Dysfunction of duplicated pair rice histone acetyltransferases causes segregation distortion and an interspecific reproductive barrier.

Postzygotic reproductive isolation, which results in the irreversible divergence of species, is commonly accompanied by hybrid sterility, necrosis/weakness, or lethality in the F1 or other offspring generations. Here we show that the loss of function of HWS1 and HWS2, a couple of duplicated paralogs, together confer complete interspecific incompatibility between Asian and African rice. Both of these non-Mendelian determinants encode the putative Esa1-associated factor 6 (EAF6) protein, which functions as a characteristic subunit of the histone H4 acetyltransferase complex regulating transcriptional activation via genome-wide histone modification. The proliferating tapetum and inappropriate polar nuclei arrangement cause defective pollen and seeds in F2 hybrid offspring due to the recombinant HWS1/2-mediated misregulation of vitamin (biotin and thiamine) metabolism and lipid synthesis. Evolutionary analysis of HWS1/2 suggests that this gene pair has undergone incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and multiple gene duplication events during speciation. Our findings have not only uncovered a pair of speciation genes that control hybrid breakdown but also illustrate a passive mechanism that could be scaled up and used in the guidance and optimization of hybrid breeding applications for distant hybridization.

A smartphone-based electrochemical POCT for CEA based on signal amplification of Zr6MOFs.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a biomarker of high expression in cancer cells. Highly sensitive and selective detection of CEA holds significant clinical value in the diagnosis, monitoring and efficacy evaluation of malignant tumors. In this work, a smartphone-based electrochemical point-of-care testing (POCT) platform for the detection of CEA was developed based on a Zr6MOF signal amplification strategy. Ferrocene labeled DNA strands (Fc-DNA) were immobilized on Zr6MOFs to form a Fc-DNA/Zr6MOF signal probe. Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) formed by complementary DNA (cDNA) and CEA aptamer was assembled on a screen-printed electrode via an Au-S bond. When CEA was added, the aptamer specifically bound with CEA, resulting in the exposure of cDNA. Then, Fc-DNA/Zr6MOF signal probes were introduced on the electrode surface through hybridization between Fc-DNA and cDNA. The detection of CEA was realized by measuring the electrochemical response of Fc. The POCT device was made by connecting a modified electrode with a smartphone through a Sensit Smart USB flash disk. Due to the signal amplification of Zr6MOFs, this POCT platform exhibited high sensitivity, wide linear range, and low detection limit for CEA detection. The developed POCT platform has been used for the detection of CEA in actual human serum samples with satisfactory results.

Efficacy and safety of different thermal ablative therapies for desmoid-type fibromatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a locally aggressive tumor characterized by peripheral infiltration of neoplastic cells and remote metastasis disability. This systematic review examined the efficacy and safety of thermal ablative therapy for DF tumors. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase from January 1, 2000, to November 12, 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to guide literature selection. The inclusion criteria were the following: (I) the patients were diagnosed with aggressive fibromatosis pathologically, (II) the patients were treated by thermal ablations, and (III) a focus on treatment efficacy and safety. Meanwhile, the exclusion criteria were the following: (I) cohorts of patients with hypertrophic scar, Gardner fibroma, or nodular fasciitis; (II) conference abstracts, reviews, case reports, letters to editors, comments, or editorials; (III) number of patients <5; (IV) in vitro or animal experiments; and (V) non-English language articles. The inverse variance method with a random effects model was used to obtain the pooled data. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify treatment factors. Egger test was conducted to assess the risk of publication bias. Results: After literature selection, 694 DF tumors were identified in 23 studies. In terms of modality, 13 studies used cryoablation, 9 studies used high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and 1 study used microwave ablation (MWA). The pooled symptom relief rate was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI): 80-97%], with that for HIFU being 100% (95% CI: 85-100%), that for cryoablation being 87% (95% CI: 74-97%), and that MWA being 89% (95% CI). The pooled major complication rate was 3% (95% CI: 1-7%), and that for each modality was as follows: HIFU =2% (95% CI: 0-6%), cryoablation =4% (95% CI: 1-8%), MWA =11%, ultrasound =6% (95% CI: 1-13%), computed tomography (CT) =2% (95% CI: 0-7%), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) =3% (95% CI: 0-14%). The pooled nonperfused volume rate (NPVR) was 76% (95% CI: 71-81%), and that for each modality was as follows: HIFU =77% (95% CI: 71-85%), cryoablation =74% (95% CI: 69-79%), ultrasound =75% (95% CI: 67-83%), CT =76% (95% CI: 67-87%), and MRI =78% (95% CI: 70-87%). The pooled local control rate was 88% (95% CI: 79-94%) and that for each modality was as follows: HIFU =99% (95% CI: 96-100%), cryoablation =80% (95% CI: 68-90%), and MWA =78%. The differences in major complication rate (P=0.77) and NPVR between imaging-guided modalities (P=0.40) were not significant, nor were the differences in symptom relief rate (P=0.32) and major complication rate (P=0.61) between ablative techniques; however, the differences in local control rate (P=0.01) were significant between ablative techniques. Conclusions: Imaging-guided thermal ablative therapies contribute to symptom relief with a duration of more than 6 months and a low major complication rate of DF tumors.

