A Local Best Particle Swarm Optimization Based on Crown Jewel Defense Strategy

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a swarm intelligence algorithm well known for its simplicity and high efficiency on various optimization problems. Conventional PSO suffers from premature convergence due to the rapid convergence speed and lack of population diversity. PSO is easy to get trapped in local optimal, which largely deteriorates its performance. It is natural to detect stagnation during the optimization, and reactivate the swarm to search towards the global optimum. In this work the authors impose the reflecting bound-handling scheme and von Neumann topology on PSO to increase the population diversity. A novel Crown Jewel Defense (CJD) strategy is also introduced to restart the swarm when it is trapped in a local optimal. The resultant algorithm named LCJDPSO-rfl is tested on a group of unimodal and multimodal benchmark functions with rotation and shifting, and compared with other state-of-the-art PSO variants. The experimental results demonstrate stability and efficiency of LCJDPSO-rfl on most of the functions.

Do physical exercise and reading reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease? a cross-sectional study on factors associated with Parkinson's disease in elderly Chinese veterans

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for and factors protecting against Parkinson's disease (PD) in elderly Chinese veterans.

METHODS

Using a database containing detailed information on the health status of the nervous system in elderly Chinese veterans, univariate and multivariate analyses of factors that may be associated with PD were performed. Univariate analysis of qualitative data was done using the Pearson Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, and the Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test was used for univariate analysis of quantitative data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for and factors protecting against PD in elderly Chinese veterans.

RESULTS

A total of 9,676 elderly Chinese veterans were enrolled, including 228 cases with PD and 183 cases with Parkinson's syndrome, with 9,265 non-PD subjects serving as controls. Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.343, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.028-1.755) and medical history of essential tremor (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.081-1.396) were identified as independent risk factors for PD, with age being the most important risk factor. Physical exercise (OR 0.478, 95% CI 0.355-0.643) and reading (OR 0.513, 95% CI 0.357-0.735) were identified as independent factors protecting against PD, and physical exercise showed better protection against PD relative to reading. Smoking, alcohol use, anemia, cerebral trauma, education level, and electromagnetic field exposure showed no association with PD.

CONCLUSION

Physical exercise and reading may be independent factors that protect against PD among elderly Chinese veterans, while advancing age and medical history of essential tremor may be independent risk factors for PD. This study was cross-sectional, so further research is needed to confirm its results.

Daphniphyllum alkaloids: recent findings on chemistry and pharmacology

The unique polycyclic fused ring systems of Daphniphyllum alkaloids, along with their extensive bioactivities, make this family of alkaloids especially attractive targets for total synthesis and biogenetic studies. Successive discoveries of new alkaloids with unprecedented skeletons have made a great contribution to structural diversities of alkaloids elaborated by plants of the genus Daphniphyllum. By the end of 2008, more than 200 alkaloids belonging to 14 different skeletal types have been isolated from different parts of plants of thirteen Daphniphyllum species. These alkaloids show cytotoxic, antioxidant, vasorelaxant, and antiplatelet activating factor effects. The plausible biosynthetic pathways for Daphniphyllum alkaloids have been proposed and biomimetic total syntheses of some alkaloids completed. To provide an update of the previous reviews published in 2009, new structures, synthesis, and bioactivity of Daphniphyllum alkaloids reported in recent years are presented in this article. In the meantime, an additional 54 novel alkaloids have been isolated and identified. Among them, some possess unprecedented frameworks. Several inspired organic syntheses were completed.

