Rapid development and mass production of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing chicken egg yolk antibodies with protective efficacy in hamsters.

Despite the record speed of developing vaccines and therapeutics against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is not a given that such success can be secured in future pandemics. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and application of therapeutics remain low in developing countries. Rapid and low cost mass production of antiviral IgY antibodies could be an attractive alternative or complementary option for vaccine and therapeutic development. In this article, we rapidly produced SARS-CoV-2 antigens, immunized hens and purified IgY antibodies in 2 months after the SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence became public. We further demonstrated that the IgY antibodies competitively block RBD binding to ACE2, neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus and effectively protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 challenge by preventing weight loss and lung pathology, representing the first comprehensive study with IgY antibodies. The process of mass production can be easily implemented in most developing countries and hence could become a new vital option in our toolbox for combating viral pandemics. This study could stimulate further studies, optimization and potential applications of IgY antibodies as therapeutics and prophylactics for human and animals.

Rapid, visual and highly sensitive sexing of bovine embryos by recombinase polymerase amplification with CFI staining.

Early bovine embryo sexing both increases the number of offspring of the desired sex, and reduces the subsequent costs of processing unwanted offspring of the opposite sex. The need for cattle of different sexes varies from industry to industry, and a range of tools have been set up to meet this need, but most are energy- and time-consuming, hence it is important to establish a fast and convenient method for bovine embryo determination. Herein, we established a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) method combined with CFI dye (RPA-CFI) for sexing of bovine embryos. The assay is highly sensitive, specific, rapid and simple; it can be carried out in only 5 min at 37 °C in a metal bath, and results are visualised using a fluorescent colorimeter. Highly specific male-female common and male-specific primers were designed based on the 1399 bp repeating unit of bovine 1.715 satellite DNA and the male-specific S4 repeating sequence, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of RPA-CFI with male-female common primers was 1 pg/µL, and the LOD with male-specific primers was 2 pg/µL. RPA-CFI could determine the sex of bovine embryos from only two cells. This is the first report using RPA-CFI for sex determination of bovine embryos. The assay could be applied to other economically important animals to improve efficiency in livestock industries. Additionally, the assay could relieve pressure on food demand due to human population growth, and contribute to economic development of global stockbreeding.

Selenium-Enriched and Ordinary Black Teas Regulate the Metabolism of Glucose and Lipid and Intestinal Flora of Hyperglycemic Mice.

Black tea is one of the six major tea categories and has a variety of bioactivities. However, little is known about its comprehensive evaluation of hypoglycemic effects and potential mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the in vivo hypoglycemic activity and potential mechanism for aqueous extracts of ordinary black tea (BT) and selenium-enriched black tea (Se-BT) by using an established high-fat diet together with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemic mouse model. Additionally, we also explored their α-glucosidase inhibition activity. The results show that both BT and Se-BT had a favorable glycosidase inhibitory activity. Moreover, the intervention of BT and Se-BT could regulate the mRNA expression and the level of serum parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolisms. Accordingly, they could activate the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and alleviate insulin resistance (IR) and hyperglycemia. Moreover, supplementation of BT and Se-BT increased the richness and diversity of intestinal flora and altered the abundance of beneficial and harmful bacteria. Both BT and Se-BT could regulate glucose metabolism, alleviate tissue damage, and restore intestinal flora dysbiosis, suggesting that they could be used as a natural functional food for preventing hyperglycemia.

An investigation of airflow distribution and dynamics at a longwall mine face through field survey and its implication on oxygen depletion.

The airflow exchange between the mine ventilation system and the surface atmosphere can influence ventilation effectiveness and emit more greenhouse gas from the mine for shallow cover mines. This airflow exchange also changes the airflow dynamics at the ventilation system, specially at the tailgate corner of the longwall. In this study, the fix-point traverse technique was employed to conduct a comprehensive survey at a coal mine longwall face and tailgate region. The air velocity, oxygen and carbon monoxide concentrations, barometric pressure, and temperature were measured and surveyed. Based on the survey data, the airflow pattern and gas concentration were analyzed at return air corner on the tailgate side. Based on the measurement and analyses, it was found that the airflow at the face can be broken into two compartments by the hydraulic cylinder. These two compartments can periodically exchange the air at the face. This can influence the abnormal gas concentration for the release of carbon monoxide from the gob attributed from coal spontaneous combustion. Also, our study provided detailed information for more understanding of airflow in working face and gob by simulation method in the future work.

