Halogenated Cyclic Monoterpenoids with Anti-Biofouling Activity from the Okinawan Red Marine Algae Portieria Hornemannii

The red algal genus Portieria is a prolific producer of halogenated monoterpenoids. In this study, we isolated and characterised monoterpenoids from the Okinawan red algae Portieria hornemannii. A new polyhalogenated cyclic monoterpenoid, 2(R)-chloro-1,6(S)-dibromo-3(8)(Z)-ochtoden-4(R)-ol (1), along with three known monoterpenoids, (2R,3(8)E,4S,6R)-6-bromo-2-chloro-1,4-oxido-3(8)-ochtodene (2), 1-bromo-2-chloroochtoda-3(8),5-dien-4-one (3), and 2-chloro-1-hydroxyochtoda-3(8),5-dien-4-one (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of three populations of P. hornemannii. These compounds were characterised using a combination of spectroscopic methods and chemical synthesis, and the absolute stereochemistry of compounds 1 and 2 was determined. In addition, all isolated compounds were screened for their anti-biofouling activity against the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, and 1 exhibited strong activity. Therefore, halogenated monoterpenoids have the potential to be used as natural anti-biofouling drugs.

Diversity of Halogenated Secondary Metabolites in Okinawan Aplysia argus Including 12-Hydroxypinnaterpene C and Their Feeding Targets

A new irieane-type diterpene, 12-hydroxypinnaterpene C (1), and 21 known compounds, angasiol acetate (2), angasiol (3), 11-deacetylpinnaterpene C (4), palisadin A (5), 12-acetoxypalisadin B (6), 12-hydroxypalisadin B (7), aplysistatin (8), luzodiol (9), 5-acetoxy-2-bromo-3-chloro-chamigra-7(14),9-dien-8-one (10), neoirietriol (11), neoirietetraol (12), (3Z)-laurenyne (13), cupalaurenol (14), cupalaurenol acetate (15), (3Z)-venustinene (16), 10-hydroxykahukuene B (17), aplysiol B (18), (3Z)-13-epipinnatifidenyne (19), 3Z,6R,7R,12S,13S-obtusenyne (20), (3Z,9Z)-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-12-oxo-pentadeca-3,9-dien-1-yne (21), and cholest-7-en-3,5,7-triol (22) were isolated from the digestive diverticula of Aplysia argus from the Ikei Island in Okinawa, Japan. The structures of these compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods such as NMR and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against the phytopathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Compounds 11 and 21 exhibited antibacterial activity at 30 μg/disc. In this study, we also discuss the types of red algae that A. argus feeds on in the shallow waters of Okinawa Prefecture.

Antifouling Brominated Diterpenoids from Japanese Marine Red Alga Laurencia venusta Yamada

The marine red algal genus Laurencia has abundant halogenated secondary metabolites, which exhibit novel structural types and possess various unique biological potentials, including antifouling activity. In this study, we report the isolation, structure elucidation, and antifouling activities of two novel brominated diterpenoids, aplysin-20 aldehyde (1), 13-dehydroxyisoaplysin-20 (2), and its congeners. We screened marine red alga Laurencia venusta Yamada for their antifouling activity against the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Ethyl acetate extracts of L. venusta from Hiroshima and Chiba, Japan, were isolated and purified, and the compound structures were identified using 1D and 2D NMR, HR-APCI-MS, IR, and chemical synthesis. Seven secondary metabolites were identified, and their antifouling activities were evaluated. Compounds 1, 2, and aplysin-20 (3) exhibited strong activities against M. galloprovincialis. Therefore, these compounds can be explored as natural antifouling drugs.

Two New Eremophilane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from Japanese Liverwort Bazzania japonica

Two new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids, fusumaols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the stem-leafy liverwort, Bazzaniajaponica collected in Mori-Machi, Shizuoka, Japan. Their structures were established using extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, and 2D NMR) data, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the modified Mosher's method. This is the first time eremophilanes have been discovered in the liverwort genus Bazzania. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their repellent activity against the adult population of the rice weevil Sitophilus zeamais using the modified filter paper impregnation method. Both sesquiterpenoids showed moderate repellent activities.

A trial of topiramate for patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia

In an open pilot trial, six patients with various hereditary forms of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) were assigned to topiramate (50 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Four patients completed the protocol without adverse events. Of these four patients, topiramate was effective for three patients. Some patients with SCA could respond to treatment with topiramate.

