Clinicopathologic Features of Prostate Cancer with Mesorectal Lymph Node Involvement on PSMA or Fluciclovine PET/CT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Advanced PET imaging has shown more prevalent mesorectal lymph node (LN) involvement in prostate cancer than previously appreciated. The clinical features predicting risk for mesorectal involvement are not well established and the prognostic impact is unclear. This may have implications on management including radiotherapy field design. This study aims to identify clinical and pathologic characteristics associated with mesorectal involvement identified on PSMA or fluciclovine PET/CT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We conducted a single institution retrospective review of prostate cancer patients with F-18 fluciclovine, F-18 piflufolastat, or Ga-68 gozetotide PET between January 2020 and 2023 demonstrating tracer-avid mesorectal LN in the setting of newly diagnosed disease (ND) or biochemical failure after curative-intent therapy (BF). Clinical characteristics, pathologic findings, and early clinical outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

We identified 16 ND and 34 BF patients with uptake in at least one mesorectal LN on PET. For ND patients, clinical features at initial diagnosis were median PSA of 35.2 (range 9.6-659), median grade group 5, and 87% with clinical or radiographic T3/T4 disease. Radiographic PET staging among ND patients (excluding mesorectal LNs) were 19% N0M0, 25% N1M0, 56% as N1M1. For BF patients, clinical features at initial diagnosis were median PSA 9.2 (range 4.1-90) and median grade group 4. Primary treatment was prostatectomy in most (91%), with a high rate of high-risk features: 68% pT3-4, 28% pN1, and 32% had persistent detectable postop PSA. Radiographic PET staging among BF patients (excluding mesorectal LNs) were 29% N0M0, 38% N1M0, 12% N0M1, and 21% as N1M1. High-risk histologic features (cribriform, intraductal, ductal, or neuroendocrine) were identified in 88% of ND and 48% BF patients. Of these patients, 86% had cribriform pattern. Median PSA prior to PET for ND and BF patients was 37.0 (range 8.5-659) and 1.9 (0.2-11.1). Median interval from initial therapy to PET for BF patients was 4.4yr (range 0.2-19.7). Median follow-up post-PET was 8.7mo (range 3.4-29) for ND and 8.8mo (range 0-76) for BF patients. Of patients with M0 PET staging, none of the 7 ND patients developed DMs, and 1 of 23 BF patients developed DM after 4 yrs.

CONCLUSION

In this analysis of prostate cancer patients with mesorectal involvement, we found a high incidence of high grade, T3-4 disease, and cribriform pattern, especially in ND patients. For BF patients, there was a high incidence of pT3-4 and pN1 disease at time of initial treatment. Overall, most patients had concurrent regional nodal disease on PET. Longer follow up of clinical outcomes and comparison to high-risk patients without mesorectal LN involvement is needed to understand the prognostic significance and predictors of mesorectal LN spread. Additional studies are needed to identify patients at highest risk in whom elective coverage of mesorectal lymphatics with elective pelvic nodal RT may be warranted.

[Effect of peritoneum reconstruction on postoperative complications after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer]

