Cytotoxic xanthanolide sesquiterpenes from the fruits of Xanthium italicum Moretti.

One previously undescribed xanthanolide sesquiterpene dimer pungiolide P (1), possessing an unprecedented scaffold with a 5/7/5/7/5 ring system skeleton and its intermediate pungiolide Q (2), ten xanthanolide sesquiterpenes (3-12), two eudesmene sesquiterpene derivatives (13-14), one phenylpropionic acid derivative (15), together with eleven known compounds (16-26) were obtained from the fruits of Xanthium italicum Moretti. A possible biosynthetic pathway for pungiolide P (1) was also proposed, which was supported by its bio-synthetic intermediate (2). Compounds 1, 4-5, 18-21, and 25 exhibited cytotoxic activity against a variety of human cancer cell lines.

Stellate Ganglion Block Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Sympathetic ganglion block (SGB) technique is becoming increasingly prevalent in the treatment of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS). Given the varied reported effectiveness of these techniques and the heterogeneity of treatment regimens, there is an urgent need for consistent and high-quality evidence on the efficacy and safety of such procedures.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of SGB therapy for CRPS-related pain.

Minor Hydroxylated Triterpenoids Produced in Engineered Yeast by the Enzymes OSC and CYP716s from the Plant and Their Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Activities.

Triterpenoids are a type of specialized metabolites that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. However, the availability of some minor triterpenoids in nature is limited, which has hindered our understanding of their pharmacological potential. To overcome this limitation, heterologous biosynthesis of triterpenoids in yeast has emerged as a promising and time-efficient production platform for obtaining these minor compounds.

Cadinane sesquiterpenes from the stems and branches of .

Three new cadinane sesquiterpenes (-) and three known sesquiterpenes were isolated from the stems and branches of A. C. Smith.

Prenylated C-C derivatives from the root of with antiviral activity.

Six previously undescribed prenylated C-C derivatives (-) were isolated from the root of A. C. Smith.

Diverse prenylated C-C derivatives from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities.

Fifteen unreported prenylated C-C derivatives (1-15) were isolated from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith, including one bis-prenylated C-C derivative (1), three prenylated C-C derivative-shikimic acid ester hybrids (2-4) and 11 prenylated C-C monomers (5-15).

Bergamotane-type sesquiterpenes from the leaves and twigs of Illicium oligandrum and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Eight undescribed β-bergamotene-type sesquiterpene oliganins A-H (1-8) and one known α-bergamotene-type sesquiterpene (9) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Illicium oligandrum Merr. & Chun. The structures of compounds 1-8 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were determined by using a modified Mosher's method and electronic circular dichroism calculations.

[Chemical constituents from leaves of Craibiodendron yunnanense].

The present study investigated the chemical constituents from the leaves of Craibiodendron yunnanense. The compounds were isolated and purified from the leaves of C. yunnanense by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over polyamide, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed-phase HPLC.

seco-Sesquiterpenes and acorane-type sesquiterpenes with antiviral activity from the twigs and leaves of Illicium henryi Diels.

Chemical investigation of an alcohol extract from the twigs and leaves of Illicium henryi Diels resulted in the isolation of two new acorane-related seco-sesquiterpenes (1 and 3), two new acorane-related seco-norsesquiterpenes (2 and 4), one new 2-epi-cedrane sesquiterpene (5), eight new acorane-type sesquiterpenes (6-13), and a known major constituent of acorenone B (14). Their structures were established by interpreting extensive spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, NMR (H and C NMR, H-H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and NOE difference spectra analysis. The absolute configurations of 1, 2, 4-7, 9, 10, and 14 were determined by X-ray crystallography, while chemical transformation methods were performed with compound 14 as the starting material to elegantly solve the absolute configuration issue of compounds 8 and 11-13.

CT Scans and Cancer Risks: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis.

Background: There is still uncertainty on whether ionizing radiation from CT scans can increase the risks of cancer. This study aimed to identify the association of cumulative ionizing radiation from CT scans with pertaining cancer risks in adults.

Methods: Five databases were searched from their inception to November 15, 2020.

Minor terpenoids from the leaves of .

