The impact of long-term care insurance on healthcare utilization and expenditures among middle-aged and older Chinese adults: a quasi-experiment study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term care insurance (LTCI) is essential to alleviate the challenges of rapid aging. Research on LTCI in developing countries is limited and conclusions remain controversial. This study aims to empirically evaluate how the LTCI pilot in selected cities influences healthcare utilization and expenditures among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. METHODS: Data was from 2013, 2015, and 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. 167 LTCI and 8225 non-LTCI group participants were identified. Propensity score matching difference-in-difference method was used to evaluate the net effect of LTCI. The robustness of the findings was tested using a placebo test. RESULTS: In the pilot cities, around 17.8% of the population had LTCI coverage, with approximately 59.9% participating in urban employee medical insurance and 81.4% being urban residents. LTCI significantly reduced the monthly out-of-pocket outpatient expenditure by 313.764 yuan (P < 0.05), but had no significant effects on the inpatient utilization and expenditure. Further analysis of vulnerable subgroup revealed that LTCI decreased monthly outpatient visits frequency, total outpatient expenditure, and out-of-pocket outpatient expenditure by 0.523 times, 643.500 yuan, and 302.367 yuan, respectively (P < 0.05). Robustness tests confirmed the stability of these results. CONCLUSIONS: The LTCI coverage rate has remained low. While LTCI has contributed to reducing outpatient utilization and expenditure, its impact on controlling inpatient-related outcomes is limited. It is recommended to broaden LTCI coverage beyond existing participants to encompass more vulnerable populations, and improve awareness and quality of LTCI services to achieve a significant effect on inpatient care.

C/EBPδ deficiency delays infection-induced preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: Parturition is an inflammation process. Exaggerated inflammatory reactions in infection lead to preterm birth. Although nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has been recognized as a classical transcription factor mediating inflammatory reactions, those mediated by NF-κB per se are relatively short-lived. Therefore, there may be other transcription factors involved to sustain NF-κB-initiated inflammatory reactions in gestational tissues in infection-induced preterm birth. METHODS: Cebpd-deficient mice were generated to investigate the role of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm birth, and the contribution of fetal and maternal C/EBPδ was further dissected by transferring Cebpd-/- or WT embryos to Cebpd-/- or WT dams. The effects of C/EBPδ pertinent to parturition were investigated in mouse and human myometrial and amnion cells. The interplay between C/EBPδ and NF-κB was examined in cultured human amnion fibroblasts. RESULTS: The mouse study showed that LPS-induced preterm birth was delayed by Cebpd deficiency in either the fetus or the dam, with further delay being observed in conceptions where both the dam and the fetus were deficient in Cebpd. Mouse and human studies showed that the abundance of C/EBPδ was significantly increased in the myometrium and fetal membranes in infection-induced preterm birth. Furthermore, C/EBPδ participated in LPS-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as genes pertinent to myometrial contractility and fetal membrane activation in the myometrium and amnion respectively. A mechanistic study in human amnion fibroblasts showed that C/EBPδ, upon induction by NF-κB, could serve as a supplementary transcription factor to NF-κB to sustain the expression of genes pertinent to parturition. CONCLUSIONS: C/EBPδ is a transcription factor to sustain the expression of gene initiated by NF-κB in the myometrium and fetal membranes in infection-induced preterm birth. Targeting C/EBPδ may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of infection-induced preterm birth.

The interplay among burnout, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Chinese clinical therapists.

Burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress negatively impact the well-being and retention of healthcare professionals. The interplay of these symptoms is understudied. Utilizing network analysis, this study examined the interrelationships among these symptom clusters in clinical therapists in China. An anonymous survey was conducted among clinical therapists from 41 tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey (MBI-HSS), while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Analyses were performed to identify central symptoms and bridge symptoms of this network. A total of 419 participants were included in this survey. The prevalence rate for burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress was 19.8%, 22.2%, 17.9%, and 8.6%, respectively. Network analysis indicated that stress symptoms had the highest expected influence values, closely followed by emotional exhaustion from MBI-HSS. Notably, emotional exhaustion emerged as the strongest bridge of expected influence. The stability of the expected influence and bridge expected influence was robust, with coefficients at 0.75. The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing the central symptoms and bridge symptoms, which could lead to more effective early detection and intervention for burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress among clinical therapists.

