Differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis based on ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is often misdiagnosed as intestinal tuberculosis (ITB). However, the treatment and prognosis of these two diseases are dramatically different. Therefore, it is important to develop a method to identify CD and ITB with high accuracy, specificity, and speed. AIM: To develop a method to identify CD and ITB with high accuracy, specificity, and speed. METHODS: A total of 72 paraffin wax-embedded tissue sections were pathologically and clinically diagnosed as CD or ITB. Paraffin wax-embedded tissue sections were attached to a metal coating and measured using attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy at mid-infrared wavelengths combined with XGBoost for differential diagnosis. RESULTS: The results showed that the paraffin wax-embedded specimens of CD and ITB were significantly different in their spectral signals at 1074 cm-1 and 1234 cm-1 bands, and the differential diagnosis model based on spectral characteristics combined with machine learning showed accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of 91.84%, 92.59%, and 90.90%, respectively, for the differential diagnosis of CD and ITB. CONCLUSION: Information on the mid-infrared region can reveal the different histological components of CD and ITB at the molecular level, and spectral analysis combined with machine learning to establish a diagnostic model is expected to become a new method for the differential diagnosis of CD and ITB.

A new secondary metabolite from the marine-derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508.

Based on the One Strain-Many Compounds (OSMAC) strategy, the secondary metabolites of Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508 were investigated. As a result, a new secondary metabolite, 4-methoxy-3-[4-(acetyloxy)-3-methyl-2-butenyl]benzoic acid (1) as well as eleven known compounds were isolated from the fermentation product of the strain FS508. Their structures were determined by NMR, IR, UV, and MS spectroscopic data analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. Among them, compounds 3 and 9 displayed potent cytotoxicity against HepG-2 cell line, and compounds 2, 3 and 12 showed significant anti-inflammatory activities.

Caveolin-1 is critical for hepatic iron storage capacity in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with disordered lipid and iron metabolism. Our previous study has substantiated the pivotal role of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in protecting hepatocytes and mediating iron metabolism in the liver. This study aimed to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the regulation of iron metabolism by Cav-1 in NAFLD. METHODS: Hepatocyte-specific Cav-1 overexpression mice and knockout mice were used in this study. Cav-1-knockdown of RAW264.7 cells and mouse primary hepatocytes were performed to verify the changes in vitro. Moreover, a high-fat diet and palmitic acid plus oleic acid treatment were utilized to construct a NAFLD model in vivo and in vitro, respectively, while a high-iron diet was used to construct an in vivo iron overload model. Besides, iron concentration, the expression of Cav-1 and iron metabolism-related proteins in liver tissue or serum were detected using iron assay kit, Prussian blue staining, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemical staining and ELISA. The related indicators of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress were evaluated by the corresponding reagent kit and staining. RESULTS: Significant disorder of lipid and iron metabolism occurred in NAFLD. The expression of Cav-1 was decreased in NAFLD hepatocytes (P < 0.05), accompanied by iron metabolism disorder. Cav-1 enhanced the iron storage capacity of hepatocytes by activating the ferritin light chain/ferritin heavy chain pathway in NAFLD, subsequently alleviating the oxidative stress induced by excess ferrous ions in the liver. Further, CD68+CD163+ macrophages expressing Cav-1 were found to accelerate iron accumulation in the liver, which was contrary to the effect of Cav-1 in hepatocytes. Positive correlations were also observed between the serum Cav-1 concentration and the serum iron-related protein levels in NAFLD patients and healthy volunteers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that Cav-1 is an essential target protein that regulates iron and lipid metabolic homeostasis. It is a pivotal molecule for predicting and protecting against the development of NAFLD.

Detection of Antibiotic Resistance in Feline-Origin ESBL Escherichia coli from Different Areas of China and the Resistance Elimination of Garlic Oil to Cefquinome on ESBL E. coli.

The development of drug-resistance in the opportunistic pathogen Escherichia coli has become a global public health concern. Due to the share of similar flora between pets and their owners, the detection of pet-origin antibiotic-resistant E. coli is necessary. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of feline-origin ESBL E. coli in China and to explore the resistance elimination effect of garlic oil to cefquinome on ESBL E. coli. Cat fecal samples were collected from animal hospitals. The E. coli isolates were separated and purified by indicator media and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ESBL genes were detected by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The MICs were determined. The synergistic effect of garlic oil and cefquinome against ESBL E. coli was investigated by checkerboard assays, time-kill and growth curves, drug-resistance curves, PI and NPN staining, and a scanning electronic microscope. A total of 80 E. coli strains were isolated from 101 fecal samples. The rate of ESBL E. coli was 52.5% (42/80). The prevailing ESBL genotypes in China were CTX-M-1, CTX-M-14, and TEM-116. In ESBL E. coli, garlic oil increased the susceptibility to cefquinome with FICIs from 0.2 to 0.7 and enhanced the killing effect of cefquinome with membrane destruction. Resistance to cefquinome decreased with treatment of garlic oil after 15 generations. Our study indicates that ESBL E. coli has been detected in cats kept as pets. The sensitivity of ESBL E. coli to cefquinome was enhanced by garlic oil, indicating that garlic oil may be a potential antibiotic enhancer.