One new taraxastane-type triterpenoid, three new grayanane-type diterpenoids (, and 12 known compounds () were isolated from the leaves of W. W. Smith.

Six new sesquiterpenoids from the fruits of .

Four new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids (-) and two new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids (-) were isolated from the fruits of Moretti. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction experiment. Compounds , and showed the anti-inflammatory effects against the activation of NF-κB induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with IC values of 20.

Minor terpenoids from the stems and twigs of .

Four minor undescribed terpenoids, including a monoterpenoid () and three triterpenoids (, and ), together with 26 known terpenoids were isolated from the stems and twigs of . Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) techniques. Compound showed excellent cytotoxicity against human colon cancer cell (HCT-116) with IC value of 2.

Fu's subcutaneous needling versus massage for chronic non-specific low-back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (NLBP) affects people of all ages and pose a serious threat to human health. Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) has been reported to be effective in treating such disorders, but the control group is lacking. The aim of this randomized parallel study is to compare the long-term efficiency of FSN therapy with massage therapy for treatment of NLBP.

A feminizing switch in a hemimetabolous insect.

The mechanism of sex determination remains poorly understood in hemimetabolous insects. Here, in the brown planthopper (BPH), , a hemipteran rice pest, we identified a feminizing switch or a () that encodes a serine/arginine-rich protein. Knockdown of in female nymphs resulted in masculinization of both the somatic morphology and splicing.

Prenylated C-C derivatives from the stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith with antiviral activity.

Thirteen compounds were isolated from the lipid-soluble extracts of Illicium ternstroemioides A. C. Smith, including eleven previously undescribed prenylated C-C compounds, a previously undescribed prenylated C-C derivative-abscisic acid ester hybrid, and a known compound (4S)-illicinone I.

Decompression Using Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Associated with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Review.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), which often occurs concurrently with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), is a common disease in the elderly population, affecting the quality of life of aged people significantly. Notwithstanding the frequently good effect of conservative therapy on LSS, a minority of the patients ultimately require surgery. Surgery for LSS aims to decompress the narrowed spinal canals with preservation of spinal stability.

New lignans and diterpenoid glycosides from the fruits of Moretti.

A pair of new lignans [(+)- and (-)- ] and three new compounds (), together with a known compound , were isolated from the fruits of Moretti. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, particularly HR-ESI-MS and 1 D and 2 D NMR. Compounds and showed antinociceptive effects in an acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice with the writhe inhibition rates of 80.

Comparison of two methods in the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of clavicle: multicenter experience.

Background: Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC) is an uncommon entity. Owing to its scarce presentation, treatment of this disorder has not been well established. This study aimed (1) to compare surgical treatment methods that included excision of pseudoarthrosis and iliac crest bone graft and fixate with either the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) or K-wires or plate and screws, and (2) to assess the clinical outcomes of two different surgical methods.

Balneotherapy for Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: The efficiency of balneotherapy (BT) for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) remains elusive. (2) Methods: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to 31 May 2020.

Oxygenated pentacyclic triterpenoids from the stems and branches of Enkianthus chinensis.

Thirty new pentacyclic triterpenoids, including five oleanane-type (1-5), twenty-three ursane-type (9-23, 26-33) and two taraxerane-type (24 and 25), along with fourteen known triterpenoids, were isolated from the stems and branches of Enkianthus chinensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, X-ray crystallographic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) techniques. Sixteen compounds (1-5, 9-13, 20, 22, 32, 34-36) bearing a gem-hydroxymethyl group at C-4 represent rare examples of pentacyclic triterpenoids.

Epidemiology of Lumbar Degenerative Phenotypes of Children and Adolescents: A Large-Scale Imaging Study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: Recently, there has been a rise in children and adolescents developing low back pain and/or sciatica. Degenerative lumbar spine MRI phenotypes can occur in this population but reports have been sporadic and the true incidence of such spine changes remains debatable.

A meta-analysis on the role of pre-existing chronic disease in the cardiac complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with multiple direct and indirect cardiovascular complications. We sought to analyze the association of host co-morbidities (chronic respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease [CVD], hypertension or diabetes mellitus [DM]) with the acute cardiovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individual analyses of the majority of studies found median age was higher by ~10 years in patients with cardiovascular complications.