Two alkenyl phenol derivatives from the fungus Pestalotiopsis clavata JSQ 12 isolated from the mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica.

Two new alkenyl phenol derivatives, namely pestalol F (1) and pestalol G (2), along with two known compounds, pestalachloride A (3) and pestalotiopsin J (4), were isolated from the culture of the fungus Pestalotiopsis clavata JSQ 12. The structures of these compounds were primarily elucidated by MS, NMR and specific rotation data analysises. These secondary metabolites of Pestalotiopsis clavata were reported for the first time. Compound 2 displayed interesting cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell line with the IC50 value of 29.16 µM, whereas compound 3 exhibited moderate activity towards A549 cell line with the IC50 value of 35.71 µM. The positive control 5-FU showed cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and A549 cell lines with the respective IC50 values of 26.70 and 26.07 µM. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed mild antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 128 and 64 µg/mL (MIC of positive control, penicillin, was 0.016 µg/mL), respectively.

Breaking barriers: How modified citrus pectin inhibits galectin-8.

Inhibition of galectin-3-mediated interactions by modified citrus pectin (MCP) could affect several rate-limiting steps in cancer metastasis, but the ability of MCP to antagonize galectin-8 function remains unknown. We hypothesized that MCP could bind to galectin-8 in addition to galectin-3. In this study, a combination of gradual ethanol precipitation and DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography was used to isolate several fractions from MCP. The ability of these fractions to antagonize galectin-8 function was studied as well as the primary structure and initial structure-function relationship of the major active component MCP-30-3. The results showed that MCP-30-3 (168 kDa) was composed of Gal (13.8%), GalA (63.1%), GlcA (13.0%), and Glc (10.1%). MCP-30-3 could specifically bind to galectin-8, with an MIC value of 0.04 mg mL-1. After MCP-30-3 was hydrolyzed by ß-galactosidase or pectinase, its binding activity was significantly reduced. These results provide new insights into the interaction between MCP structure and galectin function, as well as the potential utility in the development of functional foods.

Sesquiterpenoid derivatives isolated from a liquid culture of Hypholoma capnoides 819.

Nine previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids, named as capnoidones A-G (1-6 and 8) and capnoidols A and B (7 and 9), along with three known sesquiterpenoids, fascicularones A, B, and G (12, 11 and 10), were isolated from the fermentation products of the mushroom Hypholoma capnoides 819 (Strophariace). The structures of these compounds were determined through MS and NMR experiments along with electronic circular dichroism analysis. Optical rotation calculations and X-ray diffraction experiments were also conducted for confirmation of the structures. Compounds 1 and 4 displayed mild cytotoxicity towards BV2 microglial cells in mice, while compound 4 exhibited mild cytotoxicity against breast cancer MCF-7 cells. However, none of the compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli.

ent-Herqueidiketal and epi-Peniciherqueinone Isolated from a Mushroom Derived Fungus Penicillium herquei YNJ-35.

A new polyaromatic metabolite, ent-herqueidiketal (1), and a new phenalenone derivative, epi-peniciherqueinone (2), along with twelve known compounds 3-14, were isolated from the fungus Penicillium herquei YNJ-35, a symbiotic fungus of Pulveroboletus brunneopunctatus collected from Nangunhe Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. The structures of 1-14 and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by their spectroscopic data or by their single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis or optical rotation values. Compound 1 showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 µg/mL. In the cytotoxicity assays, compound 1 showed weak inhibitory activity against breast cancer MCF-7 and mice microglial BV2 cells with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 17.58 and 29.56 µM; compound 14 showed stronger cytotoxicity against BV2 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 6.57 and 10.26 µM.

Diagnosis and treatment of biliary mucinous cystic neoplasms: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Biliary mucinous cystic neoplasms (BMCNs) are rare hepatobiliary cystic tumors, which can be divided into noninvasive and invasive types. This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BMCNs in a large single center. METHODS: We analyzed 49 patients with BMCNs confirmed by postoperative pathology at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2007 and December 2021. RESULTS: Among the 49 patients, 37 were female (75.5%), and the average age was 57.04 years. Common symptoms included abdominal discomfort, jaundice and fever, while 22 patients (44.9%) had no symptoms. Serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and CA125 concentrations were elevated in 34.8% and 19.6% of patients, respectively. Forty-eight patients had tumors in the intrahepatic bile ducts and only one had a tumor in the extrahepatic bile duct. Forty-eight patients with noninvasive intrahepatic BMCNs were further analyzed in terms of pathological features: 34 (70.8%) had low-grade intraepithelial neoplasms (LGINs), and 14 (29.2%) had high-grade intraepithelial neoplasms (HGINs). The potential immunohistochemical markers of BMCNs were cytokeratin (CK) 19, CK7, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Follow-up data for 37 patients with intrahepatic BMCNs were obtained. The median overall survival (OS) of BMCNs was not reached. The longest survival time was 137 months.The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 100% and 85.4%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 93.9% and 80.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BMCNs are rare cystic neoplasms that commonly occur in middle-aged females. BMCNs can only be diagnosed and classified by postoperative pathology, as there are no specific clinical presentations, serological indicators or imaging modalities for preoperative diagnosis. Complete surgical resection is necessary for BMCNs, and the postoperative prognosis is favorable.

