Combination model of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio and system inflammation response index is more valuable for predicting peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (NHR), monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR), lymphocyte/HDL ratio (LHR), platelet/HDL ratio (PHR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), system inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) have been recently investigated as novel inflammatory markers. Herein, the correlation was investigated between these inflammatory biomarkers and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the hematological parameter data of 216 T2DM patients without PAD (T2DM-WPAD) and 218 T2DM patients with PAD (T2DM-PAD) at Fontaine stages II, III or IV stage had been collected. Differences in NHR, MHR, LHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the diagnostic potential of these parameters. Results: The levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI and AISI in T2DM-PAD patients were significantly higher than in T2DM-WPAD patients (P < 0.001). They were correlated with disease severity. Further, multifactorial logistic regression analyses showed that higher NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI might be independent risk factors for T2DM-PAD (P < 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI for T2DM-PAD patients was 0.703, 0.685, 0.606, 0.648, 0.711, and 0.670, respectively. The AUC of the NHR and SIRI combined model was 0.733. Conclusion: The levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were higher in T2DM-PAD patients, and they were independently linked with its clinical severity. The combination model of NHR and SIRI was most valuable for predicting T2DM - PAD.

Azaphilones from the Fungus Penicillium multicolor LZUC-S2 and Their Antibacterial Activity.

Two new azaphilones, penimultiones A and B, together with seven known analogs were isolated from the culture of Penicillium multicolor LZUC-S2. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data analysis and chemical transformation. Penimultiones A and B belong to a rare class of azaphilones possessing a 1,3-dioxolane moiety. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against five clinically bacterial strains in vitro, and three compounds showed potent antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 12.5 to 50.0 µg/mL.

Jatrophane diterpenoids with cytotoxic activity from the whole plant of Euphorbia heliosocpia L.

Eight undescribed jatrophane diterpenoids, euphohelinoids A-H, along with 11 known analogues were isolated from the whole plant of Euphorbia heliosocpia L. Among them, euphohelinoids A and B contain a rare type of jatrophane diterpenoid skeleton with a 7,8-seco scaffold. To the best of our knowledge, only two such jatrophane diterpenoids have been reported. In addition, euphohelinoids G and H belong to a rare class of jatrophane diterpene possessing a ß-hydroxy group at C-11. Structure elucidation of these undescribed diterpenoids was performed by spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, HRESIMS, IR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and DP4+ analysis. The cytotoxicity of 17 abundant jatrophane diterpenes was evaluated against HepG2, HeLa, HL-60, and SMMC-7721 cell lines. Seven compounds presented potent cytotoxicity against the four tested cell lines with IC50 values from 8.1 to 29.7 µM. Moreover, preliminary structure-activity relationships for these jatrophane diterpenoids were discussed.

Exploration of the main active components and pharmacological mechanism of Yerba Mate based on network pharmacology.

INTRODUCTION: Yerba mate is widely consumed in South American countries and is gaining popularity around the world. Long-term consumption of yerba mate has been proven to have health-care functions and therapeutic effects on many diseases; however, its underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. In this research, we explored the pharmacological mechanism of yerba mate through a network pharmacological approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The bioactive components of yerba mate were screened from published literature and the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), and the targets and related diseases were retrieved by TCMSP. Furthermore, the component-target-disease network an protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed, and combined with gene ontology (GO) functional analysis and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis to explore the pharmacological mechanism of yerba mate. RESULTS: As a result, 16 bioactive components of yerba mate were identified, which acted on 229 targets in total. Yerba mate can be used to treat 305 diseases, such as breast cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and obesity. Protein kinase B (AKT1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), cellular tumour antigen (p53) TP53, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), transcription factor p65 (RELA), interleukin-6 (IL6), amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were identified as the key targets of yerba mate playing pharmacological roles. The signalling pathways identified by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis that were most closely related to the effects of yerba mate included pathways in cancer, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and human cytomegalovirus infection. CONCLUSION: the results of our study preliminarily verify the basic pharmacological action and possible mechanism of yerba mate and provide a reference for the further development of its medicinal value.