Metallic nano-warriors: Innovations in nanoparticle-based ocular antimicrobials.

Eye infection is one of the most important causes of blindness. Due to the particularity of ocular structure, the enhancement of bacteria resistance, and the significant side effects of long-term medication, it is difficult to treat ocular antimicrobial diseases. The efficacy of medications currently employed is progressively becoming more restricted. The research and development of novel antimicrobial drugs is imperative and imminent in order to overcome the bottleneck problem. Metal nanoparticles have been developed rapidly in the field of biomedicine because of their brilliant antibacterial activity, long-lasting effect, and great bioavailability. Efficacy and biosafety proven in in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the promising prospect of metal nanoparticles for ocular antimicrobial therapy. Based on the development status of antibacterial metal nanoparticles in ophthalmology, we summarized the antibacterial mechanism of metal nanoparticles and the application of nano-antibacterial drugs in this field, emphasizing their advantages over conventional drugs, thus guiding clinical ophthalmic antibacterial therapy.

The dual role of glucocorticoid regeneration in inflammation at parturition.

Introduction: Fetal membrane inflammation is an integral event of parturition. However, excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines can impose threats to the fetus. Coincidentally, the fetal membranes express abundant 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11ß-HSD1), which generates biologically active cortisol to promote labor through induction of prostaglandin synthesis. Given the well-recognized anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids, we hypothesized that cortisol regenerated in the fetal membranes might be engaged in restraining fetus-hazardous pro-inflammatory cytokine production for the safety of the fetus, while reserving pro-labor effect on prostaglandin synthesis to ensure safe delivery of the fetus. Methods: The hypothesis was examined in human amnion tissue and cultured primary human amnion fibroblasts as well as a mouse model. Results: 11ß-HSD1 was significantly increased in the human amnion in infection-induced preterm birth. Studies in human amnion fibroblasts showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced 11ß-HSD1 expression synergistically with cortisol. Cortisol completely blocked NF-κB-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by LPS, but STAT3-mediated cyclooxygenase 2 expression, a crucial prostaglandin synthetic enzyme, remained. Further studies in pregnant mice showed that corticosterone did not delay LPS-induced preterm birth, but alleviated LPS-induced fetal organ damages, along with increased 11ß-HSD1, cyclooxygenase 2, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine in the fetal membranes. Discussion: There is a feed-forward cortisol regeneration in the fetal membranes in infection, and cortisol regenerated restrains pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, while reserves pro-labor effect on prostaglandin synthesis. This dual role of cortisol regeneration can prevent excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while ensure in-time delivery for the safety of the fetus.

Copper-Catalyzed Remote Asymmetric Yne-Allylic Substitution of Yne-Allylic Esters with Anthrones.

Anthrones are key structural motifs in many natural products and pharmaceutical chemicals. However, due to its unique tricyclic aromatic structure, the synthetic space for the development of chiral anthrone derivatives is largely limited. By utilizing the potential of the copper-catalyzed remote asymmetric yne-allylic substitution reaction, we describe the first example of copper-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective remote yne-allylic substitution on various yne-allylic esters with anthrones under a mild reaction condition, which afforded a range of enantioenriched 1,3-enynes with exhibiting broad functional group tolerance across 51 examples.

Copper-Catalyzed Dual Remote Asymmetric Vinylogous Alkynylallylic Substitution of Yne-Allylic Esters with Coumarins.