Differentiation Between Phyllodes Tumors and Fibroadenomas of Breast Using Mammography-based Machine Learning Methods: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of a mammography-based radiomics model for distinguishing phyllodes tumors (PTs) from fibroadenomas (FAs) of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 156 patients were retrospectively included (75 with PTs, 81 with FAs) and divided into training and validation groups at a ratio of 7:3. Radiomics features were extracted from craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique images. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to select features. Three machine learning classifiers, including logistic regression (LR), K-nearest neighbor classifier (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM), were implemented in the radiomics model, imaging model and combined model. Receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were computed. RESULTS: Among 1084 features, the LASSO algorithm selected 17 features, and PCA further selected 6 features. Three machine learning classifiers yielded the same AUC of 0.935 in the validation group for the radiomics model. In the imaging model, KNN yielded the highest accuracy rate of 89.4% and AUC of 0.947 in the validation set. For the combined model, the SVM classifier reached the highest AUC of 0.918 with an accuracy rate of 86.2%, sensitivity of 83.9%, and specificity of 89.4% in the training group. In the validation group, LR yielded the highest AUC of 0.973. The combined model had a relatively higher AUC than the radiomics model or imaging model, especially in the validation group. CONCLUSIONS: Mammography-based radiomics features demonstrate good diagnostic performance for discriminating PTs from FAs.

Longibrachiamide A, a 20-Residue Peptaibol Isolated from Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai DMG-3-1-1.

Longibrachiamide A (1), a new 20-residue peptaibol, along with three known ones (2-4), were isolated from the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai DMG-3-1-1, isolated from a mushroom Clitocybe nebularis (Batsch) P. Kumm, which was collected from coniferous forest of northeast China in our previous work. The structure of longibrachiamide A (1) was determined by its NMR and ESI-MS/MS data, the absolute configuration of 1 was further determined by Marfey's analyses. And the complete NMR data of 2-4 were also reported for the first time. The similar CD spectra of 1-4 showed that they all had mixed 310 -/α-helical conformations. Compounds 1-4 showed strong cytotoxicities against BV2, A549 and MCF-7 cells, and also showed moderate inhibitory effects against the tested Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA T144 and VRE-10.

Comparative Study of the Clinical Effects of Reverse Digital Artery Island Flaps and Antegrade Homodigital Neurovascular Island Flaps for Fingertip Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical effects of reverse digital artery island flaps and antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flaps in fingertip reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 30 consecutive patients with fingertip defects who had undergone 2 types of surgery from January 2016 to January 2019. We used reverse digital artery island flaps and antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flaps in 14 and 16 patients, respectively. Flap sensitivity was evaluated using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test and static 2-point discrimination test. Finger appearance was assessed using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. The operation time, flap sensitivity, range of motion of the interphalangeal joint, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The static 2-point discrimination results of the fingers were significantly different between the antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flap group and reverse digital artery island flap group (8.07 ± 1.54 vs 5.94 ± 1.73; P < 0.05). The appearance of the fingers was significantly better in the antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flap group. Surgery using antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flaps required less time than surgery using reverse digital artery island flaps. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in the range of motion of the interphalangeal joint or complications. CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcomes were identical between the reverse digital artery island flap and antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flap methods for fingertip reconstruction. Antegrade homodigital neurovascular island flaps lead to a shorter operation time, a more satisfying appearance, and better sensory recovery.

Purification, chemical analysis and inhibitory effects on galectin-3 of enzymatic pH-modified citrus pectin.

