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Organelle-specific autophagy directs degradation of eukaryotic organelles under certain conditions. Like other organelles, peroxisomes are subject to autophagic turnover at lysosomes. However, peroxisome autophagy (pexophagy) has yet to be analyzed in a live-animal system, limiting knowledge on its regulation during an animal's life. Here, we generated a tandem-fluorophore reporter that enabled real-time tracking of pexophagy in live Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed that pexophagy occurred at a population of non-canonical, tubular lysosomes specifically during starvation and aging. Remarkably, in these contexts, tubular lysosomes were the predominant type of lysosome in the intestine, transforming from vesicles. Though we found that peroxisomes were largely eliminated in early adulthood, they appeared restored in new generations. We identified peroxisomal genes that regulated age-dependent peroxisome loss and demonstrated that modifying this process altered animal lifespan. These findings reveal new facets of peroxisome homeostasis relevant to aging and challenge the prevailing perception of lysosome homogeneity in autophagy.

Zwitterionic polysaccharides isolated from commensal bacteria are endowed with unique immunological properties and are emerging as immunotherapeutic agents as well as vaccine carriers. Reported herein is a total synthesis of the repeating unit of Bacteroides fragilis zwitterionic polysaccharide A1 (PS A1). The structurally complex tetrasaccharide unit contains a rare sugar 2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-d-galactose (AAT) and two consecutive 1,2-cis glycosidic linkages. The repeating unit was efficiently assembled by rapid synthesis of d-galactosamine and AAT building blocks from cheap and abundant d-mannose via a one-pot SN2 displacement of 2,4-bistriflates and installation of all of the glycosidic bonds in a highly stereoselective manner. The total synthesis involves a longest linear sequence of 17 steps with 3.47% overall yield.

Like other biological processes, aging is not random but subject to molecular control. Natural products that modify core metabolic parameters, including fat content, may provide entry points to extend animal lifespan and promote healthy aging. Here, we show that a botanical extract from Artemisia scoparia (SCO), which promotes fat storage and metabolic resiliency in mice, extends the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by up to 40%. Notably, this lifespan extension depends significantly on SCO’s effects on fat; SCO-treated worms exhibit heightened levels of unsaturated fat, and inhibiting Δ9 desaturases, which oversee biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids, prevents SCO-dependent fat accumulation and lifespan extension. At an upstream signaling level, SCO prompts changes to C. elegans fat regulation by stimulating nuclear translocation of transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO, an event that requires AMP-activated protein kinase under this condition. Importantly, animals treated with SCO are not only long lived but also show improved stress resistance in late adulthood, suggesting that this fat-promoting intervention may enhance some aspects of physiological health in older age. These findings identify SCO as a natural product that can modify fat regulation for longevity benefit and add to growing evidence indicating that elevated fat can be pro-longevity in some circumstances.

Dietary restriction promotes longevity via autophagy activation. However, changes to lysosomes underlying this effect remain unclear. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we show that induction of autophagic tubular lysosomes, which occurs upon dietary restriction or mTOR inhibition, is a critical event linking reduced food intake to lifespan extension. We find that starvation induces tubular lysosomes not only in affected individuals but also in well-fed descendants, and the presence of gut tubular lysosomes in well-fed progeny is predictive of enhanced lifespan. Furthermore, we demonstrate that expression of Drosophila SVIP, a tubular-lysosome activator in flies, artificially induces tubular lysosomes in well-fed worms and improves C. elegans health in old age. These findings identify tubular lysosomes as a new class of lysosomes that couples starvation to healthy aging.One-Sentence SummaryTubular lysosome induction promotes healthy aging.

