α-CGRP disrupts amylin fibrillization and regulates insulin secretion: implications on diabetes and migraine

Despite being relatively benign and not an indicative signature of toxicity, fibril formation and fibrillar structures continue to be key factors in assessing the structure–function relationship in protein aggregation diseases. The inability to capture molecular cross-talk among key players at the tissue level before fibril formation greatly accounts for the missing link toward the development of an efficacious therapeutic intervention for Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We show that human α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP) remodeled amylin fibrillization. Furthermore, while CGRP and/or amylin monomers reduce the secretion of both mouse Ins1 and Ins2 proteins, CGRP oligomers have a reverse effect on Ins1. Genetically reduced Ins2, the orthologous version of human insulin, has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and extend the life-span in old female mice. Beyond the mechanistic insights, our data suggest that CGRP regulates insulin secretion and lowers the risk of T2DM. Our result rationalizes how migraine might be protective against T2DM. We envision the new paradigm of CGRP : amylin interactions as a pivotal aspect for T2DM diagnostics and therapeutics. Maintaining a low level of amylin while increasing the level of CGRP could become a viable approach toward T2DM prevention and treatment.

CGRP concentration is elevated in migraine conditions. The protective effect of migraine against type 2 diabetes is attributed to the ability of CGRP to remodel human amylin aggregation and to suppress the secretion of mouse insulin 2 (the orthologue of human insulin).     

Coupled reference interaction site model/simulation approach for thermochemistry of solvation: theory and prospects

We present a new methodology for computing solvation free energy, which is based upon the reference interaction site model (RISM)/hypernetted chain (HNC) solvation free energy expression, but which substitutes radial distribution functions taken from simulations for those calculated by simultaneous solution of the RISM and HNC equations. Consequently, solvation free energy can be obtained from a single molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulation. Here we describe in detail the coupled RISM/simulation approach, and offer some error analysis. Finally we give the results of its application to a set of small test molecules in aqueous solution. The success shown in some of our results demonstrates that the coupled RISM/simulation approach is worth considering further as a potentially useful tool in studies of solvated systems, such as aqueous molecular biosystems.     

THE Py SCALE OF SOLVENT POLARITIES. SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE VIBRONIC FINE STRUCTURE OF PYRENE FLUORESCENCE and EMPIRICAL CORRELATIONS WITH ET and Y VALUES

Abstract— Pyrene fluorescence spectra have been run in 62 solvents of widely differing solvent polarity. As has been noted previously, the intensity ratio of the first (the 0–0 band) and third bands in vibronic fine structure of these spectra are very sensitive to solvent polarity. These I ₁/ I ₃ values, however, are not sensitive to hydrogen bonding aspects of solvent-solute interactions. Correlations are reported with Winstein's Y values and with Dimrotb's E _T values. On this basis the I ₁/ I ₃ values for pyrene fluorescence are suggested as the basis for a new empirical scale of solvent polarity, called the Py scale, which offers certain conveniences over other scales of solvent polarity.     

An application of coupled reference interaction site model/molecular dynamics to the conformational analysis of the alanine dipeptide

We present an application of our recently proposed coupled reference interaction site model (RISM) molecular dynamics (MD) solvation free energy methodology [Freedman and Truong, Chem. Phys. Lett. 381, 362 (2003); J. Chem. Phys. 121, 2187 (2004)] to study the conformational stability of alanine dipeptide in aqueous solution. In this methodology, radial distribution functions obtained from a single MD simulation are substituted into a RISM expression for solvation free energy. Consequently, iterative solution of the RISM equation is not needed. The relative solvation free energies of seven different conformations of the alanine dipeptide in aqueous solution are calculated. Results from the coupled RISM/MD methodology are in good agreement with those from earlier simulations using the accurate free energy perturbation approach, showing that the alphaR conformation is most stabilized by solution. This study establishes a framework for applying this coupled RISM/MD method to larger biological systems.     

A novel hexairon cluster with one disulfide and two Ph2PCS3− ligands

The title compound, hexadecacarbonylbis{μ₃‐[(diphenylphosphanyl)methanediidyl]sulfanido}‐μ₄‐disulfido(2−)‐hexairon(4 Fe—Fe), [Fe₆(C₁₃H₁₀PS)₂(S₂)(CO)₁₆], contains two inversion‐related [Fe₃(Ph₂PCS)(CO)₈] subclusters linked by an equatorial disulfide bond [S—S = 2.1490 (9) Å]. Each Ph₂PCS³⁻ ligand is coordinated to a triiron core in a μ₃‐κP:κ²C:κ²S fashion.     

Evaluation of interfacial toughness curve of bimaterial in submicron scale

A novel method combining the experimental data at only two different mixed mode fractures and an empirical interface toughness function has been proposed to establish the interfacial toughness function of a bimaterial in submicron scale. The modified four-point bend specimen was used in experiment to evaluate the first type of mixed mode fracture, while the sandwiched cantilever specimen was employed to get the second one. An empirical interface toughness function reflecting quite accurately the delamination behavior was adopted as a typical one. The obtained results investigated that the proposed method could be used to calibrate not only the interfacial fracture criteria at pure modes but also at any mixed mode fracture of bimaterials in submicron scale.     

Development of new high‐performance visible light photoinitiators based on carbazole scaffold and their applications in 3d printing and photocomposite synthesis

In this article, new compounds based on the carbazole scaffold (DMs = DM1 and DM2, constituted by a carbazole unit connected on positions 3 and 6 to a two 4,4′‐dimethoxydiphenylamine groups and differing by the substituent present on the nitrogen heteroatom of the carbazole core) were synthesized and proposed as high‐performance visible light photoinitiators/photosensitizers for both the free‐radical polymerization of methacrylates and the cationic polymerization of epoxides upon visible light exposure using LED@405 nm. Remarkably, DM2 leads to higher final conversions than DM1. In order to study the photophysical and photochemical properties of the carbazole derivatives, different parameters were taken into account such as the light absorption, the steady‐state photolysis, and the fluorescence spectroscopy. Using different techniques such as fluorescence quenching, redox behavior, and cyclic voltammetry, we are able to discuss the photosensitization/photoinitiation reactions providing a full coherent picture of the involved chemical mechanisms. The photosensitization of the carbazole derivatives occurred predominantly via singlet excited states at the rate of the diffusion limit. Upon exposure to laser diode at 405 nm, DMs show high performance in initiating systems for 3D resins. Remarkably, DM2 can also be used in photocomposite synthesis using light‐emitting diode conveyor. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2081–2092     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective hydrothiolation reaction of alkynes

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been utilized as Brønsted base to catalyze the hydrothiolation reaction between alkynes and thiols to produce the vinyl sulfides stereoselectively.     

The efficient in‐situ reduction and cyclization reaction of aromatic aldehyde, 1,3‐cyclopentanedione (tetronic acid), and nitro‐compound under SnCl2·2H2O‐THF medium

An efficient in‐situ reduction and cyclization reaction for the synthesis of pyrazolo[4,3‐f]quinoline, pyrazolo[3,4‐f]quinoline, and pyrazolo[3,2‐f]quinoline derivatives directly form 5‐nitroindazole, 6‐nitroindazole and 5‐nitroindole in the presence of SnCl₂·2H₂O was reported. Compared to traditional synthetic methods, this approach has the advantages of stable reagents, easy obtaining raw material, and high yields. In this research, SnCl₂·2H₂O is the efficient reducing agent for the in‐situ reduction and cyclization reaction of nitro‐compound. In addition, this process provided an alternative approach for the synthesis of target compounds.