Antiatherosclerotic Effect and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death worldwide. Its pathophysiological basis includes endothelial dysfunction, macrophage activation, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, lipid metabolism, platelet aggregation, and changes in the gut microbiota. Salidroside has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis through multiple pathways. In this review, we present studies on the regulatory effect of salidroside on atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we report the protective effects of salidroside against atherosclerosis by ameliorating endothelial dysfunction, suppressing macrophage activation and polarization, inhibiting VSMC proliferation, adjusting lipid metabolism, attenuating platelet aggregation, and modulating the gut microbiota. This review provides further understanding of the molecular mechanism of salidroside and new ideas for atherosclerosis management.

Antifeedant and Antifungal Activities of Metabolites Isolated from the Coculture of Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus tubingensis S1120 with Red Ginseng.

A new globoscinic acid derivative, aspertubin A (1) along with four known compounds, were obtained from the co-culture of Aspergillus tubingensis S1120 with red ginseng. The chemical structures of compounds were characterized by using spectroscopic methods, the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism. Panaxytriol (2) from red ginseng, and asperic acid (4) showed significant antifeedant effect with the antifeedant rates of 75 % and 80 % at the concentrations of 50 µg/cm2 . Monomeric carviolin (3) and asperazine (5) displayed weak attractant activity on silkworm. All compounds were assayed for antifungal activities against phytopathogens A. tubingensis, Nigrospora oryzae and Phoma herbarum and the results indicated that autotoxic aspertubin A (1) and panaxytriol (2) possessed selective inhibition against A. tubingensis with MIC values at 8 µg/mL. The co-culture extract showed higher antifeedant and antifungal activities against P. herbarum than those of monoculture of A. tubingensis in ordinary medium. So the medicinal plant and endophyte showed synergistic effect on the plant disease resistance by active compounds from the coculture of A. tubingensis S1120 and red ginseng.

Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization of Indolyl Homopropargyl Amides: Stereospecific Construction of Bridged Aza-[n.2.1] Skeletons.

Catalytic cycloisomerization-initiated cascade cyclizations of terminal alkynes have received tremendous interest, and been widely used in the facile synthesis of a diverse array of valuable complex heterocycles. However, these tandem reactions have been mostly limited to noble-metal catalysis, and are initiated by an exo-cyclization pathway. Reported herein is an unprecedented copper-catalyzed endo-cyclization-initiated tandem reaction of indolyl homopropargyl amides, where copper catalyzes both the hydroamination and Friedel-Crafts alkylation process. This method allows the practical and atom-economical synthesis of valuable bridged aza-[n.2.1] skeletons (n=3-6) with wide substrate scope, and excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity by a chirality-transfer strategy. Moreover, the mechanistic rationale for this novel cascade cyclization is also strongly supported by control experiments, and is distinctively different from the related gold catalysis.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Conia-Ene-Type Carbocyclization of Ynamide Cyclohexanones: Regiodivergent Synthesis of Morphans and Normorphans.

Described herein is an organocatalytic enantioselective desymmetrizing cycloisomerization of arylsulfonyl-protected ynamide cyclohexanones, representing the first metal-free asymmetric Conia-ene-type carbocyclization. This method allows the highly efficient and atom-economical construction of a range of valuable morphans with wide substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). In addition, such a cycloisomerization of alkylsulfonyl-protected ynamide cyclohexanones can lead to the divergent synthesis of normorphans as the main products with high enantioselectivity (up to 90 % ee). Moreover, theoretical calculations are employed to elucidate the origins of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity.

Post-operative care of interventional therapy for 40 liver cancer patients with obstructive jaundice.

