Identification of novel illicit amphetamines from vapor-phase FTIR spectra - a chemometrical solution

A computer-aided procedure automating the identification of illicit amphetamine analogs eluting from a gas chromatograph coupled to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer is presented. The expert system discriminates novel amphetamines from other classes of drugs of abuse normally screened in illicit tablets or powders. The main analytical advantages of the system over the automated procedures dedicated to general unknown analysis are the objectivity and the accuracy in predicting the class identity of the compound (i.e. stimulant, hallucinogen) when the reference spectrum is not present in the spectral library. The expert system uses quantitative thresholds defining the similarity of the unknown to the classes of illicit amphetamines and checks the presence of the molecular skeletons associated with different psychotropic effects of amphetamines. The challenge in building the system was the fuzziness of vapor-phase Fourier transform infrared spectrometer spectra of low-weight molecules such as amphetamines. This paper emphasizes the chemometrical techniques found most appropriate for modeling such spectral behavior. An exploratory (principal component) analysis indicated the sample preparation and the feature weight function yielding the best input for the knowledge base. The class identity of a compound was assigned using Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy. A rule-based decision system was implemented to enhance the accuracy in identity assignment. The flow diagram optimizing the knowledge base content of each model is presented. Finally, up to 81.13% (out of 159 tested compounds) were classified with a 5% confidence level. The total correct classification rate was 93.93%, for a yield of 96.30% true positive amphetamines.     

Identification of novel circulating coffee metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study reports a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the detection of polyphenol-derived metabolites in human plasma without enzymatic treatment after coffee consumption. Separation of available standards was achieved by reversed-phase ultra performance liquid chromatography and detection was performed by high resolution mass spectrometry in negative electrospray ionization mode. This analytical method was then applied for the identification and relative quantification of circulating coffee metabolites. A total of 34 coffee metabolites (mainly reduced, sulfated and methylated forms of caffeic acid, coumaric acid, caffeoylquinic acid and caffeoylquinic acid lactone) were identified based on mass accuracy (<4 ppm for most metabolites), specific fragmentation pattern and co-chromatography (when standard available). Among them, 19 circulating coffee metabolites were identified for the first time in human plasma such as feruloylquinic acid lactone, sulfated and glucuronidated forms of feruloylquinic acid lactone and sulfated forms of coumaric acid. Phenolic acid derivatives such as dihydroferulic acid, dihydroferulic acid 4'-O-sulfate, caffeic acid 3'-O-sulfate, dimethoxycinnamic acid, dihydrocaffeic acid and coumaric acid O-sulfate appeared to be the main metabolites circulating in human plasma after coffee consumption. The described method is a sensitive and reliable approach for the identification of coffee metabolites in biological fluids. In future, this analytical method will give more confidence in compound identification to provide a more comprehensive assessment of coffee polyphenol bioavailability studies in humans.     

Proteomics comparison of exosomes from serum and plasma between ultracentrifugation and polymer‐based precipitation kit methods

Exosomes are vesicles with sizes ranging from 30 to 150 nm. The analysis and detection of blood exosomes offers an effective route for cancer diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and therapeutic evaluation of diseases. Due to the difference in separation procedure, collection method and the usage of anticoagulants, serum and plasma samples show diversity test results. In order to evaluate the isolation effect of exosomes in serum and plasma samples, two commonly used exosomal isolation methods, ultracentrifugation and polymer‐based precipitation kit, were used, respectively. And the isolation effects were evaluated by comparing the composition and abundant of proteins from isolated exosomes based on MS‐based proteomics analysis. The results showed that the plasma exosomes extracted by ultracentrifugation identified more exosome biomarkers, and the concentrations of these biomarkers were higher than others. And plasma exosomes could be a better sample for blood‐based proteomics research of exosomes. It would be more useful for future targeted biomarker discovery.     

Targeted inhibition of tumor-derived exosomes as a novel therapeutic option for cancer

Mounting evidence indicates that tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) play critical roles in tumor development and progression by regulating components in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Moreover, due to their delivery of critical molecules that react to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, TDEs also contribute to tumor drug resistance and impede the effective response of antitumor immunotherapy, thereby leading to poor clinical outcomes. There is a pressing need for the inhibition or removal of TDEs to facilitate the treatment and prognosis of cancer patients. Here, in the present review, we systematically overviewed the current strategies for TDE inhibition and clearance, providing novel insights for future tumor interventions in translational medicine. Moreover, existing challenges and potential prospects for TDE-targeted cancer therapy are also discussed to bridge the gaps between progress and promising applications.Subject terms: Targeted therapies, Cancer microenvironment     

Identification of 5-7 defects in a copper oxide surface

A topological defect in a Cu(2)O surface oxide grown on Cu(111) has been identified. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we observed the formation of pentagonal and heptagonal rings within the Cu(2)O surface oxide. These structures break the symmetry of the hexagonal oxide surface and are a consequence of the presence of oxygen vacancies in the Cu(2)O surface. We propose that the pentagonal and heptagonal rings are formed through the rotation of a -O-Cu-O- chain in a manner similar to the Stone-Wales transformation. The proposed transformation is supported by the results of density functional theory calculations.     

Cohirsine - a novel isoquinolone alkaloid from

A novel alkaloid, cohirsine (1) was isolated from . Its structure has been investigated by extensive NMR studies including 2D NMR experiments. Its stereochemistry has been determined by 2D NOESY and NOE difference measurements.     

Synthesis of novel 5-substituted isophthalates from vinamidinium salts

Novel 5-substituted isophthalates were synthesized from the reaction of 2-substituted 1,3-bis(dimethylamino)-trimethinium salts with 1,3-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)acetone derivatives in the presence of sodium methoxide in ethanol at reflux.     

MiR-330-3p and miR-485-5p as biomarkers for glioblastoma: An integrated bioinformatics and experimental study

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common, invasive, and malignant primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis and a median survival of 12–15 months. This study tried to identify the most significant miRNA biomarkers in both tissue and serum samples of GBM. GSE25632 was employed from gene expression omnibus and using WGCNA package, association of miRNA networks and clinical data was explored and brown and green modules identified as the most relevant modules. Independently, Limma package was utilized to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in GSE25632 by cutoff $\left|\text{l}\text{o}\text{g}\text{F}\text{C}\right|$ > 2 and P.value < 0.05. By merging the results of Limma and WGCNA, the miRNAs that were in brown and green modules and had mentioned cutoff were selected as hub miRNAs. Performing enrichment analysis, Pathways in cancer, Prostate cancer, Glioma, p53 signaling pathway, and Focal adhesion were identified as the most important signaling pathways. Based on miRNA- target genes, has-mir-330−3p and has-mir-485−5p were identified as core miRNAs. The expression level of core miRNAs was validated by GSE90604, GSE42657, and GSE93850. We evaluated the expression level of common target genes of two detected core genes based on GSE77043, GSE42656, GSE22891, GSE15824, and GSE122498. The ability of detected miRNAs to discriminate GBM from healthy controls was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) using the ROC curve analysis. Based on TCGA database, we tested the prognostic significance of miRNAs using overall survival analysis. We evaluated the expression level of the miRNAs in tissue of 83 GBM patients and also non-tumoral adjacent (as control) tissues. We used serum samples of 34 GBM patients to evaluate the expression levels of the hub miRNAs compare to the controls. Our results showed that has-mir-330−3p and has-mir-485−5p could be potential biomarkers in GBM.     

A novel synthesis of 2-(disubstituted amino)-5(4)phenylimidazoles

The reaction of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione with 1,1-disubstituted guanidines in methanol yielded 2-(disubstituted amino)-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-4H-imidazoles (III). Compound III produced 5(4)methylimidazoles by catalytic hydrogenation and 5(4)chloromethylimidazoles (IV) by concentrated hydrochloric acid treatment. Solvolysis of IV in water and alcohols gave 5(4)hydroxymethyl- and 5(4)alkoxymethylimidazoles, respectively.     

5-Methoxypropacin, a novel coumarinolignoid from Protium unifoliolatum

The novel coumarinolignoid 5-methoxypropacin was isolated from the ethereal extract of the wood of the Amazonian species Protium unifoliolatum. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods as IR, 1D and 2D (1)H, (13)C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The regioisomer and the position of coumarin and arylpropanoid coupling were determined by long-distance C-H correlation (HMBC) and NOE experiments. Scopoletin and beta-sitosterol were also isolated and identified by the same physical methods.     

Synthesis and properties of adenylate trimers A2′p5′A2′p5′A,A2′p5′A3′p5′A and A3′p5′A2′p5′A

Triadenylates with (2′-5′)(2′-5′) and mixed (2′-5′)(3′-5′) and (3′-5′)(2′-5′) linkages respectively were synthesized via the phosphotriester approach followed by deblocking of the fully protected intermediates. The isomeric trimers were characterized by NMR- and CD-spectra and show very similar hypochromicity effects.     

