Novel pyrrolidines in the venom of the ant Monomorium indicum

New 2,5-dialkylpyrrolidines found in the venom of Monomorium indicum include trans-2-butyl-5-(4-pentenyl)pyrrolidine [1], trans-2-butyl-5-(6-heptenyl)pyrrolidine [4], trans-5-(5-hexenyl)-2-(4-pentenyl)pyrrolidine [6], trans-5-(6-heptenyl)-2-(5-hexenyl)pyrrolidine [8], and trans-5-heptyl-2-hexylpyrrolidine [16], whose structures were confirmed by synthesis. The concomitance of five previously reported trans-2,5-dialkyl-pyrrolidines along with small amounts of the cis isomers and N-methyl analogues makes the venom of M. indicum the most qualitatively diverse blend of alkaloids reported from an ant to date. The toxicities to termites of four of these alkaloids were determined.     

Expression of alpha-defensin-1 in chronic hyperplastic candidosis

BACKGROUND: Chronic hyperplastic candidosis (CHC) represents a chronic opportunistic candida infection. We clarified the presence, localization and participation of alpha-defensin-1 in host response against chronic candidal stimulus. METHODS: Immunohistochemically stained CHC biopsies (n = 10) were compared to candida negative idiopathic leukoplakia (n = 10). RESULTS: In CHC alpha-defensin-1 was detected in neutrophils intravascularly, in lamina propria and in the epithelium, in part in intraepithelial microabscesses. Staining intensity of individual neutrophils varied and was associated with peri- and extracellular staining, in particular in the superficial epithelial cell layers. In controls only very few homogeneously staining neutrophils were detected intravascularly without any extracellular alpha-defensin-1 deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophils form microabscesses and respond to Candida by activation and release of alpha-defensin-1 to peri- and extracellular matrix. This together with the epithelial cell migration from the basal layer to epithelial surface leads to alpha-defensin-1 rich protective shield in the most superficial epithelial cell layers.     

Further evidence of dopamine transporter dysregulation in ADHD: a controlled PET imaging study using altropane.

BACKGROUND: The dopamine transporter (DAT) is known to be a key regulator of dopamine, and recent studies of genetics, treatment, and imaging have highlighted the role of DAT in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The findings of in vivo neuroimaging of DAT in ADHD have been somewhat discrepant, however. METHOD: Dopamine transporter binding was measured using a highly selective ligand (C-11 altropane) and positron emission tomography (PET). The sample consisted of 47 well-characterized, treatment-na?ve, nonsmoking, non-comorbid adults with and without ADHD. Additionally, control subjects had few symptoms of ADHD. RESULTS: Results showed significantly increased DAT binding in the right caudate in adults with ADHD compared with matched control subjects without this disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm abnormal DAT binding in the striatum of adults with ADHD and provide further support that dysregulation of DAT may be an important component of the pathophysiology of ADHD.     

Clinical and epidemiologic evaluation of pressure ulcers in patients at a university hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the incidence of pressure ulcer development at a university health center in Turkey, and to determine whether the Waterlow Pressure Sore Risk (PSR) Scale score predicted pressure ulcer development, stage, or number of ulcers. DESIGN: We prospectively evaluated patients who were hospitalized at our university-based medical center. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: We analyzed data from 22,834 patients hospitalized at the Baskent University Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center in Ankara, Turkey from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, including 360 patients who developed pressure ulcers. INSTRUMENTS: The Waterlow PSR Scale was used to assess pressure ulcer risk. In addition, age, sex, the ward or unit in which the patient was hospitalized, reason for hospitalization, and location and stage of ulcers were collected on a data form designed specifically for this study. METHODS: A single nurse physiotherapist assessed all patients daily during their hospitalization. When a pressure ulcer was diagnosed by the nurse physiotherapist, a physician staged the pressure ulcers based on the US National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging system. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty out of 22,834 patients developed 1 or more pressure ulcers, resulting in an incidence rate of 1.6%. Most ulcers (59.2%) occurred in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (n = 213). A positive correlation between the Waterlow PSR Scale score and number of ulcers per patient (r: 0.178, P < .01) was identified. No significant correlation was found linking Waterlow PSR Scale score and ulcer stage or the development of a single ulcer. CONCLUSION: We found significantly lower pressure ulcer incidence rates than those commonly reported in the literature, which we believe is principally attributable to short hospital stays and a strong emphasis on preventive nursing care. While high Waterlow PSR scale Scores correlated positively with development of multiple ulcers, this did not predict ulcer stage or the presence of a single pressure ulcer.     

