A modified all-in-one DMSO-activating and base releasing reagent for the Parikh-Doering-type benzylic oxidation reaction

The Parikh-Doering reaction, an example of the series of DMSO-mediated selective oxidation named reaction family, finds ongoing use in natural product synthesis when mild oxidative reaction conditions are required. The original conditions require the use of Py-SO3 and NEt3 along with DMSO and DCM. As part of our ongoing interest in sulfating agents, we recently disclosed the novel structure of tributylsulfoammonium betaine (TBSAB) that has a formal N-S bond (not dative) and may indicate that other N(sp3) amine-SO3 complexes have been misassigned. Herein, we explore a commercial sulfating agent, triethylamine-sulfur trioxide complex, as an all-in-one sulfation and base releasing reagent for a modified Parikh-Doering reaction. Single crystal X-ray crystallography further confirms our hypothesis than triethylamine-sulfur trioxide complex exists as triethylsulfoammonium betaine (TESAB). Employing TESAB as an all-in-one reagent, a range of primary and secondary alcohols were screened for competency. Reactivity was observed for the first time with 1) a non Py-SO3 sulfating agent and 2) without the need for additional base. Moderate to good yields of aldehydes and ketones can be prepared in an atom-efficient improvement with concomitant removal of toxic pyridine by-products

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: The most important and common psychiatric disorders after stroke include post-stroke depression, which can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes. This study was calculated to estimate the security and effectiveness of acupuncture rehabilitation in curative effects for post-stroke depression patients. Methods: As of July 2022, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched through electronic databases. Eligibility criteria RCTs evaluate RCTs of acupuncture rehabilitation on treatment events in depressed patients after stroke, compared to a control group. Results: Eight studies were included (n = 16,422). When combined with antidepressant/sham acupuncture efficacy, acupuncture intervention observably reduced HAMD scores (MD= -0.55,95% CI= -1.57 to -0.48, P=0.30, I²= 0%). Meanwhile, acupuncture rehabilitation also reduced BI scores (MD= 1.87,95%CI= -3.77-7.51, P=0.51, I²= 0%) and CGI-S score (MD=0.43,95% CI = 0.06-0.77, P =0.01, I² = 0%) compared with antidepressants / sham acupuncture. Second, the occurrence rate of combined negative events was dramatically lesser in the acupuncture groups, as indicated by the SERS scores (MD= -4.85,95% CI= 5.67 to -4.04, P <0.00001, I² = 0%) of the acupuncture groups and the antidepressant/sham acupuncture groups. Furthermore, the overall clinical outcome was observably better in the acupuncture groups (MD=1.58,95% CI =0.813.09, P =0.18, I² = 0%). Conclusion: Acupuncture rehabilitation intervention for post-stroke depression is safer and more effective than antidepressant/sham acupuncture

