Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR), and Eosinophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (ELR) as Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD).

Purpose: The study comprehensively evaluated the prognostic roles of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), basophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLR), and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Patients and Methods: Six hundred and nineteen patients with AECOPD and 300 healthy volunteers were retrospectively included into the study. The clinical characteristics of the patients with AECOPD and the complete blood counts (CBCs) of the healthy volunteers were collected. The associations of PLR, NLR, MLR, BLR, and ELR with airflow limitation, hospital length of stay (LOS), C-reactive protein (CRP), and in-hospital mortality in patients with AECOPD were analyzed. Results: Compared with the healthy volunteers, PLR, NLR, MLR, BLR, and ELR were all elevated in COPD patients under stable condition. PLR, NLR, MLR, and BLR were further elevated while ELR was lowered during exacerbation. In the patients with AECOPD, PLR, NLR, and MLR were positively correlated with hospital LOS as well as CRP. In contrast, ELR was negatively correlated with hospital LOS as well as CRP. Elevated PLR, NLR, and MLR were all associated with more severe airflow limitation in AECOPD. Elevated PLR, NLR, and MLR were all associated with increased in-hospital mortality while elevated ELR was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that smoking history, FEV1% predicted, pneumonia, pulmonary heart disease (PHD), uric acid (UA), albumin, and MLR were significant independent predictors ofin-hospital mortality. These predictors along with ELR were used to construct a nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality in AECOPD. The nomogram had a C-index of 0.850 (95% CI: 0.799-0.901), and the calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) further demonstrated its good predictive value and clinical applicability. Conclusion: In summary, PLR, NLR, MLR, and ELR served as useful biomarkers in patients with AECOPD.

17ß-estradiol reduces NF-κB expression induced by increased crosstalk between KLF5 and ERα in murine vascular smooth muscle cells.

Pathological vascular remodeling and cell proliferation play vital roles in many proliferative vascular diseases. Estrogen can protect the cardiovascular system, but its exact molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we report that 17ß-estradiol (E2) suppressed vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and inflammation. qRT-PCR and Western blot demonstrated that E2 decreased NF-κB p50 expression and reduced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation. Mechanistically, a dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation suggested that KLF5 promoted NF-κB p50 expression by binding to the NF-κB p50 promoter, whereas E2 reduced the effect of KLF5 binding to the NF-κB p50 promoter and inhibited NF-κB p50 expression. Furthermore, a coimmunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence staining showed that the interaction between KLF5 and ERα increased in VSMCs treated with E2, which in turn decreased NF-κB p50 expression levels. Altogether, we reveal that E2 inhibits VSMCs proliferation and inflammation by reducing NF-κB expression induced by an increased interaction between KLF5 and ERα. These data provide further insights into how E2 inhibits vascular proliferation and inflammation.

Chemistry and biological activity of resin glycosides from Convolvulaceae species.

Carbohydrate-based drug discovery has gained more and more attention during the last few decades. Resin glycoside is a kind of novel and complex glycolipids mainly distributed in plants of the family Convolvulaceae. Over the last decade, a number of natural resin glycosides and derivatives have been isolated and identified, and exhibited a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as cytotoxic, multidrug-resistant reversal on both microbial pathogens and mammalian cancer cells, antivirus, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sedative, vasorelaxant, laxative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, indicating their potential as lead compounds for drug discovery. A systematic review of the literature studies was carried out to summarize the chemistry and biological activity of resin glycosides from Convolvulaceae species, based on various data sources such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google scholar. The keyword "Convolvulaceae" was paired with "resin glycoside," "glycosidic acid," "glycolipid," or "oligosaccharide," and the references published between 2009 and June 2021 were covered. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed the structures of 288 natural resin glycoside and derivatives newly reported in the last decade. Moreover, we summarized the biological activities and mechanisms of action of the resin glycosides with pharmaceutical potential. Taken together, great progress has been made on the chemistry and biological activity of resin glycosides from Convolvulaceae species, however, more exploratory research is still needed, especially on the mechanism of action of the biological activities.

Cytotoxic Germacranolides from the Whole Plant of Carpesium minus.

Eight new germacranolides, minusolides A-H (1-8), along with two known analogues, 9 and 10, were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium minus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2, and 6 and 9 are two pairs of rare epimers with opposite configurations at C-2 of the 2-methylbutyryloxy group. The absolute configurations were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Compound 7 exhibited cytotoxic activities against MDA-MB-231, A549, and HCT-116 cells with IC50 values of 6.1 ± 0.2, 8.4 ± 0.6, and 3.7 ± 0.6 µM, respectively. Compound 7 induced the apoptosis of HCT-116 cells via suppression of PARP and promoting cleavage of PARP.