Objective: To determine the effect of peritoneum reconstruction on postoperative complications after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Methods: Retrospective cohort study and propensity score matching were conducted. Case inclusion criteria: (1) pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma; (2) 18 to 80 years; (3) patients with middle to low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic LAR; (4) patients staging cT1-4aN0-2M0 or ycT1-4aN0-2M0 after neoadjuvant therapy; (5) the distance of 4-10 cm from tumor low margin to anal verge. Exclusion criteria: (1) abdominal surgery history (except appendicitis, cholecystitis, ectopic pregnancy); (2) anastomosis above the peritoneal reflection; (3) tumor distant metastasis or clinical staging of T4b during surgery; (4) conversion to open surgery; (5) severe incapacitating disease (American Society of Anesthesiologists classification IV or V, ASA). A total of 666 patients with middle to low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic LAR in The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2017 to June 2020 were enrolled. There were 473 males and 193 females with the median age of 59 (18-80) years. Laparoscopic LAR with peritoneum reconstruction was performed in 188 cases (PR group), and laparoscopic LAR without peritoneum reconstruction was performed in 478 cases (NPR group). After 1:1 propensity score matching according to 1:1 based on age, gender, body mass index, TNM staging, ASA classification, intraoperative blood loss, distance from tumor low margin to anal edge, 153 cases were included in each group. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Anastomotic leakage was defined and graded according to the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer (ISGRC) criteria. Results: After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics between the 2 groups (all P>0.05), indicating that these two groups were comparable. (1) Operative conditions: All the patients in both groups completed operation successfully. Compared with the NPR group, the PR group had longer operation time [(181.3±60.3) minutes vs. (168.9±51.5) minutes, t=2.185, P=0.029], shorter postoperative median hospital stay [8 (7, 10) days vs. 9 (7, 11) days, Z=-2.282, P=0.022], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) Postoperative complications: The overall morbidity of postoperative complication in PR group and NPR group was 20.3% (31/153) and 24.2% (37/153) respectively, and the incidence of anastomotic leakage was 9.8% (15/153) and 11.1%(17/153) respectively, whose differences were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Compared with NPR group, PR group had lower morbidity of grade III to IV complications [3.9% (6/153) vs. 11.1% (17/153), χ(2)=5.688, P=0.017] and lower secondary operation rate [1.3% (2/153) vs. 5.9% (9/153), χ(2)=4.621, P=0.032], the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Though PR group had lower incidence of grade C anastomoic leakage [1.3% (2/153) vs. 3.9% (6/153), χ(2)=2.054, P=0.152], but the differences were not statistically significant. (3) Postoperative inflammation: The difference of the procalcitonin level of both PR and NPR groups at postoperative 1-d, 3-d, and 5-d was statistically significant (F=5.222, P=0.010) in time-dependent manner, while the difference was not significant in the interaction effect (P>0.05). No statistically significant differences in the C-reactive protein level between two groups at postoperative 1-d, 3-d, and 5-d were found (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Peritoneum reconstruction in laparoscopic LAR can decrease the morbidity of postoperative complication of grade III to IV and the reoperation rate, and plays an important role in controlling the inflammatory reaction, which has great clinical value.

[Molecular characteristics of Legionella pneumophila in shower water of public places in Ma'anshan city from 2019 to 2020]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of Legionella pneumophila in shower water of public places in Ma'anshan City from 2019 to 2020, and to provide scientific basis for further prevention and control of legionellosis. Methods: From 2019 to 2020, according to population density distribution and business scale of bathing places in the main urban area of Ma'anshan City (Huashan District and Yushan District), 8 public bathing places (including 3 large, 3 medium and 2 small) were selected to collect 308 shower water and water storage pool water samples (294 shower water samples and 14 water storage pool water samples). After the collected water samples were treated, cultured, isolated and identified, the type characteristics of Legionella pneumophila were analyzed. Results: Legionella pneumophila were detected in 120 water samples among 308 shower water and water storage pool water samples, with an overall positive rate of 39.0% (120/308). A total of 154 Legionella pneumophila strains were detected, including 10 different serotypes, predominated by serotype 1 (LP1) and serotype 3 (LP3), accounting for 40.9% (63/154) and 22.7% (35/154). Among 154 strains of Legionella pneumophila, 23 strains of Legionella pneumophila were positive for all 14 virulence genes, accounting for 14.9% (23/154), including 19 serotype 1 (LP1) and 4 serotype 8 (LP8). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) cluster analysis of 154 Legionella pneumophila strains showed 60 different patterns. Conclusion: Legionella pneumophila was seriously polluted in the shower water environment of public places in Ma^, anshan City. The serotypes are widely distributed and the virulence of the strains is strong. The results of molecular typing show that these strains have genetic diversity.

