Rapid Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Monomers Obtained from Biomass-Derived Furfuryl Amines and Maleic Anhydride

Well-controlled and extremely rapid ring-opening metathesis polymerization of unusual oxanorbornene lactam esters by Grubbs third-generation catalyst is used to prepare a range of bio-based homo- and copolymers. Bio-derived oxanorbornene lactam monomers were prepared at room temperature from maleic anhydride and secondary furfuryl amines by using a 100 % atom economical, tandem Diels–Alder lactamization reaction, followed by esterification. Several of the resulting homo- and copolymers show good control over polymer molecular weight and have narrow molecular weight distributions

Grand Challenges in global eye health: a global prioritisation process using Delphi method

Background We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenge

New beta-strand templates constrained by Huisgen cycloaddition

New peptidic templates constrained into a β-strand geometry by linking acetylene and azide containing P(1) and P(3) residues of a tripeptide by Huisgen cycloaddition are presented. The conformations of the macrocycles are defined by NMR studies and those that best define a β-strand are shown to be potent inhibitors of the protease calpain. The β-strand templates presented and defined here are prepared under optimized conditions that should be suitable for targeting a range of proteases and other applications requiring such a geometry.Ashok D. Pehere and Andrew D. Abel

New 26S proteasome inhibitors with high selectivity for chymotrypsin-like activity and p53-dependent cytotoxicity

The 26S proteasome has emerged over the past decade as an attractive therapeutic target in the treatment of cancers. Here, we report new tripeptide aldehydes that are highly specific for the chymotrypsin-like catalytic activity of the proteasome. These new specific proteasome inhibitors demonstrated high potency and specificity for sarcoma cells, with therapeutic windows superior to those observed for benchmark proteasome inhibitors, MG132 and Bortezomib. Constraining the peptide backbone into the β-strand geometry, known to favor binding to a protease, resulted in decreased activity in vitro and reduced anticancer activity. Using these new proteasome inhibitors, we show that the presence of an intact p53 pathway significantly enhances cytotoxic activity, thus suggesting that this tumor suppressor is a critical downstream mediator of cell death following proteasomal inhibition.Paul M. Neilsen, Ashok D. Pehere, Kathleen I. Pishas, David F. Callen, and Andrew D. Abel

Grand Challenges in global eye health: a global prioritisation process using Delphi method

Background: We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods: Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings: Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation: This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenges. Funding: The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Moorfields Eye Charity, National Institute for Health Research Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust, Sightsavers, The Fred Hollows Foundation, The Seva Foundation, British Council for the Prevention of Blindness, and Christian Blind Mission. Translations: For the French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic and Persian translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.</p