Redox active or thiol reactive? Optimization of rapid screens to identify less evident nuisance compounds

Compounds that exhibit assay interference or undesirable mechanisms of bioactivity are routinely encountered in assays at various stages of drug discovery. We observed that assays for the investigation of thiol-reactive and redox-active compounds have not been collected in a comprehensive review. Here, we review these assays and subject them to experimental optimization to improve their reliability. We demonstrate the usefulness of our assay cascade by assaying a library of bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and a set of approved drugs. These high-throughput assays should complement the array of wet-lab and in silico assays during the initial stages of hit discovery campaigns to pursue only hit compounds with tractable mechanisms of action.     

Progress in Targeting the TGFβ Pathway

Signaling by the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily is important in the regulation of hematopoiesis and is dysregulated in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), contributing to ineffective hematopoiesis and clinical cytopenias. TGF-β, activins and growth differentiation factors exert inhibitory effects on red cell formation by activating canonical SMAD2/3 pathway signaling. SMAD2/3 overactivation is seen in numerous subtypes of MDS. Furthermore, reduced levels of inhibitory SMAD7 are

References

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• 2.Suragani RN, Cawley SM, Li R, Wallner S, et al. Modified activin receptor IIB ligand trap mitigates ineffective erythropoiesis and disease complications in murine β-thalassemia. Blood. 2014 Jun 19;123(25):3864-72.
• 3.Dussiot M, Maciel TT, Fricot A, et al. Nat Med. 2014 Apr;20(4):398-407.
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The impact of neighborhoods and friendships on interracial anxiety among medical students and residents: A report from the medical student CHANGES study

Objective

To examine the experience of interracial anxiety among health professionals and how it may affect the quality of their interactions with patients from racially marginalized populations. We explored the influence of prior interracial exposure—specifically through childhood neighborhoods, college student bodies, and friend groups—on interracial anxiety among medical students and residents. We also examined whether levels of interracial anxiety change from medical school through residency.

Data Source

Web-based longitudinal survey data from the Medical Student Cognitive Habits and Growth Evaluation Study.

Study Design

We used a retrospective longitudinal design with four observations for each trainee. The study population consisted of non-Black US medical trainees surveyed in their 1st and 4th years of medical school and 2nd and 3rd years of residency. Mixed effects longitudinal models were used to assess predictors of interracial anxiety and assess changes in interracial anxiety scores over time.

Principal Findings

In total, 3155 non-Black medical trainees were followed for 7 years. Seventy-eight percent grew up in predominantly White neighborhoods. Living in predominantly White neighborhoods and having less racially diverse friends were associated with higher levels of interracial anxiety among medical trainees. Trainees' interracial anxiety scores did not substantially change over time; interracial anxiety was highest in the 1st year of medical school, lowest in the 4th year, and increased slightly during residency.

Conclusions

Neighborhood and friend group composition had independent effects on interracial anxiety, indicating that premedical racial socialization may affect medical trainees' preparedness to interact effectively with diverse patient populations. Additionally, the lack of substantial change in interracial anxiety throughout medical training suggests the importance of providing curricular tools and structure (e.g., instituting interracial cooperative learning activities) to foster the development of healthy interracial relationships.     

Caveolin-1 in skin aging – From innocent bystander to major contributor

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) appears to be both a pathophysiological contributor and a target in different inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin conditions as well as in skin aging. Skin fibroblasts demonstrate an up-regulation of Cav-1 expression both in chronological and UV-induced aging, and such an up-regulation was observed both in vitro and in vivo. Typical alterations in aging skin involve a reduction of the dermis thickness, a significant expansion of the dermal white adipose tissue as well as modifications of the content and distribution of hyaluronan, impairment of autophagic flux, a reduction of collagen expression and an increase in tissue inflammation. All of these phenomena can be connected with changes in Cav-1 expression in the aging skin. Modified expression of Cav-1 can also significantly influence the mechanical properties of individual skin layers, thus changing the total mechanical stability of the layered composite skin/WAT, leading to typical structural modifications of the skin surface in the aging skin. Selective reduction of Cav-1 expression has the potential to exert anti-aging effects on the skin.     

