Study on the causal relationship between body mass index and hypothyroidism / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To explore the causal relationship between body mass index (BMI) and hypothyroidism using the two-sample Mendelian randomization model.Methods:A large-scale anthropometric genome-wide association study published in the GIANT database was used to select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which were statistically significantly associated with BMI as an instrumental variable ( P<5×10 -8, linkage disequilibrium r 2<0.1). The causal relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism was determined by the inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median method and the MR-Egger method, respectively. A heterogeneity test, gene pleiotropy test, and sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the stability and reliability of the results. Results:A total of 89 SNPs related to BMI were screened out as instrumental variables. IVW analysis suggested that for every standard deviation increase in BMI, the risk of hypothyroidism increased by 0.9% (odd ratio ( OR)=1.009, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.006-1.012, P<0.001). Similar results were obtained with the weighted median method ( OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.002-1.011, P=0.003) and the MR-Egger method ( OR=1.008, 95% CI: 1.001-1.015, P=0.006). The MR-Egger analysis showed that genetic pleiotropy did not bias the results (intercept=0.000 1, P=0.776), the one-by-one exclusion method did not show that a single instrumental variable SNP had a significant impact on the results, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Mendelian randomized analysis showed a positive causal relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism.

(±)-Pheharmines A-B, two pairs of racemic alkaloids with a morpholino[4,3,2-hi]ß-carboline core, from the roots of Peganum harmala.

Two pairs of unprecedented ß-carboline-phenylpropanoid heterogeneous alkaloids, (±)-pheharmines A-B (1-4), characterized by a morpholino[4,3,2-hi]ß-carboline core with two chiral centers, were isolated from the roots of Peganum harmala. The structures, including their absolute configurations, were identified using spectroscopic analyses and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The biosynthetic hypothesis for the formation of pheharmines A-B was proposed. Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against HL-60 cell lines.

Anti-tumor alkaloids from Peganum harmala.

Six alkaloids peharmalines F-K, along with 14 known ones, were isolated from the aerial part of Peganum harmala L.. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on their HR-ESI-MS data, extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, and ECD calculations. 3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)quinoline exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against the HepG-2 cell lines with an IC50 value of 3.05 µM. Norharmane displayed a moderate inhibition against A549 and HepG-2 cells with IC50 values of 16.45 µM and 17.27 µM, respectively.

Environmental Design Strategies to Decrease the Risk of Nosocomial Infection in Medical Buildings Using a Hybrid MCDM Model.

The prevention and control of nosocomial infection (NI) are becoming increasingly difficult, and its mechanism is becoming increasingly complex. A globally aging population means that an increasing proportion of patients have a susceptible constitution, and the frequent occurrence of severe infectious diseases has also led to an increase in the cost of prevention and control of NI. Medical buildings' spatial environment design for the prevention of NI has been a hot subject of considerable research, but few previous studies have summarized the design criteria for a medical building environment to control the risk of NI. Thus, there is no suitable evaluation framework to determine whether the spatial environment of a medical building is capable of inhibiting the spread of NI. In the context of the global spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of the existing medical building environment in terms of inhibiting the spread of NI and to verify current environmental improvement strategies for the efficient and rational use of resources. This study determines the key design elements for the spatial environment of medical buildings, constructs an evaluation framework using exploratory factor analysis, verifies the complex dominant influence relationship, and prioritizes criteria in the evaluation framework using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory- (DEMATEL-) based analytical network process (ANP) (DANP). Using representative real cases, this study uses the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to evaluate and analyze the performance with the aspiration level of reducing the NI risk. A continuous and systematic transformation design strategy for these real cases is proposed. The main contributions of this study include the following: (1) it creates a systematic framework that allows hospital decision-makers to evaluate the spatial environment of medical buildings; (2) it provides a reference for making design decisions to improve the current situation using the results of a performance evaluation; (3) it draws an influential network relation map (INRM) and the training of influence weights (IWs) for criteria. The sources of practical problems can be identified by the proposed evaluation framework, and the corresponding strategy can be proposed to avoid the waste of resources for the prevention of epidemics.

Pegaharmols A-B, Axially Chiral ß-Carboline-quinazoline Dimers from the Roots of Peganum harmala.

Two nonbiaryl axially chiral ß-carboline-quinazoline dimers, pegaharmols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the roots of Peganum harmala. Their planar structures were elucidated by the spectroscopic methods of high-resolution mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The stereochemistry was established by a comparison between the experimental data of NMR and electronic circular dichroism and the computed data by quantum mechanical calculations. It is discovered for the first time that the ß-carboline at the C-8 position is bonded to the vasicine at the C-9 position. 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and A549 cell lines.

