A covalent compound selectively inhibits RNA demethylase ALKBH5 rather than FTO.

-Methyladenosine (mA) is the most prevalent mRNA modification and is required for gene regulation in eukaryotes. ALKBH5, an mA demethylase, is a promising target, particularly for anticancer drug discovery. However, the development of selective and potent inhibitors of ALKBH5 rather than FTO remains challenging.

Development of Sustainable and Active Food Packaging Materials Composed by Chitosan, Polyvinyl Alcohol and Quercetin Functionalized Layered Clay.

In order to solve the problems of insufficient active functions (antibacterial and antioxidant activities) and the poor degradability of traditional plastic packaging materials, biodegradable chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite active films reinforced with natural plant polyphenol-quercetin functionalized layered clay nanosheets (QUE-LDHs) were prepared by a solution casting method. In this study, QUE-LDHs realizes a combination of the active functions of QUE and the enhancement effect of LDHs nanosheets through the deposition and complexation of QUE and copper ions on the LDHs. Infrared and thermal analysis results revealed that there was a strong interface interaction between QUE-LDHs and CS/PVA matrix, resulting in the limited movement of PVA molecules and the increase in glass transition temperature and melting temperature.

Golgi-protein 73 facilitates vimentin polymerization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Golgi-protein 73 (GP73) is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and, as a secretory protein, it has been proposed as a serum biomarker indicating progression of HCC. The underlying mechanism by which GP73 may promote HCC metastasis is still poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that GP73 interacted with vimentin to facilitate Serine/Threonine-protein phosphatase PP1-alpha (PP1A)-mediated dephosphorylation of vimentin at S56 and facilitated vimentin polymerization, which blocked vimentin degradation via TRIM56-mediated ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent pathway.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel spirocyclic compounds as potential anti-glioblastoma agents.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with extremely limited clinical treatment options. Because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), it is difficult for anti-GBM drug candidates to enter the brain to exert their therapeutic effects. The spirocyclic skeleton structure exhibits good lipophilicity and permeability, enabling small-molecule compounds to cross the BBB.

The Key to Solving Plastic Packaging Wastes: Design for Recycling and Recycling Technology.

Confronted with serious environmental problems caused by the growing mountains of plastic packaging waste, the prevention and control of plastic waste has become a major concern for most countries. In addition to the recycling of plastic wastes, design for recycling can effectively prevent plastic packaging from turning into solid waste at the source. The reasons are that the design for recycling can extend the life cycle of plastic packaging and increase the recycling values of plastic waste; moreover, recycling technologies are helpful for improving the properties of recycled plastics and expanding the application market for recycled materials.

Effects of electrode materials and dimensions of an electrostatic spray scrubber on water droplet charging for dust removal.

Droplet charging is an effective method to enhance dust removal efficiency using an electrostatic spray scrubber (ESS). However, effects of the materials and dimensions of different electrodes on droplet charging efficiency have not been studied systematically. In this study, ring-shaped electrodes were selected to test effects of three types of electrode materials (copper, stainless steel, and graphite) with various dimensions on droplet charging efficiency.

An Electrochemical Way to Generate Amphiphiles from Hydrazones for the Synthesis of 1,2,4-Triazole Scaffold Cyclic Compounds.

An electro-oxidative cyclization pathway in which hydrazones are selected as starting materials to generate amphiphiles by reacting with benzylamines and benzamides was reported. This strategy successfully prepared a series of 1,2,4-triazoles in satisfactory yields. Moreover, the use of cheap stainless steel as the anode, the feasibility to conduct the transformation as a one-pot reaction and the proof that scaling-up these reactions is possible make this transformation attractive for potential application in industry.

Ambient electric arc ionization for versatile sample analysis using mass spectrometry.

A novel, convenient ambient electric arc ionization (AEAI) device was developed as a mass spectrometry ion source for versatile sample analysis. AEAI could be considered as a soft ionization technique in which the protonated ion ([M + H]) is the main ion species with little or no in-source fragmentation for most analytes. Coupled with a high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer, AEAI could be applied to the analysis of a variety of organic compounds having a wide range of polarities, ranging from non-polar species such as polybenzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to highly polar species such as amino acids.

The Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Neutrophils Enhances Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis via Neutrophil Extracellular Traps-Associated Cathepsin G Component: A Potential Therapeutic Target.

Background: Emerging evidences have highlighted the roles of neutrophils, as the major host microenvironment component, in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) produced in the infection can strengthen the behavior of cancer metastasis. Here, we investigated the roles of NETs in HCC metastasis and further explore the underlying mechanism of how NETs interact with cancer.

Improved mechanical, antibacterial and UV barrier properties of catechol-functionalized chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol biodegradable composites for active food packaging.

Bioinspired from adhesion behaviors of mussels, we first reported a new strategy to prepare catechol-functionalized chitosan (C-CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films via a solution blending method in neutral aqueous solution for active food packaging. Compared with pure PVA film, the UV transmittance (at 280 nm) of C-CS/PVA composite films decreases by 67.6 % when C-CS content reaches 10 wt%.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel coumarin-dithiocarbamate derivatives (IDs) as anti-colorectal cancer agents.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumour of human digestive tract. The high mortality rate of CRC is closely related to the limitations of existing treatments. Thus, there is an urgent need to search for new anti-CRC agents.

Discovery of novel 2-aryl-3-sulfonamido-pyridines (HoAns) as microtubule polymerization inhibitors with potent antitumor activities.

Microtubules play a vital role in cell mitosis. Drugs targeting taxol or vinca binding site of tubulin have been proved an effective way to against cancer. However, drug resistance and cancer recurrence are inevitable, there is an urgent need to search for new microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs).

Copper/Palladium Bimetallic System for the Synthesis of Isobenzofuranones through [4 + 1] Annulation between Propiophenones and Benzoic Acids.

A copper/palladium-catalyzed annulation from benzoic acids and propiophenones for the synthesis of isobenzofuranones was reported. The Cu-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl system showed a great ability to activate the C-H bond on the α- and β-carbons of a carbonyl group, and the in situ-generated enone intermediate in this reaction could be further transformed to construct isobenzofuranones with the catalysis of Pd(dba) (dba = dibenzylideneacetone). Various isobenzofuranones could be obtained in moderate to good yields, and a great atom economy was highlighted by utilizing this method.

Canopy spray application technology in specialty crops: a slowly evolving landscape.

Many specialty crops are susceptible to insects and diseases, and as such are reliant on regular canopy pesticide applications to achieve quality attributes required for salability. The majority of specialty crop producers continue to use antiquated pesticide application technologies for directed canopy spraying such as the radial air blast sprayer that has been associated with chemical wastage and off-target drift of around 40% and 15% of total applied spray volume, respectively. However, precision sprayers are available that result in remarkable improvements to these parameters.

Evaluation of the Intelligent Sprayer System in Peach Production.

Air-blast sprayers are routinely used to apply pesticides in commercial peach orchards, with growers using both conventional air-blast and ultrasonic sensor-driven models. Even with advanced spray technologies, there are still concerns with the amount of chemicals used and lost to drift. Our study evaluated a laser sensor-based variable-rate sprayer system in three experimental peach orchards for pest and brown rot disease control, spray volume output, spray coverage, and spray drift.

Synthesis of unsymmetrical disulfides via PPh-mediated reductive coupling of thiophenols with sulfonyl chlorides.

A facile and rapid synthesis of unsymmetrical aryl disulfides using PPh3-mediated reductive coupling of thiophenols with aryl sulfonyl chlorides was described. Good functional group tolerance and scalability were achieved in this strategy. More importantly, the approach enables the introduction of sulfonyl chlorides into the synthesis of asymmetric organic disulfides under catalyst- and base-free conditions.

