Cold weather and Kashin-Beck disease

Kashin-Beck disease(KBD)is an endemic osteoarthropathy.Its distribution region covers a long and narrow belt on the Pacific side and belongs to continental climate with short summer,long frost period,and large temperature differences between day and night.In particular,KBD patients are typically scattered in the rural areas with seasonal features such as cold winters and rainy autumns.Etiological studies have demonstrated that the carrier of pathogenic factors is the grains produced in endemic areas.Risk factors for KBD include fungal contamination of grains due to poor storage conditions associated with cold weather.The epidemiological characteristics of KBD include agricultural area,early age of onset,gender equality,family aggregation,regional differences,and annual fluctuations.A series of preventive measures have been successfully taken in the past decades.National surveillance data indicate that the annual incidence of KBD is gradually declining.

Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease:An overview of experimental models and reality

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder.The pathology of AD is characterized by extracellular amyloid beta(Aβ)plaques,neurofibrillary tangles com-posed of hyperphosphorylated tau,neuronal death,synapse loss,and brain atrophy.Many therapies have been tested to improve or at least effectively modify the course of AD.Meaningful data indicate that the transplantation of stem cells can alleviate neuropathology and significantly ameliorate cognitive deficits in animal models with Alzheimer's disease.Transplanted stem cells have shown their inherent advantages in improving cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction,although certain weak-nesses or limitations need to be overcome.This review recapitulates rodent models for AD,the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells,influencing factors,and the underlying mechanisms behind these changes.Stem cell therapy provides perspective and chal-lenges for its clinical application in the future.

基于改进BP神经网络模型的阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征发病率预测

目的建立用于阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)发病率预测的人工神经网络模型,预测OSAHS疫情发生发展趋势,为OSAHS的预防和控制提供理论依据.方法选取OSAHS 2002-2017年疾病的相关数据,以改进BP神经网络模型为基础,对OSAHS未来的发病率进行预测.其中以2002-2016年的发病率数据作为训练样本,以2017年的发病率数据检验模型的有效率.并对2018-2021年OSAHS的发病率进行预测.结果采用单隐层神经网络模型,输入层节点数为3,隐含层节点数为7输出层节点数为1,误差0.7597%,相对误差0.2649%.经预测,2018-2021年OSAHS的发病率分别为2.16%、19.9%、19.4%和21.2%.结论采用改进的BP神经网络算法建立的OSAHS发病预测模型具有较高的预测精度及较低的预测相对误差,为OSAHS疫情预测提供一种新的预测模型.

A brief procedure for big data analysis of gene expression

There are a lot of biological and experimental data from genomics, proteomics, drug screening, medicinal chemistry, etc. A large amount of data must be analyzed by special methods of statistics, bioinformatics, and computer science. Big data analysis is an effective way to build scientific hypothesis and explore internal mechanism.Here, gene expression is taken as an example to illustrate the basic procedure of the big data analysis.

A novel dual serotonin transporter and M-channel inhibitor D01 for antidepression and cognitive improvement

Cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom common in psychiatric disorders including depression that is primarily managed by antidepressants lacking efficacy in improving cognition.In this study,we report a novel dual serotonin transporter and voltage-gated potassium Kv7/KCNQ/M-channel inhibitor D01(a 2-methyl-3-aryloxy-3-heteroarylpropylamines derivative)that exhibits both anti-depression effects and improvements in cognition.D01 inhibits serotonin transporters(K_(i)=30.1±6.9 nmol/L)and M channels(IC_(50)=10.1±2.4μmol/L).D01 also reduces the immobility duration in the mouse FST and TST assays in a dose-dependent manner without a stimulatory effect on locomotion.Intragastric administrations of D01(20 and 40 mg/kg)can significantly shorten the immobility time in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress(CRS)-induced depression-like behavior.Additionally,D01 dose-dependently improves the cognitive deficit induced by CRS in Morris water maze test and increases the exploration time with novel objects in normal or scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice,but not fluoxetine.Furthermore,D01 reverses the long-term potentiation(LTP)inhibition induced by scopolamine.Taken together,our findings demonstrate that D01,a dual-target serotonin reuptake and M channel inhibitor,is highly effective in the treatment-resistant depression and cognitive deficits,thus holding potential for development as therapy of depression with cognitive deficits.

