Aluminum hydroxide and immunostimulatory glycolipid adjuvant combination for enhanced COVID-19 subunit vaccine immunogenicity.

Protein-based subunit vaccines like RBD-Fc are promising tools to fight COVID-19. RBD-Fc fuses the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein with the Fc region of human IgG1, making it more immunogenic than RBD alone. Earlier work showed that combining RBD-Fc with iNKT cell agonists as adjuvants improved neutralizing antibodies but did not sufficiently enhance T cell responses, a limitation RBD-Fc vaccines share with common adjuvants. Here we demonstrate that aluminum hydroxide combined with α-C-GC, a C-glycoside iNKT cell agonist, significantly improved the RBD-Fc vaccine's induction of RBD-specific T-cell responses. Additionally, aluminum hydroxide with α-GC-CPOEt, a phosphonate diester derivative, synergistically elicited more robust neutralizing antibodies. Remarkably, modifying αGC with phosphate (OPO3H2) or phosphonate (CPO3H2) to potentially enhance aluminum hydroxide interaction did not improve efficacy over unmodified αGC with aluminum hydroxide. These findings underscore the straightforward yet potent potential of this approach in advancing COVID-19 vaccine development and provide insights for iNKT cell-based immunotherapy.

Nickel-Catalyzed Direct Sulfonylation of Styrenes and Unactivated Aliphatic Alkenes with Sulfonyl Chlorides.

A nickel-catalyzed direct sulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonyl chlorides has been developed using 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione as the ligand. Unactivated alkenes and styrenes including 1,1-, 1,2-disubstituted alkenes can be subjected to the protocol, and a wide range of vinyl sulfones was obtained in high to excellent yields with good functional group compatibility. Notably, the process did not allow the desulfonylation of sulfonyl chloride or chlorosulfonylation of alkenes. Radical-trapping experiment supported that a sulfonyl free-radical was likely produced and triggered subsequent transformation in the process.

Induction-concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without sintilimab in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China (CONTINUUM): a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy is a recommended first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the role of PD-1 blockade remains unknown in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We assessed the addition of sintilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, to standard chemoradiotherapy in this patient population. METHODS: This multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted at nine hospitals in China. Adults aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed high-risk non-metastatic stage III-IVa locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (excluding T3-4N0 and T3N1) were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using blocks of four to receive gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent cisplatin radiotherapy (standard therapy group) or standard therapy with 200 mg sintilimab intravenously once every 3 weeks for 12 cycles (comprising three induction, three concurrent, and six adjuvant cycles to radiotherapy; sintilimab group). The primary endpoint was event-free survival from randomisation to disease recurrence (locoregional or distant) or death from any cause in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints included adverse events. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03700476) and is now completed; follow-up is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Dec 21, 2018, and March 31, 2020, 425 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the sintilimab (n=210) or standard therapy groups (n=215). At median follow-up of 41·9 months (IQR 38·0-44·8; 389 alive at primary data cutoff [Feb 28, 2023] and 366 [94%] had at least 36 months of follow-up), event-free survival was higher in the sintilimab group compared with the standard therapy group (36-month rates 86% [95% CI 81-90] vs 76% [70-81]; stratified hazard ratio 0·59 [0·38-0·92]; p=0·019). Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 155 (74%) in the sintilimab group versus 140 (65%) in the standard therapy group, with the most common being stomatitis (68 [33%] vs 64 [30%]), leukopenia (54 [26%] vs 48 [22%]), and neutropenia (50 [24%] vs 46 [21%]). Two (1%) patients died in the sintilimab group (both considered to be immune-related) and one (<1%) in the standard therapy group. Grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 20 (10%) patients in the sintilimab group. INTERPRETATION: Addition of sintilimab to chemoradiotherapy improved event-free survival, albeit with higher but manageable adverse events. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether this regimen can be considered as the standard of care for patients with high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. FUNDING: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Overseas Expertise Introduction Project for Discipline Innovation, Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission, and Cancer Innovative Research Program of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Corn Silk Polysaccharide Reduces the Risk of Kidney Stone Formation by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inhibiting COM Crystal Adhesion and Aggregation.