Chiral coumarins and their derivatives are ubiquitous structural motifs found in an array of biologically and therapeutically active natural products and drugs. Herein, a highly enantioselective dual remote copper-catalyzed vinylogous alkynylallylic substitution of yne-allylic esters with coumarins has been developed. The practicality of this method is exemplified by the use of readily available starting materials; mild reaction conditions; excellent regio-, enantio-, and stereoselectivities; and the very broad substrate scope (67 examples), while the scalability and further applications of this method are illustrated by the gram-scale reaction and the series of derivations of the products.

Disturbance of Fetal Growth by Azithromycin Through Induction of ER Stress in the Placenta.

Aim: Azithromycin (AZM) is widely used to treat mycoplasma infection in pregnancy. However, there is no adequate evaluation of its side effect on the placenta. In this study, using human placental syncytiotrophoblasts and a mouse model, we investigated whether AZM use in pregnancy might adversely affect placental function and pregnancy outcome. Results: Transcriptomic analysis of AZM-treated human placental syncytiotrophoblasts showed increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes and decreased expression of genes for hormone production and growth factor processing. Verification studies showed that AZM increased the abundance of ER stress mediators (phosphorylated eIF2α, activating transcription factor 4 [ATF4], and C/EBP Homologous Protein [CHOP]) and decreased the abundance of enzymes involved in progesterone and estradiol synthesis (STS, CYP11A1, and CYP19A1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) cleavage (PAPPA and ADAM12) in human placental syncytiotrophoblasts. Inhibition of ER stress blocked AZM-induced decreases in the expression of CYP19A1, CYP11A1, PAPPA, and ADAM12, suggesting that the inhibition of AZM on those genes' expression was secondary to AZM-induced ER stress. Further mechanism study showed that increased ATF4 in ER stress might repressively interact with C/EBPα to suppress the expression of those genes, including CEBPA itself. Mouse studies showed that AZM administration decreased fetal weights along with increased ER stress mediators and decreased levels of insulin-like growth factor, estrogen, and progesterone in the maternal blood, which could be alleviated by inhibition of ER stress. Innovation and Conclusion: These findings first support the fact that AZM, often used during pregnancy, may affect fetal growth by inhibiting crucial enzymes for estrogen and progesterone synthesis and disrupting crucial proteases for IGFBP cleavage via inducing ER stress in placental syncytiotrophoblasts.

Stimulus-Responsive Four-Stranded DNA Nanoring Assembly to Host Multiple Nanosilver Clusters for Cooperatively Enhanced Fluorescence Biosensing.

Exploring the ability of four-stranded DNA nanorings (fsDNRs) to host multiple nanosilver clusters (NAgCs) for cooperatively amplifiable fluorescence biosensing to a specific initiator (tI*) is fascinating. By designing three DNA single strands and three analogous stem-loop hairpins, we developed a functional fsDNR through sequential cross-opening and overlapped hybridization. Note that a substrate strand (SS) was programmed with six modules: two severed splits (sT and sT') of NAgCs template, two sequestered segments by a middle unpaired spacer, and a partition for tI*-recognizable displacement, while sT and sT' were also tethered in two ends of three hairpins. At first, a triple dsDNA complex with stimulus-responsiveness was formed to guide the specific binding to tI*, while the exposed toehold of the SS activated the forward cascade hybridization of three hairpins, until the ring closure in the tailored self-assembly pathway for forming the fsDNR. The resulting four duplexes forced each pair of sT/sT' to be merged as the parent template in four nicks, guiding the preferential synthesis of four clusters in the shared fsDNR, thereby cooperatively amplifying the green fluorescence signal for sensitive assay of tI*. Meanwhile, the topological conformation of fsDNR can be stabilized by the as-formed cluster adducts to rivet the pair of two splits in the nicks. Benefitting from the self-enhanced effect of multiple emitters, this label-free fluorescent sensing strategy features simplicity, rapidity, and high on-off contrast, without involving complicated nucleic acid amplifiers.

SEP-363856 exerts neuroprotection through the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway in a dual-hit neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia-like mice.

