Synthesis and properties of high performance thermoplastic polycarbonate polyurethane elastomers through a non-isocyanate route.

Thermoplastic polycarbonate polyurethane elastomers (TPCUEs) are synthesized through a solvent-free non-isocyanate melt polycondensation route. The route starts with the synthesis of 1,6-bis(hydroxyethyloxycarbonylamino)hexane (BHCH) from ethylene carbonate and 1,6-hexanediamine, and then the TPCUEs are prepared by the melt polycondensation of BHCH and polycarbonate diols (PCDLs). The TPCUEs are characterized by GPC, FT-IR, 1H NMR, XRD, AFM, DSC, TGA and tensile testing. The TPCUEs prepared have linear structures and high molecular weights, with Mn over 3.0 × 104 g mol-1. And these TPCUEs exhibit excellent thermal and mechanical properties, with T g ranging from -18 to -1 °C, T m ranging from 93 to 122 °C, T d,5% over 240 °C, tensile strength between 28.1-47.3 Mpa, elongation at break above 1000%, Young's modulus between 13.8-32.7 Mpa and resilience at 200% fixed-length between 70-90%, which makes them a promising alternative to products synthesized through the isocyanate route. In addition, the effects of the hard segment contents and the molecular weights of soft segment on the properties of TPCUEs are researched.

The TCM Prescription Yi-Fei-Jie-Du-Tang Inhibit Invasive Migration and EMT of Lung Cancer Cells by Activating Autophagy.

Yi-Fei-Jie-Du-Tang (YFJDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation. Our previous studies have demonstrated that YFJDT can be used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its protective effect against NSCLC and its mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects and potential mechanisms of YFJDT on a tumor-bearing mouse lung cancer model and A549 cell model. Tumor-bearing mice and A549 cells were treated with YFJDT, tumors were measured during the experiment, and tumor tissues and cell supernatants were collected at the end of the experiment to assess the levels of autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. The results showed that YFJDT treatment reduced tumor volume and mass, increased the expression of the autophagy marker LC3, and inhibited EMT-related proteins compared with the model group. Cell survival was reduced in the YFJDT-treated groups compared with the model group, and YFJDT also reduced the migration and invasion ability of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting detected that YFJDT also upregulated FAT4 in the tumor tissue and A549 cells and downregulated the expression of vimentin. Meanwhile, apoptosis in both tissues and cells was greatly increased with treatment of YFJDT. We further interfered with FAT4 expression in cells and found that the inhibitory effect of YFJDT on EMT was reversed, indicating that YFJDT affects EMT by regulating FAT4 expression. Taken together, results of this study suggested that the inhibitory effect of YFJDT on EMT in lung cancer tumors is through upregulating FAT4, promoting autophagy, and thus inhibiting EMT in cancer cells.

MIL-53(Al) catalytic synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate).

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the world's five major engineering plastics and is widely used in various fields. At present, the main catalysts used in the synthesis of PET are antimony, titanium, and aluminum metal compounds. Among them, antimony-based catalysts are poisonous and the titanium-based catalyst products are relatively yellow in hue. The aluminum-based catalyst has the advantages of low price and environmental friendliness, but current research shows that the organoaluminum catalyst has the problem of hydrolysis, and MIL-53 (Al) has good stability and will not affect the environment, so we add a catalyst before the esterification reaction, and uses thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and N2 low-temperature physical adsorption characterizes the thermal stability and structure of MIL-53(Al). At the same time, the effects of different content, polycondensation time, before and after activation and polycondensation temperature on the properties of PET were investigated. The research results show that when the molar content of catalyst is 0.05% and the reaction temperature is 280 °C for 150 min, the product obtained is relatively excellent. The catalytic activity has almost no effect before and after activation, indicating that the polycondensation reaction is carried out on the surface of the catalyst. Therefore, MIL-53 (Al) has great potential in PET industrial catalysis.

