Natural Phytocompounds from Common Indian Spices for Identification of Three Potential Inhibitors of Breast Cancer: A Molecular Modelling Approach

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer-related cause of death for women throughout the globe. In spite of some effective measures, the main concerns with traditional anti-cancer chemotherapy are its low bioavailability, physical side effects, acquired resistance of cancer cells and non-specific targeting. Now researchers have taken the initiative to establish natural product-based therapy methods and to identify viable hits for future lead optimization in the development of breast cancer medication. Our study aims to identify the potent phytocompounds from five very popular Indian spices (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Cuminum cyminum L., Piper nigrum L., Curcuma longa L., and Allium sativum L.). From these spices, a total of 200 phytocompounds were identified and screened against three target genes, namely, cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK 8), progesterone receptor (PR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), through structure-based virtual screening using iGEMDOCK 2.1 software. Based on the binding affinity score, the top three phytocompounds against each target protein (cynaroside (−149.66 Kcal/mol), apigetrin (−139.527 Kcal/mol) and curcumin (−138.149 Kcal/mol) against CDK8; apigetrin (−123.298 Kcal/mol), cynaroside (−118.635 Kcal/mol) and xyloglucan (−113.788 Kcal/mol) against PR; cynaroside (−119.18 Kcal/mol), apigetrin (−105.185 Kcal/mol) and xyloglucan (−105.106 Kcal/mol) against EGFR) were selected. Apigetrin, cynaroside, curcumin, and xyloglucan were finally identified for further docking analysis with the respective three target proteins. Autodock 4.2 was applied to screen the optimal binding position and to assess the relative intensity of binding interactions. In addition, the ADME/T property checks and bioactivity scores analysis of were performed to understand the suitability of these four phytocompounds to be potential candidates for developing effective and non-toxic anticancer agents. Based on this in silico analysis, we believe this study could contribute to current efforts to develop new drugs for treating breast cancer.     

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol Product Impurities

Due to increased concerns regarding unidentified impurities in delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-8 THC) consumer products, a study using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS) was conducted to further investigate these products. Ten Δ-8 THC products, including distillates and ready to use vaporizer cartridges, were analyzed. The results yield findings that the tested products contain several impurities in concentrations far beyond what is declared on certificates of analysis for these products. As Δ-8 THC is a synthetic product synthesized from cannabidiol (CBD), there are valid concerns regarding the presence of impurities in these products with unknown effects on the human body. Compounding this problem is apparent inadequate testing of these products by producers and independent laboratories.     

Neocinnamomum caudatum Essential Oil Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation and ROS Production

Neocinnamomum caudatum (Lauraceae) plant is used in the traditional system of medicine and is considered a potential source of edible fruits, spices, flavoring agents and biodiesel. The leaves, bark and roots of the species are used by local communities for the treatment of inflammatory responses, such as allergies, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the molecular mechanism through which this plant exerts its anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the current research was to characterize the chemical constituents of bark (NCB) and leaf (NCL) essential oil of N. caudatum and to elucidate its anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation were further subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The major constituents in bark essential oil identified as β-pinene (13.11%), α-cadinol (11.18%) and α-pinene (10.99%), whereas leaf essential oil was found to be rich in β-pinene (45.21%), myrcene (9.97%) and α-pinene (9.27%). Treatment with NCB and NCL at a concentration of 25 µg/mL exerted significant anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing LPS-triggered nitric oxide (NO) production to 45.86% and 61.64%, respectively, compared to the LPS-treated group. In the LPS-treated group, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, decreased after treatment with essential oil, alleviating the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. The essential oil also inhibited the production of intracellular ROS and attenuated the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NCB also reduced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/p65 translocation and elevated the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced macrophages. The present findings, for the first time, demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential of both bark and leaf essential oils of N. caudatum. The bark essential oil exhibited a significantly more important anti-inflammatory effect than the leaf essential oil and could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Comparison of Fatty Acid Contents and MMP-1 Inhibitory Effects of the Two Antarctic Fish,Notothenia rossii and Champsocephalus gunnari

