Main Monomer Research Articles

GlyLES: Grammar-based Parsing of Glycans from IUPAC-condensed to SMILES

Glycans are important polysaccharides on cellular surfaces that are bound to glycoproteins and glycolipids. These are one of the most common post-translational modifications of proteins in eukaryotic cells. They play important roles in protein folding, cell-cell interactions, and other extracellular processes. Changes in glycan structures may influence the course of different diseases, such as infections or cancer. Glycans are commonly represented using the IUPAC-condensed notation. IUPAC-condensed is a textual representation of glycans operating on the same topological level as the Symbol Nomenclature for Glycans (SNFG) that assigns colored, geometrical shapes to the main monomers. These symbols are then connected in tree-like structures, visualizing the glycan structure on a topological level. Yet for a representation on the atomic level, notations such as SMILES should be used. To our knowledge, there is no easy-to-use, general, open-source, and offline tool to convert the IUPAC-condensed notation to SMILES. Here, we present the open-access Python package GlyLES for the generalizable generation of SMILES representations out of IUPAC-condensed representations. GlyLES uses a grammar to read in the monomer tree from the IUPAC-condensed notation. From this tree, the tool can compute the atomic structures of each monomer based on their IUPAC-condensed descriptions. In the last step, it merges all monomers into the atomic structure of a glycan in the SMILES notation. GlyLES is the first package that allows conversion from the IUPAC-condensed notation of glycans to SMILES strings. This may have multiple applications, including straightforward visualization, substructure search, molecular modeling and docking, and a new featurization strategy for machine-learning algorithms. GlyLES is available at https://github.com/kalininalab/GlyLES.

The contribution of different polyphenol compositions from chokeberry produced in China to cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities

Abundant polyphenols make chokeberry have beneficial antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. In order to explore the contribution of different polyphenols in chokeberry to these activities, this study was conducted to determine polyphenol composition from 7 chokeberry varieties produced in China. Totally, 11 kinds of main polyphenol monomers were identified and quantified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UPLC-PDA. HepG2 cells were used to evaluate their cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Partial least squares method was utilized to analyze multivariate correlations between proportion of different composition and monomers in total polyphenols with these activities. The results showed that the highest proportion in chokeberry polyphenols was proanthocyanidins. In comparing the bioactivities of 7 varieties of chokeberry, ‘Viking’ and purple chokeberry had the strongest antioxidant activity, while ‘Fukangyuan 1#’ had the strongest antiproliferative activity. In terms of the contribution sources of these bioactivities, the total antioxidant activity of chokeberry mainly depended on the contribution of free polyphenols. As the main source of cellular antioxidant activity, anthocyanins and neochlorogenic acid can provide more contribution. The antiproliferative activity mainly depended on the proportion of free polyphenols and proanthocyanidins in total polyphenols. The results may provide some new possibilities for the comprehensive utilization of polyphenols from chokeberry.

Syngas-to-Hydrocarbons on the transition metal catalysts: Revealing the function of surface hydroxyl intermediate served as co-adsorbed promoter or hydrogenating species

Hydroxyl is the primary oxygen-containing product in syngas conversion since the O atom of CO is predominantly removed as the hydroxyl and water. Meanwhile, the surface OH intermediate is in a dynamic change during the reaction process, it is hard to identify the function mechanism of surface OH in experiment. This theoretical study is designed to reveal the function of OH intermediate performed as hydrogenating species or co-adsorbed promoter in syngas-to-hydrocarbons. Here, Ni-catalyzed CO methanation and Co-based FTS to C2 hydrocarbons are considered. The results revealed that the dominant function of OH intermediate in tuning catalytic performance of syngas conversion closely depends on the types of metal catalysts and catalyzed reactions. In the Ni-catalyzed CO methanation, surface OH intermediate mainly acts as the hydrogenating species to enhance the activity and selectivity of CH4. In the Co-catalyzed FTS to C2 hydrocarbons, surface OH intermediate mainly regards as the hydrogenating species to promote the formation of main CH monomer and acts as the co-adsorbed promoter to facilitate C2 hydrocarbons generation. The analysis of electronic properties revealed the essential attributes of new OH-assisted catalytic function in syngas conversion.

