Structurally diverse oxygen-containing aromatic compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from Aspergillus sp. LY-1-2

Three isocoumarins, ascoisocoumarin A (1), embeurekol (2), and sclerotinin A (3), and five biosynthetically related derivatives, ascospinols A-C (4, 6, and 7), and talaflavuols C and B (5 and 8), together with twelve polyketides or terpenes (9-20) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus sp. LY-1-2 inhabited in a sample of Cordyceps sp. Most of them belong to the family of oxygen-containing aromatic compounds and compounds 1, 4, 6, and 7 are previously undescribed compounds. Their planar structures were established by a combined spectroscopic analysis of HRESIMS and NMR, and their stereochemistry was determined by 13C NMR calculations with sorted training set (STS) protocol analysis, and ECD calculations. New compounds 1 and 6 displayed potential anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglia cells.

Interferon-regulatory factor-1 boosts bevacizumab cardiotoxicity by the vascular endothelial growth factor A/14-3-3γ axis

AIM

Myocardial injury is a significant cause of death. This study investigated the role and underlying mechanism of interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF1) in bevacizumab (BVZ)-induced cardiomyocyte injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HL-1 cells and C57BL/6 mice receiving BVZ treatment were used to establish in vitro and in vivo models of myocardial injury. The relationship between VEGFA and 14-3-3γ was verified through co-immunoprecipitation and Glutathione S Transferase (GST) pull-down assay. Cell viability and apoptosis were analysed by MTT, propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponins T (cTnT), and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) was measured using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of knocking down IRF1 on BVZ-induced mice were analysed in vivo. IRF1 levels were increased in BVZ-treated HL-1 cells. BVZ treatment induced apoptosis, inhibited cell viability, and promoted the release of LDH, cTnT, and CK-MB. IRF1 silencing suppressed BVZ-induced myocardial injury, whereas IRF1 overexpression had the opposite effect. IRF1 regulated VEGFA expression by binding to its promoter, with the depletion of VEGFA or 14-3-3γ reversing the effects of IRF1 knockdown on the cell viability and apoptosis of BVZ-treated HL-1 cells. 14-3-3γ overexpression promoted cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and reduced the release of LDH, cTnT, and CK-MB, thereby alleviating BVZ-induced HL-1 cell damage. In vivo, IRF1 silencing alleviated BVZ-induced cardiomyocyte injury by regulating the VEGFA/14-3-3γ axis.

CONCLUSION

The IRF1-mediated VEGFA/14-3-3γ signalling pathway promotes BVZ-induced myocardial injury. Our study provides evidence for potentially new target genes for the treatment of myocardial injury.

Structures, Biosynthesis, and Bioactivity of Oligomycins from the Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. FXY-T5

Oligomycins are potent antifungal and antitumor agents. Mass spectrometry (MS)- and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic fingerprinting analysis of marine-derived actinomycetes in our in-house library provided an oligomycin-producing strain, Streptomyces sp. FXY-T5. Chemical investigation led to the discovery of five new oligomycins, 24-lumooligomycin B (1), 4-lumooligomycin B (2), 6-lumooligomycin B (3), 40-homooligomycin B (4), and 15-hydroxy-oligomycin B (5), together with seven biosynthetically related known derivatives. Their structures were assigned by MS, NMR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The biosynthesis pathway of oligomycins was first proposed based on the analysis of a type I modular polyketide synthase (PKS) system and targeted gene disruption. As expected, the isolated oligomycins showed significant antiagricultural fungal pathogen activity and antiproliferative properties from which the possible structure-activity relationships were first suggested. More importantly, oligomycins induced significant G1-phase cell cycle arrest on cancer cells and significantly attenuated their Cyclin D1 and PCNA expression through a β-catenin signaling pathway.