The care of 40 patients with primary liver cancer with obstructive jaundice treated with liver puncture bile drainage or biliary stent implantation was reported. Treated with the interventional therapy, patients were observed closely to identify symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy and pain; diet care was well performed. Bile drainage tube and skin acre were performed carefully. Liver function, bilirubin and other biochemical indicators were monitored; occurrence of bleeding, acute pancreatitis, biliary tract infection, leakage of ascites around drainage tube and other complication were observed with good discharge instruction. After this operation, three rounds of liver had poor function, and hepatic encephalopathy and death occurred during hospitalisation. Seven patients had bloody bile drainage fluid after operation; eight had increased blood amylase; nine had biliary infection and four had leakage of ascites around the drainage tube. After positive treatment and care, the situation was improved with varied degrees of jaundice increase.

Yttrium-Catalyzed Tandem Intermolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement.

An efficient yttrium-catalyzed tandem intermolecular hydroalkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement has been developed, providing various γ,δ-unsaturated amides in generally good to excellent yields. Importantly, high Z/E selectivity and diastereoselectivity were achieved. Other notable features of this method include widespread availability of the substrates, compatibility with a broad range of functional groups, and mild reaction conditions.

Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions of alkynes with isoxazoles.

Isoxazoles, as masked 1,3-dicarbonyl equivalents, have proven to be versatile building blocks and pivotal intermediates for the construction of a variety of useful azacycles with molecular complexity. As a result, a range of new reactions have been discovered based on isoxazoles in the past decade. However, the relevant reactions of isoxazoles with alkynes have seldom been explored. In this review, we will focus on the recent progress in the transition-metal-catalyzed formal annulations for the efficient synthesis of N-heterocycles between alkynes and isoxazoles by highlighting their specificity and applicability, and the mechanistic rationale is presented where possible.

Congested C(sp3)-rich architectures enabled by iron-catalysed conjunctive alkylation.

Catalytic cross-coupling by transition metals has revolutionized the formation of C-C bonds in organic synthesis. However, the challenge of forming multiple alkyl-alkyl bonds in crowded environments remains largely unresolved. Here, we report the regioselective functionalization of olefins with sp3-hybridized organohalides and organozinc reagents using a simple (terpyridine)iron catalyst. Aliphatic groups of various sizes are successfully installed on either olefinic carbon, furnishing a diverse array of products with congested cores featuring C- or heteroatom-substituted stereocenters. The method enables access to valuable but synthetically challenging C(sp3)-rich molecules, including alicyclic compounds bearing multiple contiguous stereocenters through annulation cascades. Mechanistic and theoretical studies suggest a stepwise iron-mediated radical carbometallation pathway followed by outer-sphere C-C bond formation, which potentially opens the door to a broader scope of transformations and new chemical space.

Do Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries Have Similar Prognosis Compared to Ones with MI-CAD?

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and it is primarily caused by acute plaque disruption and coronary occlusion. Recent studies suggest that myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) also occurs but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood until recently. The evidence also suggests that the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with MINOCA are similar to AMI patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD), including all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. The present narrative review considers the risk factors, pathological changes, and outcomes associated with MINOCA and compares them with MI-CAD.

Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their contributions to surface water and farmland pollution in China.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are usually considered gateways for microplastics (MPs) to enter the environment because large amounts of sewage are produced and MPs are incompletely removed during treatment processes. However, the contribution of effluent MPs to aquatic environmental pollution and that of sludge application to MPs in agricultural soil are still unknown. This study examines the presence of MPs in sewage and sludge in Shenzhen WWTPs and estimates the annual mass loading of MPs from WWTPs to surface water and farmland soil in China. According to our results, for Shenzhen, the annual contribution of MPs from WWTPs (which was obtained by multiplying the annual treated sewage volume by the estimated MP density in the treated sewage) to surface water could be 70.6-302 tons. With a normalized extrapolation model of population density, the contribution of national urban WWTPs to MPs in surface water was estimated to be 734 -3.10 × 103 tons/year, of which 220-950 tons/year entered the marine environment. Furthermore, the riverine flux of MPs from WWTPs to the ocean amounts to at least 7.0%-30% based on the maximum value of WWTP contribution to MPs in surface water. For sludge, the potential contribution of MPs to agricultural soil from Shenzhen WWTPs is (1.00-2.80) × 103 tons/year. With the above calculation procedure, it was estimated that the contribution of MPs to farmland from sludge application in China is (1.30-3.90) × 104 tons/year. The source appointment results for MPs in China's agricultural soil suggested that the contributions of the main four sources, namely, atmospheric deposition, agricultural mulch film, sludge application, and organic fertilizers, are 52%, 30%, 11%, and 7.0%, respectively.