The aim of this study is to explore the inhibition of nanocalcium oxalate monohydrate (nano-COM) crystal adhesion and aggregation on the HK-2 cell surface after the protection of corn silk polysaccharides (CSPs) and the effect of carboxyl group (-COOH) content and polysaccharide concentration. METHOD: HK-2 cells were damaged by 100 nm COM crystals to build an injury model. The cells were protected by CSPs with -COOH contents of 3.92% (CSP0) and 16.38% (CCSP3), respectively. The changes in the biochemical indexes of HK-2 cells and the difference in adhesion amount and aggregation degree of nano-COM on the cell surface before and after CSP protection were detected. RESULTS: CSP0 and CCSP3 protection can obviously inhibit HK-2 cell damage caused by nano-COM crystals, restore cytoskeleton morphology, reduce intracellular ROS level, inhibit phosphoserine eversion, restore the polarity of the mitochondrial membrane potential, normalize the cell cycle process, and reduce the expression of adhesion molecules, OPN, Annexin A1, HSP90, HAS3, and CD44 on the cell surface. Finally, the adhesion and aggregation of nano-COM crystals on the cell surface were effectively inhibited. The carboxymethylated CSP3 exhibited a higher protective effect on cells than the original CSP0, and cell viability was further improved with the increase in polysaccharide concentration. CONCLUSIONS: CSPs can protect HK-2 cells from calcium oxalate crystal damage and effectively reduce the adhesion and aggregation of nano-COM crystals on the cell surface, which is conducive to inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Pan­immune­inflammation value as a novel prognostic biomarker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The pan-immune-inflammation-value (PIV) is a comprehensive biomarker that integrates different peripheral blood cell subsets. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic ability of PIV in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy. PIV was assessed using the following equation: (Neutrophil count × platelet count × monocyte count)/lymphocyte count. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox hazards regression models were used for survival analyses. The optimal cut-off values for PIV and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis to be 428.0 and 1032.7, respectively. A total of 319 patients were recruited. Patients with a low baseline PIV (≤428.0) accounted for 69.9% (n=223) and patients with a high baseline PIV (>428.0) accounted for 30.1% (n=96). Compared with patients with low PIV, patients with a high PIV had significantly worse 5-year progression-free survival [PFS; 66.8 vs. 77.1%; hazard ratio (HR), 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22-3.23); P=0.005] and 5-year overall survival (OS; 68.7 vs. 86.9%, HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.45-5.03; P=0.001). PIV was also a significant independent prognostic indicator for OS (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.16-4.12; P=0.016) and PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.14-3.04; P=0.013) and outperformed the SII in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the PIV was a powerful predictor of survival outcomes and outperformed the SII in patients with NPC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Prospective validation of the PIV should be performed to better stratify radical treatment of patients with NPC.

Can the Blended Application of Controlled-Release and Common Urea Effectively Replace the Common Urea in a Wheat-Maize Rotation System? A Case Study Based on a Long-Term Experiment.

The one-time application of blended urea (BU), combining controlled-release urea (CRU) and uncoated urea, has proven to be a promising nitrogen (N) management strategy. However, the long-term sustainability of blending urea remains largely unexplored. To assess whether a single application of blended urea could effectively replace split uncoated urea applications, a long-term field experiment was conducted in the North China Plain (NCP). The results indicated that, when compared to common urea (CU) at the optimal N rate (180 kg N ha-1), BU achieved comparable grain yields, N uptake and NUE (61% vs. 62). BU exhibited a 12% higher 0-20 cm soil organic nitrogen stock and a 9% higher soil organic carbon (C) stock. Additionally, BU reduced life-cycle reactive N (Nr) losses and the N footprint by 10%, and lowered greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the C footprint by 7%. From an economic analysis perspective, BU demonstrated comparable private profitability and a 3% greater ecosystem economic benefit. Therefore, BU under the optimal N rate has the potential to substitute split applications of common urea in the long-term and can be regarded as a sustainable N management strategy for wheat and maize production in the NCP.

Conformationally Restricted Analogues of α-Galactosylceramide as Adjuvant in COVID-19 Subunit Vaccine.

iNKT cells are a type of T lymphocyte that recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by CD1d protein. αGC is an agonistic glycolipid that activates iNKT cells and triggers immune modulatory cytokine responses, making it a promising vaccine adjuvant. To find more potent immunostimulating glycolipids, we prepared 4,6-O-galactosyl conformationally restricted analogues of αGC. Mice vaccinated with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc vaccine adjuvanted with these newly developed glycolipids produced robust anti-RBD antibody responses, comparable to those achieved with αGC. Importantly, we also found that omitting αGC, α-C-GalCer (Th1-type agonist), or C20:2 (Th2-type agonist) from the booster vaccine had negligible impact on antibody and cellular responses, potentially reducing the frequency of adjuvant use required to maintain potent immune responses.

