Litoamentenes A-K, eleven undescribed cembranoids with cytotoxicity from the South China Sea soft coral Litophyton amentaceum.

Eleven undescribed cembrane-type diterpenoids, named litoamentenes A-K (1-11), were isolated from the soft coral Litophyton amentaceum collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, comparison with the literature data, single crystal X-ray diffraction, quantum chemical calculations and TDDFT-ECD calculations. This is the first systematic investigation of L. amentaceum. In particular, compounds 1-3 are cembrane-type norditerpenoids that lack isopropyl side chains. Compound 6 is a cembrane-type norditerpenoid without a methyl group at C-4, the first natural product identified with this carbon skeleton. Compounds 6, 9 and 10 showed modest cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 3.99 to 14.56 µM.

Lemneolemnanes A-D, Four Uncommon Sesquiterpenoids from the Soft Coral Lemnalia sp.

Four undescribed sesquiterpenoids, lemneolemnanes A-D (1-4), have been isolated from the marine soft coral Lemnalia sp. The absolute configurations of the stereogenic carbons of 1-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are epimers at C-3 and have an unusual skeleton with a formyl group on C-6. Compound 3 possesses an uncommonly rearranged carbon skeleton, while 4 has a 6/5/5 tricyclic system. Compound 1 showed significant anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity in a humanized Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model.

The Brain Structure Volume Estimation Based on Synthetic MRI in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveCentral nervous system （CNS） infiltration commonly occurs in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL）. Early subclinical CNS infiltration in pediatric ALL is hard to detect with conventional methods. This study aimed to investigate the changes of brain structure volume parameters based on Synthetic MRI （SyMRI） in pediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration. MethodsThirty-six ALL and twenty-nine typically developing （TD） children were prospectively collected and all underwent SyMRI. The Synthetic MR software was used to obtain brain volumetric parameters including total white matter volume （WMV）， gray matter volume （GMV）， cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） volume， etc. and their within-group differences were assessed by analysis of covariance. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between biological characteristics and statistically significant brain volume parameters. ResultsALL children showed increased CSF volume （PFDR-corrected = 0.009） and decreased GMV （PFDR-corrected = 0.027） when compared to TD children. We also found a moderately negative association between GMV/intracranial volume and risk classification in pediatric ALL （rs = -0.380， P = 0.022）. ConclusionsPediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration presented with accumulation of CSF and reduction of gray matter. The brain volumetric changes in subclinical CNS infiltration of pediatric ALL provides a new attempt for exploring the underlying mechanism and early detection of CNS infiltration in pediatric ALL.

Progress of the development of anti-COVID-19 drugs / 药学学报

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease COVID-19 (also known as 2019-nCoV) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the end of 2019, it has spread rapidly in worldwide. Besides developing effective vaccines, it is urgent to develop safe and effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs to fight this disease. Paxlovid, molnupiravir, sotrovimab and bebtelovimab are urgently authorized by FDA have been proved to be effective against Omicron. This manuscript mainly reviews the recent progress of effective inhibitors against the virus in the world, including receptor inhibitors, antibodies, natural product inhibitors, synthetic inhibitors and broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that are effective against other RNA viruses.

