Aloperine-Type Alkaloids with Antiviral and Antifungal Activities from the Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L.

As a continuous flow investigation of novel pesticides from natural quinolizidine alkaloids, the chemical compositions of the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides were thoroughly researched. Fifteen new aloperine-type alkaloids (1-15) as well as six known aloperine-type alkaloids (16-21) were obtained from the extract of S. alopecuroides. The structures of 1-21 were confirmed via HRESIMS, NMR, UV, IR, ECD calculations, and X-ray diffraction. The antiviral activities of 1-21 against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were detected following the improved method of half-leaf. Compared with ningnanmycin (protective: 69.7% and curative: 64.3%), 15 exhibited excellent protective (71.7%) and curative (64.6%) activities against TMV. Further biological studies illustrated that 15 significantly inhibited the transcription of the TMV-CP gene and increased the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). The antifungal activities of 1-21 against Phytophythora capsica, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, and Gibberella zeae were screened according to a mycelial inhibition test. Compound 13 displayed excellent antifungal activity against B. cinerea (EC50: 7.38 µg/mL). Moreover, in vitro antifungal mechanism studies displayed that 13 causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species and finally leads to mycelia cell membrane damage and cell death in vitro.

A global meta-analysis on the drivers of salt marsh planting success and implications for ecosystem services.

Planting has been widely adopted to battle the loss of salt marshes and to establish living shorelines. However, the drivers of success in salt marsh planting and their ecological effects are poorly understood at the global scale. Here, we assemble a global database, encompassing 22,074 observations reported in 210 studies, to examine the drivers and impacts of salt marsh planting. We show that, on average, 53% of plantings survived globally, and plant survival and growth can be enhanced by careful design of sites, species selection, and novel planted technologies. Planting enhances shoreline protection, primary productivity, soil carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and fishery production (effect sizes = 0.61, 1.55, 0.21, 0.10 and 1.01, respectively), compared with degraded wetlands. However, the ecosystem services of planted marshes, except for shoreline protection, have not yet fully recovered compared with natural wetlands (effect size = -0.25, 95% CI -0.29, -0.22). Fortunately, the levels of most ecological functions related to climate change mitigation and biodiversity increase with plantation age when compared with natural wetlands, and achieve equivalence to natural wetlands after 5-25 years. Overall, our results suggest that salt marsh planting could be used as a strategy to enhance shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration.

Isolating Antipathogenic Fungal Coumarins from Coriaria nepalensis and Determining Their Primary Mechanism In Vitro.

Through bioassay-guided isolation, eight undescribed coumarins (1-8), along with six reported coumarins (9-14), were obtained from Coriaria nepalensis. The new structures were determined by using IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD calculations. The results of the biological activity assays showed that compound 9 exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activities against all tested fungi in vitro and a significant inhibitory effect on Phytophthora nicotianae with an EC50 value of 3.00 µg/mL. Notably, compound 9 demonstrated greater curative and protective effects against tobacco balack shank than those of osthol in vivo. Thus, 9 was structurally modified to obtain new promising antifungal agents, and the novel derivatives (17b, 17j, and 17k) exhibited better effects on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum than did lead compound 9. Preliminary mechanistic exploration illustrated that 9 could enhance cell membrane permeability, destroy the morphology and ultrastructure of cells, and reduce the exopolysaccharide content of P. nicotianae mycelia. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity results revealed that compound 9 exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity against HEK293 cell lines with an inhibition rate of 33.54% at 30 µg/mL. This research is promising for the discovery of new fungicides from natural coumarins with satisfactory ecological compatibility.

Family obligation in Chinese adolescents: Consequences and parental antecedents.

Adolescents' family obligation is a cultural strength that shows enduring prevalence in China. Given that the meaning of family obligation has undergone rapid changes in recent decades, it is crucial to examine the role of family obligation in adolescent adjustment in contemporary China. More importantly, although past research has investigated the consequences of family obligation on adolescents' adjustment, little is known about the antecedents of Chinese adolescents' family obligation. Using a two-wave longitudinal sample of 450 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.78 years, SD = .71 years; 49% female) and their parents, the current research explored two questions. First, this study examined the role of family obligation in adolescents' academic achievement, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems over early adolescence. Second, this study explored the role of parents in predicting Chinese adolescents' family obligation, specifically whether parental expectations or parental acceptance was predictive of adolescents' family obligation over time. Third, this study investigated whether family obligation is an underlying mechanism between parenting and Chinese adolescents' adjustment. Results showed that Chinese adolescents' family obligation was longitudinally associated with increased academic achievement and reduced externalizing problems. Moreover, perceived parental acceptance, but not parental expectations, was longitudinally associated with Chinese adolescents' greater family obligation. Notably, family obligation mediated the longitudinal effect of parental acceptance on Chinese adolescents' externalizing problems. By studying both the consequences and antecedents of Chinese adolescents' family obligation, this study helps provide a comprehensive understanding of this cultural strength.

