Seven new secondary metabolites isolated from roots of Lespedeza bicolor.

Chemical investigation of a methanol extract obtained from the roots of Lespedeza bicolor identified one new pterocarpene (1), three new pterocarpans (2-4), and three new arylbenzofurans (5-7), and two known compounds (8 and 9). Their structures were determined by interpretations obtained from combined UV, NMR, and HRTOFMS spectroscopic data. Furthermore, the absolute configurations of compounds 2 and 3 were established by the combination of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis. All isolated compounds (1-9) were evaluated for cytotoxicity against the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 and the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7. Compound 4 showed antiproliferative activity against A549 cell line with IC50 value of 24.9 µM. Furthermore, compound 9 exhibited cytotoxicity against Huh-7 cell line with IC50 value of 68.7 µM.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the double-lined fusileer, Pterocaesio digramma (Perciformes, Caesionidae): mitogenome characterization and phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the double-lined fusileer, Pterocaesio digramma, which belongs to the family Caesionidae was determined. The complete mitochondrial genome has a length of 16,504 bp and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. P. digramma has a mitochondrial gene arrangement that is typical of vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 15 related species revealed that P. digramma formed a well-supported monophyletic group with the other Caesionidae and Lutjanidae species.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Butterfly whiptail, Pentapodus setosus (Spariformes, Nemipteridae) and phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pentapodus setosus which belongs to the family Nemipteridae was first determined. The complete mitochondrial genome was 16,836 bp in length with 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 11 related species revealed that P. setosus formed a well-supported monophyletic group with the other Nemipteridae species. This mitochondrial genome provides a useful information for resolving the taxonomic issues.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the orange-spotted trevally, Carangoides bajad (Perciformes, Carangidae) and a comparative analysis with other Carangidae species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the orange-spotted trevally, Carangoides bajad, which belongs to the family Carangidae was determined. The complete mitochondrial genome has a length of 16,556 bp and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. Carangoides bajad has a mitochondrial gene arrangement that is typical of vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 13 related species revealed that C. bajad formed a well-supported monophyletic group with the other Carangidae species.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the fork-tailed threadfin bream, Nemipterus furcosus (Spariformes, Nemipteridae) and phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the fork-tailed threadfin bream, Nemipterus furcosus, which belongs to the family Nemipteridae was first determined. The complete mitochondrial genome was 16,882 bp in size and encoded of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Nemipterus furcosus has a mitochondrial gene arrangement that is typical of vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 11 related species revealed that N. furcosus formed a well-supported monophyletic group with the other Nemipteridae species. This mitochondrial genome provides a useful information for addressing taxonomic issues.

Regulation of secondary metabolism by calmodulin signaling in filamentous fungi / Regulación del metabolismo secundario mediante la señalización con calmodulina en hongos filamentosos

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The medicinal mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) extract has antioxidant activity and promotes procollagen biosynthesis in HaCaT cells.

In this study, Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) extract (AAE) had potent antioxidant activity in vitro and promoted the biosynthesis of procollagen, a precursor of collagen in HaCaT cells. In addition, the expression of HAS-3 (hyaluronic acid synthase), which is a moisturizing factor, was increased in HaCaT cells in response to AAE. Therefore, this work suggests that AAE has the potential to exhibit antioxidant activity and promote procollagen biosynthesis in HaCaT cells.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cynoglossus interruptus and its novel rearrangement (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome was determined for the Cynoglossus interruptus belonging to the family Cynoglossidae. The length of the complete mitochondrial genome is 17,262 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. The gene rearrangement related to tRNAGln and a control region gene were found, forming the gene order of CR-Ile-Gln-Met. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 12 species showed that C. interruptus formed a well-supported monophyletic group with other Cynoglossus species.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Dactylopterus volitans (Syngnathiformes, Dactylopteridae).

The complete mitochondrial genome was determined for the flying gurnard Dactylopterus volitans belonging to the family Dactylopteridae. The total length of the D. volitans mitochondrial genome is 16,632 bp, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. It has the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 20 species showed that D. volitans formed a well-supported monophyletic group with other Dactylopteridae species.

Gene rearrangements in the mitochondrial genome of robust tonguefish, Cynoglossus robustus (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae) and a comparative analysis with other Cynoglossus fishes.

The complete mitochondrial genome was determined for the Robust tonguefish Cynoglossus robustus belonging to the family Cynoglossidae. The length of the complete mitochondrial genome is 16,720 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. Rearrangements of the tRNAGln and a control region gene were found and tRNAGln is translocated from the light to the heavy strand. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 12 species showed that C. robustus formed a well-supported monophyletic group with other Cynoglossus species.

Experimental investigation of chair type, row spacing, occupants, and carpet on theatre chair absorption.

This paper examines how the individual variations of chair type, row spacing, as well as the presence of occupants and carpet, combine to influence the absorption characteristics of theater chairs as a function of sample perimeter-to-area (P/A) ratios. Scale models were used to measure the interactive effects of the four test variables on the chair absorption characteristics, avoiding the practical difficulties of full scale measurements. All of the test variables led to effects that could lead to important changes to auditorium acoustics conditions. At mid and higher frequencies, the various effects can usually be explained as due to, more or less, porous absorbing material. In the 125 and 250 Hz octave bands, the major changes were attributed to resonant absorbing mechanisms. The results indicate that for accurate predictions of the effective absorption of the chairs in an auditorium, one should use the P/A method and reverberation chamber tests of the chair absorption coefficients to predict the absorption coefficients of each block of chairs and use these results as input in a room acoustics computer model of the auditorium. The application of these results to auditorium acoustics design is described, more approximate approaches are considered, and relations to existing methods are discussed.

Decursin attenuates hepatic fibrogenesis through interrupting TGF-beta-mediated NAD(P)H oxidase activation and Smad signaling in vivo and in vitro.

AIMS: We studied that a potent antifibrotic effect of decursin on in vivo liver damage model and the mechanism in inhibiting which transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-induced human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. MAIN METHODS: Liver injury was induced in vivo by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) with or without decursin for 4weeks in mice. Human hepatic stellate cell line, an immortalized human HSC line, was used in in vitro assay system. The effects of decursin on HSC activation were measured by analyzing the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I in liver tissue and human HSCs. KEY FINDINGS: Decursin treatment significantly reduced the ratio of liver/body weight, α-SMA activation, and type I collagen overexpression in CCl4 treated mice liver. The elevated serum levels, including ALT, AST, and ALP, were also decreased by decursin treatment. Treatment of decursin markedly proved the generation of reactive oxygen species, NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) protein (1, 2, and 4) upregulation, NOX activity, and superoxide anion production in HSCs by TGF-ß1. It also significantly reduced TGF-ß1-induced Smad 2/3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of Smad 4, and association of Smad 2/3-Smad 4 complex. Consistent with in vitro results, decursin treatment effectively blocked the levels of NOX protein, and Smad 2/3 phosphorylation in injured mice liver. SIGNIFICANCE: Decursin blocked CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and inhibited TGF-ß1-mediated HSC activation in vitro. These data demonstrated that decursin exhibited hepatoprotective effects on experimental fibrosis, potentially by inhibiting the TGF-ß1 induced NOX activation and Smad signaling.