Stereochemical Control in the Still-Wittig Rearrangement Synthesis of Cyclohexyl (Z)-Alkene Inhibitors of Pin1

Three stereoisomeric inhibitors of Pin1: (2R,5S)-, (2S,5R)- and (2S,5S)-Ac–pSer–Ψ[(Z)CH = C]–pipecolyl(Pip)–2-(2-naphthyl)ethylamine 1, that mimic L-pSer–D-Pro, D-pSer–L-Pro, and D-pSer–D-Pro amides respectively, were synthesized by a 13-step route. The newly formed stereogenic centers in the pipecolyl ring were introduced by Luche reduction, followed by stereospecific [2,3]-Still-Wittig rearrangement. The (Z)- to (E)-alkene ratio in the rearrangements were consistently 5.5 to 1. The stereochemistry at the original Ser α-carbon controlled the stereochemistry of the Luche reduction, but it did not affect the stereochemical outcome of the rearrangement, which consistently gave the (Z)-alkene. The epimerized by-product, (2S,5S)-10, resulting from the work-up after Na/NH₃ debenzylation of (2S,5R)-9, was carried on to the (2S,5S)-1 isomer. Compound (2S,5S)-10 was resynthesized from the Luche reduction by-product, (2R,3R)-3, and the stereochemistry was confirmed by comparison of the optical rotations. The IC₅₀ values for (2R,5S)-1, (2S,5R)-1 and (2S,5S)-1 Pin1 inhibition were: 52, 85, and 140 μM, respectively.     

The Influence of Chronic Ego Depletion on Goal Adherence: An Experience Sampling Study

Although ego depletion effects have been widely observed in experiments in which participants perform consecutive self-control tasks, the process of ego depletion remains poorly understood. Using the strength model of self-control, we hypothesized that chronic ego depletion adversely affects goal adherence and that mental effort and motivation are involved in the process of ego depletion. In this study, 203 students reported their daily performance, mental effort, and motivation with respect to goal directed behavior across a 3-week time period. People with high levels of chronic ego depletion were less successful in goal adherence than those with less chronic ego depletion. Although daily effort devoted to goal adherence increased with chronic ego depletion, motivation to adhere to goals was not affected. Participants with high levels of chronic ego depletion showed a stronger positive association between mental effort and performance, but chronic ego depletion did not play a regulatory role in the effect of motivation on performance. Chronic ego depletion increased the likelihood of behavior regulation failure, suggesting that it is difficult for people in an ego-depletion state to adhere to goals. We integrate our results with the findings of previous studies and discuss possible theoretical implications.     

Exercise‐induced α‐ketoglutaric acid stimulates muscle hypertrophy and fat loss through OXGR1‐dependent adrenal activation

The authors approached the journal to correct a mistake in the data presented in Appendix␣Fig S3D. The authors state that the mouse images in Appendix␣Fig S3D mistakenly displayed images from Fig 2F and Appendix␣Fig S1F. The images in Appendix␣Fig S3D are herewith corrected. The authors state that this change does not affect the conclusions or the statistics. The source data for these panels have been added to the original publication.The authors note that the following sentence needs to be corrected from: Appendix Figure S3D. Original. Appendix Figure S3D. Corrected. “Interestingly, several well‐established accumulation signatures of succinate, malate, hypoxanthine, and xanthine induced by endurance exercise (Lewis et␣al, 2010) were found to be decreased by endurance exercise (Figs 1D and EV1A–D)”.to“Interestingly, several well‐established accumulation signatures of succinate, malate, hypoxanthine, and xanthine induced by endurance exercise (Lewis et␣al, 2010) were found to be decreased by resistance exercise (Figs 1D and EV1A–D)”.Further, the authors requested to amend the legend of Appendix␣Fig S3R to indicate that the same sample for the iWAT group, “WT+2%AKG” treatment, is shown in Fig 3P. The corrected legend reads: “(R‐S). Representative images (R) and quantification (S) of p‐HSL DAB staining from male OXGR1OE^AG mice treated with AKG for 12 weeks (n = 6 per group). The same sample is shown as in Fig 3P ”.The authors regret these errors and any confusion they may have caused. All authors approve of this correction.     

Metabolomics analysis of collagen-induced arthritis in rats and interventional effects of oral tolerance

A serum metabolomics method based on rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) was performed for a holistic evaluation of the metabolic changes of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and to assess the interventional effects of type II collagen (CII) in this model. Partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to study the metabolic profiling of CIA rats and control rats. Ten metabolites, namely, 12(S)-HHTrE, 12(S)-HEPE, PGE₂, TXB2, 12(S)-HETE, LysoPE(16:0), PE(O-18:0/0:0), Lyso-PE(18:2), Lyso-PE(20:4), and Lyso-PC(22:5) were identified as differential metabolites associated with the pathogenesis of CIA. These results suggested that dysregulation of the arachidonic acid (AA) and phospholipid metabolic networks is involved in the pathomechanism of CIA. Differential metabolomics and histopathological analyses demonstrated that CII inhibits the progress of arthritis. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of CII on CIA may involve regulation of the disordered AA and phospholipid metabolic networks. This metabolomics study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of arthritis and, furthermore, indicates the potential mechanism underlying the significantly increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome, defined as a clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, in arthritis patients.     