Differences of Sleep Disorders Between Vestibular Migraine and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Introduction: Sleep disorders can affect the overall health and quality of life of patients. This study was conducted to compare the differences of sleep disorders in vestibular migraine (VM) patients and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients. Methods: VM patients, BPPV patients, and healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Pittsburgh sleep quality index and polysomnography monitoring were used as subjective and objective, respectively, evaluation methods to evaluate the sleep quality of participants in the latest month. Results: Fifty-seven BPPV patients, 48 VM patients, and 42 HCs were included in this study. There were 79.16% VM patients, 54.39% BPPV patients, and 14.28% HCs with sleep disorders. The difference in the incidence rate of sleep disorders was significant between VM patients and BPPV patients (p = 0.008) and significantly higher in both the VM group (p < 0.00001) and BPPV group (p = 0.00004) than in the HC groups (14.28%). Compared with BPPV patients, the VM patients had the significantly lower sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) and N3 (p < 0.001) and the significantly higher time of wake-up after sleep onset (p < 0.001), N1 (p < 0.001), and N2 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the VM patients had significantly higher incidence rates of severe obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome (p = 0.001) and periodic leg movement in sleep (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The incidence rate of sleep disorders was significantly higher in both VM and BPPV patients than in the HC groups. To improve the curative effects, clinicians should pay more attention to the comorbidity of sleep disorders in treating VM and BPPV.

NITD-688, a pan-serotype inhibitor of the dengue virus NS4B protein, shows favorable pharmacokinetics and efficacy in preclinical animal models.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that poses a threat to public health, yet no antiviral drug is available. We performed a high-throughput phenotypic screen using the Novartis compound library and identified candidate chemical inhibitors of DENV. This chemical series was optimized to improve properties such as anti-DENV potency and solubility. The lead compound, NITD-688, showed strong potency against all four serotypes of DENV and demonstrated excellent oral efficacy in infected AG129 mice. There was a 1.44-log reduction in viremia when mice were treated orally at 30 milligrams per kilogram twice daily for 3 days starting at the time of infection. NITD-688 treatment also resulted in a 1.16-log reduction in viremia when mice were treated 48 hours after infection. Selection of resistance mutations and binding studies with recombinant proteins indicated that the nonstructural protein 4B is the target of NITD-688. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats and dogs showed a long elimination half-life and good oral bioavailability. Extensive in vitro safety profiling along with exploratory rat and dog toxicology studies showed that NITD-688 was well tolerated after 7-day repeat dosing, demonstrating that NITD-688 may be a promising preclinical candidate for the treatment of dengue.

Dengue NS2A Protein Orchestrates Virus Assembly.

Dengue virus assembly requires cleavage of viral C-prM-E polyprotein into three structural proteins (capsid, premembrane, and envelope), packaging of viral RNA with C protein into nucleocapsid, and budding of prM and E proteins into virions. The molecular mechanisms underlying these assembly events are unclear. Here, we show that dengue nonstructural protein 2A (NS2A protein) recruits viral RNA, structural proteins, and protease to the site of virion assembly and coordinates nucleocapsid and virus formation. The last 285 nucleotides of viral 3' UTR serve as a "recruiting signal for packaging" that binds to a cytosolic loop of NS2A. This interaction allows NS2A to recruit nascent RNA from the replication complex to the virion assembly site. NS2A also recruits the C-prM-E polyprotein and NS2B-NS3 protease to the virion assembly site by interacting with prM, E, and NS3, leading to coordinated C-prM-E cleavage. Mature C protein assembles onto genomic RNA to form nucleocapsid, followed by prM and E envelopment and virion formation.

Genome-wide identification of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) microRNA responsive to low pH stress by deep sequencing.

pH has a great impact on the distribution, growth, behavior, and physiology in many aquatic animals. Here, we analyzed miRNA expression profiles of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) from control pH (8.2) and low pH (6.5)-treated shrimp. Expression analysis identified 6 known miRNAs and 23 novel miRNAs with significantly different expression between control pH 8.2 and low pH 6.5; the predicted target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in organic acid metabolic process, oxidoreductase activity, coenzyme binding, cofactor binding, and collagen trimer. Moreover, target genes were significantly enriched in several Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways including citrate cycle, pyruvate metabolism, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, tight junction, carbon metabolism, etc. Our survey expanded the number of known shrimp miRNAs and provided comprehensive information about miRNA response to low pH stress.

Expression profiles of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis in response to viral and bacterial infections.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in cellular response to inflammatory cytokines, environmental stress and pathogenic infection, However, compared with mammals and insects, the potential function of p38 MAPK from Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) in response to viruses and bacterial infection is limited. In the study, the immune responses of four genes MKK3, MKK4, p38 and ATF-2 from F. chinensis were investigated in defending against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Vibrio anguillarum (V. anguillarum) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. Results demonstrated that the expression levels of these four genes were apparently modulated in hemocytes and gills when shrimp were stimulated by WSSV or bacteria, particularly at 3-24h after infection. MKK3, p38 and ATF-2 were most sensitive to V. anguillarum (Gram-negative bacteria), followed by WSSV and S. aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), while MKK4 gene was most sensitive to S. aureus, followed by WSSV and V. anguillarum. Knockdown of Fcp38 by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a reduction in the expression of FcMKK3 and FcATF-2. The results indicate that p38MAPK signaling pathway plays a role in defending against viral and bacterial infections in F. chinensis.

