[Metabolites of endophytic fungus Nigrospora sphaerica S5 from Myoporum bontioides].

The endophytic fungus Nigrospora sphaerica S5 derived from the semi-mangrove plant Myoporum bontioides was fermented. Its metabolites were purified by column chromatography. Nine compounds were obtained and identified as terezine P(1), 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one(2), methylhydroheptelidate(3), hydroheptelidic acid(4), 5, 7-dimethoxy-4, 6-dimethylphthalide(5),(3R,4S)-(-)-4-hydroxymellein(6), pestalopyrone(7), indole-3-formaldehyde(8) and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(9) by spectroscopic techniques. Terezine P(1) was a new alkaloid belonging to the terezine class with a pyrazine ring. Compounds 2-7 were lactones, of which 3 and 4 belonged to sesquiterpenes. Compounds 8 and 9 were indole alkaloids and phenols, respectively. Compounds 3-6 were purified from Nigrospora sp. for the first time. These compounds showed different degrees of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli of O6 serotype and E. coli of O78 serotype.

Revealing new insights: Two-center evidence of microplastics in human vitreous humor and their implications for ocular health.

Microplastics (MPs), an emerging environmental contaminant, have raised growing health apprehension due to their detection in various human biospecimens. Despite extensive research into their prevalence in the environment and the human body, the ramifications of their existence within the enclosed confines of the human eye remain largely unexplored. Herein, we assembled a cohort of 49 patients with four ocular diseases (macular hole, macular epiretinal membrane, retinopathy and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment) from two medical centers. After processing the samples with an optimized method, we utilized Laser Direct Infrared (LD-IR) spectroscopy and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyze 49 vitreous samples, evaluating the characteristics of MPs within the internal environment of the human eye. Our results showed that LD-IR scanned a total of 8543 particles in the composite sample from 49 individual vitreous humor samples, identifying 1745 as plastic particles, predominantly below 50 µm. Concurrently, Py-GC/MS analysis of the 49 individual samples corroborated these findings, with nylon 66 exhibiting the highest content, followed by polyvinyl chloride, and detection of polystyrene. Notably, correlations were observed between MP levels and key ocular health parameters, particularly intraocular pressure and the presence of aqueous humor opacities. Intriguingly, individuals afflicted with retinopathy demonstrated heightened ocular health risks associated with MPs. In summary, this research provides significant insights into infiltration of MP pollutants within the human eye, shedding light on their potential implications for ocular health and advocating for further exploration of this emerging health risk.

Efficacy of Remifentanil Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia in Singleton Parturients During the Second Stage of Labor: A Single-Arm, Prospective Study.

Background: Worrying about increasing the use of instrument-assisted delivery and prolonging the process, midwives in our institution tended to persuade the parturients who had entered the second stage of labor, to give up neuraxial analgesia. Remifentanil seemed to be suitable for this situation due to its advantages of fast onset and metabolism. We designed a single arm and prospective study to explore the analgesic effect and safety of remifentanil intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in singleton parturients during the second stage of labor. Methods: Ten pregnancies were included, whose cervical dilation had exceeded 8 cm when they arrived into the delivery room. The patient was given 40 µg remifentanil intravenously as soon as she felt the contraction with a lockout time of 2 minutes. The maternal heart rate (MHR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), SpO2, fetal heart rate (FHR), OAA/S score, and VAS analgesia score were recorded before and at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes after administration. An umbilical artery blood gas analysis and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were also recorded after the delivery of the newborn. The incidence of adverse events and overall satisfaction with analgesia were recorded. Results: The VAS score decreased from 9.2 to 4.6 after remifentanil administration. All umbilical artery PH values were beyond 7.20. All 1-minute newborns' Apgar scores were 8 points or greater, and 9 points or greater in the 5th minute. Adverse events included 3 cases of dizziness, 3 cases of nausea, 1 case of vomiting, and 1 case of parturients had a transient FHR drop at the 10th minute, accompanied by hypoxemia and hypersomnia. The overall satisfaction rate was 70%. Conclusion: Remifentanil PCA could effectively relieve the severe uterine contraction pain suffered by the parturients in the second stage of labor with safety.

Comparative evaluation of the bispectral index (BIS) and BISpro during propofol anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy, correlation and agreement between the bispectral index (BIS) and BISpro during propofol anaesthesia. METHODS: The BIS, BISpro, heart rate, target-concentration of propofol and Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAA/S) score were recorded every 30 s in female patients scheduled for hysteroscopic surgery. Propofol anaesthesia was induced by an initial target-controlled concentration (1.0 µg/ml) followed by a stepwise increase (0.5 µg/ml) until the patient was unresponsive. Spearman's correlation coefficient and prediction probability were calculated for the association between sedation levels and the above parameters. The ability of investigated parameters to distinguish between OAA/S scores was analysed. Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare the agreement between BIS and BISpro. The BIS and BISpro cut-off values for lost response were also determined. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients in total, a high correlation was found between BIS and BISpro, and both correlated well with OAA/S score. Only BIS was able to distinguish all investigated OAA/S states accurately, but the ability to predict OAA/S score 5 to loss of response was comparable between BIS and BISpro. The calculated cut-off values were 68 for BIS and 70 for BISpro. CONCLUSION: BISpro and BIS are reliable monitors of general anaesthesia during sedation.Trial registration number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (URL: www.chictr.org.cn): ChiCTR1900024037 (retrospectively registered).

Sesquiterpenes with Phytopathogenic Fungi Inhibitory Activities from Fungus Trichoderma virens from Litchi chinensis Sonn.

A new monosesquiterpene diacetylgliocladic acid (1), a new dimeric sesquiterpene divirensol H (9), and two exceptionally novel trimeric sesquiterpene trivirensols A and B (11 and 12), together with another eight known congeners, were purified from an endophytic fungus Trichoderma virens FY06, derived from Litchi chinensis Sonn. whose fruit is a delicious and popular food. All of them were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, combined with biosynthetic considerations. Trivirensols A and B are unprecedented trimers of which three subunits are connected by two ester bonds of the sesquiterpene class. Relative to the positive control triadimefon, all the tested metabolites showed strong inhibitory activities against at least one phytopathogenic fungus among Penicillium italicum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, Colletotrichum musae, and Colletotrictum gloeosporioides. Notably, as metabolites of the endophytic fungus from L. chinensis, they all presented strong antifungal activities against C. gloeosporioides which causes anthracnose in L. chinensis.