Terpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Cytotoxic Activities against H1975 Cells

Three previously undescribed diterpenoids, helioscopnoids A–C, and eight known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of spectra and data comparison with previous literatures. Among them, compound 4 was identified as 24,24-dimethoxy-25,26,27-trinoreuphan-3β-ol with revised configurations of C-13, C-14, and C-17 (13R*, 14R*, 17R*). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that all compounds exhibited varying levels of cytotoxicity against H1975 cells, with compound 9 displaying the most potent activity, as indicated by cell viability rates of 18.13 % and 20.76 % at concentrations of 20 μM and 5 μM, respectively. This study expands the understanding of E. helioscopia terpenoids’ structural diversity and biological activities, contributing to the exploration of potential therapeutic applications.     

具腺松蒿—中国云南新记录种

产云南中部高原,蒿明(Songming),龙潭营(Longtan Ying),生于海拔2300m的丛林中,张英伯(ZhangYing—bai)0004号,1940年10月9日,花黄色,偶见。为珍稀濒危植物,现已很难采到。印度也有。中国（云南）首次记录。松蒿属植物目前在中国现已增加到3种;东至日本,西至印度（越南不产）为中国-喜马拉雅分布型。     

The Prevention Effect of Bacillus subtilis on Escherichia coli–Induced Mastitis in Mice by Suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Mastitis, common inflammation of the mammary gland, caused by various factors, is a challenge for the dairy industry. Escherichia coli (E. coli), a...     

ARK2 stabilizes the plus-end of microtubules and promotes microtubule bundling in Arabidopsis

Microtubule dynamics and organization are important for plant cell morphogenesis and development. The microtubule-based motor protein kinesins are mainly responsible for the transport of some organelles and vesicles, although several have also been shown to regulate microtubule organization. The ARMADILLO REPEAT KINESIN (ARK) family is a plant-specific motor protein subfamily that consists of three members (ARK1, ARK2, and ARK3) in Arabidopsis thaliana. ARK2 has been shown to participate in root epidermal cell morphogenesis. However, whether and how ARK2 associates with microtubules needs further elucidation. Here, we demonstrated that ARK2 co-localizes with microtubules and facilitates microtubule bundling in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacological assays and microtubule dynamics analyses indicated that ARK2 stabilizes cortical microtubules. Live-cell imaging revealed that ARK2 moves along cortical microtubules in a processive mode and localizes both at the plus-end and the sidewall of microtubules. ARK2 therefore tracks and stabilizes the growing plus-ends of microtubules, which facilitates the formation of parallel microtubule bundles.     

Mitochondrial genome phylogeny reveals the deep-time origin of Gomphomastacinae (Orthoptera: Eumastacidae) and its alpine genera in China

Gomphomastacinae is a grasshopper subfamily in Eumastacidae, with a morphology and distribution distinct from other subfamilies. The alpine genera of Gomphomastacinae that inhabit the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China show unique characteristics adapted to high-altitude life. However, their phylogenetic position and biogeographic history remain controversial. Thus, to determine the diversification history of these alpine genera and the origin of the subfamily, we obtained mitochondrial genome sequences from all seven Gomphomastacinae genera distributed in China. The reconstructed phylogeny was well supported and confirmed the phylogenetic position of Gomphomastacinae within Eumastacidae. Time calibration revealed a deep-time origin of the subfamily dating back to the Cretaceous period, and the diversification among alpine genera was also an ancient pre-Miocene event (30–50 Ma). Based on phylogeny and time estimates, the most likely biogeographic scenario is that Gomphomastacinae originated from an ancestral lineage that lived in East Gondwana and dispersed to Central and Western Asia through India. Subsequently, the alpine genera likely diverged along with the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and survived drastic climate change by in situ adaptation to high-altitude dwellings.     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Transferrin from Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella

Complete mRNA sequence of transferrin from Galleria mellonella was obtained, and compared with those of other species. Until now, two types of insect transferrin were reported. Transferrins in cockroach and termite have two iron binding sites while those in most other insect groups, studied for the protein, have only one. It was suggested that the presence of two types of transferrin was related with transferrin evolution, because vertebrate transferrins have two iron binding sites, called N and C terminal lobe. It was shown that G. mellonella transferrin also has only one iron binding site (N terminal lobe), and the deduced amino acid sequence was most similar to those of Manduca sexta and Bombyx mori.     

Immune-Enhancing Activity Screening on Extracts from Two Crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus and Teleogryllus emma

This study was performed to explore novel and valuable uses of insect resources, important subjects of the natural compound used in bio‐industries. The whole bodies of two crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus and Teleogryllus emma, selected from medicinal insect species, were carefully ground and treated with 80% EtOH. The insect extracts were solubilized and separated by hexane, butanol, and D.W according to their polarities. Three types of extracts, a D.W fraction (G1) and a boiling extract (G2) of an introduced cricket, G. bimaculatus, and a D.W fraction (T1) of a Korean local cricket, T. emma, were prepared to assay immune stimulating activity of cricket originated compounds. The all of three treated cricket extracts showed to increase IL‐4, IFN‐, and TNF‐α. Among those extract, extract G2, boiled extract from G. bimaculatus, was the best immune–enhancing fraction. The results of this study could be fundamental information for further works to use insects as natural resources having plenty of potentials and varieties.     

New dual electrochemical detector for microbore liquid chromatography determination of dopamine and serotonin in rat striatum dialysates

A new type of liquid chromatographic (LC) dual thin-layer amperometric detector for the simultaneous measurement of trace levels of dopamine and serotonin in microdialysates is described. The concentrations of these analytes in rat dialysates are usually in the sub-nanomolar concentration range (typically, 0.10–5.00 pg in 5-μl dialysates). With this dual electrode, a glass-lined microbore column provides excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and separation. In addition, a three- to five-fold improvement in anodic current or cathodic responses over conventional dual electrodes in microbore LC can be achieved. Due to the irreversible electrochemical properties of some interference peaks, this dual electrode provides reliable measurement of dopamine based on the cathodic signal. The detection limit (signal-to-noise RATIO=3) of this assay is 0.02 pg per injection for dopamine or serotonin. This new dual electrode allows the simultaneous measurements of basal dopamine and serotonin in rat striatum dialysates without the use of re-uptake inhibitors in perfusion medium.     

小麦籽粒充实期氮素的吸收和再分配及6－苄氨基嘌呤的调节作用

小麦从开花至成熟,其根、茎和叶中的Ｎ素不断地进行着分配和再分配,主要是向穗子输出。成熟时穗Ｎ含量占植株总Ｎ的８２％。在总Ｎ净输出的同时各营养器官也有相当程度的对当前土壤Ｎ的净吸收。在籽粒充实阶段用ＢＡ处理叶式穗均影响营养器官及穗子的Ｎ素吸收、分配和再分配。