Mycobacterial PPE13 activates inflammasome by interacting with the NATCH and LRR domains of NLRP3.

Pathogenic mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium marinum, can trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation leading to maturation and secretion of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß). However, the mycobacterial factors involved in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome are not fully understood. Here, we identified that the PPE family protein PPE13 was responsible for the induction of IL-1ß secretion in a NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent manner. We found that the recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing PPE13 activates NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby inducing caspase-1 cleavage and IL-1ß secretion in J774A.1, BMDMs, and THP-1 macrophages. To examine whether this inflammasome activation was triggered by PPE13 rather than components of M. smegmatis, PPE13 was introduced into the aforementioned macrophages by lentivirus as a delivery vector. Similarly, this led to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, indicating that PPE13 is a direct activator of NLRP3 cascade. We further demonstrated that the NLRP3 complex activated the inflammasome cascade, and the assembly of this complex was facilitated by PPE13 through interacting with the LRR and NATCH domains of NLRP3. Finally, we found that all PPE13 proteins isolated from M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. marinum can activate NLRP3 inflammasome through binding to NLRP3, which requires C-terminal repetitive MPTR domain of PPE13. Thus, we, for the first time, revealed that PPE13 triggers the inflammasome-response by interacting with the MPTR domain of PPE13 and the LRR and NATCH domains of NLRP3. These findings provide a novel perspective on the function of PPE proteins in the immune system during mycobacteria invasion.

New Threats from H7N9 Influenza Virus: Spread and Evolution of High- and Low-Pathogenicity Variants with High Genomic Diversity in Wave Five.

H7N9 virus has caused five infection waves since it emerged in 2013. The highest number of human cases was seen in wave 5; however, the underlying reasons have not been thoroughly elucidated. In this study, the geographical distribution, phylogeny, and genetic evolution of 240 H7N9 viruses in wave 5, including 35 new isolates from patients and poultry in nine provinces, were comprehensively analyzed together with strains from first four waves. Geographical distribution analysis indicated that the newly emerging highly pathogenic (HP) and low-pathogenicity (LP) H7N9 viruses were cocirculating, causing human and poultry infections across China. Genetic analysis indicated that dynamic reassortment of the internal genes among LP-H7N9/H9N2/H6Ny and HP-H7N9, as well as of the surface genes, between the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta lineages resulted in at least 36 genotypes, with three major genotypes (G1 [A/chicken/Jiangsu/SC537/2013-like], G3 [A/Chicken/Zhongshan/ZS/2017-like], and G11 [A/Anhui/40094/2015-like]). The HP-H7N9 genotype likely evolved from G1 LP-H7N9 by the insertion of a KRTA motif at the cleavage site (CS) and then evolved into 15 genotypes with four different CS motifs, including PKGKRTAR/G, PKGKRIAR/G, PKRKRAAR/G, and PKRKRTAR/G. Approximately 46% (28/61) of HP strains belonged to G3. Importantly, neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor (NAI) resistance (R292K in NA) and mammalian adaptation (e.g., E627K and A588V in PB2) mutations were found in a few non-human-derived HP-H7N9 strains. In summary, the enhanced prevalence and diverse genetic characteristics that occurred with mammalian-adapted and NAI-resistant mutations may have contributed to increased numbers of human infections in wave 5.IMPORTANCE The highest numbers of human H7N9 infections were observed during wave 5 from October 2016 to September 2017. Our results showed that HP-H7N9 and LP-H7N9 had spread virtually throughout China and underwent dynamic reassortment with different subtypes (H7N9/H9N2 and H6Ny) and lineages (Yangtze and Pearl River Delta lineages), resulting in totals of 36 and 3 major genotypes, respectively. Notably, the NAI drug-resistant (R292K in NA) and mammalian-adapted (e.g., E627K in PB2) mutations were found in HP-H7N9 not only from human isolates but also from poultry and environmental isolates, indicating increased risks for human infections. The broad dissemination of LP- and HP-H7N9 with high levels of genetic diversity and host adaptation and drug-resistant mutations likely accounted for the sharp increases in the number of human infections during wave 5. Therefore, more strategies are needed against the further spread and damage of H7N9 in the world.

[Water soluble constituents from the twigs of Litsea cubeba].

