The basis set superposition error in multilevel methods: a test on the H2O and HF dimer

The basis set superposition error (BSSE) is often very important in the accurate calculation of dimerization energies. Accurate prediction of thermochemical properties requires appropriate consideration of the basis set incompleteness error. Multilevel methods introduce adjustable parameters to reproduce experimental data, that is, the higher level correction (HLC) in G3 and adjustable coefficients in the MCCM. However, the HLC term is cancelled out and the adjustable coefficients in the MCCM do not remove the BSSE completely. We have calculated the BSSE involved in the multilevel methods. The H₂O and HF dimer systems were used as a test case. This study shows that empirical coefficients do reduce the BSSE in some cases and an MCCM with good parameters can be used to reproduce dimerization energies within chemical accuracy without the BSSE correction.     

SMSI effect on ceria supported Cu-Pd catalysts in the hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene

Ceria-supported copper-palladium catalysts have been tested in the hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene. The SMSI behavior of the bimetallic catalysts depended on the temperature of reduction. They were analyzed by H₂ chemisorption and XPS.     

电子探针定量分析的标准样品——几种多元氧化物单晶

在很高的温度和适宜的生长条件下,分别采用熔盐籽晶法和高温引上法生长了高质量的YAP、NAB、KTP、LN、BBO、SBN等多元氧化物单晶,它们具有优良的物理化学性能,严格的化学比,固定的组成与结构以及较好的化学均匀性和电子束轰击下的稳定性。广泛地用于激光和非线性光学领域。我们选用这些晶体为原材料研制电子探针定量分析的标准样品。经过测量和标定,这些单晶标样符合中华人民共和国国家标准GB 4930-85(电子探针显微分析标准样品通用技术条件)的规定。含有稀土元素的标样如NAB和YAP能发出绿色荧光,是电子显微术中理想的阴极发光材料。     

Zeb1 for RCP-induced oral cancer cell invasion and its suppression by resveratrol

Rab coupling protein (RCP) is upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is correlated with the progression and survival of patients. However, the role of RCP in one of the aggressive types of HNSCC, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), remains elusive. In the present study, we identified the important role of Zeb1 in RCP-induced OSCC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion. RCP induces Zeb1 expression, and silencing Zeb1 expression significantly inhibits RCP-induced OSCC invasion. In addition, Zeb1 upregulates MT1-MMP expression to promote OSCC EMT and invasion. Furthermore, we observed that the β1 integrin/EGFR/β-catenin signaling cascade mediates RCP-induced Zeb1 expression to promote OSCC invasion. Notably, we provide evidence that resveratrol (REV) strongly inhibits RCP-induced Zeb1 expression through blocking β1 integrin endosome recycling and EGFR activation, leading to suppression of RCP-induced OSCC invasion, demonstrating the important role of RCP in OSCC invasion and its reversion by REV. Collectively, the present study provides evidence for the first time that RCP aggravates OSCC invasion through increasing Zeb1 expression and subsequently upregulating MT1-MMP expression and that this process is reversed by REV, providing novel biomarkers and indicating the therapeutic potential of REV in OSCC.Subject terms: Oral cancer, Cell invasion     

CHIP-mediated hyperubiquitylation of tau promotes its self-assembly into the insoluble tau filaments

The tau protein is a highly soluble and natively unfolded protein. Under pathological conditions, tau undergoes multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs) and conformational changes to form insoluble filaments, which are the proteinaceous signatures of tauopathies. To dissect the crosstalk among tau PTMs during the aggregation process, we phosphorylated and ubiquitylated recombinant tau in vitro using GSK3β and CHIP, respectively. The resulting phospho–ub-tau contained conventional polyubiquitin chains with lysine 48 linkages, sufficient for proteasomal degradation, whereas unphosphorylated ub-tau species retained only one–three ubiquitin moieties. Mass-spectrometric analysis of in vitro reconstituted phospho–ub-tau revealed seven additional ubiquitylation sites, some of which are known to stabilize tau protofilament stacking in the human brain with tauopathy. When the ubiquitylation reaction was prolonged, phospho–ub-tau transformed into insoluble hyperubiquitylated tau species featuring fibrillar morphology and in vitro seeding activity. We developed a small-molecule inhibitor of CHIP through biophysical screening; this effectively suppressed tau ubiquitylation in vitro and delayed its aggregation in cultured cells including primary cultured neurons. Our biochemical findings point to a “multiple-hit model,” where sequential events of tau phosphorylation and hyperubiquitylation function as a key driver of the fibrillization process, thus indicating that targeting tau ubiquitylation may be an effective strategy to alleviate the course of tauopathies.

Multiple-hit model for tau aggregation, where sequential events of tau phosphorylation and hyperubiquitylation function as a key driver of the fibrillization process.     

Osteoprotegerin is present on the membrane of osteoclasts isolated from mouse long bones

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is known to inhibit osteoclastogenesis by acting as a soluble decoy receptor for the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). We report the presence of OPG on the membrane of osteoclasts and the possibility of the direct action of OPG on them. Highly pure osteoclast precursors were isolated from mouse long bones and induced to differentiate into mature osteoclasts by M-CSF and soluble RANKL (sRANKL). The presence of OPG on the membrane of these cells was confirmed by western blotting and immunostaining. Furthermore, sRANKL was found to be bound to the OPG on the osteoclast precursors. These results suggest that OPG might have a new role during the differentiation of osteoclasts beyond its role as a soluble decoy receptor. The mechanism of the existence of OPG on osteoclast precursors remains to be found.     

The Fermi doublet V2−V3 + V4 of CH3CN as a probe of molecular interactions

The Fermi doublet V₂?V₃ + V₄ of CH₃CN in basic, inert and acidic solvents has been studied by IR and Raman spectroscopy. The values of W, the Fermi coupling coefficient, obtained from IR spectra varies with the nature of the solvent while W evaluated from Raman data remains constant at 12.5 ± 0.5 cm^?1. The similar effects of Bronsted and Lewis acids on the band frequencies and intensities is evidence that the CN group complexes with acids via the N atom “n” electron pair and not the π bond.