Evolutionary insights into the stereoselectivity of imine reductases based on ancestral sequence reconstruction.

The stereoselectivity of enzymes plays a central role in asymmetric biocatalytic reactions, but there remains a dearth of evolution-driven biochemistry studies investigating the evolutionary trajectory of this vital property. Imine reductases (IREDs) are one such enzyme that possesses excellent stereoselectivity, and stereocomplementary members are pervasive in the family. However, the regulatory mechanism behind stereocomplementarity remains cryptic.

Pubertal exposure to Microcystin-LR arrests spermatogonia proliferation by inducing DSB and inhibiting SIRT6 dependent DNA repair in vivo and in vitro.

The reproduction toxicity of pubertal exposure to Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and the underlying mechanism needs to be further investigated. In the current study, pubertal male ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with 2 μg/kg MC-LR for four weeks. Pubertal exposure to MC-LR decreased epididymal sperm concentration and blocked spermatogonia proliferation.

[The role of inflammation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction].

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a type of heart failure characterized by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. With the aging of the population and the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes, the prevalence of HFpEF is increasing. Compared with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), conventional anti-heart failure drugs failed to reduce the mortality in HFpEF due to the complex pathophysiological mechanism and multiple comorbidities of HFpEF.

Cardiomyocyte peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α prevents septic cardiomyopathy via improving mitochondrial function.

Clinically, cardiac dysfunction is a key component of sepsis-induced multi-organ failure. Mitochondria are essential for cardiomyocyte homeostasis, as disruption of mitochondrial dynamics enhances mitophagy and apoptosis. However, therapies targeted to improve mitochondrial function in septic patients have not been explored.

1-Nitropyrene disrupts testicular steroidogenesis via oxidative stress-evoked PERK-eIF2α pathway.

Our previous study showed 1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) exposure disrupted testicular testosterone synthesis in mouse, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation. The present research found 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor, recovered 1-NP-induced ER stress and testosterone synthases reduction in TM3 cells. GSK2606414, a protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) kinase inhibitor, attenuated 1-NP-induced PERK-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) signaling activation and downregulation of steroidogenic proteins in TM3 cells.

Discovery of an Imine Reductase for Reductive Amination of Carbonyl Compounds with Sterically Challenging Amines.

The synthesis of structurally diverse amines is of fundamental significance in the pharmaceutical industry due to the ubiquitous presence of amine motifs in biologically active molecules. Biocatalytic reductive amination for amine production has attracted great interest owing to its synthetic advantages. Herein, we report the direct synthesis of a wide range of sterically demanding secondary amines, including several important active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical intermediates, via reductive amination of carbonyl substrates and bulky amine nucleophiles employing imine reductases.

Ganoderic acid D prevents oxidative stress-induced senescence by targeting 14-3-3ε to activate CaM/CaMKII/NRF2 signaling pathway in mesenchymal stem cells.

Stem cell senescence is an important cause of aging. Delaying senescence may present a novel way to combat aging and age-associated diseases. This study provided a mechanistic insight into the protective effect of ganoderic acid D (GA-D) against human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSCs) senescence.

The diversity of elaborate petals in Isopyreae (Ranunculaceae): a special focus on nectary structure.

Elaborate petals are highly diverse in morphology, structure, and epidermal differentiation and play a key role in attracting pollinators. There have been few studies on the elaborate structure of petals in the tribe Isopyreae (Ranunculaceae). Seven genera in Isopyreae (Aquilegia, Semiaquilegia, Urophysa, Isopyrum, Paraquilegia, Dichocarpum, and Leptopyrum) have petals that vary in morphology, and two genera (Enemion and Thalictrum) have no petals.

1-Nitropyrene disrupts testosterone biogenesis via AKAP1 degradation promoted mitochondrial fission in mouse Leydig cell.

Previous study found 1-NP disrupted steroidogenesis in mouse testis, but the underlying mechanism remained elusive. The current work aims to explore the roles of ROS-promoted AKAP1 degradation and excessive mitochondrial fission in 1-NP-induced steroidogenesis disruption in MLTC-1 cells. Transmission electron microscope analysis found 1-NP promoted excessive mitochondrial fission.

