Stereoselective Epimerizations of Glycosyl Thiols.

Glycosyl thiols are widely used in stereoselective S-glycoside synthesis. Their epimerization from 1,2-trans to 1,2-cis thiols (e.g.

Anandamide externally added to lipid vesicles containing trapped fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is readily hydrolyzed in a sterol-modulated fashion.

We show that anandamide (AEA) externally added to model membrane vesicles containing trapped fatty acid amide hydrolyase (FAAH) can be readily hydrolyzed, demonstrating facile, rapid anandamide movement across the lipid bilayer. The rate of hydrolysis is significantly facilitated by cholesterol and coprostanol, but not by cholesterol sulfate. The effects of sterol upon hydrolysis by FAAH bound to the outer surface of the bilayer were much smaller, although they followed the same pattern.

Detection of viral RNA from paraffin-embedded tissues after prolonged formalin fixation.

Background: Isolating amplifiable RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues is more difficult than isolating DNA because of RNases, chemical modification of the RNA, and cross-linking of nucleic acids and proteins. Tissues containing infectious disease agents that require biosafety level (BSL)-3 and -4 necessitate fixation times of 21 and 30 days, respectively.

Objective: To improve procedures for extracting RNA from these FFPE tissues and detect the RNA with the more sensitive TaqManbased reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR.

An evaluation of screening measures for cognitive impairment after stroke.

Objectives: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of a screening battery for detecting cognitive impairment after stroke.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Stroke patients were recruited from hospitals in three centres.