Merging DNA Repair with Bioorthogonal Conjugation Enables Accessible and Versatile Asymmetric DNA Catalysis.

Optimizing catalysts through high-throughput screening for asymmetric catalysis is challenging due to the difficulty associated with assembling a library of catalyst analogues in a timely fashion. Here, we repurpose DNA excision repair and integrate it with bioorthogonal conjugation to construct a diverse array of DNA hybrid catalysts for highly accessible and high-throughput asymmetric DNA catalysis, enabling a dramatically expedited catalyst optimization process, superior reactivity and selectivity, as well as the first atroposelective DNA catalysis. The bioorthogonality of this conjugation strategy ensures exceptional tolerance toward diverse functional groups, thereby facilitating the facile construction of 44 DNA hybrid catalysts bearing various unprotected functional groups. This unique feature holds the potential to enable catalytic modalities in asymmetric DNA catalysis that were previously deemed unattainable.

Mechanism of the Visible-Light-Promoted C(sp3)-H Oxidation via Uranyl Photocatalysis.

Uranyl cation, as an emerging photocatalyst, has been successfully applied to synthetic chemistry in recent years and displayed remarkable catalytic ability under visible light. However, the molecular-level reaction mechanisms of uranyl photocatalysis are unclear. Here, we explore the mechanism of the stepwise benzylic C-H oxygenation of typical alkyl-substituted aromatics (i.e., toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene) via uranyl photocatalysis using theoretical and experimental methods. Theoretical calculation results show that the most favorable reaction path for uranyl photocatalytic oxidation is as follows: first, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the benzyl position to form a carbon radical ([R•]), then oxygen addition ([R•] + O2 → [ROO•]), then radical-radical combination ([ROO•] + [R•] → [ROOR] → 2[RO•]), and eventually [RO•] reduction to produce alcohols, of which 2° alcohol would further be oxidized to ketones and 1° would be stepwise-oxygenated to acids. The results of the designed verification experiments and the capture of reactive intermediates were consistent with those of theoretical calculations and the previously reported research that the active benzylic C-H would be stepwise-oxygenated in the presence of uranyl. This work deepens our understanding of the HAT mechanism of uranyl photocatalysis and provides important theoretical support for the relevant application of uranyl photocatalysts in organic transformation.

Dynamic dissolution of Cm3+ ions incorporated at the calcite-water interface: an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation study.

The stability of actinide-mineral solid solution in a water environment is critical for assessing the safety of nuclear-waste geological repositories and studying actinide migration in natural systems. However, the dissolution behavior of actinide ions incorporated at the mineral-water interface is still unclear at the atomic level. Herein, we present metadynamics simulations of the reaction pathways, thermodynamics and kinetics of trivalent curium ions (Cm3+) dissolving from calcite surfaces. Cm3+ ions incorporated in different calcite surfaces (i.e., terrace and stepped surfaces) with distinct coordination environments have different reaction pathways, free energy barriers and free energy changes. We found that Cm dissolution from a stepped surface is more favorable than that from a terrace surface, both thermodynamically and kinetically. In addition, water molecules seem to promote the detachment of curium ions from the surface by exerting a pulling force via water coordination with Cm3+ and a pushing force via proton migration to the surface layer and water diffusion in the vacant Cm site. Thus, the findings from this work prove to be a milestone in revealing the dynamic dissolution mechanism of trivalent actinides from minerals and would also help predict the dissolution behaviors of other metal ions at the solid-water interface in chemical and environmental sciences.

RNA Control via Redox-Responsive Acylation.

Incorporating stimuli-responsive components into RNA constructs provides precise spatiotemporal control over RNA structures and functions. Despite considerable advancements, the utilization of redox-responsive stimuli for the activation of caged RNAs remains scarce. In this context, we present a novel strategy that leverages post-synthetic acylation coupled with redox-responsive chemistry to exert control over RNA. To achieve this, we design and synthesize a series of acylating reagents specifically tailored for introducing disulfide-containing acyl adducts into the 2'-OH groups of RNA ("cloaking"). Our data reveal that these acyl moieties can be readily appended, effectively blocking RNA catalytic activity and folding. We also demonstrate the traceless release and reactivation of caged RNAs ("uncloaking") through reducing stimuli. By employing this strategy, RNA exhibits rapid cellular uptake, effective distribution and activation in the cytosol without lysosomal entrapment. We anticipate that our methodology will be accessible to laboratories engaged in RNA biology and holds promise as a versatile platform for RNA-based applications.

