Solvent Dependent Competitive Mechanisms for the Ugi Multicomponent Reaction: A Joint Theoretical and Experimental Study in the α-Acyl Aminocarboxamides vs α-Amino Amidines Formation.

A synthetic protocol for the preparation of α-acyl aminocarboxamides and α-amino amidines is proposed. The selectivity toward each of these two possible products was tuned by simple modifications of the reaction conditions. A broad scope is presented, allowing access to the desired products in up to 87% (Ugi adduct) and 93% (α-amino amidine). Theoretical calculations were carried out, and the analysis led to the proposal of a new mechanistic pathway for the Ugi reaction, in which methanol acts not only as the solvent but also as a reagent. High-resolution (tandem) mass spectrometry experiments allowed the detection and characterization of the key intermediate associated with this new and alternative reaction pathway, thus supporting the theoretical proposal.

Highly elastic and bioactive bone biomimetic scaffolds based on platelet lysate and biomineralized cellulose nanocrystals.

Bone is a vascularized organic-inorganic composite tissue that shows a heavily-mineralized extracellular matrix (ECM) on the nanoscale. Herein, the nucleation of calcium phosphates during the biomineralization process was mimicked using negatively-charged cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). These mineralized-CNCs were combined with platelet lysate to produce nanocomposite scaffolds through cryogelation to mimic bone ECM protein-mineral composite nature and take advantage of the bioactivity steaming from platelet-derived biomolecules. The nanocomposite scaffolds showed high microporosity (94-95%), high elasticity (recover from 75% strain cycles), injectability, and modulated platelet-derived growth factors sequestration and release. Furthermore, they increased alkaline phosphatase activity (up to 10-fold) and up-regulated the expression of bone-related markers (up to 2-fold), without osteogenic supplementation, demonstrating their osteoinductive properties. Also, the scaffolds promoted the chemotaxis of endothelial cells and enhanced the expression of endothelial markers, showing proangiogenic potential. These results suggest that the mineralized nanocomposite scaffolds can enhance bone regeneration by simultaneously promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Impact of Post-EVAR Graft Limb Kinking in EVAR Limb Occlusion: Aetiology, Early Diagnosis, and Management.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Endograft limb occlusion is a potential complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), being one of the major causes of secondary interventions and rehospitalisation. The aim of this review is to report on the impact of endograft kinking in endograft limb occlusion, as well as on risk factors, prevention, early diagnosis, and management. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the recommendations of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. RESULTS: After a MEDLINE and Scopus search, 55 articles (27,509 patients) were included in the qualitative analysis and eight in the quantitative analysis. In this meta-analysis, 179 at risk limbs were treated by pre-emptive stenting, which significantly reduced the risk of limb occlusion: not pre-emptively stenting limbs at risk had a negative impact on graft limb patency (odds ratio 4.30, 95% confidence interval 1.45-12.78). Post-operatively, a kink was identified in 422 patients (1.5%), contributing to 42.8% of all limb occlusions. Relevant data support that completion angiography is an inadequate means of diagnosing high risk limbs, proposing cone beam computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound as adjuncts. The post-operative limb occlusion rate ranged from 0% to 10.6%, affecting 984 patients. Several risk factors for limb occlusion have been identified. Regarding treatment, most patients were submitted to femorofemoral bypass (52.3%) or to deployment of a bare metal stent, either alone or associated with catheter directed thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy (26.4%). Complications and outcome after re-intervention for limb occlusion are described infrequently in the literature, but single studies have reported on re-occlusion, major amputation, and limb occlusion related mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Pre-EVAR planning should focus on identification of risk factors for kinking. Adjunctive stenting is an effective prophylaxis for selected high risk limbs, yet intra-operative identification remains problematic. Also, it is noteworthy that most limb occlusions occur in the first year after EVAR, emphasising the importance of careful early follow up of high risk patients.

Tailor-made Janus lectin with dual avidity assembles glycoconjugate multilayers and crosslinks protocells.

We engineered the first chimeric, bispecific lectin, with two rationally oriented and distinct recognition surfaces. This lectin, coined Janus lectin in allusion to the two-faced roman god, is able to bind independently to both fucosylated and sialylated glycoconjugates. The multivalent presentation of binding sites on each face of the Janus lectin is very efficient, resulting in avidities in the low nanomolar range for both fucosylated and sialylated surfaces. Moreover, novel heterovalent, bifunctional glycoclusters were synthetized that match the topology of the Janus lectin. Based on these tools, we constructed organized and controlled supramolecular architectures by assembling Janus lectin and glycocompound layer-by-layer. Furthermore, the Janus lectin was employed as biomolecular linker to organize protocells made from giant unilamellar vesicles of different nature, to more complex prototissues. In summary, tailor-made Janus lectins open wide possibilities for creating biomimetic matrices or artificial tissues.

Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy

Depression is a complex condition, and its classical biological/psychosocial distinction is fading. Current guidelines are increasingly advocating psychotherapy as a treatment option. Psychodynamic psychotherapy models encompass a heterogeneous group of interventions derived from early psychoanalytic conceptualizations. Growing literature is raising awareness in the scientific community about the importance of these treatment options, as well as their favorable impact on post-treatment outcomes and relapse prevention. Considering the shifting paradigm regarding treatment of depressive disorder, the authors aim to provide a brief overview of the definition and theoretical basis of psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as evaluate current evidence for its effectiveness.

Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Depression is a complex condition, and its classical biological/psychosocial distinction is fading. Current guidelines are increasingly advocating psychotherapy as a treatment option. Psychodynamic psychotherapy models encompass a heterogeneous group of interventions derived from early psychoanalytic conceptualizations. Growing literature is raising awareness in the scientific community about the importance of these treatment options, as well as their favorable impact on post-treatment outcomes and relapse prevention. Considering the shifting paradigm regarding treatment of depressive disorder, the authors aim to provide a brief overview of the definition and theoretical basis of psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as evaluate current evidence for its effectiveness.

Biophysical characterization and structural determination of the potent cytotoxic Psathyrella asperospora lectin.

A lectin with strong cytotoxic effect on human colon cancer HT29 and monkey kidney VERO cells was recently identified from the Australian indigenous mushroom Psathyrella asperospora and named PAL. We herein present its biochemical and structural analysis using a multidisciplinary approach. Glycan arrays revealed binding preference towards N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and, to a lesser extent, towards sialic acid (Neu5Ac). Submicromolar and millimolar affinity was measured by surface plasmon resonance for GlcNAc and NeuAc, respectively. The structure of PAL was resolved by X-ray crystallography, elucidating both the protein's amino acid sequence as well as the molecular basis rationalizing its binding specificity. Proteins 2017; 85:969-975. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Recombinant fungal lectin as a new tool to investigate O-GlcNAcylation processes.

Glycosylation is a group of post-translational modifications that displays a large variety of structures and are implicated in a plethora of biological processes. Therefore, studying glycosylation requires different technical approaches and reliable tools, lectins being part of them. Here, we describe the use of the recombinant mushroom lectin PVL to discriminate O-GlcNAcylation, a modification consisting in the attachment of a single N-acetylglucosamine residue to proteins confined within the cytosolic, nuclear and mitochondrial compartments. Recombinant PVL (Psathyrella velutina lectin) (rPVL) displays significantly stronger affinity for GlcNAc over Neu5Ac residues as verified by thermal shift assays and surface plasmon resonance experiments, being therefore an excellent alternative to WGA (wheat germ agglutinin). Labeling of rPVL with biotin or HRP (horseradish peroxidase) allows its useful and efficient utilization by western blot. The staining of whole cell lysates with  labeled-rPVL was dramatically decreased in response to O-GlcNAc transferase knockdown and seen to increase after pharmacological blockade of O-GlcNAcase. Also, HRP-rPVL seemed to be more sensitive than the anti-O-GlcNAc antibody RL2. Thus, rPVL is a potent new tool to selectively detect O-GlcNAcylated proteins.

Biochemical and structural characterization of the novel sialic acid-binding site of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIb.