Modified citrus pectin (MCP), a commercially available dietary supplement prepared from citrus pectin, contains several different polysaccharide domains, but its primary chemical structure and the binding epitopes that antagonize galectin-3 function remain unclear. In this study, five fractions were isolated from MCP after endo-polygalacturonase degradation (EMCP) and a combination of DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B or Sephadex G-75 chromatography. Their primary structures, abilities to inhibit galectin-3-mediated hemagglutination, and antiproliferation activities on MCF-7 and A549 cell lines were studied. Results showed that EMCP-3p, one of the five fractions, was composed of Glc (89.8%), Gal (3.8%), Ara (3.1%), GalA (1.1%), Man (0.9%), and Rha (1.3%) with an average molecular weight of 88.4 KDa, which had the most substantial degree of galectin-3 inhibition with an MIC of 31.25 µg/mL, and it exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (36.7%) and A549 (57.4%) cell lines. These results provide new insight into the structure-function relationships of EMCP-derived polysaccharides.

Thoracolumbar Arachnoid Cyst with Horner Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Horner syndrome (HS) results from the interruption of sympathic pathway, and the patients have a group of signs including miosis, ptosis, enophthalmos, and anhydrosis. While HS is mainly caused by cervical sympathetic nerve injury such as sympathetic chain tumor, we report here a HS case caused by a thoracolumbar arachnoid cyst. Imageological examination showed the cyst existed in spinal canal from the T11 to L3 level, which was further confirmed by operation. The tumor attacked the lateral margin of intervertebral foramen at certain stages. In MRI scan, no abnormality was found in the patient's crania, cervical vertebra, thoracic vertebra, or the other parts. After removal of the cyst with operation, the patient's HS symptoms and weakness of lower limbs were relieved apparently. Although the sympathetic center origins from the cornu laterale medullae spinalis of T1 to L3, there are many reports about HS caused by lumbar anesthesia and epidural anesthesia according to our literature review, and there is no report about HS results from intraspinal space-occupying lesion below T11 level. Our finding suggests that when the sympathetic center below the level of T11 emits nerve to dominate abdominal viscera, it can also control the sweat glands from face to feet, including pupils and eyelids. When physicians encounter patients with HS and one side of the body and abdominal viscera sympathetic syndromes, the pathological changes in lower thoracic vertebra or lumbar vertebra should be taken in consideration.

Effects of BMP2 and VEGF165 on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are dominant seed cell sources for bone regeneration. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) initiate cartilage and bone formation in a sequential cascade. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential coordinator of extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and bone formation. In the present study, the effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) genes on bone regeneration were investigated by the lentivirus-mediated cotransfection of the two genes into rat bone marrow-derived MSCs. The successful co-expression of the two genes in the MSCs was confirmed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. The results of alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining at 14 days subsequent to transfection showed that the area of staining in cells transfected with BMP2 alone was higher than that in cells transfected with BMP2 and VEGF165 or untransfected control cells, while the BMP2 + VEGF165 group showed significantly more staining than the untransfected control. This indicated that BMP2 alone exhibited a stronger effect in bone regeneration than BMP2 in combination with VEGF165. Similarly, in inducing culture medium, the ALP activity of the BMP2 + VEGF165 group was notably suppressed compared with that of the BMP2 group. The overexpression of VEGF165 inhibited BMP2-induced MSC differentiation and osteogenesis in vitro. Whether or not local VEGF gene therapy is likely to affect bone regeneration in vivo requires further investigation.

[Resection of parapharyngeal neoplasms via styloid diaphragm approach].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical technique and efficacy of the resection of parapharyngeal space neoplasm via styloid diaphragm approach. METHODS: Thirty-three cases underwent the resection of parapharyngeal space tumors via styloid diaphragm approach from Jan 2005 to Jan 2011 were reviewed. Of the cases, 28 were with benign tumors treated by surgery alone, and 5 were malignant tumors treated by surgery plus postoperative radical radiotherapy. RESULTS: The parapharyngeal neoplasms in all cases were completely resected via styloid diaphragm approach. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 13 months to 7 years (median = 4.6 years). No tumor recurrence was found in 30 cases, but 3 cases experienced tumor recurrence, including 1 chondrosarcoma (3 years after surgery and chemoradiotherapy), 1 chordoma and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma (5 years after surgery and radiotherapy). Severe postoperative complications were not observed, but 2 cases showed mild mouth askew and fully recovered after 3 months, and 1 case was complicated with hoarseness and cough symptoms that disappeared after heteropathy. CONCLUSION: Resection of parapharyngeal neoplasms via styloid diaphragm approach is an ideal surgical technique, with well-exposed surgical field, less tissue injury, and less postoperative complication.