Metal-Free Selective Ortho-C-H Amidation of Hypervalent(III) Iodobezenes with N-Methoxy Amides under Mild Conditions.

A metal-free selective ortho-C-H amidation of aryl iodines(III) with the use of N-methoxy amides as aminating reagents under mild conditions is described here. In the protocol, excellent chemoselectivity and high regioselectivity were obtained. Notably, the iodine substituent rendered the amidation product suitable to be used for further elaboration.

Corn Silk Polysaccharides with Different Carboxyl Contents Reduce the Oxidative Damage of Renal Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting Endocytosis of Nano-calcium Oxalate Crystals.

OBJECTIVE: Renal epithelial cell injury and cell-crystal interaction are closely related to kidney stone formation. METHODS: This study aims to explore the inhibition of endocytosis of nano-sized calcium oxalate monohydrate (nano-COM) crystals and the cell protection of corn silk polysaccharides (CCSPs) with different carboxyl contents (3.92, 7.75, 12.90, and 16.38%). The nano-COM crystals protected or unprotected by CCSPs were co-cultured with human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2), and then the changes in the endocytosis of nano-COM and cell biochemical indicators were detected. RESULTS: CCSPs could inhibit the endocytosis of nano-COM by HK-2 cells and reduce the accumulation of nano-COM in the cells. Under the protection of CCSPs, cell morphology is restored, intracellular superoxide dismutase levels are increased, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde release is decreased, and mitochondrial membrane potential and lysosomal integrity are increased. The release of Ca2+ ions in the cell, the level of cell autophagy, and the rate of cell apoptosis and necrosis are also reduced. CCSPs with higher carboxyl content have better cell protection abilities. CONCLUSION: CCSPs could inhibit the endocytosis of nano-COM crystals and reduce cell oxidative damage. CCSP3, with the highest carboxyl content, shows the best biological activity.

Treating radiation­related nasopharyngeal necrosis with endostar in patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A report of two cases and a literature review.

Radiation-related nasopharyngeal necrosis (RRNN) is a rare and often fatal complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Currently, no standard treatments are recommended for RRNN. The effects of traditional conservative treatments are suboptimal, and surgery for RRNN cannot be performed by inexperienced doctors. In the present study, the use of Endostar in two patients with RRNN was evaluated. Two patients with RRNN were treated at the Department of Oncology, Panyu Central Hospital (Guangzhou, China). Endostar was administrated (15 mg/day from day 1 to day 7, every three weeks) intravenously for four and seven cycles in a male and a female patient, respectively. The effects of Endostar were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a nasopharyngoscope. The symptoms of RRNN in both patients were relieved after treatment with Endostar. MRI and nasopharyngoscope analysis revealed that necrosis of the nasopharynx was substantially decreased and nasopharyngeal ulcers were healed. Endostar has the potential to be a novel, effective therapy for the treatment of patients with RRNN. However, clinical trials are required to confirm the results of the present study.

Efficiency and toxicity of nab-paclitaxel and camrelizumab in the second or above line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Paclitaxel-based chemotherapy represented by nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-ptx) combined with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors has become the standard model for the 1st treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with negative driver genes (such as EGFR, ALK, etc.), indicating that nab-ptx and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are synergistic. Considering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone or chemotherapy single has limited efficiency in the 2nd line or above of NSCLC, so it is of great significance to explore the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and nab-ptx to further improve the therapeutic efficiency in such field. Methods: We retrospectively collected the date of these advanced NSCLC patients who accept the combination treatment of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and nab-ptx in the 2nd or above line. We further analysed baseline clinical characteristics, therapeutic efficacy, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) and followed up survival. The main parameters of the study were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and AEs. Results: A total of 53 patients were enrolled in this study. The preliminary results indicated that the ORR of the combination of camrelizumab and nab-ptx was about 36% in the 2nd or above line of NSCLC, with 19 cases of partial response (PR), 16 of stable disease (SD), and 18 cases of progressive disease (PD); the mean PFS and OS were 5 months and 10 months, respectively. Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that the expression of PD-L1 level and the decrease of regulatory T cell (Treg) correlated with the efficiency. the main adverse reactions were neuropathy, bone marrow suppression, fatigue, and hypothyroidism, most of which were mild and tolerable, indicating such regimen was higher efficiency and lower cytotoxicity for NSCLC. Conclusions: The combination of nab-ptx and camrelizumab shows promising efficiency and lower toxicities for advanced NSCLC in the 2nd or above line treatment. The mechanism of action may be related to depleting Treg ratio; such a regimen may have the potential to become an effective treatment approach for NSCLC. However, due to the limitation of sample size, the real value of this regimen needs to be further confirmed in the future.

