The effect of ultrasonic power on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of frosted figs pectin.

Ultrasound has been widely used in industry due to its high energy and efficiency. This study optimized the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) process of frosted figs pectin (FFP) using response surface methodology (RSM), and further investigated the effect of ultrasonic power on the structural characteristics and antioxidant activities of FFPs. The UAE method of FFP through RSM was optimized, and the optimal extraction process conditions, particle size of 100 mesh, pH value of 1.95, liquid-solid ratio of 47:1 (mL/g), extraction temperature of 50 °C and extraction time of 65 min, were obtained. The extraction rate of FFP under this condition was 37.97 ± 2.56 %. Then, the four FFPs modified by ultrasound were obtained by changing the ultrasonic power. Research had found that ultrasonic power had little effect on the monosaccharide composition, Zeta potential, as well as the thermal stability and appearance structure of the four FFPs. However, ultrasonic power had a significant impact on other properties of FFP: as the ultrasonic power increased, the DM% and particle size decreased continuously, while the total carbohydrate content increased. Meanwhile, ultrasonic power also had a significant impact on antioxidant activities of FFPs. From the research results, it could be seen that different ultrasonic power had certain changes in its spatial structure and properties, and the structural changes also affected the biological activity of FFP. The study of the effects of ultrasonic power on the physicochemical properties and biological activity of FFP lays the foundation for the development and application of FFP in food additives and natural drug carriers.

[Association Between Dietary Knowledge and Food Preferences in Residents Aged 18 and Over in China Based on Latent Class Analysis].

Objective To investigate the food preferences and explore the potential association between dietary knowledge and food preferences in residents aged 18 and over in China,so as to provide a basis for promoting healthy diets.Methods The latent class analysis was carried out with the 2015 cross-sectional data of China health and nutrition survey to categorize the food preferences among 8 783 residents aged 18 and over.Multinomial Logistic regression was adopted to assess the association between and dietary knowledge and food preferences.Results The food preferences of the residents aged 18 and over in China were classified into preference for less vegetable(3.28%),lack of preference(11.20%),diverse preferences(4.19%),and preference for healthy diets(81.33%).The proportion of the adults with dietary knowledge was 36.87%(3 238/8 783).The dietary knowledge varied in the adults with different food preferences(all P<0.001).After adjusting for gender,age,urban and rural distribution,education background,and annual household income,for each point increase in the dietary knowledge score,there was an estimated reduction of 22% in the probability of preferring less vegetables(OR=0.78,95%CI=0.76-0.80, P<0.001),13% in the probability of lacking preference(OR=0.87,95%CI=0.86-0.89, P<0.001),and 3% in the probability of having diverse preferences(OR=0.97,95%CI=0.94-1.00, P=0.030).Compared with those lacking dietary knowledge,the individuals with dietary knowledge had a 77% less probability of preferring less vegetables(OR=0.23,95%CI=0.16-0.32, P<0.001),a 55% less probability of lacking preference(OR=0.45,95%CI=0.39-0.53, P<0.001),and a 23% less probability of having diverse preferences(OR=0.77,95%CI=0.61-0.96, P=0.023).Conclusions The residents aged 18 and over in China presented four food preferences,including preference for less vegetables,lack of preference,diverse preferences,and preference for healthy diets,the last of which had the highest proportion.The individuals with lower levels of dietary knowledge have higher probability of preferring unhealthy food.

[Comparison on Performance of Quantitative Ultrasound and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Evaluating Bone Health of Adults Aged 18-40 Years].

