Pregnant women's beliefs, expectations and experiences of antenatal ultrasound in Northern Tanzania.

This qualitative study explored pregnant women's beliefs, expectations and experiences of the recently introduced antenatal ultrasound service in BomaNg'ombe hospital, Tanzania. Thematic analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews and 41 questionnaires was employed. The majority of women desired ultrasonography despite many not understanding the procedure or purpose. Patient's expectations included discovering fetal position, fetal sex and pregnancy problems. However, women frequently over-estimated the capacity of ultrasound, and had significant fears of harm. One sixth of questionnaire respondents said they did not want ultrasonography. Nonetheless since the service was introduced no woman has declined, and numerous interviewees believed scans were obligatory. Despite fears, some women reported enjoyment of ultrasound. Interviewees believed ultrasound would increase antenatal care (ANC) attendance. An informed consent policy and an education campaign are needed to reduce fears and maximise uptake and health gains. The effects of ultrasound availability on timely ANC uptake, including amongst women not currently accessing ANC, should be further researched.

Serotype-selective, small-molecule inhibitors of the zinc endopeptidase of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNTA) is one of the most toxic substances known. Currently, there is no antidote to BoNTA. Small molecules identified from high-throughput screening reportedly inhibit the endopeptidase--the zinc-bound, catalytic domain of BoNTA--at a drug concentration of 20 microM. However, optimization of these inhibitors is hampered by challenges including the computational evaluation of the ability of a zinc ligand to compete for coordination with nearby residues in the active site of BoNTA. No improved inhibitor of the endopeptidase has been reported. This article reports the development of a serotype-selective, small-molecule inhibitor of BoNTA with a K(i) of 12 microM. This inhibitor was designed to coordinate the zinc ion embedded in the active site of the enzyme for affinity and to interact with a species-specific residue in the active site for selectivity. It is the most potent small-molecule inhibitor of BoNTA reported to date. The results suggest that multiple molecular dynamics simulations using the cationic dummy atom approach are useful to structure-based design of zinc protease inhibitors.

The first total synthesis of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 and the unambiguous assignment of the C14 stereochemistry.

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 is reported. The highly unsaturated cyclopentenone prostaglandin was obtained via a silicon-tethered allenic [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction developed in our group. In addition, the stereochemistry at C14 has been assigned unambiguously.

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed formal allenic Alder ene reaction for the rapid and stereoselective assembly of cross-conjugated trienes.

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed allenic Alder ene reaction to prepare cross-conjugated trienes has been discovered. The scope and limitations are currently being investigated, and the results obtained to date are reported on. This method shows enticing functional group compatibility by tolerating terminal and internal alkynes, hydroxyl, sulfonamide, ether, and diester groups. Progress has been made to increase the stereoselectivity of the olefinic side chain via an unprecendented iridium(I) catalyzed Alder-ene reaction.

An allenic Pauson-Khand-type reaction: a reversal in pi-bond selectivity and the formation of seven-membered rings.

[reaction: see text] Treatment of alkynyl allenes with [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) results in a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction. This reaction occurs with complete regioselectivity for a variety of substrates affording only 4-alkylidene cyclopentenones in good yields. Moreover, seven-membered rings have been prepared in high yields.