From the acetone extract of the North American toadstool Lepiota americana 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one (1) and a novel amino-1,4-benzoquinone derivative, lepiotaquinone (2), were isolated. The structure of 2 was confirmed by its preparation from 2-aminophenol and amino-1,4-benzoquinone.

Patients' beliefs can act as barriers to optimal management of cancer pain. The Barriers Questionnaire (BQ) is a tool used to evaluate such barriers. Here, the BQ has been revised to reflect changes in pain management practices, resulting in the Barriers Questionnaire-II (BQ-II), a 27-item, self report instrument. This paper presents the results from two studies where the psychometric propertie...

A reca nut (Areca catechu)/betel quid (BQ) is said to be the fourth most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world and is chewed regularly by at least 10% of the world’s population (1). High prevalences of BQ chewing were observed especially in South and Southeast Asia (1). High prevalences of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were also observed in this area (2). Specific areca ...

We have previously evaluated the role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the bioreductive metabolism of 17-(allylamino)-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG) to the corresponding hydroquinone, a more potent 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) inhibitor. Here, we report an extensive study with a series of benzoquinone ansamycins, which includes gel-danamycin, 17-(amino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin...

We describe the characteristics of a potent and selective endothelin (ET) B-receptor antagonist, BQ-788 [N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl-L-gamma-methylleucyl-D -1- methoxycarbonyltryptophanyl-D-norleucine]. In vitro, this compound potently and competitively inhibits 125I-labeled endothelin 1 (ET-1) binding to ETB receptors on human Girardi heart cells (IC50, 1.2 nM) but only poorly inhibit...

The vertical distribution of natural radionuclides ((232)Th decay, (238)U decay, (40)K and (210)Pb) was assessed in sediment cores collected from the Amvrakikos Gulf, (Ionian Sea, Western Greece). Two collection stations were selected, the first at the western part of the Gulf near Preveza Strait (13A station) and the other near the centre of the Gulf (13B station). Activity concentrations were...

Results of systematic measurements of 90Sr activity concentrations in milk for the period 1961-2001 are summarized. An exponential decline of radioactivity followed the moratorium on atmospheric nuclear testing. The highest activity of 90Sr deposited by fallout, 1,060 Bq m(-2), was recorded in 1963, while the peak 90Sr activity concentration in milk, 1.42 +/- 0.17 Bq L(-1), was recorded in 1964...

In the present study, endothelin (ET) agonists and receptor selective antagonists were used to characterize ET receptors mediating constriction in guinea pig mesenteric veins (250-300 micrometers diameter) in vitro. The contribution of ET-evoked vasodilator release to venous tone was also explored. Computer-assisted video microscopy was used to monitor vein diameter. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), endoth...

Endothelin (ET)-1 contributes to regulation of pulmonary vascular tone and structure in the normal ovine fetus and in models of perinatal pulmonary hypertension. The hemodynamic effects of ET-1 are due to activation of its receptors. The ET(A) receptor mediates vasoconstriction and smooth muscle cell proliferation, whereas the ET(B) receptor mediates vasodilation. In a lamb model of chronic int...