The structurally related AB5-type heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae are classified into two major types. The type I group includes cholera toxin (CT) and E. coli LT-I, whereas the type II subfamily comprises LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc. The carbohydrate-binding specificities of LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc are distinctive from those of cholera toxin and E. coli LT-I. Whereas CT and LT-I bind primarily to the GM1 ganglioside, LT-IIa binds to gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, LT-IIb binds to the GD1a and GT1b gangliosides, and LT-IIc binds to GM1, GM2, GM3 and GD1a. These previous studies of the binding properties of type II B-subunits have been focused on ganglio core chain gangliosides. To further define the carbohydrate binding specificity of LT-IIb B-subunits, we have investigated its binding to a collection of gangliosides and non-acid glycosphingolipids with different core chains. A high-affinity binding of LT-IIb B-subunits to gangliosides with a neolacto core chain, such as Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide, and Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactooctaosylceramide was detected. An LT-IIb-binding ganglioside was isolated from human small intestine and characterized as Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide. The crystal structure of the B-subunit of LT-IIb with the pentasaccharide moiety of Neu5Acα3-neolactotetraosylceramide (Neu5Ac-nLT: Neu5Acα3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glc) was determined providing the first information for a sialic-binding site in this subfamily, with clear differences from that of CT and LT-I.

Characterization of a high-affinity sialic acid-specific CBM40 from Clostridium perfringens and engineering of a divalent form.

CBMs (carbohydrate-binding modules) are a class of polypeptides usually associated with carbohydrate-active enzymatic sites. We have characterized a new member of the CBM40 family, coded from a section of the gene NanI from Clostridium perfringens Glycan arrays revealed its preference towards α(2,3)-linked sialosides, which was confirmed and quantified by calorimetric studies. The CBM40 binds to α(2,3)-sialyl-lactose with a Kd of ∼30 µM, the highest affinity value for this class of proteins. Inspired by lectins' structure and their arrangement as multimeric proteins, we have engineered a dimeric form of the CBM, and using SPR (surface plasmon resonance) we have observed 6-11-fold binding increases due to the avidity affect. The structures of the CBM, resolved by X-ray crystallography, in complex with α(2,3)- or α(2,6)-sialyl-lactose explain its binding specificity and unusually strong binding.

Fluorinated Carbohydrates as Lectin Ligands: (19)F-Based Direct STD Monitoring for Detection of Anomeric Selectivity.

The characterization of the binding of reducing carbohydrates present as mixtures of anomers in solution to a sugar recepor (lectin) poses severe difficulties. In this situation, NMR spectroscopy enables the observation of signals for each anomer in the mixture by applying approaches based on ligand observation. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR allows fast and efficient screening of compound mixtures for reactivity to a receptor. Owing to the exceptionally favorable properties of (19)F in NMR spectroscopy and the often complex ¹H spectra of carbohydrates, (19)F-containing sugars have the potential to be turned into versatile sensors for recognition. Extending the recently established ¹H → ¹H STDre(19)F-NMR technique, we here demonstrate its applicability to measure anomeric selectivity of binding in a model system using the plant lectin concanavalin A (ConA) and 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-mannose. Indeed, it is also possible to account for the mutual inhibition between the anomers on binding to the lectin by means of a kinetic model. The monitoring of (19)F-NMR signal perturbation disclosed the relative activities of the anomers in solution and thus enabled the calculation of their binding affinity towards ConA. The obtained data show a preference for the α anomer that increases with temperature. This experimental approach can be extended to others systems of biomedical interest by testing human lectins with suitably tailored glycan derivatives.

Dot by dot: analyzing the glycome using lectin microarrays.

The glycome, that is, the cohort of carbohydrates within a cell or tissue, plays a key part in diverse biological interactions involved in health and disease. Glycans are structurally complex and notoriously difficult to analyze. Lectin microarrays, a sensitive and high-throughput method for glycomic profiling, provide a global view of the glycome. In recent work, this technology has been successfully applied to a wide range of studies, from identification of glycan-based stem cell markers to the detection of pathogens and early diagnosis of disease. This review focuses on advances in the field of lectin microarrays.

