Engineering Regioselectivity of a P450 Monooxygenase Enables the Synthesis of Ursodeoxycholic Acid via 7β-Hydroxylation of Lithocholic Acid.

We engineered the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP107D1 (OleP) from Streptomyces antibioticus for the stereo- and regioselective 7β-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid (LCA) to yield ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). OleP was previously shown to hydroxylate testosterone at the 7β-position but LCA is exclusively hydroxylated at the 6β-position, forming murideoxycholic acid (MDCA). Structural and 3DM analysis, and molecular docking were used to identify amino acid residues F84, S240, and V291 as specificity-determining residues.

Antimicrobial efficacy of amine fluoride based tooth gels compared to a toothpaste in a phase 2/step 2 in-vitro test model.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of various gel formulations on plaque formation; different tooth gels were compared to a toothpaste containing comparable antimicrobial ingredients with regard to its microbiocidal activity. The study was conducted under the assumption, that a chief requirement for the prevention of plaque formation is the combination of mechanical removal and antimicrobial activity, and not the sole capability of mechanical plaque removal.

Methods: Ledermix(®) fluoride gel as commercially available with preservative, and without preservative and perfume oils, Elmex(®) gelée, and Meridol(®) toothpaste were tested in a standardized in-vitro test modification of the quantitative suspension test EN 1040.

The use of concentrated heat after insect bites/stings as an alternative to reduce swelling, pain, and pruritus: an open cohort-study at German beaches and bathing-lakes.

Background: Swelling, pain, and pruritus are the most relevant symptoms after insect bites/stings. Glucocorticoids and antihistamines are well established in insect sting treatment. Bite Away(®) is a CE-certified medical device of class 2A (noninvasive device intended for administration to the body, which exchanges energy with the patient in a therapeutic manner) to reduce swelling, pruritus, and pain after insect bites/stings via non-invasive administration of concentrated heat to the skin.

Ceftriaxone causes drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia: characterization of targets on platelets and red blood cells.

Background: Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, has been reported to occasionally cause fatal drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIHA). A clinical and serologic analysis of the first two patients with severe drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) due to ceftriaxone and one patient with fatal DIHA is reported.

Study Design And Methods: Sera were assessed by the IAT, EIA, glycoprotein (GP)-specific immunoassay, flow cytometry, and immunoprecipitation using transfectants expressing GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX and with different cephalosporins.

Selective removal of circulating immune complexes from patient plasma.

The principle of a patient-specific immunoadsorber (PsIA) is demonstrated. Studies with model systems (HSA/anti-HSA) on immobilization, stability, and leakage form the basis for the presented fast-performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) and batch experiments, which were conducted using two different protein A adsorbers and autologous and heterologous PsIA systems. Experiments to determine the binding capacity of protein A adsorbers and PsIAs are described.