Organelle-specific autophagy directs degradation of eukaryotic organelles under certain conditions. Like other organelles, peroxisomes are subject to autophagic turnover at lysosomes. However, peroxisome autophagy (pexophagy) has yet to be analyzed in a live-animal system, limiting knowledge on its regulation during an animal's life. Here, we generated a tandem-fluorophore reporter that enabled real-time tracking of pexophagy in live

Like other biological processes, aging is not random but subject to molecular control. Natural products that modify core metabolic parameters, including fat content, may provide entry points to extend animal life span and promote healthy aging. Here, we show that a botanical extract from Artemisia scoparia (SCO), which promotes fat storage and metabolic resiliency in mice, extends the life span of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by up to 40%. Notably, this life-span extension depends significantly on SCO’s effects on fat; SCO-treated worms exhibit heightened levels of unsaturated fat, and inhibition of Δ9 desaturases, which oversee biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids, prevents SCO-dependent fat accumulation and life-span extension. At an upstream signaling level, SCO prompts changes to C. elegans fat regulation by stimulating nuclear translocation of transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO, an event that requires AMP-activated protein kinase under this condition. Importantly, animals treated with SCO are not only long-lived but also show improved stress resistance in late adulthood, suggesting that this fat-promoting intervention may enhance some aspects of physiological health in older age. These findings identify SCO as a natural product that can modify fat regulation for longevity benefit and add to growing evidence indicating that elevated fat can be prolongevity in some circumstances.

Objective Integrating and harmonizing disparate patient data sources into one consolidated data portal enables researchers to conduct analysis efficiently and effectively. Materials and Methods We describe an implementation of Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) to create the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Biobank Portal data repository. The repository integrates data from primary and curated data sources and is updated weekly. The data are made readily available to investigators in a data portal where they can easily construct and export customized datasets for analysis. Results As of July 2021, there are 125 645 consented patients enrolled in the MGB Biobank. 88 527 (70.5%) have a biospecimen, 55 121 (43.9%) have completed the health information survey, 43 552 (34.7%) have genomic data and 124 760 (99.3%) have EHR data. Twenty machine learning computed phenotypes are calculated on a weekly basis. There are currently 1220 active investigators who have run 58 793 patient queries and exported 10 257 analysis files. Discussion The Biobank Portal allows noninformatics researchers to conduct study feasibility by querying across many data sources and then extract data that are most useful to them for clinical studies. While institutions require substantial informatics resources to establish and maintain integrated data repositories, they yield significant research value to a wide range of investigators. Conclusion The Biobank Portal and other patient data portals that integrate complex and simple datasets enable diverse research use cases. i2b2 tools to implement these registries and make the data interoperable are open source and freely available.

Background Caesarean scar niche is increasingly being seen due to the rise in the number of caesarean sections worldwide. Indications and the ideal route for niche repair are still being researched. If the residual myometrium is less than 3 mm thick and potential fertility is needed, laparoscopy is the ideal surgical method for caesarean scar niche repair. The aim of this video presentation is to demonstrate techniques of identifying new anatomical landmarks during laparoscopic uterine niche repair. Results As seen in the video, Caesarean scar niche repair can be done in a step-by-step manner, with lateral bands serving as anatomical landmarks. Conclusions Lateral bands are a consistent anatomical landmark which identify the level and width of the uterine niche and thus simplify the laparoscopic repair making this a reproducible technique.

The health of a cell requires proper functioning, regulation, and quality control of its organelles, the membrane-enclosed compartments inside the cell that carry out its essential biochemical tasks. Aging commonly perturbs organelle homeostasis, causing problems to cellular health that can spur the initiation and progression of degenerative diseases and related pathologies. Here, we discuss emerging evidence indicating that age-related defects in organelle homeostasis stem in part from dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosome system, a pivotal player in cellular quality control and damage clearance. We also highlight natural examples from biology where enhanced activity of the autophagy-lysosome system might be harnessed to erase age-related organelle damage, raising potential implications for cellular rejuvenation.

