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Soft actuators with unique mechanics have gained significant interests for unique capabilities and versatile applications. However, their actuation mechanisms (usually driven by light, heat, or chemical reactions) result in long actuation times. Reported magnetically actuated soft actuators can produce rapid and precise motions, yet their complex manufacturing processes may constrain their range of applications. Here, the "bone‐in‐flesh" is proposed that constructs combining rigid magnetic structures encapsulated within soft polymers to create untethered magnetic soft actuators. This approach enables these soft, impact‐resistant, agile actuators with a significantly simplified fabrication process. As demonstration examples, multiple soft actuators are fabricated and tested, including actuators for auxetic properties, 2D–3D transformations, and multi‐stable states. As such, this work offers a promising solution to challenges associated with soft actuators to potentially expand their applications in various domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar panels often suffer from dust accumulation, significantly reducing their output, especially in desert regions where many of the world's largest solar plants are located. Here, an autonomous dust removal system for solar panels, powered by a wind‐driven rotary electret generator is proposed. The generator applies a high voltage between one solar panel's output electrode and an upper mesh electrode to generate a strong electrostatic field. It is discovered that dust particles on the insulative glass cover of the panel can be charged under the high electrical field, assisted by adsorbed water, even in low‐humidity environments. The charged particles are subsequently repelled from the solar panel with the significant Coulomb force. Two panels covered with sand dust are cleaned in only 6.6 min by a 15 cm diameter rotary electret generator at 1.6 m s−1 wind speed. Experimental results manifest that the system can work effectively in a wide range of environmental conditions, and doesn't impact the panel performance for long‐term operation. This autonomous system, with its high dust removal efficiency, simplicity, and low cost, holds great potential in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment induced by postoperative pain severely deteriorates the rehabilitation outcomes in elderly patients. The present study focused on the relationship between microglial exosome miR‐124‐3p in hippocampus and cognitive impairment induced by postoperative pain. Cognitive impairment model induced by postoperative pain was constructed by intramedullary nail fixation after tibial fracture. Morphine intraperitoneally was carried out for postoperative analgesia. Morris water maze tests were carried out to evaluate the cognitive impairment, while mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NG) and neurodegenerative biomarker (VILIP‐1) in hippocampus were tested by q‐PCR. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the axon degeneration in hippocampus. The levels of pro‐inflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6), the levels of anti‐inflammatory factors (Ym, Arg‐1, IL‐10) and microglia proliferation marker cyclin D1 in hippocampus were measured to evaluate microglia polarization. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify key exosomes while BV‐2 microglia overexpressing exosome miR‐124‐3p was constructed to observe microglia polarization in vitro experiments. Exogenous miR‐124‐3p‐loaded exosomes were injected into hippocampus in vivo. Postoperative pain induced by intramedullary fixation after tibial fracture was confirmed by decreased mechanical and thermal pain thresholds. Postoperative pain induced cognitive impairment, promoted axon demyelination, decreased BDNF, NG and increased VILIP‐1 expressions in hippocampus. Postoperative pain also increased pro‐inflammatory factors, cyclin D1 and decreased anti‐inflammatory factors in hippocampus. However, these changes were all reversed by morphine analgesia. Bioinformatics analysis identified the critical role of exosome miR‐124‐3p in cognitive impairment, which was confirmed to be down‐regulated in hippocampus of postoperative pain mice. BV‐2 microglia overexpressing exosome miR‐124‐3p showed decreased pro‐inflammatory factors, cyclin D1 and increased anti‐inflammatory factors. In vivo, stereotactic injection of exogenous miR‐124‐3p into hippocampus decreased pro‐inflammatory factors, cyclin D1 and increased anti‐inflammatory factors. The cognitive impairment, axon demyelination, decreased BDNF, NG and increased VILIP‐1 expressions in hippocampus were all alleviated by exogenous exosome miR‐124‐3p. Microglial exosome miR‐124‐3p in hippocampus alleviates cognitive impairment induced by postoperative pain through microglia polarization in elderly mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging of the world population and increasing stress levels in life are the major cause of the increased incidence of neurological disorders. Alzheimer's disease (AD) creates a huge burden on the lives and health of individuals and has become a big concern for society. Triterpenoid saponins (TS), representative natural product components, have a wide range