The Identification of Mutation in BMP15 Gene Associated with Litter Size in Xinjiang Cele Black Sheep.

The Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) gene is known to have multiple single-nucleotide polymorphism sites associated with sheep fecundity. This study used gene sequence analysis and mutation detection assays for BMP15 by using 205 blood samples of ewes with known lambing records. Sequence analysis showed that mutation B1 missed the CTT base in exon 1 at positions 28-30, leading to a leucine deletion in the BMP15 protein. Litter size of ewes differed significantly between BB and B+ genotypes of B1 (p < 0.05); however, the differences between wild genotype (++) and homozygous (BB) or wild genotype (++) and heterozygous (B+) were not significant (p > 0.05). Another mutation, T755C, is a T-to-C base change at position 755 of exon 2, resulting in leucine replacement by proline at this position of the BMP15 protein (p.L252P). Two genotypes were identified in the flock: heterozygous (E+) and wild-type genotype (++). Ewes with heterozygous (E+) p.L252P had significantly larger litter sizes than those with the wild-type genotype (p < 0.05). Comprehensive analysis suggests that p.L252P is a mutation that affects fecundity in Cele black sheep.

Bioactive Meroterpenoids and Isocoumarins from the Mangrove-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. TGM112.

Two new meroterpenoids, penicianstinoids A and B (1 and 2), and eight new isocoumarins, peniciisocoumarins A-H (3-10), together with 10 known analogues (11-20) were obtained from the mangrove-derived fungus Penicillium sp. TGM112. The structures and absolute configurations of 1-10 were determined by interpretation of detailed NMR, MS spectroscopic data, X-ray diffraction analyses, modified Mosher's method, and calculated electronic circular dichroism data. Compounds 1-4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 16 showed growth inhibition activity against newly hatched larvae of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner with IC50 values ranging from 50 to 200 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, and 11-15 displayed activity against Caenorhabditis elegans with EC50 values ranging from 9.4 (± 1.0) to 38.2 (± 0.6) µg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 represents an austinoid-like meroterpenoid that is reported here for the second time, in which a carbon-carbon double bond was oxidized to a carbonyl group at C-1'-C-2'.

3,4- seco-Norclerodane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Polyalthia laui.

Ten new clerodane diterpenoids, polylauioids A-J (1-10), and five known analogues (11-15) were isolated from the roots of Polyalthia laui. Among the new compounds, 3 and 8 are artifacts. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with published NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 4, 5, and 7 were defined based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism data. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of rearranged 3,4- seco-norclerodane diterpenoids, and a putative biosynthesis pathway for these compounds is proposed. Compounds 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 showed anti-HIV activities with EC50 values ranging from 12.2 to 35.2 µM.

Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes Containing 2-Phenylbenzo[d]oxazole Ligand: Synthesis, X-ray Crystal Structures, Properties and DFT Calculations.

Two new iridium(III) complexes were synthesized and fully characterized, [(bo)2Ir(pzpy)] (2a) and [(bo)2Ir(pzpyz)] (2b) (where bo = 2-phenylbenzo[d]oxazole, pzpy = 2-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine, pzpyz = 2-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyrazine). The single crystal structures of 2a-2b have been determined. Considering the relationship between their structures and photophysical properties, DFT calculations have been used to further support this inference. These Ir(III) complexes emit from the excited state of 3MLCT/3LLCT in the green and yellow region, and the quantum yields in the degassed CH2Cl2 solution at room temperature are 35.2% and 46.1%. Theoretical and experimental results show that iridium(III) complexes 2a-2b are promising phosphorescent material.

Efficient yellow electroluminescence of four iridium(iii) complexes with benzo[d]thiazole derivatives as main ligands.

Four bis-cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes, (bt)2Ir(tpip), (fbt)2Ir(tpip), (cf3bt)2Ir(tpip) and (dfbt)2Ir(tpip) (bt = 2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole, fbt = 6-fluoro-2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole, cf3bt = 2-phenyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzo[d]thiazole, dfbt = 5,7-difluoro-2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole, tpip = tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate) have been synthesized and investigated. All complexes emit yellow light peaks at 564-574 nm with quantum efficiencies (Φem) of 27.1-48.4% and excited state lifetimes of 2.40-2.81 µs in degassed CH2Cl2 solution at room temperature. Correspondingly, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using these complexes as emitters achieve yellow electrophosphorescence with good device characteristics. Due to its highest photoluminescence quantum yield (48.4%), the device based on (dfbt)2Ir(tpip) displays the best device performance with a maximum current efficiency (ηc, max) of up to 69.8 cd A-1 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of up to 24.3%. Furthermore, all devices showed low efficiency roll-off ratios. The EQE could still be retained at 17.7%, 16.4%, 18.3% and 20.6% for four devices at a luminance of 1000 cd m-2. These results suggest that these materials have potential application in efficient OLEDs.

