Crystal structure of succinic acid — 4-((pyridin-4-ylmethyl)sulfanylpyridine (1/1), C15H16N2O4S

C15H16N2O4S, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.3024(6) Å, b = 10.7115(7) Å, c = 11.2743(6) Å, α = 109.491(5)°, β = 100.496(5)°, γ = 107.860(5)°, V = 750.44(9) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0691, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.2136, T = 296 K.

Melatonin promotes development of haploid germ cells from early developing spermatogenic cells of Suffolk sheep under in vitro condition

Promotion of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation into functional sperms under in vitro conditions is a great challenge for reproductive physiologists. In this study, we observed that melatonin (10(-7) M) supplementation significantly enhanced the cultured SSCs differentiation into haploid germ cells. This was confirmed by the expression of sperm special protein, acrosin. The rate of SSCs differentiation into sperm with melatonin supplementation was 11.85 ± 0.93% which was twofold higher than that in the control. The level of testosterone, the transcriptions of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were upregulated with melatonin treatment. At the early stage of SSCs culture, melatonin suppressed the level of cAMP, while at the later stage, it promoted cAMP production. The similar pattern was observed in testosterone content. Expressions for marker genes of meiosis anaphase, Dnmt3a, and Bcl-2 were upregulated by melatonin. In contrast, Bax expression was downregulated. Importantly, the in vitro-generated sperms were functional and they were capable to fertilize oocytes. These fertilized oocytes have successfully developed to the blastula stage.

SUMOylation of KLF4 acts as a switch in transcriptional programs that control VSMC proliferation

The regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is an important issue due to its major implications for the prevention of pathological vascular conditions. The objective of this work was to assess the function of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylated Krϋppel-like transcription factor 4 (KLF4) in the regulation of VSMC proliferation in cultured cells and in animal models with balloon injury. We found that under basal conditions, binding of non-SUMOylated KLF4 to p300 activated p21 (p21(WAF1/CIP1))transcription, leading to VSMC growth arrest. PDGF-BB promoted the interaction between Ubc9 and KLF4 and the SUMOylation of KLF4, which in turn recruited transcriptional corepressors to the p21 promoter. The reduction in p21 enhanced VSMC proliferation. Additionally, the SUMOylated KLF4 did not affect the expression of KLF4, thereby forming a positive feedback loop enhancing cell proliferation. These results demonstrated that SUMOylated KLF4 plays an important role in cell proliferation by reversing the transactivation action of KLF4 on p21 induced with PDGF-BB.

Crystal structure of 4-((pyridin-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl)pyridine, C11H10N2OS

C11H10N2OS, monoclinic, Pc (no. 7), a = 12.050(3) Å, b = 5.5218(13) Å, c = 8.1813(19) Å, β = 107.934(6)°, V = 517.9(2) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0483, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.1247, T = 296 K.

Design, synthesis and effect of the introduction of a propargyloxy group on the fungicidal activities of 1-substituted phenoxypropan-2-amino valinamide carbamate derivatives

The introduction of a propargyloxy group on “stretched” analogues of iprovalicarb led to a pronounced increase in the fungicidal activity.

Estimating the genetic parameters for liver fat traits in broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat

Intensive selection of broilers for improved growth rate is known to exert a negative effect on broiler health, such as an increase in body fat (and its related diseases). Excessive fat deposition in the liver can cause fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS); in addition, traits associated with liver fat have also been associated with FLHS. This study explored the genetic relationships among liver fat-related traits. Data was collected from 462 birds derived from 16th generation Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content. The body weight at 7 weeks of age (BW7), abdominal fat weight (AFW), abdominal fat percentage, liver fat percentage (LFP), liver weight, and liver percentage were measured. The heritability of these traits and the phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated, using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Gibbs sampling (GS) methods. The REML and GS methods yielded similar heritability estimates for LFP (0.36 and 0.37, respectively). BW7 showed a high positive genetic correlation with AFW (rA(REML) = 0.74 and rA(GS) = 0.80), and a moderate positive genetic correlation with LFP (rA(REML) = 0.27 and rA(GS) = 0.39). Positive genetic correlations were also observed between AFW and LFP (rA(REML) = 0.35 and rA(GS) = 0.36). These results suggested that selection for growth may increase the AFW and LFP in broilers. LFP is directly related to FLHS; therefore, selection for broiler growth rate may increase the incidence of FLHS.