New Marine Diterpenoid from the Okinawan Soft Coral, Lobophytum sp

A new lobane-type diterpenoid, loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-14,17,18-triol 17-acetate (1), and 5 known compounds, lobatriene (2), (17 R)-loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-17,18-diol (3), loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-14,17,18-triol 14,17-diacetate (4), loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-14,17,18-triol 14-acetate (5), and lobatrienetriol (6), were isolated from a population of Okinawan soft coral Lobophytum sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopy, including nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of these compounds were tested using human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells.

Stereo-electroencephalography evidence of an eccentrically located seizure-onset zone around a polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) is a newly identified low-grade brain tumor with frequent epileptic presentation. Despite the facilitated use of invasive electroencephalography owing to the growing availability of stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), intracranial features of tumor-related seizures are still scarcely described. This report provides the first description of SEEG-recorded seizures in PLNTY to provide an insight into its surgical strategy.

OBSERVATIONS

Spontaneous clinical seizures were recorded with SEEG in a young adult patient with drug-resistant epilepsy associated with a PLNTY in the left lateral temporal cortex. The seizure onset was characterized by low-voltage fast activity (LVFA) and showed eccentric localization with respect to the tumor: LVFA was localized in the anterior portion of the tumor and spread toward the adjacent polar cortex. The language risks associated with the resection of the posterior temporal cortex could thus be minimized.

LESSONS

PLNTY can show a focal and eccentric seizure-onset zone around the tumor. The present findings serve to improve the functional and seizure outcomes using the staged invasive approach in PLNTY.

New acetogenin katsuurallene from Laurencia saitoi collected from Katsuura, Japan

We examined the chemical constitution of the red alga Laurencia saitoi Perestenko, collected from Katsuura, Boso Peninsula, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. This specimen produced a new polyhalogenated acetogenin, named katsuurallene (1), which structure was determined by the spectral methods, along with known diterpene, deoxyparguerol (2) and triterpene, thyrsiferol (3). In this paper we describe the structural elucidation of katsuurallene together with some biological activities.

Postoperative striatal degeneration: a hitherto unrecognized impact of frontal disconnection surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy. Illustrative cases

BACKGROUND

Frontal disconnection surgery is a useful surgical option for patients with frontal epilepsy whose seizure onset zones are exceedingly large and thus are not amenable to conventional resective surgery. While it has the advantage of avoiding sequelae stemming from a large resection cavity, the impact of radical anatomofunctional disconnection of such a vast frontal region is not fully understood.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors have identified secondary degeneration in the striatum ipsilateral to the frontal disconnection surgery in two adult patients who had otherwise favorable postoperative outcomes following the surgery. On serial postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, the striatum showed transient restricted diffusion in the caudate head and rostral putamen around several weeks postoperatively and subsequent atrophy in the caudate head. The affected striatal regions (i.e., the anterior portion of the striatum) were congruent with the known fronto-striatal connectivity corresponding to the disconnected frontal regions anterior to the primary and supplementary motor areas. Both patients achieved 1-year seizure freedom without apparent disability related to the surgery.

LESSONS

The benign postoperative course despite the marked degenerative changes in the ipsilateral striatum supports the feasibility of the frontal disconnection surgery in otherwise inoperable patients with broad frontal epileptogenicity.

Comparison of Acute Withdrawal and Slow Taper of Antiseizure Medications during Video Electroencephalographic Monitoring: Efficacy for Shortening of Hospital Stay

Antiepileptic medications (ASMs) are withdrawn at the epilepsy monitoring unit to facilitate seizure recordings. The effect of rapid tapering of ASMs on the length of hospital stay has not been well documented. We compared the mean length of hospital stay between patients who underwent acute ASM withdrawal and slow dose tapering during long-term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. We retrospectively investigated 57 consecutive patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit regarding the mean length of hospital stay in the acute ASM withdrawal group (n = 30) and slow-taper group (n = 27). In the acute-withdrawal group, all ASMs were discontinued once the patients were admitted. In the slow-taper group, the doses of ASMs were gradually reduced by 15–30% daily. We also evaluated the safety of the acute-withdrawal and slow-taper protocols. The mean lengths of hospital stay were 3.8 ± 1.92 and 5.2 ± 0.69 days in the acute-withdrawal and slow-taper groups, respectively (p < 0.005). No severe adverse events, including status epilepticus, were observed. Acute ASM withdrawal has the advantage of significantly reducing the length of hospital stay over slow tapering, without any severe adverse effects.

Characteristics of olfactory dysfunction in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the characteristics of olfactory dysfunction in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHODS

Odor identification was assessed using the odor stick identification test for Japanese (OSIT-J, full score 12 points) in 65 patients with TLE and in 74 controls.

RESULTS

The mean OSIT-J score was significantly lower in patients with TLE (mean ± SD = 8.1 ± 2.8; median = 9) than in the control subjects (mean ± SD = 10.6 ± 1.1; median = 11) (P < 0.005). Olfactory dysfunction (hyposmia/anosmia) was associated with bilateral seizure foci and older age of onset in TLE. Patients who underwent temporal lobectomy for hippocampal sclerosis did not show significant decline after long-term recovery. The Indian ink part of OSIT-J was useful for the detection of olfactory deficits in patients with TLE (sensitivity = 47%, specificity = 93%). Patients with TLE tended to have preserved olfactory ability for stimulating odors and for familiar odors of daily life.

SIGNIFICANCE

We observed characteristic odor identification deficits for individual odors used in OSIT-J. Our study findings provide deeper insight into the underlying mechanism of olfactory function in patients with TLE and may be beneficial in the clinical management of these patients.

Plasma amino acids in patients with essential tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders. However, there are currently no accepted biomarkers for ET. This report suggested that concentration of plasma glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and taurine could be biomarkers for ET.

Two New Halogenated Compounds from the Marine Red Alga Laurencia nipponica Yamada from the Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands

The red alga Laurencia nipponica comprises various chemical races distributed relative to the ocean current in Japanese coastal areas. We investigated the chemical compositions and chemical races of L. nipponica distributed from the Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands, the confluence of the Soya warm current and Oya-shio cold current. Two new halogenated secondary metabolites, deacetylneonipponallene (1) and neopacifenol (2), along with four known compounds, deoxyprepacifenol (3), pacifenol (4), halo-chamigrene diether (5), and isolaurallene (6) were isolated from L. nipponica collected at Chikappunai, Kunashiri Island, while Zaimokuiwa (Kunashiri Island) and Sana (Etorofu Island) populations contained 3, 7-hydroxylaurene (7), 2,10-dibromo-3-chloro-9-hydroxy-α-chamigrene (8), and (3Z)-laurefucin (9). The structures of 1 and 2 were established using spectroscopic methods. The chemical races of L. nipponica distributed in this area were divided into 6- and 9-producing races. Interestingly, both races contained 4 as an additional race-index, as well as its derivatives, 2 and 5. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a race comprising a mixture of two race-index compounds, suggesting that the convergence of two currents causes the production of new and diverse chemical races in this species.

Familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with a novel missense variant (Arg2866Trp) in NBEA

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a movement disorder characterized by episodic involuntary movement attacks triggered by sudden movements, acceleration, or intention to move. We ascertained two Japanese familial cases with PKD. The proband is a 22-year-old woman who had noted sudden brief (<30 s) of involuntary movements provoked by kinesigenic trigger such as starting to run, getting on a train, picking up a telephone receiver and so on at the age of 14. Interictal brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed hyperperfusion in the left thalamus. A 46-year-old woman, the mother of the proband was also suffering from brief attacks triggered by starting to run in her high school days. On neurological examination, both showed no abnormality. Whole exome sequencing combined with rigorous filtering revealed two heterozygous nonsynonymous variants (NM_001447: c.8976G > C [p.Gln2992His] in FAT2 and NM_015678: c.8596C > T [p.Arg2866Trp] in NBEA). Real time quantitative PCR analysis of Nbea mRNA levels in the developing rat brain revealed peak at postnatal day 28 and decline at postnatal day 56. This result might match the most common clinical course of PKD from the point of view of the most common age at remission. NBEA has been reported to be responsible for neurodevelopmental disease accompanied by epilepsy. We concluded the variant in NBEA most likely to be responsible for our familial cases of PKD.