Anti-bacterial and anti-toxic immunity induced by a killed whole-cell-cholera toxin B subunit cholera vaccine is essential for protection against lethal bacterial infection in mouse pulmonary cholera model

The lack of appropriate animal model for studying protective immunity has limited vaccine development against cholera. Here, we demonstrate a pulmonary cholera model conferred by intranasal administration of mice with live Vibrio cholerae. The bacterial components, but not cholera toxin, caused lethal and acute pneumonia by inducing massive inflammation. Intranasal immunization with Dukoral, comprising killed whole bacteria and recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB), developed both mucosal and systemic antibody responses with protection against the lethal challenge. Either rCTB-free Dukoral or rCTB alone partially protected the mice against the challenge. However, reconstitution of rCTB-free Dukoral with rCTB restored full protection. Parenteral immunization with Dukoral evoked strong systemic immunity without induction of mucosal immunity or protection from the challenge. These results suggest that both anti-bacterial and anti-toxic immunity are required for protection against V. cholerae-induced pneumonia, and this animal model is useful for pre-clinical evaluation of candidate cholera vaccines.

Caesalpins A-H, bioactive cassane-type diterpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax

Eight new cassane-type diterpenes, caesalpins A-H (1-8), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Caesalpinia minax. Compound 1 displayed significant antiproliferative activity against HepG-2 (IC50 4.7 μM) and MCF-7 (IC50 2.1 μM) cells, and compounds 2 and 4 exhibited selective cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 (IC50 7.9 μM) and AGS (IC50 6.5 μM) cells.

Triterpene saponins from Tabellae Clinopodii

Three new triterpene saponins, named Clinoposaponin A, Clinoposaponin B, and Clinoposaponin C along with three known triterpene saponins were isolated from the Tabellae Clinopodii. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic analyses. All of the isolated compounds were tested against Hela, HCT-8, AGS, and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines and showed moderate cytotoxic activities with IC₅₀ values between 4.1 and 19.7 μM.

Accuracy and uncertainty assessment on geostatistical simulation of soil salinity in a coastal farmland using auxiliary variable

Understanding the spatial soil salinity aids farmers and researchers in identifying areas in the field where special management practices are required. Apparent electrical conductivity measured by electromagnetic induction instrument in a fairly quick manner has been widely used to estimate spatial soil salinity. However, methods used for this purpose are mostly a series of interpolation algorithms. In this study, sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) and sequential Gaussian co-simulation (SGCS) algorithms were applied for assessing the prediction accuracy and uncertainty of soil salinity with apparent electrical conductivity as auxiliary variable. Results showed that the spatial patterns of soil salinity generated by SGS and SGCS algorithms showed consistency with the measured values. The profile distribution of soil salinity was characterized by increasing with depth with medium salinization (ECe 4-8 dS/m) as the predominant salinization class. SGCS algorithm privileged SGS algorithm with smaller root mean square error according to the generated realizations. In addition, SGCS algorithm had larger proportions of true values falling within probability intervals and narrower range of probability intervals than SGS algorithm. We concluded that SGCS algorithm had better performance in modeling local uncertainty and propagating spatial uncertainty. The inclusion of auxiliary variable contributed to prediction capability and uncertainty modeling when using densely auxiliary variable as the covariate to predict the sparse target variable.

Clerodendranoic acid, a new phenolic acid from Clerodendranthus spicatus

Phenolic acid derivatives are typical constituents of Clerodendranthus spicatus which were considered to the active principles of this medicinal plant. These chemical constituents with their interesting frameworks and biological significance attracted our attention. As part of our ongoing chemical investigation of C. spicatus using various column chromatography techniques, a new phenolic compound, named clerodendranoic acid (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of C. spicatus together with five known ones, including rosmarinic acid (2), methyl rosmarinate (3), caffeic acid (4), methyl caffeate (5), ethyl caffeate (6). Their structures, including stereochemical configurations, were completely established by extensive spectroscopic methods, mainly inclvolving 1D, 2D NMR, as well as HRESIMS.

