Modular Construction of Heterobiaryl Atropisomers and Axially Chiral Styrenes via All-Carbon Tetrasubstituted VQMs.

Here we report a new type of chiral all-carbon tetrasubstituted VQMs generated via chiral phosphoric acids catalyzed nucleophilic addition of 2-alkynylnaphthols to o-quinone methides or imines, which can be captured intramolecularly as a result of cycloaddition reaction. A new class of naphthyl-2H-chromenes bearing axially and centrally chiral elements and axially chiral quinone-naphthols were prepared efficiently with good to excellent yields, diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities. Noteworthy, the enantioselective cycloaddition of alkynylnaphthols with o-quinone methides proceeded via a [2+2] cycloaddition, followed by a retro-4π-electrocyclization and a 6π re-cyclization.

Pachymic acid protects oocyte by improving the ovarian microenvironment in polycystic ovary syndrome mice†.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are characterized by endocrine disorders accompanied by a decline in oocyte quality. In this study, we generated a PCOS mice model by hypodermic injection of dehydroepiandrosterone, and metformin was used as a positive control drug to study the effect of pachymic acid (PA) on endocrine and oocyte quality in PCOS mice. Compared with the model group, the mice treated with PA showed the following changes (slower weight gain, improved abnormal metabolism; increased development potential of GV oocytes, reduced number of abnormal MII oocytes, and damaged embryos; lower expression of ovarian-related genes in ovarian tissue and pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue).

Pulmonary pathology of early-phase COVID-19 pneumonia in a patient with a benign lung lesion.

Aims: An ongoing outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV-2, has been spreading in multiple countries. One of the reasons for the rapid spread is that the virus can be transmitted from infected individuals without symptoms. Revealing the pathological features of early-phase COVID-19 pneumonia is important for understanding of its pathogenesis.

A mobile terminal application program was used for endotracheal tube cuff pressure measurement.

We studied the application of a mobile terminal application program in endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure measurement to improve the implementation rate of scientific ETT cuff pressure measurement and to ensure that the pressure falls within the recommended range. A pre-post controlled study lasting for 18 months was undertaken in a 40-bed general intensive care unit (GICU). This included a 6-month baseline period (baseline group) and a 6-month intervention period (intervention group).

Effects of fine particulate matter (PM) on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice.

Fine particulate matter (PM) has an adverse effect on reproductive function, in particular causing reduced male reproductive function, but relatively few studies have directly targeted its effects on female reproduction. To investigate the effects of PM exposure on female reproduction, we exposed female mice to PM by intratracheal instillation for 28 days, and evaluated apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes and the quality embryos after insemination. Our results showed increased numbers of apoptotic granulosa cells and oocytes after exposure to elevated concentrations of PM, which had adverse effects on female fertility via compromising embryo development and quality.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate exposure impairs meiotic competence and development of mouse oocyte.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is extensively used in industrial applications as plasticizer and stabilizer and its presence in the environment may present health risks for human. Previous studies have demonstrated its mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic ability. However, its effect on mammalian oocyte maturation remains unknown.

Mucinous variant of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of breast: report of two cases and literature review.

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare type of malignant tumor of breast with a poor prognosis. There is controversy in the identification of mucinous variant of IMPC with mucinous carcinoma. In the past, it always be diagnosed as micropapillary variant of mucinous carcinoma, but in this study, the author has a different opinion.

SKAP2 regulates Arp2/3 complex for actin-mediated asymmetric cytokinesis by interacting with WAVE2 in mouse oocytes.

SKAP2 (Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2), a substrate of Src family kinases, has been suggested to be involved in actin-mediated cellular processes. However, little is known about its role in mouse oocyte maturation. In this study, we thus investigated the expression, localization, and functions of SKAP2 during mouse oocyte asymmetric division.

The effect of nano-TiO photocatalysis on the antioxidant activities of Cu, Zn-SOD at physiological pH.

Security issues of nanoparticles on biological toxicity and potential environmental risk have attracted more and more attention with the rapid development and wide applications of nanotechnology. In this work, we explored the effect and probable mechanism of nano-TiO on antioxidant activity of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) under natural light and mixed light at physiological pH. Nano-TiO was prepared by sol-hydrothermal method, and then characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron micrographs (TEM).

Myxoid adrenocortical adenoma with a pseudoglandular pattern: a case report and literature review.

Adrenocortical adenoma is a benign neoplasm derived from cells of the adrenal cortex. The myxoid variant of this tumor is extremely rare. To our knowledge, only 23 cases of myxoid adrenocortical adenoma have been reported so far and 19 of them mentioned the pseudoglandular pattern.

Protective effects of resveratrol against mancozeb induced apoptosis damage in mouse oocytes.

Mancozeb, a mixture of ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate manganese and zinc salts, is one of the most widely used fungicides in agriculture. Mancozeb could lead to mitochondria dysfunction, cellular anti-oxidation enzymes depletion and apoptotic pathways activation. Previous studies indicated the exposure of mancozeb through mother would lead to irregular estrous cycles, decreased progesterone levels, reduced litter sizes, and more frequent delivery of dead fetuses.

Infralimbic Endothelin1 Is Critical for the Modulation of Anxiety-Like Behaviors.

Endothelin1 (ET1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is also known to be a neuropeptide that is involved in neural circuits. We examined the role of ET1 that has been implicated in the anxiogenic process. We found that infusing ET1 into the IL cortex increased anxiety-like behaviors.

[Analysis of small supernumerary marker chromosome 15q11 in four infertile males].

Objective: To delineate the origins of small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) identified in 4 infertile males.

Methods: The sSMCs were analyzed with combined G-banding, N-banding, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and single nucleotide polymorphisms array (SNP-array) techniques.

Results: G-banding analysis has suggested a 46,X,-Y,+mar karyotype in all of the 4 cases.

[Delineation of three structural Y chromosome aberrations combined molecular techniques].

Objective: To delineate the structure of Y chromosome aberrations and recombinant mechanisms for three patients.

Methods: Karyotype analysis, multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Y chromosome sequence tagged sites (STS) analysis, human whole genome-wide SNP array were used.

Results: The karyotypes of the three patients were 46, X, +mar.

[Anti-depression effect of acupunctrue and moxibustion based on SSRIs medication].

Objective: To verify the anti-depression effect of acupuncture and moxibustion based on the medication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Methods: Eighty cases of depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion-medication group (25 cases), an acupuncture-medication group (25 cases) and a medication group (30 cases). SSRIs medication was administered in all of the three groups.

[Mutation analysis of SMN gene in a patient and his family with spinal muscular atrophy].

Objective: To perform mutation analysis and describe the genotype of the SMN gene in a patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and his family.

Methods: Deletion analysis of the SMN1 exon 7 by conventional PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and allele-specific PCR, and gene dosage of SMN1 and SMN2 by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were performed for the patient and his parents; reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and sequencing were performed for the patient. To determine whether the SMN variant was exclusive to transcripts derived from SMN1, the RT-PCR product of the patient was subcloned and multiple clones were sequenced directly; PCR of SMN exon 5 from the genomic DNA of the parents and direct sequencing were performed to confirm the mutation.