Condensed tannins from Ficus virens leaves, fruit, and stem bark were isolated and their structures characterized by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that the leaves, fruit, and stem bark condensed tannins were complex mixtures of homo- and heteropolymers of B-type procyanidins and prodelphinidins with degrees of polymerization up to hexamer, dodecamer, and pentadecamer, respectively. Antityrosinase activities of the condensed tannins were studied. The results indicated that the condensed tannins were potent tyrosinase inhibitors. The concentrations for the leaves, fruit, and stem bark condensed tannins leading to 50% enzyme activity were determined to be 131.67, 99.89, and 106.22 μg/ml on monophenolase activity, and 128.42, 43.07, and 74.27 μg/ml on diphenolase activity. The inhibition mechanism, type, and constants of the condensed tannins on the diphenolase activity were further investigated. The results indicated that the condensed tannins were reversible and mixed type inhibitors. Fluorescence quenching, copper interacting, and molecular docking techniques were utilized to unravel the molecular mechanisms of the inhibition. The results showed that the hydroxyl group on the B ring of the condensed tannins could chelate the dicopper irons of the enzyme. Moreover, the condensed tannins could reduce the enzyme product o-quinones into colourless compounds. These results would contribute to the development and design of antityrosinase agents.

Raised triglycerides (TG) and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c) are components of metabolic syndrome. Both high TG and metabolic syndrome have been reported to be risk factors of endometrial cancer. Therefore, triglycerides‐to‐high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL‐c ratio) may be a useful biological indicator in managing endometrial cancer. We aimed to explore the association between pretreatment TG/HDL‐c ratio and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women, and to evaluate its potential role in the disease. Pretreatment serum lipid profile and TG/HDL‐c ratio were retrospectively analyzed for 167 postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer and 464 matched noncancer controls. Compared with controls, pretreatment TG/HDL‐c ratio in endometrial cancer patients significantly elevated regardless of whether patients had diabetes or overweight/obesity (P < 0.05). Further analyses showed that pretreatment TG/HDL‐c ratio increased significantly with advanced tumor stage. Interestingly, TG/HDL‐c ratio of type I endometrial cancer patients was higher than those with type II endometrial cancer. A positive association was found between pretreatment TG/HDL‐c ratio and tumor stage (adjustedr= 0.176, P =0.027) in endometrial cancer group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded the cut‐off value of 1.52 for TG/HDL‐c ratio to discriminate patients with cancer from controls (area under the curve, 0.689; sensitivity, 51.5%; specificity, 84.1%). Multivariate logistic regression model identified TG/HDL‐c ratio ≥ 1.52 (odds ratio = 4.123;P< 0.001) as an independent predictor of endometrial cancer. TG/HDL‐c ratio was positively associated with endometrial cancer clinical features, such as tumor stage and pathogenetic type. Accordingly, pretreatment TG/HDL‐c ratio might be a potential marker for endometrial cancer.

Penicillium marneffei, Histoplasma capsulatum, Mucor and Leishmania donovani can lead to penicilliosis marneffei, histoplasmosis, mucormycosis and leishmaniasis, respectively, which, to a certain extent, share similar clinical manifestations. These pathogens are approximately the same size, therefore it is relatively difficult to rapidly diagnose the diseases. The aim of the present study was to explore a novel method that attempts to rapidly identify the pathogens of these diseases. In the Wright‑Giemsa staining, the four pathogens were approximately the same size and mainly existed in macrophages. The multiplying P. marneffei had two nuclei, which were on both sides of the fungus, and had light cross‑walls in the middle. H. capsulatum had a purplish nucleus, which occupied between one‑third and one‑half of the spore. The cytoplasm was light blue. Peripheral spores were observed in the form of an empty, bright ring without color, like a capsule. Generally, Mucor were observed to have a long and lightly stained area, which could be easily confused with the Wright staining of dinuclear P. marneffei. L. donovani exhibited a deep‑staining kinetoplast near the nucleus. In the Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining, the pathogens of P. marneffei and H. capsulatum were distinct and stained red. Differentiation between P. marneffei and H. capsulatum relied on their modes of reproduction: P. marneffei depends on fission, when the pathogens stretch into sausage‑shapes and are split by a cross‑wall, while H. capsulatum depends on budding so that narrow‑necked, single spores can be formed. With PAS staining, the cell walls and intracellular contents of Mucor and L. donovani were not stained, lightly stained or granulated and discontinuous. In conclusion, this method, combining PAS and Wright‑Giemsa staining, is simple and rapid, and may contribute to the effective identification of the four pathogens.

Association Between the XRCC3 Thr241Met Polymorphism and Cervical Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis Cervical cancer;XRCC3;polymorphism;meta-analysis; Background: Numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between variants of the DNA repair gene XRCC3 and cancer risk. Here we focused on one XRCC3 polymorphism and development of cervical cancer, performing a meta-analysis. Methods: The pooled association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and cervical cancer risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results: A total of 5 case-control studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled ORs for the total included studies showed no association among homozygotes TT vs. CC: OR=1.93, 95%CI=0.68-5.49, P=0.22; dominant model TT+TC vs. CC: OR=1.37, 95%CI=0.90-2.06, P=0.14; and recessive model TT vs. TC+CC: OR=1.76, 95%CI=0.68-4.55, P=0.25, but might be a slight risk factor for cervical cancer in heterozygote contrast TT vs. CT: OR= 1.33, 95%CI=1.04-1.71, P=0.02. In subgroup analysis, significant associations were found for Asians under all genetic models. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism might not act as a cervical cancer risk factor overall. However, in subgroup analysis, a significant association was found in Asians under all genetic models. The association should be studied with a larger, stratified population, especially for Asians.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of NLR, hemoglobin (HB) and combine NLR with HB in the BD patients. Sixty-seven patients with BD were diagnosed in the rheumatology or dermatology between June 2015 and June 2019; 92 matching healthy physical examiners were included in our study. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Compared with the healthy control, NLR was increased (P < .001), while the HB level was decreased (P < .001) in the patients of BD. In addition, ESR and CRP were increased in BD patients. NLR has no relationship with CRP and ESR, while the HB levels were negatively correlated with CRP and ESR (r = –0.293, P = .046; r = –0.431, P = .002). ROC curve analysis revealed the AUC of NLR and HB were 0.797 and 0.798 (P < .001). When combined NLR with HB, the AUC was 0.897 (P < .001). Besides, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NLR and HB were independent risk factors in the BD patients. We observed that the diagnostic value of NLR, HB and combined NLR with HB in the BD patients were high, particularly when combine NLR with HB. NLR and HB were independent risk factors in the BD patients. In addition, HB levels related to the disease activity of BD patients.