Ultrasound Measurement of Femoral Articular Cartilage Thickness Before and After Marathon Running

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to use ultrasonography to measure femoral articular cartilage thickness changes during marathon running, which could support MRI studies showing that deformation of knee cartilage during long-distance running is no greater than that for other weight-bearing activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants included 38 marathon runners with no knee pain or history of knee injury, aged 18-39. Ultrasound images of the femoral articular cartilage were taken two hours before and immediately after the race. Femoral articular cartilage thickness was measured at both the medial and lateral femoral condyles.

RESULTS

The maximum change in femoral articular cartilage thickness, measured at the left outer lateral femoral condyle, was 6.94% (P=.006). All other femoral articular cartilage thickness changes were not significant.

CONCLUSION

A change in femoral articular cartilage thickness of 6.94% supports our hypothesis that long-distance running does not induce deformational changes greater than that of regular daily activities. This study using ultrasonography supports MRI evidence that knee cartilage tolerates marathon running well.

First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment

The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment is a dark matter detector centered on a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. This Letter reports results from LUX-ZEPLIN's first search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with an exposure of 60 live days using a fiducial mass of 5.5 t. A profile-likelihood ratio analysis shows the data to be consistent with a background-only hypothesis, setting new limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon, spin-dependent WIMP-neutron, and spin-dependent WIMP-proton cross sections for WIMP masses above 9  GeV/c^{2}. The most stringent limit is set for spin-independent scattering at 36  GeV/c^{2}, rejecting cross sections above 9.2×10^{-48}  cm at the 90% confidence level.

Is There a Correlation Between Reported Knee Pain and Fluid at the Distal Insertion of the Iliotibial Band in Runners?

Objective

To determine whether there is a correlation between pain and the amount of fluid present at the distal insertion of the iliotibial band (ITB) in runners, as measured by USG.

Method

Our retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 100 male and female runners prior to the start of a race. A valid and reliable questionnaire collected demographic, pain, and training data. If a runner reported knee pain, a numeric pain rating scale was used to record the degree of pain. Participants then underwent USG on both knees to determine the presence or absence of fluid at the distal insertion of the ITB.

Result

We found no statistically significant correlations of fluid measurements with pain score, running experience in years, or age. In addition, we found no other differences in fluid measurements between those with and without knee pain or between the sexes.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the presence or absence of fluid at the distal insertion of the ITB does not correlate with knee pain in runners, regardless of age, running experience, or sex.

Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Additional Alkaloids from the Tropical Rainforest Tree Galbulimima baccata

The structures of five new natural products (GB 27-GB 31, 1-5), isolated as minor components from the bark of Galbulimima baccata, have been determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy in combination with DFT calculations. Among the alkaloids, GB 31 (5) belongs to Class I, GB 27 (1) and 28 (2) belong to Class II, and GB 30 (4) belongs to Class III GB alkaloids. GB 31 is the first non-nitrogen-containing GB "alkaloid", being a biosynthetic oxidation product of himbacine, himandravine, or himbeline. GB 29 (3) has an entirely new natural product scaffold but belongs to Class IV (miscellaneous alkaloids). The isolation of a new Galbulimima scaffold has revealed a new pathway in the biosynthesis of the GB alkaloids. The new molecules isolated have shed further light on the biogenetic relationship among these structurally unique and complex groups of alkaloids. We present, for the first time, a unified biogenesis for the GB alkaloids that were first isolated in the 1950s and now number over 40 examples. This work also brings full circle the story of Galbulimima alkaloids. A life-long project of Wal Taylor involving one of his first students (Lew Mander) and one of his last students (Peter Karuso), a story stretching over six decades, has come to a final conclusion.

Factors Associated With Half- and Full-Marathon Race-Related Injuries: A 3-Year Review

OBJECTIVE

To better evaluate the relationships between training, demographics, and injury, this study sought to define race-related injury risk factors for half- and full-marathon runners.

DESIGN

This 3-year, observational cross-sectional study included adults who participated in a half or full marathon. Prerace and 2-week postrace surveys collected data on demographics, training factors, and injuries.