Synthesis of type I LacNAc (Galβ1 → 3GlcNAc) oligosaccharides usually suffers from low yields. We herein report the efficient synthesis of type I LacNAc oligosaccharides by chemoselective glycosylation. With 16 relative reactivity values (RRVs) measured thiotoluenyl-linked disaccharide donors and acceptors, chemoselective glycosylations were investigated to obtain optimal conditions. In these reactions, the RRV difference between the donors and acceptors had to be more than 6311 to obtain type I LacNAc tetrasaccharides in 72-86% yields, with minimal occurrence of aglycon transfer. The threshold of RRV difference was further applied to plan the synthesis of longer glycans. Because it is challenging to measure the RRVs of tetrasaccharides, anomeric proton chemical shifts were utilized to predict the corresponding RRVs, which consequently explained the outcome of glycosylations for the synthesis of type I LacNAc hexasaccharides. The result supported the idea that elongation of glycan chains has to proceed from the reducing to the nonreducing end for a better yield.

Like other biological processes, aging is not random, but subject to molecular control. Natural products that act on conserved metabolic pathways may provide entry points to extend animal lifespan and promote healthy aging. Here, we show that a botanical extract from Artemisia scoparia (SCO), which promotes fat storage and metabolic resiliency in mice, exerts pro-longevity effects on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, even when administered in mid-adulthood. SCO-treated worms exhibit significantly higher levels of fat compared to controls but live up to 40% longer, with signs of improved stress resistance in late age. Molecularly, SCO links elevated fat to enhanced longevity and stress resistance via activation of the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO and upregulation of DAF-16-targeted Δ9 desaturases, lifespan-extending metabolic enzymes that oversee the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. These findings identify SCO as a natural product that can modify fat regulation for longevity benefit and add to growing evidence indicating that elevated fat can be pro-longevity in some circumstances.

Nonsymmetrical 1,1'-disaccharides and related derivatives constitute structural components in various glycolipids and natural products. Some of these compounds have been shown to exhibit appealing biological properties. We report a direct yet stereoselective 1,1'-glycosylation strategy for the synthesis of nonsymmetrical 1,1'-disaccharides with diverse configurations and sugar components. The strategy is based on the joined forces of a new class of configurationally stable glycoside acceptors and stereodirecting thioglycoside donors. The new glycoside acceptors feature a picoloyl (Pico) protecting group at the remote C4/C3 position that confers unusual stability on TMS glycosides under acidic conditions.

Carbohydrates contain numerous hydroxyl groups and sometimes amine functionalities which lead to a variety of complex structures. In order to discriminate each hydroxyl group for the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides, protecting group manipulations are essential. Although the primary role of a protecting group is to temporarily mask a particular hydroxyl/amino group, it plays a greater role in tuning the reactivity of coupling partners as well as regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of glycosylations. Several protecting groups offer anchimeric assistance in glycosylation. They also alter the solubility of substrates and thereby influence the reaction outcome. Since oligosaccharides comprise branched structures, the glycosyl donors and acceptors need to be protected with orthogonal protected groups that can be selectively removed one at a time without affecting other groups. This minireview is therefore intended to provide a discussion on new protecting groups for amino and hydroxyl groups, which have been introduced over last ten years in the field of carbohydrate synthesis. These protecting groups are also useful for synthesizing non-carbohydrate target molecules as well.

Soil lead (Pb) contamination by anthropogenic and industrial activities is a problem of global concern. In this research the possibility to adapt mid infrared-diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (MIR-DRIFTS) approach for the quantitative estimation of Pb in polluted soils was explored. One hundred soil samples were collected from an urban landfill agricultural site and scanned by MIR-DRIFTS. The raw reflectance spectra were preprocessed using four spectral transformations for predicting soil Pb contamination using three multivariate algorithms. Partial least squares regression using Savitzky–Golay (SG) first derivative spectra (RPD = 3.05) outperformed principal component regression models. The artificial neural networks-SG model using an independent validation set produced satisfactory generalization capability (RPD = 2.01). Thus, the combination of MIR-DRIFTS and multivariate models can reduce chemical analysis frequency for soil pollution monitoring, substantially reducing labor and analytical cost.