Citrus CitERF6 Contributes to Citric Acid Degradation via Upregulation of CitAclα1, Encoding ATP-Citrate Lyase Subunit α.

Citric acid is the most abundant organic acid in citrus fruit, and the acetyl-CoA pathway potentially plays an important role in citric acid degradation, which occurs during fruit ripening. Analysis of transcripts during fruit development of key genes in the acetyl-CoA pathway and transient overexpression assay in citrus leaves indicated that CitAclα1 could be a potential target gene involved in citrate degradation. In order to understand more about CitAclα1, 23 transcription factors coexpressed with CitAclα1 in citrus fruit were identified by RNA-seq. Using dual-luciferase assays, CitERF6 was shown to trans-activate the promoter of CitAclα1 and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) showed that CitERF6 directly bound to a 5'-CAACA-3' motif in the CitAclα1 promoter. Furthermore, citric acid content was significantly reduced when CitERF6 was overexpressed in transgenic tobacco leaves. Taken together, these results indicate an important role for CitERF6 in transcriptional regulation of CitAclα1 and control of citrate degradation.

Taicrypnacids A and B, a Pair of C37 Heterodimeric Diterpenoid Stereoisomers from Taiwania cryptomerioides.

Two uncommon C37 heterodimeric diterpenoids, taicrypnacids A (1) and B (2), and a known labdane-type diterpenoid (3) were isolated from the leaves of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Several techniques, such as comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion, X-ray crystallography, and ECD data, were employed to define the structures. The two new compounds displayed cytotoxicity against human breast cancer (MCF-7), osteosarcoma (U-2 OS), and human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) cell lines, while the methyl ester 1a showed no activity. Compound 1 induced Ca2+-ROS pathway-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress, and excessive stress led to cell death by activating apoptosis and autophagy.

Taiwanoids A-D, four dimeric diterpenoids featuring tetracyclic [7. 75, 9. 4. 05, 10. 08, 9] octodecane from Taiwania cryptomerioidesim.

Biogenesis-inspired chemical research of the leaves of Taiwania cryptomerioides afforded four unprecedented dimeric diterpenes, featuring a tetracyclic [7. 75, 9. 4. 05, 10. 08, 9] octodecane core: taiwanoids A-D (1-4). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectral analysis, chemical conversions and X-ray crystallography. A possible biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1-4 was proposed. Compounds 2 and 3 exerted a 5.37 and 6.26-fold potentiation effect on bortezmib (BTZ) susceptibility at a tested concentration of 20 µM, respectively.

Novel cycloneolignans from Vernicia fordii with inhibitory effects on over-activation of BV2 cells in vitro.

Novel natural products 7R, 8R, 7'R, 9'S-verniciasin A (1a), 7S, 8S, 7'S, 9'R- verniciasin A (1b), 7R, 8R, 7'R, 9'S-7'-methoxylverniciasin A (2a) and 7S, 8S, 7'S, 9'R-7'-methoxylverniciasin A (2b) were characterized from the seed capsule of Vernicia fordii. And the unique 9-O-9'-7, 9'-cyclo-8, 1'-neolignan skeleton with a seven-membered ring, was identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Further the possible biosynthetic pathway was briefly discussed. Interestingly, 1a, 2a, 1b and 2b all exhibited significant stereoselective inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cell. Then the primary mechanism of the bioactivities and stereoselectivity was explored by means of bioassay and molecular docking.

Survey of breast cancer mammography screening behaviors in Eastern Taiwan based on a health belief model.

Breast cancer is the main form of cancer affecting women and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality in women. The aim of this study was to explore regular mammography screening in Hualien women and to identify the factors that influence its uptake based on a health belief model. This cross-sectional study was performed between July 2012 and December 2012. A total of 776 women aged 45-69 years were enrolled in the study. The results of crude and adjusted analyses showed that there were significant differences in the prevalence of regular mammography screening, which were related to different age groups, residence areas, educational levels, hormone replacement therapy status, and history of breast cancer. Women in the older age groups, with a higher educational level, in receipt of hormone replacement therapy, and with a personal history of breast cancer had significantly higher odds ratios for regular mammography screening (2.75, 1.68, 1.75, and 1.98, respectively; all p < 0.05).

