Omics-based Investigation of Diet-induced Obesity Synergized with HBx, Src, and p53 Mutation Accelerating Hepatocarcinogenesis in Zebrafish Model

The primary type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, diabetes, and obesity. Previous studies have identified some genetic risk factors, such as hepatitis B virus X antigens, overexpression of SRC oncogene, and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene; however, the synergism between diet and genetic risk factors is still unclear. To investigate the synergism between diet and genetic risk factors in hepatocarcinogenesis, we used zebrafish with four genetic backgrounds and overfeeding or high-fat-diet-induced obesity with an omics-based expression of genes and histopathological changes. The results show that overfeeding and high-fat diet can induce obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in wild-type fish. In HBx, Src (p53-) triple transgenic zebrafish, diet-induced obesity accelerated HCC formation at five months of age and increased the cancer incidence threefold. We developed a global omics data analysis method to investigate genes, pathways, and biological systems based on microarray and next-generation sequencing (NGS, RNA-seq) omics data of zebrafish with four diet and genetic risk factors. The results show that two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) systems, metabolism and genetic information processing, as well as the pathways of fatty acid metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and ribosome biogenesis, are activated during hepatocarcinogenesis. This study provides a systematic view of the synergism between genetic and diet factors in the dynamic liver cancer formation process, and indicate that overfeeding or a high-fat diet and the risk genes have a synergistic effect in causing liver cancer by affecting fatty acid metabolism and ribosome biogenesis.

An Atropo-enantioselective Synthesis of Benzo-Linked Axially Chiral Indoles via Hydrogen-Bond Catalysis

A variety of axially chiral biaryldiols were synthesized in good yields with excellent atropo-enantioselectivities through construction of axially chiral indoles catalyzed by asymmetric hydrogen-bond donors. In addition, the new axially chiral compounds were proved to be efficient and practical catalysts for asymmetric catalysis. The strategy not only provides a novel method to synthesize axially chiral compounds but also extends the scope of chiral catalysts.

Palladium catalysed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with pentafulvenes: synthesis of polysubstituted spiro[4,4]nona-6,8-dienes

A novel palladium catalysed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with pentafulvenes has been developed for the synthesis of spiro[4,4]nona-6,8-dienes.

[5-HT(2A) receptor/protein kinase C pathway in mediating long-term facilitation of carotid sinus nerve discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats]

Objective: To explore the role of 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway in mediating long-term facilitation (LTF) of carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) rats. Methods: With number table, 24 adult SD rats were randomly divided into saline control group (group A, n=6), 5-HT(2A)R antagonist (ketanserin) group (group B, n=6), PKC inhibitor (PKC θ-pseudosubstrate) group (group C, n=6) and combined ketanserin with PKC θ-pseudosubstrate group (group D, n=6). All rats were placed into the animal chambers for CIH treatment, 8 h per day (from 9: 00 to 17: 00) for 4 consecutive weeks. 28 days later, 5 min × 3 times of stimulation with acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) were given, after that, stable CSN discharge activities were recorded and compared before and after intravenous injection of saline (group A), ketanserin (group B), PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group C) or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group D), respectively. Results: There were no significant difference in the baseline (before AIH stimulation) average peak amplitude of CSN discharge among the four groups (P>0.05). In group A, the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (5.01 ± 0.53) μV and (4.95 ± 0.34) μV respectively, which were significantly higher than that before AIH (P<0.01). The results implied that the CSN LTF could be induced by AIH in CIH pre-treatment rats. In group B, the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (3.79 ± 0.42) μV and (3.73 ± 0.46) μV, respectively, which were still significantly higher than that before AIH (P<0.01), showing that carotid sinus nerve LTF couldn't be completely blocked by 5-HT(2A)R antagonist in rats. After injection of PKC θ-pseudosubstrate or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate in group C or D, there were no significant differences in CSN discharge amplitude before and after AIH (P>0.01), suggesting that inhibition of PKC alone or 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway could completely block the LTF of CSN. Conclusion: 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway was involved in mediating long-term facilitation of carotid sinus nerve discharge in CIH rats.

Photoredox-Induced Intramolecular 1,5-H Transfer Reaction of Aryl Iodides for the Synthesis of Spirocyclic γ-Lactams

This work develops a photocatalysis method for the synthesis of γ-spirolactams through a tandem intramolecular 1,5-HAT reaction-cyclization process. A variety of novel γ-spirolactams are prepared in good to excellent yields with this method. This transformation features mild reaction conditions and exceptional functional group tolerance. Additionally, γ-terpinene is applied to this transformation as a hydrogen atom donor for the first time.

A homologous mapping method for three-dimensional reconstruction of protein networks reveals disease-associated mutations

BACKGROUND

One of the crucial steps toward understanding the associations among molecular interactions, pathways, and diseases in a cell is to investigate detailed atomic protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in the structural interactome. Despite the availability of large-scale methods for analyzing PPI networks, these methods often focused on PPI networks using genome-scale data and/or known experimental PPIs. However, these methods are unable to provide structurally resolved interaction residues and their conservations in PPI networks.

