Cohnella mopanensis sp. nov., a new Gram-negative bacterium isolated from soil in Xinping Mountain National Forest Park.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria strain, named YIM B01951T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Mopan Mountain National Forest Park, Xinping City, Yunnan Province, southwest PR China (101°58'06" N, 23°03'02" E). Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5) and with up to ≤ 3.0% (w/v) NaCl on Nutrient Agar plates. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain YIM B01951T was closely related to the type strain of Cohnella arctica M9-62T (96.5%) and Cohnella lupini RLAHU4BT (96.3%). YIM B01951T contains anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids; the main polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysylphosphatidylglycerol (PGL) and five aminophospholipids (APL). The MK-7 is the major respiratory quinone and the DNA G + C content is 49.2 mol%. Based on these phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YIM B01951T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Cohnella, and named Cohnella mopanensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM B01951T (= NBRC 115331T = KCTC 43370T).

Brevibacillus daliensis sp. nov., Isolated From Soil in Machangqing Nature Reserve.

A new aerobic bacterial strain, designated strain YIM B02290T, was isolated from the soil of Machangqing, Dali city, Yunnan Province, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, sporogenous, rod-shaped, and motile with peritrichous flagella. Strain YIM B02290T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Brevibacillus laterosporus (97.6%) and Brevibacillus halotolerans (97.6%). The ANI and dDDH values between strain YIM B02290T and the two reference strains Brevibacillus laterosporus LAM00312T and Brevibacillus halotolerans DSM 25T are 72.6% and 72.2%, 20.2% and 19.5% based on the draft genome sequence, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids contain anteiso-C15: 0 and iso-C15: 0. The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was identified as menaquinone-7. The main polar lipids of strain YIM B02290T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, phosphatidyl monomethylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G + C content was 40.6 mol%. All results showed that strain YIM B02290T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacillus, for which the name Brevibacillus daliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02290T (= CCTCC AB 2021094T = CGMCC 1.18802T = KCTC 43376T).

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids from the stems and leaves of Panax notoginseng.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids, notoginsenoside SY1 (1) and notoginsenoside SY2 (2), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Panax notoginseng. Their structures were elucidated to be 3ß, 12ß-dihydroxy-22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27-hexanordammarane-20-one 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3ß, 12ß-dihydroxy-20S, 24 R-epoxydammar-25-ene 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) by IR, HRESIMS and NMR experiments.[Formula: see text].

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids from the steamed roots of Panax notoginseng.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids, notoginsenoside SY3 (1) and notoginsenoside SY4 (2), were isolated from the steamed roots of Panax notoginseng. Their structures were determined to be 3ß, 12ß, 20(S)-trihydroxy-27-anordammar-23(24)(E)-ene-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 3ß, 12ß, 20(S)-trihydroxy-25-methoxyldammar-23(24)(E)-ene-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) by IR, HRESIMS and NMR experiments.

HOXB4 promotes the malignant progression of ovarian cancer via DHDDS.

BACKGROUND: Homeobox B4 (HOXB4) is correlated with poor prognosis of various cancer types. However, how HOXB4 promotes ovarian cancer (OV) progression remains unclear. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database indicated that a high level of HOXB4 in OV was correlated with poor prognosis. The biological functions of HOXB4 were confirmed by colony formation, migration, and invasion assays. The effect of HOXB4 on the expression of EMT cell markers was determined. The transcriptional target of HOXB4 was DHDDS, which was detected by a ChIP assay. A xenograft tumor model was generated in nude mice to detect the role of HOXB4 in tumor proliferation and metastasis. RESULTS: The results showed that HOXB4 protein levels were higher in OV tissues than in normal tissues and correlated with poor prognosis of OV. HOXB4 reduction inhibited the proliferation and invasion ability of OV cells in vitro. Conversely, these effects were enhanced by the upregulation of HOXB4 in OV cells. The binding of HOXB4 to two DNA motifs regulated DHDDS expression and contributed to the malignant progression of OV. The role of HOXB4 in contributing to tumor development in vivo was verified in mice. Further results indicated that HOXB4 induced Snail and Zeb1 expression. CONCLUSION: Overall, HOXB4 overexpression was remarkably correlated with poor prognosis of OV. Mechanistically, HOXB4 enhances the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells by activating DHDDS, thereby promoting the malignant progression of OV.

Four new C19-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum.