整合素α5β1在苯妥英钠促进大鼠PDLSCs和BMMSCs黏附于牙骨质中的作用

目的 探讨在苯妥英钠(Phenytoin,PHT)促进大鼠牙周膜干细胞(Rat periodontal ligament stem cells,rPDLSCs)、大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells,rBMMSCs)黏附于牙骨质过程中,整合素α5β1(Integrin α5β1)起到的作用。方法 提取大鼠BMMSCs和PDLSCs,培养并纯化。通过细胞鉴定后,将获得的两种细胞各分为4组:40 mg/L PHT处理组、40 mg/L PHT+整合素α5抗体处理组、40 mg/L PHT+整合素β1抗体处理组、PBS处理组,每组细胞放入置有牙骨质片的96孔板处理4 h后,检测黏附于牙骨质片上的细胞量并做以比较。最后,利用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测40 mg/L PHT组与对照组细胞的整合素α5、β1亚基的mRNA与蛋白表达量。结果 40 mg/L PHT可促进rBMMSCs及rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质片,加入整合素α5、β1抗体后,均明显抑制了40 mg/L PHT对rBMMSCs、rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质的促进作用(P＜0.01)。qRT-PCR、Western-blot结果显示PHT处理组的整合素α5、β1亚基表达量高于空白对照组(P＜0.05)。结论 40 mg/L PHT能促进rBMMSCs、rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质,该作用与整合素α5β1的表达上调密切相关。     

Curcumin ameliorates hepatic chronic inflammation induced by bile duct obstruction in mice through the activation of heme oxygenase-1

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Visfatin as a therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: The rising prevalence of musculoskeletal pathologies in developed countries has caused a dramatic impact on social welfare. Amidst these musculoskeletal pathologies is Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that mostly affects the synovium. RA metabolic-associated alterations, including distorted adipokine production, enhance RA inflammatory environment. Among the altered adipokines, visfatin is particularly involved in RA inflammation and catabolism and stands out as an essential enzyme linked to critical cell features.

Areas covered: We discuss the potential mechanism supporting the contribution of visfatin to RA and the association between RA and obesity. We discuss the repurposing of cancer-tested drugs to inhibit visfatin in the context of RA. Additionally, we address the possibility of combining these drugs with current RA therapy. Finally, we explore the future of visfatin as an RA biomarker or therapeutic target.

Expert opinion: Inhibition of visfatin has become an interesting therapeutic approach for RA pathology. Such a feat has already been attained in oncology using small molecule inhibitors, which suggest that a similar course of action would be worth pursuing in the RA context. Visfatin will become an important biomarker and therapeutic target for RA.     

基于BGP、TGF-β1的表达探究蛇床子素对去卵巢致骨质疏松大鼠的作用

目的观察蛇床子素对去卵巢致骨质疏松大鼠的影响。方法选取3月龄雌性SD大鼠30只,随机分为蛇床子素组(A组)、模型对照组(B组)、假手术组(C组),各10只。A、B 2组摘除卵巢构建去势大鼠骨质疏松模型,C组仅进行手术、不摘除卵巢。造模成功后,分别给予相应药物灌胃,连续给药12周,处死。然后测量骨密度,检测治疗后血清BGP、TGF-β1、钙指标。结果B组大鼠股骨骨密度较C组明显降低(P<0.05);经12周治疗,A组股骨骨密度较B组明显升高(P<0.05)。与C组比较,B组大鼠血清中BGP含量升高、TGF-β1降低(P<0.05);与B组比较,A组大鼠血清中BGP降低、TGF-β1含量升高(P<0.05)。与C组比较,B组大鼠血清Ca水平明显降低(P<0.05);与B组比较,A组大鼠血清Ca水平明显升高(P<0.05)。差异均有统计学意义。结论蛇床子素能够有效通过调节大鼠体内激素分泌改善去卵巢大鼠的骨代谢异常,提高骨密度,对骨质疏松症起到一定的防治作用。     

基于“证治代谢组学”假说探讨中药（单体/复方）药效物质基础的研究思路与实践＊

中药(单体/复方)药效物质基础研究是中医药现代研究的关键问题之一。然而,目前运用的生化和分子生物学方法很难诠释其多靶点、整体性和动态性的整合调节作用。课题组提出的"证治代谢组学"假说理论指出,不同的证候存在"证相关代谢谱群"和"证相关生物标志物",这可能是中药药效物质基础所在,辨证论治后偏离的代谢网络功能呈现回归趋势。基于"证治代谢组学"假说开展中药(单体/复方)药效物质基础研究,这将为阐释中药(单体/复方)防病治病和养生保健的科学内涵及其对疾病个体的整合调节作用提供新的思路。本文以冠心病为研究载体、气阴虚血瘀证为切入点、活血保心丸为干预措施,就该研究思路的内涵与总体模式、提出的背景与依据、实践的方式与可行性、创新与特色及其研究意义等进行了简要介绍。     

β-胡萝卜素立体异构体对环磷酰胺处理小鼠免疫功能的比较研究

就β-胡萝卜素立体异构体对环磷酰胺处理小鼠的免疫功能影响进行了比较研究。结果显示β-胡萝卜素立体异构体对外磷酰胺造成的免疫功能低下具有不同程度的改善作用，提高胸腺和脾脏指数，增强脾脏细胞对刀豆素A（ConA）的反应性和NK活性，血清溶菌酶含量也有所增加。综合各项指标，9-顺式和全反式混合物的作用最明显，提示一定浓度的9-顺式对于提高β-胡萝卜素对机体的总体作用是有一定意义的。