The present study reported the morpho-biochemical evaluation of 15 selected rice genotypes for salt tolerance at the seedling stage. Growth parameters including shoot length, root length, plant biomass, plant turgid weight, plant dry weight along with relative water content were measured after exposure to saline solution (with electrical conductivity value of 12 dS/m). Genotypes, showing significant differential responses towards salinity in the fields, were assessed through 14 salinity-linked morpho-biochemical attributes, measured at 14 d after exposure of seedling in saline nutrient solution. Relative water content, chlorophyll a/b, peroxidase activity and plant biomass were identified as potential indicators of salt tolerance. Principal component analysis and successive Hierarchical clustering using Euclidean distance revealed that Talmugur, Gheus, Ghunsi, Langalmura, Sabitapalui, and Sholerpona were promising genotypes for further breeding programmes in rice. The maximum Euclidean distance was plotted between Thavallakanan and Talmugur (7.49), followed by Thavallakanan and Langalmura (6.82), indicating these combinations may be exploited as parental lines in hybridization programmes to develop salinity tolerant variety.

Small glycodendrimers with a-mannosyl ligands were synthesized by using copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne coupling chemistry and some of these molecules were used as multivalent li- gands to study the induction of conca- navalin A (Con A) precipitation. The results showed that the monovalent mannose ligand could induce the pre- cipitation of Con A. This unexpected finding initiated a series of studies to characterize the molecular basis of the ligand-lectin interaction. The atypical precipitation is found to be specific to the mannose, fluorescein moiety (FITC), and Con A. Apparently the mannose ligand binds to Con A through hydrogen-bonding interactions, whereas the binding of FITC is mediat- ed by hydrophobic forces.

The total synthesis of a glycoglycerolipid isolate of Meiothermus taiwanensis and its truncated structural analogues is reported. Our synthesis employed DMF-modulated and low-concentration glycosylation reactions for the construction of α- and β-glycosidic bonds in the absence of participating protecting groups. Further simplification of the synthesis was achieved by employing a low-concentration one-pot glycosylation procedure. Preliminary immunological studies showed that one of the truncated structural analogues suppressed the cytokine production of THP-1 monocytes.

Study Objective To compare the analgesic efficacy of lignocaine gel–soaked Silastic bands compared with rectal diclofenac suppositories in patients undergoing interval laparoscopic sterilization under conscious sedation. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, clinical trial. Setting Day-case center in a tertiary care hospital in India. Patients Ninety-six women undergoing interval laparoscopic sterilization using Silastic bands (Yoon rings) randomly allocated by computer-generated random numbers into 3 groups. Interventions All women received intravenous sedation with injection diazepam and pentazocine along with local infiltration lignocaine injected at the site of the incision meant for insertion of the single site laparocator. In group 1 (n = 32), the Silastic bands (Falope rings) were presoaked in 2% sterile lignocaine gel; in group 2 (n = 32), women received a 100-mg rectal diclofenac suppository while on the operating table; and women in group 3 received only conventional analgesic. Pain perception was assessed using an 11-point visual analog score just after the procedure while still on the table (zero minutes), at 30 minutes and 1 hour after the procedure, and at discharge. Measurements and Main Results The women in all 3 groups were comparable insofar as age and parity. At zero minutes (while on the operating table), the pain score in all 3 groups was similar. However, the pain scores at 30 and 60 minutes, and at discharge were significantly lower in groups 1 and group 2 compared with group 3. However, 2 women (6.25%) in group 2 and 6 (18.75%) in group 3 required supplemental analgesia within 1 hour, and were administered a 500-mg oral dose of mefenamic acid. The need for further analgesia was significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 compared with group 3 (p = .02). Comparison of groups 1 and 3 revealed that in group 1, the pain scores were significantly lower at 30 minutes (p = .02), 1 hour (p = .005), and at discharge (p = .004). No patients in group 1 requested analgesia, whereas 6 women in group 3 asked for further analgesia within an hour postoperatively (p = .01). Similarly in groups 2 and 3, women who received diclofenac suppositories had significantly lower pain scores at the specified intervals (p = 0.02, 0.002, and 0.02, respectively). Conclusion Application of lignocaine gel to Falope rings and preoperative insertion of a rectal diclofenac suppository are simple and effective measures for pain control in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing day-case laparoscopic sterilization under conscious sedation. Either method could be incorporated into routine practice, depending on patient and physician choice.