Four new C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, hemaconitines A-D (1-4), were isolated from the roots of Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum. Their structures were elucidated as 19R-hydroxyl-secoyunnaconitine (1), (3R)-hydroxyl-liwaconitine (2), 14-anisoyl-leucanthumsine E (3), and 19R -acetonyl-8-O-methyltalatisamine (4) by extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR).

Stereoselective Alkali-Metal Catalysts for Highly Isotactic Poly(rac-lactide) Synthesis.

A high degree of chain end control in the isoselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide is a challenging research goal. In this work, eight highly active sodium and potassium phenolates as highly isoselective catalysts for the ROP of rac-lactide are reported. The best isoselectivity value of Pm = 0.94 is achieved. The isoselective mechanism is chain-end control through the analysis of the stereoerrors in the microstructure of a final polymer; thus, isotactic multiblock structure polymers are obtained, and the highest melt point can reach 192.5 °C. The donating group in phenolate can clearly accelerate the ROP reaction, potassium complexes are more active than the analogous sodium complexes, and the big spacial hindrance of the ligand can decrease the activity. The high isoselectivities of these complexes mostly result from their sandwich structure constructed by the plane of the crown and the plane of the anthryl group.

Iso-selective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide catalyzed by crown ether complexes of sodium and potassium naphthalenolates.

Two crown ether complexes of sodium and potassium naphthalenolates were synthesized and entirely characterized. The two complexes can iso-selectively catalyze the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide at room temperature and afford polylactides with desired molecular weights and narrow PDIs; the best isotacticity (Pm) achieved was 0.73.

Stepwise Reduction of 9,10-Bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene.

Stepwise reduction of 9,10-bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene afforded an radical anion and a dianion, accompanied by stepwise changes of the aromaticity of the anthracene moiety. The radical has a planar semiquinoidal structure, while the dianion has a puckered quinoidal structure. The alteration of the geometries of the 9,10-bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene upon reduction is rationalized by the nature of the bonding. These results have been confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography, NMR, EPR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, as well as DFT calculations.

Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 6 in 2 prenatal cases with IUGR: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Uniparental disomy (UPD) is a rare genetic condition leading to potential disease risks. Maternal UPD of chromosome 6 upd(6)mat is exceptionally rare, with limited cases reported. This study reported two new cases of upd(6)mat and reviewed the literature of previous cases. CASE PRESENTATION: Both cases exhibited intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and genetic analysis confirmed upd(6)mat in each case. The literature review identified a total of 19 cases. IUGR and preterm labor were the most common two symptoms observed, and additional anomalies and genetic variations were also reported in some cases. CONCLUSION: upd(6)mat is potentially associatied with IUGR, but the precise genotype-phenotype relationship remains unclear. The cases with upd(6)mat may present clinical features due to imprinting disorders.

Whole-exome sequencing increases the diagnostic rate for prenatal fetal structural anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal whole-exome sequencing (WES) is becoming increasingly used when karyotype and microarray tests are not diagnostic of fetal malformations. Although the value of WES clearly emerges in terms of higher diagnostic rates, the limitations of prenatal phenotyping together with the counseling challenges for variants of uncertain significance and incidental results suggest that the routine application of prenatal WES is not yet easy. METHODS: Structurally abnormal fetuses with a mean gestational age of 24 weeks (range 13-38 weeks) were recruited from the Chong Qing Health Center for Women and Children. We performed a retrospective WES investigation in 85 fetuses, using DNA from amniotic fluid (66 samples, 77.6%), umbilical cord blood (10 samples, 11.8%), and fetal tissues (9 samples, 10.6%). Parental DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. RESULTS: Molecular diagnosis was obtained in 16 of the 85 fetuses (18.8%). According to the variant segregation mode and family history, 7 fetuses (43.75%) were affected by an autosomal dominant condition (6 variants were de novo and 1 variant was inherited from an unknowingly affected father), 7 fetuses (43.75%) had an autosomal recessive syndrome always associated with compound heterozygosity, and 2 fetuses (12.5%) had an X-linked condition (one mother was a carrier). In addition, the highest diagnostic rate was observed in fetuses with multisystem abnormalities (38.9%, 7/18). A variant of uncertain significance was detected in 16 samples (18.8%, 16/85). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that prenatal WES is an efficient tool for studying fetal abnormalities, although further improvements are needed to establish stronger fetal genotype-phenotype correlations.

Individualized risk prediction of significant fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using a novel nomogram.

Background: Fibrosis is deemed to be a pivotal determinant of the long-term prognosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Objective: We aimed to develop a novel nomogram-based non-invasive model to accurately predict significant fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Methods: We designed a prospective cohort study including 207 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Detailed anthropometric and fibrosis-related laboratory parameters were collected. A nomogram was established based on variables that were independently associated with significant fibrosis identified by the logistic regression model. Then it was compared with aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), FIB-4 and BARD score. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed according to area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and decision curve analysis. Results: Variables included in the nomogram were: waist-to-height ratio, hyaluronic acid, procollagen-III-peptide, chitinase-3-like protein 1, and cytokeratine-18 neoepitope M65. The discrimination ability of the nomogram (AUROC = 0.829, 95%CI 0.755-0.904) was significantly superior to APRI (AUROC = 0.670, 95%CI 0.563-0.777), NFS (AUROC = 0.601, 95%CI 0.480-0.722), FIB-4 (AUROC = 0.624, 95%CI 0.511-0.736) and BARD (AUROC = 0.579, 95%CI 0.459-0.699) for significant fibrosis (all p < 0.05). The nomogram showed a larger net benefit to aid in decision-making as to whether biopsy is required. Conclusions: This novel nomogram was more accurate, and achieved higher net benefit than APRI, NFS, FIB-4 and BARD to detect significant fibrosis. It can be useful as a non-invasive method to screen ≥F2 fibrosis in the overall population with NAFLD.

Lifestyle interventions for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a network meta-analysis.

Lifestyle interventions remain the first-line therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to evaluate the individual impact of exercise and/or dietary interventions on the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and BMI. Randomized-controlled trials from patients diagnosed with NAFLD were included in the meta-analysis if they reported the associations between changes in ALT, AST, HOMA-IR, or BMI and types of lifestyle interventions. Nineteen eligible articles were included. Compared with observation, aerobic exercise training (AEx) plus diet [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-25.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): -43.90 to -7.80], AEx (WMD=-8.81; 95% CI: -20.22-2.60) and diet (WMD=-11.85; 95% CI: -47.65-24.95) showed significant efficacy in the improvement of ALT levels. Also AST, AEx plus diet showed a significant tendency to reduce AST levels. In addition, progressive resistance training (WMD=-1.70; 95% CI: -5.61-2.21) led to the most obvious reduction in HOMA-IR compared with observation, but appeared to show no significant effect in BMI (WMD=0.27; 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.07), whereas AEx plus diet (WMD=-0.96; 95% CI: -1.54 to -0.38 and WMD=-1.96; 95% CI: -2.79 to -1.12) showed great efficacy both in the improvement of HOMA-IR and BMI. AEx plus diet is the most effective intervention in the management of patients with NAFLD. Dietary intervention may be more effective in the improvements of aminotransferases, whereas exercise shows superiority in improving insulin sensitivity and reduction of BMI.

Alkali-Metal Monophenolates with a Sandwich-Type Catalytic Center as Catalysts for Highly Isoselective Polymerization of rac-Lactide.

Highly isoselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide is a challenge for sodium and potassium complexes under mild conditions. In this work, three sodium and potassium complexes with a sandwich-type catalytic center are highly active catalysts for the polymerization of rac-lactide and show high isoselectivities with Pm values of 0.72-0.82. The best isoselectivity of Pm = 0.82 is the highest value for alkali-metal complexes under mild conditions. The molecular weights of the obtained PLA are close to the theoretical values, and the molecular weight distributions are narrow.

Different mechanisms at different temperatures for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide catalyzed by binuclear magnesium and zinc alkoxides.

Two binuclear magnesium and zinc alkoxides supported by a bis-salalen type dinucleating heptadentate Schiff base ligand were synthesized and fully characterized. The two complexes are efficient initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide, affording polymers with narrow polydispersities and desirable molecular weights. Interestingly, the mechanisms for the ROP of lactide are different at different temperatures. At a high temperature of 130 °C, a coordination-insertion mechanism is reasonable for the bulk melt polymerization of lactide. At a low temperature, the alkoxide cannot initiate the ROP reaction; however, upon the addition of external benzyl alcohol into the system, the ROP of lactide can smoothly proceed via an "activated monomer" mechanism. In addition, these complexes display slight stereo-selectivity for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide, affording partially isotactic polylactide in toluene with a Pm value of 0.59.