Design,Synthesis, and Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Potent MAPK11 Inhibitors

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare single-gene neurodegenerative disease, which can only be treated symptomatically. Currently, there are no approved drugs for HD on the market. Studies have found that MAPK11 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for HD. Regrettably, no MAPK11 small molecule inhibitors have been approved at present. This paper presents three series of compounds that were designed and synthesized based on the structure of skepinone-L, a known MAPK14 inhibitor. Among the synthesized compounds, 13a and 13b, with IC₅₀ values of 6.40 nM and 4.20 nM, respectively, displayed the best inhibitory activities against MAPK11. Furthermore, the structure–activity relationship (SAR) is discussed in detail, which is constructive in optimizing the MAPK11 inhibitors for better activity and effect against HD.     

铁过量与人体健康

综述了机体铁储存过多与某些疾病之间的关系,包括:铁过量与肝脏疾病、心血管病、肿瘤、肾损伤、高血压等有关。铁过量主要是由于病理过程和通过各种途径进入人体的铁量增加。过量的铁在失控条件下,引起细胞成分的明显损伤,导致组织炎症和多器官的纤维化。因为铁是自由基反应的催化剂,可引起过氧化作用或细胞膜脂质和细胞内化合物的交联反应,致细胞老化或死亡。     

A New Series of Aryloxyacetic Acids Endowed with Multi-Target Activity towards Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs), Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

A new series of aryloxyacetic acids was prepared and tested as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) agonists and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors. Some compounds exhibited an interesting dual activity that has been recently proposed as a new potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a multifactorial pathology, hence multi-target agents are currently one of the main lines of research for the therapy and prevention of this disease. Given that cholinesterases represent one of the most common targets of recent research, we decided to also evaluate the effects of our compounds on the inhibition of these specific enzymes. Interestingly, two of these compounds, (S)-5 and 6, showed moderate activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and even some activity, although at high concentration, against Aβ peptide aggregation, thus demonstrating, in agreement with the preliminary dockings carried out on the different targets, the feasibility of a simultaneous multi-target activity towards PPARs, FAAH, and AChE. As far as we know, these are the first examples of molecules endowed with this pharmacological profile that might represent a promising line of research for the identification of novel candidates for the treatment of AD.     

A review of computational modeling and deep brain stimulation: applications to Parkinson's disease

Biophysical computational models are complementary to experiments and theories, providing powerful tools for the study of neurological diseases. The focus of this review is the dynamic modeling and control strategies of Parkinson's disease (PD). In previous studies, the development of parkinsonian network dynamics modeling has made great progress. Modeling mainly focuses on the cortex-thalamus-basal ganglia (CTBG) circuit and its sub-circuits, which helps to explore the dynamic behavior of the parkinsonian network, such as synchronization. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective strategy for the treatment of PD. At present, many studies are based on the side effects of the DBS. However, the translation from modeling results to clinical disease mitigation therapy still faces huge challenges. Here, we introduce the progress of DBS improvement. Its specific purpose is to develop novel DBS treatment methods, optimize the treatment effect of DBS for each patient, and focus on the study in closed-loop DBS. Our goal is to review the inspiration and insights gained by combining the system theory with these computational models to analyze neurodynamics and optimize DBS treatment.     

Ultrasonic stimulation of the brain to enhance the release of dopamine – A potential novel treatment for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the decrease of dopamine (DA) production and release in the substantia nigra and striatum regions of the brain. Transcranial ultrasound has been exploited recently for neuromodulation of the brain in a number of fields. We have stimulated DA release in PC12 cells using low-intensity continuous ultrasound (0.1 W/cm² − 0.3 W/cm², 1 MHz), 12 h after exposure at 0.2 W/cm², 40 s, the amount of DA content eventually increased 78.5% (p = 0.004). After 10-day ultrasonic treatment (0.3 W/cm², 5 min/d), the DA content in the striatum of PD mice model restored to 81.07% of the control (vs 43.42% in the untreated PD mice model). In addition to this the locomotion activity was restored to the normal level after treatment. We suggest that the low intensity ultrasound-induced DA release can be attributed to a combination of neuron regeneration and improved membrane permeability produced by the mechanical force of ultrasound. Our study indicates that the application of transcranial ultrasound applied below FDA limits, could provide a candidate for relatively safe and noninvasive PD therapy through an amplification of DA levels and the stimulation of dopaminergic neuron regeneration without contrast agents.     

