Matt Baker

ACE2 activation promotes antithrombotic activity.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the activation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2/angiotensin-(1–7)/Mas receptor axis by use of a novel ACE2 activator (XNT) would protect against thrombosis. Thrombi were induced in the vena cava of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, and ACE2 and ACE activity in the thrombus was determined. Real-time thrombus formation was viewed through intravital microscopy of vessels in nude mice. Thrombus weight was 40% greater in the SHR (4.99 ± 0.39 versus 7.04 ± 0.66 mg). This weight increase was associated with a 20% decrease in ACE2 activity in the thrombus. In contrast, there were no differences between the WKY and SHR in ACE2 protein and ACE activity in the thrombi. ACE2 inhibition (DX600; 0.1 µmol/L/kg) increased thrombus weight by 30% and XNT treatment (10 mg/kg) resulted in a 30% attenuation of thrombus formation in the SHR. Moreover, XNT reduced platelet attachment to injured vessels, reduced thrombus size, and prolonged the time for complete vessel occlusion in mice. Thus, a decrease in thrombus ACE2 activity is associated with increased thrombus formation in SHR. Furthermore, ACE2 activation attenuates thrombus formation and reduces platelet attachment to vessels. These results suggest that ACE2 could be a novel target for the treatment of thrombogenic diseases.

Benzotrifuranone: synthesis, structure, and access to polycyclic heteroaromatics.

Functionalized benzotrifurans can be accessed in one efficient acylation step from previously unreported benzotrifuranone. DFT calculations have confirmed the aromaticity of the heteroaromatic system and determined its electronic structure that is relevant to applications in materials and supramolecular chemistry.

ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas axis stimulates vascular repair-relevant functions of CD34+ cells

CD34(+) stem/progenitor cells have been identified as a promising cell population for the autologous cell-based therapies in patients with cardiovascular disease. The counter-regulatory axes of renin angiotensin system, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/Ang II/angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor, play an important role in the cardiovascular repair. This study evaluated the expression and vascular repair-relevant functions of these two pathways in human CD34(+) cells. CD34(+) cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs), obtained from healthy volunteers. Expression of ACE, ACE2, AT1, and angiotensin type 2 and Mas receptors were determined. Effects of Ang II, Ang-(1-7), Norleu(3)-Ang-(1-7), and ACE2 activators, xanthenone (XNT) and diminazene aceturate (DIZE) on proliferation, migration, and adhesion of CD34(+) cells were evaluated. ACE2 and Mas were relatively highly expressed in CD34(+) cells compared with MNCs. Ang-(1-7) or its analog, Norleu(3)-Ang-(1-7), stimulated proliferation of CD34(+) cells that was associated with decrease in phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 levels and was inhibited by triciribin, an AKT inhibitor. Migration of CD34(+) cells was enhanced by Ang-(1-7) or Norleu(3)-Ang-(1-7) that was decreased by a Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632. In the presence of Ang II, XNT or DIZE enhanced proliferation and migration that were blocked by DX-600, an ACE2 inhibitor. Treatment of MNCs with Ang II, before the isolation of CD34(+) cells, attenuated the proliferation and migration to stromal derived factor-1α. This attenuation was reversed by apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Adhesion of MNCs or CD34(+) cells to fibronectin was enhanced by Ang II and was unaffected by Ang-(1-7). This study suggests that ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas pathway stimulates functions of CD34(+) cells that are cardiovascular protective, whereas Ang II attenuates these functions by acting on MNCs. These findings imply that activation of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis is a promising approach for enhancing reparative outcomes of cell-based therapies.

Molecular multifunctionalization via electronically coupled lactones

Synthetic access to discrete multifunctionalized molecules remains a challenge but is critical for continued advances in materials science, catalysis, and chemical biology. Here, the aminolysis of electronically coupled lactones is introduced as an approach to achieve molecular multifunctionalization efficiently, under mild conditions, and without protecting groups or by-products. The one-pot sequential aminolysis of benzotrifuranone, a C3h-symmetric trilactone, to produce a trifunctionalized target in ∼85% yield over one day is highlighted.

Rapid access to C 3- and C s-symmetric AAT organogelators via ring opening of a common benzotrifuranone precursor

Presented is a rapid and general approach to functionalised 1-aza-adamantanetrione (AAT) donor-σ-acceptor molecules from a phloroglucinol-derived trilactone, benzotrifuranone (BTF). Ten C 3-symmetric AATs bearing diverse aryl amide substituents are accessed in two synthetic steps: (1) the exhaustive ring opening of BTF with aromatic amine nucleophiles (performed in up to 91% yield) and (2) cyclisation with hexamethylenetetramine (performed in up to 75% yield). Additionally, stepwise ring opening of BTF allows synthesis of phloroglucinol intermediates with two unique aryl amide substituents and ultimately C s-symmetric AATs. Of the novel AATs prepared, three (including the C s-symmetric hybrid) are effective gelators of chlorinated solvents (critical gelation concentration (CGC) = 0.2–0.4 wt%) and one, with naphthyl substituents, forms translucent gels from aromatic solvents (CGC∼0.3 wt%). The combination of AATs with moderately electron-poor and electron-rich aromatic substituents results in functional complementarity and gelation at concentrations below what is required for the individual components. Electron microscopy of the gel morphologies shows high aspect ratio fibres underlying the gel network superstructures in most cases. Polarised optical microscopy has allowed imaging of representative native organogel phases, and reveals striking morphology differences between gels that also share different optical and/or thermal stability properties.

Examining the Critical Moments in Information Processing of Water Conservation Videos within Young Farmers and Ranchers: A Psychophysiological Analysis

Discussions on how to conserve and provide enough water has become one of the most highly debated issues in modern society. Although many Extension efforts have engaged the public in understanding behavior and attitudes toward water conservation, limited research has focused on understanding how agriculturalists respond to water conservation messages. The goal of this study was to employ the use of a psychophysiological measure to determine what message components elicited increased information processing during exposure to two water conservation videos. When the two videos were compared in total, no significant difference in heart rate was observed. However, a more granular analysis of phasic or short-term periods of heart rate deceleration revealed five segments of increased cognitive resource allocation while viewing the scientific video and three segments during the testimonial evidence video. Finally, self-report data approached statistical significance, with the subjects reporting greater elaboration while viewing the testimonial evidence video compared to the scientific video treatment. These findings provide unique evidence suggesting that farmers and ranchers allocate greater cognitive resources to scientific evidence, on screen graphics, and narrated statistics.

An Examination of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' Involvement in Agriculture Knowledge Mobilization

It is estimated the global population will reach 9 billion by the year 2050. This growth in population presents a very imposing problem for agriculture. A potential solution to increasing agricultural production is the mobilization of information through agricultural innovation systems. What has not been studied is the role the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has in this system. This study sought to describe the IFAJ and its membership’s knowledge mobilization role within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), describe the issues facing the membership related to agricultural innovation systems, and record the practices members feel are best to identify stories of interest, create media pieces, and disseminate those media pieces. The results of the study indicate the majority of respondents work as journalists/reporters and a large portion of organizations employ fewer than five people. In respect to the AKIS model, the largest portion of respondents saw themselves as facilitators of knowledge movement. Despite some similarities, differences were revealed between the employment category types found within the IFAJ membership in their perceived objectivity when it comes to their role within AKIS. Talking to stakeholders was the most popular method of identifying stories of interest, involving the farm perspective was most popular strategy for the creation of interesting media pieces, and the use of digital and traditional media was the most popular method to disseminate their work. As IFAJ continues its dedication to providing helpful information to the world ’s farmers, the organization should realize its membership is not unified in its approach.