The Exploration of Glymphatic System Alteration in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using DTI-ALPS Method / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveThe glymphatic system regulates cerebral spinal fluid and interstitial fluid transport which might be one of the pathways of central nervous system （CNS） leukemia at the early stage. This study aimed to investigate the alteration of glymphatic system based on diffusion tensor image-analysis along the perivascular space （DTI-ALPS） in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL） without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration. MethodsTwenty-five ALL and typically developing （TD） children were prospectively recruited， and all subjects underwent DTI. Group differences in brain water diffusivities and ALPS-index were evaluated using the analysis of covariance. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between biological characteristics and significant parameters in pediatric ALL. ResultsCompared with TDs， decreased Dxassoc value （PFDR-corrected = 0.048） and increased Dzassoc value （PFDR-corrected = 0.033） were found in pediatric ALL. Hence， lower ALPS-index was found in children with ALL （PFDR-corrected < 0.001）. ALPS-index was negatively associated with the risk classification （rs = -0.47， P = 0.018） as well as immunophenotype （rs = -0.40， P = 0.046） in pediatric ALL. ConclusionsOur results show dysfunction of the glymphatic system is presented in pediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration， which suggests that the glymphatic system might be one of pathway in the early-stage of ALL CNS infiltration. The DTI-ALPS method can be used to evaluate the change of glymphatic system， providing a new method for exploring the underlying mechanisms and early detection of pediatric ALL CNS infiltration.

Four bioactive new steroids from the soft coral Lobophytum pauciflorum collected in South China Sea.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids lobophysterols E-H (1-4), together with three known compounds (5-7), were isolated from the soft coral Lobophytum pauciflorum collected at Xisha Island, China. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with NMR data of structurally related compounds reported in the literature. The absolute configuration of 1-3 was determined by X-ray diffraction. All the compounds have assessed the cytotoxicity against HL-60, K562, and Hela cells. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxicity against K562 cells with an IC50 value of 19.03 µM. In addition, compound 1 also showed a moderate anti-inflammatory effect in zebrafish.

Secondary metabolites from marine sponges of the genus Agelas: a comprehensive update insight on structural diversity and bioactivity.

As one of the most common marine sponges in tropical and subtropical oceans, the sponges of the genus Agelas, have emerged as unique and yet under-investigated pools for discovery of natural products with fabulous molecular diversity and myriad interesting biological activities. The present review highlights the chemical structure and biological activity of 355 compounds that have been isolated and characterized from the members of Agelas sponges, over the period of about five decades (from 1971 to November 2021). For a better understanding, these numerous compounds are firstly classified and presented according to their carbon skeleton as well as their biosynthetic origins. Relevant summaries focusing on the source organism and the associated bioactivity of these compounds belonging to different chemical classes are also provided. This review highlights sponges of the genus Agelas as exciting source for discovery of intriguing natural compounds.

Terpenoids from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia multiflora.

A rare sinulariane-type norcembranoid sinulariadiolide B (1) with a unique cyano group, and a eunicellin-based diterpenoid multifloralin (2), along with two known related analogues, sinulariadiolide (3) and sclerophytin E (4), were isolated from the extract of the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia multiflora. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with previously reported data. Compounds 2 and 4 showed potent antifouling activity against barnacle Balanus albicostatus.

Effects of Mirror Therapy on Upper Limb Motor Function and Corticospinal Tract Remodeling after Stroke: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effects of mirror therapy on upper limb motor function recovery and corticospinal tract remodeling after stroke. Methods:From March, 2017 to March, 2019, 42 subcortical stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction from Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 21) and observation group (n = 21). Both groups received routine rehabiliation, while the observation group received mirror therapy additionally, for twelve weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), and scanned with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) before and after treatment. The fractional anisotropy (FA) in posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC) was obtained. Results:The scores of FMA-UE improved in both groups after treatment (t > 9.560, P < 0.001), and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (t > 2.634, P < 0.05). FA decreased significantly in the affected-lateral PLIC compared with that in the unaffected-lateral PLIC in both groups (t > 11.368, P < 0.001). FA in the affected side increased significantly after treatment in the observation group (t = 2.385, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group (t = -0.596, P > 0.05). FA increased more significantly in the observation group than in the control group (t = 2.306, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Mirror therapy can promote the recovery of motor function of upper limb and the corticospinal tract remodeling in stroke patients.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids from the South Sea sponge Plakortis sp.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids plaksterols A-D (1-4), together with two known related steroids ergost-7,9(11),22-trien-3ß,5α,6α-triol (5) and ergosta-6ß-methoxy-7,22-diene-3ß,5α-diol (6), were isolated from methanol extract of the South China Sea marine sponge Plakortis sp. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, MS, and IR. The cytotoxicity of the polyhydroxylated steroids were evaluated, and compound 6 showed moderate inhibitory activities against K562, HL-60 and BEL-7402 cells.

