Carbene-Catalyzed Activation of 2-Aminobenzaldehyde for Access to Chiral Fluorescent Quinazolinone.

A carbene-catalyzed reaction to synthesize a chiral quinazolinone with a new activation mode of an "aniline-like" N-H moiety is disclosed. Addition of the nitrogen atom of diphenyl o-aminobenzaldehydes via NHC activation to imines leads to chiral quinazolinones with high yields and optical purities. The acidity of the N-H moiety was extremely increased through the formation of an acyl azolium intermediate, which was investigated by DFT calculations. Moreover, the chiral quinazolinones were found to have high fluorescence quantum efficiency.

LINC00858 facilitates the malignant development of Wilms' tumor by targeting miR-653-5p.

BACKGROUND: To uncover the clinical significance of LINC00858 in the development of Wilms' tumor and the potential molecular mechanism. METHODS: LINC00858 levels in Wilms' tumor species and cell lines were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The clinical significance of LINC00858 in influencing pathological features and prognosis in patients with Wilms' tumor was analyzed. Proliferative and migratory changes in Wilms' tumor cells with LINC00858 knockdown were assessed. The downstream gene of LINC00858 was verified by luciferase assay, and its involvement in the development of Wilms' tumor was further explored. RESULTS: LINC00858 was highly expressed in Wilms' tumor tissues and cell lines. High level of LINC00858 was correlated to high rate of lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with Wilms' tumor. Knockdown of LINC00858 suppressed proliferative and migratory potentials in HFWT and 17-94 cells. MiR-653-5p was targeted by LINC00858. It was lowly expressed in Wilms' tumor tissues and negatively regulated by LINC00858. Knockdown of miR-653-5p partially abolished the regulatory effects of LINC00858 on proliferative and migratory potentials in Wilms' tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00858 is highly expressed in Wilms' tumor species, and correlated to lymphatic metastasis rate and overall survival in patients with Wilms' tumor. Knockdown of LINC00858 suppresses Wilms' tumor cells to proliferate and migrate via targeting miR-653-3p.

Ag@S-nitrosothiol core-shell nanoparticles for chemo and photothermal synergistic tumor targeted therapy.

Along with the development of controlled delivery systems for targeted therapy, 'single-strategy' therapy often fails to achieve the desired performance in real body internal environments. In such a case, it is necessary to develop synergistic therapy strategies. Herein, for the first time, we designed and synthesized hyaluronic acid (HA) modified Ag@S-nitrosothiol core-shell nanoparticles for synergistic tumor cell targeted therapy based on photothermal therapy (PTT) and nitric oxide (NO) based chemotherapy. Triggered by near-infrared irradiation (NIR), the Ag core nanoparticle would convert the light to cytotoxic heat via a surface plasmon resonance mechanism for cancer cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, responding to NIR as well as the generated heat, the S-nitrosothiol polymeric shells would give off free NO at high concentration, inducing NO based chemotherapy. Tumor cell selective cytotoxicity assay in vitro as well as tumor bearing mouse experiments in vivo demonstrated the effective photothermal and NO based chemical synergistic tumor targeted therapy. This spatiotemporally controllable system could provide a new option and era for tumor targeted therapy in the future.

Propofol alleviates ventilator-induced lung injury through regulating the Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) causes problems during acute lung injury treatment, and propofol is a well-known drug to prevent VILI. Herein, we discussed how propofol protects against VILI-induced inflammation with the interaction of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). We established VILI mouse models for collecting lung tissues, and these mice were later treated with propofol and Nrf2/NLRP3 activator or inhibitor to observe their effects on VILI with inflammatory factors, 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine, malondialchehyche level, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production rate, lung wet/dry weight ratio, lung permeability index measured. Propofol treatment improved VILI, alleviated pulmonary inflammation induced by mechanical ventilation. Propofol up-regulated Nrf2 and down-regulated NLRP3 in VILI model. Activating Nrf2 or inhibiting NLRP3 downregulated pro-inflammatory factors in lung tissues in VILI mice. Above all, we can conclude that propofol exerts it protective function against VILI and the subsequent inflammatory responses through activating Nrf2 and inhibiting NLRP3 expression. Therefore, Nrf2 activator and NLRP3 inhibitor might be latent targets in the VILI prevention.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole Derivatives Bearing Tetrasubstituted Chirality Centers through Carbene Catalyzed Cascade Reactions.

An NHC-catalyzed cascade cycloaddition reaction is developed for quick access to structurally sophisticated tetrahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole derivatives. A sterically congested tetrasubstituted chirality carbon center is formed during the cyclization process. All the α-, ß-, and carbonyl carbons of the enal substrates are functionalized in chemo- and stereoselective fashion. The multicyclic chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole products are generally afforded in good yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Heavily substituted pyrroline derivatives can be afforded from the chiral products through simple protocols.