Lycorine protects against septic myocardial injury by activating AMPK-related pathways.

Cardiac dysfunction is a common complication in patients with sepsis triggering high morbidity and mortality. Lycorine (LYC), the main effective monomer component extracted from Lycoris bulbs, possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, liver protection properties. In this study, the effect of LYC pre- and post-treatment as well as the underlying mechanism were evaluated in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of Balb/c mice. The survival rate, anal temperature, sepsis score, blood biochemical/routine indicators, cardiac function, sepsis-related pathophysiological processes, and AMPK signaling in septic mice were observed by echocardiography, histological staining, western blot, qPCR, and etc. LYC pretreatment attenuated myocardial injury in septic mice by improving survival rate, sepsis score, blood biochemical/routine indicators, cardiac function and structure, inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial function, modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activating AMPK pathway. In particular, AMPK deficiency and AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) partially reversed the protective effects of LYC in septic mice. In addition, LYC posttreatment also has slight protective phenotypes on septic myocardial injury, but the effect is not as ideal as pretreatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that LYC may be a potential drug for the treatment of sepsis.

Leaching components and initial biocompatibility of novel bioactive restorative materials.

Bioactive restorative materials were developed on the premise that direct restorations should not only serve the purpose of reconstructing dental hard tissue defects but also exhibit biological features that prevent secondary caries development, without having adverse effects on the host cells. This study focuses on assessing the in vitro biocompatibility of two novel bioactive restorative materials. Specimens of the bioactive restorative materials, Cention Forte (CF) and ACTIVA BioACTIVE RESTORATIVE (AB), a glass ionomer cement/glass hybrid (EQUIA Forte HT, EF) and an established nanohybrid composite (Venus Diamond, VD) were produced and finished. The specimens were eluted in water and methanol and the resulting eluates were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. hGF-1 cells were exposed to eluates prepared in cell culture medium. Cellular ATP levels, oxidized glutathione concentration, caspase-3/7 activity and the inflammatory response (IL-6 and PGE2 levels) were determined. Microscopic images were taken to examine the cell morphology. Methyl methacrylate and 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate were the main monomers detected in CF and AB eluates. All materials inhibited cell proliferation and led to significantly reduced ATP-levels. The cells exhibited a healthy morphology in the presence of CF and AB. Cells exposed to VD showed increased oxidized glutathione levels. Only EF led to enhanced caspase-3/7 activity. CF and AB caused IL-6 levels to increase, while EF and AB led to enhanced PGE2 levels. CF and AB are promising materials from a biological point of view and seem to have improved bioactive properties compared to glass ionomer cements.

Tissue Metabolic Responses to Artificial Bending and Gravitation Stimuli in Betula platyphylla

Betula platyphylla Suk (Asian white birch) is an economically important tree species in the paper-pulping and biofuel industries. To investigate the mechanism of wood formation at the metabolic level, we evaluated metabolic responses associated with tension-wood formation. Four-year-old trees were subjected to artificial bending treatment for 6 weeks. The xylem growth rate of tension wood (TW) was significantly faster than that of opposite wood (OW), and it exhibited a higher cellulose content. Metabolomics analysis was performed on metabolites of TW, OW and normal wood (NW), and 183 metabolites were identified, of which levels of 142 were altered between groups. Metabolites related to fatty-acid and amino-acid metabolism, the glycolytic pathway, and the metabolism of fructose, mannose and starch sucrose were abundant in TW. Glucose 1-phosphoric acid, fructose and mannose associated with tension-wood development were elevated. Levels of xylitol and ribosol (related to the conversion of glucose), coniferol (the main monomer of lignin) and shikimic acid (an intermediate in lignin synthesis) were decreased in TW. These metabolites are likely involved in xylem development.

