Engrailed: Pathological and physiological effects of a multifunctional developmental gene.

Engrailed-1 (EN1) is a developmental gene that encodes En1, a highly conserved transcription factor involved in regionalization during early embryogenesis and in the later maintenance of normal neurons. After birth, EN1 still plays a role in the development and physiology of the body; for example, it exerts a protective effect on midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, and loss of EN1 causes mDA neurons in the ventral midbrain to gradually die approximately 6 weeks after birth, resulting in motor and nonmotor symptoms similar to those observed in Parkinson's disease. Notably, EN1 has been identified as a possible susceptibility gene for idiopathic Parkinson's disease in humans.

Mesoionic Carbene-Catalyzed Formyl Alkylation of Aldehydes.

Ketones are among the most useful functional groups in organic synthesis, and they are commonly encountered in a broad range of compounds with various applications. Herein, we describe the mesoionic carbene-catalyzed coupling reaction of aldehydes with non-activated secondary and even primary alkyl halides. This metal-free method utilizes deprotonated Breslow intermediates derived from mesoionic carbenes (MICs), which act as super electron donors and induce the single-electron reduction of alkyl halides.

Ortho-Selective Hydrogen Isotope Exchange of Phenols and Benzyl Alcohols by Mesoionic Carbene-Iridium Catalyst.

Hydrogen isotope exchange reactions of phenols and benzyl alcohols have been achieved by a mesoionic carbene-iridium catalyst with high ortho selectivity and high functional group tolerance. Control experiments indicated that acetate is crucial to realize the ortho selectivity, whereas density functional theory calculations supported an outer-sphere direction with hydrogen bonding between acetate and the hydroxyl group.

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyrroloindolones and Pyrroloquinolinones via an -Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction.

In this work, the NHC-catalyzed Michael/Mannich/lactamization cascade reaction of enals with either indole-2-carboxaldehyde-derived aldimines or indole-7-carboxaldehyde-derived aldimines is described. This protocol enables the rapid assembly of optically active pyrroloindolones and pyrroloquinolinones derivatives under mild conditions with high yields, excellent enantioselectivities, and a broad substrate scope.

Nanophthalmos: An Update on the Biological Parameters and Fundus Abnormalities.

Nanophthalmos is a clinical phenotype of simple microphthalmos, in which the anterior and posterior segments of the eyeball do not develop into a normal size without other major ocular or systemic anomalies. Typical clinical manifestations of nanophthalmos include short axial length, thickened sclera, small cornea, shallow anterior chamber, and increased lens-to-eye volume ratio. Currently, there is a lack of recognized diagnostic criteria for nanophthalmos.

Base-Catalyzed H/D Exchange Reaction of Difluoromethylarenes.

The budding deuteriodifluoromethyl group (CFD) is a potentially significant functional group in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we investigated -BuOK-catalyzed H/D exchange reaction of difluoromethylarenes in DMSO- solution. The method provides excellent deuterium incorporation at the difluoromethyl group.

Synthesis, Structure, and Photophysical Properties of -Phenylene-Embedded Cycloparaphenylene Nanorings.

Five -phenylene-embedded cycloparaphenylenes [9]CPP - were synthesized by the platinum-mediated cyclooligomerization strategy with high overall yields. The structures of [9]CPP - were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compared to [9]CPP, [9]CPP caused a significant blueshift in the UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed - and -H/D Exchange of Arenes.

Ruthenium-catalyzed aromatic H/D exchange in [D]acetic acid has been developed. By using -heteroarenes as directing groups, both and positions are selectively deuterated with high levels of D incorporation. Moreover, this strategy provides an alternative way to achieve -C-H activation.

[Early-middle stage effect of percutaneous spinal endoscopic BEIS technique for lumbar spinal stenosis].

Objective: To explore the clinical early-middle stage clinical effect of percutaneous spinal endoscopic with the technique of Broad Easy Immediate Surgery(BEIS) for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Methods: The clinical data of 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis treated by surgery from June 2015 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, including 32 cases treated by percutaneous spinal endoscopic with the technique of BEIS (minimally invasive group) and 25 cases by posterior approach of lumbar pedicle screws internal fixation and intervertebral disc excision with bone graft fusion surgery (open surgery group). The pre-operative general data such as age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and etc.

