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Enantioselective palladium(II)-catalyzed formal [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of (E)- and (Z)-allyloxy substituted N-heterocycles generates N-allyl N-heterocyclic amides in good yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). The chiral palladacycle COP-Cl (5 mol %) is used as a catalyst with silver(I) trifluoroacetate (10 mol %) at 35-45 degrees C. Examples of heterocycles synthesized include 2-pyridones, quinolin-2(1H)-ones, and isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones.

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Sporothrix ( Ophiostomatales ) comprises species that are pathogenic to humans and other mammals as well as environmental fungi. Developments in molecular phylogeny have changed our perceptions about the epidemiology, host-association, and virulence of Sporothrix . The classical agent of sporotrichosis, Sporothrix schenckii , now comprises several species nested in a clinical clade with S. brasiliensis , S. globosa , and S. luriei . To gain a more precise view of outbreaks dynamics, structure, and origin of genetic variation within and among populations of Sporothrix , we applied three sets of discriminatory AFLP markers (#3 EcoRI-GA/MseI-TT, #5 EcoRI-GA/MseI-AG, and #6 EcoRI-TA/MseI-AA) and mating-type analysis to a large collection of human, animal and environmental isolates spanning the major endemic areas. A total of 451 polymorphic loci were amplified in vitro from 188 samples, and revealed high polymorphism information content ( PIC = 0.1765–0.2253), marker index ( MI = 0.0001–0.0002), effective multiplex ratio ( E = 15.1720–23.5591), resolving power ( Rp = 26.1075–40.2795), discriminating power ( D = 0.9766–0.9879), expected heterozygosity ( H = 0.1957–0.2588), and mean heterozygosity ( H avp = 0.000007–0.000009), demonstrating the effectiveness of AFLP markers to speciate Sporothrix . Analysis using the program structure indicated three genetic clusters matching S. brasiliensis (population 1), S. schenckii (population 2), and S. globosa (population 3), with the presence of patterns of admixture amongst all populations. AMOVA revealed highly structured clusters (PhiPT = 0.458–0.484, P < 0.0001), with roughly equivalent genetic variability within (46–48 %) and between (52–54 %) populations. Heterothallism was the exclusive mating strategy, and the distributions of MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 idiomorphs were not significantly skewed (1:1 ratio) for S. schenckii (χ 2 = 2.522; P = 0.1122), supporting random mating. In contrast, skewed distributions were found for S. globosa (χ 2 = 9.529; P = 0.0020) with a predominance of MAT1-1 isolates, and regional differences were highlighted for S. brasiliensis with the overwhelming occurrence of MAT1-2 in Rio de Janeiro (χ 2 = 14.222; P = 0.0002) and Pernambuco (χ 2 ...

7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC) is a cholesterol oxidation product with several biological functions. 7-KC has the capacity to cause cell death depending on the concentration and specific cell type. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with the ability to differentiate into various types of cells, such as osteoblasts and adipocytes, among others. MSCs contribute to the development of a suitable niche for hematopoietic stem cells, and are involved in the development of diseases, such as leukemia, to a yet unknown extent. Here, we describe the effect of 7-KC on the death of bone marrow MSCs from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (LMSCs). LMSCs were less susceptible to the death-promoting effect of 7-KC than other cell types. 7-KC exposure triggered the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis with an increase in activated caspase-8 and caspase-3 activity. Mechanisms other than caspase-dependent pathways were involved. 7-KC increased ROS generation by LMSCs, which was related to decreased cell viability. 7-KC also led to disruption of the cytoskeleton of LMSCs, increased the number of cells in S phase, and decreased the number of cells in the G1/S transition. Autophagosome accumulation was also observed. 7-KC downregulated the SHh protein in LMSCs but did not change the expression of SMO. In conclusion, oxiapoptophagy (OXIdative stress + APOPTOsis + autophagy) seems to be activated by 7-KC in LMSCs. More studies are needed to better understand the role of 7-KC in the death of LMSCs and the possible effects on the SHh pathway.

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