Stilbenoids in lianas of Gnetum parvifolium.

Five new stilbene dimers were isolated from the lianas of Gnetum parvifolium in addition to known stilbenoids. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including long-range coupling and nuclear Overhauser effect experiments, in NMR spectrum. Among the isolates, 2b-hydroxyampelopsin F showed potent inhibitory activity in the Maillard reaction.

Kabuki make-up syndrome: a syndrome of mental retardation, unusual facies, large and protruding ears, and postnatal growth deficiency.

A previously unrecognized mental retardation malformation syndrome was observed in five unrelated Japanese children. Consistent clinical features included moderate-to-severe mental retardation, progressive dwarfism of postnatal onset, a peculiar facies characterized by long palpebral fissures, with eversion of the lateral third of the lower eyelids, arched eyebrows, broad and depressed nasal tip, large prominent earlobes, short fifth fingers, abnormal dermatoglyphics including absence of digital triradius c or d, and frequent otitis media in infancy. Inconsistent abnormalities included epicanthal folds, cleft or high-arched palate, widely spaced teeth, low occipital hair line, scoliosis, and dislocation of the hip joint. Neither familial occurrence nor parental consanguinity was noted. The etiology of the malformation syndrome remains unknown.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis in children.

Ten cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis were studied. All patients remained euthyroid clinically during the course of this disease and during the follow-up. Of seven cases in which bacterial cultures were performed, an aerobic bacterium alone was isolated in one patient and anaerobic bacteria alone in four patients. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were recovered from one patient and cultures were negative in one case. Plasma TSH, T4, T3, and PBI levels were normal except in one case. The 131I uptake values were normal in six of seven cases. Plasma TSH response to TRH stimulation was normal in four of five cases. Antibodies against thyroglobulin and thyroid microsome were negative in four of six cases. These findings suggest that anaerobic bacteria may play an important role in the pathogenic process of acute suppurative thyroiditis and that the pituitary-thyroid functions are not impaired.