Synthesis of novel 21-trifluoropregnane steroids: inhibitors of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (17 alpha-lyase).

Novel 21-trifluoropregnenolone (6), 21-trifluoroprogesterone (7) and related compounds 4a and 8 have been synthesized in high yields from 3 beta-acetoxyandrost-5-ene-17 beta-carbaldehyde (3). The key reaction was the conversion of 3 into the 21-trifluoromethyl-20-alcohol as a diastereomeric mixture (4) by trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane (TMS-CF3) in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF). All compounds, including 6 and 7, were unambiguously characterized by IR, 1H and 19F NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and elemental analysis. On this basis, we concluded that the only report of an earlier synthesis of 6 and 7 is erroneous. Enzyme inhibition studies showed that 20 xi-hydroxy-21-trifluoropregn-4-en-3-one (8) is a potent inhibitor (IC50 value = 0.6 microM) of rat 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase.

Analysis of the competent community: support for the community organization role of the health educator.

This study looks at the implications of emphasizing macro-change strategies for achieving a well society by examining the impact of community competence in the delivery of services on health status, as measured by years of productive life lost (YPLL), in thirty-three counties of Eastern North Carolina. Results of rankings and canonical analyses indicate that agency use of networks in planning is related to lower YPLL rates overall, but knowledge of services was related to lower white rates only. Community competence as a framework for evaluating community organization techniques is defined and the implications of the findings for community health practice are discussed.

Asbestos in Colorado schools.

Forty-one public schools in Colorado were drawn at random and surveyed for asbestos-containing materials. After bulk samples of possible asbestos materials from the schools were collected and analyzed, the K2 asbestos screening test was used to eliminate samples that did not contain asbestos. Samples with positive results on the K2 test were analyzed by an outside laboratory by polarized light microscopy. The risk of potential exposure presented by these materials was then assessed for each site from which a sample was taken. Of 113 samples collected, results were negative for asbestos for only 10.6 percent by the K2 test. Of the 101 samples for which results were positive, 56 actually contained 1 or more forms of asbestos. Twelve of these 56 samples were from sprayed material; the remaining 44 were from other materials containing asbestos. Of the 41 schools sampled, 31 had asbestos materials in one of more locations. The potential exposure values for these materials ranged from very low to very high, but the majority had high-exposure potentials. Estimates based on the survey of the 41 schools indicated that 63 to 89 percent of the public schools in Colorado have asbestos materials that present potentially serious hazards, not only to the children, teachers, and staff, but also to members of the community who use the school buildings after regular school hours.

Type A behavior, academic aspirations, and academic success.

This study investigated the link between the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern and attainment of success in an academic setting. First semester college freshman were administered 3 sets of questionnaires during the course of the fall semester that were designed to assess academic activities, outside responsibilities, and importance of academic success. Indices of actual academic performance were obtained from university records. The hypotheses that Type A students (1) would be involved in more activities, (2) place greater importance on academic success, and (3) actually achieve higher performance levels than Type B students, were confirmed. In addition, the results found that compared to Type B, the Type A students perceived more parental pressure, came from higher SES families, and were more clear as to what was expected of them. Implications for further research are discussed.