Two new sesterterpenoids from Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam.

Two new sesterterpenoids, atractylodes japonica terpenoid acid I (1) and atractylodes japonica terpenoid aldehyde I (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam together with ten known compounds (3-12). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis (1D/2D NMR, HRESIMS and IR). In addition, all of these isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human gastric cancer cell MGC-803 and human hepatocellular cancer cell HepG-2. Most of them exhibited moderate to weak inhibitory effects with IC50 values in the range of 25.15-88.85 µM except for 9-12.

Five new sesquiterpenoids isolated from Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz.

Five new sesquiterpenoids, dictamtrinorguaianols E and F (1-2), and dictameudesmnosides F, G, and H (3-5), along with seven known sesquiterpenoids (6-12) were isolated from Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. The structures of all new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR. The In-vitro anti-proliferative activities of all the compounds against two human cancer cell lines (SW982 and A549) were evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Compounds 1 and 4 showed medium anti-proliferative activity against SW982 cells, with IC50 values of 3.49 ± 0.10 and 6.42 ± 1.23 µM, respectively. Additionally, compounds 2, 7, and 8 exhibited medium anti-proliferative activity against A549 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.80 ± 0.05 to 6.60 ± 0.46 µM.

Causal effect of age first had sexual intercourse and lifetime number of sexual partners on cervical cancer.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether age first had sexual intercourse (AFSI) and lifetime number of sexual partners (LNSP) have a direct causal effect on cervical cancer by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: Four approaches were used for MR Analysis, including MR-Egger, weighted method, weighted median, and inverse variance weighted (IVW). MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) as well as MR-Egger regression analysis were conducted to detect whether there was pleiotropy between IVs and outcome, and the outlier SNPs can be detected by MR-PRESSO. The presence or absence of heterogeneity among IVs was suggested according to Cochran's Q statistic. Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed to identify and remove SNPs which could independently change the results. We corrected the results using Bonferroni correction. Results: From the results of IVW, AFSI had a negative effect on cervical cancer (OR = 0.996, 95 % CI: 0.995, 0.998 P = 1.70E-07), which still persisted after Bonferroni correction. However, no causal effect of LNSP on cervical cancer was found according to the IVW results (OR = 1.003, 95 % CI: 1.000, 1.007, P = 0.071). From the results of MR-PRESSO and MR-Egger, no SNP with horizontal pleiotropy between cervical cancer was detected and no SNP was identified as an outlier SNP. Cochran's Q statistic suggested that no heterogeneity existed among IVs of AFSI and LNSP. According to Leave-one-out analysis, the results of MR did not change after excluding any single IV. Conclusion: This MR study reveals that early AFSI has a causal effect on cervical cancer.

Effects of different strains fermentation on nutritional functional components and flavor compounds of sweet potato slurry.

In this paper, we study the effect of microbial fermentation on the nutrient composition and flavor of sweet potato slurry, different strains of Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium brevis were employed to ferment sweet potato slurry. After 48 h of fermentation with different strains (10% inoculation amount), we compared the effects of several strains on the nutritional and functional constituents (protein, soluble dietary fiber, organic acid, soluble sugar, total polyphenol, free amino acid, and sensory characteristics). The results demonstrated that the total sugar level of sweet potato slurry fell significantly after fermentation by various strains, indicating that these strains can utilize the nutritious components of sweet potato slurry for fermentation. The slurry's total protein and phenol concentrations increased significantly, and many strains demonstrated excellent fermentation performance. The pH of the slurry dropped from 6.78 to 3.28 to 5.95 after fermentation. The fermentation broth contained 17 free amino acids, and the change in free amino acid content is closely correlated with the flavor of the sweet potato fermentation slurry. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results reveal that microbial fermentation can effectively increase the kinds and concentration of flavor components in sweet potato slurry, enhancing its flavor and flavor profile. The results demonstrated that Aspergillus niger fermentation of sweet potato slurry might greatly enhance protein and total phenolic content, which is crucial in enhancing nutrition. However, Bacillus coagulans fermentation can enhance the concentration of free amino acids in sweet potato slurry by 64.83%, with a significant rise in fresh and sweet amino acids. After fermentation by Bacillus coagulans, the concentration of lactic acid and volatile flavor substances also achieved its highest level, which can considerably enhance its flavor. The above results showed that Aspergillus niger and Bacillus coagulans could be the ideal strains for sweet potato slurry fermentation.