of pharmacological bioactivities such as anti‐inflammation, antioxidation, antiapoptosis, hormone‐like, and gut microbiota regulation. Notably, some natural TS exhibited promising neuroprotective activity that can intervene in AD progress, especially in the early stage. Recently, studies have indicated that TS play a pronounced positive role in the prevention and treatment of AD. This review discusses the recent research on the neuroprotection of TS and proceeds to detail the action mechanisms of TS against AD, hoping to provide a reference for drug development for anti‐AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a low‐cost efficient online derivatization system was developed which allows for the detection of various types of mono‐ and oligo‐saccharides only utilizing high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐ultraviolet detector (UV) system. In the proposed method, phenylhydrazine was used as the derivatization reagent and directly spiked in the mobile phase, allowing for the separation and detection of mono‐ and oligosaccharides in an accessible instrument system (HPLC‐UV). And the online derivatization design of the proposed method has significantly reduced the potential harm of derivatization reagents to the analysts. Furthermore, critical chromatographic parameters were optimized via the Box‐Behnken design strategy, culminating in the ideal response for saccharides. Finally, the methodology validation of the proposed method was conducted. The proposed method showed satisfactory linear ranges with acceptable correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.99), outstanding accuracy (Recovery: 95.3%–105.6%), high intra‐day precision (relative standard deviation [RSD]: 1.4%–7.1%) and inter‐day precision (RSD: 2.0%–7.4%). The robustness and ruggedness of the proposed method were proved as the recovery values in the range of 95.0%–104.6% and 95.1%–104.8% for robustness and ruggedness, respectively. These satisfactory validation results confirm the applicability and reliability of the proposed method for the analysis of saccharides in various complex real‐world samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sperm‐induced Ca2+ rise is critical for driving oocyte activation and subsequent embryonic development, but little is known about how lasting Ca2+ oscillations are regulated. Here it is shown that NLRP14, a maternal effect factor, is essential for keeping Ca2+ oscillations and early embryonic development. Few embryos lacking maternal NLRP14 can develop beyond the 2‐cell stage. The impaired developmental potential of Nlrp14‐deficient oocytes is mainly caused by disrupted cytoplasmic function and calcium homeostasis due to altered mitochondrial distribution, morphology, and activity since the calcium oscillations and development of Nlrp14‐deficient oocytes can be rescued by substitution of whole cytoplasm by spindle transfer. Proteomics analysis reveal that cytoplasmic UHRF1 (ubiquitin‐like, containing PHD and RING finger domains 1) is significantly decreased in Nlrp14‐deficient oocytes, and Uhrf1‐deficient oocytes also show disrupted calcium homeostasis and developmental arrest. Strikingly, it is found that the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCLX) encoded by Slc8b1 is significantly decreased in the Nlrp14mNull oocyte. Mechanistically, NLRP14 interacts with the NCLX intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) domain and maintain its stability by regulating the K27‐linked ubiquitination. Thus, the study reveals NLRP14 as a crucial player in calcium homeostasis that is important for early embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the initiation of tumor arises from tumorigenic transformation signaling in cancer cells, cancer cell survival, invasion, and metastasis also require a dynamic and reciprocal association with extracellular signaling from tumor microenvironment (TME). Primary cilia are the antenna‐like structure that mediate signaling sensation and transduction in different tissues and cells. Recent studies have started to uncover that the heterogeneous ciliation in cancer cells and cells from the TME in tumor growth impels asymmetric paracellular signaling in the TME, indicating the essential functions of primary cilia in homeostasis maintenance of both cancer cells and the TME. In this review, we discussed recent advances in the structure and assembly of primary cilia, and the role of primary cilia in tumor and TME formation, as well as the therapeutic potentials that target ciliary dynamics and signaling from the cells in different tumors and the TME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed chemical investigation of the Sanya Bay nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus yielded thirteen new sesquiterpenoids, namely sanyagunins A−H, sanyalides A−C, and sanyalactams A and B, along with eleven known related ones. Sanyalactams A and B feature an unprecedented hexahydrospiro[indene‐2,3′‐pyrrolidine] core. The structures of new compounds were established by a combination of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, quantum mechanical‐nuclear magnetic resonance methods, the modified Mosher's method, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Based on analysis of NOESY correlations and the