RNA modification regulator DDC in endometrial cancer affects the tumor microenvironment and patient prognosis.

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is infiltrated by immune cells, which are involved in the growth and proliferation of malignant tumors and resistance to immunotherapy. This study suggested that RNA modification regulators played an important role in the development and prognosis of UCEC. Many studies confirmed that RNA modification played an essential role in tumor immune regulation, and abnormal RNA modification contributed to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Based on the RNA modification regulatory factors, the UCEC samples from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) were classified into two clusters, namely Cluster A and Cluster B, using unsupervised consensus clustering. We obtained DEG (differentially expressed genes) between the two clusters, and constructed a risk model of RNA modification-related genes using DEGs. Cluster A had lower RNA modification regulatory factors, richer immune cell infiltration, and better prognosis. The differentially expressed genes between the two clusters were obtained, and these genes were used for modeling. This model divided patients with UCEC into two groups. The low-risk group had better immune infiltration, and the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve showed that this model had good predictive efficacy. The low-risk group had a better response to immunotherapy by immune checkpoint prediction. We obtained the key gene L-dopa decarboxylase (DDC) through the intersection of LASSO model genes and GEO dataset GSE17025. We evaluated the potential biological functions of DDC. The differences in the expression of DDC were verified by immunohistochemistry. We evaluated the relationship between DDC and immune cell infiltration and verified this difference using immunofluorescence. Cluster A with low expression of RNA modification regulators has better prognosis and richer immune cell infiltration, therefore, we believed that RNA modification regulators in UCEC were closely related to the tumor microenvironment. Also, the risk score could well predict the prognosis of patients and guide immunotherapy, which might benefit patients with UCEC.

A label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on Bi-Sb alloy materials for potential POCT of HER-2.

As a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is of crucial diagnostic value. Here, a label-free electrochemical aptasensor was established for the ultrasensitive detection of HER-2 using a modified electrode of Bi-Sb alloy materials (Bi-Sb AMs). The performance of the aptasensor was enhanced greatly due to the introduction of Bi-Sb alloy materials (Bi-Sb AMs) with high conductivity. Furthermore, by integrating the aptasensor with the Sensit Smart U-disk electrochemical analyzer, the point-of-care testing (POCT) for HER-2 was realized. Under the optimal experimental parameters, the POCT analyzer showed a wide linear response from 0.01 pg mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1, with a low detection limit (LOD) of 5.96 fg mL-1 for the detection of HER-2. The presented POCT analyzer exhibited good specificity, stability, and reproducibility. Benefiting from the simple operation and rapid testing, the developed analyzer will have potential application in the prognostic diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Optimization of rice panicle architecture by specifically suppressing ligand-receptor pairs.

Rice panicle architecture determines the grain number per panicle and therefore impacts grain yield. The OsER1-OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 pathway shapes panicle architecture by regulating cytokinin metabolism. However, the specific upstream ligands perceived by the OsER1 receptor are unknown. Here, we report that the EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR (EPF)/EPF-LIKE (EPFL) small secreted peptide family members OsEPFL6, OsEPFL7, OsEPFL8, and OsEPFL9 synergistically contribute to rice panicle morphogenesis by recognizing the OsER1 receptor and activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Notably, OsEPFL6, OsEPFL7, OsEPFL8, and OsEPFL9 negatively regulate spikelet number per panicle, but OsEPFL8 also controls rice spikelet fertility. A osepfl6 osepfl7 osepfl9 triple mutant had significantly enhanced grain yield without affecting spikelet fertility, suggesting that specifically suppressing the OsEPFL6-OsER1, OsEPFL7-OsER1, and OsEPFL9-OsER1 ligand-receptor pairs can optimize rice panicle architecture. These findings provide a framework for fundamental understanding of the role of ligand-receptor signaling in rice panicle development and demonstrate a potential method to overcome the trade-off between spikelet number and fertility.