Prognostic Factors for Survival of Stage IB Upper Lobe Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study in Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical and pathologic factors that were associated with the survival of stage IB upper lobe non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of 147 subjects who had undergone curative resection for stage IB upper lobe NSCLC was performed. Patients who had received any adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Survival function curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier procedure. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of potential prognostic factors were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Five factors, including age, tumor size, histologic grade of differentiation, number of removed superior mediastinal lymph node stations and presence of visceral pleura invasion, were significantly and independently associated with mortality risk. Adjusted HRs were 2.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.1-6.5] and 4.6 (95% CI: 1.9-11) for those aged 58-68 years and those >68 years, respectively, relative to those aged <58 years. HRs for those with poorly and moderately differentiated tumors were 6.4 (95% CI: 2.3-18) and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.7-2.8), respectively. HRs for those with tumor size 3.1-5 cm and >5 cm (vs≤3.0 cm) were 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1-4.9) and 4.3 (95% CI: 1.9-10), respectively. The presence of visceral pleura invasion also increased the risk of mortality (HR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.3-12). CONCLUSION: Advanced age, larger tumor size, poorly differentiated histology, smaller number of removed superior mediastinal lymph node stations, and presence of visceral pleura invasion were associated with poor survival of surgically treated stage IB upper lobe NSCLC patients.

[Identification and cell phenotype transdifferentiation of adipose-derived stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the transdifferentiation of the ADSCs to epidermal cells. METHODS: ADSCs were isolated and cultured from rat adipose tissue by digestion of enzyme. ADSCs was identified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. ADSCs were divided into four groups in order to induce: the condition medium (containing 30% superior of homogenizing rat skin in 10% FBS/DMEM) group, 7 days; 10% FBS/DMEM with EGF (20 ng/ml) group, 7 days; the condition medium for 4 days and then 10% FBS/DEME instead of the condition medium for 3 days group; 10% FBS/DMEM for 7 days group (control group). Cytokeratin 19 and cytokeratin 10 expressions in ADSCs were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: (1) The results of immunocytochemistry showed that ADSCs were positive for CD49d and negative for CD106, CD34, CD19, CD10. The results of flow cytometry showed ADSCs were positive for CD49d and CD44. (2) The CK19 expression of ADSCs was 45.32% in the condition medium group, 26.58% in the condition medium with EGF group, 23.37% in te condition medium for 4 days and then 10% FBS/DMEM instead of the condition medium for 3 days gropu and 18.53% in control group, P <0.01. The CK10 expression of ADSCs was 43.56% in the condition medium group, 25.54% in the condition medium with EGF group, 18.20% in the condition medium for 4 days and then 10% FBS/DMEM instead of the condition medium for 3 days group and 2.46% in control group, P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: The superior of homogenizing rat skin can induce CK19 and CK10 expressing in ADSCs, and thereby demonstrating ADSCs can differentiate to epidermal cell phenotype in vitro.

[Research on the association between different levels of serum iron and essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between serum iron(SI) and essential hypertension (EHT) based on population-based samples. METHODS: Using clustering multistage sampling method, all the people above 18 years old in the target population were investigated. Blood pressure was measured and the questionnaire was used to find out related factors. Five milliliters fast vein blood were drawn and the serum were used for testing on serum iron (SI) and other elements such as blood sugar, cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), serum sodium, serum potassium, serum calcium etc. A case control study was carried out with EHT patients from the selected population as case group, and the other healthy peoples as controls. Database was created by Fox Pro and SPSS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The concentrations of SI, with (17.75 +/- 7.66) micromol/ L in EHT group and (17.23 +/- 7.83) micromol/L in control group, showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. The concentrations of SI also showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the high DBP and normal group with the average level as (17.84 +/- 7.58) micromol/L in high DBP group and (17.26 +/- 7.85) micromol/L in normal group. Data from monovariate analysis showed that the increase of SI was a risk factor for EHT, DBP and SBP. By multivariate analysis for EHT, while SI still existed in the model (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.057-1.590), but for SBP the results almost remained the same (OR = 1.285, 95% CI:1.102-1.498). CONCLUSION: Data from the results showed that SI was probably a risk factor for EHT.

[The epidemiological survey of prevalence rate of hypertension in the countryside of Zhangwu county, Liaoning province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence state of essential hypertension in the countryside of Zhangwu county, Liaoning province to confirm whether this county is the high prevalence region of essential hypertension. METHODS: Five thousand, two hundred and eight 15-year olds or older were sampled by means of whole population random sampling. Blood pressure was measured and the related risk factors were investigated with the uniform questionnaire. SPSS 10.0 of statistical software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension was 35.0% at this region, 40.0% in male, 32.0% in female. The prevalence rates of hypertension were increased with the increasing of the age in both males and females. There were significant statistically differences in the prevalence rates of hypertension between the different age groups, different countrysides and different villages. The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension were 43.0% the highest and 29.0% lowest respectively in the countryside, with prevalence rates, were 59.4% highest and 26.9% lowest respectively in the village. In all the patients with hypertension, 72.0% having hypertension II, III. CONCLUSION: The countryside of Zhangwu county was a high prevalence region of essential hypertension which was unusual in our country. The reason of this status was still unknown which called for further study.