Identification of a novel survival predictor, CSF2RB, for female lung cancer in never smokers (LCNS) by a bioinformatics analysis.

Lung cancer in never smokers (LCNS) has been considered as a separate disease and the 7th cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, limited research has focused on "female" cohorts, which have presented a higher incidence rate. In this study, the microarray data of lung cancer tissues derived from 54 female lung cancer patients, consisting of 43 nonsmokers and 11 smokers, were selected from GSE2109 dataset. A total of 249 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 102 up- and 147 down-regulated genes were identified and further analyzed for gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. By constructing protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and calculating key modules, 10 hub genes were screened out. The module analysis of the PPI network presented that the progression of female LCNS was significantly associated with immune response as chemokine activity and lipopolysaccharide response, and these biological processes (BP) might be mediated by chemokine signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Then, survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) Plotter online platform presented down-regulated gene colony stimulating factor 2 receptor beta common subunit (CSF2RB) of female LCNS might be involved in poor clinical outcome. Female LCNS with high expression of CSF2RB might be relevant with relative risk reduction of mortality, longer median survival time and higher 5-year survival rate, while female LCNS with low expression of CSF2RB might be implicated in a poor clinical outcome. In short, our results support CSF2RB to be a candidate survival predictor for female LCNS.

Organic matter enrichment mechanism of Youganwo Formation oil shale in the Maoming Basin.

The Youganwo Formation oil shale located in the Maoming Basin represents a large commercially valuable lacustrine oil shale resource and a potential bio-shale gas reservoir in South China. With the aim of deepening the understanding of factors that influence organic matter enrichment, this research conducted a geochemical investigation to reconstruct the depositional paleoenvironment of bioproductivity, preservation and dilution. Youganwo Formation oil shale is mainly deposited in semi-deep to deep-lake environments with relatively warm and humid paleoclimate in the subtropical-temperate zone. The total organic carbon (TOC) content (1.46-11.85%), S2 values (4.79-115.80 mg HC/mg rock) and HI (328-1040 mg HC/mg TOC) indicate that the oil shale has a good oil source rock potential. TOC content, (S1 + S2) values and vitrinite reflectance values show that its marginally mature organic matter (OM) belongs to kerogen type I-III with good oil-generating potential. A 3rd order sequence was identified in the Yougnwo formation. Subsequently, the multiple factors including bioproductivity, preservation and dilution that control the OM enrichment of oil shale within system tracts were discussed. Moderate-quality oil shales (Oy-1) were developed in the transgressive systems tract (TST) in an oxidizing condition with abundant detrital input. High-quality oil shales (Oy-2) were deposited during the high-stand systems tract (HST) with increased accommodation space, improved preservation conditions, warm and humid climate, higher water bioproductivity and minimum detrital matter input. During the regressive systems tract (RST, Oy-3), higher detrital matter input and fresher water led to lower TOC values. Among these multiple factors, dilution condition was the major one that influences OM abundance and variation on the basis of sufficient organic matter input. Thus, OM enrichment models of Oy-1, Oy-2 and Oy-3 sub-members were established. The OM enrichment and quality in oil shale were controlled by the combined effect of bioproductivity, preservation, and dilution.