A high-throughput analytical method for multiple DNA targets based on microdroplet PCR coupled with DGGE.

We developed a novel approach to analyze multiple DNA targets based on microdroplet PCR coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (MPDG) to achieve high-throughput detection of biological samples. The target DNAs were preamplified using specific primers. Subsequently, the preamplified products were separated into individual microreactors for parallel amplification with high efficiency, avoiding the interference of different primers and templates, and preventing inconsistent amplification efficiency and non-specific amplification. The final products were analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Using genetically modified (GM) maize as samples, the MPDG method could be used for the simultaneous detection of three DNA targets with an absolute limit of detection of 0.5% (w/w), with no cross reaction with other non-GM samples. The simulated sample assay of MPDG suggested that the method is suitable for practical application. The MPDG approach, with high sensitivity and specificity, could play a crucial role in the field of nucleic acid detection.

Identification of the cognate response regulator of the orphan histidine kinase OhkA involved in both secondary metabolism and morphological differentiation in Streptomyces coelicolor.

In the model actinomycete strain, Streptomyces coelicolor, an orphan histidine kinase (HK) named OhkA (encoded by SCO1596), which belongs to bacterial two-component regulatory systems (TCSs), has been identified as being involved in the regulation of both antibiotic biosynthesis and morphological development. However, its cognate response regulator (RR) remains unknown due to its isolated genetic location on the genome, which impedes the elucidation of the mechanism underlying OhkA-mediated regulation. Here, we identified the orphan RR OrrA (encoded by SCO3008) as the cognate RR of OhkA according to mutant phenotypic changes, transcriptomics analysis, and bacterial two-hybrid experiment. Considering that the partner RR of the orphan HK is also orphan, a library of mutants with in-frame individual deletion of these functionally unknown orphan RR-encoding genes were generated. Through phenotypic analysis, it was found that the ∆orrA mutant exhibited similar phenotypic changes as that of the ∆ohkA mutant, showing increased production of actinorhodin (ACT) and undecylprodigiosin (RED), and pink colony surface. Further transcriptomics analysis showed these two mutants exhibited highly similar transcriptomics profiles. Finally, the direct interaction between OhkA and OrrA was revealed by bacterial two-hybrid system. The identification of the partner RR of OhkA lays a good foundation for an in-depth elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying OhkA-mediated regulation of development and antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces. KEY POINTS: • OrrA was identified as the partner RR of the orphan histidine kinase OhkA. • The ∆orrA and ∆ohkA mutants showed similar phenotype and transcriptomic profiling. • Specific interaction of OrrA and OhkA was revealed by bacterial two-hybrid system.

Ring finger 20/ring finger 40/WW domain-containing adaptor with coiled-coil complex interacts with p53 to regulate gene transcription in DNA damage response.

p53 is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes, and its primary function is to act as a transcriptional activator to control cell cycle arrest, DNA repair and cellular metabolism by recognizing and binding to specific DNA sequences. Defects in the ring finger (RNF)20/RNF40/WW domain-containing adaptor with coiled-coil (WAC) complex, one of the histone H2B ubiquitination E3 ligases, have been reported to be a key factor in oncogenesis, cancer cell migration and invasion. Histone H2B mono-ubiquitination has been demonstrated to be essential for maintaining the functionality of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The aim of the present study was to identify any sites in the p53 DNA-binding domain (DBD) specific to the RNF20/RNF40/WAC complex that may be involved in the gene regulation in DNA damage response. The results demonstrated that p53 and the RNF20/RNF40/WAC complex interacted with each other, and the coiled-coil regions in RNF20, RNF40 and WAC were identified to directly interact with p53. The R282 site in the p53 DBD, one of the frequent missense mutations associated with p53 mutation-dependent cancer, was demonstrated to be the key binding site for the RNF20/RNF40/WAC complex. Furthermore, knockout of RNF20/RNF40 suppressed the expression levels of p53 and its target genes in HCT116 cells compared with those in wild-type HCT116 cells. Consistent with these results, the R282W mutation in p53 inhibited the expression levels of p53 and its downstream genes by inactivating the interaction between p53 and RNF20/RNF40 compared with those in wild-type HCT116 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the molecular mechanism of the interaction between the RNF20/RNF40/WAC complex and p53, and demonstrated that these proteins regulated gene transcription in the DNA damage response.

