Construction of Multi-enzyme Integrated Catalysts for Deracemization of Cyclic Chiral Amines.

Multi-enzyme cascade catalysis has become an important technique for chemical reactions used in manufacturing and scientific study. In this research, we designed a four-enzyme integrated catalyst and used it to catalyse the racemization reaction of cyclic chiral amines, where monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyses the selective oxidation of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (MTQ), imine reductase (IRED) catalyses the selective reduction of 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline (MDQ), formate dehydrogenase (FDH) is used for the cyclic regeneration of cofactors, and catalase (CAT) is used for decomposition of oxidative reactions. The four enzymes were immobilized via polydopamine (PDA)-encapsulated dendritic organosilica nanoparticles (DONs) as carriers, resulting in the amphiphilic core-shell catalysts. The hydrophilic PDA shell ensures the dispersion of the catalyst in water, and the hydrophobic DON core creates a microenvironment with the spatial confinement effect of the organic substrate and the preconcentration effect to enhance the stability of the enzymes and the catalytic efficiency. The core-shell structure improves the stability and reusability of the catalyst and rationally arranges the position of different enzymes according to the reaction sequence to improve the cascade catalytic performance and cofactor recovery efficiency.

A new norsesquiterpenoid from Ligularia virgaurea.

A new eremophilane norsesquiterpenoid (1), together with a known eremophilane sesquiterpenoid (2), was isolated from the leaves of Ligularia virgaurea. The structure of 1 was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis (IR, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS), and its absolute configuration was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment (with copper radiation). The known compound 2 was identified by comparison of its physical and spectral data with those reported in the literature. Compound 1 was assayed for its cytotoxic activities against human cervical carcinoma cell (HeLa) and human small cell lung cancer cell (NCI-446) lines.

Trichosporon asahii infection after total knee arthroplasty: A case report and review of the literature.

Reports of fungal infection after total knee arthroplasty are extremely rare. In most reports, the infecting organism is a Candida species. The present report describes a case involving a 73-year-old immunocompetent woman who underwent total knee arthroplasty and presented one month later with signs of prosthetic infection. She underwent joint debridement and the fluid was sent for culture and sensitivity testing. The culture showed growth of Trichosporon asahii. The patient was administered intravenous and intra-articular injections of amphotericin B, followed by antifungal treatment with voriconazole for one year. At 26 months of follow-up, there was no evidence of infection and the patient was ambulating with a walker. To the authors' knowledge, the present case is the first report of T asahii infection following knee replacement. Early detection, prompt institution of the appropriate antibiotics and regular follow-up are recommended.

Les rapports d'infection fongique sont d'une extrême rareté après une arthroplastie totale du genou. Dans la plupart des rapports, l'organisme infectant fait partie des espèces à Candida. Le présent rapport décrit le cas d'une femme immunocompétente de 73 ans qui a subi une arthroplastie totale du genou et qui, un mois plus tard, a consulté en raison de signes d'infection prosthétique. Elle a subi un débridement articulaire, et le liquide a été envoyé pour mise en culture et test de sensibilité. La culture a révélé une croissance de Trichosporon asahii. La femme a reçu des injections intraveineuses et intra-articulaires d'amphotéricine B, puis un traitement antifongique au voriconazole pendant un an. Après 26 mois de suivi, elle n'avait plus de traces d'infection et pouvait se déplacer avec un déambulateur. En autant que le sache les auteurs, ce cas est le premier rapport d'infection à T asahii après une arthroplastie du genou. Ils recommandent le dépistage précoce, l'amorce rapide des antibiotiques pertinents et un suivi régulier.

Profiling lipid mediators in serum from children with H1N1 influenza.

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 can cause severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in young children and elderly individuals. H1N1 initiates inflammatory responses that aim to contain and eliminate microbial invaders. Various lipid mediators (LMs) are biosynthesized and play a critical role in fighting viruses during inflammation; thus, by profiling the LMs in patients, researchers can obtain mechanistic insights into diseases, such as the pathways disrupted. To date, the relationship between molecular alterations in LMs and the pathogenesis of H1N1 influenza in children is poorly understood. Here, we employed a targeted liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) to profile LMs in serum from children with H1N1 influenza (H1N1 children) and recovered children. We found that 22 LM species were altered in H1N1 children with mild symptoms. Analysis of the LM profiles of recovered children revealed a decrease in the levels of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and thromboxane B3 (TxB3) and an increase in the levels of other 8 altered LM species associated with H1N1 influenza, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme-derived dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DiHETrEs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) from arachidonic acid (AA), and epoxyoctadecamonoenoic acids (EpOMEs) from linoleic acid (LA). Taken together, the results of this study revealed that serum LMs change dynamically in H1N1 children with mild symptoms. The dramatically altered LMs in H1N1 children could serve as a basis for potential therapeutics or adjuvants against H1N1 influenza.

8ß-Eth-oxy-eremophil-3,7(11)-diene-8α,12;6α,15-diolide.