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a serious, destructive neurodevelopmental disorder. Antipsychotic medications are the primary therapy approach for this illness, but it's important to pay attention to the adverse effects as well. Clinical studies for SZ are currently in phase ΙΙΙ for SEP-363856 (SEP-856)-a new antipsychotic that doesn't work on dopamine D2 receptors. However, the underlying action mechanism of SEP-856 remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact and underlying mechanisms of SEP-856 on SZ-like behavior in a perinatal MK-801 treatment combined with social isolation from the weaning to adulthood model (MK-SI). First, we created an animal model that resembles SZ that combines the perinatal MK-801 with social isolation from weaning to adulthood. Then, different classical behavioral tests were used to evaluate the antipsychotic properties of SEP-856. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1ß), apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2), and synaptic plasticity-related genes (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] and PSD-95) in the hippocampus were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal DG subregions. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of BDNF, PSD-95, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, GSK-3ß, p-GSK-3ß in the hippocampus. MK-SI neurodevelopmental disease model studies have shown that compared with sham group, MK-SI group exhibit higher levels of autonomic activity, stereotyped behaviors, withdrawal from social interactions, dysregulated sensorimotor gating, and impaired recognition and spatial memory. These findings imply that the MK-SI model can mimic symptoms similar to those of SZ. Compared with the MK-SI model, high doses of SEP-856 all significantly reduced increased activity, improved social interaction, reduced stereotyping behavior, reversed sensorimotor gating dysregulation, and improved recognition memory and spatial memory impairment in MK-SI mice. In addition, SEP-856 can reduce the release of proinflammatory factors in the MK-SI model, promote the expression of BDNF and PSD-95 in the hippocampus, correct the Bax/Bcl-2 imbalance, turn on the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway, and ultimately help the MK-SI mice's behavioral abnormalities. SEP-856 may play an antipsychotic role in MK-SI "dual-hit" model-induced SZ-like behavior mice by promoting synaptic plasticity recovery, decreasing death of hippocampal neurons, lowering the production of pro-inflammatory substances in the hippocampal region, and subsequently initiating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3ß signaling cascade.

Benzo[a]pyrene evokes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis through AhR-mediated Nrf2-p62 signaling.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and its metabolic end product benzo(a)pyren-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), are known toxic environmental pollutants. This study aimed to analyze whether sub-chronic BPDE exposure initiated pulmonary fibrosis and the potential mechanisms. In this work, male C57BL6/J mice were exposed to BPDE by dynamic inhalation exposure for 8 weeks. Our results indicated that sub-chronic BPDE exposure evoked pulmonary fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in mice. Both in vivo and in vitro, BPDE exposure promoted nuclear translocation of Snail. Further experiments indicated that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and p62 were upregulated in BPDE-exposed alveolar epithelial cells. Moreover, Nrf2 siRNA transfection evidently attenuated BPDE-induced p62 upregulation. Besides, p62 shRNA inhibited BPDE-incurred Snail nuclear translocation and EMT. Mechanically, BPDE facilitated physical interaction between p62 and Snail in the nucleus, then repressed Snail protein degradation by p62-dependent autophagy-lysosome pathway, and finally upregulated transcriptional activity of Snail. Additionally, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was activated in BPDE-treated alveolar epithelial cells. Dual-luciferase assay indicated activating AhR could bind to Nrf2 gene promoter. Moreover, pretreatment with CH223191 or α-naphthoflavone (α-NF), AhR antagonists, inhibited BPDE-activated Nrf2-p62 signaling, and alleviated BPDE-induced EMT and pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Taken together, AhR-mediated Nrf2-p62 signaling contributes to BaP-induced EMT and pulmonary fibrosis.