Twenty five known aromatic glycosides (1-25) and three known sesquiterpene glycosides (26-28) have been isolated from the twigs of Litsea cubeba by using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis (MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) as (7S,8R)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4,9'-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(1),(7S,8R)-5-methoxydihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(2), (7S,8R)-urolignoside(3), (7R,8S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(4), saposide B(5), lanicepside A(6), matairesinol-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), tyraxjaponoside B(8), (+)-lyoniresinol-9'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (9), alaschanisoside A (10), syringin (11), psoralenoside (12), isopsoralenoside (13), scopolin(14), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (15), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (16), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-ß-D-glucopyrnoside (17), 2-(4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (18), (+)-catechin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (19), 3'-O-methylepicatechin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (20), kaempferitrin (21), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranside (22), kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (23), kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-O-ß-D-galactopyr anoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (24), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (25), staphylionoside D(26), vomifoliol 9-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (27), dihydrovomifoliol-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (28). Compounds 1-21 and 24-28 were obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Lignanoids from an aqueous extract of the roots of Codonopsis pilosula].

Sixteen lignanoids were isolated from an aqueous extract of the commonly used Chinese traditional medicine Dangshen, the dried roots of Codonopsis pilosula, by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, sephadex LH-20, and reversed phase semi-preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectral data analysis, their structures were elucidated and identified as（-）-（7R,7'R,8R,8'S）-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5',7-pentamethoxy-2,7'-cyclolignane（1）,（-）-（7R,8S）- dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-（1'''→2''）-ß-D-glucopyranoside（2）,（-）-（7R,8S）- dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol（3）,（+）-（7S,8R）-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol（4）,（+）-balanophonin（5）,（+）- demethoxypinoresinol（6）,（+）-pinoresinol（7）,（+）-epipinoresinol（8）,（-）-syringaresinol（9）,（-）-medioresinol（10）,（-）-lariciresinol（11）,（-）-secoisolariciresinol（12）,（-）-ent-isolariciresinol（13）,（+）-（7S,8S）-3-methoxy-3',7- expoxy-8,4'-neolignan-4,9,9'-triol（14）,（+）-（7S,8R）-3',4-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-8,4'-neolignan（15）, and（-）-（7R,8R）-3',4-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-8,4'-neolignan（16）. All these compounds were isolated from C. pilosula for the first time, while compound 1 is a new natural product of 2,7'-cyclolignan and 2 is a new 4',7-epoxy- 8,3'-neolignan diglucoside. Compound 12 showed activity against Fe(2+)-cysteine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation with an inhibition ratio of（63.4 ± 8.3） % at 1×10(-5) mol·L(-1).

[Isolation and characterization of siphovirus phages infecting bovine Streptococcus agalactiae].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify Streptococcus agalactiae phages and screen candidate phages to control infection caused by bovine S. agalactiae. METHODS: We used two methods for isolation of S. agalactiae phages, namely (1) isolation of phages from milk and environmental samples, and (2) isolation of phages via induction of lysogens with Mitomycin C. Double-layer agar culture method was used to purify phages. Then the newly obtained phages, with S. agalactiae phage JX01 isolated from mastitis milk, were comparatively analyzed in the following aspects: morphology of phages by transmission electron microscopy, host range of phages to 55 S. agalactiae strains and other Streptococcus strains, phages DNA using EcoR I, Xba I, Pst I and Sal I, the optical multiplicity of infection, absorption curve and one step growth curve, and the stability of phages at different storage conditions. RESULTS: The comparative analysis of the 3 novel phages LYGO9, HZ04 and pA11 (induced from S. agalctiae bovine clinical isolate HAJL2011070601) with JX01 showed that the 4 phages were classified as the member of Siphovirdae family. EcoR I, Sal I, Xba I and Pst I separately digested the 4 phages DNA provided 4, 3, 3 and 2 profiles, respectively. This suggested that they were different strains. All the 4 phages specifically infected bovine S. agalactiae isolates. LYGO9, pA11, JX01 and HZ04 could lyse 12, 13, 20 and 23 of 42 tested bovine S. agalctiae isolates, respectively. This clearly indicated that these 4 phages are closely related. CONCLUSION: The 3 new phages which specifically lyse bovine S. agalactiae isolates are siphovirus phages. Phage LYGO9 was shown having a short latent period and a larger burst size.