Antibiotic Guanacastane Diterpenoids with Two New Skeletons from Psathyrella candolleana Uncovered by Semisolid and Liquid Media.

The culture of Psathyrella candolleana in host Dioscorea opposite medium produced seven new guanacastane diterpenoids, psayamin (1) as an unprecedented 5/7/6/6/6/6/7/5-fused octacyclic spiro scaffold both under liquid and semisolid conditions, psathins A-C (4-6) with a 5/7/6 tricyclic backbone by liquid medium, psathins D-E (7-8) as the same unprecedented skeletons of 5/6/7/6-fused tetracyclic or 6/7/6 tricyclic structures, and psathin F (9) with a 5/7/5/6 tetracyclic backbone by semisolid medium. The structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and those of 1 and 7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The semisolid culture led to four structure types of the guanacastane diterpenoid. Compound 5 showed antifungal activity against phytopathogen Fusarium incarnatum with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 µg/mL, while compound 4 showed significant antifungal activity against Alternaria sp. with an MIC of 2 µg/mL. Compounds 1 and 8 also showed antifeedant activities against the silkworms with the feeding deterrence indices of 50%, at the concentrations of 50 µg/cm2. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity with IC50 at 10.87 ± 0.24-15.96 ± 0.30 µM and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity with IC50 at 37.3 µM. Also, compound 1 remarkably induced apoptosis of HL-60 at 10, 20 µM in a concentration-dependent manner. The spiral ring of 1 was vital in cytotoxicity and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. The different media fermented by P. candolleana resulted in the chemical diversity of bioactive guanacastane diterpenoids and potential applications in the agricultural and food functions.

Brønsted acid-catalyzed asymmetric dearomatization for synthesis of chiral fused polycyclic enone and indoline scaffolds.

In the past two decades, substantial advances have been made on the asymmetric alkyne functionalization by the activation of inert alkynes. However, these asymmetric transformations have so far been mostly limited to transition metal catalysis, and chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed examples are rarely explored. Here, we report a chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed dearomatization reaction of phenol- and indole-tethered homopropargyl amines, allowing the practical and atom-economical synthesis of a diverse array of valuable fused polycyclic enones and indolines bearing a chiral quaternary carbon stereocenter and two contiguous stereogenic centers in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities and generally excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% enantiomeric excess). This protocol demonstrates Brønsted acid-catalyzed asymmetric dearomatizations via vinylidene-quinone methides.

Sex difference in circulating PCSK9 and its clinical implications.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a proprotein convertase that increases plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by triggering the degradation of LDL receptors (LDLRs). Beyond the regulation of circulating LDL-C, PCSK9 also has direct atherosclerotic effects on the vascular wall and is associated with coronary plaque inflammation. Interestingly, emerging data show that women have higher circulating PCSK9 concentrations than men, suggesting that the potential roles of PCSK9 may have different impacts according to sex. In this review, we summarize the studies concerning sex difference in circulating levels of PCSK9. In addition, we report on the sex differences in the relations of elevated circulating PCSK9 levels to the severity and prognosis of coronary artery disease, the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and neurological damage after cardiac arrest and liver injury, as well as inflammatory biomarkers and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, sex difference in the clinical efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors application are reviewed. Finally, the underlying mechanisms of sex difference in circulating PCSK9 concentrations and the clinical implications are also discussed.

Misdiagnosis of primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the pleura: case report and literature review.