Establishment of an orthotopic model of lung cancer by transthoracic lung puncture using tumor fragments.

Background: Orthotopic models of lung cancer have been widely utilized, and the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the viability of our proposed modified modeling approach. Methods: A total of 50 female BALB/c mice were implanted with 1×1×1 mm fragments of a tumor sample into the left lung lobe. After 2 months of observation, the mice were humanely euthanized through CO2 inhalation. The macroscopic specimens were photographed, and the most representative neoplastic lesions were collected for histological analysis. Small-animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans were conducted on 6 randomly selected mice. Results: Local tumor formation, ipsilateral thoracic tissue infiltration, the contralateral chest wall, right lung metastases, and distant kidney metastases were observed in these models. Overall, the tumor development and metastasis rates were 60.86% (28/46) and 57.14% (16/28), respectively. The 3 mice that had a small-animal PET/CT scan developed a local tumor, but no distant metastases were observed. Conclusions: This modified method was deemed reliable, reproducible, minimally invasive, straightforward, and comprehensible; it might serve as the foundation for developing patient-derived orthotopic xenografts of lung cancer.

Cd2 Nb2 Te4 O15 : A Novel Pseudo-Aurivillius-Type Tellurite with Unprecedented Nonlinear Optical Properties and Excellent Stability.

Oxides are emerging candidates for mid-infrared (mid-IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. However, their intrinsically weak second harmonic generation (SHG) effects hinder their further development. A major design challenge is to increase the nonlinear coefficient while maintaining the broad mid-IR transmission and high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of the oxides. In this study, it is reported on a polar NLO tellurite, Cd2 Nb2 Te4 O15 (CNTO), featuring a pseudo-Aurivillius-type perovskite layered structure composed of three types of NLO active groups, including CdO6 octahedra, NbO6 octahedra, and TeO4 seesaws. The uniform orientation of the distorted units induces a giant SHG response that is ≈31 times larger than that of KH2 PO4 , the largest value among all reported metal tellurites. Additionally, CNTO exhibits a large band gap (3.75 eV), a wide optical transparency window (0.33-14.5 µm), superior birefringence (0.12@ 546 nm), high LIDT (23 × AgGaS2 ), and strong acid and alkali resistance, indicating its potential as a promising mid-IR NLO material.

Optimizing Agronomic, Environmental, Health and Economic Performances in Summer Maize Production through Fertilizer Nitrogen Management Strategies.

Although nitrogen (N) fertilizer application plays an essential role in improving crop productivity, an inappropriate management can result in negative impacts on environment and human health. To break this dilemma, a 12-year field experiment (2008-2019) with five N application rates was conducted on the North China Plain (NCP) to evaluate the integrated impacts of optimizing N management (Opt. N, 160 kg N ha-1 on average) on agronomic, environmental, health, and economic performances of summer maize production. Over the 12-year study, the Opt. N treatment achieved the maximal average grain yield (10.6 Mg ha-1) and grain protein yield (793 kg ha-1) among five N treatments. The life cycle assessment methodology was applied to determine the negative impacts on environmental and human health, and both of them increased with the N rate. Compared with the farmers' conventional N rate (250 kg N ha-1), the Opt. N treatment reduced acidification, eutrophication, global warming, and energy depletion potentials by 29%, 42%, 35%, and 18%, respectively, and reduced the health impact by 32% per Mg of grain yield or grain protein yield produced. Both the Opt. N and Opt. N*50-70% treatments resulted in high private profitability (2038 USD ha-1), ecosystem economic benefit (1811 USD ha-1), and integrated compensation benefit (17,548 USD ha-1). This study demonstrates the potential benefits of long-term optimizing of N management to maintain high maize yields and grain quality, to reduce various environmental impacts and health impacts, and to enhance economic benefits. These benefits can be further enhanced when Opt. N was combined with advanced agronomic management practices. The results also suggest that reducing the optimal N rate from 160 to 145 kg N ha-1 is achievable to further reduce the negative impacts while maintaining high crop productivity. In conclusion, optimizing the N management is essential to promote sustainable summer maize production on the NCP.

