Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. METHODS: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. RESULTS: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. CONCLUSION: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

MiRNA-23a-5p is the biomarkers for gouty arthritis and promotes inflammation in rats of gouty arthritis via MyD88/NF-κB pathway by induction TLR2.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the efficacy of micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-23a-5p in gouty arthritis and to investigate its possible mechanism. Materials and methods: Gouty arthritis in rat was established by intraarticular injection of 0.2 mL monosodium urate crystal (20 mg/mL) inside knee joint cavity. THP-1 cell was induced using lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for in vitro model. Results: Serum miRNA-23a-5p expression levels were increased in rats of gouty arthritis. However, overexpression of miRNA-23a-5p promoted inflammation and induced myeloid differential protein-88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway by induction toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) in vitro. The inhibition of TLR2 attenuated the pro-inflammation effects of miRNA-23a-5p in inflammation in in vitro model of gouty arthritis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that miRNA-23a-5p is a biomarker for gouty arthritis and promotes inflammation in rats of gouty arthritis via MyD88/NF-κB pathway by targeting TLR2.

Sphingomonas tabacisoli sp. nov., a member of the genus Sphingomonas, isolated from rhizosphere soil of Nicotiana tabacum L.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain X1-8T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Nicotiana tabacum L. collected from the tobacco produce base located in Kunming, south-west PR China. Cells showed oxidase-negative and catalase-positive reactions and were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Growth occurred at 25-40 °C and pH 6.0-8.0 with optimal growth at 30-35 °C, pH 7.0. The major respiratory lipoquinone was Q-10. C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) were identified as major cellular fatty acids. The profile of polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine and one unidentified glycolipid. The major polyamine was sym-homospermidine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 66.5 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that X1-8T should be affiliated to the genus Sphingomonasand formed a clade with most closely related species Sphingomonas changbaiensisNBRC 104936T. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequences similarity analysis indicated that X1-8T had the highest similarity with S. changbaiensisNBRC 104936T (98.4 %) and lower than 96.0 % with other species of the genus Sphingomonas. DNA-DNA hybridization data indicated that X1-8T represented a novel genomic species of the genus Sphingomonas. The characteristics determined in the polyphasic taxonomic study indicated that X1-8T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas tabacisoli sp. nov. (type strain X1-8T=KCTC 62032T=CGMCC 1.16275T) is proposed.

Transcriptomic profiling of Alternaria longipes invasion in tobacco reveals pathogenesis regulated by AlHK1, a group III histidine kinase.

Tobacco brown spot, caused by Alternaria species, is a devastating tobacco disease. To explore the role of a group III histidine kinase (AlHK1) on A. longipes pathogenesis, the invasion progress of A. longipes was monitored. We found that the wild-type strain C-00 invaded faster than the AlHK1-disrupted strain HK∆4 in the early and middle infection stages and the reverse trend occurred in the late infection stage. Then, eight invasion transcriptomes were performed using RNA-Seq and 205 shared, 505 C-00 and 222 HK∆4 specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The annotation results showed seven antioxidant activity genes were specifically identified in the HKΔ4 DEGs. A subsequent experiment confirmed that HKΔ4 was more resistant to low concentrations oxidative stress than C-00. In addition, the results from 1) statistics for the number of DEGs, GO enriched terms, DEGs in clusters with rising trends, and 2) analyses of the expression patterns of some DEGs relevant for osmoadaptation and virulence showed that changes in C-00 infection existed mainly in the early and middle stages, while HKΔ4 infection arose mainly in the late stage. Our results reveal firstly the pathogenesis of A. longipes regulated by AlHK1 and provide useful insights into the fungal-plant interactions.

Population-representative Incidence of Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a major cause of hepatic death in the world, but no population-based studies have evaluated the incidence of ACLF. This study was conducted to determine the incidence and short-term outcomes of ACLF in a region of Eastern China. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we collected data from public hospitals in Nantong city between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. All hospitals with admission potential for ACLF patients were included. The primary outcome was ACLF defined as severe jaundice and coagulopathy with underlying chronic liver disease, according to diagnostic and laboratory criteria suggested by Chinese Society for Hepatology (CSH). RESULTS: During the 10-year period, a consecutive sample of 1934 ACLF patients was included in this study. The overall ACLF incidence rate over the 10-year period was 2.53 (95% confidence interval, 2.16-2.91) per 100,000 population per year, decreasing from 3.35 in 2005 to 2.06 in 2014. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was the leading cause of chronic liver disease and HBV reactivation was the most common cause of acute hepatic event. The 28-day mortality for the ACLF patients had a clear decline during the study period, form 50.39% in 2005 to 35.44% in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: In the Eastern China population, the incidence of ACLF is decreasing and the prognosis improving. Short-term mortality was associated with the presence of cirrhosis and growing age. While ACLF remains a life-threatening disorder, our findings suggest that nationwide and long-term cohorts should be conducted for the natural history of ACLF.