Structural Diversity, Anti-Fungal Activity and Chemosystematics of Bornean Liverwort Bazzania harpago (De Not.) Schiffner

Two terpenes; cneorubin X (1), (-)-gymnomitr-3(15)-en-4β-ol (2) as well as one benzoic compound; caffeic acid (3) were isolated from Bazzania harpago collected from Mt. Trus Madi, Sabah, Malaysia. The structures of these secondary metabolites were elucidated based on spectroscopic data (Infra-Red (IR), 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Mass Spectrum (MS)). This is the first record that cneorubin X (1) was isolated from non-vascular plants and it exhibited active anti-fungal activity against Haliphthoros sabahensis and Haliphthoros milfordensis. Chemosystematics finding suggests that the Marchantiophyta (liverworts) genus Bazzania might have a closer chemical relationship to its sister group Bryophyta (mosses) genus Brachythecium, Kindbergia and Mnium, as well as Anthocerophyta (hornworts) genus Anthocerosin their evolutionary history.

Terpenoids from Marine Soft Coral of the Genus Xenia in 1977 to 2019

Members of the marine soft coral genus Xenia are rich in a diversity of diterpenes. A total of 199 terpenes consisting of 14 sesquiterpenes, 180 diterpenes, and 5 steroids have been reported to date. Xenicane diterpenes were reported to be the most common chemical skeleton biosynthesized by members of this genus. Most of the literature reported the chemical diversity of Xenia collected from the coral reefs in the South China Sea and the coastal waters of Taiwan. Although there was a brief review on the terpenoids of Xenia in 2015, the present review is a comprehensive overview of the structural diversity of secondary metabolites isolated from soft coral genus Xenia and their potent biological activity as reported between 1977 to 2019.

Individual response of humans to ionising radiation: governing factors and importance for radiological protection

Tissue reactions and stochastic effects after exposure to ionising radiation are variable between individuals but the factors and mechanisms governing individual responses are not well understood. Individual responses can be measured at different levels of biological organization and using different endpoints following varying doses of radiation, including: cancers, non-cancer diseases and mortality in the whole organism; normal tissue reactions after exposures; and, cellular endpoints such as chromosomal damage and molecular alterations. There is no doubt that many factors influence the responses of people to radiation to different degrees. In addition to the obvious general factors of radiation quality, dose, dose rate and the tissue (sub)volume irradiated, recognized and potential determining factors include age, sex, life style (e.g., smoking, diet, possibly body mass index), environmental factors, genetics and epigenetics, stochastic distribution of cellular events, and systemic comorbidities such as diabetes or viral infections. Genetic factors are commonly thought to be a substantial contributor to individual response to radiation. Apart from a small number of rare monogenic diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia, the inheritance of an abnormally responsive phenotype among a population of healthy individuals does not follow a classical Mendelian inheritance pattern. Rather it is considered to be a multi-factorial, complex trait.

A New Epi-neoverrucosane-type Diterpenoid from the Liverwort Pleurozia subinflata in Borneo

New bioactive 13-epi-neoverrucosane diterpenoid, 5β-acetoxy-13-epi-neoverrucosanic acid (1) along with three known secondary metabolites, 13-epi-neoverrucosan-5β-ol (2), chelodane (3) and (E)-β-farnesene (4) were isolated from the MeOH extract of east Malaysia's liverwort Pleurozia subinflata. The chemical structure of new compound was elucidated by the analyses of its spectroscopic data (FTIR, NMR and HR-ESI-MS). These epi-neoverrucosane-type compounds seem to be notable chemosystematic markers for P. subinflata in Borneo. Compound 3 was widespread in marine sponges however this is the first record for 3 to be found in liverwort. These metabolites were tested for their antifungal potentials against selected fungi from the marine environment. Compound 1 exhibited effective antifungal activity against Lagenidium thermophilum.

Aaptamine-Related Alkaloid from the Marine Sponge Aaptos aaptos

A new aaptamine-related alkaloid, 1,3-dioxolo [4,5- d] benzo [ de]-1,6-naphthyridine (methylenedioxyaaptamine, 1), was isolated from the organic extracts of the Bornean marine sponge Aaptos aaptos, together with a known aaptamine derivative, 8,9,9-trimethoxy-9 H-benzo [ de]-1,6-naphthyridine (2). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by interpretation of its spectroscopic data. Two compounds were tested for their cytotoxic potentials against adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells, and compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxic potential.