SMYD2 induced PGC1α methylation promotes stemness maintenance of glioblastoma stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The high fatality rate of glioblastoma (GBM) is attributed to glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), which exhibit heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. Metabolic plasticity of mitochondria is the hallmark of GSCs. Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis of GSCs is crucial for improving clinical prognosis in GBM patients. METHODS: SMYD2-induced PGC1α methylation and followed nuclear export are confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation, cellular fractionation, and immunofluorescence. The effects of SMYD2/PGC1α/CRM1 axis on GSCs mitochondrial biogenesis are validated by oxygen consumption rate, ECAR, and intracranial glioma model. RESULTS: PGC1α methylation causes the disabled mitochondrial function to maintain the stemness, thereby enhancing the radio-resistance of GSCs. SMYD2 drives PGC1α K224 methylation (K224me), which is essential for promoting the stem-like characteristics of GSCs. PGC1α K224me is preferred binding with CRM1, accelerating PGC1α nuclear export and subsequent dysfunction. Targeting PGC1α methylation exhibits significant radiotherapeutic efficacy and prolongs patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: These findings unveil a novel regulatory pathway involving mitochondria that govern stemness in GSCs, thereby emphasizing promising therapeutic strategies targeting PGC1α and mitochondria for the treatment of GBM.

A flexible modulated pesticide release platform through poly(urethane-urea) microcapsules: effect of different crosslinkers compositions.

BACKGROUND: Polymeric microcapsules (MCs) have become an important issue and have attracted increasing attention because of their tunable physical and chemical properties. Diverse shell structures can confer multiple properties on MCs. RESULTS: Different polyols (1,4-butanediol and glycerin) and polyamines (triethylenetetramine and isophorondiamine) were selected as crosslinkers to obtain emamectin benzoate (EB)-loaded poly(urethane-urea) MCs (PU-MCs) by interfacial polymerization. The four obtained PU-MCs showed sphericity with different degrees of smoothness on their surfaces, and displayed a uniform size distribution ranging from 500 to 700 nm. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy showed that the shell thickness was roughly uniform, and was greatly influenced by the type and structure of the crosslinker. GI-MCs, prepared using glycerin and isophorondiamine, had the largest shell thickness. GT-MCs, obtained using glycerin and triethylenetetramine, had the highest encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading content, and BT-MCs, obtained using mixtures of 1,4-butanediol and triethylenetetramine, had the fastest release behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the greater the degree of shell crosslinking, the higher decomposition temperature and the greater the thermal stability. A BT-MC suspension had the lowest viscosity and contact angle with the best wettability. Bioassay experiments showed that BT-MCs exhibited good insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella larvae with a half-maximal lethal concentration of 4.19 mg/L. Furthermore, a BT-MC suspension showed good thermal and light stability, with potential applications in minimizing the toxicity of EB through sustained release. CONCLUSION: Various properties of EB-loaded PU-MCs were modulated through simple selection of different polyols and polyamines during fabrication, which might have an important role in constructing the pesticide delivery system and improving pesticide utilization. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

ADAMTS4 is a crucial proteolytic enzyme for versican cleavage in the amnion at parturition.

Hyalectan cleavage may play an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling. However, the proteolytic enzyme responsible for hyalectan degradation for fetal membrane rupture at parturition remains unknown. Here, we reveal that versican (VCAN) is the major hyalectan in the amnion, where its cleavage increases at parturition with spontaneous rupture of membrane. We further reveal that ADAMTS4 is a crucial proteolytic enzyme for VCAN cleavage in the amnion. Inflammatory factors may enhance VCAN cleavage by inducing ADAMTS4 expression and inhibiting ADAMTS4 endocytosis in amnion fibroblasts. In turn, versikine, the VCAN cleavage product, induces inflammatory factors in amnion fibroblasts, thereby forming a feedforward loop between inflammation and VCAN degradation. Mouse studies show that intra-amniotic injection of ADAMTS4 induces preterm birth along with increased VCAN degradation and proinflammatory factors abundance in the fetal membranes. Conclusively, there is enhanced VCAN cleavage by ADAMTS4 in the amnion at parturition, which can be reenforced by inflammation.