Crystal structure of bis(isocyanato-κ1N)-bis(2-(pyridin-4-ylthio)pyrazine- κ1N) zinc(II), C20H14N8S4Zn

C20H14N8S4Zn, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 26.041(3) Å, b = 5.7001(6) Å, c = 16.676(2) Å, β = 100.773(7)°, V = 2431.7 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0380, wRref(F2) = 0.1115, T = 296 K.

Crystal structure of poly[μ2-methyl 6-nicotinoylpicolinato-κ3O,N:N’)-(μ2- nitrato-κ3O,O’:O’’)silver(I)], C13H10AgN3O6

C13H10AgN3O6, orthorhombic, Pccn (no. 56), a = 24.887(3) Å, b = 8.004(1) Å, c = 14.011(1) Å, V = 2791.0 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0301, wRref(F2) = 0.0821, T = 296 K.

Chemical synthesis of a two-photon-activatable chemokine and photon-guided lymphocyte migration in vivo

Chemokine-guided lymphocyte positioning in tissues is crucial for normal operation of the immune system. Direct, real-time manipulation and measurement of single-cell responses to chemokines is highly desired for investigating the cell biology of lymphocyte migration in vivo. Here we report the development of the first two-photon-activatable chemokine CCL5 through efficient one-pot total chemical synthesis in milligram scale. By spatiotemporally controlled photoactivation, we show at the single-cell level that T cells perceive the directional cue without relying on PI3K activities, which are nonetheless required for persistent migration over an extended period of time. By intravital imaging, we demonstrate artificial T-cell positioning in cutaneous tissues and lymph nodes. This work establishes a general strategy to develop high-quality photo-activatable protein agents through tailor-designed caging of multiple residues and highlights the potential of photo-activatable chemokines for understanding and potential therapeutic manipulation of cell positioning and position-controlled cell behaviours in vivo.

The precise spatiotemporal control of chemokine exposure would be an advantageous tool for immune cell research. Here, Chen et al. develop a two-photon-activatable chemokine CCL5 and use it to direct lymphocyte migration in vivo and to show that PI3-kinase is not required to sense a gradient in vitro.

Design, synthesis, and fungicidal activity of novel carboxylic acid amides represented by N-benzhydryl valinamode carbamates

Carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides are an important class of agricultural fungicide with oomycete activity and low toxicity toward mammalian cells. To find CAA analogues with high activity against resistant pathogens, a series of substituted N-benzhydryl valinamide carbamate derivatives were designed and synthesized by introducing substituted aromatic rings into valinamide carbamate leads. Bioassays showed that some title compounds exhibited very good in vitro fungicidal activity against Phytophthora capsici and in vivo fungicidal activities against Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Topomer CoMFA was performed to explore the structure-activity relationship on the basis of the in vitro data. The dimethoxy substituted aromatic analogue 9e was found to display higher in vitro fungicidal activity against Phytophthora capsici than iprovalicarb but lower activity than mandipropamid, and higher in vivo fungicidal activity against Pseudoperonospora cubensis than dimethomorph at a dosage of 6.25 μg mL(-1).

Expression of NEDD9 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance

Neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 9 (NEDD9) plays an integral role in natural and pathological cell biology. Overexpression of NEDD9 protein has been correlated with poor prognosis in various types of cancer. However, few available data address the precise function of the NEDD9 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we investigated NEDD9 expression in 40 primary human HCC tissues compared with matched adjacent non-tumor hepatic tissues using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the correlations between NEDD9 expression and clinicopathological factors. Statistical analyses were applied to derive prognostic values of NEDD9 in HCC. The results showed that the NEDD9 mRNA and protein expression levels in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in matched adjacent non-tumor hepatic tissues. High NEDD9 expression was correlated with larger tumor size, advanced tumor grade, metastasis, intrahepatic venous invasion and high UICC TNM stages in HCC patients. Patients with high NEDD9 expression levels exhibited poorer recurrence-free and overall survival than those with a low NEDD9 expression. Additionally, NEDD9 expression status was an independent prognostic factor for survival. This correlation remained significant in patients with early-stage HCC or with normal serum AFP levels. The results of this study suggest that NEDD9 may be a valuable prognostic biomarker for HCC, including early-stage and AFP-normal patients.