The title compound, C17H20O5, an eremophilane sesquiternoid, was isolated from the roots of Ligularia lapathifolia. The mol-ecule contains four fused rings of which the six-membered ring A adopts a half-chair conformation, the six-membered ring B adopts a chair conformation, the five-membered ring C is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.015 Å) and the five-membered ring D adopts an envelope conformation with the quaternary C atom as the flap. The methyl and the eth-oxy groups adopt a syn conformation and the A/B ring junction is cis-fused. No directional inter-molecular inter-actions could be identified in the crystal.

Perturbation of intestinal stem cell homeostasis and radiation enteritis recovery via dietary titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Small intestinal health and enteritis incidence are tightly coupled to the homeostasis of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which are sensitive to dietary alterations. However, little is known about the impact of food additives on ISC pool. Here, we demonstrate that chronic exposure to low-dose TiO2 NPs, a commonly used food additive, significantly hampers primary human and mouse ISC-derived organoid formation and growth by specifically attenuating Wnt signal transduction. Mechanistically, TiO2 NPs alter the endocytic trafficking of the Wnt receptor LRP6 and prevent the nuclear entry of ß-catenin. Notably, dietary TiO2 NPs elicit modest chronic stress in healthy intestines and considerably impede the recovery of radiation enteritis by perturbing the homeostasis of ISCs in vivo. Our results identify a health concern of TiO2 NP exposure on ISC homeostasis and radiation enteritis recovery. These findings suggest extra precaution during the treatment of radiation enteritis and provide new insights into food additive-ISC interaction.

Retinol dehydrogenase 10 reduction mediated retinol metabolism disorder promotes diabetic cardiomyopathy in male mice.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial injury induced by diabetes with complex pathogenesis. In this study, we identify disordered cardiac retinol metabolism in type 2 diabetic male mice and patients characterized by retinol overload, all-trans retinoic acid deficiency. By supplementing type 2 diabetic male mice with retinol or all-trans retinoic acid, we demonstrate that both cardiac retinol overload and all-trans retinoic acid deficiency promote diabetic cardiomyopathy. Mechanistically, by constructing cardiomyocyte-specific conditional retinol dehydrogenase 10-knockout male mice and overexpressing retinol dehydrogenase 10 in male type 2 diabetic mice via adeno-associated virus, we verify that the reduction in cardiac retinol dehydrogenase 10 is the initiating factor for cardiac retinol metabolism disorder and results in diabetic cardiomyopathy through lipotoxicity and ferroptosis. Therefore, we suggest that the reduction of cardiac retinol dehydrogenase 10 and its mediated disorder of cardiac retinol metabolism is a new mechanism underlying diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Improper preanalytical processes on peripheral blood compromise RNA quality and skew the transcriptional readouts of mRNA and LncRNA.

Genetic and epigenetic reprogramming caused by disease states in other tissues is always systemically reflected in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). Accurate transcriptional readouts of Messenger RNA (mRNA) and Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in peripheral blood leukocytes are fundamental for disease-related study, diagnosis and treatment. However, little is known about the impact of preanalytical variables on RNA quality and downstream messenger RNA and Long non-coding RNA readouts. In this study, we explored the impact of RNA extraction kits and timing of blood placement on peripheral blood leukocyte-derived RNA quality. A novel enhanced evaluation system including RNA yields, purity, RNA integrity number (RIN) values and ß-actin copies was employed to more sensitively identify RNA quality differences. The expression levels of informative mRNAs and Long non-coding RNAs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were measured by Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to investigate the impact of RNA quality on transcriptional readouts. Our results showed that the quality of RNA extracted by different kits varies greatly, and commercial kits should be evaluated and managed before batch RNA extraction. In addition, the quality of extracted RNA was highly correlated with the timing of blood placement, and the copy number of ß-actin was significantly decreased after leaving blood at RT over 12 h. More importantly, compromised RNA leads to skewed transcriptional readouts of informative mRNAs and Long non-coding RNAs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or triple-negative breast cancer. These findings have significant implications for peripheral blood leukocyte-derived RNA quality management and suggest that quality control is necessary prior to the analysis of patient messenger RNA and Long non-coding RNA expression.

[Research progress on finite element analysis of internal fixation for clavicular fracture].

Clavicular fracture is a common upper limb fracture. Because of its special anatomical structure, it directly affects the function of the shoulder joint. The different injury mechanisms of clavicular fracture affect the mechanical effect of internal fixation, so the selection of internal fixation method has been puzzling orthopedists. As a modern computer based mechanical analysis, finite element analysis application in the internal fixation of clavicular fracture can not only clarify the pathogenesis of fractures, biomechanical properties of internal fixators and complications of fractures, but also provide guidance for preoperative planning. Therefore, it is beneficial to preoperative planning and individualized selection of surgical methods, and is expected to become an indispensable part in preoperative planning for clavicular fracture. In this paper, the pathogenesis, related influencing factors, selection of internal fixation and postoperative complications of clavicular fracture based on finite element analysis and problems during finite element analysis were reviewed.

