Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Bimagnolignan: A Natural Anti-Breast Cancer Agent.

A short scalable biomimetic route to bioactive natural product bimagnolignan (1) was accomplished. Compound 1 was successfully prepared through a three-step metal-free synthesis from honokiol (2). Alternatively, 1 was also synthesized by biomimetic transformations that mimic tyrosinase in four steps. The key reactions feature a regioselective acetylation, a highly efficient C(sp2)-H oxidation, a cascade aerobic oxidative cyclization/coupling, and a Cu-catalyzed direct oxidative coupling. In addition, cell-based assays validate that 1 is a promising natural lead for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment.

[Influence of "Sancai" acupuncture treatment on plasma and urine SP, 5-HT levels of renal colic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Sancai Needling" (superficial, medium and deep insertion of the acupuncture needle) combined with electroacupuncture ( EA) stimulation of Shenshu ( BL 23) on plasma and urine SP and 5- HT levels in renal colic patients, so as to study its mechanism underlying improvement of renal colic. METHODS: Sixty renal colic patients (lower-energizer stasis type) were randomly allocated to "Sancai Needling" -EA group, Ashi-point-EA group and routine EA treatment group, with 20 cases in each group. The "Sancai Needling"-EA meant that an acupuncture needle was inserted into the subcutaneous layer of BL 23 first and EA stimulation was given for 10 min; then the needle was inserted into the medium layer (muscle layer) and EA stimulation performed for 10 min; at last, the needle was further inserted into the periosteum-muscle layer and EA was performed for 10 min again. The procedures for Ashi-point-EA group were the same. For patients of the routine EA treatment group, EA was applied to BL 23 for 30 min. The therapeutic effect for pain was assessed according to McGill Pain Questionnaire. Plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents were determined using enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . RESULTS: In comparison with pre-treatment, pain scores, plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents were remarkably decreased in renal colic patients of the "Sancai Needling"-EA group, Ashi-point-EA group and routine EA treatment group after the treatment ( P<0. 05). The effects of the "Sancai Needling"-EA group and Ashi-point-EA group were significantly superior to those of the routine EA treatment group in reducing pain score, plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents( P<0. 05). No statistical differences were found between the "Sancai Needling"-EA group and Ashi-point-EA group in pain score, plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents ( P>0. 05). CONCLUSION: "Sancai Needling"-EA treatment is effective in relieving renal colic in the patients, which may be closely associated with its effects in down-regulating plasma SP and 5-HT levels.

[Meta-analysis on the incidence and risk factors of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the global incidence and risk factors of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed to systematically and quantitatively review all the original research papers and reports that were published in 1990 - 2010 on the global incidence of HSV-2. Pooled incidence, pooled hazard ratios, publication bias, heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis for those studies were calculated or conducted using Stata 10.0. RESULTS: HSV-2 incidence varied considerably across different countries, regions and/or populations, with a range from 1.0 to 23.1/100 person-years (PYs). Africa and United States were highly epidemic with HSV-2 while females and HIV-infected people were at higher risk of HSV-2 infection, whereas HSV-1 infection status was not significantly associated with acquisition of HSV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: HSV-2 incidence varied considerably among countries, regions and populations, which called for different and tailored control strategies. More research was also needed in China to examine the HSV-2 incidence and risk factors in different regions and populations.