Asymmetric synthesis of fortucine and reassignment of its absolute configuration.

A convergent and enantioselective synthesis of fortucine was achieved from the starting materials tyrosine methyl ester and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The synthesis is based on two key steps mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent. This work has enabled us to reassign the absolute configuration of the natural product reported in the literature.

Oxidative 1,2- and 1,3-alkyl shift processes: developments and applications in synthesis.

Oxidative 1,2- and 1,3- alkyl shifts mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent were performed on simple and inexpensive phenol derivatives. These transpositions enable rapid redesign of the main aromatic skeleton to generate good yields of highly functionalized scaffolds containing a prochiral dienone system, a quaternary carbon center connected to as many as four sp(2) centers, and a carbonyl functionality or precursor. An efficient enantioselective version of this process resulting in the formation of a challenging quaternary carbon center is also described.

Oxidative Prins-pinacol tandem process mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent: scope, limitations, and applications.

An oxidative Prins-pinacol tandem process mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent has been developed. This oxidative version of the famous tandem process fits within the concept of "aromatic ring umpolung" and allows the stereoselective transformation of simple phenols into highly elaborated spirocyclic dienone cores containing several quaternary carbon centers. The scope and the limitations of this process, including the study of its stereoselectivity, are described in this article.

Evaluation of auditory functions for Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers.

Background: Auditory fitness for duty (AFFD) testing is an important element in an assessment of workers' ability to perform job tasks safely and effectively. Functional hearing is particularly critical to job performance in law enforcement. Most often, assessment is based on pure-tone detection thresholds; however, its validity can be questioned and challenged in court.

An unprecedented oxidative Wagner-Meerwein transposition.

An oxidative Wagner-Meerwein transposition involving different functionalities mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent has been accomplished. The strategy fits within the concept of "aromatic ring umpolung" and allows rapid access to highly functionalized cores.

Cerebral arterial gas embolism following diagnostic bronchoscopy: delayed treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.

Purpose: To describe a clinical scenario consistent with the diagnosis of cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) acquired during an outpatient bronchoscopy. Our discussion explores the mechanisms and diagnosis of CAGE and the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Clinical Features: A diagnostic bronchoscopy was performed on a 70-yr-old man who had had a lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma three months earlier.