Bioactivity-Guided Screening of Wound-Healing Active Constituents from American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

Ethanol extract (EE) from Periplaneta americana (PA) is the main ingredient of Kangfuxin, which is a popular traditional chinese medicine (TCM) and has long been used for the clinical treatment of burns, wounds and ulcers. We compared the wound-healing activities of three extracts of PA using cutaneous wound-healing in mice as the bioactivity model. These three extracts were EE, total polysaccharide and total protein. We also tracked bioactive fractions in the EE by organic reagent extraction, column chromatography and HPLC. Seven compounds were successfully identified from the water elution fraction of the EE of PA using UPLC-MS. Among these compounds, four compounds (P2, P3, P4, P5(1)) were first reported in PA. Some of these compounds have been previously reported to have various pharmacological activities that could contribute to the high wound-healing activity of PA.

Construction of three-dimensional graphene interfaces into carbon fiber textiles for increasing deposition of nickel nanoparticles: flexible hierarchical magnetic textile composites for strong electromagnetic shielding.

Since manipulating electromagnetic waves with electromagnetic active materials for environmental and electric engineering is a significant task, here a novel prototype is reported by introducing reduced graphene oxide (RGO) interfaces in carbon fiber (CF) networks for a hierarchical carbon fiber/reduced graphene oxide/nickel (CF-RGO-Ni) composite textile. Upon charaterizations of the microscopic morphologies, electrical and magnetic properties, the presence of three-dimensional RGO interfaces and bifunctional nickel nanoparticles substantially influences the related physical properties in the resulting hierarchical composite textiles. Eletromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance suggests that the hierarchical composite textiles hold a strong shielding effectiveness greater than 61 dB, showing greater advantages than conventional polymeric and foamy shielding composites. As a polymer-free lightweight structure, flexible CF-RGO-Ni composites of all electromagnetic active components offer unique understanding of the multi-scale and multiple mechanisms in electromagnetic energy consumption. Such a novel prototype of shielding structures along with convenient technology highlight a strategy to achieve high-performance EMI shielding, coupled with a universal approach for preparing advanced lightweight composites with graphene interfaces.

Genome-wide survey and analysis of microsatellites in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), with a focus on the applications of a novel microsatellite marker system.

BACKGROUND: The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a critically endangered species endemic to China. Microsatellites have been preferred as the most popular molecular markers and proven effective in estimating population size, paternity test, genetic diversity for the critically endangered species. The availability of the giant panda complete genome sequences provided the opportunity to carry out genome-wide scans for all types of microsatellites markers, which now opens the way for the analysis and development of microsatellites in giant panda. RESULTS: By screening the whole genome sequence of giant panda in silico mining, we identified microsatellites in the genome of giant panda and analyzed their frequency and distribution in different genomic regions. Based on our search criteria, a repertoire of 855,058 SSRs was detected, with mono-nucleotides being the most abundant. SSRs were found in all genomic regions and were more abundant in non-coding regions than coding regions. A total of 160 primer pairs were designed to screen for polymorphic microsatellites using the selected tetranucleotide microsatellite sequences. The 51 novel polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were discovered based on genotyping blood DNA from 22 captive giant pandas in this study. Finally, a total of 15 markers, which showed good polymorphism, stability, and repetition in faecal samples, were used to establish the novel microsatellite marker system for giant panda. Meanwhile, a genotyping database for Chengdu captive giant pandas (n = 57) were set up using this standardized system. What's more, a universal individual identification method was established and the genetic diversity were analysed in this study as the applications of this marker system. CONCLUSION: The microsatellite abundance and diversity were characterized in giant panda genomes. A total of 154,677 tetranucleotide microsatellites were identified and 15 of them were discovered as the polymorphic and stable loci. The individual identification method and the genetic diversity analysis method in this study provided adequate material for the future study of giant panda.

Dynamic change in spring habitat use by the brown eared pheasant (Crossptilon mantchuricum) in the Huanglong mountains, Yanan City, Shaanxi Province, China.