Discovery of 2-oxopiperazine dengue inhibitors by scaffold morphing of a phenotypic high-throughput screening hit.

A series of 2-oxopiperazine derivatives were designed from the pyrrolopiperazinone cell-based screening hit 4 as a dengue virus inhibitor. Systematic investigation of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around the piperazinone ring led to the identification of compound (S)-29, which exhibited potent anti-dengue activity in the cell-based assay across all four dengue serotypes with EC50<0.1µM. Cross-resistant analysis confirmed that the virus NS4B protein remained the target of the new oxopiperazine analogs obtained via scaffold morphing from the HTS hit 4.

The genome and transcriptome of Japanese flounder provide insights into flatfish asymmetry.

Flatfish have the most extreme asymmetric body morphology of vertebrates. During metamorphosis, one eye migrates to the contralateral side of the skull, and this migration is accompanied by extensive craniofacial transformations and simultaneous development of lopsided body pigmentation. The evolution of this developmental and physiological innovation remains enigmatic. Comparative genomics of two flatfish and transcriptomic analyses during metamorphosis point to a role for thyroid hormone and retinoic acid signaling, as well as phototransduction pathways. We demonstrate that retinoic acid is critical in establishing asymmetric pigmentation and, via cross-talk with thyroid hormones, in modulating eye migration. The unexpected expression of the visual opsins from the phototransduction pathway in the skin translates illumination differences and generates retinoic acid gradients that underlie the generation of asymmetry. Identifying the genetic underpinning of this unique developmental process answers long-standing questions about the evolutionary origin of asymmetry, but it also provides insight into the mechanisms that control body shape in vertebrates.

Secondary Structure and Membrane Topology of the Full-Length Dengue Virus NS4B in Micelles.

Dengue virus nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) is a membrane protein consisting of 248 residues with a crucial role in virus replication and interference with the host innate immunity. The dengue virus serotype 3 NS4B was reconstituted into lyso-myristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (LMPG) micelles. Backbone resonance assignment of NS4B was obtained using conventional solution NMR experiments. Further studies suggested that NS4B contained eleven helices and six of them form five potential transmembrane regions. This study provides atomic level information for an important drug target to control flavivirus infections.

Secondary structure and membrane topology of dengue virus NS4B N-terminal 125 amino acids.

The transmembrane NS4B protein of dengue virus (DENV) is a validated antiviral target that plays important roles in viral replication and invasion of innate immune response. The first 125 amino acids of DENV NS4B are sufficient for inhibition of alpha/beta interferon signaling. Resistance mutations to NS4B inhibitors are all mapped to the first 125 amino acids. In this study, we expressed and purified a protein representing the first 125 amino acids of NS4B (NS4B(1-125)). This recombinant NS4B(1-125) protein was reconstituted into detergent micelles. Solution NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that there are five helices (α1 to α5) present in NS4B(1-125). Dynamic studies, together with a paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiment demonstrated that four helices, α2, α3, α4, and α5 are embedded in the detergent micelles. Comparison of wild type and V63I mutant (a mutation that confers resistance to NS4B inhibitor) NS4B(1-125) proteins demonstrated that V63I mutation did not cause significant conformational changes, however, V63 may have a molecular interaction with residues in the α5 transmembrane domain under certain conditions. The structural and dynamic information obtained in study is helpful to understand the structure and function of NS4B.

Discovery of Dengue Virus NS4B Inhibitors.

The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1 to -4) represent the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral pathogens in humans. No clinically approved vaccine or antiviral is currently available for DENV. Here we report a spiropyrazolopyridone compound that potently inhibits DENV both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitor was identified through screening of a 1.8-million-compound library by using a DENV-2 replicon assay. The compound selectively inhibits DENV-2 and -3 (50% effective concentration [EC50], 10 to 80 nM) but not DENV-1 and -4 (EC50,>20 M). Resistance analysis showed that a mutation at amino acid 63 of DENV-2 NS4B (a nonenzymatic transmembrane protein and a component of the viral replication complex) could confer resistance to compound inhibition. Genetic studies demonstrate that variations at amino acid 63 of viral NS4B are responsible for the selective inhibition of DENV-2 and -3. Medicinal chemistry improved the physicochemical properties of the initial "hit" (compound 1), leading to compound 14a, which has good in vivo pharmacokinetics. Treatment of DENV-2-infected AG129 mice with compound 14a suppressed viremia, even when the treatment started after viral infection. The results have proven the concept that inhibitors of NS4B could potentially be developed for clinical treatment of DENV infection. Compound 14a represents a potential preclinical candidate for treatment of DENV-2- and -3-infected patients.