The association between pancreas steatosis and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Pancreas steatosis is the description of fat accumulation in the pancreatic gland. The prevalence and development mechanisms of pancreatic steatosis in patients with metabolic disorders still remain unclear. The aim of this study is to systematically review the association between pancreatic steatosis and metabolic co-morbidities. METHODS: We performed a systematic search strategy using three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase) for relevant studies concerning the associations of pancreatic steatosis with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its clinical relevance from inception until 30 September 2018. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred fifty one references were identified in the initial search, and a total of 13 studies involving 49 329 subjects were included. This analyses elucidated the presence of non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) and was associated with a significant increased risk of metabolic syndrome (RR = 2.25; 95% CI, 2.00-2.53; P < 0.0001; I2  = 42.8%; eight studies included), hypertension (RR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08-1.90; P = 0.013; I2  = 94.7%; nine studies included), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (RR = 2.49; 95% CI, 2.06-3.02; P < 0.0001; I2  = 96.9%; nine studies included), diabetes mellitus (RR = 1.99; 95% CI, 1.18-3.35; P = 0.01; I2  = 97.6%; 10 studies included), and central obesity (RR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.67-2.19; P < 0.0001; I2  = 95.9%; six studies included). The association between NAFPD and hyperlipidaemia was not statistically significant (RR = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.82-2.17; P = 0.249; I2  = 97%; five studies included). CONCLUSIONS: The existing evidence indicates that NAFPD is significantly associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and its components. Well-designed prospective cohort studies between pancreatic steatosis and MetS are needed to elaborate the causality in the future.

Molecular imprinted S-nitrosothiols nanoparticles for nitric oxide control release as cancer target chemotherapy.

It is the goal for the development of cancer target chemotherapy with specific recognition, efficient killing the tumor cells and tissues to avoid the intolerable side effects. Molecular imprinted polymer (MIPs) nanoparticles could introduce kinds of specific bio-markers (template molecules) into the nanoparticles with the subsequent removal, leaving special holes in the structure with predictable recognition specificity with cells. Herein, we design and synthesize a kind of sialic acid (SA) over-expressed tumor target hollow double-layer imprinted polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiols for nitric oxide (NO)-releasing as chemotherapy. Equilibrium/selective bindings properties and probe experimental results implies that the MIPs have an intelligently selective binding to cancer cells featuring high levels of SA glyans, providing precondition for the disulfide polymer assisted cell uptake, intracellular GSH induced decomposition and rapid NO-releasing. Cytotoxicity assay with kinds of cells demonstrates the intelligent in vitro SA over-expressed tumor cells targeting recognition, intracellular delivery and cytotoxicity. In vivo bio-distribution in tumor sites and major organs, significant suppression of tumor growth, tumor-bearing mice survival unit, and the systemic toxicity investigation experiments confirm the effective chemotherapy of the S-nitrosothiols MIPs nanoparticles for the target recognition and the controlled NO release for tumor treatment comparing to the results with S-nitrosothiols CPs as delivery system. The inevitable small amount of NO leakage from S-nitrosothiols MIPs would take part in normal physiological activities and not cause serious side effects. For the first time, this kind of nitric oxide based chemotherapy and molecular-imprinting cell recognition technique both in vitro and in vivo, might provide a solution for accurate therapy to various forms of cancer with specific markers and avoid the intolerable side effects of the traditional chemotherapy treatment.

Hollow S-nitrosothiols nanoparticle with polymeric brushes for nitric oxide (NO)-releasing as tumor targeted chemotherapy.

A kind of tumor targeting nitric oxide donor nanoparticle with brushes is described in this paper. The poly(4-vinylphenylboronic acid) polymeric brush, which shows glucose and pH dual responsiveness, endows the ability of hollow S-nitrosothiols nanoparticle to accurate recognition and binding with the sialic acid over-expressed type tumor cells, such as HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. In vitro experiments, including cells capture and release experiments, confocal fluorescence microscope characterization, cytotoxicity assay with different cells, demonstrate the selective recognition and the controlled NO release to kill tumor cells for these S-nitrosothiols nanoparticles. Low concentration of the released NO from the S-nitrosothiols nanoparticles in the transmission would participate physiological activity and avoid serious side effects because the endogenous nature and the physiological necessity to regulate normal biological functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about polymer nanoparticles as NO donors with functional brushes to selectively identify tumor cells and release NO in a controlled manner.

Addition of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst to Aryl Esters Induces Remote C-Si Bond Activation and Benzylic Carbon Functionalization.

Through the incorporation of a silicon atom to an aryl carboxylic ester substrate, the resulting C-Si bond can be activated via the addition of a carbene catalyst on a remote site. This strategy allows for efficient functionalization of the benzylic sp3-carbons of aryl carboxylic esters.

Hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiols for tumor targeted therapy.

Tumor targeted hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles (HDPNs) with S-nitrosothiols for nitric oxide (NO)-release as chemotherapy were described. Via a two-stage distillation precipitation co-polymerization, simple post-treatment and S-nitrosothiol modification, the S-nitroso HDPNs showed pH and glucose dual responsiveness. This would benefit accurate binding with the sialic acid over-expressed cancer cells, providing prerequisites for the disulfide polymer assisted cell uptake, intracellular GSH induced decomposition and rapid NO release. Confocal microscopy and cytotoxicity assay with normal versus tumor cells demonstrated in vitro recognition, intracellular delivery ability and tumor cell targeting cytotoxicity. Especially worth mentioning, the inevitable small amount of NO leakage in the transmission would take part in normal physiological activities and not cause serious side effects, providing a possible solution to avoid the intolerable side effects of traditional chemotherapy treatments for cancer.