New Phenol Derivatives from the Haima Cold Seep-Derived Fungus Aspergillus subversicolor CYH-17.

Seven new phenol derivatives, subversins A-E (1-5), subversic acid A (6) and epi-wortmannine G (7); one new natural product, 4-hydroxy-7-methoxyphthalide (8); and five known compounds (9-13) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus subversicolor CYH-17 collected from the Haima cold seep. The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined via NMR, MS, optical rotation, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, X-ray diffraction analysis and comparison with the literature. Compounds 2 and 5 were two pairs of enantiomers. All compounds were tested for their α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity, but no obvious activity was observed among these studied compounds.

8R-methoxy-9R-hydroxyl-fumitremorgin C, a new diketopiperazine alkaloid from Haima cold seep-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus CYH-5.

One novel diketopiperazine derivative 8R-methoxy-9R-hydroxyl-fumitremorgin C (1), together with twelve known compounds, was separated from the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus CYH-5 collected from Haima cold seep. The structures of the compounds were identified by NMR, MS, optical rotation, hydrolysis reaction and comparing with literatures. Among them, compounds 10 and 11 exhibited inhibitory effect against bacteria. Compound 11 showed inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase and compound 8 displayed acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity.

Enhanced performance of microbial fuel cells using Ag nanoparticles modified Co, N co-doped carbon nanosheets as bifunctional cathode catalyst.

The slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the formation of biofilm on cathode severely limited the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). An efficient way to enhance the power-generation capacity and long-term stability of MFCs is to develop bifunctional catalyst by incorporating the efficient ORR catalysts with antibacterial ingredient. In this study, the Ag/Co-N-C nanosheets were designed and synthesized by decorating Ag nanoparticles (NPs) onto Co-N-C nanosheets, which were prepared from Zn/Co bimetallic metal-organic framework (ZIF-67/ZIF-8) precursor. The Zn/Co ratio, Ag doping amount and the calcination temperature of the precursor were systematically investigated. The optimum sample Ag/Co-N-C-30 revealed the excellent ORR performance with a half-wave potential of 0.80 V vs. RHE, which was slightly lower than that of Pt/C (0.82 V vs. RHE). The MFCs equipped with Ag/Co-N-C-30 cathode exhibited maximum power density of 548 ± 12.6 mW m-2 and superior durability even after 1600 h operation. Besides, the selective antimicrobial ability of Ag/Co-N-C-30 was further explored and the aerobic bacteria in cathode biofilm was found to be obviously inhibited by Ag/Co-N-C-30. The results suggested the Ag/Co-N-C nanosheets can serve as a promising cathode catalyst for practical applications of MFCs.

Characterisation of amphioxus protein kinase C-δ/θ reveals a unique proto-V3 domain suggesting an evolutionary mechanism for PKC-θ unique V3.

A primitive adaptive immune system has recently been suggested to be present in a basal chordate amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri, Bb), making it an ideal model for studying the origin of adaptive immune. The novel protein kinase C isoform PKC-θ, but not its closest isoform PKC-δ, plays a critical role for mammalian T-cell activation via translocation to immunological synapse (IS) mediated by a unique PKC-θ V3 domain containing one PxxP motif. To understand the evolution of this unique PKC-θ V3 domain and the primitive adaptive immune system in amphioxus, we comparatively studied the orthologs of PKC-δ and -θ from amphioxus and other species. Phylogenetic analysis showed BbPKC-δ/θ to be the common ancestor of vertebrate PKC-δ and PKC-θ, with a V3 domain containing two PxxP motifs. One motif is conserved in both zebrafish and mammalian PKC-θ but is absent in PKC-δ V3 domain of these species, and has already emerged in drosophila PKC-δ. The other non-conserved motif emerged in BbPKC-δ/θ, and only retained in Danio rerio PKC-δ (DrPKC-δ) but lost in mammalian PKC-δ and -θ. Comparative analyses of the sequence and function of BbPKC-δ/θ, DrPKC-δ, DrPKC-θ and Homo sapiens PKC-θ (HsPKC-θ) in IS translocation and T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced NF-κB activation revealed that retention of the conserved PxxP motif and loss of the non-conserved PxxP motif in mammalian PKC-θ and loss of both PxxP motifs in mammalian PKC-δ accomplish the unique function of PKC-θ in T cells. Together, this study suggests an evolutionary mechanism for PKC-θ unique V3 and reveals BbPKC-δ/θ is the common ancestor of PKC-δ and -θ with a functional proto-V3 domain, supplying new evidence for the existence of primitive adaptive immune system in amphioxus.