Objective To compare the consistency of quantitative ultrasound(QUS)and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA)in measuring bone mineral density(BMD)of adults aged 18-40 years in Guangzhou and evaluate the diagnostic value of QUS for identifying low bone mass.Methods DXA was employed to measure the BMD and QUS to measure the speed of sound(SOS)in 731 participants.The Bland-Altman analysis was performed to evaluate the consistency of Z scores between SOS and BMD.With the BMD Z ≤-2.00 as the diagnostic criterion for low bone mass,the receiver operating characteristics curve of QUS was established,and the area under the curve(AUC)and the sensitivity,specificity,and correct diagnostic index for the optimal cut-off of SOS Z score were calculated.Results The results of Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean differences in the Z scores of SOS and BMD in males and females were 1.27(-0.94 to 3.47)and 0.93(-1.33 to 3.18),respectively.The AUC of SOS Z score in the diagnosis of low bone mass in males and females was 0.734(95%CI=0.380-0.788)and 0.679(95%CI=0.625-0.732),respectively.In males,the optimal cut-off of SOS Z score for low bone mass was -0.35,with the sensitivity,specificity,and correct diagnostic index of 64.1%,68.6%,and 0.327,respectively.In females,the optimal cut-off value of SOS Z scores for low bone mass was -1.14,with the sensitivity,specificity,and correct index of 73.9%,54.8%,and 0.285,respectively.Conclusion QUS and DXA show poor consistency in the diagnosis of BMD in the adults aged 18-40 years in Guangzhou,while QUS demonstrates an acceptable value in identifying low bone mass.

Comparative Study of the Flavonoid Content in Radix Scutellaria from Different Cultivation Areas in China.

Scutellariabaicalensis Georgi, an important perennial herb, is widely distributed and used all over the world. The root of S. baicalensis (Radix Scutellaria) is rich in flavonoids with a variety of bioactive effects and is widely used in clinic. The different geographical and climatic conditions of different cultivated areas of S. baicalensis lead to the differences of the main components in Radix Scutellaria. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of flavonoid content in Radix Scutellaria from different cultivated areas in China. The mobile phase system, elution gradient, detection wavelength, and other chromatographic conditions for high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) determination of 8 flavonoids in Radix Scutellaria were optimized. The contents of flavonoids in 38 samples of Radix Scutellaria collected from seven main genuine cultivated areas were determined, and the correlation between the content, cultivated area, and the biological activities of Radix Scutellaria was compared. The results implied that baicalin, wogonoside, and baicalein were the three main flavonoids with the highest contents in Radix Scutellaria. The content of flavonoids in different cultivated areas was very different, which had significant regionality and was closely related to the natural conditions of various places. The antioxidant and antitumor activities of the extract of Radix Scutellaria were closely related to the content of flavonoids, and high contents of baicalin, wogonoside, and baicalein positively improved biological activities.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted polysaccharide extraction from Hyperici Perforati Herba using response surface methodology and assessment of its antioxidant activity.

This study performed a comprehensive investigation of Hyperici Perforati Herba polysaccharide (HPHP) regarding the development and optimization of extraction methods, elucidation of structure and characteristics, and determination of antioxidant activities. An ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, which offered advantages in terms of the extraction yield and energy efficiency, was developed by response surface analysis. The following optimum conditions were determined: a crushing degree at 65 mesh, ultrasonic time at 50 min and temperature of 43 °C. Through enzyme-mediated deproteination via the Sevag method, activated carbon depigmentation, and DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 column elution, three HPHPs were obtained, and their monosaccharides mainly included mannose, galactose, glucose and arabinose. The molar weights were 8.347, 1.199 and 22.426 kDa, respectively. The HPHP structures were an amorphous aggregate of spherical-like shapes with a rough surface of pores and crevices, which presented characteristic Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of polysaccharides. Their main glucosidic linkage is the α-type configuration. Moreover, HPHPs exhibited strong scavenging activity for DPPH·, ABTS·+, OH· and O2·- radicals; good ferric reducing power; and effective protection against oxidative damage in human cells. Overall, the results of this work underpinned a fundamental understanding of HPHPs, thus providing a potential antioxidant for further research and development.