SETTING

This study took place during a nationally recognized marathon affiliated with a local hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Runners were recruited during the Expo in the days before the race. Postrace surveys were returned by 1043 half marathoners and 624 full marathoners (response rate, 83%).

INTERVENTIONS

This was an observational study; independent variables included demographic data and race year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome was race-related injury that occurred during the race or within 2 weeks after the race.

RESULTS

Race-related injuries were reported by 24% of half marathoners and 30% of full marathoners. For half and full marathoners, respectively, significant factors for injuries were previous injury, lower peak weekly training mileage, and lower weekly mileage before race training. Factors significant for only half-marathon injuries were younger age, female sex, shorter distance of longest training run, and no formal training program. Factors significant for only full-marathon injuries were higher body mass index, fewer days running per week, and fewer years of running experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous running injuries, undertraining, and inexperience increased race-related injury risk; women had higher risk than men. Decreased risk of injury was associated with training loads of greater than 23 miles/week for half marathoners and 40 miles/week for full marathoners.

Results of a Search for Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using 2013 LUX Data

The scattering of dark matter (DM) particles with sub-GeV masses off nuclei is difficult to detect using liquid xenon-based DM search instruments because the energy transfer during nuclear recoils is smaller than the typical detector threshold. However, the tree-level DM-nucleus scattering diagram can be accompanied by simultaneous emission of a bremsstrahlung photon or a so-called "Migdal" electron. These provide an electron recoil component to the experimental signature at higher energies than the corresponding nuclear recoil. The presence of this signature allows liquid xenon detectors to use both the scintillation and the ionization signals in the analysis where the nuclear recoil signal would not be otherwise visible. We report constraints on spin-independent DM-nucleon scattering for DM particles with masses of 0.4-5  GeV/c^{2} using 1.4×10^{4}  kg day of search exposure from the 2013 data from the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment for four different classes of mediators. This analysis extends the reach of liquid xenon-based DM search instruments to lower DM masses than has been achieved previously.

Structures of New Alkaloids from Rain Forest Trees Galbulimima belgraveana and Galbulimima baccata in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Northern Australia

Following on our 60-year research on the chemical constituents of the rain forest trees Galbulimima belgraveana and Galbulimima baccata, we report the isolation of seven new alkaloids: GB14 (14), GB22 (15), GB25 (16), GB21 (17), GB23 (18), GB24 (19), and GB26 (20). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray crystallography, as well as structure degradation and interconversion. The newly isolated alkaloids are precursors or derivatives of the known family members from our early studies and could be intermediates in the biosynthesis of the Galbulimima alkaloids. Therefore, the present study has expanded the range of structures in this family of alkaloids and provided some missing links in the biosynthetic sequences.

First Searches for Axions and Axionlike Particles with the LUX Experiment

The first searches for axions and axionlike particles with the Large Underground Xenon experiment are presented. Under the assumption of an axioelectric interaction in xenon, the coupling constant between axions and electrons g_{Ae} is tested using data collected in 2013 with an exposure totaling 95 live days ×118  kg. A double-sided, profile likelihood ratio statistic test excludes g_{Ae} larger than 3.5×10^{-12} (90% C.L.) for solar axions. Assuming the Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky theoretical description, the upper limit in coupling corresponds to an upper limit on axion mass of 0.12  eV/c^{2}, while for the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zhakharov description masses above 36.6  eV/c^{2} are excluded. For galactic axionlike particles, values of g_{Ae} larger than 4.2×10^{-13} are excluded for particle masses in the range 1-16  keV/c^{2}. These are the most stringent constraints to date for these interactions.

Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure

We present experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections from the total 129.5  kg yr exposure acquired by the Large Underground Xenon experiment (LUX), operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota (USA). A profile likelihood ratio analysis allows 90% C.L. upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of σ_{n}=1.6×10^{-41}  cm^{2} (σ_{p}=5×10^{-40}  cm^{2}) at 35  GeV c^{-2}, almost a sixfold improvement over the previous LUX spin-dependent results. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.