High-Barrier Biobased Copolyesters with Targeted Glass Transition Temperatures as Renewable Alternatives for PET

A series of amorphous furan-based copolyesters were investigated with the goal of matching the glass transition temperature (Tg) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) while providing an enhanced O2 barrier. The biobased copolyesters were composed of dimethyl 5,5′-sulfanediyldi(furan-2-carboxylate) (DM-SFA) with either dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate (DM-FDCA) or dimethyl 2,2′-bifuran-5,5′-dicarboxylate (DM-BFDCA) as the main monomers with ethylene glycol as the diol component. The furfural-based monomers DM-SFA and DM-BFDCA in roughly equimolar ratios provided copolyesters with Tg in the range of PET, while also having low O2 and UV-light permeabilities. With the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural-based DM-FDCA monomer, DM-SFA was adjusted to be the minor comonomer in the feed in order to provide PET-like Tg for the copolyester. On the other hand, the O2 permeabilities of these copolyesters were substantially lower, although the DM-FDCA monomer lacked the UV-blocking benefits of DM-BFDCA. Finally, isosorbide (IS) was also investigated as a possible Tg-enhancing comonomer in conjunction with ethylene glycol and DM-SFA. However, thermal stability of the IS-containing copolyester was found to be lower, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis. Incomplete dissolution after polycondensation was also observed, which was consistent with cross-linking under high-temperature conditions. Additionally, melt-pressed films did not completely yield at high temperatures during dynamic mechanical analysis, which contrasted with the behavior of the DM-FDCA and DM-BFDCA copolyesters. The DM-SFA/DM-BFDCA copolyesters were identified as especially interesting materials having relatively high glass transition temperatures while being completely amorphous and providing films with low O2 and UV-light permeabilities. They are also notable for having most of their carbon derived from the renewable platform chemical furfural.

β-oxidation–polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis relationship in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 revisited

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a well-known model organism for the medium-chain-length (mcl) polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation. (R)-Specific enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase (PhaJ) was considered to be the main supplier of monomers for PHA synthesis by converting the β-oxidation intermediate, trans-2-enoyl-CoA to (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA when fatty acids (FA) are used. Three PhaJ homologues, PhaJ1, PhaJ4 and MaoC, are annotated in P. putida KT2440. To investigate the relationship of fatty acids–PHA metabolism and the role of each PhaJ in PHA biosynthesis in P. putida KT2440, a series of P. putida KT2440 knockouts was obtained. PHA content and monomer composition in wild type (WT) and mutants under different growth conditions were analysed. PhaJ4 was the main monomer supplier for PHA synthesis with FA as sole carbon and energy source, with preference towards C8 and C10 substrate, whereas PhaJ1 showed preference for the C6 substrate. However, when all three PhaJ homologues were deleted, the mutant still accumulated PHA up to 10.7% of the cell dry weight (CDW). The deletion of (R)-3-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP:CoA transacylase (PhaG), which connects de novo FA and PHA synthesis pathways, while causing a further 1.8-fold decrease in PHA content, did not abolish PHA accumulation. Further proteome analysis revealed quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases PedE and PedH as potential monomer suppliers, but when these were deleted, the PHA level remained at 2.2–14.8% CDW depending on the fatty acid used and whether nitrogen limitation was applied. Therefore, it is likely that some other non-specific dehydrogenases supply monomers for PHA synthesis, demonstrating the redundancy of PHA metabolism.Key points• β-oxidation intermediates are converted to PHA monomers by hydratases PhaJ1, PhaJ4 and MaoC in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.• When these are deleted, the PHA level decreases, but it is not abolished.• PHA non-specific enzyme(s) also contributes to PHA metabolism in KT2440.

