Long-chain polyphosphates impair SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication

Long-chain, inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs), which are found in many cells in the blood, have cytoprotective and antiviral activities, particularly against HIV-1 infection. Ferrucci et al. tested the effects of polyPs of various lengths on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro. Molecular docking and binding analyses showed that polyPs bound to the host receptor ACE2, which facilitates viral entry, and a viral RNA polymerase required for replication. Both proteins underwent proteasomal degradation in cells incubated with polyP120, the optimal species tested, resulting in inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and a reduced inflammatory response. Given that polyPs have low toxicity, these results suggest that their potential therapeutic use should be further explored.

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs) are linear polymers composed of repeated phosphate (PO₄³⁻) units linked together by multiple high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds. In addition to being a source of energy, polyPs have cytoprotective and antiviral activities. Here, we investigated the antiviral activities of long-chain polyPs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In molecular docking analyses, polyPs interacted with several conserved amino acid residues in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the host receptor that facilitates virus entry, and in viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). ELISA and limited proteolysis assays using nano– LC-MS/MS mapped polyP120 binding to ACE2, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed interactions between ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and identified the specific amino acid residues involved. PolyP120 enhanced the proteasomal degradation of both ACE2 and RdRp, thus impairing replication of the British B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant. We thus tested polyPs for functional interactions with the virus in SARS-CoV-2–infected Vero E6 and Caco2 cells and in primary human nasal epithelial cells. Delivery of a nebulized form of polyP120 reduced the amounts of viral positive-sense genomic and subgenomic RNAs, of RNA transcripts encoding proinflammatory cytokines, and of viral structural proteins, thereby presenting SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells in vitro.

Experimental study of a compact piezoelectric micro-perforated panel absorber with adjustable acoustic property

This work aims to investigate the acoustic characteristics of a piezoelectric micro-perforated panel (MPP) absorber, which is made of a perforated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film with a backed airgap of 2 cm, as a combination of an active component and passive absorber. In addition to its inherent passive dissipation, as the PVDF-MPP was driven with proper voltages and oscillation frequencies, sound absorption coefficients of the absorber adjacent to the driving frequencies were significantly increased. Compared with mostly previous reported hybrid passive-active absorbers, this one is more compact, and its acoustic property is adjustable, it may provide an approach to achieve intelligent noise control.

The Association between Facial Fracture Patterns and Traumatic Head Injury in Injured Motorcycle Riders According to Helmet Use Status

Objective

This study was undertaken to identify the association between facial fracture patterns and traumatic head injury in injured motorcycle riders.

Methods

Retrospective study design. We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent facial bone computed tomography (CT) and brain CT simultaneously among the injured motorcycle riders between May 2009 and July 2011. Data collected included age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), facial fracture patterns, head protective device (helmet) use, alcohol intake, time of accident and seat position. Facial fracture patterns were grouped as upper, mid, and lower face. Traumatic head injury (THI) included skull fracture, brain haemorrhage and diffuse axonal injury.

Results

Of the 154 patients included, 138 (89.6%) were male, 57 (37%) had facial fracture, 69 (44.8%) wore helmets and 30 (19.5%) had THI. Their mean age was 29.0+15.0 years. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, THI was associated with GCS, seat position of riders and accident time. THI was correlated with the combination of upper and midfacial fractures in helmeted group and isolated upper facial fracture or the combination of upper and midfacial fractures in unhelmeted group. The rest of facial fracture patterns were not correlated with THI regardless of helmet.

Conclusions

The combination of upper and midfacial fractures are the risk factor of THI regardless of helmet. The patients with the combination of upper and midfacial fractures should be further evaluated for head injury regardless of helmet.

Biofunctionalization of CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles

CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles (short pillar-like morphology with an average length and width of 11 and 5 nm, respectively) were successfully prepared by a polyol process using diethyleneglycol (DEG) as solvent. After being functionalized with a SiO(2)-NH(2) layer, these CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles can be conjugated with biotin molecules (activated by thionyl chloride) and further with avidin. The as-formed CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles, CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles functionalized with amino groups, biotin conjugated amino-functionalized CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles and biotinylated CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles bonded with avidin were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV/vis absorption spectra and luminescence spectra, respectively. The biofunctionalization of the CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles has less effect on their luminescence properties, i.e. they still show strong green emission (from Tb(3+), with (5)D(4)-(7)F(5) at 543 nm as the most prominent group), indicative of the great potential for these CeF(3):Tb(3+) nanoparticles to be used as biological fluorescence probes.

[Two new glycosides from Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents from the upground part of Erigeron breviscapus.

METHOD

The compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and 2D-NMR.

RESULT

Two new compounds were isolated and identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy flavonod-7-O-beta-D-pyranglycuronate buthyl ester(VI) and 3,5-dimethoxy benzene carbonic acid-4-O-beta-D-pyranglucose(VII).

CONCLUSION

Compounds VI and VII were new compounds.

[Study on the structure and activity of new phenolic acid compounds from Erigeron breviscapus]

AIM

To isolate and identify the active constituents of Erigeron brevisapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and two new compounds were obtained. Their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, DEPT and 2DNMR. The injury of BCMEC (bovine cerebral microvascular endothelial cell) was determined by lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), the ability of the drugs anti-oxidation and scavenging oxidation of free radical was measured by colorimetric method.

RESULTS

Two new compounds have been identified as 1-O-methyl-3, 5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester (III) and 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (IV).

CONCLUSION

Compounds III and IV are new compounds. Compound III can protect BCMEC injury by LPC.

[Studies on flavone constituents of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Erigeron breviscapus.

METHOD

The constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and physical data.

RESULT

Five compounds were isolated and identified as 3, 5, 6, 4'-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxy flavonoid(I); 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy flavonoid(II); 3, 5, 6, 7, 4'-pentahydroxy flavonoid(III); scutellarein (IV) and 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy flavanone(V).

CONCLUSION

Compounds I, III and V were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Two new caffeoyl conjugation from Erigeron breviscapus

Two new constituents with a novel basic skeleton were isolated from Erigeron breviscapus. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 1R,3R-dihydroxy-4S,5R-dicaffeoyloxy cyclohexane carboxylic acid methyl ester (V), 1,4-dihydroxy-3R,5R-dicaffeoyloxy cyclohexane carboxylic acid methyl ester (VI).