Swab Testing to Optimize Pneumonia treatment with empiric Vancomycin (STOP-Vanc): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Vancomycin, an antibiotic with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is frequently included in empiric treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) despite the fact that MRSA is rarely implicated in CAP. Conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on nasal swabs to identify the presence of MRSA colonization has been proposed as an antimicrobial stewardship intervention to reduce the use of vancomycin. Observational studies have shown reductions in vancomycin use after implementation of MRSA colonization testing, and this approach has been adopted by CAP guidelines.

Inhibition of Human Salivary and Pancreatic α-Amylase by Resveratrol Oligomers.

A key strategy to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia involves inhibiting α-amylases, which commence the starch digestion process in the gut. This study examined the inhibitory effects of resveratrol and stilbenoid tetramers, vaticanol B, (-)-hopeaphenol, and vatalbinoside A on human salivary and pancreatic α-amylases experimentally and through molecular docking studies. Vaticanol B demonstrated the most potent inhibition with IC values of 5.

The Natural Stilbenoid (-)-Hopeaphenol Inhibits HIV Transcription by Targeting Both PKC and NF-κB Signaling and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9.

Despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to harbor replication-competent and transcriptionally active virus in infected cells, which in turn can lead to ongoing viral antigen production, chronic inflammation, and increased risk of age-related comorbidities. To identify new agents that may inhibit postintegration HIV beyond cART, we screened a library of 512 pure compounds derived from natural products and identified (-)-hopeaphenol as an inhibitor of HIV postintegration transcription at low to submicromolar concentrations without cytotoxicity. Using a combination of global RNA sequencing, plasmid-based reporter assays, and enzyme activity studies, we document that hopeaphenol inhibits protein kinase C (PKC)- and downstream NF-κB-dependent HIV transcription as well as a subset of PKC-dependent T-cell activation markers, including interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine and CD25 and HLA-DRB1 RNA production.

Is It Time to Call 'Code Blue' on Nursing Infrastructure? A Nurse's Perspective from the COVID-19 Front-line.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of every role within the interdisciplinary team and has exacerbated the challenges posed to every member. From the nursing perspective, many of these challenges were present before the pandemic but have become significantly larger problems that continue to demand global attention. This has provided an opportunity to critically evaluate and learn from the challenges the pandemic has both highlighted and created.

The Natural Stilbenoid (-)-Hopeaphenol Inhibits Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 Variants.

Antivirals are urgently needed to combat the global SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic, supplement existing vaccine efforts, and target emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Small molecules that interfere with binding of the viral spike receptor binding domain (RBD) to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor may be effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Here, we screened 512 pure compounds derived from natural products using a high-throughput RBD/ACE2 binding assay and identified (-)-hopeaphenol, a resveratrol tetramer, in addition to vatalbinoside A and vaticanol B, as potent and selective inhibitors of RBD/ACE2 binding and viral entry.

Selected α-pyrones from the plants Cryptocarya novoguineensis (Lauraceae) and Piper methysticum (Piperaceae) with activity against Haemonchus contortus in vitro.

Due to the widespread occurrence and spread of anthelmintic resistance, there is a need to develop new drugs against resistant parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. The Nobel Prize-winning discovery and development of the anti-parasitic drugs avermectin and artemisinin has renewed the interest in exploring natural products as anthelmintics. In the present study, we screened 7500 plant extracts for in vitro-activity against the barber's pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, a highly significant pathogen of ruminants.

Guttiferones O and P, prenylated benzophenone MAPKAPK-2 inhibitors from Garcinia solomonensis.

Two prenylated benzophenones, guttiferones O (1) and P (2), were isolated from the stem bark of the Papua New Guinean plant Garcina solomonensis. The structures of these compounds and their relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds inhibited the phosphorylation of the synthetic biotinylated peptide substrate KKLNRTLSVA by the serine/threonine protein kinase MAPKAPK-2 with IC(50) values of 22.

Pim2 inhibitors from the Papua New Guinean plant Cupaniopsis macropetala.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an organic extract from the leaves of Cupaniopsis macropetala resulted in the isolation of a new alkaloid, galloyl tyramine ( 1), together with the known flavonoid glycoside quercitrin ( 2). The structure of 1 was determined following 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, and MS data analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed IC 50 values of 161 and 25 microM, respectively, in a Pim2 enzyme assay.

Volatile chemical constituents of Piper aduncum L and Piper gibbilimbum C. DC (Piperaceae) from Papua New Guinea.

Exhaustive hydro-distillation of the leaves of Piper aduncum and fruits of Piper gibbilimbum (Piperaceae) afforded colorless and pale orange colored oils in 0.35 and 0.30 % yields, respectively.

Comparative chemical analysis of the essential oil constituents in the bark, heartwood and fruits of Cryptocarya massoy (Oken) Kosterm. (Lauraceae) from Papua New Guinea.

Exhaustive hydro-distillation of the bark, heartwood and fruits of Cryptocarya massoy (Lauraceae) afforded pale yellow-coloured oils in 0.7, 1.2 and 1.

Indolizidine alkaloids with delta-opioid receptor binding affinity from the leaves of Elaeocarpus fuscoides.

In the first chemical investigation of the Papua New Guinean plant Elaeocarpus fuscoides, one new indolizidine alkaloid, elaeocarpenine (1), and three known alkaloids, isoelaeocarpicine (2), isoelaeocarpine (3), and elaeocarpine (4), were isolated from the leaves. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Since treatment of elaeocarpenine (1) with ammonia produced a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomers 3 and 4, we propose that elaeocarpenine (1) is the biogenetic precursor of isoelaeocarpine (3) and elaeocarpine (4).

