Ag-Catalyzed Selective C-C Bond Activation of Cyclopropenones to Access α-Alkylidene Lactones.

A novel Ag-catalyzed ring opening of unsymmetric cyclopropenones for the stereoselective synthesis of a diverse range of α-alkylidene lactones has been developed. In this protocol, two different C-C(O) bonds were distinguished, demonstrating selective C-C bond activation. This reaction features a wide substrate scope, good functional group compatibility, and high atom economy, providing a versatile and general approach to the construction of α-alkylidene lactones.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the edible Basidiomycete mushroom Thelephora aurantiotincta (Aphyllophorales: Thelephoraceae) from China.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Thelephora aurantiotincta, an edible Basidiomycete mushroom species with ecological and economic value is reported in this study. The whole genome is a circular molecule 50,672 bp in length and encodes 42 genes as follows: 15 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes and 25 tRNA genes. The A, T, C, G contents in the genome are 35.60%, 35.31%, 13.89%, and 15.20%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between T. aurantiotincta and T. ganbajun. This is the first complete mitochondrial genome for T. aurantiotincta that will be useful for providing basic genetic information for this important species.

Extrinsic Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibits Hyperoxia-Induced Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production by Enhancing Notch 1 and Homocysteine-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein (HERP) Expression.

BACKGROUND Lung alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II) are the most important stem cells in lung tissues, which are critical for wound repair of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study investigated the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on AEC II cells exposed to hyperoxia. MATERIAL AND METHODS Neonatal rat AEC II cells were isolated and identified by detecting surfactant protein C (SP-C). Three small interfering RNAs targeting Notch 1 were synthesized and transfected into AEC II. A hyperoxia-exposed AEC II cell injury model was established and was divided into 8 groups. MDA levels and SOD activity were examined using lipid peroxidation assay kits. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated using flow cytometry. Notch 1 mRNA expression was examined using RT-PCR. Homocysteine-induced endoplasmic reticulum protein (HERP) was examined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS CGRP treatment significantly enhanced MDA levels and decreased SOD activity compared to hyperoxia-treated AEC II cells (P<0.05). CGRP treatment significantly inhibited hyperoxia-induced AEC II cell apoptosis, and significantly suppressed hyperoxia-induced ROS production compared to hyperoxia-treated AEC II cells (P<0.05) either undergoing g secretase inhibitor or Notch RNA interference. CGRP significantly triggered Notch 1 mRNA expression and significantly enhanced HERP expression compared to hyperoxia-treated AEC II cells (P<0.05) either undergoing g secretase inhibitor or Notch RNA interference. CONCLUSIONS In AEC II cells, extrinsic peptide CGRP suppressed hyperoxia-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ROS production, which may be triggered by Notch 1 and HERP signaling pathway.

Kawasaki disease in children: Epidemiology, clinical symptoms and diagnostics of 231 cases in 10 years.

The present study was a retrospective analysis of the dynamic changes and clinical characteristics of 231 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) in pediatric patients admitted to the People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia between January 2003 and December 2012. A total of 37.23% of the cases occurred in the first 5 years, compared with 62.77% in the latter 5 years. The age distribution ranged from 3 months to 10 years, with a peak age of <1 year. The male-to-female ratio was 2.12:1, and the reoccurrence rate was 1.3%. Among the patient cohort, 7.8% were Mongolian children. The most common clinical symptom was fever (87.6%), while perianal skin peeling was the most rare (14.1%). With regard to the analyzed biomarkers, 90.4% of patients had abnormal platelet (PLT) counts; the next highest abnormality rates were associated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (74.46%) and white blood cell (WBC) counts (59.74%), followed by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (57.58%), creatinine kinase-MB (40.26%) and hemoglobin (Hb) (38.53%). In conclusion, the present study has found that approximately two-thirds of cases of KD over a 10-year period occurred in the latter 5 years. Changes in a number of experimental indicators, including PLT, ESR and WBC, could be used in the diagnosis of the condition and to reflect the success of the clinical treatment.