In vitro anti-proliferation/cytotoxic activity of epingaione and its derivatives on the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and TE-671 sarcoma cells

Epingaione (4-Methyl-1-(5-methyl-2, 3,4,5-tetrahydro-[2,3']bifuranyl-5-yl)-pentan-2-one) was isolated as one of the major lipophilic secondary metabolites from the leaves and stems of Bontia daphnoides L. The compound gave 79.24% and 50.83% anti-proliferation/cytotoxic activity on the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and TE-671 sarcoma cells in vitro at 50 pg/mL, respectively. Epingaione was transformed into eleven derivatives under laboratory conditions using ethanol, some gave greater anti-proliferation/cytotoxic activity on the cancer cell lines tested. One of the derivatives (compound 2) with enhanced cytotoxic activity was elucidated as 5'-Ethoxy-5-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-oxo-pentyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5'H-[2,3']bifuranyl-2'-one. Both epingaione and compound 2 caused an accumulation of arrested or dead SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma in the m-phase of the cell cycle as revealed by the m-phase specific marker KE 67.     

Eyelid kinematics following blepharoplasty.

PURPOSE: This study characterizes the effects of blepharoplasty on blink dynamics in subjects with dermatochalasis. The authors evaluate the hypothesis that orbicularis oculi removal and the consequent alterations in blink are potentially harmful consequences of blepharoplasty. METHODS: Sixteen patients were studied, before and after laser blepharoplasty, by a modified scleral search coil technique. Changes in lid position during blinks were recorded before surgery as well as 2 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Off-line analyses assessed blink down-phase amplitude, peak velocity, duration, and main sequence (peak velocity versus amplitude) relationships. RESULTS: Despite muscle resection, there was no significant compromise of mean blink down-phase amplitude, peak velocity, or main sequence following blepharoplasty. Mean blink duration was likewise unchanged at either follow-up session from the preoperative state. Our data show that upper lid blepharoplasty does not cause any lasting decrement in lid function in blinking. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharoplasty includes resection of a portion of the orbicularis oculi. It appears unlikely that the purposeful resection of preseptal portion of the orbicularis oculi that accompanies blepharoplasty is responsible for any functional complications such as dry eye.     

Treatment of infected abdominal aneurysms by extraanatomic bypass, aneurysm excision, and drainage

Five patients with infected abdominal aortoiliac aneurysms were treated. The diagnosis was made preoperatively based upon fever, leukocytosis, positive blood culture findings, and presence of an aneurysm in all five patients. Two patients had salmonella species, two had staphylococcus species, and one had bacteroides species cultured from the blood and aneurysm contents. All patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics and a single operative procedure consisting of preliminary extraanatomic bypass followed by complete aneurysm excision and posterior drainage of the retroperitoneum. There were no operative deaths and no instances of aortic stump disruption, persistent retroperitoneal sepsis, or graft thrombosis. All patients were alive and well on last follow-up 15 months to 5 years postoperatively.     

The value of parental report for diagnosis and management of dehydration in the emergency department

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We define the predictive value of parents' computer-based report for history and physical signs of dehydration for a primary outcome of percentage of dehydration (fluid deficit) and 2 secondary outcomes: clinically important acidosis and hospital admission. We also sought to compare the reports of physical signs related to dehydration made by parents and nurses. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational trial in an urban pediatric emergency department. A convenience sample of parents completed a computer-based interview covering historical details and physical signs (ill appearance, sunken fontanelle, sunken eyes, decreased tears, dry mouth, cool extremities, and weak cry) related to dehydration. Nurses independently completed an assessment of physical signs for enrolled children. The primary outcome was the degree of dehydration (fluid deficit), which was defined as the percentage difference between initial ED weight and stable final weight after the illness. Secondary outcomes included clinically important acidosis (defined as a serum CO(2) value of 相似文献   

Effect of a Long-Term, Community-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Middle-Aged and Elderly Cardiaac Patients

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of a 2-year, community-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise program on cardiovascular fitness, body fatness, and blood lipids in middle-aged (≤65 years, n=42) and elderly (>65 years, n=40) male cardiac patients. Estimated maximal metabolic equivalents increased in both groups; however, the increase was greater for middle-aged patients (p = 0.003). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased significantly after 1 year in both groups, but the change was greater for the middle-aged subjects by Year 2 (p= 0.02). The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and serum triglyceride levels decreased in both groups, whereas total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased only in the elderly group (p < 0.01). Body fatness did not change in either group. These findings reinforce the importance of referring elderly as well as middle-aged patients to community-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs.     

Diagnosis and catheter treatment of innominate artery stenosis following stage I Norwood procedure.

Four infants aged 20-115 days (mean, 57.8 days) who had undergone stage I Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome came to early cardiac catheterization (6-112; mean, 47.3 days) following surgery because of significant arterial desaturation (pulse oximetry indicating oxygen saturations consistently in the 40%-70% range). Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a significant systolic pressure gradient between the ascending aorta and innominate artery (30-65; mean, 51 mm Hg) as the likely cause of diminished pulmonary blood flow in these patients. Routine angiography by itself was not conclusive in identifying a discrete area of obstruction, but selective angiography coupled with a knowledge of the obstruction did reveal the stenosis. All patients were successfully treated with balloon dilatation of the stenotic area, with the pressure gradient being reduced to 7-25 (mean, 17 mm Hg) immediately following dilatation. On follow-up catheterization in three patients, the systolic gradients were 3, 6, and 9 mm Hg. Arterial oxygen saturations rose from 63.5% predilatation to 77.3% immediately postdilatation and 81% on follow-up evaluation. In conclusion, innominate artery stenosis is an important cause of diminished blood flow through a modified right Blalock-Taussig shunt. Routine angiography will often miss the diagnosis. Pressure gradients and selective angiograms are necessary in order to make the diagnosis, although careful noninvasive assessment should also be diagnostic of this problem. Catheter dilatation is therapeutic in this situation and can be performed early after surgery in the absence of a fresh suture line.