[Reference values of skeletal muscle mass for children in Nanjing area]

Objective: To establish the reference values and growth curves of skeletal muscle mass among children in the Nanjing area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children who underwent physical examination at the Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2020 January to 2022 September. Their height, weight, body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass were measured. Body mass index, percentage of body fat mass, percentage of skeletal muscle mass, relative skeletal muscle mass index and the ratio of skeletal muscle to body fat were calculated. The associations between skeletal muscle mass indices and physical measurements index were analyzed through the Spearman correlation test. The Mann-Kendall test was used to assess the trend for skeletal muscle mass. Generalized additive models for location, scale and shape were used to construct percentile reference values and growth curves of male and female skeletal muscle mass indices at different ages. Results: A total of 32 690 children aged 4-14 years were enrolled in this study, including 19 912 boys (60.91%). Skeletal muscle mass, percentage of skeletal muscle mass, relative skeletal muscle mass index and the ratio of skeletal muscle to body fat of boys and girls was 11.10 (8.40, 14.90) and 10.30 (7.90, 13.20) kg, 40.36% (37.01%, 43.13%) and 39.38% (36.43%, 41.88%), 6.70 (6.07, 7.52) and 6.33 (5.79, 7.00), 2.39 (1.46, 3.47) and 2.14 (1.45, 3.00) kg/m2, respectively. Skeletal muscle mass of both boys and girls was all positively associated with weight (r=0.97, 0.96), body mass index (r=0.68, 0.63) and percentage of body fat mass (r=0.40, 0.43) (all P<0.01). The reference values and growth curves showed that the percentage of skeletal muscle mass P50 ranged from 37.75%-44.61% in boys and from 36.22%-40.55% in girls. The relative skeletal muscle mass index P50 ranged from 5.80-9.68 kg/m2 in boys and from 5.57-7.98 kg/m2 in girls. The ratio of skeletal muscle to body fat P50 ranged from 1.86-2.67 in boys and from 1.29-2.41 in girls. There was an increasing trend with age for both boys and girls in the growth of skeletal muscle mass (Z=4.20, 3.75, both Ptrend<0.01), and increased slightly before 9 years of age and then increased rapidly until 14 years of age in both boys and girls. Conclusions: The skeletal muscle mass indices change with age and gender during childhood. Percentile reference values for pediatric skeletal muscle mass indices can be used to evaluate the muscular growth and development in children in the Nanjing area.

Evolution-inspired engineering of nonribosomal peptide synthetases

Many clinically used drugs are derived from or inspired by bacterial natural products that often are produced through nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), megasynthetases that activate and join individual amino acids in an assembly line fashion. In this work, we describe a detailed phylogenetic analysis of several bacterial NRPSs that led to the identification of yet undescribed recombination sites within the thiolation (T) domain that can be used for NRPS engineering. We then developed an evolution-inspired "eXchange Unit between T domains" (XUT) approach, which allows the assembly of NRPS fragments over a broad range of GC contents, protein similarities, and extender unit specificities, as demonstrated for the specific production of a proteasome inhibitor designed and assembled from five different NRPS fragments.

Genome Mining Enabled by Biosynthetic Characterization Uncovers a Class of Benzoxazolinate-Containing Natural Products in Diverse Bacteria

Benzoxazolinate is a rare bis-heterocyclic moiety that interacts with proteins and DNA and confers extraordinary bioactivities on natural products, such as C-1027. However, the biosynthetic gene responsible for the key cyclization step of benzoxazolinate remains unclear. Herein, we show a putative acyl AMP-ligase responsible for the last cyclization step. We used the enzyme as a probe for genome mining and discovered that the orphan benzobactin gene cluster in entomopathogenic bacteria prevails across Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. It turns out that Pseudomonas chlororaphis produces various benzobactins, whose biosynthesis is highlighted by a synergistic effect of two unclustered genes encoding enzymes on boosting benzobactin production; the formation of non-proteinogenic 2-hydroxymethylserine by a serine hydroxymethyltransferase; and the types I and II NRPS architecture for structural diversity. Our findings reveal the biosynthetic potential of a widespread benzobactin gene cluster.

