An interplay between non-coding RNAs and gut microbiota in human health

Humans have a complicated symbiotic relationship with their gut microbiome, which is postulated to impact host health and disease broadly. Epigenetic alterations allow host cells to regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. The gut microbiome, offering environmental hints, can influence responses to stimuli by host cells with modifications on their epigenome and gene expression. Recent increasing data suggest that regulatory non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, circular RNAs, and long lncRNA) may affect host-microbe interactions. These RNAs have been suggested as potential host response biomarkers in microbiome-associated disorders, including diabetes and cancer. This article reviews the current understanding of the interplay between gut microbiota and non-coding RNA, including lncRNA, miRNA, and circular RNA. This can lead to a profound understanding of human disease and influence therapy. Furthermore, microbiome engineering as a mainstream strategy for improving human health has been discussed and confirms the hypothesis about a direct cross-talk between microbiome composition and non-coding RNA.

X-linked mental retardation-hypotonic facies syndrome: Exome sequencing identifies novel clinical characteristics associated with c.5182G>C mutation in the ATRX gene

Background

X‐linked mental retardation‐hypotonic facies syndrome‐1 (MRXFH1), caused by a mutation in the ATRX gene, is a rare syndromic form of X‐linked mental retardation (XLMR) that is mainly characterized by severe intellectual disability, dysmorphic facies, and skewed X‐inactivation pattern in carrier women.

Method

In this study, due to the genetic heterogeneity of the disease, we performed exome sequencing (ES) on a 15‐year‐old boy with primary microcephaly and intellectual disability. Also, Sanger sequencing, cosegregation analysis, and structural modeling were done to identify and verify the causative variant in the proband and other affected individuals in the family. In addition, we collected data from previously reported cases to compare with our patients' phenotypes.

Results

ES revealed a previously reported missense variant in the ATRX gene (c.5182G > C, p.Ala1728Pro), segregating with the new clinical characteristic including primary microcephaly in the pedigree. This variant meets the criteria of being likely pathogenic based on the ACMG variant interpretation guideline.

Conclusions

The findings of this study extend the spectrum of phenotypes associated with the identified variant and provide further details on its clinical features.

Poly-L-Lysine/Hyaluronan Nanocarriers As a Novel Nanosystem for Gene Delivery

The present research comes up with a novel DNA-loaded poly-l-lysine (PLL) / hyaluronan (HA) nanocarrier (DNA-loaded PLL/HA NCs) for gene delivery applications, as a promising candidate for gene delivery into diverse cells. A straightforward approach was employed to prepare such a nanosystem through masking DNA-loaded PLL molecules by HA. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the interaction of the molecules as well as the physicochemical properties of the NCs. The NCs showed a negative charge of -24 ± 3 mV, with an average size of 138 ± 6 nm, in a ellipsoid-shape with smooth surfaces. The DNA loading efficiency (LE) measured by DNA absorbance was around 95 %. The MTT assay showed that the developed NCs are non-toxic to the cells. Furthermore,the uptake of the DNA-loaded PLL/HA NCs by the human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293T cells was evaluated by a flow cytometry method, and demonstrated high potential cellular uptake over 90% for transferring the gene to HEK-293T cells at the optimized conditions. Therefore, the DNA-loaded PLL/HA NCs are the potent strategy for developing nanosystems for gene delivery applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

An efficient and targeted synthetic approach towards new highly substituted 6-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

In an attempt to find novel α-glucosidase inhibitors, an efficient, straightforward reaction to synthesize a library of fully substituted 6-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 3 has been investigated. Heating a mixture of α-azidochalcones 1 and 3-aminopyrazoles 2 under the mild condition afforded desired compounds with a large substrate scope in good to excellent yields. All obtained products were evaluated as α-glucosidase inhibitors and exhibited excellent potency with IC₅₀ values ranging from 15.2 ± 0.4 µM to 201.3 ± 4.2 µM. Among them, compound 3d was around 50-fold more potent than acarbose (IC₅₀ = 750.0 ± 1.5 µM) as standard inhibitor. Regarding product structures, kinetic study and molecular docking were carried out for two of the most potent ones.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of highly functionalized benzo[1,3]thiazine via Cu-catalyzed intramolecular CH activation reaction from isocyanides, aniline-benzoyl(acetyl) isothiocyanate adduct

A facile sonochemical route for the synthesis of benzo[1,3]thiazine derivatives via a one pot, multicomponent, intramolecular CH activation reaction from isocyanides, aniline and benzoyl (acetyl) isothiocyanate adduct catalyzed by copper (I) iodide in acetone at 30 °C have been reported. The advantages of the described method include using simple and readily available starting materials and performing under mild copper-catalytic reaction conditions and also obtaining pure product with high yield without applying column chromatography. Furthermore, using the sonochemical methodology as an efficient method led to reduce the reaction times.

A Domino Process for the Sustainable Synthesis of Quinazolin-4(3H)-ones with Direct Chemo- and Regioselective Bromination

An efficient approach is reported for the direct and sustainable construction of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones through a three-component reaction of isatoic anhydride, primary amines, and bromoacetyl bromide or chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of K2CO3 in DMSO. With bromoacetyl bromide, mono- or dibrominated quinazolinone scaffolds were obtainable in a chemo- and regioselective manner.

Reaction between Chalcones, 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds, and Elemental Sulfur: A One-Pot Three-Component Synthesis of Substituted Thiophenes

A simple and atom-economic synthesis of highly substituted thiophenes is demonstrated. Heating a solution of a chalcone and a ­linear/cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compound with elemental sulfur in CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 at 80 °C afforded the corresponding substituted thiophenes in good to excellent yields.

Design, synthesis andin vitroα-glucosidase inhibition of novel coumarin-pyridines as potent antidiabetic agents

Herein, novel coumarin-pyridine derivatives4a–pas potent α-glucosidase inhibitors were synthesized by a one-pot and three-component synthesis method.

A Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized Quinazolines from Isocyanides and Aniline Tri- and Dichloroacetonitrile Adducts through Intramolecular C–H Activation

A novel class of substituted quinazolines were prepared in good yields by a one-pot three-component reaction of isocyanides with adducts of anilines and tri- or dichloroacetonitrile, followed by intramolecular C–H activation, catalyzed by copper(I) iodide with l-proline as a ligand in acetonitrile at room temperature.

Transition metal-free cross-dehydrogenative coupling acylation of coumarins by the K2S2O8/Aliquat 336 catalytic system: a versatile strategy towards 4-aroylcoumarin derivatives

A new and efficient transition metal-free oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction is described for the preparation of 4-aroylcoumarin derivatives.

Polyurethane nanomicelles: a novel eco-friendly and efficient polymeric ionic solvent for the Cannizzaro reaction

The Cannizzaro reaction is performed under very mild alkaline conditions using anionic polyurethane nanomicelles as a novel reusable polymeric ionic solvent.

First-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide without ATRA and chemotherapy

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Background: Standard treatment of APL is ATRA plus chemotherapy but Arsenic Trioxide (ATO) is most potent single agent against APL cells. Role of ATO in first line therapy of APL needs to clarify. Methods: Between may 2000 and September 2006,we treated 141 new cases of APL(Median age 28±12.8 y/o min=11,max=71) by 2 hours iv infusion of 0.15mg/kg ATO until complete remission. Trial approved by IRB and consent form obtained. Diagnosis was by clinical and morphologic characteristics and confirmed by cytogenetic and RT-PCR for detection of t(15,17) and presence of PML-RARa. After complete remission patients received consolidation by 28 days infusion of ATO for one or four courses.(one consolidation one month after CR and for some patients second, third and forth consolidations one month after first one and two another , one year and two year after CR) Results: : complete remission observed in 121 cases(85.8%) and early mortality rate was14.9%(most common cause of early mortality was APL syndrome,61.9%).Median follow up was 28 months. For patients who achieve to complete remission,one, two and three year disease free survival were 95.6%± 2%, 76.9±4% and 57± 6%,respectively. Many relapsed patients salvaged again with ATO alone so, two and three years overall survival for this cohort was 95.6%±2% and 83.7%±4%. Increasing number of consolidation from one to four couldn’t increase DFS or OS in one and two years after CR. Conclusions: ATO is effective in treatment of new cases of APL. Introduction of ATO in first line treatment of APL(with or without ATRA plus chemotherapy) needs a multi center randomized clinical trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide without ATRA and/or chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Arsenic trioxide is effective and approved for treatment of relapsed or refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cases resistant to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), but its effect on new cases of APL is not clear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 111 patients with APL. Arsenic trioxide was infused at 0.15 mg/kg daily dose, until complete remission was achieved. Then, after 28 days of rest, arsenic trioxide was infused daily for 28 days as consolidation therapy. We studied minimal residual disease (MRD) by semi-sensitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on peripheral blood samples.

RESULTS

Complete remission was observed in 95 patients (85.6%). With the median (range) follow-up period of 16.5 (1-57) months, 1- and 2-year disease-free survival was 88.3% and 63.7%, respectively; 24 patients relapsed, 19 of whom achieved a second complete remission, again by arsenic trioxide. Third and fourth remissions were seen in some relapsed patients, again by arsenic trioxide. For patients in complete remission, 1- and 3-year survival was 95.5% and 87.6%, respectively. MRD was positive in four (8.3%) out of 48 cases during 1 year after remission induction; three of them relapsed clinically.

CONCLUSIONS

Arsenic trioxide is effective as first-line treatment for APL. Results of arsenic trioxide combination therapy with chemotherapy/ATRA requires further study.

Are HLA antigens a risk factor for acute GVHD in thalassemic patients receiving HLA-identical stem cell transplantation?

We retrospectively evaluated the association between risk factors and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) among 182 beta thalassemia patients who received 73 peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) or 109 bone marrow transplants from HLA-identical siblings between 1991 and 2003. The relationship between the severity of aGVHD was examined for the following factors: HLA antigens, age, sex, ABO mismatch, sex mismatch (between recipient and donor), thalassemia class, graft source, transplant cell dose, CD3+ cell dose, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, neutrophil engraftment duration, and blood product transfusions using univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall 61 (34%) patients developed clinical grade III or grade IV aGVHD. Univariate analysis confirmed an increased risk of severe aGVHD, which was associated with HLA-A11, HLA-A26, and PBSCT (P=.04, .03, and .03, respectively). The risk of aGVHD was reduced in the presence of HLA-A3 (P=.03). Multivariate analysis confirmed the increased risk of aGVHD associated with HLA-A11 (P=.04), HLA-A26 (P=.01), and a short-period neutrophil recovery (P=.009). In this study HLA-A11, HLA-A26, PBSCT, and a short neutrophil engraftment period were probable risk factors and HLA-A3 a probable protective factor associated with severe aGVHD. These data may provide useful guidelines to choose strategies for treatment and prevention.

Thyroid, parathyroid, gonadal, and pancreatic β-cell function after bone marrow transplantation with chemotherapy-only conditioning

INTRODUCTION

Radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy can provoke short- and long-term endocrine dysfunction. We studied the prevalence of thyroid, parathyroid, gonadal, and pancreatic beta-cell function in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Forty-six patients (12 women, 34 men), aged 1.5 to 49 years (mean, 15.1 years), were evaluated for thyroid, parathyroid, gonadal, and pancreatic beta-cell function before and 3, 6, and 12 months after BMT with a little busulfan-cyclophosphamide conditioning regimen.

RESULTS

Thyroid and parathyroid function was unaltered by BMT. Leydig cell function was normal in 11 adult men (G5P5) before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after BMT, but injury to the germinal epithelium (oligo- or azoospermia) was seen before and 12 months after BMT. There was no relationship between serum FSH and germinal epithelial injury. Maturation was normal in six boys (G2P2 or G3P3 at BMT) 12 months post-BMT. Primary hypogonadism was seen in four adult women (B5P5) after BMT. One 14-year-old girl continued to have regular menstrual periods during the 24 months after BMT. Another girl (P1B1 pre-BMT) developed ovarian failure 12 months post-BMT. Pancreatic beta-cell function was normal pre- and post-BMT in 12 thalassemic patients with serum ferritin > 1000 ng/mL.

CONCLUSION

BMT with chemotherapy-only conditioning seems primarily to affect gonadal function, without having any significant effect on thyroid, parathyroid, or pancreatic beta-cell function.