CREB-binding protein and HIF-1α/β-catenin to upregulate miR-322 and alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a prevalent condition associated with numerous critical clinical conditions. miR-322 has been implicated in MIRI through poorly understood mechanisms. Our preliminary analysis indicated potential interaction of CREB-binding protein (CBP), a transcriptional coactivator and acetyltransferase, with HIF-1α/β-catenin, which might regulate miR-322 expression. We, therefore, hypothesized that CBP/HIF-1α/β-catenin/miR-322 axis might play a role in MIRI. Rat cardiomyocytes subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation /reperfusion (OGD/R) and Langendorff perfused heart model were used to model MIRI in vitro and in vivo, respectively. We used various techniques such as CCK-8 assay, transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, western blotting, RT-qPCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), dual-luciferase assay, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), hematoxylin and eosin staining, and TTC staining to assess cell viability, apoptosis, and the levels of CBP, HIF-1α, β-catenin, miR-322, and acetylation. Our results indicate that OGD/R in cardiomyocytes decreased CBP/HIF-1α/β-catenin/miR-322 expression, increased cell apoptosis and cytokines, and reduced cell viability. However, overexpression of CBP or miR-322 suppressed OGD/R-induced cell injury, while knockdown of HIF-1α/β-catenin further exacerbated the damage. HIF-1α/β-catenin bound to miR-322 promoter to promote its expression, while CBP acetylated HIF-1α/β-catenin for stabilization. Overexpression of CBP attenuated MIRI in rats by acetylating HIF-1α/β-catenin to stabilize their expression, resulting in stronger binding of HIF-1α/β-catenin with the miR-322 promoter and subsequent increased miR-322 levels. Therefore, activating CBP/HIF-1α/β-catenin/miR-322 signaling may be a potential approach to treat MIRI.

Interconvertible Pyridone Alkaloids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium oxalicum QDU1

Eleven new pyridone alkaloids, penicipyridones A-K (1-11), and three new tetramic acids, tolypocladenols D-F (12-14), were isolated from rice media cultures of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium oxalicum QDU1. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by comprehensive analyses of spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Interestingly, several of the penicipyridones undergo interconversions between hydroxy and methoxy groups at C-4 in acidic MeOH solution. Furthermore, in an acidic aqueous solution, OH-4 could be replaced by diverse substituent groups. Compounds 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 14 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on NO production in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.2 to 19 μM.

Metabolic profiling for the discovery of two rare fusidane-type heterodimers from the fungal endophyte Acremonium pilosum F47

In our process of studying fusidane-type antibiotics, metabolomics-guided chemical investigation on the endophytic Acremonium pilosum F47 led to the isolation of two unique heterodimers, acremonidiols B and C (1 and 2) consisting of a fusidane-type triterpenoid motif and a steroid unit. Four biosynthetically related known natural products including fusidic acid (FA, 3), as well as ergosterol derivatives (4-6) were also obtained. Their structures were determined by the analyses of ESI-HRMS and NMR data. Compounds 1 and 2, as hybrid molecules comprising the fusidane triterpenoid and steroid, are rare in nature. Compared with the clinically used antibiotic FA (3), new compounds 1 and 2 showed no obvious antibiotic activity, indicating the importance of free C-21 carboxyl group for antibacterial activity.

Cytochalasans with Inhibitory Activity against NPC1L1 from the Endophytic Fungus Chaetomium nigricolor F5

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolic profiling of the endophytic fungus Chaetomium nigricolor F5 guided the isolation of five novel cytochalasans, chamisides B-F (1-5), and two known ones, chaetoconvosins C and D (6 and 7). Their structures including stereochemistry were unambiguously determined by MS, nuclear magnetic resonance, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1-3 share a new 5/6/5/5/7-fused pentacyclic skeleton in cytochalasans and are appropriately proposed to be the key biosynthetic precursors of co-isolated cytochalasans with a 6/6/5/7/5, 6/6/5/5/7, or 6/6/5 ring system. Remarkably, compound 5 with a relatively flexible side chain showed promising inhibition activity against the cholesterol transporter protein Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1), expanding the function of cytochalasans.

