Investigation of Antifungal Mechanisms of Thymol in the Human Fungal Pathogen,Cryptococcus neoformans

Due to lifespan extension and changes in global climate, the increase in mycoses caused by primary and opportunistic fungal pathogens is now a global concern. Despite increasing attention, limited options are available for the treatment of systematic and invasive mycoses, owing to the evolutionary similarity between humans and fungi. Although plants produce a diversity of chemicals to protect themselves from pathogens, the molecular targets and modes of action of these plant-derived chemicals have not been well characterized. Using a reverse genetics approach, the present study revealed that thymol, a monoterpene alcohol from Thymus vulgaris L., (Lamiaceae), exhibits antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans by regulating multiple signaling pathways including calcineurin, unfolded protein response, and HOG (high-osmolarity glycerol) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Thymol treatment reduced the intracellular concentration of Ca²⁺ by controlling the expression levels of calcium transporter genes in a calcineurin-dependent manner. We demonstrated that thymol decreased N-glycosylation by regulating the expression levels of genes involved in glycan-mediated post-translational modifications. Furthermore, thymol treatment reduced endogenous ergosterol content by decreasing the expression of ergosterol biosynthesis genes in a HOG MAPK pathway-dependent manner. Collectively, this study sheds light on the antifungal mechanisms of thymol against C. neoformans.     

Silicon monohydride clusters Si(n)H (n = 4-10) and their anions: structures, thermochemistry, and electron affinities

The molecular structures, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the Si(n)H/Si(n)H- (n = 4-10) species have been examined via five hybrid and pure density functional theory (DFT) methods. The basis set used in this work is of double-zeta plus polarization quality with additional diffuse s- and p-type functions, denoted DZP++. The geometries are fully optimized with each DFT method independently. The three different types of neutral-anion energy separations presented in this work are the adiabatic electron affinity (EA(ad)), the vertical electron affinity (EA(vert)), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The first Si-H dissociation energies, D(e)(Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) for neutral Si(n)H and D(e)(Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H) for anionic Si(n)H- species, have also been reported. The structures of the ground states of these clusters are traditional H-Si single-bond forms. The ground-state geometries of Si5H, Si6H, Si8H, and Si9H predicted by the DFT methods are different from previous calculations, such as those obtained by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics and nonorthogonal tight-binding molecular dynamics schemes. The most reliable EA(ad) values obtained at the B3LYP level of theory are 2.59 (Si4H), 2.84 (Si5H), 2.86 (Si6H), 3.19 (Si7H), 3.14 (Si8H), 3.36 (Si9H), and 3.56 (Si10H) eV. The first dissociation energies (Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) predicted by all of these methods are 2.20-2.29 (Si4H), 2.30-2.83 (Si5H), 2.12-2.41 (Si6H), 1.75-2.03 (Si7H), 2.41-2.72 (Si8H), 1.86-2.11 (Si9H), and 1.92-2.27 (Si10H) eV. For the negatively charged ion clusters (Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H), the dissociation energies predicted are 2.56-2.69 (Si4H-), 2.80-3.01 (Si5H-), 2.86-3.06 (Si6H-), 2.80-3.03 (Si7H-), 2.69-2.92 (Si8H-), 2.92-3.18 (Si9H-), and 2.89-3.25 (Si10H-) eV.     

Studies on the refolding of the reduced-denatured insulin with size exclusion chromatography

The refolding of the reduced-denatured insulin from bovine pancreas was investigated with the size exclusion chromatography (SEC). It was shown that the reduced-denatured insulin originally denatured with 7.0 mol L^?1 guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCI) or 8.0 mol L^?1 urea could not be refolded with a non-oxidized mobile phase. Although the oxidized and reduced glutathione (GSSG and GSH) were employed in the oxidized mobile phase, the reduced-denatured insulin still could not be renatured. However, in the presence of 2.0 mol L^t-1 urea in the oxidized mobile phase employed, the reduced-denatured insulin can be refolded with SEC, and the aggregation of denatured insulin can be diminished by urea. In addition, the disulfide exchange of reduced-denatured insulin also can be accelerated with GSSG/GSH in the oxidized mobile phase. The three disulfide bridges of insulin were formed correctly and the reduced-unfolded insulin can be renatured completely. The results were further tested with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC).     

A new approach to highly electrooptically active materials using cross-linkable, hyperbranched chromophore-containing oligomers as a macromolecular dopant

A new, practical approach to a variety of highly electrooptically active polymers for device development is described. It involves the use of a new thermally cross-linkable, hyperbranched oligomer containing nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores as a macromolecular dopant in a common host polymer. A series of NLO polymeric blends were readily formulated and showed large and stable electrooptic (EO) coefficients (up to 65 pm/V). In comparison with previously studied linear NLO polyimides and guest-host polymers doped with molecular chromophores and even linear NLO analogous oligomers, this new approach offers clear advantages for device development in terms of improved poling efficiency, larger EO coefficients, good temporal stability, and versatile material formulation.     