Fluorinated Covalent Organic Frameworks Coupled with Molecular Cobalt Cocatalysts for Efficient Photocatalytic CO_(2)Reduction

The combination of covalent organic framework(COF)photosensitizers with molecular cocatalysts is a promising avenue for photocatalytic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))reduction.Here,a series of isostructural COFs was synthesized using linkers of different lengths,with or without partial fluorination.These COFs were investigated for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction under visible-light irradiation when combined with cobalt(II)bipyridine complexes as a cocatalyst.Fluorination was found to enhance both CO_(2)affinity and catalytic activity,and a partially fluorinated COF,FBP-COF,achieved the highest CO_(2)-to-CO conversion efficiency,showing a carbon monoxide(CO)generation rate of 2.08 mmol h−1 g−1 and a 90%CO selectivity.FBP-COF also showed good stability under sacrificial conditions,generating CO for 50 h with a turnover number of 91.5.This activity is much higher than a homogeneous system using ruthenium bipyridine complexes as the photosensitizer combined with the same cobalt bipyridine complexes.

共价有机框架的合成及其在肿瘤治疗中的应用研究进展

共价有机框架(covalent organic frameworks,COFs)是近年来开发的一种由有机单元连接而成的高结晶性多孔聚合物,由于具有良好的孔隙率、模块性、结晶性和生物相容性等特点在肿瘤治疗中显示出了良好的应用前景.本综述总结了已报道的COFs制备方法,包括溶剂热合成法、机械化学合成法、微波合成法、离子热合成法、界面合成法、室温合成法和纳米尺度COFs的合成方法,并根据对肿瘤作用机理的差异,将用于肿瘤治疗的COFs纳米载药系统归纳为药物化疗、光热治疗、光动力学治疗和联合治疗.此外还讨论了COFs在肿瘤治疗领域所面临的主要挑战和发展趋势.

3H-喹唑啉-4-酮衍生物的设计、合成及其α7尼古丁乙酰胆碱受体正向变构调节作用评价（英文）

作者基于课题组先前得到的具有较强α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体I型正向变构调节剂活性的先导化合物2,设计并合成了一系列的6位取代的3H-喹唑啉-4-酮化合物(3a-3d),所有目标化合物均通过对表达有人源α7乙酰胆碱受体的非洲爪蟾卵使用双电极电压钳技术来进行活性评价。然而,在100μM的乙酰胆碱作用下,所有化合物均没有显示出比先导化合物2更高的活性。由此证明噻唑[4,5-d]并嘧啶-7(6H)-酮母核是发挥正向变构调节活性的必需基团,是对先导化合物2的构效关系的补充。

The fate of medications evaluated for ischemic stroke pharmacotherapy over the period 1995–2015

Stroke is a brain damage caused by a loss of blood supply to a portion of the brain, which requires prompt and effective treatment. The current pharmacotherapy for ischemic stroke primarily relies on thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activators(rt-PAs) to breakdown blood clots. Neuroprotective agents that inhibit excitatory neurotransmitters are also used to treat ischemic stroke but have failed to translate into clinical benefits. This poses a major challenge in biomedical research to understand what causes the progressive brain cell death after stroke and how to develop an effective pharmacotherapy for stroke. This brief review analyzes the fate of about 430 potentially useful stroke medications over the period 1995–2015and describes in detail those that successfully reached the market. Hopefully, the information from this analysis will shed light on how future stroke research can improve stroke drug discovery.

The current agonists and positive allosteric modulators ofα7 nAChR for CNS indications in clinical trials

The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca^(2+)-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7 nAChR function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aiming at ameliorating cognitive deficits of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease(AD) and schizophrenia. Currently, a number of α7 nAChR modulators have been reported and several of them have advanced into clinical trials. In this brief review, we outline recent progress made in understanding the role of the α7 nAChR in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and the pharmacological effects of α7 nAChR modulators used in clinical trials.

The Ca^(2+)-activated chloride channel ANO1/TMEM16A:An emerging therapeutic target for epithelium-originated diseases?

Anoctamin 1(ANO1) or TMEM16 A gene encodes a member of Ca^(2+) activated Cl^(-) channels(CaCCs) that are critical for physiological functions,such as epithelial secretion,smooth muscle contraction and sensory signal transduction.The attraction and interest in ANO1/TMEM16 A arise from a decade long investigations that abnormal expression or dysfunction of ANO1 is involved in many pathological phenotypes and diseases,including asthma,neuropathic pain,hypertension and cancer.However,the lack of specific modulators of ANO1 has impeded the efforts to validate ANO1 as a therapeutic target.This review focuses on the recent progress made in understanding of the pathophysiological functions of CaCC ANO1 and the current modulators used as pharmacological tools,hopefully illustrating a broad spectrum of ANO1 channelopathy and a path forward for this target validation.