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate use of oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel®) for epithelialization of neovagina in vaginal agenesis. Design: A prospective, longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2) was conducted at a tertiary care center. Method: Ten (10) women (ages: 17–25 years) with vaginal agenesis, undergoing surgical construction of vagina over a period of 2 years, were included in the study. The surgical technique involved creation of a neovagina by modified Sheares technique, followed by use of a foam mold covered with a condom and further wrapped in oxidized cellulose to aid epithelialization. The main outcome measures evaluated were effectiveness and complications (if any) with the use of oxidized cellulose for epithelialization of neovagina. Results: There were no intraoperative complications. Adequate vaginal length (7–10 cm) was achieved in all cases on foam mold removal. On follow-up at 6 months, all vaginas were well epithelialized. One (1) pa...

The [2+3] cycloaddition reaction (which is greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation) of the bis(azido)platinum(II) compound cis-[Pt(N 3 ) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (1) with 4-cyanobenzaldehyde (2) furnishes the N 2 N 2 -bonded isomer of bis[5-(4-formylphenyl)tetrazol-2-ate] platinum(II) trans-(Pt{N 4 CC 6 H 4 -(4-CH=O)} 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (3a) as the major product, along with the N 1 N 2 -bonded isomer 3b. Treatment of 3a with 2-dimethylaminoethylamine (4), in refluxing methanol, gives the corresponding N 2 N 2 -bonded bis[(E)-5-(4-{[2-(dimethylamino)-ethylimino]methyl}phenyl)tetrazol-2-ate] platinum(II) complex trans-[Pt{N 4 CC 6 H 4 (4-CH=NCH 2 CH 2 NMe 2 )} 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (6) in good yield. An alternative route involves the reaction of 4-cyanobenzaldehyde (2) with diamine 4 to give the E isomer of 4-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethylimino]methyl)benzonitrile N≡CC 6 H 4 (4-CH=NCH 2 CH 2 NMe 2 ) (5), followed by the reaction of the latter with bis(azido)platinum(II) complex 1 to afford 6 in similar yield. The reaction of 6 with MCl 2 (M = Pd, Ni, Zn, Cu), at room temperature for 3 h regenerates complex 3a as a result of the Schiff base hydrolysis, along with the diamine complex [MCl 2 (NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 NMe 2 )] (7). Treatment of 6 with ZnCl 2 for 36 h affords a mixture of 3a with its substitution products [Pt{HN 4 CC 6 H 4 (4-CH=O)}(NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 -NMe 2 )(PPh 3 )]Cl 2 (9; isolated in the tetrazole form) and cis-[PtCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (10) and diamine complex 7 (M = Zn). The [2+3] cycloaddition reactions of cis-[Pt(N 3 ) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (1) with unsubstituted dicyanobenzenes 11 [1,2-C 6 H 4 (CN) 2 (11a), 1,3-C 6 H 4 (CN) 2 (11b), 1,4-C 6 H 4 (CN) 2 (11c)] occur regioselectively and give the corresponding N 2 N 2 -bonded bis[5-(cyanophenyl)tetrazol-2-ate] trans-[Pt(N 4 CC 6 H 4 R) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] complexes 12 (R = 2-CN 12a, 3-CN 12b, 4-CN 12c). The isolated compounds were characterized by IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and 31 P{ 1 H} NMR (metal complexes) spectroscopy, elemental analyses, ESI-MS and X-ray structural analyses (for 3a, 5·HCl, 7, 9 and 12a).