Education level has an effect on the recovery of total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe the relationship between education level and outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: One thousand two hundred sixty four patients after TKA in our hospital from April 2016 to April 2020 were reviewed. These patients were divided into 4 groups (A who were illiterate, B who had elementary school degree, C who had junior high school degree, D who had senior high school degree or higher) by the educational level, which was blinded to the observers. The postoperative outcomes of KSS score, pain, joint extension and flexion function were observed 1 year after discharged from hospital. RESULTS: Among 1253 patients met the inclusion criteria, the average age was 68.63 years, the average body mass was 57.73 kg. There are no distinctions among 4 groups one day after the surgery. However, the outcomes of the follow up were that, the KSS score was: 77.84 ± 10.635; 80.70 ± 8.956; 87.92 ± 8.123;91.27 ± 8.262, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The mean VAS scores were: 1.97 ± 1.60; 2.07 ± 1.66; 1.197 ± 1.5265, 1.044 ± 1.4662. Patients in Group C and D had significantly less pain than that in Group A and B (P < 0.05). The knee flexion range of motion (ROM) was: 91.21 ± 11.69°; 91.77 ± 11.95°; 102.12 ± 11.38°; 109.96 ± 10.64°, Group D performed best, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The knee extension ROM were: - 2.41 ± 4.49°; - 0.91 ± 2.82°; - 0.83 ± 2.87°; - 0.35 ± 1.60°, with significant difference between Group D and the others (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Education level affects the outcomes such as VAS score, KSS score, the extension and flexion ROM of the knee after TKA. The patients with higher education level have better outcomes.

Subacute thyroiditis during early pregnancy: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is rarely diagnosed in pregnant women, and only 7 cases have been reported to date. Thyroid dysfunction, especially hyperthyroidism, during pregnancy has been associated with both maternal and neonatal complications. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of SAT during pregnancy may be beneficial. We present a case report and literature review to complement the diagnostic evaluation and management of SAT during pregnancy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old woman presented in gestational week 17 of her first pregnancy and had a negative prior medical history. She presented to the Endocrinology Department complaining of neck pain for one month that had intensified in the last five days. Physical examination revealed a diffusely enlarged thyroid gland that was firm and tender on palpation. The patient also had an elevated temperature and heart rate. The increasing and long-lasting pain coupled with a decreased level of thyroid-stimulating hormone indicated hyperthyroidism. Ultrasound findings were indicative of SAT. Importantly, the pain was so severe that 10 mg of oral prednisone per day was administered in gestational week 18, which was increased to 15 mg/d after 10 days that was discontinued in week 28. Levothyroxine was started in gestational week 24 and administered throughout the pregnancy. The patient responded well to the treatments, and her neck pain disappeared in gestational week 21. She gave birth to a healthy male in gestational week 41. CONCLUSION: SAT can be diagnosed and effectively managed during pregnancy, thus benefiting mothers and infants.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids, dammar-3α,12(R),20(S)-triol-12,32(R);20,32-diepoxy-25-methy-25-en-tridecacyclic ether (1) and (23E)-12ß,20(R),25(S),26-tetrahydroxydammar-23-en-3-one (2) were isolated from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature, and the cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated.

Relieved Low Back Pain after Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Both Hip Osteoarthritis and Lumbar Degenerative Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relief of low back pain after hip arthroplasty in patients with hip joint and spinal degenerative diseases, and to discuss the effects of unilateral and bilateral hip surgery on the relief of low back pain. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we followed 153 patients (69 males and 84 females, age: 43-88 years) who had undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) via a posterolateral approach and also suffered from lumbar degenerative diseases in the period of 2009 to 2019. The inclusion criteria were: (i) patients who had been diagnosed with severe hip degenerative disease and also been diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disease; (ii) patients who had undergone THA surgery; and (iii) patients who were retrospectively recruited. The exclusion criteria were: (i) patients who had undergone lumbar fusion or internal fixation surgery; or (ii) patients who had vascular claudication, history of major trauma, diabetic polyneuropathy, lumbar and pelvic infections, tumor diseases; (iii) or patients who had undergone THA because of femoral neck fracture or ankylosing spondylitis. The improvement of hip joint function and the relief of low back pain (LBP) were studied, and the effect of unilateral and bilateral THA on the relief of LBP were discussed. Hip pain and function were evaluated by the Harris Hip Score (HHS), LBP was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and lumbar function was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 44.3 months (24-108 months). All patients recovered smoothly without complications. The LBP VAS of 153 patients decreased from 4.13 ± 1.37 preoperatively to 1.90 ± 1.44 postoperatively. The average HHS increased from 45.33 ± 13.23 preoperatively to 86.44 ± 7.59 postoperatively at the latest follow-up. According to Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system, the proportion of patients with good response to treatment in these 153 patients reached 93.46%. LBP VAS decreased from 4.18 ± 1.38 preoperatively to 1.95 ± 1.49 postoperatively in unilateral group and from 3.94 ± 1.32 preoperatively to 1.73 ± 1.23 postoperatively in bilateral group, respectively. There were only nine patients with persistent or aggravated LBP after operation. Among them, six patients underwent subsequent lumbar surgery (five patients had pain relieved after reoperation and one patient had not) and the other three patients chose conservative treatment for pain. CONCLUSION: THA can relieve LBP while relieving hip pain and restoring hip function in patients with both hip and lumbar degenerative disease, thus possibly avoiding further spinal surgery.