Metabolic Profiling for the Discovery of Structurally Diverse Gibberellins and Their Precursors from the Endophytic Fungus Fusarium sp. NJ-F5

Gibberellins (GAs) are well-known tetracyclic diterpenoid phytohormones since the 1950s. In this work, eight skeletally diverse GAs (1-8) including four new compounds (1-4), and three known ent-kaurene diterpenoids (9-11), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. NJ-F5 by integrating mass spectrometry (MS)- and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolic profiling. Their planar structures and stereochemistry were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses including MS, NMR, as well as electronic circular dichroism and their calculations, together with single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. As far as we know, this is a rare report of naturally occurring GAs and their detailed spectroscopic data including MS and NMR in recent decades. Compound 1, as a new member of GAs family, showed an obvious promoting effect on the seedling's growth ofArabidopsis thaliana.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a novel Anatomical classification and dUal anchoRing theory to Optimize the tavR strategy for pure severe Aortic regurgitation (AURORA): a prospective cohort study

Background

Success rate of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in aortic regurgitation (AR) patients is relatively low on account of the absence of calcified anchoring structures. Morphological classification and corresponding TAVR strategies for AR are lacking yet.

Methods

The AURORA study is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm cohort study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transfemoral TAVR for severe AR in patients with high or prohibitive risk for surgery. Patients who are ≥ 65 years and diagnosed with severe pure AR as defined by the Echocardiographic Core Laboratory will be consecutively enrolled for further multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning and multiplanar analyses. Based on a new anatomical classification and dual anchoring theory, patients will be classified into 4 types according to the level of the anchoring area. Types 1, 2 and 3 (at least 2 anchoring areas) will undergo the TAVR procedure with a domestic Chinese self-expanding valve (VitaFlow Valve, MicroPort, Shanghai, China), whereas type 4 (0 or 1 anchoring area) patients will be considered unsuitable for TAVR and will receive medical treatment. Our goal is to recruit 100 patients to account for 10% missing data or loss of patients to follow-up. Procedural, 30-day, 6-month and 12-month outcomes will be assessed according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 criteria.

Discussion

The AURORA study will establish a new AR anatomical classification based on dual anchoring theory through MDCT multiplanar measurement and assess the safety and efficacy of TAVR guided by this new classification and strategy in AR patients.

Trial registration: This Study was registered at Chinses Clinical Trial Registry. The registration number: ChiCTR2200055415; The date of registration: 9, January 2022; The URL of the registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=141209.

Structurally Various Sorbicillinoids From an Endophytic Fungus Acremonium citrinum SS-g13

Three new sorbicillinoids, including trimer trisorbicillinone E (1), acremosorbicillinoids A and B (2 and 3), and a new alkaloid acremokaloid A (4), and a new natural product 2S,3S-acetyl-β-methyltryptophan (5), were isolated from an endophytic fungus Acremonium citrinum SS-g13, which is found in Fructus mori plant root. In addition, eight known sorbicillinoids (6-13) were also obtained. The new compound structures were established using NMR, HRESIMS spectra, and reported spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-5, were determined by spectroscopic analysis, Snatzke's method, and time-dependent density functional theory-electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. Compound 11 exhibited significant cholesterol efflux enhancing activity. A plausible biosynthesis pathway for the sorbicillinoids is discussed.

Fusidic acid derivatives from the endophytic fungus Acremonium pilosum F47

Fusidic acid, a representative member of fungal fusidane triterpenoids, has been clinically used as an antibiotic. In the present study, fusidic acid (1), and its known analogs 16-desacetylfusidic acid (2) and 3β,20-dihydroxy-protosta-16,24-dien-29-oic acid (4), together with one new derivative acremonidiol A (3), were isolated from the endophytic fungus, Acremonium pilosum F47. Their structures were determined by MS and NMR. The spectroscopic data of 2 are firstly reported here. The antibacterial efficacies of 1-4 were evaluated against four selected Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. As expected, only compound 1 showed strong inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.

miR-322/miR-503 clusters regulate defective myoblast differentiation in myotonic dystrophy RNA-toxic by targeting Celf1

