Two new alkaloids from a strain of endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp.

19-Hydroxybrevianamide M (1) and 6 R-methoxybrevianamide V (2), two new alkaloids, were isolated from an extract of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. JNU18HC0517J, together with six known analogues (3- 8). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, NMR calculations, and ECD calculations. 6 R-methoxybrevianamide V (2) was the first L-proline indole DKP alkaloid with substitution at C-6 on the proline ring. Furthermore, the cytotoxities and antimicrobial activities of these isolated compounds were also evaluated. Compound 8 exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus 209 P with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 16 µg/ml.[Figure: see text].

(E)-2-(4-Chloro-phen-oxy)-N'-(pyridin-4-yl-methyl-idene)acetohydrazide.

In the title compound, C14H12ClN3O2, the acyl-hydrazone base [C(=O)-N-N=C] is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0095 Å, and makes a dihedral angle of 12.52 (10)°with the pyridine ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R2(2)(8) graph-set motif. The dimers are linked via C-H⋯π interactions forming chains along [101].

Thirteen new peptaibols with antimicrobial activities from Trichoderma sp.

From the fungus Trichoderma sp., we isolated seven novel 18-residue peptaibols, neoatroviridins E-K (1-7), and six new 14-residue peptaibols, harzianins NPDG J-O (8-13). Additionally, four previously characterized 18-residue peptaibols neoatroviridins A-D (14-17) were also identified. The structural configurations of the newly identified peptaibols (1-13) were determined by comprehensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS/MS) data. Their absolute configurations were further determined using Marfey's method. Notably, compounds 12 and 13 represent the first 14-residue peptaibols containing an acidic amino acid residue. In antimicrobial assessments, all 18-residue peptaibols (1-7, 14-17) exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against Staphylococcus aureus 209P, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 8-32 µg·mL-1. Moreover, compound 9 exhibited moderate inhibitory effect on Candida albicans FIM709, with a MIC value of 16 µg·mL-1.

Diethyl pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate.

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C(10)H(12)N(2)O(4), is located around an inversion center. The carboxyl-ate groups are twisted slightly with respect to the pyrazine ring, making a dihedral angle of 2.76 (19)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are stacked along the c axis via weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Endoscopic pedicle flap grafting in the treatment of esophageal fistulas: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Fistulization is a rare complication of esophageal diverticula. Patients with this condition often require surgery, which unfortunately can be invasive and traumatic. Endoscopic therapy is an alternative method for treating esophageal fistula. Hereby we introduce a new endoscopic technique that uses an esophageal pedicle flap to close esophageal fistulas. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old male patient, complaining of backache and choking, was formerly diagnosed with chronic bronchopneumonia. Chest computed tomography and esophagram confirmed the presence of esophageal diverticulum and mediastinal esophageal fistula. The patient was then treated by covering the fistulas using a pedicled flap that was acquired through endoscopic submucosal dissection of a patch from the proximal esophageal mucosa. Then the pedicle flap was reversed 180° to cover the fistula. Titanium clips were used to fix the flap. The procedure ended with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for enteral nutrition. The patient was followed up to evaluate the size reduction of the fistula. Cough, backache, and fever were alleviated within a week. Forty-five days after the surgery, endoscopic examination showed that the fistulas were reduced in size. The larger one reduced from 0.5 cm to 0.2 cm, while the smaller one was fully closed. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of a pedicle flap obtained from the esophageal mucosa endoscopically is minimally invasive for the treatment of fistula.

Hemodynamic effects of stenting on wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Stent placement has been widely used to assist coiling in cerebral aneurysm treatments. The present study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic effects of stenting on wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Three idealized plexiglass aneurismal models with different geometries before and after stenting were created, and their three-dimensional computational models were constructed. Flow dynamics in stented and unstented aneurismal models were studied using in vitro flow visualization and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In addition, effects of stenting on flow dynamics in a patient-specific aneurysm model were also analyzed by CFD. RESULTS: The results of flow visualization were consistent with those obtained with CFD simulations. Stent deployment reduced vortex inside the aneurysm and its impact on the aneurysm sac, and decreased wall shear stress on the sac. Different aneurysm geometries dictated fundamentally different hemodynamic patterns and outcomes of stenting. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting across the neck of aneurysms improves local blood flow profiles. This may facilitate thrombus formation in aneurysms and decrease the chance of recanalization.