The interaction of histone modification related H3F3B and NSD2 genes increases the susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Chinese population.

The role of histone modifications in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia has been proposed previously. H3F3B is a member of the histone 3. NSD2 is a histone methyltransferase that mediates dimethylation of Histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36me2). The aim of the current study was to explore the associations between SNPs within H3F3B gene (rs60700976, rs3214028) and NSD2 gene (rs13148597, rs75820801) and the susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Chinese population. A total of 810 patients and 490 healthy controls were recruited and genetic association analyses were performed. The H3F3B gene polymorphisms rs3214028 and rs60700976 were significantly associated with schizophrenia. Rs60700976 was also associated with psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Furthermore, we found the interaction between NSD2 gene and H3F3B gene was related to the susceptibility to schizophrenia. The corresponding best three-locus model was H3F3B (rs60700976) - NSD2 (rs75820801, rs13148597), and the high-risk genotype combination was rs13148597(CC)- rs60700976(GG)-rs75820801(TT) (OR = 1.388[1.091-1.766], P = .007). The low-risk genotype combination was rs13148597(CC)-rs60700976(GG)-rs75820801(CT) (OR = 0.57 [0.330-0.985], P = .042). Our findings provided the preliminary evidence that the histone modification related H3F3B and NSD2 genes may confer the susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Chinese population.

Multiplex genome editing using a dCas9-cytidine deaminase fusion in Streptomyces.

CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing has greatly facilitated the study of gene function in Streptomyces. However, it could not be efficiently employed in streptomycetes with low homologous recombination (HR) ability. Here, a deaminase-assisted base editor dCas9-CDA-ULstr was developed in Streptomyces, which comprises the nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9), the cytidine deaminase from Petromyzon marinus (PmCDA1), the uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) and the protein degradation tag (LVA tag). Using dCas9-CDA-ULstr, we achieved single-, double- and triple-point mutations (cytosine-to-thymine substitutions) at target sites in Streptomyces coelicolor with efficiency up to 100%, 60% and 20%, respectively. This base editor was also demonstrated to be highly efficient for base editing in the industrial strain, Streptomyces rapamycinicus, which produces the immunosuppressive agent rapamycin. Compared with base editors derived from the cytidine deaminase rAPOBEC1, the PmCDA1-assisted base editor dCas9-CDA-ULstr could edit cytosines preceded by guanosines with high efficiency, which is a great advantage for editing Streptomyces genomes (with high GC content). Collectively, the base editor dCas9-CDA-ULstr could be employed for efficient multiplex genome editing in Streptomyces. Since the dCas9-CDA-ULstr-based genome editing is independent of HR-mediated DNA repair, we believe this technology will greatly facilitate functional genome research and metabolic engineering in Streptomyces strains with weak HR ability.

A rapid Raman detection of deoxynivalenol in agricultural products.

Mycotoxin results in financial damage and considerable safety risks. In this paper, the possibility of portable Raman system-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for a rapid detection of deoxynivalenol (DON) a mycotoxin in cereals was investigated. Under an optimized condition, SERS analysis for pure DON solution has a wide dynamic concentration range from 10-7M to 10-2M with the limit of detection (LOD) down to 100nM. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis at the level of B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) was also preformed for vibrational assignment. For practical application, the LOD of the proposed Raman method for both DON-contaminated corns and kidney beans were validated as 10-6M and the LOD for DON-contaminated oats was 10-4M. As a perspective, the SERS-based technology could be developed into an alternatively promising assay for on-field detection of DON residues at various cereals due to it high sensitivity and selectivity.

