were isolated together with eight known analogues from the fungus Pseudallescheria boydii associated with the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia sandensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations including the sulfur stereogenic center of a sulfoxide moiety were determined by comparison of experimental ECD spectra to TDDFT/ECD calculations. Epimeric chiral sulfoxides differing in the absolute configuration of the sulfur chirality center could be efficiently distinguished and assigned by comparing the experimental ECD to those of calculations for the sulfur epimers. In the in vitro biotests for osteoclastogenesis effects, compounds 1, 5, 7, and 10 exhibited a stimulatory activity, while compound 3 displayed an inhibitory activity.

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Cancer stem cell (CSC) refers to cancer cells with stem cell properties, that is, they have the ability of “self-renewal” and “differentiation.” Cancer stem cells exist in cancer cells and are the “culprit” of cancer recurrence and metastasis. It is difficult to be found because of its small amount, and it is difficult for anticancer drugs to produce effects on it. At present, the isolation and identification of cancer stem cells from many solid tumors are still quite difficult, mainly due to the lack of specific molecular markers of cancer stem cells. In this review, cancer stem cell surface markers and functional markers in urinary system were summarized. These markers can provide molecular targets for cancer therapy.

Most patients with liver cancer were found late and lost the chance of surgery. Liquid biopsy can monitor the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis, quickly evaluate the curative effect of tumor treatment, and is conducive to early screening and auxiliary diagnosis of high-risk groups. Amino acid (AA) profiling has been used to the diagnosis and the prognosis for cancers. However, little was known about the profiles of AA of liver cancer. In this study, we used tRNA in Cancer database to analyze the AA levels in liver cancer tissues. Blood samples of patients with liver cancer were collected and analyzed using the automatic AA analyzer. We found that valine, isoleucine, and leucine were decreased significantly both in the plasma and the tumor tissues of patients with liver cancer. However, upregulation of methionine was observed in tissues and plasma of patients with liver cancer. Interestingly, tyrosine, and phenylalanine were decreased in tumor tissue but increased in the plasma of patients with liver cancer. This is the first report provided an overview of AA profile in both plasma and tissue for patients with liver cancer. AA levels can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers of patients with liver cancer.

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Background/Aim: Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-based therapies have been used in many human cancers. However, some tumors are resistant to TRAIL-induced cell death. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a functional marker for identification of CSCs. Methods: In this study, we used the colony formation assay, AnnexinV/ PI double staining and PI staining to detect proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle in ALDH1⁺ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with TRAIL treatment. In addition, we established xenograft mouse models to confirm the anti-tumor roles of TRAIL in vivo. Finally, gene array and western blot were used to detect the deeper mechanism of the susceptibility of ALDH1⁺ NSCLC cells to TRAIL. Results: We confirmed that TRAIL could inhibit proliferation, and induce apoptosis and G₁ arrest in ALDH1⁺ NSCLC cells. Correspondingly, TRAIL was associated with decreased tumor size and the favorable survival rate of ALDH1⁺ cells established xenograft mouse models. ALDH1 could increase the death receptors (DR) 4 and DR5 expression in ALDH1⁺ NSCLC cells via activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Conclusion: ALDH1 protein induced MEK-1 mRNA stability and promoted its translation via its 3’UTR.

In this review, we discussed an interesting case infected with "COVID-19" (Corona Virus Disease 2019). The patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma recovered after infection with COVID-19. It may be that COVID-19 activates the patient's immune system, or it may be a coincidence. COVID-19 spike protein can interact with CD147 and use it as an entry to invade host cells. CD147 is a partner of SLC3A2, which is the chaperone subunit of cystine/glutamate reverse transporter (system XC). The catalytic subunit of system XC is SLC7A11. SLC7A11 mediated cysteine uptake plays a key role in ferroptosis. Through literature review and data analysis, we suggest that CD147, as a new potential COVID-19 infection entry, may also lead to ferroptosis of host cells. Our hypothesis is that spike protein of COVID-19 induced ferroptosis in host cells via CD147/SLC3A2/SLC7A11 complex. This is another explanation for the cancer patient recovered after COVID-19 infection.

Malignant tumors seriously endanger human health and life, and restrict economic development. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is the expression product of the human major histocompatibility complex, which, at present, is the most complex known polymorphic system. The polymorphism and expression of HLA molecules have been demonstrated to be associated with the occurrence and development of tumors. HLA molecules can regulate the proliferation of tumor cells and inhibit antitumor immunity. In the present review, the structure and function of HLA molecules, the polymorphism and expression of HLA in tumor tissue, the roles of HLA in tumor cells and tumor immunity, and the potential clinical application of HLA in tumor immunotherapy are summarized. The overall aim of the present review is to provide relevant information for the development of antitumor immunotherapies involving HLA in the clinic. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Physiological function and structure of HLA 3. HLA polymorphism and cancer 4. Function of HLA in tumor immunity 5. Clinical significance of HLA in tumor immunotherapy 6. Future perspectives