Myrosinase hydrolysates of Brassica oleraceae L. var. italica reduce the risk of colon cancer.

By means of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization (LC-ESI) mass spectrometry two glucosinolates, glucoiberin and 3-hydroxy,4(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl glucosinolate, were identified in the aqueous extract of Brassica oleraceae L var. italica. Further, two compounds were isolated after enzymatic hydrolysis of the aqueous extract by myrosinase, one of them was identified as 4-vinyl-3-pyrazolidinone. The second compound (sulphoraphane) 1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl-sulphinyl butane, converted to the most stable form of thiourea (sulphoraphane thiourea). The crude extract (80% alcohol extract) of broccoli florets was examined for cytotoxic activity against different human cancer cell lines, it showed good inhibition of colon cancer (IC(50) 3.88 µg/mL). On the other hand each of the successive extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol) showed no significant cytotoxic activity. When myrosinase hydrolysate was tested for cytotoxic activity on the colon cancer cell line it showed very high activity - 95% lethality up to 0.78 µg/mL.

Triterpenoid saponins from Astragalus trigonus.

One new, 3-O-[[[-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-3beta,22alpha,24-trihydroxyolean-12-ene and two known triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-[[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-3beta,22beta,24-trihydroxyolean-12-ene (azukisaponin V) and 3,16-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta-trihydroxycycloart-24-ene have been isolated from Astragalus trigonus. The structures were determined primarily by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of NMR signals was performed by means of 1H-1H COSY, NOESY, ROESY, TOCSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.

Structurally related immunological effects of triterpenoid saponins.

The influence of the triterpenoid saponins 1-10 has been investigated on murine spleenocytes in the lymphocyte transformation test and on murine macrophages in an phagocytosis assay. The lymphocyte transformation test and the phagocytosis assay showed that the tested compounds have no stimulating effect. However, a significant inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by the triterpenoid saponins 2, 6 and 10 was demonstrated.

Iridoids from Avicennia marina.

Three new iridoid glucosides, 10-O-[(E)-cinnamoyl]-geniposidic acid, 10-O-[(E)-p-coumaroyl]-geniposidic acid, 10-O-[(E)-caffeoyl]-geniposidic acid and the known iridoid glucoside, 2'-O-[(E)-cinnamoyl]-mussaenosidic acid have been isolated from Avicennia marina. The structures were determined primarily by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of NMR signals was performed by means of 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.

A simplified technique for construction of an interim obturator for a bilateral total maxillectomy defect.

PURPOSE: This report describes a simplified method for construction of an interim obturator for a huge maxillary defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A medical grade-silicone obturator was fabricated indirectly on a duplicate cast of the surgical defect for a patient with a bilateral total maxillectomy. This silicone obturator was attached to an acrylic plate by means of mushroom-like extension tags projecting from the fitting surface of the acrylic palatal plate. RESULTS: The obturator was well retained in the patient's mouth and markedly improved his ability to speak and swallow. CONCLUSION: This technique proved to be a simple, quick, and cost-effective method for construction of obturators for huge maxillary defects.

Triterpenoid saponins from Fagonia indica.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-{[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ->3)]- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl}-ursolic acid-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (indicasaponin A), 3-O-{[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ->3)]- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl}-oleanolic acid-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (indicasaponin B) and two known triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-ur solic acid-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-olean olic acid-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester have been isolated from Fagonia indica. The structures were determined primarily by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of NMR signals was performed by means of 1H-1H COSY, NOESY, ROESY, TOCSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.

An intraoral positioning appliance for stereotactic radiotherapy.

Stereotactic radiotherapy provides the most accurate and effective therapy and protects the adjacent, normal tissues. The head must be positioned the same for all treatments. This article describes the fabrication and application of a noninvasive intraoral appliance that verifies the position of the head to deliver more accurate radiotherapy and protect the adjacent, normal tissues.

Accuracy of 30-minute indirect calorimetry studies in predicting 24-hour energy expenditure in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the optimal duration of measurement or time of day to perform indirect calorimetry (IC). Energy expenditure (EE) varies at different times of day and with different activity levels. We sought to assess the variability of EE in mechanically ventilated patients over a 24-hour period and the accuracy of 30-minute IC studies in predicting the 24-hour energy expenditure (EE24). METHODS: The study was a prospective comparison between the resting EE obtained by 30-minute measurement of IC and EE values obtained from 24-hour measurements. Tests were performed in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of a tertiary care, university hospital. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured for 24 hours in eight ventilated patients. Measurements were made every 3 minutes and used to calculate 30-minute and 24-hour oxygen consumption values. EE24 was calculated using the modified Weir equation. Each 30-minute interval was compared with the value obtained from the 24-hour measurement. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-one of 384 30-minute intervals remained for analysis. Average EE24 measured was 1490 +/- 486 kcal/d. Average EE24 predicted by extrapolation from 30-minute studies was 1501 +/- 503 kcal/d, with a mean difference of 0 +/- 209 kcal/d from the measured 24-hour values (range: -1068 to +585 kcal/d). Thirty-minute studies were within 20% of 24-hour measurements for 89% of intervals. The difference between 24-hour and 30-minute studies correlated with changes in minute ventilation (VE), heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and breath rate from their 24-hour means (p < .001). The mean error of EE estimate was greatest between 3 and 11 PM (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude the following: (1) EE in MICU patients is variable; (2) 30-minute IC studies predict measured EE24 acceptably well for clinical purposes; and (3) accuracy is maximized if a 30-minute study is performed between 11 PM and 3 PM, and when Ve, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and breath rate are near the day's average.

Triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Zygophyllum species.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-[beta-D-2-O-sulphonylglucopyranosyl]-quinovic acid-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (zygophyloside G), 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl++ +]-quinovic acid-28-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (zygophyloside H), and seven known saponins have been isolated. The structures were established primarily on the basis of NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of all NMR signals was performed by means of 1H-1H COSY-45, NOESY, TOCSY, 13C APT, HMQC and HMBC experiments. The determination of the glycosylation sites was possible by the HMBC experiments.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the lung in association with mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

A 17 year old female was seen because of a non-productive cough and one episode of blood-tinged sputum. A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed multiple small cystic lucencies in the upper lobes. The mediastinal CT window revealed concurrent mediastinal lymphadenopathy. An open lung biopsy showed Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH). The significance of nodal involvement in LCH of the lung is not known, but raises the possibility of regional LCH and warrants a further search for bone or visceral involvement as well as closer follow-up and monitoring of patients.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with no peripheral eosinophilia.

A 41-year-old female with intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea for a period of three years was found to have eosinophilic enteritis. The patient has had neither a history of atopy nor peripheral eosinophilia, commonly reported in association with eosinophilic enteritis. The patient made a rapid clinical response to steroid therapy. The literature on eosinophilic gastroenteritis is reviewed.

Diagnostic problems involved in detection of metastatic neoplasms by bone-marrow aspirate compared with needle biopsy.

Diagnostic problems involved in detection of metastatic neoplasms by bone-marrow aspirate compared with needle biopsy. Am J Clin Pathol 70: 623--627, 1978. Comparison of a large series of bone marrow aspirations with simultaneously performed Jamshidi needle biopsies showed 75% correlation between the two procedures for detection of metastatic neoplasms. In cases where the two methods disagreed, false-negative aspirations resulting from perineoplastic desmoplasia was the usual reason for the discrepancy. Cytologic criteria for the evaluation of suspected neoplastic cells in aspirate preparations are discussed.