Characterization of foraging-site preferences of threatened and endangered species is a key component of effective habitat conservation. We studied foraging-site selection by the brown eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) in the Huanglongshan Nature Reserve, Yanan City, Shaanxi Province, China, from early February to end of May 2011. We identified feeding sites by locating tracks and scratches characteristic of the birds, and compared habitat characteristics at these sites to those at randomly selected sites across the study area. During the pre-breeding season, the birds tended to be found in the areas characterized by gullies within mixed forests with intermediate sun exposure on gentle slopes (< 10°), and close to water and footpaths. The sites utilized by the birds also featured greater tree diameter, lower shrub density, lower grass cover, and lower altitude than random sites. During the breeding season, the birds tended to be found in the areas of slightly higher altitude, more shrubs, moderately steep slopes (10°-20°), and farther from water and paths. These patterns were consistent with seasonal changes in vegetation and food-resource availability in the study area. Management of brown eared pheasants' populations for conservation must account for these seasonal shifts in habitat requirements.

Taxonomic position of Eothenomys wardi (Arvicolinae: Cricetidae) based on morphological and molecular analyses with a detailed description of the species.

Ward's Red-backed Vole (Eothenomys wardi) is a rodent from the family Cricetidae. This endemic species occurs only in extreme northwestern Yunnan province, China in the Mekong and Salween river divide. It occupies steep cliffs at 2,800 to 4,250 m above sea level on the remote Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. The validity of E. wardi is controversial and no specimens exist apart from the nominal series. In 2010, we collected 38 topotypes of E. wardi from Meri Snow Mountain. The results of our phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit one (COI) suggest that E. wardi is the sister group of E. custos, against its previously presumed sister species or conspecific species E. chinensis. In addition, seven out of 34 morphological characters differentiate E. wardi from other members of the genus Eothenomys. Therefore, we consider E. wardi to be a valid species and we provide its detailed morphological description.

[Bioactivity assay of bupleurum injection for inhibiting PGE2 release in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the in vitro model of PGE2 released by hypothalamic neurocytes under rrIL-1beta in vitro interference, and investigate the correlation of the PGE2 content and the effect of the drug effect concentration in the model under the effect of Bupleurum injection. METHOD: Hypothalamic neurocytes were cultured in vitro, and added with rrIL-1beta (40 microg x L(-1)) stimulation. Cell sap was collected at different time points. ELISA was adopted to determine the content of PGE2 in cell sap collected at different time points. Hypothalamic neurocytes were cultured in vitro, added with rrIL-1beta (40 microg x L(-1)) stimulation and then different concentrations of Bupleurum injection. The changes in the content of PGE2 in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA. An analysis was made on the linear relationship between the sample concentration and the inhibition rate of PGE2. RESULT: The rrIL-1 cells could stimulate in vitro cultured hypothalamic neurocytes to release PGE2 and reach the peak at 10 h. Bupleurum injection could significantly interfere the release of PGE2 in the in vitro model (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), with a certain linear relationship between the interference effect and the effect concentration of Bupleurum injection (r = 0.911, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The rrIL-1 cells could stimulate in vitro cultured hypothalamic neurocytes to release PGE2, with a good correlation between the inhibition and generation effects of PGE2 and the drug concentration.

Design and Preparation of Flexible Graphene/Nonwoven Composites with Simultaneous Broadband Absorption and Stable Properties.

As the world moves into the 21st century, the complex electromagnetic wave environment is receiving widespread attention due to its impact on human health, suggesting the critical importance of wearable absorbing materials. In this paper, graphene nonwoven (RGO/NW) composites were prepared by diffusely distributing graphene sheets in a polypropylene three-dimensional framework through Hummers' method. Moreover, based on the Jaumann structural material design concept, the RGO/NW composite was designed as a multilayer microwave absorber, with self-recovery capability. It achieves effective absorption (reflection loss of -10 dB) in the 2~18 GHz electromagnetic wave frequency domain, exhibiting a larger bandwidth than that reported in the literature for absorbers of equivalent thickness. In addition, the rationally designed three-layer sample has an electromagnetic wave absorption of over 97% (reflection loss of -15 dB) of the bandwidth over 14 GHz. In addition, due to the physical and chemical stability of graphene and the deformation recovery ability of nonwoven fabric, the absorber also shows good deformation recovery ability and stable absorption performance. This broadband absorption and extreme environmental adaptability make this flexible absorber promising for various applications, especially for personnel wearable devices.

GenScalpel: an application for sequence retrieval and extraction from the GenBank flatfile.