Discovery and evaluation of inhibitors to the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1): Probing the active site-inhibitor interactions.

High expression of the immunosuppressive enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) for a broad range of malignancies is associated with poor patient prognosis, and the enzyme is a validated target for cancer intervention. To identify novel IDO1 inhibitors suitable for drug development, 1597 compounds in the National Cancer Institute Diversity Set III library were tested for inhibitory activity against recombinant human IDO1. We retrieved 35 hits that inhibited IDO1 activity >50% at 20 µM. Five structural filters and the PubChem Bioassay database were used to guide the selection of five inhibitors with IC50 between 3 and 12 µM for subsequent experimental evaluation. A pyrimidinone scaffold emerged as being the most promising. It showed excellent cell penetration, negligible cytotoxicity and passed four out of the five structural filters applied. To evaluate the importance of Ser167 and Cys129 residues in the IDO1 active site for inhibitor binding, the entire NCI library was subsequently screened against alanine-replacement mutant enzymes of these two residues. The results established that Ser167 but not Cys129 is important for inhibitory activity of a broad range of IDO1 inhibitors. Structure-activity-relationship studies proposed substituents interacting with Ser167 on four investigated IDO1 inhibitors. Three of these four Ser167 interactions associated with an increased IDO1 inhibition and were correctly predicted by molecular docking supporting Ser167 as an important mediator of potency for IDO1 inhibitors.

Synthesis, insecticidal activity, crystal structure, and molecular docking studies of nitenpyram analogues with an ω-hydroxyalkyl ester arm anchored on the tetrahydropyrimidine ring.

On the basis of the research of the proposed modes of action between neonicotinoids and insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a new series of nitenpyram analogues with an ω-hydroxyalkyl ester arm anchored on the tetrahydropyrimidine ring was designed and synthesized to further enhance the strength of the hydrogen-bonding action they display in binding with the nAChR. The structures of the target compounds were characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, and elemental analysis, and the cis configuration was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary bioassays indicated that all of the nitenpyram analogues exhibited good insecticidal activity against Nilaparvata lugens and Myzus persicae at 100 mg/L, whereas analogues 4d and 6a afforded the best in vitro activity that had ≥ 95% mortality at 4 mg/L; the LC(50) values of the analogues 4d and 6a were 0.170 and 0.154 mg/L, respectively. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies suggested that their insecticidal potency was also dual-controlled by the flexibility and size of the molecule. In addition, molecular docking simulations revealed that analogues 4d and 6a displayed stronger hydrogen-bonding action in binding with the nAChR, which explained the SARs observed in vitro and implied that the designed nitenpyram analogues are both practical and feasible.

2-Amino-6-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](ethyl)amino}-1-methyl-5-nitro-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-pyridine-3-carbonitrile ethanol monosolvate.

In the title compound, C(21)H(21)ClN(6)O(2)·C(2)H(6)O, a member of the insecticidal active neonicotinoid group of compounds, the 1,4-dihydro-pyridine ring adopts a boat conformation. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs while the components are linked by an N-H⋯O interaction. The crystal packing is stablized by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯O interactions.

6-[(2-Chloro-pyridin-5-ylmeth-yl)(eth-yl)-azan-yl]-4-(2-fluoro-phen-yl)-1-methyl-5-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyridin-2-one.

In the title compound, C(20)H(20)ClFN(4)O(3), the tetra-hydro-pyridone ring adopts a skew boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzene and pyridine rings is 80.7 (3)°. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O inter-actions are observed.

N-{(1Z)-1-[(6-Chloro-pyridin-3-ylmeth-yl)(eth-yl)amino]-3-(3-chloro-phen-yl)-2-nitro-5-oxohex-1-en-yl}-N-methyl-acetamide.

In the title compound, C(23)H(26)Cl(2)N(4)O(4),the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the pyridine and 3-chloro-phenyl rings is 22.63 (2)°. The nitro group is in a Z conformation.

