Flavane Dimers From Psychotria calocarpa and Their Enzyme Inhibition Activities.

Eight dimeric flavanes were isolated from the plant Psychotria calocarpa (Rubiaceae), including four stereoisomeric flavan-flavan-3-ol dimers (1-4) and four stereoisomeric flavan-3-ol-flavan-3-ol dimers (5-8). Among them, compounds 1-3 are newly identified flavan-(4→8)-flavan-3-ol dimers, named psychodiflavanols A-C, respectively. Their structures were elucidated by a comprehensive spectroscopic analysis combined with the quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism spectra.

Proteome of oocyte spindle identifies Ccdc69 regulates spindle assembly like "band-tightening spell".

Meiotic spindle is an intricate structure and required for chromosome segregation and the proper meiotic progression during oocyte maturation, and its function is regulated by a complex network of proteins located at spindle and its peripheral region. However, proteome of meiotic spindle remains poorly characterized. Here, we acquired the proteomic profile of spindles isolated from metaphase I (MI) and metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes.

Two Transcriptional Factors Antagonistically Fine-Tune MIR1863a to Balance Resistance and Yield Traits in Rice.

Immune activation usually trades off growth, leading to yield loss. Genes that coordinate resistance and yield are urgently required for crop improvement. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) provide rich candidates for coordinating resistance with yield.

Re-establishment of H3K9me2 eliminates the transcriptional inhibition of ST18 on meiotic genes and orchestrates female germ cell development.

Epigenetic reprogramming is widespread and highly active during gametogenesis, which is usually involving in the expression of critical genes. The expression of genes couple with transcription activation, and the transcriptional regulation by transcription factors predetermine protein translation for biological processes. In this study, we found that EHMT1-mediated re-establishment of H3K9me2 played crucial roles in the progression of meiosis in female germ cells.

New C-steroidal glycosides with cytotoxic activities from Cynanchum otophyllum roots.

Fourteen C-steroidal glycosides were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum, including five previously undescribed compounds, namely cynotosides A-E (1-5). Their structures were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic data, HR-ESI-MS and ECD calculation. All the compounds were tested for cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2).

Sesquiterpenes and Lignans From the Branches and Leaves of Wikstroemia micrantha.

One new sesquiterpene wikstromicrol (1), 1 new lignan (7R, 8S, 8'S)-9-acetoxyl (-)-isolariciresinol (8), and 12 known compounds were isolated from the branches and leaves of Wikstroemia micrantha. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive interpretation of spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism spectra. The bioactivity assay showed that compounds 6 and 7 had weak cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HCT-116, and HL-60 cell lines with IC values ranging from 33.

Cynbungenins A-K, structurally diverse steroids with cytotoxic activity from the roots of Cynanchum bungei Decne.

Chemical investigation of the acid hydrolysate of Cynanchum bungei roots led to the isolation of eleven undescribed steroids, namely cynbungenins A-K (1-11), and seven previously described analogues (12-18). The complete structures of these compounds were elucidated using the comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and reference data. Structurally, compounds 1 and 2 represent the first example of androstane-type steroids found in the Cynanchum plants, and compounds 3-6 and 12 are characterized as pregnane-type steroids with a rare 8,14-seco-steroid core.

Cardiac glycosides with cytotoxic activity from the seeds of Thevetia peruviana.

Phytochemical investigation on the extract of the seeds of Thevetia peruviana resulted in the isolation of six new cardiac glycosides, namely theveperosides A-F (1-6), including a rare 19-nor-cardenolide (1), together with seven known analogues (7-13). The chemical structures of these compounds were determined based on detailed spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxic activities of 1-13 were evaluated against MCF-7, HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and their structure-activity relationships (SARs) were investigated.

Loss of UBE2S causes meiosis I arrest with normal spindle assembly checkpoint dynamics in mouse oocytes.

The timely degradation of proteins that regulate the cell cycle is essential for oocyte maturation. Oocytes are equipped to degrade proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In meiosis, anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), an E3 ubiquitin-ligase, is responsible for the degradation of proteins.

Analysis of the influencing factors and clinical related characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: In China, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among diabetic patients is estimated to be between 90%-95%. Additionally, China is among the 22 countries burdened by a high number of tuberculosis cases, with approximately 4.5 million individuals affected by active tuberculosis.

Structurally diverse cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the tubers of Hemsleya chinensis with cytotoxic activity.

