Fluorescence,circular dichroism,NMR, and docking studies of the interaction of the alkaloid malbrancheamide with calmodulin

A new malbrancheamide analogue, isomalbrancheamide B (3), along with three known compounds, malbrancheamide (1), isomalbrancheamide (2), and premalbrancheamide (4), were isolated in higher yields from the alkaloid fraction of the fungus Malbranchea aurantiaca. The interaction of the alkaloids 1–4 with calmodulin (CaM) was analyzed using different enzymatic, fluorescence, spectroscopic, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular modelling techniques. On the basis of the enzymatic and fluorescence experiments, malbrancheamides 1–3 are classical CaM inhibitors. Compound 4, however, did not quench the extrinsic fluorescence of the CaM biosensor indicating that it could be a functional inhibitor. Circular dichroism, NMR, and molecular modelling studies revealed that 1 binds to CaM in the same hydrophobic pocket than the chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine, two classical CaM inhibitors. Thus, malbrancheamide and related monochlorinated analogues are compounds with a high potential for the development of new therapeutic agents, involving CaM as their molecular target.     

Novel Mycelial Components,Ganoderic Acid Mg,Mh, Mi,Mj and Mk,from the Fungus Ganoderma lucidum

Five novel C₃₀ triterpenoids, ganoderic acids Mg (10), Mh (11), Mi (12), Mj (13) and Mk (14), were isolated from the mycelial mat of a G. lucidum strain, which produces C₂₇ lucidenic acids in the fruiting body. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Insight into the characteristics of zonisamide,topiramate, and the sulfamide cognate of topiramate

Some useful therapeutic agents inhibit certain carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes to varying degrees. We have conducted enzyme kinetics studies in a 4-nitrophenyl acetate (4-NPA) hydrolysis assay with the marketed antiepileptic drugs topiramate (1) and zonisamide (2) to determine if their full inhibition of human CA-II and CA-I requires extended preincubation conditions. We found that neither 1 nor 2 requires appreciable preincubation with either enzyme to manifest full inhibitory activity. We also examined the sulfamide cognate of topiramate (3) to characterize its CA inhibitory activity, and confirmed that it is a very weak inhibitor, unlike 1 or 2. In a CO₂ hydration assay, 3 behaved as a very weak, partial inhibitor of CA-II and CA-I. We conclude that topiramate (1), zonisamide (2), and sulfamide 3 do not require extended exposure to human CA-I or CA-II to manifest full inhibitory activity (4-NPA assay).     

The importance of competition,food, habitat,weather and phenotype for the reproduction of Buzzard Buteo buteo

Capsule Variation in reproduction between territories was strongly influenced by intra- and interspecific competition, phenotype, levels of rainfall and human disturbance.

Aims To assess the relative importance of competition, food, habitat quality, weather and phenotype as predictors of variation in reproduction in Buzzard.

Methods Annual breeding data were collected from 1989 to 1996 in a 300-km² study area and related to 35 independent variables through multivariate regression models.

Results Significant predictors of variation in reproduction between territories (78% variance explained) were variables describing intra- and interspecific competition, plumage morph, laying date, precipitation levels and anthropogenic disturbances in the breeding territory. Competition and plumage morph seem to be particularly important, as these variables explained a high level of variation (81%) in the 1996 reproduction of this population.

Conclusion The potential importance of competition, plumage morph and precipitation for reproduction in this Buzzard population is emphasized.     

Phylogeny and systematics of the Acrapex apicestriata (Bethune-Baker, 1911) species complex (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae, Noctuinae,Apameini, Sesamiina) with the description of eight new species from the Afrotropics

Twelve morphologically similar species of Acrapex Hampson 1894, (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Apameini, Sesamiina), from Western, Central and Eastern Africa are reviewed. Eight of these species are new to science and are described: Acrapex akunamatata n. sp. and A. incrassata n. sp. from Kenya; A. gracilis n. sp., A. iringa n. sp., A. lukumbura n. sp. and A. rungwe n. sp. from Tanzania; A. soyema n. sp. from Ethiopia; and A. zoutoi n. sp. from Benin. All 12 species belong to a species complex that we hereby define as the Acrapex apicestriata group. Host-plants for three of the new species are recorded: Setaria incrassata (Hochst.) Hack. for Acrapex incrassata; Cymbopogon pospishilii (K. Schum.) C.E. Hubb. for A. rungwe; and Andropogon perligulatus Stapf. for A. zoutoi. We also conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) on a six gene multimarker molecular dataset (four mitochondrial and two nuclear gene fragments; 4581 nucleotides in length) consisting of 15 Acrapex species (including seven species from the apicestriata group) and four outgroups species from the subtribe Sesamiina (from genera Busseola Thurau 1904, Sciomesa Tams & Bowden 1953, Pirateolea Moyal, Le Ru, Conlong, Cugala, Defabachew, Matama-Kauma, Pallangyo & Van den Berg 2010 and Sesamia Boisduval & Guenée 1852). Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses yield a similar and well-supported topology, which supports the monophyly of the apicestriata group.     

Report of the Annual Conference of the Cryptogamic Section, 1948

Background: Trait-based assembly rules are a powerful tool in community ecology, used to explore the pattern and process of community structure (richness and composition).

Aims: A preliminary test for the utility of trait-based assembly rules in explaining cryptogamic epiphyte communities (lichens and bryophytes).

Methods: We sampled epiphytes from three different tree species (aspen, birch and pine), and from trees of contrasting age. The community composition of epiphyte species (taxon analysis) and functional groups (trait analysis) was summarised using multivariate ordination (nonmetric multidimensional scaling, NMDS).

Results: Ordination documented a widely observed pattern in which different tree species have taxonomically different epiphyte communities. However, NMDS sample scores were correlated to tree age in the trait-based analysis, but not in the taxon analysis.

Conclusions: Our results point to the existence of a common pattern in community traits during succession (on trees of different age) when measured for epiphyte communities with contrasting taxonomic composition. This pattern is evidenced by consistent trends in lichen growth form and reproductive strategy (sexual vs. asexual).     

Report of the Alpine Section, 1958

Background: Over 10,000 island endemic angiosperms are highly threatened by extinction. Yet, few of these species have the temporal change in their range documented and quantified, particularly within a potentially informative context of a long period of botanical study.

Aim: Here, we used Roussea simplex a mono-specific genus endemic to Mauritius, itself an island with long botanical history and advanced habitat destruction extent, to investigate how the distribution and population of this model oceanic island plant changed through time.

Methods: All known localities and population size estimates were compiled from published literature, herbarium specimens, surveys and personal communications to estimate changes in population size, extent of occurrence and area of occupancy and investigate main distribution patterns.

Results: Roussea simplex survives in nine high elevation sites. Since the 1930s, its range halved relative to its maximum known distribution and its population size decreased much faster than direct habitat loss would predict. It now qualifies as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List categories.

Conclusions: Even in an extremely deforested island, endemic plant population decline may be driven more by diminishing habitat quality than diminishing habitat extent. This renders habitat protection alone insufficient, therefore addressing ecological interactions is vital to stem population decline.     

An adjacent arginine, and the phosphorylated tyrosine in the c-Met receptor target sequence, dictates the orientation of c-Cbl binding

Previously, we have demonstrated that the tyrosine phosphorylated hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met) binds to the c-Cbl phosphotyrosine-recognition, tyrosine kinase binding (TKB) domain in a reverse orientation compared to other c-Cbl binding partners. A Met peptide with the DpYR motif changed to RpYD (MetRD) retains a similar TKB binding affinity as the native Met peptide. However, the TKB: MetRD complex crystal structure reveals a complete reversal of the binding orientation. Collated data indicates that both binding and orientation is dictated by the phosphorylated tyrosine and an adjacent arginine forming intra-peptide hydrogen bonds and aligning unidirectionally with complementary charges in the phosphotyrosine binding pocket of c-Cbl.

Structured summary

c-Cbl and MetRDbind: shown by x-ray crystallography (view interaction)c-Cbl and MetRDbind: shown by mass spectrometry studies of complexes (view interaction)c-Cblbind to Met: shown by surface plasmon resonance (view interactions 1,2)     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

Synthesis of the Pink Bollworm Sex Pheromone, 7-cis, 11-cis-Hexadecadienyl Acetate and Its 11-trans Isomer

Four types of amino acid related compounds were examined on their plant growth-regulating activity. These compounds were N-acylamino acids (N-acyl), N-alkylamino acids (N-alkyl), amino acid higher alkyl esters (ester) and amino acid higher alkyl amides (amide). Every compound, when the number of carbon atoms of the acyl or alkyl radical was 10 to 12, was most effective in inhibiting the root and shoot elongation of rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) in Petri dish. Ester and amide were much more effective than N-acyl and N-alkyl. Ester and amide also showed herbicidal activity against barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) grown in pot filled with paddy soil and irrigated, especially, lauryl dl-valinate-HCl being most effective.     