Allylated Curcumin Analog CA6 Inhibits TrxR1 and Leads to ROS-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death in Gastric Cancer Through Akt-FoxO3a.

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Allylated monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin (MACs) have been reported to selectively inhibit a broad range of human cancers including gastric cancer. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory activities of MACs are not fully known.

Development of Fast E-nose System for Early-Stage Diagnosis of Aphid-Stressed Tomato Plants.

An electronic nose (E-nose) system equipped with a sensitive sensor array was developed for fast diagnosis of aphid infestation on greenhouse tomato plants at early stages. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by tomato plants with and without aphid attacks were detected using both the developed E-nose system and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Sensor performance, with fast sensor responses and high sensitivity, were observed using the E-nose system.

Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of ()-Vinyl Sulfones by Direct C-S Bond Oxidative Coupling.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-S bond coupling reaction between thiophenols and aryl-substituted alkenes for ()-vinyl sulfones synthesis is reported here. With air utilized as a green oxidant, this transformation not only produces various vinyl sulfones in moderate to good yields but also possesses a simple and ecofriendly system. To clarify the mechanism, kinetic experiments has been investigated.

Printing the Ultra-Long Ag Nanowires Inks onto the Flexible Textile Substrate for Stretchable Electronics.

Printing technology offers a simple and cost-effective opportunity to develop all-printed stretchable circuits and electronic devices, possibly providing ubiquitous, low-cost, and flexible devices. To successfully prepare high-aspect-ratio Ag nanowires (NWs), we used water and anhydrous ethanol as the solvent and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the viscosity regulator to obtain a water-soluble Ag NWs conductive ink with good printability. Flexible and stretchable fabric electrodes were directly fabricated through screen printing.

Evaluation of Object Surface Edge Profiles Detected with a 2-D Laser Scanning Sensor.

Canopy edge profile detection is a critical component of plant recognition in variable-rate spray control systems. The accuracy of a high-speed 270° radial laser sensor was evaluated in detecting the surface edge profiles of six complex-shaped objects. These objects were toy balls with a pink smooth surface, light brown rectangular cardboard boxes, black and red texture surfaced basketballs, white smooth cylinders, and two different sized artificial plants.

Iodine-catalyzed synthesis of N,N'-diaryl-o-phenylenediamines from cyclohexanones and anilines using DMSO and O as oxidants.

A novel I2-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones and anilines to synthesize N,N'-diaryl-o-phenylenediamines has been unprecedentedly developed with dimethyl sulfoxide and oxygen employed as mild terminal oxidants. To prove the rationality of the two separate dehydration steps of the proposed mechanism, a resulting I2-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexenones and anilines to synthesize diarylamines has also been reported.

Association of genetic polymorphisms in immune-related lncRNA with osteoarthritis susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Aim: Immune-related lncRNA may influence osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility. We conducted this study to assess whether the genetic variants in several immune-related lncRNA influence OA susceptibility.

Methods: The current research genotyped four SNPs in 306 OA patients and 316 healthy controls, including PRNCR1 rs7463708, PRNCR1 rs1456315, PRNCR1 rs16901946 and KIF13B1 rs643472, to investigate their associations with OA susceptibility.

Associations between ERα/β gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis susceptibility and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Many studies have reported associations between estrogen receptor (ER) gene polymorphisms and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) risk and bone mineral density (BMD), but the results are controversial. The aim of the present meta-analysis is to verify the association between ERα and ERβ gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis susceptibility and BMD in postmenopausal women.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and China WeiPu Library were searched.

Plant Pest Detection Using an Artificial Nose System: A Review.

This paper reviews artificial intelligent noses (or electronic noses) as a fast and noninvasive approach for the diagnosis of insects and diseases that attack vegetables and fruit trees. The particular focus is on bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and insect damage. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from plants, which provide functional information about the plant's growth, defense, and health status, allow for the possibility of using noninvasive detection to monitor plants status.