Parental willingness to vaccinate their children with the influenza vaccine in Guangzhou, China / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the factors influencing parents willingness to vaccinate their children against influenza in Guangzhou, and to provide a scientific basic for effectively improving the coverage rate of influenza vaccine in children.@*Methods@#According to economic level, one secondary school and one elementary school in each of the central administrative and peripheral districts of Guangzhou were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 5 133 parents of the school students. Questionnaire content included the basic characteristics of children and their parents, and parents knowledge of influenza vaccination for children.@*Results@#A total of 14.57%(748/5 133) of parents were unwilling to have their children vaccinated against influenza. The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that, compared with parents aged ≤35 years old, parents aged 41-45 years and ≥46 years were 49% (adjusted OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.11-2.00) and 86% (adjusted OR= 1.86 , 95%CI =1.33-2.60), respectively, more likely to refuse vaccinating their children. Parents with an annual income ≥ 200 000 yuan were 52% more likely to be unwilling to vaccinate their children than those with annual income <100 000 yuan (adjusted OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.12-2.06). Parents living within a walking distance ≥30 minutes from the vaccination clinic were 52% more likely to be vaccinereluctant than those living within a walking distance of ≤10 minutes (adjusted OR=1.52, 95%CI = 1.16- 1.99). Compared with parents who regarded the vaccine as safe, parents who did not believe that it was safe or who were unsure of its safety were more likely to refuse vaccinating their children, with adjusted OR(95%CI ) of 12.75(9.44-17.23) and 3.37(2.73- 4.15 ), respectively( P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#Parents age, annual income, recognition of the safety of influenza vaccines, and walking distance to the vaccination clinic are associated with parents willingness to vaccinate children against influenza. Hospitals, communities and schools should cooperate to carry out vaccination and popular science propaganda, and arrange vaccination sites rationally to improve the coverage of influenza vaccines.

Oral microbial extracellular DNA initiates periodontitis through gingival degradation by fibroblast-derived cathepsin K in mice.

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent disease leading to uncontrolled osteoclastic jawbone resorption and ultimately edentulism; however, the disease onset mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here we propose a mechanism for initial pathology based on results obtained using a recently developed Osteoadsorptive Fluogenic Sentinel (OFS) probe that emits a fluorescent signal triggered by cathepsin K (Ctsk) activity. In a ligature-induced mouse model of periodontitis, a strong OFS signal is observed before the establishment of chronic inflammation and bone resorption. Single cell RNA sequencing shows gingival fibroblasts to be the primary cellular source of early Ctsk. The in vivo OFS signal is activated when Toll-Like Receptor 9 (TLR9) ligand or oral biofilm extracellular DNA (eDNA) is topically applied to the mouse palatal gingiva. This previously unrecognized interaction between oral microbial eDNA and Ctsk of gingival fibroblasts provides a pathological mechanism for disease initiation and a strategic basis for early diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis.

Two Copper-Containing Polyoxometalate-Based Metal-Organic Complexes as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the C-H Bond Oxidation of Benzylic Compounds and Olefin Epoxidation.

Using a one-pot assembly method, two novel copper-containing Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs)-based metal-organic complexes, that is, [CuII2(pbba)2NO3-(H2O)2(PW12O40)]·3H2O [PW12-Cu-pbba, H2pbba = 1,1'-(1,4-phenylene-bis(methylene))-bis(pyridine-3-carboxylic acid)] and [CuII2(pbba)2(H2O)2(GeW12O40)]·3H2O (GeW12-Cu-pbba), were successfully synthesized. These two complexes are isostructural, differing only in their POM components. They are applicable as heterogeneous catalysts for the C-H bond oxidation of benzylic compounds and olefin epoxidation under mild conditions, with oxygen as the oxidant and isobutyraldehyde as the coreductant. The catalytic activity of PW12-Cu-pbba was superior to that of GeW12-Cu-pbba. Under the optimal conditions, PW12-Cu-pbba catalyzed the oxidation of indane into 1-indanone with an 81% yield and >99% selectivity within 48 h. As heterogeneous catalysts, both complexes demonstrated excellent recoverability and high stability and could be stably reused five times without significant activity loss.

The U-Shaped Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid and Long-Term All-Cause Mortality in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Cohort Study of 33,034 Patients.