[Sacubitril/valsartan attenuates left ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function by upregulating apelin/APJ pathway in rats with heart failure]

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of sacubitril/valsartan on left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in rats with heart failure. Methods: A total of 46 SPF-grade male Wistar rats weighed 300-350 g were acclimatized to the laboratory for 7 days. Rats were then divided into 4 groups: the heart failure group (n=12, intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin hydrochloride 2.5 mg/kg once a week for 6 consecutive weeks, establishing a model of heart failure); heart failure+sacubitril/valsartan group (treatment group, n=12, intragastric administration with sacubitril/valsartan 1 week before the first injection of adriamycin, at a dose of 60 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 for 7 weeks); heart failure+sacubitril/valsartan+APJ antagonist F13A group (F13A group, n=12, adriamycin and sacubitril/valsartan, intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg·kg^-1·d^-1 APJ antagonist F13A for 7 weeks) and control group (n=10, intraperitoneal injection of equal volume of normal saline). One week after the last injection of adriamycin or saline, transthoracic echocardiography was performed to detect the cardiac structure and function, and then the rats were executed, blood and left ventricular specimens were obtained for further analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed to analyze the left ventricular pathological change and myocardial fibrosis. TUNEL staining was performed to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. mRNA expression of left ventricular myocardial apelin and APJ was detected by RT-qRCR. ELISA was performed to detect plasma apelin-12 concentration. The protein expression of left ventricular myocardial apelin and APJ was detected by Western blot. Results: Seven rats survived in the heart failure group, 10 in the treatment group, and 8 in the F13A group. Echocardiography showed that the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and the left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) were higher (both P<0.05), while the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were lower in the heart failure group than in the control group (both P<0.05). Compared with the heart failure group, rats in the treatment group were featured with lower LVEDD and LVESD (both P<0.05), higher LVEF and LVFS (both P<0.05), these beneficial effects were reversed in rats assigned to F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). The results of HE staining showed that the cardiomyocytes of rats in the control group were arranged neatly and densely structured, the cardiomyocytes in the heart failure group were arranged in disorder, distorted and the gap between cells was increased, the cardiomyocytes in the treatment group were slightly neat and dense, and cardiomyocytes in the F13A group were featured similarly as the heart failure group. Masson staining showed that there were small amount of collagen fibers in the left ventricular myocardial interstitium of the control group, while left ventricular myocardial fibrosis was significantly increased, and collagen volume fraction (CVF) was significantly higher in the heart failure group than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the heart failure group, the left ventricular myocardial fibrosis and the CVF were reduced in the treatment group (both P<0.05), these effects were reversed in the F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis index (AI) of cardiomyocytes in rats was higher in the heart failure group compared with the control group (P<0.05), which was reduced in the treatment group (P<0.05 vs. heart failure group), this effect again was reversed in the F13A group (P<0.05 vs. treatment group). The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA and protein levels of apelin and APJ in left ventricular myocardial tissue of rats were downregulated in heart failure group (all P<0.05) compared with the control group. Compared with the heart failure group, the mRNA and protein levels of apelin and APJ were upregulated in the treatment group (all P<0.05), these effects were reversed in the F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). ELISA test showed that the plasma apelin concentration of rats was lower in the heart failure group compared with the control group (P<0.05); compared with the heart failure group, the plasma apelin concentration of rats was higher in the treatment group (P<0.05), this effect was reversed in the F13A group (P<0.05 vs. treatment group). Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan can partially reverse left ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure through modulating Apelin/APJ pathways.

Cleavage Off-Loading and Post-assembly-Line Conversions Yield Products with Unusual Termini during Biosynthesis

Piscibactins and photoxenobactins are metallophores and virulence factors, whose biosynthetic gene cluster, termed pxb, is the most prevalent polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase hybrid cluster across entomopathogenic bacteria. They are structurally similar to yersiniabactin, which contributes to the virulence of the human pathogen Yersinia pestis. However, the pxb-derived products feature various chain lengths and unusual carboxamide, thiocarboxylic acid, and dithioperoxoate termini, which are rarely found in thiotemplated biosyntheses. Here, we characterize the pxb biosynthetic logic by gene deletions, site-directed mutagenesis, and isotope labeling experiments. Notably, we propose that it involves (1) heterocyclization domains with various catalytic efficiencies catalyzing thiazoline and amide/thioester bond formation and (2) putative C–N and C–S bond cleavage off-loading manners, which lead to products with different chain lengths and usual termini. Additionally, the post-assembly-line spontaneous conversions of the biosynthetic end product contribute to production titers of the other products in the culture medium. This study broadens our knowledge of thiotemplated biosynthesis and how bacterial host generate a chemical arsenal.