Comparison of survival by allocation to medical therapy, surgery, or heart transplantation for ischemic advanced heart failure.

BACKGROUND: To ascertain survival of ischemic advanced heart failure patients by treatment allocation, we examined the outcome of transplant assessment patients allocated to medical therapy, high-risk conventional surgery, or transplantation. METHODS: Patients were identified from the Papworth transplant database and excluded if primary etiology was not ischemic. Grouping was undertaken according to treatment allocation at initial assessment, and analysis was performed by intention to treat. Survival was computed from the time of assessment and Cox regression used to stratify patients according risk with the Heart Failure Survival Score. RESULTS: From May 1993 to September 2001, a total of 755 patients were admitted for transplant assessment, with 348 (46.1%) identified as having heart failure of ischemic origin. Variables required for calculation of the Heart Failure Survival Score was available in 273 patients (78.4%), and 20 patients (7.3%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 253 patients, 89 (35.2%) were allocated to medical therapy, 32 (12.6%) to surgery, and 132 (52.2%) to transplantation. The relative risk (95% confidence limit) of death compared with medical therapy was 0.62 (0.28, 1.40) for surgery and 0.38 (0.24, 0.61) for transplantation in medium- to high-risk patients. For low-risk patients, the relative risks for death compared with medical therapy were 1.87 (0.63, 5.60) for surgery and 1.97 (0.79, 4.96) for transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation improved survival of medium- and high-risk patients compared with medical therapy. In the low-risk group, this was not evident. However, repeated assessment of risk is required because the hazard for death rises steadily after the third year in these patients.     

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis: Review of the published work and report of one case

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis is an extremely rare inflammatory non-neoplastic destructive lesion of the testis. We report a 44-year-old man who presented with right scrotal swelling and two discharging sinuses. Testicular tumor markers were normal. Scrotal ultrasound showed heterogeneous testicular areas and irregular margin of the tunica. Surgical exploration revealed infected, unhealthy testicular tissue with necrosis and tumor-like lesion. Orchidectomy was done and histopathology showed xanthogranulomatous orchitis.     

Primary carcinoma of gallbladder in Yazd, Iran: A 14-year study (1992–2006)

Aim: To investigate the clinico‐pathological profile and stage of disease at presentation of patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder diagnosed during 1992–2006 in Iran. Methods: During this study period 34 consecutive patients with gallbladder carcinoma were identified using a pathology‐based tumor database. The data extracted for each study patient included their gender, age at diagnosis, signs and symptoms, presence of gallstones and histopathological pattern of the gallbladder carcinoma and the UICC/AJCC TNM staging system was used for labeling the stages of the disease. Results: The median age of the 34 patients studied was 69.50 with most between 61 and 70 years of age. The age range of the men was between 53 and 80 years with a median age of 71.50 years and that of the women was between 33 and 79 years with a median age of 68.50 years. The most common symptom was pain in the right hypochondrium. More women had gallstones (15/34) than men (3/10). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histopathological type (91.18%) with the commonest subtype being papillary (47.06%). Eighteen patients had stage IB and stage IIA (52.94%) carcinomas whereas stages IIB and III were observed in six (17.6%) and seven cases (20.6%), respectively. Only three cases (8.82%) were seen in stage IV. The follow up of gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) patients in this study ranged from 6 to 60 months. However, there was a progressive reduction of patients attending follow‐up oncology clinic, particularly by those who had stages III and IV of the disease. Conclusion: Most patients (52.94%) presented with early disease (stage IB and IIA) which carries a good prognosis. Early detection of GBC and a national consensus for the evidence‐based management of GBC in Iran should be the major components of a strategy aimed at improving therapeutic outcome.