Objective: To evaluate fertility intensions among couples in Shanghai under the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic against the backdrop of persistently low fertility. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, history of reproduction and gynecology, fertility intention before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, female psychological state, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life. Results: Under the influence of COVID-19, 296/447 (66.2%) participants did not change their original fertility intention to have children, while 151/447 (33.8%) of participants were affected by the outbreak. Participants who believed in government and hospital control policies were less likely to change their intention to become pregnant (P < 10-3 , P < 10-3). In contrast, concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on female and fetal health led participants to cancel their original pregnancy plans (P < 10 −3). Conclusion: Three in ten couples of childbearing age, who originally expressed their intention of becoming pregnant, canceled their pregnancy plans after the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 outbreak has brought new challenges to people's physical and mental health. Effective policies and measures can help to improve people's fertility intentions with respect to having children.
Catalytic selective hydroxylation of unactivated aliphatic (sp 3 ) CÀ H bonds without a directing group represents a formidable task for synthetic chemists. Through directed evolution of P450 BSβ hydroxylase, we realize oxyfunctionalization of unactivated CÀ H bonds in a broad spectrum of aliphatic carboxylic acids with varied chain lengths, functional groups and (hetero-)aromatic moieties in a highly chemo-, regio-and enantioselective fashion (> 30 examples, Cβ/ Cα > 20 : 1, > 99 % ee). The X-ray structure of the evolved variant, P450 BSβ -L78I/Q85H/G290I, in complex with palmitic acid well rationalizes the experimentally observed regio-and enantioselectivity, and also reveals a reduced catalytic pocket volume that accounts for the increased reactivity with smaller substrates. This work showcases the potential of employing a biocatalyst to enable a chemical transformation that is particularly challenging by chemical methods.
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