Double PCL sign does not always indicate a bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus.

The discoid medial meniscus is an extremely rare anomaly. Bilateral discoid medial menisci are much more rare but intermittently reported. We report the first case of bilateral discoid medial menisci with positive double PCL sign, which typically indicates a bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus. A literature review was also conducted on bilateral discoid medial menisci.

The influence of MicroRNA-150 in Osteoblast Matrix Mineralization.

This study investigated the influence of miR-150 expression on osteoblast matrix mineralization and its mechanisms. The mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 was used as an in vitro model of bone formation. On the fifth day of mineralization, transfection experiments using agomiR-150, agomiR-NC, antagomiR-150 antagomiR-NC, and mock groups were set up to test the effects of miR-150 in MC3T3-E1 model. The mRNA and protein levels of OC, ALP, type I collagen, and OPN were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Matrix mineralization was detected by alizarin red S (ARS) staining and flow cytometry was employed to quantify apoptosis in each group. RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of target gene MMP14. Our results demonstrated that the endogenous expression levels of miR-150, OC, ALP, type I collagen, and OPN in MC3T3-E1 cells increased steadily. Exogenous expressions of agomiR-150 and antagomiR-150 can significantly up-/down-regulate, respectively, the expression level of miR-150 in MC3T3-E1 cells. Compared with the mock group, higher expression levels of OC, ALP, type I collagen, and OPN mRNA were observed in the agomiR-150 group, while lower mRNA expression levels of OC, ALP, type I collagen, and OPN were found in the antagomiR-150 group. Based on these results, potential miR-150 targeted genes are discussed. Our results showed that miR-150 supports the osteoblastic phenotype related to osteoblast function and bone mineralization. Thus, miR-150 may have potential therapeutic applications in promoting bone formation in certain disease settings, such as in osteoporosis and in elderly patients.

Contributions of fat mass and fat distribution to hip bone strength in healthy postmenopausal Chinese women.

The fat and bone connection is complicated, and the effect of adipose tissue on hip bone strength remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the relative contribution of body fat accumulation and fat distribution to the determination of proximal femur strength in healthy postmenopausal Chinese women. This cross-sectional study enrolled 528 healthy postmenopausal women without medication history or known diseases. Total lean mass (LM), appendicular LM (ALM), percentage of lean mass (PLM), total fat mass (FM), appendicular FM (AFM), percentage of body fat (PBF), android and gynoid fat amount, android-to-gynoid fat ratio (AOI), bone mineral density (BMD), and proximal femur geometry were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Hip structure analysis was used to compute some variables as geometric strength-related parameters by analyzing the images of the hip generated from DXA scans. Correlation analyses among anthropometrics, variables of body composition and bone mass, and geometric indices of hip bone strength were performed with stepwise linear regression analyses as well as Pearson's correlation analysis. In univariate analysis, there were significantly inverse correlations between age, years since menopause (YSM), hip BMD, and hip geometric parameters. Bone data were positively related to height, body weight, LM, ALM, FM, AFM, and PBF but negatively related to AOI and amount of android fat (all P < 0.05). AFM and AOI were significantly related to most anthropometric parameters. AFM was positively associated with height, body weight, and BMI. AFM was negatively associated with age and YSM. AOI was negatively associated with height, body weight, and BMI. AOI positively associated with age and YSM. LM, ALM, and FM had a positive relationship with anthropometric parameters (P < 0.05 for all). PLM had a negative relationship with those parameters. The correlation between LM, ALM, FM, PLM, ALM, age, and YSM was not significant. In multivariate linear regression analysis, the hip bone strength was observed to have a consistent and unchanged positive association with AFM and a negative association with AOI, whereas its association with other variables of body composition was not significant after adjusting for age, years since menopause, height, body weight, and BMI. AFM may be a positively protective effect for hip bone strength while AOI, rather than android fat, shows a strong negative association with hip bone strength after making an adjustment for confounders (age, YSM, height, body weight, and BMI) in healthy postmenopausal Chinese women. Rational weight control and AOI reduction during menopause may have vital clinical significance in decreasing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel trifluoromethyl indoles as potent HIV-1 NNRTIs with an improved drug resistance profile.

A novel series of trifluoromethyl indole derivatives have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activities in MT-2 cells. The hydrophobic constant, acute toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity were predicted. Trifluoromethyl indoles 10i and 10k showed extremely promising activities against WT HIV-1 with IC50 values at the low nanomolar level, similar to efavirenz, better than nevirapine, and also possessed higher potency towards the drug-resistant mutant strain Y181C than nevirapine. Preliminary SAR and docking studies of detailed binding mode provided some insights for discovery of more potent NNRTIs.