Clinical Epidemiology in China series. Paper 3: The methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published by China' researchers in English-language is higher than those published in Chinese-language.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the methodological and reporting quality of Chinese- and English -language systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) published by Chinese authors between 2016 and 2018. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We searched MEDLINE and Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD) for SRs/MAs led by Chinese authors published between 2016 and 2018. We used random sampling to select 10% of the eligible SRs/MAs published in each year from CSCD, and then matched the same number of SRs/MAs in MEDLINE. Reporting quality was evaluated using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and methodological quality using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) tool. Stratified analyses were conducted to compare the differences of quality between Chinese- and English language SRs/MAs. RESULTS: We identified 336 SRs/MAs (168 in Chinese and 168 in English). The reporting quality in Chinese-language SRs/MAs was slightly lower than English-language SRs/MAs (mean PRISMA scores: 20.58 vs. 21.71 in 2016, 19.87 vs. 21.24 in 2017, and 21.29 vs. 22.38 in 2018). Less than half of both Chinese- and English-language SRs/MAs complied with item 5 (protocol and registration), item 7 (information sources), item 8 (search) and item 27 (funding)). The methodological quality in Chinese -language SRs/MAs was also slightly lower than English -language SRs/MAs (mean AMSTAR-2 scores: 8.07 vs. 9.36 in 2016; 9.21 vs. 10.26 in 2017; 8.86 vs. 9.28 in 2018). Three items (item 2: established a protocol; item 4: use a comprehensive literature search; and item 10: report the sources of funding) were adhered to by less than 10% of both Chinese- and English -language SRs/MAs. Only one (0.6%) Chinese-language SRs/MA and nine (5.4%) English-language SRs/MAs were rated as high methodological quality. CONCLUSION: The reporting and methodological quality of English-language SRs/MAs conducted by authors from China between 2016 and 2018 were slightly better than those of Chinese -language SRs/MAs.

Quassinoids with Inhibitory Activities against Plant Fungal Pathogens from Picrasma javanica.

A bioactivity-guided study on the leaves of Picrasma javanica led to the isolation of 19 quassinoids, including 13 new compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic data analysis, X-ray crystallography studies, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data interpretation. Compounds 1-7 are rare examples of quassinoids with a keto carbonyl group at C-12. The biological activities of 11 of the more abundant isolates were evaluated against five phytopathogenic fungi in vitro, and several of them including 6 and 15 showed moderate inhibitory effects that were comparative to those of the positive control, carbendazim. In addition, the preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these quassinoids were also investigated.

The effect of dance-based mind-motor activities on the quality of life in the patients recovering from COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the improvement of diagnosis and treatment level in various countries, more and more patients have been discharged after systematic treatment. In order to effectively promote the overall recovery of patients' physical and mental function and quality of life (QOL), the focus of clinical work should be gradually shifted to rehabilitation treatment. Dance-based mind-motor activities were defined as coordinated upright mind-motor movements that emphasize dynamic balance, structured through music or an inner rhythm (e.g., breathing) and distinctive instructions or choreography, and that involve social interaction. It has positive effects on motor function, lung function, psychological mood and other aspects, so it can be used as a safe alternative therapy for patients recovering from COVID-19. At present, there are no relevant articles for systematic review. METHODS: From its inception until March 2021, we will conduct a comprehensive electronic search, including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, Springer, EMBASE, Chinese Science Citation Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Wan-fang database. Two independent researchers will conduct article retrieval, screening, quality assessment, and data analysis through the Review Manager (V. 5.3.5). RESULTS: The results of this study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dance-based mind-motor activities for the improvement of QOL in COVID-19 patients during the recovery period. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of the study will provide an evidence to judge whether dance-based mind-motor activities is effective and safe for COVID-19 in recovery period. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol will not evaluate individual patient information or infringe patient rights and therefore does not require ethical approval. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021232995.

Egg consumption and health outcomes: a global evidence mapping based on an overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have assessed the association between egg consumption and human health, but the evidence is often conflicting. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search to find all systematic reviews and meta-analyses that assess the association between egg consumption and any type of health outcome. We used AMSTAR to evaluate the methodological quality of the reviews, and GRADE to determine the quality of evidence. We visualized the results using a human anatomy diagram and evidence mapping. RESULTS: Our search revealed 29 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Eight studies were of high methodological quality, 16 studies of medium quality, and five studies of low quality. We identified 34 primary outcomes from the included 29 reviews, which were combined into a total of 22 different health outcomes. Two of the primary outcomes were based on high-quality evidence, 18 on moderate-quality evidence, and 14 on low-quality evidence. Egg consumption was associated with an increased risk of two diseases and decreased risk of six outcomes. For ten outcomes, no significant association was found, and for four outcomes, different reviews came to conflicting conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: The association between egg consumption and the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other related diseases has been studied in several meta-analyses. The evidence from different studies on the same topic was often conflicting, which can complicate the making of dietary recommendations.