Background: Associations between high serum uric acid (SUA) and cardiovascular diseases have been reported. However, few studies have been conducted to explore the relationship between SUA and long-term all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between SUA and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with CAD. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2018, we divided 33,034 patients with CAD admitted in the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital into five groups (quintile 1: SUA <5.05 mg/dl, quintile 2: 5.05 mg/dl ≤ SUA <5.59 mg/dl, quintile 3:5.59 mg/dl ≤ SUA <6.8 mg/dl, quintile 4, 6.8 mg/dl ≤ SUA <7.93 mg/dl, and quintile 5, SUA ≥7.93 mg/d;). This study used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to evaluate patient outcomes with different ranges of SUA. Cox proportional hazards regression models and restricted cubic spline were applied to determine the association between serum uric and long-term all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 33,034 participants were recruited, including 24,780 (75.01%) men and 8,254 (24.99) women in this cohort study. Median follow-up was 4.91 years. We found that SUA is an independent risk factor of long-term all-cause mortality according to the result of Cox proportional hazards models. This study also illustrated an approximate U-shape association between SUA and all-cause mortality when compared with 5.95 mg/lL ≤ SUA <6.8 mg/dl, SUA <5.0 5mg/dl (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) =1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.26, p = 0.03), and SUA ≥8 mg/dL (aHR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.32, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our study indicated a U-shaped relationship between SUA and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with CAD. No matter whether SUA is too high or too low, it increased the all-cause mortality in the CAD population, which deserves to be closely monitored.

Comparison Between Two Definitions of Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure.

Background: Different definitions of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) have different predictive effects on prognosis. However, few studies explored the relationship between these definitions and long-term prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Thus, we aimed to evaluate this association and compared the population attributable risks (PAR) of different CA-AKI definitions. Methods: This study enrolled 2,207 consecutive patients with CHF undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Two different definitions of CA-AKI were used: CA-AKIA was defined as an increase ≥.5 mg/dl or > 25% in serum creatinine (SCr) from baseline within 72 h after CAG, and CA-AKIB was defined as an increase of ≥.3 mg/dl or > 50% in SCr from baseline within 48 h after CAG. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression were applied to evaluate the association between CA-AKI with long-term mortality. Population attributable risk (PAR) of different definitions for long-term prognosis was also calculated. Results: During the 3.8-year median follow-up (interquartile range 2.1-6), the overall long-term mortality was 24.9%, and the long-term mortality in patients with the definitions of CA-AKIA and CA-AKIB were 30.4% and 34.3%, respectively. We found that CA-AKIA (HR: 1.44, 95% CI 1.19-1.74) and CA-AKIB (HR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.21-1.80) were associated with long-term mortality. The PAR was higher for CA-AKIA (9.6% vs. 8%). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that CA-AKI was associated with long-term mortality in patients with CHF irrespective of its definitions. The CA-AKIA was a much better definition of CA-AKI in patients with CHF due to its higher PAR. For these patients, cardiologists should pay more attention to the presence of CA-AKI, especially CA-AKIA.

The mRNA and miRNA profiles of goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by Pasteurella multocida strains of serotype A and D.

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a zoonotic bacterium that predominantly colonizes the respiratory tract and lungs of a variety of farmed and wild animals, and causes severe respiratory disease. To investigate the characteristics of the host immune response induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D, high-throughput mRNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq were performed to analyze the changes in goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by these two serotypes of P. multocida for 4 h. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the randomly selected genes and miRNAs. The results revealed 204 and 117 differentially expressed mRNAs (|log2(Fold-change)| ≥ 1, p-value < 0.05) in the P. multocida serotype A and D stimulated groups, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of differentially expressed miRNAs (|log2(Fold-change)| > 0.1, p-value < 0.05) were 269 and 290, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed 13 GO terms (p-value < 0.05) and four KEGG pathways (p-value < 0.05) associated with immunity. In the serotype A-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the GABAergic synapse and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, while in the serotype D-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the phagosome and B cell receptor signaling pathways. Based on the predicted results of TargetScan and miRanda, the differentially expressed mRNA-miRNA network of immune-related GO terms and KEGG pathways was constructed. According to the cell morphological changes and the significant immune-related KEGG pathways, it was speculated that the P. multocida serotype D strain-stimulated goat bronchial epithelial cells may induce a cellular immune response earlier than serotype A-stimulated cells. Our study provides valuable insight into the host immune response mechanism induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D.

