Synthesis of Spirooxindole-1,2-oxazinan-5-ones through 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol Promoted [3 + 3] Cycloaddition of -Vinyl Oxindole Nitrones and Oxyallyl Cations.

A variety of spirooxindole-1,2-oxazinan-5-one derivatives were prepared in moderate to excellent yields through 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE)-promoted [3 + 3] cycloaddition of -vinyl oxindole nitrones with oxyallyl cations generated from α-tosyloxy ketones under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies revealed that [3 + 3] cycloaddition might involve two possible reaction pathways, including direct [3 + 3] cycloaddition of -vinyl oxindole ntirones with oxyallyl cations, or the addition of TFE to -vinyl oxindole nitrones, sequential addition to oxyallyl cations, elimination, and cyclization. The present method features mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, easy gram scalable preparation, and new applications of TFE.

The miR-223/nuclear factor I-A axis regulates inflammation and cellular functions in intestinal tissues with necrotizing enterocolitis.

We previously demonstrated that microRNA(miR)-223 is overexpressed in intestinal tissue of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The objective of the current study was to identify the target gene of miR-223 and to investigate the role of the miR-223/nuclear factor I-A (NFIA) axis in cellular functions that underpin the pathophysiology of NEC. The target gene of miR-223 was identified by in silico target prediction bioinformatics, luciferase assay, and western blotting.

Dysregulation of miR-431 and target gene FOXA1 in intestinal tissues of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.

The level of microRNA (miR)-431 was found to be markedly up-regulated in intestinal tissue of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The objective of this study was to identify the target gene of miR-431 and to investigate the role of the miR-431-FOXA1 axis in the pathophysiology of NEC. The target gene of miR-431 was identified by in silico target prediction bioinformatics, luciferase assay, and Western blotting.

Pharmacodynamics and potential synergistic effects of Mai-Luo-Ning injection on cardiovascular protection, based on molecular docking.

As a computer-assisted approach, molecular docking has been universally applied in drug research and development and plays an important role in the investigation and evaluation of herbal medicines. Herein, the method was used to estimate the pharmacodynamics of Mai-Luo-Ning injection, a traditional Chinese compound herbal prescription. Through investigating the interactions between several important proteins in cardiovascular system and characteristic components of the formula, its effect on cardiovascular protection was evaluated.