Biological and Chemical Diversity of Marine Sponge-Derived Microorganisms over the Last Two Decades from 1998 to 2017.

Marine sponges are well known as rich sources of biologically natural products. Growing evidence indicates that sponges harbor a wealth of microorganisms in their bodies, which are likely to be the true producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. In order to promote the study of natural product chemistry and explore the relationship between microorganisms and their sponge hosts, in this review, we give a comprehensive overview of the structures, sources, and activities of the 774 new marine natural products from sponge-derived microorganisms described over the last two decades from 1998 to 2017.

Cytotoxic components from the Xisha sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata.

A new dolabellane diterpenoid, clavirolide H (1), together with eleven known compounds, including two dolabellane diterpenoid (2 and 3), a rare cavernosine-type C17 γ-lactone terpenoid (4), a diketopiperazine (5) and seven sterols (6-12), were isolated from the Xisha sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the four types of compounds of the above isolates were reported from the genus Fascaplysinopsis for the first time. Selected compounds 1, 4-6 and 9-12 were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against K562, HL-60, Hela, HCT-116, A549, L-02 and BEL-7402 cell lines. Compounds 4-6 and 10-12 showed potent cytotoxicitives against HL-60 with IC50 values ranging from 8.8 to 12.4 µM. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activities against HeLa with IC50 of 20.7 and 27.4 µM, and 5 also has moderate cytotoxicity against HCT-116 with IC50 of 16.3 µM.[Figure: see text].

Effect of MiR-29b-3p Targeting STAT3 on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of miR-29b-3p on apoptosis and proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).@*METHODS@#TargetScan and miRanda online databases were used to predict the binding sites of miR-29b-3p and STAT3 3'UTR. The targeting relationship between them was estimated by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay experiment. After miR-29b-3p over-expression, qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of STAT3 mRNA and proteins, flow cytometry to determine the apoptosis of AML cells, and MTS to detect the changes of cell proliferation in each group.@*RESULTS@#Dual-Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that STAT3 was the target gene of miR-29b-3p. After miR-29b-3p overexpression, the expression of STAT3 mRNA and protein decreased. Compared with the control groups, the proliferation of AML cells in the overexpression group decreased and the apoptosis increased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#MiR-29b-3p can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of AML cells by down-regulating STAT3.

Bicyclo [6.3.0] Undecane Sesquiterpenoids: Structures, Biological Activities, and Syntheses.

Sesquiterpenoids constitute a marvelously varied group of natural products that feature a vast array of molecular architectures. Among them, the unusual bicyclo [6.3.0] undecane sesquiterpenoids are one of the most representative. To date, only approximately 42 naturally occurring compounds with this unique scaffold, which can be classified into seven different groups, have been reported. As the first-found member of each type, dactylol, asteriscanolide, dumortenol, toxicodenane C, and capillosanane S are characteristic of the four methyl groups on the five-eight-membered ring system. Only 11-hydroxyjasionone and sinuketal decorate the core with an isopropyl group. These natural products exhibit a wide range of bioactivities, including antifouling, anti-inflammatory, immune suppression, cytotoxic, antimutagenic, antiplasmodial, and antiviral activities. It was noted that some total syntheses of precapnellane-sesquiterpenoids (dactylol, poitediol, precapnelladiene), asteriscanolide, and 11-hydroxyjasionone have been achieved, because their cyclooctanoid core represents an important target for the development of synthetic strategies to prepare eight-membered ring-containing compounds. This review focuses on these natural sesquiterpenoids and their biological activities and synthesis, and aims to provide a foundation for further research of these interesting compounds.