Habbemines A and B, pyrrolidine alkaloids with human delta-opioid receptor binding affinity from the leaves of Elaeocarpus habbemensis.

The first phytochemical investigation of the Papua New Guinean plant Elaeocarpus habbemensis resulted in the isolation of two new pyrrolidine alkaloids, habbemines A (2) and B (3), as a 1:1 mixture of inseparable diastereomers. The structures of these compounds and their relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic means. An equimolar mixture of habbemines A and B showed human delta-opioid receptor binding affinity with an IC50 of 32.

Latifolians A and B, novel JNK3 kinase inhibitors from the Papua New Guinean plant Gnetum latifolium.

As part of our search for natural products active against the JNK3 kinase, two novel, charged benzylisoquinolines, latifolian A (1) and latifolian B (2), were isolated from the stem bark of the Papua New Guinean vine Gnetum latifolium. The planar structures were determined through detailed 2D NMR analysis. The relative configurations were assigned after examination of the ROESY data and through detailed molecular modeling studies.

Minor cytotoxic and antibacterial compounds from the rhizomes of Amomum aculeatum.

A new cytotoxic 1,7-dioxa-dispiro[5.1.5.

New tirucallane-type triterpenes from Dysoxylum variabile.

Eight new tirucallane-type triterpenes, dyvariabilins A-H (1-8), three known tirucallanes, niloticin (9), dihydroniloticin (10), and tirucalla-7,24-diene-3 beta,23-diol (11), and two known sesquiterpenes, 1-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-3a-methyl-7-methyleneoctahydroinden-4-ol and (+)-aphanamol I, were isolated from the stem bark of Dysoxylum variabile. Tirucallanes 1 and 11 with an allylic hydroxy group in the side chain and dyvariabilin C (3) with an alpha-epoxy group at positions 7 and 8 showed high instability in acidic medium and formed five hitherto unknown semisynthetic tirucallanes. Dyvariabilins B (2) and C (3) as well as the mixtures of dyvariabilins E and F (5 and 6) and dyvariabilins G and H (7 and 8) showed weak cytotoxicity against KB cells.

New prenylated bi- and tricyclic phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum papuanum.

Five new prenylated tricyclic and three new bicyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives have been isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation of the petroleum ether extract of the dried aerial parts of Hypericum papuanum. The tricyclic compounds (1--5) were named papuaforins A--E. The bicyclic compounds were isolated together with their corresponding tautomers and were named hyperguinones A and B (6/6a,7/7a) and hyperpapuanone (8/8a), respectively.

Bioactive coumarin derivatives from the fern Cyclosorus interruptus.

Three new coumarin derivatives, compounds 1-3, three new furanocoumarins, compounds 4-6, and a novel dioxocane derivative, compound 7, were isolated from the fern Cyclosorus interruptus (Willd.) H. Itô.

New phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum papuanum.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum papuanum led to the isolation of five new tricyclic phloroglucinol derivatives. On the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as MS studies, their structures were elucidated as the C-3 epimers of 8-hydroxy-4,4, 7-trimethyl-9-(2-methylpropionyl)-3-(1-methylvinyl)-5beta -H-tricyclo[ 5.3.

Acylated flavonol glycosides from leaves of Stenochlaena palustris.

From the leaves of Stenochlaena palustris five new O-acylated flavonol glycosides, stenopalustrosides A-E (1-5), have been isolated along with five known compounds, kaempferol 3-O-(3' '-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-(6' '-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), kaempferol 3-O-(3' ',6' '-di-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), kaempferol 3-O-(3' '-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol 3-O-(6' '-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9); and kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10). The structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1-4 showed significant antibacterial activities against Gram-positive strains.

Gibbilimbols A-D, cytotoxic and antibacterial alkenylphenols from Piper gibbilimbum.

Fractionation of the petroleum ether extract from the leaves of Piper gibbilimbum collected in Papua New Guinea afforded four new alkenylphenols, gibbilimbols A-D (1-4). The structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Gibbilimbols A-D were found to be toxic to brine shrimp with an LC50 of approximately 5 microg/mL.

Dammarane Triterpenes from the Leaves of Securinega melanthesoides.

Two new dammarane triterpenoids, trans-securinegin [(20S)-24-methylidenedammarane-3alpha-yl(2E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenate (1)] and cis-securinegin [(20S)-24-methylidenedammarane-3alpha-yl(2Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenate (2)], were isolated from the leaves of Securinega melanthesoides, along with the known compound bergenin. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, mainly 2D NMR techniques.

Biological screening of traditional medicinal plants from Papua New Guinea.

Based on ethnopharmacological literature, 17 species of medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine in Papua New Guinea were collected. Extracts of different polarities were tested in a preliminary biological screening for their antimicrobial (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Penicillium oxalicum) and molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata as well as for their toxicity to brine shrimp. The pretreated plant extracts were also investigated for their ability to inhibit protein kinase C and tyrosine-specific protein kinase of epidermal growth factor receptor.

Antibacterial triterpenoids from Dillenia papuana and their structure-activity relationships.

Two new oleanene-type triterpenoids, dillenic acids D and E, have been isolated from the leaves and stems of Dillenia papuana together with the new natural product 3-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid. Together with these compounds, the known compound, betulinic acid (3 beta-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-oic acid) was isolated as the major component of the fractions studied. Dillenic acids D and E were characterized as 2,3-seco-2-oxoolean-12-en-3-methylester-30-oic acid and 1 alpha,3 beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid and their nuclear magnetic resonance data were unambiguously assigned using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.