A Solvent-Free Method for Isotopically or Radioactively Labeling Cyclodextrins and Cyclodextrin-Containing Polymers

A method for installing a distinguishable label onto cyclodextrins or cyclodextrin-containing polymers is reported. Cyclodextrins (CD) and cyclodextrin-containing polymers are exposed to labeled (^2H or ^(14)C) ethylene oxide (EO) vapor and the alcohol groups on the CD ring open the EO to give ether-linked labeled methylenes and a terminal alcohol. This method provides for the incorporation of an easily tracked and quantified label without the use of solvents or purification steps. The method can be generalized for use with materials that contain nucleophiles other than alcohols, e.g., amines

A Solvent-Free Method for Isotopically or Radioactively Labeling Cyclodextrins and Cyclodextrin-Containing Polymers

A method for installing a distinguishable label onto cyclodextrins or cyclodextrin-containing polymers is reported. Cyclodextrins (CD) and cyclodextrin-containing polymers are exposed to labeled (^2H or ^(14)C) ethylene oxide (EO) vapor and the alcohol groups on the CD ring open the EO to give ether-linked labeled methylenes and a terminal alcohol. This method provides for the incorporation of an easily tracked and quantified label without the use of solvents or purification steps. The method can be generalized for use with materials that contain nucleophiles other than alcohols, e.g., amines

POSTTRAUMATIC HEMOBILIA

Four patients with post-traumatic hemobilia were evaluated with arteriography over a 2 year period. In two patients hemobilia was of iatrogenic origin; in particular, one case appeared after a cholecystectomy, and the other was due to placement of a biliary stent with an endoscope. In the other two patients hemobilia was the result of a gun injury. Arteriography of the hepatic arterial system demonstrated two false aneurysms, extravasation of contrast medium through the biliary system in one patient and arterioportal fistula in another patient. It is concluded that arteriograpy of the hepatic arterial system is the method of choice for the evaluation and the possible treatment of patients with hemobilia

Bone resorption is increased in young adults with thalassaemia major

Bone disease in patients with thalassaemia major is a multifactorial and still poorly understood process. The present study evaluated 45 thalassaemic patients using dual X-ray absorptiometry at three sites (lumbar spine, head of femur and forearm) to assess bone mineral density, in parallel with a series of biochemical markers to measure bone formation and bone resorption. To identify possible interfering factors, our patients were grouped according to whether or not they needed transfusion therapy; the presence of hypogonadism was also considered. Our results showed that patients on regular transfusions had a markedly low bone mineral density in contrast to those not requiring blood support and that this finding was more pronounced in the hypogonadic group, irrespectively of sex. The decrease of bone mineral density values was more prominent in the forearm, thus making this site particularly interesting for such studies. Bone formation, as evidenced by the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, did not appear to be impaired, while bone resorption was grossly increased in all patient groups. The latter process was clearly evident using the recently introduced measurement of the urinary N-terminal peptides of collagen type I, the sensitivity of which has already been established in other groups of osteoporotic patients. Our conclusion is that, in spite of the severe bone destruction that occurs in thalassaemia major, the fact that bone formation remains intact calls for a more intensive treatment comprising hormonal replacement, bisphosphonates and other agents

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the gall bladder

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the gallbladder is a very rare location of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas. A patient with a primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the gallbladder is reported and in addition, the English literature is reviewed. Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, histopathologic findings, treatment modalities and prognosis of primary gallbladder lymphomas reported up to date are reviewed and discussed. Our patient was diagnosed as a T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, after cholecystectomy, and had no evidence of disease elsewhere. She was treated with combination chemotherapy and complete remission was achieved. She remains free of disease 9 years later. Review of the literature over a 30-year period revealed only 12 cases of well-documented primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma involvement of the gallbladder, including the present case. Patients present clinically with symptoms and signs indicating either biliary tract pathology or a gastrointestinal tumor. Diagnostic investigation included ultrasound of the upper abdomen, computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, oral cholecystography, percutaneous cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopangreatography. Preoperative diagnosis was established in none of the patients. Treatment modalities included surgery and postoperative chemotherapy and irradiation. The prognosis is overall poor and only 2 patients are alive after 1 and 9 years respectively, the latter being our case. Here we document the first reported case of a patient with primary T-cell lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the gallbladder. Review of the literature shows the existence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the gallbladder, its rarity and its general dismal prognosis