Aplysinopsin-type and Bromotyrosine-derived Alkaloids from the South China Sea Sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata.

Seven pairs of new oxygenated aplysinopsin-type enantiomers, (+)- and (-)-oxoaplysinopsins A‒G (1‒7), two new bromotyrosine-derived alkaloids, subereamollines C and D (18 and 19), together with ten known compounds (8‒17) were isolated from the Xisha Islands sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. The planar structures were determined by extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Each of the optically pure enantiomers was achieved by chiral HPLC separation. The absolute configurations were assigned by the quantum chemical calculation methods. Compound 19 showed cytotoxicity against Jurkat cell lines with IC50 value of 0.88 µM. Compounds 2, 16 and 17 showed tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibition activity with IC50 value ranging from 7.67 to 26.5 µM, stronger than the positive control of acarbose and 1-deoxynojirimycin. A structural activity relationship for the aplysinopsin-type enantiomers were observed in PTP1B inhibition activity of 2 and cytotoxicity of 3 that the dextrorotary (+)-2 and (+)-3 showed stronger activity than the levorotary (-)-2 and (-)-3.

Serum Level of MiR-609 and Its Clinical Prognostic Value in Patients with Thalassemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the level of serum microRNA-609 and its clinical prognostic value in patients with thalassemia.@*METHODS@#One hundred and twenty-seven patients with thalassemia treated in our hospital from April 2017 to April 2018 were selected, 100 healthy persons were selected as control group. The changes of miR-609 were analyzed by RT-PCR, the relationship between miR-609 and clinical indicators of thalassemia was analyzed, and the prognostic risk factors of thalassemia were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#The relative expression level of miR-609 in thalassemia patients was 3.17±0.24, which was significantly higher than that in control group (P0.05). The incidence rate of mild anemia in high expression group was significantly lower than that in low expression group (P0.05). The number of patients with severe anemia in the miR-609 high expression group was higher than that in miR-609 low expression group (P<0.05). The incidence rate of dizziness, fatigue and fever in patients with miR-609 high expression group was significantly higher than those in patients with miR-609 low expression (P<0.05). There was no correlation between the level of miR-609 and the incidence rate of nausea in patients with thalassemia. ROC curve showed that the AUC value of microRNA-609 was 0.862, the sensitivity was 83.6%, and the specificity was 84.1%, which suggested that miR-609 had a high diagnostic value for thalassemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MCH and mir-609 were risk factors for poor prognosis of thalassemia patients.@*CONCLUSION@#The increased level of serum miR-609 in patients with thalassemia is a risk factor for poor prognosis and can be used as a reference index for evaluating the efficacy for patients.

Molecular PET/CT Imaging with 18F-FDG for Diagnosis of SD Rat’s Liver Fibrosis / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To assess the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for imaging liver fibrosis.【Methods】12 male SD rats （170±10 g）were divided into model group（TAA group）and control group. In the model group，200 mg/kg thioacetamide dissolved in sterile saline was administered to rats by means of intraperitoneal injection twice a week for a total of 6 weeks. In the control group，rats were treated with the same volume of saline. At week 6 after injection，18F- FDG PET/CT imaging was performed on two groups and measurement of the liver 18F-FDG uptake in two groups was taken. After PET/ CT scans， all rats were sacrificed to observe anatomical morphological changes. Liver tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin （H&E） staining，Masson staining and measurement of hydroxyproline levels. 【Results】 Liver anatomical morphology of the TAA-induced rats was roughness with brunt margins and coarse surfaces ，while control rats showed sharp margins and smooth surfaces. HE staining showed visible histological changes that hepatocyte and liver sinus area surrounded by plentiful recruited hepatocyte neutrophils in the model group. Masson staining showed that obvious proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of collagen in liver tissues in the model group. Model group showed higher hydroxyproline content than that in the control group（P<0.001）. The results of 18F- FDG imaging indicated that apparent liver radioactivity concentration in the model group. 18F-FDG uptake value of liver tissues in the model group was higher than that in the control group（P<0.001）.【Conclusion】18F- FDG PET/CT imaging could be used for diagnosis of liver fibrosis noninvasively.