Eurotiumins A⁻E, Five New Alkaloids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452.

Three new prenylated indole 2,5-diketopiperazine alkaloids (1⁻3) with nine known ones (5⁻13), one new indole alkaloid (4), and one new bis-benzyl pyrimidine derivative (14) were isolated and characterized from the marine-derived fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452. 1 and 2, occurring as a pair of diastereomers, both presented a hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole skeleton. Their chemical structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism, and single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Most isolated compounds were screened for antioxidative potency. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 showed significant radical scavenging activities against DPPH with IC50 values of 13, 19, 4, 3, 24, 13, and 18 µM, respectively. Five new compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities.

[A preliminary study of retinoblastoma-related serum tumor markers].

OBJECTIVE: To screen out retinoblastoma (RB)-related serum tumor markers by measuring the levels of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) in children with RB. METHODS: The levels of seven serum tumor markers (AFP, CEA, NSE, CA125, CA153, CA199, and CA724) were determined in 20 children with RB and 20 healthy children (control) using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. RESULTS: The serum levels and positive rates of NSE, CA153, and CA199 in the RB group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of AFP, CEA, CA125, and CA724 between the two groups (P>0.05). NSE had the highest sensitivity, but a relatively low specificity for the diagnosis of RB. CA153 and CA199 had a relatively high specificity, but a relatively low sensitivity for the diagnosis of RB. CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels and positive rates of NSE, CA153, and CA199 are high in children with RB. Combined measurement of these three serum tumor markers may have an important diagnostic value for RB.

Correlation between serum levels of C-reactive protein and infant pneumonia: A meta-analysis.

Experimental data imply that serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of general systemic inflammation, and inflammation may have a role in the development of pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of serum CRP levels in infant patients with pneumonia by meta-analysis. The Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Current Contents and two Chinese (CMB and CNKI) databases were searched. Studies were pooled and standard mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Subgroup analyses and publication bias detection were also conducted. The statistical analysis was conducted using Stata software version 12.0. Serum CRP levels were analyzed in 10 clinical case-control studies (652 infants with pneumonia and 845 healthy controls); significant differences in serum CRP levels were observed between infants with pneumonia and the healthy controls (SMD=4.41, 95% CI: 3.34-5.47, P<0.001). Ethnicity-stratified subgroup analysis detected that high levels of serum CRP may be the main risk factor for infant pneumonia in Asian, African and Caucasian populations (all P<0.05). Serum CRP levels were statistically higher in infants with pneumonia than in healthy infants, and thus serum levels of CRP may have independent diagnostic value for pneumonia in children.

[Clinical features and risk factors of co-morbid tic disorder in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features and risk factors of co-morbid tic disorder (TD) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: A total of 312 children with ADHD were involved in this study. Subtypes of co-morbid TD, incidences of TD in different subtypes of ADHD (ADHD-I, ADHD-HI and ADHD-C) were observed. Thirteen potential factors influencing the comorbidity rate of TD in ADHD were evaluated by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Forty-two of 312 children with ADHD suffered from co-morbid TD (13.5%). Comorbidity rate of TD in children with ADHD-C (24.1%) was significantly higher than in those with ADHD-HI (10.9%) and ADHD-I (8.8%) (P<0.05). There were 21 cases (50.0%) of transient TD, 12 cases (28.6%) of chronic TD, and 9 cases (21.4%) of Tourette syndrome. The univariate analysis revealed 6 factors associated with comorbidity: addiction to mobile phone or computer games, poor eating habits, infection, improper family education, poor relationship between parents and poor relationship with schoolmates. Multiple logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for comorbidity: improper family education (OR=7.000, P<0.05) and infection (OR=2.564, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of co-morbid TD in children with ADHD is influenced by many factors, and early interventions should be performed based on the main risk factors.

[Expression of P38 MAPK and MMP-2 mRNA in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA expression level changes in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury,and to investigate the influence of P38 MAPK activation on MMP-2 mRNA expression. METHODS: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: air control, hyperoxia and SB203580-treated hyperoxia (n=12). The rats were sacrificed on the 3rd and 7th days and the lungs were removed. Hematoxylin-eosine staining was used to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues. RESULTS: Compared with the air and SB203580-treated groups, levels of P38 MAPK and MMP-2 mRNA significantly increased in the hyperoxia group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of P38 MAPK increases in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury and this may play a role in control of the expression of MMP-2 mRNA.