Changes in endemic patterns of respiratory syncytial virus infection in pediatric patients under the pressure of nonpharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 in Beijing, China.

A series of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) was launched in Beijing, China, on January 24, 2020, to control coronavirus disease 2019. To reveal the roles of NPIs on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respiratory specimens collected from children with acute respiratory tract infection between July 2017 and Dec 2021 in Beijing were screened by capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR (CEMP) assay. Specimens positive for RSV were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyped by G gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis using iqtree v1.6.12. The parallel and fixed (paraFix) mutations were analyzed with the R package sitePath. Clinical data were compared using SPSS 22.0 software. Before NPIs launched, each RSV endemic season started from October/November to February/March of the next year in Beijing. After that, the RSV positive rate abruptly dropped from 31.93% in January to 4.39% in February 2020; then, a dormant state with RSV positive rates ≤1% from March to September, a nearly dormant state in October (2.85%) and November (2.98%) and a delayed endemic season in 2020, and abnormal RSV positive rates remaining at approximately 10% in summer until September 2021 were detected. Finally, an endemic RSV season returned in October 2021. There was a game between Subtypes A and B, and RSV-A replaced RSV-B in July 2021 to become the dominant subtype. Six RSV-A and eight RSV-B paraFix mutations were identified on G. The percentage of severe pneumonia patients decreased to 40.51% after NPIs launched. NPIs launched in Beijing seriously interfered with the endemic season of RSV.

TAP1, a potential immune-related prognosis biomarker with functional significance in uveal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: TAP1 is an immunomodulation-related protein that plays different roles in various malignancies. This study investigated the transcriptional expression profile of TAP1 in uveal melanoma (UVM), revealed its potential biological interaction network, and determined its prognostic value. METHODS: CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE bioinformatic methods were used on data sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA) to determine the correlation between TAP1 expression, UVM prognosis, biological characteristics, and immune infiltration. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to discover the signaling pathways associated with TAP1, while STRING database and CytoHubba were used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, respectively. An overall survival (OS) prognostic model was constructed to test the predictive efficacy of TAP1, and its effect on the in vitro proliferation activity and metastatic potential of UVM cell line C918 cells was verified by RNA interference. RESULTS: There was a clear association between TAP1 expression and UVM patient prognosis. Upregulated TAP1 was strongly associated with a shorter survival time, higher likelihood of metastasis, and higher mortality outcomes. According to GSEA analysis, various immunity-related signaling pathways such as primary immunodeficiency were enriched in the presence of elevated TAP1 expression. A PPI network and a ceRNA network were constructed to show the interactions among mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs. Furthermore, TAP1 expression showed a significant positive correlation with immunoscore, stromal score, CD8+ T cells, and dendritic cells, whereas the correlation with B cells and neutrophils was negative. The Cox regression model and calibration plots confirmed a strong agreement between the estimated OS and actual observed patient values. In vitro silencing of TAP1 expression in C918 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to demonstrate that TAP1 expression is positively correlated with clinicopathological factors and poor prognosis in UVM. In vitro experiments also verified that TAP1 is associated with C918 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. These results suggest that TAP1 may function as an oncogene, prognostic marker, and importantly, as a novel therapeutic target in patients with UVM.

Long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on five mental and psychological disorders: in terms of the number of disease visits, drug consumption, and scale scores.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused mild to severe infections in humans. The long-term epidemic environment harms people's mental health. To explore the impact of the epidemic on people's mental and psychological conditions, we surveyed in Wenzhou. METHODS: We collected the data of people who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University for five types of mental and psychological diseases from January 2018 to December 2021. Then, taking December 2019 as the cut-off point, the 48-month data were divided into the pre-epidemic group and the dur-epidemic group. Based on the above data, statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2021, the number of initial diagnoses, the number of disease visits, and drug consumption for these five types of mental and psychological diseases were all on the rise. Compared with the number of disease visits for all disorders in both psychiatry and neurology departments, it was found that the growth rate of these five diseases was higher than the growth rate of all disorders. We found that the number of disease visits, drug consumption, and scale scores after the COVID-19 outbreak were significantly different from those before the outbreak (P < 0.05). And the number of disease visits positively correlated with drug consumption (P < 0.0001, r = 0.9503), which verified the stability of the data. CONCLUSION: The epidemic environment has had a long-term and negative impact on people's mental and psychological conditions. Therefore, whether or not the epidemic is receding, we still need to be concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on mental and psychological health.

