Using photocaging for fast time-resolved structural biology studies.

Careful selection of photocaging approaches is critical to achieve fast and well synchronized reaction initiation and perform successful time-resolved structural biology experiments. This review summarizes the best characterized and most relevant photocaging groups previously described in the literature. It also provides a walkthrough of the essential factors to consider in designing a suitable photocaged molecule to address specific biological questions, focusing on photocaging groups with well characterized spectroscopic properties. The relationships between decay rates (k in s-1), quantum yields (ϕ) and molar extinction coefficients (ϵmax in M-1 cm-1) are highlighted for different groups. The effects of the nature of the photocaged group on these properties is also discussed. Four main photocaging scaffolds are presented in detail, o-nitrobenzyls, p-hydroxyphenyls, coumarinyls and nitrodibenzofuranyls, along with three examples of the use of this technology. Furthermore, a subset of specialty photocages are highlighted: photoacids, molecular photoswitches and metal-containing photocages. These extend the range of photocaging approaches by, for example, controlling pH or generating conformationally locked molecules.

Public Health Surveillance for the Prevention of Pesticide-Related Illness in Illinois.

OBJECTIVES: There is no pesticide related illness (PRI) surveillance program in Illinois. This study examines the quality of state-based data sources for their ability to inform public health surveillance on PRI. METHODS: We estimated the counts of PRI by probabilistic data linkage of hospital discharge, emergency department, and poison center databases from 2010 to 2015. We characterized identified PRI cases. RESULTS: We identified 3867 unique cases of PRI and 6269 asymptomatic pesticide exposures. Out of the 3867 PRI cases, there were 1319 emergency department visits and 321 hospitalizations. We identified 13 deaths and 1640 major or moderate effects from PRI. Over half of ingestion related exposures occurred in children aged 0 to 4 years. Workers' compensation and Emergency Medical Service data were unusable. CONCLUSION: An effective public health surveillance on PRI requires reliable state data sources and cost-effective methods of assembling data from multiple sources.

Regioselective 1,4-Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to α,ß-γ,δ-Dienones and α,ß-γ,δ-Dienyl Thiol Esters.

Alkyl Grignard reagents (Et, nBu, iPr, cyclohexyl), with the exception of tBuMgCl, undergo exclusive or exceptionally highly regioselective 1,4-addition reactions to α,ß-γ,δ-unsaturated ketones, while aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents give mixed results ranging from exclusive 1,4-addition (1-naphthyl, 2-N-methylpyrrolyl) to regioselective 1,2-addition (2-furyl, 2:1). All alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl Grignard reagents examined gave exclusive 1,4-addition reactions with α,ß-γ,δ-unsaturated thiol esters, with the exception of tBuMgCl, which gave an 80:20 mixture of 1,4:1,6-addition products. The high chemo- and regioselectivity observed for these reactions is attributed to a radical or radical-like pathway for the alkyl Grignard reagents and possibly a carbanion pathway for aryl Grignard reagents. The α,γ-dienyl thiol esters provide for a one-pot tandem 1,4-addition-nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction sequence to afford 3-substituted 4-enone moieties.

Laceration injuries and infections among workers in the poultry processing and pork meatpacking industries.

BACKGROUND: Workers in poultry processing and pork meatpacking have high rates of acute injuries and chronic disease among. The presence of zoonotic pathogens in these workplaces may interact with injury. METHODS: We investigated incidence of worker injuries, lacerations, and infections reported by 10 companies from 2004 to 2009 and calculated annual incidence rates by industry and company along with temporal trends and job-related risk factors. RESULTS: Average annual mean total injury rates were 6.4 per 100 workers (poultry) and 13.2 per 100 workers (pork). Average annual mean rates for lacerations were 1.8 per 100 workers (poultry) and 1.9 per 100 (pork). Sharp tools and animal products were most frequently reported as sources for lacerations. Animal products were most frequently reported as sources of infected lacerations. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that these industries continue to have high injury rates. The results also suggest that zoonotic pathogens may be preventable health and safety risks.