Theoretical Investigation of the Steric Effects on Alkyne Semihydrogenation Catalyzed by Frustrated Lewis Pairs.

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have received increasing attention for offering a distinctive pathway for the activation and conversion of small molecules. Here, we employ density functional calculations to investigate the electronic and steric effects of FLPs and alkynes on the activity toward alkyne semihydrogenation, a crucial reaction in the production of pharmaceuticals and polymers. We investigated the steric effect of FLPs by replacing the LA-LB linker () of the model catalyst FLP, 1-NMe-2-B(CF)-CH (), with various linkers.

Tree size distribution as the stationary limit of an evolutionary master equation.

The diameter distribution of a given species of deciduous trees is well approximated by a Gamma distribution. Here we give new experimental evidence for this conjecture by analyzing deciduous tree size data in mature semi-natural forest and ancient, traditionally managed wood-pasture from Central Europe. These distribution functions collapse on a universal shape if the tree sizes are normalized to the mean value in the considered sample.

Genetic Deletion of FXR1 Reduces Intimal Hyperplasia and Induces Senescence in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play a critical role in the development and pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia indicative of restenosis and other vascular diseases. Fragile-X related protein-1 (FXR1) is a muscle-enhanced RNA binding protein whose expression is increased in injured arteries. Previous studies suggest that FXR1 negatively regulates inflammation, but its causality in vascular disease is unknown.

FXR1 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell cytoskeleton, VSMC contractility, and blood pressure by multiple mechanisms.

Appropriate cytoskeletal organization is essential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) conditions such as hypertension. This study identifies FXR1 as a key protein linking cytoskeletal dynamics with mRNA stability. RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) in human VSMCs identifies that FXR1 binds to mRNA associated with cytoskeletal dynamics, and FXR1 depletion decreases their mRNA stability.

Deletion of LDLRAP1 Induces Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation, Insulin Resistance, and Dysregulated Insulin Response in Adipose Tissue.

Dyslipidemia, vascular inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance often overlap and exacerbate each other. Mutations in low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein-1 (LDLRAP1) lead to LDLR malfunction and are associated with the autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia disorder in humans. However, direct causality on atherogenesis in a defined preclinical model has not been reported.