Electrochemically Enabled Selenium Catalytic Synthesis of 2,1-Benzoxazoles from o-Nitrophenylacetylenes.

The study reported an electrochemically mediated method for the preparation of 2,1-benzoxazoles from o-nitrophenylacetylenes. Different from the traditional electrochemical reduction of nitro to nitroso, the nitro group directly underwent a cyclization reaction with the alkyne activated by selenium cation generated by the anodic oxidation of diphenyl diselenide and finally produced the desired products.

Electrochemical promoted three-component reaction to unsymmetric thiosulfonates.

Compounds comprising S-S bonds serve as significant pharmacological scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and natural products. We have devised an efficient electrochemical method for the construction of asymmetric disulfide bonds, leading to the synthesis of unsymmetric thiosulfonates. Compared with existing synthesis methods, our work not only avoids the use of metals and oxidants, but also realizes the operation of a one-pot three-component method, which makes this strategy extremely attractive.

Association between statin use and risk of gallstone disease and cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis of 590,086 patients.

Background: Statins have been reported to reduce the risk of gallstone disease. However, the impacts of different durations of statin use on gallstone disease have not been clarified. The aim of this study is toperform a systematic review with meta-analysis to update and to elucidate the association between statin use and the risk of gallstone disease and cholecystectomy. Methods: Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from the inception until August 2022 for relevant articles investigating the difference in the risk of gallstone disease between statin users and non-users (PROSPERO, ID: CRD42020182445). Meta-analyses were conducted using odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to compare the risk of gallstone disease and cholecystectomy between statin user and nonusers. Results: Eight studies enrolling 590,086 patients were included. Overall, the use of statins was associated with a marginally significant lower risk of gallstone disease than nonusers (OR, 0.91; 95% CI [0.82-1.00]). Further subgroup analysis showed that short-term users, medium-term users, and long-term users were associated with a significantly higher risk (OR, 1.18; 95% CI [1.11-1.25]), comparable risk (OR, 0.93; 95% CI [0.83-1.04]), and significantly lower risk of gallstone diseases (OR, 0.78; 95% CI [0.68-0.90]) respectively, compared to nonusers. Conclusions: Patients with medium-term or long-term use of statins without discontinuation are at a lower risk of gallstone disease or cholecystectomy.

Different photosynthetic responses of haploid and diploid Emiliania huxleyi (Prymnesiophyceae) to high light and ultraviolet radiation.

Solar radiation varies quantitatively and qualitatively while penetrating through the seawater column and thus is one of the most important environmental factors shaping the vertical distribution pattern of phytoplankton. The haploid and diploid life-cycle phases of coccolithophores might have different vertical distribution preferences. Therefore, the two phases respond differently to high solar photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm). To test this, the haploid and diploid Emiliania huxleyi were exposed to oversaturating irradiance. In the presence of PAR alone, the effective quantum yield was reduced by 10% more due to the higher damage rate of photosystem II in haploid cells than in diploid cells. The addition of UVR resulted in further inhibition of the quantum yield for both haploid and diploid cells in the first 25 min, partly because of the increased damage of photosystem II. Intriguingly, this UVR-induced inhibition of the haploid cells completely recovered half an hour later. This recovery was confirmed by the comparable maximum quantum yields, maximum relative electron transport rates and yields of the haploid cells treated with PAR and PAR + UVR. Our data indicated that photosynthesis of the haploid phase was more sensitive to high visible light than the diploid phase but resistant to UVR-induced inhibition, reflecting the ecological niches to which this species adapts.

Maternal dominance contributes to subgenome differentiation in allopolyploid fishes.

Teleost fishes, which are the largest and most diverse group of living vertebrates, have a rich history of ancient and recent polyploidy. Previous studies of allotetraploid common carp and goldfish (cyprinids) reported a dominant subgenome, which is more expressed and exhibits biased gene retention. However, the underlying mechanisms contributing to observed 'subgenome dominance' remains poorly understood. Here we report high-quality genomes of twenty-one cyprinids to investigate the origin and subsequent subgenome evolution patterns following three independent allopolyploidy events. We identify the closest extant relatives of the diploid progenitor species, investigate genetic and epigenetic differences among subgenomes, and conclude that observed subgenome dominance patterns are likely due to a combination of maternal dominance and transposable element densities in each polyploid. These findings provide an important foundation to understanding subgenome dominance patterns observed in teleost fishes, and ultimately the role of polyploidy in contributing to evolutionary innovations.

The Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer on the Resilient and Plastic Strain Behavior of Cemented Soil under Traffic Load.

In road construction, a large number of excavated soils need to be treated with stabilizers. The addition of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) can improve the road performance of these stabilized soils. In order to predict roadbed deformation, dynamic triaxial tests were carried out on cemented soil containing SAP to investigate its resilient and plastic strain behavior. The effects of SAP content, cyclic stress ratio, and loading frequency on cement-stabilized soils with SAP were analyzed combined with the number of cycles. This study demonstrates how these influencing factors effect the resilient strain, dynamic elastic modulus, and accumulated plastic strain, which are crucial to better understanding the strain behavior of cement-stabilized soil with SAP. The results show that SAP can significantly improve the brittle failure characteristics and dynamic strength of cement-stabilized soil. Soil with higher SAP content possesses smaller accumulated plastic strain; with the increase in the cyclic stress ratio, the dynamic elastic modulus decreases significantly, whereas the accumulated plastic strain has the opposite trend. In addition, the lower frequency produces larger cumulative axial strain.