Isosteroidal alkaloids from Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia: Synthesis and biological evaluation of alkaloid derivatives as potential cytotoxic agents

One new cevanine isosteroidal alkaloid named 5,6-anhydrohupehenine (1), together with five known alkaloids (2-6) were isolated from Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia, among which 5,6-anhydrohupehenine (1) exhibited strong inhibitory activity against HepG2 (IC₅₀ = 12.21 μM) and MCF-7 (IC₅₀ = 22.05 μM) cancer cells. Therefore, a total of 33 5,6-anhydrohupehenine derivatives (9a-9s, 10a-10f, 11a-11b, and 12a-12f) were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxicity evaluation of all 5,6-anhydrohupehenine derivatives against HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cells revealed that 9s displayed best activity against HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ at 1.27 μM. Further biological evaluations on 9s showed that it inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induced apoptosis of the HepG2 cells by activating cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, 9s exhibited strong antimetastatic potential. These results suggest that 5,6-anhydrohupehenine is a promising compound to be designed as novel cytotoxic agents.

Kinking and cracking behavior in nacre under stepwise compressive loading

The damage evolution of nacre under compressive loading has not been well understood, despite numerous investigations on its compressive behavior. In the present work, quasi-in-situ loading-unloading-reloading stepwise compressive tests were performed on nacre in Pinctada maxima shell, which exhibits a distinctive gradient feature with the thickness of platelets decreasing from the external to internal parts. In the loading direction parallel to the platelets, multiple microcracks and kink bands can absorb much deformation energy, leading to a graceful failure. Kinking only occurs at the final stage of fracture process, and it thus has no obvious influence on the strength of nacre, but contributes to a much larger strain. In the loading direction perpendicular to the platelets, nacre exhibits concurrently much higher compressive strength and fracture strain, as the damage can be effectively restricted. This is attributed to the presence of gradient structure, which disperses the stress concentration in front of the crack tip, and arouses the toughening mechanisms including damage localization and crack deflection. The findings obtained in this study are expected to provide fundamental insights into the design of bio-inspired advanced engineering materials.

Deformation and fracture behavior of a natural shell ceramic: Coupled effects of shell shape and microstructure

Common seashells possess their most adaptive functions benefiting from the macro-geometry and unique microstructures. The Cymbiola nobilis shell exhibits a logarithmic spiral-like shape and it is hierarchically constructed by the fiber-like crossed-lamellar structure. Three-point bending tests are conducted on three groups of samples taken from different locations (G1 with two macro-layers, G2 with three macro-layers, and G3 containing three macro-layers but with an arch-like curved shape). A novel method was developed to evaluate the bending stress of the curved samples and understand the bending fracture resistance of such curved samples. Due to the presence of a horizontal force that can decrease or shield the bending moment at the bottom center of samples, the arch-like G3 samples demonstrate the highest bending fracture resistance, revealing the significance of the curved shape of shell in the protection against the external attacks. The number of macro-layers and the curved shape of shell play an important role in the mechanical properties of the shell. The orientation of building blocks in a single crossed-lamellar layer is critical to the fracture resistance, and five types of fracture modes based on interfacial debonding, inter- and trans-lamella fracture are identified. The results obtained in this study would help open a new pathway to the development of bio-inspired high-performance structural materials.

Thermodynamic and microstructural study of Ti2AlNb oxides at 800 °C

The high-temperature structural applications of Ti2AlNb-based alloys, such as in jet engines and gas turbines, inevitably require oxidation resistance. The objective of this study is to seek fundamental insight into the oxidation behavior of a Ti2AlNb-based alloy via detailed microstructural characterization of oxide scale and scale/substrate interface after oxidation at 800 °C using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The oxide scale exhibits a complex multi-layered structure consisting of (Al,Nb)-rich mixed oxide layer (I)/mixed oxide layer (II)/oxygen-rich layer (III)/substrate from the outside to inside, where the substrate is mainly composed of B2 and O-Ti2AlNb phases. High-resolution TEM examinations along with high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging reveal: (1) the co-existence of two types (α and δ) of Al2O3 oxides in the outer scale, (2) the presence of metastable oxide products of TiO and Nb2O5, (3) an amorphous region near the scale/substrate interface including the formation of AlNb2, and (4) O-Ti2AlNb phase oxidized to form Nb2O5, TiO2 and Al2O3.

