Ursonic acid attenuates spermatogenesis in oligozoospermia mice through inhibiting ferroptosis.

Ursonic acid (UNA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene found in some medicinal plants and foods. The reproductive protective effect of UNA was evaluated in a mouse model of oligozoospermia induced by busulfan (BUS) at 30 mg/kg b.w.. The mice were initially divided into groups with UNA concentrations of 10, 30, 50, 100 mg/kg. Subsequently, based on sperm parameters, the optimal concentration of 50 mg/kg was identified. As a control, an additional group was supplemented with ursolic acid at a concentration of 50 mg/kg. The results indicated that BUS caused the loss of spermatogenic cells in testis, the decrease of sperm in epididymis, the disorder of testicular cytoskeleton, the decrease of serum sex hormones such as testosterone which induced an increase in feedback of androgen receptor and other testosterone-related proteins, the increase of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels and the increase of ferroptosis in testis while UNA successfully reversed these injuries. High-throughput sequencing revealed that UNA administration significantly upregulated the expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis, such as Tnp1, Tnp2, Prm1, among others. These proteins are crucial in the histone to protamine transition during sperm chromatin remodeling. Network pharmacology analysis reveals a close association between UNA and proteins related to the transformation of histones to protamine. Molecular docking studies reveal that UNA can interact with the ferroptosis-inhibiting gene SLC7A11, thereby modulating ferroptosis. Taken together, UNA alleviated BUS-induced oligozoospermia by regulating hormone secretion, mitigating oxidative stress and promoting recovery of spermatogenesis by inhibiting the ferroptosis.

Analysis of the structure and activity of the promoter regions of the metallothionein genes of the freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii.

To investigate the regulation of metallothionein genes (HsMTs) of Hyriopsis schlegelii, 1,121-bp and 1,270-bp regions of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters were cloned and analyzed, respectively. The two promoters shared partially conserved features and possessed distinct characteristics such as the number or position of metal response elements (MREs). Further analysis of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters was performed by the reporter assay using the luciferase gene. Both promoters were activated by various metals, and presented different levels of metal ions inducibility in human hepatoblastoma cells. Deletion mutant assays demonstrated that both the longest promoter regions achieved the maximum inducibility, and the metal inducibility was dependent on the presence of the MRE in HsMT1 and the distal MRE in HsMT2. In addition, we cloned a putative metal responsive transcription factor (hereby designated as HsMTF-like) and studied its effect on HsMTs expression in human hepatoblastoma cells. An in vivo assay demonstrated that HsMTF-like activates basal HsMTs transcription level, and the MRE in the HsMTs promoter mediates this activation process. Moreover, this basal transcription level can be further boosted by zinc treatment. In conclusion, the regulation mechanism for MT activation in H. schlegelii should be evolutionarily conserved.

Comparative proteomics analysis of spermary and ovary in Hyriopsis schlegelii.

We provide the first large-scale quantitative proteomics analysis in Hyriopsis schlegelii. To investigate the proteins expressed in the gonads, a quantitative proteomics approach has been utilized to analyze differentially expressed proteins between the spermary and ovary. In this study, we identified and quantified 2416 proteins in the gonads of Hyriopsis schlegelii. Of these, 559 proteins showed significantly different expression between the spermary and ovary. Some specific proteins expressed in either the spermary or ovary were identified in Hyriopsis schlegelii. In addition, a series of proteins related to gametogenesis were also identified. Compared with previous reports, many proteins in Hyriopsis schlegelii identified here have different expression patterns between the spermary and ovary. The special hermaphroditism in Hyriopsis schlegelii may contribute to these inconsistent results. The provided proteomics data could be considered as a starting point for subsequent studies focusing on the proteins involved in sexual gland development and maturity.

Comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of three geographical topmouth culter (Culter alburnus) groups and implications for their phylogenetics.

