Discovery and preliminary structure-activity relationship studies of novel benzotriazine based compounds as Src inhibitors

We report the discovery and preliminary SAR studies of a series of structurally novel benzotriazine core based small molecules as inhibitors of Src kinase. To the best of our knowledge, benzotriazine template based compounds have not been reported as kinase inhibitors. The 3-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy)phenyl analogue (43) was identified as one of the most potent inhibitors of Src kinase.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of coronaviruses in bats from China

Coronaviruses can infect a variety of animals including poultry, livestock, and humans and are currently classified into three groups. The interspecies transmissions of coronaviruses between different hosts form a complex ecosystem of which little is known. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the recent identification of new coronaviruses have highlighted the necessity for further investigation of coronavirus ecology, in particular the role of bats and other wild animals. In this study, we sampled bat populations in 15 provinces of China and reveal that approximately 6.5% of the bats, from diverse species distributed throughout the region, harbor coronaviruses. Full genomes of four coronavirues from bats were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses of the spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleoprotein structural proteins and the two conserved replicase domains, putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA helicase, revealed that bat coronaviruses cluster in three different groups: group 1, another group that includes all SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses (putative group 4), and an independent bat coronavirus group (putative group 5). Further genetic analyses showed that different species of bats maintain coronaviruses from different groups and that a single bat species from different geographic locations supports similar coronaviruses. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that bats may play an integral role in the ecology and evolution of coronaviruses.

Observation of two new N* peaks in J/psi-->ppi-n and ppi+n decays

The decay J/psi-->NNpi provides an effective isospin 1/2 filter for the piN system due to isospin conservation. Using 58x10(6) J/psi decays collected with the Beijing Electromagnetic Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider, more than 100 thousand J/psi-->ppi-n+c.c. events are obtained. Besides the two well-known N* peaks at around 1500 MeV/c2 and 1670 MeV/c2, there are two new, clear N* peaks in the ppi invariant mass spectrum around 1360 MeV/c2 and 2030 MeV/c2 with statistical significance of 11sigma and 13sigma, respectively. We identify these as the first direct observation of the N*(1440) peak and a long-sought missing N* peak above 2 GeV/c2 in the piN invariant mass spectrum.

Subzero water transport characteristics and optimal rates of freezing rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) ovarian tissue

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of two different suprazero (room temperature +25 degrees C to +4 degrees C) cooling conditions on the measured water transport response of primate (Macaca mulatta) ovarian tissue in the presence and absence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs). Freshly collected Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey) ovarian tissue sections were cooled at either 0.5 degrees C/min or 40 degrees C/min from 25 to 4 degrees C. A shape independent differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) technique was then used to measure the volumetric shrinkage during freezing of ovarian tissue sections at a freezing rate of 5 degrees C/min in the presence and absence of three different CPAs (0.85 M glycerol, 0.85 M dimethylsulfoxide, and 0.85 M ethylene glycol). Thus, water transport during freezing of primate ovarian tissue was obtained at eight different conditions (i.e., at four different freezing media with two different suprazero cooling conditions). The water transport response of ovarian tissue cooled rapidly from 25 to 4 degrees C was significantly different (P < 0.01) than that of slow cooled tissue, in the freezing media without CPAs and with dimethylsulfoxide. However, the differences in the measured water transport response due to the imposed suprazero cooling conditions were reduced with the addition of glycerol and ethylene glycol (statistically different with P < 0.05). By fitting a model of water transport to the experimentally obtained volumetric shrinkage data the best-fit membrane permeability parameters (L(pg) and E(Lp)) were determined. The best-fit parameters of water transport in primate ovarian tissue sections ranged from: L(pg) = 0.7 to 0.15 microm/min-atm and E(Lp) = 22.1 to 32.1 kcal/mol (the goodness of fit parameter, R(2) > 0.96). These parameters suggest that the "optimal rates of cryopreservation" for ovarian tissue are significantly dependent upon suprazero cooling conditions and the choice of CPA.

Investigating the Solubility of CO2 in Polypropylene Using Various EOS Models

Generally, in order to obtain reliable gas solubility data in a polymer melt, one must determine the swollen volume of the polymer with dissolved gas. The swollen volume is typically estimated by an equation of state (EOS). This paper reports on the application of three different equations of state (the Sanchez-Lacombe (SL) EOS, the Simha-Somcynsky (SS) EOS, and the Perturbed Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT) EOS) to a polymer/gas mixture system for the study of phase equilibria and gas solubility determination. The apparent solubility was obtained using a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). Approaches based on the SL, SS, and PC-SAFT EOS's are herein proposed for predicting the swelling behavior of polymer/gas mixtures and correlating the swollen volume to the apparent solubility.