Penicilindoles A-C, Cytotoxic Indole Diterpenes from the Mangrove-Derived Fungus Eupenicillium sp. HJ002.

Three new indole diterpenes, penicilindoles A-C (1-3), were isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Eupenicillium sp. HJ002. Their planar structures and absolute configurations were determined by interpretation of NMR spectroscopic data, HR-ESIMS, and X-ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα radiation. The cytotoxic and antibacterial activities were evaluated in vitro; penicilindole A (1) showed cytotoxic activity against human A549 and HepG2 cell lines with IC50 values of 5.5 and 1.5 µM, respectively.

Synthesis and Properties of two CuI Complexes Involving Tetrathia-fulvalene-Fused Phenanthroline Ligand.

Two CuI complexes based on the π-conjugated tetrathiafulvalene-annulated phenanthroline ligands (TTF-Phen, L1 and L2), [CuI(Xantphos)(L1)]BF4 (1, Xantphos = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene) and [CuI(Binap)(L2)]BF4 (2, Binap = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl), have been synthesized. They have been fully characterized, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties are reported together with those of L1 and L2 for comparison. Both CuI complexes show metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands, whereas the 3MLCT luminescence is strongly quenched.

New phenylpropanoid and 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivatives from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum.

Three new phenylpropanoid derivatives, dasymaroacid A (1), dasymaroesters B and C (2 and 3), and one new polyoxygenated 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivative dasymarolactone D (4), together with seven known compounds (5-11), were isolated from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum Merr. Compounds 1 and 2 are unusual phenylpropanoid derivatives with a polymethyl substituted cyclopentene conjugated diketone as a substituent, and 3 is a unique cinnamic acid detective with a polymethyl substituted cyclohexene conjugated triketone as a substituent. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and chemical method, and 4 was further confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compounds 1-4 and 7 showed weak anti-HIV-1 activities with EC50 values ranged from 16.44 to 25.91µM.

New Iridium Complex Coordinated with Tetrathiafulvalene Substituted Triazole-pyridine Ligand: Synthesis, Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties.

A new iridium(III) complex based on the triazole-pyridine ligand with tetrathiafulvalene unit, [Ir(ppy)2(L)]PF6 (1), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The absorption spectra, luminescent spectra and electrochemical behaviors of L and 1 have been investigated. Complex 1 is found to be emissive at room temperature with maxima at 481 and 510 nm. The broad and structured emission bands are suggested a mixing of 3LC (3π-π*) and 3CT (3MLCT) excited states. The influence of iridium ion coordination on the redox properties of the TTF has also been investigated by cyclic voltammetry.

Synthesis, Characterization, Properties and DFT Calculations of 2-(Benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)pyridine-based Iridium(III) Complexes with Different Ancillary Ligands.

A series of new cyclometalated btp-based iridium(III) complexes with three different ancillary ligands, Ir(btp)2(bozp) (3a), Ir(btp)2(btzp) (3b) and Ir(btp)2(izp) (3c) (btp = 2-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)pyridine, bozp =2-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenol, btzp =2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenol, izp = 2-(2 H-indazol-2-yl)phenol), have been synthesized and fully characterized. The crystal structure of 3b has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A comparative study has been carried out for complexes 3a - 3c by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations. This observation illustrates that the substitution of N or S in ancillary ligand can lead to a marked bathochromic shift of absorption and emission wavelengths. The spectroscopic characterisation of these complexes has been complemented by DFT and TD-DFT calculations, supporting the assignment of (3)MLCT/(3)LC to the lowest energy excited state.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Photophysical Properties and Theoretical Study of a New Iridium(III) Complex Containing 2-phenylbenzothiazole Ligand.

A new bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complex [Ir(dmabt)(2)(bipy)][PF(6)] (3) (dmabt = 4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylaniline, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) has been synthesized and fully characterized. The complex 3 has been determined by X-ray structure analyses which shows that the central iridium(III) ion assumes distorted octahedral geometry. The photoluminescence spectrum exhibits orange emission maximum at 612 nm with quantum yield of 17% at 298 K. The frontier molecular orbital diagrams and the spin-allowed singlet-singlet electronic transitions of 3 have been calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT), and the UV-Vis spectra are discussed based on the theoretical calculations.

Merosesquiterpenoids and ten-membered macrolides from a soft coral-derived Lophiostoma sp. fungus.

One new merosesquiterpenoid, craterellin D (1), along with one known analog, craterellin A (2), and five known ten-membered macrolides, 3-7, were isolated from a soft coral-derived Lophiostoma sp. fungus. The absolute configuration of 1 was established based on biogenetic consideration with the co-isolated analog 2, whose configuration was determined by modified Mosher's method and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using CuKα radiation. The absolute configuration of 3 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis using CuKα radiation. Compounds 2 and 3 showed antibacterial activities against Bacillus cereus with a MIC value of 3.12 µM.