GenScalpel is a program designed for the retrieval and extraction of specified sequences from large-scale sequence sets in NCBI GenBank flatfile format. This routine task in bioinformatics analysis is a pressing need for laboratory biologists. Another objective of application development is to respond to the new form of the NCBI Nucleotide Sequence Database, which was updated in November 2011. In addition to a powerful sequence refinement application, GenScalpel provides convenient functions for web-based sequence downloading or multiple files batch processing. This note discusses major applications of the program and includes example data sets to demonstrate its performance. The program is written in PERL. GenScalpel, including installation packages for Windows and Linux systems as well as the accompanying documentation, are available free of charge at http://genscalpel.biosv.com/.

(2,2'-Bipyridine-κN,N')bis-(4-chloro-benzoato-κO)zinc.

In the title compound, [Zn(C(7)H(4)ClO(2))(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))], the Zn(II) atom is coordinated by two O atoms from two 4-chloro-benzoate ligands and two N atoms from a chelating 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) mol-ecule in a distorted N(2)O(2) tetra-hedral geometry. The Zn(II) atom is located on a twofold rotation axis, which also passes through the mid-point of the central C-C bond of the bpy ligand. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking inter-actions between the pyridine rings of the bpy ligands [centroid-centroid distance = 3.642 (3) Å] link the complex mol-ecules into a two-dimensional supra-molecular structure parallel to (100). An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond is also observed.

catena-Poly[[(diaqua-calcium)-bis-(µ-2-fluorobenzoato)-1':1κO:O,O';1:1''κO,O':O] 2,2'-bipyridine hemi-solvate].

In the title compound, {[Ca(C(7)H(4)FO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·0.5C(10)H(8)N(2)}(n), the Ca(II) atom is coordinated by eigth O atoms from four 2-fluoro-benzoate ligands and two water mol-ecules, resulting in a distorted CaO(8) square-anti-prismatic coordination environment. The 2-fluoro-benzoate ligand bridges two symmetry-related Ca(II) atoms, giving rise to a chain structure extending along [100]. The distances between the Ca atom and its two symmetry-related counterparts are 4.054 (2) and 4.106 (2) Å. The polymeric chains are connected by classical O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into a layer structure parallel to (010). The layers are connected by non-classical C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure. O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O inter-actions also occur. The uncoordinated 2,2'-bipyridine mol-ecule is located on a centre of symmetry at the mid-point of the bond between the two heterocycles. One of the two benzene rings is disordered over two sites with occupancy factors of 0.60 and 0.40.

Lightweight and Compression-Resistant Carbon-Based Sandwich Honeycomb Absorber with Excellent Electromagnetic Wave Absorption.

Honeycomb (HC) composites were fabricated by impregnating an aramid paper HC core with carbon nanotubes/carbon black/reduced graphene oxide (CNTs/CB/RGO) and polyurethane resin (PU). The sandwich HC (SHC) absorber containing HC composites with superior microwave-absorption properties were fabricated using the vacuum bagging method. Through the absorption performance of the SHC absorber, it can be concluded that the triple-layer SHC absorber has the best absorbing performance. The effective bandwidth (reflection loss < 10 dB) can be achieved in the entire frequency range of 2.2−18 GHz, and the minimum RL value is −35 dB. Furthermore, the compressive stress of the triple-layer SHC absorber reached 3.71 MPa, which is similar to the compressive stress of aluminum HC panels for aviation. Benefiting from the excellent integration of absorption and mechanical performance, the SHC has significant potential in the stealth-technology field.

Inhibition of miR-200b Promotes Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells by Activating The Notch Pathway.

In this article which was published in Cell J, Vol 23, No 1, Spring 2021, on pages 51-60, the authors discovered that Figures 1B, 2D, 2F, 5B, and 5D some errors that occurred accidentally during figure organization in this article. The figures below have been corrected. The authors would like to apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Temperature and Diet Acclimation Modify the Acute Thermal Performance of the Largest Extant Amphibian.

