Isolation of translactone-containing triterpenes with thrombin inhibitory activities from the leaves of Lantana camara

Methanolic extracts prepared from the leaves of Lantana camara have been found to inhibit human thrombin. An assay, in which thrombin activity is measured as a function of clot formation from fibrinogen, was used to guide the fractionation and purification of five principal active constituents (1-5), which were all characterized as 5,5-trans-fused cyclic lactone-containing euphane triterpenes.     

Fryns syndrome: prenatal diagnosis and pathologic correlation

From 1988 to 1995, 96 patients (161 feet) underwent a modified Mitchell distal metatarsal osteotomy performed for mild-to-moderate hallux valgus. On AP x-rays of the standing foot, the average intermetatarsal angle was corrected from 15 degrees to 9 degrees, and the first metatarsophalangeal angles were corrected from an average of 41 degrees to 15 degrees. Criteria for evaluation of clinical results included relief of pain, appearance of foot, and shoe wear. After an average follow-up of 38 months, the overall satisfaction rate was 92.5%. Complications included 13 pin tract infections, two delayed unions, and two correction losses. The most common late sequela was transfer metatarsalgia of the lesser toes, which occurred in 20 feet (12.4%), leading to some dissatisfaction. The Mitchell osteotomy can be used on cases with less than 20 degrees of intermetatarsal angle, offering a stable construct with easy postoperative care.     

Non-isotopic in situ hybridization of HPV types in cervical intraepithelial lesions in patients with AIDS

Naturally produced methane shows different delta 13C-values with respect to its origin, e.g., geological or biological. Methane-production of ruminants is considered to be the dominant source from the animal kingdom. Isotopic values of rumen methane--given in literature--range between -80/1000 and -50/1000 and are related to feed composition and also sampling techniques. Keeping cows, camels and sheep under identical feed conditions and sampling rumen gases via implanted fistuale we compared delta PDB 13C-values of methane and CO2 between the species. Referring to mean values obtained from 4 or 5 samples at different times of 11 animals (n = 47) we calculated delta PDB 13C-medians resulting in small but not significant differences within and significant differences between the species for CO2 and methane. The delta PDB 13C-differences between methane and CO2 were statistically equal within and also between the species. Therefore a linear regression of methane values on CO2 is appropriate and leads to: delta PDB 13C(methane)/1000 = 1.57 * delta PDB 13C(CO2)/1000 - 47/1000 with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.87.     

Synthesis and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) of antitumor 3-arylisoquinoline derivatives

In this study a series of 3-arylisoquinoline derivatives were synthesized and cytotoxicity against human melanoma tumor cell evaluated, and a three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship was investigated using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). The results suggested that the electrostatic, steric and hydrophobic factors of 3-arylisoquinolines were strongly correlated with the antitumor activity. Considerable predictive ability (cross-validated r2 as high as 0.721) was obtained through CoMFA.     

Seminar planning guidelines. As I see it

Small local chapter groups can present quality cost effective regional seminars. Key components are dedication of members, teamwork, and a sense of direction. The following guidelines and information can provide a framework for planning and coordinating a seminar.     

Mutational analysis of the Mu transposase. Contributions of two distinct regions of domain II to recombination

Mu transposase is a member of a protein family that includes many transposases and the retroviral integrases. These recombinases catalyze the DNA cleavage and joining reactions essential for transpositional recombination. Here we demonstrate that, consistent with structural predictions, aspartate 336 of Mu transposase is required for catalysis of both DNA cleavage and DNA joining. This residue, although located 55 rather than 35 residues NH2-terminal of the essential glutamate, is undoubtedly the analog of the second aspartate of the Asp-Asp-35-Glu motif found in other family members. The core domain of Mu transposase consists of two subdomains: the NH2-terminal subdomain (IIA) contains the conserved Asp-Asp-Glu motif residues, whereas the smaller COOH-terminal subdomain (IIB) contains a large positively charged region exposed on its surface. To probe the function of domain IIB, we constructed mutant proteins carrying deletion or substitution mutations within this region. The activity of the deletion proteins revealed that domains IIA and IIB can be provided by different subunits in the transposase tetramer. Substitution mutations at two pairs of exposed lysine residues within the positively charged surface of domain IIB render transposase defective in transposition at a reaction step after DNA cleavage but prior to DNA joining. The severity of this defect depends on the structure of the DNA flanking the cleavage site. Thus, these data suggest that domain IIB is involved in manipulating the DNA near the cleavage site and that this function is important during the transition between the DNA cleavage and the DNA joining steps of recombination.