Ana M.T.D.P.V. Cabral

Mass transport techniques as a tool for a better understanding of the structure of L-Dopa in aqueous solutions.

Mutual diffusion coefficients, D, densities, ρ, and viscosities, η, are reported for aqueous solutions of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa) at 298.15K and 310.15K at concentrations from (0.00025 to 0.0075) moldm(-3). The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure of these systems and the thermodynamic behaviour of L-Dopa in solution. Thus, from these experimental data it was possible to estimate some parameters, such as the hydrodynamic radius, Rh, apparent molar volumes, ϕV, and diffusion coefficients at infinitesimal concentration, D(0), essential for a better understanding of disperse systems. From the measured diffusion coefficients, activity coefficients, γ, for aqueous L-Dopa solutions were also estimated by using Nernst-Hartley equation. The effect of the viscosity on the estimated hydrodynamic radius was also studied.

Perfectionism in obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders

OBJECTIVE The main aims of this article are twofold. First, to assess perfectionism dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders in comparison with psychiatric control (depression/anxiety) and non-clinical control groups. Second, to examine if perfectionism is specifically related to these different clinical conditions. METHOD Thirty-nine outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, 24 outpatients with eating disorders, 65 outpatients with a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety, and 70 non-clinical participants completed the Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. RESULTS Compared to non-clinical subjects, individuals of all clinical samples had significantly higher scores on Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale total score, Self-Oriented and Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism. There were no significantly differences in Self-Oriented Perfectionism and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale total score in all the three clinical samples. Subjects from the eating disorders sample had significantly higher scores of Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism in comparison to obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychiatric control samples. CONCLUSION Perfectionism showed to be related with this broad range of psychopathologies. However, the differences between eating disorders versus obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychiatric control on Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism warrant further investigation in order to clarify the specificity of this perfectionism dimension in eating disorders.

Transport properties in aqueous ethambutol dihydrochloride

Mutual diffusion coefficients, densities and viscosities are reported for aqueous solutions of ethambutol as its dihydrochloride (EMBDHC) at finite concentrations and at 298.15K. From these experimental results and by using the appropriate models (Stokes-Einstein and Hartley), the hydrodynamic radii Rh, the diffusion coefficient at infinitesimal concentration D(0) and the thermodynamic factors, FT, have been estimated, permitting us to have a better understanding of the transport behavior of ethambutol dihydrochloride in solution. Elucidation of lack of any possible drug-drug interactions in these systems was obtained by complementary (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data.

Effect of HP-β-cyclodextrin in the diffusion behaviour of hydrocortisone in aqueous solutions at T=298.15 K.

Binary (D) and ternary (D(11), D(22), D(12) and D(21)) mutual diffusion coefficients determined by the Taylor dispersion method are reported for two aqueous systems, pure hydrocortisone (HC/H(2)O) and HC plus HP-β-cyclodextrin (HC/HP-βCD/H(2)O), at T=298.15 K. From these data, some thermodynamic information as well as conclusions about the influence of that carbohydrate in the diffusion of this drug are given.

Melanoma brain metastases presenting as delirium: a case report

Metastatic tumours sometimes present with neuropsychiatric symptoms, however psychiatric symptoms as rarely the first clinical manifestation. Cutaneous melanoma is the third most common cause of brain metastasis, with known risk factors increasing the chance of such central nervous system metastization. Objectives We present a clinical report of delirium as the first clinical manifestation of melanoma brain metastases, illustrating the relevance of an adequate and early differential diagnosis. Methods In addition to describing the clinical case, searches were undertaken in PubMed and other databases using keywords such as “brain metastasis”, “melanoma”, “agitation”, “psychiatric” and “delirium”. Results We here report the case of a 52-year-old female patient evaluated by Liaison Psychiatry after sudden onset of delirium while admitted at the Gastroenterology Department to study a hypothesis of pancreatitis. A head CT scan identified brain metastases, and after further examination, including brain biopsy, melanoma brain metastization was confirmed. Discussion Some of the diagnostic challenges of psychiatric symptoms associated with secondary brain tumours are discussed, underlining the importance of an adequate differential diagnosis when working in Psychiatry Liaison

Crystal structure of 2-hydroxyimino-3-oxo-3-phenyl-propionic acid ethyl ester, C11H11NO4

Abstract C11H11NO4, orthorhombic, Pna21 (no. 33), a = 18.370(4) Å, b = 4.870(1) Å, c = 24.616(2) Å, V = 2202.4 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.082, wRref(F2) = 0.203, T = 293 K.

Methyl 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,3a, 4,6,6a-hexahydro 1H-thieno[3,4-b]pyrrole-6a-carboxylate

The title compound, C 15 H 19 NO 3 S, has cis stereochemistry at the ring junction, resulting from an exo intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. It crystallizes as a racemate. The tetrahydrothieno ring has an S-envelope form and the pyrrole ring adopts a half-chair conformation. The amino H atom is shared in a bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bond between the bare O atoms of the carboxylate and methoxy groups. Cohesion of the structure is achieved through weak intermolecular interactions only.