Results from a Search for Dark Matter in the Complete LUX Exposure

We report constraints on spin-independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon scattering using a 3.35×10^{4}  kg day exposure of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment. A dual-phase xenon time projection chamber with 250 kg of active mass is operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility under Lead, South Dakota (USA). With roughly fourfold improvement in sensitivity for high WIMP masses relative to our previous results, this search yields no evidence of WIMP nuclear recoils. At a WIMP mass of 50  GeV c^{-2}, WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross sections above 2.2×10^{-46}  cm^{2} are excluded at the 90% confidence level. When combined with the previously reported LUX exposure, this exclusion strengthens to 1.1×10^{-46}  cm^{2} at 50  GeV c^{-2}.

Lifelong physical activity in maintaining bone strength in older men and women of the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study

We examined if lifelong physical activity is important for maintaining bone strength in the elderly. Associations of quantitative computerized tomography-acquired bone measures (vertebral and femoral) and self-reported physical activity in mid-life (mean age, 50 years), in old age (≥65 years), and throughout life (recalled during old age) were investigated in 2,110 men and 2,682 women in the AGES-Reykjavik Study. Results conclude lifelong physical activity with continuation into old age (≥65 years) best maintains better bone health later in life.

INTRODUCTION

Skeletal loading is thought to modulate the loss of bone in later life, and physical activity is a chief means of affecting bone strength by skeletal loading. Despite much discussion regarding lifelong versus early adulthood physical activity for preventing bone loss later in life, inconsistency still exists regarding how to maintain bone mass later in life (≥65 years).

METHODS

We examined if lifelong physical activity is important for maintaining bone strength in the elderly.

RESULTS

The associations of quantitative computerized tomography-acquired vertebral and femoral bone measures and self-reported physical activity in mid-life (mean age, 50 years), in old age (≥65 years), and throughout life (recalled during old age) were investigated in 2,110 men and 2,682 women in the AGES-Reykjavik Study.

CONCLUSION

Our findings conclude that lifelong physical activity with continuation into old age (≥65 years) best maintains better bone health in the elderly.

RETRACTED: Anti-inflammatory Activity of 4-Arylcoumarins from EndophyticStreptomyces aureofaciensCMUAc130 in Murine Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells

This research was undertaken to test the in vitro anti-inflammatory action of 5,7,4'-trimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin and 5,7-dimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin produced by Streptomyces aureofaciens CMUAc130. The effects of the two coumarins were investigated on the formation of NO, PGE2, and TNF-alpha and also on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The data obtained were consistent with the modulation of iNOS enzyme expression. A similar effect was also observed when LPS-induced PGE2 release and COX-2 expression were tested. The inhibitory effects were shown in concentration-dependent manners. The 5,7,4'-Trimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin and 5,7-dimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin also mildly but significantly reduced the formation of TNF-alpha.

Metabolites from the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. PSU-D14

Glucoside derivatives, xylarosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the broth extract of the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. PSU-D14 along with two known compounds, sordaricin (3) and 2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (4). The structures were assigned by spectroscopic methods. Sordaricin (3), one of the known metabolites, exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC90028 with a MIC value of 32 microg/ml.

Echocardiographic characterisation of left ventricular geometry of professional male tennis players

BACKGROUND

The cardiac characteristics of various types of athletes have been defined by echocardiography. Athletes involved in predominately static exercise, such as bodybuilders, have been found to have more concentric hypertrophy, whereas those involved in dynamic exercise, such as long distance runners, have more eccentric hypertrophy. Tennis at the elite level is a sport that is a combination of static and dynamic exercise.

OBJECTIVE

To characterise left ventricular geometry including left ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiography in male professional tennis players.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of screening echocardiograms that were performed on male professional tennis players.

SETTING

All echocardiograms were performed at the Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, Florida, USA) between 1998-2000.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 41 male professional tennis players, with a mean age of 23.

RESULTS

Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 30 of 41 subjects (73%, 95% CI: 57%-86%). The majority of players manifested eccentric hypertrophy (n = 22, 54%). Concentric hypertrophy (n = 9, 22%) and normal geometry (n = 7, 17%) were encountered with similar frequency. Only 7% (n = 3) manifested concentric remodelling. The mean thickness of both the interventricular septum and the posterior wall was 11.0 mm. The mean LVEDd was 55 mm. The mean RWT was 0.41. The mean LVMI was 130 gm/m2 and the mean EF was 64%. Five of the 41 subjects had an abnormal septal thickness of 13 mm.