Prostaglandin F2α Regulates Adipogenesis by Modulating Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling in Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), the first-line anti-glaucoma medication, can cause the deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus due to orbital lipoatrophy. However, the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) involves the excessive adipogenesis of the orbital tissues. The present study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of PGF2α on adipocyte differentiation. In this study primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) from six patients with GO were established. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting (WB) were used to evaluated the expression of the F-prostanoid receptor (FPR) in the orbital adipose tissues and the OFs of GO patients. The OFs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes and treated with different incubation times and concentrations of PGF2α. The results of Oil red O staining showed that the number and size of the lipid droplets decreased with increasing concentrations of PGF2α and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and WB of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fatty-acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), both adipogenic markers, were significantly downregulated via PGF2α treatment. Additionally, we found the adipogenesis induction of OFs promoted ERK phosphorylation, whereas PGF2α further induced ERK phosphorylation. We used Ebopiprant (FPR antagonist) to interfere with PGF2α binding to the FPR and U0126, an Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) inhibitor, to inhibit ERK phosphorylation. The results of Oil red O staining and expression of adipogenic markers showed that blocking the receptor binding or decreasing the phosphorylation state of the ERK both alleviate the inhibitory effect of PGF2a on the OFs adipogenesis. Overall, PGF2α mediated the inhibitory effect of the OFs adipogenesis through the hyperactivation of ERK phosphorylation via coupling with the FPR. Our study provides a further theoretical reference for the potential application of PGF2α in patients with GO.

Traceability of Geographic Origin Using Human Skin and Oral Microbiota.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the possibility of using human skin and oral microorganisms to estimate the geographic origin of an individual through the sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. METHODS: Microbial DNA was extracted from the palm and oral microorganisms of the Han population in Shanghai and Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, and the composition and diversity of the microbiota were analyzed by full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Then, differential species were screened and a geographic location prediction model was constructed. RESULTS: The compositions of palm and oral microorganisms between Shanghai and Chifeng samples were both different. The abundance and uniformity of palm side skin microorganisms were higher in Chifeng samples than in Shanghai samples, while there was no significant difference in oral microorganisms. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) confirmed that the ß-diversity between the samples from the two places were statistically significant, and the coefficients of determination (R2) for skin and oral samples were 0.129 and 0.102, respectively. Through principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA), the samples from the two places could be preliminarily distinguished. The predictive model had the accuracies of 0.90 and 0.83 for the geographic origin using the skin and oral samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the compositions of palm and oral microbiota between Han populations in Shanghai and Chifeng. The prediction model constructed by the random forest algorithm can trace the unknown individuals from the above two places.

Decision tree model predicts live birth after surgery for moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesions.

BACKGROUND: After treatment of intrauterine adhesions, the rate of re-adhesion is high and the pregnancy outcome unpredictable and unsatisfactory. This study established and verified a decision tree predictive model of live birth in patients after surgery for moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). METHODS: A retrospective observational study initially comprised 394 patients with moderate-to-severe IUAs diagnosed via hysteroscopy. The patients underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis from January 2013 to January 2017, in a university-affiliated hospital. Follow-ups to determine the rate of live birth were conducted by telephone for at least the first postoperative year. A classification and regression tree algorithm was applied to establish a decision tree model of live birth after surgery. RESULTS: Within the final population of 374 patients, the total live birth rate after treatment was 29.7%. The accuracy of the model was 83.8%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.870 (95% CI 7.699-0.989). The root node variable was postoperative menstrual pattern. The predictive accuracy of the multivariate logistic regression model was 70.3%, and the AUC was 0.835 (95% CI 0.667-0.962). CONCLUSIONS: The decision tree predictive model is useful for predicting live birth after surgery for IUAs; postoperative menstrual pattern is a key factor in the model. This model will help clinicians make appropriate clinical decisions during patient consultations.