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a genetic disorder featured by muscular dystrophy. It is caused by CUG expansion in the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene that leads to aberrant signaling and impaired myocyte differentiation. Many studies have shown that microRNAs are involved in the differentiation process of myoblasts. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the miR-322/miR-503 cluster regulates intracellular signaling to affect cell differentiation. The cell model of DM1 was employed by expressing GFP-CUG200 or CUGBP Elav-like family member 1 (Celf1) in myoblasts. Immunostaining of MF-20 was performed to examine myocyte differentiation. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to determine the levels of Celf1, MyoD, MyoG, Mef2c, miR-322/miR-503, and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling. Dual luciferase assay was performed to validate the interaction between miR-322/miR-503 and Celf1. CUG expansion in myoblasts impaired the cell differentiation, increased the Celf1 level, but it decreased the miR-322/miR-503 levels. miR-322/miR-503 mimics restored the impaired differentiation caused by CUG expansion, while miR-322/miR-503 inhibitors further suppressed. miR-322/miR-503 directly targeted Celf1 and negatively regulated its expression. Knockdown of Celf1 promoted myocyte differentiation. Further, miR-322/miR-503 mimics rescued the impaired differentiation of myocytes caused by CUG expansion or Celf1 overexpression through suppressing of MEK/ERK signaling. miR-322/miR-503 cluster recover the defective myocyte differentiation caused by RNA-toxic via targeting Celf1. Restoring miR-322/miR-503 levels could be an avenue for DM1 therapy.

miR-140-5p mediates bevacizumab-induced cytotoxicity to cardiomyocytes by targeting the VEGFA/14-3-3γ signal pathway

Bevacizumab (BVZ) is the first recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) approved by the FDA for the treatment of different kinds of cancers, especially colorectal cancer. Although the anti-tumor effects have been verified, the side effects of BVZ are also noteworthy, among which, cardiotoxicity may be the most serious side effect of BVZ. However, the exact mechanisms of cardiotoxicity induced by BVZ have been little explored. This study was conducted in vitro in a human cardiac myocyte (HCM) model. MTT assay was conducted to determine BVZ-stimulated cell viability. For testing the function and mechanism, the cells were transfected with miR-140-5p mimics, miR-140-5p inhibitor and/or VEGFA small interfering RNA (si-VEGFA). Then, apoptosis of the cells was detected via annexin V/propidium iodide (AV-PI) staining followed by flow cytometry. qRT-PCR and western blot assays were applied to measure gene expression (i.e. mRNA) and protein levels, respectively. The CK, LDH, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities and MDA level were determined using commercial kits. ROS levels were determined by DCFH-DA assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the interaction between miR-140-5p and VEGFA. BVZ could inhibit HCM proliferation and induce apoptosis. miR-140-5p was upregulated in response to BVZ treatment and miR-140-5p restraint could alleviate HCM damage caused by BVZ treatment. In contrast, VEGFA and 14-3-3γ expressions were down-regulated by BVZ, and miR-140-5p could inhibit the expression of 14-3-3γ by directly targeting VEGFA. Moreover, VEGFA suppression enhanced HCM injury stimulated by BVZ and partially reversed the functional role of the miR-140-5p inhibitor in BVZ-treated cells. Taken together, miR-140-5p promoted BVZ-treated cardiomyocyte toxicity by targeting the VEGFA/14-3-3γ signal pathway. Collectively, miR-140-5p mediated the BVZ-induced cytotoxicity to cardiomyocytes by targeting the VEGFA/14-3-3γ signal pathway, indicating that miR-140-5p may be a novel target for treating BVZ-induced cardiotoxicity.