Synergistic Effect of Lithocholic Acid with Gentamicin against Gram-Positive Bacteria but Not against Gram-Negative Bacteria

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is an important Gram-positive food-borne pathogen that severely threatens public health. A checkerboard microdilution method was performed to evaluate the synergistic effect of lithocholic acid (LCA) with Gentamicin (Genta) against L. monocytogenes. BacLight LIVE/DEAD staining, scanning electron microscopy and biofilm inhibition assays were further used to explore the bactericidal effect and antibiofilm effect of this combination on L. monocytogenes. Additionally, the synergistic effects of LCA derivatives with Genta were also evaluated against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. suis. The results indicated that a synergistic bactericidal effect was observed for the combined therapy of LCA at the concentration without affecting bacteria viability, with Genta. Additionally, LCA in combination with Genta had a synergistic effect against Gram-positive bacteria (L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. suis) but not against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, A. baumannii and Salmonella). BacLight LIVE/DEAD staining and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the combination of LCA with Genta caused L. monocytogenes membrane injury, leading to bacteria death. We found that 8 μg/mL LCA treatment effectively improved the ability of Genta to eradicate L. monocytogenes biofilms. In addition, we found that chenodeoxycholic acid, as a cholic acid derivative, also improved the bactericidal effect of Genta against Gram-positive bacteria. Our results indicate that LCA represents a broad-spectrum adjuvant with Genta for infection caused by L. monocytogenes and other Gram-positive pathogens.     

Biomolecules from Plant Wastes Potentially Relevant in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Co-Occurring Symptomatology

During and following the processing of a plant’s raw material, considerable amounts are wasted, composted, or redistributed in non-alimentary sectors for further use (for example, some forms of plant waste contribute to biofuel, bioethanol, or biomass production). However, many of these forms of waste still consist of critical bioactive compounds used in the food industry or medicine. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. The primary treatment is based on symptomatology alleviation and controlled dietary management. Thus, this review aimed to describe the possible relevance of molecules residing in plant waste that can be used to manage IBS and co-occurring symptoms. Significant evidence was found that many forms of fruit, vegetable, and medicinal plant waste could be the source of some molecules that could be used to treat or prevent stool consistency and frequency impairments and abdominal pain, these being the main IBS symptoms. While many of these molecules could be recovered from plant waste during or following primary processing, the studies suggested that enriched food could offer efficient valorization and prevent further changes in properties or stability. In this way, root, stem, straw, leaf, fruit, and vegetable pomaces were found to consist of biomolecules that could modulate intestinal permeability, pain perception, and overall gastrointestinal digestive processes.     

基于表面增强拉曼光谱技术的心肌生物标志物检测

心血管疾病(CVD)是全球最主要的死亡原因,急性心肌梗死(AMI)是心血管疾病致死的主要病因,安全快速地诊断AMI对于降低患者的死亡率至关重要。因常用的检测方法如心电图(ECG)缺乏足够的敏感性,寻找并针对AMI生物标志物开展高灵敏检测已成为早期检测AMI重要手段。心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)和肌红蛋白(Myo)是目前公认的检测AMI的重要心肌生物标志物。在过去的几十年里,许多生物传感器被开发出来用于检测心肌生物标志物,其中基于表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)的心肌生物标志物检测技术迅速发展,并表现出独特的技术优势和广阔的应用前景。本文首先介绍了多种心肌生物标志物及其与AMI的关联,在此基础上概述主要的心肌生物标志物检测方法的原理、优势及局限性,重点介绍近年来新兴的SERS技术及其在心肌生物标志物传感方面的最新研究进展,并对该技术在AMI诊断方面的应用前景以及有待突破的瓶颈进行了讨论和展望。     

心脑血管疾病与微量元素研究进展

心脑血管疾病发病日益增多的原因之一是机体缺乏人体必需微量元素,目前报道硒、锗、锌、钴、铜、锰、铬、钼、钒、镍等与心脑血管疾病有密切关系。用微量元素调控防治心脑血管疾病,目前是国内外研究的新课题,其目的是降低心脑血管疾病的死亡率和发病率,促进人类健康长寿。     

载脂蛋白E与阿尔兹海默病的相关研究进展*

载脂蛋白E（Apolipoprotein E,ApoE ）的等位基因ε4是阿尔兹海默病（Alzheimer’s disease,AD）主要的危险遗传因子，它主要与晚发型以及散发型阿尔兹海默病相关。阿尔兹海默病的两个主要病理学特征均被发现与ApoE 有着极为密切的关系。本文介绍了ApoE在阿尔兹海默病中所起的主要作用的研究进展以及目前国内外关于基于ApoE的阿尔兹海默病相关药物研究。