Real-time and long-term monitoring of waves and suspended sediment concentrations over an intertidal algal reef.

Suspended sediment concentration (c) has been considered a critical environmental factor in reef habitats; however, the values and variations of c are not evident in a unique reef mainly created by crustose coralline algal concretions compared to abundant studies in coral reefs. The results of real-time and long-term monitoring of waves and c over the intertidal algal reef are reported because of the construction of an offshore industrial harbor near the reef. The real-time monitoring systems were based on techniques, including optical backscatter sensors (OBSs) for measuring c, pressure sensors for measuring waves, data loggers, and wireless networks for data transmission.

Target residence of Cas9-sgRNA influences DNA double-strand break repair pathway choices in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.

Background: Due to post-cleavage residence of the Cas9-sgRNA complex at its target, Cas9-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) have to be exposed to engage DSB repair pathways. Target interaction of Cas9-sgRNA determines its target binding affinity and modulates its post-cleavage target residence duration and exposure of Cas9-induced DSBs. This exposure, via different mechanisms, may initiate variable DNA damage responses, influencing DSB repair pathway choices and contributing to mutational heterogeneity in genome editing.

Spiro Scaffold Chiral Organocatalyst of 3,2'-Pyrrolidinyl Spiro-oxindole Amine and Its Catalytic Evaluation in the Enantioselective Aldol Condensation between 3-(3-Hydroxy-1-pyrazol-1-yl)-Oxindole and Paraformaldehyde.

The spiro scaffold chiral organocatalyst of 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl spiro-oxindole amine was successfully prepared from racemic spiro-oxindole amine using l-menthol as a chiral pool in 4 steps in 28%-40% overall yields with at least 99% ee in scale-up preparation, and its catalytic activity was evaluated in the enantioselective aldol condensation between 3-(3-hydroxy-1-pyrazol-1-yl)-oxindole and paraformaldehyde. The spiro organocatalyst showed superior catalytic activity and selectivity compared with its counterparts, and most substrates offered good to excellent results with up to 96% yield in 96% ee.

3-Amino Oxindole Schiff Base as Synthon for Enantioselective Preparation of Spiro[oxindol-3,2'-pyrrol] from a Michael/Cyclization Reaction Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Cinchona.

A new and crucial synthon of 3-((diphenylmethylene)-amino)-oxindole was designed and synthesized, for which an organocatalytic and enantioselective Michael/cyclization reaction with a terminal vinyl ketone catalyzed by a cinchona base was disclosed. A wide variety (28 examples) of almost all new chiral spiro[oxindol-3,2'-pyrrols] were prepared in excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (95-99% ee), of which a typical chiral spiro product was further reduced to chiral spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidine].

A base-catalyzed domino reaction between isoindigos and α-alkylidene succinimides-convenient preparation of highly steric bispirooxindoles.

A new base promoted Michael-Michael domino cycloaddition between isoindigos and α-alkylidene succinimides has been developed for highly efficient and one-step convenient preparation of highly steric bispiroxindoles with two adjacent quaternary carbon centers and four consecutive cycles in excellent yields (up to 96%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1) under mild conditions within a few minutes. A series of bisprooxindoles were obtained and the synthetic potential of the protocol was evaluated in a scale-up preparation.

Organocatalytic and enantioselective [4+2] cyclization between hydroxymaleimides and -hydroxyphenyl -quinone methide-selective preparation of chiral hemiketals.

A cinchona alkaloid squaramide promoted enantioselective [4+2] cyclization between hydroxymaleimides and ortho-hydroxyphenyl p-QMs has been disclosed, and a wide range of chiral hemiketals containing chromane and succinimide frameworks with two adjacent quaternary stereogenic centers have been prepared for the first time with excellent results (up to 99% yield, up to 99 : 1 dr, up to >99% ee) under mild conditions.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Michael Addition between 3-(3-hydroxy-1-pyrazol-1-yl)Oxindole and βNitrostyrene for the Preparation of Chiral Disubstituted Oxindoles.

A new enantioselective Michael addition between 3-(3-hydroxy-1-pyrazol-1-yl)oxindole, a new synthon generated from isatin ,-cyclic azomethine imine 1,3-dipole, and β-nitrostyrene has been disclosed. A series of chiral 3-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1-pyrazol-1-yl) disubstituted oxindoles were obtained in excellent results (up to 97% yield, up to 94% ee) with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 4.3:1 dr).

RNAi-mediated human Nestin silence inhibits proliferation and migration of malignant melanoma cells by G/S arrest via Akt-GSK3β-Rb pathway.

Human Nestin (hNestin) has been found to express in melanoma, and its expression is positively correlated with the advanced stage of melanoma. However, the precise role of hNestin in the development of melanoma has not been fully understood. The present study aimed to explore the role of hNestin in the proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells.

[Time interval from the end of sperm processing to artificial intrauterine in semination with husband's sperm correlates to the rate of clinical pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the influence of the time interval from the end of semen processing to artificial intrauterine in semination with husband's sperm (AIH-IUI) on the rate of clinical pregnancy.

Methods: This study involved 191 AIH-IUI cycles with the same ovulation induction protocol. After Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we divided the sperm into four groups based on the incubation time: 0-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60-80 min, and again into another four groups according to the total progressively motile sperm count (TPMC): (0-9), (10-20), (21-30), and > 30 x 10(6).

Expression of recombinant herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D by high-density cell culture of .

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the major cause of genital herpes in humans. The glycoprotein D of HSV-2 (gD2) is a promising subunit vaccine candidate for the treatment of genital herpes. The aim of the present study was to express a biologically active recombinant gD2 in eukaryotic baculovirus system in quantities sufficient for further studies.

[Multiplex PCR assay for dissemination and diversity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes in Shigella isolates].

Objective: To develop a rapid and simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which discriminates extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) genes in sporadic Shigella isolates from 1998 to 2007 in Hangzhou city, China.

Methods: After ESBLs screening according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method, CTX-M, TEM, SHV and OXA-1 encoding genes were detected by using a multiplex PCR method, and the results were verified by 8 single gene PCR amplification.

Results: Seventeen isolates harbored ESBLs genes among 195 Shigella isolates (8.

[Preparation of armored RNA containing M gene of influenza H3N2].

Objective: To prepare the armored RNA containing M gene of influenza H3N2.

Methods: The vector pAR-1 was constructed from expression vector pET30b in which the bacteriophage MS2 DNA fragment, containing the genes for maturase and coat protein and the pac site, was inserted. The M gene fragment of influenza A was inserted into the HindIII site downstream of the pac site on the pAR-1, which formed a new recombinant plasmid pAR-2.

Preparation of armored RNA as a control for multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR detection of influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

The common respiratory viruses, including influenza A, influenza B, and newly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viruses, may cause similar clinical symptoms. Therefore, differential diagnosis of these virus pathogens is frequently required for single clinical samples. In addition, there is an urgent need for noninfectious and stable RNA standards and controls for multivirus detection.