ALKBH5 SUMOylation-mediated FBXW7 m6A modification regulates alveolar cells senescence during 1-nitropyrene-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Our previous study revealed that 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) exposure evoked pulmonary fibrosis in mice. However, the exact mechanism remained elusive. We found that 1-NP induced telomere damage and cellular senescence in mice lungs, and two alveolar epithelial cells lines. 1-NP downregulated telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2), and upregulated FBXW7. Mechanistically, 1-NP-caused TRF2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation depended on E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of FBXW7. Moreover, 1-NP upregulated FBXW7 m6A modification via an ALKBH5-YTHDF1-dependent manner. Further analysis suggested 1-NP promoted ALKBH5 SUMOylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Additionally, 1-NP evoked mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) overproduction. Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, mitigated 1-NP-caused mtROS overproduction, ALKBH5 SUMOylation, FBXW7 m6A modification, TRF2 degradation, cellular senescence, and pulmonary fibrosis. Taken together, mtROS-initiated ALKBH5 SUMOylation and subsequent FBXW7 m6A modification is indispensable for TRF2 degradation and cellular senescence in alveolar epithelial cells during 1-NP-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Our study provides target intervention measures towards 1-NP-evoked pulmonary fibrosis.

Fluorescence Biosensing Based on Bifurcated DNA Scaffold-Aggregated Ag Nanocluster via Responsive Conformation Switch of Quasi-Molecular Beacon.

To address the limitations of typical hairpin-structural molecular beacons, exploring the ability of a quasi-molecular beacon (qMB) to create label-free fluorescence biosensors is intriguing and remains a challenge. Herein, we propose the first example of modular qMB with the feature of a stimulation-responsive conformation switch to develop an aggregated Ag nanocluster (aAgNC) in a bifurcated DNA scaffold for fluorescently sensing a specific initiator (I*). This qMB was well designed to program four functional modules: I*-recognizable element adopting metastable stem-loop bihairpin structure and two DNA splits (exposed C3GT4 and locked C4AC4T) of aAgNC template that is separated by a tunable hairpin spacer for the customized combination of selective recognition and signaling readout. When presenting I* in an assay route, the specific hybridization induces the directional disassembly of the bihairpin unit, on which the qMB is configurationally switched to liberate the locked split. Thus, the bifurcated parent template pair of C3GT4/C4AC4T is proximal, affording in situ nucleation and clustering of emissive aAgNC. By collecting the fluorescence signal, the quantitative detection of I* is achieved. Benefiting from the ingenious programming of qMB, the recognizing and signaling integration actuates the construction of a facile and convenient fluorescent biosensor featuring rapid reaction kinetics, a wide linear range, high sensitivity, and specificity. This would provide a new paradigm to exploit versatile qMB-based biosensing platforms via stimulation-responsive conformation switches for developing various DNA-scaffolded Ag clusters.

Regulation of depressive-like behaviours by palmitoylation: Role of AKAP150 in the basolateral amygdala.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Protein palmitoylation is involved in learning and memory, and in emotional disorders. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in these processes remain unclear. Herein, we describe that A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) is essential and sufficient for depressive-like behaviours in mice via a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Depressive-like behaviours in mice were induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Palmitoylated proteins in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were assessed by an acyl-biotin exchange assay. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to investigate the role of the DHHC2-mediated AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway in depressive-like behaviours. Electrophysiological recording, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to define the mechanistic pathway. KEY RESULTS: Chronic stress successfully induced depressive-like behaviours in mice and enhanced AKAP150 palmitoylation in the BLA, and a palmitoylation inhibitor was enough to reverse these changes. Blocking the AKAP150-PKA interaction with the peptide Ht-31 abolished the CRS-induced AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway. DHHC2 expression and palmitoylation levels were both increased after chronic stress. DHHC2 knockdown prevented CRS-induced depressive-like behaviours, as well as attenuating AKAP150 signalling and synaptic transmission in the BLA in CRS-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results delineate that DHHC2 modulates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviours and synaptic transmission in the BLA via the AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway, and this pathway may be considered as a promising novel therapeutic target for major depressive disorder.