RESULTS

Here, we reconstructed a human three-dimensional (3D) structural PPI network (hDiSNet) with the detailed atomic binding models and disease-associated mutations by enhancing our PPI families and 3D-domain interologs from 60,618 structural complexes and complete genome database with 6,352,363 protein sequences across 2274 species. hDiSNet is a scale-free network (γ = 2.05), which consists of 5177 proteins and 19,239 PPIs with 5843 mutations. These 19,239 structurally resolved PPIs not only expanded the number of PPIs compared to present structural PPI network, but also achieved higher agreement with gene ontology similarities and higher co-expression correlation than the ones of 181,868 experimental PPIs recorded in public databases. Among 5843 mutations, 1653 and 790 mutations involved in interacting domains and contacting residues, respectively, are highly related to diseases. Our hDiSNet can provide detailed atomic interactions of human disease and their associated proteins with mutations. Our results show that the disease-related mutations are often located at the contacting residues forming the hydrogen bonds or conserved in the PPI family. In addition, hDiSNet provides the insights of the FGFR (EGFR)-MAPK pathway for interpreting the mechanisms of breast cancer and ErbB signaling pathway in brain cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that hDiSNet can explore structural-based interactions insights for understanding the mechanisms of disease-associated proteins and their mutations. We believe that our method is useful to reconstruct structurally resolved PPI networks for interpreting structural genomics and disease associations.

A C1-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene catalysed oxidative spiroannulation of isatin-derived enals: highly enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindole δ-lactones

A C₁-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalysed activation of isatin-derived enals under oxidative conditions was achieved. The in situ generated α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium species was efficiently trapped by 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via a Michael addition/spiroannualtion cascade, delivering a series of synthetically important spirooxindole δ-lactones with up to 96% enantioselectivity.

A NHC-catalysed spiroannulation of isatin-derived enals and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed, enabling enantioselective synthesis of synthetically important spirooxindole δ-lactones.

Directing group assisted ZnI2-catalyzed cyclopropanation of indoles via 2-furylcarbenoids

An efficient method for the synthesis of cyclopropane-fused indolines via a Zn₂I catalyzed cyclopropanation of indoles and enynones was reported.

A new approach to access difluoroalkylated diarylmethanes via visible-light photocatalytic cross-coupling reactions

A para-quinone methide and difluoroalkylating reagent involved radical cross-coupling reaction was described, through photocatalytically generated diarylmethane radical intermediates.

Synthesis of five-membered cyclic nitrones based on the Lewis acid-catalysed [3+2]-annulation reaction of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with 1,4,2-dioxazoles

A Lewis acid-catalysed reaction of D–A cyclopropanes with 1,4,2-dioxazoles has been developed for the synthesis of five-membered cyclic nitrones.

Efficiency of multi-beam Fourier phase gratings at 1.4 THz

We compare the results of simulated and measured power efficiency and far-field beam pattern, for two reflective Fourier phase gratings, designed to generate 2 × 2 and 2 × 4 beams respectively from a single-beam, coherent source at 1.4 THz. The designed surface structures were manufactured on aluminum plates by a computer numerical control (CNC) micro-milling machine. Despite small differences between the designed and fabricated gratings, we measured power efficiencies of both gratings to be around 70%, which is in a good agreement with the simulated values. We also find a good agreement between the simulated and measured diffracted beam size and spatial distribution. We demonstrate the application of both gratings as multiple beam local oscillators to simultaneously pump (or operate) a 4-pixel array of superconducting heterodyne mixers.

[The relationship between accommodative accuracy at different near-work distances and early-onset myopia]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the accommodative accuracy of children with early-onset myopia at different near-work distances, and discuss the relationship between accommodative accuracy and early-onset myopia.

METHODS

This was a case-control study. Thirty-seven emmetropic children, 41 early-onset myopic children without correction, and 39 early-onset myopic children with spectacles, aged 7 to 13 years, were included. Measures of refractive errors and accommodative accuracy at four near-work distances, including 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, and 20 cm, were made using the binocular fusion cross cylinder (FCC) of an automatic phoropter.