Genomic Analyses Reveal Mutational Signatures and Frequently Altered Genes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the fourth most lethal cancer in China. However, although genomic studies have identified some mutations associated with ESCC, we know little of the mutational processes responsible. To identify genome-wide mutational signatures, we performed either whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) on 104 ESCC individuals and combined our data with those of 88 previously reported samples. An APOBEC-mediated mutational signature in 47% of 192 tumors suggests that APOBEC-catalyzed deamination provides a source of DNA damage in ESCC. Moreover, PIK3CA hotspot mutations (c.1624G>A [p.Glu542Lys] and c.1633G>A [p.Glu545Lys]) were enriched in APOBEC-signature tumors, and no smoking-associated signature was observed in ESCC. In the samples analyzed by WGS, we identified focal (<100 kb) amplifications of CBX4 and CBX8. In our combined cohort, we identified frequent inactivating mutations in AJUBA, ZNF750, and PTCH1 and the chromatin-remodeling genes CREBBP and BAP1, in addition to known mutations. Functional analyses suggest roles for several genes (CBX4, CBX8, AJUBA, and ZNF750) in ESCC. Notably, high activity of hedgehog signaling and the PI3K pathway in approximately 60% of 104 ESCC tumors indicates that therapies targeting these pathways might be particularly promising strategies for ESCC. Collectively, our data provide comprehensive insights into the mutational signatures of ESCC and identify markers for early diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: The most important and common psychiatric disorders after stroke include post-stroke depression, which can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes. This study was calculated to estimate the security and effectiveness of acupuncture rehabilitation in curative effects for post-stroke depression patients. Methods: As of July 2022, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched through electronic databases. Eligibility criteria RCTs evaluate RCTs of acupuncture rehabilitation on treatment events in depressed patients after stroke, compared to a control group. Results: Eight studies were included (n = 16,422). When combined with antidepressant/sham acupuncture efficacy, acupuncture intervention observably reduced HAMD scores (MD= -0.55,95% CI= -1.57 to -0.48, P=0.30, I²= 0%). Meanwhile, acupuncture rehabilitation also reduced BI scores (MD= 1.87,95%CI= -3.77-7.51, P=0.51, I²= 0%) and CGI-S score (MD=0.43,95% CI = 0.06-0.77, P =0.01, I² = 0%) compared with antidepressants / sham acupuncture. Second, the occurrence rate of combined negative events was dramatically lesser in the acupuncture groups, as indicated by the SERS scores (MD= -4.85,95% CI= 5.67 to -4.04, P <0.00001, I² = 0%) of the acupuncture groups and the antidepressant/sham acupuncture groups. Furthermore, the overall clinical outcome was observably better in the acupuncture groups (MD=1.58,95% CI =0.813.09, P =0.18, I² = 0%). Conclusion: Acupuncture rehabilitation intervention for post-stroke depression is safer and more effective than antidepressant/sham acupuncture

Potential Contribution of Coastal Upwelling to Carbon Sink through Interaction between Cyanobacteria and Microbial Eukaryotes

Upwelling, a common oceanographic event, can make great contributions, directly or indirectly, to deep ocean carbon sequestration. However, the extent of its contribution indirectly depends on the composition of microbial communities and the interactions between bacterioplankton and other microorganisms. This study provides insights into the influence of upwelling on bacterioplankton at the whole community level and predicts their potential functional profiles. The α diversity of the bacterial community exhibited no significant differences between the upwelling area and non-upwelling area, while the community composition varied clearly in different habitats. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the five dominant phyla in all of the habitats. The proportions of members of Firmicutes were increased whereas Cyanobacteria were reduced in upwelling water. However, the percentage of Cyanobacteria was enhanced in the upwelling deep water. Functional genes that are involved in signal transductions, which belong to environmental information processing, were more active in upwelling surface water than in the other habitats. Closer and more complex relationships between bacterioplankton and microbial eukaryotes were found in the upwelling area, which altered with the variation of the external environmental conditions. Cyanobacteria showed a positive correlation with microbial eukaryotes in upwelling deep water. Combined with the high proportions of Cyanobacteria in upwelling deep water, this might be strong evidence that Cyanobacteria contribute to a deep ocean carbon sink. Overall, our study reveals the impacts of upwelling on the bacterial community composition, metabolic functions, and microbial interactions, which are significant to further understanding the carbon sink effects of upwelling

Understanding Hazardous Materials Transportation Accidents Based on Higher-Order Network Theory

In hazardous materials transportation systems, accident causation analysis is important to transportation safety. Complex network theory can be effectively used to understand the causal factors of and their relationships within accidents. In this paper, a higher-order network method is proposed to establish a hazardous materials transportation accident causation network (HMTACN), which considers the sequences and dependences of causal factors. The HMTACN is composed of 125 first- and 118 higher-order nodes that represent causes, and 545 directed edges that denote complex relationships among causes. By analyzing topological properties, the results show that the HMTACN has the characteristics of small-world networks and displays the properties of scale-free networks. Additionally, critical causal factors and key relationships of the HMTACN are discovered. Moreover, unsafe tank or valve states are important causal factors; and leakage, roll-over, collision, and fire are most likely to trigger chain reactions. Important higher-order nodes are discovered, which can represent key relationships in the HMTACN. For example, unsafe distance and improper operation usually lead to collision and roll-over. These results of higher-order nodes cannot be found by the traditional Markov network model. This study provides a practical way to extract and construct an accident causation network from numerous accident investigation reports. It also provides insights into safety management of hazardous materials transportation