[Chemical constituents from ethyl acetate exaction of root of Paeonia lactiflora].

Two new phenylpropanoids(1 and 2), together with thirteen known compounds(3-15), have been isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora by using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis(MS,IR,1D and 2D NMR)as(+)-(7R,8R)-1-guaiacyl-1,2-propanediolacetonide(1),(-)-(7R,8S)-1-guaiacyl-1,2-propanediolacetonide(2),O-senecioyllomatin(3),O-angeloyllomatin(4),(+)-cis-3'-senecioyloxy-4'-angeloyloxy-3',4'-dihydroseselin(5),columbianadin(6), benzyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate(7),3,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxyBenzo-furan(8),(S)-evofolin-A(9),2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone(10), 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone(11), 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methyl acetophenone(12),ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(13), vanillic acid(14),and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde(15).Compounds 1 and 2 were new compounds,and compounds 3-9 were obtained from the genus Paeonia for the first time.

C14-polyacetylene glucosides from Codonopsis pilosula.

Seven new C14-polyacetylene glucosides codonopilodiynosides A-G (1-7) were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Codonopsis pilosula roots. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (-)-(5S,6E,12E)-tetradeca-6,12-dien-8,10-diyn-1,5,14-triol 5-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), (-)-(5S,6E,12E)-tetradeca-6,12-dien-8,10-diyn-1,5,14-triol 5-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″ → 2')-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), (-)-(5S,6E,12E)-tetradeca-6,12-dien-8,10-diyn-1,5,14-triol 5,14-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), (-)-(5S,6E)-tetradeca-6-en-8,10-diyn-1,5,14-triol 5-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), (-)-(5S,6E,12E)-tetradeca-6,12-dien-8,10-diyn-1,5-diol 5-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″ → 2')-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), (-)-(6S,4E,12E)-tetradeca-4,12-dien-8,10-diyn-1,6-diol 6-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″ → 2')-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), and (-)-(5S,6E)-tetradeca-6-en-1,5-epoxy-8,10-diyn-14-ol 14-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″ → 2')-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), respectively. The absolute configurations of 1-7 were assigned by enzymatic hydrolysis followed by isolation of glucose and aglycones (1a and 4a-7a), and subsequent comparison of specific rotation, TLC, and (1)H NMR data of the glucose with an authentic sugar sample and application of modified Mosher's method based on the MPA determination rule of Δδ(RS) values for 1a and 4a, and Δδ(S) values for 6a. The configuration of 7 was assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations based on the quantum-mechanical time-dependent density functional theory.

[Glycosides from Machilus wangchiana].

Ten glycosidic compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of Machilus wangchiana by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase flash chromatography and HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis (IR, MS, and NMR) as icariside B1 (1), boscialin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), pisumionoside (3), isolariciresinol-9'-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside (4), 5'-methoxyisolariciresinol-9'-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside (5), lyoniresinol-9'-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside (6), (E) -4-hydroxyphenylprop-7-ene 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), (E) - 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylprop-7-ene 4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6) -ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylprop-8-ene 4-O-ß-D-xylopyraosyl-(1 --> 6) -ß-D-glucopyranoside (9), and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenylprop-8-ene 4-O-α-L-rhamnpyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-ß-D- glucopyranoside (10), respectively.

[Studies on chemical constituents of aqueous extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds].

From an aqueous extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds, sixteen compounds were isolated by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous resin, MCI gel, silica gel, and sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis as 6'-O-acetylvogeloside (1), 6'-O-acetylsecoxyloganin (2), dichlorogelignate (3), guanosinyl-(3' --> 5')-adenosine monophosphate(GpA,4) , 5'-O-methyladenosine (5), 2'-O-methyladenosine (6), adenosine (7), syringin (8), methyl 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl caffeate (9), (-)-dihydrophaseic acid 4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (10), ketologanin (11), 7α-morroniside (12), 7ß-morroniside (13), kingiside (14), cryptochlorogenic acid methyl ester (15), and 6-hydroxymethyl-3-pyridinol (16). All the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time, compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, 3 and 5 are new natural products, and 4 is the first example of dinucleoside monophosphate isolated from a plant extract.

Chemical constituents from branch of Fraxinus sieboldiana.

Using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, macroporous adsorbent resin, and reversed-phase HPLC, 115 compounds including diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, treterpenes, coumarins, lignans, fatty acid derivatives, and simple aromatic derivatives were isolated from an ethanol extract of branch of Fraxinus sieboldiana (Oleaceaue), and their structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1 D, 2D NMR and MS techniques. Among them, 41 compounds were new. In previous reports, we have been described the isolation, structure elucidation, and bioactivities of the 41 new compounds and 22 known orii including 8 coumarins, 4 phenolic and 12 phenylethanoidal glycosides. As a consequence, we herein reported the isolation and structure elucidation of the remaining 50 known compounds including 8- hydroxy-12-oxoabieta-9(11),13-dien-20-oic 8, 20-lactone(1), 6beta-hydroxyfcrruginol(2),(+)-pisiferic acid(3), (+)-pisiferal(4),(+)-7-dehydroabiet6none(5), 1-oxomiltirone(6), subdigitatone(7), linarionoside B(8), (9S)-linarionoside B(9), (3R,9R)-3-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-beta-ionol 9-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside(10), ursolic acid(11), betulinic acid(12), euscaphic acid(13), (+)-syringaresinol(14), (+)-fraxiresinol(15), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol(16), pinoresinol(17), medioresinol(18), 8-acetoxypinoresinol(19), epipinoresinol(20), (-)-olivil(21), (+)-cyclo-olivil(22), 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4',9-trihydroxy-7,9'-epoxylignan-7'-one(23),(+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (24), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(25),(+)-syringaresinol O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (26), liriodendrin (27), ehletianol D(28), icariside E5(29) (-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-1-C-syringylglycerol(30),(-)-(7R, 8S)-erythro-guaiacylglycerol (31),(-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-guaiacylglycerol(32), 3-(4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methoxy)-phenyl-2E-propenol(33),2,3-dihydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(34), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (35), 3-hydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(36), omega-hydroxypropioguaiacone(37), sinapyladehyde(38), trans-p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde(39), syringic acid(40), vanilic acid(41), vanillin(42), 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (43), (24R)-24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol(44), beta-sitosterol(45), daucosterol(46), 2,6-dimethoxy-I,4-benzoquinone(47), 2,6-dimethoxy-pyran-4-one(48), 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil(49), and mannitol(50). Compouds 1-7,12,18,28-37,44 and 48 were obtained from the genus Fraxinus for the first time.

Biofilm formation of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus and comparative proteomic analysis of biofilm and planktonic cells.

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is responsible for a wide variety of infections in many species, including pigs, horses and humans. Biofilm formation is essential for pathogenesis, and the ability to resist antibiotic treatment results in difficult-to-treat and persistent infections. However, the ability of SEZ to form biofilms is unclear. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying SEZ biofilm formation and their attributes are poorly understood. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that SEZ strain ATCC35246 formed biofilms comprising a thick, heterogeneous layer with clumps on the coverslips when incubated for 24 h. In addition, we used a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) based approach to characterize differentially expressed protein in SEZ biofilms compared with their planktonic counterparts. The results revealed the existence of 24 protein spots of varying intensities, 13 of which were upregulated and 11 were downregulated in the SEZ biofilm compared with the planktonic controls. Most of proteins expressed during biofilm formation were associated with metabolism, adhesion, and stress conditions. These observations contribute to our understanding of the SEZ biofilm lifestyle, which may lead to more effective measures to control persistent SEZ infections.

The transmission network and spatial-temporal distributions of COVID-19: A case study in Lanzhou, China.

