Topological and geometric analysis of cell states in single-cell transcriptomic data.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables dissecting cellular heterogeneity in tissues, resulting in numerous biological discoveries. Various computational methods have been devised to delineate cell types by clustering scRNA-seq data, where clusters are often annotated using prior knowledge of marker genes. In addition to identifying pure cell types, several methods have been developed to identify cells undergoing state transitions, which often rely on prior clustering results.

Functional characterization of a bark-specific monoterpene synthase potentially involved in wounding- and methyl jasmonate-induced linalool emission in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis).

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is a latex-producing plant that often encounters mechanical wounding, as well as pathogen and pest attacks through wound sites during and after tapping. Terpenoids play an important role in the ecological interactions of many plant species, and their diversity is mainly generated by enzymes known as terpene synthases (TPS). In this study, one cDNA sequence encoding a putative terpene synthase, HbTPS20, was obtained from the bark tissues of H.

Control of Diabetes Mellitus and Long-Term Prognosis in Stroke Patients: The Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry.

Background: The relationship between diabetes control status and long-term prognosis after stroke incidence remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of diabetes status at admission on long-term survival in patients with first-ever stroke.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry in Japan.

Discovery of Non-Nucleotide Small-Molecule STING Agonists Chemotype Hybridization.

The identification of agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been an area of intense research due to their potential to enhance innate immune response and tumor immunogenicity in the context of immuno-oncology therapy. Initial efforts to identify STING agonists focused on the modification of 2',3'-cGAMP () (an endogenous STING activator ligand) and other closely related cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). While these efforts have successfully identified novel CDNs that have progressed into the clinic, their utility is currently limited to patients with solid tumors that STING agonists can be delivered to intratumorally.

Spectrum of HBB gene mutations among 696 β-thalassemia patients and carriers in Southern Vietnam.

Background: Thalassemias are common inherited blood disorders that have been extensively studied in Asia. Thus far, data on mutations of the HBB gene in Vietnamese patients with β-thalassemia are limited to small studies.

Methods: We recruited 696 β-thalassemia patients and carriers in southern Vietnam and analyzed for the HBB gene mutations using Sanger sequencing technology.

Discovery and Preclinical Pharmacology of an Oral Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) Inhibitor Using Scaffold-Hopping and Structure-Guided Drug Design.

Inhibition of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of adaptor proteins is an attractive strategy for targeting transcriptional regulation of key oncogenes, such as c-MYC. Starting with the screening hit , a combination of structure-activity relationship and protein structure-guided drug design led to the discovery of a differently oriented carbazole with favorable binding to the tryptophan, proline, and phenylalanine (WPF) shelf conserved in the BET family. Identification of an additional lipophilic pocket and functional group optimization to optimize pharmacokinetic (PK) properties culminated in the discovery of (BMS-986158) with excellent potency in binding and functional assays.

Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Tetrahydroisoquinolino Benzodiazepine Dimer Antitumor Agents and Their Application in Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

A series of tetrahydroisoquinoline-based benzodiazepine dimers were synthesized and tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines. Structure-activity relationship investigation of various spacers guided by molecular modeling studies helped to identify compounds with picomolar activity. Payload was conjugated to anti-mesothelin and anti-fucosylated monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (FucGM1) antibodies using lysosome-cleavable valine-citrulline dipeptide linkers via heterogeneous lysine conjugation and bacterial transglutaminase-mediated site-specific conjugation.

Substituted benzyloxytricyclic compounds as retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) agonists.

Substituted benzyloxy aryl compound 2 was identified as an RORγt agonist. Structure based drug design efforts resulted in a potent and selective tricyclic compound 19 which, when administered orally in an MC38 mouse tumor model, demonstrated a desired pharmacokinetic profile as well as a dose-dependent pharmacodynamic response. However, no perceptible efficacy was observed in this tumor model at the doses investigated.

Preventing Exacerbations in Preschoolers With Recurrent Wheeze: A Meta-analysis.

Context: Half of children experience wheezing by age 6 years, and optimal strategies for preventing severe exacerbations are not well defined.

Objective: Synthesize the evidence of the effects of daily inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), intermittent ICS, and montelukast in preventing severe exacerbations among preschool children with recurrent wheeze.

Data Sources: Medline (1946, 2/25/15), Embase (1947, 2/25/15), CENTRAL.

