Globe avulsion secondary to maxillofacial trauma.

We report a case of globe avulsion secondary to maxillofacial trauma and propose potential mechanisms of injury. This case highlights the importance of wearing proper safety attire, especially during motorcycling.

Synthesis and biological activities of the marine bryozoan alkaloids convolutamines A, C and F, and lutamides A and C.

Synthesis of convolutamines and lutamides, new 2,4,6-tribromo-3-methoxyphenethylamine alkaloids isolated from Floridian marine bryozoan Amathia convoluta, was accomplished by a sequence of reactions starting from 3-hydroxyphenethylamines. Cytotoxities of the synthetic lutamides, convolutamines and their de-O-methyl derivatives were examined using drug-sensitive and -resistant P388 as well as KB cell lines. The bioassay suggests that the 2,4,6-tribromo-3-methoxyphenethylamine is an indispensable unit for detection of the activities. Additionally, a reversal of drug resistance by those alkaloids is recognized.

Structure-cytotoxic activity relationship for the toad poison bufadienolides.

The toad poison bufadienolides including natural and derivatized compounds were tested for their cytotoxic effects on primary liver carcinoma cells PLC/PRF/5 and their structure-cytotoxic activity relationships were studied. For this study, a ligand-binding model was developed by using a pharmacophore mapping program, Distance Comparisons (DISCO). The structural features that are common to the 3D structures of active bufadienolides were identified to provide approach to a 3D QSAR method by using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) study and to correlate the steric and electrostatic fields of the molecules to their activities. A valuable model which enables prediction of their activities was obtained from the CoMFA analysis, which may be employed for the drug designs of new bufadienolide analogues.