Terpenoids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp. RR-YLW-12, Associated with the Red Alga Rhodomela confervoides.

Two new meroterpenoids, aspermeroterpenes D and E (1 and 2), two new ophiobolin-type sesterterpenoids, the C-18 epimers of 18,19-dihydro-18-methoxy-19-hydroxyophiobolin P (6 and 7), and two new drimane-type sesquiterpenoids, 3S-hydroxystrobilactone A (8) and 6-epi-strobilactone A (9), along with 11 known terpenoids (3-5 and 10-17) were isolated from the cultures of the algicolous fungus Aspergillus sp. RR-YLW-12, derived from the red alga Rhodomela confervoides. The structures and relative configurations of new compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic analysis of NMR and HRMS experiments, and the absolute configurations were assigned by X-ray diffraction experiments and comparison of their experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 1 features a rare 6/6/6/6/5 pentacyclic system with a meroterpenoid skeleton, and the structure of terretonin E (3) was revised in this study. Compound 4 showed significant inhibitory activities against three microalgae, Prorocentrum donghaiense, Heterosigma akashiwo, and Chattonella marina, with IC50 values of 10.5, 5.2, and 3.1 µg/mL, respectively.

Bisabolane, cadinane, and cyclonerane sesquiterpenes from an algicolous strain of Trichoderma asperelloides.

Ten new bisabolane derivatives, trichobisabolins Q-Z (1-10), one new cadinane derivative, cadin-4-en-11-ol (11), and three new cyclonerane derivatives, cycloner-3-en-7,11-diol (12), isoepicyclonerodiol oxide (13), and norepicyclonerodiol oxide (14), were isolated from the endophytic fungal strain RR-dl-6-11 of Trichoderma asperelloides that was obtained from a marine alga. Their structures along with relative configurations were established mainly by NMR and IR as well as MS techniques, and the absolute configurations of 10 and 11 were assigned by ECD and X-ray diffraction data, respectively. Sesquiterpenes from the fungus T. asperelloides are reported for the first time. It is interesting that half of the bisabolane derivatives are demethylated. Compound 12 represents the first the occurrence of cyclopentenyl-bearing cycloneranes, and 14 seems a cyclopentyl-degrading cyclonerane derivative. Several isolates feature potent inhibition of marine phytoplankton species.

Cyclonerane Derivatives from the Algicolous Endophytic Fungus Trichoderma asperellum A-YMD-9-2.

Seven previously unreported cyclonerane derivatives, namely, 3,7,11-trihydroxycycloneran-10-one, cycloneran-3,7,10,11-tetraol, cycloneran-3,7,11-triol, 11,12,15-trinorcycloneran-3,7,10-triol, 7,10S-epoxycycloneran-3,15-diol, 7,10R-epoxycycloneran-3,15-diol, and (10Z)-15-acetoxy-10-cycloneren-3,7-diol, were isolated in addition to the known (10Z)-cyclonerotriol, (10E)-cyclonerotriol, catenioblin C, and chokol E from the culture of Trichoderma asperellum A-YMD-9-2, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa. The structures of previously unreported compounds were established by spectroscopic techniques, including 1D/2D NMR, MS, and IR. The isolation of these new cyclonerane derivatives greatly adds to the structural diversity of unusual cyclonerane sesquiterpenes, and several isolates exhibit potent inhibition against some marine phytoplankton species.

Preparation and NH3 Gas-Sensing Properties of Double-Shelled Hollow ZnTiO3 Microrods.

A novel double-shelled hollow (DSH) structure of ZnTiO3 microrods was prepared by self-templating route with the assistance of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) in an ethylene glycol (EG) solution, which was followed by calcining. Moreover, the NH3 gas-sensing properties of the DSH ZnTiO3 microrods were studied at room temperature. The morphology and composition of DSH ZnTiO3 microrods films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The formation process of double-shelled hollow microrods was discussed in detail. The comparative gas-sensing results revealed that the DSH ZnTiO3 microrods had a higher response to NH3 gas at room temperature than those of the TiO2 solid microrods and DSH ZnTiO3 microrods did in the dark. More importantly, the DSH ZnTiO3 microrods exhibited a strong response to low concentrations of NH3 gas at room temperature.