Potential Contribution of Coastal Upwelling to Carbon Sink through Interaction between Cyanobacteria and Microbial Eukaryotes

Upwelling, a common oceanographic event, can make great contributions, directly or indirectly, to deep ocean carbon sequestration. However, the extent of its contribution indirectly depends on the composition of microbial communities and the interactions between bacterioplankton and other microorganisms. This study provides insights into the influence of upwelling on bacterioplankton at the whole community level and predicts their potential functional profiles. The α diversity of the bacterial community exhibited no significant differences between the upwelling area and non-upwelling area, while the community composition varied clearly in different habitats. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the five dominant phyla in all of the habitats. The proportions of members of Firmicutes were increased whereas Cyanobacteria were reduced in upwelling water. However, the percentage of Cyanobacteria was enhanced in the upwelling deep water. Functional genes that are involved in signal transductions, which belong to environmental information processing, were more active in upwelling surface water than in the other habitats. Closer and more complex relationships between bacterioplankton and microbial eukaryotes were found in the upwelling area, which altered with the variation of the external environmental conditions. Cyanobacteria showed a positive correlation with microbial eukaryotes in upwelling deep water. Combined with the high proportions of Cyanobacteria in upwelling deep water, this might be strong evidence that Cyanobacteria contribute to a deep ocean carbon sink. Overall, our study reveals the impacts of upwelling on the bacterial community composition, metabolic functions, and microbial interactions, which are significant to further understanding the carbon sink effects of upwelling

Diversity and Community Composition of Labyrinthulomycetes Protists in the Coastal Zone of Hainan Island, South China Sea

The study of heterotrophic protists in the ocean is still in its early stages, compared to other microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, and photoautotrophic protists. Labyrinthulomycetes protists (LP) are a type of unicellular protists that are widely distributed in global waters and have the potential to produce high-value products. In this study, the abundance, diversity, and community structure of LP in the coastal zone of Hainan Island in the South China Sea were investigated through quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that LP abundance varied by location and depth, with the highest levels (37.3 × 103 copies/L) found in the middle layer offshore and the lowest (0.386 × 103 copies/L) in the bottom layer offshore. The middle layer (chlorophyll maximum layer) had higher LP abundance both inshore and offshore than the surface and bottom layers. Interestingly, the highest LP richness and diversity was found in the inshore bottom. There was a significant difference in LP abundance between the offshore surface and bottom layers. The LP community was dominated by the genus Aplanochytrium, and four different ecotypes were identified. Additionally, the genus Aurantiochytrium had different cooperative and competitive strategies with bacteria in different habitats. This study sheds light on the abundance and community structure of LP in the coastal zone of Hainan Island, explores the potential interactions between LP and bacterial populations, and raises questions about the potential differentiation of LP ecotypes

Subsurface Bacterioplankton Structure and Diversity in the Strongly-Stratified Water Columns within the Equatorial Eastern Indian Ocean

The consequences of climate change may directly or indirectly impact the marine biosphere. Although ocean stratification has been recognized as one of the crucial consequences of ocean warming, its impacts on several critical aspects of marine microbes remain largely unknown in the Indian Ocean. Here, we investigate the effects of water stratification, in both surface and subsurface layers, on hydrogeographic parameters and bacterioplankton diversity within the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean (EIO). Strong stratification in the upper 200 m of equatorial EIO was detected with evidential low primary productivity. The vertical bacterioplankton diversity of the whole water columns displayed noticeable variation, with lower diversity occurring in the surface layer than in the subsurface layers. Horizontal heterogeneity of bacterioplankton communities was also in the well-mixed layer among different stations. SAR11 and Prochlorococcus displayed uncharacteristic low abundance in the surface water. Some amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified as potential biomarkers for their specific depths in strongly-stratified water columns. Thus, barriers resulting from stratification are proposed to function as an ‘ASV filter’ to regulate the vertical bacterioplankton community diversity along the water columns. Overall, our results suggest that the effects of stratification on the structure and diversity of bacterioplankton can extend up to the bathypelagic zone in the strongly-stratified waters of the equatorial EIO. This study provides the first insight into the effect of stratification on the subsurface microbial communities in the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean