Exosomal lncRNA HEIH, an essential communicator for hepatocellular carcinoma cells and macrophage M2 polarization through the miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis.

Part of human long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been elucidated to play an essential role in the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of malignant tumor with poor outcomes. Tumor-derived exosomes harboring lncRNAs have also been implicated as crucial mediators to orchestrate biological functions among neighbor tumor cells. The recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exerting M2-like phenotype usually indicates the poor prognosis. Yet, the precise involvement of tumor-derived lncRNAs in cross-talk with environmental macrophages has not been fully identified. In this study, we reported the aberrantly overexpressed HCC upregulated EZH2-associated lncRNA (HEIH) in tumor tissues and cell lines was positively correlated with poor prognosis, as well as enriched exosomal HEIH levels in blood plasma and cell supernatants. Besides, HCC cell-derived exosomes transported HEIH into macrophages for triggering macrophage M2 polarization, thereby in turn promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, HEIH acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-98-5p to up-regulate STAT3, which was then further verified in the tumor xenograft models. Collectively, our study provides the evidence for recognizing tumor-derived exosomal lncRNA HEIH as a novel regulatory function through targeting miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis in environmental macrophages, which may shed light on the complicated tumor microenvironment among tumor and immune cells for HCC treatment.

[Study on the Hydrothermal Synthesis and Fluorescence of LaF3 : Tb3+, Ce3+ Nanocrystals].

LaF3 : Tba3+, Ce3+ nanocrystals were prepared with hydrothermal method with the help of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The effects of pH values of the solution, Ce3+/Tb+ ratio value and reaction time on the luminescent properties were investigated. XRD analysis shows that the as-prepared samples possess hexagonal phase and their main diffraction peaks of samples are similar to the standard card (JCPDS 32-0483). Compared with pure LaF3, the main diffraction peaks of the doped samples have a slight shift, showing existing isomorphous substitution between La3+ and the doped rare earth ions in parent lattice of LaF3. It is found from TEM results that the as-prepared samples have good crystallinity and their average grain sizes change in the range of 20-50 nm. The excitation spectra indicate that the stronger excitation spectrum peaks exist at 250 nm, which is assigned to the transition of 4f --> 5d from Ce3+. When activated at 250 nm, all LaF3 : Tb3+, Ce3+ nanocrystals possess weak blue emission at 490 nm (electric dipole transition, 5D4 --> 7F6) and good green emission at 543 nm (magnetic dipole transition, 5D4 -->7F5). As the Ce3+/Tb+ ratio increases, the fluorescence intensities increase at first and then weaken, and reach the strongest green emission at n(Ce)3+ /n(Tb)3+ = 4. The pH values have some influence on the colors and intensities of the LaF3 : Tb3+, Ce3+ nanocrystals. The sample prepared at pH 9 presents the best color, while the one at pH 7 exhibits the strongest green emission. Besides, increasing reaction time is helpful to improve color purity of sample and enhance its green emission.

The safety and efficacy of TACE combined with HAIC, PD-1 inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC)、PD-1 inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKI) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 158 unresectable HCC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between May 2019 and October 2022. The patients were split into two groups based on the type of treatment they received: TACE combined with HAIC,PD-1 and TKI group (THPK) and TACE combined with PD-1 and TKI group (TPK). The response was evaluated using modified solid tumor Efficacy Assessment Criteria (mRECIST). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the overall survival (OS). OS-influencing factors were identified using the Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: Finally, 63 patients who received THPK treatment and 60 patients who had TPK treatment were included. The THPK group had higher DCR (77.78% vs. 55.00%, P=0.007) and ORR (20.63% vs. 13.34%, P=0.282) than the TPK group did. The survival analysis curve also showed that the median OS was substantially longer in the THPK group than in the TPK group (OS: 21 months vs. 14 months, P=0.039). After multivariate Cox regression-corrected analysis, extrahepatic metastases (P=0.002) and methemoglobin >400 (P=0.041) were adverse influences on OS, but the THPK group (relative to the TPK group) was an independent favorable prognostic factor for OS (P=0.027). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the addition of HAIC therapy to TPK treatment in patients with BCLC stage C, age ≦60 years, ECOG grade 0 and lobular distribution of tumors prolonged overall survival time and improved prognosis. Except for nausea, there was no difference in the adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion: In patients with unresectable HCC, the THPK group had a longer OS and similar adverse events compared to the TPK group. In the future, TACE-HAIC in combination with targeted and immunotherapy may be a more effective therapeutic option for hepatocellular carcinoma that cannot be surgically removed.

Poly[[µ-chlorido-µ-[2-(2,4-di-fluoro-phen-yl)-1,3-bis-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol-κ(2) N (4):N (4')]-zinc] chloride dihydrate].

The title compound, {[ZnCl(C13H12F2N6O)2]Cl·2H2O} n , is a two-dimensional coordination polymer. The Zn(II) atom is six-coordinated by four N atoms from four 2-(2,4-di-fluoro-phen-yl)-1,3-bis-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol (HFlu) ligands and by two Cl atoms in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. Two Cl atoms bridge two Zn(II) atoms, forming a centrosymmetric dinuclear unit. The HFlu ligands connect the dinuclear units into a 4(4) net parallel to (001) when the dinuclear unit is considered as a node. O-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the cationic layer, free chloride anions and lattice water mol-ecules. Intra-layer π-π inter-actions between the triazole rings are observed [centroid-centroid distance = 3.716 (6) Å].

catena-Poly[(di-aqua-cadmium)-µ-iminodi-acetato-κ(4) O,N,O':O''].

In the title compound, [Cd(C4H5NO4)(H2O)2] n , the Cd(II) atom exhibits a distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry, defined by one N atom and three O atoms from two iminodi-acetate (IDA) ligands and two water molecules. The tridentate IDA ligand additionally bridges via one of its carboxylate O atoms to another Cd(II) atom, thus forming a zigzag chain along [001]. A three-dimensional network is completed by inter-molecular O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

µ-Oxalato-κ(4)O(1),O(2):O(1'),O(2')-bis-[aqua-(2,2'-bipyridine-κN)(nitrato-κ(2)O,O')lead(II)].

The title compound, [Pb(2)(C(2)O(4))(NO(3))(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], was synthesized hydro-thermally. The binuclear complex mol-ecule is centrosymmetric, the inversion centre being located at the mid-point of the oxalate C-C bond. The Pb(II) ion is hepta-coordinated by the O atom of one water mol-ecule, two oxalate O atoms, two nitrate O atoms and two 2,2'-bipyridine N atoms, forming an irregular coordination environemnt. Inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between water mol-ecules and oxalate and nitrate ions result in the formation of layers parallel to (010). π-π inter-actions between pyridine rings in adjacent layers, with centroid-centroid distances of 3.584 (2) Å, stabilize the structural set-up.

Poly[[µ(2)-aqua-µ(3)-(4-carb-oxy-2-propyl-1H-imidazole-5-carboxyl-ato-κN,O:O:O)-sodium] hemihydrate].

In the title compound, {[Na(C(8)H(9)N(2)O(4))(H(2)O)]·0.5H(2)O}(n), the Na(+) ion is coordinated by two bridging water mol-ecules, one N atom and three O atoms from three 4-carb-oxy-2-propyl-1H-imidazole-5-carboxyl-ate (H(2)pimdc) ligands. Adjacent Na(+) ions are linked alternately by two water O atoms and two carb-oxy O atoms into a chain along [001]. These chains are connected through the coordination of the carboxyl-ate O atoms to the Na(+) ions, forming a three-dimensional structure. An intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond and inter-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are present in the crystal structure.

New structurally diverse photoactive cadmium coordination polymers.

