A Role for Fucose α(1−2) Galactose Carbohydrates in Neuronal Growth

We report a fucose α(1−2) galactose-mediated pathway for the modulation of neuronal growth and morphology. Our studies provide strong evidence for the presence of Fucα(1−2)Gal glycoproteins and lectin receptors in hippocampal neurons. Additionally, we show that manipulation of Fucα(1−2)Gal-associated proteins using small-molecule and lectin probes induces dramatic changes in neuronal morphology. These findings may provide a novel pathway to stimulate neuronal growth and regeneration

A Solvent-Free Method for Isotopically or Radioactively Labeling Cyclodextrins and Cyclodextrin-Containing Polymers

A method for installing a distinguishable label onto cyclodextrins or cyclodextrin-containing polymers is reported. Cyclodextrins (CD) and cyclodextrin-containing polymers are exposed to labeled (^2H or ^(14)C) ethylene oxide (EO) vapor and the alcohol groups on the CD ring open the EO to give ether-linked labeled methylenes and a terminal alcohol. This method provides for the incorporation of an easily tracked and quantified label without the use of solvents or purification steps. The method can be generalized for use with materials that contain nucleophiles other than alcohols, e.g., amines

A Solvent-Free Method for Isotopically or Radioactively Labeling Cyclodextrins and Cyclodextrin-Containing Polymers

A method for installing a distinguishable label onto cyclodextrins or cyclodextrin-containing polymers is reported. Cyclodextrins (CD) and cyclodextrin-containing polymers are exposed to labeled (^2H or ^(14)C) ethylene oxide (EO) vapor and the alcohol groups on the CD ring open the EO to give ether-linked labeled methylenes and a terminal alcohol. This method provides for the incorporation of an easily tracked and quantified label without the use of solvents or purification steps. The method can be generalized for use with materials that contain nucleophiles other than alcohols, e.g., amines

Chemically Defined Sialoside Scaffolds for Investigation of Multivalent Interactions with Sialic Acid Binding Proteins

Four glycodendrons and a glycocluster were synthesized from carbohydrate building blocks to form paucivalent (di- to tetravalent) structures of controlled scaffold architectures. Enzymatic sialylation of the functionalized cluster and dendrons, terminated in lactose residues, generated a library of paucivalent synthetic sialosides displaying sialic acids with different dispositions. These newly constructed bioactive sialic acid-based structures were differentially recognized by sialoadhesin, a mammalian macrophage sialic acid binding protein. The binding of the sialosides to sialoadhesin was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay to investigate the complementarity of scaffold structure and binding to sialoadhesin. Modulating the interaction between sialoadhesin and its sialic acid ligands has important implications in immunobiology

POSTTRAUMATIC HEMOBILIA

Four patients with post-traumatic hemobilia were evaluated with arteriography over a 2 year period. In two patients hemobilia was of iatrogenic origin; in particular, one case appeared after a cholecystectomy, and the other was due to placement of a biliary stent with an endoscope. In the other two patients hemobilia was the result of a gun injury. Arteriography of the hepatic arterial system demonstrated two false aneurysms, extravasation of contrast medium through the biliary system in one patient and arterioportal fistula in another patient. It is concluded that arteriograpy of the hepatic arterial system is the method of choice for the evaluation and the possible treatment of patients with hemobilia