Topmouth culter (C. alburnus) is an important commercial fish in China. We compared the nucleotide variations in the mtDNA genomes among three geographical groups of Culter alburnus: Liangzi Lake, Hubei Province (referred to as LZH); Taihu Lake, Jiangsu Province (TH); and Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province (PYH). The similarity of whole mtDNA genomes ranged from 0.992 to 0.999. The similarity among 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and the D-loop sequences was found to range from 0.982 to 0.996. This is useful data for future designing work for making specific molecular marker for distinguishing individuals of C. alburnus from the three geographical groups. An extended termination-associated sequence (ETAS) and several conserved blocks (CSB-F, CSB-E, CSB-D, CSB1, CSB2, and CSB3) were identified in the mtDNA control regions. A phylogenetic analysis shows a monophyletic relationship of the LZF-female and the LZF-male. However, the analysis also showed paraphyletic relationships for the other two geological groups. This result will be useful for the future breeding work of C. alburnus.

Thiophene-Based Double Helices: Syntheses, X-ray Structures, and Chiroptical Properties.

We demonstrate facile and efficient construction of conjugated double helical ladder oligomers from the saddle-shaped cyclooctatetrathiophene (COTh) building blocks. The key step involves deprotonation of tetra[3,4]thienylene (ß,ß-COTh) with n-BuLi which displays remarkably high ipsilateral selectivity. Three racemic double helical ladder oligomers, rac-DH-1, rac-DH-2, and rac-DH-3, containing two, three, and five COTh annelated moieties are efficiently synthesized by diastereoselective coupling of the racemic precursors. The X-ray crystallographic studies of rac-DH-1, rac-DH-2 and rac-DH-3 unambiguously revealed that each double helical scaffold has two single helices intertwined with each other via the C-C single bonds. Following removal of TMS groups, double helical ladder oligomer rac-DH-1-D had sufficient solubility to be resolved via chiral HPLC, thus enabling determination of its chirooptical properties such as CD spectra and optical rotation. (+)-DH-1-D has a large barrier for racemization, with lower limit of ΔG(‡) > 48 kcal mol(-1), which may be compared to DFT-computed barrier of 51 kcal mol(-1). The enantiomers of DH-1-D show 1 order of magnitude stronger chirooptical properties than the carbon-sulfur [7]helicene, as determined by the anisotropy factor g = Δε/ε = -0.039, based on Δεmax = -11 and ε = 2.8 × 10(2) L mol(-1) cm(-1) in cyclohexane at 327 nm.

Molecular characterization and expression of metallothionein from freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis schlegelii.

Two metallothionein genes (HsMT1 and HsMT2) were first identified and described from Hyriopsis schlegelii. The open reading frame of HsMT1 and HsMT2 were 216 and 222 bp, encoding a protein of 71 and 73 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences showed they contained parts of typical MT characteristics, apart from HsMT2 lacked Cys-Cys motifs. The phylogenetic tree showed HsMT1 shared a high similarity with that of other molluscs, but HsMT2 was split into a distinct group separated from known molluscan MTs. HsMT1 exhibited constitutive expression in all examined tissues and the highest expression occurred in hepatopancreas, however, nearly all HsMT2 was just detected in gonad. After Cd exposure, their mRNA levels presented similar expression patterns. The transgenic bacteria of HsMT1 showed higher tolerance than HsMT2 in Cd environment. It was implied that HsMT1 and HsMT2 were involved in metal response but HsMT2 might have other physiological functions.

Silicon Spiro Double Helicene-like Compounds Based on Dithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene: Syntheses and Crystal Structures.

Silicon spiro carbon-sulfur double helicene-like compounds 1 and rac-2 were synthesized from 2,5-bis-trimethylsilanyldithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene, with total yields of 17% and 7%, respectively. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and X-ray crystallographic analysis showed the predicted 4-fold symmetry for 1 and rac-2 and confirmed their spiro double helicene-like spatial configurations. The absorption behavior of compounds 1 and rac-2 was also investigated.

De novo transcriptome sequencing to identify the sex-determination genes in Hyriopsis schlegelii.