3-O-Methyl-D-Glucose Blunts Cold Ischemia Damage in Kidney via Inhibiting Ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND: The glucose derivative 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (OMG) is used as a cryoprotectant in freezing cells. However, its protective role and the related mechanism in static cold storage (CS) of organs are unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of OMG on cod ischemia damage in cold preservation of donor kidney. METHODS: Pretreatment of OMG on kidney was performed in an isolated renal cold storage model in rats. LDH activity in renal efflux was used to evaluate the cellular damage. Indicators including iron levels, mitochondrial damage, MDA level, and cellular apoptosis were measured. Kidney quality was assessed via a kidney transplantation (KTx) model in rats. The grafted animals were followed up for 7 days. Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury and inflammatory response were assessed by biochemical and histological analyses. RESULTS: OMG pretreatment alleviated prolonged CS-induced renal damage as evidenced by reduced LDH activities and tubular apoptosis. Kidney with pCS has significantly increased iron, MDA, and TUNEL+ cells, implying the increased ferroptosis, which has been partly inhibited by OMG. OMG pretreatment has improved the renal function (p <0.05) and prolonged the 7-day survival of the grafting recipients after KTx, as compared to the control group. OMG has significantly decreased inflammation and tubular damage after KTx, as evidenced by CD3-positive cells and TUNEL-positive cells. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that OMG protected kidney against the prolonged cold ischemia-caused injuries through inhibiting ferroptosis. Our results suggested that OMG might have potential clinical application in cold preservation of donor kidney.

Quinolizidine Alkaloids and Isoflavones from the Herb of Thermopsis lupinoides and Their Antiviral, Antifungal, and Insecticidal Activities.

As part of our ongoing investigation of natural bioactive substances from the genus Thermopsis of the tribe Fabaceae for agricultural protection, the chemical constituents of the herb Thermopsis lupinoides were systematically investigated, which led to the isolation of 39 quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) (1-39), including 14 new QAs (1-14) and 14 isoflavones (40-53). Their structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis (IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS), ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallography. The antitomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and antifungal (against Botrytis cinerea, Gibberella zeae, Phytophythora capsica, and Alternaria alternata) and insecticidal (against Aphis fabae and Tetranychus urticae) activities of the isolated compounds were screened using the lesion counting method, mycelial inhibition assay, and spray method, respectively. The bioassay results showed that 34 exhibited excellent protective activity against TSWV, with an EC50 value of 36.04 µg/mL, which was better than that of the positive control, ningnanmycin (86.03 µg/mL). The preliminary mechanistic exploration illustrated that 34 induced systemic acquired resistance in the host plant by acting on the salicylic acid signaling pathway. Moreover, 1 showed significant antifungal activity against B. cinerea (EC50 value of 20.83 µg/mL), while 2 exhibited good insecticidal activity against A. fabae (LC50 value of 24.97 µg/mL). This research is promising for the invention of novel pesticides from QAs with high efficiency and satisfactory ecological compatibility.

Posterior False Lumen and Paraplegia After FET Procedure in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative paraplegia is the major concern with the frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). It is crucial to identify patients with a high risk of paraplegia before implementing the FET procedure. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2018, 544 patients with ATAAD who underwent FET procedures were included in this study. The segment number of posterior false lumens (PFLs) between T9 and L2 levels was calculated. In-hospital outcomes and long-term survival were investigated on the basis of the number of PFLs. RESULTS: The average age was 46.5 ± 9.9 years, and the proportion of female patients was 19.5% in this cohort. The incidence of postoperative paraplegia was significantly increased when PFL was present in 3 or more segments. Patients were divided into a high-PFL group (3-6 segments; n = 124) and a low-PFL group (0-2 segments; n = 420). The demographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Involvement of the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery was significantly lower in the high-PFL group (all P < .05). The other baseline characteristics and procedural information were statistically balanced. The incidence of postoperative paraplegia was significantly higher in the high-PHL group (7.3% vs 1.9;P = .006). Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that high PFL was independently associated with postoperative paraplegia after an FET procedure (odds ratio, 3.812; 95% CI, 1.378-10.550; P = .010). Additionally, the moderate nasopharyngeal temperature of hypothermic circulatory arrest (≧23.0 °C) was clarified as a protective factor for paraplegia (odds ratio, 0.112; 95% CI, 0.023-0.535; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ATAAD who present with high PFL between T9 and L2 levels have a significantly high risk of postoperative paraplegia if they undergo an FET procedure.

