Comparison of direct and indirect methods of measuring the precursors of beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone and their application to the analysis of Sessile oak wood.

A new indirect method for measuring the level of beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone precursors in oak wood by GC-MS is described. This level is calculated from the difference between the amount of free beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone and the amount formed after hydrolysis and lactonization. It is compared to the level of a precursor of cis-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone, a 6'-O-gallate derivative of (3S,4S)-4-[3-beta-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methyloctanoic acid, determined directly by HPLC. These two methods are applied to 12 powdered samples of Sessile oak wood and the results show that the 6'-O-gallate derivative of (3S,4S)-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methyloctanoic acid is by far the most abundant precursor of beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone in this wood.

Identification of a precursor of beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone in the wood of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.).

The 6'-O-gallate derivative of (3S, 4S)-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methyloctanoic acid was isolated for the first time from the wood of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and shown to be a precursor of cis-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone. The structure of this precursor was determined by HRFAB-MS, NMR, LCMS, and chiral analysis of the liberated (3S,4S)-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone on a chiral fused silica capillary column. Optical rotation was shown to be identical to that of the same compound previously isolated from the wood of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc. by Tanaka and Kouno in 1996. Moreover, the 6'-O-gallate derivative of a threo-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methyloctanoic acid was tentatively identified as a minor precursor of trans-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone in the same wood of Sessile oak.

Evolution of castalagin and vescalagin in ethanol solutions. Identification of new derivatives.

Brandies, cognac, armagnac, whiskeys, and rums are aged in oak barrels to improve their organoleptic properties. During this period, numerous compounds such as ellagitannins are extracted from the wood and can subsequently be transformed into new derivatives by chemical reactions. Model solutions of castalagin and vescalagin have been studied to determine the behavior of polyphenols in ethanol-water. Upon prolonged exposure to 40 and 70% (v/v) ethanol at room temperature, hemiketal derivatives containing ethoxy groups have been characterized by LC/MS and NMR. These compounds further evolve to afford the corresponding ketals. They have also been detected in the extracts of oak wood stored under similar conditions.

[Lower limb arteriopathy and male osteoporosis]. / Artériopathie des membres inférieurs et ostéoporose masculine.

There are close links between bone metabolism and bone circulation. Osteoblasts are derived from the walls of the venous sinuses. As shown by Burkardt, osteoporosis is accompanied by a decrease in the number of intra-osseous capillaries, and intra-osseous arterioles may be the site of arteriosclerosis lesions. In order to determine the existence of a possible link between arteriosclerosis and male osteoporosis, the etiology of which is often poorly defined, the authors studied phosphorus-calcium balance, X-rays of the spine, and bone density of the spine and the femoral neck in 17 male arterial disease sufferers with a mean age of 61 and at Leriche stage 2, 3 or 4. These 17 patients were compared with 15 age-paired controls. Wedge fractures, absent in the control group, were seen in 9 of the 17 patients. Bone mineral content in the femoral neck was significantly reduced in the arterial disease group.

Determination of ellagitannins in extracts of oak wood and in distilled beverages matured in oak barrels.

A method is described for determination of ellagitannins in ethanol-water extracts of oak wood and in distilled alcoholic beverages matured in oak barrels. It is based on the combined ellagic acid content according to ellagitannin structure. Hydrolysis was carried out in the presence of hydrochloric acid under reflux in a 100 degrees C oil bath for 3 h. Total ellagic acid was thus determined by liquid chromatography (LC), and the free ellagic acid content present in the ethanol-water media was subtracted, the difference being the combined ellagic acid content corresponding to ellagitannins. A 5 micron C18 column was used with detection at 254 nm. The method is specific for ellagitannins, which is an advantage over other analytical techniques for overall evaluation of these substances extracted from wood. Results for spirits distilled from wine, grain, and sugarcane were highly variable.

[Computed tomographic exploration of eventrations]. / Exploration tomodensitométrique des éventrations.

With physical examination alone it is difficult or even impossible to evaluate the abdominal wall damage in patients with major evisceration, especially when they are obese. Computerized tomography (CT) is very useful in this respect as it provides a detailed anatomical overview of the lesions. CT was performed in 30 out of 229 patients operated upon. It supplied information on the size, site and extension of eviscerations and showed whether they were single or multiple; it also informed on the quality, thickness and retraction of the abdominal muscles. All this is extremely important to know before surgery as it enables the operative problems to be foreseen and, to some extent, the operative procedure to be determined. In all cases of complex evisceration CT may be regarded as the "key examination".