modified Mosher's method, the stereochemistry of two known furodysinane‐type sesquiterpenoids were revised. A plausible biogenetic relationship between these sesquiterpenoids wasproposed and discussed, and a chemo‐ecological relationship of the title animal and its possible sponge preys has been analyzed. In bioassays, sanyagunin B showed moderate antibacterial activity, whereas 4α‐formamidogorgon‐11‐ene exhibited potent cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 0.87 to 1.95 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanolobatone A, featuring an unprecedented tricyclo[10.3.0.01,2]pentadecane carbon skeleton, along with four new polyoxygenated and four unusual endoperoxide‐bridged casbane‐type diterpenoids were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sinularia nanolobata. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and time‐dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of new isolates was proposed. Bioassays revealed that nanolobatone A showed weak antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new dinuclear Co(II) complexes [Co2(L1)2Cl2](PF6)2 (1), [Co2L2(OAc)2(CH3OH)4](ClO4)2 (2), and [Co2L3(OAc)2(CH3OH)4](ClO4)2 (3) were synthesized and structurally determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analysis as well as IR, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. All complexes exhibit efficiently self‐activated cleavage activity with hydrolytic mechanism, which was accurately proved by addition of regular radical scavengers, anaerobic cleavage experiment, and 2‐thiobarbituric acid reaction. Complex 1 exhibited higher selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells than normal cells, which is significantly better than that of cisplatin. Hoechst 33342 staining, intracellular ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential were conducted to assess the apoptosis‐inducing activity of 1. The effect of complex 1 on cell invasion was observed by Transwell assay and angiogenesis experiment, and the results demonstrated that 1 could inhibit the cell invasion and angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of the South China Sea nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus from Sanya Bay afforded, in addition to three known compounds, nine new diterpenoids of the 5,19‐cycloclerodane‐ (sanyanolides A–D), clerodane‐ (sanyanolide E) and subersin‐ (sanyanolides F–I) type. Remarkably, six diterpenoids aforementioned from H. sanguineus were also isolated from the sponge Chelonaplysilla sp. from the same water region, suggesting a trophic relationship between H. sanguineus and Chelonaplysilla sp. The structure and absolute configuration of new compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic data, X‐ray diffraction analysis and/or time‐dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism calculations. A plausible biogenetic relationship between these diterpenoids, along with the chemo‐ecological implications of their co‐occurrence in the two organisms investigated, was proposed and discussed. In in vitro bioassays, echinoclerodane A exhibited a potent inhibitory effect (IC50=2.81 μM) on LPS‐induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, echinoclerodane A and oculatolide showed considerable antibacterial activities with MIC values ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying the emerging molecular networking strategy, an uncommon cembranoid orthoester, sarcotortin A (1), featuring a 3/14/8/5‐fused scaffold, an unusual eunicellane‐type diterpenoid, sarcotorolide A (2), and two new biscembranoids, ximaolides M and N (7 and 8), along with nine known terpenoids 3–6 and 9–13 were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum. The structure and absolute configuration of all new compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic data, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and/or quantum chemical computational approaches. The plausible biogenetic relationship among these skeletally different terpenoids was proposed and discussed. In in vitro bioassay, new compound 7 exhibited a remarkable inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B) with the IC50 value of 8.06 μM. In addition, compounds 4 and 10 displayed significant inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages cells with the IC50 values of 19.13 and 16.45 μM, respectively. Compound 9 showed interesting cytotoxicity against H1975, MDA‐MB231, A549, and H1299 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 31.59, 34.96, 43.87, and 27.93 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Eleutherococcus senticosus fruit (ESF) is a natural health supplement resource that has been extensively applied as a tonic for the nervous system. The structures and neural bioactivities of triterpenoid saponins (TS), which are the major constituents of ESF, have not been comprehensively analyzed thus far. Objective: We conducted a complete in‐depth MS/MS molecular networking (MN)‐based targeted analysis of TS from the crude extract of ESF and investigated its neuroprotective value. Methods: An MS/MS MN‐guided strategy was used to rapidly present a series of precursor ions (PIs) of TS in a compound cluster as TS‐targeted information used in the discovery and characterization of TS. In addition, a