An efficient one-pot four-segment condensation method for protein chemical synthesis

Successive peptide ligation using a one-pot method can improve the efficiency of protein chemical synthesis. Although one-pot three-segment ligation has enjoyed widespread application, a robust method for one-pot four-segment ligation had to date remained undeveloped. Herein we report a new one-pot multisegment peptide ligation method that can be used to condense up to four segments with operational simplicity and high efficiency. Its practicality is demonstrated by the one-pot four-segment synthesis of a plant protein, crambin, and a human chemokine, hCCL21.

Design, synthesis and antifungal activity of carboxylic acid amide fungicides: part 2: substituted 1-phenyl-2-phenoxyethylamino valinamide carbamates

Most of the “stretched” valinamide carbamate analogues had higher anti-oomycetic potency than dimethomorph. The field trial showed that 8b is a promising candidate for future development.

Double-edged sword in cells: chemical biology studies of the vital role of cytochrome c in the intrinsic pre-apoptotic mitochondria leakage pathway

Besides functioning as an electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, cytochrome c (cyt c) is also one of the determinants in the execution of cell death.

Is low anticoagulation intensity more beneficial for patients with bileaflet mechanical mitral valves? a meta-analysis

AIM

For the mitral valve replacement(MVR) patients using the lowest thrombogenic risk bileaflet valves (St. Jude Medical, Carbomedics and On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve), excellent results can be achieved by adopting the anticoagulation intensity(median INR<2.5)which is lower than the recommended intensity(INR:2.5~3.5). Our aim was to provide a pooled estimate of potential benefit from clinical studies using low anticoagulation intensity and high intensity in these patients.

METHODS

Relevant studies published before Feb. 2014 were searched through a number of digital databases(MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, etc.). They were pooled by SPSS19.0 using the random effect method in three fields: occurrence rate of major thromboembolism, major hemorrhage and major total events.

RESULTS

14 studies with 3595 patients were included. The follow-up period was 12846.6 patient*year. Pooled estimates indicated reduction in major hemorrhage (RR: 0.420, 95%CI: 0.296~0.595, P<0.001) and major total events(RR: 0.738, 95%CI: 0.604~0.902, P=0.003) in the low intensity group. No difference was noted in major thromboembolism(RR: 1.045, 95%CI: 0.814~1.341, P=0.75).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the recommended high intensity, low anticoagulation intensity (median INR<2.5) may be more beneficial for the MVR patients using the lowest thrombogenic risk bileaflet valves. We recommended an INR between 2.0 and 2.5, with a median INR of 2.3 for these MVR patients.

Heavy oils, principally long-chain n-alkanes secreted by Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum strain P5 isolated from mangrove system

In this study, the yeast strain P5 isolated from a mangrove system was identified to be a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum and was found to be able to secrete a large amount of heavy oil into medium. After optimization of the medium for heavy oil production and cell growth by the yeast strain P5, it was found that 120.0 g/l of glucose and 0.1 % corn steep liquor were the most suitable for heavy oil production. During 10-l fermentation, the yeast strain P5 produced 32.5 g/l of heavy oil and cell mass was 23.0 g/l within 168 h. The secreted heavy oils contained 66.15 % of the long-chain n-alkanes and 26.4 % of the fatty acids, whereas the compositions of the fatty acids in the yeast cells were only C16:0 (21.2 %), C16:1(2.8 %), C18:0 (2.9 %), C18:1 (39.8 %), and C18:2 (33.3 %). We think that the secreted heavy oils may be used as a new source of petroleum in marine environments. This is the first report of yeast cells which can secrete the long-chain n-alkanes.