RESULTS

Most candidates showed accommodative lags, including the children with emmetropia. The ratio of lags in all candidates at different near-work distances was 75.21% (50 cm), 87.18% (40 cm), 92.31% (30 cm), and 98.29% (20 cm), respectively. All accommodative accuracies became worse, and the accommodative lag ratio and values of FCC increased, along with the shortening of the distance. The difference in accommodative accuracy among groups was statistically significant at 30 cm (χ(2)=7.852, P= 0.020) and 20 cm (χ(2)=6.480, P=0.039). The values of FCC among groups were significantly different at 30 cm (F=3.626, P=0.030) and 20 cm (F=3.703, P=0.028), but not at 50 cm and 40 cm (P>0.05). In addition, the FCC values of 30 cm and 20 cm had a statistically significant difference between myopic children without correction [(1.25±0.44) D and (1.76±0.43) D] and emmetropic children [(0.95±0.52) D and (1.41±0.58) D] (P=0.012, 0.008). The correlation between diopters of myopia and accommodative accuracy at different nearwork distances was not statistically significant (P>0.05). However, the correlation between diopters of myopia and the accommodative lag value (FCC) at 20 cm was statistically significant (r=0.246, P=0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The closer the near-work distance is, the worse the accommodative accuracy is. This is more significant in early-onset myopia, especially myopia without correction, than emmetropia. Wearing spectacles may improve the threshold and sensitivity of accommodations, and the accommodative accuracy at near-work distances (<30 cm) to some extent. The poor accommodative accuracy at near-work distances may be not related to early-onset myopia, but the value of FCC (20 cm) is related to early-onset myopia. The higher the FCC value is, the higher the diopter is. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 520-524).

Rh(II) Catalyzed High Order Cycloadditions of 8-Azaheptafulvenes with N-Sulfonyl 1,2,3-Triazloes or α-Oxo Diazocompounds

A novel strategy was developed for the application of Rh carbenes generated from readily accessible N-sulfonyl 1,2,3,-triazoles or diazocompouds in the high order cycloadditions, which offered an efficient route to a variety of N-containing medium-sized rings. The process provided a wide range of cyclohepta[b]pyrazine and cyclohepta[b]pyrrolone derivatives with high yields.

Synthesis of a hierarchical nanoporous carbon material with controllable pore size and effective surface area for high-performance electrochemical capacitors

There is an excellent linear relationship between E-SSA and specific capacitance of HNC-IPNs as electrode materials for EDLCs.

Lewis acid catalyzed diastereoselective [3+4]-annulation of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with anthranils: synthesis of tetrahydro-1-benzazepine derivatives

The [3+4]-annulation between donor–acceptor cyclopropanes and anthranils has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydro-1-benzazepine derivatives.

Lewis Acid and (Hypo)iodite Relay Catalysis Allows a Strategy for the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Azetidines and Tetrahydroquinolines

A catalytic [3 + 1]-annulation reaction between cyclopropane 1,1-diester and aromatic amine is developed based on the relay catalysis strategy. Lewis acid-catalyzed nucleophilic ring opening of cyclopropane 1,1-diester with aromatic amine and (hypo)iodite-catalyzed C-N bond formation are combined successfully in one reaction. Using this reaction, biologically important azetidines and tetrahydroquinolines can be prepared directly.

[Modification of the composite resin with the hyperbranched polyester and evaluation of the mechanical properties of the modified composite resin]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of hyperbranched polyester(HBP)on mechanical properties of the conventional resin matrix.

METHODS

Two hyperbranched monomers(HBP2-X and HBP2-Y)were synthesized and incorporated at 40%(by mass)into a 2∶1(by mass)bisphenol-A diglycidyl methacrylate(Bis-GMA): triethylene glycol dimethacrylate(TEGDMA)resin. Bis-GMA/TEGDMA without the incorporation of hyperbranched polyester was used as control(n=8 per group). The mechanical properties of the modified neat resin, including polymerization volumetric shrinkage, Vickers hardness, water absorption and dissolution rate, as well as the flexural strength, compressive strength and diametral tensile strength of the composite resin with different content of filler(0%, 30%, 50%, 70%)were measured. Mechanical properties of the composite resin were measured by universal testing machine. The results were analyzed by the ANOVA and LSD-t-test.

RESULTS

The resin with HBP greatly decreased the polymerization shrinkage of the composite resin, and the value of group X was(6.32±0.49)%, and that of group Y was(6.31±0.68)%, whereas that of the control group was(8.14 ± 0.53)%. The value of volumetric shrinkage of the modified groups were significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05). By adding HBP, the hardness value of group X([198 ± 5]MPa)and group Y([177 ± 4]MPa)were significantly lower than that of the control group([214±6]MPa)(P<0.05). The HBP significantly influenced the water sorption and solubility of the neat resin(P<0.05). For the composite materials, with 70% inorganic filler, there were no significant difference in the value of flexural strength among the groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the value of compressive strength, between group X([244 ± 13]MPa)and the standard group([234 ± 17]MPa)(P>0.05). However, they were significantly higher than that in group Y([204 ± 24]MPa)(P<0.05). For the value of diametral tensile strength, there was no significant difference between group Y([36.4 ± 2.1]MPa)and the control group([34.4 ± 2.9]MPa)(P>0.05), but both were significantly lower than that in group X([41.1 ± 3.0]MPa)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there were certain effect on the mechanical properties of the resin that was modified with the HBP, we should make further analysis and study based on the property of low volumetric shrinkage, to strive for the development of low volumetric shrinkage of HBP, without affecting its mechanical properties.