Disruption of cell proliferation and apoptosis balance in the testes of crossbred cattle-yaks affects spermatogenic cell fate and sterility.

The balance between proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is well-coordinated in spermatogenesis for the timely production of appropriate numbers of sperm in animals. Disruption or decrease in sperm production is due to many conditions, including changes in testicular cell fate balance. Interspecies hybridization of domestic yaks and cattle results in sterility in males because of spermatogenic arrest; however, the underlying mechanisms involved in sterility are still unclear.

Enantioselective Epoxidation of 2,3-Disubstituted Naphthoquinones by a Side Chain Truncated Guanidine-Urea Bifunctional Organocatalyst.

An organocatalytic enantioselective epoxidation of 2,3-disubstituted naphthoquinones with -butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant was developed using a guanidine-urea bifunctional catalyst lacking symmetry, which was designed based upon the insights obtained from the DFT calculation model for our previous symmetric catalyst. The present organocatalytic reaction provides access to a variety of optically active naphthoquinone epoxides bearing aryl and methyl substituents at C2 and C3 in high yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 er).

The Ability for Basic Movement Scale II Can Predict Functional Outcome and Discharge Destination in Stroke Patients.

Objectives: This study aims to identify whether the Ability for Basic Movement Scale II (ABMS II) at admission would predict the functional status and discharge destination in convalescent stroke patients.

Methods: Ninety-four stroke patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation ward were investigated. Their functions were evaluated by the ABMS II and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at admission, FIM and Functional Ambulation Category at discharge.

Asymmetric Epoxidation of 1,4-Naphthoquinones Catalyzed by Guanidine-Urea Bifunctional Organocatalyst.

An enantioselective nucleophilic epoxidation of 2-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones in the presence of a newly developed guanidine-bisurea bifunctional organocatalyst with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant is presented. 1,4-Naphthoquinones bearing substituents at C6, C7, and C2 were available for the reaction, and the corresponding epoxides were obtained with 88:12-95:5 er in 71-98% yields. DFT calculations indicated that substituents at C2 and C6 in the terminal Ar group of the catalyst 9k play a key role in controlling the stereochemical outcome.