Symmetric dithiodigalactoside: strategic combination of binding studies and detection of selectivity between a plant toxin and human lectins.

Thioglycosides offer the advantage over O-glycosides to be resistant to hydrolysis. Based on initial evidence of this recognition ability for glycosyldisulfides by screening dynamic combinatorial libraries, we have now systematically studied dithiodigalactoside on a plant toxin (Viscum album agglutinin) and five human lectins (adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins with medical relevance e.g. in tumor progression and spread). Inhibition assays with surface-presented neoglycoprotein and in solution monitored by saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy, flanked by epitope mapping, as well as isothermal titration calorimetry revealed binding properties to VAA (K(a): 1560 ± 20 M(-1)). They were reflected by the structural model and the affinity on the level of toxin-exposed cells. In comparison, galectins were considerably less reactive, with intrafamily grading down to very minor reactivity for tandem-repeat-type galectins, as quantitated by radioassays for both domains of galectin-4. Model building indicated contact formation to be restricted to only one galactose moiety, in contrast to thiodigalactoside. The tested glycosyldisulfide exhibits selectivity between the plant toxin and the tested human lectins, and also between these proteins. Therefore, glycosyldisulfides have potential as chemical platform for inhibitor design.

Structural aspects of binding of α-linked digalactosides to human galectin-1.

By definition, adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins are known for their ability to bind ß-galactosides such as Galß(1 → 4)Glc (lactose). Indications for affinity of human galectin-1 to α-linked digalactosides pose questions on the interaction profile with such bound ligands and selection of the galactose moiety for CH-π stacking. These issues are resolved by a combination of (15)N-(1)H heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) chemical shift and saturation transfer difference nuclear magnetic resonance (STD NMR) epitope mappings with docking analysis, using the α(1 → 3/4)-linked digalactosides and also Galα(1 → 6)Glc (melibiose) as test compounds. The experimental part revealed interaction with the canonical lectin site, and this preferentially via the non-reducing-end galactose moiety. Low-energy conformers appear to be selected without notable distortion, as shown by molecular dynamics simulations. With the α(1 → 4) disaccharide, however, the typical CH-π interaction is significantly diminished, yet binding appears to be partially compensated for by hydrogen bonding. Overall, these findings reveal that the type of α-linkage in digalactosides has an impact on maintaining CH-π interactions and the pattern of hydrogen bonding, explaining preference for the α(1 → 3) linkage. Thus, this lectin is able to accommodate both α- and ß-linked galactosides at the same site, with major contacts to the non-reducing-end sugar unit.

Studies of the Antiproliferative Activity of Ruthenium (II) Cyclopentadienyl-Derived Complexes with Nitrogen Coordinated Ligands.

Four cationic ruthenium(II) complexes with the formula [Ru(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(PPh(3))(2)](+), with L = 5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole (TzH) 1, imidazole (ImH) 2, benzo[1,2-b;4,3-b'] dithio-phen-2-carbonitrile (Bzt) 3, and [5-(2-thiophen-2-yl)-vinyl]-thiophene-2-carbonitrile] (Tvt) 4 were prepared and characterized in view to evaluate their potentialities as antitumor agents. Studies by Circular Dichroism indicated changes in the secondary structure of ct-DNA. Changes in the tertiary structure of pBR322 plasmid DNA were also observed in gel electrophoresis experiment and the images obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) suggest strong interaction with pBR322 plasmid DNA; the observed decreasing of the viscosity with time indicates that the complexes do not intercalate between DNA base pairs. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed much higher cytotoxicity than the cisplatin against human leukaemia cancer cells (HL-60 cells).

N-domain of human adhesion/growth-regulatory galectin-9: preference for distinct conformers and non-sialylated N-glycans and detection of ligand-induced structural changes in crystal and solution.