This study presents the first analysis of expressed transcripts in the spermary and ovary of Hyriopsis schlegelii (H. schlegelii). A total of 132,055 unigenes were obtained and 31,781 of these genes were annotated. In addition, 19,511 upregulated and 25,911 downregulated unigenes were identified in the spermary. Ten sex-determination genes were selected and further analyzed by real-time PCR. In addition, mammalian genes reported to govern sex-determination pathways, including Sry, Dmrt1, Dmrt2, Sox9, GATA4, and WT1 in males and Wnt4, Rspo1, Foxl2, and ß-catenin in females, were also identified in H. schlegelii. These results suggest that H. schlegelii and mammals use similar gene regulatory mechanisms to control sex determination. Moreover, genes associated with dosage compensation mechanisms, such as Msl1, Msl2, and Msl3, and hermaphrodite phenotypes, such as Tra-1, Tra-2α, Tra-2ß, Fem1A, Fem1B, and Fem1C, were also identified in H. schlegelii. The identification of these genes indicates that diverse regulatory mechanisms regulate sexual polymorphism in H. schlegelii.

Synthesis and characterization of cyclooctatetrathiophenes with different connection sequences.

Based on the selectivity of deprotonation of 5,5'-bistrimethylsilyl-2,3'-bithiophene (4) in the presence of n-BuLi, three new cyclooctatetrathiophenes (COThs), COTh-1, COTh-2, and COTh-3 have been efficiently developed via intermolecular or intramolecular cyclizations. Their crystal structures clearly show that the different connectivity sequence of the thiophene rings in the molecules. The CV data and UV-vis absorbance spectra of COThs are also described. In addition, the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations accurately reproduce experimental observations and afford band assignment.

Small Molecules of Cyclopentadithiophene Derivatives: Effect of Sulfur Atoms Position and Substituted Groups on Their UV-abs Properties.

Thiophene-based organic semiconductors used as the active components have received much attention. Their photoelectric properties can be easily tuned with various substitutions at different positions on molecular structures. Here, we synthesized series cyclopentadithiophene (CDT) derivatives with sulfur atoms at ortho- (o-CDT), meta- (m-CDT) and para-position (p-CDT) of the bridge carbon. These CDT derivatives were substituted by carbonyl/dicyanomethylene at the bridge position and/or by phenyl groups at α position, respectively. Due to the different conjugation extent and the variation of donor-acceptor (D-A) interaction originating from the change of sulfur atom position, diverse absorption spectra were observed. Especially for dicyanomethylene substituted o-CDT with phenyl as substitution group (DPCN-o-CDT), its absorption spectrum covers the whole region of visible light. Combining with the electrochemical behaviors and theoretical calculations, it was found that the sulfur atoms mainly contribute to the molecular conjugation in these CDT derivatives, especially for o-CDT derivatives. For phenyl groups, they primarily act as electron donor in m-CDT derivatives, and chiefly contribute to molecular conjugation in p-CDT derivatives, and simultaneously work as electron donor and conjugation component in o-CDT derivatives, respectively.

CD147 mediates S protein pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its induction of spermatogonia apoptosis.

Male cases diagnosed COVID-19 with more complications and higher mortality compared with females, and the overall consequences of male sex hormones and semen parameters deterioration were observed in COVID-19 patients, whereas the involvement and mechanism for spermatogenic cell remains unclear. The study was aimed to investigate the infection mode of S protein (D614G) pseudovirus (pseu-S-D614G) to spermatogenic cells, as well as the influence on cell growth. Both mouse spermatogonia (GC-1 cell, immortalized spermatogonia) and spermatocyte (GC-2 cell, immortalized spermatocytes) were used to detect the infection of pseu-S-D614G of SARS-CoV-2, and further explored the effect of SARS-CoV-2-spike protein (S-protein) and SARS-CoV-2-spike protein (omicron) (O-protein) on GC-1 cell apoptosis and proliferation. The data showed that the pseu-S-D614G invaded into GC-1 cells through either human ACE2 (hACE2) or human CD147 (hCD147), whereas GC-2 cells were insensitive to viral infection. In addition, the apoptosis and proliferation suppression inflicted by S-protein and O-protein on GC-1 cells was through Bax-Caspase3 signaling rather than arresting cell cycle progression. These findings suggest that CD147, apart from ACE2, may be a potential receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection in testicular tissues, and that the apoptotic effect was induced in spermatogonia cells by S-protein or O-protein, eventually resulted in the damage to male fertility.

Hypoxia-induced TRPM7 promotes glycolytic metabolism and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia disrupts glucose metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7) plays an ontogenetic role. Thus, we aimed to explore the regulation of TRPM7 by hypoxia-induced factor (HIF) and its underlying mechanisms in HCC. METHODS: hypoxia was induced in multiple HCC cells using 1% O2 or CoCl2 treatment, and subsequently blocked using siRNAs targeting HIF-1α or HIF-2α as well as a HIF-1α protein synthesis inhibitor. The levels of HIF-1α and TRPM7 were assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase assays were performed to observe the regulation of TRPM7 promoter regions by HIF-1α. A PCR array was utilized to screen glucose metabolism-related enzymes in HEK293 cells overexpressing TRPM7 induced by tetracycline, and then verified in TRPM7-overexpressed huh7 cells. Finally, CCK-8, transwell, scratch and tumor formation experiments in nude mice were conducted to examine the effect of TRPM7 on proliferation and metastasis in HCC. RESULTS: Exposure to hypoxia led to increase the levels of TRPM7 and HIF-1α in HCC cells, which were inhibited by HIF-1α siRNA or enhanced by HIF-1α overexpression. HIF-1α directly bound to two hypoxia response elements (HREs) in the TRPM7 promoter. Several glycolytic metabolism-related enzymes, were simultaneously upregulated in HEK293 and huh7 cells overexpressing TRPM7 during hypoxia. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that TRPM7 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: TRPM7 was directly transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α, leading to glycolytic metabolic reprogramming and the promotion of HCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that TRPM7 might be a potential diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for HCC.

Systematically quantifying the dynamic characteristics of PM2.5 in multiple indoor environments in a plateau city: Implication for internal contribution.

People generally spend most of their time indoors, making a comprehensive evaluation of air pollution characteristics in various indoor microenvironments of great significance for accurate exposure estimation. In this study, field measurements were conducted in Kunming City, Southwest China, using real-time PM2.5 sensors to characterize indoor PM2.5 in ten different microenvironments including three restaurants, four public places, and three household settings. Results showed that the daily average PM2.5 concentrations in restaurants, public spaces, and households were 78.4 ± 24.3, 20.1 ± 6.6, and 18.0 ± 4.3 µg/m3, respectively. The highest levels of indoor PM2.5 in restaurants were owing to strong internal emissions from cooking activities. Dynamic changes showed that indoor PM2.5 levels increased during business time in restaurants and public places, and cooking time in residential kitchens. Compared with public places, restaurants generally exhibit more rapid increases in indoor PM2.5 due to cooking activities, which can elevate indoor PM2.5 to high levels (5.1 times higher than the baseline) in a short time. Furthermore, indoor PM2.5 in restaurants were dominated by internal emissions, while outdoor penetration contributed mostly to indoor PM2.5 in public places and household settings. Results from this study revealed large variations in indoor PM2.5 in different microenvironments, and suggested site-specific measures for indoor PM2.5 pollution alleviation.

Particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rural households burning solid fuels in Xuanwei County, Southwest China: occurrence, size distribution, and health risks.

The study is about the size distribution and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor environment of Xuanwei, Southwest China particle samples were collected by Anderson 8-stage impactor which was used to gather particle samples to nine size ranges. Size-segregated samples were collected in indoor from a rural village in Xuanwei during the non-heating and heating seasons. The results showed that the total concentrations of the indoor particulate matter (PM) were 757 ± 60 and 990 ± 78 µg/m3 in non-heating and heating seasons, respectively. The total concentration of indoor PAHs reached to 8.42 ± 0.53 µg/m3 in the heating season, which was considerably greater than the concentration in the non-heating season (2.85 ± 1.72 µg/m3). The size distribution of PAHs showed that PAHs were mainly enriched in PMs with the diameter <1.1 µm. The diagnostic ratios (DR) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that coal and wood for residential heating and cooking were the main sources of indoor PAHs. The results of the health risk showed that the total deposition concentration (DC) in the alveolar region (AR) was 0.25 and 0.68 µg/m3 in the non-heating and heating seasons respectively. Throughout the entire sampling periods, the lifetime cancer risk (R) based on DC of children and adults varied between 3.53 ×10-5 to 1.79 ×10-4. During the heating season, the potential cancer risk of PAHs in adults was significant, exceeding 10-4, with a rate of 96%.