[Excision of necrotic and infected tissues combined with induced membrane and external fixator technique for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in tibia after fracture operation].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of excision of necrotic and infected tissues combined with induced membrane and external fixator technique to treat chronic osteomyelitis in tibia after fracture operation.

Methods: From June 2011 to June 2014, a total of 13 patients with tibia osteomyelitis were treated with excision of necrotic and infected tissues and external fixator technique in the first stage. There were 8 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 16 to 67 years old with an average of (37.

Enantioselective [3 + 2] Annulation of Enals with 2-Aminoacrylates Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbene.

A novel and convenient strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of γ-lactam derivatives via N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed formal [3 + 2] annulation of enals with 2-aminoacrylates is disclosed. This activation mode provides a complementary approach to the synthesis of various γ-lactam derivatives in good yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. In this process, two consecutive stereocenters are constructed, and a quaternary carbon center is also established.

Access to dihydropyridinones and spirooxindoles: application of N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3+3] annulation of enals and oxindole-derived enals with 2-aminoacrylates.

A strategy for the NHC-catalyzed synthesis of dihydropyridinones and spirooxindoles has been developed via [3+3] annulation reactions of enals or isatin-derived enals with 2-aminoacrylates under oxidative conditions. In this efficient strategy, the 2-aminoacrylates served as nucleophiles. Modifying the standard base switched the carbon-carbon double bond formation from 5,6-positions to 3,4-positions to generate 5,6-dihydropyridinones and 3,4-dihydropyridinones, respectively.

CD1 Mouse Retina Is Shielded From Iron Overload Caused by a High Iron Diet.

Purpose: High RPE iron levels have been associated with age-related macular degeneration. Mutation of the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin leads to RPE iron accumulation and degeneration in patients with aceruloplasminemia; mice lacking ceruloplasmin and its homolog hephaestin have a similar RPE degeneration. To determine whether a high iron diet (HID) could cause RPE iron accumulation, possibly contributing to RPE oxidative stress in AMD, we tested the effect of dietary iron on mouse RPE iron.

[The prevalence and influencing factors of eye diseases for IT industry video operation workers].

Objective: To investigate the situation of video-contact and eye diseases for IT industry video operation workers, and to analyze the influencing factors, providing scientific evidence for the make of health-strategy for IT industry video operation workers.

Methods: We take the random cluster sampling method to choose 190 IT industry video operation workers in a city of Jiangsu province, analyzing the relations between video contact and eye diseases.

Results: The daily video contact time of IT industry video operation workers is 6.

Ag island film-enhanced rare earth co-luminescence effect of Tb-Gd-protein-sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate system and sensitive detection of protein.

This paper reported the coupling technique of Ag island film-enhanced fluorescence with rare earth co-luminescence effect of Tb-Gd-sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS)-protein system. While the collagen is used as the separator between Ag island film and the fluorophore because it not only can decrease the fluorescence of the blank, but also can promote the adsorption of other proteins and change the conformation of the protein. The effects of Ag island film on both the fluorescence and resonance energy transfer process of Tb-Gd-SDBS-protein system are studied, finding that Ag island film can enhance the energy transfer efficiency of this system, resulting in fluorescence enhancement about tenfold compared with this system without Ag island film.

[Position and orientation of zygomatic-area implant of zygo-buccal flange osseointegrated implant obturator].

Objective: To provide objective data for position and orientation of zygomatic-area implant used in zygo-buccal flange osseointegrated implant obturator for patients with large maxillary defect.

Methods: Fifty cases of normal unilateral zygomatic body with dentition were measured on three-dimensional spiral CT images. Measurements included the slope angle of zygomatic body on sagittal sectional image, the maximal horizontal distance from the buccal boundary of maxillary alveolar to outboard of maxillary sinus.