Iodine-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindoles to Form Spiro-1,2-dioxolanes Diastereoselectively.

A novel method of iodine-catalyzed aerobic oxidation with spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindoles under mild conditions has been described. A series of spiro-1,2-dioxolanes were prepared in good to excellent yields and considerable diastereoselectivities. The new approach is operationally simple, scalable, and tolerant of various functional groups.

X-11-5-27, a daidzein derivative, inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activity via promoting autophagy.

NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytoplasmic multiprotein complex which plays a critical role in response to infection or injury, however, aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation is deleterious. In our study, we investigate the inhibitory effect of X-11-5-27, a daidzein derivative, on the NLRP3 inflammasome. The results showed that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was inhibited by X-11-5-27 in a dose-dependent manner, followed by a decrease in the cleavage of caspase-1 and maturation of IL-1ß. Furthermore, we found that X-11-5-27 significantly restrained the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome. At the same time, X-11-5-27 time- and dose-dependently decreased the production of ROS and superoxide. In addition, X-11-5-27 enhanced the activity of SOD to scavenge ROS release. This inhibitory effect of X-11-5-27 was due to the protection of mitochondrial homeostasis and was abolished after the treatment of rotenone. Notably, X-11-5-27 was found to trigger autophagy in macrophages, which in turn inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, the phosphorylation states of the proteins in PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were dramatically decreased after X-11-5-27 treatment. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that autophagy-mediated ROS reduction is responsible for X-11-5-27-induced NLRP3 flammasome inactivation. And these results may help guide decisions regarding the use of X-11-5-27 in relieving the inflammasome-driven hyper-inflammation.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: An alternative surgical method for pulmonary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects and feasibility of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on lobectomy for pulmonary carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 67 patients were enrolled in this study, in which 21 patients were treated by single-port VATS (Sing-port Group) and 46 patients by double-port VATS (Double-port Group). Blood loss, duration of thoracic drainage, length of post-operative hospital stay and post-operative pain ratings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference existed in blood loss, duration of thoracic drainage and length of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. However, Post-operative pain was significantly reduced in Single-port Group compared to Double-port Group. CONCLUSION: Single-port VATS was totally feasible with reduced post-operative pain and good looking appearance.

Thoracoscopic excision of two bronchogenic cysts located in highest upper mediastinum: Report of two cases.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformation that need surgical removal. To date, bronchogenic cysts located in highest upper mediastinum excised by thoracoscopy have not been reported, though complete thoracoscopic extirpation of a bronchogenic cyst has been reported before. We excised two highest upper bronchogenic cysts by thoracoscopy successfully without any postoperative complication, demonstrating thoracoscopy could be a first-line therapeutic option even for highest upper mediastinum brochogenic cysts.

Construction of Isoquinolone Scaffolds on DNA via Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation.

Isoquinolone is one of the most common heterocyclic core structures in countless natural products and many bioactive compounds. Here, a highly efficient approach to synthesize isoquinolone scaffolds on DNA via rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H activation has been described. This chemistry transformation is robust and has shown good compatibility with DNA, which is suitable for DNA-encoded library synthesis.

Application of a clustered countercurrent-flow micro-channel reactor in the preparation of KMnF3 perovskite for asymmetric supercapacitors.

A clustered countercurrent-flow micro-channel reactor (C-CFMCR) with adjustable magnification times was constructed for the preparation of KMnF3 perovskite fluoride by a co-precipitation process, in which the concentrations and feed rates of reactants were precisely controlled. Benefitting from the enhanced micromixing efficiency of the microreactor, the KMnF3 particles prepared in C-CFMCR were smaller and less aggregated than those produced with traditional stirred reactors (STR). The prepared KMnF3 was applied as the electrode material in supercapacitors, and the electrochemical measurements showed that the KMnF3 obtained under optimal conditions had a discharge specific capacitance of ∼442 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1, with a decline of ∼5.4% after 5000 charge-discharge cycles in an aqueous electrolyte of 2 M KOH. It was also found that the morphologies and electrochemical performances of the prepared KMnF3 particles changed accordingly with the micromixing efficiencies of C-CFMCR, which can be adjusted by the reactor structure and operating conditions. An asymmetric supercapacitor assembled with the KMnF3 and activated carbon exhibited an energy density of 13.1 W h kg-1 at a power density of 386.3 W kg-1, with eminent capacitance retention of ∼81.2% after 5000 cycles. In addition, only a slight amplification effect of C-CFMCR on the co-precipitation process was noticed, indicating that the C-CFMCR is a promising technology for the massive and controllable production of KMnF3 particles as well as other ultrafine particles.

