Intensive glucose control after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective matched-cohort study

Some studies have shown that intensive glucose control (IGC) improves outcome in the intensive care unit setting. However, it is the benefit of IGC in hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) that is not well defined. Between June 2006 and May 2007, IGC was maintained prospectively after allogeneic HSCT and clinical outcomes were compared with a cohort matched for conditioning regimen, source of stem cells, age and relation to donor. A stratified Cox regression model was used. There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics. The median age was 43.5 years in both groups. The primary diagnosis was a hematologic malignancy. Patients in the IGC group had a lower glucose level (least-square mean, 116.4 vs 146.8 mg per 100 ml, P<0.001) compared to the standard glucose control group. The incidences of documented infections and bacteremia were significantly lower in the IGC group (14 vs 46%, P=0.004, 9 vs 39%, P=0.002, respectively). IGC tended to reduce the incidence of renal dysfunction (19 vs 37%, P=0.36) and the elevation of C-reactive protein (18 vs 38%, P=0.13). This study suggests that IGC has may have a beneficial effect after HSCT. IGC should be evaluated further in a large prospective, randomized study.

Stereochemistry of Enacyloxins. Part 4

The absolute configurations of the enacyloxins, a series of polyhydroxylated polyene antibiotics from Frateuria species, were determined. The so far elusive (13'R,14'R,15'S)-configuration was assigned to enacycloxin IVa (1) by means of 'J-resolved HMBC-1' and NOESY NMR methods.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Isishippuric Acid B via Intramolecular Michael Reaction

The first enantioselective total synthesis of isishippuric acid B bearing a novel 4,5-seco-6-norquadrane skeleton was accomplished from (R)-citronellal with use of a Diels-Alder cycloaddition and an intramolecular Michael addition as the ring-forming steps. Comparison of the optical rotation of the synthetic material with that of the natural product confirmed the absolute configuration of isishippuric acid B to be 1R, 2R, 8R, and 11R.

Syntheses and odor descriptions of cyclopropanated compounds, part 6: Analogs of aliphatic monoterpene dienols and non-branched alcohols

Analogs of aliphatic monoterpene dienols (geraniol, nerol, linalool, and lavandulol) and non-branched alcohols (norleaf alcohol, matsutake alcohol, etc.) bearing a cyclopropane ring were synthesized, and their odor characteristics were examined. Most of the analogs show odor properties different from their parent compounds.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis and Stereochemical Revision of Communiols E and F

The enantioselective total synthesis of candidate structures for communiols E and F, novel bicyclic polyketides of fungal origin, was accomplished using a Lewis acid-mediated ring closure reaction of an allylsilane intermediate as the key step. Comparison of the spectral data of the synthetic materials with those of natural communiols E and F, coupled with biosynthetic considerations, led to the conclusion that the stereochemistry of communiols E and F should be (2S,5S,7R, 8S,11R)- and (5S,7R,8S,11R)-forms, respectively.

Total Synthesis of Pteridic Acids A and B

Pteridic acid A (1) is a spirocyclic octaketide produced by the phytoepiphytic actinomycete Streptomyces hygroscopicus TP-A0451 and possesses potent plant-growth-promoting activity comparable to that of indole-3-acetic acid. The enantioselective total synthesis of this natural product was achieved by employing the Sn(OTf)(2)-mediated Evans aldol reaction and the Fukuyama acetylenic coupling reaction as the key C--C bond-forming steps producing 1 through a 14-step sequence in 22 % overall yield from a known oxazolidinone derivative. MgBr(2)-mediated equilibration of an anomerically favored spirocyclic intermediate used for the synthesis of 1 brought about partial epimerization of the spirocenter to give the corresponding anomerically disfavored epimer, which was converted into pteridic acid B (11-epi-1), another plant-growth promoter of the same microbial origin.

Synthesis and Odor Description of Both Enantiomers of Methyl 4,5-Didehydrojasmonate, a Component of Jasmin Absolute

Synthesis of both enantiomers of methyl 4,5-didehydrojasmonate (1, Delta(4,5)-MJA; >99.8% ee), a constituent of jasmin absolute, established the absolute configuration of the natural product, and their odor quality was evaluated. The fragrance of the natural (3S,7R)-enantiomer (a fresh natural, sweet floral fruity odor, reminiscent of Jasmin and Ylang Ylang flower, more intensive and tenacious) was superior to that of the unnatural (3R,7S)-enantiomer (a floral green odor with slight metallic green aspect, less intensive than the natural form) and the racemate (green-floral note, having weak and less volume than methyl jasmonate). Odor difference between natural and unnatural enantiomers of methyl jasmonate (2) is also reported.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Litseaverticillols A and B

[reaction: see text] The first enantioselective total synthesis of the (1R,5S)-stereoisomer of litseaverticillols A and B, anti-HIV monocyclic sesquiterpenoids isolated from a perennial shrub found in Vietnam, was accomplished in six steps from homogeranic acid by employing the Evans asymmetric aldol reaction and a microwave-promoted cyclization of a stannylated thiol ester intermediate as the C-C bond-forming steps.

Enzymatic Resolution and Odor Description of Both Enantiomers of Lavandulol, a Fragrance of Lavender Oil

Both enantiomers of lavandulol (1), an important constituent of lavender oil, were prepared by enzymatic optical resolution, and the odor quality of the single antipodes were evaluated. The fragrance of the nature-identical (R)-enantiomer ('weak floral, herbal odor with slightly lemon-like, fresh citrus fruity nuance') was superior to those of both the unnatural (S)-enantiomer ('very weak odor') and the racemate ('weak floral, herbal odor').

Enantioselective total synthesis of enokipodins A-D, antimicrobial sesquiterpenes produced by the mushroom, Flammulina velutipes

The first enantioselective total synthesis of enokipodins A, B, C and D, highly oxidized alpha-cuparenone-type sesquiterpenoids possessing antimicrobial activity, was accomplished in 8-28% overall yields from methyl (2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)acetate by applying Meyers' diastereoselective alkylation protocol for the construction of their C7-quaternary asymmetric center. The present synthesis confirmed the absolute configuration of the enokipodins, and also constitutes a formal enantioselective synthesis of (S)-1,4-cuparenediol and (S)-cuparene-1,4-quinone.

Synthesis of the conjugated trienes 5E,7E,9E,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid and 5Z,7E,9E,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid, and their induction of apoptosis in DLD-1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

During the course of our recent study on the anti-tumor effect of conjugated eicosapentaenoic acids (CEPA), we found that acid mixtures prepared by treating EPA with KOH in ethylene glycol induced potent apoptotic cell death in human tumor cells via membrane phospholipid peroxidation. Interestingly, the KOH-treated CEPA mixtures were more cytotoxic than EPA and CLA and had no effect on normal human fibroblast cells. To identify the specific cytotoxic FA in the CEPA mixture, we synthesized possible candidates for the active species. Here, we report the synthesis of (5E,7E,9E, 14Z, 17Z)-5,7,9,14,1 7-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-CEPA) and its 5-(Z) isomer (Z-CEPA), both of which are conjugated trienes that exist naturally in red algae (Ptilota filicina J. Agardh). E-CEPA and Z-CEPA were synthesized from methyl 5-oxopentanoate in six steps, using three types of Wittig reactions as the key steps. Next, we examined the cytotoxicity of E-CEPA and Z-CEPA in human tumor cells and confirmed their bioactivity. Both E-CEPA and Z-CEPA had a strong cytotoxic reaction in tumor cells, and this effect occurred through induction of apoptosis.