Visible-Light Photoredox Catalyzed Double C-H Functionalization: Radical Cascade Cyclization of Ethers with Benzimidazole-Based Cyanamides.

A visible-light photoredox catalyzed radical cascade cyclization of simple ethers with cyanamides is developed at room temperature. This strategy involves sequential inert Csp3-H/Csp2-H functionalizations through intermolecular addition reaction of oxyalkyl radicals to N-cyano groups followed by radical cyclization of iminyl radicals in situ generated with C-2 aryl rings. This method allows for efficient synthesis of tetracyclic benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines. Importantly, this is the first example of an intermolecular-intramolecular radical cascade cyclization reaction of cyanamides.

Towards muscle-specific meat color stability of Chinese Luxi yellow cattle: A proteomic insight into post-mortem storage.

Searching for potential predictors of meat color is a challenging task for the meat industry. In this study, the relationship between meat color parameters and the sarcoplasmic proteome of M. longissimuss lumborum (LL) and M. psoas major (PM) from Chinese Luxi yellow cattle during post-mortem storage (0, 5, 10 and 15days) were explored with the aid of the integrated proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. Meat color attributes revealed that LL displayed better color stability than PM during storage. Furthermore, sarcoplasmic proteins of these two muscles were compared between days 5, 10, 15 and day 0. Several proteins were closely correlated with meat color attributes and they were muscle-specific and responsible for the meat color stability at different storage periods. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A isoform, glycogen phosphorylase, peroxiredoxin-2, phosphoglucomutase-1, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], heat shock cognate protein (71kDa) might serve as the candidate predictors of meat color stability during post-mortem storage. In addition, bioinformatics analyses indicated that more proteins were involved in glycolytic metabolism of LL, which contributed to better meat color stability of LL than PM. The present results could provide a proteomic insight into muscle-specific meat color stability of Chinese Luxi yellow cattle during post-mortem storage.

Prognostic significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

Published data on the prognostic significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to more accurately assess its prognostic value. The analysis was performed based on the data from 14 studies with 3,656 patients to estimate the correlation between NLR and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in NSCLC. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to estimate the effect. We also conducted subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis. The results demonstrated that elevated pretreatment NLR predicted poorer OS (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.39-2.09) and PFS (HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.27-2.09) in patients with NSCLC. Subgroup analysis indicated that cut-off value of 5 showed consistently prognostic value. There was no significant heterogeneity or publication bias for OS and PFS for included studies. This meta-analysis revealed that elevated pretreatment NLR might be a predicative factor of poor prognosis for NSCLC patients.

Specific and functional diversity of endophytic bacteria from pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus with different virulence.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the most devastating diseases of Pinus spp. The PWN was therefore listed as one of the most dangerous forest pests in China meriting quarantine. Virulence of the PWN is closely linked with the spread of PWD. However, main factors responsible for the virulence of PWNs are still unclear. Recently epiphytic bacteria carried by PWNs have drawn much attention. But little is known about the relationship between endophytic bacteria and virulence of B. xylophilus. In this research, virulence of ten strains of B. xylophilus from different geographical areas in six provinces of China and four pine species were tested with 2-year-old seedlings of Pinus thunbergii. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from PWNs with different virulence to investigate the relationship between the bacteria and PWN virulence. Meanwhile, the carbon metabolism of endophytic bacteria from highly and low virulent B. xylophilus was analyzed using Biolog plates (ECO). The results indicated that ten strains of PWNs showed a wide range of virulence. Simultaneously, endophytic bacteria were isolated from 90% of the B. xylophilus strains. The dominant endophytic bacteria in the nematodes were identified as species of Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter, Ewingella, Leifsonia, Rhizobium, and Pseudomonas using molecular and biochemical methods. Moreover, S. maltophilia, and A. xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans were the predominant strains. Most of the strains (80%) from P. massoniana contained either S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, or both species. There was a difference between the abilities of the endophytic bacteria to utilize carbon sources. Endophytic bacteria from highly virulent B. xylophilus had a relatively high utilization rate of carbohydrate and carboxylic acids, while bacteria from low virulent B. xylophilus made better use of amino acids. In conclusion, endophytic bacteria widely exist in B. xylophilus from different pines and areas; and B. xylophilus strains with different virulence possessed various endophytic bacteria and diverse carbon metabolism which suggested that the endophytic bacteria species and carbon metabolism might be related with the B. xylophilus virulence.

[Preparation of three functional monoclonal antibodies against human FL molecule and analysis of their bioactivity].

AIM: To Prepare three functional monoclonal antibodies(mAbs) against human FL molecule and analyze their bioactivity. METHODS: The cell line L929-FL transfected with human FL gene was used as immunogen. The hybridomas secreting the antibodies against human FL were obtained by fusing splenoecytes from the immunized mice with murine myeloma cells(Sp2/0). Their subclasses were analyzed using fast-strip method. The monoclonal antibodies were produced in mouse peritoneal cavity and purified by Protein G affinity chromatography. The inhibitory effect of mAbs against FL on leukemia cell lines U937 and HL-60 was detected by MTT. The apoptosis of U937 and HL-60 cells stained by annexin-V/PI was determined by FCM. RESULTS: Three hybridomas named 3C2, 3C6 and 8D10 were successfully obtained, which secreted monoclonal antibodies against human FL molecule stably. Their subclasses were the mouse IgG2a with kappa light chains. The three monoclonal antibodies recognized the FL molecule on U937 and HL-60 cells that also coexpressed Flt3 molecule. When U937 and HL-60 cells were cultured in presence of 3C2, 3C6 and 8D10, their proliferation was reduced as compared to that in control in MTT assay(P < 0.05). The analysis of annexin-V/PI binding to U937 and HL-60 cells by FCM showed the mAbs had the apoptotogenic activity of the monoclonal antibodies against human FL molecule. CONCLUSION: 3C2, 3C6 and 8D10 are three funtional monoclonal antibodies against human FL molecule. They may be of some value in the study of the roles of FL/Flt3 interaction in leukemia pathogenesis.