A New Bioactive Cembranolide Sarcophytonolide V from Bornean Soft Coral Genus Sarcophyton

A new cembranolide diterpene, sarcophytonolide V (1), along with 6 known compounds, isosarcophytonolide D (2), (4 Z,8 S*,9 R*,12 E,14 E)-9-hydroxy-1-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-8,12-dimethyl-oxabicyclo[9.3.2]-hexadeca-4,12,14-trien-18-one (3), (7 E,11 E)-3,4-epoxy-7,11,15-cembratriene (4), (1 S*,3 S*,4 S*,7 E,11 E)-3,4-epoxy-13-oxo-7,11,15-cembratriene (5), (-)-eunicenone (6), and 2-[( E, E, E)-7′,8′-epoxy-4′,8′,12′-trimethylcyclotetradeca-1′,3′,11′-trienyl]propan-2-ol (7) were isolated from the Bornean soft coral Sarcophyton sp. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS). These compounds were evaluated for their biological activity against marine pathogenic fungi.

Cytotoxic Sesquiterpenoids From Soft Soral Capnella imbricata

A new sesquiterpene, capgermacrene H (1) was isolated together with 7 other compounds, capgermacrenes A-G (2-8), from a population of soft coral Capnella imbricata collected from Mantanani Island, Sabah, Malaysia. The structure of this metabolite was elucidated based on spectroscopic data such as nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Capgermacrene A (2) showed potent cytotoxicity against adult T-cell leukemia, S1T cells at half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.79 µg/mL.

Reversible Conduction Failure in Anti-lactosylceramide-antibody-positive Combined Central and Peripheral Demyelination

We describe a 60-year-old woman with combined central and peripheral demyelination who presented with obstinate constipation, weakness in the lower limbs, and a bilateral sensory disturbance below her chest followed by girdle sensation in the right region of the abdomen, which was responsive to steroid therapy and plasmapheresis. Serum anti-lactosylceramide antibody was positive without anti-neurofascin 155 antibody or anti-galactocerebroside antibody positivity. Two months later, the patient had a first relapse that was responsive to steroid treatment. A nerve conduction study confirmed reversible conduction failure (RCF) in both episodes. Our case is unique in that she had an RCF episode as well as some similarities to encephalomyeloradiculoneuropathy.

Leucoxenols A and B, two new phenolics from Bornean medicinal plant Syzygium leucoxylon

The medicinal plant, Syzygium leucoxylon or commonly known as Obah found in North Borneo was considered as traditional medicine by local committee. Two new phenolics, leucoxenols A (1) and B (2) were isolated and identified as major secondary metabolites from the leaves of S. leucoxylon. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data such as NMR and HRESIMS. Furthermore, these compounds were active against selected strains of fungi.

Nangallenes A and B, halogenated nonterpenoid C15-acetogenins from the Bornean red alga Laurencia nangii

Two new halogenated nonterpenoids C₁₅-acetogenins, nangallenes A-B (1-2), together with two known halogenated compounds itomanallene A (3) and 2,10-dibromo-3-chloro-α-chamigrene (4), were isolated and identified from the organic extract of the marine red alga Laurencia nangii Masuda collected from the coastal waters in Semporna, Borneo. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic analysis including IR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS), and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All these metabolites were submitted for the antifungal assay against four species of selected marine fungi. Compounds 1-4 showed potent activity against Haliphthoros sabahensis and Lagenidium thermophilum.

Bilateral cingulate cortices lesions in two autoantibodies directed against MOG (MOG-Ab)-positive patients

There are no specific radiologic features in MOG-Ab (autoantibodies directed against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein)-associated diseases. We present two MOG-Ab-positive patients with symmetrical lesions in the bilateral cingulate cortex of the frontal and parietal lobes. Those lesions showed hyperperfusion in acute phase and hypoperfusion in chronic phase on brain SPECT. In both patients, steroid therapy was effective in acute phase and for prevention of recurrence. High signal in the bilateral cingulate cortex on MR T2-weighted and FLAIR images might to be one of the unique findings considered MOG-Ab associated diseases.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Bornean Medicinal Ginger Alpinia aquatica

One new phenylbutenoid, (3 Z)-2′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenylbutadiene (1) along with five known metabolites were isolated from aquatic galangal ( Alpinia aquatica Rosc.) and their chemotaxonomy importance in five populations of A. aquatica collected from Kota Kinabalu, Ranau and Kota Belut in Sabah, Malaysia. The antibacterial potential as well as the chemosystematics importance of this discovery is discussed.