[Analysis of Periodontal Status and Salivary Microbial Diversity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the periodontal status and salivary microbial diversity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to analyze the relationship between the composition of oral microflora in patients with RA and the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 24 patients who were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled in the experimental group, and 20 healthy persons were enrolled in the control group. The periodontal index was recorded and non-irritating saliva was collected. DNA was extracted and high-throughput sequencing was performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in periodontal indices between the RA group and the control group. After analysis of salivary microorganisms in RA patients and control group, there was no significant difference in salivary microbial diversity between RA patients and control group. At the phylum level, 13 phyla were found, including Firmicutes (30.2%), Proteobacteria (29.3%), Bacteroidetes (23.8%), Fusobacteria (7.3%), Actinobacteria (5.6%) as dominant bacteria. Bacteroidetes (P=0.04) and spirochoetes (P=0.01) were significantly higher in the RA group. A total of 144 genus were found, and 12 dominant genus were found. 11 genuses were found to have significant difference between the RA group and the control. At the genus level, Prevotella (P=0.03), Porphyromonas (P=0.005 7), Tannerella (P=0.001 9) and Treponema (P=0.010) were significantly higher in the RA group. Salivary microbial community similarity in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy people, RA patients had higher periodontal inflammation indices, but there was no statistical difference. The oral saliva of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has a unique microbial diversity structure. This result provides a new insight for understanding the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sesteralterin and Tricycloalterfurenes A-D: Terpenes with Rarely Occurring Frameworks from the Marine-Alga-Epiphytic Fungus Alternaria alternata k21-1.

A new sesterterpene, sesteralterin (1), four new meroterpenes, tricycloalterfurenes A-D (2-5), and a known meroterpene, TCA-F (6), were obtained from the culture extract of an Alternaria alternata strain (k21-1) isolated from the surface of the marine red alga Lomentaria hakodatensis. The structures and relative/absolute configurations of these compounds were identified by spectroscopic analyses, mainly including 1D/2D NMR, ECD, and mass spectra and quantum chemical calculations. Compound 1 represents the first nitidasane sesterterpene naturally produced by fungi, and 2-5 feature a tetrahydrofuran unit rarely occurring in tricycloalternarenes. Compounds 1-6 were assayed for inhibition of the growth of four marine plankton and one marine alga-pathogenic bacterium.

Rapid isolation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells using integrated centrifuge-based technology.

BACKGROUND AIMS: The use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in cell-based therapies is currently being developed for a number of diseases. Thus far, the clinical results have been inconclusive and variable, in part because of the variety of cell isolation procedures and culture conditions used in each study. A new isolation technique that streamlines the method of concentration and demands less time and attention could provide clinical and economic advantages compared with current methodologies. In this study, we evaluated the concentrating capability of an integrated centrifuge-based technology compared with standard Ficoll isolation. METHODS: MSCs were concentrated from bone marrow aspirate using the new device and the Ficoll method. The isolation capabilities of the device and the growth characteristics, secretome production, and differentiation capacity of the derived cells were determined. RESULTS: The new MSC isolation device concentrated the bone marrow in 90 seconds and resulted in a mononuclear cell yield 10-fold higher and with a twofold increase in cell retention compared with Ficoll. The cells isolated using the device were shown to exhibit similar morphology and functional activity as assessed by growth curves and secretome production compared to the Ficoll-isolated cells. The surface marker and trilineage differentiation profile of the device-isolated cells was consistent with the known profile of MSCs. DISCUSSION: The faster time to isolation and greater cell yield of the integrated centrifuge-based technology may make this an improved approach for MSC isolation from bone marrow aspirates.

Citrinovirin with a new norditerpene skeleton from the marine algicolous fungus Trichoderma citrinoviride.

Citrinovirin (1), a novel norditerpene with an unprecedented carbon skeleton along with three known compounds, cyclonerodiol (2), 3-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4-(hexa-2E,4E-dien-6-yl)furan-2(5H)-one (3), and 5-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-7-methoxychromone (4), was isolated from the culture of a marine brown alga-endophytic strain (cf-27) of Trichoderma citrinoviride. The structure and relative configuration of 1 were identified by spectroscopic methods, including 1D/2D NMR and MS. Its absolute configuration was established by analysis of ECD spectrum, aided by quantum chemical calculations. A plausible biogenetic pathway is proposed for 1, and it was evaluated to be active against Staphylococcus aureus.

