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Five compounds, which inhibited the amidolytic activity of soluble tissue factor/activated factor VII complex (sTF/VIIa), were isolated from two traditional Chinese medicinal plants commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The active compounds were found to be linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids from roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza; and two anacardic acids, 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)- and 6-(10'Z-heptadecenyl)-salicylic acids, from leaves of Ginkgo biloba. The IC50 values were in the range 30-80 micromol/L. Palmitic acid, isolated from roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, and 2-[(3',7',11',15'-tetramethyl)-2'E,6'E,10'E, 14'E-hexadecatetraenyl]-1,4-hydroquinone, isolated from the marine sponge Adocia viola, did not inhibit sTF/VIIa. Further expansion of the structure-activity relationship to include anacardic acids, 6-(8'Z,11'Z-heptadecadienyl)- and 6-(8'Z, 11'Z, 14'Z-heptadecatrienyl)-salicylic acids from leaves of Anacardium spondias, and other fatty acids demonstrated that at least one cis double bond was essential for inhibitory activity, and that fatty acids containing two or three cis double bonds were optimal. Evidence from preincubation studies implied that these fatty acids may exert their effect by binding to VIIa and consequently preventing binding of sTF to VIIa.

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The cancer pattern among Inuit in the Circumpolar area is remarkably different from those of other populations in the world. The current paper summarizes the most important risk factors in Canadian Inuit residing in the Northwest Territories, northern Quebec (Nunavik) and Labrador, particularly during the time period 1969-1988 covered by the study. Factors considered include: the geographic area and physical environment; population and human environment, including fertility and life expectancy; lifestyle and diet, including tobacco and alcohol use; other lifestyle factors, and health conditions; and health services and cultural accessibility. Development of the cancer registry and population databases supporting the analysis of cancer rates is described. The information in the present paper is needed to interpret cancer incidence patterns and differences among the Circumpolar Inuit of Canada, Alaska and Greenland.

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A new derivative of phenylalanine, phenamide, was discovered from the fermentation broth of an actinomycete identified as a member of the Streptomyces albospinus cluster. Phenamide was purified using successive C18 reverse phase and cation exchange chromatography. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Its molecular formula, C14H20N2O3, was determined by HRFAB-MS. Phenamide showed activity against Septoria nodorum, the causal agent of wheat glume blotch.

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A new trichothecene, harzianum A [1], was isolated from the soil-borne fungus Trichoderma harzianum. The structure of 1 was determined by extensive spectral analyses including the nmr techniques of PS-COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY. Harzianum A [1] contains a (Z,E,E)-2,4,6-octatriendioic acid esterified on the 4 beta hydroxyl group of trichodermol and is structurally related to the trichoverroids. Harzianum A [1] showed no cytotoxicity against baby hamster kidney cells, no activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, but modest antifungal activity at 100 micrograms/ml.

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Clear differences occurred in the cancer patterns among the population sub-groups in the NWT. When compared to those for the total Canadian population, rates for all cancers tended to be higher than expected among Inuit, lower than expected among Status Indians, and at expected levels for the Other NWT population. Among Inuit, traditional patterns still persist. Cancers of the lung, cervix, nasopharynx and salivary gland, and choriocarcinoma, occurred more often, and cancers of the breast, prostate, uterus and colon less often than in the total Canadian population. Among Status Indians, small numbers precluded definitive conclusions. However, several cancer sites occurred less often than expected, including colon, bladder and prostate among males, and uterus in females. While no cancer was significantly elevated in either males or females, SIRs for cervix and lung were above 1.0 for females, and kidney cancer was significantly higher when data for both sexes were combined (SIR = 2.0). For the Other NWT group--comprising about 50% of the population--most types of cancers occurred at about the expected rate, except that lung cancer was significantly elevated in females. Nevertheless, the generally high rates for lung and cervical cancer, which were particularly evident among the Inuit, are clearly targets for prevention programmes. It is hoped the cancer registry data now available for twenty years for the NWT, as well as for the overall Canadian Inuit population, can be used by researchers for studies to further determine the etiology of cancers, especially where distinctive patterns occur in these populations.

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Screening of microbial fermentation broths for herbicidal activity led to the discovery of a novel polyketide, herboxidiene, from an actinomycete identified as a member of the Streptomyces chromofuscus cluster. A 14- to 20-fold increase in fermentation production of herboxidiene was achieved as a result of media optimization. Herboxidiene was purified using successive reverse phase C18 steps and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Its molecular formula, C25H42O6, was determined by HRFAB-MS. Herboxidiene demonstrated exceptionally potent, selective, herbicidal activity against a variety of weed species and was inactive against wheat, even at rates as high as 5.6 kg/hectare.

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It has been assumed that it is beneficial for patients to become active and informed participants in health care. Previous research, however, suggests that individuals differ in their receptiveness to information and self-care in treatment stiuations. This article reports the development and validation of the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, a measure of preferences for different treatment approaches. This measure yields a total score and two relatively independent subscales that measure, respectively, preferences for information and for behavioral involvement (i.e., self-care and active participation) in medical care. Three related studies demonstrated the ability of the subscales or total score to predict with some specificity (a) criterion group membership (clinic users and enrollees in a self-care course), (b) reported use of clinic facilities, and (c) overt behavior (e.g., inquisitiveness, self-diagnosis) in a medical setting. Discriminant validity of the instrument is also established. Theoretical implications of the preference constructs are described in terms of the concept of personal control, and practical implications of the measure are presented.

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