严防外来有害生物褐纹甘蔗象入侵海南

【背景】褐纹甘蔗象原产于菲律宾,严重危害椰子等棕榈科植物和甘蔗,目前该虫已传入我国台湾、广东、广西和云南,尚未在海南省发生。【方法】为尽早预防该虫传入,本文简要描述了褐纹甘蔗象的生物生态学特性,并运用有害生物危险性分析(PRA)方法,从国内分布情况、潜在的经济危害性、受害寄主的经济重要性、传播扩散的可能性和危险性管理难度等方面对该虫入侵海南的可能性进行了定性和定量分析。【结果】褐纹甘蔗象在海南省的风险评估值R=2.08,属于高风险的林业有害生物,建议将其列入海南省林业检疫性有害生物名单;同时提出了该虫的综合防治措施和建议。【结论与意义】本研究可为尽早制定褐纹甘蔗象防范措施提供参考。     

Exploring the nature of the H-bonds between the human class II MHC protein,HLA-DR1 (DRB*0101) and the influenza virus hemagglutinin peptide,HA306-318, using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules

The nature of the H-bonds between the human protein HLA-DR1 (DRB*0101) and the hemagglutinin peptide HA306-318 has been studied using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules for the first time. We have found four H-bond groups: one conventional CO··HN bond group and three nonconventional CO··HC, π··HC involving aromatic rings and HN··HC_aliphatic groups. The calculated electron density at the determined H-bond critical points suggests the follow protein pocket binding trend: P1 (2,311) >> P9 (1.109) > P4 (0.950) > P6 (0.553) > P7 (0.213) which agrees and reveal the nature of experimental findings, showing that P1 produces by a long way the strongest binding of the HLA-DR1 human protein molecule with the peptide backbone as consequence of the vast number of H-bonds in the P1 area and at the same time the largest specific binding of the peptide Tyr308 residue with aromatic residues located at the binding groove floor. The present results suggest the topological analysis of the electronic density as a valuable tool that allows a non-arbitrary partition of the pockets binding energy via the calculated electron density at the determined critical points.     

An ethnobotanical study of the indigenous knowledge by the Rajbangshi community of Raiganj Block,Uttar Dinajpur district,West Bengal,India

BackgroundThe present study deals with documentation of medicinal importance of plants and traditional knowledge set harboring among the ethnic communities to utilize various plant parts for various health care practices. Twelve villages were surveyed primarily targeting the Rajbangshi communities of Raiganj Block, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.MethodsThe ethnomedicinal information was gathered through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires among the traditional healers (Kabiraj) of the Rajbangshi community. Identification and documentation of all the plants species have been completed following standard taxonomic procedure. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed through different ethnobotanical indices like, use report, informant consensus factor and relative importance.ResultsA total of 76 plant species belonging to 40 families and 72 genera were reported to have been utilized for the treatment of a total of 42 types of ailments. Herbs (43%) were the major source of medicine while roots (31%) were most frequently used plant parts. Preparation of juice (55%) from plant parts accounted as most preferred method. Achyranthes aspera L. has the highest calculated relative importance (100) value. The average informant consensus factor value for all ailments categories was 0.75, indicating a high level of consensus among the interviewed informants.ConclusionThe present study clearly demonstrates that huge diversity of medicinal plants reported in the study area may immensely help in the development of novel drugs of natural origin if the traditional knowledge set of the Rajbangshi community is adequately nurtured.     

The status of the Hen Harrier,Circus cyaneus,in the UK and Isle of Man in 2010

Capsule The fourth national survey of Hen Harrier showed that the population in the UK and the Isle of Man declined significantly between 2004 and 2010.

Aim To estimate the size of the breeding Hen Harrier population (with associated 95% confidence intervals) in the UK and Isle of Man, constituent countries and Scottish regions, in 2010 and calculate population change since previous surveys in 1998 and 2004.

Methods Complete surveys were made of 10-km squares likely to be occupied by breeding Hen Harriers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, using standard methods developed for previous national surveys. In Scotland, a ‘census’ area was non-randomly selected for survey by volunteers, and randomly selected squares were surveyed in two strata covering the rest of the known range.

Results The UK and Isle of Man Hen Harrier population was estimated at 662 territorial pairs (95% confidence interval (CI): 576–770), a significant decline of 18% since 2004. Scotland holds the bulk (76%) of the population (505 territorial pairs; 95% CI: 417–612), with smaller numbers in Northern Ireland (59 pairs), Wales (57 pairs), the Isle of Man (29 pairs) and England (12 pairs). Declines of 49% and 20% were observed in the Isle of Man and in Scotland, respectively, whereas the Welsh population increased by 33%. A significant decrease was recorded in numbers of pairs using young and mature plantation forest in Scotland.

Conclusion The breeding population of Hen Harriers in the UK and Isle of Man declined between 2004 and 2010. Notable decreases in Scotland and the Isle of Man may be related to habitat change and illegal persecution. Illegal persecution continues to limit the population size of harriers in England to very low levels.     

Comparison of the Prognostic Utility of the Diverse Molecular Data among lncRNA,DNA Methylation,microRNA, and mRNA across Five Human Cancers

IntroductionAdvances in high-throughput technologies have generated diverse informative molecular markers for cancer outcome prediction. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and DNA methylation as new classes of promising markers are emerging as key molecules in human cancers; however, the prognostic utility of such diverse molecular data remains to be explored.ResultsUsing the IDFO approach, we obtained good predictive performance of the molecular datasets (bootstrap accuracy: 0.71–0.97) in five cancer types. Impressively, lncRNA was identified as the best prognostic predictor in the validated cohorts of four cancer types, followed by DNA methylation, mRNA, and then microRNA. We found the incorporating of multi-type molecular data showed similar predictive power to single-type molecular data, but with the exception of the lncRNA + DNA methylation combinations in two cancers. Survival analysis of proportional hazard models confirmed a high robustness for lncRNA and DNA methylation as prognosis factors independent of traditional clinical variables.ConclusionOur study provides insight into systematically understanding the prognostic performance of diverse molecular data in both single and aggregate patterns, which may have specific reference to subsequent related studies.     

Structural insight into the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by 2,3,4, 5-tetrahydro-1, 5-benzothiazepines

Benzothiazepines 1–3 inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) enzyme in a concentration-dependent fashion with IC₅₀ values of 1.0 ± 0.002, 1.2 ± 0.005 and 1.3 ± 0.001 μM, respectively. By using linear-regression equations, Lineweaver-Burk, Dixon plots and their secondary replots were constructed which indicated that compounds 1–3 are non-competitive inhibitors of AChE with K_i values of 0.8 ± 0.04, 1.1 ± 0.002, and 1.5 ± 0.001 μM, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed that all the compounds are completely buried inside the aromatic gorge of AChE, extending deep into the gorge of AChE. A comparison of the docking results of compounds 1–3 displayed that these compounds generally adopt the same binding mode in the active site of AChE. The superposition of the docked structures demonstrated that the non-flexible benzothiazepine always penetrate into the aromatic gorge through the six-membered ring A, which allowed the ligands to interact simultaneously with more than one subsites of the active center of AChE. The higher AChE inhibitory potential of compounds 1–3 was found to be the cumulative effect of hydrophobic contacts and π-π interactions between the ligands and AChE. The relatively high affinity of benzothiazepine 1 with AChE was found to be due to additional hydrogen bond in benzothiazepine 1-AChE complex. The results indicated that substitution of halogen and methyl groups by hydrogen at aromatic ring of the benzothiazepine decreased the affinity of these molecules towards enzyme that may be due to the polar non-polar repulsions of these moieties with the amino acid residues in the active site of AChE. The observed binding modes of benzothiazepines 1–3 in the active site of AChE explain the affinities of benzothiazepines and provide a rational basis for the structure-based drug design of benzothiazepines with improved pharmacological properties.     

Woodland structure,rather than tree identity,determines the breeding habitat of Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus in the northwest of England

Capsule Woodland structure, rather than tree species, is the most important determinant of breeding habitat selection by Willow Warblers in North West England.

Aims To examine how habitat characteristics predict the occurrence of male Willow Warbler territories.

Methods Woodland structure (trunk density, trunk diameter, canopy cover and understory cover), tree species and food abundance were compared between woodland areas within and outside of male territories at a site in the UK.

Results Territories contained higher trunk numbers, had a narrow range of trunk diameters, and intermediate canopy cover. Food abundance did not differ with occupancy. Willow and alder were the most common trees within territories, in contrast to birch which has been found in previous studies. The habitat structure matches young woodlands, where birches often grow. However, at the study site the birches were large and mature, and therefore unsuitable. Moreover, woodland structure variables were better predictors of occupancy than any particular tree genera.

Conclusion The results indicate that vegetation structure, but not tree species or food availability, influence breeding habitat selection by Willow Warblers. The preferred structure is similar to coppice woodlands; therefore, the Willow Warbler decline may be linked to the loss of this traditional management across south England.