Occurrence and chemotaxonomical analysis of amatoxins in Lepiota spp. (Agaricales)

About 95% of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide are caused by amatoxins and phallotoxins mostly produced by species of Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota. The genus Lepiota is supposed to include a high number of species producing amatoxins. In this study, we investigated 16 species of Lepiota based on 48 recently collected specimens for the presence of amatoxins by liquid chromatography coupled to a diode-array detector and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). By comparing the retention times, UV absorptions, and diagnostic MS fragment ions with data obtained from the benchmark species Amanita phalloides, we detected α-amanitin and γ-amanitin in Lepiota subincarnata, α-amanitin and amaninamide in Lepiota brunneoincarnata, and β-amanitin and α-amanitin in Lepiota elaiophylla. Phallotoxins have not been detected any of these species. Two possibly undescribed amatoxin derivatives were found in Lepiota boudieri and L. elaiophylla, as well as one further non-amatoxin compound in one specimen of L. cf. boudieri. These compounds might be used to differentiate L. elaiophylla from L. xanthophylla and species within the L. boudieri species complex. No amatoxins were detected in L. aspera, L. castanea, L. clypeolaria, L. cristata, L. erminea, L. felina, L. fuscovinacea, L. lilacea, L. magnispora, L. oreadiformis, L. pseudolilacea, L. sp. (SeSa 5), and L. subalba. By combining the occurrence data of amatoxins with a phylogenetic analysis, a monophyletic group of amatoxin containing species of Lepiota is evident. These chemotaxonomic results highlight the relevance of systematic relationships for the occurrence of amatoxins and expand our knowledge about the toxicity of species of Lepiota.

Glutaredoxins regulate maize inflorescence meristem development via redox control of TGA transcriptional activity

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small oxidoreductases that can modify target protein activities through control of the redox (reduction/oxidation) state by reducing or glutathionylating disulfide bridges. Although CC-type GRXs are plant specific and play important roles in many processes, the mechanisms by which they modulate the activity of target proteins in vivo are unknown. In this study, we show that a maize CC-type GRX, MALE STERILE CONVERTED ANTHER1 (MSCA1), acts redundantly with two paralogues, ZmGRX2 and ZmGRX5, to modify the redox state and the activity of its putative target, the TGA transcription factor FASCIATED EAR4 (FEA4) that acts as a negative regulator of inflorescence meristem development. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to create a GRX triple knockout, resulting in severe suppression of meristem, ear and tassel growth and reduced plant height. We further show that GRXs regulate the redox state, DNA accessibility and transcriptional activities of FEA4, which acts downstream of MSCA1 and its paralogues to control inflorescence development. Our findings reveal the function of GRXs in meristem development, and also provide direct evidence for GRX-mediated redox modification of target proteins in plants.

Integrating genomics and metabolomics for scalable non-ribosomal peptide discovery

Non-Ribosomal Peptides (NRPs) represent a biomedically important class of natural products that include a multitude of antibiotics and other clinically used drugs. NRPs are not directly encoded in the genome but are instead produced by metabolic pathways encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Since the existing genome mining tools predict many putative NRPs synthesized by a given BGC, it remains unclear which of these putative NRPs are correct and how to identify post-assembly modifications of amino acids in these NRPs in a blind mode, without knowing which modifications exist in the sample. To address this challenge, here we report NRPminer, a modification-tolerant tool for NRP discovery from large (meta)genomic and mass spectrometry datasets. We show that NRPminer is able to identify many NRPs from different environments, including four previously unreported NRP families from soil-associated microbes and NRPs from human microbiota. Furthermore, in this work we demonstrate the anti-parasitic activities and the structure of two of these NRP families using direct bioactivity screening and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, illustrating the power of NRPminer for discovering bioactive NRPs.