Aspewentins A-C, norditerpenes from a cryptic pathway in an algicolous strain of Aspergillus wentii.

Through addition of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, two new aromatic norditerpenes, aspewentins A (1) and B (2), along with an oxygenated derivative, aspewentin C (3), were obtained from the culture of an Aspergillus wentii strain (na-3) isolated from the tissue of the brown alga Sargassum fusiforme. The structures and absolute configurations were unambiguously elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and quantum chemical calculations. Aspewentins A-C were produced before sporulation and exhibited potent bioactivities against some marine-derived organisms.

Cyclopentenone and wickerol derivatives from the marine algicolous fungus Trichoderma atroviride A-YMD-9-4.

A new cyclopentenone derivative, 4-hydroxyhypocrenone A, and a new naturally-occurring wickerol derivative, 8-acetoxywickerol A, as well as two known compounds, hypocrenone A and wickerol B, were purified from Trichoderma atroviride A-YMD-9-4, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa. The structures and relative configurations of two new isolates were established by a combination of 1 D/2D NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configuration of 1 was assigned on the basis of ECD data analyzed by quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak inhibition of one or two marine phytoplankton species.

Secondary metabolites from an algicolous Aspergillus versicolor strain.

Two new compounds, asperversin A (1) and 9ξ-O-2(2,3-dimethylbut-3-enyl)brevianamide Q (2), and nine known compounds, brevianamide K (3), brevianamide M (4), aversin (5), 6,8-di-O-methylnidurufin (6), 6,8-di-O-methylaverufin (7), 6-O-methylaverufin (8), 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-ol (9), ergosta-7,22-diene-3ß,5α,6ß-triol (10), and 6ß-methoxyergosta-7,22-diene-3ß,5α-diol (11), were obtained from the culture of Aspergillus versicolor, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine brown alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 4, 7 and 8 exhibited antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus, and 7 also showed lethality against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) with an LC50 value of 0.5 µg/mL.

[System Construction and the Function Improvement of Ecological Carbon Sink in Coal Mining Areas Under the Carbon Neutral Strategy].

The loss of ecological carbon sinks often occurs in the process of coal resource development. Under the carbon neutral strategy, it is of great significance to explore technologies and models for improving ecological carbon sinks in coal mining areas. This study firstly addressed the system construction framework of the ecological carbon sink in coal mining areas, which included two levels of management mode and technical methods; three main categories of soil carbon sink, vegetation carbon sink, and wetland carbon sink; and several technical contents such as ecological carbon sink planning, carbon sink monitoring and investigation, carbon sink function improvement, and carbon sink loss prevention. The study analyzed the main types of ecological carbon sink (mainly involving soil carbon sinks and vegetation carbon sinks, whereas wetland carbon sinks were mainly related to coal mining subsidence areas with high groundwater level) and circumstances of carbon sink losses (including coal mining activities, the process of ecological vegetation construction, and ecological stability risk under long-term conditions) and proposed methods to improve ecological carbon sinks and prevent carbon sink losses for soil carbon sinks and vegetation carbon sinks in coal mining areas. The results can provide technical reference for the scientific research and engineering construction of ecological carbon sinks in coal mining areas.

Antimicrobial Terpenoids and Polyketides from the Algicolous Fungus Byssochlamys spectabilis RR-dl-2-13.

Four new carotane sesquiterpenoids, byssocarotins A-D (1-4), two new nor-sesquiterpenoids, byssofarnesin (5) and byssosesquicarin (6), and three new polyketides, byssoketides A and B (7 and 8) and (8R)-paecilocin A (9a), were obtained from a macroalga-associated strain (RR-dl-2-13) of the fungus Byssochlamys spectabilis. These isolates were identified by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electronic circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-4 greatly contribute to the diversity of rarely occurring 2,15-epoxycarotane sesquiterpenoids, while 5 and 6 are degradation products of farnesane and sesquicarane precursors, respectively. Compound 7 is a structurally unique furan fatty acid derivative that possesses an aldehyde group and a large conjugated unit, and 8 features a hemiketal group. During antimicrobial assays, 8 showed antagonism against the phytopathogenic fungi Glomerella cingulata, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerium, and F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense and the marine-derived bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi with MIC values of 13 to 50 µg/mL.

