A new homoisoflavonoid, named cambodianol (1), together with the two known flavanes, (2S)-7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-methylflavane (2) and (2R)-7,4'-dihydroxy-8-methylflavane (3), were isolated from the stems of Dracaena cambodiana. Their structures were determined based on HR-ESI-MS and spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D-, and 2D-NMR). Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against K562 and SGC-7901 with the IC(50) values of 1.4 and 2.9 microg/ml, respectively.

BackgroundFrom previous reviews, there still have been controversies over the effect of metformin (MET) on reproductive function in PCOS patients. The reasons for the inconsistent findings especially lie in the transparency and accuracy of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reports. However, we could find no data about the quality of RCTs reporting in MET for PCOS. Thus, a retrospective survey related to the quality of reporting in MET for PCOS was conducted.MethodsA retrospective survey was conducted by two investigators. Two investigators assessed the quality of overall reporting and key methodological factors reporting using items from the CONSORT 2010 statement.ResultsA total of 39 RCTs were included in full text. The median overall quality score was 9, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 13. Good or general reporting existed in 11 items with positive rate of more than or equal to 50%. The median score of key methodological items was 4 with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 5. Randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, baseline characteristics and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis were reported in 26 (67%), 19 (49%), 20 (51%), 38 (97%) and 17 (44%) of the 39 RCTs, respectively. After adjustment, the mean overall score increased by about 1.71 for manuscripts with funding source (95% CI, 0.18 to 3.24), while it increased by about 3.51 for manuscripts published in one year increment (95% CI, 1.82 to 5.19). There was a relatively close, significant correlation (r = 0.589, P < 0.001) between the score of overall reporting quality and year of publication.ConclusionAlthough the overall reporting quality of RCTs in MET for PCOS has improved over time, reporting of key methodological items remains poor. Reporting of RCTs on MET for PCOS should keep up with the standards of the CONSORT statement.

Two new flavanes, (2S)-4′ ,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavane (1), and (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy- 8-methylflavane (2), together with five known flavanes, (2S)-3′ ,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-8- methylflavane (3), (2R)-4′,7-dihydroxy-8-methylflavane (4), (±)-3′,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavane (5), (±)-4′,7-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavane (6), and (2S)-4′,7-dihydroxyflavane (7), were isolated from the stem of Dracaena cambodiana. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR). Their antimicrobial activities were preliminarily examined by the filter paper disc agar diffusion method.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relationship between HUA and white blood cell (WBC) count remains unknown. A sampling survey for CKD was conducted in Sanlin community in 2012 and 2014. CKD was defined as proteinuria in at least the microalbuminuric stage or an estimated GFR of 60 mL/(min∙1.73 m). HUA was defined as serum uric acid > 420 μmol/L in men and > 360 μmol/L in women. This study included 1024 participants. The prevalence of HUAwas 17.77%. Patients with HUA were more likely to have higher levels of WBC count, which was positively associated with HUA prevalence. This association was also observed in participants without CKD, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or obesity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that WBC count was independently associated with the risk for HUA in male and female participants. Compared with participants without HUA, inflammatory factors such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 6 increased in participants with HUA. Hence, WBC count is positively associated with HUA, and this association is independent of conventional risk factors for CKD.