Ultrasonic-assisted binding of canistel (Lucuma nervosa A.DC) seed starch with quercetin.

In order to provide a reference for improving the physicochemical properties of starch, the study of starch polyphenol complex interaction has aroused considerable interest. As a common method of starch modification, ultrasound can make starch granules have voids and cracks, and make starch and polyphenols combine more closely. In this research, canistel seed starch was modified by ultrasonic treatment alone or combined with quercetin. The molecular structure, particle characteristics and properties of starch were evaluated. With the increase of ultrasonic temperature, the particle size of the dextrinized starch granules increased, but the addition of quercetin could protect the destruction of starch granule size by ultrasonic; X-ray diffraction and infrared spectra indicated that quercetin was bound to the surface of canistel seed starch through hydrogen bonding, and the complex and the original starch had the same crystal structure and increased crystallinity; by molecular simulation, quercetin bound inside the starch molecular helix preserved the crystalline helical configuration of starch to some extent and inhibited the complete unhelicalization of starch molecules. Meanwhile, hydrogen bonding was the main driving force for the binding of starch molecules to quercetin, and van der Waals interactions also promoted the binding of both. In the physicochemical properties, as the temperature increased after the combination of ultrasonic modified starch combined with quercetin, the solubility, swelling force and apparent viscosity of the compound increased significantly, and it has higher stability and shear resistance.

The Improvement of Epothilone D Yield by the Disruption of epoK Gene in Sorangium cellulosum Using TALEN System.

Epothilones are a kind of 16-member macrolides with strong anticancer activity, which was produced by Sorangium cellulosum. Epothlione D shows better drug resistance and safety than taxol in clinical trials. However, the low yield of epothilone D in Sorangium cellulosum and thereof toxicity limited the application of epothilone D. In this study, the epoK gene in gene cluster for epothilone was firstly inactivated by the employment of TALEN gene knockout system. The qRT-PCR analysis and sequencing were performed to confirm the gene deletion of epoK, resulting in the epothilone D yield improvement by 34.9±1.6% and the decrease of epothilone B yield by 34.2±2.5%, which was demonstrated by LC-MS analysis. This study would lay a foundation for the yield improvement of epothilones D, B and thereof derivatives in S. cellulosum by genetic engineering, thus promoting the applications of epothilones in the field of anticancer.

Chevalones H-M: Six New α-Pyrone Meroterpenoids from the Gorgonian Coral-Derived Fungus Aspergillus hiratsukae SCSIO 7S2001.

Six new α-pyrone meroterpenoid chevalones H-M (1-6), together with six known compounds (7-12), were isolated from the gorgonian coral-derived fungus Aspergillus hiratsukae SCSIO 7S2001 collected from Mischief Reef in the South China Sea. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1-5 and 7 showed different degrees of antibacterial activity with MIC values of 6.25-100 µg/mL. Compound 8 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against SF-268, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 12.75, 9.29, and 20.11 µM, respectively.

Cytotoxic diaporindene and tenellone derivatives from the fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus.

Nine new compounds, including five natural rarely-occurring 2, 3-dihydro-1H-indene derivatives named diaporindenes E-I (1-5), and four new benzophenone analogues named tenellones J-M (6-9) were isolated from the deep-sea sediment-derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508. All the structures for these new compounds were fully characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data, NMR spectra, and ECD calculation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The potential anti-tumor activities of compounds 1-9 against four tumor cell lines SF-268, MCF-7, HepG-2, and A549 were evaluated using the SRB method. Compound 7 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the SF-268 cell line with an IC50 value of 11.36 µmol·L-1.

Structurally Diverse Polycyclic Salicylaldehyde Derivative Enantiomers from a Marine-Derived Fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452.

To enlarge the chemical diversity of Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452, a talented marine-derived fungus, we further investigated its chemical constituents from a large-scale fermentation with modified culture. Four pairs of new salicylaldehyde derivative enantiomers, euroticins F-I (1-4), as well as a known one eurotirumin (5) were isolated and characterized. Compound 1 features an unprecedented constructed 6/6/6/5 tetracyclic structures, while 2 and 3 represent two new types of 6/6/5 scaffolds. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, X-ray diffraction, 13C NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Selected compounds showed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and moderate cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, HepG2, and A549 cell lines.

Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis with rapid progression: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis (IPE) is rare, accounting for 1.5-2% of all cases of infective endocarditis. Herein, we describe a case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis with rapid progression in a 28-year-old male. Unlike most patients reported previously who were cured with only anti-infective therapy, without surgery at an early stage, multiple complications occurred in this patient in less than 2 weeks. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary valve endocarditis with blood cultures showing Staphylococcus aureus and echocardiography revealing 2 masses (measuring 14*13 mm、11*16 mm in size). Only 12 days later, acute massive pulmonary embolism occurred. Then, repeated echocardiography revealed multiple masses attached to the pulmonary valve with severe pulmonary insufficiency and the possibility of pulmonary valve destruction. Finally, pulmonary valve replacement, vegetation removal, and right pulmonary thromboendarterectomy together with resection of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The role of surgery at an early stage might need to be reconsidered, and it may be viable to combine medical and surgical approaches.

Asperorydines N-P, three new cyclopiazonic acid alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavus SCSIO F025.

Three new tricyclic cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) related alkaloids asperorydines N-P (1-3), together with six known compounds (4-9) were isolated and characterized from the fungus Aspergillus flavus SCSIO F025 derived from the deep-sea sediments of South China Sea. The structures including absolute configurations of 1-3 were deduced from spectroscopic data, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All compounds were evaluated for the antioxidative activities against DPPH, cytotoxic activities against four tumor cell lines (SF-268, HepG-2, MCF-7, and A549), and antimicrobial activities. Compound 9 showed significant radical scavenging activities against DPPH with an IC50 value of 62.23 µM and broad-spectrum cytotoxicities against four tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 24.38 to 48.28 µM. Furthermore, compounds 4-9 exhibited weak antimicrobial activities against E scherichia coli, and compound 9 also showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus thuringiensis, Micrococcus lutea, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Acute myocardial infarction induced by eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystem disease characterized by allergic rhinitis, asthma, and a significantly high eosinophil count in the peripheral blood. It mainly involves the arterioles and venules. When the coronary arteries are invaded, it can lead to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute heart failure, and other manifestations that often lead to death in the absence of timely treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department due to chest pain for more than 1 h. He had a past history of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was diagnosed with AMI and heart failure. Thrombus aspiration of the left circumflex artery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were performed immediately. After surgery, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. The patient developed eosinophilia, and medical history taking revealed fatigue of both thighs 1 mo prior. Local skin numbness and manifestations of peripheral nerve involvement were found on the lateral side of the right thigh. Skin biopsy of the lower limbs pathologically confirmed EGPA. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone combined with intravenous immunoglobulin and was discharged after 21 d. On follow-up at 7 d after discharge, heart failure recurred. The condition improved after cardiotonic and diuretic treatment, and the patient was discharged. CONCLUSION: Asthma, impaired cardiac function, and eosinophilia are indicative of EGPA. Delayed diagnosis often leads to heart involvement and death.

Determination of 2,4-decadienal in edible oils using reversed-phase liquid chromatography and its application as an alternative indicator of lipid oxidation.

As a major product of linoleic acid-rich oils, 2,4-decadienal has unique reactivity that may be potentially toxic to human body. In this study, a reliable reversed-phase liquid chromatography method for the determination of carbonyls was developed, and 2,4-decadienal as the target aldehyde was validated. Furthermore, the possibility of 2,4-decadienal as a lipid oxidation marker was evaluated. The optimal sample pretreatment method was extraction by 2 mL of acetonitrile three times, followed by derivatization at 40 °C for 30 min. The method was linear, sensitive, and accurate with detection and quantification limits of 15 and 50 nmol/L, respectively, and had good average recoveries for 2,4-decadienal in oil samples. In tested edible oils, during heating at 180 °C, the level of 2,4-decadienal rose faster than other aldehydes, including one of the characteristic aldehydes, hexanal. Moreover, good linear relationships between the 2,4-decadienal content and other oxidation indices (R2 = 0.858 to 0.984 for the anisidine value; R2 = 0.876 to 0.986 for the total oxidation value) were observed in sunflower and corn oils under 8 hr heating at three temperatures (120, 150, and 180 °C), indicating that 2,4-decadienal can predict the oxidation of oil. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: 2,4-Decadienal is a toxic aldehyde produced by the oxidation of linoleic acid-rich oils, which is closely related to human health. This work is the first to demonstrate that 2,4-decadienal can be used as an alternative oxidation indicator for linoleic acid-rich oils and is of great significance for the quality control of edible oil in the food industry.

A new butenolide derivative from the deep-sea fungus Aspergillus terreus SCSIO FZQ028.