CONCLUSION

This was the first study to specifically describe the full range of echocardiographically-determined left ventricular geometry in professional male tennis players. The majority of subjects exhibited abnormal geometry, predominantly eccentric hypertrophy.

Constituents of the leaves of Holarrhena pubescens

The leaves of Holarrhena pubescens yielded a new naringenin glycoside (1), together with naringin, naringenin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside, lupeol, lupeol beta-hydroxyhexadecanoate and ursolic acid. The structure of 1 was determined by spectral analysis.

Update on exercise stress testing

Exercise stress testing is an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of suspected or known cardiac disease. In 2002, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) revised their guidelines for exercise testing. Ten categories from the ACC/ AHA 1997 guidelines were modified: ST heart rate adjustment, unstable angina, older patients, acute coronary syndromes, chest pain centers, acute myocardial infarction, asymptomatic patients, valvular heart disease, rhythm disturbances, and hypertension. Adjustment of the ST heart rate can identify myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic patients with elevated cardiac risk. Intermediate- and low-risk patients with unstable angina, acute coronary syndromes, or chest pain should undergo exercise stress testing when clinically stable. Provided they are stable, patients who have had acute myocardial infarction can undergo a submaximal exercise test before discharge or a symptom-limited exercise stress test any time after two to three weeks have elapsed. In asymptomatic patients with cardiac risk factors, the exercise stress test may provide valuable prognostic information. Aortic regurgitation is the only valvular heart disorder in which there is significant evidence that exercise stress testing is useful in management decisions. The stress test also can be used in older patients to identify the presence of coronary artery disease. However, because of other comorbidities, a pharmacologic stress test may be necessary. Exercise stress testing can help physicians successfully evaluate arrhythmia in patients with syncope. The exercise stress test also can help identify patients at risk of developing hypertension if they show an abnormal hypertensive response to exercise.

Prenylated xanthones as potential antiplasmodial substances

Mangostin, the major xanthone of Garcinia mangostana, and a series of synthetic derivatives were investigated for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Mangostin itself showed moderate activity, but prenylated xanthones containing alkylamino functional groups exhibited quite potent antiplasmodial activity. Some structure-activity relationships are proposed.

Tetraoxygenated xanthones from the fruits of Garcinia cowa

Tetraoxygenated xanthones, cowaxanthones A-E, together with 10 previously reported tetraoxygenated xanthones, were isolated from the crude hexane extract of the fruits of Garcinia cowa. Cowaxanthone B has previously been reported as a synthetic xanthone. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, especially by 1D and 2D NMR. The antibacterial activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated.

Xanthone derivatives from Cratoxylum cochinchinense roots

Two xanthones and two caged-prenylated xanthones, named cochinchinones A-D, respectively, and a synthetically known caged-prenylated xanthone, together with seven known compounds were isolated from the roots of Cratoxylum cochinchinense (Lour.) Blume. Their structures were assigned on the basis of analyses of spectroscopic data. Some of the compounds exhibited effective antioxidative properties.

Phenolic compounds from the flowers of Garcinia dulcis

Dulcisxanthones C-F and dulcinone together with 22 known compounds were isolated from the flowers of Garcinia dulcis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The abilities of some of these compounds to act as radical scavengers and antibacterial agents were investigated.

The Absolute Stereochemistry of the Galbulimima Alkaloids

The X-ray crystal structures have been determined for three alkaloids isolated from the bark of the rainforest tree Galbulimima belgraveana, namely himbosine, himandrine, and himgaline, thereby allowing the absolute configuration to be established for these three compounds and 15 further alkaloids from this source.

Phenolic compounds from the fruit of Garcinia dulcis

Dulcinoside (1), dulcisisoflavone (2), dulcisxanthone A (3) and sphaerobioside acetate (6) together with 22 known compounds were isolated from the green fruit of G. dulcis. Dulcisflavan (4), dulcisxanthone B (5) and isonormangostin (7) together with 22 known compounds were isolated from the ripe fruit. Compounds 6 and 7 were synthetic known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of some of the compounds were investigated.