prepared TS‐rich fraction of ESF was assayed for its restraining effects on β‐amyloid‐induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Results: A total of 87 TS were discovered using a PI tracking strategy, 28 of which were characterized as potentially undescribed structures according to their high‐resolution MS values. Furthermore, the TS‐rich fraction can significantly reduce β‐amyloid‐induced damage to neural networks by promoting the outgrowth of neurites and axons. Conclusion: Our findings reveal the richness of TS in ESF and will accelerate their application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Eleutherococcus senticosus fruit (ESF) is a natural health supplement resource that has been extensively applied as a tonic for the nervous system. In this paper, a comprehensive LC‐MS analysis of triterpene saponins (TS) from ESF was performed using an MS/MS molecular networking strategy, and 87 TS were finally tracked, of which 28 TS were potential new saponins. In addition, the TS‐rich fraction of ESF was prepared and assayed for their restraining effect on the β‐amyloid‐induced destruction of neurite outgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To screen coral‐derived compounds with neuroprotective activity and clarify the potential mechanism of lead compounds. Methods: The lead compounds with neuroprotective effects were screened by H2O2 and 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPP+)‐induced cell damage models in SH‐SY5Y cells. CCK8 and LDH assays were used to detect cell viability. The anti‐apoptosis of lead compounds was evaluated by flow cytometry. JC‐1 and MitoSox assays were performed to examine the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ROS level. Survival of primary cortical and dopaminergic midbrain neurons was measured by MAP2 and TH immunoreactivities. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model was established to determine the effect of lead compounds on dopaminergic neurons and behavior changes. Results: Three compounds (No. 63, 68, and 74), derived from marine corals, could markedly alleviate the cell damage and notably reverse the loss of worm dopaminergic neurons. Further investigation indicated that compound 63 could promote the expression of Nurr1 and inhibit neuronal apoptosis signaling pathways. Conclusion: Lead compounds from marine corals exerted significant neuroprotective effects， which indicated that coral might be a new and potential resource for screening and isolating novel natural compounds with neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, this study also provided a new strategy for the clinical treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a cooperative search for multiple dynamic targets in an unknown marine environment by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles is studied based on a novel multi‐bee‐colony (MBC) elite learning algorithm. First, a specialized searching model is established which includes the UAV dynamics, the sensor model, the target probability and environmental certainty at different flight altitudes. Then, a new search strategy, which consists of rough search and accurate search, is proposed by maximizing the multiobjective utility function with the dynamic changing of the flight altitude. In order to solve the optimization problem, an improved MBC algorithm based on elite learning is designed, which can improve the adaptability and computation speed of the standard artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm under different search missions. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to show the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed search strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein the present work, the thermodynamic, physical, and mechanical properties of different random solid solution structure models are first calculated based on first‐principles calculation method, and the optimal composition ratio of 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn is quickly selected as a new biomedical high‐entropy alloy (HEA) with a low elastic modulus and high strength–ductility balance. Then, 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn HEA is prepared by vacuum‐melting method. The microstructure characterization results show that the actual composition of 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn HEA corresponds to the calculated target composition, and the HEA consists of two phases BCC1 and BCC2 with distinct color and structure. The compressive yield strength and compressive elongation of the 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn HEA are 1171.2 MPa and 29.03%, respectively. The compressive elastic modulus is 22.4 GPa, which is within the range of human bone elastic modulus (10–30 GPa). There are many tiny dimples and small tearing edges in the compression fracture, showing obvious plastic deformation characteristics. The analysis results of potentiodynamic polarization curve show that the corrosion resistance of 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn HEA is equivalent to that of pure titanium. Therefore, 5Ti5Zr5Nb1Sn HEA possesses the characteristics of high strength and ductility, low elastic modulus, and excellent corrosion resistance, and has the potential