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A Lithium (Li)‐Selenium (Se)‐alkali activated carbon hybrid cell with a tungsten oxide interlayer is implemented for the first time. The Se hybrid at a Se loading of 70% in the full Li‐Se cell, delivers a large reversible capacity of 625 mAh gSe‐1 as opposed to 505.8 mAh gSe‐1 achieved for the pristine Se cell. This clearly shows the advantage of the carbon in improving the capacity of the Li‐Se cell. To further circumvent the issues of polyselenide dissolution and shuttle which cause severe capacity fade, a tungsten oxide interlayer is drop‐cast over the battery separator. While the oxide layer conducts Li‐ions which is evidenced from a Li‐ion diffusion coefficient of 4.2 × 10‐9 cm2 s‐1, it simultaneously blocks the polyselenide cross‐over for it is impermeable to polyselenides, thereby reducing the capacity fade with cycling. The outcome of this unique approach is reflected in the reversible capacities of 808 and 510 mAh gSe‐1, achieved for the Li‐oxide@separator/Se‐ alkali activated carbon cell before and after 100 cycles, thus demonstrating that carbon and oxide can efficiently restrict the capacity fade and improve the performances of Li‐Se cells.

We here in report a palladium catalyzed method for the direct synthesis of phenanthridones from benzamides in a single step. Unlike previous reports, the current protocol does not need any directing groups or any harsh conditions. This methodology has a wide functional group tolerance therefore a series of phenanthridones were synthesized with a yield up to 87%.The efficacy of this protocol was further explored by synthesizing some important naturally occurring amaryllidaceae alkaloids in a single step with very good yields.

Premise of the study: Stomatal control is determined by the ability to alter stomatal aperture and/or the number of stomata on the surface of new leaves in response to growth conditions. The development of stomatal control mechanisms to the concentration of CO2 within the atmosphere ([CO2]) is fundamental to our understanding of plant evolutionary history and the prediction of gas exchange responses to future [CO2]. Methods: In a controlled environment, fern and angiosperm species were grown in atmospheres of ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (2000 ppm) [CO2]. Physiological stomatal behavior was compared with the stomatal morphological response to [CO2]. Key results: An increase in [CO2] or darkness induced physiological stomatal responses ranging from reductions (active) to no change (passive) in stomatal conductance. Those species with passive stomatal behavior exhibited pronounced reductions of stomatal density in new foliage when grown in elevated [CO2], whereas species with active stomata showed little morphological response to [CO2]. Analysis of the physiological and morphological stomatal responses of a wider range of species suggests that patterns of stomatal control to [CO2] do not follow a phylogenetic pattern associated with plant evolution. Conclusions: Selective pressures may have driven the development of divergent stomatal control strategies to increased [CO2]. Those species that are able to actively regulate guard cell turgor are more likely to respond to [CO2] through a change in stomatal aperture than stomatal number. We propose a model of stomatal control strategies in response to [CO2] characterized by a trade-off between short-term physiological behavior and longer-term morphological response.

Obidoxime, a weak acetylcholine-esterase (AChE) inhibitor, exerts muscarinic receptor antagonism with a significant muscarinic M2 receptor selective profile. The current examinations aimed to determine the functional significance of muscarinic M2 receptors in the state of AChE inhibition, elucidating muscarinic M2 and M3 receptor interaction. In the in vitro examinations, methacholine evoked concentration-dependent bladder contractile and atrial frequency inhibitory responses. Although atropine abolished both, methoctramine (1 μmol/L) only affected the cholinergic response in the atrial preparations. However, in the presence of methoctramine, physostigmine, an AChE inhibitor, increased the basal tension of the bladder strip preparations (+68%), as well as the contractile responses to low concentrations of methacholine (5 μmol/L; +90-290%). In contrast to physostigmine, obidoxime alone raised the basal tension (+58%) and the responses to low concentrations of methacholine (5 μmol/L; +80-450%). Physostigmine concentration-dependently increased methacholine-evoked responses, similarly to obidoxime at low concentrations. However, at large concentrations (5 μmol/L), obidoxime, because of its unselective muscarinic receptor antagonism, inhibited the methacholine bladder responses. In conclusion, the current results show that muscarinic M2 receptors inhibit muscarinic M3 receptor-evoked contractile responses to low concentrations of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. The muscarinic M2 and M3 receptor crosstalk could be a counteracting mechanism in the treatment of AChE inhibition when using reactivators, such as obidoxime.