NMR studies of darutoside, a rare ENT-pimarane glucoside

NMR spectral data in various solvents (DMSO-d6, CD3OD, C5D5N) for the rare ent-pimar-8(14)-ene-15, 16-diol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, darutoside, are reported. Complete assignments are made on the basis of 1D and 2D (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY) spectra.

Xanthones from Garcinia cowa Roxb. latex

Five xanthones named cowagarcinone A-E and six previously reported xanthones were isolated from the latex of Garcinia cowa Roxb. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The crude latex and the isolated compounds were investigated for their radical scavenging activities.

Antibacterial caged-tetraprenylated xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia scortechinii

Five new caged-tetraprenylated xanthones, scortechinones L - P (1-5), together with six known scortechinones (A, B, D, F, I and J) and one known xanthone, 4 '',5 ''-dihydro-1,5-dihydroxy-6 ',6 '-dimethylpyrano(2 ',3 ':6,7)-4 '',4 '',5 ''-trimethylfurano(2 '',3 '':3,4)- xanthone, were isolated from the crude methanol extract of the stem bark of Garcinia scortechinii. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those reported previously. The antibacterial activity of all caged-polyprenylated xanthones, isolated from the latex and stem bark of G. scortechinii, was evaluated. Scortechinone B (6) exhibited significant antibacterial activity against a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain with an MIC value of 2 microg/mL. From the MIC values, some structure-antibacterial activity relationships were established.

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid from Croton tonkinensis leaves

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid (1) was isolated from the leaves of Croton tonkinensis. The structure of 1 was determined as ent-7beta-hydroxy-15-oxokaur-16-en-18-ol from spectroscopic methods.

A benzil and isoflavone derivatives from Derris scandens Benth

A benzil derivative: scandione, 2',2"-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-4",5"-methylenedioxybenzil and two isoflavones: scandenal, 3'-formyl-4',5-dihydroxy-2",2"-dimethylchromeno-[6,7:5",6"]isoflavone and scanderone, 4',5-dihydroxy-3'-prenyl-2",2"-dimethylchromeno-[7,8:6",5"]isoflavone together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the stem of D. scandens. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Radical scavenging, antibacterial and hypertensive activities of some of the compounds were investigated.

Anti-HIV-1 protostane triterpenes and digeranylbenzophenone from trunk bark and stems of Garcinia speciosa

Three new protostanes, garciosaterpenes A ( 1), B ( 2) and C ( 3), together with a new digeranylbenzophenone, garciosaphenone A ( 4) were isolated from the ethyl acetate fractions obtained from the crude methanol extracts of the trunk bark and stems of Garcinia speciosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical reactions. Compounds 1 and 3 showed significant inhibitory activities (IC (50) 15.5 and 12.2 microg/mL, respectively) against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and in the syncytium assay (EC (50) 5.8 microg/mL with TI 3.4 and 37.0 microg/mL with TI 1.9, respectively). Compound 4 was active in HIV-1 RT assay (IC (50) 23.9 microg/mL), but toxic in the syncytium assay. This work represents the first report on the anti-HIV-1 activities of the protostane triterpenes.

Antibacterial xanthones from the leaves of Garcinia nigrolineata

Ten new 1,3,5-trioxygenated xanthones, nigrolineaxanthones J-S (1-10), one new quinone derivative, nigrolineaquinone A (11), and one new isoflavone-like compound, nigrolineaisoflavone A (12), were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia nigrolineata along with four known xanthones and friedelin. Among the xanthones, only nigrolineaxanthone N (5) showed significant antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia nigrolineata

Nine xanthones, nigrolineaxanthones A-I, together with nine known xanthones, were isolated from the crude methanol extract of the stem bark of Garcinia nigrolineata; two of which have previously been reported as synthetic xanthones. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, especially using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data.

Caged-triprenylated and -tetraprenylated xanthones from the latex of Garcinia scortechinii

The latex of Garcinia scortechinii has yielded eight new caged-polyprenylated xanthones: two triprenylated (1 and 2) and five tetraprenylated xanthones (3-7) and one degraded caged-tetraprenylated xanthone (8), together with the known scortechinones A (9) and B (10). Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those reported previously.