Development of a stable Gaussia luciferase enterovirus 71 reporter virus.

We report a stable Gaussia luciferase enterovirus 71 (Gluc-EV71) reporter virus to facilitate drug discovery. The Gluc-EV71 reporter virus was generated by engineering the Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) gene between the 5' untranslated region and VP4 gene of the EV71 genome. We could recover Gluc-EV71 after transfection of Vero cells with the cDNA clone-derived RNA. The reporter virus efficiently infects and replicates in various cell types (Vero, human rhabdomyosarcoma, and HeLa cells), producing robust luciferase activity. The Gluc-EV71 virus replicates slower than the wild-type virus in cell culture. The reporter virus is stable in maintaining the Gluc gene after five rounds of continuous passaging in Vero cells. Using known EV71 inhibitors, we demonstrate that the reporter virus can be used for antiviral testing. However, the Gluc-EV71 infection assay cannot be adapted to a homogenous format for high throughput screen, mainly due to the secreted nature of the Gluc protein and the short half-life of the Gluc luminescence signal. The Gluc-EV71 and its infection assay could be useful for antiviral drug discovery as well as for studying EV71 replication and pathogenesis.

Targeting dengue virus NS4B protein for drug discovery.

The flavivirus nonstructural 4B protein (NS4B) has recently emerged as a valid antiviral target for drug discovery. Here we review (i) the current understanding of the structure and function of DENV NS4B, (ii) the approaches that have been taken to identify NS4B inhibitors, and (iii) the known inhibitors of flavivirus NS4B protein. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on flavivirus drug discovery.

Characterization of dengue virus NS4A and NS4B protein interaction.

UNLABELLED: Flavivirus replication is mediated by a membrane-associated replication complex where viral membrane proteins NS2A, NS2B, NS4A, and NS4B serve as the scaffold for the replication complex formation. Here, we used dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) as a model to characterize viral NS4A-NS4B interaction. NS4A interacts with NS4B in virus-infected cells and in cells transiently expressing NS4A and NS4B in the absence of other viral proteins. Recombinant NS4A and NS4B proteins directly bind to each other with an estimated Kd (dissociation constant) of 50 nM. Amino acids 40 to 76 (spanning the first transmembrane domain, consisting of amino acids 50 to 73) of NS4A and amino acids 84 to 146 (also spanning the first transmembrane domain, consisting of amino acids 101 to 129) of NS4B are the determinants for NS4A-NS4B interaction. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis suggests that NS4A residues 17 to 80 form two amphipathic helices (helix α1, comprised of residues 17 to 32, and helix α2, comprised of residues 40 to 47) that associate with the cytosolic side of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and helix α3 (residues 52 to 75) that transverses the ER membrane. In addition, NMR analysis identified NS4A residues that may participate in the NS4A-NS4B interaction. Amino acid substitution of these NS4A residues exhibited distinct effects on viral replication. Three of the four NS4A mutations (L48A, T54A, and L60A) that affected the NS4A-NS4B interaction abolished or severely reduced viral replication; in contrast, two NS4A mutations (F71A and G75A) that did not affect NS4A-NS4B interaction had marginal effects on viral replication, demonstrating the biological relevance of the NS4A-NS4B interaction to DENV-2 replication. Taken together, the study has provided experimental evidence to argue that blocking the NS4A-NS4B interaction could be a potential antiviral approach. IMPORTANCE: Flavivirus NS4A and NS4B proteins are essential components of the ER membrane-associated replication complex. The current study systematically characterizes the interaction between flavivirus NS4A and NS4B. Using DENV-2 as a model, we show that NS4A interacts with NS4B in virus-infected cells, in cells transiently expressing NS4A and NS4B proteins, or in vitro with recombinant NS4A and NS4B proteins. We mapped the minimal regions required for the NS4A-NS4B interaction to be amino acids 40 to 76 of NS4A and amino acids 84 to 146 of NS4B. NMR analysis revealed the secondary structure of amino acids 17 to 80 of NS4A and the NS4A amino acids that may participate in the NS4A-NS4B interaction. Functional analysis showed a correlation between viral replication and NS4A-NS4B interaction, demonstrating the biological importance of the NS4A-NS4B interaction. The study has advanced our knowledge of the molecular function of flavivirus NS4A and NS4B proteins. The results also suggest that inhibitors of the NS4A-NS4B interaction could be pursued for flavivirus antiviral development.