Diverse reactivity in microwave-promoted catalyst-free coupling of substituted anilines with ethyl trifluoropyruvate and biological evaluation.

Diverse reactivity by coupling of substituted anilines with ethyl trifluoropyruvate was developed under microwave irradiation without catalysts to generate 3-trifluoromethyl-3-hydroxy oxindoles, aromatic hydroxy trifluoromethyl esters, and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in a fast and efficient manner. The plausible mechanism for obtaining different products was proposed. Furthermore, the anti-HIV activity of aromatic hydroxy trifluoromethyl esters was first reported. The best inhibitory activity against wild-type HIV-1 IIIB was exemplified by trifluoromethyloxindole 3q with an IC50 = 5.8 µM, which also displayed potential activity against Y181C mutant virus with an IC50 = 7.5 µM. More significantly, the activities of oxindoles 3q and 3r to inhibit K103N/Y181C double mutant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) are probably similar to that of the second-generation nonnucleoside inhibitor HBY 097 by docking calculation.

1,8-Naphthalimide-Cu(ІІ) ensemble based turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of thiols in organic aqueous media.

A 1,8-naphthalimide-Cu(II) ensemble was rationally designed and synthesized as a new turn-on fluorescent probe utilizing the 'chemosensing ensemble' method for detections of thiols (Cys, Hcy and GSH) with high selectivity over other α-amino acids at pH 7.4 in organic aqueous media (EtOH/HEPES, v/v=9:1). The recognition mechanism was attributed to the remove Cu(II) from the 1,8-naphthalimide-Cu(II) ensemble by thiols and the release of flurescence of ligand 1. Remarkable fluorescence enhancements were therefore observed in the sensing process of thiols by the 1,8-naphthalimide-Cu(II) ensemble. Furthermore, the 1,8-naphthalimide-Cu(II) ensemble was successfully applied to the fluorescence imaging of thiols in CHO cells with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Quantitative structure-selectivity relationship for M2 selectivity between M1 and M2 of piperidinyl piperidine derivatives as muscarinic antagonists.

Muscarinic M2 receptor antagonists with high subtype selectivity (M2/M1) will decrease the toxicity in central nervous system in treatment of AD. The exploration of quantitative structure-selectivity relationship (QSSR) to muscarinic M2 receptor antagonists will provide design information for drug with fewer side effects. In this paper, CoMFA models of pK(i)(M1), pK(i)(M2) and p[K(i)(M2)/K(i)(M1)] (pK(i)(M2)-pK(i)(M1)) were used to study the subtype selectivity (M2/M1) of piperidinyl piperidine derivatives as muscarinic M2 subtype receptor antagonists. The parameters of the three models are: 0.633, 0.636 and 0.726 for cross-validated r(2) (r(cv)(2)), 0.109, 0.204 and 0.09 for the Standard error of estimate (SD), respectively. The results show the model of p[K(i)(M2)/K(i)(M1)] is the best one for design of piperidinyl piperidine derivatives as muscarinic antagonists with high subtype selectivity (M2/M1).

Activity and QSAR study of baogongteng A and its derivatives as muscarinic agonists.

Baogongteng A (BGT-A), a naturally occurring tropane muscarinic agonist isolated from Chinese medicinal plant, exhibits a bioactive effect different from those of many tropane alkaloids that are muscarinic antagonists. A series of racemic derivatives of BGT-A was synthesized to study the structure-activity relationships (SAR). To explore further the SAR in this series and to ultimately design muscarinic agonists for drug development, a Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) was performed. The values of the leave-one-out cross-validated correlation coefficient q2 and the conventional correlation coefficient r2 for the model are 0.613 and 0.965, respectively. The regression analysis of the data indicated that the steric effect of N-substituted group on tropane of analyzed compounds critically affected the agonistic activity to muscarinic receptors.

Discovery of anti-SARS coronavirus drug based on molecular docking and database screening.

The active site of 3CL proteinase (3CLpro) for coronavirus was identified by comparing the crystal structures of human and porcine coronavirus. The inhibitor of the main protein of rhinovirus (Ag7088) could bind with 3CLpro of human coronavirus, then it was selected as the reference for molecular docking and database screening. The ligands from two databases were used to search potential lead structures with molecular docking. Several structures from natural products and ACD-SC databases were found to have lower binding free energy with 3CLpro than that of Ag7088. These structures have similar hydrophobicity to Ag7088. They have complementary electrostatic potential and hydrogen bond acceptor and donor with 3CLpro, showing that the strategy of anti-SARS drug design based on molecular docking and database screening is feasible.