to be used as metallic biomedical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleutherococcus senticosus is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine and edible remedies with effects on anti‐fatigue, sleep improvement, and memory enhancement. Recently, the application of E. senticosus to neurological disorders has been a focus. However, its overall pharmacological effect on neural diseases and relevant mechanisms are needed in an in‐depth summary. In this review, the traditional uses and the therapeutic effect of E. senticosus on the treatment of fatigue, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral ischemia were summarized. In addition, the underlying mechanisms involved in the anti‐oxidative damage, anti‐inflammation, neurotransmitter modulation, improvement of neuronal growth, and anti‐apoptosis were discussed. This review will accelerate the understanding of the neuroprotective effects brought from the E. senticosus, and impetus its development as a phytotherapy agent against neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AZD1208, a pan‐inhibitor that can effectively inhibit PIM kinase, is used for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and malignant lymphomas. Numerous studies have proved its curative effects while its potential cellular toxicity on reproduction was still little known. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of AZD1208 on mouse oocytes. The results showed that AZD1208 treatment did not affect meiotic resumption, but postponed oocyte maturation as indicated by delayed first polar body extrusion. Further mechanistic study showed that AZD1208 treatment delayed spindle assembly. In addition, we found that oocytes treated with AZD1208 showed mitochondrial dysfunction. Abnormal mitochondrial clusters with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential were observed in oocytes during incubation in vitro. Moreover, increased oxidative stress was observed by testing the level of reactive oxygen species. In summary, our results suggest that AZD1208 treatment influences oocyte meiotic progression by causing mitochondrial dysfunctions and subsequent delayed spindle assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane transport proteins are involved in the absorption, disposition, efficacy, and/or toxicity of many drugs. Numerous mechanisms (e.g., nuclear receptors, epigenetic gene regulation, microRNAs, alternative splicing, post‐translational modifications, and trafficking) regulate transport protein levels, localization, and function. Various factors associated with disease, medications, and dietary constituents, for example, may alter the regulation and activity of transport proteins in the intestine, liver, kidneys, brain, lungs, placenta, and other important sites, such as tumor tissue. This white paper reviews key mechanisms and regulatory factors that alter the function of clinically relevant transport proteins involved in drug disposition. Current considerations with in vitro and in vivo models that are used to investigate transporter regulation are discussed, including strengths, limitations, and the inherent challenges in predicting the impact of changes due to regulation of one transporter on compensatory pathways and overall drug disposition. In addition, translation and scaling of in vitro observations to in vivo outcomes are considered. The importance of incorporating altered transporter regulation in modeling and simulation approaches to predict the clinical impact on drug disposition is also discussed. Regulation of transporters is highly complex and, therefore, identification of knowledge gaps will aid in directing future research to expand our understanding of clinically relevant molecular mechanisms of transporter regulation. This information is critical to the development of tools and approaches to improve therapeutic outcomes by predicting more accurately the impact of regulation‐mediated changes in transporter function on drug disposition and response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one‐pot three‐component reaction of L‐proline, isatins and 1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones and sequential reaction with methyl propiolate in refluxing methanol resulted in novel functionalized spiro[chromane‐2,3′‐indoline]‐2′,4‐diones as major products and spiro[chromeno[3,2‐d]azocine‐2,3′‐indolin]‐3‐ yl)acrylate as minor products. On the other hand, the similar one‐pot‐three‐component reaction of L‐proline, isatins and 3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones and sequential reaction with methyl propiolate in refluxing acetonitrile predominately afforded the unique 6b,14‐(epoxy[1,2]benzeno)pyrrolo[1′,2′:1,2]azocino[4,5‐c]quinoline‐8‐carboxylates in satisfactory yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise regulation of chromosome separation through spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) during oocyte meiosis is critical for mammalian reproduction. The kinetochore plays an important role in the regulation of SAC through sensing microtubule tension imbalance or missing microtubule connections. Here, we report that kinetochore scaffold 1 (KNL1, also known as CASC5), an outer kinetochore protein, plays a critical role in the SAC function of mouse oocytes. KNL1 localized at kinetochores from GVBD to the MII stage, and microinjection of KNL1‐siRNA caused accelerated metaphase‐anaphase transition and premature first meiosis completion, producing aneuploid eggs. The SAC was prematurely silenced in the presence of unstable kinetochore‐microtubule attachments and misaligned chromosomes in KNL1‐depleted oocytes. Additionally, KNL1 and MPS1 had a synergistic effect on the activation and maintenance of SAC. Taken together, our results suggest that KNL1, as a kinetochore platform protein, stabilizes SAC to ensure timely anaphase entry and accurate chromosome segregation during oocyte meiotic maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: A detailed chemical investigation of the South China Sea nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus, as well as its possible sponge‐prey Acanthella cavernosa, led to the isolation of fifteen new nitrogenous sesquiterpenoids, namely ximaocavernosins A−O, including seven cadinanes (1—7), seven spiroaxanes (12—18) and one aromadendrane (19), together with thirteen known related compounds (8—11 and 20—28). Compounds (±)‐1—9 (except for 4 and 6) were further separated by chiral‐phase HPLC to their corresponding unequal enantiomers, respectively. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by a combination of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, quantum mechanical nuclear magnetic resonance (QM‐NMR) methods, Mosher's method, X‐ray diffraction analysis and/or time‐dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT‐ECD) calculation. The commonly existed nitrogenous sesquiterpenoids in these two animals are suggested to be chemical markers for their prey‐predator relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: In the present study, nine new cembrane‐type diterpenoids, namely ximaonanolobatins A—I (1—9), together with six related known analogs (10—15) and four known tetraprenylated alkaloids malonganenones D, E, H, and K (16—19) were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata collected off the Ximao Island in the South China Sea. The structures of 1—9 were robustly established by a combination of detailed spectroscopic analyses, chemical reactions, quantum mechanical (QM)‐NMR methods, biogenetic consideration, and the comparison with those literature data. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis, and the absolute configuration of 2 was determined by QM‐NMR calculations and chemical transformation. In addition, the absolute configuration of 3 was determined using the modified Mosher's method. All these isolates were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumor activities. The results showed that only compound 15 exhibited potential anti‐inflammatory effect against LPS‐induced TNF‐α release in RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 value of 12.6 μmol/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Ten new cembrane‐type diterpenoids, namely xishaglaucumins A—J (1—10), along with ten known related ones (11—20), have been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum collected off the Xisha Island in the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum mechanical nuclear magnetic resonance (QM‐NMR) methods, X‐ray diffraction analysis, chemical methods and comparison with the reported data in the literature. The absolute configuration of new compounds 1, 5 and known compounds 11, 12, 16 and 20 were determined either by chemical methods or by X‐ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα (λ = 1.5417 Å). In in vitro bioassay, compound 4 exhibited inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory responses in BV‐2 microglial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic correlation analysis using LD score regression3 showed MD and HD were significantly correlated ( I r SB g sb i = 0.8618, I p i = 7.361e-5), but not for HD and AD, MD and AD. This work presented a significant correlation between heroin and methamphetamine dependence (HD and MD) which distinguished with alcohol dependence (AD) at the genome-wide level. Genome-wide association meta-analyses identify novel genetic risk loci and polygenic phenotype associations for heroin, methamphetamine and alcohol dependences. [Extracted from the article]

The "Cretaceous oceanic red beds (CORBs)" associated with "oceanic oxic events" have become a hot topic for geologists from around the world. In southern Tibet, the CORBs are widely distributed in the Upper Cretaceous of the northern Tethys Himalayas, but they have never been reported from the southern Tethyan Himalaya (Tibet, China). A mixed Upper Cretaceous carbonate‐shale succession is well exposed in the Gyabukeqing section of Guru town, Yadong County, southern Tibet, which tectonically belongs to the southern Tethyan Himalaya. These sedimentary strata constitute the transition from the Gangbacunkou Formation shale towards the Zongshan Formation limestone through the Jiubao Formation alternations of marl and shale. The Gangbacunkou Formation is characterized by grey‐greenish shales occasionally interspersed with laminated marls, followed by the Jiubao Formation composed of marls with interbeds of shales, which is overlain by the limestones of the Zongshan Formation. A 5‐m‐thick purplish marl bed was found from