Absolute and relative configuration of erythroskyrin

We have reisolated erythroskyrin from Penicillium islandicum and have determined the relative stereochemistry of the compound through extensive 1H- and 13C-nmr studies. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by nmr studies of the O-methylmandelate esters.     

Prevalence and risk factors of cervicovaginal HIV shedding among HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected women in Dakar, Senegal

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk determinants and prevalence of cervicovaginal shedding of HIV-1 and HIV-2 among women in Dakar, Senegal. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study of 153 HIV seropositive female sex workers (FSW) and another 142 HIV seropositive women attending an infectious diseases unit, based on an interview, physical examination, and laboratory screening for major sexually transmitted infections (STI). Cervicovaginal lavage fluid was tested for HIV-RNA by means of nested PCR. Links between cervicovaginal shedding of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were identified by using odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent links with HIV shedding. RESULTS: The detection rate of HIV-RNA in cervicovaginal lavage fluid was low among FSW, with no difference between HIV-1 (7/90: 8%) and HIV-2 (3/48: 6%). The rate was far higher among the other women (41%, 48/117; 33%, 7/21 for HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high plasma viral load (>40 000 copies/ml) (AOR = 2.4 (1.0-5.6) p = 0.04) and basic vaginal pH (AOR = 2.2 (1.3-3.7) p = 0.002) were independently associated with HIV-1 shedding. For HIV-2 a CD4 count < 200 cells x 10(6)/l was the only factor associated with the shedding of HIV-2 (AOR = 9.0 (0.9-93)). The genital shedding rate was higher with HIV-1 than with HIV-2 (OR = 2.1 (0.9-4.8), but this difference disappeared after adjustment for the CD4+ cell count (AOR = 1.2 (0.5-2.9)). CONCLUSION: Advanced disease stage and immunosuppression are the major risk determinants for shedding of both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Basic vaginal pH is also a risk determinant for HIV-1 shedding.     

Bioactive A-type proanthocyanidins from Cinnamomum cassia

Two trimeric proanthocyanidins, cinnamtannin B-1 (1) and cinnamtannin D-1 (2), have been isolated from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia along with the known tetramer parameritannin A-1 (3) and a previously unreported tetramer, named cassiatannin A (4). The structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, MS, and CD analyses and compared to the reported data. Proanthocyanidins (1-4) possess significant in vitro inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at micromolar concentrations.     

A prospective assessment of opiate addiction treatment protocols for inpatients with HIV-related syndromes

A sample of 114 intravenous drug abusers hospitalized for HIV-spectrum diseases, was allowed to choose between methadone maintenance, partial or complete withdrawal as inpatient programs and was reassessed 4 days after discharge. One third of the patients had relapsed into heroin abuse. Rates of early relapse were significantly lower in the partial withdrawal group and higher in the methadone maintenance group. Patients with longer hospitalization and more severe HIV-related syndromes were particularly at risk of early relapse. Also, 45 former intravenous drug abusers were reassessed. Relapses were even more frequent than among active abusers, especially if the drug-free period before admission had been shorter than 1 year.     

CT of functioning tumors of the pancreas

Thirty-three patients suspected of having a functioning tumor of the pancreas were studied with computed tomography (CT); 25 had angiographic studies also. Thirty-one cases were confirmed surgically; the other two were lost at follow-up and were excluded from the series. Of the 31 patients, 21 had insulinomas, five had Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and five had assorted apudomas. CT was positive in 71% of the cases and negative in 29%; 22.6% of the studies were false negative and 6.4% were true negative. There were no false positives. Of the 21 patients with insulinomas, only one had false-negative CT and angiographic studies, caused by diffuse microadenomatosis. In one patient, two separate lesions of the pancreas were seen and identified correctly on both CT and angiography. All identified lesions smaller than 2 cm were seen only because of a hyperdensity on the enhanced CT scan. Lesions larger than 2 cm were identified either because their size distorted the pancreatic contour or because of their vascularity. The importance of proper CT technique using fast scanners and repeated bolus injections of contrast medium is stressed.     

Two new flavonoids from Erythrina eriotriocha

In addition to the known compounds erythinasinate [1] and abyssinone V [2], two new flavonoids were isolated from the CHCl3 extract of the stem bark of Erythrina eriotriocha and characterized by spectroscopic techniques as 3'-prenylnaringenin [3] and 2'-hydroxy-5'-methoxybiochanin A [4].