Loss of red cell chemokine scavenging promotes transfusion-related lung inflammation.

Red cell transfusions are associated with the development of acute lung injury in the critically ill. Recent evidence suggests that storage induced alterations of the red blood cell (RBC) collectively termed the "storage lesion" may be linked with adverse biologic consequences. Using a 2-event model of systemic endotoxemia followed by a secondary challenge of RBC transfusion, we investigated whether purified RBC concentrates from syngeneic C57BL/6 mice altered inflammatory responses in murine lungs. Transfusion of RBCs stored for 10 days increased neutrophil counts, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and chemokine (KC) concentrations in the airspaces, and lung microvascular permeability compared with transfusion of less than 1-day-old RBCs. Because RBCs have been shown to scavenge inflammatory chemokines through the blood group Duffy antigen, we investigated the expression and function of Duffy during storage. In banked human RBCs, both Duffy expression and chemokine scavenging function were reduced with increasing duration of storage. Transfusion of Duffy knockout RBCs into Duffy wild-type endotoxemic mice increased airspace neutrophils, inflammatory cytokine concentrations, and lung microvascular permeability compared with transfusion of Duffy wild-type RBCs. Thus, reduction in erythrocyte chemokine scavenging is one functional consequence of the storage lesion by which RBC transfusion can augment existing lung inflammation.

Sesquiterpenoids and a steroid from the algicolous Trichoderma brevicompactum.

Six new sesquiterpenoids including three bisabolane derivatives, trichobisabolins O1, O2, and P (1-3), two nerolidol derivatives, trichonerolins A and B (4 and 5), one acorane, trichoacorin A (6), along with one new steroid, isoergokonin B (7), were isolated from the culture of Trichoderma brevicompactum A-DL-9-2 obtained from the inner tissue of the red alga Chondria tenuissima. Their structures and relative configurations were assigned by interpretation of 1D/2D NMR and MS data. As acyclic sesquiterpenoids, compounds 4 and 5 were discovered from Trichoderma for the first time. Compounds 1-7 were evaluated for the inhibition of some marine-derived organisms, in which, 3 and 4/5 exhibited potent inhibition against Amphidinium carterae and Chattonella marina with IC50 of 1.8 µg/mL and 1.2 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, compound 7 could inhibit the growth of Pseudoalteromonas citrea with an MIC value of 64 µg/mL.

Indoloditerpenes from an algicolous isolate of Aspergillus oryzae.

Two new indoloditerpene derivatives asporyzin A (1) and asporyzin B (2), one new indoloditerpene asporyzin C (3), and three known related indoloditerpenes JBIR-03 (4), emindole SB (5), and emeniveol (6) were isolated from an endophytic fungus Aspergillus oryzae, isolated from the marine red alga Heterosiphonia japonica. Their structures were unambiguously established by spectroscopic techniques. In addition, all the isolates were evaluated preliminarily for insecticidal and antimicrobial activities in order to probe into their chemical defensive function. Compound 4 was more active against brine shrimp than the others, and 3 possessed potent activity against Escherichia coli.

Meta-analysis of the role of high-dose statins administered prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in reducing major adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease.

1. There is considerable evidence regarding the efficacy of statins for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, due to lack of sufficient evidence, there is still doubt whether high-dose statin therapy prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is beneficial. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of preoperative high-dose statin therapy on the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after successful PCI. 2. Trials were retrieved through Medline (1980-2009) and the reference files limited to English-language articles. Data were abstracted using a standardized protocol and a meta-analysis was performed. 3. Five studies of a total 1789 patients with CAD qualified for analysis. Administration of high-dose statins in CAD patients before PCI was associated with a significant reduction in MACE 30 days after the procedure. The incidence of MACE in the high-dose statin group (6.98%) was significantly lower than that in the placebo group (14.77%), with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.43 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.59; P < 0.00001). The incidence of post-PCI increases in creatine kinase MB in the high-dose statin and placebo groups was 9.20%vs 18.83%, respectively (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.33-0.58; P < 0.00001), whereas the incidence of increases in troponin I was 30.13%vs 44.53%, respectively (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.43-0.67; P < 0.00001), respectively. 4. In conclusion, high-dose statin therapy before PCI provides a significant benefit over placebo in preventing post-PCI MACE. Findings from the present analysis strongly support a strategy of routine loading of high-dose statins before interventional therapy.

