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Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complex disease that significantly contributes to recurrent retinal detachment. Its development is notably affected by epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), where apoptosis plays a crucial role as a regulator of EMT. However, the function of MeCP2 in governing apoptosis and EMT in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and its implications for PVR development have remained inadequately understood. Thus, we investigated the impact of MeCP2 on proliferation, migration, apoptosis and EMT in ARPE‐19 cells to provide a fresh perspective on the etiology of PVR. The morphological changes in ARPE‐19 cells induced by recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown were observed. Wound healing assay were performed to verify the effects of recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown on ARPE‐19 cell migration. Furthermore, cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK‐8 assay and flow cytometry. Western blot analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to measure the protein levels associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and EMT. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that MeCP2 promoted EMT formation in ARPE‐19 cells. The CCK‐8 assay revealed that MeCP2 treatment enhanced the proliferation of ARPE‐19 cells, whereas MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE‐19 cell proliferation. Treatment with recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown altered the morphology of ARPE‐19 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE‐19 cell migration, and MeCP2 treatment promoted ARPE‐19 cell migration. MeCP2 knockdown induced a G0/G1 phase block, inhibiting cell growth, and qRT‐PCR data indicated reduced expression of cell cycle‐related genes. Increased apoptosis was observed after MeCP2 knockdown in ARPE‐19 cells. Overall, MeCP2 treatment stimulates cell proliferation, migration and EMT formation; conversely, MeCP2 knockdown inhibits EMT, cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle G1/S phase transition, and induces apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts suitable for a wide pH range and seawater splitting under simulated industrial electrolysis conditions is expected to advance practical applications of clean hydrogen energy. Here, the study reports a built‐in electric field approach to assemble heterogeneous Ru nanoclusters (Ru NCs) anchored in P,O co‐doped NiFe layered double hydroxide bifunctional electrocatalysts (Ru NCs/P,O‐NiFe LDH) for overall water splitting. It is revealed that the BEF ensures electron enrichment via unidirectional electron transfer from P,O‐NiFe LDH to Ru nanoclusters due to the difference in the corresponding Fermi levels. The optimized Ru NCs/P,O‐NiFe LDH/NF shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and overall water splitting in a wide pH range, as well as simulated seawater electrolysis under industry‐relevant conditions. The long‐term catalyst stability under high currents and industrial process temperatures is also demonstrated. Density functional theory calculations further confirm that the active sites at the BEF interface effectively reduce the energy barrier of water electrolysis, thereby facilitating the electrocatalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one-pot reactions of CO2, epibromohydrin, and phenols, thiophenols, or carboxylic acids catalyzed by 1-butyl-3-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide were investigated. Three kinds of cyclic carbonates with ether, thioether, or ester groups were synthesized under mild reaction conditions in good-to-high yields. Reaction-mechanism studies indicated that the proton exchange between the alkoxide formed through the ring-opening reaction of epibromohydrin with 1-bromo-3-phenoxy-2-propanol plays a crucial role in this synthetic route. The catalyst 1-butyl-3-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide was transformed to the corresponding cyclic-carbonate-functionalized ionic liquid during the reaction. This transformation did not affect its catalytic performance in the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A selective procedure for the synthesis of 5-substituted N-aryloxazolidinones by the coupling of epoxides with arylcarbamates catalyzed by ionic liquids has been developed. The effects of reaction time, reactant molar ratio, amount of catalyst, and temperature were investigated. Under the optimal reaction conditions, BmimOAc exhibited efficient catalytic activity compared with other ionic liquids leading to the formation of 5-substituted N-aryloxazolidinones in excellent yields. In addition, chiral 5-substituted oxazolidinones were synthesized by this procedure in good-to-excellent yields with enantiomeric excesses in excess of 99.9 % starting from chiral terminal epoxides. A possible reaction mechanism is discussed in accord with the results obtained by 1H NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, which indicate the cooperative activation by BmimOAc through the formation of hydrogen bonds with the substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intermolecular synergistic catalytic combination of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and a DBU-derived bromide ionic liquid has been developed for the conversion of CO2, epoxides, and amines under metal- and solvent-free conditions. Various 3-aryl-2-oxazolidinones are produced in moderate to excellent yields within a short reaction time. NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations demonstrate that DBU as a hydrogen bond acceptor and the ionic liquid as a hydrogen bond donor activate the substrates cooperatively by inducing hydrogen bonds to promote the reaction effectively. Based on these results, a possible reaction mechanism on the synergistic catalysis of DBU and the ionic liquid is proposed. In addition, the reaction of CS2, ethylene oxide, and aniline catalyzed by the combination of DBU and the DBU-derived ionic liquid also proceeds smoothly, which opens a hitherto unreported route to [1,3]dithiolan-2-ylidenephenylamine in a straightforward way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the reactions of cyclic carbonates/trithiocarbonate and aromatic amines in the presence of a basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BmimOAc), which produced various cyclic carbamates/dithiocarbonimidates in fairly good to excellent yields. The use of BmimOAc as catalyst here not only offers an effective approach to the synthesis of the target compounds, but also avoids the use of conventional toxic materials. By means of the reactions of cyclic carbonates and aromatic amines, 3-aryloxazolidin-2-ones, 3,3′-aryldioxazolidin-2-ones and 3-aryl[1,3]oxazinan-2-ones could be synthesized. NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations revealed that both the cation and the anion of BmimOAc activate cooperatively the substrates in these reactions by means of inducing hydrogen bonding. In addition, condensation reactions of ethylene trithiocarbonate and aromatic amines also proceeded very well in the presence of the BmimOAc catalyst, which opened a hitherto unreported route to [1,3]dithiolan-2-ylidene-arylamine derivatives in a straightforward way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]