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A series of 3-indolyl-3-hydroxy oxindole derivatives (n = 41) were synthesized by the green aminocatalytic method with excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. All the newly synthesized derivatives were subjected to evaluate their cytotoxic properties against different human cancer cell lines. Results indicated that about 73% of the derivatives exhibited significant anti-proliferative activities against leukemia (U937, THP-1), lung (A549) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. Among them a few of the derivatives exhibited the most potent and effective cytotoxic activities on U937 (34, 36, 38 and 41) and MCF7 (12, 35, 40 and 41) cell lines, and their anti-proliferation activities are better than the positive control, Etoposide., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Interest in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is increasing. Transvaginal NOTES (TVNOTES) donor nephrectomy with subsequent removal of the kidney via the vagina is technically possible. This approach may minimize the surgical insult to the donor and allow improved cosmesis. The acceptability to patients of such a technique is, however, unknown. The aim of this article is to explore the attitudes of women who have previously undergone laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN)., Methods: A 15-point questionnaire was designed by a multidisciplinary group of surgeons interested in minimally invasive surgery to obtain the views of women who had previously undergone LDN at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide. It was sent to 150 female donors, and their views with regard to the acceptability of a TV approach to the peritoneal cavity for donor nephrectomy were recorded., Results: Forty-nine patients returned the completed questionnaire. The majority (90%) of these women did not have adverse feelings toward scars. Thirty-seven percent of women would consider a TVNOTES donor nephrectomy; however, this was increased to 51% if they could be reassured that TVNOTES was as safe as LDN. Concerns regarding a negative impact on sexual function after this procedure were raised by 33% of patients. The majority (88%) did not cite surgeon gender as an important factor when deciding for or against this procedure., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that less postoperative pain, better cosmesis, and safety are factors that may influence a patient's decision to choose TVNOTES donor nephrectomy. The majority, however, would still prefer LDN.

Studies on the mechanism of immunosuppression shown by adenine comprised two areas: (1) Toxicity studies on hepatic, muscle and renal tissues were undertaken to ascertain if immunosuppression was a result of a non specific toxicity. (2) Studies to determine whether immunosuppression is a function of the inhibitory effect on de novo and salvage pathways of purine nucleotide metabolism. Toxicity studies in mice indicated that adenine caused an acute, reversible renal tubular necrosis and that allopurinol, when combined with adenine, could abrogate both the renal toxicity and immunosuppressive activity of the purine base. This result indicated that the toxic and/or immunosuppressive compound may be a xanthine oxidase catalysed product of adenine. Further studies indicated that it was unlikely that a major part of the immunosuppressive activity of adenine was due to the renal toxicity exerted by this compound. Splenic PRPP levels were found to peak on day 4 after antigen administration (day 0) and this corresponded with the peak in antibody plaque response which occurred at day 4 to 5. Adenine given at an immunosuppressive dose of 25 mumoles/mouse on day 0, 1 resulted in a significant inhibition of splenic PRPP levels on day 2 of the response. This effect on splenic PRPP levels on day 2 was also found with hypoxanthine given at an immune enhancing dose and therefore would indicate that depression of splenic PRPP per se is not responsible for the immunosuppression. Adenosine given at immunosuppressive doses was found not to affect PRPP levels in the spleen and hepatic PRPP levels were unaffected by adenine, adenosine and hypoxanthine. The in vivo effects of adenine on hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase showed that adenine could inhibit significantly this salvage pathway in spleen and liver and that this inhibition could be overcome with concomitant administration of allopurinol. A metabolite of adenine which could contribute to its immunosuppressive activity may be 2-hydroxyadenine since it is derived from the xanthine oxidase catalysed oxidation of adenine inhibited hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gave similar renal toxicity to adenine and was immunosuppressive.