The [2 + 3] cycloaddition reactions (which are greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation) of the di(azido)platinum(II) compounds cis-[Pt(N(3))(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (1) with cyanopyridines NCR (2) (R = 4-, 3-, and 2-NC(5)H(4)) give the corresponding bis(pyridyltetrazolato) complexes trans-[Pt(N(4)CR)(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (3) [R = 4-NC(5)H(4) (3a), 3-NC(5)H(4) (3b), and 2-NC(5)H(4) (3c)]. Compound 3c has been characterized as the N(1)N(2)-bonded isomer in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and represents the first bis(tetrazolato) complex of this kind. Complexes 3a and 3b have been used as metallaligands to generate heteronuclear coordination polymers in the presence of copper nitrate. A one-dimensional supramolecular architecture was obtained as the exclusive product, {trans-[Pt(2)(N(4)CR)(4)(PPh(3))(4)Cu](n)(NO(3))(2n).nH(2)O (4.nH(2)O) (R = 4-NC(5)H(4)), when 3a was employed, whereas with 3b the heteronuclear square complex trans-[Pt(N(4)CR)(2)(PPh(3))(2)Cu(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)](2) (5) (R = 3-NC(5)H(4)), composed of Pt/Cu ions, was obtained. All the isolated complexes were characterized by IR, elemental, and (for 3b, 3c, 4, and 5) X-ray structural analyses. Complexes 3 were additionally characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P {(1)H} NMR spectroscopies.

Salinity has been a key abiotic constraint devastating crop production worldwide. Attempts in understanding salt tolerance mechanisms has revealed several key enzymes and altered biochemical pathways inferring resistance to crop plants against salt stress. The past decades have witnessed extensive research in development of salt tolerant cultivars via conventional means, improvised by modern era molecular tools and techniques. Rice (Oryza sativa L) is the staple food crop across several countries worldwide. Being a glycophyte by nature, its growth is severely imparted in presence of excess salt. Rice is susceptible to salinity specifically at the early vegetative and later reproductive stages and the response of the crop to excessive salt toxicity at biochemical and molecular level as well as physiological level is well studied and documented. An understanding of the specific response of rice to ion accumulation at the toxic level can aid in identifying the key factors responsible for retarded growth and limited production of rice with the future scope of mitigating the same. The present review summarizes the differential responses of rice, in particular, to salt toxicity enumerating the detailed morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes occurring in the plant. An attempt to explain salinity tolerance and its future scope and implications in screening for salt tolerance has also been elucidated in the present study.

The dimerization of α-methylstyrene (AMS) in the presence of aqueous sulfuric acid catalyst in liquid-liquid (L-L) mode of operation has been studied and the kinetic parameters have been determined. There was no mass transfer limitation in the process and the reaction was found to be intrinsically first-order. The rate constants, activation energy, and product distribution for the L-L mode of operation have been reported. A plausible explanation for the formation of the industrially important dimer in the presence of alcohols has been presented. The data are new and have not been previously reported in the literature.

The theory of mass transfer accompanied by chemical reaction has been used to determine the kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of isoamylacetate. The rate constant for the alkaline hydrolysis is around 9.52 cm3/(mole)(sec). This is much lower than the rate constant for alkaline hydrolysis of n-amyl acetate, which is about 85 cm3/(mole)(sec). The presence of an electrolyte like sodium chloride in the aqueous phase reduced the rate of extraction to some extent. The rates of extraction with sodium chloride in the aqueous phase and the corresponding rate constant values have been reported.

The kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of isoamylformate with aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide and pottassium hydroxide has been determined by using the theory of mass transfer with chemical reaction; the effect of presence of electrolyte salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate in aqueous alkaline solution has been assessed. Experiments have been conducted in a stirred cell having a flat liquid—liquid interface. For the different aqueous phases employed, the alkaline hydrolysis conforms to the fast pseudo-first order reaction regime. The system is of considerable practical importance and has been successfully employed for the measurement of the interracial area of a flooded packed bed contactor that contained cation exchange resin particles having a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm as packing particles. La cinetique de l'hydrolyse alcaline de l'isoamylformate avec des solutions aqueuses d'hydroxyde de sodium et d'hydroxyde de potassium a ete determinee a l'aide de la theorie du transfert de matiere en presence de reaction chimique; on a evalue l'effet de la presence de sels delectrolytes comme le chlorure de sodium et le sulfate de sodium en solution alcaline aqueuse. Des experiences ont ete menees dans une cuve agitee ayant une interface liquide—liquide plate. Pour les differentes phases aqueuses employees, l'hydrolyse alcaline est conforme au regime de reaction de pseudo-premier ordre rapide. Le systeme revět une importance considerable et a ete employe avec succes pour mesurer la surface interfaciale d'un contacteur a lit garni engorge qui contient des particules de resine echangeuses de cations et dont les particules de garnissage ont un diametre approximatif de 0,5 mm.

Methotrexate (Mtx) is accepted modality for conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy. However, there is no consensus regarding its use in live ectopic pregnancy and high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) titres.We report a successful management of live ectopic pregnancy in a 27-year-old nulliparous woman, with very high beta-hCG titres (89,200 mIU/mL), using ultrasound-guided intra-sac potassium chloride (KCl) injection and systemic Mtx. Successful resolution of the ectopic pregnancy, with negative serum beta-hCG (1 mIU/mL) was achieved after three doses of Mtx, and a prolonged follow-up of 71 days. No treatment related complications were encountered.Concurrent use of intra-sac hypertonic KCl, to produce cardiac asystole, with systemic Mtx could potentially improve outcome in live ectopic gestations with very high serum beta-hCG titres. However, individualised treatment, with a stringent follow-up regime is mandatory in such cases.

Use of levonorgestrel as emergency contraception is a safe and effective measure to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, ectopic gestation in case of failure is a known risk. Access to levonorgestrel without a prescription in many countries has made it impossible to estimate the exact incidence of this potential adverse event. Thus, spontaneous reporting of cases serves to alert physicians to this possibility. We present a case of ectopic pregnancy following use of levonorgestrel emergency contraception. To our knowledge, this is the first case report from India following introduction of levonorgestrel emergency contraception in 2001.

Fistulas between the uterus and bowel are rarely reported. We report successful laparoscopic management of a colouterine fistula caused by a foreign body in the uterus. Fistulas between the gastrointestinal tract and the female genital tract are usually found between the vagina and rectum as a result of complications of childbirth or iatrogenic trauma. Communication between the uterus and bowel is rarely reported. We report successful laparoscopic management of an unusual case of colouterine fistula caused by a foreign body in the uterus.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of oral naproxen with intrauterine instillation of 1% lignocaine for pain relief in women undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG) as an infertility investigation. Methods: One hundred women undergoing HSG were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group A (n = 50) underwent intrauterine instillation of 5 mL of 1% lignocaine 2 minutes prior to the procedure, while the women in group B (n = 50) were instructed to self-administer a single oral dose of 375 mg of naproxen 1 hour prior to HSG. Pain scores immediately after the procedure (0 minutes) and delayed pain scores (30 minutes) were recorded and compared. Results: Women in both groups were comparable in age and parity. The mean ± SD pain scores in group A and group B at 0 minutes and 30 minutes were not significantly different (P = 0.12 and P = 0.07). Conclusion: Intrauterine lignocaine was no more effective than oral naproxen for pain relief during HSG.

β-Glycosyl imidinium triflate is generated from participating thioglycoside donors for disarmed–armed iterative glycosylations and one-pot oligosaccharide synthesis.

We have designed a Biobank Portal that lets researchers request Biobank samples and genotypic data, query associated electronic health records, and design and download datasets containing de-identified attributes about consented Biobank subjects. This do-it-yourself functionality puts a wide variety and volume of data at the fingertips of investigators, allowing them to create custom datasets for their clinical and genomic research from complex phenotypic data and quickly obtain corresponding samples and genomic data. The Biobank Portal is built upon the i2b2 infrastructure [1] and uses an open-source web client that is available to faculty members and other investigators behind an institutional firewall. Built-in privacy measures [2] ensure that the data in the Portal are utilized only according to the processes to which the patients have given consent.