Insight into the potential mechanism of bicarbonate assimilation promoted by mixotrophic in CO2 absorption and microalgae conversion system.

CO2 absorption-microalgae conversion (CAMC) system is a promising carbon capture and utilization technology. However, the use of HCO3- as a carbon source often led to a slower growth rate of microalgae, which also limited the application of CAMC system. In this study, the assimilation efficiency of HCO3- in CAMC system was improved through mixotrophic, and the potential mechanism was investigated. The HCO3- assimilation efficiency and biomass under mixotrophic were 34.79% and 31.76% higher than that of control. Mixotrophic increased chlorophyll and phycocyanin content, which were beneficial to capture more light energy. The content of ATP and NADPH reached 566.86 µmol/gprot and 672.86 nmol/mgprot, which increased by 31.83% and 27.67% compared to autotrophic. The activity of carbonic anhydrase and Rubisco increased by 18.52% and 22.08%, respectively. Transcriptome showed that genes related to photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport were up-regulated. The synergy of photophosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation greatly improved energy metabolism efficiency, thus accelerating the assimilation of HCO3-. These results revealed a potential mechanism of promoting the HCO3- assimilation under mixotrophic, it also provided a guidance for using CAMC system to serve carbon neutrality.

Three new quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis.

Three new quinolizidine alkaloids (1 - 3), including one new naturally isoflavone and cytisine polymer (3), along with 6 known ones were isolated from the ethanol extract of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis (IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR), combined with ECD calculations. The antifungal activity against Phytophythora capsica, Botrytis cinerea, Gibberella zeae, and Alternaria alternata of the compounds was evaluated in a mycelial inhibition assay. Biological tests indicated that compound 3 exhibited strong antifungal activity against P. capsica with EC50 values of 17.7 µg/ml.

Four new pregnane C21 steroids isolated from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum.

Four new steroids cynansteroid G-I (1-3) and cynansteroid K (4), a new natural product 5,6-deacidizingcaudatin (5), and a known compound glycocaudatin (6), were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum. The structures of new compounds were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR, HRESI-MS, ECD, UV, and IR spectral data. The cytotoxic activities of all the isolates against two human tumour cell lines (COLO-205 and BGC-823) were screened, unfortunately, which were weaker than positive control.

UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS-Guided Isolation of Bioactive Withanolides from the Fruits of Physalis angulata.

Physalis angulata Linn. is an exotic Amazonian fruit that is commonly recognized as wild tomato, winter cherry, and gooseberry. While its fruit is known to contain many nutrients, such as minerals, fibers, and vitamins, few papers have investigated withanolide derivatives from its fruits. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS, which produces fragmentation spectra, was applied for the first time to guide the isolation of bioactive withanolide derivatives from P. angulata fruits. As a result, twenty-six withanolide derivatives, including two novel 1,10-secowithanolides (1 and 2) and a new derivative (3), were obtained. Compounds 1 and 2 are rare rearranged 1,10-secowithanolides with a tetracyclic 7/6/6/5 ring system. All structures were assigned through various spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations. Nine withanolide derivatives exhibited significant inhibitory effects on three tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 0.51-13.79 µM. Moreover, three new compounds (1-3) exhibited potential nitric oxide inhibitory effects in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells (IC50: 7.51-61.8 µM). This investigation indicated that fruits of P. angulata could be applied to treat and prevent cancer and inflammatory-related diseases due to their potent active withanolide derivatives.

Oxygen-limited pyrolysis and incineration impact on biochar transport.