[Computerized tomographic diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma after injection of lipiodol into the hepatic artery]. / Diagnostic scanographique des hépatocarcinomes après injection de lipiodol dans l'artère hépatique.

Iodized oil (lipiodol) injected into the hepatic artery is selectively retained by hepatocarcinomas, as demonstrated by computerized tomography (CT) performed one week after the injection. The value of this technique for the diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma was assessed in a retrospective study of 45 patients. In 39 per cent of the cases intrahepatic tumoral extension was determined by the iodized oil which showed tumoral nodules that had not been detected by conventional methods, such as ultrasonography and CT alone. The lesions revealed by the iodized oil were small nodules around the main tumour. The combined iodized oil-CT technique plays an important role in the choice of treatment, especially when surgical excision is contemplated. It might also contribute to an early diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma in patients at risk, as illustrated by four of our cases where conventional morphological examinations had been negative.

Liquid chromatographic determination of scopoletin in hydroalcoholic extract of oak wood and in matured distilled alcoholic beverages.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for determination of the coumarins esculin, umbelliferone, scopoletin, and 4-methyl umbelliferone in hydroalcoholic extracts of oak wood and in matured distilled alcoholic beverages. Samples were injected directly into the LC column (30 cm, 5 micron C18) and detected by fluorescence detector. Under these experimental conditions, only scopoletin (detection limit, 200 pg) was found in hydroalcoholic oak wood extracts and in spirits matured in oak wood. Applications of this method to spirits distilled from wine, grain, and sugar cane aged in oak barrels showed that amounts varied from 0.026 to 1.57 ppm.

Ureteral metastases--computed tomographic findings.

CT findings in three cases of ureteral metastases are reported. Metastases to the ureter is an uncommon cause of the upper urinary tract obstruction. The most common primary sites include breast, stomach and neoplasms from pelvic organs. Radiographic studies revealed an ureteral stenosis in all the presenting cases. CT scans demonstrated a thickened regular ureteral wall at the level of the narrowing and no other abnormalities of the retroperitoneum. Such CT features suggest the possibility of ureteral metastases in a patient with the appropriate clinical setting. Histological studies, whenever possible, must confirm these radiographic findings. Early recognition of ureteral metastases and appropriate treatment for relief of urinary tract obstruction may prolong survival time.

Percutaneous vascular stent: experimental studies and preliminary clinical results in peripheral arterial diseases.

A new pattern of metallic intravascular stent has been experimentally and clinically tested. When the stent is percutaneously placed through a six french introducer, it is held against the vessel wall by its natural elastic properties. In 28 animals, 47 stents of different sizes (from 3 to 5 mm of luminal diameter and from 1.5 to 5 cm of length) have been implanted in the femoro-popliteal (16), the coronary (20), the carotid (3) and the renal arteries (5) and in 3 femoral veins. Angiographic and histological results have shown the stent's low thrombogenicity when it is well fit to the vessel's caliber. Moreover, they have shown its incorporation to the vessel wall by intimalisation as early as the third week after its implantation. The collateral vessels which covered by the stent remain permeable. At the end of this experimentation, 10 implants have been achieved in 8 patients (4 recurrences of iliac stenosis and 6 femoral stenosis). The angiographic results show the perfect tolerance of the organism at 6 months. This good tolerance is revealed by a thin intraluminal border which does not change the artery's diameter. This confirms the experimental results. The permeability is good except for two patients who had an obliteration after one month (one iliac and one femoral obliteration).

Recurrent pheochromocytoma: intrarenal and pulmonary spread.

A case of intrarenal malignant pheochromocytoma, closely resembling hypernephroma radiologically, is presented. This tumor with 2 other pulmonary masses, recurred 12 years after ablation of an adrenal pheochromocytoma and extended into the inferior vena cava.

[Scanographic diagnosis of a localized form of Caroli's disease]. / Diagnostic scanographique d'une forme localisée de maladie de Caroli.

The authors report a case of Caroli's disease, localized in the left hepatic lobe without any associated abnormality. Preoperative diagnosis of such localized forms is actually possible by the use of non invasive methods, especially computed tomography. This diagnosis is important leading to a curative surgical treatment.