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5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) and its derivatives have been widely used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) as precursors of the photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in dermatology and urology. However, ALA-PDT is limited by the low bioavailability of ALA due to the fact that ALA is poorly absorbed by cells by virtue of its zwitterionic nature at physiological pH. In order to improve the therapeutic effect and induce higher levels of PpIX, a series of ALA prodrugs were synthesized by the conjugation of ALA to 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (HPO) iron chelator using an amino acid linkage via amide bonds. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that one ALA–HPO conjugate significantly enhanced PpIX production in a range of tumor cell lines over ALA alone or the co-administration of ALA and CP94 (1,2-diethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one). The intracellular porphyrin fluorescence levels showed good correlation with cellular photo-toxicity following light exposure, suggesting the potential application of the ALA–HPO conjugates in photodynamic therapy.

Considering the characteristics of raw water quality and multi-water supply pump station of the raw water system, optimum combination water supply model based on the water quality guarantee are presented. Groundwater supply network topology structure is established. Then, the optimal solutions of the model are obtained, using MATLAB and artificial intelligent optimization technique. The arsenic pollutants in demonstration area are under controlled and the raw water system operation efficiency is enhanced, meeting the water quantity and water pressure at the same time. We put forward a new angle, for composite water quality raw water system optimization modeling.

Polyacrylonitrile(PAN) microspheres were synthesized by soapless emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrile(AN) in water. The effects of monomer and initiator concentration on the conversion of AN and the diameter of microspheres were investigated. The results showed that when the concentration of monomer increases, the conversion of AN decreases while the diameter of PAN microspheres increases. When the concentration of initiator increases, the conversion of AN and the diameter of PAN microspheres both increase. For this method of PAN microspheres synthesis, the highest conversion of AN is about 60% and the diameter can be controlled in need ranging from approximately 140 to 500nm.

A new method for the separation of naringin from pomelo peels was investigated by using ultrasonic-assisted extraction and macroporous resin purification technology. The ultrasonic extraction efficiency was dependent on agent's concentration, ratio of sample and solvent and ultrasonic time. Several parameters of macroporous resin-purified process, including resin selection, initial concentration, concentration of eluted agent and pH, were optimized. The experimental results showed that the naringin content in the mature pomelo peels was 2.20% and purification rate of naringin was 77.26% under optimum conditions of purification. The structure of synthetic naringin dihydrochalcone was determined by a series of spectroscopic methods, such as UV, NMR and MS.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) plays an important role in colorectal carcinoma metastasis. However, whether SphK1 modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related marker expression and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, in order to clarify this issue, we used various colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, Caco2, HT29, RKO and HCT116. Each of the cell lines was divided into 3 groups as follows: the control group, SKI-Ⅱ (SphK1 inhibitor) group and PF-562271 [focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor] group. The migratory ability of the cells was examined by Transwell chamber assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of SphK1, FAK (p-FAK), Slug, vimentin, N-cadherin and E-cadherin were detected by PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. The results revealed that the suppression of SphK1 reduced the cell migratory ability, and decreased the expression of Slug, vimentin and N-cadherin; however, the expression of E-cadherin was increased. Moreover, the inhibition of SphK1 reduced the expression of p-FAK. The inhibition of FAK (p-FAK) also decreased the cell migratory ability, and decreased the expression of Slug, vimentin and N-cadherin, whereas the expression of E-cadherin was increased. Thus, our data suggest that SphK1 modulates the expression of EMT-related markers and cell migration by regulating the expression of p-FAK in CRC cells. Thus, SphK1 may play a functional role in mediating the EMT process in CRC.

Kojic acid derivatives have been prepared in excellent yield by the condensation of two molecules of kojic acid and one molecule of an aldehyde using sodium carbonate as a base under microwave irradiation.