[Chemical constituents and antibacterial activity contained in Caesalpinia millettii]

To study chemical constituents contained in roots of Caesalpinia millettii by HPLC. Six homoisoflavonoids were identified by spectroscopic data and physicochemical property as eucomin (1), intricatinol (2), 8-methoxybonducellin (3), bonducellin (4), 8-methoxyisobonducellin (5) and 3-(4-methoxybenzyl) -5, 7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (6). All compounds were separated from the root of this genus for the first time. An antibacterial screening was made on eight monomeric compounds. Among them, 8-methoxyisobonducellin, intricatinol, bergenin, hyperoside and 11-O-galloylbergenin showed a inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella Peneumoniae, Beta streptococcus and Aeruginosus bacillus.

Modulation of the murine microbiome with a concomitant anti-obesity effect by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) constitutes the major part of the total human microbiome and is considered to be an important regulator of human health and host metabolism. Numerous investigations in recent years have focused on the connection between the human microbiota and metabolic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. Yet, little is known about the impact of probiotic consumption on the GIT microbial population and the potential effect on chronic diseases. In this study, the modulation of the microbial community in the murine small intestine resulting from probiotic feeding was investigated and was found to be associated with an anti-obesity effect. Changes in the microbiota of the mouse faeces and small intestine were monitored using quantitative real-time PCR and by following the mRNA expression levels of various obesity-related biomarkers following probiotic feeding in a mouse model. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28 (a putative probiotic strain isolated from kimchi) were administered at a daily level of approximately 1×10(8) viable bacteria per mouse (C57BL/6J mice) for up to three weeks. Feeding these strains resulted in a significant reduction of epididymal fat mass, as well as obesity-related biomarkers like acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 in the liver. The total number and ratio of the microbial groups, i.e. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium cluster I and XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp. were modulated in the small intestine, and the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was decreased. In contrast, no noticeable effect of probiotic feeding could be detected on the faecal microbiota, neither quantitatively, nor with regard to the bacterial groups (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium cluster I and XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp.) studied.

A new triterpene From Uncaria macrophylla and its antitumor activity

On our ongoing investigation, a new oleanolic triterpene, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (1) was obtained from the chloroform-soluble portion of the 90% alcohol-water extract of the stem bark of Uncaria macrophylla. Its structure was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC and HMBC) NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The cytotoxicities of the compound was evaluated against two cancer cell lines of MCF-7 and HepG2 by the MTT method, and the compound exhibited weak activities with the IC₅₀ values of 78.2 µg/mL and 73.9 µg/mL.

A new triterpene from the plant of uncaria macrophylla

Our ongoing investigations on the stem bark of Uncaria macrophylla afforded a new ursolic triterpene, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-24-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1), named uncariursanic acid, and three known ursolic triterpenes including 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-23-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3) and ursolic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The cytotoxicities of the four compounds were evaluated against two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG2) by the MTT method, and only compound 4 exhibited potent activity.

Multihydroxylation of ursolic acid by Pestalotiopsis microspora isolated from the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata

The structural modification of ursolic acid by an endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora, isolated from medicinal plant Huperzia serrata was reported for the first time. The structure diversity was very important for the SAR study of ursolic acid and its derivatives. Incubation of ursolic acid 1 with P. microspora afforded four metabolites: 3-oxo-15α, 30-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β, 15α-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 3β, 15α, 30- trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (4) and 3,4-seco-ursan-4,30-dihydroxy-12-en-3,28-dioic acid (5). All products were new compounds and their structures elucidation was mainly based on the spectroscopic data.

Cambogin is preferentially cytotoxic to cells expressing PDGFR

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) have been implicated in a wide array of human malignancies, including medulloblastoma (MB), the most common brain tumor of childhood. Although significant progress in MB biology and therapeutics has been achieved during the past decades, MB remains a horrible challenge to the physicians and researchers. Therefore, novel inhibitors targeting PDGFR signaling pathway may offer great promise for the treatment of MB. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity and mechanisms of cambogin in Daoy MB cells. Our results show that cambogin triggers significant S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via down regulation of cyclin A and E, and activation of caspases. More importantly, further mechanistic studies demonstrated that cambogin inhibits PDGFR signaling in Daoy and genetically defined mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cell lines. These results suggest that cambogin is preferentially cytotoxic to cells expressing PDGFR. Our findings may provide a novel approach by targeting PDGFR signaling against MB.

Chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation by HPLC-DAD

HPLC fingerprints were developed for the quality evaluation of Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup, together with the simultaneous quantification of eight arylnaphthalide lignans (6'-hydroxy justicidin B, 6'-hydroxy justicidin A, 6'-hydroxy justicidin C, justicidin B, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, justicidin C, taiwanin C, and neojusticin A). Samples were separated with a Shiseido Capcell Pak C(18) reversed-phase column (250×4.6 mm id, 5 μm) using acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The column temperature was maintained at 35°C and the wavelength of detector was set at 256 nm. For fingerprint analysis, 17 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks for the evaluation of the similarities among different J. procumbens samples collected in different places. The structures of lignans were confirmed by diagnostic fragments in the positive ESI-MS(n) . The new method was successfully applied for the chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup. All the results indicated that HPLC fingerprint assay in combination with multi-marker determination afforded a useful method for the quality control of J. procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian-er syrup.

Biotransformation of ursolic acid by an endophytic fungus from medicinal plant Huperzia serrata

Endophytic fungi were used not only for their producing bioactive products but also for their ability to transform natural compounds. An endophytic fungus, isolated from medicinal plant Huperzia serrata, was identified as Umbelopsis isabellina based on the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA-ITS) region. It was used to transform ursolic acid (1), a pentacyclic triterpene. Incubation of ursolic acid with U. isabellina afforded three products, 3β-hydroxy-urs-11-en-28,13-lactone (2), 3β,7β-dihydroxy-urs-11-en-28,13-lactone (3), 1β,3β-dihydroxy-urs-11-en-28,13-lactone (4). Although product 2 was a known compound, it was first obtained by microbial transformation. Products 3 and 4 were new compounds. The structural elucidation of the three compounds was achieved mainly by the 1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, IR data. The endophytic fungus U. isabellina can hydroxyate the C12-C13 double bond at position 13 of ursolic acid 1 and form a five-member lactone effectively. In the meantime, this fungus can also introduce the hydroxyl group at C-1 or C-7 of ursolic acid 1.

[Chemical constituents of Iris dichotoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents in the rhizoma of Iris dichotoma.

METHOD

The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of physiochemical properties and spectral analysis.

RESULT

Eleven compounds, hispidulin (1), rhamnocitrin (2), iristectorigenin A (3), 4', 5, 7, 8-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy isoflavone (4), 6-hydroxybiochanin A (5), iristectorin B (6), iristectorigenin A (7), kaempferol-7-methyl ether (8), tamarixetin-7-glucoside (9), iristectorin A (10), 3', 3, 5-trihydroxy-4', 7-dimethoxy-flavone-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (11) were isolated and identified.

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1-11 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Quantitative determination of lanostane triterpenes in Fomes officinalis and their fragmentation study by HPLC-ESI

INTRODUCTION

The fruit bodies of Fomes officinalis are used for the treatment of coughs, gastric cancer, rheumatism and hydropsia; however, no method is currently available to assess the quality of this medicinal fungus based on quantitative profile of its main triterpenes.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a simple and accurate HPLC-UV method for the simultaneous quantification of five lanostane-type triterpenes in the fruit bodies of F. officinalis.

METHOD

Separations were performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C(18) column by gradient elution using acetonitrile : formic acid. Analytes were identified by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry experiments. The quantitative HPLC-UV method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy and limits of detection and quantification.

RESULTS

Calibration curves presented good linear regression (r > 0.9996) within test ranges. The relative standard deviation of this method was less than 1.7% for intra- and inter-day assays and overall recoveries were 96.4-104.1% for the five compounds analysed. The method was successfully applied to the quantification of five triterpenes in 16 samples of F. officinalis collected from different regions.

CONCLUSION

The developed assay could be considered as a suitable quality control method for F. officinalis.