Genomic architecture of heterosis for yield traits in rice.

Increasing grain yield is a long-term goal in crop breeding to meet the demand for global food security. Heterosis, when a hybrid shows higher performance for a trait than both parents, offers an important strategy for crop breeding. To examine the genetic basis of heterosis for yield in rice, here we generate, sequence and record the phenotypes of 10,074 F2 lines from 17 representative hybrid rice crosses. We classify modern hybrid rice varieties into three groups, representing different hybrid breeding systems. Although we do not find any heterosis-associated loci shared across all lines, within each group, a small number of genomic loci from female parents explain a large proportion of the yield advantage of hybrids over their male parents. For some of these loci, we find support for partial dominance of heterozygous locus for yield-related traits and better-parent heterosis for overall performance when all of the grain-yield traits are considered together. These results inform on the genomic architecture of heterosis and rice hybrid breeding.

Water-soluble matrine-type alkaloids with potential anti-neuroinflammatory activities from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides.

A phytochemical investigation on the alkaloids from water-soluble part of Sophora alopecuroides led to obtain forty matrine-type alkaloids (1-40) including eighteen new ones (1-18), which covers almost all positions of the oxygen substitution in matrine-type structure. Notably, eight compounds (1-8) belong to rare bis-amide matrine-type alkaloid. The new structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and six instances, verified by X-ray crystallography. Most of isolates showed anti-neuroinflammatory activities based on the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in BV2 microglia cells. Especially, compound 39 can suppress those two mediator secretions in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 21.6 ± 0.5 and 16.7 ± 0.8 µM, respectively. Further mechanistic study revealed that 39 suppressed the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 subunit to regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway.

One new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid from the stems and leaves of Euonymus fortunei.

A new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid (1), along with four known compounds (2-5), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Euonymus fortunei. The new structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS and ECD). In addition, compound 3 showed a stronger anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity with an IC50 value of 1.20 ± 0.10 µM than the positive control ribavirin with an IC50 value of 5.62 ± 0.49 µM.[Formula: see text].

Inhibitory Effect of PIK-24 on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Entry by Blocking Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase Signaling.

Phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling modulates many cellular processes, including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Currently, it is known that the establishment of respiratory syncytial virus infection requires phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling. However, the regulatory pattern of phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling or its corresponding molecular mechanism during respiratory syncytial virus entry remains unclear. Here, the involvement of phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling in respiratory syncytial virus entry was studied. PIK-24, a novel compound designed with phosphoinositide-3 kinase as a target, had potent anti-respiratory syncytial virus activity both in vitro and in vivo PIK-24 significantly reduced viral entry into the host cell through blocking the late stage of the fusion process. In a mouse model, PIK-24 effectively reduced the viral load and alleviated inflammation in lung tissue. Subsequent studies on the antiviral mechanism of PIK-24 revealed that viral entry was accompanied by phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling activation, downstream RhoA and cofilin upregulation, and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. PIK-24 treatment significantly reversed all these effects. The disruption of actin cytoskeleton dynamics or the modulation of phosphoinositide-3 kinase activity by knockdown also affected viral entry efficacy. Altogether, it is reasonable to conclude that the antiviral activity of PIK-24 depends on the phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling and that the use of phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling to regulate actin cytoskeleton rearrangement plays a key role in respiratory syncytial virus entry.

Cadmium induces ovarian granulosa cell damage by activating PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 through endoplasmic reticulum stress.

This study aimed to investigate whether cadmium induces ovarian granulosa cell damage by activating protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-eIF2α-ATF4 through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and to elucidate the underlying regulation mechanism. Two models of cadmium exposure were established. In one model, ovarian granulosa cells isolated from 21-day-old female Sprague Dawley rats were cultured in vitro for 36 h and exposed to CdCl2 (0, 5, 10, and 20 µM), and in another model, a human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line (COV434) was used to construct the binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP)-knockdown cell line sh-BIP and exposed to 0 and 20 µM CdCl2. After exposure to cadmium for 12 h, the expression mRNA and protein levels of BIP, p-PERK, and p-eIF2α were determined in the two models. miRNAs related to BIP were also detected in granulosa cells after cadmium exposure. We found that mRNA and protein levels of all factors were upregulated in each cadmium-dose group, except for BIP mRNA expression in the 5 µM Cd group. The BIP gene was knocked down in COV434 cells before exposure to cadmium. All factors were upregulated in COV434 cells exposed to Cd, and the expression of the p-eIF2α protein was downregulated in sh-BIP cells exposed to Cd. In addition, no differences in BIP-related miRNAs were detected in cadmium-exposed rat ovarian granulosa cells versus the control group. Cadmium induces ovarian granulosa cell damage by inducing ER stress.

New Acetophenone Derivatives from Acronychia oligophlebia and Their Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities.

Seven new acetophenone derivatives (acroliones A - G, 1 - 7) and three known ones (8 - 10) were isolated from the leaves of Acronychia oligophlebia. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR), X-ray diffraction and comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of all isolates were evaluated.

Preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is a valuable prognostic biomarker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing curative liver resection.

The Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been reported to predict prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study examined the prognostic potential of stratified PLR for HCC patients undergoing curative liver resection. Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for 778 HCC patients undergoing curative liver resection at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and the First People's Hospital of Changde between April 2010 and October 2013. Patients were stratified based on quintile analysis of their preoperative PLR, and patients in different quintiles were analyzed for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Independent predictors of death or recurrence were explored using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. Higher PLR quintiles were significantly associated with poorer overall survival (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed PLR to be an independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.003). Patients in PLR quintile 5 had lower overall survival than in quintile 1 (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.780, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.769-4.367, p < 0.001). Although patients in PLR quintile 5 had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) than in quintile 1 (HR = 1.534, 95% CI: 1.112-2.117, p = 0.009), this association was not significant after multivariable adjustment (p = 0.220). Subgroup analysis also showed that PLR quintiles were significantly associated with poor OS in patients positive for HBsAg or with cirrhosis (both p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained when PLR was analyzed as a dichotomous variable with cut-off values of 110 and 115. Elevated preoperative PLR may be independently associated with poor OS and DFS in HCC patients following curative resection.

Stratified aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index accurately predicts survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing curative liver resection.

The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index has been reported to predict prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This study examined the prognostic potential of stratified aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index for hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing curative liver resection. A total of 661 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were retrieved and the associations between aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and clinicopathological variables and survivals (overall survival and disease-free survival) were analyzed. Higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index quartiles were significantly associated with poorer overall survival (p = 0.002) and disease-free survival (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index to be an independent risk factor for overall survival (p = 0.018) and disease-free survival (p = 0.01). Patients in the highest aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index quartile were at 44% greater risk of death than patients in the first quartile (hazard ratio = 1.445, 95% confidence interval = 1.081 - 1.931, p = 0.013), as well as 49% greater risk of recurrence (hazard ratio = 1.49, 95% confidence interval = 1.112-1.998, p = 0.008). Subgroup analysis also showed aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index to be an independent predictor of poor overall survival and disease-free survival in patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or with cirrhosis (both p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained when aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index was analyzed as a dichotomous variable with cutoff values of 0.25 and 0.62. Elevated preoperative aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index may be independently associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients following curative resection.

Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium ajacis and Their Anti-RSV Activities.

Five new diterpenoid alkaloids, ajacisines A-E (1-5), were isolated from Delphinium ajacis, along with seven known alkaloids (6-12). On the basis of their spectral data (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and chemical properties, the structures of compounds 1-12 were identified. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus, and compounds 3-5 and 8 exhibited moderate to weak effects with IC50 values of 75.2 ± 1.1, 35.1 ± 0.6, 10.1 ± 0.3, and 50.2 ± 0.5 µM, respectively.

Six New Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from the Fruit of Camptotheca acuminata.

Six new pentacyclic triterpenoids were isolated from the fruit of Camptotheca acuminata. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR. Moreover, the antibacterial activities of compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Dickeya zeae. All these tested compounds showed moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Dickeya zeae.

Six New Acylphloroglucinols from Dryopteris championii.

Six new acylphloroglucinols (1 - 6) were isolated from Dryopteris championii. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with reported data. The antibacterial activities of the isolates were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Dickeya zeae.

Drychampones A-C: Three Meroterpenoids from Dryopteris championii.

Three novel sesquiterpenoid-based meroterpenoids, drychampones A-C (1-3, respectively), were isolated from Dryopteris championii. Compounds 1 and 3 possessed a novel carbon skeleton which was constructed by an 11/6/6 ring system coupled with a pyronone moiety, and 1-3 were three racemates. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR, MS, and computational methods. The hypothetical biosynthetic pathways of these meroterpenoids and their antibacterial activities were also discussed.

New labdane diterpenoids from Croton laui and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Nine new labdane diterpenoids (1-9) were isolated from the aerial parts of Croton laui, along with eight known analogues (10-17). Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectral data (IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR), and the structure of 8 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In addition, compounds 1, 4, 7, 8, and 14 showed weak anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

[Analysis of Porosity in the Fixed Dental Prostheses].

Fixed dental prostheses with ceramic were widely used in people for their good strength and aesthetics. As the defect of the products wil lead to failure in prostheses, good quality is essential in daily use. Accroding to analysis the date of the fixed dental prostheses in porosity test, and link with the shape and location of the pores, we have the result that the reject ratio of the fixed dental prostheses in porosity is exceed 40%, the main unqualified category is that big pores with diameter greater than 150 mm exist in ceramic. This may be introduced by the mechanic in the process of brush porcelain by mixing in bubbles or impurities.

