We studied 164 subjects who died at our hospital
between April 2009 and September 2012. Fluid in the airway was considered positive when fluid was identified in the lumen of 1 of the 2 main bronchi in continuity with a segmental bronchus. Pleural effusion and atelectasis/consolidation of the lung lower lobes were also evaluated. Fluid in the selleck compound airway was observed in 60 (71%) of 84 subjects with unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion, and in 44 (55%) of 80 subjects without pleural effusion (P = 0.029). Of the latter, 41 (93%) had atelectasis/consolidation of the lower lung lobes. Among subjects without pleural effusion, average times after death to PMCT of subjects with and without FA were 501 and 314 minutes, respectively (P = 0.01). Time-course analysis showed that cases with FA on PMCT largely correlated with time after death (R-2 = 0.7966). Fluid in the airway is frequently observed on PMCT in subjects with pleural effusion or atelectasis/consolidation of the lung. No FA in subjects without pleural effusion correlated to shorter times after death. In addition, FA frequency on PMCT increased over time after death.”
“Two new saponins, 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-glucuronopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and the corresponding monodesmoside, 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-glucuronopyranosyl]oleanolic
Selleck BLZ945 acid (2), have been isolated from the leaves of Guapira graciliflora (Nyctaginaceae), together with two further oleanane saponins, 3 and 4, daucosterol NVP-LDE225 clinical trial (5), and two known glycerogalactolipids, 6 and 7 The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive NMR and MS experiments, in conjunction with acid hydrolysis and sugar analysis. This is the first report on the phytochemistry of plants of the genus Guapira.”
“Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays a key role in the formation of the hyaluronan-rich matrix of the cumulus oophorus surrounding ovulated eggs that is required for successful fertilization and female fertility. PTX3 is a multimeric protein consisting of eight identical protomers held together by a combination of non-covalent interactions and disulfide bonds. Recent findings suggest that the oligomeric status of PTX3 is important for stabilizing the cumulus matrix. Because the role of PTX3 in the cumulus resides in the unique N-terminal sequence of the protomer, we investigated further this issue by testing the ability of distinct Cys/Ser mutants of recombinant N-terminal region of PTX3 (N_PTX3) with different oligomeric arrangement to promote in vitro normal expansion in cumuli from Ptx3-null mice. Here we report that the dimer of the N_PTX3 is unable to rescue cumulus matrix organization, and that the tetrameric assembly of the protein is the minimal oligomeric state required for accomplishing this function.