Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa and approved for emetic conditions, appetite stimulation and sleep apnea relief. THC's psychoactive actions are mediated primarily by the cannabinoid receptor CB. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of HU210, a THC analog and widely used tool compound, bound to CB and its primary transducer, G.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGallstone ileus is a relatively rare complication of cholelithiasis, and an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction most commonly seen in elderly and debilitated people with associated comorbidities. Symptoms of gallstone ileus are insidious and may be vague while the delay in diagnosis results in a high mortality rate. Herein we report two cases of gallstone ileus in elderly patients with complex medical history who presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension, vomiting and fluid/electrolyte disorders due to cholecysto-enteric fistula and bowel obstruction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present a unique case of a retroperitoneal tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion related to IgG4-sclerosing disease; it is a rare manifestation of the IgG4-related disease, which usually causes diffuse fibrosis when located in the retroperitoneum, rather than mass-like lesions. A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Subsequent testing with abdominal ultrasound, CT, and MRI revealed a large retroperitoneal mass of unknown origin, heterogenous, with a concentric circles pattern best visualized in MRI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) is the principal endogenously produced ligand for the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors (CBRs). The lack of potent and efficacious 2-AG ligands with resistance against metabolizing enzymes represents a significant void in the armamentarium of research tools available for studying eCB system molecular constituents and their function. Herein we report the first endocannabinoid glyceride templates with remarkably high potency and efficacy at CBRs.
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