A practical asymmetric synthesis of a 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivative (1), a representative of a new class of potent CCR5 receptor antagonists, is described. The benzylamine stereogenic center of 1 was introduced by a ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric reductive amination using (R)-MeOBIPHEP as ligand. Aldehyde 4, prepared by Parikh-Doering oxidation, was used without workup in the reductive animation reaction, which not only simplified the process but also overcame the instability of 4. The 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane core was obtained by a [3 + 2] cycloaddition.

Paragangliomas, also known as extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas, arise from chromaffin cells within the autonomonic ganglia. Catecholamine secreting paragangliomas have been described in the mediastinum, but rarely invade the heart. This case describes the use of a novel bioabsorbable matrix that was used to replace a tumor invading the posterior left atrium.

A 36-year-old soccer player with retrosternal chest pain was brought to the emergency department. The patient was visiting from Egypt and did not speak English. A friend who accompanied the patient was able to give a limited history.

During the gravel packing and fracturing processes in deviated wells the flows can follow complicated three-dimensional paths in the treating string. In this paper we present the formulation of a three-dimensional numerical model of fluid and solids transport for evaluation and design of these completion events. The simulator tracks the slurry flow from the surface, throughout the wellbore, and into the perforations. It treats fluid return and loss into the formation. The model simulates fluid displacement, gravel settling, dune formation, bridging, fluid flow through packed solids and flow into and out of screens. We present validation results against laboratory and field data for various fluids, deviations, pumping rates, and solids loading.