Formation of Multiple Naturally Occurring Meroterpenoid Scaffolds by the Norrish-Yang Reaction of a p-Benzoquinone.

The Norrish-Yang reaction, as a typical example, demonstrates the inherent ability of photochemical reaction to facilitate formation of sterically congested C-C bonds, efficiently crafting intricate ring structure in complex organic molecules. Herein we report for the first time a unified synthesis using quinone-based acid-promoted Norrish-Yang photocyclization for the stereoselective construction of multiple avarane-type meroterpenoid natural products.

gene polymorphisms and risk of neuroblastoma in Chinese children from Jiangsu Province.

Background: Neuroblastoma is one of the most common extracranial malignant solid tumors in children. AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) is an RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase that plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and development. We assessed the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and the risk of neuroblastoma in a case-control study including 402 patients and 473 non-cancer controls.

An Artificial Enzyme for Asymmetric Nitrocyclopropanation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes-Design and Evolution.

The introduction of an abiological catalytic group into the binding pocket of a protein host allows for the expansion of enzyme chemistries. Here, we report the generation of an artificial enzyme by genetic encoding of a non-canonical amino acid that contains a secondary amine side chain. The non-canonical amino acid and the binding pocket function synergistically to catalyze the asymmetric nitrocyclopropanation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes by the iminium activation mechanism.

Multiomics analysis of human peripheral blood reveals marked molecular profiling changes caused by one night of sleep deprivation.

Sleep insufficiency is associated with various disorders; the molecular basis is unknown until now. Here, 14 males and 18 females were subjected to short-term (24 h) sleep deprivation, and donated fasting blood samples prior to (day 1) and following (days 2 and 3) short-term sleep deprivation. We used multiple omics techniques to examine changes in volunteers' blood samples that were subjected to integrated, biochemical, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses.

Genetic variants in gene and glioma susceptibility in Chinese children: A multicenter case-control study.

Background: Glioma is one of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children, accounting for 80% of malignant brain tumors. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a vital pathway during DNA damage repair progression. Xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) or excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2) is a critical factor in the NER pathway, playing an indispensable role in the DNA repair process.

LncRNAs and CircRNAs in cancer.

It is well known that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) cannot encode proteins, but they can play important regulatory roles in tumors by combining with proteins, RNAs, and DNAs. As more and more studies reveal the important roles and underlying mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancer, their huge application potential in cancer therapy cannot be ignored. For example, lncRNAs can be involved in tumor-related signal transduction pathways, cell cycle control, DNA damage, epigenetic regulation, and microRNA control.

Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors in Endothelial Cells Play an Essential Role in Vasodilation and Blood Pressure Regulation.

Background Endothelial NO synthase plays a central role in regulating vasodilation and blood pressure. Intracellular Ca mobilization is a critical modulator of endothelial NO synthase function, and increased cytosolic Ca concentration in endothelial cells is able to induce endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation. Ca release mediated by 3 subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors ( IP Rs) from the endoplasmic reticulum and subsequent Ca entry after endoplasmic reticulum Ca store depletion has been proposed to be the major pathway to mobilize Ca in endothelial cells.

Deguelin-induced blockade of PI3K/protein kinase B/MAP kinase signaling in zebrafish and breast cancer cell lines is mediated by down-regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 activity.

Deguelin, a natural component derived from leguminous plants, has been used as pesticide in some regions. Accumulating evidence show that deguelin has promising chemopreventive and therapeutic activities against cancer cells. This study shows that low concentrations of deguelin can lead to significant delay in zebrafish embryonic development through growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis.