Catalytic Cascade Reactions Inspired by Polyketide Biosynthesis.

Aldol reactions belong to the most important methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and are also involved in one of the most astonishing biosynthetic processes: the biosynthesis of polyketides governed by an extraordinarily sophisticated enzymatic machinery. In contrast to the typical linear or convergent strategies followed in chemical synthesis, this late-stage catalysis concept allows Nature to assemble intermediates that are diversified into a broad range of scaffolds, which assume various crucial biological functions. To transfer this concept to small-molecule catalysis to access products beyond the natural systems, a stepwise approach to differentiate increasingly complex substrates was followed by investigating arene-forming polyketide cyclizations.

Catalytic Arene-forming Aldol Condensation: Stereoselective Synthesis of Rotationally Restricted Aromatic Compounds.

By taking inspiration from the fascinating biosynthetic machinery that creates aromatic polyketides, our group investigates analogous reactions catalyzed by small molecules. We are particularly captivated by the prospects of intramolecular aldol condensation reactions to generate different rotationally restricted aromatic compounds. In a first project of our independent research group, a highly stereoselective amine catalyzed synthesis of axially chiral biaryls, tertiary aromatic amides and oligo-1,2-naphthylenes has been developed.

Gene expression profiling reveals a close relationship between follicular lymphoma grade 3A and 3B, but distinct profiles of follicular lymphoma grade 1 and 2.

A linear progression model of follicular lymphomas (FL) FL1, FL2 and FL3A has been favored, since FL3A often co-exist with an FL1/2 component. FL3B, in contrast, is thought to be more closely related to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and both are often simultaneously present in one tumor (DLBCL/FL3B). To obtain more detailed insights into follicular lymphoma progression, a comprehensive analysis of a well-defined set of FL1/2 (n=22), FL3A (n=16), FL3B (n=6), DLBCL/FL3B (n=9), and germinal center B-cell-type diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n=45) was undertaken using gene expression profiling, immunohistochemical stainings and genetic analyses by fluorescence hybridization.

Stereoselective Arene-Forming Aldol Condensation: Catalyst-Controlled Synthesis of Axially Chiral Compounds.

The fundamental role that aldol chemistry adopts in various disciplines, such as stereoselective catalysis or the biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides, illustrates its exceptional versatility. On the one hand, numerous aldol addition reactions reliably transfer the stereochemical information from catalysts into various valuable products. On the other hand, countless aromatic polyketide natural products are produced by an ingenious biosynthetic machinery based on arene-forming aldol condensations.

Low-cost thermotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sindh, Pakistan.

Objective: To study the efficacy of a low-cost heating pack device used for thermotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Civil Hospital Sukkur, Pakistan, from April 20, 2012, to January 3, 2013. Thermotherapy with Hand-Held Exothermic Crystallisation Therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis was performed on each lesion of the participating subjects at an average initial temperature of 51.