Nonribosomal Peptides Produced by Minimal and Engineered Synthetases with Terminal Reductase Domains

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) use terminal reductase domains for 2‐electron reduction of the enzyme‐bound thioester releasing the generated peptides as C‐terminal aldehydes. Herein, we reveal the biosynthesis of a pyrazine that originates from an aldehyde‐generating minimal NRPS termed ATRed in entomopathogenic Xenorhabdus indica. Reductase domains were also investigated in terms of NRPS engineering and, although no general applicable approach was deduced, we show that they can indeed be used for the production of similar natural and unnatural pyrazinones.

Cyclo(tetrahydroxybutyrate) production is sufficient to distinguish between Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus isolates in Thailand

Bacteria of the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus produce a plethora of natural products to support their similar symbiotic life cycles. For many of these compounds, the specific bioactivities are unknown. One common challenge in natural product research when trying to prioritize research efforts is the rediscovery of identical (or highly similar) compounds from different strains. Linking genome sequence to metabolite production can help in overcoming this problem. However, sequences are typically not available for entire collections of organisms. Here, we perform a comprehensive metabolic screening using HPLC-MS data associated with a 114-strain collection (58 Photorhabdus and 56 Xenorhabdus) across Thailand and explore the metabolic variation among the strains, matched with several abiotic factors. We utilize machine learning in order to rank the importance of individual metabolites in determining all given metadata. With this approach, we were able to prioritize metabolites in the context of natural product investigations, leading to the identification of previously unknown compounds. The top three highest ranking features were associated with Xenorhabdus and attributed to the same chemical entity, cyclo(tetrahydroxybutyrate). This work also addresses the need for prioritization in high-throughput metabolomic studies and demonstrates the viability of such an approach in future research.

Nucleoside and N-acetyldopamine derivatives from the insect Aspongopus chinensis

Two new nucleoside derivatives, named asponguanosines A and B (1 and 2), three new N-acetyldopamine analogues, aspongamides C-E (3-5), one new sesquiterpene, aspongnoid D (6), and three known compounds were isolated from the medicinal insect Aspongopus chinensis. Their structures including absolute configurations were assigned by using spectroscopic methods and ECD and ¹³C NMR calculations. Biological activities of compounds 3-7 towards human cancer cells, COX-2, ROCK1, and JAK3 were evaluated.

[Effects and mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid on isoprenaline-Induced myocardial fibrosis in mice]

Objective: To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on myocardial fibrosis in mice. Method: To observe the expression of transforming growth factor(TGF) -β1, CTGF, MMPs and the degree of myocardial fibrosis, 61 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, low dose UDCA group, high dose of UDCA group, spironolactone group, and the control group.Isoproterenol (ISO) injection was given subcutaneously (30 d) to make the model of myocardial fibrosis.Corresponding anti-fibrosis drugs (UDCA or spironolactone) were given by gavage.HE staining and Masson staining were performed to explore the inflammation and fibrosis in the myocardium.The expression of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ protein was detected by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the degree of fibrosis among the groups.Western blot was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor, (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4, -1 and anti-phospho-NFKBIA (p-IκB-α) inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) protein in myocardium. Results: HE and Masson staining results showed that in the normal group, myocardial fibrosis is less, while the control group showed a large amount of fibrotic tissue (P<0.05). Tissue fibrosis in the low/high dose UDCA group and spironolactone group was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05), in which high dose of UDCA reduces fibrosis more significantly.Immunohistochemistry results showed that collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ protein expression was significantly increased (P<0.05). Whereas in the low/high UDCA dose group and spironolactone group, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the high UDCA dose group decreased more significantly.Western blot results suggest that TGFβ-1 expression in the myocardial tissue was significantly increased compared to the normal group (P<0.05), whereas low/high UDCA dose group and spironolactone group, TGFβ-1 protein expression were significantly decreased [UDCA(1.52±0.16), (1.02±0.12), (1.01±0.21)vs (2.73±0.12), P<0.05], in which high UDCA dose group TGFβ-1 protein expression level decreased more significantly.However, there was no significant difference in the expression of CTGF, MMP2/9 and TIMP1/4 protein among the groups (P>0.05). UDCA decrease p-IκB-α expression and increase IκB protein expression dose-dependently. Conclusions: UDCA can relieve isoproterenol induced myocardial fibrosis and reduce the myocardial collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ deposition in a dose dependent manner.Down-regulating of TGFβ-1 protein expression through the inhibition of TGR5-NF-κB signal transduction pathway might be a potential mechanism underlying UDCA's effects.