5- methylcytidine effectively improves spermatogenesis recovery in busulfan-induced oligoasthenospermia mice.

The function and regulatory mechanisms of 5-methylcytidine (m5C) in oligoasthenospermia remain unclear. In this study, we made a mouse model of oligoasthenospermia through the administration of busulfan (BUS). For the first time, we demonstrated that m5C levels decreased in oligoasthenospermia. The m5C levels were upregulated through the treatments of 5-methylcytidine. The testicular morphology and sperm concentrations were improved via upregulating m5C. The cytoskeletal regenerations of testis and sperm were accompanying with m5C treatments. m5C treatments improved T levels and reduced FSH and LH levels. The levels of ROS and MDA were significantly reduced through m5C treatments. RNA sequencing analysis showed m5C treatments increased the expression of genes involved in spermatid differentiation/development and cilium movement. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated the regeneration of cilium and quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed the high expression of genes involved in spermatogenesis. Collectively, our findings suggest that the upregulation of m5C in oligoasthenospermia facilitates testicular morphology recovery and male infertility via multiple pathways, including cytoskeletal regeneration, hormonal levels, attenuating oxidative stress, spermatid differentiation/development and cilium movement. m5C may be a potential therapeutic agent for oligoasthenospermia.

Synthesis and structure of bull's horn-shaped oligothienoacene with seven fused thiophene rings.

A novel bull's horn-shaped oligothienoacene with seven fused thiophene rings (1) based on dithieno[2,3-b:2',3'-d]thiophene (2) was efficiently synthesized. X-ray diffraction data indicate that 1 possesses an extraordinary compressed sandwich-herringbone arrangement and shows strong intermolecular S···C and S···S interactions. In addition, the UV/vis properties, theoretical calculations, and cyclic voltammetry behaviors of 1 are also described.

Synthesis for the mesomer and racemate of thiophene-based double helicene under irradiation.

In this work, the racemate and mesomer of the thiophene-based naphthalene-cored double helicenes (1) were obtained efficiently by one-pot photocyclization of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(dithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophen-2-yl)ethene in the presence of iodine in dry benzene. The structure of meso-1a was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. The chiral resolution of the racemate was carried out by chiral HPLC, and the chiral properties, such as CD spectra, optical rotations, and half-life of enantiomers were characterized.

[Shock modeling of large area third-degree burn in miniature swine].

OBJECTIVE: To report a novel method of establishing a stable shock model of swine. METHODS: A total of 12 Guangxi BA-MA female miniature swines (aged 4-6 months) into A and B groups according to a random number table. Total body surface area (TBSA) was calculated according to the Meeb-Rubner formula. After intravenous anesthesia and other steps, solidified gasoline was used as burns material to establish TBSA 40% skin burn (Group A: 45 s, Group B: 50 s). Burn depth by was judged by visual and histopathological examination. Fluid resuscitation was instituted at 2 h post injury. At the same time, the hourly and pre-injury data of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), urinary volume, central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) were recorded. The actual input quantities of fluid resuscitation were assessed at the 1st and 2nd 24 h post injury. And shock condition was estimated by shock index at 2 h post injury. RESULTS: All miniature swines were successfully modeled without any mortality. The burn wound observed by visual examination and light microscope showed that Group A was of deep II burn and Group B III burn. Compared with the pre-injury data, HR (111 ± 6 vs 74 ± 9, 119 ± 13 vs 75 ± 13 beats/min) increased, urinary volume (0.99 ± 0.06 vs 1.45 ± 0.05, 0.82 ± 0.04 vs 1.47 ± 0.06 ml×kg(-1)×h(-1)), CVP and PAWP decreased at 2nd 24 h post-injury in two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But the changes of BP (120 ± 6/93 ± 9 vs 120 ± 6/94 ± 6, 121 ± 15/90 ± 11 vs 124 ± 10/91 ± 8 mm Hg) had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The average value of HP in 48 h post-injury had no statistical significance in two groups (P > 0.05). The recovery liquid quantity in the first 24 h of Group B (1.66 ± 0.10 ml×kg(-1)×1%(-1) TBSA) was significantly more than Group A (1.53 ± 0.05 ml×kg(-1)×1%(-1) TBSA) (P < 0.05). The ratio between liquid input and output of Groups A and B showed that the comparison had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). In the second 24 h post-injury, the recovery liquid quantity (0.69 ± 0.17, 0.65 ± 0.16 ml×kg(-1)×1%(-1) TBSA) and the ratio between liquid in and out (1.48 ± 0.28, 1.52 ± 0.27)% between Groups A and B had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The shock index at 2 h post-injury showed that Groups A and B were in shock compensatory period (0.92 ± 0.07) and mild shock state (1.00 ± 0.16) respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Such a shock model is stable and dependable.