Pontibacter soli sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a Populus rhizosphere in Xinjiang, China

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated strain HYL7-26^T, was isolated from a soil in the Desert Park of Huyang forest located in Xinjiang, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYL7-26^T belongs to the genus Pontibacter in the family Cytophagaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain HYL7-26^T and type strains of Pontibacter species ranged from 93.2 to 96.0 %. Strain HYL7-26^T was found to contain iso-C_15:0 (15.9 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (9.5 %) and summed feature 4 (comprising anteiso-C_17:1 B and/or iso-C_17:1 I, 21.0 %, as defined by the MIDI system) as the major cellular fatty acids. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 43.8 mol%. sym-Homospermidine was the major polyamine observed in the cells. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain HYL7-26^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HYL7-26^T (=CCTCC AB 206240^T = NRRL B-59490^T).     

Structural basis for the specific recognition of IL-18 by its alpha receptor

Interleukin 18 (IL-18), a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, is an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses. It signals through its ligand-binding primary receptor IL-18Rα and accessory receptor IL-18Rβ. Here we report the crystal structure of IL-18 with the ectodomain of IL-18Rα, which reveals the structural basis for their specific recognition. It confirms that surface charge complementarity determines the ligand-binding specificity of primary receptors in the IL-1 receptor family. We suggest that IL-18 signaling complex adopts an architecture similar to other agonistic cytokines and propose a general ligand-receptor assembly and activation model for the IL-1 family.     

Dihydrotestosterone treatment delays the conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease in SAMP8 mice

The senescence-accelerated-prone mouse 8 (SAMP8) has been proposed as a suitable, naturally derived animal model for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the current study, we focus on the problem whether SAMP8 mice show abnormal behavioral and neuropathological signs before they present the characteristic of AD. Our results demonstrated that given the presence of the senescent, behavioral and neuropathological characteristics, the “middle-aged” SAMP8 mice appear to be a suitable and naturally derived animal model for MCI basic research. There is relatively less evidence that androgen may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. We determined testosterone (T) levels of SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice and found that the marked age-related decrease in serum androgen levels may be one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia. We also evaluated the interventional effect on MCI phase by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in male SAMP8 mice and found that timely and appropriate androgen intervention can postpone the onset and improve the symptoms of dementia.     

Anti-osteopontin monoclonal antibody prevents ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice by promotion of osteoclast apoptosis

Osteopontin (OPN) is abundant in mineralized tissues and has long been implicated in bone remodeling. However, the therapeutic effect of targeting OPN in bone loss diseases and the underlying molecular mechanism remain largely unknown. Here, we reported that anti-OPN mAb (23C3) could protect against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice, demonstrated by microcomputed tomography analysis and histopathology evaluation. In vitro assay showed that 23C3 mAb reduced osteoclasts (OCs)-mediated bone resorption through promotion of mature OC apoptosis. Thus, the study has important implications for understanding the role of OPN in OC bone resorption and survival, and OPN antagonists may have therapeutic potential for osteoporosis and other osteopenic diseases.     

miR-138-5p reverses gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells via negatively regulating G protein-coupled receptor 124

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) such as gefitinib are clinically effective treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR activating mutations. However, therapeutic effect is ultimately limited by the development of acquired TKI resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a category of small non-coding RNAs commonly deregulated in human malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miRNAs in gefitinib resistance. We established a gefitinib-resistant cell model (PC9GR) by continually exposing PC9 NSCLC cells to gefitinib for 6 months. MiRNA microarray screening revealed miR-138-5p showed the greatest downregulation in PC9GR cells. Re-expression of miR-138-5p was sufficient to sensitize PC9GR cells and another gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell line, H1975, to gefitinib. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that G protein-coupled receptor124 (GPR124) was a direct target of miR-138-5p. Experimental validation demonstrated that expression of GPR124 was suppressed by miR-138-5p on protein and mRNA levels in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, we observed an inverse correlation between the expression of miR-138-5p and GPR124 in lung adenocarcinoma specimens. Knockdown of GPR124 mimicked the effects of miR-138-5p on the sensitivity to gefitinib. Collectively, our results suggest that downregulation of miR-138-5p contributes to gefitinib resistance and that restoration of miR-138-5p or inhibition GPR124 might serve as potential therapeutic approach for overcoming NSCLC gefitinib resistance.