Genome-Wide Differential Expression Profiling of Pulmonary circRNAs Associated With Immune Reaction to Pasteurella multocida in Goats.

Pasteurella multocida is a highly versatile pathogen that infects a wide range of animals, including goats, causing pneumonia and hemorrhagic septicemia. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA that plays an important role in regulating cellular metabolism. However, whether and how circRNA is involved in regulating immune responses in the goat lung has not been reported. Thus, this study was designed to examine the function of circRNA in goats infected with Pasteurella multocida. Goats were assigned into one of two groups: an uninfected control group (CK) and an infected group challenged with P. multocida. Compared with the CK group, which remained healthy, the infected goats showed clinical signs of infection, including depression, cough, nasal discharge, and dyspnea, along with elevated body temperature and lesions in the lung. Whole-transcriptome sequencing and small RNA sequencing were then performed using lung samples from goats from each group. A total of 138 circRNA, 56 microRNAs (miRNA), and 2,673 messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules were significantly differentially expressed in the P. multocida-infected group compared with the CK group. Randomly selected differentially expressed circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA molecules (n = 5 per group) were then validated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the source genes indicated that six immune-related terms were enriched among the differentially expressed cirRNA molecules, including inflammatory response, immune effector process, cell activation involved in immune response, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, response to endogenous stimulus, and immune response. The corresponding circRNA molecules were then selected for construction of a competitive endogenous RNA network to identify networks that may be involved in the immune response to P. multocida infection. The results indicated that P. multocida HN01 may cause pneumonia and stimulate an immune response in goats via regulation of circRNA expression. This study presents the first comprehensive circRNA profile in response to P. multocida infection in goats, thus, providing a basis for understanding the function of circRNA in the host immune response to P. multocida infection.

Design and Synthesis of Cathepsin-K-Activated Osteoadsorptive Fluorogenic Sentinel (OFS) Probes for Detecting Early Osteoclastic Bone Resorption in a Multiple Myeloma Mouse Model.

We describe the design and synthesis of OFS-1, an Osteoadsorptive Fluorogenic Sentinel imaging probe that is adsorbed by hydroxyapatite (HAp) and bone mineral surfaces, where it generates an external fluorescent signal in response to osteoclast-secreted cathepsin K (Ctsk). The probe consists of a bone-anchoring bisphosphonate moiety connected to a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) internally quenched fluorescent (IQF) dye pair, linked by a Ctsk peptide substrate, GHPGGPQG. Key structural features contributing to the effectiveness of OFS-1 were defined by structure-activity relationship (SAR) and modeling studies comparing OFS-1 with two cognates, OFS-2 and OFS-3. In solution or when preadsorbed on HAp, OFS-1 exhibited strong fluorescence when exposed to Ctsk (2.5-20 nM). Time-lapse photomicrographs obtained after seeding human osteoclasts onto HAp-coated well plates containing preadsorbed OFS-1 revealed bright fluorescence at the periphery of resorbing cells. OFS-1 administered systemically detected early osteolysis colocalized with orthotopic engraftment of RPMI-8226-Luc human multiple myeloma cells at a metastatic skeletal site in a humanized mouse model. OFS-1 is thus a promising new imaging tool for detecting abnormal bone resorption.

Synthesis of 8-oxo-dGTP and its ß,γ-CH2-, ß, γ-CHF-, and ß, γ-CF2- analogues.

Three novel 8-oxo-dGTP bisphosphonate analogues of 3 in which the bridging ß,γ-oxygen is replaced by a methylene, fluoromethylene or difluoromethylene group (4-6, respectively) have been synthesized from 8-oxo-dGMP 2 by reaction of its morpholine 5'-phosphoramidate 14 or preferably, its N-methylimidazole 5'-phosphoramidate 15 with n-tributylammonium salts of the appropriate bisphosphonic acids, 11-13. The latter method also provides a convenient new route to 3. Analogues 4-6 may be useful as mechanistic probes for the role of 3 in abnormal DNA replication and repair.

Comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs and mRNAs in MDBK cells expressing bovine papillomavirus E5 oncogene.