Impact of cognitive behavior therapy on osteoarthritis-associated pain, insomnia, depression, fatigue, and physical function in patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) against osteoarthritis-associated symptoms in patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis. Methods: Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to July 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of CBT with other treatment approaches in adults with confirmed knee/hip osteoarthritis. The pain intensity (primary outcome) and the secondary outcomes including insomnia severity, sleep efficiency, physical function as well as the severity of depression and fatigue were assessed at two time points (i.e., immediately after treatment and during the follow-up period). The effect size is expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with SMDs of < 0.2, 0.2-0.5, and 0.5-0.8, and > 0.8 representing negligible, small, medium, and large effect sizes, respectively. Results: Fifteen RCTs were included for analysis. Immediately after CBT intervention, meta-analysis showed similar treatment effect in pain severity [SMD = -0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.95 to 0.04, 11 studies, 1557 participants] and other symptoms including depression (SMD = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.58 to 0.06, five studies, 735 participants), fatigue (SMD = -2.44, 95% CI:-6.53 to 1.65, two RCTs, 511 participants), and physical function (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI:-0.25 to 0.02, five RCTs, 720 participants) between CBT and control groups, while there was an improvement in insomnia severity (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.24, four RCTs, 639 participants, medium treatment effect) and sleep efficiency (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.59, three RCTs, 352 patients, small treatment effect). During follow-up, CBT improved pain severity (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI: -1.03 to -0.01, eight studies, 1447 participants, medium treatment effect), insomnia (SMD = -0.43, 95% CI: -0.85 to -0.01, three RCTs, 571 participants, small treatment effect), and depression (SMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.18, four RCTs, 791 participants, small treatment effect). Nevertheless, sleep efficiency, fatigue, and physical function were not improved in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Our results may suggest the durability of CBT-associated treatment benefits, supporting its role as a potential promising alternative or complementary intervention for patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis, especially against pain and insomnia. Future large-scale investigations are warranted to verify our findings. Systematic review registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022331165].

Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness between Inpatient and Home-Based Post-Acute Care Models for Stroke Rehabilitation in Taiwan.

Stroke rehabilitation focuses on alleviating post-stroke disability. Post-acute care (PAC) offers an intensive rehabilitative program as transitional care following acute stroke. A novel home-based PAC program has been initiated in Taiwan since 2019. Our study aimed to compare the current inpatient PAC model with a novel home-based PAC model in cost-effectiveness and functional recovery for stroke patients in Taiwan. One hundred ninety-seven stroke patients eligible for the PAC program were divided into two different health interventional groups. One received rehabilitation during hospitalization, and the other received rehabilitation by therapists at home. To evaluate the health economics, we assessed the total medical expenditure on rehabilitation using the health system of Taiwan national health insurance and performed cost-effectiveness analyses using improvements of daily activity in stroke patients based on the Barthel index (BI). Total rehabilitative duration and functional recovery were also documented. The total rehabilitative cost was cheaper in the home-based PAC group (p < 0.001), and the cost-effectiveness is USD 152.474 ± USD 164.661 in the inpatient group, and USD 48.184 ± USD 35.018 in the home group (p < 0.001). Lesser rehabilitative hours per 1-point increase of BI score was noted in the home-PAC group with similar improvements in daily activities, life quality and nutrition in both groups. Home-based PAC is more cost-effective than inpatient PAC for stroke rehabilitation.

Protective role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor against adriamycin induced cardiac, renal and hepatic toxicities.

Adriamycin (ADR) causes dose-dependant toxicities in heart, liver and kidneys via inducing the peroxidative alterations in organ tissues. Recent studies showed that the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) exerts beneficial effects on heart, liver and kidney injuries induced by different pathological conditions. We hypothesize that G-CSF have a protective effect on ADR induced cardiac, renal and hepatic toxicities by inhibiting the peroxidative alterations in organ tissues. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, ADR, ADR+phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and ADR+G-CSF group (n=16 in each group). ADR was administered intraperitoneally every other day at the dose of 2.5 microg/kg each time per rat (total six times of injection during 2 weeks). Rats in the ADR+G-CSF group were injected subcutaneously with G-CSF at the dose of 50 microg/(kg day) (for 8 consecutive days). After 8 weeks, the serum and urine biochemistry variables were determined. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the glutathione (GSH) content in the heart, the liver and the kidney tissues were measured. ADR caused significant cardiac, renal and hepatic toxicities indicated by the serum and urine biochemistry variables. The tissue MDA level in the heart, kidney and liver in rats treated with ADR were markedly elevated, while the GSH content in these tissues were significantly reduced. G-CSF administration palliated the cardiac, renal and hepatic toxicities. Notably, G-CSF induced significant reduction of MDA level and increase of GSH content in the heart, kidney and liver tissues. This study suggests that G-CSF play an overall protective effect on ADR-induced toxicities in heart, liver and kidneys and the inhibition of tissue peroxidative alterations might contribute to this beneficial effect.

The Combination of RNA and Protein Profiling Reveals the Response to Nitrogen Depletion in Thalassiosira pseudonana.

Nitrogen (N) is essential for the growth of algae, and its concentration varies greatly in the ocean, which has been regarded as a limitation for phytoplankton growth. Despite its great importance, most of the existing studies on the mechanisms underlying the effects of N on diatoms have focused on physiology, biochemistry and a few target genes and have rarely involved whole genomic analyses. Therefore, in this study, we integrated physiological data with RNA and protein profiling data to reveal the response strategy of Thalassiosira pseudonana under N-depleted conditions. Physiological measurements indicated that the cell growth capacity and chlorophyll content of the cells decreased, as did the expression of photosynthesis- and chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes or proteins. The RNA-Seq profile results showed that T. pseudonana responded to N deprivation through increases in glycolysis, the TCA cycle and N metabolism as well as down-regulation in the Calvin cycle, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate, oxidative phosphorylation and lipid synthesis. These results provide a basic understanding for further research addressing how N affects phytoplankton in terms of genomics.