Elevations of serum cancer biomarkers correlate with severity of COVID-19.

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the levels of a series of serum biomarkers in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients (mild: 131; severe: 98; critical: 23). We found that there were significant increases in levels of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) (73.6 ± 38.3 vs 46.5 ± 14.7 pmol/L; P < .001), cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) (2.2 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 0.8 µg/L; P < .001), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (3.4 ± 2.2 vs 2.1 ± 1.2 µg/L; P < .001), carbohydrate antigens (CA) 125 (18.1 ± 13.5 vs 10.5 ± 4.6 µg/L; P < .001), and 153 (14.4 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 4.4 µg/L; P < .001) in COVID-19 mild cases as compared to normal control subjects; their levels showed continuous and significant increases in severe and critical cases (HE4, CYFRA21-1, and CA125: P < .001; CEA and CA153: P < .01). Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and CA199 increased significantly only in critical cases of COVID-19 as compared with mild and severe cases and normal controls (P < .01). There were positive associations between levels of C-reactive protein and levels of HE4 (R = .631; P < .001), CYFRA21-1 (R = .431; P < .001), CEA (R = .316; P < .001), SCC (R = .351; P < .001), CA153 (R = .359; P < .001) and CA125 (R = .223; P = .031). We concluded that elevations of serum cancer biomarkers positively correlated with the pathological progressions of COVID-19, demonstrating diffuse and acute pathophysiological injuries in COVID-19.

Ultrasonic preparation of nano-nickel/activated carbon composite using spent electroless nickel plating bath and application in degradation of 2,6-dichlorophenol.

Ni was effectively recovered from spent electroless nickel (EN) plating baths by forming a nano-nickel coated activated carbon composite. With the aid of ultrasonication, melamine-formaldehyde-tetraoxalyl-ethylenediamine chelating resins were grafted on activated carbon (MFT/AC). PdCl2 sol was adsorbed on MFT/AC, which was then immersed in spent electroless nickel plating bath; then nano-nickel could be reduced by ascorbic acid to form a nano-nickel coating on the activated carbon composite (Ni/AC) in situ. The materials present were carefully examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemistry techniques. The resins were well distributed on the inside and outside surfaces of activated carbon with a size of 120 ± 30 nm in MFT/AC, and a great deal of nano-nickel particles were evenly deposited with a size of 3.8 ± 1.1 nm in Ni/MFT. Moreover, Ni/AC was successfully used as a catalyst for ultrasonic degradation of 2,6-dichlorophenol.

Identification of Precise Therapeutic Targets and Characteristic Prognostic Genes Based on Immune Gene Characteristics in Uveal Melanoma.

The tumor microenvironment is an important factor for the immunotherapy of tumor patients. The sequenced transcriptome data can be used to describe the tumor microenvironment and various immune subtypes. We exploited published data on patients with uveal melanoma (UVM) to identify immune subtypes. Based on the immune-related gene sets of 80 patients with UVM in the TCGA database, we used consensus clustering to identify two immune subgroups. In the two immune subtypes, we analyzed clinical characteristics and immune infiltration. Class1 has low immune infiltration, contains memory B cells, Th2 cells, Th17 cells, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and has a better prognosis. Class2 has higher immune infiltration. CD8+ T cells, Th1 cells, MDSCs, and Dendritic cells are enriched in class2, which has strong cytolytic activity, high expression of immune checkpoint genes, and poor outcome. Moreover, we have developed and verified an immune characteristic model that can predict the prognosis of patients well. Through this model, we screened prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) as the therapeutic target of UVM. Treatment of choroidal melanoma cell line (OCM1) cells with celecoxib (an inhibitor of PTGS2) effectively inhibits cell growth, proliferation, and promotes apoptosis. Our results show the immunological heterogeneity of UVM patients and also provide an ideal therapeutic target for the future treatment design of patients.

