Structurally Diverse Sesquiterpenoids from the Genus of Ainsliaea.

The genus of Ainsliaea embraces approximately 70 recognized species, many of which have been used to treat various diseases in folklore medicines. As the main metabolites of Ainsliaea plants, Ainsliaea sesquiterpenoids have drawn considerable attention in related scientific communities due to their intriguing structures and a variety of bioactivities. In this review, we intend to provide a full-aspect coverage of sesquiterpenoids reported from the genus of Ainsliaea, including 145 monomeric sesquiterpenoids and 30 oligomeric ones. Multiple aspects will be summarized, including their classification, distributions, structures, bioactivities, and biomimetic syntheses. In addition, their possible biosynthetic pathway will be discussed in detail.

Consistent Clustering Pattern of Prokaryotic Genes Based on Base Frequency at the Second Codon Position and its Association with Functional Category Preference.

In 2002, our research group observed a gene clustering pattern based on the base frequency of A versus T at the second codon position in the genome of Vibrio cholera and found that the functional category distribution of genes in the two clusters was different. With the availability of a large number of sequenced genomes, we performed a systematic investigation of A2-T2 distribution and found that 2694 out of 2764 prokaryotic genomes have an optimal clustering number of two, indicating a consistent pattern. Analysis of the functional categories of the coding genes in each cluster in 1483 prokaryotic genomes indicated, that 99.33% of the genomes exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.01) in function distribution between the two clusters. Specifically, functional category P was overrepresented in the small cluster of 98.65% of genomes, whereas categories J, K, and L were overrepresented in the larger cluster of over 98.52% of genomes. Lineage analysis uncovered that these preferences appear consistently across all phyla. Overall, our work revealed an almost universal clustering pattern based on the relative frequency of A2 versus T2 and its role in functional category preference. These findings will promote the understanding of the rationality of theoretical prediction of functional classes of genes from their nucleotide sequences and how protein function is determined by DNA sequence.

CEG 2.0: an updated database of clusters of essential genes including eukaryotic organisms.

Essential genes are key elements for organisms to maintain their living. Building databases that store essential genes in the form of homologous clusters, rather than storing them as a singleton, can provide more enlightening information such as the general essentiality of homologous genes in multiple organisms. In 2013, the first database to store prokaryotic essential genes in clusters, CEG (Clusters of Essential Genes), was constructed. Afterward, the amount of available data for essential genes increased by a factor >3 since the last revision. Herein, we updated CEG to version 2, including more prokaryotic essential genes (from 16 gene datasets to 29 gene datasets) and newly added eukaryotic essential genes (nine species), specifically the human essential genes of 12 cancer cell lines. For prokaryotes, information associated with drug targets, such as protein structure, ligand-protein interaction, virulence factor and matched drugs, is also provided. Finally, we provided the service of essential gene prediction for both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We hope our updated database will benefit more researchers in drug targets and evolutionary genomics. Database URL: http://cefg.uestc.cn/ceg.

[Etiologic analysis of severe neonatal upper respiratory tract obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes of severe upper respiratory tract obstruction in neonates. METHODS: Forty seven cases with severe dyspnea history were reviewed and retrospective analysis performed. Clinical manifestation, direct laryngoscope, CT, X-ray barium meal examination results and the treatment process were recorded. RESULTS: Among 47 neonates, 41 cases were congenital diseases, accounting for 87.2% (41/47). In 41 cases, 15 cases were congenital laryngeal stridor, accounting for 31.9%, involving 6 cases accompanied by the gastroesophageal reflux. Fourteen cases were congenital upper respiratory tract cyst (10 cases of lingual root cyst, 3 cases of epiglottis cyst, 1 case of laryngeal cyst), accounting for 29.8%, in which 13 cases were misdiagnosis as congenital laryngeal stridor. Others were 6 cases of acute membrane laryngotracheobronchitis, 3 cases of congenital main respiratory tract stenosis, 2 cases of congenital laryngeal webs, 2 cases of vocal cord paralysis, 3 cases of Pierre Robin syndrome, 2 cases of Cri-du-chat syndrome. Except for 3 in 47 cases whose parents refused treatment, dyspnea in other 44 cases were relieved with inhaling oxygen and drug treatment, 37 case received tracheal intubation and sputum suction, 19 cases received direct laryngoscope or self-retaining laryngoscope operation. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital disease is the main cause of severe upper respiratory tract obstruction. For the neonates suffering from severe upper respiratory obstruction, finding out the cause and prompt treatment are essential for prognosis and reducing mortality.