[Effect of Laptm4b Deletion on Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Homeostasis in Mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane-4 Beta(Laptm4b) deletion on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) homeostasis in mice. METHODS: The hematopoietic system specific Laptm4b-deficient mice were constructed. The number and proportion of HSPCs (LSK, LT, ST, MPP, etc) in Laptm4b-deficient mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. Single SLAM-HSC cell was sorted by flow sorter and cultured in vitro to measure the effect of Laptm4b deletion on the colony forming ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The effect of Laptm4b-deficient on the reconstitution ability of HSCs in mice was detected by competitive transplantation experiment of SLAM-HSC cells. RESULTS: Laptm4b deficiency could moderately upregulate the proportion of T cells in the peripheral blood of the mice, but showed no significant effect on the proportion and number of HSPCs. Laptm4b deletion showed no effect on the reconstruction ability of HSCs after competitive transplantation, but it could inhibit the colony formation of HSCs in vitro. CONCLUSION: LAPTM4B may play a role in HSCs under the proliferation stress. Laptm4b-deficient in mice hematopoietic system showed no significant effect on the HSPCs homeostasis maintenance and reconstruction ability.

Fully automated magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy for examination of the stomach and small bowel: a prospective, feasibility, two-centre study.

BACKGROUND: The use of magnetically controlled capsules for gastroscopy is in the early stages of clinical adoption. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a fully automated magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (FAMCE) system in clinical practice for gastroscopy and small bowel examination. METHODS: We did a prospective, comparative study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of FAMCE. Patients from two hospitals in Chongqing, China were consecutively enrolled. Eligible participants were aged 18-80 years with suspected gastric pathology and no previous surgery. Participants underwent FAMCE for screening of gastric lesions, then conventional transoral gastroscopy 2 h later, and stomach examination results were compared. The primary outcome was the rate of complete detection of gastric anatomy landmarks (cardia, fundus, body, angulus, antrum, and pylorus) by FAMCE. Secondary outcomes were the time required for gastric completion by FAMCE, the rate of detection of gastric lesions by FAMCE compared with conventional transoral gastroscopy, and the rate of complete small bowel examination. Adverse events were also evaluated. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000040507. FINDINGS: Between May 12 and Aug 17, 2020, 114 patients (mean age 44·0 years [IQR 34·0-55·0]; 63 [55%] female) were enrolled. The rate of complete detection of gastric anatomical structures by FAMCE was 100% (95% CI 99·3-100·0). The concordance between FAMCE and conventional transoral gastroscopy was 99·61% (99·45-99·78). The mean completion time of a gastroscopy with FAMCE was 19·17 min (SD 1·43; median 19·00, IQR 19·00-20·00), compared with 5·21 min (2·00; 5·18, 3·68-6·45) for conventional transoral gastroscopy. In 114 enrolled patients, 214 lesions were detected by FAMCE and conventional transoral gastroscopy. Of those, 193 were detected by both modalities. FAMCE missed five pathologies (four cases of gastritis and one polyp), whereas conventional transoral gastroscopy missed 16 pathologies (12 cases of gastritis, one polyp, one fundal xanthoma, and two antral erosions). FAMCE was able to provide a complete small bowel examination for all 114 patients and detected intestinal lesions in 50 (44%) patients. During the study, two (2%) patients experienced adverse events. No serious adverse events were recorded, and there was no evidence of capsule retention. INTERPRETATION: The performance of FAMCE is similar to conventional transoral gastroscopy in completion of gastric examination and lesion detection. Furthermore, it can provide a complete small bowel examination. Therefore, FAMCE could be effective method for examination of the gastrointestinal tract. FUNDING: Chinese National Key Research and Development Program.

