Discovering and harnessing oxidative enzymes for chemoenzymatic synthesis and diversification of anticancer camptothecin analogues.

Semi-synthetic derivatives of camptothecin, a quinoline alkaloid found in the Camptotheca acuminata tree, are potent anticancer agents. Here we discovered two C. acuminata cytochrome P450 monooxygenases that catalyze regio-specific 10- and 11-oxidations of camptothecin, and demonstrated combinatorial chemoenzymatic C-H functionalizations of the camptothecin scaffold using the new enzymes to produce a suite of anticancer drugs, including topotecan (Hycamtin®) and irinotecan (Camptosar®). This work sheds new light into camptothecin metabolism, and represents greener approaches for accessing clinically relevant camptothecin derivatives.

Tumoral calcinosis: a case report.

An 11-year-old girl presented with a progressive swelling of the right elbow after a contusion. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a densely calcified lesion with no periosteal reaction or fracture. The underlying bone and muscles had normal signal intensity. A bone scan revealed increased uptake over the right elbow and the left buttock and acetabulum. Blood tests revealed no abnormality. As the mass progressively increased in size and malignancy could not be excluded, excision was performed 4 months after presentation. A lobulated, yellowish mass with a pseudo-capsule measuring 9x7x4 cm was excised. It was not attached to surrounding muscles, and some chalky, well-defined material emerged from the surface. Histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis. The mass was transversed by fibrous septa with fibroblastic proliferation. Foreign body giant cells and histiocytic cells were found within the septa. There was no evidence of malignancy. Four months later, excision of the left elbow and buttock lesions was performed, and histology of both revealed the same diagnosis. At the 4-year follow-up, there was no recurrence.

Psychometric properties of the SCOFF questionnaire (Chinese version) for screening eating disorders in Hong Kong secondary school students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders are affecting an increasing number of high school students in Western and Asian countries. The availability of an effective screening tool is crucial for early detection and prompt intervention. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening eating disorders in Hong Kong high school students. DESIGN: This study adopted a cross-sectional design to examine the psychometric properties of the SCOFF questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 7 experts and 936 students of a high school participated in the study. METHOD: The SCOFF questionnaire was translated into Chinese and back-translated into English to ensure the linguistic equivalence. A panel of 7 experts involved in the content validation of the SCOFF questionnaire. The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) was used as the "reference standard" to assess its concurrent validity in 936 students of a high school. Its reliability was examined by internal consistency and the test-retest method at a 2-week interval and with 38 students. RESULTS: The SCOFF questionnaire achieved an agreement of 86-100% among the experts for the content relevance. Of 812 students (86.8%) who responded to this study, their SCOFF scores correlated significantly with their global scores on the EDE-Q (r=0.5, P<0.01). Students identified as potentially having eating disorders had significantly higher scores in the EDE-Q than those not identified as such by SCOFF. The SCOFF questionnaire demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability (ICC=0.66) and an acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.44-0.57) in comparing with previous studies. CONCLUSION: The SCOFF questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties in the Chinese culture. It will be useful for detecting potential eating disorders and assisting health promotion activity.