Labdane-type diterpenoids with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities from the aerial parts of Hypoestes purpurea (L.) R. Br.

Two new ent-labdane diterpenoids, hypoestesins A-B (1-2) and five new labdane diterpenoids, hypopurolides H-L (3-7), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypoestes purpurea. All of the structures were fully determined based on extensive analysis of H, C, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of 1-3 was established through comparing the experimental and calculated ECD curves and the structure of 5 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment.

Structurally diverse diterpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance and their bioactivities.

Eight previously undescribed diterpenoids, caesamins A-H (1-8), were separated and identified from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Structurally, caesamin A (1) is the first cassane-type diterpenoid with a C23 carbon skeleton containing an unusual isopropyl.

Organocatalyzed chemoselective ring-opening polymerizations.

A novel metal-free and protecting-group-free synthesis method to prepare telechelic thiol-functionalized polyesters is developed by employing organocatalysis. A scope of Brønsted acids, including trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1), HCl.EtO (2), diphenyl phosphate (3), γ-resorcylic acid (4) and methanesulfonic acid (5), are evaluated to promote ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with unprotected 6-mercapto-1-hexanol as the multifunctional initiator.

Decreased Frequency of IL-17F rs763780 Site Allele G is Associated With Genetic Susceptibility to Immune Thrombocytopenia in a Chinese Population.

Interleukin 17F (IL-17F) is an inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in autoimmune disease by inducing the expression of multiple chemokines, cytokines, and adhesion molecules. In vitro functional analysis revealed that IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism is associated with IL-17 expression and activity. Thus, considering the abnormal percentage of T helper 17 cells in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), we speculated there was a possible association between the IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to ITP in a Chinese Han population.

Protease-activated receptor (PAR)1, PAR2 and PAR4 expressions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Here, we used reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot to detect protease-activated receptor (PAR) 1, PAR 2 and PAR 4 expression in cancer tissues and cell lines of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and investigated the co-relationship between PAR expression and clinic-pathological data for esophageal cancer. The methylation of PAR4 gene promoter involved in esophageal carcinoma was also analyzed. By comparing the mRNA expressions of normal esophageal tissue and human esophageal epithelial cells (HEEpiC), we found that among the 28 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, PAR1 (60%) and PAR2 (71%) were elevated in 17 and 20 cases, respectively, and PAR4 (68%) expression was lowered in 19 cases.

Promoter hypermethylation and downregulation of trefoil factor 2 in human gastric cancer.

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) plays a protective role in gastric mucosa and may be involved in the progression of gastric cancer, but the detailed functions and underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. The present study used a combination of clinical observations and molecular methods to investigate the correlation between abnormal expression of TFF2 and gastric cancer progression. TFF2 expression was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses.

[Effect of homocysteine on gluconeogenesis in mice].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver of mice with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and explore the mechanism of gluconeogenesis induced by homocysteine.

Methods: Fifty mice were randomly divided into normal control group (n=25) and HHcy group (n=25) and fed with normal food and food supplemented with 1.5% methionine, respectively.

Inhibition of monosodium urate monohydrate-mediated hemolysis by vitamin E.

Microcrystals of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) induce cytolysis and hemolysis in erythrocytes. In this report, we studied the effect of vitamin E on MSUM-mediated hemolysis in human erythrocytes. Vitamin E significantly inhibited hemolysis induced by MSUM.