[Genetic polymorphism of GST gene in children with infectious mononucleosis and acute lymphocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between glutathione S-transferase genes GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to infectious mononucleosis (IM) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children. METHODS: The case-control study involved 106 children with IM, 41 children with ALL and a control group of 100 children with non-hematologic and nontumorous diseases. The genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were detected with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Distribution of the genotypes in the children was analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in children with IM was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The risk of IM in children carrying GSTT1 null genotype was 2.186 times higher than in those carrying GSTT1 non-null genotype. The children carrying both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype had a higher risk of suffering from IM compared to those carrying only one of the null genotypes (OR=4.937). The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype in children with ALL was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The risk of ALL in children carrying GSTM1 null genotype was 2.242 times higher than in those in carrying GSTT1 non-null genotype. Children carrying both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype had a higher risk of suffering from ALL compared with those carrying only one of the null genotypes (OR=8.552). CONCLUSIONS: Children carrying GSTT1 or GSTM1 null genotype have a high risk of suffering from IM or ALL. Still more increased susceptibility to IM or ALL may occur in children who carry both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype. GSTT1 and GSTM1 might play a potential role in the pathogenesis of both IM and ALL.

A new triterpenoid saponin from Abrus precatorius Linn.

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl subprogenin D (1), together with six known triterpenoids: subprogenin D (2), abrusgenic acid (3), triptotriterpenic acid B (4), abruslactone A (5), abrusogenin (6) and abrusoside C (7) were isolated from the leaves and stems of Abrus precatorius. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and NMR analysis, respectively. Compounds 5 and 6 showed moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7, SW1990, Hela, and Du-145 cell lines. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Current status of neonatal acute respiratory disorders: a one-year prospective survey from a Chinese neonatal network.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective, multicenter investigation of incidence, management and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory disorders (NARD), and evaluated related perinatal risk factors and efficacy of respiratory therapies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in a Chinese neonatal network. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected in 2004 - 2005 from infants with NARD defined as presence of respiratory distress and oxygen requirement during the first 3 days of life. RESULTS: A total of 2677 NARD was classified (20.5% of NICU admissions). There were 711 (5.44%) with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 589 (4.51%) pulmonary infection, 409 (3.13%) meconium aspiration syndrome, 658 (5.03%) aspiration of amniotic fluid and 239 (1.83%) transient tachypnoea. Meconium aspiration syndrome had the highest rate with fetal distress, transient tachypnoea from cesarean section, and RDS with maternal disorders. Assisted mechanical ventilation was applied in 53.4% of NARD, and in above five disorders with 84.7%, 52.3%, 39.8%, 24.5%, and 53.6%, respectively. Corresponding mortality in these disorders was 31.4%, 13.6%, 17.8%, 4.1% and 5.0%, respectively. Surfactant was provided to 33.9% of RDS. In all RDS infants, the survival rate was 78.8% if receiving surfactant, and 63.4% if not (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided NICU admission-based incidence and mortality of NARD, reflecting efficiency of advanced respiratory therapies, which should be a reference for current development of respiratory support in NICU at provincial and sub-provincial levels, justifying efforts in upgrading standard of care in emerging regions through a collaborative manner.

Bebrycoside, a new steroidal glycoside from the Chinese gorgonian coral Bebryce indica.

A new steroidal glycoside, bebrycoside (1), was isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Bebryce indica. The structure of 1 was established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data. This was the first time that the steroidal glycoside was isolated from the genus of Bebryce.

Study on the chemical constituents of the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea.

A new steroidal glycoside--4'-O-acetyl-3-O-[beta-D-arabino-pyranosyl-oxy]-cholest-5-ene-3beta,19-diol (1), and a new glycerol derivative--1,2-O-[2'-hydroxyoctadecyl]-glycerol (2), along with 16 known compounds were isolated from the EtOH/CH2Cl2 extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data.

New briaranes from the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea.

Three new briarane diterpenes, juncins O-Q (1-3), along with five known briaranes, praelolide, junceellin A, gemmacolide A, gemmacolide B, and junceellolide D, were isolated from the EtOH/CH(2)Cl(2) extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea. The structures of 1-3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data.

A new triterpenoid: taraxerol-3-beta-O-tridecyl ether from Derris triofoliata.

The new triterpenoid taraxerol-3-beta-O-tridecyl ether was isolated from the aerial part of Derris triofoliata. The structure was established on the basis of spectral data.