Human tandem-repeat-type galectin-9 is a potent adhesion/growth-regulatory effector via lectin capacity of its N- and C-terminal domains. This bioactivity prompted further crystallographic study of the N-domain, combined with analysis in solution. Binding of lactose markedly increased the N-domain's resistance to thermal denaturation. Crystallography revealed its intimate contact profile, besides detecting an extension of the beta-sandwich fold by an antiparallel beta-strand F0 aligned to the C-terminal F1 strand. Ligand accommodation in its low-energy conformation leads to a movement of Arg87's side chain. As consequence, the ligand's glucose moiety and Arg87 become hydrogen bonded. The resulting predictions for spatial parameters in solution were verified by determining (a) the pattern of magnetization transfer from the protein to protons of lactose and Forssman disaccharide by NMR spectroscopy and (b) the ellipticity changes at wavelengths characteristic for Trp/Tyr residues in near-UV CD spectroscopy. Whereas solid-phase assays confirmed a previously noted tendency for homo- and heterotypic aggregation, gel filtration and ultracentrifugation disclosed monomeric status in solution, in line with crystallographic data. Using cell mutants with defects in glycosylation, this lectin domain was shown to preferentially bind N-glycans without alpha2,3-sialylation. Since proximal promoter sequences were delineated to diverge markedly among galectin genes and resulting differences in expression profiles were exemplarily documented immunohistochemically, the intrafamily diversification appears to have assigned this protein to a characteristic expression and activity profile among galectins. Our data thus take the crystallographic information to the level of the lectin in solution and in tissues by a strategic combination of spectroscopic and cell/histochemical assays.

Lectin-based drug design: combined strategy to identify lead compounds using STD NMR spectroscopy, solid-phase assays and cell binding for a plant toxin model.

The growing awareness of the sugar code--i.e. the biological functionality of glycans--is leading to increased interest in lectins as drug targets. The aim of this study was to establish a strategic combination of screening procedures with increased biorelevance. As a model, we used a potent plant toxin (viscumin) and lactosides synthetically modified at the C6/C6' positions and the reducing end aglycan. Changes in the saturation transfer difference (STD) in NMR spectroscopy, applied in inhibition assays, yielded evidence for ligand activity and affinity differences. Inhibitory potency was confirmed by the blocking of lectin binding to a glycoprotein-bearing matrix. In cell-based assays, iodo/azido-substituted lactose derivatives were comparatively active. Interestingly, cell-type dependence was observed, indicating the potential of synthetic carbohydrate derivative to interact with lectins in a cell-type (glycan profile)-specific manner. These results are relevant to research into human lectins, glycosciences, and beyond.

Diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects substoichiometric concentrations of small molecules in protein samples.

Small molecules are difficult to detect in protein solutions, whether they originate from elution during affinity chromatography (e.g., imidazole, lactose), buffer exchange (Tris), stabilizers (e.g., beta-mercaptoethanol, glycerol), or excess labeling reagents (fluorescent reagents). Mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) often require substantial efforts in optimization and sample manipulation to provide sufficient sensitivity and reliability for their detection. One-dimensional (1D) (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) could, in principle, detect residual amounts of small molecules in protein solutions down to equimolecular concentrations with the protein. However, at lower concentrations, the NMR signals of the contaminants can be hidden in the background spectrum of the protein. As an alternative, the 1D diffusion difference protocol used here is feasible. It even improves the detection level, picking up NMR signals from small-molecule contaminants at lower concentrations than the protein itself. We successfully observed 30 microM imidazole in the presence of four different proteins (1-1.5 mg/ml, 6-66 kDa, 25-250 microM) by 1D diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) difference and 1-h total acquisition time. Of note, imidazole was not detected in the corresponding 1D (1)H NMR spectra. This protocol can be adapted to different sample preparation procedures and NMR acquisition methods with minimal manipulation in either deuterated or nondeuterated buffers.

Fluorinated carbohydrates as lectin ligands: versatile sensors in 19F-detected saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy.

As a novel approach for studying carbohydrate-lectin interactions spectroscopically, we combine the resolution and specificity of (19)F-detected NMR spectroscopy with the sensitivity of the saturation transfer difference (STD) technique. The resulting background-free (19)F-STD spectra open a promising perspective for broad application with medical relevance, for example, in drug discovery.