MicroRNA-338-3p as a novel therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration

Recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal role played by microRNAs (miRNAs) in the etiopathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The study of miRNA intervention in IDD models may promote the advancement of miRNA-based therapeutic strategies. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether intradiscal delivery of miRNA can attenuate IDD development. Our results showed that miR-338-3p expression was significantly increased in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of patients with IDD. Moreover, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the expression level of miR-338-3p and the severity of IDD. Our functional studies showed that miR-338-3p significantly influenced the expression of extracellular matrix synthesis genes, as well as the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells. Mechanistically, miR-338-3p aggravated IDD progression by directly targeting SIRT6, a negative regulator of the MAPK/ERK pathway. Intradiscal injection of antagomir-338-3p significantly decelerated IDD development in mouse models. Our study is the first to identify miR-338-3p as a mediator of IDD and thus may be a promising target for rescuing IDD.Subject terms: Genetic markers, Translational research, Gene therapy     

Synthesis of 1-(4-methylsulfone-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[14C]-1,2,3-triazole and 1-(4-sulfonamide-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[14C]-1,2,3-triazole as novel carbon-14 anticonvulsant

Summary Two 1,2,3-triazole anticonvulsants, 1-(4-methylsulfone-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[¹⁴C]-1,2,3-triazole and 1-(4-sulfonamide-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[¹⁴C]-1,2,3-triazole, both labeled with carbon-14 in the 5-position were prepared from para-fluoro-benzonitrile-[cyano-¹⁴C].     

Nondigest liberation of biomarkers from plasma: a novel two-stage ultrafiltration approach

A simple procedure for sample preparation of human plasma by two stages of ultrafiltration using one device is described. Our approach is useful for nondigest liberation of biomarkers bound to albumin and other plasma proteins. The analyte contained in the ultrafiltrate can be directly analyzed without additional sample preparation, and quantified by 2-D RP-RP LC/MS.     

Synthesis and bioactivity of novel 3-(1-hydroxyethylidene)-5-substituted-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives

Ten novel 5-substituted derivatives of 3-(l-hydroxyethylidene)pyrrolidine-2,4-dione were synthesized.The compounds were confirmed by IR,:H NMR,MS and elemental analysis.The bioassay indicated that these compounds showed noticeable herbicidal activities,and compounds 6f and 6j exhibited excellent inhibitory activities against the stalk of Echinochloa crusgalli,with EC50 values of 94.4 and 72.7 mg/L,respectively.     

Study of the human plasma proteome of rheumatoid arthritis

In this study, we report a combined proteomic and peptidomic analysis of human plasma from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and controls. We used molecular weight cut-off filters (MWCO: 10 kDa) to enrich low-molecular-weight (LMW) peptides from human plasma. The peptide fraction was analyzed without trypsin digestion by capillary reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a linear ion trap–FT-MS system, which identified 771 unique peptides in the peptidome study (from 145 protein progenitors). An anti-albumin/anti-IgG column was used to remove albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) from the human plasma. After that, the albumin/IgG-depleted sample was fractionated into a bound fraction and an unbound fraction on a multi-lectin affinity column (M-LAC). LC–MS analysis of the corresponding tryptic digests identified 308 proteins using the M-LAC approach. Relative differences in the following protein classifications were observed in the RA human plasma samples compared with controls: structural proteins, immuno-related proteins, protease inhibitors, coagulation proteins, transport proteins and apolipoproteins. While some of these proteins/peptides have been previously reported to be associated with RA disease such as calgranulin A, B, C and C-reactive protein, several others were newly identified (such as thymosin β4, actin, tubulin, and vimentin), which may further the understanding of the disease pathogenesis. Moreover, we have found that the peptidomic and glycoproteomic approaches were complementary and allow a more complete picture of the human plasma proteome which can be valuable in studies of disease etiology.     

Synthesis of 5-(thiazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles from 3-chloropentane-2,4-dione

Condensation of 3-chloropentane-2,4-dione with thioamides gives 1-(thiazol-5-yl)ethanones and subsequent Wittig olefination, followed by nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to the resulting prop-1-en-2-yl moiety, delivers racemic 5-(thiazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles. When this thiazole and isoxazoline diheterocyclic scaffold has a carboethoxy substituent at C2 of the thiazole ring, aminolysis provides for effective diversification. A 50-member library of various 5-(thiazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles is reported.