C6-oxidation and c5-epimerization of locust bean galactomannan studied by high field NMR and circular dichroism.

Galactose depleted locust bean gum was selectively oxidized in C(6) position and epimerized with mannuronan C(5)-epimerases to obtain the corresponding artificial uronanes. These new pseudo-alginates were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD). Specifically, 1D and 2D NMR techniques allowed the degree of epimerization, the distribution of mannuronic and guluronic acid residues in the polysaccharidic chain, and the average G block length to be determined.

Treatment of intercondylar and supracondylar distal femur fractures using the GSH supracondylar nail.

From April 1990 to August 1994, the GSH supracondylar intramedullary nail (Smith & Nephew/Richards, Memphis, Tennessee) was used to treat 23 supracondylar femur fractures in 22 patients. Nineteen of the 23 fractures were highly comminuted and intra-articular. Fifteen patients with 16 fractures were followed up to healing or declaration of nonunion for an average of 10 months.