Solvent extraction of uranium from aqueous solutions by α-benzoinoxime

Solvent extraction of uranium with α-benzoinoxime from aqueous solutions has been systematically investigated. The extraction equilibration was very fast and achieved at 60 s for uranium. The extraction of uranium was pH-dependent using α-benzoinoxime as extractant. The effect concentration of uranium and α-benzoinoxime was studied. The uranium loaded in the organic phase can be stripped efficiently with 93 % yield using 0.1 M HCl as the stripping agent in a single stripping step. A good selectivity for uranium was observed through α-benzoinoxime as extractant from aqueous solution with other interfering cation ions. Present study suggested that α-benzoinoxime can be used as a potential extractant for separation of uranium from aqueous solution using centrifugal extractor in industrial application.     

Comparing study on hydration properties of various cementitious systems

The hydration properties of slag sulfate cement (SSC), slag Portland cement (PSC), and ordinary Portland cement (POC) were compared in this study by determining the compressive strength of pastes, the hydration heat of binders within 72 h, the pore structure, the hydration products, and the hydration degree. The results indicated that main hydration products of PSC paste and POC paste are calcium hydroxide and C–S–H gel, while those of SSC paste are ettringite and C–S–H gel from the analyses of XRD, TG–DTA, and SEM. At the early curing age, the compressive strength depends on the clinker content in the cementitious system, while at the late curing age, which is related to the potential reactivity of slag. From hydration heat analysis, the cumulative hydration heat of PSC is lower than that of POC, but higher than that of SSC. Slag can limit chemical reaction and the delayed coagulation of gypsum, which also plays a role in the early hydration. So SSC shows the lowest heat release and slag can’t be simulated without a suitable alkaline solution. Based on MIP analysis, the porosity of POC paste is the smallest while the average pore size is the biggest. At the age of 90 days, the compressive strength of SSC can get higher development because of its relative smaller pore size than that of PSC and POC paste.     

Peripheral Templation‐Modulated Interconversion between an A4L6 Tetrahedral Anion Cage and A2L3 Triple Helicate with Guest Capture/Release

An anion‐coordination‐based A₄L₆ (“A” denotes anion and “L” is ligand) tetrahedral cage was constructed by a C₂‐symmetric bis‐bis(urea) ligand and phosphate anion, which showed reversible interconversion with the A₂L₃ triple helicate as a response to the template, concentration, or solvent. Notably, an unusual “peripheral” templation was found to be critical to stabilize the tetrahedral structure. This peripheral effect was utilized to assemble an “empty” A₄L₆ cage that allows the multi‐stimuli‐controlled capture/release of biologically important species such as choline and acetylcholine.     

Modular One‐Step Three‐Component Synthesis of Tetrahydroisoquinolines Using a Catellani Strategy

Reported is a modular one‐step three‐component synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines using a Catellani strategy. This process exploits aziridines as the alkylating reagents, through palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis, to enable a Catellani/Heck/aza‐Michael addition cascade. This mild, chemoselective, and scalable protocol has broad substrate scope (43 examples, up to 90 % yield). The most striking feature of this protocol is the excellent regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity observed for 2‐alkyl‐ and 2‐aryl‐substituted aziridines to access 1,3‐cis‐substituted and 1,4‐cis‐substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines, respectively. Moreover, this is a versatile process with high step and atom economy.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Dendrobium Officinale Cultivated in Various Conditions

Dendrobium officinale is an important medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine. The consumption of D. officinale has increased rapidly in recent years due to the health awareness among Chinese people. The present study aimed to determine trace elements levels in 42 D. officinale samples and to utilize the elemental data for identifying the cultivation technique. Eighteen trace elements (B, V, Cr, As, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Sn, Ti, Al, Co, As Pb, Cd, and Bi) were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Of the 11 essential elements, the mean concentrations ranged from 30.6?µg?kg^?1 (Mo) in D. officinale with greenhouse cultivation to 161?mg?kg^?1 (Fe) in D. officinale with rock cultivation, and the contributions of Mn may exceed the dietary reference intake value by the uptake of 20?g of D. officinale. Of the seven toxic elements, the mean concentrations ranged from 3.29?µg?kg^?1 (Bi) in the D. officinale with greenhouse cultivation to 342?mg?kg^?1 (Al) in the D. officinale with rock cultivation, and the contributions of Al may exceed the provisional tolerable daily intake value by the uptake of 20?g of D. officinale. The concentrations of seven metals (Bi, Pb, Fe, Al, Cr, As, and Mo) were utilized to identify the cultivation technique of the analyzed D. officinale samples through linear discriminant analysis.     

BSA‐IrO2: Catalase‐like Nanoparticles with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency and a High X‐ray Absorption Coefficient for Anti‐inflammation and Antitumor Theranostics

Intrinsically integrating precise diagnosis, effective therapy, and self‐anti‐inflammatory action into a single nanoparticle is attractive for tumor treatment and future clinical application, but still remains a great challenge. In this study, bovine serum albumin–iridium oxide nanoparticles (BSA‐IrO₂ NPs) with extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency, good photocatalytic activity, and a high X‐ray absorption coefficient were prepared through one‐step biomineralization. The nanoparticles allow tumor phototherapy and simultaneous photoacoustic/thermal imaging and computed tomography. More importantly, BSA‐IrO₂ NPs can also act as a catalase to protect normal cells against H₂O₂‐induced reactive oxygen pressure and inflammation while significantly enhancing photoacoustic imaging through microbubble‐based inertial cavitation. These remarkable features may open up the exploration iridium‐based nanomaterials in theranostics.