TAGLN2 promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma invasion via the Rap1/PI3K/AKT axis.

TAGLN2, an actin-binding protein, functions as a binding protein to actin to facilitate the formation of intracellular cytoskeleton structures. TAGLN2 overexpression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is reported in our previous study. This study aimed to examine the functions and molecular mechanisms of TAGLN2 in PTC. The clinical data analysis showed that TAGLN2 expression was associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC. Gain- and loss-of-function approaches, as well as various cellular function, gene expression profiles, quantitative proteomics, and molecular biology experiments, were further exploited to explore the roles of TAGLN2 in PTC. The results showed that TAGLN2 overexpression significantly promoted the invasion of PTC cell lines (K1, TPC-1, and BCPAP). Besides, the results also indicated that TAGLN2 was associated with regulating proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and adhesion of PTC cells. Gene expression profile, quantitative proteomics, and Western blotting were performed to identify the relevant pathways and key downstream molecules, and Rap1/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, ITGB5, LAMC2, CRKL, vimentin, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin were finally focused on. Moreover, rescue experiments validated the involvement of the Rap1/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in the TAGLN2-mediated invasion of PTC cells. Therefore, TAGLN2 may promote the invasion of PTC cells via the Rap1/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway and may be served as a potential therapeutic target for PTC. Developing antagonists targeting TAGLN2 may be a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for PTC.

Efficacy analysis of a double-Schanz screw external fixator combined with anti-rotating Kirschner wire in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures in skeletally immature patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a double-Schanz screw external fixator combined with anti-rotating Kirschner wire in the treatment of displaced Salter-Harris type II proximal humerus fractures in skeletally immature patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 22 cases of displaced Salter-Harris type II proximal humerus fractures in skeletally immature patients who were treated with a double-Schanz screw external fixator combined with anti-rotating Kirschner wire. Patients included were the Neer-Horowitz (N-H) type 2, 3, and 4 of fracture. The basic information of the patients was recorded, fracture healing and shoulder range of motion were assessed at the last follow-up visit. The disabilities of the arm, hand (DASH) score and Constant-Murley score of the shoulder were performed to observe the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 12.41 years, and all patients completed a median follow-up of 18.18 months. There were two cases of N-H type 2, 12 cases of N-H type 3, and eight cases of N-H type 4 among the patients. At the last follow-up, all patients were able to achieve pain-free shoulder movement. There was no significant difference in shoulder function between the injured side and the uninjured side. The DASH score mean was 2.43 (95% CI 1.44-3.52). The constant score mean was 98.55 (95% CI 97.73-99.27). All patients returned to their pre-injury daily life and physical activities, and there was no significant difference in bilateral limb length at the last follow-up (p < 0.05). The most common complication of double-Schanz screw external fixator combined with anti-rotating Kirschner wire surgery was pin tract infection, which occurred in 5 cases (22.7%). There were no complications such as deep infections, vascular and nerve damage, failure of fixation, secondary fracture displacement, non-union of fracture, osteonecrosis of the humerus, joint stiffness, rotator cuff weakness and limb deformity. CONCLUSION: The double-Schanz screw external fixator combined with anti-rotating Kirschner wire is a safe and effective treatment for displaced Salter-Harris type II proximal humerus fractures in skeletally immature patients over the age of 10 years.

An α/ß hydrolase family member negatively regulates salt tolerance but promotes flowering through three distinct functions in rice.

Ongoing soil salinization drastically threatens crop growth, development, and yield worldwide. It is therefore crucial that we improve salt tolerance in rice by exploiting natural genetic variation. However, many salt-responsive genes confer undesirable phenotypes and therefore cannot be effectively applied to practical agricultural production. In this study, we identified a quantitative trait locus for salt tolerance from the African rice species Oryza glaberrima and named it as Salt Tolerance and Heading Date 1 (STH1). We found that STH1 regulates fatty acid metabolic homeostasis, probably by catalyzing the hydrolytic degradation of fatty acids, which contributes to salt tolerance. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that STH1 forms a protein complex with D3 and a vital regulatory factor in salt tolerance, OsHAL3, to regulate the protein abundance of OsHAL3 via the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we revealed that STH1 also serves as a co-activator with the floral integrator gene Heading date 1 to balance the expression of the florigen gene Heading date 3a under different circumstances, thus coordinating the regulation of salt tolerance and heading date. Notably, the allele of STH1 associated with enhanced salt tolerance and high yield is found in some African rice accessions but barely in Asian cultivars. Introgression of the STH1HP46 allele from African rice into modern rice cultivars is a desirable approach for boosting grain yield under salt stress. Collectively, our discoveries not only provide conceptual advances on the mechanisms of salt tolerance and synergetic regulation between salt tolerance and flowering time but also offer potential strategies to overcome the challenges resulted from increasingly serious soil salinization that many crops are facing.