The role of alpha-fetoprotein in maintaining the growth of human hepatoma cells

14081

Background: This study was to explored the functional mechanism of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in maintaining the proliferation of human hepatoma cells line Bel 7402 and the immunsuppression of lymphocyte Jurkat cells. Methods: Western blot was used to detecting the expression of some apoptosis-related gene, fluorescence labeled AFP and confocal microscopy scanning for receptor binding assay in the membrane in Jurkat cells. Results: It showed that AFP could enhance the expression of survivin and c-ras, but restrain caspase-3 express in Bel 7402 cells by Western blotting analysis. It also showed that AFP could bind to the membrane of Jurkat cells by confocal microscopy scanning, and when treated Jurkat with AFP, it indicated that AFP could repress the expression of survivin and Livin and elevated the activity of caspase-3 in the cells; Co-cultured Bel 7402 cells with Jurkat cells, the expression of tumor necrosis related-apoptosis induced ligand (TRAIL) in Jurkt cells was inhibited, when pretreatment with monoclonal antibody of AFP (Anti-AFP), the restrained effect of TRAIL express and the activity of caspase-3 was elevated in Jurkat cells was removed. It also indicated that Anti-AFP had an ability to block these functions of AFP. Conclusions: AFP has a capability to promote the growth and escape from immune surveillance of human hepatoma cells through enhancing the expression of ras and survivin gene in Bel 7402 cells, suppressing TRAIL, survivin and Livin expressed and upregulated activity of caspase-3 in Jurkat cells.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

End-user survey for digital sensor characteristics: a pilot questionnaire study

OBJECTIVE

To survey end-user opinions on dental digital sensor characteristics for the design of a new X-ray imaging sensor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

100 questionnaires were sent out to dentists and dental radiologists. The questionnaire consisted of six parts related to dental sensors. A: Details about the respondent; B: Prioritization of most important aspects of digital sensors; C: Rating advantages and D: disadvantages of digital sensors; F: Dental features that need to be enhanced by digital sensors; G: End-user comments.

RESULTS

Fifty-six questionnaires were returned. Contrast resolution and imaging time were assessed as the most and the least important aspects, respectively. Aspects considered as advantages by approximately 80% of respondents were: optimal contrast resolution, increased specificity, increased discrimination between diseased and healthy tissue, increased sensitivity, lower dose to the patient by more than 20%; as a disadvantage, increased patient dose was given. Dental features considered important by over 80% of the respondents were for intraoral radiographs: the visibility of caries, periapical, periodontal, and bone lesions; for panoramic radiographs: reduction of ghost images, image sharpness and bone. Bone and soft tissues on cephalograms and bone on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tomograms were mentioned by over 70%.

CONCLUSION

The most desired characteristic for a new sensor is contrast resolution. Dose saving is not considered as important unless it is more than 20%. Examination time is not a major issue. Caries, periapical and periodontal, and bone lesions for intraoral radiographs, reduction of ghost images, image sharpness and bone for panoramic radiographs were the most frequently mentioned dental features that should be enhanced by digital sensors.

Nuclear ING2 expression is reduced in human cutaneous melanomas

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a severe and sometimes life-threatening cancer. The molecular mechanism of melanomagenesis is incompletely understood. Deregulation of apoptosis is probably one of the key factors contributing to the progression of melanoma. The inhibitor of growth (ING) family proteins are candidate tumour suppressors which play important roles in apoptosis. Downregulated expression of ING proteins have been reported in several tumour types, including the loss of nuclear expression of p33ING1b in melanoma. As ING2 exhibits 58.9% homology with p33ING1b, we hypothesized that the aberrant expression of ING2 may be involved in melanomagenesis. Here, we used tissue microarray technology and immunohistochemistry to examine ING2 expression in human nevi and melanoma biopsies. Our data showed that nuclear ING2 expression was significantly reduced in radial growth phase (RGP), vertical growth phase (VGP), and metastatic melanomas compared with dysplastic nevi (P < 0.05). Our data also revealed that nuclear ING2 expression was not associated with patient's gender, age or tumour thickness, ulceration, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, tumour subtype, location and 5-year survival (P > 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that nuclear ING2 expression is significantly reduced in human melanomas and that reduced ING2 may be an important molecular event in the initiation of melanoma development.

Classifying G protein-coupled receptors and nuclear receptors on the basis of protein power spectrum from fast Fourier transform

As the potential drug targets, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and nuclear receptors (NRs) are the focuses in pharmaceutical research. It is of great practical significance to develop an automated and reliable method to facilitate the identification of novel receptors. In this study, a method of fast Fourier transform-based support vector machine was proposed to classify GPCRs and NRs from the hydrophobicity of proteins. The models for all the GPCR families and NR subfamilies were trained and validated using jackknife test and the results thus obtained are quite promising. Meanwhile, the performance of the method was evaluated on GPCR and NR independent datasets with good performance. The good results indicate the applicability of the method. Two web servers implementing the prediction are available at http://chem.scu.edu.cn/blast/Pred-GPCR and http://chem.scu.edu.cn/blast/Pred-NR.

