Binding Ensembles of p53-MDM2 Peptide Inhibitors by Combining Bayesian Inference and Atomistic Simulations

Designing peptide inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 interaction against cancer is of wide interest. Computational modeling and virtual screening are a well established step in the rational design of small molecules. But they face challenges for binding flexible peptide molecules that fold upon binding. We look at the ability of five different peptides, three of which are intrinsically disordered, to bind to MDM2 with a new Bayesian inference approach (MELD × MD). The method is able to capture the folding upon binding mechanism and differentiate binding preferences between the five peptides. Processing the ensembles with statistical mechanics tools depicts the most likely bound conformations and hints at differences in the binding mechanism. Finally, the study shows the importance of capturing two driving forces to binding in this system: the ability of peptides to adopt bound conformations (ΔGconformation) and the interaction between interface residues (ΔGinteraction).     

Rapid and simple method for determination of Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine and Nepsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine in urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new procedure was developed to determine in urine the concentrations of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and N(epsilon)-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), the major products of oxidative modification of glycated proteins, to assess levels of oxidative stress in physiological systems. The urine samples were acetonitrile-deproteinized, then derivatized by ethylchloroformate, and N(O,S)-ethoxycarbonyl ethyl esters of amino acids were analysed by isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Recovery averaged 89%. Linearity was excellent (r = 0.998-0.999) in the 0.5-25 micromol/L range for CML and CEL. The limit of detection of this assay was 0.1 micromol/L (corresponding to 0.20 pmol of CML or CEL on column). Intra-day and inter-day precisions were likewise excellent, with relative standard deviations <4.63 and <6.15%, respectively. Accuracy of CML and CEL determination (15 micromol/L) was 2.9 and 5.9% of the estimated theoretical value. The time from obtaining the urine sample to determination of the concentration from the chromatographic peak was 80 min or less. This method is sensitive, reproducible, accurate, relatively cheap and very simple. It can be useful for laboratories involved in the diagnosis and monitoring of age-related chronic diseases.     

Design of a combined ozone/electron beam process for waste water and economic feasibility of the process

A design of a combined ozone/electron beam irradiation process for treating a 50 m³/h waste water stream from a molasses processing is discussed. Moreover, a cost evaluation of such a process in comparison to a conventional ozonation/biology treatment process has been performed to assess the potential of the irradiation process for technical use. Although the result of this comparison is not bad for the irradiation process an implementation into a full scale plant would not seem to be the thing to do in the present case.     

Synthesis and properties of sulfur‐contained poly(silylene arylacetylene)s

Poly(silylene arylacetylene) (PSA) is a kind of poly(arylacetylene) silicon‐containing resins with excellent heat resistance and good mechanical performances. In this article, the sulfur atom is introduced into the main chain of the PSA molecule to obtain a sulfur‐containing poly(silylene arylacetylene), named S‐PSA. By Williamson and Sonogashira reactions, bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)sulfide and bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)sulfone were synthesized. Thereafter, through Grignard reagent way, the poly(silylene ethynylene phenylene sulfide phenylene ethynylene) (PSESE) and poly(silylene ethynylene phenylene sulfone phenylene ethynylene) (PSESO₂E) were synthesized from bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)sulfide, bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)sulfone, and methylphenyl dichlorosilane. Poly(silylene ethynylene phenylene sulfoxide phenylene ethynylene) (PSESOE) was synthesized by the oxidation of PSESE. The structures and properties of these resins were characterized and the mechanical properties of the T300 reinforced composites were tested. The results show that the novel S‐PSA resins have excellent heat resistance and good mechanical properties, and could be used as resin matrices for high‐performance composites in high‐tech fields. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2324–2332     

借助几何图形理解高等数学中的抽象概念和结论

高等数学的很多内容比较抽象,学生不易理解.通过几个例子说明如何将抽象的数学概念和结论与几何图形有机的结合起来,加深对这些概念结论的理解,激发学生的学习兴趣.     

Recent advances in electrochemical water technologies for the treatment of antibiotics: A short review

This short review presents a critical overview of the most recent works published in the literature related to the use of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) for the treatment of antibiotics present in synthetic and real wastewaters. The first section focuses on novelties within the traditional EAOPs, including electrochemical oxidation and electrochemical Fenton-based processes. The second section is devoted to new electrochemical technologies, including heterogeneous electro-Fenton, electrochemically activated persulfate processes, and combined processes. Future perspectives about these processes are also presented to aid the continuous evolution of research in the area.     