Senomorphic agent pterostilbene ameliorates osteoarthritis through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis: an in vitro and in vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in the world. Among the many risk factors for OA, aging is one of the most critical factors. The treatment with senop-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is one of the important, promising anti-aging strategies at present. Pterostilbene (PTE) is a trans-stilbene compound with anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging pharmacologic activities. The purpose of this study is to explore the therapeutic effects of PTE on articular chondrocyte senescence and OA and its related mechanisms. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were operated on with transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT) and a destabilized medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to establish the OA model and then injected intraperitoneally with PTE (20 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Finally, rats were sacrificed and knee joints were collected for histologic analysis. Rat chondrocytes were stimulated with interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) with or without PTE treatment. The therapeutic effects of PTE and related mechanisms were investigated by examining and analyzing relative markers through senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal) assay, cell cycle, qRT-PCR, western blot, bioinformatic analysis, immunofluorescence, and molecular modeling. RESULTS: With in vivo experiments, PTE can significantly reduce the Mankin scores and OARSI scores of the knee joint in ACLT+DMM OA model rats and reduce the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the knee lavage fluid. Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared to the OA group, the PTE treatment group had significantly increased expression of collagen type II in articular cartilage, and significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and IL-6, the main SASP proteins, and had expression of p16 and p21, markers of aging in chondrocytes. In vitro, PTE reduced the ratio of SA-ß-Gal positive chondrocytes and G0-G1 phase chondrocytes in IL-1ß-induced rat chondrocytes. PTE significantly inhibited the expression of MMP-13, IL-6, thrombospondin motif 5 (ADAMTS5), p16, and p21, and significantly increased the expression of collagen type II. Bioassay and subsequent western blot showed that PTE significantly inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking experiments showed that PTE could bind closely to the sites of PI3K protein, thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental results indicate that PTE plays an anti-chondrocyte senescence role in the treatment of OA by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing expression of SASP.

A genetic module at one locus in rice protects chloroplasts to enhance thermotolerance.

How the plasma membrane senses external heat-stress signals to communicate with chloroplasts to orchestrate thermotolerance remains elusive. We identified a quantitative trait locus, Thermo-tolerance 3 (TT3), consisting of two genes, TT3.1 and TT3.2, that interact together to enhance rice thermotolerance and reduce grain-yield losses caused by heat stress. Upon heat stress, plasma membrane-localized E3 ligase TT3.1 translocates to the endosomes, on which TT3.1 ubiquitinates chloroplast precursor protein TT3.2 for vacuolar degradation, implying that TT3.1 might serve as a potential thermosensor. Lesser accumulated, mature TT3.2 proteins in chloroplasts are essential for protecting thylakoids from heat stress. Our findings not only reveal a TT3.1-TT3.2 genetic module at one locus that transduces heat signals from plasma membrane to chloroplasts but also provide the strategy for breeding highly thermotolerant crops.

The effect of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus infection on cytokine production and gene expression in BV2 microglial cells.

Acute influenza infection has been reported to be associated with neurological symptoms such as influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE). Although the pathophysiology of this condition remain unclear, neuroinflammation and associated alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) are usually induced. Microglia (MGs), CNS-resident macrophages, are generally the first cells to be activated in response to brain infection or damage. We performed reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) and luminex assays to investigate virus proliferation and immune reactions in BV2 MGs infected with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. Furthermore, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomics methods were used to investigate the dynamic change in the protein expression profile in BV2 MGs to gain insight into the CNS response to influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection. Our results showed that the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was replicative and productive in BV2 MG cells, which produced cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. The expression of osteopontin (OPN) in the influenza A (H1N1) pdm09-infected BV2 MGs was upregulated at 16 and 32 h post-infection (hpi) compared to that in the control group, resulting in aggravated brain damage and inflammation. Our study indicates that OPN signalling might provide new insights into the treatment of CNS injury and neurodegenerative diseases in IAE.

A rice QTL GS3.1 regulates grain size through metabolic-flux distribution between flavonoid and lignin metabolons without affecting stress tolerance.