Total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica L. improves pulmonary fibrosis by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Dracocephalum Moldavica L. is a traditional herb for improving pharynx and relieving cough. However, the effect on pulmonary fibrosis is not clear. In this study, we explored the impact and molecular mechanism of total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. Lung function testing, lung inflammation and fibrosis, and the related factors were detected by the lung function analysis system, HE and Masson staining, ELISA, respectively. The expression of proteins was studied through Western Blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence while the expression of genes was analyzed by RT-PCR. The results showed that TFDM significantly improved lung function in mice, reduced the content of inflammatory factors, thereby reducing the inflammation. It was found that expression of collagen type I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin was significantly decreased by TFDM. The results further showed that TFDM interferes with hedgehog signaling pathway by decreasing the expression of Shh, Ptch1, and SMO proteins and thereby inhibiting the generation of downstream target gene Gli1 and thus improving pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusively, these findings suggest that TFDM improve pulmonary fibrosis by reducing inflammation and inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn and theoretical studies on intramolecular interactions.

Two undescribed pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 13-dehydrosenkirkine (1) and chloromethylretrorsine (2), along with three known analogues, onetine (3), retrorsine (4), and usaramine N-oxide (5), were isolated from Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated by extensive spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques, including HRESIMS, NMR, calculated 13C-NMR DP4+ analysis and comparison with experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The undescribed compounds were evaluated for their antitumour activity against HT29, HeLa, and HepG2 cells. In addition, the intramolecular interactions and quadrupolar couplings were revealed by investigating the geometrical and electronic properties of three typical otonecine-type PAs in DFT theory.

Single-Crystal Superstructures via Hierarchical Assemblies of Giant Rubik's Cubes as Tertiary Building Units.

Intricate superstructures possess unusual structural features and promising applications. The preparation of superstructures with single-crystalline nature are conducive to understanding the structure-property relationship, however, remains an intriguing challenge. Herein we put forward a new hierarchical assembly strategy towards rational and precise construction of intricate single-crystal superstructures. Firstly, two unprecedented superclusters in Rubik's cube's form with a size of ≈2×2×2 nm3 are constructed by aggregation of eight {Pr4 Sb12 } oxohalide clusters as secondary building units (SBUs). Then, the Rubik's cubes further act as isolable tertiary building units (TBUs) to assemble diversified single-crystal superstructures. Importantly, intermediate assembly states are captured, which helps illustrate the evolution of TBU-based superstructures and thus provides a profound understanding of the assembly process of superstructures at the atomic level.

Sesquiterpenoids from Seriphidium transiliense and Their Melanogenic Activity.

A sesquiterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/5/4 tricyclic skeleton (1), a nor-sesquiterpenoid with a rare 6/7 bicyclic skeleton (2), 10 new sesquiterpenoids (3-12), and six known analogues (13-18) were isolated from the whole plants of Seriphidium transiliense. The structures of compounds 1-12 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compound 7 showed melanogenic promotion activity in murine melanoma (B16) cells more potent than the positive control used, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP). Further mechanistic studies indicated that compound 7 promotes melanogenesis through activating the transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase family genes in B16 cells. Moreover, compound 7 also inhibited the expression of IFN-γ-chemokine through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in immortalized human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. These results suggest that the sesquiterpenoid 7 shows potential activity for treating vitiligo.

EBV-positive large-cell and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx: A case report and review of the literature.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the nasopharynx is rare and its clinical and pathologic characteristics have remained to be fully elucidated. The present study reported on a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive NEC of the nasopharynx that exhibited features of large-cell NEC and small-cell NEC, as confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. The patient received three cycles of induction chemotherapy (with docetaxel-cisplatin) that was followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (a total of 70 Gy delivered in 33 fractions). Remission of the tumor was achieved and no recurrence or metastasis was detected 6 months after treatment. This is the first report of a patient with EBV-positive large-cell and small-cell NEC of the nasopharynx. The patient achieved good complete remission. Based on the features of this case and a literature review, it was concluded that immunohistochemical staining is important for the differential diagnosis of NEC. Furthermore, there is currently no standard treatment and thus, further clinical information on similar cases is required to optimize treatment outcomes.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Acyl Lactonization of Alkenes with Aldehydes: Synthesis of Acyl Lactones.

An acyl lactonization of alkenes with aldehydes under visible-light photoredox catalysis is described. With the protocol, a broad scope of alkenoic acids and aldehydes could be compatible and good functional group tolerance is obtained. A series of acyl lactones are obtained with isolated yields ranging from 50-95%. Mechanistic studies revealed that the transformation should proceed via a radical chain process.