Delta bovine papillomaviruses (δBPVs) causes fibropapillomas or bladder cancer in cattle. E5 is the major oncogene of δBPVs; however, the influence that E5 oncogene has on host microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles remains little elucidated. In the present study, small RNA sequencing and RNA sequencing were used to explore alterations in miRNAs and mRNAs in E5 over-expressing Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells compared with controls. In total, 77 miRNAs (including 30 bovine-derived miRNAs) and 223 genes were differentially expressed (DE) following E5 overexpression. The dysregulated genes were mainly involved in metabolic and biosynthetic processes. We constructed a potential miRNA-gene regulatory network from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DE miRNAs. Finally, 22 DEGs and nine DE miRNAs were selected for RT-qPCR validation. Of these, downregulation of six miRNAs, bta-miR-34c, bta-miR-122, bta-miR-195, bta-miR-449b, bta-miR-2425-5p, and bta-miR-2428-3p were confirmed; In addition, upregulation of 16 genes, ACSS2, DDIT4, INHBE, INSIG1, PNRC1, PSAT1, PSPH, PYCR1, SC4MOL, SLC34A2, SCD, SPARC, IDI1, PCK2, HMGCS1, and SMIM14 and downregulation of two genes, BATF3 and WFDC2 were confirmed. Specially, bta-miR-34c and bta-miR-449b potentially regulated PYCR1 and DDIT4, which were involved in cancer progression and angiogenesis. Our study presented for the first time the comprehensive miRNA and mRNA alterations in MDBK cells expressing the BPV E5 oncogene, providing new insights into the tumorigenesis induced by BPV E5.

Integrated mRNA and miRNA profiling in NIH/3T3 cells in response to bovine papillomavirus E6 gene expression.

Delta bovine papillomaviruses (δBPVs) mainly infect cattle and cause fibropapillomas. δBPVs encode three oncogenes, E5, E6 and E7. The effect of E6 on microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles is not well characterized. In this study, RNA sequencing and small RNA sequencing were used to explore alterations in mRNAs and miRNAs in E6 over-expressing NIH/3T3 cells (NH-E6) compared with control cells (NH-GFP). We found that 350 genes (181 upregulated and 169 downregulated) and 54 miRNAs (26 upregulated and 28 downregulated) were differentially expressed (DE) following E6 expression. The top 20 significantly enriched GO terms in "biological process" included inflammatory response, innate immune response, immune response, immune system process, positive regulation of apoptotic process, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis. We constructed a potential miRNA-gene regulatory network from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DE miRNAs. Finally, we selected 19 immune-response related DEGs and 11 DE miRNAs for qPCR validation. Of these, upregulation of 12 genes, Ccl2, Ccl7, Cxcl1, Cxcl5, Tlr2, Nfkbia, Fas, Il1rl1, Ltbp1, Rab32, and Zc3h12a, Dclk1 and downregulation of four genes, Agtr2, Ptx3, Sfrp1, and Thbs1 were confirmed. Ccl2, Ccl7, Cxcl1 and Cxcl5 were upregulated more than ten-fold in NH-E6 compared with NH-GFP. Also, upregulation of three miRNAs, mmu-miR-129-2-3p, mmu-miR-149-5p-R-2 and mmu-miR-222-3p, and downregulation of five miRNAs, mmu-miR-582-3p-R+1, mmu-miR-582-5p, mmu-miR-708-3p, mmu-miR-708-5p and mmu-miR-1197-3p, were confirmed. Our study describes changes in both mRNA and miRNA profiles in response to BPV E6 expression, providing new insights into BPV E6 oncogene functions.

Protective effects of allicin on 1,3-DCP-induced lipid metabolism disorder in HepG2 cells.

Allicin (2-propene-1-sulfinothioic acid S-2-propenyl ester), with quite a good range of hepatoprotective and antineoplastic properties, is a functional substance from garlic (Allium sativum L.) The purpose of this study was to provide evidence that allicin could protect 1,3-DCP-induced lipid metabolism disorder in HepG2 cells. Allicin reduced the accumulation of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in 1,3-DCP-induced HepG2 cells. Allicin significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and down-regulated the levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) in 1,3-DCP-induced HepG2 cells. Additionally, allicin had obvious recovery influence on the phosphorylation level of PKA and CREB in 1,3-DCP-induced HepG2 cells. These observations indicated that allicin alleviated lipid metabolism disorder induced by 1,3-DCP in HepG2 cells by regulating AMPK-SREBPs and PKA-CREB signaling pathways.

Computational Insights into an Enzyme-Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition.

The enzyme SpnF, involved in the biosynthesis of spinosyn A, catalyzes a formal [4+2] cycloaddition of a 22-membered macrolactone, which may proceed as a concerted [4+2] Diels-Alder reaction or a stepwise [6+4] cycloaddition followed by a Cope rearrangement. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations combined with free energy simulations show that the Diels-Alder pathway is favored in the enzyme environment. OM2/CHARMM free energy simulations for the SpnF-catalyzed reaction predict a free energy barrier of 22 kcal/mol for the concerted Diels-Alder process and provide no evidence of a competitive stepwise pathway. Compared with the gas phase, the enzyme lowers the Diels-Alder barrier significantly, consistent with experimental observations. Inspection of the optimized geometries indicates that the enzyme may prearrange the substrate within the active site to accelerate the [4+2] cycloaddition and impede the [6+4] cycloaddition through interactions with active-site residues. Judging from partial charge analysis, we find that the hydrogen bond between the Thr196 residue of SpnF and the substrate C15 carbonyl group contributes to the enhancement of the rate of the Diels-Alder reaction. QM/MM simulations show that the substrate can easily adopt a reactive conformation in the active site of SpnF because interconversion between the C5-C6 s-trans and s-cis conformers is facile. Our QM/MM study suggests that the enzyme SpnF does behave as a Diels-Alderase.

1,3-dichloro-2-propanol induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells through cAMP/protein kinase A and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways via Gi/o-coupled receptors.

1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) is a food born hepatoxic chloropropanol contaminant that has been detected in a wide range of foods. In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of 1,3-DCP on lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. The data showed 1,3-DCP significantly increased intracellular content of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) at 0.5-2µg/mL. Further results showed that 1,3-DCP greatly decreased cyclic AMP (cAMP) level. In addition, 1,3-DCP inhibited PKA and AMPK signaling pathway, but had no influence on intracellular calcium and regulated proteins. Moreover, Gi/o protein inhibitor PTX significantly inhibited 1,3-DCP induced decrease of cAMP, p-PKA and p-AMPK expression. Furthermore, 1,3-DCP significantly decreased GPR41 and GPR43 expression, but had no effect on GPR109B.Thus, we concluded that 1,3-DCP induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells through cAMP/PKA and AMPK signaling pathways via Gi/o-coupled receptor.

DFT studies on the mechanism of Ag2 CO3 -catalyzed hydroazidation of unactivated terminal alkynes with TMS-N3 : An insight into the silver(I) activation mode.

Silver-mediated hydroazidation of unactivated alkynes has been developed as a new method for the synthesis of vinyl azides. Density functional theory calculations toward this reaction reveal that terminal alkynes with TMS-N3 participated hydroazidation proceed through HN3 formation, deprotonation and silver acetylides formation, nucleophilic addition, and protonation of terminal carbon by AgHCO3 . It is also found that water molecules and activation modes of Ag (I) have a significant influence on the title reaction mechanism. Initially, catalyst Ag2 CO3 coordinates preferentially with internal N atom of TMS-N3 to assist water as hydrogen source and proton-shuttle in facilitating HN3 formation. Then, the regioselective anti-addition of HN3 to triple bond of active silver-acetylide or ethynyl carbinols affords product vinyl azide via Ag-C σ-bond activation or Ag…C π-coordination activation modes, and the former one is more favorable. The origin of the difference regioselectivity is ascribed to the electronic and orbital effects of the reactive sites. Moreover, Ag2 CO3 is the critical catalyst, acting as activator, base, and stabilizer to promote the HN3 and vinyl azide formation. Water molecule plays an important role as proton shuttle to promote HN3 and key active silver acetylides formation, thus improving the yield of product. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.