Grain size is a key component trait of grain weight and yield. Numbers of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been identified in various bioprocesses, but there is still little known about how metabolism-related QTLs influence grain size and yield. The current study report GS3.1, a QTL that regulates rice grain size via metabolic flux allocation between two branches of phenylpropanoid metabolism. GS3.1 encodes a MATE (multidrug and toxic compounds extrusion) transporter that regulates grain size by directing the transport of p-coumaric acid from the p-coumaric acid biosynthetic metabolon to the flavonoid biosynthetic metabolon. A natural allele of GS3.1 was identified from an African rice with enlarged grains, reduced flavonoid content and increased lignin content in the panicles. Notably, the natural allele of GS3.1 caused no alterations in other tissues and did not affect stress tolerance, revealing an ideal candidate for breeding efforts. This study uncovers insights into the regulation of grain size though metabolic-flux distribution. In this way, it supports a strategy of enhancing crop yield without introducing deleterious side effects on stress tolerance mechanisms.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Minisci-Type Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of N-Heteroaromatics and Cyclic Ethers.

Brønsted acid-catalyzed direct C(sp2)-H alkylation of N-heteroaromatics with cyclic ethers via a cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction in the presence of benzoyl peroxide was developed. This methodology successfully provided an easy access to a variety of alkyl-substituted quinoxaline, benzoimidazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, and pyridine derivatives in up to 94% yield under metal-free conditions.

The adipokinetic hormone signaling system regulates the sensitivity of Bactrocera dorsalis to malathion.

The neuropeptide adipokinetic hormone (AKH) binds to the AKH receptor (AKHR) to regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It also participates in the insect anti-stress response. We used RT-qPCR to detect the expression levels of 39 neuropeptides in malathion-susceptible (MS) and malathion-resistant (MR) strains of Bactrocera dorsalis. AKH and AKHR were highly expressed in the MR strain. Using a malathion bioassay and RNA interference (RNAi), we demonstrated that AKHR is involved in the susceptibility of B. dorsalis to malathion. We found significantly reduced expression of two detoxification enzyme genes (glutathione-S-transferase, GST and α-esterase, CarE) after AKHR RNAi. Based on our previous data, GSTd10 and CarE6 participate the direct metabolism of malathion in this fly, which is also verified by a malathion metabolism assay by HPLC using the crude enzymes in the current study. These results suggest that AKHR plays an important role in affecting malathion susceptibility via detoxification enzyme genes.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Benzimidazoles via Dehydrogenative Cyclization of Amidines.

The development of efficient and sustainable methodologies for the synthesis of N-heterocycles is a constant focus of organic synthesis. Herein an electrochemical method is reported for the synthesis of benzimidazoles through dehydrogenative cyclization of easily available N-aryl amidines. The reactions were conducted under simple constant current conditions in an undivided cell without need for catalysts, chemical oxidants, or additives, and produced H2 as the only theoretical byproduct.

[Causes of and risk factors for failure in catheter removal after transurethral resection of the prostate].

OBJECTIVE: To find the causes of the failure in the first catheter removal (CR) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and the related risk factors. METHODS: We collected the clinical data on 285 BPH patients treated by TURP from June 2015 to May 2018. We divided the cases into a successful CR (SCR) and a failed CR (FCR) group and investigated the risk factors for the first CR after TURP by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CR was successfully performed in 246 and failed in 39 of the 285 cases. In the FCR group, post-CR urinary retention occurred in 15 cases immediately after, severe urinary tract irritation in 13, massive gross hematuria in 7 and urinary incontinence in 4 within 1 month. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for CR failure included IPSS (OR = 5.106, P = 0.013), preoperative urinary tract infection (OR = 3.835, P = 0.041), prostate volume (OR = 4.160, P = 0.011) and catheter compression time (OR = 4.051, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The common causes of the failure in catheter removal after TURP included early postoperative urinary retention, urinary infection, secondary hematuria and urinary incontinence.

Site-selective electrooxidation of methylarenes to aromatic acetals.

Aldehyde is one of most synthetically versatile functional groups and can participate in numerous chemical transformations. While a variety of simple aromatic aldehydes are commercially available, those with a more complex substitution pattern are often difficult to obtain. Benzylic oxygenation of methylarenes is a highly attractive method for aldehyde synthesis as the starting materials are easy to obtain and handle. However, regioselective oxidation of functionalized methylarenes, especially those that contain heterocyclic moieties, to aromatic aldehydes remains a significant challenge. Here we show an efficient electrochemical method that achieves site-selective electrooxidation of methyl benzoheterocycles to aromatic acetals without using chemical oxidants or transition-metal catalysts. The acetals can be converted to the corresponding aldehydes through hydrolysis in one-pot or in a separate step. The synthetic utility of our method is highlighted by its application to the efficient preparation of the antihypertensive drug telmisartan.