α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Components from Garcinia pedunculata Fruits.

From Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. fruits, two undescribed aromatic compounds including a benzofuran and a depsidone derivative, and a new natural product, together with four known compounds were isolated. Through the analysis of spectroscopic data, high resolution mass spectrum and calculated nuclear magnetic resonance, their structures were determined. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the isolates was evaluated. And compound 3 exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase. The molecular docking of compound 3 was performed to elucidate the interaction with α-glucosidase.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Cecal Intubation Time During Unsedated Colonoscopy: Variation Across the Learning Stages of an Endoscopist.

BACKGROUND Body mass index (BMI) and endoscopists' experiences can be associated with cecal intubation time (CIT), but such associations are controversial. This study aimed to clarify the association between BMI and CIT during unsedated colonoscopy at 3 learning stages of a single endoscopist. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1500 consecutive patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy by 1 endoscopist at our department from December 11, 2020, to August 21, 2022, were reviewed. They were divided into 3 learning stages according to the number of colonoscopies performed by 1 endoscopist, including intermediate (501-1000 colonoscopies), experienced (1001-1500 colonoscopies), and senior stages (1501-2000 colonoscopies). Variables that significantly correlated with CIT were identified by Spearman rank correlation analyses and then included in multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 1233 patients were included. Among them, 392, 420, and 421 patients were divided into intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively. Median CIT was 7.83, 6.38, and 5.58 min at intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively (P.

Cytotoxic xanthones from Garcinia pedunculata fruits.

Eight previously undescribed and seven known xanthones were isolated from the fruits of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. The structures were identified by a variety of spectroscopic methods as well as by comparison with the literature. The isolates showed appreciable cytotoxicity against three human tumor cell lines (HepG2, A549, and MCF-7). Pedunculaxanthone G exhibited inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 12.41, 16.51, and 15.45 µM against the cancer cell lines and induced cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Timing of endoscopy in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of endoscopy in liver cirrhosis with acute variceal bleeding (AVB) remains controversial in current guidelines and studies. METHODS: Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and AVB were screened. The timing of endoscopy was calculated from the last presentation of AVB or the admission to endoscopy. Early endoscopy was defined as the interval < 12 h, < 24 h, or < 48 h. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. Five-day failure to control bleeding and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 534 patients were included. When the timing of endoscopy was calculated from the last presentation of AVB, PSM analysis demonstrated that the rate of 5-day failure to control bleeding was significantly higher in early endoscopy group defined as < 48 h (9.7% versus 2.4%, P = 0.009), but not < 12 h (8.7% versus 6.5%, P = 1.000) or < 24 h (13.4% versus 6.2%, P = 0.091), and that the in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between early and delayed endoscopy groups (< 12 h: 6.5% versus 4.3%, P = 1.000; <24 h: 4.1% versus 3.1%, P = 1.000; <48 h: 3.0% versus 2.4%, P = 1.000). When the timing of endoscopy was calculated from the admission, PSM analyses did not demonstrate any significant difference in the rate of 5-day failure to control bleeding (< 12 h: 4.8% versus 12.7%, P = 0.205; <24 h: 5.2% versus 7.7%, P = 0.355; <48 h: 4.5% versus 6.0%, P = 0.501) or in-hospital mortality (< 12 h: 4.8% versus 4.8%, P = 1.000; <24 h: 3.9% versus 2.6%, P = 0.750; <48 h: 2.0% versus 2.5%, P = 1.000) between early and delayed endoscopy groups. CONCLUSION: Our study could not support any significant association of timing of endoscopy with cirrhotic patients with AVB.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and their association with psychological problems in youths.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological problems are common in youths, which can negatively affect their lives on physical, mental, and social levels. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in youths and further explore their association with psychological problems. METHODS: Self-reported data on gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological problems in 692 sophomores who majored in education in a high vocational school and 310 recruits who were undergoing basic training in an army in China were retrospectively collected. The self-reported data included demographics, gastrointestinal symptoms, and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) used for the assessment of psychological problems. Gastrointestinal symptoms surveyed included nausea, emesis, abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, eructation, heartburn, anorexia, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, hematemesis, and hematochezia. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms was 36.7% (n=254) and 15.5% (n=48) in the sophomores and recruits, respectively. Participants with gastrointestinal symptoms had a significantly higher prevalence of total SCL-90 score beyond 160 than those without gastrointestinal symptoms in both sophomores (19.7% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001) and recruits (10.4% vs. 1.1%, P<0.001). Total SCL-90 score beyond 160 was independently associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in both sophomores (OR =5.467; 95% CI: 2.855-10.470; P<0.001) and recruits (OR =6.734; 95% CI: 1.226-36.999; P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal symptoms may be common and strongly associated with psychological problems in youths. Prospective studies should be required to explore the impact of the correction of psychological problems on the improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Cephaloliverols A and B, two sterol-hybrid meroterpenoids from Cephalotaxus oliveri.

Cephaloliverols A (1) and B (2), two meroterpenoids based on a sterol and an abietane diterpene possessing a dioxane ring, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Cephalotaxus oliveri. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculation. 1 and 2 represent the first sterol-hybrid meroditerpenoids. The two compounds and their precursors decreased NO production in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Baicalensines A and B, Two Isoquinoline Alkaloids from the Roots of Thalictrum baicalense.

Baicalensines A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the roots of Thalictrum baicalense and structurally characterized using spectroscopic data, 13C NMR calculations, and the CASE algorithm. Compound 1, representing a new class of alkaloid dimers, contains berberine conjugated to a ring-opened isoquinoline. Compound 2 is the first reported natural benzylisoquinoline bearing a formyl group at C-3. Plausible biosynthetic pathways are proposed. Compound 1 exerted moderate cytotoxicity against the Caco-2 and HL-60 cell lines.

Albumin-bilirubin score for predicting the in-hospital mortality of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhosis: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is a new model for assessing the severity of liver dysfunction. In the present study, we aimed to retrospectively compare the performance of ALBI with Child-Pugh and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores for predicting the in-hospital mortality of acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) in liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cirrhotic patients with AUGIB were eligible, provided they had the data needed to determine the ALBI score. Areas under the receiving-operator characteristics curve (AUC) are reported. RESULTS: Overall, 631 patients were included. In all the included patients, the AUC of the ALBI, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores were 0.808, 0.785 (p=0.5831), and 0.787 (p=0.7033), respectively. In patients with only hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis, the AUC of the ALBI, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores were 0.865, 0.836 (p=0.6064), and 0.818 (p=0.6399), respectively. In patients with only alcohol-related liver cirrhosis, the AUC of the ALBI, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores were 0.869, 0.860 (p=0.9003), and 0.801 (p=0.5548), respectively. In patients treated with endoscopic therapy for AUGIB, the AUC of the ALBI, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores were 0.873, 0.884 (p=0.7898), and 0.834 (p=0.5531), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prognostic performance of the ALBI score was comparable with that of the Child-Pugh and MELD scores for predicting the in-hospital mortality of AUGIB in liver cirrhosis.