Synthesis and morphine enhancement activity of N-[5-(2-phenoxyphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-yl]-N'-phenylurea derivatives

The synthesis of N-[5-(2-phenoxyphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-yl]-N'-phenylurea derivatives is reported. The structures of these compounds are supported by their IR, (1)H-NMR and mass spectra. Conformational analysis and superimposition of energy minima conformers of these compounds on L-365, 260, a known 3-ureido-1, 4-benzodiazepine CCK-B antagonist, showed that the aromatic rings fell in the same contour. Morphine analgesia enhancement evaluation of the synthesized compounds in comparison with a control group showed that compounds 8a, 8c, 8h-8j, 8l, 8o have significant effects.     

Epidemiological changes in colorectal cancer in Shiraz, Iran: 1980-2000

BACKGROUND: The present study was performed to determine trends in colorectal cancer rates over the past two decades (1970-80 vs 1990-2000) with in a main referral centre in Shiraz, Iran. METHODS: The Cancer Registry data on all colorectal cancer cases from 1970 to 2000 in Shiraz, Iran, were analysed. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, cancer site and type and stage of cancer were compared in the populations of two different decades. RESULTS: The age-adjusted incidence of colorectal cancer per 100,000 population per year increased in men from a mean annual incidence of 1.61 in the decade 1970-80 to 4.2 in 1990-2000 (P < 0.05), and in women from 2.35 to 2.72 (P < 0.05). In 1970-80, patients over 60 years had 62.5% of all the colorectal cancers, which decreased to 30% in 1990-2000 (P < 0.05). The distribution of right and left sided cancers were almost equal and showed no significant difference between the two decades (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A marked increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer has been shown in Shiraz. Also, the marked increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in the 40-60-year-old age group shown in the present study necessitates a more detailed work-up in younger age group patients.     

Water diffusion compartmentation at high b values in ischemic human brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We studied the evolution of brain water compartments during the early stage of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging was performed at 1.5 T in 10 volunteers and 14 patients with stroke. We used a single-shot echo-planar technique with 11 b values of 0-5000 s/mm(2). Regions of interest were selected in the white matter (WM) and striatum of the volunteers and in the ischemic core of the patients. Measurements were fitted on the basis of a biexponential decay with the b factor as follows: S(b) = S(0)[(f(slow) x exp(-b x ADC(slow)) + (f(fast) x exp(-b x ADC(fast))] where S(b) is the signal intensity in the presence of a diffusion gradient, S(0) is the signal intensity without diffusion sensitization, ADC(slow) and ADC(fast) are the respective apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of slow diffusing compartments (SDCs) and fast diffusing compartments (FDCs), and f(slow) and f(fast) the respective contributions to the signal intensity of SDC and FDC. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, FDC represents 74.3 +/- 3.1% of brain water, with ADC(fast) = (124.6 +/- 12.0) x 10(-5) mm(2)/s and ADC(slow) = (15.5 +/- 3.9) x 10(-5) mm(2)/s. In stroke, decreased FDC (49.1% +/- 10.9%; P = 1.05 x10(-5)) and increased ADC(slow) ([22.4 +/- 8.1] x 10(-5) mm(2)/s; P = 8.07 x 10(-3)) were observed, but ADC(fast) was not significantly changed ([135.6 +/- 25.7] x 10 (-5) mm(2)/s; P =.151). CONCLUSION: The restricted diffusion observed in the early stroke is mainly related to a redistribution of water from the FDC to the SDC.     

Association of renal cell carcinoma antigen, disialylgalactosylgloboside, with c-Src and Rho A in clustered domains at the surface membrane

Disialylgalactosylgloboside (DSGG), defined by monoclonal antibody RM2, is a renal cell carcinoma (RCC)-associated antigen which mediates adhesion of RCC TOS-1 cells to certain lung tissue target cells. This adhesion process may initiate preferential lung metastasis of RCC. Ganglioside GM3 is a B16 melanoma-associated antigen which similarly adheres to target cells and promotes consequent metastasis. In view of the close association of GM3-enriched microdomain with transducer molecules c-Src, Rho A, and FAK in B16 cells, we investigated the organizational status of DSGG in RCC cell line TOS-1, with the following results: i) DSGG, but not monosialylgalactosylgloboside, showed extensive clustering at the TOS-1 cell surface; ii) a low-density membrane fraction isolated from TOS-1 cells contained >95% of cellular DSGG, although protein content in this fraction was <1% of total cellular protein; iii) this fraction contained c-Src, Rho A, and FAK, but not H-Ras; iv) c-Src and Rho A were co-immunoprecipitated with DSGG through anti-DSGG mAb RM2 (IgM) affixed to a column. These observations indicate that DSGG is clustered in RCC, as typified by TOS-1 cells, to form a microdomain in which it is closely associated with c-Src, Rho A, and FAK, and may constitute a functional unit as has been observed for GM3 with transducer molecules in B16 cells. The functional organization of such units may be essential in determining malignant properties of RCC cells.     

Two Cases of Hypercalcemia in Pediatric Ovarian Dysgerminoma

Objective

To discuss the finding of hypercalcemia in pediatric ovarian dysgerminoma.

Incidence of urinary tract and bloodstream infections in Ghotbeddin Burn Center,Shiraz 2000-2001

Though burn wound infections have been extensively studied, other nosocomial infections (NIs) in burn patients have received less attention. Invasive diagnostic procedures (vascular and bladder catheterization) make the burn patients more susceptible to different nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of bloodstream and urinary tract infections associated with i.v. line and urinary catheter (UC) in Ghotbeddin Burn Center and also to compare these rates with those of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) in the USA. This study was conducted over 11 months, from 21st December 2000 to 21st November 2001. All the patients who were admitted for more than 48 h and did not have evidence of infection at the time of admission were included in the study. For diagnosis of urinary tract and bloodstream infections, the standard definitions from the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) were used. Of the total 106 qualifying patients, 91 study patients acquired nosocomial infections (85.85%). Urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection (UC-UTI) rate was 30 per 1000 urinary catheter days and i.v. line-associated bloodstream infection (i.v. line-BSI) rate was 17 per 1000 i.v. line days. Comparison of incidence rates of UC-UTI and i.v. line-BSI in Ghotbeddin Hospital and NNIS showed that rate of infection to be higher in Ghotbeddin Hospital while device utilization ratio (urinary catheter and central line) was higher in the NNIS hospitals. To reduce the rate of infection at Ghotbeddin Burn Center, education, development of standardized guidelines for the use of invasive devices and introduction of a nosocomial infections surveillance system are necessary.     

Neuromyelitis optica after a spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine

We report the case of a 53-year old woman who developed a neuromyelitis optica (NMO or Devic's syndrome) after a spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine. To our knowledge, the use of bupivacaine in human has not been associated to neurological complications like myelitis or NMO. The pathogenesis of this complication will be discussed.