, inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding via the amide groups cross-link the mol-ecules along the a axis.

(3S)-2-Benzyl-3-carb-oxy-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinolinium chloride monohydrate.

In the title compound, C(17)H(18)NO(2) (+)·Cl(-)·H(2)O, a precursor to novel asymmetric catalysts, the N-containing six-membered ring of the tetra-hydro-quinolinium unit assumes a half-boat conformation. In the crystal, inter-molecular O-H⋯O, O-H⋯Cl, N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.

(1R,3S)-Methyl 2-benzyl-6,7-dimeth-oxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(26)H(27)NO(4), a precursor to novel chiral catalysts, the N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-boat conformation. Various C-H⋯π interactions and intermolecular short contacts (C⋯H = 2.81-2.

NMR elucidation of a novel (S)-pentacyclo-undecane bis-(4-phenyloxazoline) ligand and related derivatives.

The NMR elucidation of a novel ligand (S)-pentacyclo-undecane bis-(4-phenyloxazoline) and related pentacyclo-undecane (PCU) derivatives is reported. Two-dimensional NMR proved to be a powerful technique in overcoming the difficulties associated with the elucidation of these compounds when only one-dimensional NMR data is utilized. A chiral substituent was introduced to both 'arms' of the PCU skeleton to produce derivatives 1-3.

Quantitative analysis of trophoblast invasion in preeclampsia.

Background: The process of physiological conversion of spiral arteries is dependent on the invasion of the interstitium and spiral arteries of the uterine wall by invasive extravillous trophoblast thereby creating a high flow-low resistance vessel. Quantitative data on restriction of trophoblast invasion and failure of spiral artery transformation are limited in preeclampsia.

Aim: This study morphometrically analyzes interstitial trophoblast cells and trophoblast cells embedded in the wall of the converted spiral arteries within the decidua and myometrium of normotensive and preeclamptic Black African pregnant women.

Endothelin-1 activity in pregnancy.

Plasma endothelin-1 activity was measured by radioimmunoassay in 24 normotensive non-pregnant women and in 24 normotensive pregnant, 24-aproteinuric hypertensive and 24 pre-eclamptic women. Endothelin-1 activity was increased in the pre-eclamptic group (2.7 +/- 06 pg/ml) compared to the normotensive non-pregnant (1.

Immunolocalisation and endothelin-1 values In pre-eclampsia: an immunocytochemical study.

Maternal plasma ET-1 levels and the immunolocalisation of ET1 in the fetal membranes of pre-eclamptic primigravidae at >/=28 weeks, gestation were studied. The levels of maternal plasma ET1 and immunoreactive ET-1 were increased in pre-eclampsia. Immunoreactive ET-1 was localised in the amnion, chorion and decidua of normal pregnant women as well as those with preeclampsia-eclampsia.

Transforming growth factor beta(1) levels in platelet depleted plasma in African women with pre-eclampsia.

Recently it has been suggested that TGF-beta(1) may play an important role in trophoblast invasion of spiral arteries in pre-eclampsia. This study was designed to investigate TGF-beta(1) levels in pre-eclampsia. Platelet depleted plasma TGF-beta(1) levels were measured by ELISA in 43 normotensive healthy non-pregnant women, 30 normotensive healthy pregnant and 42 pre-eclamptic women: TGF-beta(1) levels were increased significantly in the pre-eclamptics (4.

Urinary heparan sulfate proteoglycan excretion in black African women with pre-eclampsia.

Background: The heparan sulfate proteoglycan of the glomerular basement membrane is considered to be mainly responsible for the charge selectivity of the glomerular basement membrane. Decreased heparan sulfate proteoglycan results in a decreased anionic charge of the glomerular basement membrane with increased heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the urine, and is believed to be responsible for the proteinuria in pre-eclampsia.

Aim: To determine the urinary heparan and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan levels in women with pre-eclampsia.

Tissue kallikrein activity in pregnancy.

To determine tissue kallikrein (TK) activity in black African women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; 140 women were recruited and divided into the following groups: group A--35 preeclamptic women, group B--35 mild to moderate hypertensive pregnant women and group C--35 normotensive pregnant women, and group D--35 normotensive non-pregnant healthy women. The activity of tissue kallikrein was determined from a random untimed urine sample using a selective, synthetic chromogenic tripeptide substrate having the sequence H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-pNA (S-2266). Urinary sodium and potassium levels was determined by flame photometry.

Relationship between histopathological changes in post partum renal biopsies and renal function tests of African women with early onset pre-eclampsia.

Background: To improve the diagnostic accuracy of concurrent renal disease in hypertension of pregnancy, biopsy evaluation is essential. In addition, establishing underlying renal disease is important for prognosis on future pregnancies. We therefore designed a study to determine the diagnostic yield of postpartum renal biopsy and the nature and frequency of complications associated with this procedure.

How do South African obstetricians manage hypertensive disorders of pregnancy--a survey.

Objective: To determine the current management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in South Africa.

Method: A postal questionnaire was sent to 600 South African obstetricians.

Results: The response rate was 72% (432/600), with 425 questionnaires suitable for analysis.

Urinary tissue kallikrein excretion in black African women with severe pre-eclampsia.

Background: A study of tissue kallikrein excretion in African women with severe pre-eclampsia.

Methods: Random untimed urine samples were collected from all women (n=198) recruited to this study; 66 women with severe pre-eclampsia, 66 normotensive pregnant women of similar length of gestation and 66 normotensive non-pregnant women. Urine specimens were analyzed for urinary tissue kallikrein using a selective, synthetic chromogenic tripeptide substrate (S2266) having the sequence H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-pNA.

Laboratory surveillance of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in KwaZulu-Natal.

Objective: To collect data on the antimicrobial susceptibility of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in KwaZulu-Natal, including the testing of newer therapeutic agents, and to evaluate the ability of laboratories to participate in a provincial surveillance programme.

Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Setting: Hospital laboratories in KwaZulu-Natal, including peripheral laboratories and the medical microbiology laboratory of the University of Natal.

Ultrastructure of Calymmatobacterium granulomatis: comparison of culture with tissue biopsy specimens.

The ultrastructural features of cells of Calymmatobacterium granulomatis from monocyte co-cultures and tissue biopsy specimens were compared. In cultures the bacteria were mainly extracellular, i.e.

Growth and cultural characteristics of Calymmatobacterium granulomatis--the aetiological agent of granuloma inguinale (Donovanosis).

Granuloma inguinale is a chronic destructive granulomatous disease of the genitalia. The clinical diagnosis is often unreliable and the definitive diagnosis is based on the visualisation of 'Donovan bodies' in tissue smears or biopsy specimens. The organism implicated in its aetiology, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, was reported to have been cultured > 30 years ago, but little is known about the organism because of its fastidious nature and the difficulty in culturing it.

Tissue kallikrein in transplant kidney.

Literature survey, thus far, has shown a decrease in the excretion of urinary tissue kallikrein (TK) in transplant patients with a further reduction of the enzyme during episodes of acute rejection. The study aims were to compare, at cellular and subcellular levels, the localisation of tissue kallikrein in biopsies of the transplant kidney to autopsy derived normal renal tissue. Renal biopsies from eighteen transplant patients with deteriorating renal function were obtained.