Expression, regulation and clinical significance of B7-H3 on neutrophils in human gastric cancer.

Neutrophils are conspicuous components of gastric cancer (GC) tumors, increasing with tumor progression and poor patient survival. However, the phenotype, regulation and clinical relevance of neutrophils in human GC are presently unknown. Most intratumoral neutrophils showed an activated CD54+ phenotype and expressed high level B7-H3. Tumor tissue culture supernatants from GC patients induced the expression of CD54 and B7-H3 on neutrophils in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. Locally enriched CD54+ neutrophils and B7-H3+ neutrophils positively correlated with increased granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) detection ex vivo; and in vitro GM-CSF induced the expression of CD54 and B7-H3 on neutrophils in both time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. Furthermore, GC tumor-derived GM-CSF activated neutrophils and induced neutrophil B7-H3 expression via JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway activation. Finally, intratumoral B7-H3+ neutrophils increased with tumor progression and independently predicted reduced overall survival. Collectively, these results suggest B7-H3+ neutrophils to be potential biomarkers in GC.

New flavonoids from the aerial part of Bupleurum chinense DC.

Four new flavonoids (1-4) and fourteen known compounds (5-18), were isolated from the aerial part of Bupleurum chinense DC. The structural determination of the new flavonoids was accomplished using comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR spectra with references to the literatures, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. The anti-proliferative activities of the flavonoids (1-18) against HeLa cells were evaluated using the MTT assay with cisplatin as the positive control.

New indole alkaloids from the seeds of Datura metel L.

Four new indole alkaloids, daturametelindoles A-D (1-4) were isolated from the EtOAc soluble partition of the ethanol extract of the Datura metel seeds. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on spectroscopic evidence, including their 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra and mass spectrometry. In particular, compounds 1-4 were all racemes, confirmed by the optical rotations and CD spectra. Unfortunately, the chiral monomers were not obtained due to the amount, but the developments of their chiral separation and chiral resolution were completed. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic effects against human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (SGC-7901), human hepatoma (Hepg2), and human breast cancer (MCF-7).

Aptamer-T Cell Targeted Therapy for Tumor Treatment Using Sugar Metabolism and Click Chemistry.

The development of a tumor-targeted immunotherapy is highly required. The most advanced application is the use of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)T (CAR-T) cells to B cell malignancies, but there are still side effects including potential carcinogenicity of lentiviral or retroviral insertion into the host cell genome. Here, we developed a nonviral aptamer-T cell targeted strategy for tumor therapy. Tumor cells surface-specific ssDNA aptamers were conjugated to CD3+T cells (aptamer-T cells) using N-azidomannosamine (ManNAz) sugar metabolic cell labeling and click chemistry. We found that the aptamer-T cells could specifically target and bind to tumor cells (such as SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell and CT26 colon carcinoma cell) in vitro and in mice after adoptively transfer in. Aptamer-T cells led to significant regression in tumor volume due to being enriched at tumor microenvironment and producing strong cytotoxicity activities of CD3+T cells with enhanced perforin, granzyme B, CD107a, CD69, and FasL expression. Moreover, aptamer-T displayed even stronger antitumor effects than an anti-PD1 immune-checkpoint monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in mice and combination with anti-PD1 yielded synergic antitumor effects. This study uncovers the strong potential of the adoptive nonviral aptamer-T cell strategy as a feasible and efficacious approach for tumor-targeted immunotherapy application.

