Salvirrane A-F, six undescribed nordrimane sesquiterpene derivatives from Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib and their cytotoxic activities.

Six undescribed nordrimane sesquiterpene derivatives, salvirrane A-F (1-6), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib. Comprehensive spectral analysis and a quantum chemical calculation strategy were employed to determine their structures. These compounds represent four previously unreported nordrimane carbon skeletal types in Salvia genus, including 15-nor-drimane, 11,15-di-nor-drimane, 14,15-di-nor-drimane, and 11,14,15-tri-nor-drimane sesquiterpenes. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against several human cancer cell lines (A549, H460, Hep3B, MCF7, PC3, and HeLa). The results showed that 3 exhibited low activity against MCF7 cells (IC50,72.72 ± 6.95 µM) and moderate activity against HeLa cells (IC50, 9.80 ± 0.64 µM). Moreover, the EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) assay demonstrates that 3 displays dose-dependent efficacy in suppressing the proliferation of HeLa cells. Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology implied that 3 may potentially bind to Src (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase) to exert anti-proliferative activity.

Biofortification of iron content by regulating a NAC transcription factor in maize.

Iron (Fe) deficiency remains widespread among people in developing countries. To help solve this problem, breeders have been attempting to develop maize cultivars with high yields and high Fe concentrations in the kernels. We conducted a genome-wide association study and identified a gene, ZmNAC78 (NAM/ATAF/CUC DOMAIN TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 78), that regulates Fe concentrations in maize kernels. We cultivated maize varieties with both high yield and high Fe concentrations in their kernels by using a molecular marker developed from a 42-base pair insertion or deletion (indel) in the promoter of ZmNAC78. ZmNAC78 expression is enriched in the basal endosperm transfer layer of kernels, and the ZmNAC78 protein directly regulates messenger RNA abundance of Fe transporters. Our results thus provide an approach to develop maize varieties with Fe-enriched kernels.

Characterization of the Stretch Flangeabitity of High-Strength Bainitic Steel: The Significance of Variant Pairs.

Variant pairs have an indispensable function on mechanical properties such as low impact toughness. Therefore, it was assumed that they would also affect the HER (Hole Expansion Ratio, an indicator to evaluate stretch flanging performance). To clarify this, a comprehensive analysis of the common influential factors in an 800 MPa grade low carbon micro-alloyed steel, i.e., the retained austenite, the M/A (Martensite/Austenite) island, the titanium precipitations, the grain diameter, the density of high angle grain boundaries and the textures, was first conducted. It was found that they did not match well with the HER, suggesting that they were not the governing factor for HER in this steel. However, the dominating crystallography groups and the variant pairing results indicated that they fitted well with the HER. In the samples with high HERs, the CP (Close Packed) groups dominated the transformation, wherein one individual CP group consisted of two or more Bain groups, whereas it evolved into the domination of joint CP groups and Bain groups for the low HER sample. Further analysis on the variant pairing features indicated that a correlation occurred between the HER and the high angle variant pairs. In the steels with high HERs, high-angle variant pairs of V1/V2, V1/V3 that transformed from the same CP group, particularly of V1/V2 pair, were mostly generated. They turned to V1/V9, V1/V10, V1/V12, V1/V15, V1/V17, and V1/V18 pairs from differential CP groups, especially the V1/V12 and V1/V15 pair for low-HER steel. This result showed that V1/V2, V1/V12, and V1/V15 might have accounted most for the HER in this steel. The underlying reason was that the V1/V2 pair was specialized in supplying a slip passage for dislocation transmission across a grain boundary with little resistance, whereas the dislocation transmission ability for V1/V12 and V1/V15 pair was particularly poor. Thus, to efficiently enhance the HER, one should regulate the variant pairs by augmenting the V1/V2 fraction and suppressing the formation of the V1/V12 and V1/V15 pair.

Isolation of triterpenoids and phytosterones from Achyranthes bidentata Bl. to treat breast cancer based on network pharmacology.

Breast cancer (BC) is a cancer with a high incidence and mortality of female, threatening women's physical and mental health. Achyranthes bidentata Blume, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been popular in folk due to its effective pharmacology activities including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour effects. In order to identify the active ingredients from the roots of A. bidentata for treating breast cancer, the separation guided by network pharmacology analysis was employed which led to the isolation of 7 triterpenoids and 10 phytosterones. According to the in vitro experiments, the isolated compounds showed significant inhibitory activities on MCF-7 cells as well as anti-inflammatory activities by attenuating the production of NO and TNF-α in LPS-induced macrophage cells. In conclusion, this study successfully predicted and confirmed the positive impact of triterpenoids and phytosterones on breast cancer, which provided a foundation for further in vivo studies.

Variation of floret fertility in hexaploid wheat revealed by tiller removal.

Grain number per spike, which is greatly influenced by floret fertility, is an important trait of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield. Maximum floret primordia, fertile floret, and final grain number per spikelet are three crucial factors of floret fertility. Floral degradation plays a critical role in determining these three floret fertility-related traits. Twelve hexaploid spring wheat genotypes were selected to investigate the influence of detillering on floral degradation and floret fertility-related traits in the field and greenhouse. Notably, the green anther stage was found to consistently have the maximum floret primordia number. Visible floral degradation, however, was observed to occur at several floral developmental stages, specifically from green anther stage to anthesis. Detillering was able to delay floral degradation in most cases and was evidently highly associated with increased maximum floret primordia, fertile floret, and final grain number per spikelet, with only a few exceptions. Thermal time required for each floral developmental stage was overall not influenced by detillering. These data hereby reveal a predominant spikelet fertility pattern along the spike in which the number of fertile florets per spikelet at anthesis becomes developmentally confined.