Metabolic preconditioning of cells with AICAR-riboside: improved cryopreservation and cell-type specific impacts on energetics and proliferation.

In species whose evolutionary history has provided natural tolerance to dehydration and freezing, metabolic depression is often a pre-requisite for survival. We tested the hypothesis that preconditioning of mammalian cells with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) to achieve metabolic depression will promote greater survivorship during cryopreservation. AICAR is used extensively to stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which can result in downregulation of biosynthetic processes. We showed that the metabolic interconversion of AICAR was cell-type dependent. Accumulation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1b-D-ribofuranosyl-5'-monophosphate (ZMP), as well as other metabolites that possess multiple phosphates (i.e., ZDP, ZTP), varied approximately 3.5-fold across the cell lines tested. AICAR treatment also significantly influenced the concentrations of cellular adenylates (ATP, ADP, and AMP). Depression of cell metabolism and proliferation with AICAR treatment differed among cell lines. Proliferation for a given cell line was negatively correlated with the fold-increase achieved in the 'effective adenylate ratio' ([AMP]+[ZMP])/[ATP]) after AICAR treatment. Metabolic preconditioning with AICAR promoted a significant increase in viability post-freezing in J774.A1 macrophages, HepG2/C3A cells and primary hepatocytes but not in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts or OMK cells. The effect of AICAR on viability after freezing was positively correlated (r(2)=0.94) with the fold-increase in the 'effective adenylate ratio'. Thus for each cell line, the greater the depression of metabolism and proliferation due to preconditioning with AICAR, the greater was the survivorship post-freezing.

[Extraction and antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Aralia cordata].

In this study, microwave-assisted extraction techniques of flavonoids fom Aralia cordata were studied by the single factor analysis and orthogonal test, then the property antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracts were evaluated by two antioxidant assays, for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging and reducing power. The results showed that the optimum conditions were as follows: twice extracting Aralia cordata with 75 times volume (V/W) of 30% ethanol at 140W of microwave for 60 min at 80 degrees C. Under these conditions, the extraction yield was 1.35%. The flavonoids extracts could significantly scavenge DPPH and superoxide anion free radicals in dose-dependent manner, meanwhile a linear correlation between its concentration and reducing power was also observed (R2 = 0.9855).

Antifungal and Antimicroalgal Trichothecene Sesquiterpenes from the Marine Algicolous Fungus Trichoderma brevicompactum A-DL-9-2.

Eight new trichothecene derivatives, trichodermarins G-N (1-8), and two new cuparene derivatives, trichocuparins A (9) and B (10), as well as six known trichothecenes (11-16) were isolated from the fungal strain Trichoderma brevicompactum A-DL-9-2 obtained from the inner tissue of the marine red alga Chondria tenuissima. The structures and relative configurations of 1-10 were assigned by NMR and MS data, and the absolute configurations of 1, 2, and 9 were established by X-ray diffraction. Compound 8 features an aminosugar unit bond to the trichothecene framework for the first time, while 9 and 10 represent the first occurrence of cuparene sesquiterpenes in Trichoderma. All the isolates were assayed for growth inhibition of five phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Cochliobolus miyabeanus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerium, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, and Phomopsis asparagi) and four marine phytoplankton species (Amphidinium carterae, Heterocapsa circularisquama, Heterosigma akashiwo, and Prorocentrum donghaiense). Several of them exhibited significant inhibitory activities against the fungi and phytoplankton tested of which trichodermin (12) showed the highest antifungal and antimicroalgal activities with MIC and IC50 values being 4.0 and 0.82 µg/mL, respectively.