Bioactive anthraquinone derivatives from the mangrove-derived fungus Stemphylium sp. 33231.

Four new anthraquinone derivatives (1-4) and four new alterporriol-type anthranoid dimers (14-17), along with 17 analogues, were isolated from the solid rice fermentation of the fungus Stemphylium sp. 33231 obtained from the mangrove Bruguiera sexangula var. rhynchopetala collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of 1, 3, and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of their derivatives (1a, 3b, and 4a). The absolute configurations of the chiral 17-19 were determined by comparing their CD spectra with 21. The inhibitory activities of most of the compounds against seven terrestrial pathogenic bacteria and two cancer cell lines were evaluated.

Deep-red phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes containing 1-(benzo[b] thiophen-2-yl) isoquinoline ligand: synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties and DFT calculations.

Four new bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(btq) 2phen] [PF6] (3a), [Ir(btq) 2bpy] [PF6] (3b), [Ir(btq) 2dtbipy] [PF6] (3c) and [Ir(btq) 2pic] (3d) (btq = 1-(benzo[b] thiophen-2-yl) isoquinoline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dtbipy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine, pic = picolinic acid) have been synthesized and fully characterized. The crystal structure of 3a has been determined by X-ray analysis. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these new complexes 3a - 3d have been studied. The photoluminescence spectra of all Ir(III) complexes exhibit deep-red emission maxima at 682, 682, 683 and 698 nm, respectively. The most representative molecular orbital energy-level diagrams and the lowest energy electronic transitions of 3a - 3d have been calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD - DFT). The results show that the pic ancillary ligand of complex 3d influences the absorption and emission energies with a further red-shift relative to other three complexes 3a - 3c.

Synthesis, characterization and DFT studies of two new pi-conjugated-conjugated pyridine-based tetrathiafulvalene derivatives.

Two new pi-conjugated pyridine-based tetrathiafulvalene derivatives, 2-(2- (4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-6-phenyl-[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-b][1,4]dithiin-5-yl)pyridine (2a) and 3-(2-(4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-6-(pyridin-2-yl) -[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-b][1,4]dithiin-5-yl)quinoline (2b), have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopies. The compound 2a has also been studied by X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) framework with B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. Its crystal structure is triclinic system, space group P1-. The unit cell dimensions are: a = 8.813(3) Å, b = 11.082(3) Å, c = 12.620(4) Å, alfa = 88.805(5)°, beta = 80.440(5)°, gama = 75.680(5)°, V = 1177.3(6) Å3, Z = 2. The molecule exhibits one classical C-H···N intermolecular hydrogen bonds, two kinds of short intermolecular S···S interactions and two types of C-H···pi supramolecular interactions.

In situ growth of monodispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles on graphene for the removal of heavy metals and aromatic compounds.

We report on the efficient removal of heavy metal ions and aromatic compounds from simulated wastewater with a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was obtained via thermal decomposition of the precursor Fe(acac)3 onto the surface of graphene, modified by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic anhydride through dopamine. It was found that the maximum adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite toward Cu(2+) and naphthalene was 207.9 and 72.2 mg g(-1) respectively, displaying a high efficiency for the removal of heavy metal ions as well as aromatic compounds at pH 7.0 and 293 K. The Langmuir for naphthalene and the Freundlich for the Cu(2+) adsorption isotherms were applicable for describing the removal processes. Furthermore, the nanocomposite was carefully examined by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, and UV-vis spectroscopy. This work provides a very efficient, fast and convenient approach to exploring a promising nanocomposite for water treatment.

N,N'-[2,2'-(Phenyl-aza-nedi-yl)bis-(ethane-2,1-di-yl)]dipicolinamide.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H23N5O2, contains two independent mol-ecules with similar conformations; the terminal pyridine rings are oriented at dihedral angles of 23.99 (8) and 18.07 (8)° with respect to the central benzene ring in one mol-ecule and 28.99 (8) and 23.22 (8)° in the other. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure. Weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions are also observed in the crystal.

[A Novel Method for Increasing the Number of Metaphase Cells Cultured in vitro.].

To increase the number of metaphase cells cultured in vitro, two bovine fibroblast cell lines (YFF and CNF) were frozen at 4 degrees for different length of time prior to colchicine treatment , and then chromosomal specimen were prepared. The percentage of metaphase cells was examined under conditions above. Using this method, the variation rate of karyotype of YFF and CNF subcultured up to passage 20 were also analyzed. It was found that the percentage of YFF and CNF metaphase cells in treatment group were significantly higher than that in control group (p0.05), and the number of YFF and CNF metaphase cells obtained in 20 h treatment group were increased more than 6 fold as many as that in control group (p0.01), 31.7% and 40.2% vs 4.7% and 6.4% ,respectively. These data suggest that the method of freezing at 4 degrees could be used for increasing the number of metaphase cells in vitro conveniently, and analyzing the variation rate of karyotype of cultured cells efficiently.