A new cycloamphilectene metabolite from the Vanuatu sponge Axinella sp.

A new diterpene, N-formyl-7-amino-11-cycloamphilectene (1), was isolated from the apolar extract of the Vanuatu sponge Axinella sp. The structure and relative stereochemistry were established by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray studies.

[Investigation on BLS among public hospital physicians in Abruzzo]. / Indagine conoscitiva sul BLS tra i medici degli ospedali abruzzesi.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of public hospital physicians in Abruzzo capable of performing basic life support manoeuvres, according to the latest guidelines. METHODS: A questionnaire was formulated, in order to investigate whether the persons interviewed 1) had ever performed a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; 2) had ever taken any BLS courses involving dedicated dummies; 3) believed to be competent in performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation correctly and if affirmative, the physician was asked to answer three further questions to verify the level of competence. The questionnaire was to be filled in at the proper working place without the aid of books or other material. RESULTS: Of the 1540 public hospital physicians contacted, 57.6% had participated in cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres, while only 30% had practised on dedicated dummies. Nevertheless, 69.5% believed to be able to perform the BLS techniques correctly. Of the latter, merely 18% answered all three additional questions correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Cardio-pulmonary arrest is the emergency during which the timeliness of the first resuscitation manoeuvres and their correct performance are the decisive factors for a successful outcome. Without attending regular courses, qualified to teach the proper techniques in depth and recall the acquired procedures, the efficacy of BLS techniques risk to fall below a level of acceptance. Therefore, in the emergency field, it is essential to guarantee a continued training.

Cinchoninium L-tartrate tetrahydrate.

The title compound, (3R,4S,8R,9S)-cinchoninium (2R,3R)-tartrate tetrahydrate, C19H23N2O+*C4H5O6-*4H2O, is a hydrated salt of cinchonine. In the cinchoninium cation, the geometry around the quinuclidinic N atom is typical of a protonated N atom, and the bond lengths and angles in the tartrate moiety clearly indicate the mono-ionized form. The relative orientation of the quinoline and quinuclidine systems is that most frequently observed in structures of cinchona salts and corresponds to one of the energy minima calculated for this type of molecule in the gas phase. An extended network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds spreads parallel to the bc plane separating apolar layers.

3,6-Bis(dimethylamino)-10-propylacridinium iodide.

In the title compound, C(20)H(26)N(3)(+) x I(-), the acridinium moiety shows mirror symmetry about the central C-N vector. The fused tricyclic system is only approximately planar and the geometry is affected by the presence of both dimethylamino groups and the propyl substitution at the central N atom. The propyl chain adopts an extended trans conformation and the plane through the chain C atoms is perpendicular to the mean plane through the rings. The I(-) ion is involved in short-range hydrogen-bonding interactions with two centrosymmetrically related cations via three activated acridinium C atoms. Stacks of acridinium cations propagate through the crystal along the c direction. The ring overlap is partial, but the dimethylamino groups also participate in the stacking.

Crystal structure of a new alpha-cyclodextrin hydrate form. Molecular geometry and packing features: disordered solvent contribution.

The crystallographic study of a new hydrated form of alpha-cyclodextrin (cyclohexaamylose) is reported. C36H60O30 . 11H2O; space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell constants a = 13.839(3), b = 15.398(3), c = 24.209(7) A; final discrepancy index R = 0.057 for the 5182 observed reflections and 632 refined parameters. Besides four ordered water molecules placed outside alpha-cyclodextrins, the structure shows regions of severely disordered solvent mainly confined in the oligosaccharide cavities. The contribution of the observed disorder has been computed via Fourier inversions of the residual electron density and incorporated into the structure factors in further refinements of the ordered part. The alpha-cyclodextrin molecule assumes a relaxed round shape stabilised by a ring sequence of all the six possible O2 ... O3 intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The four ordered water molecules take part in an extensive network of hydrogen bonds (infinite chains and loops) without modifying the scheme of intramolecular H-bonds or the (-)gauche conformation of O-6-H hydroxyl groups. The structure shows a new molecular arrangement, for an "empty" hydrated alpha-cyclodextrin, like that "brick-type" observed for alpha-CD in the iodoanilide trihydrate complex crystallising in an isomorphous cell.

