P(III) vs P(V): A P(V) Reagent for Thiophosphoramidate Linkages and Application to an Asymmetric Synthesis of a Cyclic Dinucleotide STING Agonist.

A highly stereoselective synthesis of a cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) STING agonist containing two chiral thiophosphoramidate linkages is described. These rare yet key functional groups were, for the first time, installed efficiently and with high diastereoselectivity using a specially designed P(V) reagent. By utilizing this strategy, the CDN was prepared in greater than 16-fold higher yield than the prior P(III) approach, with fewer hazardous reagents and chromatographic purifications.

Antihypertensive effects of Trichiurus lepturus myosin hydrolysate in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In this study, the blood pressure-lowering effects of Trichiurus lepturus myosin hydrolysate (TMH) and its possible mechanism were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). After gavage administration of TMH for 4 h, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly decreased in SHRs. Furthermore, the SBP of SHRs remained low at 1 month after daily TMH treatment at 400 mg kg-1. Meanwhile, plasma levels of angiotensin II, bradykinin and nitric oxide in SHRs were ameliorated by TMH. Western blotting also suggested that TMH down-regulated the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, indicating a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, nitrotyrosine and collagen I were down-regulated, revealing a significant anti-oxidant effect of TMH. No obvious side effects or toxicity were observed in normal Wistar rats given TMH. Various pathogenic factors related to hypertension were improved by TMH, which may explain the underlying mechanism by which TMH synergistically reduces blood pressure.

Moisture distribution model describes the effect of water content on the structural properties of lotus seed resistant starch.

The objective was to utilize a moisture distribution model to summarize the influence of water content on the structural properties of lotus seed resistant starch. The result showed that water content affected the composition of resistant starch. The compact structure was observed on the surface of resistant starch prepared with 50% water content; other samples displayed a flake structure. Compared with samples prepared with insufficient (50% and 60%) or excess water (95% and 90%), resistant starches prepared with 70% and 80% water content were composed of higher-molecular-weight chains and consisted of more double helix and crystal. Two corresponding relationships between the structural properties of resistant starch and the water distribution in them were found. Bound water was related to the hydrated starch chains, while channel water in B-type crystal represented the micro-crystalline structure. Therefore, moisture distribution model can be feasibly used to depict the structural properties of resistant starch.

[Epidemiological investigation and correlation factors analysis of voice diseases of 5758 business dealers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemic features and risk factors of voice diseases of 5758 business dealers. METHOD: Questionnaire survey was conducted among 5785 business dealers of four markets in Yiwu city by random cluster sampling from March to July, 2006. They were also examined by indirect laryngoscopy. The incidence of voice disease was calculated and the risk factors were evaluated in four markets. RESULT: The incidence of voice disease was 39.3%, 18.8%, 28.4% and 58.1% in garment market, crafts market, stock market, and vegetable market, respectively. The average incidence was 30.4% in four markets. The difference of incidence among four markets was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The difference of incidence between female and male was statistically significant in any market. Chronic laryngitis and polyp of vocal cord were found to be the major pathological manifestations in men, while Chronic laryngitis and vocal nodules were found to be the major pathological manifestations in women. In addition, laryngeal carcinoma was confirmed in 8 cases. Market noise, pollution, unhealthy habits of business trade and excessive voice were the high risk factors. The female and the business dealers aged from 30 to 50 were the high risk people. CONCLUSION: Varied relevant measures should be taken to prevent and control voice disease in different subgroups of population. People should be examined thoroughly as soon as they got voice problem. Improvement of market environment and timely intervention may reduce the prevalence rate of voice disease.