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Background: Increased neuroinflammation in brain regions regulating sympathetic nerves is associated with hypertension. Emerging evidence from both human and animal studies suggests a link between hypertension and gut microbiota, as well as microbiota-derived metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, the precise mechanisms underlying this gut-brain axis remain unclear. Methods: The levels of microbiota-derived SCFAs in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. To observe the effect of acetate on arterial blood pressure (ABP) in rats, sodium acetate was supplemented via drinking water for continuous 7 days. ABP was recorded by radio telemetry. The inflammatory factors, morphology of microglia and astrocytes in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) were detected. In addition, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, composition and metabolomics of the gut microbiome, and intestinal pathological manifestations were also measured. Results: The serum acetate levels in SHRs are lower than in normotensive control rats. Supplementation with acetate reduces ABP, inhibits sympathetic nerve activity in SHRs. Furthermore, acetate suppresses RVLM neuroinflammation in SHRs, increases microglia and astrocyte morphologic complexity, decreases BBB permeability, modulates intestinal flora, increases fecal flora metabolites, and inhibits intestinal fibrosis. Conclusions: Microbiota-derived acetate exerts antihypertensive effects by modulating microglia and astrocytes and inhibiting neuroinflammation and sympathetic output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current treatment (landfill, composting, and incineration) of chromium-containing sludge can contaminate soil, surface water and groundwater. In this study, tannery sludge and granulated blast furnace slag was chosen to make a geopolymer and its ability to resist acid and alkali was investigated by immersing them in different solutions for 28 d. The experimental results showed that when pH value increased from 1.0 to 13.0, the compressive strength linearly increased from 36.7 MPa to 68.4 MPa while the porosity decreased from 4.37 % to 3.4 %. The results of NMR, SEM and FIR showed that the H+ in HCl acid solution depolymerized the three-dimensional network structure of the geopolymer and acicular product (CaCl 2) was generated, which leaded to the increase in small pores and large pores. However, when immersed in alkaline solution the secondary polymerization occurred and more C-S-H appeared, making the geopolymer denser. In addition, the environmental benefits of the geopolymer were investigated and the results showed that the leaching concentration ranges of total chromium and Cr(VI) were 1.21–0.97 mg/L and 0.04–0.06 mg/L, both of which were far below the requirement of standards. The CO 2 emission was 8.06 kg/(m3 Mpa), which was roughly half of the ordinary Portland cement (18 kg/(m³ MPa)). Therefore, the geopolymer could be a way to treat tannery sludge and the geopolymer made of tannery sludge and slag had the potential to be environmentally friendly building materials. • STSG is granulated blast furnace slag and chrome-containing tannery sludge based geopolymer. • It showed significant acid resistance and alkaline environment was beneficial to its performance. • Its CO 2 emission was half of the OPC and leaching concentration of total chromium and Cr(Ⅵ) were far lower than standard. • STSG is an effective way to transform wastes into resources and environment-friendly building material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective method for the epoxidation of aldehydes with α‐diazoacetamides has been developed with two different borate ester catalysts of VANOL. Both catalytic systems are general for aromatic, aliphatic, and acetylenic aldehydes, giving high yields and inductions for nearly all cases. One borate ester catalyst has two molecules of VANOL and the other only one VANOL. Catalysts generated from BINOL and VAPOL are ineffective catalysts. An application is shown for access to the side‐chain of taxol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective method for the epoxidation of aldehydes with α‐diazoacetamides has been developed with two different borate ester catalysts of VANOL. Both catalytic systems are general for aromatic, aliphatic, and acetylenic aldehydes, giving high yields and inductions for nearly all cases. One borate ester catalyst has two molecules of VANOL and the other only one VANOL. Catalysts generated from BINOL and VAPOL are ineffective catalysts. An application is shown for access to the side‐chain of taxol. A tale of two catalysts: Two different borate catalysts for the epoxidation of aldehydes with diazoacetamides can be generated from boron and VANOL (3,3′‐diphenyl‐2,2′‐bi‐1‐naphthalol). That these catalysts are different is demonstrated by a nonlinear study on the relationship of the enantiopurity of the product epoxide versus that of VANOL. Despite their structural differences, both catalysts display a similar substrate scope profile with excellent asymmetric induction for various aldehydes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DNA damage response (DDR) safeguards the stable genetic information inheritance by orchestrating a complex protein network in response to DNA damage. However, this mechanism can often hamper the effectiveness of radiotherapy and DNA-damaging chemotherapy in destroying tumor cells, causing cancer resistance. Inhibiting DDR can significantly improve tumor cell sensitivity to radiotherapy and DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Thus, DDR can be a potential target for cancer treatment. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of DDR-associated proteins profoundly affect their activity and function by covalently attaching new functional groups. O-GlcNAcylation (O-linked- N -acetylglucosaminylation) is an emerging PTM associated with adding and removing O-linked N -acetylglucosamine to serine and threonine residues of proteins. It acts as a dual sensor for nutrients and stress in the cell and is sensitive to DNA damage. However, the explanation behind the specific role of O-GlcNAcylation in the DDR remains remains to be elucidated. To illustrate the complex relationship between O-GlcNAcylation and DDR, this review systematically describes the role of O-GlcNAcylation in DNA repair, cell cycle, and chromatin. We also discuss the defects of current strategies for targeting O-GlcNAcylation-regulated DDR in cancer therapy and suggest potential directions to address them. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work details the synthesis of 22 new chiral VANOL ligands that differ by the nature of the substituent in the 3- and 3′-positions of the ligand. These ligands were incorporated into boroxinate catalysts that were used to screen the catalytic asymmetric aziridination of benzhydryl imines with ethyl diazoacetate. Each catalyst was screened in the reaction of imines generated from benzaldehyde and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde and some with 4-nitro- and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. In addition, the first report of the effect of the ester substituent of the diazoacetate ester on the asymmetric induction in these aziridination reactions is presented. The first X-ray structure of a boroxinate catalyst generated from a VANOL-derived ligand is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable subacromial spacer implantation has become practicable for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCT). However, the relative high degradation rate and inferior tissue regeneration properties of current subacromial spacer may lead to failure regards to long-term survival. It is reported that satisfactory clinical results lie in the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition after implantation. This study aims to develop a biological subacromial spacer that would enhance tissue regeneration properties and results in better ECM deposition. Physicochemical properties were characterized on both poly- l -lactide- co -ε-caprolactone (PLCL) dip-coating spacer (monolayer spacer, MS) and PLCL dip-coating + Poly-l-Lactic Acid (PLLA)/Gelatin electrospun spacer (Bilayer Spacer, BS). Cytocompatibility, angiogenesis, and collagen inducibility were evaluated with tendon fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Ultrasonography and histomorphology were used to analyze biodegradability and surrounding ECM deposition after the implantation in vivo. BS was successfully fabricated with the dip-coating and electrospinning technique, based on the human humeral head data. In vitro studies demonstrated that BS showed a greater cytocompatibility, and increased secretion of ECM proteins comparing to MS. In vivo studies indicated that BS promoted ECM deposition and angiogenesis in the surrounding tissue. Our research highlights that BS exhibits better ECM deposition and reveals a potential candidate for the treatment of IRCT in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enantioselective PdII/Brønsted acid-catalyzed carbonylative carbocyclization of enallenes ending with a cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) with a terminal alkyne was developed. VAPOL phosphoric acid was found as the best co-catalyst among the examined 28 chiral acids, for inducing the enantioselectivity of α-chiral ketones. As a result, a number of chiral cyclopentenones were easily synthesized in good to excellent enantiomeric ratio with good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enantioselective PdII/Brønsted acid-catalyzed carbonylative carbocyclization of enallenes ending with a cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) with a terminal alkyne was developed. VAPOL phosphoric acid was found as the best co-catalyst among the examined 28 chiral acids, for inducing the enantioselectivity of α-chiral ketones. As a result, a number of chiral cyclopentenones were easily synthesized in good to excellent enantiomeric ratio with good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has become one of the most important economies in the global market, but negotiating with the Chinese remains a great challenge for most Westerners. This study is to help better understand Chinese business negotiation styles with an indigenous perspective by exploring the impact of Confucian ideal personality on business negotiation process in China. This study tests the effects of three key components of Confucian ideal personality-benevolence (Ren), wisdom (Zhi), and courage (Yong) on Chinese negotiation behaviors and further on negotiation outcomes with 200 business students in a simulated negotiation exercise. The results support the significant effects of benevolence and courage on Chinese business negotiation styles but wisdom is not found to have any significant impact in China. The overall pattern of the results substantiates the strong influence of Confucianism on Chinese negotiation styles, and provides an important supplement to negotiation theories developed in the West. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein-mediated RNA stabilization plays profound roles in chloroplast gene expression. Genetic studies have indicated that chloroplast ndhA transcripts, encoding a key subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase-like complex that mediates photosystem I cyclic electron transport and facilitates chlororespiration, are stabilized by PPR53 and its orthologs, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we report that CHLOROPLAST RNA SPLICING 2 (CRS2)-ASSOCIATED FACTOR (CAF) proteins activate SUPPRESSOR OF THYLAKOID FORMATION 1 (SOT1), an ortholog of PPR53 in Arabidopsis thaliana, enhancing their affinity for the 5′ ends of ndhA transcripts to stabilize these molecules while inhibiting the RNA endonuclease activity of the SOT1 C-terminal SMR domain. In addition, we established that SOT1 improves the splicing efficiency of ndhA by facilitating the association of CAF2 with the ndhA intron, which may be due to the SOT1-mediated stability of the ndhA transcripts. Our findings shed light on the importance of PPR protein interaction partners in moderating RNA metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]