Public emergencies exert substantial adverse effects on the socioeconomic development of cities. Investigating the transmission characteristics of COVID-19 can lead to evidence-based strategies for future pandemic intervention and prevention. Drawing upon primary COVID-19 data collected at both the street level and from individuals with confirmed cases in Lanzhou, China, our study examined the spatial-temporal distribution of the pandemic at a detailed level. First, we constructed transmission networks based on social relationships and spatial behavior to elucidate the actual natural transmission chain of COVID-19. We then analyze key information regarding pandemic spread, such as superspreaders, superspreading places, and peak hours. Furthermore, we constructed a space-time path model to deduce the spatial transmission trajectory of the pandemic while validating it with real activity trajectory data from confirmed cases. Finally, we investigate the impacts of pandemic prevention and control policies. The progression of the pandemic exhibits distinct stages and spatial clustering characteristics. People with complex social relationships and daily life trajectories and places with high pedestrian flow and commercial activity venues are prone to becoming superspreaders and superspreading places. The transmission path of the pandemic showed a pattern of short-distance and adjacent transmission, with most areas not affected. Early-stage control measures effectively disrupt transmission hotspots and impede the spatiotemporal trajectory of pandemic propagation, thereby enhancing the efficacy of prevention and control efforts. These findings elucidate the characteristics and transmission processes underlying pandemics, facilitating targeted and adaptable policy formulation to shape sustainable and resilient cities.

Functionalized γ-Boehmite Covalent Grafting Modified Polyethylene for Lithium-Ion Battery Separator.

In the field of lithium-ion batteries, the challenges posed by the low melting point and inadequate wettability of conventional polyolefin separators have increased the focus on ceramic-coated separators. This study introduces a highly efficient and stable boehmite/polydopamine/polyethylene (AlOOH-PDA-PE) separator. It is crafted by covalently attaching functionalized nanosized boehmite (γ-AlOOH) whiskers onto polyethylene (PE) surfaces. The presence of a covalent bond increases the stability at the interface, while amino groups on the surface of the separator enhance the infiltration of the electrolyte and facilitate the diffusion of lithium ions. The PE-PDA-AlOOH separator, when used in lithium-ion batteries, achieves a discharge capacity of 126 mAh g-1 at 5 C and retains 97.1% capacity after 400 cycles, indicating superior cycling stability due to its covalently bonded ceramic surface. Thus, covalent interface modification is a promising strategy to prevent delamination of ceramic coatings in separators.

Identification of genes transcribed by Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus in infected porcine lung.

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for respiratory tract infection, septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis and arthritis in swine and humans. However, the expression and regulation of SEZ genes during an infection in vivo are poorly understood. In this study, we focused on the identification of SEZ genes preferentially expressed in vivo during infection in pigs. This study identified 45 SEZ genes that were upregulated in infected porcine lung tissues using the selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) technique and comparative dot-blot analysis, followed by quantitative RT-PCR validation. The identified genes were characterized into 6 functional categories: metabolism, cell wall-associated, stress response, transporters, regulators and unknown functions. Our study successfully identified multiple genes, which can deepen our understanding about SEZ pathogenesis and infer probable virulence factors. It will promote the development of novel vaccines and therapies about this pathogen for further study.

Characterization and genome sequencing of a novel bacteriophage infecting Streptococcus agalactiae with high similarity to a phage from Streptococcus pyogenes.

A novel bacteriophage, JX01, specifically infecting bovine Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from milk of mastitis-affected cattle. The phage morphology showed that JX01 belongs to the family Siphoviridae, and this phage demonstrated a broad host range. Microbiological characterization demonstrated that nearly 90 % of JX01 phage particles were adsorbed after 2.5 min of incubation, that the burst size was 20 virions released per infected host cell, and that there was a latent period of 30 min. JX01 was thermal sensitive and showed acid and alkaline resistance (pH 3-11). The genome of JX01 was found to consist of a linear, double-stranded 43,028-bp DNA molecule with a GC content of 36.81 % and 70 putative open reading frames (ORFs) plus one tRNA. Comparative genome analysis revealed high similarity between JX01 and the prophage 315.2 of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Homosecoiridoid alkaloids with amino acid units from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica.

Nine new homosecoiridoid alkaloids, named lonijaposides O-W (1-9), along with 19 known compounds, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis and chemical methods. Lonijaposides O-W have structural features that involve amino acid units sharing the N atom with a pyridinium (1-5) or nicotinic acid (6-9) moiety. The absolute configurations of the amino acid units were determined by oxidation of each pyridinium ring moiety with potassium ferricyanide, hydrolysis of the oxidation product, and Marfey's analysis of the hydrolysate. This procedure was validated by oxidizing and hydrolyzing synthetic model compounds. The phenylalanine units in compounds 4, 5, and 9 have the d-configuration, and the other amino acid units in 1-3 and 6-8 possess the l-configuration. Compounds 1, 4, 6, and 9 and the known compounds 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 5'-O-methyladenosine exhibited antiviral activity against the influenza virus A/Hanfang/359/95 (H3N2) with IC50 values of 3.4-11.6 µM, and 4 inhibited Coxsackie virus B3 replication with an IC50 value of 12.3 µM.

