1, Paper chromatography has been employed to separate the radioactive products formed during photosynthesis in 0^^02. 2, The method has been used for the separation and identification of carbo3{ylio acids and phosphate esters. 3, The first observed product of carbon dioxide assimilation during photosynthesis has been isolated and shown to be phosphoglyoerio aeid.

Paper chromatography has been employed t o separate t h e radioa c t i v e products formed during photosynthesis i n " 4~2. The method has been used f o r t h e saparation and i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of carboxylic acids and p h o q h a t e e s t e r s. The f i r s t obse,ved product of carbon dioxide a s s i m i l a t i o n during photosynthesis has been i s o l a t e d and shown t o be phosphoglyceric a d d. For publication i n The Journal of t h e American Chemical Society.

ObjectivesPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication after elective cardiac surgery. Recent evidence indicates that a disruption in the normal activity of the cholinergic system may be associated with delirium.DesignProspective observational study.SettingSingle-centre at a European academic hospital.Primary and secondary outcome measuresIn our study the enzyme activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were determined preoperatively as well as on the first and second postoperative day. The confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit was used to screen patients for the presence of POD.ResultsA total of 114 patients were included in the study. POD was associated with a decrease in BChE activity on postoperative day 1 (p=0.03). In addition, patients who developed POD, had significantly lower preoperative AChE activity than patients without POD (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified a preoperatively decreased AChE activity (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.14 to 8.46), anticholinergic treatment (OR 5.09; 95% CI 1.51 to 17.23), elevated European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.04 to 12.99) and age (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.06 to 8.62) to be independently associated with the development of POD.ConclusionsWe conclude that a reduction in the acetylcholine hydrolysing enzyme activity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery may correlate with the development of POD.

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