Antifungal Amide Alkaloids from the Aerial Parts of Piper flaviflorum and Piper sarmentosum

Sixty-three amide alkaloids, including three new, piperflaviflorine A (1), piperflaviflorine B (2), and sarmentamide D (4), and two previously synthesized ones, (1E,3S)-1-cinnamoyl-3- hydroxypyrrolidine (3) and N-[7'-(4'-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-methoxybenzamide (5), were isolated from the aerial parts of Piper flaviflorum and Piper sarmentosum. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and, in case of 3, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Most of the isolates were tested for their antifungal and antibacterial activities. Ten amides (6-15) showed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 90 113 with IC₅₀ values in the range between 4.7 and 20.0 µg/mL.

A Survey of the Chemical Compounds of Piper spp. (Piperaceae) and Their Biological Activities

The genus Piper is one of the largest genera in the Piperaceae, with most species widely distributed globally, covering all continents. To date, many Piper species have been scientifically investigated for their chemical diversities and interesting broad spectrum of bioactivities, including central nervous system (CNS), pesticidal, antifungal and antibacterial effects. This review systematically summarizes the scaffolds of the alkaloids reported, the major chemicals isolated from Piper spp., and their biological activities. Besides the alkaloids, some neolignans with rearranged skeletons show structural diversities, while the chalcones, flavonoids and kava-pyrones have some potential activities. Herein, the sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds from Piper species and their bioactivities are also surveyed.

A Survey of the Chemical Compounds of Piper spp. (Piperaceae) and Their Biological Activities

The genus Piper is one of the largest genera in the Piperaceae, with most species widely distributed globally, covering all continents. To date, many Piper species have been scientifically investigated for their chemical diversities and interesting broad spectrum of bioactivities, including central nervous system (CNS), pesticidal, antifungal and antibacterial effects. This review systematically summarizes the scaffolds of the alkaloids reported, the major chemicals isolated from Piper spp., and their biological activities. Besides the alkaloids, some neolignans with rearranged skeletons show structural diversities, while the chalcones, flavonoids and kava-pyrones have some potential activities. Herein, the sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds from Piper species and their bioactivities are also surveyed.

Chemical constituents from Piper hainanense and their cytotoxicities

Two new compounds, (Z,R)-1-phenylethylcinnamate (1) and (1R,2R,3R,6S)-pipoxide (2) were isolated from the aerial part of Piper hainanense, along with 12 known compounds, including nine benzene derivatives (4-11), one isobutylamide (12), and two polyoxygenated cyclohexene derivatives (13-14). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, and ECD in cases of 2 and 3. The absolute configuration of ellipeiopsol B (3) was determined for the first time. All these compounds 1-14 were reported from the titled plant for the first time. Most of the isolates were tested for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines. Four of which, 2, 3, 9, 14 showed moderate bioactivities. Among them, the new compound 2 showed potential cytotoxicity against SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW-480 with IC50 values of 9.7, 15.0, and 13.2 μM, respectively.

Clinical observation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell treatment of severe systolic heart failure

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of chronic systolic heart failure. Fifty-nine hospitalized patients with heart failure were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 patients) and a control group (29 patients). The treatment group received treatment with medication as well as intracoronary transplantation of umbilical cord MSCs, and the control group, only medication. The cardiac structure, function change, and rehospitalization and mortality rates of the 2 groups were observed before and 1 and 6 months after treatment. One month after the transplantation of umbilical cord MSCs, the incidence of fatigue, chest tightness, and dyspnea was high in the treatment group. The 6-min walking distance of the treatment group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05); in addition, the NT-proBNP level, left ventricular ejection fraction, and mortality rate of the treatment group were statistically lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Readmission rates showed a downward trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Using umbilical cord MSCs in the treatment of congestive heart failure can help improve cardiac remodeling and cardiac function and reduce the mortality rate.