Application of micro-impinging stream reactors in the preparation of Co and Al co-doped Ni(OH)2 nanocomposites for supercapacitors and their modification with reduced graphene oxide.

A micro-impinging stream reactor (MISR) consisting of a commercial T-junction and steel capillaries, which is of intensified micromixing efficiency as compared with traditional stirred reactors (STR), was applied for the preparation of Co and Al co-doped Ni(OH)2 nanocomposites and their modification with reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The co-precipitation preparation process was conducted under precisely controlled proportions and concentrations of reactants in the MISR. Therefore, element analysis showed a higher uniform distribution of metal ions within the nanocomposites obtained through the MISR. The structural characterization and electrochemical measurements also showed that the MISR-prepared metal-doped nanocomposites were of more uniform dispersion and superior electrochemical performance than those prepared with STR. In addition, by modifying with RGO in the MISR, the electrochemical performance of Co and Al co-doped Ni(OH)2 nanocomposites could be further improved. The Co and Al co-doped Ni(OH)2/RGO prepared under optimal conditions achieved an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2389.5 F g-1 at the current density of 1 A g-1 and displayed an excellent cycling stability with 83.7% retention of the initial capacitance after 1000 charge/discharge cycles in 6 M KOH aqueous solution.

Micromixing Study of a Clustered Countercurrent-Flow Micro-Channel Reactor and Its Application in the Precipitation of Ultrafine Manganese Dioxide.

A clustered countercurrent-flow micro-channel reactor (C-CFMCR) has been assembled by the numbering-up of its single counterpart (S-CFMCR). Its micromixing performance was then studied experimentally using a competitive parallel reaction system, and the micromixing time was calculated as the micromixing performance index. It was found that the micromixing time of C-CFMCR was ranged from 0.34 to 10 ms according to its numbering-up times and the operating conditions of the reactor, and it was close to that of S-CFMCR under the same operating conditions, demonstrating a weak scaling-up effect from S-CFMCR to C-CFMCR. The C-CFMCR was then applied to prepare ultrafine manganese dioxide in a continuous manner at varying micromixing time. It showed that the micromixing time had a major effect on the particle structure. More uniform and smaller MnO2 particles were obtained with intensified micromixing. By building a typical three electrode system to characterize their performance as a supercapacitor material, the MnO2 particles prepared by both S-CFMCR and C-CFMCR under optimal conditions displayed a specific capacitance of ~175 F·g-1 at the current density of 1 A·g-1, with a decline of ~10% after 500 charge-discharge cycles. This work showed that C-CFMCR will have a great potential for the continuous and large-scale preparation of ultrafine particles.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of 3-amino-2-hydroxypropoxygenistein derivatives.

Soy isoflavones exhibit various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of sixteen synthesized 3-amino-2-hydroxypropoxy genistein derivatives on cell proliferation and activation of Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2)/ARE (antioxidant response elements) pathway in human cancer cell lines. Most of the tested compounds exerted greater cytotoxic activity than genistein, as measured by MTT assay. Moreover, compound 8c showed the highest ARE-luciferase reporter activity among the test compounds. It strongly promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and up-regulated the expression of total Nrf2 and downstream targets NQO-1 and HO-1 at protein level. The present study may provide a basis for the application of isoflavone derivatives as Nrf2/ARE pathway inducers for cancer therapy and cancer prevention.