Isoflavonoids from Astragalus membranaceus Hairy Roots

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Identification of phytocompounds from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. as potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 replication proteins through GC–MS/LC–MS characterization,molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a massive viral disease outbreak of international concerns. The present study is mainly intended to identify the bioactive phytocompounds from traditional antiviral herb Houttuynia cordata Thunb. as potential inhibitors for three main replication proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely Main protease (Mpro), Papain-Like protease (PLpro) and ADP ribose phosphatase (ADRP) which control the replication process. A total of 177 phytocompounds were characterized from H. cordata using GC–MS/LC–MS and they were docked against three SARS-CoV-2 proteins (receptors), namely Mpro, PLpro and ADRP using Epic, LigPrep and Glide module of Schrödinger suite 2020-3. During docking studies, phytocompounds (ligand) 6-Hydroxyondansetron (A104) have demonstrated strong binding affinity toward receptors Mpro (PDB ID 6LU7) and PLpro (PDB ID 7JRN) with G-score of???7.274 and???5.672, respectively, while Quercitrin (A166) also showed strong binding affinity toward ADRP (PDB ID 6W02) with G-score -6.788. Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS) performed using Desmond module of Schrödinger suite 2020–3 has demonstrated better stability in the ligand–receptor complexes A104-6LU7 and A166-6W02 within 100 ns than the A104-7JRN complex. The ADME-Tox study performed using SwissADMEserver for pharmacokinetics of the selected phytocompounds 6-Hydroxyondansetron (A104) and Quercitrin (A166) demonstrated that 6-Hydroxyondansetron passes all the required drug discovery rules which can potentially inhibit Mpro and PLpro of SARS-CoV-2 without causing toxicity while Quercitrin demonstrated less drug-like properties but also demonstrated as potential inhibitor for ADRP. Present findings confer opportunities for 6-Hydroxyondansetron and Quercitrin to be developed as new therapeutic drug against COVID-19.

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数字化转型背景下我国金融机构业务与技术融合发展的路径

近年来,我国金融行业数字化转型不断提速,金融机构数字化转型已迫在眉睫.金融机构面临的数字化转型环境包括3个方面:一是大数据走向跨界融合;二是人工智能加速发展;三是区块链等技术建立了新型连接关系.基于以上环境分析,文章认为金融机构数字化转型的核心在于业务与技术融合,需要在机制、组织、架构、人才和文化层面实行再造.     

Nickel/Photoredox-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Cross-Coupling of Racemic α-Chloro Esters with Aryl Iodides

A unique nickel/organic photoredox co-catalyzed asymmetric reductive cross-coupling between α-chloro esters and aryl iodides is developed. This cross-electrophile coupling reaction employs an organic reductant (Hantzsch ester), whereas most reductive cross-coupling reactions use stoichiometric metals. A diverse array of valuable α-aryl esters is formed under these conditions with high enantioselectivities (up to 94 %) and good yields (up to 88 %). α-Aryl esters represent an important family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This novel synergistic strategy expands the scope of Ni-catalyzed reductive asymmetric cross-coupling reactions.     

Direct visualization of the nanoscopic three‐phase structure and stiffness of NBR/PVC blends by AFM nanomechanical mapping

The PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is employed to first visualize and then quantify the elastic properties of a model nitrile rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) (NBR/PVC) blend at the nanoscale. This method allows us to consistently observe the changes in mechanical properties of each phase in polymer blends. Beyond measuring and discriminating elastic modulus and adhesion forces of each phase, we tune the AFM tips and the peak force parameters in order to reliably image samples. In view of viscoelastic difference in each phase, a three‐phase coexistence of an unmixed NBR phase, the mixed phase, and PVC microcrystallites is directly visualized in NBR/PVC blends. The nanomechanical investigation is also capable of recognizing the crosslinked rubber phase in cured rubber. The contribution of the mixed phase was quantified and it was found that the mechanical properties of blends are mainly determined by the homogeneity and stiffness of the mixed phase. This study furthers our understanding the structure–mechanical property relationship of thermoplastic elastomers, which is important for their potential design and applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 662–669     

深水铺管船的动力定位能力评估系统

为解决评估铺管船作业能力的难题,提出一种适用于评估铺管船动力定位能力的方法,开发了动力定位能力评估程序系统,并针对高海况环境条件设计了优化的辅助作业方案.采用数值计算方法对铺管船作业期间的平均二阶力、风载荷以及流载荷进行仿真计算,建立了环境载荷与动力定位系统提供的推力之间的平衡关系,给出了用于评估铺管船动力定位能力的系统模块,采用动力定位能力包络线的方式表达动力评估结果.在高海况作业中给出安全建议,即采用辅助拖轮作用于船舶适当位置以增强动力定位能力,从而降低工程作业风险.     

习近平的新时代科技创新全球视野

 当前世界新一轮科技与产业革命正蓄势待发，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平以全球视野提出了新时代科技创新的指导思想。习近平指出：新时代中国必须采取科技创新全球视野系列举措，瞄准世界科技前沿，实施科技开放创新；构建世界科技命运共同体，实现世界各国合作共赢共享发展；采取"非对称性"赶超战略，取得后发超越；全面提升科技创新全球化，增强科技创新全球竞争力和世界影响力。分析表明，新时代习近平科技创新全球视野是引领和指导中国科技创新发展和建成世界科技强国的重大方略。     

Multi-Interactions in Ionic Liquids for Natural Product Extraction

Natural products with a variety of pharmacological effects are important sources for commercial drugs, and it is very crucial to develop effective techniques to selectively extract and isolate bioactive natural components from the plants against the background of sustainable development. Ionic liquids (ILs) are a kind of designable material with unique physicochemical properties, including good thermal stability, negligible vapor pressure, good solvation ability, etc. ILs have already been used in pharmaceuticals for extraction, purification, drug delivery, etc. It has been reported that multi-interactions, like hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, play important roles in the extraction of bioactive components from the plants. In this review, recent progress in the understanding of scientific essence of hydrogen bonding, the special interaction, in ILs was summarized. The extraction of various natural products, one important area in pharmaceutical, by conventional and functional ILs as well as the specific roles of multi-interactions in this process were also reviewed. Moreover, problems existing in bioactive compound extraction by ILs and the future developing trends of this area are given, which might be helpful for scientists, especially beginners, in this field.