Four structurally diverse coordination polymers 1-4 (CP1-CP4) were designed and constructed from Cd(II) ions and various carboxyl ligands (H2oba, 4,4'-oxydibenzoic acid; H2bpa, (E)-4,4'-(ethene-1,2-diyl)dibenzoic acid; H2pbda, 4,4'-((1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(oxy))dibenzoic acid) and the alkene containing ligand (CH3-bpeb, 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-(2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))dipyridine). CP1-CP4 possess Cd2 binuclear secondary building units (SBUs). The geometry of the dicarboxylate ligands and the reaction conditions determined the final structure with a variety of motifs. CP1 possesses an interdigitated 2D structure, while CP2 consists of a 1D channel-like motif with isolated CH3-bpeb molecules embedded in the channels. The solid-state structure of CP3 consists of two unique layers interpenetrated to form a 2D + 2D → 2D polycatenated backbone, while a 1D channel-like motif filled by isolated CH3-bpeb molecules was observed for CP4. In all four coordination polymers pairs of CH3-bpeb molecules were bound or encapsulated by the Cd2 secondary building units at an appropriate distance and orientation for solid-state [2 + 2] photodimerization of one pair of CC bonds. Desolvation of CP3 with heat resulted in a decrease in solid-state fluorescence and a slowing of the rate of solid-state photodimerization.

Structure elucidation and NMR assignments for two xanthone derivatives from a mangrove endophytic fungus (No. ZH19).

The structure elucidations and complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments are reported for two new xanthone derivatives: 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one (1) and 1-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-6-(3-oxobutyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one (2). Both of these secondary metabolites were isolated from the fermentation medium of a mangrove endophytic fungus (No. ZH19). High-resolution electron impact mass spectrometry (HREIMS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption spectrometry, and NMR experiments including gCOSY, gHMQC, and gHMBC were used for the determination of the structures and NMR spectral assignments. Preliminary pharmacological test showed that compounds (1) and (2) inhibited KB cells with IC(50) values of 20 and 35 micromol/ml, and KB(V)200 cells with IC(50) values of 30 and 41 micromol/ml, respectively.

Diaqua-bis-[2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinato]cobalt(II).

In the title complex, [Co(C(13)H(14)N(3)O(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the Co(II) atom has a distorted octa-hedral coordination, formed by four N atoms from two (±)-2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinate ligands and two O atoms from two water mol-ecules. Intra-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are present. In the crystal, inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the complex mol-ecules into a chain along [010].

Diaqua-bis-[2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl-κN)nicotinato-κN]manganese(II).

In the title compound, [Mn(C(13)H(14)N(3)O(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the Mn(II) ion is coordinated by four N atoms from two (±)-2-(5-isopropyl-5-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)nicotinate ligands and two water mol-ecules in a distorted octa-hedral environment. Inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds lead to a chain along [010]. Intra-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed.

Structure elucidation and NMR assignments for two amide alkaloids from a Mangrove endophytic Fungus (No. ZZF-22).

The structure elucidations and complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments are reported for two new natural products: 3-benzylidene-8,8a-dihydroxy-2-methyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione(1) and 4-hydroxy-6-(hydroxy-phenyl-methyl)-N-(3-methyl-butyryl)-nicotinamide (2). Both of these secondary metabolites were isolated from the fermentation medium of a Mangrove endophytic fungus. High resolution electron impact mass spectrometry (HREIMS), FT-IR Spectroscopy and NMR experiments including gCOSY, gHMQC, gHMBC and NOE were used for determination of the structures and assignments of the amide alkaloids.

Bis[µ-2-(2,4-difluoro-phen-yl)-1,3-bis-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-olato-κN,O:O,N]bis-[(acetato-κO,O')nickel(II)] methanol hemisolvate.

In the title complex, [Ni(2)(C(13)H(11)F(2)N(6)O)(2)(C(2)H(3)O(2))(2)]·0.5CH(3)OH, there are two half-molecules in the asymmetric unit. The two centrosymmetrically related Ni(II) atoms, each attached to an acetate ligand, are linked by two fluconazole ligands. Each Ni(II) atom is six-coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral geometry by two N atoms of the triazole groups and two bridging O atoms from two different fluconazole ligands and two O atoms from a chelating acetate ligand. In the crystal structure, the half-occupied methanol solvent mol-ecule is linked to a triazole group via an O-H⋯N hydrogen bond.