Discovery of ((S)-5-(methoxymethyl)-7-(1-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)((S)-2-(3-methylisoxazol-5-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone as a potent and selective I(Kur) inhibitor.

Previously disclosed dihydropyrazolopyrimidines are potent and selective blockers of I(Kur) current. A potential liability with this chemotype is the formation of a reactive metabolite which demonstrated covalent binding to protein in vitro. When substituted at the 2 or 3 position, this template yielded potent I(Kur) inhibitors, with selectivity over hERG which did not form reactive metabolites.

Dimethyl-diphenyl-propanamide derivatives as nonsteroidal dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonists.

A series of 2,2-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-propanamides as novel glucocorticoid receptor modulators is reported. SAR exploration led to the identification of 4-hydroxyphenyl propanamide derivatives displaying good agonist activity in GR-mediated transrepression assays and reduced agonist activity in GR-mediated transactivation assays. Compounds 17 and 30 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to prednisolone in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema model, with markedly decreased side effects with regard to increases in blood glucose and expression of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase.

Dihydropyrazolopyrimidines containing benzimidazoles as K(V)1.5 potassium channel antagonists.

Dihydropyrazolopyrimidines with a C6 heterocycle substituent were found to have high potency for block of K(V)1.5. Investigation of the substitution in the benzimidazole ring and the substituent in the 5-position of the dihydropyrazolopyrimidine ring produced 31a with an IC50 for K(V)1.

Benzo[d]imidazole inhibitors of Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (CARM1)--Hit to Lead studies.

Hit to Lead optimization and SAR development led to the identification of the potent and selective benzo[d]imidazole inhibitor (17b) of Co-activator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase (CARM1).

Optimization of pyrazole inhibitors of Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (CARM1).

Design, synthesis, and SAR development led to the identification of the potent, novel, and selective pyrazole based inhibitor (7f) of Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase (CARM1).

Discovery of novel dihydro-9,10-ethano-anthracene carboxamides as glucocorticoid receptor modulators.

A series of dihydro-9,10-ethano-anthracene-11-carboxamides as novel glucocorticoid receptor modulators is reported. SAR exploration identified compounds from this series displaying a promising dissociation profile in discriminating between transrepression and transactivation activities. 17a is a partial agonist of GR-mediated transactivation which elicits potent and efficacious transrepression in reporter gene assays.

Dihydropyrazolopyrimidine inhibitors of K(V)1.5 (I(Kur)).

A series of dihydropyrazolopyrimidine inhibitors of K(V)1.5 (I(Kur)) have been identified. The synthesis, structure-activity relationships and selectivity against several other ion channels are described.

Pyrazole inhibitors of coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1).

This study reports the identification and Hits to Leads optimization of inhibitors of coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase (CARM1). Compound 7b is a potent, selective inhibitor of CARM1.

Identification of pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-based inhibitors of Met kinase.

An amide library derived from the pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine scaffold led to the identification of modest inhibitors of Met kinase activity. Introduction of polar side chains at C-6 of the pyrrolotriazine core provided significant improvements in in vitro potency. The amide moiety could be replaced with acylurea and malonamide substituents to give compounds with improved potency in the Met-driven GTL-16 human gastric carcinoma cell line.

Benzopyran sulfonamides as KV1.5 potassium channel blockers.

K(V)1.5 blockers have the potential to be atrium-selective agents for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The benzopyrans provide a template for the synthesis of potent and selective K(V)1.

Inhibitors of human mitotic kinesin Eg5: characterization of the 4-phenyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline lead series.

In a high-throughput screening effort, a series of tetrahydroisoquinolines was identified as modest inhibitors of human Eg5. A medicinal chemistry optimization effort led to the identification of R-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N-7,8-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide (32a) as a potent inhibitor of human Eg5 (ATPase IC50 104 nM) with good anti-proliferative activity in A2780 cells (IC50 234 nM).

Pyrrolopyridazine MEK inhibitors.

The synthesis and SAR of a series of pyrrolopyridazine MEK inhibitors are reported. Optimal activity was achieved by incorporation of a 4-phenoxyaniline substituent at C4 and an acylated amine at C6.

Identification of purine inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7).

A series of purine based inhibitors of PDE7 has been derived from screening lead 1a. The synthesis, structure-activity relationships (SAR), and selectivity against several other PDE family members are described.