Tumor-Educated Platelet miR-18a-3p as a Novel Liquid-Biopsy Biomarker for Early Diagnosis and Chemotherapy Efficacy Monitoring in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

AIMS: To evaluate the value of tumor-educated platelet (TEP) miR-18a-3p in the early diagnosis and chemotherapy efficacy monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Expression levels of miR-18a-3p in platelets and plasma were detected by relative quantitative real-time PCR in NPC patients (n=54) and normal subjects (n=36). Diagnostic values of TEP miR-18a-3p for NPC was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Follow up study was carried out to observe the dynamic changes of TEP miR-18a-3p with chemotherapy on 3 NPC patients. RESULTS: The expression levels of TEP miR-18a-3p in NPC patients were significantly higher than that in healthy controls (p < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) value was 0.841, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of NPC were 87% and 72.7%. No correlation was found between expression levels of TEP miR-18a-3p and patients' clinical parameters and their NPC tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. The positive rate of TEP miR-18a-3p and EBV DNA for NPC diagnosis were 85.4% and 66.7%. TEP miR-18a-3p expression were down-regulated after 77.8% (7 of 9) of chemotherapy, and in 66.7% (2 of 3) patients, TEP miR-18a-3p levels decreased after 3 cycles of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of TEP miR-18a-3p are upregulated in NPC and have a high probability to downregulated after chemotherapy, indicating a significant clinical value. TEP miR-18a-3p might serve as a novel type of liquid-biopsy biomarker for early diagnosis and chemotherapy efficacy monitoring in NPC.

Hypolipidemia is associated with the severity of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suffer multiple organ dysfunctions. However, whether patients develop dyslipidemia is unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the pathological alterations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and total cholesterol (TC) in COVID-19 patients and their relationships with the disease severity. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to examine serum levels of LDL-c, HDL-c, and TC on 597 COVID-19 patients (mild: 394; severe, 171; critical: 32) who were hospitalized in our center between February 1 and March 3, 2020. Age- and gender-matched normal subjects (n = 50) who had routine laboratory lipid tests between October 1 and November 1, 2019 in our center were included as the control group. RESULTS: LDL-c and TC levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients as compared with normal subjects (P < .001). There were significant and gradual decreases in levels of LDL-c (median (IQR) in mg/dL, mild: 91 (76, 104); severe: 86 (69, 102); critical: 69 (48, 81); P < .02) and TC (mild: 173 (148, 203); severe: 167 (138, 197); critical: 125 (95, 162); P < .05) across all three groups. HDL-c levels only decreased significantly in critical cases as compared with levels in mild and severe cases. LDL-c and TC levels inversely correlated with C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, and positively correlated with the number of lymphocytes in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Development of hypolipidemia begins in patients with mild symptoms. It progressively becomes worse in an association with the disease severity.

Tumor-educated platelet miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p as potential liquid biopsy biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the common malignant tumor of nasopharynx in southern China and other southeastern Asian countries. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis. Recently, miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p have been found to be involved in carcinogenesis of NPC. Furthermore, platelets in NPC patients may acquire RNAs from NPC cells and turn into "tumor-educated platelet (TEP)", which may serve as potential biomarkers for a diagnosis of NPC. However, the expression profiles of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p in NPC patients and their diagnostic values are yet to be determined. Aims: To investigate expression levels of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p and determine their diagnostic values for NPC. Materials and methods: Relative quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p in NPC patients (n=54) as compared to normal subjects (n=36). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic values of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p for NPC. Results: The expression levels of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p were significantly higher in NPC patients as compared to healthy subjects. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for TEP miR-34c-3p, miR-18a-5p, or a combination of both miRNAs for NPC diagnostic tests were 0.952, 94.44%, 86.11%, 91.11%, or 0.884, 85.19%, 86.11%, 85.55%, or 0.954, 92.59%, 86.11%, 90.00%, respectively. No correlation was found between expression levels of TEP miR-34c-3p or miR-18a-5p and patients' demographic variables and their NPC tumor/node/metastasis stages. The positive rates of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p for NPC diagnosis were 93.8% and 87.5%, respectively, which were significantly higher than Epstein-Barr virus DNA with a positive rate of 66.7%. Conclusion: The expression levels of TEP miR-34c-3p and miR-18a-5p are upregulated in NPC, rendering a significant clinical value for NPC diagnosis. The TEP miRNAs might serve as a novel type of liquid biopsies for NPC diagnosis.

Two new bioactive sesquiterpenes from the soft coral Sinularia sp.

Two new sesquiterpenes, 1S*, 4R*, 5S*, 6R*, 7S*, 10S*-1(5), 6(7)-diepoxy-4-guaiol (1) and 1S*, 4S*, 5S*, 10R*-4,10-guaianediol (2) have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble portion of the soft coral Sinularia sp., and their stereostructure were determined by spectroscopic methods and by X-ray single crystal analysis. Both compounds showed antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

New hemiketal steroid from the soft coral Cladiella sp.

