Differential expression of long non-coding RNAs as diagnostic markers for lung cancer and other malignant tumors.

Due to advances in chip and sequencing technology, several types and numbers of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified. LncRNAs are defined as non-protein-coding RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides, and are now thought as a new frontier in the study of human malignant diseases including NSCLC. Diagnosis of numerous malignant tumors has been closely linked to the differential expression of certain lncRNAs. LncRNAs are involved in gene expression regulation at multiple levels of epigenetics, transcriptional regulation, and post-transcriptional regulation. Mutations, deletions, or abnormal expression levels lead to physiological abnormalities, disease occurrence and are closely associated with human tumor diseases. LncRNAs play a crucial role in cancerous processes as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. The expression of lncRNAs can regulate tumor cell in the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, cycle, invasion, and metastasis. As such, lncRNAs are potential diagnostic and treatment targets for cancer. And that, tumor biomarkers need to be detectable in easily accessible body samples, should be characterized by high specificity and sufficient sensitivity. Herein, it is significant clinical importance to screen and supplement new biomarkers for early diagnosis of lung cancer. This study aimed at systematically describing lncRNAs from five aspects based on recent studies: concepts, classification, structure, molecular mechanism, signal pathway, as well as review lncRNA implications in malignant tumor.

Systematic Comparison of Two Animal-to-Human Transmitted Human Coronaviruses: SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV.

After the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the world in 2003, human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been reported as pathogens that cause severe symptoms in respiratory tract infections. Recently, a new emerged HCoV isolated from the respiratory epithelium of unexplained pneumonia patients in the Wuhan seafood market caused a major disease outbreak and has been named the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus causes acute lung symptoms, leading to a condition that has been named as "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19). The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and of SARS-CoV caused widespread fear and concern and has threatened global health security. There are some similarities and differences in the epidemiology and clinical features between these two viruses and diseases that are caused by these viruses. The goal of this work is to systematically review and compare between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the context of their virus incubation, originations, diagnosis and treatment methods, genomic and proteomic sequences, and pathogenic mechanisms.

Asperginine, an Unprecedented Alkaloid from the Marine-derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.

Asperginine (1), an alkaloid possessing a rare skeleton, was isolated from the cultural broth of the marine fungus Aspergillus sp. (Z-4) isolated from the gut of the marine isopod Ligia oceanica. The planar structure and relative configuration of 1 was determined by analysis of NMR and mass spectral data. Its absolute configuration was elucidated by Marfey's method, together with NOESY correlations of key hydrogen atoms. The cytotoxicity against prostate cancer PC3 and human HCT116 was assayed by the MTT method. Unfortunately, asperginine did not show any activity.

Methylthio-aspochalasins from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp.

Two novel aspochalasins, 20-ß-methylthio-aspochalsin Q (named as aspochalasin V), (1) and aspochalasin W (2), were isolated from culture broth of Aspergillus sp., which was found in the gut of a marine isopod Ligia oceanica. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR and mass spectral data analysis. This is the first report about methylthio-substituted aspochalasin derivatives. Cytotoxicity against the prostate cancer PC3 cell line and HCT116 cell line was assayed using the MTT method. Apochalasin V showed moderate activity at IC50 values of 30.4 and 39.2 µM, respectively.

A new cyclopeptide metabolite of marine gut fungus from Ligia oceanica.

A new cyclopeptide, together with three known amino acid derivatives, was isolated from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavipes, which was found in the gut of isopod Ligia oceanica. The novel peptide contains four amino acid units, proline, 5-methoxyanthranilic acid, isoleucine and 3-aminoacrylic acid. Its structure was determined on the basis of NMR, HR-MS and MS(n) spectral data analysis. The two unusual amino acid residues, 5-methoxyanthranilic acid and 3-aminoacrylic acid, were first found in natural product. The known compound N-benzoyl-phenylalanine methyl ester was first found as fungal metabolite. This is the first report of natural products isolated from marine gut fungi.

2-methyl-L-erythritol glycosides from Gardenia jasminoides.

Two new glycosides, 2-methyl-L-erythritol-4-O-(6-O-trans-sinapoyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 2-methyl-L-erythritol-1-O-(6-O-trans-sinapoyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), along with two known triterpenoids (3-4), four quinic acid derivatives (5-8) and one flavonoid (9) were isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. Their structures were elucidated through MS and 2D NMR experiments (HMQC and HMBC). Inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages were evaluated. Though 2-methyl-D-erythritol and its glycosides have been reported in a few references, this is the first report about 2-methyl-L-erythritol glycosides. Based on this finding, we propose that 2-methyl-L-erythritol might be a new intermediate in the non-mevalonate biosynthesis of terpenoids.

Chemical constituents from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Three new iridoid glycosides, 6"-O-trans-caffeoylgenipin gentiobioside (1), genipin 1-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl (1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), genipin 1-O-α-D-xylopyranosyl (1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), three new monocyclic monoterpenoids, jasminoside R (4), jasminoside S (5), jasminoside T (6), together with nine known iridoid glycosides (7-15) and three crocetin glycosides (16-18), were isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. Their chemical structures were established mainly by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. Inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccaride-activated macrophages were evaluated. Compounds 8 and 18 showed strong inhibitory activity on NO production with IC(50) values of 11.14±0.67 and 5.99±0.54 µM, respectively.

[Paharmacological mechanisms of cellular immunity of overall alkali of tongbiling for the treatment of joint destruction].

AIM: To investigate the effect of the overall alkali of Traditional Chinese Medicine tongbiling(TBL) which comprises brucine and strychnine alkaloids on collagen induced-arthritis(CIA) and study its paharmacological mechanisms of cellular immunity. METHODS: Bovine CII was emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Wistar rats were injected with Type II collagen intradermally at the base of the tail. After swelling, CIA groups were, randomly divided into physiological saline group and treatment group. Then the swelling of the rats' hindlimbs was evaluated. The whole body of the rats treated on 35 th days was photographed by mammography X-Ray. 96 joints in erosion scoring system and 100 joints in joint spacing narrow(JSN) scoring system were used to observe the joint destruction of CIA from X-Ray comprehensively and objectively. After the rats were killed, the third proximal claw pad of the right hindlimb and left forelimb were stained by HE dying, Neutrophil, lymphocyte, plasmacyte infiltration and hyperplasia of synoviocytes were assessed. Then MTT and Western blot were used to determine the effect of the overall alkali of TBL on proliferation of Jurkat cells and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of Jurkat cells, respectively. RESULTS: Inflammation of CIA joints was aggravated quickly. The swelling of CIA rats treated by MTX and overall alkali of TBL for 35 days was relieved (P<0.05). MTX and overall alkali of TBL inhibited the hyperplasia of synoviocytes. Overall alkali of TBL inhibited the infiltration of lymphocyteS and plasmacytes. Overall alkali of TBL inhibited the proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of Jurkat cells. CONCLUSION: Overall alkali of TBL could relieve joint inflammation and destruction of CIA rats by blocking the MAPK cell signalling pathway to inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells. Our study might provide an experimental basis for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with overall alkali of TBL.