Eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids: Structural diversity and biological activity.

Sesquiterpenoids are integral constituents of terpenoid-bearing plants, comprising a diverse and abundant class of natural compounds, among which eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids have bicyclic structures that feature the fusion of two six-membered carbon rings, thereby attracting considerable attention. They are widespread in nature, with multifaceted biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and insecticidal activities, thus gaining focus in life science research. The discovery and identification of these active compounds have laid a foundation for unraveling their potential medicinal value. In this review, we comprehensively explore the natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids isolated (totaling 391 compounds) between 2016 and 2022, elucidating their chemical structures, plant distribution patterns, and pertinent biological properties. Accordingly, the study serves not only as a framework for researchers to thoroughly comprehend these compounds but also as a robust reference for future endeavors aimed at exploring the pharmaceutical potential and prospective applications of these molecules.

Prospects in the application of ultrasensitive chromosomal aneuploidy detection in precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignant tumor within the digestive system, with over 40% of new cases and deaths related to GC globally occurring in China. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, such as surgery supplemented by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis for GC remains poor. New targeted therapies and immunotherapies are currently under investigation, but no significant breakthroughs have been achieved. Studies have indicated that GC is a heterogeneous disease, encompassing multiple subtypes with distinct biological characteristics and roles. Consequently, personalized treatment based on clinical features, pathologic typing, and molecular typing is crucial for the diagnosis and management of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC). Current research has categorized GC into four subtypes: Epstein-Barr virus-positive, microsatellite instability, genome stability, and chromosome instability (CIN). Technologies such as multi-omics analysis and gene sequencing are being employed to identify more suitable novel testing methods in these areas. Among these, ultrasensitive chromosomal aneuploidy detection (UCAD) can detect CIN at a genome-wide level in subjects using low-depth whole genome sequencing technology, in conjunction with bioinformatics analysis, to achieve qualitative and quantitative detection of chromosomal stability. This editorial reviews recent research advancements in UCAD technology for the diagnosis and management of PLGC.

Distal Ulnar Bifurcation Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Bayne and Klug Types 3 and 4 Radial Club Hands: Preliminary Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of Bayne and Klug types 3 and 4 radial club hands (RCHs) remains challenging and controversial. In this study, the authors reported a new procedure called distal ulnar bifurcation arthroplasty and reviewed the preliminary results. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2019, 11 patients with 15 affected forearms having type 3 or 4 RCHs underwent distal ulnar bifurcation arthroplasty. The mean age was 55.5 months (range, 29 to 86 months). The surgical protocol consisted of (1) bifurcation of the distal ulna to accommodate the wrist with stable support; (2) pollicization to treat hypoplastic or absent thumb; and (3) in the case of significant bowed ulna, ulnar corrective osteotomy. In all patients, clinical and radiologic parameters including hand-forearm angle, hand-forearm position, ulnar length, wrist stability, and motion were recorded. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 42.2 months (range, 24 to 60 months). The average correction of hand-forearm angle was 80.2 degrees. The overall range of active wrist motion was approximately 87.5 degrees. Ulna growth per year was 6.7 mm (range, 5.2 to 9.2 mm). No major complications were recorded during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The distal ulnar bifurcation arthroplasty offers a technically feasible alternative for the treatment of type 3 or 4 RCH, which enables satisfactory appearance, provides stable support to the wrist, and maintains wrist function. Despite the promising preliminary results, longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate this procedure. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Pocahemiketone A, a Sesquiterpenoid Possessing a Spirocyclic Skeleton with a Hemiketal Endoperoxide Unit, Alleviates Aß25-35-Induced Pyroptosis and Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Pocahemiketone A, a novel sesquiterpenoid possessing a unique spirocyclic skeleton with a hemiketal endoperoxide unit, was isolated from the essential oil of Pogostemon cablin. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Pocahemiketone A exhibits a significant neuroprotective effect against Aß25-35-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and oxidative stress. These results indicate that pocahemiketone A has great potential for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Two novel fan-shaped trinuclear Pt(ii) complexes act as G-quadruplex binders and telomerase inhibitors.

Two new trinuclear Pt(ii) complexes {[Pt(dien)]3(tib)}(NO3)6 (1) and {[Pt(dpa)]3(tib)}(NO3)6 (2) (dien: diethylenetriamine, dpa: bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, tib: 1,3,5-tris(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene) have been designed, synthesized, characterized and applied to a series of biochemical studies. We found that both of the Pt(ii) complexes exhibited much better selectivity for human telomeric G-quadruplex sequence than promoter G-quadruplexes (c-kit, c-myc, and bcl2) or duplex DNA. Both complexes displayed comparative stability and affinity towards human telomeric G-quadruplex by the studies from surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence resonance energy transfer and polymerase chain reaction stop assays. The circular dichroism indicated that both complexes could induce and stabilize anti-parallel G-quadruplex structures. Molecule docking presented that Pt(ii) complex intercalated into the large groove of human telomeric G-quadruplex (PDB ID: 143D). Furthermore, telomeric repeat amplification protocol assays quantitatively evaluated the inhibition of telomerase activity caused by the Pt(ii) complexes. The obtained IC50 values of 6.41 ± 0.042 µM and 2.67 ± 0.035 µM for 1 and 2, respectively, exhibited strong telomerase inhibitions. All results suggest that such fan-shaped trinuclear Pt(ii) complexes are effective and selective G-quadruplex binders, as well as strong telomerase inhibitors. This study provides insight into the development of human telomeric G-quadruplex targeted anticancer drugs based on the metal complex.

Joule-heated graphene-wrapped sponge enables fast clean-up of viscous crude-oil spill.

The clean-up of viscous crude-oil spills is a global challenge. Hydrophobic and oleophilic oil sorbents have been demonstrated as promising candidates for oil-spill remediation. However, the sorption speeds of these oil sorbents for viscous crude oil are rather limited. Herein we report a Joule-heated graphene-wrapped sponge (GWS) to clean-up viscous crude oil at a high sorption speed. The Joule heat of the GWS reduced in situ the viscosity of the crude oil, which prominently increased the oil-diffusion coefficient in the pores of the GWS and thus speeded up the oil-sorption rate. The oil-sorption time was reduced by 94.6% compared with that of non-heated GWS. Besides, the oil-recovery speed was increased because of the viscosity decrease of crude oil. This in situ Joule self-heated sorbent design will promote the practical application of hydrophobic and oleophilic oil sorbents in the clean-up of viscous crude-oil spills.

Advanced Sorbents for Oil-Spill Cleanup: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.

Oil sorbents play a very important part in the remediation processes of oil spills. To enhance the oil-sorption properties and simplify the oil-recovery process, various advanced oil sorbents and oil-collecting devices based on them have been proposed recently. Here, we firstly discuss the design considerations for the fabrication of oil sorbents and describe recently developed oil sorbents based on modification strategy. Then, recent advances regarding oil sorbents mainly based on carbon materials and swellable oleophilic polymers are also presented. Subsequently, some additional properties are emphasized, which are required by oil sorbents to cope with oil spills under extreme conditions or to facilitate the oil-collection processes. Furthermore, some oil-collection devices based on oil sorbents that have been developed recently are shown. Finally, an outlook and challenges for the next generation of oil-spill-remediation technology based on oil-sorbents materials are given.

A Stretchable Electronic Fabric Artificial Skin with Pressure-, Lateral Strain-, and Flexion-Sensitive Properties.

A stretchable and multiple-force-sensitive electronic fabric based on stretchable coaxial sensor electrodes is fabricated for artificial-skin application. This electronic fabric, with only one kind of sensor unit, can simultaneously map and quantify the mechanical stresses induced by normal pressure, lateral strain, and flexion.