Metabolites from the Paracel Islands Soft Coral Sinularia cf. molesta.

Five new oxygenated sesquiterpenes, molestins A⁻D (1, 3⁻5) and epi-gibberodione (2), three new cyclopentenone derivatives, ent-sinulolides C, D, and F ((+)-9⁻(+)-11), one new butenolide derivative, ent-sinulolide H ((+)-13), and one new cembranolide, molestin E (14), together with 14 known related metabolites (6⁻8, (⁻)-9⁻(⁻)-11, (±)-12, (⁻)-13, 15⁻19) were isolated from the Paracel Islands soft coral Sinularia cf. molesta. The structures and absolute configurations were elucidated based on comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculations, and comparison with the literature data. Compound 5 is the first example of a norsesquiterpene with a de-isopropyl guaiane skeleton isolated from the genus Sinularia. Molestin E (14) exhibited cytotoxicities against HeLa and HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 values of 5.26 and 8.37 µM, respectively. Compounds 4, 5, and 8 showed significant inhibitory activities against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with IC50 values of 218, 344, and 1.24 µM, respectively.

Terpenoids from the Soft Coral Sinularia sp. Collected in Yongxing Island.

Three new sesquiterpenoids (sinuketal (1), sinulins A and B (2 and 3)) and two new cembranoids (sinulins C and D (4 and 5)), as well as eight known sesquiterpenoids (6–13) and eight known cembranoids (14–21), were isolated from the Xisha soft coral Sinularia sp. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 possesses an unprecedented isopropyl-branched bicyclo [6.3.0] undecane carbon skeleton with unique endoperoxide moiety, and a plausible biosynthetic pathway of it was postulated. According to the reported biological properties of endoperoxide, the antimalarial, cytotoxic, antiviral, and target inhibitory activities of 1 were tested. Compound 1 showed mild in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7, weak cytotoxic activities toward Jurkat, MDA-MB-231, and U2OS cell lines, inhibitory effects against influenza A viruses H1N1 and PR8, as well as mild target inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase. The other compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicities against HeLa, HCT-116, and A549 tumor cell lines and target inhibitory activities against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Compound 20 exhibited cytotoxicities against HeLa and HCT-116, and compounds 5, 11, and 15 showed mild target inhibitory activities against PTP1B.

Isolation and Absolute Configurations of Diversiform C17, C21 and C25 Terpenoids from the Marine Sponge Cacospongia sp.

Chemical investigation of MeOH extract of a South China Sea sponge Cacospongia sp. yielded 15 terpenoids belonging to three different skeleton-types, including the unusual C17 γ-lactone norditerpenoids (1⁻3), the rare C21 pyridine meroterpenoid (7), and the notable C25 manoalide-type sesterterpenoids (4⁻6, 8⁻10). Compounds 1⁻5 were initially obtained as enantiomers, and were further separated to be optically pure compounds (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a-r, 3b-r, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b) by chiral HPLC, with a LiAlH4 reduction aid for 3. Compounds 3a/3b (a pair of inseparable enantiomers), 4a, 5a, 6, and 7 were identified as new compounds, while 1a/1b and 2a/2b were obtained from a natural source and were determined for their absolute configurations for the first time. This is also the first time to encounter enantiomers of the well-known manoalide-type sesterterpenoids from nature. The structures with absolute configurations of the new compounds were unambiguously determined by comprehensive methods including HR-ESI-MS and NMR data analysis, optical rotation comparison, experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and Mo2(OAc)4 induced circular dichroism (ICD) methods. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against selected human tumor cell lines was evaluated, however, the tested compounds showed no activity against selected cell lines.