Sarcodonol A-D from fruiting bodies of Sarcodon imbricatus inhibits HCoV-OC43 induced apoptosis in MRC-5 cells.

Four new 26-carboxylated ergostane-type sterols (Sarcodonol A-D) were isolated from 70% ethanol extracts of dried fruiting bodies of Sarcodon imbricatus. Their chemical structures were elucidated using 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and confirmed by comparison with previously reported data. As far as we know, this is the first instance of isolating a 26-carboxylated ergostane-type sterol from nature. The determined antiviral efficacy of sarcodonol A-D (1-4) against HCoV-OC43 in MRC-5 cells confirmed that sarcodonol D (4) had significant antiviral activity. Notably, sarcodonol D (4) potently blocked virus infection at low-micromolar concentration and showed high SI (IC50 = 2.26 µM; CC50 > 100 µM; SI > 44.2). In addition, this research shows that the antiviral effect of sarcodonol D (4) via reduced apoptosis increased by viral infection is through mitochondrial stress regulation. This suggests that sarcodonol D (4) is a potential candidate for use as an antiviral treatment.

The frequency of meconium-stained amniotic fluid increases as a function of the duration of labor.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the frequency of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and the duration of labor in term singleton gestation. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of women who delivered term singleton live newborns between 2001 and 2006 were examined. The cases involving neonates with major congenital anomalies were excluded. RESULTS: (1) The frequency of MSAF in term pregnancies was 18.4% (806/4376); (2) MSAF was found in only 2.8% (28/1008) of women who delivered by elective cesarean, but in 23.1% (778/3368) of women who delivered after the onset of labor (p < 0.001); (3) The longer the duration of labor (first stage, second stage, or total), the higher the frequency of MSAF (p < 0.001 for each); this remained significant after adjusting for other confounding variables such as parity, duration of rupture of membranes, gestational age at delivery, and mode of delivery (p < 0.001 for each). CONCLUSION: MSAF was found in only 2.8% (28/1008) of women who delivered before the onset of labor, but in 23.1% (778/3368) of women who delivered after the onset of labor. The longer the duration of labor, the higher the risk of MSAF in term singleton gestation.

The frequency and risk factors of funisitis and histologic chorioamnionitis in pregnant women at term who delivered after the spontaneous onset of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and risk factors of funisitis and histologic chorioamnionitis in the placentas of term pregnant women who delivered after the spontaneous onset of labor. METHODS: The frequency of funisitis and histologic chorioamnionitis was examined in consecutive pregnant women at term with singleton pregnancies who delivered after the spontaneous onset of labor. Nonparametric statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: (1) The frequency of funisitis and histologic chorioamnionitis was 6.7% (88/1316) and 23.6% (310/1316), respectively; (2) Patients with funisitis had significantly higher rates of nulliparity, regional analgesia, operative vaginal delivery, longer duration of labor and rupture of membranes (ROM), and higher gestational age and birthweight than those without funisitis (p < 0.05 for each); (3) Patients with histologic chorioamnionitis had significantly higher rates of nulliparity, oxytocin augmentation, regional analgesia, cesarean section or operative vaginal delivery, longer duration of labor and ROM, and higher gestational age and birthweight than those without histologic chorioamnionitis (p < 0.05 for each); (4) Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the longer the duration of labor, the higher the risk of funisitis, and that nulliparity and the duration of labor significantly increased the odds of histologic chorioamnionitis (p < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSION: The longer the duration of labor, the higher the risk of funisitis and histologic chorioamnionitis in pregnant women at term who delivered after the spontaneous onset of labor.