[Chemical Constituents from Syzygium samarangense Branches and Leaves].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from the branches and leaves of Syzygium samarangense. METHODS: The dried branches and leaves of Syzygium samarangense were powdered and extracted with 95% ethanol, then partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The chloroform fraction was subjected to silica gel, Sephdex L-20 and preparative HPLC. The structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: 14 compounds were respectively isolated and identified as ursolic aldehyde(1), betulin(2), betulinic aldehyde(3), betulinic acid(4), lupeol(5), ß-sitosterol(6), 5, 7-dihydroxy-6-methylflavanone(7), 2', 4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'-methyldihydrochalcone (8), 2', 4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'-methylchalcone (9), 5, 7-dihydroxy-6, 8-dimethylflavanone (10), 5, 7-dihydroxyflavanone (11), 2', 4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3', 5'-dimethyldihydrochalcone (12), 2'-hydroxy-4', 6'-dimethoxy-3'-methylchalcone(13) and p-hydroxyb6nzaldehyde(14). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 4 and 14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Crystal structure of betulinic acid methanol monosolvate.

The title compound [systematic name: 3ß-hy-droxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methanol monosolvate], C30H48O3·CH3OH, is a solvent pseudopolymorph of a naturally occurring plant-derived lupane-type penta-cyclic triterpenoid, which was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston. The dihedral angle between the planes of the carb-oxy-lic acid group and the olefinic group is 12.17 (18)°. The A/B, B/C, C/D and D/E ring junctions are all trans-fused. In the crystal, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the hy-droxy and carb-oxy-lic acid groups and the methanol solvent mol-ecule give rise to a two-dimensional network structure lying parallel to (001).

Bis[O,O'-bis-(4-tert-butyl-phen-yl) di-thio-phosphato-κ(2) S,S']bis-(pyridine-κN)lead(II).

In the title compound, [Pb(C20H26O2PS2)2(C5H5N)2], the Pb(II) ion is coordinated by two S,S'-bidentate anions and two pyridine mol-ecules. The PbN2S4 coordination geometry approximates to a penta-gonal bipyramid with one equatorial site vacant. The N atoms occupy the axial sites. One of the pyridine mol-ecules is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.907 (7):0.093 (7) ratio and one of the tert-butyl groups is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.534 (6):0.466 (6) ratio. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O inter-action occurs in one of the ligands. In the crystal, pairs of short Pb⋯S contacts [3.4018 (11) Å] generate a centrosymmetric dimeric assembly with the distant S atom lying in the region of the vacant coordination site of the metal atom. No directional packing inter-actions occur.

Iodine-doped TiO2 nanotube coatings: a technique for enhancing the antimicrobial properties of titanium surfaces against Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Implant-related infections are a challenging complication of orthopedic surgery, primarily due to the formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant surface. An antibacterial coating for titanium implants was developed to provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of implant-related infections. METHODS: Titanium plates were coated with TiO2 nanotubes by anodization, and iodine was doped onto the coating via electrophoretic deposition. The obtained plates were characterized using a range of analytical techniques. Subsequently, Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated onto the surfaces of untreated titanium plates (control group), TiO2-nanocoated titanium plates (TiO2 group), and iodine-doped TiO2-nanocoated titanium plates (I-TiO2 group) to compare their antibacterial properties. RESULTS: Twenty-four hour in vitro antimicrobial activity test of the I-TiO2 group against Staphylococcus aureus was superior to those of the other groups, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This coating technology provides a new theoretical basis for the development of anti-infective implants against Staphylococcus aureus in orthopedics.

A binder-free ice template method for vertically aligned 3D boron nitride polymer composites towards thermal management.

Hexagonal boron nitride (BN) is an attractive filler candidate for thermal interface materials, but the thermal conductivity enhancement is limited by the anisotropic thermal conductivity of BN and disordered thermal pathways in the polymer matrix. Herein, a facile and economic ice template method is proposed, wherein BN modified by tannic acid (BN-TA) directly self-assemble to form vertically aligned nacre-mimetic scaffold without additional binders and post-treatment. The effects of the BN slurry concentration and the ratio of BN/TA on three-dimensional (3D) skeleton morphology are fully investigated. The corresponding polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite via vacuum-impregnation achieves a high through-plane thermal conductivity of 3.8 W/mK at a low filler loading of 18.7 vol%, which is 2433% and 100% higher than that of pristine PDMS and the PDMS composite with randomly distributed BN-TA, respectively. The finite element analysis results theoretically demonstrate the superiority of the highly longitudinally ordered 3D BN-TA skeleton in axial heat transfer. Additionally, 3D BN-TA/PDMS exhibits excellent practical heat dissipation capability, lower thermal expansion coefficient, and enhanced mechanical properties. This strategy offers an anticipated perspective for developing high-performance thermal interface materials to address the thermal challenges of modern electronics.