Clinical observation of dynamic scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented mirror therapy for upper limbs function impairment in patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of dynamic scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented mirror therapy (TOMT) for upper limb motor function and activity ability of daily living in patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#Seventy-eight patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly divided into a dynamic scalp acupuncture group, a TOMT group, and a scalp acupuncture group, 26 cases in each group (1 case dropped off in the TOMT group and the scalp acupuncture group respectively). All three groups received routine rehabilitation training and medication treatment. The TOMT group was treated with TOMT for 40 min a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The scalp acupuncture group was treated with TOMT after the scalp acupuncture, and the dynamic scalp acupuncture group was treated with TOMT during the scalp acupuncture treatment. The scalp acupuncture treatment was applied at ipsilateral up 1/5 and mid 2/5 of and , and the needles were retained for 40 min. The scalp acupuncture treatment was given once a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before treatment and after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the functions of upper limb and hand were evaluated by simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale upper limb part and functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity-Hong Kong version (FTHUE-HK) grade, the muscle tension of the upper extremity flexor elbow muscle group was assessed by modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the activity ability of daily living was assessed by modified Barthel index (MBI).@*RESULTS@#After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the FMA scores, FTHUE-HK grades and MBI scores in the three groups were better than those before treatment (<0.01, <0.05), and MAS scores after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups were better than those before treatment (<0.05). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the FMA scores, FTHUE-HK grades and MBI scores in the dynamic scalp acupuncture group were better than those in the TOMT group and the scalp acupuncture group (<0.05), and these items in the scalp acupuncture group were better than those in the TOMT group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The dynamic scalp acupuncture combined with TOMT treatment can effectively improve the upper limb function and the activities ability of daily living in patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, which is better than TOMT after scalp acupuncture and simple TOMT treatment.

Low fouling electrochemical sensing in complex biological media by using the ionic liquid-doped conducting polymer PEDOT: application to voltammetric determination of dopamine.

An electrochemical sensor that can resist biofouling even when operated in complex biological medium is developed for the determination of dopamine. It is based on the use of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) that is doped with the water insoluble ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. A glassy carbon electrode modified with PEDOT/IL is shown to enable accurate determination of dopamine, as a model analyte in the presence of high concentrations of proteins, and resist biological fouling even in native serum. It exhibited a low limit of detection of 33 nM for the detection of dopamine, with a wide linear range from 0.2 to 328 µM (at 0.2 V vs. saturated calomel electrode). The PEDOT/IL modified glassy carbon electrode has a porous microstructure, high electrical conductivity and good stability. The sensor can be used to quantify dopamine in human urine samples with satisfying accuracy. Graphical abstract An antifouling electrochemical sensor capable of detecting target in complex biological samples was developed based on the use of a conducting polymer (PEDOT) that was doped with a water insoluble ionic liquid.

[Temporal and Spatial Changes in Sediment Nutrients and Heavy Metals of the Danjiangkou Reservoir Before and After Water Division of the Mid-route Project].

Reservoir/lake sediments are potential pollutant acceptors and sources of pollution. The Danjiangkou Reservoir, as the largest drinking water source in China, is the source water area for the Mid-route Project of the South-North Water Diversion. To illustrate the temporal and spatial changes in the environmental risks of both nutrients and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Danjiangkou Reservoir, the levels of pH, OM, TP, TN, and six kinds of metal elements during the period 2011-2016 were measured at five ecological sites. Canadian freshwater sediment quality guidelines for aquatic environments (from the CCME) were used to assess the potential ecological risks. The results showed that the contents of OM, TP, and TN in the surface sediments were 25.85, 0.57, and 1.34 g·kg-1, respectively, and those of Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 57.96, 521.78, 13.91, 195.74, 0.37, and 12.92 mg·kg-1, respectively. The contents of both Zn and Cd were under the corresponding Ⅱ-level standards of soil environmental quality, but the contents of the other four heavy metals were lower than their corresponding I-level standards. After water diversion of the Mid-route Project, the OM, TN, Mn, and Zn contents increased, and the TP and other heavy metal contents displayed downward trends. Excluding the pH value, the distribution of measured nutrients and heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Danjiangkou Reservoir reached the extremely significant level (P<0.01). OM in the sediments was negatively correlated with TN and Pb, but had positive correlations with the other indicators measured. The results from the potential ecological risk assessment showed that:①Cd, Cu, and Pb had no harmful effects on organisms; ② OM had low ecological risk in most years; ③ the risk of TP was between zero and low ecological risk; and ④Cr, Zn, and TN had low ecological risk in most cases. The K and H sites had higher ecological risk for Cr, Zn, and TN, thus attention should be paid to those cases. These results illustrate the effects of human activities on nutrients and heavy metals in surface sediments.

Bioassay- and Chemistry-Guided Isolation of Scalemic Caged Prenylxanthones from the Leaves of Garcinia bracteata.

