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Enrichment ofcis-5 polyunsaturated fatty acids [20:3(5c,11c,14c), 4.3% and 20:4(5c,11c,14c,17c), 11.3%] fromBiota orientalisseed oil was carried out by lipase-catalyzed selective esterification and hydrolysis reactions. Lipases fromRhizomucor miehei(Lipozyme),Candida cylindraceaand porcine pancreas were used. Lipozyme-catalyzed esterification ofBiotafatty acids withn-butanol inn-hexane allowed 20:3 and 20:4 (as fatty acids) to be enriched to a maximum level of 52.9%, and in the presence ofC. cylindracealipase 61.5% enrichment was achieved. Esterification with pancreatic lipase was poor with low levels of enrichment of 20:3 and 20:4 (22%). A multigram scale esterification of the free fatty acids fromBiotaseed oil by repeated treatment of the isolated fatty acid fraction withn-butanol inn-hexane in the presence ofC. cylindracealipase furnished an enrichment yield of 72.5% of a mixture of 20:3 and 20:4 fatty acids. Urea fractionation of the free fatty acids ofBiotaoil gave an initial enriched fraction of 20:3 (9.5%) and 20:4 (25.2%) which, upon treatment withC. cylindracealipase inn-butanol andn-hexane, gave an enriched fraction of 85.3% of 20:3 and 20:4 fatty acids. Partial hydrolysis of the triglycerides ofBiotaoil byC. cylindracealipase in potassium phosphate buffer at 25°C resulted in a 2.8-fold enrichment ofcis-5 polyunsaturated fatty acids (40.8% of 20:3 and 20:4) as contained in the unhydrolyzed acylglycerol fractions.

Ammonium hexafluorophosphate has been investigated as a flame retardant. A piece of whatman filter paper, α-cellulose, which was dipped in an aqueous solution of ammonium hexafluorophosphate (AHFP) (2-10%) and dried, car bonized when ignited without catching fire. The effect of AHFP on the decom position and combustion of α-cellulose has been studied using TG, DTA and DTG. The observed flame retardant property of AHFP has been attributed to its decomposition favouring the dehydration pathway. The fluorine in AHFP facilities and accelerates this pathway representing a true case of synergism.

Pleural effusions are one of the rarest complications reported in patients with silicone gel filled breast implants. The silicone implants have potential to provoke chronic inflammation of pleura and subsequent pulmonary complications such as pleural effusion. Herein, we report a 44-year-old female who presented with left sided pleural effusion, six weeks after a silicone breast implantation surgery. The most common infectious, inflammatory, and malignant causes of pleural effusion were excluded with pleural fluid cytology and cultures. With recurrent effusion in the setting of recent surgery, the chemical reaction to silicone breast implants was sought and exploration was performed which revealed foreign body reaction (FBR) to silicone material. The symptoms dramatically improved after the explantation.

The well-reported methotrexate (MTX) toxicities are based on the duration and cumulative dosing of drug. The typical toxicities can be predicted by the timing of drug administration, where mucositis occurs as an earlier effect, while myelosuppression and the sequelae of pancytopenia occur later after MTX administration. Despite these well-known toxicities, low dose MTX therapy can become problematic, in particular with the elderly, who are at a greater risk for significant myelosuppression. We present a case of a 73-year-old female with pancytopenia causing severe neutropenia, mucocutaneous bleeding, and bruising and requiring intravenous antibiotic therapy and limited transfusion dependence as a result of low dose daily MTX for rheumatoid arthritis.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is the most common form of lung cancer in nonsmokers. It is commonly seen in the periphery of the lungs. Myasthenia gravis is generally associated with mediastinal malignancies and rarely associated with adenocarcinoma of the lung. We present a case of a 38-year-old male nonsmoker with rapidly progressive adenocarcinoma of the lung associated with myasthenia gravis, a patient whom expired within 27 days of hospital admission and diagnosis.

Chylous ascites is very rare in HIV/AIDS and its association with Mycobacterium avium complex-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (MAC-IRIS) has been rarely reported. Here, we report a case of a young African-American male who developed chylous ascites as a late sequela to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome while on treatment for MAC. Antiretroviral drug-naive patients who start HAART in close proximity to the diagnosis of an opportunistic infection and have a rapid decline in HIV RNA level should be monitored for development of IRIS. Although the long term prognosis is poor, early diagnosis and treatment help to improve quality of life.