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), one of the largest extant amphibian species, has dramatically declined in the wild. As an ectotherm, it may be further threatened by climate change. Therefore, understanding the thermal physiology of this species should be the priority to formulate related conservation strategies. In this study, the plasticity in metabolic rate and thermal tolerance limits of A. davidianus larvae were studied. Specifically, the larvae were acclimated to three temperature levels (7 °C, cold stress; 15 °C, optimum; and 25 °C, heat stress) and two diet items (red worm or fish fray) for 20 days. Our results indicated that cold-acclimated larvae showed increased metabolic capacity, while warm-acclimated larvae showed a decrease in metabolic capacity. These results suggested the existence of thermal compensation. Moreover, the thermal tolerance windows of cold-acclimated and warm-acclimated larvae shifted to cooler and hotter ranges, respectively. Metabolic capacity is not affected by diet but fish-fed larvae showed superiority in both cold and heat tolerance, potentially due to the input of greater nutrient loads. Overall, our results suggested a plastic thermal tolerance of A. davidianus in response to temperature and diet variations. These results are meaningful in guiding the conservation of this species.

Genomics and morphometrics reveal the adaptive evolution of pikas.

Pikas (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae) are small mouse-like lagomorphs. To investigate their adaptation to different ecological environments during their dispersal from the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QTP), we collected 226 pikas and measured 20 morphological characteristics and recorded habitat information. We also sequenced the genome of 81 specimens, representing 27 putative pika species. The genome-wide tree based on 4 090 coding genes identified five subgenera, i.e., Alienauroa, Conothoa, Lagotona, Ochotona, and Pika, consistent with morphometric data. Morphologically, Alienauroa and Ochotona had similar traits, including smaller size and earlier divergence time compared to other pikas. Consistently, the habitats of Alienauroa and Ochotona differed from those of the remaining subgenera. Phylogenetic signal analysis detected 83 genes significantly related to morphological characteristics, including several visual and hearing-related genes. Analysis of shared amino acid substitutions and positively selected genes (PSGs) in Alienauroa and Ochotona identified two genes, i.e., mitochondrial function-related TSFM (p.Q155E) and low-light visual sensitivity-related PROM1 (p.H419Y). Functional experiments demonstrated that TSFM-155E significantly enhanced mitochondrial function compared to TSFM-155Q in other pikas, and PROM1-419Y decreased the modeling of dynamic intracellular chloride efflux upon calcium uptake. Alienauroa and Ochotona individuals mostly inhabit different environments (e.g., subtropical forests) than other pikas, suggesting that a shift from the larger ancestral type and changes in sensory acuity and energy enhancement may have been required in their new environments. This study increases our understanding of the evolutionary history of pikas.

Bis(2,2'-bipyridine-κN,N')bis-(1H-indole-2-carboxyl-ato-κO,O')cadmium-2,2'-bipyridine-water (1/0.5/2).

The asymmetric unit of title compound, [Cd(C(9)H(6)NO(2))(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)]·0.5C(10)H(8)N(2)·2H(2)O, consists of one complex mol-ecule, one half of an uncoordinated 2,2'-bipyridine mol-ecule and two solvent water mol-ecules. The uncoordinated 2,2'-bipyridine mol-ecule is located on a center of symmetry. Within the complex mol-ecule, the Cd(II) atom is coordinated by four N atoms from two 2,2'-bipyridine ligands and three O atoms from two 1H-indole-2-carboxyl-ate anion ligands, completing a distorted CdN(4)O(3) penta-gonal bipyra-mid. The mol-ecules are assembled into one-dimensional chains along the [100] direction through classical hydrogen bonds (O-H⋯N, N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O). The resulting chains are further connected into two-dimensional supra-molecular layers parallel to the (110) direction by inter-molecular classical hydrogen bonds (N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O) from adjacent chains. A three-dimensional supra-molecular network is formed via interlayer and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Aqua-(4-fluoro-benzoato-κO)bis-(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')manganese(II) 4-fluoro-benzoate trihydrate.

In the title compound, [Mn(C(7)H(4)FO(2))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)](C(7)H(4)FO(2))·3H(2)O, the Mn(II) atom is coordinated by four N atoms from two chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands and two O atoms from one monodentate 4-fluoro-benzoate ion and one water mol-ecule, forming a distorted octa-hedral geometry. In the crystal, the three components are assembled into a tape structure along the a axis by O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Between the tapes, a π-π inter-action with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.569 (3) Šand a weak C-H⋯F hydrogen bond are observed.