Dimeric 1,4-benzoquinone Derivatives with Cytotoxic Activities from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. L129

Two new dimeric 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives, peniquinone A (1) and peniquinone B (2), a new dibenzofuran penizofuran A (3), and a new pyrazinoquinazoline derivative quinadoline D (4), together with 13 known compounds (5-17), were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. L129. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against the MCF-7, U87 and PC3 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.39 µM, 9.01 µM and 14.59 µM, respectively, while compound 2 displayed relatively weak cytotoxicity activities against MCF-7, U87 and PC3 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 25.32 µM, 13.45 µM and 19.93 µM, respectively. Furthermore, compound 2 showed weak quorum sensing inhibitory activity against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 with an MIC value of 20 μg/well.

Induced production of steroids by co-cultivation of two endophytes from Mahonia fortunei

A new ergosterol derivative, 23R-hydroxy-(20Z,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),20(22)-tetraen-3-one (1), and a biosynthetically related known compound, (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (2), were isolated from the co-culture between endophytic fungus Pleosporales sp. F46 and endophytic bacterium Bacillus wiedmannii Com1 both inhibiting in the medicinal plant Mahonia fortunei. The structure of the new compound 1 was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis using HRMS and NMR, together with the modified Mosher's ester method. This is the first example of isolation of a ergosterol derivative with a Δ²⁰⁽²²⁾-double bond in the side chain. Compound 1 exhibited moderate antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and no obvious cytotoxic activities against the cancer cell lines A549, MDA-MB-231 and Hct116. Our results not only reveal that compound 1 is a potent antibacterial lead compound, but also highlight the powder of co-cultivation for inducing the production of cryptic natural products from endophytes derived from the same host plant.

Acrepyrone A, a new γ-pyrone derivative from an endophytic fungus, Acremonium citrinum SS-g13

A new γ-pyrone derivative, acrepyrone A (1), and three known sorbicillinoids, trichodimerol (2), dihydrotrichodimerol (3) and tetrahydrotrichodimerol (4) were isolated from an endophytic fungus, Acremonium citrinum SS-g13, harboured in the roots of the Chinese medicinal plant Fructus mori. Their structures were determined by analysing MS, NMR, and ECD data. Compound 1 was evaluated for its cytotoxic effect, antibacterial activity and quorum sensing inhibitory potential.

Inhibition of Smurf2 translation by miR-322/503 protects from ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating EZH2/Akt/GSK3β signaling

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a common and lethal disease that threatens people's life worldwide. The underlying mechanisms are under intensive study and yet remain unclear. Here, we explored the function of miR-322/503 in myocardial I/R injury. We used isolated rat perfused heart as an in vivo model and H9c2 cells subjected with the oxygen and glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion as in vitro model to study myocardial I/R injury. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to measure the infarct size, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end label (TUNEL) staining was used to examine apoptosis. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine expression levels of miR-322/503, Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2), enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), p-Akt, and p-GSK3β. Overexpression of miR-322/503 decreased infarct size, inhibited cell apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation through upregualtion of p-Akt and p-GSK3β. Thus the expression of miR-322/503 was reduced during I/R process. On the molecular level, miR-322/503 directly bound Smurf2 mRNA and suppressed its translation. Smurf2 ubiquitinated EZH2 and degraded EZH2, which could activate Akt/GSK3β signaling. Our study demonstrates that miR-322/503 plays a beneficial role in myocardial I/R injury. By inhibition of Smurf2 translation, miR-322/503 induces EZH2 expression and activates Akt/GSK3β pathway, thereby protecting cells from ischemia reperfusion injury.

Heptaketides from the endophytic fungus Pleosporales sp. F46 and their antifungal and cytotoxic activities

New bioactive heptaketide derivatives were isolated and characterized from an endophytic fungus, Pleosporales sp. F46.