Epidermal growth factor: Expression in goat endometrial epithelia during early pregnancy and regulation by interferon tau and FOXO1.

In ruminants, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy depends upon a well-coordinated interaction between the conceptus and the maternal endometrium. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is important for embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment. However, the regulatory mechanisms of EGF expression remain unclear. FOXO1, a member of the Forkhead box O (FOXO) subfamily of transcription factors, is currently accepted as a novel endometrial receptivity marker for humans and mice owing to its timely and specific expression at the window of implantation. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal expression profile of EGF in goat uterus during early pregnancy (Day 0 to Day 50 of pregnancy) and verified that EGF expression was regulated by FOXO1 and interferon tau (IFNT). Our results showed that EGF was highly expressed in the luminal epithelium (LE) and the glandular epithelium (GE) during conceptus adhesion (Day 16 to Day 25 of pregnancy). After implantation, EGF protein signals were continuously detected in the endometrial epithelia and appeared in the conceptus trophectoderm. Furthermore, EGF expression could be up-regulated by IFNT in goat uterus and primary endometrial epithelium cells (EECs). The luciferase assay results showed that FOXO1 could promote EGF transcription by binding to its promoter. And FOXO1 positively regulates EGF expression in goat EECs. These findings contribute to better understanding the role and regulation mechanisms of EGF during ruminant early pregnancy.

Regulation of anxiety-like behaviors by S-palmitoylation and S-nitrosylation in basolateral amygdala.

Protein posttranslational modification regulates synaptic protein stability, sorting and trafficking, and is involved in emotional disorders. Yet the molecular mechanisms regulating emotional disorders remain unelucidated. Here we report unknown roles of protein palmitoylation/nitrosylation crosstalk in regulating anxiety-like behaviors in rats. According to the percentages of open arm duration in the elevated plus maze test, the rats were divided into high-, intermediate- and low-anxiety groups. The palmitoylation and nitrosylation levels were detected by acyl-biotin exchange assay, and we found low palmitoylation and high nitrosylation levels in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of high-anxiety rats. Furthermore, we observed that 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), a palmitoylation inhibitor, induced anxiety-like behaviors, accompanied with decreased amplitude and frequency of mEPSCs and mIPSCs in the BLA. Additionally, we also found that inhibiting nNOS activity with 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) in the BLA caused anxiolytic effects and reduced the synaptic transmission. Interestingly, diazepam (DZP) rapidly elevated the protein palmitoylation level and attenuated the protein nitrosylation level in the BLA. Specifically, similar to DZP, the voluntary wheel running exerted DZP-like anxiolytic action, and induced high palmitoylation and low nitrosylation levels in the BLA. Lastly, blocking the protein palmitoylation with 2-BP induced an increase in protein nitrosylation level, and attenuating the nNOS activity by 7-NI elevated the protein palmitoylation level. Collectively, these results show a critical role of protein palmitoylation/nitrosylation crosstalk in orchestrating anxiety behavior in rats, and it may serve as a potential target for anxiolytic intervention.

Copper-Catalyzed Remote Enantioselective Sulfonylation of Yne-Allylic Esters with Sodium Sulfinates.

Impressive progress has been made in the copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution (APS) reaction, but its use in remote asymmetric yne-allylic substitution remains a challenging topic. Herein, we report the first remote enantioselective copper-catalyzed sulfonylation of yne-allylic esters with sodium sulfinates. The reaction is assumed to occur via a copper-vinylvinylidene species as the key reactive intermediate. The use of readily available starting materials, the mild reaction conditions, and the excellent regio-, enantio- and stereoselectivity, as well as broad substrate scope (>70 examples), show the practicality and attractiveness of this method.