Proton Quest has built up its expertise in drug discovery software through internal growth and over a dozen acquisitions. These acquisitions have brought with them new products, markets and expertise. (The Molecular Allies division seems to be emulating this strategy to a lesser extent, concentrating more on organic growth and its web of university sub-contractors.) Nevertheless, during 1997, Proton Quest was involved in establishing Molecules4U Combinations Ltd (see Appendix I) and Molecules4U Drug Discovery Ltd (see Appendix J), taking a minority stake in both companies, with options to buy outright.

11 1. Is a local corticosteroid injection in the palm effective in the case of Dupuytren's contracture? 2. Can Dupuytren's contracture occur in early or well-controlled diabetes, or is it more likely to occur in uncontrolled diabetes?

12 Besides cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes mellitus (DM), what other causes of Dupuytren's contracture are there? What is the pathophysiology behind it?

13 According to one of my lecturers, who is a very well-qualified doctor and orthopaedic specialist, there is an indirect connection between osteoarthritis and subclinical local infections (such as periodontal abscesses), changing the pH of bodily fluids. Can you explain this mechanism?

14 What do you mean by saying that in nodal osteoarthritis each joint is affected one at a time? Is it that each proximal interphalangeal (PIP) or distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is affected alone, or that at any one time PIP or DIP joints are affected together in one or both hands?

15 What are the criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint radiologically? Are changes to be expected with advancing age? To what extent would I consider it significant in those below 50 years of age? Would you give me some X-ray examples if possible?

16 1. In a young patient with osteoarthritis, does long-term treatment with paracetamol (acetaminophen) 500 mg/day, rather than ibuprofen 600 mg/day, lower the incidence of renal toxicity? 2. How great is the risk of renal toxicity with both these treatments?

17 In India, total knee replacements are being recommended for every case of severe osteoarthritis, without considering factors such as age, weight or medical condition. What are the correct indications for surgery?

18 Methotrexate therapy is usually begun in rheumatoid arthritis that doesn't respond to NSAIDs plus 40-120 mg methylprednisolone depot. If a remission is then induced, how long should methotrexate therapy be continued? Will the patient (now in remission) be given maintenance therapy?

19 What is the dose and regimen for folinic acid rescue after methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis?

20 1. What are the indicators of remission in rheumatoid arthritis? Is it normalization of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or clinical improvement? 2. Does the rheumatoid factor disappear during a remission of rheumatoid arthritis?