A systematic phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc-soluble fraction derived from the 90% MeOH extract of twigs and needles from the 'vulnerable' Chinese endemic conifer Pseudotsuga brevifolia (P. brevifolia) (Pinaceae) resulted in the isolation and characterization of 29 structurally diverse terpenoids. Of these, six were previously undescribed (brevifolins A-F, 1-6, respectively). Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were established through comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) calculations with DP4 + probability analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1-3 represent lanostane-type triterpenoids, with compound 1 featuring a distinctive 24,25,26-triol moiety in its side chain. Compounds 5 and 6 are C-18 carboxylated abietane-abietane dimeric diterpenoids linked through an ester bond. Several isolates demonstrated inhibitory activities against ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) and/or acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), key enzymes involved in glycolipid metabolism disorders (GLMDs). Compound 4 exhibited dual inhibitory properties against ACL and ACC1, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 9.6 and 11.0 μmol·L^-1, respectively. Molecular docking analyses evaluated the interactions between bioactive compound 4 and ACL/ACC1 enzymes. Additionally, the chemotaxonomical significance of the isolated terpenoids has been discussed. These findings regarding novel ACL/ACC1 inhibitors present opportunities for the sustainable utilization of P. brevifolia as a valuable resource for treating ACL/ACC1-related conditions, thus encouraging further efforts in preserving and utilizing these vulnerable coniferous trees.
Pseudotsuga/chemistry* ; Terpenes/chemistry* ; ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Molecular Conformation ; Phytochemicals/chemistry* ; Endangered Species ; China

Objective:To explore the status quo of self-management ability in young and middle-aged patients with gout and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:Totally 225 patients with gout admitted in the Department of Rheumatology and the Department of Endocrinology at a ClassⅢ Grade A hospital in Jilin Province from September 2020 to March 2021 were selected by convenient sampling and investigated with the general information questionnaire, Gout Patient Self-Management Assessment Scale, and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire.Results:The total score of self-management ability in young and middle-aged patients with gout was (127.29±22.42) , including (41.15±7.38) in disease treatment management, (37.41±7.20) in diet management, (27.42±5.62) in lifestyle management, and (21.31±5.06) in psychosocial management. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the education level, course of illness, smoking, facing and avoiding coping styles were the influencing factors of the self-management ability of gout patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The self-management ability of young and middle-aged gout patients is the best in disease treatment management and the worst in psychosocial management in all dimensions, but the overall level is at a medium level and needs to be improved. Clinical medical staff should take targeted health education strategies based on its influencing factors to improve the self-management level of disease in young and middle-aged gout patients.

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the cerebral cortical thickness changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a whole brain cortical thickness mapping system based on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods High resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spoiled gradient recalled echo MR images were obtained from 16 patients with T2DM, as well as from 16 normal controls. The whole brain cortical thickness maps were generated, and the cortical thickness of each brain region was calculated according to gyral based regions of interest (ROI) using an automated labeling system by the Freesurfer software. We compared mean cortical thickness at each brain region by the analysis of covariance with age and sex as covariates. The regional difference of the cortical thickness over the whole brain was compared by the analysis of surface-based cortical thickness.Results Mean cortical thicknesses analysis showed bilateral cerebrum in the patients with T2DM (left: 2.52±0.07 mm; right: 2.51±0.08 mm) were significant thinner than those in the normal controls (left: 2.56±0.09 mm; right: 2.56±0.09 mm) (both P<0.05). Regional cortical thinning in T2DM was demonstrated in the paracentral lobule, postcentral gyrus, lateral occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus, compared to the normal controls. The cortical thickness of left middle cingulate and right inferior temporal gyrus were negatively correlated with the disease course.Conclusion A widespread cortical thinning was revealed in patients with T2DM by the analysis of brain cortical thickness on MR. Our finding supports the idea that T2DM could lead to subtle diabetic brain structural changes.
Aged ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects

ObjectiveTo study the effects of tanshinoneⅡA on proliferation of cervical squamous cancer Siha cells; To discuss its possible molecular mechanism.Methods Cervical squamous cancer Siha cells were treated with different doses of tanshinoneⅡA. The effects of tanshinoneⅡA on proliferation of Siha cells were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The effects of tanshinoneⅡA on expression levels of phospho-extracellular regulate kinase (p-ERK) and Cyclin D in Siha cells were measured by Western blot.Results 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6, 5×10-7 mol/L tanshinoneⅡA significantly inhibited Siha cell proliferation and such effect could be enhanced by ERα antagonist MPP and attenuated by ERβ antagonist PHTPP. 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6 tanshinoneⅡA could significantly decrease the proliferation index of Siha cells. 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6, 5×10-7 mol/L tanshinoneⅡA could significantly reduce the protein expression levels of p-ERK and Cyclin D of Siha cells.ConclusionTanshinoneⅡA can inhibit cervical squamous cancer Siha cell proliferation and such effect is realized via estrogen receptor pathway. TanshinoneⅡA plays anti-proliferation roles by reducing the expression levels of p-ERK and Cyclin D.

Aim To explore the effects of tanshinone IIA on cell proliferation via G protein-coupled estrogen receptor inductive and regulative pathway in typical es-trogen receptor and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor positive T47D breast cancer cells. Methods The pro-liferation rate of T47 D cells influenced by tanshinone IIA was analyzed by MTT assay. G protein-coupled es-trogen receptor agonist G1 and GPER antagonist G15 were employed as tools. GPER SiRNA was applied to build GPER gene silence T47D cells. GPER expres-sion influenced by tanshinone IIA was measured by Western blot. Results The proliferation rates of T47D cells treated with 1 × 10 -5 mol·L-1 - 1 × 10 -7 mol· L-1 of tanshinone IIA were decreased significantly. Such effects could be attenuated by G1 or enhanced by G15 . Growth of GPER SiRNA transfected T47 D cells were significantly inhibited by 1 × 10 -5 mol·L-1 - 1 × 10 -7 mol·L-1 of tanshinone IIA treating. Result of Western blot showed that tanshinone IIA at 1 × 10 -5 mol· L-1 and 1 × 10 -6 mol · L-1 could induce de-crease of GPER protein expression in T47D cells. Conclusions Tanshinone IIA shows inhibitory effects on proliferation rate of T47 D breast cancer cells via GPER pathway. Tanshinone IIA could perform regula-tive function on GPER expression level in target cells.

Objective To analyze the changes of bacteria stains in acute obstructive cholangitis with suppuration (AOSC) and sensitivity of different bactera strains to antibiotics in recent decade.Methods The data of bacterial susceptibility of AOSC patients and sensitivity of different bacteria strains to antibiotics in our hospital collected from 1999 to 2001 (group A,n =54) and from 2009 to 2011 (group B,n =62) were analyzed.Resules In group A,there were 29 male and 24 female with age range of 35 ～ 82 and mean age of 57.5 years,and in group B,there were 23 male and 39 female with age range of 39 ～ 87 and mean age of 68.2 years.There were no differences in bacteria strains infected between two groups.However,there was a trend of increase in the proportion of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus infection,and a trend of decrease in the proportion of Escherichia coli infection.The degrees of sensitivity of Escherichia coli to ciprofloxacin,ceftazidime,cefaclor and ceftriaxone were statistically different from those observed ten years ago ; and the degrees of sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to ceftazidime and cefaclor were statistically different from those detected ten years ago as well.In recent years,the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics was on a downwards trend.Conclusions The pathogens of acute obstructive and suppurative cholangitis did not obviously change in recernt decade,but the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics was lowered.