Aqua-[2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridyl-κN)-4-iso-propyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydroxy-imidazol-1-ido-κN](5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxyl-ato-κN,O)copper(II) 1.33-hydrate.

In the title complex, [Cu(C(5)H(5)N(2)O(2))(C(14)H(18)N(3)O)(H(2)O)]·1.33H(2)O, the Cu(II) ion is coordinated in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal environment. The basal plane is formed by two N atoms from a 2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridyl-κN)-4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydroxy-imidazol-1-ide ligand and by one O atom and one N atom from a 5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxyl-ate ligand. The apical position is occupied by a water mol-ecule. In the crystal structure, O-H⋯O, O-H⋯N and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds lead to a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

Chemistry and weak antimicrobial activities of phomopsins produced by mangrove endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. ZSU-H76.

Three metabolites named phomopsin A (1), B (2) and C (3), together with two known compounds cytosporone B (4) and C (5), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus, Phomopsis sp. ZSU-H76 obtained from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. The medium-sized cyclic phenol ether based on 1 or 2 is rare in natural products. In bioassays, compounds 1, 2, and 3 had no significant antibiotic activities, but compounds 4 and 5 inhibited two fungi Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum with an MIC ranging from 32 to 64 microg/ml.

3-Chloro-6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)picolinic acid-triphenyl-phosphine oxide (1/1).

In the title 1:1 adduct, C(11)H(10)ClN(3)O(2)·C(18)H(15)OP, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and pyrazole rings is 10.3 (2)°. The two components of the adduct are linked by an O-H⋯O hydrogen bond.

[Alkaloid metabolites of mangrove endophytic fungus ZZF42 from the South China Sea].

Four compounds, apicidin (1), N-methylharman (2), cylo (Phe-Tyr) (3) and indole-3-acetic acid (4) were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus ZZF42 from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data. Compound 1 was first isolated from the marine fungus. Compound 2 was firstly isolated from marine microorganism. Compound 1 exhibited selective in vitro cytotoxicity towards KB ahd KBv200 with IC50 values of less than 0.78 microg/ml.

[The metabolites of cyclic peptides from three endophytic mangrove fungi].

Nine secondary metaboites of cyclic peptide were isolated from three mangrove endophytic fungi Paecilomyces sp. (treel-7), 4557,ZZF65. They were viscumamide(1),cyclo(Pro-Iso)(2),cyclo(Phe-Gly)(3),cyclo(Phe-Ana)(4),cyclo(Gly-Pro) (5),cyclo(Gly-Leu)(6), cyclo(Trp-Ana)(7),neoechinulin A(8),cyclo(Pro-Thr)(9). The compounds 1,7,8,9 were firstly isolated from marine fungus.

A new isoflavone from the mangrove endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. (ZZF60).

A new isoflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4'-O-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) isoflavone (1), together with five known compounds, eriodictyol (2), vittarin-B (3), 3,6,7-trihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone (4), 1,3,6-Trihydroxy-8-methylxanthone (5) and cyclo (Phe-Tyr) (6), was isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus, Fusarium sp. ZZF60 obtained from the South China Sea. Their structures were determined by the analysis of spectroscopic data.

A new furanocoumarin from the mangrove endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. (ZH16).

A new furanocoumarin, 5-methyl-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) furanocoumarin (1), together with seven known compounds, sterequinone C (2), cyclo(6,7-en-Pro-L-Phe) (3), bergapten, scopoletin, umbelliferone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone and 3,5-dimethoxybiphenyl, was isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus, Penicillium sp. ZH16 obtained from the South China Sea. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against KB and KB(V)200 cells in vitro with IC(50) values 5 and 10 µg mL(-1), respectively.