Inhibition of miR-200b Promotes Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells by Activating The Notch Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with diabetes mellitus frequently have chronic wounds or diabetic ulcers as a result of impaired wound healing, which may lead to limb amputation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) dysfunction also delays wound healing. Here, we investigated the mechanism of miR-200b in HUVECs under high glucose conditions and the potential of miR-200b as a therapeutic target. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, HUVECs were cultured with 5 or 30 mM glucose for 48 hours. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assays. Cell mobility was tested by wound healing and Transwell assays. Angiogenesis was analyzed in vitro Matrigel tube formation assays. Luciferase reporter assays were used to test the binding of miR-200b with Notch1. RESULTS: miR-200b expression was induced by high glucose treatment of HUVECs (P<0.01), and it significantly repressed cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation (P<0.05). Notch1 was directly targeted and repressed by miR-200b at both the mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of miR-200b restored Notch1 expression (P<0.05) and reactivated the Notch pathway. The effects of miR-200b inhibition in HUVECs could be reversed by treatment with a Notch pathway inhibitor (P<0.05), indicating that the miR-200b/Notch axis modulates the proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability of HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of miR-200b activated the angiogenic ability of endothelial cells and promoted wound healing through reactivation of the Notch pathway in vitro. miR-200b could be a promising therapeutic target for treating HUVEC dysfunction.

A mitogenomic perspective on the ancient, rapid radiation in the Galliformes with an emphasis on the Phasianidae.

BACKGROUND: The Galliformes is a well-known and widely distributed Order in Aves. The phylogenetic relationships of galliform birds, especially the turkeys, grouse, chickens, quails, and pheasants, have been studied intensively, likely because of their close association with humans. Despite extensive studies, convergent morphological evolution and rapid radiation have resulted in conflicting hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships. Many internal nodes have remained ambiguous. RESULTS: We analyzed the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes from 34 galliform species, including 14 new mt genomes and 20 published mt genomes, and obtained a single, robust tree. Most of the internal branches were relatively short and the terminal branches long suggesting an ancient, rapid radiation. The Megapodiidae formed the sister group to all other galliforms, followed in sequence by the Cracidae, Odontophoridae and Numididae. The remaining clade included the Phasianidae, Tetraonidae and Meleagrididae. The genus Arborophila was the sister group of the remaining taxa followed by Polyplectron. This was followed by two major clades: ((((Gallus, Bambusicola) Francolinus) (Coturnix, Alectoris)) Pavo) and (((((((Chrysolophus, Phasianus) Lophura) Syrmaticus) Perdix) Pucrasia) (Meleagris, Bonasa)) ((Lophophorus, Tetraophasis) Tragopan))). CONCLUSIONS: The traditional hypothesis of monophyletic lineages of pheasants, partridges, peafowls and tragopans was not supported in this study. Mitogenomic analyses recovered robust phylogenetic relationships and suggested that the Galliformes formed a model group for the study of morphological and behavioral evolution.

Tris(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')zinc(II) bis-(4-bromo-benzoate) 6.5-hydrate.

In the title compound, [Zn(C(12)H(8)N(2))(3)](C(7)H(4)BrO(2))(2)·6.5H(2)O, the Zn(II) atom is coordinated by six N atoms from three 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) mol-ecules in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The chelating phen ligands exhibit nearly perfect coplanarity (r.m.s. deviations of 0.048, 0.039 and 0.061 Å). The mean inter-planar distances of 3.51 (2) and 3.54 (4) Šbetween adjacent phen ligands indicate π-π stacking inter-actions, which connect the complex cations into chains along [101]. The 4-bromo-benzoate anions and the uncoordinated water mol-ecules, parts of which are not fully occupied, are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Two carboxyl-ate O atoms and one Br atom in the 4-bromo-benzoate anions are each disordered over two sites with occupancy factors of 0.60 and 0.40.

Tetra-aqua(2,2'-bipyridine-κN,N')magnesium(II) bis-(4-bromo-benzoate).

In the complex cation of the title compound, [Mg(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)(4)](C(7)H(4)BrO(2))(2), the Mg(II) atom is coordinated by two N atoms from a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand and four water O atoms in a distorted MgN(2)O(4) octa-hedral geometry. The cation is located on a special position on a twofold rotation axis which passes through the Mg(II) atom and the centroid of the 2,2'-bipyridine ligand. The 2,2'-bipyridine ligands exhibit nearly perfect coplanarity (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0035 Å) . In the crystal, O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O, C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking inter-actions [mean inter-planar distance of 3.475 (6) Šbetween adjacent 2,2'-bipyridine ligands] link the cations and anions into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network. One Br atom is disordered over two sites with occupancy factors of 0.55 and 0.45.