Porous Organic Polymer Supported Nano Ruthenium Catalysts for Cascade Aromatization of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-one and C-H Annulation with Alkynes.

Selective C-H annulation with alkynes is one of the most useful tools to synthesize heterocycles. Herein, we developed novel porous organic polymers supported ruthenium (POPs-Ru) as highly efficient catalysts for cascade aromatization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one and C-H annulation with alkynes. Both terminal and internal alkynes were successfully transferred to furo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives with good functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity by using POPs-Ru catalysts. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibited high activity and could be reused at least five times without obvious deactivation of this coupling reaction. This study offers an important platform for the immobilization of molecular metal catalysts for C-H functionalization.

Is a soft tissue reinforcing mesh necessary in immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction for early breast cancer in patients with low-volume breast? A single-center, retrospective Chinese clinical study.

It is controversial as to whether soft tissue reinforcement mesh should be used for immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy for low-volume breast early breast cancer (LVBEBC) in Chinese adult women. We collected data on 89 patients with LVBEBC who underwent such a surgery and divided them into two groups: 39 patients in the totally subpectoral prosthesis-only breast reconstruction group (simple group) and 50 patients in the prosthesis-combined titanium-coated polypropylene mesh (TCPM) group (or the so-called "dual plane" or "mesh-assisted partially subpectoral breast reconstruction group") (combined group). The results demonstrated no difference in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative complications between the two groups; however, total drainage volume and extubation time were less and shorter, respectively, in the combined group. The median follow-up time was 18.6 months without local recurrence or distant metastasis in both groups. At 24 months after surgery, the excellent and good rates of breast reconstruction were higher in the combined group. However, patients' BMI, breast morphology, and breast volume of 300 mL or more had an effect on the shape of the reconstructed breast; in addition, in patients with higher BMI, conical breast morphology, and breast volume over 300 mL, the shape of the breast was more perfect with the prosthesis combined with TCPM reconstruction.Trial registration: This retrospective study was "retrospectively registered" in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology of China on March 15, 2022 (No. 2022018) and in the National Medical Research Registry filing system of China ( https://www.medicalresearch.org.cn ) (No. MR-44-22-003618).

Comparison of single-pore non-liposuction near-infrared laparoscopy with conventional open surgery for axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early breast cancer: a single-center, small-sample retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effects of single-pore non-liposuction near-infrared (NIR) endoscopic surgery and traditional open surgery for axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with early breast cancer (EBC). METHODS: The clinical pathological data of 61 patients with EBC who underwent axillary SLNB using indocyanine green (ICG) combined with carbon nanoparticle suspension (CNS) were retrospectively collected. Thirty patients received SLNB through single-pore non-liposuction NIR endoscopic surgery (endoscopic group), and the remaining 31 received SLNB through open-incision surgery (open group). The success rate, operation time, volume of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative axillary drainage, axillary extubation time, and the occurrence of postoperative complications were compared between the groups along with the total number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), luminous SLNs, stained SLNs, and the pathological positivity rate of the SLNs. RESULTS: All patients underwent SLNB with a 100% success rate. SLNB operation times of the endoscopic group were longer than those of the open group (t = 3.963, P = 0.000), and the volume of axillary drainage was inferior (t = 3.035, P = 0.004). However, there were no differences in the intraoperative bleeding volumes, axillary extubation times, and postoperative complications (P > 0.05). In the Open group, the mean number of SLNs was 5.12 ± 2.16, and the pathological positivity rate was 13.53%; in the Endoscopic group, these numbers were 4.89 ± 1.73 and 12.39%. The mean number of SLNs detected (t = 0.458, P = 0.649) and the pathological positivity rates (χ2 = 0.058, P = 0.810) did not differ between the two groups. All 61 patients were followed for a median of 14.6 months. There were no local recurrences or distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Our single-center results reveal that single-hole non-liposuction NIR endoscopic axillary SLNB is not inferior to open SLNB and may be an appropriate option for patients with early breast cancer who desire breast preservation with fewer incisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This retrospective study was "retrospectively registered" at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology (no. 2020105) and in National Medical Research Registration and Archival Information System ( https://www.medicalresearch.org.cn , number: MR-44-21-004727).

Construction of Spirocyclic Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines via Palladium-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Coupling of Phenols and Nitroarenes.

The replacement of fossil resources with biomass resources in the construction of N-heterocycles is rapidly attracting research interest. Herein, we report palladium-catalyzed selective hydrogenative coupling of nitroarenes and phenols based on a transfer hydrogenation strategy, allowing straightforward access to spirocyclic pyrrolo- and indolo-fused quinoxalines, a class of compounds found in numerous natural alkaloids. The synthetic protocol is characterized by a broad substrate scope and the utilization of biomass-derived reactants and commercially available catalysts. In such transformations, high-pressure and explosive hydrogen are not required. This report provides a new protocol for converting biomass-derived phenols into value-added nitrogen-containing chemicals.

