An antifungal cadinanolide from Pseudoelephantopus spicatus.

A new sesquiterpene lactone was obtained from the chloroform extract of Pseudoelephantopus spicatus. Its structure was elucidated by extensive one dimentional (1D) and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. It was found to exhibit moderate antifungal activity against C albicans and A. niger, and low activity against T. mentagrophytes, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. It was inactive against B. subtilis.

Diastereomeric diterpenes from Coleus blumei.

The chloroform extract of the air-dried leaves of Coleus blumei afforded a mixture of diastereomers of a new abietane type diterpene whose structures were elucidated by extensive one and two dimensional (ID, 2D) NMR and mass spectrometry. Acetylation of the mixture afforded a single compound. Antimicrobial tests on the diterpene indicate that it is active against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

Variations in treatment benefits influence smoking cessation: results of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact and costs of coverage for tobacco dependence treatment benefits with no patient cost sharing for smokers with employer sponsored coverage in two large independent practice association (IPA) model health maintenance organisations (HMOs) in California, USA. METHODS: A randomised experimental design was used. 1204 eligible smokers were randomly assigned either to the control group, which received a self-help kit (video and pamphlet), or to the treatment group, which received the self-help kit and fully covered benefits for over the counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gum and patch, and participation in a group behavioural cessation programme with no patient cost sharing. RESULTS: The quit rates after one year of follow up were 18% in the treatment group and 13% in the control group (adjusted odd ratio (OR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.4), controlling for health plan, sociodemographics, baseline smoking characteristics, and use of bupropion. Rates of quit attempts (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and use of nicotine gum or patch (adjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.2) were also higher in the treatment group. The annual cost of the benefit per user who quit ranged from $1495 to $965 or from $0.73 to $0.47 per HMO member per month. CONCLUSIONS: Full coverage of a tobacco dependence treatment benefit implemented in two IPA model HMOs in California has been shown to be an effective and relatively low cost strategy for significantly increasing quit rates, quit attempts, and use of nicotine gum and patch in adult smokers.

Clerodane diterpenes from Tinospora rumphii.

Two new diterpenes (1 and 2) were obtained from the leaves of Tinospora rumphii, along with the known compounds tinotufolin D and vitexilactone. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies.

Risk and protective factors associated with screening for complications of diabetes in a health maintenance organization setting.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk and protective factors associated with screening for complications of diabetes, we performed a cross-sectional study of 3,612 diabetic members enrolled in CaliforniaCare, a large network-model health maintenance organization (HMO). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the Health Plan and Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS) 3.0 technical definition to identify all members (aged > or = 31 years) receiving any diabetes medication(s) during a 12-month period. Using a telephone survey instrument, identified members were interviewed about their diabetes care and screening, patient, and provider history. Survey data were supplemented with HMO claims and demographic information. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify demographic, clinical, and utilization characteristics that affect the odds of diabetic members receiving annual retinal examination, foot examination, and HbA1c testing. RESULTS: While results varied by screening category, the odds of obtaining screening were higher for diabetic members who were older, spoke English, received diabetes nutrition counseling, visited a diabetes specialist physician, belonged to a diabetes association or support group, used insulin, performed glycemic level self-examination at least once a day, and had higher overall prescription drug use (suggesting higher comorbidity). Since this study is a cross-sectional review, these results do not imply a cause-and-effect relationship between dependent and independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest barriers, risks, and protective factors associated with screening for complications of diabetes. Diabetic members who do not possess these characteristics may be at increased risk.

A triterpene from Ficus pumila.

The leaves of Ficus pumila afforded a new neohopane (1) by silica gel chromatography. The structure of 1 was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. It showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans with an average antimicrobial index of 0.5, 0.3, 0.3 and 0.7, respectively, at a concentration of 30 microg.

Antineoplastic agents, 178. Isolation and structure of lychnostatins 1 and 2 from the South American Lychnophora antillana.

Bioassay-guided (P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line) separation of a CH2Cl2/MeOH extract of Lychnophora antillana led to the isolation of two cytostatic (P-388, ED50 2.0 and 0.19 micrograms/ml, respectively) germacranolides designated lychnostatins 1 [1] and 2 [2]. Structural elucidation was based initially upon high field (400 MHz) nmr and electron impact mass spectral interpretations and unequivocally completed by X-ray crystal structure determinations.

Isolation of geodiatoxins 2-4 from the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena.

1. In a previous study of the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena von Lendenfeld for antineoplastic constituents, evidence was obtained for the presence of several toxins and geodiatoxin 1 was isolated. 2. Further separations guided by bioassay using CDF1 mice have led to the isolation of three additional chromoprotein toxins lethal at 8 mg/kg.

Isolation of geodiastatins 1 and 2 from the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena.

An aqueous extract of the Gulf of California Geodia mesotriaena von Lendenfeld (Porifera) has been found to contain two chromoprotein antineoplastic agents designated geodiastatins 1 and 2. The active brownish-black proteins from this siliceous sponge were found to contain major (greater than 1%) amounts of silicon and to inhibit growth of the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia. A related protein (geodiatoxin 1) was found to be toxic at 6 mg/kg (LI100, mouse).

The antineoplastic quassinoids of Simaba cuspidata spruce and Ailanthus grandis Prain.

The South American Simaba cuspidata Spruce and North Indian Ailanthus grandis Prain were investigated as sources of potentially useful antineoplastic agents. Both of these Simaroubaceae plant species were found to produce 6 alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone (4a) and the new quassinoid 6 alpha-tigloyloxychaparrin (3b). The latter structure was determined by interpretation of spectral data and oxidation to 6 alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone (4a). While both glycol 3b and alpha-ketol 4a were found to significantly inhibit growth of the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line, only the alpha-ketol (4a) inhibited growth of the corresponding in vivo system.

Chemical defense of crinoids by polyketide sulphates.

The range of (presumed) polyketide constituents in comatalid crinoids has been extended to include bianthronyls, meso-naphthodianthrones and sulphate esters of various of the polyketides. Several species of fish are deterred from eating food by the inclusion in it of these sulphates at the concentration found in crinoids. Sodium 2-hydroxy-anthraquinone sulphate and anthraquinone-2-suphonate were also active as antifeedants for the species tested.