[Effects of fluid resuscitation programs on the levels of inflammatory mediators during burn shock stage].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different methods of fluid resuscitation on the levels of inflammatory mediators during burn shock stage. METHODS: Twenty-four miniature swine were numbered from 1 to 24 and randomly divided by EXCEL 2007 into 4 groups of succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch, Parkland and allogeneic plasma (n = 6 each). Severe burn shock model was established. Succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4), Ringer's lactate and swine allogenic plasma were used as resuscitation fluid (alternative colloid) according to the burn shock recovery principles (beginning at 2 h post-injury). The parameters of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), urine volume and central venous pressure (CVP) before and within 48 h post-burn were recorded. And the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -1ß and IL-8 were measured at the time of pre-injury as well as 4 h, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h post-injury. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: All swine survived the shock stage. TNF-α in succinylated gelatin group was significantly higher at 48 h post-injury than that in allogeneic plasma group ((351 ± 74) vs (215 ± 44) ng/L, P < 0.05). TNF-α in hydroxyethyl starch group was significantly higher at 8 h post-injury than that in allogeneic plasma group ((327 ± 38) vs (249 ± 29) ng/L, P < 0.05). And they were both higher than the pre-burn levels (both P < 0.05). Compared with pre-injury ((508 ± 64) ng/L), the level of IL-1ß in succinylated gelatin group increased substantially at 4 h ((563 ± 76) ng/L), 8 h ((589 ± 76) ng/L) and 48 h ((736 ± 42) ng/L) post-injury (all P < 0.05). The hydroxyethyl starch group was higher at 48 h post-injury than that at pre-injury ((574 ± 72) vs (492 ± 41) ng/L, P < 0.05). Also in Parkland group, the levels were higher at 24 h and 48 h hours post-injury than that at pre-injury ((575 ± 31), (584 ± 65) vs (498 ± 33) ng/L, both P < 0.05). Only succinylated gelatin group was significantly higher (P < 0.01) at 48 h post-injury than allogeneic plasma group ((561 ± 48) ng/L). Compared with pre-injury ((561 ± 48) ng/L), the level of IL-8 in succinylated gelatin group increased significantly at 8 h ((1012 ± 100) ng/L), 24 h post-burn ((993 ± 87) ng/L), significantly higher than allogeneic plasma group ((866 ± 99) ng/L) at 24 h (all P < 0.05). Although hydroxyethyl starch and Parkland groups increased significantly at 4 h post-injury and 8 h, 48 h post-injury versus those at pre-injury (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference at each time point compared with pre-burn (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recovery regimens of hydroxyethyl starch and Parkland groups may restrain the levels of inflammatory mediators. And the effects are similar to those of allogeneic plasma group.

Ring-opening reaction of 2,5-dioctyldithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene in the presence of aryllithium reagents.

In this paper, the ring-opening reaction of 2,5-dioctyldithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene with aryllithium in THF at low temperature to generate 2'-arylthio-3,3'-bithiophene-2-carbaldehydes is studied. Nine examples are explored and all the products are characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and HRMS. The relative relationship between the structures of aryl groups and the efficiency of ring-opening reactions are discussed.