Design and Synthesis of Coumarin Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents through PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway Inhibition in HL60 and HepG2 Cancer Cells

In this study, a series of coumarin derivatives, either alone or as hybrids with cinnamic acid, were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cells using the MTT assay. Then, the most active compounds were inspected for their mechanism of cytotoxicity by cell-cycle analysis, RT-PCR, DNA fragmentation, and Western blotting techniques. Cytotoxic results showed that compound (4) had a significant cytotoxic effect against HL60 cells (IC₅₀ = 8.09 µM), while compound (8b) had a noticeable activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 13.14 µM). Compounds (4) and (8b) mediated their cytotoxicity via PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition. These results were assured by molecular docking studies. These results support further exploratory research focusing on the therapeutic activity of coumarin derivatives as cytotoxic agents.     

Open-Source Browser-Based Tools for Structure-Based Computer-Aided Drug Discovery

We here outline the importance of open-source, accessible tools for computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). We begin with a discussion of drug discovery in general to provide context for a subsequent discussion of structure-based CADD applied to small-molecule ligand discovery. Next, we identify usability challenges common to many open-source CADD tools. To address these challenges, we propose a browser-based approach to CADD tool deployment in which CADD calculations run in modern web browsers on users’ local computers. The browser app approach eliminates the need for user-initiated download and installation, ensures broad operating system compatibility, enables easy updates, and provides a user-friendly graphical user interface. Unlike server apps—which run calculations “in the cloud” rather than on users’ local computers—browser apps do not require users to upload proprietary information to a third-party (remote) server. They also eliminate the need for the difficult-to-maintain computer infrastructure required to run user-initiated calculations remotely. We conclude by describing some CADD browser apps developed in our lab, which illustrate the utility of this approach. Aside from introducing readers to these specific tools, we are hopeful that this review highlights the need for additional browser-compatible, user-friendly CADD software.     

In Silico Analysis of PORD Mutations on the 3D Structure of P450 Oxidoreductase

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is a membrane-bound flavoprotein that helps in transferring electrons from its NADPH domain to all cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Mutations in the POR gene could severely affect the metabolism of steroid hormones and the development of skeletal muscles, a condition known as Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (PORD). PORD is associated with clinical presentations of disorders of sex development, Antley and Bixler’s syndrome (ABS), as well as an abnormal steroid hormone profile. We have performed an in silico analysis of POR 3D X-ray protein crystal structure to study the effects of reported mutations on the POR enzyme structure. A total of 32 missense mutations were identified, from 170 PORD patients, and mapped on the 3D crystal structure of the POR enzyme. In addition, five of the missense mutations (R457H, A287P, D210G, Y181D and Y607C) were further selected for an in-depth in silico analysis to correlate the observed changes in POR protein structure with the clinical phenotypes observed in PORD patients. Overall, missense mutations found in the binding sites of POR cofactors could lead to a severe form of PORD, emphasizing the importance of POR cofactor binding domains in transferring electrons to the CYP450 enzyme family.     

金华市城市污水处理厂污泥成分及农用价值分析

为确定金华市城市污水处理厂污泥资源化利用途径,对金华市某污水处理厂的脱水污泥进行了采样和成分分析.结果表明,所有污泥为中性,pH 6.89,含水率较高75%;污泥中有机质、氮、磷、钾含量丰富;污泥中重金属的含量较低,均符合国家农用污泥中污染物控制标准.以此为基础对污泥的农用价值及其应用前景作了分析和展望.     

非氟卤化物闪烁晶体的研究现状和发展趋势

本文根据化学组成的特点将非氟卤化物闪烁晶体划分为AX、MX、RX₃、AMX₃、A₂MX₄、A₄MX₆、AM₂X₅、ARX₄、A₂RX₅、A₂A′RX₆、A₃RX₆、A₂TX₆型等,其中A、M、R和T分别代表+1价、+2价、+3价和+4价的金属元素,X代表除氟以外的卤族元素,A′表示与A不同的+1价金属元素。着重介绍了其中光输出高于40 000 ph/MeV的γ射线探测用闪烁晶体以及光输出高于20 000 ph/MeV的中子和γ射线双探测用闪烁晶体,并对它们的研究现状和发展趋势进行了简要评述。     

