Synthesis and biological study of the phomopsolide and phomopsolidone natural products.

The complete history of the syntheses and biological activities of the phomopsolide and phomopsolidone classes of natural products is reviewed. These efforts include the successful synthesis of four of the five phomopsolide natural products, two of the four phomopsolidone natural products and two analogues of phomopsolide E, including the 7-oxa and 7-aza analogues. In addition, the utility of these synthetic efforts to enable the initial structure activity relationship studies for these classes of natural products is also covered.

Correction: The asymmetric syntheses of cryptocaryols A and B.

Correction for 'The asymmetric syntheses of cryptocaryols A and B' by Alhanouf Zakaria Aljahdali et al., Chem. Commun.

The asymmetric syntheses of cryptocaryols A and B.

The recent total syntheses of cryptocaryols A and B are reviewed. These efforts include the correction of the initially assigned absolute and relative stereochemistry of this class of natural products. In addition to enabling the initial structure activity relationships for this class of natural products, these syntheses demonstrated the practical utility of several novel synthetic approaches.

Poster exhibitions at conferences: are we doing it properly?

Objective: Literature exploring the educational value and quality of conference poster presentation is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the variation in poster exhibitions across a spectrum of conferences attended by trainees.

Design: Prospective observational assessment of conference posters was carried out across 7 variables at 4 conferences attended by surgical trainees in 2012.