With bioassay- and chemistry-guided fractionation, seven new caged prenylxanthones including two scalemic mixtures, epiisobractatin (1), 13-hydroxyisobractatin (2), 13-hydroxyepiisobractatin (3), 8-methoxy-8,8a-dihydrobractatin (4), 8-ethoxy-8,8a-dihydrobractatin (5), garcibracteatone (6), and 8-methoxy-8,8a-dihydroneobractiatin (7), and the eight known compounds 8-15 were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia bracteata. The structures were unambiguously elucidated through analysis of spectroscopic data. The 2D structures and relative configurations of 1 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The separation of the enantiomers of 1-5 was accomplished by chiral-phase HPLC. The absolute configurations of the enantiomers of 1 and 5 were assigned by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The absolute configurations of the related compounds were determined via comparisons of their ECD data with those of the enantiomers of 1 and 5, respectively. Notably, compound 7, with a neo caged skeleton, is the first representative of a novel type of caged xanthone lacking a Δ8(8a) double bond. The isolated compounds exhibited significant cell growth inhibitory activities in vitro against human leukemic HL-60 and K562 cell lines, with GI50 values ranging from 0.2 to 8.8 µM. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is discussed.

Racemic indole alkaloids from the seeds of Peganum harmala.

Five pairs of new 2-oxoindole alkaloids, (±)-peganumalines A-E (1-5), and a new indole alkaloid, peganumaline F (6), along with two known analogues, were isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated through spectroscopic analyses and quantum chemistry calculations. Notably, (±)-peganumalines A (1) represent a pair of rare 2-oxoindole dimeric alkaloid enantiomer with the hitherto unknown carbon skeleton. All isolates were tested for antiproliferative and antibacterial activities.

Cytotoxic quinazoline alkaloids from the seeds of Peganum harmala.

Seventeen quinazoline alkaloids and derivatives, containing two pairs of new epimers, named as (S)- and (R)-1-(2-aminobenzyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1, 2), (S)- and (R)-vasicinone ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3, 4), and a new enantiomer (12b), together with six known ones (5-8, 10, and 12a), and three pairs of known enantiomers (9, 11, and 13), were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the seeds of Peganum harmala L.. Their structures including the absolute configuration were elucidated by using 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD calculation approaches. The cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated. 11 showed moderate cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells with an IC50 value of 15.41 µM.

Bioactive terpenoids from Silybum marianum and their suppression on NO release in LPS-induced BV-2 cells and interaction with iNOS.

Three new (1-3) and one known (4) bioactive terpenoids were isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum based on the investigation to get new NO inhibitors. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR (1D and 2D NMR) and MS spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were identified by experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The NO inhibitory activities in murine microglial BV-2 cells and interactions with iNOS protein by molecular docking were evaluated for all compounds. The results showed that these compounds had potent NO inhibitory effects.

Chemical constituents from Myrrha and their antitumor activities / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Myrrha and their antitumor activities. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by recrystallization, and open silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, as well as preparative HPLC. The structures were elucidated based on the chemical and spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the cytotoxicities of these chemical components against PC-3 cell lines were measured by MTT method. Results: Eleven compounds were obtained from the chloroform extract of myrrh, and were established as (4α,11α)-2-oxo-8,11-dihydroxycadina-1(6),7,9-trien-12-oic acid γ-lactone (1), (4α,11β)-2-oxo-8,11-dihydroxycadina-1(6),7,9-trien-12-oic acid γ-lactone (2), dihydropyrocurzerenone (3), orientalol E (4), guaianediol (5), cryptomeridiol (6), cycloartane-1α,2α,3β,25-tetrol (7), cycloartan-24-ene-1α,2α,3β-triol (8), cycloartan-24-ene-1α,3β-diol (9), 29-norlanost-8,24-dien-1α,2α,3β-triol (10), and octadecane-1,2S,3S,4R-tetrol-1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (11). Conclusion: Compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds named as (+)-myrrhalactone A and (-)-myrrhalactone A, respectively. Compounds 4 and 6 are isolated from the genus Commiphora Engl. for the first time. Compounds 8, 10, and 11 show moderate cyctotoxic activity against PC-3 cell lines.

The contrastive study of the short-term efficacy of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU).Methods Eighty patients clinically diagnosed with RAU were chosen and randomly divided into two groups.Test group 1 (40 cases) and Test group 2 (40 cases) were treated with compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid respectively until ulcer has been healed completely to evaluate the difference of two groups in clinical efficacy.Return visit and follow-up visit were conducted 7 days and 30 days after the initial treatment,respectively.Results The analgesic onset time of Test group 1 [(6.24 ± 1.09) min] was shorter than that of Test group 2 [(8.62 ± 1.04) min],with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).The analgesic maintenance time of Test group 1 [(29.47 ± 3.45) min] was longer than that of Test group 2 [(21.61 ±2.18) min],with statistically significant difference (all P ＜ 0.01).The duration of ulcer of Test groups 1 and 2 was (5.97-± 0.87)days and (4.76 ± 1.14)days,with statistically significant difference (P ＜0.01).Conclusions Compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid both have a certain level of clinical efficacy for RAU,with the former featuring shorter analgesic onset time and longer duration and the latter advantageous in promoting RAU healing short-term usage of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid cannot prolong RAU dormancy.