A new butenolide derivative (±)-asperteretal F (1) and related congener (2) recently reported containing an unusual 2-benzyl-3-phenyl substituted lactone core, together with five known compounds (3-7) were isolated and characterized from the fungus Aspergillus terreus. SCSIO FZQ028 derived from a deep-sea sediment of South China Sea. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data, and HR-ESI-MS analysis. Additionally, all the compounds were evaluated for the antioxidative activities against DPPH, cytotoxic activities against two tumor cell lines (SF-268 and HepG-2), and antimicrobial activities. Compounds 2-4, and 7 showed significant activities against DPPH with IC50 ranging from 5.89 to 10.07 µg/mL. Compounds 2 and 4 showed moderate antimicrobial activities against all four tested bacteria.[Figure: see text].

Cytotoxic triquinane-type sesquiterpenoids from the endophytic fungus Cerrena sp. A593.

The culture broth of Cerrena sp. A593, which was isolated from Pogostemon cablin, showed potent cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines. The following chemical study resulted in the isolation of two new triquinane-type sesquiterpenoids, named cerrenins D (1) and E (2), along with two known compounds plerocybellone A (3) and chloriolin B (4). Their structures were fully assigned with the aid of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, HRESIMS, and IR) and data from the literature. Moreover, cytotoxic activity in vitro of compounds 1-4 were evaluated against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. The new compound 1 exhibited weak growth inhibitory activity against all the four tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 41.01, 14.43, 29.67, 44.32 µM.

Tersone A-G, New Pyridone Alkaloids from the Deep-Sea Fungus Phomopsis tersa.

Four phenylfuropyridone racemates, (±)-tersones A-C and E (1-3, 5), one phenylpyridone racemate, (±)-tersone D (4), one new pyridine alkaloid, tersone F (6), single new phenylfuropyridone, tersone G (7) and two known analogs 8 and 9 were isolated from the deep-sea fungus Phomopsis tersa. Their structures and absolute configurations were characterized on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Moreover, compounds 1-9 were evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Compounds 5b and 8b exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus with the MIC value of 31.5 µg/mL, while compound 5b showed cytoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, HepG-2 and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 32.0, 29.5, 39.5 and 33.2 µM, respectively.

Survival of Patients with Primary Cardiac Tumors in an 11-Year Single Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac tumors are rare, but few studies have examined the relationship between risk factors and the prognosis. The aim of this study was to provide a survival analysis and risk factors for mortality in patients with primary cardiac tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 71 patients diagnosed with primary cardiac tumors from June 2006 to November 2017 in our hospital. Patients' population characteristics, treatment information, pathology, and follow-up data were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients, 60 cases were benign, and 11 cases were malignant. Sex, age, New York Heart Association classification, the percentage of peripheral embolism, and surgery had no significant difference between benign and malignant groups (P >.05), but the percentage of arrhythmia, leg edema, and mortality rate was higher in the malignant tumor group than in the benign tumor group (P <.05). Compared with the benign tumor group, the percentage of biatrial lesions in the malignant tumor group was significantly higher (P <.05). Moreover, Independent risk factors included the treatment choice, pathology type, and number of tumor lesions (P <.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that conservative therapy, malignant cardiac tumor, and biatrial tumor lesion are independent risk factors for poor prognosis.

Chromone-Derived Polyketides from the Deep-Sea Fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum FS431.

Five new chromone-derived polyketides phaseolorins A-F (1⁻5), together with nine known compounds, were isolated from the deep-sea derived fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum FS431. The structures of new compounds were determined by analysis of their NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were confirmed by chemical transformations, extensively experimental electron capture detection (ECD) calculations, or X-ray crystallography. Among them, compound 2 represented the first example for a new family of chromone derivative possessing an unprecedented recombined five-member γ-lactone ring. Moreover, the new compounds (1⁻5) were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against a panel of human cancer cell lines.

Two new 12-membered macrolides from the endophytic fungal strain Cladosprium colocasiae A801 of Callistemon viminalis.

Two new polyketide metabolites, the 12-membered macrolides 4-hydroxy-12-methyloxacyclododecane-2,5,6-trione (1) and 12-methyloxacyclododecane-2,5,6-trione (2), were isolated from the endophytic fungal strain Cladosprium colocasiae A801 of the plant Callistemon viminalis, together with five known derivatives. Their structures were fully characterized by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis for new structures, and in comparison with published data for known compounds. The antibacterial, cytotoxic, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the new compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated.

Highly Substituted Benzophenone Aldehydes and Eremophilane Derivatives from the Deep-Sea Derived Fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508.

Five new benzophenone derivatives named tenellones D⁻H (1⁻5), sharing a rare naturally occurring aldehyde functionality in this family, and a new eremophilane derivative named lithocarin A (7), together with two known compounds (6 and 8), were isolated from the deep marine sediment-derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508. All of the structures for these new compounds were fully characterized and established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic interpretation and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 5 exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 16.0 and 17.6 µM, respectively.