基于Sonogashira偶联反应得到的新型α7尼古丁乙酰胆碱受体正向变构调节剂

作者基于课题组先前得到的具有较强α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体I型正向变构调节剂活性的先导化合物HZZ-A-11,运用Sonogashira偶联反应设计并合成了一系列的2-芳氨基-1,3,5-三嗪类衍生物(4a–4g),所有目标化合物均通过对表达有人源α7乙酰胆碱受体的非洲爪蟾卵使用双电极电压钳技术进行活性评价。在100μM的乙酰胆碱作用下,化合物4g显示出比先导化合物HZZ-A-11更高的活性,EC50为1.23±0.41μM。化合物4g可作为探针分子,在进一步药理评估中探索其改善精神分裂症和阿尔茨海默氏病的认知缺陷的作用机制。

Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves cognitive deficits and alleviates neuropathology in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analytic review on potential mechanisms

Background Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder.Therapeutically,a transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs)can play a beneficial role in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.However,the relevant mechanism remains to be fully elucidated.Main body Subsequent to the transplantation of BMMSCs,memory loss and cognitive impairment were significantly improved in animal models with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Potential mechanisms involved neurogenesis,apoptosis,angiogenesis,inflammation,immunomodulation,etc.The above mechanisms might play different roles at certain stages.It was revealed that the transplantation of BMMSCs could alter some gene levels.Moreover,the differential expression of representative genes was responsible for neuropathological phenotypes in Alzheimer’s disease,which could be used to construct gene-specific patterns.Conclusions Multiple signal pathways involve therapeutic mechanisms by which the transplantation of BMMSCs improves cognitive and behavioral deficits in AD models.Gene expression profile can be utilized to establish statistical regression model for the evaluation of therapeutic effect.The transplantation of autologous BMMSCs maybe a prospective therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

无配体钯催化的Suzuki羰基化反应研究及其在α7 nAChR正向变构调节剂改造中的应用（英文）

本文在无外在配体的条件下,以CHCl_3为羰基化试剂,实现了钯催化Suzuki羰基化反应。通过芳碘化物、氯仿和芳基硼酸的偶联反应探索了不同的取代二苯甲酮类化合物,产率由中等到良好。基于前期α7乙酰胆碱受体正向变构调节剂的初步构效关系,我们将这个反应方法应用于系列化合物的结构改造中。

Highlights for the 6th International Ion Channel Conference:ion channel structure,function,disease and therapeutics

To foster communication and interactions amongst international scholars and scientists in the field of ion channel research, the 6 th International Ion Channel Conference(IICC-2017) was held between June 23–27, 2017 in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, China. The meeting consisted of 450 attendees and 130 speakers and poster presenters. The program consisted of research progress, new findings and ongoing studies that were focused on(1) Ion channel structure and function;(2) Ion channel physiology and human diseases;(3) Ion channels as targets for drug discovery;(4) Technological advances in ion channel research. An insightful overview was presented on the structure and function of the mechanotransduction channel Drosophila NOMPC(No mechanoreceptor potential C), a member of the transient receptor potential(TRP) channel family. Recent studies on Transmembrane protein 16 or Anoctamin-1(TMEM16A, a member of the calcium-activated chloride channel [CaCC] family) were summarized as well. In addition, topics for ion channel regulation, homeostatic feedback and brain disorders were thoroughly discussed. The presentations at the IICC-2017 offer new insights into our understanding of ion channel structures and functions, and ion channels as targets for drug discovery.

Inhibition of intracellular proton-sensitive Ca^(2+)-permeable TRPV3 channels protects against ischemic brain injury

Ischemic brain stroke is pathologically characterized by tissue acidosis, sustained calcium entry and progressive cell death. Previous studies focusing on antagonizing N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptors have failed to translate any clinical benefits, suggesting a non-NMDA mechanism involved in the sustained injury after stroke. Here, we report that inhibition of intracellular proton-sensitive Ca^(2+)-permeable transient receptor potential vanilloid 3(TRPV3) channel protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. TRPV3 expression is upregulated in mice subjected to cerebral I/R injury. Silencing of TRPV3 reduces intrinsic neuronal excitability, excitatory synaptic transmissions, and also attenuates cerebral I/R injury in mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO). Conversely, overexpressing or re-expressing TRPV3 increases neuronal excitability, excitatory synaptic transmissions and aggravates cerebral I/R injury. Furthermore, specific inhibition of TRPV3 by natural forsythoside B decreases neural excitability and attenuates cerebral I/R injury. Taken together, our findings for the first time reveal a causative role of neuronal TRPV3 channel in progressive cell death after stroke, and blocking overactive TRPV3 channel may provide therapeutic potential for ischemic brain injury.