A novel cellular survival factor--the B2 subunit of vacuolar H+-ATPase inhibits apoptosis

The ubiquitous vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, a multisubunit proton pump, is essential for intraorganellar acidification. Disruption of its function leads to disturbances of organelle function and cell death. Here, we report that overexpression of the B2 subunit of the H(+)-ATPase inhibits apoptosis. This antiapoptotic effect is not mediated by an increase in H(+)-ATPase activity but through activation of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathway that results in the serine phosphorylation of Bad at residues 112 and 155. Increased Bad phosphorylation reduces its translocation to mitochondria, limits the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor and increases the resistance of the B2 overexpressing cells to apoptosis. Screening experiments of kinase inhibitors, including inhibitors of cAMP-activated protein kinase, protein kinase C, protein kinase B, (MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) kinase) MEK and Ste-MEK1(13), a cell permeable ERK activation inhibitor peptide, revealed that the B2 subunit of H(+)-ATPase acts upstream of MEK activation in the MEK/ERK pathway to ameliorate apoptosis.

Photorefractive polymer device with video-rate response time operating at low voltages

The high-voltage bias required for video-rate compatible, efficient operation of a photorefractive polymer composite is reduced from 6-8 to 1.3 kV. At this low voltage, the device can hold erasable Bragg holograms with 80% efficiency in addition to having a video-rate response time. The transition of the hologram's state from thick to thin is analyzed in detail.

Combination of MIG (CXCL9) chemokine gene therapy with low-dose cisplatin improves therapeutic efficacy against murine carcinoma

MIG (monokine induced by interferon-gamma) is a CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL9) that can potently inhibit angiogenesis, and displays thymus-dependent antitumor effects. The effectiveness of a treatment combining gene therapy with plasmid-borne MIG (pORF-MIG) and low-dose cisplatin chemotherapy was determined using colon carcinoma (CT26) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LL/2c) murine models. The program was carried out via intramuscular delivery of pORF-MIG at 100 mug/mouse twice a week for 4 weeks, and/or intraperitoneal delivery of cisplatin at 0.6 mg/kg/mouse every 3 days for 48 days. Tumor volume and survival time were evaluated after treatment. CD31 immunohistochemical staining in tumor tissues and alginate capsule models in vivo was used to evaluate angiogenesis. Induction of apoptosis and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity were also assessed. The combination of pORF-MIG and low-dose cisplatin produced significant antitumor activity, with complete tumor regression in 4/10 of CT26 colon carcinomas and 3/10 of LL/2c lung carcinomas, low vascularity, in alginate capsules, apparently degraded tumor microvessel density, and increased induction of apoptotic and CTL activities compared with either treatment alone. This study suggests that the combination of pORF-MIG plus cisplatin augments the inhibition of angiogenesis and the induction of apoptosis or CTL activity, all of which enhance antitumor activity. These findings may prove useful in further explorations of the application of combinatorial approaches to the treatment of solid tumors.

Effect of glycerol and cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin on freezing-induced water loss in bovine spermatozoa

Recent experimental data show that incubating bovine sperm with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) before cryopreservation increases the percentages of motile and viable cells recovered after freezing and thawing, compared with control sperm. In the present study, we report the effect of incubating bovine sperm with CLC on the subzero water transport response and the membrane permeability parameters (reference membrane permeability (Lpg) and activation energy (ELp)). Water transport data during freezing of bovine sperm cell suspensions were obtained at a cooling rate of 20 °C/min under three different conditions: 1. in the absence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs); 2. in the presence of 0.7 M glycerol; and 3. in the presence of 1.5 mg/ml CLC and 0.7 M glycerol. With previously published values, the bovine sperm cell was modeled as a cylinder of length 39.8 μm and radius 0.4 μm, with osmotically inactive cell volume (Vb) of 0.61Vo, whereVois the isotonic cell volume. By fitting a model of water transport to the experimentally obtained data, the best-fit water transport parameters (LpgandELp) were determined. The predicted best-fit permeability parameters ranged fromLpg= 0.02 to 0.036 μm/min-atm andELp= 26.4 to 42.1 kcal/mol. These subzero water transport parameters are significantly different from the suprazero membrane permeability values (obtained in the absence of extracellular ice) reported in the literature. Calculations made of the theoretical response of bovine spermatozoa at subzero temperatures suggest that the optimal cooling rate to cryopreserve bovine spermatozoa is 45–60 °C/min, agreeing quite closely with experimentally determined rates of freezing bovine spermatozoa.

Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the omega(phi) mass spectrum from the doubly OZI-suppressed decay J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi

An enhancement near threshold is observed in the omega(phi) invariant mass spectrum from the doubly Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka-suppressed decays of J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi, based on a sample of 5.8 x 10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. A partial wave analysis shows that this enhancement favors JP=0+, and its mass and width are M=1812(+19)(-26)(stat)+/-18(syst) MeV/c2 and Gamma=105+/-20(stat)+/-28(syst) MeV/c2. The product branching fraction is determined to be B(J/psi-->gammaX)B(X-->omega(phi))=[2.61+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.65(syst)]x10(-4).