Synthesis, insecticidal activity, and molecular docking studies of nitenpyram analogues with a flexible ester arm anchored on tetrahydropyrimidine ring.

To make further researches on the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of our previous synthesized neonicotinoid compounds, a new series of nitenpyam analogues with flexible ester arm were synthesized. Preliminary bioassays indicated that all of our newly designed nitenpyam analogues exhibited good insecticidal activity at 100 mg/L, while analogues 4c and 4d afforded the best in vitro activity, and both of them had 100% mortality at 20 mg/L. The SAR studies suggested that their insecticidal potency was dual-controlled by the length of the ester arm and the size of the ester group. In addition, the molecular docking simulations revealed that the structural uniqueness of these analogues may lead to a unique molecular recognition and binding mode, which explained the SARs observed in vitro, and shed light on the novel insecticidal mechanism of these novel nitenpyam analogues.

Chiral 1,5-disubstituted 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazine-2-N-nitroimine analogues as novel potent neonicotinoids: Synthesis, insecticidal evaluation and molecular docking studies.

A new series of 1,5-disubstituted 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazine-2-N-nitroimines (4a-4x) were designed and synthesized as novel chiral neonicotinoid analogues. The single-crystal structure of 4n was further determined by X-ray diffraction, and its S configuration was confirmed. Preliminary bioassay showed that compound 4e, 4k, 4u, 4v exhibited excellent insecticidal activities at 100 mg/L, while 4k had >90% mortality at 10 mg/L, which suggested it could be used as a lead for future development. Modeling the inhibitor-nAChR complexes by molecular docking studies explained the structure-activity relationships observed in vitro, and revealed an intriguing molecular binding mode at the active site of nAChR, which raised the possibility that these analogues may arbitrate their insecticidal activity through a mechanism other than imidacloprid.

Discovery of bis-aromatic ring neonicotinoid analogues fixed as cis-configuration: Synthesis, insecticidal activities, and molecular docking studies.

A novel series of bis-aromatic ring neonicotinoid analogues (1a-1l, 2a-2c), were designed and prepared by introducing a new substituted aromatic ring into nitenpyram and forming a tetrahydropyrimidine ring, with the cis-configuration confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary bioassays showed most analogues exhibited good insecticidal activities at 100mg/L, and compound 1d and 2a were highly potent even at 10mg/L. Modeling the ligand-receptor complexes by molecular docking study explained the structure-activity relationships observed in vitro, which may provide some useful information for future design of new insecticides.

Nitromethylene neonicotinoids analogues with tetrahydropyrimidine fixed cis-configuration: synthesis, insecticidal activities, and molecular docking studies.

Two series of new nitromethylene neonicotinoid analogues (2a-2h and 3a-3h) were designed and prepared, with the cis-configuration confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary bioassays showed that most analogues exhibited excellent insecticidal activities at 500 mg/L, and analogues with optical activity (2c-2g) were highly potent at 100 mg/L, while compound 2d had >90% mortality at 20 mg/L, which suggested that it could be used as a lead for future insecticides development. Modeling the ligand-receptor complexes by molecular docking study explained the structure-activity relationships observed in vitro and revealed an intriguing molecular binding mode at the active site of the nAChR model, thereby possibly providing some useful information for future receptor structure-based designs of novel insecticidal compounds.

Ethyl 2-{3-[(2-chloro-1,3-thia-zol-5-yl)meth-yl]-4-nitro-imino-1,3,5-triazinan-1-yl}acetate.

In the title compound, C(11)H(15)ClN(6)O(4)S, which belongs to the neonicotinoid class of insecticidally active heterocyclic compounds, the six-membered triazine ring adopts an opened envolope conformation. The planar nitro imine group [dihedral angle between nitro and imine groups = 1.07 (7)°] and the thia-zole ring are oriented at a dihedral angle of 69.62 (8)°. A classical intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is found in the mol-ecular structure. Moreover, one classical inter-molecular N-H⋯N and four non-classical C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds are also present in the crystal structure. Besides inter-molecular hydrogen bonds, the Cl atom forms an inter-molecular short contact [3.020 (2) Å] with one of the nitro O atoms.