Nano-Liquid Chromatography with a New Monolithic Column for the Analysis of Coenzyme Q10 in Pistachio Samples.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vital substance found throughout body. It helps convert food into energy and is eaten small amounts in foods. CoQ10 has gained great interest in recent years as a potential candidate for the treatment of various diseases. The content of CoQ10 in food samples is a crucial quality index for foods. Therefore, the development of sensitive separation and quantification method for determining the amount of CoQ10 in various samples, especially in foods, is an important issue, especially for food nutrition. In this study, a new, miniaturized monolithic column was developed and applied for the determination of CoQ10 in pistachio samples by nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC). The monolithic column with a 50 µm i.d. was prepared by in situ polymerization using laurylmethacrylate (LMA) as the main monomer and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the crosslinker. Methanol (MeOH) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) were used as porogenic solvents. The final monolithic column was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chromatographic analyses. The monolithic column with a 50 µm i.d. was applied to the analysis of CoQ10 in pistachio samples in nano-LC. This analytical method was validated by means of sensitivity, linearity, precision, recovery, and repeatability. The LOD and LOQ values were 0.05 and 0.48 µg/kg, respectively. The developed method using the monolithic column was optimized to achieve very sensitive analyses of CoQ10 content in the food samples. The applicability of the method was successfully demonstrated by the analysis of CoQ10 in pistachio samples.

Synergistic Bonding of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Hybrid Microgels and Gold Nanoparticles Used for Temperature-Responsive Controllable Catalysis of p-Nitrophenol Reduction

Stimuli-responsive hybrid nanoparticles used for controllable catalysis have been attracting increasing attention. This study aims to prepare hybrid microgels with excellent temperature-sensitive colorimetric and catalytic properties through combining the surface plasmon resonance properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the temperature-sensitive properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based microgels. Microgels with hydroxy groups (MG-OH) were prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization, using N-isopropylacrylamide as the main monomer, hydroxyethyl methylacrylate as the functional monomer, N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide as the crosslinker, and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as an initiator to ensure the microgels are positively charged. Furthermore, chemical modification on the surface of MG-OH was carried out by 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane to obtain thiolated microgels (MG-SH). Two kinds of hybrid nanoparticles, AuNPs@MG-OH and AuNPs@MG-SH, were self-assembled, through electrostatic interaction between positive MG-OH and negative citrate-stabilized AuNPs as well as through synergistic bonding of electrostatic interaction and Au-S bonding between positive MG-SH and negative AuNPs. The morphology, stability, temperature-sensitive colorimetric properties, and catalytic properties of hybrid microgels were systematically investigated. Results showed that although both AuNPs@MG-OH and AuNPs@MG-SH exhibit good temperature-sensitive colorimetric properties and controllable catalytic properties for the reduction reaction of p-nitrophenol, AuNPs@MG-SH with synergistic bonding has better stability and higher catalytic performance than AuNPs@MG-OH. This work has good competitiveness against known PNIPAM-based materials and may provide an effective method for preparing smart catalysts by self-assembly with stimuli-responsive polymers, which has a great potential application for catalyzing a variety of reactions.

In silico molecular modeling and simulations of black tea theaflavins revealed theaflavin-3’-gallate as putative liver X receptor-beta agonist