[structure: see text] A new hemiketal steroid, named cladiellin A (1), was first isolated from the soft coral Cladiella sp. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. Compound 1 easily converted to 1a when NMR spectra were measured in CDCl(3) solution and quickly changed to 1b when pyridine was used. The structures of dehydrated products 1a and 1b were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Bioassay showed that all these three compounds showed antioxidant activity.

Synthesis of polyhydroxysterols (IV): synthesis of 24-methylene-cholesta-3beta,5alpha,6beta,19-tetrol, a cytotoxic natural hydroxylated sterol.

The cytotoxic, polyhydroxylated sterol 24-methylene-cholesta-3beta,5alpha,6beta,19-tetrol (1), previously isolated from the soft corals Nephthea albida and N. tiexieral verseveldt, was synthesized using stigmasterol as the starting material by 10 steps in 9% overall yield. The spectral data and physical constants of 1 were identical with those of the natural product. This is the first report of the synthesis of 1.

Synthesis of polyhydroxysterols (V): efficient and stereospecific synthesis of 24-methylene-cholest-5-ene-3beta,7alpha-diol and its C-7 epimer.

This paper describes the efficient and stereospecific synthesis of cytotoxic dihydroxylated sterols, 24-methylene-cholest-5-ene-3beta,7alpha-diol 1, and its C-7 epimer, 24-methylene-cholest-5-ene-3beta,7beta-diol 2. The crux of the synthesis is that the selective allylic oxidation of 24-methylene-cholesteryl acetate proceeds to 24-methylene-7-keto-cholesteryl acetate without extensive byproduct formation from reaction at the Delta24(28) double bond. This methodology may be useful for the preparation of other oxysterols with non-standard side chains.

New precursor of tetraterpenoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum.

One new precursor of tetraterpenoids, Sarglaucol (1), along with eight known compounds have been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum collected from the Sanya Bay, Hainan Island, China. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic techniques including 1D- and 2D-NMR, and their relative configurations were also assigned by NMR and NOESY analysis. Compounds 1 showed weak antitumour activities.

New norsesquiterpene and sesquiterpene from a soft coral of the genus Nephthea.

A new norsesquiterpene nephthediol (1) and a new sesquiterpene nephthetetraol (2) were isolated with guaianediol (3) from a soft coral of the genus Nephthea. Their structures were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic methods.

Two new sesquiterpenoids from the soft coral Sinularia polydactyla (Ehreberg).

Two new sesquiterpenoids, polydactins A (1) and B (2) and a known sesquiterpene, 10alpha-hydroxycadin-4-en-15-al (3), were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia polydactyla (Ehreberg). Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods. Polydactin A (1) showed moderate cytotoxic activities against human oral epidermoid carcinoma cell lines (KB) and human breast carcinoma (MCF) tumour cell lines (in vitro).

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton crassocaule.

Five new cembrane diterpenoids, sarcrassins A-E (1-5) along with a known compound, emblide (6), have been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton crassocaule collected from the Bay of Sanya, Hainan Island, China. The structures of 1-5 were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Their relative configurations were determined by NMR data and NOESY experiments. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against KB cell lines with IC50 values of 5.0, 4.0, and 5.0 microg/mL, respectively, while compounds 1 and 5 showed moderate cytotoxicity toward KB cell lines with IC50 values of 19.0 and 13.0 microg/mL, respectively.

New tetracyclic diterpenoid and new ceramides from the soft coral Sinularia conferta.

The new tetracyclic diterpenoid confertdiate (1) and two new ceramides, (2) and (3), have been isolated from the soft coral Sinularia conferta, collected from Sanya Bay, Hainan Island, China. Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and comparison of the 13C NMR data with those of the known diterpenoid isomandapamate confirmed the structure of 1.

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from the soft coral Sinularia microclavata.

The soft coral Sinularia microclavata collected from the bay of Sanya, Hainan Island, China, yielded a new diterpenoid, microclavatin (1), and a known cembranolide, capillolide (2). The structure of compound 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Microclavatin (1) showed cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines KB and MCF with IC50 values of 5.0 and 20.0 microg/mL, respectively, and capillolide (2) showed potent cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines (A-549) with an IC50 value of 0.5 microg/mL.

Two new cytotoxic tetracyclic tetraterpenoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum.

Two new cytotoxic tetracyclic tetraterpenoids, methyl tortuoate A (1) and methyl tortuoate B (2), along with the known methyl sartortuoate (3) were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods, mainly on the basis of 2D NMR techniques, and were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were carried out in vitro on human nasophyringeal carcinoma (CNE-2) and murine lymphocytic leukemia (P-388) tumor cell lines.