Femtosecond laser direct writing of ion exchangeable multifunctional microstructures

We report on the fabrication of ion exchangeable microstructures by femtosecond laser direct writing of an ion exchange photopolymer, poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). The resultant microstructures are negatively charged in aqueous solution, and can adsorb positively charged species, such as metal ions, nanoparticles, and proteins by electrostatic interaction, forming functional components for chip functionalization. In addition, it is possible to modify the microstructures with positively charged species that make the microstructures sensitive to negatively charged species. As a typical example, a crossed 3D microvessel functionalized with antibodies was fabricated, which reveals great potential for organ-on-a-chip systems. The fabrication of ion exchangeable microstructures holds great promise for flexible chip functionalization.

Shikonin ameliorates isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial damage through suppressing fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis and ER stress

Shikonin, isolated from the roots of herbal plant Lithospermum erythrorhizon, is a naphthoquinone. It has been reported to exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects and anti-oxidant properties in various diseases. Isoproterenol (ISO) has been widely used to establish cardiac injury in vivo and in vitro. However, shikonin function in ISO-induced cardiac injury remains uncertain. In our study, we attempted to investigate the efficiency and possible molecular mechanism of shikonin in cardiac injury treatment induced by ISO. In vivo, C57BL6 mice were subcutaneously injected with 5mg/kg ISO to induce heart failure. And mice were given a gavage of shikonin (2 or 4mg/kg/d, for four weeks). Cardiac function, fibrosis indices, inflammation response, apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were calculated. Pathological alterations, fibrosis-, inflammation-, apoptosis- and ER stress-related molecules were examined. In ISO-induced cardiac injury, shikonin significantly ameliorated heart function, decreased myocardial fibrosis, suppressed inflammation, attenuated apoptosis and ER stress through impeding collagen accumulation, Toll like receptor 4/nuclear transcription factor κB (TLR4/NF-κB), Caspase-3 and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) signaling pathways activity, relieving heart failure in vivo. Also, in vitro, shikonin attenuated ISO-induced cardiac muscle cells by reducing fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis and ER stress. Our findings indicated that shikonin treatment attenuated ISO-induced heart injury, providing an effective therapeutic strategy for heart failure treatment for future.

Mechanical properties of crossed-lamellar structures in biological shells: A review

The self-fabrication of materials in nature offers an alternate and powerful solution towards the grand challenge of designing advanced structural materials, where strength and toughness are always mutually exclusive. Crossed-lamellar structures are the most common microstructures in mollusks that are composed of aragonites and a small amount of organic materials. Such a distinctive composite structure has a fracture toughness being much higher than that of pure carbonate mineral. These structures exhibiting complex hierarchical microarchitectures that span several sub-level lamellae from microscale down to nanoscale, can be grouped into two types, i.e., platelet-like and fiber-like crossed-lamellar structures based on the shapes of basic building blocks. It has been demonstrated that these structures have a great potential to strengthen themselves during deformation. The observed underlying toughening mechanisms include microcracking, channel cracking, interlocking, uncracked-ligament bridging, aragonite fiber bridging, crack deflection and zig-zag, etc., which play vital roles in enhancing the fracture resistance of shells with the crossed-lamellar structures. The exploration and utilization of these important toughening mechanisms have attracted keen interests of materials scientists since they pave the way for the development of bio-inspired advanced composite materials for load-bearing structural applications. This article is aimed to review the characteristics of hierarchical structures and the mechanical properties of two kinds of crossed-lamellar structures, and further summarize the latest advances and biomimetic applications based on the unique crossed-lamellar structures.

Two New C19-Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum Nagarum var. Lasiandrum

Continuous investigations of the roots of Aconitum nagarum var. lasiandrum led to the isolation of two new C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, lasiandrine (1) and lasiandroline (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive interpretation of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data.

Two New C19-Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum nagarum var. lasiandrum

Continuous investigations of the roots of Aconitum nagarum var. lasiandrum led to the isolation of two new C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloids, lasiandrine (1) and lasiandroline (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive interpretation of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data.

