Showing papers by "Steven N. Goodman published in 2004"

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

Abstract: Objective: Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent dementia, is a prominent source of chronic illness in the elderly. Laboratory evidence suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammator

Catalytic asymmetric total syntheses of quinine and quinidine.

Abstract: The catalytic, asymmetric syntheses of quinine and quinidine were achieved in 16 steps. The recently developed salen(Al)-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of methyl cyanoacetate served to set the crucial C4 stereocenter in 92% ee, and a late-stage asymmetric dihydroxylation was used to differentiate the common intermediate and access the two desired diastereomeric products with high selectivity.

Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Gene Expression and the Surgical Management of Suspicious Thyroid Tumors

Abstract: Purpose: Patients with a preoperative cytologic diagnosis of a suspicious thyroid nodule present a therapeutic dilemma because surgery differs for benign and malignant lesions. To address this issue, several molecular markers, including human telomerase reverse transcriptase ( TERT ), have been tested as markers of thyroid cancer. Because most studies select cases falling into well-defined categories to test new markers, they may overestimate their discriminatory power when applied to samples that are difficult to classify. Fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) of the thyroid with indeterminate cytology are an example of such cases. Experimental Design: We examined whether assessing TERT mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR could have improved the surgical management in a cohort of 100 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for indeterminate FNA results. Results: Ninety percent of 48 cancers were TERT positive, as were 35% of 52 benign lesions. When 10 cases with concomitant lymphocytic thyroiditis were excluded, the overall sensitivity of TERT was 91% (95% confidence interval, 80–98%) and specificity was 79% (64–90%). No clinical or tumor variable contributed to the predictive ability of TERT except for tumor size, which added only marginally. Basing the surgical approach on the TERT assay alone would have reduced lobectomies performed for malignant disease from 11 to 4 cases and reduced total thyroidectomies for benign lesions from to 15 to 9, an overall 50% reduction in suboptimal treatment. Conclusions: The overall performance of preoperative differential diagnosis for thyroid tumors with indeterminate FNA results can be substantially improved by the inclusion of molecular markers such as TERT .

On the specific identification of subfossil Cryptoprocta (Mammalia, Carnivora) from Madagascar

Abstract: Grandidier (1902) described a large form of Cryptoprocta ferox Bennett, 1833, a genus of Carnivora endemic to Madagascar, from subfossil material dating from the presumed Holocene that he referred to the variety spelea. Subsequently there has been varying opinion on the validity of this taxon. In this paper 159 subfossil and 32 modern osteological specimens of Cryptoprocta are examined and analyzed to determine if indeed two separate forms can be morphologically distinguished within the sample. On the basis of these tests we conclude that C. spelea Grandidier, 1902 is a valid species that existed on the island in the recent geological past. It was presumably a formidable predator that may well have feed on a variety of large lemur species that are now extinct.

Three new species of Grosphus Simon from Madagascar (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

Abstract: Se describen tres nuevas especies pertenecientes al genero Grosphus Simon (Scorpiones, Buthidae) de Madagascar. Grosphus mahafaliensis sp. n., de la provincia de Toliara, Parque Nacional de Tsimanampetsotsa; Grosphus darainensis sp. n., de la provincia de Antsiranana, bosque de Bobankora, E SE de Daraina; y Grosphus simoni sp. n., de la provincia de Toamasina, bosque de Plateau de Makira y de la provincia de Mahajanga, Estacion Forestal de Ampijoroa. Con las nuevas descripciones el numero total deespecies conocidas de este genero endemico asciende a 14. Se comentan algunos detalles de tipo ecologico de los lugares de captura de los ejemplares. Se propone una clave de identificacion revisada para todas las especies del genero Grosphus.

Description of a new species of heteroscorpion birula (scorpiones, heteroscorpionidae) from the eastern lowland humid forest of south-eastern madagascar

Abstract: Recientes trabajos de campo realizados en diferentes regiones de Madagascar han permitido obtener una coleccion de numerosos escorpiones, incluyendo un especimen perteneciente al genero endemico Heteroscorpion Birula que se colecto enel bosque humedo de las tierras bajas de Midongy-Sud en la zona suroriental de la isla. Este animal, descrito en este trabajo, representa una nueva especie para la ciencia y probablemente es un endemismo de la region donde fue recolectado. El numero de especies del genero Heteroscorpion es ahora de cuatro y su area de distribucion cubre una gran parte del bosque humedo oriental de Madagascar.

Editorial: Update on position and design papers

Abstract: This issue of Clinical Trials sees the initiation of an important process of the Society for Clinical Irials (SCT). For the first time, the society is publishing an official \"position paper\" which sets forth the society's position on important issues in the public and scientific arenas that have a bearing on clinical trials. For their first position paper, the scr has chosen to address the critical issue of the universal registration of clinical trials. Until quite recently, this was a rather obscure issue to those outside of the clinical research arena, and received only marginally more attenition within it. During the development of this paper, due to a confluence of political, legal, scientific, industry and media factors, this topic exploded onto the front pages of the lay press, and indeed, into the halls of congress. Individual members of the society have long been active in calling for this critical change, and the appearance of this paper will hopefully help amplify that call. Topics for these position papers can be proposed by anyone in the society, and after a formal proposal is approved by the Society's Publications Committee and President, with concurrence of the Executive Committee, an author or writing committee is commissioned to write a draft. The Publications Committee coordinates the preparation of commissioned papers. The final version must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors and is fuLrther reviewed by the journal. Several more SCT position papers are in the pipeline and should appear in the next year. Ihe journal is delighted to partner with the society to help to bring these views to the attentioni of press and opinion leaders. Both society and the discipline of clinical trials will benefit if the collective expertise and broad perspective of this multidisciplinary society can be brought to bear oIn issues of scientific and social importance.

A new species of tityobuthus (pocock) from namoroka in the province of mahajanga, madagascar (scorpiones, buthidae)

Abstract: Se describe Tityobuthus antsingy sp. n. de la Reserva Natural Integral de Namoroka en la provincia de Mahajanga, Madagascar. La nueva especie se caracteriza por su medio-gran tamano con respecto al genero, asi como por su coloracion amarillenta con punteaduras. La nueva especie eleva el numero total de elementos del genero endemico Tityobuthus a 16; se presenta una clave de sus especies.