Ontology-based disease classification offers a way to rigorously assign disease types and to reuse diagnostic knowledge. However, ontology itself is not sufficient for fully representing the complex knowledge needed in classification schemes which are continuously evolving. This article describes the application of SWRL/OWL-DL to the representation of knowledge intended for proper classification of a complex neurological condition, namely epilepsy. The authors present a rigorous and expandable approach to the ontological classification of epileptic seizures based on the 1981ILAE classification. It provides a classification knowledge base that can be extended with rules that describe constraints in SWRL. Moreover, by transforming an OWL classification scheme into JESS (rule engine in Java platform) facts and by transforming SWRL constraints into JESS, logical inferences and reasoning provide a mechanism to discover new knowledge and facts. The logic representation of epileptic classification amounts to greater community understanding among practitioners, knowledge reuse and interoperability.

article i nfo Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE) versus laparoscopic occlusion of uterine vessels (LOUV) in the management of symptomatic fibroids. Methods: A pilot randomized clinical trial in which 20 patients with symptomatic fibroids were randomly allocated into two groups. Ten women underwent UAE, and 10 women underwent LOUV. Symptomatic improvement in menorrhagia and reduction in the volumes of the uterus and the fibroid were assessed at 3 and 6 months. Results: The patients were comparable with regard to age and parity. At 6 months, there was no significant difference in the mean reduction in menstrual blood loss, uterine volume, and volume of the dominant fibroid between the two groups (P=0.436, P=0.796, P=1.00, respectively). However, higher pain scores were recorded on day 1 in the UAE group compared with the LOUV group (P=0.0002). Conclusions: The effects of UAE and LOUV in the management of symptomatic fibroids are comparable. The main advantage of LOUV is less postoperative pain compared with UAE. © 2009 InternationalFederationofGynecologyandObstetrics.PublishedbyElsevierIrelandLtd.Allrightsreserved.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming prior to diagnostic hysteroscopy and to assess impact on pain scores and patient satisfaction.One hundred women undergoing hysteroscopy were randomly allocated into two groups. The study group (n = 50) received 400 microg of misoprostol vaginally (self administered) 4-6 h prior to hysteroscopy while the control group (n = 50) did not receive any cervical priming. Primary outcome measured was need for cervical dilatation, analgesia or sedation. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, patient satisfaction and side effects.There was no significant difference in the need for cervical dilatation, analgesia or sedation in the two groups (P = 0.25, 0.64 and 0.5, respectively). In addition, there was no difference in subjective patient satisfaction (P = 0.70). However, those in the control group recorded a higher pain score (median +/- SD = 5 +/- 1.8) when compared to those who received misoprostol (median +/- SD = 4.5 +/- 2, P = 0.03). Only two women (4%) had bleeding per vaginum and one (2%) had a slight fever attributable to misoprostol.Vaginal misoprostol prior to diagnostic hysteroscopy did not facilitate cervical dilatation. It did effect a reduction in pain scores, but there was no difference in patient satisfaction, need for analgesia or sedation. No significant side effects were reported.

Objective: To determine normal level of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) per 100 white blood cells (WBC) in cord blood of term non-asphyxiated newborns and to investigate variations in NRBC counts in perinatal asphyxia. Methods: A total of 75 cases were studied. Levels of NRBC per 100 WBC in umbilical venous blood were compared between 26 asphyxiated newborns (group I) and 49 non-asphyxiated newborns (group II). Correlation with neonatal outcome was also evaluated. Results: The mean (±S.D.) NRBC per 100 WBC level in umbilical blood of newborns in group I was 16.5±6.4, range 3–25; whereas that in group II was 8.6±7.01, range 1–26. This difference was statistically significant (P