The low constitutive activation of Liver X receptor, an endogenous nuclear receptor with two subtypes (α and β), is a condition lying at the crossroad of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Both natural and synthetic Liver X receptor agonists have reportedly shown remarkable antiproliferative and atheroprotective effects but the repeated doses of its synthetic ones are also paradoxically associated with hyperlipidaemic effects and neurotoxicity, though attributed to the alpha subtype. This highlights the need for novel, safe, and potent LXR-beta-selective agonists. Hypocholesterolaemic effects of black theaflavins have been widely reported, but data on the exact theaflavin compound (s) responsible for these effects is currently lacking. Neither is information on the possible modulatory effects of the compound (s) on LXR-beta nor its possible implications in the context of drug development for cardiovascular diseases and cancers is explored. On this account, we investigated the potential interaction of four main theaflavin monomers (TF1, TF2A, TF2B & TF3) with human LXR-beta through robust computational modelling that entails molecular docking, free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The ligands were further profiled (in silico) for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicological properties. Our result revealed theaflavin TF2B as a putative LXR-beta agonist, possibly responsible for the widely observed hypocholesterolaemic effect in black tea. This finding, while encouraging, needs to be experimentally verified in wet studies. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Bufalin reverses cancer-associated fibroblast-mediated colorectal cancer metastasis by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway.

At present, recurrence and metastasis are still important factors that lead to a poor prognosis among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can promote tumorigenesis and development. Bufalin is the main active monomer of the clinical drug cinobufacini, which exhibits antitumor activity in various cancers. But few research have investigated the effect of bufalin in inhibiting metastasis from the perspective of the tumor microenvironment. We first isolated CAFs from freshly resected colorectal cancer patient specimens and observed the effect of CAFs on CRC cell invasion through a series of experiments. We explored the effect of bufalin on the physiological activity of CRC mediated by CAFs through experiments. In our study, we found that CAFs could promote CRC cell activity through the STAT3 pathway. Bufalin reversed CAF-mediated CRC invasion and metastasis by inhibiting the STAT3 pathway. Overexpression of STAT3 attenuated the inhibitory function of bufalin on invasion and metastasis. Taken together, bufalin can reverse CAF-mediated colorectal cancer metastasis based on inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction and enantioselective gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry quantification of methyl jasmonate stereoisomers in tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Different stereoisomers of phytohormones may have different roles in plants while the quantification for stereoisomers still remains a challenge. The chiral separation method for methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) was developed by air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (AALLME) with enantioselective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Es-GC-MS/MS). The Plackett-Burman factorial design was introduced to optimize the multiple parameters of AALLME. Sensitive Es-GC-MS/MS enabled the quantification of the MeJA stereoisomers, which were separated from each other with resolutions of 3.5, 2.7, and 2.5. The linearities were R2 > 0.9971, the limits of detection were 0.08–0.12 ng/mL, the limits of quantification (LOD) were 0.28–0.39 ng/mL, and the recovery range was 80.60–107.03%. The method was applied to analyze the MeJA stereoisomer profiles in tea plants after geometrid feeding and mechanical wounding. (+)-MeJA appeared to be the main bio-active monomer that responded to injury stress. (+)-MeJA similarly increased in tea shoots at only 30 s after geometrid attack or mechanical wounding. The proposed method is superior as air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction could induce the loss of volatile MeJA in a much shorter time, compared to the conventional enrichment procedure. A novel assay protocol for relative quantification of MeJA stereoisomers in plants responding to different injuries was applied.

Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Effects of Dangshen Ejiao Pill Mediated through Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway

Dangshen Ejiao (DE) pill, a traditional Chinese hospital preparation, has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for decades with an unknown mechanism. This study aims to investigate the anti-RA and anti-inflammatory effect of DE using a Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) model and explore its underlying mechanism of action. The quality control analysis of DE was performed by the phytochemical determination of 9 main monomers. The anti-RA effect of DE was validated by its reduction of inflammatory responses and CCP level in the CIA model. DE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro. Further mechanism study revealed that DE might alleviate inflammatory responses in the treatment of RA by blocking both canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways, and thus provided a powerful scientific foundation for its expanded application and approval as an anti-RA drug.

