ABSTRACT
One of the most challenging fundamental problems in establishing prebiotically plausible routes for phosphorylation reactions using phosphate is that they are thermodynamically unfavorable in aqueous conditions. Diamidophosphate (DAP), a potentially prebiotically relevant compound, was shown to phosphorylate nucleosides in aqueous medium, albeit at a very slow rate (days/weeks). Here, we demonstrate that performing these reactions within an aerosol environment, a suitable model for the early Earth ocean-air interface, yields higher reaction rates when compared to bulk solution, thus overcoming these rate limitations. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the effective conversion (~6.5-10%) of uridine to uridine-2',3'-cyclophosphate in less than 1 h. These results suggest that aerosol environments are a possible scenario in which prebiotic phosphorylation could have occurred despite unfavorable rates in bulk solution.
ABSTRACT
The properties and uses of piperylene sulfone as a new, recyclable dipolar, aprotic solvent for conducting organic reactions are presented.
ABSTRACT
At Cabrini Medical Center, a 499-bed acute care hospital in New York City, a concurrent review of 25% albumin usage was performed. A nationwide shortage, and a 40% increase in usage over the same time period the previous year, provided the justification for the study. Twenty-five percent albumin usage was monitored for a 2-month period. Patient characteristics, as well as information including type of medical service, number of units of albumin administered, dose, total serum protein, serum albumin, and patient outcome were recorded. A study population of 54 patients was identified. Of the 770 units of 25% albumin administered, 668 (87%) were deemed inappropriate, with the medical service responsible for 614 units, and the surgical service 54 units. This represented 92% and 8% of inappropriate use, respectively. Overall, 86% of albumin usage was by the medical service. This is in sharp contrast to the results obtained by previous investigators.