[Comparative study on serum transitional components of Huatan Jiangqi Capsules in rats under pathological and physiological status].

The differences of transitional components and metabolic processes of Huatan Jiangqi Capsules(HTJQ) in rats under normal physiological and pathological conditions of COPD were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The rat COPD model was established by passive smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. After the normal and COPD model rats were douched with HTJQ, the blood was collected from hepatic portal vein and the drug-containing serum samples were prepared by methanol precipitation of protein. Then, 10 batches of drug-containing serum samples of HTJQ were prepared and analyzed by UPLC serum fingerprint to evaluate the quality and stability of drug-containing serum samples. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to collect the mass spectrometric information of the transitional components. Twenty-eight transitional components of HTJQ in normal rats and 25 transitional components of HTJQ in COPD model rats were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Under pathological and physiological conditions, there were not only the same transitional components in rat serum, but also corresponding differences. Further studies showed that there were also differences in the metabolic process of transitional components between the two conditions. In normal rats, most of the metabolic types of transitional components were phase I reactions. In COPD model rats, phase Ⅰ reactions decreased and phase Ⅱ reactions increased correspondingly. With UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology, the differences of transitional components and the metabolism process of HTJQ in rats under normal physiological and pathological conditions were analyzed. The results showed that types of transitional components and the activity of some metabolic enzymes would be changed in COPD pathological state, which would affect the metabolic process of bioactive components in vivo. It laid a foundation for further elucidating the metabolic process and pharmacodynamic substance basis of HTJQ.

Analysis of risk factors for carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Western China assessed by logistic regression combined with a decision tree model.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered a preclinical stage of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the related risk factors for CIMT to facilitate the early prevention of CVD. Previous studies have shown that visceral fat area (VFA) is a risk factor for T2DM and CVD. However, few studies have focused on the effects of VFA on CIMT associated with T2DM. Moreover, considering that the body fat distribution shows regional and racial heterogeneity, the purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of VFA and other risk factors for CIMT associated with T2DM in Western China. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 1372 patients with T2DM were divided into the CIMT (-) group (n = 965) and the CIMT (+) group (n = 407) based on CIMT values. In addition to the univariate analyses, logistic regression analysis and a decision tree model were simultaneously performed to establish a correlation factor model for CIMT. RESULTS: Univariate analyses showed that sex, smoking status, age, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, VFA, subcutaneous fat area, and the levels of 2-h C-peptide, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid were significantly different between the two groups (all p < 0.05). Smoking, increased VFA, female sex and increased BMI were risk factors in the logistic regression analyses (OR = 5.759, OR = 1.364, OR = 2.239, OR = 1.186, respectively). In the decision tree model, smoking was the root node, followed by sex, waist circumference, VFA and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order of importance. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to smoking, sex and BMI, VFA has a significant effect on CIMT associated with T2DM in the Chinese Han population in Western China. In addition, the decision tree model could help clinicians make more effective decisions, with its simplicity and intuitiveness, making it worth promoting in future medical research.Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900027739. Registered 24 November 2019-Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.

Terpenes and lignans from the roots of Solanum melongena L.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Solanum melongena L. resulted in the isolation of ten terpenes and sixteen lignans, including a new triterpene saponin, officinoterpenoside E (1) and twenty-five known compounds (2-26). All compounds were firstly isolated from S. melongena except 2, 13, 21, 22. The structures of these compounds were determined by 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra referring to the literatures, together with high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. All compounds were evaluated for the cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (HepG2, Hela, and MCF-7) in vitro. The results showed that compounds 1, 6, 20, 25 and 26 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2, Hela and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values in the range of 16.8 ± 1.7 to 29.1 ± 1.9 µM. Therefore, these terpenoids and lignans may have potential biological activity, and also seemed to be of great chemotaxonomic value for S. melongena.