Influence of High-Robustness Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer on the Performances of Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash and Manufactured Sand

Using ethylene glycol monovinyl polyoxyethylene ether, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and acrylic acid as the main synthetic monomers, a high robustness polycarboxylate superplasticizer was prepared. The effects of initial temperature, ratio of acid to ether, amount of chain transfer agent, and synthesis process on the properties of the superplasticizer were studied. The molecular structure was characterized by GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) and IR (Infrared Spectrometer). As shown by the results, when the initial reaction temperature is 15°C, the ratio of acid to ether is 3.4:1 and the acrylic acid pre-neutralization is 15%, The AMPS substitution is 10%, the amount of chain transfer agent is 8%, and the performance of the synthesized superplasticizer is the best. Compared with commercially available ordinary polycarboxylate superplasticizer in C30 concrete prepared with manufactured sand and fly ash, the bleeding rate decreases by 52%, T50 decreases by 1.2 s, and the slump time decreases by 1.1 s. In C60 concrete prepared with fly ash and river sand, the bleeding rate decreases by 46%, T50 decreases by 0.8 s, and the slump time decreases by 3.2 s.

Structural characterization and stability of microencapsulated flavonoids from Lycium barbarum L. leaves

Lycium barbarum L. leaves are rich in flavonoids, which have been proven to show poor stability and solubility in the external and gastrointestinal environment. To improve the stability and water-solubility of Lycium barbarum L. leaves flavonoids (LBLF), sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan (CS) were utilized as the wall materials to prepare the microcapsules of LBLF (M-LBLF) by polyelectrolyte cross-linking method. The spectrum of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed M-LBLF had an absorption peak at 1735 cm-1, which might be the electrostatic interaction between the positive and negative charges of SA and CS. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum showed the diffraction peak at 2θ = 51.8° was due to the microencapsulation and transformation of the amorphous structural part into a crystalline state. As demonstrated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the M-LBLF displayed wider and higher endothermic peaks due to the electrostatic interaction between SA and CS. The release of main monomers from M-LBLF in different stages of the in vitro digestion were detected, and it was shown that M-LBLF could resist the digestion in simulated oral fluid (SOF) and gastric fluid (SGF), and enhance the slow-release ability of LBLF in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), indicating that microencapsulation can improve the stability of LBLF and play a slow-release role.

Extraction and Purification of Flavonoids from Buddleja officinalis Maxim and Their Attenuation of H2O2-Induced Cell Injury by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Autophagy.

Cataracts are an ailment representing the leading cause of blindness in the world. The pathogenesis of cataracts is not clear, and there is no effective treatment. An increasing amount of evidence shows that oxidative stress and autophagy in lens epithelial cells play a key role in the occurrence and development of cataracts. Buddleja officinalis Maxim flavonoids (BMF) are natural antioxidants and regulators that present anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, among others. In this study, we optimized the extraction method of BMFs and detected three of their main active monomers (luteolin, apigenin, and acacetin). In addition, a model of oxidative damage model using rabbit lens epithelial cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). By detecting the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and OH (OH), the expression of autophagosomes and autolysosomes were observed after MRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus was introduced into the cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Beclin-1 and P62. Our research results showed that the optimal extraction parameters to obtain the highest yield of total flavonoids were a liquid−solid ratio of 1:31 g/mL, an ethanol volume fraction of 67%, an extraction time of 2.6 h, and an extraction temperature of 58 °C. Moreover, the content of luteolin was 690.85 ppb, that of apigenin was 114.91 ppb, and the content of acacetin was 5.617 ppb. After oxidative damage was induced by H2O2, the cell survival rate decreased significantly. BMFs could increase the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and decrease the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and OH (OH). After the MRFP-GFP-LC3 virus was introduced into rabbit lens epithelial cells and detecting the expression of P62 and Beclin-1, we found that the intervention of BMF could promote the binding of autophagosomes to lysosomes. Compared with the model group, the level of P62 in the low-, middle-, and high-dose groups of BMF was significantly down-regulated, the level of Beclin-1 was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In other words, the optimized extraction method was better than others, and the purified BMF contained three main active monomers (luteolin, apigenin, and acacetin). In addition, BMFs could ameliorate the H2O2-induced oxidative damage to rabbit lens cells by promoting autophagy and regulating the level of antioxidation.