Further Studies on Structure-Cardiac Activity Relationships of Diterpenoid Alkaloids

The cardiac effect of thirty-eight diterpenoid alkaloids was evaluated on the isolated bullfrog heart model. Among them, twelve compounds exhibited appreciable cardiac activity, with compounds 3 and 35 being more active than the reference drug lanatoside. The structure-cardiac activity relationships of the diterpenoid alkaloids were summarized based on our present and previous studies [2]: i) 1α-OMe or 1α-OH, 8-OH, 14-OH, and NH (or NMe) are key structural features important for the cardiac effect of the aconitine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids without any esters. C18-diterpenoid alkaloids, lycoctonine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, and the veatchine- and denudatine-type C20-diterpenoid alkaloids did not show any cardiac activity; ii) the presence of 3α-OH is beneficial to the cardiac activity; iii) the effect on the cardiac action of 6α-OMe, 13-OH, 15α-OH, and 16-demethoxy or a double bond between C-15 and C-16 depends on the substituent pattern on the nitrogen atom.

Further Studies on Structure-Cardiac Activity Relationships of Diterpenoid Alkaloids

The cardiac effect of thirty-eight diterpenoid alkaloids was evaluated on the isolated bullfrog heart model. Among them, twelve compounds exhibited appreciable cardiac activity, with compounds 3 and 35 being more active than the reference drug lanatoside. The structure-cardiac activity relationships of the diterpenoid alkaloids were summarized based on our present and previous studies [2]: i) 1α-OMe or 1α-OH, 8-OH, 14-OH, and NH (or NMe) are key structural features important for the cardiac effect of the aconitine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids without any esters. C18-diterpenoid alkaloids, lycoctonine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, and the veatchine- and denudatine-type C20-diterpenoid alkaloids did not show any cardiac activity; ii) the presence of 3α-OH is beneficial to the cardiac activity; iii) the effect on the cardiac action of 6α-OMe, 13-OH, 15α-OH, and 16-demethoxy or a double bond between C-15 and C-16 depends on the substituent pattern on the nitrogen atom.

Phenotypic Characterization of Insulin-Resistant and Insulin-Sensitive Obesity

CONTEXT

Whereas insulin resistance and obesity coexist, some obese individuals remain insulin sensitive.

OBJECTIVE

We examined phenotypic and metabolic factors associated with insulin sensitivity in both muscle and liver in obese individuals.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-four nondiabetic obese adults (29 males) underwent hyperinsulinemic (15 and 80 mU/m(2) · min)-euglycemic clamps with deuterated glucose. Top tertile subjects for glucose infusion rate during the high-dose insulin clamp were assigned Musclesen and those in the lower two tertiles were assigned Muscleres. Secondarily, top tertile subjects for endogenous glucose production suppression during the low-dose insulin clamp were deemed Liversen and the remainder Liverres.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Clinical and laboratory parameters and visceral, subcutaneous, liver, and pancreatic fat were compared.

RESULTS

Musclesen and Muscleres had similar body mass index and total fat (P > .16), but Musclesen had lower glycated hemoglobin (P < .001) and systolic (P = .01) and diastolic (P = .03) blood pressure (BP). Despite similar sc fat (P = 1), Musclesen had lower visceral (P < .001) and liver (P < .001) fat. Liversen had lower visceral (P < .01) and liver (P < .01) fat and C-reactive protein (P = .02) than Liverres. When subjects were grouped by both glucose infusion rate during the high-dose insulin clamp and endogenous glucose production suppression, insulin sensitivity at either muscle or liver conferred apparent protection from the adverse metabolic features that characterized subjects insulin resistant at both sites. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, 1-hour glucose, systolic BP, and triglycerides explained 54% of the variance in muscle insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Obese subjects who were insulin sensitive at muscle and/or liver exhibited favorable metabolic features, including lower BP, liver and visceral adiposity. This study identifies factors associated with, and possibly contributing to, insulin sensitivity in obesity.

Halo current diagnostic system of experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

The design, calibration, and installation of disruption halo current sensors for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak are described in this article. All the sensors are Rogowski coils that surround conducting structures, and all the signals are analog integrated. Coils with two different cross-section sizes have been fabricated, and their mutual inductances are calibrated. Sensors have been installed to measure halo currents in several different parts of both the upper divertor (tungsten) and lower divertor (graphite) at several toroidal locations. Initial measurements from disruptions show that the halo current diagnostics are working well.