Isoflavone glycosides from Derris scandens

Five isoflavone glycosides, named derriscandenosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the stems of Derris scandens, together with ten known compounds comprising one isoflavone, two benzoic acid derivatives, three glucosyl isoflavones and four rhamnosyl-(1-->6)-glucosyl isoflavones. The structures of the glycosides were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, especially of the acetate derivatives. Three known rhamnosyl-(1-->6)-glucosyl isoflavones isolated from a crude fraction were retested for hypotensive activity with varying results.

A new cyclobutane lignan from Cinnamomum balansae

A new cyclobutane lignan, named cinbalansan (6), was isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum balansae, along with five known compounds, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-E-propenyl)benzene (1), 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-Z-propenyl)benzene (2), 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene (3), 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (4), and E-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal (5). The structure of cinbalansan was shown to be 1beta,2beta,3alpha,4alpha-1,2-dimethyl-3,4-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane by a combination of 1H-, 13C-NMR, and NOE- experiments and by direct analysis of the 1H-NMR spectrum by the method of X-application.

Anti-inflammatory cyclohexenyl chalcone derivatives in Boesenbergia pandurata

The cyclohexenyl chalcone derivative [(-)-hydroxypanduratin A], together with the previously known panduratin A, sakuranetin, pinostrobin, pinocembrin, and dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain were isolated from the chloroform extract of the red rhizome variety of Boesenbergia pandurata (Robx.) Schltr. [currently known as Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf., Kulturpfl.]. Their structures were assigned on the basis of their spectroscopic data. (-)-Hydroxypanduratin A and (-)-panduratin A showed significant topical anti-inflammatory activity in the assay of TPA-induced ear edema in rats.

New rearranged clerodane diterpenes from Tinospora baenzigeri

Baenzigeroside B, a new rearranged clerodane diterpene glucoside, was isolated from the stems of Tinospora baenzigeri. The aglycone of baenzigeroside B, baenzigeride B (isolated as its acetate), was found together with baenzigeride A, baenzigerosides A and B in the leaves of the same plant. Baenzigeride B and baenzigeroside B are the first examples of a new class of rearranged clerodane diterpenes. The possible biogenesis of the compounds is discussed.

The 3' non-coding region of a C4 photosynthesis gene increases transgene expression when combined with heterologous promoters

The Me1 gene of the dicot Flaveria bidentis encodes NADP malic enzyme, which catalyses the decarboxylation reaction of C4 photosynthesis in bundle sheath cells. We have previously shown that the 3' non-coding region (Me1 3') controls quantitative expression of the gene. We wondered whether Me1 3' can increase expression when combined with heterologous promoters. We tested a highly expressed, constitutive promoter, the S4 promoter from subterranean clover stunt virus, and a highly expressed, leaf-specific promoter, the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein gene 3 (Lhcb3) promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana. Promoter-3'-end combinations were tested in transgenic C4 Flaveria plants and C3 tobacco. We found that Me1 3' increased expression of the gusA reporter gene several-fold in leaves of both species in combination with either of the promoters. In both cases Me1 3' does not alter the expression pattern for either promoter. We conclude that Me1 3' can be used as a transcription terminator to increase transgene expression in C3 dicot plants.

Quantitative regulation of the Flaveria Me1 gene is controlled by the 3'-untranslated region and sequences near the amino terminus

The Me1 gene of Flaveria bidentis codes for the C4 isoform of NADP malic enzyme, which accumulates to a high-level only in bundle sheath cells. Previous experiments demonstrated that sequences at the 5' end of the gene control cell specificity whereas sequences at the 3' end are necessary for high-level expression. To localize quantitative regulator sequences, we have analysed a series of Me1 3' deletion constructs fused to the gusA reporter gene. We show that sequences within the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) control quantitative levels of expression. Analysis of 5' promoter fusions demonstrated that high-level expression also requires sequences within the N-terminal coding region of the gene, suggesting possible interactions between the 3'-UTR and 5' coding regions. Cell-specific regulatory sequences are located in a different part of the 5' end of the gene, between 1023 bp upstream of the transcription start and the start of translation.