Ten previously undescribed cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, namely hemslyencins A-F (1-6) and hemslyencosides A-D (7-10), together with twenty previously reported compounds (11-30), were isolated from the tubers of Hemsleya chinensis. Their structures were elucidated by unambiguous spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data). Hemslyencins A and B (1 and 2) possessing unique 9, 11-seco-ring system with a six-membered lactone moiety, were the first examples among of the cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, and hemslyencins C and D (3 and 4) and hemslyencoside D (10) are the infrequent pentacyclic cucurbitane triterpenes featuring a 6/6/6/5/6 fused system.

Histone lactylation inhibits RARγ expression in macrophages to promote colorectal tumorigenesis through activation of TRAF6-IL-6-STAT3 signaling.

Macrophages are phenotypically and functionally diverse in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, how to remodel macrophages with a protumor phenotype and how to manipulate them for therapeutic purposes remain to be explored. Here, we show that in the TME, RARγ is downregulated in macrophages, and its expression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Identification of NADPH Oxidase Genes Crucial for Rice Multiple Disease Resistance and Yield Traits.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as a group of signaling molecules in rice functioning in regulation of development and stress responses. Respiratory burst oxidase homologues (Rbohs) are key enzymes in generation of ROS. However, the role of the nine Rboh family members was not fully understood in rice multiple disease resistance and yield traits.

TRIM21 is a druggable target for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer through ubiquitination and activation of MST2.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is characterized by poorer prognosis of patients and limited therapeutic approach, partly due to the lack of effective target. Using mouse models and tumor organoids, this study reported a tripartite motif 21 (TRIM21) protein, exerting potential inhibitory effects on the invasion and metastasis of CRC. Mechanistically, TRIM21 directly interacted with and ubiquitinated MST2 at lysine 473 (K473) via K63-linkage.

Paeoniflorin Coordinates Macrophage Polarization and Mitigates Liver Inflammation and Fibrogenesis by Targeting the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1α Pathway in CCl-Induced Liver Fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a disease largely driven by resident and recruited macrophages. The phenotypic switch of hepatic macrophages can be achieved by chemo-attractants and cytokines. During a screening of plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in China, paeoniflorin was identified as a potential drug that affects the polarization of macrophages.

SNS alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice by regluating dendritic spines via NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Depression is one of the most common mood disturbances worldwide. The Si-ni-san formula (SNS) is a famous classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) widely used to treat depression for thousands of years in clinics. However, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of SNS in improving depression-like behaviors following chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) remains unknown.

Screening of candidate genes related to differences in growth and development between Chinese indigenous and Western pig breeds.

Neijiang (NJ) and Yacha (YC) are two indigenous pig breeds in the Sichuan basin of China, displaying higher resistance to diseases, lower lean ratio, and slower growth rate than the commercial Western pig breed Yorkshire (YS). The molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in growth and development between these pig breeds are still unknown. In the present study, five pigs from NJ, YC, and YS breeds were subjected to the whole genome resequencing, and then the differential single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened using a 10-kb window sliding in 1-kb step using the F method.

Ambulatory Smartwatch ECG Monitoring among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Early after Discharge: An Observational Study.

Background: As an emerging arrhythmia monitor, ambulatory smartwatch electrocardiogram (ECG) provides an option for home-based monitoring of delayed new-onset arrhythmic events after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We aimed to validate the diagnostic efficacy of a consumer smartwatch ECG in TAVR recipients, while further explore the occurrence rate of both tachy- and brady-arrhythmia for 30 days after discharge to support risk management.

Methods: Consecutive TAVR recipients from February 26th, 2021 to December 13th, 2021 were enrolled prospectively, receiving simultaneous 24-hour Holter and 12-lead ECG compared with smartwatch ECG during hospitalization and daily smartwatch ECG collection for 30 days after discharge.

Golovinomyces cichoracearum effector-associated nuclear localization of RPW8.2 amplifies its expression to boost immunity in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.2 (RPW8.2) is specifically induced by the powdery mildew (PM) fungus (Golovinomyces cichoracearum) in the infected epidermal cells to activate immunity.

Erratum: MicroRNA-30a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in MHCC-97H hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting COX-2: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/jca.52298.

Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Novel Steroidal Derivatives with D-Ring Fused or Substituted N-Heterocyclic Systems.

A series of novel D-ring fused or substituted steroidal N-heterocycles were synthesized, and their chemical structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The anticancer activity of these compounds against four human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, H1299, HeLa and HepG2) were evaluated and the structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also investigated. Compound 3c displayed significant inhibitory activity on the four cancer cells with IC values ranging from 3.

Three new cardenolides from the fruits of (L.) Lippold and their cytotoxic activities.

Phytochemical investigations on the fruits of (L.) Lippold led to obtain three new cardenolides (-) and five known analogues (-). Their structures were elucidated by means of UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis.