MRI evaluation of AIDS-related encephalopathy: toxoplasmosis vs. lymphoma

The spectrum of cranial MRI findings was evaluated in 113 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, assessing lesion number, size, location, and configuration in association with the autopsy and/or biopsy results. Correlation of cranial MRI and CT was performed in 32 patients. MRI was shown to be superior in sensitivity of lesion detection demonstrating more lesions than CT in 14 studies (44%) and equivalent information in 18 studies (56%). In no case did CT demonstrate lesions not detected on MRI. We conclude that MRI should be the study of choice in evaluating AIDS-related encephalopathy. Multiple lesions that involve both deep gray matter and white matter suggest the possibility of CNS lymphoma. The "target" appearance on MRI is not helpful in distinguishing toxoplasmosis from lymphoma.     

THE PHOTOTOXICITY OF 2,5-DIPHENYLOXAZOLE (POP) AND 1,4-BIS(5-PHENYLOXAZOL-2-YL)BENZENE (POPOP)

Abstract 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (POP) is widely used for the determination of radioactivity by scintillation counting. It has been found to be phototoxic to the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis , to the first instar larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti , to the crustaceans Daphnia magna and Artemia salida , as well as to the eggs of Drosophila melanogaster . The related molecule 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)benzene (POPOP) is also phototoxic, but to a lesser degree. Both POP and POPOP can sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen.     

Expedient synthesis of substituted imidazoles from nitriles

Expedient and practical new methodology for the synthesis of substituted imidazoles was developed to provide a rapid access to a variety of 2-substituted, 1,2-disubstituted and 1,2,4-trisubstituted imidazoles by the direct CuCl-mediated reaction of nitriles with α-amino acetals in an intermolecular as well as intramolecular fashion.     

Dynamic absorption effects in KrF* amplifiers

The results of transient loss measurements performed in a self-sustained discharge KrF^* amplifier are reported. Analysis of these results gives a minimum value of 20 for the effective gain to loss ratiog ₀/_eff, indicating that efficient extraction of energy in subpicosecond KrF^* amplifiers in the 1 J range should be achievable.     

Metabonomics: the use of electrospray mass spectrometry coupled to reversed-phase liquid chromatography shows potential for the screening of rat urine in drug development

The application of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) followed by principal components analysis (PCA) has been successfully applied to the screening of rat urine following the administration of three candidate pharmaceuticals. With this methodology it was possible to differentiate the control samples from the dosed samples and to identify the components of the mass spectrum responsible for the separation. These data clearly show that LC/MS is a viable alternative, or complementary, technique to proton NMR for metabonomics applications in drug discovery and development.     

Student-Designed Multistep Synthesis Projects in Organic Chemistry

The incorporation of research projects into undergraduate chemistry courses provides a perspective that is fundamentally unavailable in most laboratory experiences. While independent, multistep synthesis projects in organic chemistry have been reported previously, most efforts have been directed at relatively restricted, closely guided research plans with modest student participation in the experimental design. We have implemented a more open-ended synthesis project, limited principally by cost, safety and availability of materials. In the second semester of the sophomore organic sequence, students develop multiple drafts of a plan for a three-to-four-step synthesis. Subsequently, students obtain their own literature protocols for the individual steps. The synthesis is performed over three four-hour laboratory periods. The students conclude this project with a poster presentation of the results at the end of the semester. Evaluation of the students work focuses not only on the successful synthesis of the target but also on planning, troubleshooting, purification, and spectral analysis.     

All-trans-1-acyloxy-1,3-pentadiene-5 ols as reactive dienes in new intramolecular diels-alder reactions

The high reactivity of the $\text{all-trans}$-1-acyloxy-1,3-pentadiene-5-ols as dienes in intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions with maleic anhydride and fumaric acid ethylester monochloride is discussed.