In vitro Inhibitory Effects of Two Bornean Medicinal Wild Gingers against Pathogenic Lagenidium thermophilum Infected Mud Crab Scylla tranquebarica

　The antifungal activity of two Bornean medicinal wild gingers Plagiostachys megacarpa and Zingiber phillippsiae were examined against Lagenidium thermophilum. The most active extract was P. megacarpa at concentration of 320 µg/mL inhibiting both hyphal growth and zoospore production of L. thermophilum in 24 h. Toxicity tests were conducted using mud crab (Scylla tranquebarica) larva. Bath treatment of P. megacarpa at concentrations of 320 and 640 µg/mL for 24 h were highly effective against hyphae and zoospores of the strain and it is non-toxic to mud crab larva. Therefore, crude extracts P. megacarpa may be used as alternative treatment for marine Oomycete infection of mud crab.

Binding of 131I-Labeled Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator on De-Endothelialized Lesions in Rabbits

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) which has a high affinity for fibrin in the clot, was labeled with 131I by the iodogen method, and its binding to de-endothelialized lesions in the rabbit was measured to assess the detectability of thrombi. The de-endothelialized lesion was induced in the abdominal aorta with a Fogarty 4F balloon catheter. Two hours after the de-endothelialization, 131I-labeled t-PA (125 ± 46 μCi) was injected intravenously. The initial half-life of the agent in blood (n = 12) was 2.9 ± 0.4 min. The degree of binding of 131I-labeled t-PA to the de-endothelialized lesion was evaluated at 15 min (n = 6) or at 30 min (n = 6) after injection of the agent. In spite of the retention of the biochemical properties of 131I-labeled t-PA and the presence of fibrin deposition at the de-endothelialized lesion, the binding of t-PA to the lesion was not sufficiently strong. Lesion-to-control ratios (cpm/g/cpm/g) were 1.65 ± 0.40 (at 15 min) and 1.39 ± 1.31 (at 30 min), and lesion-to-blood ratios were 1.39 ± 0.32 (at 15 min) and 1.36 ± 0.23 (at 30 min). These results suggest that radiolabeled t-PA may be inappropriate as a radiopharmaceutical for the scintigraphic detection of a pre-existing thrombotic lesion.

A New Cembrane, from Soft Coral Genus Sarcophyton in Borneo

One new cembrane diterpene, (1 S, 2 E, 4 R, 6 E, 8 S, 11 S, 12 S)-11,12-epoxy-8-hydroperoxy-4-hydroxy-2,6-cembradiene (1) was isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral genus Sarcophyton collected from the coastal waters Bohey Dulang, Sabah, Malaysia. Its structure was elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR and HRESIMS spectra. Cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities were tested.

Cytotoxic and Antifungal Terpenoids from Bornean Soft Coral, Sinularia flexibilis

One new cembrane, ent -sinuflexibilin D (1), along with seven known compounds (2-8) were isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral Sinularia flexibilis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Cytotoxicity and antifungal activities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro. In addition, muurolene 7 was first isolates from a marine source.

A New Guaiane-type Sesquiterpenoid from a Bornean Soft Coral, Xenia stellifera

A new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid, 10β- O-methyl-1αH,5αH-guaia-6-en-4β-ol (1) along with two known compounds, 10- O -methyl alismoxide (2) and alismoxide (3) were isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral Xenia stellifera. The structure of this metabolite was elucidated based on spectroscopic data such as NMR and HRESIMS. These compounds were evaluated for their biological activity against adult T-cell leukemia cell line.

Two new clerodane-type diterpenoids from Bornean liverwort Gottschelia schizopleura and their cytotoxic activity

The Bornean liverwort Gottschelia schizopleura was investigated phytochemically for the first time. Two new and four previously known clerodane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the MeOH extract of G. schizopleura through a series of chromatographic techniques. The structures of the new metabolites were established by analyses of their spectroscopic data (1D NMR, 2D NMR, HRESIMS and IR). All the isolated compounds 1-6 were tested against human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60), human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and Mus musculus skin melanoma (B16-F10). Compound 1 and 2 showed active inhibition against HL-60 and B16-F10 cells.

Application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovar 15 in pig sera

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using lipopolysaccharide extract as antigen was evaluated for detection of antibodies to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovar 15. The serovar 15 ELISA had a higher sensitivity and specificity than latex agglutination test for 63 and 80 sera from pigs experimentally infected and not infected with A. pleuropneumoniae, respectively. When the serovar 15 ELISA was applied to 454 field sera, high rates of seropositivity were found in pigs from farms infected with A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 15, but not in those from farms free of A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 15. The results suggest that the serovar 15 ELISA may be useful for the serological surveillance of infection with A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 15.