Microbial biosynthesis and secretion of l-malic acid and its applications

l-Malic acid has many uses in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical industries. It can be produced by one-step fermentation, enzymatic transformation of fumaric acid to l-malate and acid hydrolysis of polymalic acid. However, the process for one-step fermentation is preferred as it has many advantages over any other process. The pathways of l-malic acid biosynthesis in microorganisms are partially clear and three metabolic pathways including non-oxidative pathway, oxidative pathway and glyoxylate cycle for the production of l-malic acid from glucose have been identified. Usually, high levels of l-malate are produced under the nitrogen starvation conditions, l-malate, as a calcium salt, is secreted from microbial cells and CaCO3 can play an important role in calcium malate biosynthesis and regulation. However, it is still unclear how it is secreted into the medium. To enhance l-malate biosynthesis and secretion by microbial cells, it is very important to study the mechanisms of l-malic acid biosynthesis and secretion at enzymatic and molecular levels.

Structural, Stabilities, and Electronic Properties of Bimetallic Mg2-doped Silicon Clusters

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, growth patterns, and electronic properties of magnesium-doped silicon clusters Mg2Sin (n = 1 - 11) have been systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6-311G (d) level. A large number of initial configurations are optimized and the lowestenergy stable geometries of Mg2Sin (n = 1 - 11) clusters with different spin multiplicities are determined. The results indicate that the most stable configurations for Mg2Sin clusters favor the threedimensional structures at n = 3 - 11. The analyses of the averaged binding energies, fragmentation energies, second-order energy difference, and HOMO-LUMO gaps suggest that the Mg2Si4 and Mg2Si6 clusters have the stronger relative stability, and magnesium atoms doping enhances the chemical activity of the silicon framework. The natural population and natural electronic configuration analyses show that the charge transfer occurs from the 3s orbital of the magnesium atoms to the silicon atoms and 3p orbital of the magnesium atoms

Direct conversion of inulin into cell lipid by an inulinase-producing yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides 2F5

In this study, an inulinase-producing yeast strain 2F5 of Rhodosporidium toruloides was obtained. It was found that the yeast strain 2F5 could produce higher amount of oil from inulin and larger lipid bodies in its cells than any other yeast strains tested in this study. Under the optimal conditions, 62.14% (w/w) of lipid based on cell dry weight and 15.82g/l of the dry cell mass were produced from 6.0% (w/v) inulin at flask level, leaving 0.92% (w/v) of total sugar in the fermented medium. During 2-l fermentation, 70.36% (w/w) of lipid based on cell dry weight and 15.64g/l of the dry cell mass were produced from 6.0% (w/v) inulin. Over 99.09% of the fatty acids from the yeast strain 2F5 grown on inulin was C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2, especially C18:1 (52.2%). The biodiesel prepared using the lipids produced by the yeast strain 2F5 could be burnt well.

Optically controlled background-free terahertz switching in chiral metamaterial

We demonstrate a multiband background-free terahertz (THz) switch in photoactive chiral metamaterial using polarization conversion. Orthogonal arrangement of two asymmetrical split-ring apertures allows a high polarization conversion efficiency and low copolarization transmission. The chiral metamaterial embedded with photoactive silicon promises a dynamic control on cross-polarization transmission and thus enables an efficient background-free THz switch. The on/off state of THz metamaterial switching can be efficiently controlled by an optical pump. The realization of a cross-polarization THz switch provides a new mechanism of mode switching to control THz wave propagation and will be a promising candidate for polarization devices.

Expedient total synthesis of small to medium-sized membrane proteins via Fmoc chemistry

Total chemical synthesis provides a unique approach for the access to uncontaminated, monodisperse, and more importantly, post-translationally modified membrane proteins. In the present study we report a practical procedure for expedient and cost-effective synthesis of small to medium-sized membrane proteins in multimilligram scale through the use of automated Fmoc chemistry. The key finding of our study is that after the attachment of a removable arginine-tagged backbone modification group, the membrane protein segments behave almost the same as ordinary water-soluble peptides in terms of Fmoc solid-phase synthesis, ligation, purification, and mass spectrometry characterization. The efficiency and practicality of the new method is demonstrated by the successful preparation of Ser64-phosphorylated M2 proton channel from influenza A virus and the membrane-embedded domain of an inward rectifier K(+) channel protein Kir5.1. Functional characterizations of these chemically synthesized membrane proteins indicate that they provide useful and otherwise-difficult-to-access materials for biochemistry and biophysics studies.