the lower Jiubao Formation in the Gyabukeqing section, and these reddish marls are assignable to shallow marine red beds. Detailed foraminifer biostratigraphy established five planktic foraminifer zones: Dicarinella covcavata, D. asymetrica, Globotruncanita elevata, G. ventricosa, and Radotruncana calcarata throughout the entire Upper Cretaceous succession in the Gyabukeqing section. The reddish marl beds are constrained as middle Campanian in age as they are calibrated to the middle part of the foraminifer Radotruncana calcarata Zone. As a comparison, the typical CORBs of pelagic–hemipelagic settings are also documented from the Upper Cretaceous of the northern Tethys Himalayas in southern Tibet. A total of 10 microfacies were recognized from the entire sequence of the Upper Cretaceous outer shelf‐slope settings in the Yadong area, southern Tibet. The Yadong red marl beds represent the sedimentation of the foraminiferal biomicrite/foraminiferal wackestone and mudstone/mudrock microfacies, pointing to a shallow marine continental shelf margin setting. Global biostratigraphic correlations indicate that the Yadong red marl beds are coeval with the typical CORBs of the Gyangze and Kangmar documented from the northern Tethys Himalayas in this study or reported previously from the same region as well as elsewhere in the world. The Yadong red beds also are comparable in lithology and biostratigraphy with the shallow marine red beds documented from Europe, and they all may represent the contemporaneous deposition of the CORBs in shallow shelf. These shallow marine CORBs share similar depositional mechanisms: undergoing a phase of iron and manganese enrichment in seawater due to injection of deep sea anoxic water to shallow shelf, followed by oxidization in shallow settings or being oxidized during diagenetic process or a response to the oxygenation of coeval CORBs in deep seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: A detailed chemical study on the Hainan soft coral Sinularia crass has resulted in the isolation and characterization of eleven casbane‐type diterpenoids, named sinucrassins A—K (1—11), along with six known related ones (12—17). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with the reported data. The absolute configurations of new compounds were determined by the X‐ray diffraction analysis and computer‐assisted structural elucidation including 13C NMR data calculation and time‐dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: A rare highly fused racemic merosesquiterpenoid, 9‐epi‐verrubenzospirolactone (1), six new asteriscane‐type sesquiterpenoids, sinuhumesins A—F (4—9), and two related known ones (10 and 11) were isolated from Hainan soft coral Sinularia humesi. Compound 1 was further separated by chiral HPLC resolution to one pair of enantiomers [(+)‐1 and (–)‐1], respectively. The full structures of the new compounds were unambiguously determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical computation approaches, modified Mosher's method and/or X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as comparison with previously reported data of related model compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adiposity is an established risk factor for diabetes. The different measurements of adiposity for predicting diabetes have been compared in recent studies in Western countries. However, similar researches among Chinese adults are limited. Methods: Data were collected from a national survey conducted during September 2014 and May 2015 Among Chinese adults aged 40 years and older across 30 China's provinces. Multilevel model analysis was performed to examine the impacts of different obesity indices [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid accumulation product index (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and body adiposity index (BAI)] on the risk of diabetes. Results: A total of 162 880 participants were included in this study. Of them, 54.47% were female. With an increase in BMI, WC, LAP, VAI, and BAI, the prevalence of diabetes significantly grew (P < 0.001). The multilevel model analysis showed that WC has the strongest impact on diabetes prevalence, while BAI was the weakest. For one SD increment in BMI, WC, LAP, VAI, and BAI, the prevalence of diabetes increased by 27.0% (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.270, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.251–1.289), 37.4% (OR = 1.374, 95% CI = 1.346–1.401), 28.1% (OR = 1.281, 95% CI = 1.266–1.297), 22.0% (OR = 1.220, 95% CI = 1.204–1.236), and 17.4% (OR = 1.174, 95% CI = 1.151–1.192), respectively. Conclusion: Obesity indicators of BMI, WC, LAP, VAI, and BAI have significant positive relationships with the risk of diabetes. WC has the strongest impact on diabetes, while BAI has the weakest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Two new bis‐quinolizidine alkaloids, neopetrosiasins A (1) and B (2), possessing cis‐ and trans‐quinolizidine nuclei, one known related analogue petrosin (3) and three known xestospongins (4—6), were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Neopetrosia chaliniformis. The structures of new compounds were unambiguously determined by extensive spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. In bioassay, compounds 4—6 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against several human cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report that continuous MOF films with highly controlled thickness (from 44 to 5100 nm) can be deposited over length scales greater than 80 centimeters by a facile, fast, and cost‐effective spray‐coating method. Such success relies on our discovery of unprecedented perfectly dispersed colloidal solutions consisting of amorphous MOF nanoparticles, which we adopted as precursors that readily converted to the crystalline films upon low‐temperature in situ heating. The colloidal solutions allow for the fabrication of compact and uniform MOF films on a great deal of substrates such as fluorine‐doped tin oxide, glass, SiO2, Al2O3, Si, Cu, and even flexible polycarbonate, widening their technological applications where substrates are essential. Despite the present work focuses on the fabrication of uniform cobalt‐(2‐methylimidazole)2 and zinc‐(2‐methylimidazole)2 films, our findings mark a great possibility in producing other high‐quality MOF thin films on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed chemical investigation of the nudibranch Glossodoris atromarginata collected from Weizhou Island, South China Sea, yielded a new spongian‐type diterpene 1, together with the four known‐related compounds 2–5. The structure of the new compound 1 was elucidated by the detailed spectroscopic analysis, the comparison of the spectroscopic data with the known diterpene isoagatholactone, and the 13C chemical shift calculation. In addition, evidence for the absolute stereochemistry of the known compound 2 was, for the first time, provided by the application of time‐dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nineteen polyoxygenated eunicellin diterpenoids, named klyflaccilins B‐T (1–19), were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Klyxum flaccidum. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and for several of the isolated compounds the absolute configurations were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Four new cembranoids, 6‐oxo‐cembrene‐A (1), lobocrassins G—H (2—3), and 14‐epi‐lobophytolide B (4), along with eight known related compounds (5—12), were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Lobophytum crassum. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of the spectral data with those reported in the literatures. The absolute stereochemistry of 14‐epi‐lobophytolide B (4) was established by time‐dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT‐ECD) calculations, whereas that of three known metabolites (6, 11 and 12) was also determined, for the first time, by using modified Mosher's method and/or X‐ray diffraction analyses. In bioassay, the cembranoids 6, 7 and 12 showed significant anti‐tumoral activity against A549, HT‐29, SNU‐398 and Capan‐1 tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.5 to 7.4 μmol/L. A preliminary structure‐activity relationship was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex biochemical reactions take place in the nucleus all the time. Transcription machines must follow the rules. The chromatin state, especially the three‐dimensional structure of the genome, plays an important role in gene regulation and expression. The super enhancers are important for defining cell identity in mammalian developmental processes and human diseases. It has been shown that the major components of transcriptional activation complexes are recruited by super enhancer to form phase‐separated condensates. We summarize the current knowledge about super enhancer in the 3D genome. Furthermore, a new related transcriptional regulation model from super enhancer is outlined to explain its role in the mammalian cell progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new diterpene synthase from the actinomycete Catenulispora acidiphila was identified and the structures of its products were elucidated, including the absolute configurations by an enantioselective deuteration approach. The mechanism of the cationic terpene cyclisation cascade was deeply studied through the use of isotopically labelled substrates and of substrate analogues with partially blocked reactivity, resulting in derailment products that gave further insights into the intermediates along the cascade. Their chemistry was studied, leading to the biomimetic synthesis of a diterpenoid analogue of a brominated sesquiterpene known from the red seaweed Laurencia microcladia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eine neue Diterpensynthase aus dem Actinomyceten Catenulispora acidiphila wurde identifiziert und die Strukturen ihrer Produkte wurden aufgeklärt, einschließlich der absoluten Konfigurationen, die durch enantioselektive Deuterierung ermittelt wurden. Der Mechanismus der kationischen Terpencyclisierungskaskade wurde mit isotopenmarkierten Substraten und mit Substratanaloga mit partiell blockierter Reaktivität studiert. Letztere lieferten Abbruchprodukte, die detaillierte Einblicke in die Intermediate entlang der Kaskadenreaktion gaben. Untersuchungen zu ihrer Chemie erlaubten die biomimetische Synthese eines diterpenoiden Analogons eines bromierten Sesquiterpens aus der Rotalge Laurencia microcladia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]