N6-methyladenosine-modified long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 promotes psoriasis pathogenesis via miR-424-5p/AKT3 axis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, complicated, and recurrent inflammatory skin disease. However, the precise molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive and the present treatment is unsatisfactory. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to unravel the functions of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) AGAP2-AS1 and its biological mechanism in psoriasis pathogenesis, hinting for the new therapeutic targets in psoriasis. METHODS: The expression of AGAP2-AS1 in the skin tissue of psoriasis patients and healthy controls were detected by qRT-PCR and RNAscope®. Cell Counting Kit­8 (CCK8) and clone formation assays were utilized to assess proliferation. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) was performed to detect the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to detect the interaction of AGAP2-AS1 with YTH domain family 2(YTHDF2). The relationships among AGAP2-AS1, miR-424-5p and AKT3 were examined by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. RESULTS: We found that AGAP2-AS1 level was upregulated in the skin tissue of psoriasis patients than that of healthy controls and AGAP2-AS1 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of keratinocytes. Methyltransferase like 3(METTL3)-mediated m6A modification suppressed the expression of AGAP2-AS1 via YTHDF2-dependent AGAP2-AS1 stability. Thus, downregulation of METTL3 resulted in the upregulation of AGAP2-AS1 in psoriasis. AGAP2-AS1 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA by sponging miR-424-5p to upregulate AKT3, activate AKT/mTOR pathway, as well as promote cell proliferation in keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: AGAP2-AS1 is upregulated in the skin tissue of psoriasis patients and m6A methylation was involved in its upregulation. AGAP2-AS1 promotes keratinocyte proliferation through miR-424-5p/AKT/mTOR axis and may be a promising target for psoriasis therapy.

Serum interleukin-30 level in patients with psoriasis and its correlation with psoriasis severity: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-30 in patients with psoriasis and evaluate the correlations with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). METHODS: Serum was collected from 26 patients with psoriasis and 26 healthy controls in a case-control setting, and the level of IL-30 was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis of the IL-30 levels among groups and further correlation analyses of IL-30 levels with PASI scores were performed. RESULTS: A significant increase in the level of IL-30 in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls was observed. In addition, a positive correlation between the IL-30 concentration and PASI scores was found in patients with psoriasis. CONCLUSION: IL-30 is presumably involved in the proliferation of epidermal cells during the development of psoriasis. Further studies with a larger number of participants are required to comprehensively elucidate the biological roles of IL-30 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Prevalence, involved domains, and predictor of cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive Dysfunction (CD) can occur in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) before the occurrence of Neuropsychiatric Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE). Given the reversibility and fluctuation of SLE-related CD, the research for possible predictors is of great significance for early detection and intervention. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence, involved domains, and possible predictors of CD in SLE patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at Nanfang Hospital from 2018 to 2019. A total of 78 SLE patients were recruited. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale was used to screen cognitive function. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were collected. The serum anti-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) antibody and S100ß were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve were used to assess the predictor of SLE-related CD. RESULTS: Of 78 recruited patients,53 (67.9%) had CD. It mainly involved delayed recall, abstract generalization, verbal repetition, and fluency. The disease activity index (SLEDAI) was not associated with SLE-related CD (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that an increase in each year of education there was a decrease in the likelihood of CD (OR 0.261, CI 0.080-0.857, p = 0.027) whereas with each unit increase in serum anti-NMDAR antibody there was an increased likelihood of SLE-related CD (OR 1.568, CI 1.073-2.292, p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SLE-related CD was 67.9% in our study and SLE-related CD was not associated with disease activity. Serum anti-NMDAR antibody can be used as a predictor for SLE-related CD.

A novel GNAS mutation inherited from probable maternal mosaicism causes two siblings with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A.

Objectives Objectives Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A (PHP1A) is caused by maternal inheritance of GNAS mutations. It is characterized by the resistance to several hormones, primarily the parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the features of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. Case presentation Here, we present a family comprised two affected brothers with PHP1A and identify a novel mutation (c.277C>T) in the GNAS gene. The siblings developed a slightly different presentation in the same clinical condition. Although both patients presented with PTH resistance, which is the hallmark of PHP, the proband showed the thyroid-stimulating hormone resistance with the progression of heterotopic ossification from skin and subcutaneous tissue into deep connective tissue, while the younger brother with normocalcemia did not show the resistance to other hormones. The patients may inherit the mutation from their mother who presumably carries the mutation as a mosaicism. Conclusions Our case highlights the significance of considering mosaicism as an explanation for apparent de novo cases of pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Dermatoscopy for the rapid diagnosis of Talaromyces marneffei infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Talaromyces marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus endemic in south-east Asia. It predominantly occurs in both immunocompromised and immunosuppressed patients and can be fatal if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. The clinical manifestations of T. marneffei infection are nonspecific and rapid diagnosis of T. marneffei infection remains challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24-year-old man came to our outpatient department with the sign of common skin lesions. The lesions were cuticolor follicular papules with or without central umbilication, nodules and acne-like lesions, which are common in syringoma, steatocystoma multiplex and trichoepithelioma. A dermatoscopy examination was performed to differentiate these skin lesions. The dermatoscopic images revealed circular or quasi-circular whitish amorphous structure with a central brownish keratin plug, providing the diagnostic clues of T. marneffei infection. Therefore, a skin scrapings culture, skin biopsy and serological detection for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were performed. The final diagnosis of this patient was T. marneffei and HIV co-infection. CONCLUSION: Rapid diagnosis of T. marneffei infection is clinically challenging since presenting clinical manifestations are nonspecific with significant overlap with other common conditions. This case highlights that dermatoscopy is a promising tool for the rapid diagnosis of T. marneffei infection in patients with nonspecific skin lesions, assisting clinicians to avoid delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis.

Association between homocysteine levels and calcific aortic valve disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the association between homocysteine (Hcy) levels and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). We investigate the association between Hcy levels in patients with CAVD and controls by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search of studies published prior to the end of March 2017 in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Chinese Biomedical Literature databases. Eligible studies evaluating plasma Hcy levels in CAVD patients and controls were identified by two independent investigators. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using the random-effects model. Ten studies involving 6349 participants were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated that Hcy levels were significantly elevated in patients with CAVD compared with controls (pooled SMD: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36-0.79). This elevation was more obvious in American and Asian populations than in Turkish populations. Furthermore, Hcy levels were significantly elevated in patients with mild-to-moderate CAVD and severe CAVD. Our results demonstrate that CAVD is associated with elevated Hcy levels.