Multiplex Single-Molecule Kinetics of Nanopore-Coupled Polymerases.

DNA polymerases have revolutionized the biotechnology field due to their ability to precisely replicate stored genetic information. Screening variants of these enzymes for specific properties gives the opportunity to identify polymerases with different features. We have previously developed a single-molecule DNA sequencing platform by coupling a DNA polymerase to an α-hemolysin pore on a nanopore array.

Prevalence and correlates of medical cannabis patients' use of cannabis for recreational purposes.

Background: Rates of legal medical cannabis (MC) use are increasing, but little is known about the prevalence and correlates of recreational cannabis (RC) use among medical users (MC/R).

Methods: 348 MC users who resided in a state in which MC is legal and had medical authorization to use MC legally completed an anonymous survey in Spring 2017 (64.1% female, 82.

Assessment through chemical synthesis of the size of the heparin sequence involved in thrombin inhibition.

Deca- to eicosasaccharides having the generic structure methyl(sodium 2,3-di-O-methyl-4-O-sodium sulfonato-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1-->4)-[(2,3,6-tri-O-sodiu m sulfonato-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-(sodium 2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1-->4)]n-2,3,6-tri-O-sodiu m sulfonato-alpha-D-glucopyranoside have been synthesized from a single disaccharide precursor. All of them bind to and activate antithrombin. When n < or = 6 only Factor Xa inhibition is observed, whereas when n > 6 Factor Xa and thrombin are both inhibited in the presence of antithrombin.

Identification of a hexasaccharide sequence able to inhibit thrombin and suitable for 'polymerisation'.

Three hexasaccharides, having from low to very high affinity for antithrombin, were synthesised from disaccharide building block precursors. One of them, methyl(sodium 2,3-di-O-methyl-4-O- sodium sulfonato-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1-->4)-[(2,3,6-tri-O-sodiu m sulfonato-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-(sodium 2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1-->4)]2-2,3,6-tri-O-sodiu m sulfonato-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, obtainable from a single disaccharide building block precursor, constitutes a good starting point for obtaining simple oligosaccharidic heparin mimetics able to inhibit the two coagulation factors thrombin and Factor Xa.

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of a close analogue of an antithrombotic pentasaccharide (SR 90107A/ORG 31540).

The synthetic pentasaccharide (1) corresponding to the heparin sequence which binds to, and activates, antithrombin III (AT III) is a potent antithrombotic compound in several animal models of venous thrombosis. We describe here the preparation and the pharmacological properties of 34, an analogue of oligosaccharide 1 with the latter's N-sulfates being replaced by sulfate esters and hydroxyl groups being methylated. These structural modifications allow a simpler and more efficient synthesis of such anionic oligosaccharides.

Reducing fire hazard during ophthalmic surgery by using compressed air.

The use of oxygen increases the risk of fire during ophthalmic surgery. A prospective clinical study was conducted involving 100 patients without pulmonary disease who had cataract surgery under local anesthesia using either oxygen or compressed air. No clinically significant difference in oxygen saturation between the two groups was found.

Binding of heparin to antithrombin III: a chemical proof of the critical role played by a 3-sulfated 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose residue.

Known methyl (prop-1-enyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid)uronate was first converted into methyl (prop-1-enyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-levulinyl-alpha-D-gluco-pyranosid)uro nat e. Acid hydrolysis, followed by treatment with (bromomethylene)-dimethylammonium bromide, gave methyl (2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-levulinyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide)uronate. Condensation of this bromide with 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose gave 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O- levulinyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-beta-D-glucopyranose.

Intraocular malignant melanoma simulating uveal prolapse.

An 87-year-old woman, who had undergone cataract surgery and vitrectomy OD two years previously, had a blind, painful right eye secondary to intraocular hemorrhage and glaucoma. At the initial examination, a flat area of darkly pigmented tissue was noted at the wound site of the previous cataract surgery, and uveal prolapse was diagnosed. One year later, pigmented tissue was also seen at the inferior limbus.

Synthesis of heparin fragments: a methyl alpha-pentaoside with high affinity for antithrombin III.

The synthesis is described of the methyl alpha-glycoside of the pentasaccharide which represents the sequence in heparin responsible for binding and activation of the anticoagulant protein Antithrombin III. It was obtained in a yield much better than that of the previously synthesised pentasaccharide and exhibited the same biological properties.

Synthesis of heparin fragments. A chemical synthesis of the pentasaccharide O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-4 )-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-4)-O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6-di-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glu copyranosyl)-(1-4)-O-(2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-D-glucopyranose decasodium salt, a heparin fragment having high affinity for antithrombin III.

Known allyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-glucopyranoside was first converted into methyl (prop-1-enyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid)-uronate. Acid hydrolysis, followed by treatment with (bromomethylene)dimethyl-ammonium bromide, gave methyl (2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide)uronate. Condensation of this bromide with 3-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-2-azido-2-deoxy-4-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-bet a-D-glucopyranose.

Fire hazard during ophthalmic surgery.

A plastic surgical drape was ignited by a disposable cautery during cataract surgery performed under local anesthesia. The flame was quickly extinguished, and the procedure was completed without complications. The patient did well postoperatively and attained a corrected visual acuity of 20/25.

Traumatic chiasmal syndrome associated with pneumocephalus and sellar fracture.

A 50-year-old man sustained severe head injury, including a brief loss of consciousness, in an automobile accident. Skull X-ray films disclosed a fracture of the right superior orbit. Computed tomography demonstrated pneumocephalus and extension of the fracture into the sella turcica.

Loss of vision associated with surgical treatment of zygomatic-orbital floor fracture.

A case of visual loss associated with surgical repair of a zygomatic-orbital floor fracture is presented. A review of the literature indicates relatively few cases of blindness reported in association with surgical intervention for these fractures; however, it must be recognized that this serious complication does occur. The patient's ocular status should be evaluated before, during, and after orbital surgery.

Synthesis of some new analogs of the immunoadjuvant glycopeptide MDP (N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine).

In our continued efforts to elucidate the relationship between the structure and the immunoadjuvant, antiinfectious or mitogenic activity of N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP), we report the synthesis of 11 new analogs. Five of them present some modifications in the N-acetyl-muramyl moiety.

Synthesis of N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, an adjuvant of the immune response, and of some n-acetyl-muramyl-peptide analogs.

A relatively easy synthetic method is reported for the production of the immunoadjuvant glycopeptide, N-acetyl-muramy-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP). Most of the details in this method were also applied to the preparation of some analogs, that were synthesized in order to study structure-activity relationships.