How heteroatoms(Ge,N,P) improve the electrocatalytic performance of graphene:theory and experiment

The oxygen reduction reactions(ORR)play a crucial role in the electrochemical energy storage devices,such as fuel cell,metal-air batteries[1–3].However,their larger scale applications are hindered by the sluggish slow kinetics of the ORR.Up to now,platinum(Pt)-based catalysts are still known as the best

Inhibition of temperature-sensitive TRPV3 channel by two natural isochlorogenic acid isomers for alleviation of dermatitis and chronic pruritus

Genetic gain-of-function mutations of warm temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 3(TRPV3)channel cause Olmsted syndrome characterized by severe itching and keratoderma,indicating that pharmacological inhibition of TRPV3 may hold promise for therapy of chronic pruritus and skin diseases.However,currently available TRPV3 tool inhibitors are either nonselective or less potent,thus impeding the validation of TRPV3 as therapeutic target.Using whole-cell patch-clamp and single-channel recordings,we report the identification of two natural dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers isochlorogenic acid A(IAA)and isochlorogenic acid B(IAB)that selectively inhibit TRPV3 currents with IC50 values of 2.7±1.3 and 0.9±0.3μmol/L,respectively,and reduce the channel open probability to 3.7±1.2%and 3.2±1.1%from 26.9±5.5%,respectively.In vivo evaluation confirms that both IAA and IAB significantly reverse the ear swelling of dermatitis and chronic pruritus.Furthermore,the isomer IAB is able to rescue the keratinocyte death induced by TRPV3 agonist carvacrol.Molecular docking combined with site-directed mutations reveals two residues T636 and F666 critical for the binding of the two isomers.Taken together,our identification of isochlorogenic acids A and B that act as specific TRPV3 channel inhibitors and gating modifiers not only provides an essential pharmacological tool for further investigation of the channel pharmacology and pathology,but also holds developmental potential for treatment of dermatitis and chronic pruritus.

Deficiency of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 leads to neural hyperexcitability and aggravates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Systematic administration of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 4(IL-4)has been shown to improve recovery after cerebral ischemic stroke.However,whether IL-4 affects neuronal excitability and how IL-4 improves ischemic injury remain largely unknown.Here we report the neuroprotective role of endogenous IL-4 in focal cerebral ischemia-repertusion(I/R)injury.In multi-electrode array(MEA)recordings,IL-4 reduces spontaneous firings and network activities of mouse primary cortical neurons.IL-4 mRNA and protein expressions are upregulated after I/R injury.Genetic deletion of 11-4 gene aggravates I/R injury in vivo and exacerbates oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)injury in cortical neurons.Conversely,supplemental IL-4 protects 11-4-/-cortical neurons against OGD injury.Mechanistically,cortical pyramidal and stellate neurons common for ischemic penumbra after I/R injury exhibit intrinsic hyperexcitability and enhanced excitatory synaptic transmissions in Il-4-/-mice.Furthermore,upregulation of Nav1.1 channel,and downregulations of KCa3.1 channel and a6 subunit of GABAA receptors are detected in the cortical tissues and primary cortical neurons from Il-4-/-mice.Taken together,our findings demonstrate that IL-4 deficiency results in neural hyperexcitability and aggravates I/R injury,thus activation of IL-4 signaling may protect the brain against the development of permanent damage and help recover from ischemic injury after stroke.

Crystal structure of the N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain of TRPV3 reveals unique conformation of fi nger 3 loop critical for channel function

In all six members of TRPV channel subfamily,there is an ankyrin repeat domain(ARD)in their intracellular N-termini.Ankyrin(ANK)repeat,a common motif with typi-cally 33 residues in each repeat,is primarily involved in protein-protein interactions.Despite the sequence similarity among the ARDs of TRPV channels,the struc-ture of TRPV3-ARD,however,remains unknown.Here,we report the crystal structure of TRPV3-ARD solved at 1.95Åresolution,which reveals six-ankyrin repeats.While overall structure of TRPV3-ARD is similar to ARDs from other members of TRPV subfamily;it,however,features a noticeable fi nger 3 loop that bends over and is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic pack-ing,instead of being fl exible as seen in known TRPV-ARD structures.Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that mutating key residues R225,R226,Q255,and F249 of fi nger 3 loop altered the channel activities and pharmacol-ogy.Taken all together,our findings show that TRPV3-ARD with characteristic fi nger 3 loop likely plays an im-portant role in channel function and pharmacology.