Background: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an indolent B cell lymphoma. Its occurrence in the pleura is rare, with atypical clinical manifestations. MALT of the pleura is easily misdiagnosed. This is the first case report of pleural MALT lymphoma in China. Case Description: We report the case of a 54-year-old Chinese man with no notable medical history who complained of cough, sputum, and shortness of breath for 3 months. He had a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) test. An initial misdiagnosis of pleural tuberculosis was corrected, after 3 thoracoscopic biopsies and tests, to primary pleural MALT lymphoma. He received treatments of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vindesine and prednisolone) and traditional Chinese medicine. The patient was followed for 3 years until June 2022, with no obvious respiratory symptoms. Pleural MALT lymphoma is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported. This article describes our case, and includes an overview of 15 previously reported cases to summarize the characteristics, treatments, and prognosis of primary pleural MALT lymphoma. Conclusions: Pleural MALT lymphoma is rare, and a correct diagnosis depends on tissue biopsy, immunohistochemical staining, and detection of gene rearrangement. Thoracoscopy is important to diagnose this disease. Multiple thoracoscopic biopsies may be necessary.

First identification of two co-existing genome-wide significant sex quantitative trait loci (QTL) in red tilapia using integrative QTL mapping.

Red tilapia ( Oreochromis spp .) is one of the most popular fish in China due to its bright red appearance, fast growth rate, and strong adaptability. Understanding the sex determination mechanisms is of vital importance for the selection of all-male lines to increase aquacultural production of red tilapia. In this research, the genetic architecture for sex from four mapping populations ( n=1 090) of red tilapia was analyzed by quantitative trait loci (QTL)-seq, linkage-based QTL mapping, and linkage disequilibrium (LD)-based genome-wide association studies. Two genome-wide significant QTL intervals associated with sex were identified on ChrLG1 (22.4-23.9 Mb) and ChrLG23 (32.0-35.9 Mb), respectively. The QTL on ChrLG1 was detected in family 1 (FAM1), FAM2, and FAM4, and the other QTL on ChrLG23 was detected in FAM3 and FAM4. Four microsatellite markers located within the QTL were successfully developed for marker-assisted selection. Interestingly, three ( lpp, sox14, and amh) of the 12 candidate genes located near or on the two QTL intervals were abundantly expressed in males, while the remaining genes were more highly expressed in females. Seven genes ( scly, ube3a, lpp, gpr17, oca2, cog4, and atp10a) were significantly differentially expressed between the male and female groups. Furthermore, LD block analysis suggested that a cluster of genes on ChrLG23 may participate in regulating sex development in red tilapia. Our study provides important information on the genetic architecture of sex in red tilapia and should facilitate further exploration of sex determination mechanisms in this species.

Baculovirus virions displaying infectious bursal disease virus VP2 protein protect chickens against infectious bursal disease virus infection.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute and contagious viral infection of young chickens caused by IBD virus (IBDV). The VP2 protein of IBDV is the only antigen for inducing neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity in the natural host. In the current study, we have succeeded in construction of one recombinant baculovirus BacSC-VP2 expressing His6-tagged VP2 with the baculovirus envelope protein gp64 transmembrane domain (TM) and cytoplasmic domain (CTD). The His6-tagged recombinant VP2 was expressed and anchored on the plasma membrane of Sf-9 cells, as examined by western blot and confocal microscopy. Immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated that the VP2 protein of IBDV was successfully displayed on the viral surface. Vaccination of chickens with the VP2-pseudotyped baculovirus vaccine (BacSC-VP2) elicited significantly higher levels of VP2-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibodies and neutralizing antibodies than the control groups. IBDV-specific proliferation of lymphocytes was observed in chickens immunized with the recombinant BacSC-VP2. An in vivo challenge study of the recombinant baculovirus BacSC-VP2 showed effective protection against a very virulent (vv) IBDV infection in chickens. In addition, mortality and gross and histopathological findings in the bursa demonstrated the efficacy of the vaccine in reducing virulence of the disease. These results indicate that the recombinant baculovirus BacSC-VP2 can be a potential vaccine against IBDV infections.

Bioinformatics prediction of differential miRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancers. The drug resistance of NSCLC has clinically increased. This study aimed to screen miRNAs associated with NSCLC using bioinformatics analysis. We hope that the screened miRNA can provide a research direction for the subsequent treatment of NSCLC. METHODS: We screened out the common miRNAs after compared the NSCLC-related genes in the TCGA database and GEO database. Selected miRNA was performed ROC analysis, survival analysis, and enrichment analysis (GO term and KEGG pathway). RESULTS: A total of 21 miRNAs were screened in the two databases. And they were all highly expressed in normal and low in cancerous tissues. Hsa-mir-30a was selected by ROC analysis and survival analysis. Enrichment analysis showed that the function of hsa-mir-30a is mainly related to cell cycle regulation and drug metabolism. CONCLUSION: Our study found that hsa-mir-30a was differentially expressed in NSCLC, and it mainly affected NSCLC by regulating the cell cycle and drug metabolism.

Clustering cases of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia mimicking COVID-19 pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The onset symptoms of people infected by Chlamydia psittaci can mimic the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the differences in laboratory tests and imaging features between psittacosis and COVID-19 remain unknown. AIM: To better understand the two diseases and then make an early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Six patients from two institutions confirmed as psittacosis by high-throughput genetic testing and 31 patients confirmed as COVID-19 were retrospectively included. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and computed tomography (CT) imaging features were collected and compared between the two groups. The follow-up CT imaging findings of patients with psittacosis were also investigated. RESULTS: The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count and calcium were more likely to be decreased in patients with COVID-19 but were increased in patients with psittacosis (all P = 0.000). Lymphocyte count and platelet count were higher in patients with psittacosis than in those with COVID-19 (P = 0.044, P = 0.035, respectively). Lesions in patients with psittacosis were more likely to be unilateral (P = 0.001), involve fewer lung lobes (P = 0.006) and have pleural effusions (P = 0.002). Vascular enlargement was more common in patients with COVID-19 (P = 0.003). Consolidation in lung CT images was absorbed in all 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Psittacosis has the potential for human-to-human transmission. Patients with psittacosis present increased WBC count and neutrophil count and have specific CT imaging findings, including unilateral distribution, less involvement of lung lobes and pleural effusions, which might help us to differentiate it from COVID-19.

Construction of ceRNA network to identify the lncRNA and mRNA related to non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harms human health, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. We wish to provide more molecular therapeutic targets for NSCLC. METHODS: The NSCLC tissue and normal tissue samples were screened for genetic comparison in the TCGA database. The predicted lncRNA and mRNA in BEAS2B and A549 cells were detected. RESULTS: Volcano plot displayed differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in adjacent tissues and NSCLC tissues. The survival curve showed that the lncRNA and mRNA had a significant impact on the patient's survival. The results of GO term enrichment analysis indicated that mRNA functions were enriched in cell cycle-related pathways. In the ceRNA interaction network, 13 lncRNAs and 20 miRNAs were found to have an interactive relationship. Finally, 3 significantly different lncRNAs (LINC00968, lnc-FAM92A-9 and lnc-PTGFR-1) and 6 mRNAs (CTCFL, KRT5, LY6D, TMEM, GBP6, and TMEM179) with potential therapeutic significance were screened out. And the cell experiment verified our results. CONCLUSION: We screened out clinically significant 3 lncRNAs and 6 mRNAs involved in the ceRNA network, which were the key to our future research on the treatment of NSCLC.

Radical Reactions of Ynamides.

Ynamides are electron-rich heteroatom-substituted alkynes with C-C triple bond directly tethered to the amide group. Over the past decades, ynamides have proven to be versatile reagents for organic synthesis and have received extensive attention. Compared with the well-established ionic reactions of ynamides, radical-based ynamide reactions have been exploited relatively seldom. Herein, radical reactions of ynamides, classified by radical attack at the α-position and ß-position of ynamides, are reviewed by highlighting the reaction selectivity, scope, mechanism, and applicability. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summarization of these advances, casting light on the further development of ynamide chemistry.