A new scalarane sesterterpenoid from the marine sponge Cacospongia mollior.

A new sesterterpene, 12-deacetoxyscalaradial [2a] has been isolated from the sponge Cacospongia mollior, together with the previously described scalaradial [2b] and furoscalarol [3]. The structure of the new compound, proposed by spectral data, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2a is the first scalarane sesterterpenoid, without a substituent at C-12, to have been identified in nature. It shows high antifeedant activity and is hot to taste for the human tongue. Both 2a and 2b display cytotoxic activity.

Structure of N-acetyl-L-leucyl-L-prolinamide monohydrate.

C13H23N3O3.H2O, Mr = 287.36, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 6.3863 (8), b = 14.346 (2), c = 17.247 (2) A, V = 1580.1 (6) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.208 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.54178 A, mu = 7.04 cm-1, F(000) = 624, room temperature, final R = 0.037 for 1693 reflections with I greater than or equal to 2.5 sigma (I) and 257 variables. The peptide linkage is in a trans conformation. The pyrrolidine ring adopts a puckered C gamma-endo conformation and the leucine side chain is in a twisted [g-(tg-)] conformation. The crystal packing is stabilized by a three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds which involve all the donor groups. The water molecule plays an important part in the crystal packing, being engaged in three hydrogen bonds with different N-acetylamide molecules.

[A GLC assay method for chlorimipramine and its NOR1 and NOR2 derivatives in plasma]. / Risultati preliminari su di un metodo GLC per l'identificazione e il dosaggio della clorimipramina e dei suoi metaboliti nor1 e nor2 nel plasma.

A method is described for assaying by GLC the mono- and di-N-demethyl derivatives of chlorimipramine. This was performed by N-acylating the compounds with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and pyridine.

[Mechanism of action of butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) toxicity: in vivo and in vitro effects on mammalian smooth muscle]. / Studio sui meccanismi dell'azione tossica del butil-idrossi-anisolo (BHA): effetti "in vivo" e "in vitro" sul muscolo liscio di mammifero.

The toxicity of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was greatly enhanced in the rat after i.p. administration, the LD50 being two orders of magnitude higher than the oral administered dose. The compound was shown either "in vitro" or "in vivo" to impair the smooth muscle contractility. Study on the mechanism of toxic action of Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA): "in vivo" and "in vitro" effects on mammalian smooth muscle.

[Preliminary results on a purification method for intestinal peroxidase of the rat (EC 1.11.1.7)]. / Risultati preliminari su di un metodo di purificazione della perossidasi intestinale di ratto (EC 1.11.1.7).

A new method is described for solubilizing and partially purifying rat ileum peroxidase. The enzyme exhibited a different sensitivity to the inhibitory action of protamine at the different steps of the purification procedure. The only enzyme fraction obtained after gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 was inhibited by protamine.

[Biochemical characterization of partially purified rat intestinal peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7)]. / Caratterizzazione biochimica della perossidasi intestinale di ratto (EC 1.11.1.7.) parzialmente purificata.

Some kinetic properties of a partially purified rat ileum peroxidase were investigated. The enzyme was shown to be inhibited by sodium dodecylsulfate, poly-L-lysine, deferoxamine, sodium azide and by H2O2 concentrations higher than its Km.

Oxidation of 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA) by horseradish and mammalian peroxidase systems.

Di-BHA, 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-t-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-diphenyl, was isolated as the product of the reaction of either commercial horseradish peroxidase or partially purified rat intestine peroxidase (Donor-H(2)O(2) oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7.) and hydrogen peroxide with 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA). BHA, Di-BHA and other cyclic compounds possessing a hydroxyl group in the ring were found to be competitive inhibitors with respect to guaiacol, and non-competitive inhibitors with respect to hydrogen peroxide in a system containing guaiacol, hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase. A free radical intermediate generated during peroxidatic oxidation of BHA was detected and identified by means of EPR spectroscopy. It was estimated that during one hour incubation the peroxidase activity present in the rat ileum mucosa is able to oxidise 12mumoles BHA at a saturating concentration. It is suggested that peroxidative oxidation at the intestinal wall may represent a contribution to the inactivation of some phenol derivatives potentially toxic to mammals.