Eremophilane-type Sesquiterpenes from the Leaves of Ligularia virgaurea.

A phytochemical study of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Ligularia virgaurea led to the isolation of a new eremophilane-type sesquiterpene lactone, (4S,5R,6S,8S,lR)-6ß-angeloyloxy-eremophil-7(l l)-en-10ßH-8α,12-olide (1), along with a known eremophilane-type sesquiterpene, (4S,5R,6S,lOS)-6ß- angeloyloxy-10ßH-furanoeremophil-9-one (2). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including ID and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments, and the absolute configurations were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using the anomalous scattering of Cu Ka radiation.

Anatomical study of the coracoid process in Mongolian male cadavers using the Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND: The Latarjet procedure addresses recurrent anterior shoulder instability in the context of a significant bony defect. However, the bony and soft tissue anatomy of the coracoid in coracoid transfer procedures has not yet been defined in Mongolian men. The aims of this study were to describe the soft tissue attachments of the coracoid regarding the bony anatomy, define the average amount of bone available for coracoid transfer, analyze the characteristics of the pectoralis minor and coracoid, and study the relationship between the bony dimensions of the coracoid and body length in Mongolian men. METHODS: We dissected 30 shoulders from 15 male Mongolian cadavers, exposing the coracoid process and attached anatomical structures including the lateral clavicle and acromion, then measured the bony dimensions of the coracoid and the locations and sizes of the coracoid soft tissue footprints. RESULTS: The mean length of the coracoid available for transfer was 23.93 ± 2.32 mm. The mean length of the coracoid was 42.10 ± 2.3 mm, and the mean width and height of the coracoid midpoint were 15.29 ± 1.70 mm and 11.61 ± 1.98 mm, respectively. The pectoralis minor was part of the joint capsule and passed over the coracoid in some samples. The mutation rate of the pectoralis minor footprint, which was asymmetrical and irregular, was 23.33 %. Statistical analysis involved a multiple linear regression equation. CONCLUSIONS: The average amount of bone available for use in coracoid transfer in Mongolian men was less than that of other populations. Mutation of the pectoralis minor may induce intraoperative capsule injury because this muscle passes over the coracoid deep to the joint capsule of the glenohumeral joint and constitutes part of the shoulder joint, strengthening the joint. Statistically, higher coracoids appeared in shorter patients and longer coracoids appeared in taller patients. Surgically, great care should be taken to consider a patient's height to precisely implement the congruent-arc Latarjet technique.

Euphorikanin A, a Diterpenoid Lactone with a Fused 5/6/7/3 Ring System from Euphorbia kansui.

Euphorikanin A (1), an unprecedented diterpenoid lactone which possesses a novel 5/6/7/3-fused tetracyclic ring skeleton, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia kansui. The chemical structure and absolute stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two human tumor cell lines HeLa and NCI-446. A proposed biosynthetic pathway of compound 1 is also described.

A Novel Norclerodane Diterpenoid from the Roots of Croton crassifolius.

A chemical investigation of Croton crassifolius afforded a novel norclerodane diterpenoid (1) with an unprecedented six-membered oxygen ring between C-1 and C-12, together with three known compounds. The structure of the new compound was elucidated based on spectroscopic (IR, 1D, and 2D NMR) and HR-ESI-MS techniques. This report describes the first example of a natural norclerodane with a 4H-chromene ring system.

[Experimental study on Seprafilm anti-adhesion membrane composed of hyaluronic acid derivative on prevention of tendon adhesion in rabbit].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of Seprafilm anti-adhesion membrane, a hyaluronic acid (HA) derivative, on prevention of adhesion in acute injured tendon. METHODS: Eighteen 4-month-old Chinese white rabbits (half males and half females, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg) were made the laceration models of the bilateral second and third toes of hindpaw. According to different treatments, the rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 18). The second toe of right hindpaw was wrapped with Seprafilm anti-adhesion membrane (group A); the third toe of right hindpaw was wrapped with polylactic acid membrane (group B); the second toe of left hindpaw was coated with sodium hyaluronate gel (group C); and the third toe of left hindpaw did not treated, as control group (group D). The general condition was observed; the range of motion (ROM) of distal interphalangeal joint was measured; the gross observation and histological observation were performed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, then the degree of adhesion was graded. RESULTS: All rabbits survived to the end of the experiment. There was no significant difference in ROM of distal interphalangeal joint between groups A and B at 1, 2, and 4 weeks (P > 0.05). ROM of group A was superior to that of groups C and D at 2 and 4 weeks (P < 0.05). The gross and histological observations showed the same result in the grading of adhesion. At 1 week, there was no significant difference in the grading of adhesion among 4 groups (P > 0.05); at 2 and 4 weeks, the grading of adhesion in group A was similar to that in group B (P > 0.05), and the grading of adhesion in group A was significantly slighter than that in groups C and D (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Seprafilm anti-adhesion membrane composed of HA derivative can prevent tendon adhesion and improve the joint function in acute tendon injury of rabbits.