Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Spiro[4-pyran-3,3'-oxindoles] Catalyzed by Tröger's Base Derivative.

Objective: Two classes of spiro[4-pyran-3,3'-oxindole] derivatives were prepared the one pot reaction of chain diketones (1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione or dibenzoyl methane), substituted isatins and malononitrile successfully catalyzed by a Tröger's base derivative 1b (5,12-dimethyl-3,10-diphenyl-bis-1-pyrazol][4,5]-1,5-diazadicyclo[3.3.1]-2,6-octadiene).

Recombinant streptavidin fusion proteins as signal reporters in rapid test of human hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is very important for the treatment of the disease. Development of sensitive and specific rapid detection assays is of great significance for the diagnosis. Here, we describe a promising method of using gold-labeled streptavidin fusion proteins as novel signal reporter in a rapid detection assay for HCV infection.

Characterization of the inflammatory and apoptotic cells in the aortas of patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Objective: The histopathologic abnormality underlying ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection is medial degeneration, a lesion that is described as the noninflammatory loss of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers. This study sought to determine whether inflammatory cells are present in medial degeneration and assess any possible contribution of these cells to apoptosis of smooth muscle cells.

Methods: Aortic specimens were obtained from patients undergoing prophylactic surgical repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 9) and type A dissection (n = 7), along with control patients dying of causes unrelated to aortic disease (n = 5).

Melanocytes: morphological basis for an exteroceptive sensory system for monitoring ultraviolet radiation.

From the conventional medical perspective, melanocytes have been traditionally viewed as epidermal responders/reactors to ultraviolet radiation. In this paper we have begun an analysis of the functional significance of melanocytes as monitors for ultraviolet radiation with their neuronal, endocrinological and immunological intercalations. This preliminary study was performed using as a human model unilateral sural nerve sensory blockade before and after ultraviolet exposure to both feet while the unblocked foot acted as the control.

Frameshift mutations in the bax gene are not involved in development of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mutations in the Bax gene play a role in the development of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma with a microsatellite instability phenotype. We analyzed a total of 60 tumor specimens, 49 ovarian endometrioid carcinomas and 11 concurrent endometrial endometrioid carcinomas from 49 patients. Fourteen ovarian endometrioid carcinomas and 6 endometrial endometrioid carcinomas showed a microsatellite instability-high phenotype.

Profibrillin-1 maturation by human dermal fibroblasts: proteolytic processing and molecular chaperones.

Fibrillin-1 is synthesized as a proprotein that undergoes proteolytic processing in the unique C-terminal domain by a member of the PACE/furin family of endoproteases. This family of endoproteases is active in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), but metabolic labeling studies have been controversial as to whether profibrillin-1 is processed intracellularly or after secretion. This report provides evidence that profibrillin-1 processing is not an intracellular event.

Activated charcoal is effective but equilibrium dialysis is ineffective in removing oleander leaf extract and oleandrin from human serum: monitoring the effect by measuring apparent digoxin concentration.

Accidental poisoning from oleander leaf or oleander tea can be life threatening. The authors studied the effectiveness of activated charcoal and equilibrium dialysis in removing oleander leaf extract and commercially available oleandrin as well as oleandrigenin, the active components of oleander plant, from human serum. Oleander leaf extract was prepared in distilled water and drug-free serum was supplemented with the extract.