MYH9 is a novel cancer stem cell marker and prognostic indicator in esophageal cancer that promotes oncogenesis through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis.

MYH9 encodes the heavy chain of nonmuscle myosin IIA, a ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic myosin that regulates the actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, cell polarization, and signal transduction in cancer cells. Here, we investigated the role of MYH9 in cancer stem cells (CSCs) associated with esophageal cancer (EC). The subcellular localization of MYH9 was investigated in SKGT-4 cells through immunofluorescent analysis. MYH9+ and MYH9- spheroid cells were derived from SKGT-4 cells by flow cytometry and compared for self-renewal capacity, tumorigenicity, CD133 positivity, cisplatin resistance, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) activity. MYH9 messenger RNA expression was assessed in 30 EC patients by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to explore the influence of MYH9 on EC survival. MYH9 localized to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus of SKGT-4 cells. Spheroid cells displayed higher MYH9 expression and positivity compared to parental SKGT-4 cells. MYH9+ cells showed strong CSC characteristics, including in vivo tumorigenicity, migration, invasion, cisplatin resistance, and CD133+ positivity. MYH9 activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in CSCs and was upregulated in EC patients with poor survival. Collectively, these data show that MYH9 significantly promotes tumorigenesis by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in EC. MYH9 expression remarkably correlates with poor prognosis and represents a novel biomarker and drug target for the diagnosis and treatment of EC.

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the active metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), is a widespread environmental contaminant and has been proved to have potential adverse effects on the reproductive system, carcinogenicity, liver, kidney and developmental toxicities. However, the effect of MEHP on vascular system remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of MEHP on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) and its possible molecular mechanism. HUVEC cells were treated with MEHP (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25,50 and 100 µM), and the cellular apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential as well as intracellular reactive oxygen species were determined. In present study, MEHP induced a dose-dependent cell injury in HUVEC cell via an apoptosis pathway as characterized by increased percentage of sub-G1, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and increased ratio of Bax/bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression as well as cytochrome C releasing. In addition, there was obvious oxidative stress, represented by decreased glutathione level, increased malondialdehyde level and superoxide dismutase activity. N-Acetylcysteine, as an antioxidant that is a direct reactive oxygen species scavenger, could effectively block MEHP-induced reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial membrane potential loss and cell apoptosis. These data indicated that MEHP induced apoptosis in HUVEC cells through a reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Lead optimization of 2-(piperidin-3-yl)-1H-benzimidazoles: identification of 2-morpholin- and 2-thiomorpholin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazoles as selective and CNS penetrating H1-antihistamines for insomnia.

The structure-activity relationships of 2-(piperidin-3-yl)-1H-benzimidazoles, 2-morpholine and 2-thiomorpholin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazoles are described. In the lead optimization process, the pK(a) and/or logP of benzimidazole analogs were reduced either by attachment of polar substituents to the piperidine nitrogen or incorporation of heteroatoms into the piperidine heterocycle. Compounds 9a and 9b in the morpholine series and 10g in the thiomorpholine series demonstrated improved selectivity and CNS profiles compared to lead compound 2 and these are potential candidates for evaluation as sedative hypnotics.

Influence of pKa on the biotransformation of indene H1-antihistamines by CYP2D6.

Structure-activity relationship studies were conducted to reduce CYP2D6-mediated metabolism in a series of indene H(1)-antihistamines. Reductions in pK(a) via incorporation of a ß-fluoro substituent or a heteroaryl moiety were shown to reduce contributions to metabolism through this pathway. Several compounds, including 8l, 8o, and 12f were identified with promising primary in vitro profiles and reduced biotransformation via CYP2D6.

Identification of a novel selective H1-antihistamine with optimized pharmacokinetic properties for clinical evaluation in the treatment of insomnia.

Analogs of the known H(1)-antihistamine R-dimethindene with suitable selectivity for key GPCRs, P450 enzymes and hERG channel were assessed for metabolism profile and in vivo properties. Several analogs were determined to exhibit diverse metabolism. One of these compounds, 10a, showed equivalent efficacy in a rat EEG/EMG model to a previously identified clinical candidate and a potentially superior pharmacokinetic profile as determined from a human microdose study.

Selectivity profiling of novel indene H(1)-antihistamines for the treatment of insomnia.

A series of indene analogs of the H(1)-antihistamine (-)-R-dimethindene was evaluated for selectivity in the search for potentially improved sedative-hypnotics. Variation of the 6-substitutent in the indene core in combination with a pendant electron rich heterocycle led to the identification of several potent H(1)-antihistamines with desirable selectivity over CYP enzymes, the M(1) muscarinic receptor and the hERG channel. These compounds were candidates for further ADME profiling and in vivo evaluation.

Novel benzothiophene H1-antihistamines for the treatment of insomnia.