Chromatic visual evoked potentials identify optic nerve dysfunction in patients with Graves' orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To explore visual dysfunction in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) objectively by analyzing chromatic visual evoked potentials (cVEP) and evaluate its diagnostic efficiency for dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed pattern-reversal VEP (pVEP), red-green (R-G) and blue-yellow (B-Y) cVEP in 93 subjects (21 with DON, Group A, 30 with GO, Group B, and 42 healthy controls, Group C) at Wuhan Union Hospital, China. RESULTS: Compared with Group C, the amplitudes of B-Y cVEP were significantly lower in Group B, whereas all amplitudes of cVEP, latencies and amplitudes of pVEP in Group A were significantly impaired. In addition, the pVEP latency at 60 arcmin (60'), pVEP amplitudes and R-G cVEP amplitudes were significantly different between Group A and B. Moreover, 60'cVEP R-G negative-positive (N-P) amplitude was correlated with crowding index (P = 0.001), the average thickness of ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (P = 0.004). Furthermore, combination of 60'cVEP R-G amplitude and 60'pVEP P100 latency had better diagnostic efficiency than each single parameter, with optimal cut-off values of 14.20 µV and 110.65 ms, respectively. CONCLUSION: GO may induce electrophysiological changes. The presence of B-Y cVEP anomalies in moderate to severe GO patients may be an early sign of preclinical DON. A decline in 60'cVEP R-G amplitude is associated with apical crowding and thinner inner intra-retinal layers. The combination of 60'cVEP R-G N-P amplitude and 60'pVEP latency can be a useful diagnostic index for DON.

Ligand-enabled meta-C-H activation using a transient mediator.

Achieving site selectivity in C-H functionalization reactions is a significant challenge, especially when the target C-H bond is distant from existing functional groups. Coordination of a functional group to a metal is often a key driving force and control element in many important reactions including asymmetric hydrogenation, epoxidation and lithiation. Exploitation of this effect has led to the development of a broad range of directed C-H activation reactions. However, these C-H activation methods are limited to proximal C-H bonds, which are spatially and geometrically accessible from the directing functional group. The development of meta-selective C-H functionalizations remains a significant challenge. We recently developed a U-shaped template that can be used to overcome this constraint and have shown that it can be used to selectively activate remote meta-C-H bonds. Although this approach has proved to be applicable to various substrates and catalytic transformations, the need for a covalently attached, complex template is a substantial drawback for synthetic applications. Here we report an alternative approach employing norbornene as a transient mediator to achieve meta-selective C-H activation with a simple and common ortho-directing group. The use of a newly developed pyridine-based ligand is crucial for relaying the palladium catalyst to the meta position by norbornene after initial ortho-C-H activation. This catalytic reaction demonstrates the feasibility of switching ortho-selectivity to meta-selectivity in C-H activation of the same substrate by catalyst control.

Distal γ-C(sp3 )-H Olefination of Ketone Derivatives and Free Carboxylic Acids.

Reported herein is the distal γ-C(sp3 )-H olefination of ketone derivatives and free carboxylic acids. Fine tuning of a previously reported imino-acid directing group and using the ligand combination of a mono-N-protected amino acid (MPAA) and an electron-deficient 2-pyridone were critical for the γ-C(sp3 )-H olefination of ketone substrates. In addition, MPAAs enabled the γ-C(sp3 )-H olefination of free carboxylic acids to form diverse six-membered lactones. Besides alkyl carboxylic acids, benzylic C(sp3 )-H bonds also could be functionalized to form 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin structures in a single step from 2-methyl benzoic acid derivatives. The utility of these protocols was demonstrated in large scale reactions and diversification of the γ-C(sp3 )-H olefinated products.

A novel SCNN1G mutation in a PHA I infant patient correlates with nephropathy.

Systematic form of pseudohypoaldosteronism Type I (PHA I) is a rare recessive homozygous inherited syndrome characterized by severe salt loss, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, hyperaldosteronism and hyperreninemia. It is caused by mutations in one of the genes encoding the α, ß and γ subunits of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing on an infant patient with PHA I as well as nephropathy. The result presented a novel homozygous six-base deletion in the γ subunit encoding gene SCNN1G. Then we correlated the mutant to kidney damage, along with transcriptional alterations of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, via in vitro and in vivo tests. In addition, it was demonstrated that the SCNN1G defects triggered programmed cell death via inhibiting miR-21 and upregulating PTEN, which then orchestrated the key downstream regulators, including Bcl2, Bax2, and cleaved Caspse-3 in a way that favors cell apoptosis. The study enhances our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder of PHA I and the mechanisms of renal damage induced by the novel defect.

