Beyond the β-amino alcohols framework: identification of novel β-hydroxy pyridinium salt-decorated pterostilbene derivatives as bacterial virulence factor inhibitors.

Background: Bacterial virulence factors are involved in various biological processes and mediate persistent bacterial infections. Focusing on virulence factors of phytopathogenic bacteria is an attractive strategy and crucial direction in pesticide discovery to prevent invasive and persistent bacterial infection. Hence, discovery and development of novel agrochemicals with high activity, low-risk, and potent anti-virulence is urgently needed to control plant bacterial diseases.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal skeletal dysplasia using targeted next-generation sequencing: an analysis of 30 cases.

Background: This study aims to provide genetic diagnoses for 30 cases of fetal skeletal dysplasia, and a molecular basis for the future prenatal diagnosis of fetal skeletal dysplasia.

Methods: A total of 30 cases of fetal skeletal dysplasia detected with ultrasound between January 2014 and June 2017 were analyzed. Among these fetuses, 15 fetuses had local skeletal malformations, while 15 fetuses had short limb malformations.

Effect of antioxidants on amelioration of high-risk factors inducing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Background: This is a prospective clinical study based on a large sample gathered from multiple centers in China, subordinating to 10th Five-Year Plan of National Science & Technology Progression. We analyzed the high-risk factors inducing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and estimated the potential effect of anti-oxidants administration, including vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and Salvia Miltiorrhiza L (SML), a Chinese herb medicine, in amelioration of the high-risk factors in pregnancy.

Methods: From April 2005 to July 2006, 4814 pregnant women from 24 national wide cooperative hospitals were involved in this prospective research.

[The feeder layer of human embryonic fibroblasts supports the growth of human spermatogonial stem cells].

Objective: To investigate the methods and conditions for the isolation, purification and culture of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) on the feeder layer cells of human embryonic fibroblasts (hEFs).

Methods: SSCs isolated and purified from normal human fetal testicular tissues by sequential two-step enzyme digestion and Percoll uncontinuous density gradient centrifugation were cultured on the feeder layer cells of hEFs isolated from 5-9 weeks old human embryos. The surface markers SSEA-1 and OCT4 of the SSCs were detected by immunohistochemistry; the alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity of the SSC clones measured; and the expressions of the SSC-related genes determined by RT-PCR.