Synergistic suppression of dengue virus replication using a combination of nucleoside analogs and nucleoside synthesis inhibitors.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral pathogen in humans. Currently, there is no clinically approved vaccine or antiviral for DENV. Combination therapy is a common practice in antiviral treatment and a potential approach to search for new treatments for infectious pathogens. In this study, we performed a combination treatment in cell culture by using three distinct classes of inhibitors, including ribavirin (a guanosine analog with several antiviral mechanisms), brequinar (a pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitor), and INX-08189 (a guanosine analog). The compound pairs were evaluated for antiviral activity by use of a DENV-2 luciferase replicon assay. Our result indicated that the combination of ribavirin and INX-08189 exhibited strong antiviral synergy. This result suggests that synergy can be achieved with compound pairs in which one compound suppresses the synthesis of the nucleoside for which the other compound is a corresponding nucleoside analog. In addition, we found that treatment of cells with brequinar alone could activate interferon-stimulated response elements (ISREs); furthermore, brequinar and NITD-982 (another pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitor) potentiated interferon-induced ISRE activation. Compared to treatment with brequinar, treatment of cells with ribavirin alone could also induce ISRE activation, but to a lesser extent; however, when cells were cotreated with ribavirin and beta interferon, ribavirin did not augment the interferon-induced ISRE activation.

Flavivirus Entry Inhibitors.

Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens that are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Although effective vaccines are available for yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitic virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, these and other flaviviruses still cause thousands of human deaths and millions of illnesses each year. No clinically approved antiviral therapy is available for flavivirus treatment. To meet this unmet medical need, industry and academia have taken multiple approaches to develop antiflavivirus therapy, among which targeting viral entry has been actively pursued in the past decade. Here we review the current knowledge of flavivirus entry and its use for small molecule drug discovery. Inhibitors of two major steps of flaviviral entry have been reported: (i) molecules that block virus-receptor interaction; (ii) compounds that prevent conformational change of viral envelope protein during virus-host membrane fusion. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of targeting viral entry for treatment of flavivirus infection as compared to targeting viral replication proteins.

Anti-dengue-virus activity and structure-activity relationship studies of lycorine derivatives.

Dengue is a systemic viral infection that is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. No vaccines or specific therapeutics are currently available for dengue. Lycorine, which is a natural plant alkaloid, has been shown to possess antiviral activities against flaviviruses. In this study, a series of novel lycorine derivatives were synthesized and assayed for their inhibition of dengue virus (DENV) in cell cultures. Among the lycorine analogues, 1-acetyllycorine exhibited the most potent anti-DENV activity (EC50 =0.4 µM) with a reduced cytotoxicity (CC50 >300 µM), which resulted in a selectivity index (CC50 /EC50 ) of more than 750. The ketones 1-acetyl-2-oxolycorine (EC50 =1.8 µM) and 2-oxolycorine (EC50 =0.5 µM) also exhibited excellent antiviral activities with low cytotoxicity. Structure-activity relationships for the lycorine derivatives against DENV are discussed. A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship model was established by using a comparative molecular-field analysis protocol in order to rationalize the experimental results. Further modifications of the hydroxy group at the C1 position with retention of a ketone at the C2 position could potentially lead to inhibitors with improved overall properties.

Generation and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies against NS4B protein of dengue virus.

Dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) has been demonstrated to be an attractive antiviral target. Due to its nature as an integral membrane protein, NS4B remains poorly characterized. In this study, we generated and characterized two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that selectively bind to DENV NS4B protein. One mAb, 10-3-7, is specific for DENV-2 NS4B, and its epitope was mapped to residues 5-15 of NS4B. The other mAb, 44-4-7, cross-reacts with all the four serotypes of DENV NS4B, and its epitope was mapped to residues 141-147 of NS4B. Using the mAbs, we probed the intracellular orientation of the epitopes of NS4B by an epitope accessibility assay. The results showed that the N-terminus of NS4B is located in the ER lumen, whereas amino acids 130-148 of NS4B are located in the cytosol. The study demonstrates that the two anti-NS4B mAbs will be useful for future structural and functional analyses of DENV NS4B.