Phenotypic and Target-Directed Screening Yields New Acaricidal Alternatives for the Control of Ticks

Rhipicephalus microplus, the “common cattle tick”, is the most important ectoparasite in livestock worldwide due to the economic and health losses it produces. This tick is a vector for pathogens of several tick-borne diseases. In Latin American countries, damages reach approximately USD 500 million annually due to tick infections, as well as tick-borne diseases. Currently, resistant populations for every chemical group of acaricides have been reported, posing a serious problem for tick control. This study aims to find new alternatives for controlling resistant ticks with compounds derived from small synthetic organic molecules and natural origins. Using BME26 embryonic cells, we performed phenotypic screening of 44 natural extracts from 10 Mexican plants used in traditional medicine, and 33 compounds selected from our chemical collection. We found 10 extracts and 13 compounds that inhibited cell growth by 50% at 50 µg/mL and 100 µM, respectively; the dose-response profile of two of them was characterized, and these compounds were assayed in vitro against different life stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We also performed a target-directed screening of the activity of triosephosphate isomerase, using 86 compounds selected from our chemical collection. In this collection, we found the most potent and selective inhibitor of tick triosephosphate isomerase reported until now. Two other compounds had a potent acaricidal effect in vitro using adults and larvae when compared with other acaricides such as ivermectin and Amitraz. Those compounds were also selective to the ticks compared with the cytotoxicity in mammalian cells like macrophages or bovine spermatozoids. They also had a good toxicological profile, resulting in promising acaricidal compounds for tick control in cattle raising.     

The Pharmacokinetics in Mice and Cell Uptake of Thymus Immunosuppressive Pentapeptide Using LC-MS/MS Analysis

Thymus immunosuppressive pentapeptide (TIPP) is a novel anti-inflammatory peptide with high efficacy and low toxicity. This study aims to establish a selective LC-MS/MS method for analyzing the analyte TIPP in biological samples, laying the foundation for further PK and PD studies of TIPP. Protein precipitation was conducted in acetonitrile supplemented with 2% formic acid and 25 mg/mL dithiothreitol as a stabilizer, which was followed by backwashing the organic phase using dichloromethane. The chromatographic separation of TIPP was achieved on a C18 column with a gradient elution method. During positive electrospray ionization, TIPP was analyzed via multiple-reaction monitoring. The linear relationships between the concentration of TIPP and peak area in murine plasma cell lysates, supernatants, and the final cell rinse PBS were established within the ranges of 20–5000 ng/mL, 1–200 ng/mL, 10–200 μg/mL, and 0.1–20 ng/mL, respectively (r² > 0.99). Validated according to U.S. FDA guidelines, the proposed method was proved to be acceptable. Such a method had been successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of TIPP in mice via subcutaneous injection. The plasma half-life in mice was 5.987 ± 1.824 min, suggesting that TIPP is swiftly eliminated in vivo. The amount of TIPP uptake by RBL-2H3 cells was determined using this method, which was also visually verified by confocal. Furthermore, the effective intracellular concentration of TIPP was deduced by comparing the intracellular concentration of TIPP and degrees of inflammation, enlightening further investigation on the intracellular target and mechanism of TIPP.     

金融发展对经济增长影响的实证分析

本文将金融发展作为一个独立解释变量引入,构造经济增长的面板数据模型,运用面板数据以1994年为分界点分两阶段实证分析了全国及东、中、西部地区1985~2003年金融发展对经济增长的影响,以及东、中、西部地区影响的差异性,模型较好地拟合了数据。实证分析表明,各地区之间金融发展的不平衡性可以部分解释其经济增长的差异性。     

透明陶瓷的研究进展

透明陶瓷性能优异,应用广泛,是一类备受关注的新型材料.目前已经成功开发的透明陶瓷有氧化铝透明陶瓷、氧化钇透明陶瓷、氮化铝透明陶瓷以及PLZT电光透明陶瓷和激光透明陶瓷等.本文介绍了几种透明陶瓷的研究进展以及性能和应用,并且对透明陶瓷的研究趋势提出展望.