A Unified Model for the Prediction of Yield Strength in Particulate-Reinforced Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

Lightweighting in the transportation industry is today recognized as one of the most important strategies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce anthropogenic climate-changing, environment-damaging, and human death-causing emissions. However, the structural applications of lightweight alloys are often limited by some inherent deficiencies such as low stiffness, high wear rate and inferior strength. These properties could be effectively enhanced by the addition of stronger and stiffer reinforcements, especially nano-sized particles, into metal matrix to form composites. In most cases three common strengthening mechanisms (load-bearing effect, mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion, and Orowan strengthening) have been considered to predict the yield strength of metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs). This study was aimed at developing a unified model by taking into account the matrix grain size and porosity (which is unavoidable in the materials processing such as casting and powder metallurgy) in the prediction of the yield strength of MMNCs. The Zener pinning effect of grain boundaries by the nano-sized particles has also been integrated. The model was validated using the experimental data of magnesium- and titanium-based nanocomposites containing different types of nano-sized particles (namely, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, and carbon nanotubes). The predicted results were observed to be in good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature.

Three New C20-Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum

Continuous investigations on the whole herbs of Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum led to the isolation of three new C20-diterpenoid alkaloids trichocarpisines A–C (1–3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive interpretation of the spectroscopic data.

Successful ABO-incompatible living-related intestinal transplantation: a 2-year follow-up

ABO-incompatible intestinal transplantation has rarely been performed due to poor patient outcomes. Herein we present a case of successful ABO-incompatible intestinal transplantation with a 2-year follow-up. A 16-year-old female with a history of extensive bowel resection received an ABO-incompatible living donor bowel graft from her father (blood type AB graft into a type A recipient). Posttransplant immunosuppression consisted of an initial anti-CD20, plasmapheresis/intravenous immunoglobulin before transplantation, followed by an anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and splenectomy, and maintenance with tacrolimus and prednisone. Her postoperative course was remarkable for a single episode of rejection on day 14 which responded promptly to treatment with methyprednisolone and ATG. Three months after transplantation, the patient developed an abdominal abscess requiring open surgical drainage. No viral infections were encountered. Posttransplant anti-B antibody titers and anti-B7 donor-specific antibody levels remained low. At a 2-year follow-up, the patient showed a progressive weight gain of 5.0 kg. This case illustrates that ABO-incompatible living-related bowel transplantation is immunologically feasible and is associated with good outcomes for the recipient. The management of blood type antibodies and the use of adequate immunosuppression in the early period of the procedure may be the keys to the success of future cases.

New C20-Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium laxicymosum var pilostachyum

From the whole herb of Delphinium laxicymosum var pilostachyum, three new C20-diterpenoid alkaloids, laxipilostine, laxipilosdine, and laxipilosline (1-3), were isolated, together with fourteen known diterpenoid alkaloids. Their structures were determined by extensively interpretation of their spectroscopic data (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and IR).

New C20-diterpenoid alkaloids from Delphinium laxicymosum var pilostachyum

From the whole herb of Delphinium laxicymosum var pilostachyum, three new C20-diterpenoid alkaloids, laxipilostine, laxipilosdine, and laxipilosline (1-3), were isolated, together with fourteen known diterpenoid alkaloids. Their structures were determined by extensively interpretation of their spectroscopic data (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and IR).

Full Assignments of the 1H, 13C and 15N Magnetic Resonance Spectra of Two Porphyrin Compounds

Two chlorin derivatives, rhodochlorin dimethyl ester (7) and chlorin-e6 trimethyl ester (8), were prepared from methyl pheophobide a (6) through base-degradation of the E ring and methylation of the carboxylic acids. Full assignments of the 1H, 13C and 15N magnetic resonance spectra of compounds 7 and 8 were made by 2D NMR techniques (1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMQC, 1H-13C HMBC, 1H-15N HMBC).

Full assignments of the 1H, 13C and 15N magnetic resonance spectra of two porphyrin compounds

Two chlorin derivatives, rhodochlorin dimethyl ester (7) and chlorin-e6 trimethyl ester (8), were prepared from methyl pheophobide a (6) through base-degradation of the E ring and methylation of the carboxylic acids. Full assignments of the 1H, 13C and 15N magnetic resonance spectra of compounds 7 and 8 were made by 2D NMR techniques (1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMQC, 1H-13C HMBC, 1H-15N HMBC).

