Green Synthesis of α-Keton Thiol Ester via Photocatalytic Oxidative Radical Addition of Thioic Acid to Alkene.

α-Keton sulfides are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. From thioic acids and alkenes, we were able to develop the direct synthesis of α-keton thiol esters via photocatalytic oxidative radical additions. This reaction well matches the idea of green chemistry. It takes the advantage of thioxanthone as an inexpensive organic photocatalyst, O2 as a green oxidant, EtOAc as a green solvent, and visible light as a sustainable energy source, and the only byproduct is water.

Effects of Fu's subcutaneous needling on mitochondrial structure and function in rats with sciatica.

To observe the effects of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) and acupuncture treatment on the mitochondrial structure and function of the skeletal muscle tissue of rats with sciatica. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model, acupuncture, and FSN groups (10 each) according to a random number table. The control group was left untreated. Rats in the FSN group were treated with FSN once every 2 days for three times, respectively (days 1, 3, 5, and 7), to cooperate with reperfusion approach. The acupuncture group was treated at the same timeline as that of the FSN group. Changes in the mechanical pain threshold, mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial citrate synthase (CS) activities, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II, and mitochondrial COX- I protein expression in the skeletal muscle of rats treated with different treatments were compared with those of the model group. The pain thresholds of the rats were remarkably higher after FSN treatment and acupuncture, and the pain threshold of the FSN group was higher than that of the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, the mitochondria of the model group had a damaged ultrastructure, were arranged in a disorganized manner, accumulated under the basement membrane, and appeared vacuolated with autophagosomes. The state of mitochondria in the FSN group was close to that in the control group and was remarkably better than that in the acupuncture group. The activities of mitochondrial CS and respiratory chain complex II in the skeletal muscle of the treated rats decreased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and their levels were better in the FSN group than in the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). FSN treatment for 1 week considerably improved the pain thresholds and improved the skeletal muscle mitochondrial ultrastructure and mitochondrial function in rats with sciatica.

LncRNA FIRRE/NF-kB feedback loop contributes to OGD/R injury of cerebral microglial cells.

Stroke is one of the leading causes for serious long-term neurological disability. LncRNAs have been investigated to be dysregulated in ischemic stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms of some specific lncRNAs have not been clearly clarified. To determine lncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanism in ischemic stroke, we constructed OGD/R injury model of cerebral microglial cells. Microarray analysis was carried out and analyzed that lncRNA functional intergenic repeating RNA element (FIRRE) was associated with OGD/R injury. Based on the molecular biotechnology, we demonstrated that FIRRE could activate NF-kB signal pathway. Meanwhile, the activated NF-kB promoted FIRRE expression in OGD/R-treated cerebral microglial cells. Therefore, FIRRE and NF-kB formed a positive feedback loop to promote the transcription of NLRP3 inflammasome, thus contributed to the OGD/R injury of cerebral microglial cells. All findings in this study may help to explore novel and specific therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

The chemical constituents from Urtica fissa leaves.

A new ceramide urticamide (1), two new secolignans urticalactones I (2) and Ⅱ (3), and a new flavonoid glycoside urticaside (4), together with 15 known compounds (4-19), were isolated from the leaves of Urtica fissa, a folk medicine for rheumatism arthritis in China. The active evaluation results showed that 1, 2, 3, 8, and 13 possessed the potent anti-inflammatory. They could inhibit the release of NO and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values less than 4.0 µM.

[Effect of a novel analgesic disposable urinary catheter in prevention of restlessness caused by catheter-related bladder discomfort in general anesthesia patients in recovery period].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a novel analgesic disposable urinary catheter invented by the authors in prevention of restlessness caused by catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) in general anesthesia patients in anesthesia recovery period. METHODS: Two hundred patients, who underwent general anesthesia for general surgical operation, were divided randomly into 2 equal groups: observation group, undergoing insertion of F16 novel analgesic disposable Foley urinary catheter after inducement of general anesthesia, and control group undergoing insertion of conventional F16 Foley urinary catheter after induction of anesthesia. The rate of restlessness caused by CBRD and the rate of catheter pulling-off were compared. RESULTS: The CRBD rate of the observation group was 9%, significantly lower than that of the control group (61%, P < 0.01), the rate of CRBD-caused restlessness of the observation group was 0, significantly lower then that of the control group (23%, P < 0.001). The extent of CRBD of the observation group was significantly lighter than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The catheter inserting after the induction of anesthesia is an element related to the restlessness in anesthesia recovery period and other serious postoperative complications. The novel analgesic disposable urinary catheter effectively prevents CRBD-caused restlessness in general anesthesia patients in the anesthesia recovery period.