At present, studies on biochar transport have focused on biochar obtained by oxygen-limited pyrolysis, which may differ from conventional biochar produced by incineration in nature. This work investigated the transport and retention mechanisms of three types of oxygen-limited pyrolytic biochar and three types of traditional biochar in saturated porous media. The results showed that the specific surface area of the three oxygen-limited pyrolysis biochar (180-200 m2·g-1) was higher than that of the traditional biochar (50-60 m2·g-1). Therefore, the retention capacity of pyrolytic biochar is strong and the permeability is less than 0.1. The absolute value of the zeta potential of traditional biochar is greater than 30 mV, and the electrostatic repulsion generated is stronger, with a peak penetration rate of 0.16. Moreover, the zeta potential of biochar and traditional biochar is regulated by pH value and ionic strength. In acidic conditions or solutions with high ionic strength, the zeta potentials of the six types of biochar changed to about - 15 mV, and the second minimum value was less than 0, indicating that there was a tendency for sedimentation. This study provides a new perspective for assessing the transport and environmental risks of biochar in the environment.

Inhibition of NETosis via PAD4 alleviated inflammation in giant cell myocarditis.

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rare, usually rapidly progressive, and potentially fatal disease. Detailed inflammatory responses remain unknown, in particular the formation of multinucleate giant cells. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on 15,714 Cd45+ cells extracted from the hearts of GCM rats and normal rats. NETosis has been found to contribute to the GCM process. An inhibitor of NETosis, GSK484, alleviated GCM inflammation in vivo. MPO (a marker of neutrophils) and H3cit (a marker of NETosis) were expressed at higher levels in patients with GCM than in patients with DCM and healthy controls. Imaging mass cytometry analysis revealed that immune cell types within multinucleate giant cells included CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and macrophages but not B cells. We elucidated the role of NETosis in GCM pathogenesis, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target in the clinic.

Discovery of 2-Naphthol from the Leaves of Actephila merrilliana as a Natural Nematicide Candidate.

To identify natural nematicides that can replace chemical nematicides, 2-naphthol with high activity against Meloidogyne incognita was isolated from Actephila merrilliana. The nematicidal activity of 2-naphthol against M. incognita was 100% at 100 µg/mL with an EC50 value of 38.00 µg/mL. Moreover, 2-naphthol had a significant negative effect on egg incubation. 2-Naphthol effectively inhibited the invasion of M. incognita into crops in both a pot experiment and field trial. In addition, the structure-activity relationship indicated that the naphthalene ring and its ß-site hydroxyl group were the key pharmacophores for the nematicidal activity of 2-naphthol. Nematodes were stimulated by 2-naphthol to produce excessive reactive oxygen species, which may be the underlying mechanism of 2-naphthol nematicidal activity. A systemic evaluation of 2-naphthol in tomato plants demonstrated that 2-naphthol remained mainly fixed in the roots after being absorbed by the crop and was not transported to the stems or leaves. Thus, 2-naphthol can be developed as a natural nematicide candidate.

Imidacloprid-induced stress affects the growth of pepper plants by disrupting rhizosphere-plant microbial and metabolite composition.

Overusing imidacloprid (IMI) has been found to impede secondary metabolism and hinder plant growth. The impact of IMI stress on the interaction between metabolites, rhizosphere, and plant-microbe dispersion through various pathways in pepper plants has not been extensively studied. This study investigated the effects of IMI on plant signaling components, secondary metabolic pathways, and microbial communities in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere. Here, the distribution of IMI and its metabolites (6-chloronicotinic acid, IMI-desnitro, 5-hydroxy-IMI, IMI-urea, and IMI-olefin) was primarily observed in the pepper plant leaves. A rise in IMI concentration had a more significant inhibitive effect on the metabolism of pepper leaves than on pepper roots. The findings of non-target metabolomics indicated that IMI exposure primarily suppresses secondary metabolism in pepper plants, encompassing flavones, phenolic acids, and phytohormones. Notably, the IMI treatment disrupted the equilibrium between plants and microbes by decreasing the population of microorganisms such as Vicinamibacteria, Verrucomicrobiae, Gemmatimonadetes, and Gammaproteobacteria in the phyllosphere, as well as Vicinamibacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria in the rhizosphere of pepper plants. The study demonstrates that overexposure to IMI harms microbial composition and metabolite distribution in the rhizosphere soil and pepper seedlings, inhibiting plant growth.