Epidemic investigation of benign prostatic obstruction with coexisting overactive bladder in Shanghai Pudong New Area and its impact on the health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prevalence, relative risk factors, and the impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) with coexisting overactive bladder (OAB) in men aged over 50 and living in Shanghai Pudong New Area. METHODS: Using a multi-stage sampling and descriptive epidemiological method, 1632 men were selected from among the general population. Participants completed an evaluation of lower urinary tracts symptoms (LUTS), including international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire. In addition, the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and King's health questionnaire (KHQ) were used to assess the impact of BPO with coexisting OAB on the HRQoL. Maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1476 men with complete data were analyzed. The overall prevalence of BPO with coexisting OAB was 39.6%. Age and prostate volume were associated risk factors for BPO with coexisting OAB. In addition, BPO with coexisting OAB negatively impacted the HRQoL, with increased IPSS, QoL, OABSS, and KHQ scores and decreased IIEF-5 scores compared to that in patients with BPO without OAB. CONCLUSIONS: Qmax, PVR and serum PSA did not predict whether the patients had a combined BPO + OAB or not. The prostate volume and age were associated risk factors for BPO with coexisting OAB. BPO is a progressive disease and may be one of the risk factors for OAB.

Upregulation of TRPV1 in spinal dorsal root ganglion by activating NGF-TrkA pathway contributes to pelvic organ cross-sensitisation in rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the prostate gland inflammation characterised as genitourinary pain in the pelvic region. The rat experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) was achieved to mimic CP/CPPS. The expressions of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in the prostate, bladder and spinal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were analysed by Western blotting. Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the DRG were also analysed by Western blotting. Measurements of inflammatory cytokines were carried out according to the instructions of the corresponding kits. The expressions of TRPV1 in the prostate, bladder and DRG in the EAP group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The expressions of NGF and TrkA in the DRG in the EAP group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-1ß in the EAP group were significantly higher than those in the control group. We conclude that CP/CPPS may participate in the pathological activation of neurons in the L5-S1 segment of DRG by activating NGF-TrkA pathway and cause pelvic organ cross-sensitisation by upregulating the expression of TRPV1 in the prostate, bladder and DRG.

Ligand-Enabled γ-C(sp3)-H Activation of Ketones.

We report the first example of Pd(II)-catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H activation of ketones directed by a practical 2,2-dimethyl aminooxyacetic acid auxiliary. 2-Pyridone ligands are identified to enable C(sp3)-H activation for the first time. A rare six-membered palladacycle intermediate is isolated and characterized to elucidate the reaction mechanism. Both (hetero)arylation and vinylation of γ-C(sp3)-H bonds are demonstrated. Sequential ß- and γ-C(sp3)-H (hetero)arylation of muscone showcases the utility of this method for late-stage diversification. A convenient Mn(II)-catalyzed auxiliary removal is also developed to further underscore the practicality of this transformation.

Highly Versatile ß-C(sp3)-H Iodination of Ketones Using a Practical Auxiliary.

The first example of palladium(II)-catalyzed ß-C(sp3)-H iodination of a wide range of ketones using a commercially available aminooxyacetic acid auxiliary has been achieved. This L, X-type directing group overcomes the limitations of the transient directing group approach for C(sp3)-H functionalization of ketones. Practical advantages of this method include simple installation of the auxiliary without chromatography, exceptional tolerance of α-functional groups, as well as alkenes and alkynes, and rapid access to diverse sterically hindered quaternary centers.

Versatile Alkylation of (Hetero)Aryl Iodides with Ketones via ß-C(sp3)-H Activation.

We report Pd(II)-catalyzed ß-C(sp3)-H (hetero)arylation of a variety of ketones using a commercially available 2,2-dimethyl aminooxyacetic acid auxiliary. Facile installation and removal of the auxiliary as well as its superior scope for both ketones and (hetero)aryl iodides overcome the significant limitations of the previously reported ß-C(sp3)-H arylation of ketones. The ready availability of ketones renders this reaction a broadly useful method for alkyl-(hetero)aryl coupling involving both primary and secondary alkyls.

Ligand-Enabled Pd(II)-Catalyzed Bromination and Iodination of C(sp3)-H Bonds.

We herein report the palladium(II)-catalyzed bromination and iodination of a variety of α-hydrogen-containing carboxylic acid and amino acid-derived amides. These reactions are exclusively enabled by quinoline-type ligands. The halogenated products obtained in this reaction are highly versatile and rapidly undergo further diversification. Further, we report the first example of a free carboxylic acid-directed Pd(II)-catalyzed C(sp3)-H bromination, enabled by quinoline ligands.