Multiple obesity indices suggest a close relationship between obesity and constipation: evidence from NHANES.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between obesity and constipation among American adults. METHODS: Our study leveraged data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This comprehensive approach enabled us to summarize the weighted prevalence rates of obesity in adults. To further deepen our understanding, we employed a variety of analytical methods. These included multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analysis and restricted cubic splines. Through these methodologies, we were able to effectively evaluate the correlation between various obesity indicators and constipation, offering new insights into this complex relationship. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of constipation stands at 9.42%. Notably, an increased risk of constipation is linked with a BMI (body mass index) exceeding 28 kg/m2, WSR (waist-stature ratio) that is either between 58.3 and 64.8 or above 64.8, as well as a LAP (lipid accumulation products) ranging from 50.8 to 90.1. In contrast, a reduced risk of constipation is associated with WWI (weight-adjusted-waist index) that falls between 0.015 and 0.020, exceeds 0.020, and without the presence of central obesity (P < 0.05). Restricted cubic spline analysis, a significant non-linear relationship was discerned between BMI, WSR, and LAP in relation to constipation. CONCLUSIONS: This pioneering large-scale study explores the relationship between various obesity indices and constipation. It reveals that reducing the BMI, WSR, LAP and waist circumference can decrease the risk of constipation. Conversely, a higher value of WWI correlates with a lower constipation risk, and this remains true even after adjusting for a wide range of variables.

Risk factors for severe low anterior resection syndrome in patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter­preserving resection: A systematic review and meta­analysis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of severe low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) in patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-preserving resection, and to provide the clinical basis and reference for the treatment of rectal cancer and the prevention of LARS. Studies on the incidence and risk factors for severe LARS in patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-preserving resection were searched using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After evaluating the study quality and extracting relevant data, RevMan 5.2 and STATA software were used to conduct a meta-analysis. A total of 12 articles were considered eligible for the present meta-analysis. Within these articles, there were 3,877 cases of sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer and 1,589 cases of severe LARS; the incidence of severe LARS was 40.99%. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that sex [female; odds ratio (OR), 6.54; 95% CI, 3.63-11.76; Z, 6.27; P<0.00001], radiotherapy and chemotherapy (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.29-5.21; Z, 5.91; P<0.00001), total mesorectal excision (TME; OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 3.32-5.79; Z, 10.41; P<0.00001), and distance between tumor and anal margin (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 0.86-8.72; Z, 1.70; P<0.00001) may be the risk factors for severe LARS.

Application of electroacupuncture in the prevention of low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is one of the common postoperative complications in patients with rectal cancer, which seriously affects their postoperative recovery and quality of life (QoL). Electroacupuncture therapy is one of the characteristic therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. There are few reports on the prevention and treatment of LARS by electroacupuncture therapy. AIM: To explore the clinical effectiveness of electroacupuncture in managing rectal cancer patients with postoperative LARS. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with LARS after rectal cancer surgery were retrospectively selected as the research subjects. According to the treatment methods, they were divided into an observation group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). During the four-week treatment period, the control group received standard defecation function training, while the observation group received electroacupuncture care and traditional defecation function training. The anal pressure index (which includes anal resting pressure, anal systolic pressure, and maximum tolerable volume), European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL C30 (QLQ-C30) score, LARS Scale (LARSS) score, Wexner anal incontinence scale score, Xu Zhongfa five-item 10-point scale score, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The experimental group showed considerably enhanced LARSS scores compared to those in the control group after four weeks of treatment. In the first week, second week, and fourth week, the LARSS score and Wexner anal incontinence scale score decreased, and the Xu Zhong method five-item 10-point scale score increased, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The experimental group showed substantial improvements in anal resting pressure, anal systolic pressure, and maximum tolerance volume after undergoing 4 wk of therapy in the untreated group (P < 0.05). The experimental group's QLQ-C30 score on the EORTC QoL questionnaire was higher than that of the control group during the 1st, 2nd, and 4th wk (P < 0.05). No significant variation between the groups in the frequency of adverse reactions (P > 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture positively impacted LARS following rectal cancer surgery, effectively improving clinical symptoms and anal pressure indicators and patients' standard of life.

Three new isobenzofurans from the roots of Nicotiana Tabacum and their bioactivities.

Three new isobenzofurans (1-3), together with four known phenylpropanoids (4-7) were isolated from the roots of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1-6 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities and cytotoxicity activities. The results showed that compounds 5 and 6 exhibited high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 35.1 and 33.4%, respectively. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1-7 against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3 were also tested. Compounds 1-7 showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 3.8-9.6 µM.