[Chemical constituents from the linseed meal].

Ten compounds were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of linseed meal (Linum usitatissimum L) through a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, macroporous adsorbent resin, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, they were elucidated as 1-methylethyl-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 6')-beta-D-glucopyanoside (1), linustatin (2), neolinustatin (3), lotaustralin (4), linamarin (5), deoxyguanosine (6), deoxyadenosine (7), (+)-pinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylvanillyl alcohol (9) and tachioside (10), separately. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 6, 8 and 10 were isolated from the linseed meal for the first time.

[Chemical constituents from Litsea greenmaniana].

A new compound (1), together with ten known compounds (2-11), have been isolated from the branch of Litsea greenmaniana by using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis as N-trans-3, 4-methylenecinnamoyl-3-methoxytyramine (1), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (2), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (3), (+)-sesamin (4), (+)-pinoresinol(5), cinnamophilin (6), dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (7), benzoic acid (8), 4-hydroxy ethylbenzoate (9), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(10), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl alcohol (11). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2-11 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Chemical constituents from flower buds of Lonicera japonica].

Eighteen compounds were isolated by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous resin, MCI gel, silica gel, and sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis as adinoside A (1), stryspinoside (2), benzyl alcohol beta-glucopyranoside (3), benzyl 2-o-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2,6-dihydroxybenzoate (4) , gentisic acid 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), eugenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (6) , eugenyl-P-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranoside (7), (-)-lyoniresinol 9-O-fP-D-glucopyranoside (8) , (+)-lyoniresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9) , apigenin-7-O-L-rhamnopyranoside (10), luteolin-3 '-O-L-rhamnoside (11) , ursolic acid (12) , beta-sitosteryl-3beta-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (13), abscisic acid (14), guanosine (15), 5-methyluracil (16), trans-cinnamic acid (17), and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(18). These compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

A Systematic Government-Driven Green Development Transformation Strategy with Chinese Characteristics: The Case Study of the Xining Metropolitan Area.

In the 21st century, the tension between economic growth, resources and the environment in countries around the world is increasing, and the sustainable development of the economy and society is under great pressure. Green development has become the only way for countries to promote sustainable development. Generally, capitalist countries achieve their green development goals through increasingly strict environmental protection regulations, technological upgrading, industrial upgrading and global transfer based on market mechanisms and legal environments. Evidently, this green development strategy relies on the core position of Western countries in the global technological leadership and the global division of labor. However, limited in terms of their economic strength and by technical barriers, how can developing countries, led by China, in the marginal position in the global market competition, carry out green development transformation? In line with the "high-quality development" strategy, governments at all levels in China are actively exploring green development strategies with their own characteristics. Based on the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research and the face-to-face interview method, this paper summarizes a new strategy of systematic government-driven green development combining internal and external factors in the underdeveloped areas of inland China, which has gradually formed in the Xining metropolitan area (XMA) in the past 20 years. This strategy has the following characteristics: Firstly, during the period of rapid growth, the XMA areas have promoted each other through new urbanization and new industrialization and jointly promoted the formation of a green development turn in the new era. Secondly, the government is the core actor and driving force of China's regional green development and has gradually formulated and implemented a series of policy systems during this development. Restricted by local economic backwardness and low industrial profits, the implementation of green government policies tends to be mandatory. The majority of urban residents and rural people support this transformation because they have benefited from the transformation process. Thirdly, this green development strategy is reflected in many aspects, such as industry, ecology, the environment, space and transportation, and is part of a systematic, green-oriented transformation. Fourthly, the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics are the guarantee of the green development strategy. It is noteworthy that this kind of green development transformation requires a large amount of "additional" investment and the "rapid" upgrade of the industry. Therefore, it requires more time and the understanding and assistance of all sectors of society.