SAR of lead benzothiophene H(1)-antihistamine 2 was explored to identify backup candidates with suitable pharmacokinetic profiles for an insomnia program. Several potent and selective H(1)-antihistamines with a range of projected half-lives in humans were identified. Compound 16d had a suitable human half-life as demonstrated in a human microdose study, but variability in pharmacokinetic profile, attributed to metabolic clearance, prevented further development of this compound. Compound 28b demonstrated lower predicted clearance in preclinical studies, and may represent a more suitable backup compound.

Characterization of novel selective H1-antihistamines for clinical evaluation in the treatment of insomnia.

Analogues of the known H(1)-antihistamine R-dimethindene were profiled as potential agents for the treatment of insomnia. Several highly selective compounds were efficacious in rodent sleep models. On the basis of overall profile, indene 1d and benzothiophene 2a had pharmacokinetic properties suitable for evaluation in night time dosing. Compound 2a did not show an in vivo cardiovascular effect from weak hERG channel inhibition.

[Diel rhythm of benthic macroinvertebrate's drift in streams in Hengshishui River watershed of Guangdong, China].

An investigation was conducted on the species composition and diel rhythm of benthic macroinvertebrate's drift in two adjacent 3rd order streams in the Hengshishui River watershed of Guangdong, China. One of the streams was seriously polluted by acid mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the Guangdong Dabaoshan Mine, with a very low pH (3.45) and high contents of heavy metals that exceeded the Chinese National Standards for surface water, and the another adjacent was a clean stream. The results showed that the individuals and species of benthic macroinvertebrates were much more in clean stream than in AMD-polluted stream. In the drift samples from clean stream, a total of 6871 macroinvertebrate individuals belonging to 52 taxa of 10 orders were collected, among which, 99.5% were aquatic insects. However, the total drift density was dominated by a few taxa, of which, the dominant drift taxa with relative abundance in excess of 5% included Pseudocloeon morum (28.5%), Cinygmina yixingensis (13.8%), Cheumatopsyche sp. (13.2%), Serratella albostriata (7.5%), Chironomidae (6.5%), and Psephenoides sp. (5.0%). The most abundant drifter both in species and in individuals was Ephemeroptera, constituting 65% of the entire caught (dominated by Baetidiae, which represented 63% of total mayfly individuals), followed by Trichoptera (18%). The macroinvertebrate's drift showed significant diel rhythm, i. e., the drift was strongly nocturnal, with the peaks at 21:00 and 2:00, and the average drift densities being (70.3 +/- 10.8) and (289.0 +/- 124.6) ( ind x 100 m(-3)), respectively. No diurnal drifter was observed. Most dominant drift taxa showed slightly differences in their drift peaks, but some dominant taxa, e. g., chironomids and Psephenoides sp., showed no clear diel rhythm of drift. Polypedilum sp., an acidophilic species of Chironomidae, was the only drift animal found in AMD-polluted stream, which had three distinct drift peaks, i. e., at 19:00, 0:00 and 4:00, with the highest drift density being only (6.7 +/- 5.2) (ind x 100 m(-3)). It was indicated that AMD not only reduced the numbers and species diversity of drift benthic macroinvertebrates, but also altered their drift patterns.

Design and synthesis of tricyclic imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones as corticotropin-releasing factor-1 antagonists.

The synthesis and SAR studies of tricyclic imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones as human corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRF(1)) antagonists are discussed herein. Compound 16g was identified as a functional antagonist that inhibited CRF-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate production and CRF-induced adrenocorticotrophic hormone release. Pharmacokinetics studies in rats showed that 16g was orally bioavailable, had good brain penetration, and had a moderate half-life. In our effort to identify CRF(1) antagonists with improved pharmacokinetics properties, 16g exhibited a favorably lower volume of distribution.

Highly diastereoselective strecker reaction of enolizable aliphatic sulfinimines.

The reaction of chiral sulfinimines 1c-g derived from aliphatic aldehydes with TMSCN in the presence of CsF gave alpha-amino nitriles in high diastereoselectivity and yield. alpha,beta-Diamino acid derivatives were also obtained in high diastereoselectivity from the reaction of 2-aziridinesulfinimines 1h and 1i followed by ring-opening of the products with thiophenol. The presence of hydrogen at the alpha-position of the C=N double bond is crucial in this TMSCN addition reaction.

A facile synthesis of enantiopure 2-aziridinesulfinimines and their highly diastereoselective reactions with phosphite anions.

Two novel enantiopure 1-benzyl-2-aziridinesulfinimines bearing a chiral group on both sides of the carbon-nitrogen double bond were synthesized from the condensation of racemic 1-benzyl-2-aziridinecarboxaldehyde and enantiopure p-toluenesulfinamide. The addition reaction with phosphite anion followed by the ring-opening reaction with thiophenol provided chiral alpha,beta-diamino-phosphonic acid derivatives. The addition reactions showed the operation of a double-stereodifferentiation effect. The possible transition states of the reaction were proposed, and high diastereoselectivities of the addition reactions of phosphite anions to both aziridinesulfinimines were realized in the presence or absence of zinc bromide.