Lewis acid-catalyzed double addition of indoles to ketones: synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes with all-carbon quaternary centers.

We report herein a Lewis acid-catalyzed nucleophilic double-addition of indoles to ketones under mild conditions. This process occurs with various ketones ranging from dialkyl ketones to diaryl ketones, thereby providing access to an array of bis(indolyl)methanes bearing all-carbon quaternary centers, including tetra-aryl carbon centers. The products can be transformed into bis(indole)-fused polycyclics and bis(indolyl)alkenes.

Korean Red Ginseng enhances pneumococcal Δ vaccine efficacy by inhibiting reactive oxygen species production.

Background: , more than 90 serotypes of which exist, is recognized as an etiologic agent of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Immunization with a pneumococcal mutant (Δ) has been shown to confer comprehensive, long-term protection against even nontypeable strains. However, Δ is effective as a vaccine only after at least three rounds of immunization.

Effect of Korean Red Ginseng extracts on drug-drug interactions.

Background: Ginseng has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies to uncover the diverse biological activities of its constituent compounds. It is a traditional medicine that has been used for its immunostimulatory, antithrombotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Ginseng may interact with concomitant medications and alter metabolism and/or drug transport, which may alter the known efficacy and safety of a drug; thus, the role of ginseng may be controversial when taken with other medications.

Pulmonary Colonization Resistance to Pathogens via Noncanonical Wnt and Interleukin-17A by Intranasal pep27 Mutant Immunization.

Background: Previous studies have focused on colonization resistance of the gut microbiota against antibiotic resistant strains. However, less research has been performed on respiratory colonization resistance.

Methods: Because respiratory colonization is the first step of respiratory infections, intervention to prevent colonization would represent a new approach for preventive and therapeutic measures.

Estrogen receptor-β of microglia underlies sexual differentiation of neuronal protection via ginsenosides in mice brain.

Aims: Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in acute bacterial meningitis can lead to widespread brain damage and mortality. Inflammatory responses by immune cells in the brain are thought to determine the degree of brain injury. Yet, the mechanisms underlying host responses to pneumococcal meningitis are largely unknown.