Comparative and Phylogenetic Analysis Based on the Chloroplast Genome of (Tratt.) Seidel, a Protected Rare Species of Monotypic Genus.

(Tratt.) Seidel (Poaceae) is an ephemeral grass from the monotypic genus Seidl, which grows on wet muddy areas such as fishponds or reservoirs. As a rare species with strict habitat requirements, it is protected at international and national levels.

Taxonomic studies on the genus (Aristolochiaceae) from China III: , a new species from Yunnan, Southwest China.

, a new species from Yunnan, Southwest China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to and , but differs from the former in the colour of flower and throat, the size of throat and the shape of gynostemium lobes, and from the latter in the shape of lamina and gynostemium lobes.

Magnetic-activated cell sorting of nonapoptotic spermatozoa with a high DNA fragmentation index improves the live birth rate and decreases transfer cycles of IVF/ICSI.

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) in sperm preparation for male subjects with a sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) ≥30%. A total of 86 patients who had undergone their first long-term long protocol were selected. The protocol involved in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, and the patients were divided into the MACS or control groups.

Cardiomyocyte peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α is essential for energy metabolism and extracellular matrix homeostasis during pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a ligand-activated nuclear receptor critical for systemic lipid homeostasis, has been shown closely related to cardiac remodeling. However, the roles of cardiomyocyte PPARα in pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling remains unclear because of lacking a cardiomyocyte-specific Ppara-deficient (Ppara) mouse model. This study aimed to determine the specific role of cardiomyocyte PPARα in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac remodeling using an inducible Ppara mouse model.

Formylation and Bromination of Pyrrolo[2,1-]isoquinoline Derivatives with Bromoisobutyrate and Dimethyl Sulfoxide.

We have developed an efficient formylation of pyrroloisoquinolines using bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide as carbonyl reagent. Various formylated pyrroloisoquinolines could be prepared in good yields (up to 94%). This formylation process can be easily scaled up to gram scale with good yield.

[A clinical study of influenza A virus infection with neurological symptoms in children].

Objective: To study the clinical features of children with influenza A virus infection and neurological symptoms.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of children with laboratory-confirmed influenza A and neurological symptoms who were treated in Xi'an Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January to December, 2019.

Results: A total of 895 children were diagnosed with influenza A, among whom 291 had neurological symptoms.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete plastome of (Moraceae).

The complete chloroplast genome (plastome) of Carriere, a thorny and deciduous tree, is determined. The plastome is 161,348 bp in length, consisting of a 89,364 bp large single-copy region, a 20,246 bp small single-copy region, and two 25,869 bp inverted repeat regions. The GC content of this plastome is 36.

Taxonomic studies on the genus (Aristolochiaceae) from China: II. (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

A new species of was recently discovered from Guizhou, China and is here named as . It is most similar to and , but differs in the morphology of leaves and flowers. A detailed description for the new species, along with line drawings, photographs, as well as morphological comparisons with similar species, are provided.

Taxonomic studies on the genus (Aristolochiaceae) from China: I. , a new species from Yunnan.

X.X.Zhu, H.

MicroRNA Dysregulation and Steroid Hormone Receptor Expression in Uterine Tissues of Rats with Endometriosis during the Implantation Window.

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are involved in endometriosis, but the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) is unknown. The aim of the study was to explore the correlation between miRNA and ER/PR in uterine tissues of rats with endometriosis during the implantation window.

Methods: Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized in three groups: endometriosis (n = 7), fat tissue control (n = 6), and normal (n = 7) groups.

Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Causing Black Point in Wheat on the North China Plain.

Fungi associated with black point were isolated from three highly susceptible wheat genotypes in the North China Plain. The 21 isolates represented 11 fungal genera. The most prevalent genera were (isolation frequency of 56.

Transcriptome Analysis for Abnormal Spike Development of the Wheat Mutant dms.

Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spike development is the foundation for grain yield. We obtained a novel wheat mutant, dms, characterized as dwarf, multi-pistil and sterility.

Impatiens pandurata (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China.

Background: The species-rich genus Impatiens is mainly distributed throughout much of tropical Africa, India, southwest Asia, southern China and Japan. There are more than 270 species recorded in China, most of which are restricted to the southwest. An unknown species of Impatiens was collected from Yunnan, southwest China.