内蒙五牧场矿区11号煤层原煤大分子结构特征及其形成机制

在对内蒙古自治区呼伦贝尔市伊敏盆地五牧场区11号煤层原煤工业分析、元素分析、¹³C-NMR、FT-IR、XPS等分析基础上,获得了煤大分子结构中碳骨架信息、脂肪结构以及含氧官能团类型及比例、氮原子的存在形式和比例等结构信息。以此为基础,构建了煤的大分子结构模型,并应用 ¹³C-NMR预测软件ACD/CNMR predictor 对其进行了修正, 获得与实验核磁共振谱图吻合较好的大分子结构模型。大分子结构的芳香结构单元以苯、萘、蒽、菲为芳香结构单元,数量分别是1、2、2、1,醚键、氢化芳环以及邻位亚甲基作为连接芳香结构的主要桥键;氧原子以酚羟基、羰基、羧基的形式存在,数量分别是7、3、2;氮原子分别以吡啶和吡咯的形式存在,甲基和脂肪短链分布在芳香单元的边缘。与相邻矿区的褐煤及相近变质程度的神东长焰煤的比较发现,其形成机制主要是在高温低压环境下,热演化过程中快速失去各种含氧官能团,导致短链脂肪类物质的形成,而低压环境则有利于热演化过程中形成的各种小分子物质逸散导致自由基的缩聚,形成较大的芳香结构单元,但是直链脂肪类物质的存在具有位阻效应,不利于芳香结构单元的定向排列,导致所谓的"化学成分成熟超前于其结构成熟"现象。     

Solar Driven Gas Phase Advanced Oxidation Processes for Methane Removal - Challenges and Perspectives

Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas and the second highest contributor to global warming. CH₄ emissions are still growing at an alarmingly high pace. To limit global warming to 1.5 °C, one of the most effective strategies is to reduce rapidly the CH₄ emissions by developing large-scale methane removal methods. The purpose of this perspective paper is threefold. (1) To highlight the technology gap dealing with low concentration CH₄ (at many emission sources and in the atmosphere). (2) To analyze the challenges and prospects of solar-driven gas phase advanced oxidation processes for CH₄ removal. And (3) to propose some ideas, which may help to develop solar-driven gas phase advanced oxidation processes and make them deployable at a climate significant scale.     

基于生物炭的高级氧化技术降解水中有机污染物

碳基材料催化剂因具有良好的催化性能,同时可避免金属催化剂的重金属沥出造成的二次污染问题,常被应用于高级氧化领域。其中,以废弃生物质为原材料热解产生的生物炭,不仅具有催化潜力,还具有低成本和绿色环保等优势,被广泛用于活化过氧化氢、过一硫酸氢盐和过二硫酸盐等过氧化物降解水中有机污染物。本文介绍了生物炭的前体种类和制备方法、阐述了二者对生物炭活化能力的影响,总结了生物炭活化过氧化物的机理,分析了水质对降解污染物的影响,综述了生物炭的改性、循环使用及再生,指出了这一技术存在的问题并对后续研究进行了展望。     

Effect of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on the Oxidation of Protein and Fat and Its Relationship with the Formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines and Advanced Glycation End Products in Raw Meat

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of the number of freeze–thaw cycles (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7) on porcine longissimus protein and lipid oxidation, as well as changes in heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their precursors. We analyzed the relationship among HAAs, AGEs, oxidation, and precursors and found the following results after seven freeze–thaw cycles. The HAAs, Norharman and Harman, were 20.33% and 16.67% higher, respectively. The AGEs, Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) and Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML), were 11.81% and 14.02% higher, respectively. Glucose, creatine, and creatinine were reduced by 33.92%, 5.93%, and 1.12%, respectively after seven freeze–thaw cycles. Norharman was significantly correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; r² = 0.910) and glucose (r² = −0.914). Harman was significantly correlated to TBARS (r² = 0.951), carbonyl (r² = 0.990), and glucose (r² = −0.920). CEL was correlated to TBARS (r² = 0.992) and carbonyl (r² = 0.933). These changes suggest that oxidation and the Maillard reaction during freeze–thaw cycles promote HAA and AGE production in raw pork.