Use of 6-minute walk test for assessing severity of interstitial lung disease: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a potential tool for assessing the severity of interstitial lung disease (ILD). OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between 6MWT results and traditional measures including pulmonary function and chest computed tomography(CT) and to determine factors that might influence the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). METHODS: Seventy-three patients with ILD were enrolled at Peking University First Hospital. All patients underwent 6MWT, pulmonary CT, and pulmonary function tests and their correlations were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors that might impact 6MWD.  Results: Thirty (41.4%) of the patients were female and the mean age was 66.1 ± 9.6 years. 6MWD was correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and DLCO%pred. The decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO2) after the test was correlated with FEV1%pred, FVC%pred, TLC, TLC%pred, DLCO, DLCO%pred and the percentage of normal lung calculated by quantitative CT. The increase in Borg dyspnea scale was correlated with FEV1, DLCO and the percentage of normal lung. The backward multivariate model (F = 15.257, P < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.498) indicated that 6MWD was predicted by age, height, body weight, increase in heart rate, and DLCO. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWT results were closely correlated with pulmonary function and quantitative CT in patients with ILD. However, in addition to disease severity, 6MWD was also influenced by individual characteristics and the degree of patient effort, which should thus be considered by clinicians when interpreting 6WMT results.

Impact of Preoperative Quantitative Flow Ratio of the Left Anterior Descending Artery on Internal Mammary Artery Graft Patency and Midterm Patient Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background In coronary artery bypass grafting, grafting a target vessel with nonsignificant stenosis increases the risk of graft failure. The present study aims to investigate the impact of preoperative quantitative flow ratio (QFR), a novel functional assessment of the coronary artery, on internal mammary artery graft failure rate and midterm patient outcomes. Methods and Results Between January 2016 and January 2020, we retrospectively included 419 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting who had received preoperative angiography and postoperative coronary computed tomographic angiography in our center. QFR of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was computed based on preoperative angiograms. The primary end point was the failure of the graft on the LAD artery assessed by coronary computed tomographic angiography at 1 year, and the secondary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events including death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization. Grafts on functionally nonsignificant LAD arteries (QFR >0.80) had a significantly higher failure rate than those on functionally significant LAD arteries (31.4% versus 7.2%, P<0.001). QFR outperforms degree of stenosis in discriminating graft failure (C statistic, 0.76 versus 0.58). Clinical follow-up (3.6 years, interquartile range [3.3-4.1]) was accomplished in 405 patients, and the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was significantly higher among patients with functionally nonsignificant LAD arteries (10.1% versus 4.2%; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.18-8.06]; P=0.022). Conclusions In patients receiving internal mammary artery to LAD artery coronary artery bypass grafting, preoperative QFR of the LAD artery of >0.80 was associated with a higher graft failure rate at 1 year and worse patient outcomes at the 3.6-year follow-up.

Red blood cell membrane-functionalized Nanofibrous tubes for small-diameter vascular grafts.

The off-the-shelf small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) have inferior clinical efficacy. Red blood cell membrane (Rm) has easy availability and multiple bioactive components (such as phospholipids, proteins, and glycoproteins), which can improve the clinic's availability and patency of SDVGs. Here we developed a facile approach to preparing an Rm-functionalized poly-ε-caprolactone/poly-d-lysine (Rm@PCL/PDL) tube by co-incubation and single-step rolling. The integrity, stability, and bioactivity of Rm on Rm@PCL/PDL were evaluated. The revascularization of Rm@PCL/PDL tubes was studied by implantation in the carotid artery of rabbits. Rm@PCL/PDL can be quickly prepared and showed excellent bioactivity with good hemocompatibility and great anti-inflammatory. Rm@PCL/PDL tubes as the substitute for the carotid artery of rabbits had good patency and quick remodeling within 21 days. Rm, as a "self" biomaterial with high biosafety, provides a new and facile approach to developing personalized or universal SDVGs for the clinic, which is of great significance in cardiovascular regenerative medicine and organ chip.

Food web dynamics in the mangrove ecosystem of the Pearl River Estuary surrounded by megacities.

Global recognition that mangroves support coastal ecosystem services has increased; however, studies on trophic dynamics in mangrove ecosystems remain limited. We seasonally analysed the δ13C and δ15N of 34 consumers and 5 diets to elucidate the food web dynamics in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). Fish had a large niche space during the monsoon summer, reflecting increased trophic roles. In contrast, the small niche space of benthos over seasons reflected consistent trophic positions. Consumers mainly utilized plant-derived organic matters in the dry season and particulate organic matters in the wet season. The present study with literature reviews revealed characteristics of the PRE food web with the depleted δ13C and enriched δ15N, indicating a high contribution of mangrove-derived organic carbon and sewage input, particularly in the wet season. Overall, this study confirmed the seasonal and spatial trophic dynamics in mangrove forests surrounding megacities for future sustainable mangrove ecosystem management.