miRNA-133a attenuates lipid accumulation via TR4-CD36 pathway in macrophages

lipid metabolism is the major causes of atherosclerosis. There is increasing evidence that miR-133a plays an important role in atherosclerosis. However, the regulatory mechanism of miR-133a in macrophages is still unclear. Several lines of evidence indicate that loss of TR4 leads to reduce lipid accumulation in liver and adipose tissues, etc, and lesional macrophages-derived TR4 can greatly increase the foam cell formation through increasing the CD36-mediated the uptake of ox-LDL. Interestingly, computational analysis suggests that TR4 may be a target gene of miR-133a. Here, we examined whether miR-133a regulates TR4 expression in ox-LDL-induced mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages, thereby affecting lipid accumulation. Using ox-LDL-treatment RAW 264.7 macrophages transfected with miR-133a mimics or inhibitors, we have showed that miR-133a can directly regulate the expression of TR4 in RAW 264.7 cells, thereby attenuates CD36-medide lipid accumulation. Furthermore, our studies suggest an additional explanation for the regulatory mechanism of miR-133a regulation to its functional target, TR4 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Thus, our findings suggest that miR-133a may regulate lipid accumulation in ox-LDL-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages via TR4-CD36 pathway.

Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide improves age-related oxidative stress and immune impairment in mice

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether oxidative stress and immune dysfunction could be attenuated by Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG-1) in d-galactose (d-gal)-induced aging mice, and provide evidence for its effects. The results showed that PSG-1 significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in liver, brain, and spleen, but concomitantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase compared with the d-gal group. Elevation of glutathione contents and attenuation of glutathione disulfide contents were also found in PSG-1-treated animals. Furthermore, the results showed that PSG-1 treatment increased basal lymphocyte proliferation as well as T cell and B cell proliferation and enhanced interleukin-2 production. Taken together, the results suggested that PSG-1 had potential as a novel agent to promote health and improve aging-associated pathologies, at least in part, via modification of the redox system and improvement of immune function.

Effect of volatile oil from Cinnamomi Cortex on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of volatile oil from Cinnamomi Cortex (VOCC) on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant mice and to investigate the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS: Insulin resistance was induced by feeding a high-fat diet. After insulin-resistant mice were treated orally with VOCC, oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were performed. The body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were determined using biochemical methods.

RESULTS: VOCC administration decreased body weight gain (30.3 ± 3.6 vs 34.6 ± 3.1, P < 0.05), blood glucose (7.6 ± 2.2 vs 9.2 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), serum insulin (1.3 ± 0.1 vs 1.7 ± 0.2, P < 0.05), total cholesterol (70.1 ± 10.9 vs 65.4 ± 19.5, P < 0.05), triglyceride (93.2 ± 13.8 vs 102.3 ± 21.5, P < 0.05), leptin, and resistin levels. Treatment with VOCC also decreased insulin resistance by improving oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance.

CONCLUSION: VOCC improved blood glucose and lipid metabolism by reducing serum leptin and resistin in insulin-resistant mice, thereby enhancing insulin sensitivity.

(22E,24R)-3β,5α,9α-Trihy-droxy-ergosta-7,22-dien-6-one monohydrate

The title ergosterol compound, C₂₈H₄₄O₄·H₂O, is composed of four fused rings (three six-membered and one five-membered) and a side chain. It is a derivative of ergosterol and was isolated from a marine-derived halotolerant fungus, Cladosporium cladosporioides PXP-49. In the crystal, mol­ecules are assembled by classical O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network, with base vectors [100] and [010]. The absolute configuration was assigned from the measured optical rotation and reference to the literature. An intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs.

Clinical significance of combined examination of pretreatment serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg in cervical cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA21-1) can be used for the quantitative examination of fragment of cytokeratin 19, and is a valuable tumor marker in various malignancies. This study was to investigate the significance of pretreatment serum CYFRA21-1 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) in diagnosis and their correlations to the clinicopathologic features of cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