Roles of pyrolysis on availability, species and distribution of Cu and Zn in the swine manure: chemical extractions and high-energy synchrotron analyses

Animal manures generally contain high levels of heavy metals that may pose a significant threat to soil and groundwater qualities. Pyrolysis as means of reducing metal availability in such feed stocks is recently encouraged, but systematic studies are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pyrolysis temperature on the availability of Cu and Zn by chemical extraction, to determine the speciation of Cu and Zn by synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy, and finally to investigate the phase distribution of metal species in the carbonaceous materials by combining acid-base extractions and absorption spectroscopy data. The results showed that both Cu and Zn in the swine manure were mainly bound to organic functional groups. Cu (II) reduction and Cu (I)-S complexes were observed during the pyrolysis process. Zn species resembling ZnAc2 was still dominant, being 60.8-69.2%, and ZnS increased by 6.6-21.8% in the carbonaceous materials. The distribution of Cu and Zn in the mineral, carbonized and non-carbonized organic phases varied greatly with the pyrolysis temperature. The higher the temperature, the more the metals existed in the mineral phase and carbonized organic phase. The decrease of EDTA extractable Cu and Zn with pyrolysis temperature was due to the increase of metals in the carbonized organic phase and mineral phase. It is suggested that pyrolysis at the relatively higher temperature is a better choice for metal-containing manure according to the metal speciation, solubility and availability.

Structure-cardiac activity relationship of C19-diterpenoid alkaloids

Thirty three C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, twenty-two prepared from known C19-diterpenoid alkaloids and eleven isolated from Aconitum and Delphinium spp. were evaluated for their cardiac activity in the isolated bullfrog heart assay. Among them, eleven compounds exhibited cardiac activity, with average rate of amplitude increase in the range of 16-118%. Compound 7, mesaconine (17), hypaconine (25), and beiwutinine (26) exhibited strong cardiac activities relative to the reference drug. The structure-activity relationship data acquired indicated that an alpha-hydroxyl group at C-15, a hydroxyl group at C-8, an alpha-methoxyl or hydroxyl group at C-1, and a secondary amine or N-methyl group in ring A are important structure features necessary for the cardiac activities of the aconitine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids without any ester groups. In addition, an alpha-hydroxyl group at C-3 is also helpful for the cardiac activity of these alkaloids.

Structure-Cardiac Activity Relationship of C19-Diterpenoid Alkaloids

Thirty three C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, twenty-two prepared from known C19-diterpenoid alkaloids and eleven isolated from Aconitum and Delphinium spp. were evaluated for their cardiac activity in the isolated bullfrog heart assay. Among them, eleven compounds exhibited cardiac activity, with average rate of amplitude increase in the range of 16-118%. Compound 7, mesaconine (17), hypaconine (25), and beiwutinine (26) exhibited strong cardiac activities relative to the reference drug. The structure-activity relationship data acquired indicated that an α-hydroxyl group at C-15, a hydroxyl group at C-8, an α-methoxyl or hydroxyl group at C-1, and a secondary amine or N-methyl group in ring A are important structure features necessary for the cardiac activities of the aconitine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids without any ester groups. In addition, an α-hydroxyl group at C-3 is also helpful for the cardiac activity of these alkaloids.

Cardioactive C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloids from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaeli "Fu Zi"

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an n-BuOH extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaeli. led to the isolation of 5 cardioactive C(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids: N-deethylaconine (1), beiwutinine (2), hypaconine (3), mesaconine (4), and 15α-hydroxyneoline (5). N-Deethylaconine and beiwutinine are new aconitine-type C(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids. Hypaconine was isolated from this species for the first time. Among them, mesaconine, hypaconine, and beiwutinine showed the strongest cardiac actions on the isolated perfused bullfrog heart. Furthermore, mesaconine has protective effects, including improved inotropic effect and left ventricular diastolic function, on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat at a dose of 10(-9) mol/L. However, mesaconine has almost no effect on heart rate.