SAMHD1 is the only known eukaryotic deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) and is a major regulator of intracellular dNTP pools. It has been reported to be a potent inhibitor of retroviruses such as HIV-1 and endogenous retrotransposons. Previous crystal structures have revealed that SAMHD1 is activated by dGTP-dependent tetramer formation. However, recent data have indicated that the primary activator of SAMHD1 is GTP, not dGTP. Therefore, how its dNTPase activity is regulated needs to be further clarified. Here, five crystal structures of the catalytic core of SAMHD1 in complex with different combinations of GTP and dNTPs are reported, including a GTP-bound dimer and four GTP/dNTP-bound tetramers. The data show that human SAMHD1 contains two unique activator-binding sites in the allosteric pocket. The primary activator GTP binds to one site and the substrate dNTP (dATP, dCTP, dUTP or dTTP) occupies the other. Consequently, both GTP and dNTP are required for tetramer activation of the enzyme. In the absence of substrate binding, SAMHD1 adopts an inactive dimer conformation even when complexed with GTP. Furthermore, SAMHD1 activation is regulated by the concentration of dNTP. Thus, the level of dNTP pools is elegantly regulated by the self-sensing ability of SAMHD1 through a novel activation mechanism.

In the current study, the alopecia areata gene was introduced into the C57BL/6 (B6) mouse through repeated backcrossing/intercrossing, and the allelic homozygosity of congenic AAtjmice (named B6.KM-AA) was verified using microsatellites. The gross appearance, growth characteristics, pathological changes in skin, and major organs of B6.KM-AA mice were observed. Counts and proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. Results show that congenic B6.KM-AA mice were obtained after 10 generations of backcrossing/intercrossing. B6.KM-AA mice grew slower than B6 control mice and AA skin lesions were developed by four weeks of age. The number of hair follicles was reduced, but hair structures were normal. Loss of hair during disease progression was associated with CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes infiltration peri- and intra- hair follicles. No pathological changes were found in other organs except for the skin. In the peripheral blood of B6.KM-AA mice, the percentage of CD4+ T cells was lower and percentage of CD8+ T cells higher than in control mice. These findings indicate that B6.KM-AA mice are characterized by a dysfunctional immune system, retarded development and T-cell infiltration mediated hair loss, making them a promising new animal model for human alopecia areata.

A range of hexadentate 3-hydroxypyridin-4-ones (HPOs) with high affinity for iron(III) has been synthesized. The log stability constants of two HPO-iron complexes (logK1 ) were determined to be over 34, and pFe values of the two HPOs were determined to be over 31. Antimicrobial assay indicated that they are able to markedly inhibit the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds 14a and 14e were found to exhibit the strongest inhibitory activity against Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, with MIC values of 8, 8, 16, and 8 μg/mL, respectively. These results indicate that hexadentate 3-hydroxypyridin-4-ones have potential application as antimicrobial agents, especially in the treatment of wound infection.

Objectives The objectives of this study were first to design and synthesize a hexadentate chelator with high iron(III) affinity and, second, to evaluate its antimicrobial activity in the presence and absence of chloramphenicol. Methods A hexadentate ligand was synthesized by conjugating a protected bidentate compound onto a tripodal structure. The pKa values and iron affinity of the chelator were determined by spectophotometric titration. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by visual inspection of broth turbidity. The bactericidal rates were calculated by counting the colony numbers on a light board after incubation with and without an antimicrobial agent. Key findings A hexadentate 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one was found to possess a high affinity for iron(III), with a pFe value of 31.2 (negative logarithm of concentration of the free iron(III) in solution (when [Fe3+]Total = 10−6 m; [Ligand]Total = 10−5 m; pH = 7.4). We found that this chelator had an appreciable inhibitory effect in vitro against the two bacterial strains Providencia stuartii and Staphylococcus aureus, particularly in the presence of chloramphenicol. Conclusions A 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one hexadentate ligand has potential as an antimicrobial agent. Combination therapy with this iron chelator plus chloramphenicol has potential for the treatment of extracellular infections.