Effect of polyhydroxyalkanoates on the microbial reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls and competing anaerobic respirations in a marine microbial culture

The effect of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with different composition on the reductive dechlorination activity of a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dechlorinating marine microbial community and on the activity of sulfate-reducing (SRB) and methanogenic bacteria (MB), were investigated in marine sediment microcosms and compared with the main monomer, 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB). Despite PHAs were fermented more slowly than 3HB, all electron donors stimulated constantly sulfate-reduction, methanogenesis and, only transiently, PCB reductive dechlorination. No relevant differences were observed with different compositions of PHAs. According to electron balances, the majority of the supplied electrons (50 %) were consumed by SRB and to less extent by MB (9–31 %), while a small percentage (0.01 %) was delivered to OHRB. In the studied conditions PHAs were confirmed as potential slow‑hydrogen releasing compounds in marine environment but their fermentation rate was sufficiently high to mainly stimulate the competitors of organohalide respring bacteria for electron donors.

Calycosin ameliorates spinal cord injury by targeting Hsp90 to inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis of nerve cells

BackgroundZhenbao pill is effective in protecting against spinal cord injury (SCI). We attempt to explore the characteristics of calycosin (a main monomer of Zhenbao pill) in SCI and its relative mechanism. MethodsThe target of calycosin was screened using pharmacological network analysis. The SCI cell model was constructed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the animal model was developed by compressing spinal cord with a vascular clamp. Flow cytometry was conducted to test reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell apoptosis. Detection of malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were performed using relative kits. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) was examined using western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Motor function tests were carried out. The hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were conducted. ResultsIn SCI models, ROS, MDA, and cell apoptosis were elevated, SOD and HSP90 levels were restrained, while calycosin addition reversed the above results. Besides, calycosin application or HSP90 overexpression enhanced phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) but weakened that of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and p38, while HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG treatment restrained the above results. Meanwhile, the injection of calycosin improved the motor function in SCI model rats. Furthermore, the pathologic results also clarified the positive effect of calycosin on SCI. ConclusionHSP90 was lowly expressed in SCI models. Calycosin alleviated SCI by promoting HSP90 up-regulation and inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis of nerve cells.

Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Spruce Wood over Ru/C Bifunctional Catalyst in the Medium of Ethanol and Molecular Hydrogen

Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) has emerged as an effective lignin-first biorefinery strategy to depolymerize lignin into tractable fragments in high yields. Herein, we propose the RCF of spruce wood over a Ru/C bifunctional catalyst in the medium of ethanol and molecular hydrogen to produce monomeric phenolic compounds from lignin, polyols from hemicelluloses, and microcrystalline cellulose. This contribution attempts to elucidate the role of the Ru/C bifunctional catalysts characteristics. The results clarify the particular effect of the carbon support acidity, catalyst grain size, content and dispersion of Ru on the effectiveness of lignin and hemicelluloses extraction and the yields of liquid and gaseous products. The most efficient catalysts for RCF of spruce wood, providing high yields of the monomeric phenols, glycols, and solid product with content of cellulose up to 90 wt%, bear 3 wt% of Ru with a dispersion of 0.94 based on an acidic oxidized graphite-like carbon support Sibunit®, and having a grain size of 56–94 μm. The Ru/C catalysts intensify the reactions of hydrodeoxygenation of liquid products from lignin. The main phenolic monomers are 4-propyl guaiacol, 4-propenyl guaiacol, and 4-propanol guaiacol. We explored the effect of the process temperature and time on the yield and composition of the liquid, solid, and gaseous products of spruce wood RCF. The optimal trade-off between the yields of phenolic monomers (30.0 wt%). polyols (18.6 wt%) and the solid product containing 84.4 wt% of cellulose is reached at 225 °C and 3 h over the most acidic Ru/C catalyst.