Effect of superalkali substituents on the strengths and properties of hydrogen and halogen bonds

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed for the complexes Li₃OCCX–Y (X?=?Cl, Br, H; Y?=?NH₃, H₂O, H₂S) and Li₃OCN–X′Y′ (X′Y′?=?ClF, BrCl, BrF, HF) to study the role of superalkalis in hydrogen and halogen bonds. The results show that the presence of an Li₃O cluster in a Lewis acid weakens its acidity, while its presence in a Lewis base enhances its basicity. Furthermore, the latter effect is more prominent than the former one, and the presence of an Na₃O cluster causes an even greater effect than Li₃O. The strengths of hydrogen and halogen bonds were analyzed using molecular electrostatic potentials. The contributions of superalkalis to the strength of hydrogen and halogen bonds were elucidated by analyzing differences in electron density.     

Phytochemical Investigation of Annulohypoxylon ilanense,an Endophytic Fungus Derived from Cinnamomum Species

Cultivation of the fungal strain Annulohypoxylon ilanense, an endophytic fungus isolated from the wood of medicinal plant Cinnamomum species, resulted in the isolation of one new furanoid derivative, ilanefuranone ( 1 ), one new pyrrole alkaloid, ilanepyrrolal ( 2 ), and one new biarylpropanoid derivative, ilanenoid ( 3 ), together with 22 known compounds, of which one α‐tetralone analog, (?)‐(4R)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4,6‐dihydroxynaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one ( 4 ) was isolated for the first time from a natural source. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence, in‐depth NMR spectroscopic analysis, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and the antimycobacterial activities were also evaluated.     

Host-Specific Phenotypic Plasticity of the Turtle Barnacle Chelonibia testudinaria: A Widespread Generalist Rather than a Specialist

Turtle barnacles are common epibionts on marine organisms. Chelonibia testudinaria is specific on marine turtles whereas C. patula is a host generalist, but rarely found on turtles. It has been questioned why C. patula, being abundant on a variety of live substrata, is almost absent from turtles. We evaluated the genetic (mitochondrial COI, 16S and 12S rRNA, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)) and morphological differentiation of C. testudinaia and C. patula from different hosts, to determine the mode of adaptation exhibited by Chelonibia species on different hosts. The two taxa demonstrate clear differences in shell morphology and length of 4–6^th cirri, but very similar in arthropodal characters. Moreover, we detected no genetic differentiation in mitochondrial DNA and AFLP analyses. Outlier detection infers insignificant selection across loci investigated. Based on combined morphological and molecular evidence, we proposed that C. testudinaria and C. patula are conspecific, and the two morphs with contrasting shell morphologies and cirral length found on different host are predominantly shaped by developmental plasticity in response to environmental setting on different hosts. Chelonibia testudinaria is, thus, a successful general epibiotic fouler and the phenotypic responses postulated can increase the fitness of the animals when they attach on hosts with contrasting life-styles.     

Hydrophylita (Lutzimicron) emporos Shih & Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from Taiwan,Parasitising Eggs,and Phoretic on Adults,of the Damselfly Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae)

Hydrophylita emporos n. sp. reared from eggs of Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus McLachlan (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) in Taiwan is described. This is the first species of Hydrophylita to be described from the Old World, and the first record of phoresy in the genus. Adult females were observed aggregating at the base of the female damselfly’s abdomen. When the damselfly begins ovipositing, females move to the tip of the abdomen, enter the water and quickly locate eggs for parasitising. The article contains links to video footage of this process.     

Structural insights into Arabidopsis ethylene response factor 96 with an extended N-terminal binding to GCC box

Plant Molecular Biology - The phytohormone ethylene is widely involved in many developmental processes and is a crucial regulator of defense responses against biotic and abiotic stresses in plants....     

Induction of direct somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis and histological study in tree peony (Paeonia sect. Moutan)

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Tree peony (Paeonia sect. Moutan) is a world famous ornamental and economically important species, but it is recalcitrant to in vitro regeneration....     

Screening of optimal reference genes for qRT-PCR and preliminary exploration of cold resistance mechanisms in Prunus mume and Prunus sibirica varieties

Molecular Biology Reports - Prunus sibirica and Prunus mume are closely related plant species that differ in cold tolerance. Hybrids of P. sibirica and true mume, belonging to the apricot mei...     

Effect of Early Normobaric Hyperoxia on Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Neurochemical Research - Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a leading cause of disability and mortality in soldiers during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although substantial...