Lignans and aromatic glycosides from Piper wallichii and their antithrombotic activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Piper wallichii (Miq.) Hand.-Mazz. is a medicinal plant used widely for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, cerebral infarction and angina in China. Previous study showed that lignans and neolignans from Piper spp. had potential inhibitory activities on platelet aggregation. In the present study, we investigated the chemical constituents of Piper wallichii and their antithrombotic activities, to support its traditional uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methanolic extract of the air-dried stems of Piper wallichii was separated and purified using various chromatographic methods, including semi-preparative HPLC. The chemical structures of the isolates were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and acidic hydrolysis in case of the new glycoside 2. Determination of absolute configurations of the new compound 1 was facilitated by calculated electronic circular dichroism using time-dependent density-functional theory. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) in rabbits׳ blood model, from which the active ones were further evaluated the in vivo antithrombotic activity in zebrafish model.

RESULTS

A new neolignan, piperwalliol A (1), and four new aromatic glycosides, piperwalliosides A-D (2-5) were isolated from the stems of Piper wallichii, along with 25 known compounds, including 13 lignans, six aromatic glycosides, two phenylpropyl aldehydes, and four biphenyls. Five known compounds (6-10) showed in vitro antiplatelet aggregation activities. Among them, (-)-syringaresinol (6) was the most active compound with an IC50 value of 0.52 mM. It is noted that in zebrafish model, the known lignan 6 showed good in vivo antithrombotic effect with a value of 37% at a concentration of 30 μM, compared with the positive control aspirin with the inhibitory value of 74% at a concentration of 125μM.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that lignans, phenylpropanoid and biphenyl found in Piper wallichii may be responsible for antithrombotic effect of the titled plant.

Nonpeptide small molecules from the insect Aspongopus chinensis and their neural stem cell proliferation stimulating properties

Nonpeptide small molecules from the insect Aspongopus chinensis could stimulate neural stem cell proliferation.

Bioactive compounds from the insect Aspongopus chinensis

Recent studies focusing on unveiling the biological agents of Aspongopus chinensis have led to the identification of four new norepinephrine derivatives (1-4), three new sesquiterpenoids (5-7), and one new lactam (8). In addition, twenty-three known compounds have been identified, most of which were isolated from this insect for the first time. Selected members of insect-derived substances were evaluated for their biological activities against renal protection in high-glucose-induced mesangial cells and COX-2 inhibition.

(±)-Aspongamide A, an N-acetyldopamine trimer isolated from the insect Aspongopus chinensis, is an inhibitor of p-Smad3

(±)-Aspongamide A (1), an unusual trimer of N-acetyldopamine (NADA) bearing a novel tetrahydrobenzo[a]dibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxine structure, and a pair of NADA dimeric enantiomers (2) were isolated from Aspongopus chinensis. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were assigned using spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 was found to be an inhibitor of Smad3 phosphorylation in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced rat renal proximal tubular cells and suppressed extracellular matrix expression in mesangial cells under diabetic conditions.

Norsesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Croton tiglium

Two new compounds, badounoids A (1) and B (2), together with 13 known norsesquiterpenes, were isolated from the leaves of Croton tiglium L. The structures of the new compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of badounoid B was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the known compounds were isolated from Croton plants for the first time which added a new chemical facet for this genus. The selected compounds were evaluated for their cytostatic activity against several cancer cell lines. None of them was found to be active.

Identification of two novel HLA-DRB1 alleles, DRB1*0903 and DRB1*1145

Two new HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified by sequencing-based typing in the oral submucous fibrosis and buccal cancer patients of Taiwan. They have been officially named HLA-DRB1*0903 and DRB1*1145 by the World Health Organization Nomenclature Committee. The complete exon 2 sequence of DRB1*0903 was identical to that of the DRB1*090102 but differed by nucleotides of position 207-210 and 216 (AGAC, C replacing GCGG, and G). The DRB1*1145 was identical to the DRB1*110101 except for three nucleotide substitutions at codon 199, 220, and 221 (A, CT replacing T, and GC). Two complete exon 2 sequences of those new alleles had been deposited in the EMBL Sequence Database under accession number AY465114 and AY465115, respectively.