Total fatty-acid (FA) contents of different organs (stomach, liver, brain, and skin) of two Antarctic fish, marbled rockcod (Notothenia rossii) and mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari), were examined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). N. rossii possessed higher contents of total omega-3, where eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most represented omega-3 FAs, were distributed throughout all parts of the fish. The highest level of EPA was observed in the skin and that of DHA was observed in the brain of N. rossii. C. gunnari showed organ peculiarity in that most of the omega-3 FAs were found in stomach and skin. Specifically, the highest levels of EPA and DHA were both observed in the stomach. Although N. rossii and C. gunnari both inhabit the Antarctic Southern Oceans, their characteristics in terms of the composition of fatty acids were shown to vary. The extracts were also evaluated for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)-inhibitory activities in UVB-induced human dermal fibroblasts, where extracts of the skin and liver of N. rossii showed the most significant inhibition upon MMP-1 production. These findings provide experimental evidence that the extracts of the Antarctic fish could be utilized as bioactive nutrients, particularly in the enhancement of skin health.     

水性乳液/聚氨酯模型缔合增稠剂的触变性机理

以异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯(IPDI)与聚乙二醇(PEG,分子量为4000,6000和8000)为原料,以直链醇(C12,C14,C16和C18)为封端剂,合成了疏水改性乙氧基化氨基甲酸酯(HEUR),并将其应用于乳液增稠.采用核磁共振波谱(¹H NMR)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)及凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)表征了HEUR的结构、分子量及其分布,研究了其在水性乳液中的流变行为.研究结果表明,当HEUR封端基团为C14,C16和C18,且质量分数增加到1. 0%以上时,增稠的乳液(Latex/HEUR)的流变曲线出现触变环,为触变性流体.当HEUR亲疏水比值(R_h)减小时,疏水性增强,触变环向低剪切速率(γ˙)方向移动,黏度下降率(Δη)增大;当HEUR用量增加时,触变环面积(S_loop)也增大.这些触变性特点归因于HEUR在乳液中的缔合作用、氢键作用及链缠结.利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和原子力显微镜(AFM)对Latex/HEUR的聚集态和表面形貌进行了表征.结果表明,随着HEUR封端基团链长增加,Latex/HEUR颗粒...     

波纹结构迎爆面泡沫金属对甲烷-空气混合气体爆炸能量的吸收特性

为进一步探究气体爆炸荷载下异构迎爆面泡沫金属的吸能特性,在前期开展锯齿结构迎爆面材料吸能特性实验的基础上,以3种波纹结构迎爆面（凸面型、凹面型和凹凸连续型）泡沫金属材料为研究对象,利用自主搭建的气体爆炸管网实验平台,开展了该泡沫金属材料在甲烷-空气混合气体爆炸荷载下的吸能特性测定实验。采用不同波纹结构迎爆面阻隔爆材料,测定了管道内爆炸冲击波超压、火焰传播速度和火焰温度等随时间和空间的变化,分析了不同波纹结构迎爆面阻隔爆材料的吸能效果。结果表明：(1)迎爆面为波纹结构的泡沫金属材料对爆炸超压的衰减效果优于迎爆面为锯齿结构的泡沫金属材料和迎爆面为平面结构的泡沫金属材料,且迎爆面为凸面型波纹结构和凹凸连续型波纹结构的泡沫金属材料对超压衰减的速率高于迎爆面为锯齿结构和凹面型波纹结构的泡沫金属材料;迎爆面为锯齿结构的泡沫金属材料对火焰传播速度的衰减略强于迎爆面为波纹结构和平面结构的泡沫金属材料;迎爆面为波纹结构的泡沫金属材料对火焰温度的衰减效果优于迎爆面为锯齿结构及平面结构的泡沫金属材料。(2)在本文实验条件下,3种波纹结构（凸面型、凹面型和凹凸连续型）迎爆面泡沫金属材料的熄爆参数分别为5.338、4.340和6.090 MPa·℃,低于锯齿结构迎爆面材料的熄爆参数17.680 MPa·℃,且远低于熄爆参数安全值390 MPa·℃,波纹结构迎爆面材料具有良好的防护效果。(3)这3种迎爆面为波纹结构的泡沫金属材料均具有良好的吸能特性,均优于迎爆面为锯齿形结构的泡沫金属材料,且明显优于迎爆面为平面结构的泡沫金属材料。

     