A new route for the expedient synthesis of specific regioisomer of quinazolinone- and phenanthridine-fused heterocycles through a palladium-catalyzed regioselective intramolecular oxidative C¢H amination from cyclic strained amides of aromatic amido–amidine systems (quinazolinones) has been developed. The amine functionalization of an aromatic C¢H bond from a strained amide nitrogen involved in aromaticity has been a challenging work so far. The fusion of two heterocyclic cores, quinazolinone and phenanthridine, can occur in two different ways (linear and angular), but under the conditions reported here, only linear type isomer is exclusively produced. This approach provides a variety of substituted quinazolinone- and phenanthridine-fused derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, such fused molecules show excellent fluorescent properties and have great potential to be a new type of fluorophores for the use in medicinal and material science.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate renal vascular resistive changes in children with different stages of liver cirrhosis without obvious renal failure. Methods: Twenty-nine children (14 girls, 15 boys, mean age 11.6 years) with cirrhosis and 20 healthy children (mean age 10.3 years) were investigated for renal vascular resistance with Doppler ultrasonography, urinary sodium, N-acetyl-beta-D glucosaminidase (NAG) and microalbuminuria excretion. Results: The measurements of renal resistive indexes (RRI) were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than the control group (0.69 ± 0.07 vs 0.62 ± 0.02, P 6. Hence, monitoring RRI is a non-invasive means of studying early renal hemodynamic alteration in childhood cirrhosis.

Objective To determine the neurophysiological and vascular factors in diabetic impotence, particularly the role of autonomic neuropathy on venous leakage and erectile impotence. Patients and methods Thirty-four diabetic men with impotence were investigated using various neurophysiological and radiological methods. The results were compared with those from patients with idiopathic penile venous leakage for autonomic neuropathy, especially for spontaneous cavernosal activity (SCA). Results Of the neurophysiological tests, the SCA was most frequently abnormal, with the loss of normal periodic oscillations. Penile venous leakage, either alone or with arterial insufficiency, was the most frequent vascular problem (67%) in patients with diabetic impotence, in whom the SCA was absent in most (83%). Conversely, the SCA was normal in all impotent patients with idiopathic venous leakage. Conclusion Venous leakage in diabetic patients is probably produced by autonomic dysfunction of the penile vascular innervation or degeneration of penile smooth muscles, because the SCA was absent more often in these patients.

Leydig cell tumors of the testis are rare, mostly presenting as a testicular mass or as endocrinological symptoms. Here, three patients who were admitted for investigation of primary infertility and one patient presenting with a testicular mass are reported. The histological features were reviewed and an immunohistochemical study was done using a panel of antibodies against cytokeratin, vimentin, inhibin A, S-100, Ki-67, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, p53, bcl-2, and c-erbB2. The latter case (lost during follow up of metastatic disease) demonstrated massive tumor necrosis, extension through the tunica albuginea, and a high mitotic activity and MIB-1 score. Only this malignant case was bcl-2 positive. Of the two oncogenic markers studied, none of the cases were positive for c-erb2, while p53 was positive in more than 50% of cells in the malignant case and in one case of infertility with a large tumor, hemorrhage, focal necrosis and atypical cytological features. We recommend the evaluation of infertile men for Leydig cell tumors, and we believe that a panel of antibodies, including Ki-67, p53 and bcl-2, used for immunohistochemical analysis could be of diagnostic value in the identification of malignant and borderline cases of Leydig cell tumor.

Primary carcinoma arising in the urothelium of the ureter is rare, accounting for only 1% of all cancers of the upper urinary tract. We describe a case in which primary transitional cell carcinoma of the right ureter was sonographically detected in a 45-year-old woman. The mass exhibited tumoral vascularity on power Doppler sonography and spectral analysis.

Using image-directed and color Doppler ultrasonography (ICDUS), we examined 65 patients with single kidney biopsy and diagnosed one arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in each of 8 kidneys. Three of them were associated with pseudoaneurysms. Three of the patients with AVF who presented with macrohematuria underwent angiography. Therapeutic percutaneous embolization was performed in 2 of them. The remaining 6 patients were followed up with ICDUS. All the lesions had disappeared at the end of a 6-month period. We conclude that ICDUS is an easy and noninvasive imaging technique in the diagnosis of postbiopsy native renal AVFs.