Correlation between snacking and blood glucose level of pregnant women in their second trimester / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To understand the blood glucose level and snacking habits in both healthy pregnant women and those with abnormal glucose tolerance during their mid pregnancy,for the purpose of providing reference for implementing nutrition education and intervention programs.Methods A questionnaire interview on snack habits,physical activity,sleep quality was conducted among 166 pregnant women in Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital.Subjects were then divided into normal group (n=97) and abnormal group (n=69) according to the results of blood glucose screening.Results There were no differences in snack intake and the energy generated from the three major nutrients between the two groups of women.However comparing to the normal group,women in abnormal group were more likely to choose the glutinous rice (17.4％ vs.4.1％),cake (37.7％ vs.20.6％) and dried fruit (13.0％ vs.4.1％),while comparing with women in abnormal group,women in normal group tend to choose vegetables (28.9％ vs.11.6％) and nuts (64.5％ vs.47.8％) as between-meal snacks.Conclusion The study suggested that pregnant women may continue the principle of frequent meal at reduced volume everyday,while starting to learn how to make good selection of high-nutrient-density snakes.

The contrastive study of the short-term efficacy of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU).Methods Eighty patients clinically diagnosed with RAU were chosen and randomly divided into two groups.Test group 1 (40 cases) and Test group 2 (40 cases) were treated with compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid respectively until ulcer has been healed completely to evaluate the difference of two groups in clinical efficacy.Return visit and follow-up visit were conducted 7 days and 30 days after the initial treatment,respectively.Results The analgesic onset time of Test group 1 [(6.24 ± 1.09) min] was shorter than that of Test group 2 [(8.62 ± 1.04) min],with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).The analgesic maintenance time of Test group 1 [(29.47 ± 3.45) min] was longer than that of Test group 2 [(21.61 ±2.18) min],with statistically significant difference (all P ＜ 0.01).The duration of ulcer of Test groups 1 and 2 was (5.97-± 0.87)days and (4.76 ± 1.14)days,with statistically significant difference (P ＜0.01).Conclusions Compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid both have a certain level of clinical efficacy for RAU,with the former featuring shorter analgesic onset time and longer duration and the latter advantageous in promoting RAU healing short-term usage of compound gargle solution chlorhexidine giuconatie and kangfuxin liquid cannot prolong RAU dormancy.

Lignans and triterpenoids from Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and their biological evaluation.

Three new phenylnaphthalene-type lignans, vitexnegheteroins E-G (1-3), and a new polyoxygenated ursane-type triterpene, vitexnegheteroin H (9), were isolated from the seeds of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla, together with ten known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as their mass spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by comparing their experimental ECD spectra with that calculated by the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines, inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in murine microglial BV-2 cells, and antioxidant activities for ABTS radical scavenging.

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG). Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Age, pre-pregnant body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass (FM), fat mass percentage (FMP), extracellular water (ECW), BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass (FFM), muscular mass (MM), and intracellular water (ICW) were associated with a decreased risk of GDM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p>

Enhanced catalytic and dopamine sensing properties of electrochemically reduced conducting polymer nanocomposite doped with pure graphene oxide.

Significantly enhanced catalytic activity of a nanocomposite composed of conducting polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with graphene oxide (GO) was achieved through a simple electrochemical reduction process. The nanocomposite (PEDOT/GO) was electrodeposited on an electrode and followed by electrochemical reduction, and the obtained reduced nanocomposite (PEDOT/RGO) modified electrode exhibited lowered electrochemical impedance and excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dopamine. Based on the excellent catalytic property of PEDOT/RGO, an electrochemical sensor capable of sensitive and selective detection of DA was developed. The fabricated sensor can detect DA in a wide linear range from 0.1 to 175µM, with a detection limit of 39nM, and it is free from common interferences such as uric acid and ascorbic acid.

Medical nutrition therapy for diabetes: a revisit / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Nutritional therapy constitutes the basis for the integrated treatment of diabetes.It is essential for diabetic dietary management to be an individualized and balanced diet pattern based on total calorie control Carbohydrates is the main dietary ingredient to affect postprandial blood glucose levels.Dietary structure,way of eating,and physical exercise all contribute to the control of postprandial blood glucose levels.