兰州重离子医疗装置同步环安装控制网设计

介绍了兰州重离子医疗装置（HIMM）建造中准直安装方案里核心的测量控制网设计。同步环准直测量控制网是基于Leica AT401激光跟踪仪和综合测量软件SA建立的三维测量控制网,在控制网设计中采用9个基准柱和2个激光干涉测量得到的基准长度参考,以及Leica DNA03数字水准仪协同测量,使全局三维控制网设计精度达到0.04 mm,最终确保同步环四极磁铁安装精度达到0.10 mm的要求指标,为将来束流的稳定运行做好可靠的保证。     

Screening an In-House Isoquinoline Alkaloids Library for New Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels Using Voltage Sensor Fluorescent Probes: Hits and Biases

Voltage-gated Na⁺ (Na_V) channels are significant therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, thus promoting the search for novel Na_V channel ligands. With the objective of discovering new blockers of Na_V channel ligands, we screened an In-House vegetal alkaloid library using fluorescence cell-based assays. We screened 62 isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) for their ability to decrease the FRET signal of voltage sensor probes (VSP), which were induced by the activation of Na_V channels with batrachotoxin (BTX) in GH3b6 cells. This led to the selection of five IA: liriodenine, oxostephanine, thalmiculine, protopine, and bebeerine, inhibiting the BTX-induced VSP signal with micromolar IC₅₀. These five alkaloids were then assayed using the Na⁺ fluorescent probe ANG-2 and the patch-clamp technique. Only oxostephanine and liriodenine were able to inhibit the BTX-induced ANG-2 signal in HEK293-hNa_V1.3 cells. Indeed, liriodenine and oxostephanine decreased the effects of BTX on Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNa_V1.3 channel, suggesting that conformation change induced by BTX binding could induce a bias in fluorescent assays. However, among the five IA selected in the VSP assay, only bebeerine exhibited strong inhibitory effects against Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNav1.2 and hNav1.6 channels, with IC₅₀ values below 10 µM. So far, bebeerine is the first BBIQ to have been reported to block Na_V channels, with promising therapeutical applications.     

Point mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants induce long-range dynamical perturbations in neutralizing antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a viable treatment for the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). However, newly evolved variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can reduce the efficacy of currently available antibodies and can diminish vaccine-induced immunity. Here, we demonstrate that the microscopic dynamics of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can be profoundly modified by the mutations present in the spike proteins of the SARS-COV-2 variants currently circulating in the world population. The dynamical perturbations within the antibody structure, which alter the thermodynamics of antigen recognition, are diverse and can depend both on the nature of the antibody and on the spatial location of the spike mutation. The correlation between the motion of the antibody and that of the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) can also be changed, modulating binding affinity. Using protein-graph-connectivity networks, we delineated the mutant-induced modifications in the information-flow along allosteric pathway throughout the antibody. Changes in the collective dynamics were spatially distributed both locally and across long-range distances within the antibody. On the receptor side, we identified an anchor-like structural element that prevents the detachment of the antibodies; individual mutations there can significantly affect the antibody binding propensity. Our study provides insight into how virus neutralization by monoclonal antibodies can be impacted by local mutations in the epitope via a change in dynamics. This realization adds a new layer of sophistication to the efforts for rational design of monoclonal antibodies against new variants of SARS-CoV2, taking the allostery in the antibody into consideration.

Mutations in the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein modulates the dynamics of the neutralizing antibodies. Capturing such modulations from MD simulations and graph network model identifies the role of mutations in facilitating immune evasion.     

鱼藤中抗肿瘤活性化合物的追踪分离及与DNA的相互作用

采用活性追踪分离的方法, 从鱼藤中分离鉴定出了2个抗肿瘤活性化合物, 即羟基鱼藤素(1)和鱼藤酮(2). 用丽丝胺罗丹明B(SRB)法评价其抗肿瘤活性, 用紫外光谱和荧光光谱等方法探讨了化合物与DNA的相互作用. 结果发现, 羟基鱼藤素(1)与鱼藤酮(2)为鱼藤的抗肿瘤活性成分, 对人大肠癌细胞HCT8、人肝癌细胞BEL7402、人胃癌细胞BGC823、人肺癌细胞A549和人卵巢癌细胞A2780的半数抑制浓度(IC₅₀) 在0.1~90.0 μmol/L之间. 这两种化合物的紫外吸收强度随着HS-DNA的加入均呈现减色效应, 并使EB-HS-DNA复合体系荧光强度减弱, 表明化合物的抗肿瘤活性与DNA以插入方式作用有关.