One hundred cervical carcinoma patients underwent pretreatment serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg evaluation; 20 healthy women were subjected as control. The specificity and sensitivity of CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg as diagnostic indexes were analyzed; their correlations to clinicopathologic features were investigated through univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The specificity of CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg in diagnosing cervical cancer were both 100%. The sensitivity of CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg in diagnosing cervical cancer were 36.0% and 47.0% respectively, without significant difference. The combined examination of CYFRA21-1 and SCCAg elevated the sensitivity to 60.0%, which was significantly higher than that of examining CYFRA21-1 alone. Univariate analysis showed elevation of CYFRA21-1 was related with FIGO stage and tumor size; elevation of SCCAg was related with pathologic type, tumor size, deep stromal invasion and pelvic node metastasis. Multivariate analysis showed that elevation of CYFRA21-1 had no relationship with any factors, while elevation of SCCAg was related with deep stromal invasion and pelvic node metastasis. The sensitivity of SCCAg in predicting pelvic node metastasis and deep stromal invasion were significantly higher than those of CYFRA21-1 (75.0% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.001; 55.8% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.024), and the addition of CYFRA21-1 to SCCAg could not significantly improve the sensitivity compared with SCCAg alone (79.2% vs. 75.0%, p > 0.05; 63.5% vs. 55.8%, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The value of pretreatment serum CYFRA21-1 as predictor of pelvic node metastasis and deep stromal invasion is less significant compared with that of SCCAg. For cervical squamous cell cancer, SCCAg is the preferred tumor marker.

[Effects of Xuezhikang on serum levels of high sensitive-C reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and lipoprotein in patients with acute coronary syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Xuezhikang (XZK) on serum levels of high sensitivity-C reactive protein (Hs-CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and lipoprotein in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Sixty-nine ACS patients were divided into the XZK group (40 cases) treated with conventional therapy and XZK and the control group (29 cases) with conventional therapy alone, another 30 healthy persons were assigned as the normal group. Before and after the treatment, the levels of Hs-CRP, MMP-9 and lipids were detected.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the normal subjects, Hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels in the ACS patients increased significantly (P <0.05), parallel with the extent of myocardial injury. After 2 weeks of XZK treatment, levels of Hs-CRP and MMP-9 of the XZK group decreased significantly (P <0.05), while lipids levels had no remarkable changes.

CONCLUSION

Hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels were closely correlated to the genesis and severity of ACS. Anti-inflammatory action of XZK plays an important role in early stage treatment of ACS patients.

[Analysis of risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer recurrence]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Advanced ovarian cancer shows a high recurrence and poor survival rate. It is important to identify the risk factors for the recurrence of ovarian cancer, due to the lack of reliable methods for the detection of early disease. This study was designed to explore the risk factors for the recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Factors that might be related to the recurrence of 109 epithelial ovarian cancer patients including age, pathological type, FIGO stage, operation type, chemotherapy regimen, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, postoperative chemotherapy cycles, first operation status, and size of residual tumor were analyzed by logistic regression model using SPSS 10.0 statistical software.

RESULTS

Of 109 patients with ovarian cancer, 36 (33%) relapsed after a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, and the median recurrence-free interval was 19 months. The 5-year survival rates were 62.7% and 43.3% for the 109 patients and the recurrent patients, respectively. The survival rates of pelvic recurrence (50.1%) and extra-pelvic recurrence (36.1%) were not statistically different. Univariate analysis showed that the risk of recurrence in mucous adenocarcinoma or FIGO stage I patients were lower than that of other pathology type or FIGO stage (beta=-1.565 and -1.799,P=0.0120 and 0.026 ) while it was higher in the patients given above 8 cycles chemotherapy than those given 1-4 or 6-8 cycles(beta=-3.591 and -1.500,P< 0.001 and =0.038). Multivariate analysis showed that histological type, FIGO stage and postoperative chemotherapy cycles had remarkable influence on the relapse of epithelial ovarian cancer independently(RR=3.473, 4.713, and 6.140, respectively, P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Histological type, FIGO stage, and postoperative chemotherapy cycles influence the recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer. Since FIGO stage is a remarkable risk factor for the recurrence, early diagnosis should be the key point to decrease it. Reasonable chemotherapy plan is essential for the therapy of ovarian cancer, but excessive chemotherapy is not good for effectiveness.

[Brainstem changes in death from head injury]

The cortex and brainstem changes in death from head injury were observed. There were hemorrhage, edema and neuron necrosis in brain injury group, and also in disputed group of brainstem injury.