Three new phenylpropanoids from Lavandula angustifolia and their bioactivities.

Three new phenylpropanoids, 3-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-oxopropyl acetate (1), 3-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (2), and 3-hydroxy-1-(4-methylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-6-yl) propan-1-one (3), together with three known phenylpropanoids (4-6) were isolated from the whole plant of Lavandula angustifolia. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1-6 were tested for their anti-tobacoo mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxicity activities. The results revealed that compounds 1-3 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 35.2, 38.4 and 33.9%. These rates are higher than that of positive control. The other compounds also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 26.8-28.9%, respectively. Compounds 1-6 also showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumour cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 3.8-8.8 µM.

Two new sesquiterpenes from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activities.

Two new sesquiterpenes, nicotianasesterpenes A and B (1 and 2), together with five known sesquiterpenes (3-7) were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of compounds 1-7 were evaluated. The results revealed that compound 1 exhibited high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 33.6%. This rate is high than that of positive control. The other compounds also showed potential activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.8-28.4%, respectively.

Two new benzolactones from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activities.

Two new benzolactones, 5-methyl-6-prenyl-isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (1), 5-hydroxymethyl-6-prenyl-isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (2), together with four known phenolic compounds (3-6), were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compounds 1-6 exhibited high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 16.9-26.2%, respectively.

Isocoumarins from the fermentation products of a plant entophytic fungus Penicillium oxalicum.

Three new isocoumarins, terrecoumarins A-C (1-3), together with six known isocoumarins (4-9) were isolated from the fermentation products of the fungus Penicillium oxalicum 0403. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of 1-9 were evaluated. The results revealed that compound 1 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate 25.4 ± 3.5%. Other compounds also showed weak activity with inhibition rate in the range of 11.3-18.9%.

Flavones from Cassia siamea and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity.

Two new flavones, siameflavones A and B (1 and 2), together with five known flavones (3-7) were isolated from the stem of Cassia siamea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (Anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compounds 1-5 showed weak anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 11.6-18.5%.

[Analysis of volatile components in Qingshanlvshui tea using solid-phase microextraction/accelerated solvent extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

The volatile components of Qingshanlvshui Tea were extracted using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), and then were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It showed that ninety-one compounds were identified, including forty-nine by SPME, fifty-six by ASE, and fourteen by both of them. The main constituents were beta-myrcene, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1,5-heptadiene, L-limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, beta-pinene, 2-methylbenzaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural. Both SPME and ASE have their advantages. SPME is excellent at simplicity, rapidity, solvent-free, high enrichment, low detection limit, environment friendly etc. ASE has characteristics of time and solvent saving, automation, simplicity, as well as high efficiency.

A single red InGaN-based light-emitting diode with a europium (III) ternary complex as mono-phosphor.

A novel europium (III) ternary complex, Eu(TPBDTFA)(3)Phen, was designed and synthesized. Photoluminescence measurements show that the energy absorbed by the organic ligands was efficiently transferred to the central Eu(3+) ions, and the complex exhibits strongly red emission due to the (5)D(0)-(7)F(j) transitions of Eu(3+) ions with appropriate CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, International Commission on Illumination) chromaticity coordinates (x=0.66, y=0.33) under 310-420 nm light excitation. The luminescence quantum yield for the Eu(3+) complex is 0.18. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirms a high thermal stability of the complex with a decomposition temperature of 341 degrees C. All the characteristics indicate that the Eu(3+) complex is a highly efficient red phosphor suitable to be excited by near UV light. An intense red-emitting LED was fabricated by combining the mono-phosphor Eu(TPBDTFA)(3)Phen with a approximately 395 nm emitting InGaN chip.

Preparation and photoluminescence of a novel beta-diketone ligand containing electro-transporting group and its europium(III) ternary complex.

A novel beta-diketone with an electro-transporting oxadiazole group, 1-(4'-(5-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione (MPBDTFA), was prepared with high yield. With this synthesized ligand as the first ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) as the secondary ligand, a new europium(III) ternary complex, Eu(MPBDTFA)(3)Phen, was synthesized. The new beta-diketone and its europium(III) ternary complex were characteristized by elemental analysis, thermo-gravimetric analysis, IR and UV-visible spectroscopies. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the energy absorbed by the organic ligands was efficiently transfered to the central Eu(3+) ions, and the complex showed intensely and characteristically red emissions due to the (5)D(0)-->(7)F(j) transitions of the central Eu(3+) ions. With an electro-transporting group in molecule and highly thermal stability, the synthesized Eu(III) ternary complex is expected as a red-emitting candidate material for fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).