Isoleucine at position 137 of Hemagglutinin acts as a Mammalian adaptation marker of H9N2 Avian influenza virus.

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is widely distributed among poultry and wild birds and is also a threat to humans. During AIV active surveillance in Liaoning province from 2015 to 2016, we identified ten H9N2 strains exhibiting different lethality to chick embryos. Two representative strains, A/chicken/China/LN07/2016 (CKLN/07) and A/chicken/China/LN17/2016 (CKLN/17), with similar genomic background but different chick embryo lethality, were chosen to evaluate the molecular basis for this difference.

New Triterpenoids from the Leaves of and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Six new triterpenoids, heritieras C-H (-), along with thirteen known triterpenoids (-), were isolated from the leaves of . Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and by comparison with the literature. Anti-inflammatory activity of the isolates was evaluated using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.

Megastigmane glycoside and phenol glycosides from the bark of Croizat.

A new megastigmane glycoside, conspurcoside A (), two new phenol glycosides, conspurcosides B () and C (), along with twelve known compounds (-) were isolated from the bark of Croizat. The structures of these compounds were identified through analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD methods. Compounds (-, -) were tested for inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.

Lignans and phenols with potential anti-inflammatory effect from the stems of Mallotus paxii Pamp.

Phytochemical investigation of the stems of Mallotus paxii Pamp. led to the isolation and identification of four new compounds, including three neolignans (1-3) and one phenol (13), along with eight known neolignans (4-12) and one known phenol (14). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including NMR, MS and ECD analyses.

Oleanane-type triterpenoids from Sabia limoniacea and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Eighteen new oleanane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the stems of Sabia limoniacea, including sabialimon A (1), a triterpenoid with an unprecedented 6/6/6/7/7 pentacyclic skeleton and seventeen undescribed triterpenoids, sabialimons B-R (2 - 18), along with six previously described analogs (19 - 24). Their structures were fully elucidated via extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), experimental electronic circular dichroism measurements and X-ray crystallographic studies. Compound 1 is the first triterpenoid that possesses a rare ring system (6/6/6/7/7) with an oxygen-bearing bridge between C-17 and C-18 and a hemiketal form at C-17, which is generated a larger ring by the degradation of C-28 and D/E-ring expansion.

Evolutionary Events Promoted Polymerase Activity of H13N8 Avian Influenza Virus.

Wild birds are considered to be the natural reservoir hosts of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Wild bird-origin AIVs may spill over into new hosts and overcome species barriers after evolutionary adaptation. H13N8 AIVs used to be considered primarily circulated in multispecies gulls but have recently been shown to possess cross-species infectivity.

Three megastigmane glycosides from the stem of .

Three undescribed megastigmane glycosides, mallbarbalosides A-C together with 3 known analogues were isolated from the stem of . Their structures were elucidated using extensive NMR spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy) and HRESIMS spectroscopic data analyses. The absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds were determined by the experimental circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Megastigmane glycoside and phenol glycosides from the bark of .

A new megastigmane glycoside, barbatcoside A (), and two new phenol glycosides, barbatcosides B () and C (), together with eight known compounds (-) were isolated from the bark of Müll. Arg. Their structures were elucidated using extensive 1D and 2D NMR as well as HRESIMS spectroscopic data.

Triterpenoids from the Leaves of and Their Glucose Uptake Activity in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Four new dammarane triterpenoid saponins cypaliurusides - (-) and eight known analogs (-) were isolated from the leaves of . The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using a comprehensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The docking study demonstrated that compound 10 strongly bonded with PTP1B (a potential drug target for the treatment of type-II diabetes and obesity), hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions, verifying the importance of sugar unit.

Megastigmane glycosides from Streblus ilicifolius (S.Vidal) Corner and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Twelve undescribed megastigmane glycosides, streilicifolosides A-L (1-12), together with 8 known analogues (13-21) were isolated from the leaves of Streblus ilicifolius (S.Vidal) Corner. Their plannar structures were elucidated using extensive NMR spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy), and HRESIMS spectroscopic data analyses.

Freshwater crabs could act as vehicles of spreading avian influenza virus.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) possessed significant risk to various animals and human health. Wild birds, especially waterfowls are considered to be the natural reservoir of AIVs. The ecology of AIV is still far from being fully understood.

Robust boundary flow in chiral active fluid.

We perform experiments on an active chiral fluid system of self-spinning rotors in a confining boundary. Along the boundary, actively rotating rotors collectively drive a unidirectional material flow. We systematically vary rotor density and boundary shape; boundary flow robustly emerges under all conditions.