Spore morphology and ultrastructure of an Ascosphaera apis strain from the honeybees (Apis mellifera) in southwest China.

Ascosphaera apis is an intestinally infective, spore-forming, filamentous fungus that infects honeybees and causes deadly chalkbrood disease. Although A. apis has been known for 60 y, little is known about the ultrastructure of the spores. In this study, the fine morphology and ultrastructure of an isolate, A. apis CQ1 from southwest China, was comprehensively identified by transmission electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. The high sequence similarity and phylogenetic data based on nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) supported the hypothesis that the CQ1 strain is a new member of the A. apis species. Morphological observation indicated that the mature spores are long ovals with an average size of 2 × 1.2 µm and are tightly packed inside spherical spore balls. More than 10 spore balls that were 8-16 µm in diameter were wrapped and formed a spherical, nearly hyaline spore cyst of 50-60 µm in diameter. Ultrastructural analysis showed that mature spores have two nuclei with distinctly different sizes. A large nucleus with double nuclear membranes was found in the center of the spore, whereas the small nucleus was only one-fifth of the large nucleus volume and was located near the end of the spore. Numerous ribosomes filled the cytoplasm, and many mitochondria with well-defined structures were arranged along the inner spore wall. The spore wall consists of an electron-dense outer surface layer, an electron-lucent layer, and an inner plasma membrane. Chitin is the major component of the spore wall. The germinated spore was observed as an empty spore coat, whereas the protoplasts, including the nuclei, mitochondria, and ribosomes, had been discharged. In addition to these typical fungal spore organelles, an unknown electron-dense regular structure might be the growing mycelium, which was arranged close to the inner spore wall and almost covered the entire wall area.

Stereoselective synthesis of enamino ketones through an aza-Michael/hydrolysis cascade reaction.

We have developed a mild, convenient and efficient synthesis of highly functionalized (Z)-ß-enamino ketones from readily available 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline imines and ynones through an aza-Michael/hydrolysis cascade reaction. This method is also suitable for the preparation of (Z)-ß-enamino esters using alkynoates as starting materials. Complex fully substituted pyrroles can be constructed from the obtained (Z)-ß-enamino ketones. It is an attractive alternative approach for the preparation of highly functionalized enamino ketones, esters and pyrroles.

Catalyst-free synthesis of novel dimeric ß-carboline derivatives via an unexpected [2 + 2 + 2] annulation.

We report here an unexpected catalyst-free [2 + 2 + 2] annulation reaction which allows access to novel complex dimeric ß-carboline derivatives in a single step. Various substituted ynones could react with dihydro-ß-carboline imines to deliver interesting [2 + 2 + 2] annulation products in moderate to good yields. Alkynoates can also be tolerated in this system.

[Clinical and pathological analysis on ovarian granulosa cell tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To identify different clinical and pathological features for adult and juvenile granulosa cell tumors. METHODS: The clinical records of 42 patients with granulosa cell tumors of ovary, including pathological features, treatments and follow up results between April 2001 and September 2009 were reviewed. RESULTS: 1) There were 38 newly diagnosed cases after 2001, and 4 cases were relapsed cases diagnosed before 2001. The 38 cases accounted for 3.13% of ovarian cancer cases treated in our hospital. 2) Twenty nine of the 38 cases (76.3%) were Adult Type, while the other 9 (23.7%) were Juvenile Type. The median onset age were 53 and 25 years old for the Adult Type and Juvenile Type, respectively, which shows significant difference (z = -2.990, P = 0.003). 3) The most common symptoms and signs were abdominal pain (44.7%), vaginal bleeding (42.1%), and abdominal mass (76.3%). The most common complications were endometrial hyperplasia (52.6%) and hysteromyoma (21.1%). 4) Stage I, II and III comprised 73.7%, 23.7% and 2.6% of the 38 cases, respectively. Ten patients ng the underwent conservative unilateral oophorectomy or ovarian enucleation. Twenty patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Eight patients underwent cytoreductive surgery. The 42 patients had been followed up for 7 to 175 months, with 14 patients lost of contact. No death was recorded. Inhibin, calretinin, and vimentin were demonstrated to be useful for the diagnosis of granulose cell tumors. CONCLUSION: With low incidence rate, ovarian granulosa cell tumor is a low-grade malignant and functional tumor. Most are unilateral diseases. Most Adult-type granulosa cell tumors occur in middle aged and elderly people, while most juvenile granulosa cell tumors occur in adolescents and children. Acute abdomen symptom may occur but ascites are less likely to occur in patients with granular cell tumors than those with epithelial ovarian cancers. Ovarian granulosa cell tumors are usually detected early, but easily relapse. Long-term follow-up is needed.

[Studies on quality standards of radix Angelicae dahuricae].

OBJECTIVE: To work out a qualitay standard of Radix Angelicae dahuricae. METHOD: TLC and HPLC were adopted. RESULT: Four coumerin compounds were identified by TLC, and the contents of two compounds were determined by HPLC. CONCLUSION: Imperatorin, isoimperatorin, byakangelicin and oxypeucedaninhydrate can be found simultaneously in Radix Angelicae dahuricae. The contents of imperatorin and isoimperitorin are not lower than 0.1% and 0.04% respectively.

A new compound from Gastrodia elata Blume.

A new compound, alpha-acetylamino-phenylprophyl alpha-benzoylamino-phenylpropionate (1) and a known compound 4-hydroxybenzyl beta-sitosterol ether (2), were isolated from the tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume and their structures were elucidated by spectral data.

[Studies on chemical constituents of effective part of Gastrodia elata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of effective part of Gastrodia elata. METHOD: The constituens were isolated by column chromatographies with silica gel and ODS, and identified by NMR, MS spectra. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified. CONCLUSION: Three compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents from the water-soluble part of root of Angelica dahurica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the root of Angelica dahurica. METHOD: The compounds were isolated and identified by column chromatography and 1H, 13C NMR data. RESULT: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified. CONCLUSION: Six compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents of the rhizomae of Ligusticum chuanxiong].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Ligusticum chuanxiong. METHOD: The constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel and ODS, and identified by NMR, MS spectral data. RESULT: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as Ligustilide(I), 4,5-dihydro-3-butylphthalide(II), Z, Z'-6,6',7,3 alpha-diligustili-de(III), Z-6,8',7,3'-diligustilide(IV), Z'-3,8-dihydro-6,6'7,3' alpha-diligustilide(V), 4-hydroxy-3-butylphthalide(VI), ferulic acid(VII) and Xiongterpene(VIII). CONCLUSION: Compound VIII is a new compound.