A Drimane Meroterpenoid Borate as a Synchronous Ca Oscillation Inhibitor from the Coral-Associated Fungus sp. ZH-15.

Territrem F (), a drimane meroterpenoid bearing a unique borate ring system, was isolated together with its diol precursor territrem B () from the fungus sp. ZH-15 associated with the soft coral collected in the South China Sea. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and an X-ray single-crystal diffraction study, representing a new type of boron-containing natural product.

Immunosuppressive 9,10-Secosteroids from the Gorgonian Collected in the South China Sea.

Four new 9,10-secosteroids, verrucellols A-D (-), together with 12 known derivatives (-) were isolated from the gorgonian collected in the South China Sea. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. These compounds exhibited significant suppressive effects on CD4 T lymphocyte cell differentiation in an bioassay.

Alternarin A, a Drimane Meroterpenoid, Suppresses Neuronal Excitability from the Coral-Associated Fungi sp. ZH-15.

Alternarin A (), a rearranged drimane meroterpenoid characterized by a thioglycerate moiety, was isolated together with two known analogues from the coral-associated fungi sp. ZH-15. Its structure was determined based on spectroscopic analysis, modified Mosher's method, and TDDFT/ECD calculations.

Swinhoeisterols from the South China Sea Sponge Theonella swinhoei.

Swinhoeisterols C-F (1-4), four new steroids having a rearranged 6/6/5/7 ring system, were isolated from the Xisha sponge Theonella swinhoei, together with the known analogue swinhoeisterol A (5). Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analysis, TDDFT-ECD and optical rotation calculations, and biogenetic correlations. In an in vitro assay, compound 1 showed an inhibitory effect on (h)p300 with an IC value of 8.

[Hair cells apoptosis and the activation of P53 protein in intensive impulse noise induced cochlear lesion].

Objective: To explore the pattern of hair cell injury and expression of P53 apoptosis protein in intensive impulse noise injured cochlear hair cells in guinea pigs.

Methods: Twelve adult guinea pigs were exposed to a series of 40 pairs of impulse noise (2 second intervals) at the intensity of 168 dB (SPL). Animals were terminated at 3, 6 and 12 hours after noise exposure, respectively.

[In vitro culture of greater epithelial ridge cells from rat cochleae].

Objective: To establish in vitro culture systems of greater epithelial ridge (GER) cells from rat cochlear and to investigate the characterization, growth pattern and ultrastructure of GER cells.

Methods: Using a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digestion and mechanical separation to allow isolation and culture of GER cells from P1 rat cochleae. The dissociated GER cells were cultured in serum-free or 10% fetal bovine serum DMEM respectively.

Isolation, growth and differentiation of hair cell progenitors from the newborn rat cochlear greater epithelial ridge.

Mammalian cochlear hair cell loss is irreversible and leads to permanent hearing loss. To restore hearing physiologically, it is necessary to generate new functional hair cells either from endogenous cells or from exogenously transplanted hair cells/progenitors. Previous studies suggest that cochlear greater epithelial ridge (GER) and lesser epithelial ridge (LER) cells are capable of differentiating into hair cells.