Exploring the role of CDCA4 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma using bioinformatics analysis and experiments.

Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) encompasses diverse therapeutic approaches, among which targeted therapy has gained significant prominence in recent years. The identification of numerous targets and the increasing clinical application of targeted drugs have greatly improved LIHC treatment. However, the precise role of CDCA4 (Cell Division Cycle Associated 4), as well as its underlying mechanisms and prognostic implications in LIHC, remains unclear. CDCA4 expression levels in LIHC were analyzed using multiple databases including the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA), and ULCAN, as well as the datasets E_TABM_36, GSE144269, GSE14520, and GSE54236. The prognostic value of CDCA4 was then evaluated. Subsequently, the association between CDCA4 and immune cells was investigated. Enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized to investigate the functional roles and pathways linked to CDCA4. Additionally, the methylation patterns and drug sensitivity of CDCA4 were examined. A predictive model incorporating immune genes related to CDCA4 was developed. The TISCH dataset was used to investigate the single-cell expression patterns of CDCA4. Finally, validation of CDCA4 expression levels was conducted through RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. CDCA4 exhibited significant overexpression in LIHC and demonstrated significant correlations with clinical features. High expression of CDCA4 is associated with a poorer prognosis. Analysis of immune infiltration and enrichment revealed its association with the immune microenvironment. Furthermore, its expression is correlated with methylation and mutation patterns. CDCA4 is associated with 19 drugs. Prognostic models utilizing CDCA4 demonstrate favorable effectiveness. T cell subtypes were found to be associated with CDCA4 through single-cell analysis. The conclusive experiment provided evidence of significant upregulation of CDCA4 in LIHC. The high expression of CDCA4 in LIHC is associated with prognostic significance and is highly expressed in T cell subtypes, providing a new therapeutic target and potential therapeutic strategy for LIHC.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Diarylmethylamines through the Aza-Friedel-Crafts Reaction of 1,3,5-Trialkoxy Benzenes and N-Sulfonyl Aldimines Catalyzed by BINOL-Derived Disulfonimides.

A 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL)-derived disulfonimide (DSI)-catalyzed enantioselective aza-Friedel-Crafts reaction between 1,3,5-trialkoxy benzenes and N-sulfonyl aldimines gives direct access to a series of chiral diarylmethylamines in good yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). This reaction provides a useful protocol for the direct synthesis of diarylmethylamine derivatives.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-indolyl methanamine derivatives through disulfonimide-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts C2-alkylation of 3-substituted indoles with imines.

An asymmetric Friedel-Crafts C2-alkylation between 3-substituted indoles and imines catalyzed by chiral BINOL-derived disulfonimides (DSIs) has been developed. This reaction tolerated a wide range of 3-substituted indoles and imines, affording a series of chiral 2-indolyl methanamine derivatives in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). This is a useful protocol for the direct synthesis of 2-indolyl methanamine derivatives. It is worth noting that increasing the temperature in this reaction could result in a better enantioselectivity, making it different from the other common organocatalytic systems.

Aedes albopictus life table: environment, food, and age dependence survivorship and reproduction in a tropical area.

BACKGROUND: Environmental conditions affect the biology of mosquito vectors. Aedes albopictus is a major vector of many important diseases including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in China. Understanding the development, fecundity, and survivorship of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in different environmental conditions is beneficial for the implementation of effective vector control measures. METHODS: Aedes albopictus larval and adult life-table experiments were conducted under natural conditions in indoor, half-shaded, and fully shaded settings, simulating the three major habitat types in Hainan Province, a tropical island in the South China Sea. Temperature, humidity, and light intensity were recorded daily. Larval rearing used habitat water and tap water, with and without additional artificial food. Development time, survivorship, pupation rate, and adult emergence rates were monitored. Adult mosquito survivorship and fecundity were monitored daily and reproductive rates were determined, and age-dependent survivorship and reproduction were analyzed. RESULTS: The pupation time and male and female emergence times were significantly shorter in indoor conditions than in shaded and half-shaded conditions for both tap water with added food and habitat water with added food groups. For habitat water with added food, the shaded environment had the lowest pupation rate among the settings. For tap water with added food group, the shaded environment had the lowest pupation rate. The mean survival time of females was 27.3 ± 0.8 days in the indoor condition, which was significantly longer than that in the half-shaded (18.4 ± 0.6 days) and shaded (13.8 ± 1.2 days) conditions. Adult mortality was age-dependent, and the rate of change in mortality with age was not significantly different among different environmental conditions. The mean net replacement rate (R0) of female mosquitoes showed no significant difference among the three conditions, whereas the per capita intrinsic growth rate (r) in the shaded condition was 42.0% and 20.4% higher than that in the indoor and half-shaded conditions, respectively. Female daily egg mass was also age-dependent in all the settings, decaying exponentially with age. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that half-shaded conditions are likely the best natural condition for adult emergence and female reproduction, and food supply is crucial for larval development and pupation. The results provide new avenues for integrated mosquito management in indoor and outdoor areas, especially in half-shaded areas.