Studies on the relative reactivity of three hydroxyl groups in aconitine

The relative reactivity of three hydroxyl groups in aconitine toward acetylation, chlorination, sulfonylation, and oxidation has been studied in this paper. The reduction of C-3 ketone and C-15 ketone derivatives of aconitine was also investigated. It was found that (1) the relative reactivity of three hydroxyl groups toward acetylation, chlorination, and sulfonylation is 3-OH>13-OH>>15-OH; (2) 3-OH is much more reactive than 15-OH toward oxidation; and (3) reduction of the carbonyl group at C-3 with NaBH(4) generated a pair of C-3 epimers, while the reduction products of the carbonyl group at C-15 depend largely on the specific reducing agent and the absolute configuration of 16-OCH(3). When the substrate has 16β-OCH(3), its carbonyl group at C-15 can be reduced with NaBH(4) to yield exclusively the 15α-OH-containing product. Upon replacement of reducing agent NaBH(4) with LiAlH(4), the C-15 carbonyl group can be reduced to yield a pair of C-15 epimers. On the other hand, when the substrate has 16α-OCH(3), C-15 carbonyl group can only be reduced to generate 15α-OH-containing product.

Partial synthesis and biological evaluation of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids derivatives: potential modulators of multidrug resistance in cancer

A series of new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids was partially synthesized from tetrandrine and fangchinoline and evaluated for their ability to reverse P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. All the test compounds increased the intracellular accumulation rate of rhodamine 123 in MDR cells (Bel7402 and HCT8), and most exhibited more potent MDR-reversing activity relative to the reference compound verapamil. Compounds 8, 10, 13, and 14 enhanced intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in Bel7402 and HCT8 cells.

Phragmalin- and mexicanolide-type limonoids from the leaves of Trichilia connaroides

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Trichilia connaroides afforded 12 new limonoids with phragmalin- (1-11) and mexicanolide-type skeletons (12). The structures of these limonoids, including the absolute configuration of 3, were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 6 and 8 showed moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells.

Synthesis and MDR inhibitory activity evaluation of derivatives of schizandrin A

Eighteen schizandrin A derivatives, possessing an acyl group at 7-OH and/or halogen(s) at C-4 and C-11, were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their in vitro ability to inhibit multidrug resistance (MDR). They exhibit weak ability to restore the intracellular Rhodamine 123 in human hepatocarcinoma MDR cell lines Bel7402 and HCT8 relative to the reference drug verapamil.

Bis-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum

Two new, rare heteratisine-hetidine-type bisditerpenoid alkaloids designated as trichocarpines A 1 and B 2, together with twelve known compounds have been isolated from the whole plants of Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation and chemical transformation.

Bis-Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum Tanguticum Var. Trichocarpum

Two new, rare heteratisine-hetidine-type bisditerpenoid alkaloids designated as trichocarpines A 1 and B 2, together with twelve known compounds have been isolated from the whole plants of Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation and chemical transformation.

Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium majus

From the whole herbs of Delphinium majus, three new C(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids, majusines A-C (1-3), and six new C(20)-diterpenoid alkaloids, majusimines A-D (4-7) and majusidine A and B (8 and 9), have been isolated, together with 15 known compounds. The structures of compounds 1-9 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation.

An effective O-demethylation of some C19-diterpenoid alkaloids with HBr-glacial acetic acid

The aconitine-type alkaloids talatisamine (1), 8,14-diacetyltalatisamine (11), and compound 3, the lycoctonine-type alkaloid deltaline (5), and the 7,17-seco C(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids 7 and 9 were treated with HBr-glacial acetic acid to give useful O-demethylated derivatives 2, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 respectively in good to high yields (49-90%).

New C18-diterpenoid alkaloids from Delphinium anthriscifolium var. savatieri

Five new C18-diterpenoid alkaloids, anthriscifolcines A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), together with a known C19-diterpenoid alkaloid delcorine (6), were isolated from the whole herb of Delphinium anthriscifolium var. savatieri. The structures of these new alkaloids were established on the basis of spectral data (1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS).