Natural product methyltransferases (NPMTs) represent an emerging class of enzymes that can be of great use for the structural and functional diversification of bioactive compounds, such as the strategic modification of C-, N-, O-and Smoieties. To assess the activity and the substrate scope of the ever-expanding repertoire of NPMTs, a simple, fast, and robust assay is needed. Here, we report a continuous spectroscopic assay, in which S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methylation is linked to NADH oxidation through the coupled activities of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) deaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase. The assay is highly suitable for a high-throughput evaluation of small molecule methylation and for determining the catalytic parameters of NPMTs under conditions that remove the potent inhibition by SAH. Through the modular design, the assay can be extended to match the needs of different aspects of methyltransferase cascade reactions and respective applications.

In this study, monitoring of routine cataract surgery by registered nurses was associated with a low rate of intraoperative anesthesia consultation. Most consultations resulted in little intervention. The ASA classification appears predictive of the need for intraoperative anesthesia consultation.

In a prospective randomized clinical study a routinely used bubble oxygenator (Bentley-5^TM) was compared with a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator (D 701 Masterflo 34) during hyperthermic isolated extremity perfusion. This was done to find out whether there were differences between the two oxygenators in hemolysis, cellular damage, oxygenation and temperature achieved during extremity perfusion. In 30 perfusions blood samples were obtained at defined times: plasma hemoglobin (Hb), serum lactate dehydrogenase (s-LDH), number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin and bilirubin were determined for hemolysis, leukocyte count (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes) and platelets as a check for cellular damage, and PO₂, PCO₂, O₂ saturation and pH to define blood oxygenation and CO₂ elimination. Maximal increase in temperature after 30 min and perfusion time until maximum tissue temperature were also recorded. The membrane oxygenator yielded better results from the aspect of hemolysis: s-LDH and plasma Hb were significantly different (p < 0.001). Cellular damage was less with the membrane oxygenator: platelet differences were significant (p < 0.01). Oxygenation and hyperthermia were obtained more quickly and were better controllable in membrane oxygenator. Further advantages for the patient were the smaller volume of blood needed for priming in a membrane oxygenator (750 vs. 1,200 ml) and improved safety resulting from a ‘closed’ perfusion system. On the basis of the clinical prospective randomized trial conducted, we conclude that membrane oxygenators must be adopted as the new standard in isolated hyperthermic extremity perfusion.

Effect of hypermagnesemia on feeding was studied in 3 groups.Group A -hypermagnesemia (HM) infants of magnesium sulfate (MS) treated pre-eclamptic mothers. Cord blood magnesium (CBM) was 4.2 + 0.7 mgldl. Group B -non HM infants (CBM 1.5 + 0.2 mgldl) of untreated pre-eclamptic mothers. Group C -control infants (CBM 1.6 t 0.2 mgldl) of normal non MS treated mothers. Duration and strength of sustained sucking was subjectively evaluated prior to each feeding. Volume of formula consumed at study ages is tabulated as ml per feed + 1 S.D. 4s6 hrs.12 hrs. 24 hrs. 48 hrs.---- Both bur and a v a r i e t y o f~i m m u n o s~i~n u l a n t s have been shown t o i n h i b i t MFO a c t i v i t y . We wished t o determine whether the a c t i o n o f Cp i s mediated by GH and, i f not, whether there i s evidence o f a common mechanism. Cp i n a single dose o f 20 mg/kg resulted i n increased r ( r a t ) GH l e v e l s i n trunk blood 96 hours l a t e r (96t27 vs 24*2 ng/ml; p<0.05) and i n p i t u i t a r y glands (136k16 vs 91f.8 mcg/mg ; p<0.05).Frequent sampling studies showed t h a t spontaneous rGH secretion was s i g n i f i c a n t l y greater 24 h r a f t e r Cp. However, hypophysectomized male and female r a t s s t i l l responded t o Cp w i t h s i g n i f i c a n t decreases i n aminopyrine-Ndemethylase and a n i l i n e hydroxylase a c t i v i t i e s i n l i v e r microsomes and w i t h a f a l l i n cytochrome P450 content. I n i n t a c t animals, rGH o f P~ychology, A1 bany. Group A-hypermagnesemic (HM) infants of magnesium sulfate (MS)Studies on the r a t indicate that, as suggested by human case treated preeclamptic mothers. Cord blood M~*(CBM) was 4.25.7reports, e a r l y propranolol exposure r e s u l t s i n a growth d e f i c i t . mg/dl. Group B-control infants of normal non MS treated mothersBrain weight was s i g n i f i c a n t l y smaller i n suckling r a t s given (CBM 1.59.2 mg/dl). Tension(t) generated by thenar muscle cond a i l y propranolol 50 mg/kg by gavage s t a r t i n g on day 4. Mean centration in response to ulnar nerve stimulation was measured by brain wei h t was 1.36*0.02g vs 1.45t0.01g i n vehicle treated recording initial train of 4 (T4=4 stimuli )I sec. apart), tetany controls Qp

Effect of hypermagnesemia on feeding was studied in 3 groups. Group Ahypermagnesemia (HM) infants of magnesium sulfate (MS) treated pre-eclamptic mothers. Cord blood magnesium (CBM) was 4.2 + 0.7 mgldl. Group Bnon HM infants (CBM 1.5 + 0.2 mgldl) of untreated pre-eclamptic mothers. Group Ccontrol infants (CBM 1.6 t 0.2 mgldl) of normal non MS treated mothers. Duration and strength of sustained sucking was subjectively evaluated prior to each feeding. Volume of formula consumed at study ages is tabulated as ml per feed + 1 S.D. 4s 6 hrs. 12 hrs. 24 hrs. 48 hrs.