Frontal Theta Asymmetry may be a new target for reducing the severity of depression and improving cognitive function in depressed patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depressive disorder is increasing due to a variety of factors, which brings a huge strain on individuals, families and society. This study aims to investigate whether there is Frontal Theta Asymmetry (FTA) in depressed patients, and whether FTAs are related to depression severity and cognitive function changes in depressed patients. METHODS: Participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Socio-demographic data of each participant were recorded. Zung's self-rating Depression Scale was used to assess the depression status of participants. P300 was used to evaluate the cognitive function of participants. EEG data from participants were collected by the NeuroScan SynAmps RT EEG system. t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Chi-square test were used to detect the differences of different variables between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze relationships between FTAs in different regions and participants' depression status and cognitive function. RESULTS: A total of 66 depressed participants and 47 healthy control participants were included in this study. The theta spectral power of the left frontal lobe was slightly stronger than that of the right frontal lobe in the depression group, while the opposite was true in the healthy control group. The FTA in F3/F4 had certain effects on the emergence of depression in participants, the emergence of depression in participants and Changes in cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: FTAs are helpful to assess the severity of depression and early identify cognitive impairment in patients with depression.

Standardized Treatment and Shortened Depression Course can Reduce Cognitive Impairment in Adolescents With Depression.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the influence of depression severity, disease course, treatment status, and other factors on cognitive function in adolescents with depressive disorders. Methods: Participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic data of each participant were recorded, including age, sex, and family history of mental disorders. Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to assess depression status in adolescents. Moreover, P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) were used to objectively evaluate the participants' cognitive function. Results: Only 26.8% of the adolescents with depression received standard antidepressant treatment. The latencies of N2 (267.80±23.34 ms), P3 (357.71±32.09 ms), and MMN (212.10±15.61 ms) in the adolescent depression group were longer than those in the healthy control group (p<0.01). Further analysis revealed that the latency of MMN was extended with increased levels of depression in adolescents. The MMN latency was short in participants with depression receiving standardized treatment. Furthermore, the latency of MMN was positively correlated with the severity and duration of depression (correlation coefficients were 0.465 and 0.479, respectively) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Receiving standardized treatment and shortening the course of depression can reduce cognitive impairment in adolescents with depression.

Pluronic P85 decreases the delivery of phenytoin to the brain in drug-resistant rats with P-glycoprotein overexpressed chronic mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) overexpressed in blood brain barrier (BBB) is hypothesized to lower brain drug concentrations and thus inhibit anticonvulsant effects in drug-resistant epilepsy. Pluronic P85 (P85) was proved to enhance the delivery of drugs into the brain by inhibition of Pgp. To determine whether the surfactant P85 [versus Pgp inhibitor tariquidar (TQD)] enhance phenytoin (PHT) into the brain in drug-resistant rats with chronic mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) induced by lithium-pilocarpine, in brain of which Pgp were overexpressed, then direct verification of PHT transport via measurement of PHT concentration in brain using microdialysis. The drug-resistant model rats were randomly divided into three groups, which were treated with PHT, 1%P85 + PHT, or PHT+TQD, respectively. 1%P85 + PHT treatment displayed a lower ratio of the area under the curve (AUC) of the PHT concentration in the brain/plasma even than that of the PHT treatment in model rats (p < 0.05), while PHT+TQD showed the highest ratio of the AUC of all treatments. However, the ratio of the PHT concentration in the liver/plasma was similar in three model groups (p > 0.05). For the ratio of the kidney/plasma, PHT+TQD treatment model group had the highest ratio of the other treatments in model rats. Thus, P85 oppositely decreased PHT concentration in brain in drug-resistant model rats with Pgp overexpressed MTLE while TQD could increase PHT distribution in brain.

[Electroencephalogram Features of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis and Their Value for Clinical Assessment].

Objective: To analyze the electroencephalogram (EEG) features of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDARE) and to study the clinical assessment value of the degree of EEG background slowing and the presence of δ brush. Methods: We enrolled 52 patients with anti-NMDARE and collected their clinical data, including age, sex, form of disease onset, status of tumor comorbidity, auxiliary examination findings (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] anti-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody titers, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] reports, and EEG results), treatment status, and follow-up after discharge. The degree of EEG background abnormality and the presence of δ brush in the EEG of patients with different clinical features were analyzed. Results: Among the 52 patients, 7 (14%) had normal EEG, and 45 (87%), abnormal EEG, including 25 (48%) with mild abnormalities, 11 (21%) with moderate abnormalities, and 9 (17%) with severe abnormalities. δ brush was seen in 6 (12%) patients. At the time of EEG, 32 (62%) patients were in the mild condition group and 20 (38%) patients were in the severe condition group. After 1 year of follow-up, there were 45 (86%) patients in the good prognosis group and 7 (14%) patients in the poor prognosis group. The exacerbation of EEG background abnormalities and the presence of δ brush were indications for an increase in the proportion of patients who were in severe condition, who needed ICU admission, and who had poor prognosis ( P<0.01). The worse the EEG background abnormalities, the higher the proportion of CSF antibody titers>1∶10 ( P=0.035), and the higher the proportion of patients initiating second-line immunotherapy ( P=0.008). The δ brush was seen a higher proportion in patients with comorbid tumors ( P=0.012). The probability of δ brush presence was higher in the first-time diagnosis cases than that in recurrent cases ( P=0.023). Conclusions: The degree of EEG slowing and the presence of δ brush have shown consistent performance in assessing patients' condition and predicting prognosis. The slower the EEG, the more severe the disease, and the worse the prognosis. The presence of δ brush indicates severe disease and poor prognosis. EEG slowing is correlated with the immune status of patients with anti-NMDARE. The slower the EEG, the more severe the immune abnormalities. In clinical practice, patient EEG should be under dynamic monitoring in order to evaluate the effect of immunotherapy. If EEG slowing is not improved, enhanced immunotherapy should be considered as early as possible. The δ brush is seen at a higher proportion in patients with comorbid tumors. Therefore, active efforts should be made to screen for tumors when δ brush is present.

Emphysematous hepatitis with successful treatments: A rare case report.

RATIONALE: Emphysematous hepatitis (EH) is a rare and fulminant gas-forming liver infection. Only 3 patients were successfully treated. Diabetes mellitus and a history of digestive system cancer may predispose individuals to EH. Computed tomography (CT) findings support the diagnosis of EH and monitor progress. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 48-year-old man with diabetes presented with nausea, vomiting (gastric contents) and diarrhea. Laboratory test results revealed elevated levels of inflammatory indicators and abnormal liver function. CT showed a large-scale air collection with some remaining parenchymal debris in the left lobe of the liver. Remarkably, no fluid was observed inside the lesion. DIAGNOSE: The abdominal CT features and laboratory examination results rationalized the diagnosis of EH. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient finally recovered from this severe disease through a series of effective treatments, including strict glucose control, sensitive antibiotic therapy, and subsequent percutaneous drainage. LESSONS: EH generally deteriorates rapidly and eventually leads to death. This case will raise awareness of the rare and severe disease, strengthen diagnostic capacities, and provide advice to treat it.

Primary soft tissue chondroma of the posterior mediastinum: a rare case report and literature review.

A chondroma is a common benign cartilaginous tumor. However, a primary soft tissue chondroma of the posterior mediastinum is very rare. We herein report a case involving a 51-year-old man with a posterior mediastinal mass. The mass was dissected by thoracoscopy through the eighth intercostal space. Pathological examination led to a definitive diagnosis of a primary mediastinal chondroma with no criteria of malignancy. Preoperative diagnosis of a posterior mediastinal soft tissue chondroma is not easy because of its rarity and lack of typical features other than calcification. When a posterior mediastinal well-circumscribed soft tissue mass contains calcification and shows no obvious enhancement, the possibility of a soft tissue chondroma should be considered.

Assessment of Skin Photoallergy Risk in Cosmetics Containing Herbal Extract Ingredients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: In recent years, herbal extracts are becoming increasingly popular ingredients added in cosmetics; however, the assessment of their potential adverse effects on the skin remains unclear. As Coptis, Phellodendron amurense, curcumin, and shikonin are herbs currently used in cosmetic ingredients, the aim of this study was to assess their skin photoallergy (PA) potential and the concentrations at which they could safely be used. METHODS: In the patch test, Coptis, P. amurense, curcumin, and shikonin with 5, 10, 25, and 50% concentration were applied on 33 healthy Chinese subjects using the T.R.U.E. TEST® patch test system for 48 h. Photopatch testing was performed on 206 Chinese subjects with predisposed photosensitivity history using the Scandinavian photopatch series, and subjects were irradiated by 50% UVA minimum erythema dose. Photopatch testing of herbal extracts was then performed on subjects diagnosed with PA. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects (14 with type III skin and 19 with type IV skin) completed contact patch testing of herbal extracts. Coptis induced a contact allergy (CA) reaction on 2 subjects at 25% concentration and on 2 subjects at 10% concentration. P. amurense induced a CA reaction on 1 subject at 10% concentration and on 1 subject at 5% concentration. Shikonin induced a stimulating reaction on 1 subject at 10% concentration. Curcumin induced a stimulating reaction on 1 subject at 10% concentration. Of the 206 Chinese subjects predisposed for photosensitivity, 10.19% had PA, 16.5% showed CA, and 1.45% had both PA + CA. PA-induced substances were promethazine hydrochloride (15%, n = 31), chlorpromazine hydrochloride (10.84%, n = 19), perfume mix (5.82%, n = 12), atranorin (3.39%, n = 7), 6-methyl coumarine (3.39%, n = 7), balsam Peru (1.94%, n = 4), fentichlor (1.94%, n = 4), 3,3',4',5-tetrachloro salicylanilide (0.97%, n = 2), hexachlorophene (0.97%, n = 2), chlorhexidine digluconate (0.97%, n = 2), and 4-aminobenzoic acid 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (0.97%, n = 2). Coptis at 25, 10, and 5% concentration and P. amurense, shikonin, and curcumin each at 10 and 5% concentration induced negative photopatch test results in all 10 photosensitive subjects. CONCLUSION: We have shown that Coptis, shikonin, or curcumin at 5% concentration in cosmetics could be applied safely without inducing contact allergic and photosensitive reactions on the skin. These findings advance the understanding of herbal extract use in cosmetic ingredients as related to the fields of dermatopharmacology and dermatotoxicology.

The Predictive Value of Red Cell Distribution Width and Red Cell Distribution Width to Erythrocyte Count Ratio for Adverse Cardiovascular Events During the Hospitalization of Patients of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: High red cell distribution width (RDW) is correlated with poor prognosis in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the association of red cell distribution width to erythrocyte count ratio (RER) with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during hospitalization has not been investigated. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study to investigate whether RER is associated with STEMI patients after PCI during hospitalization. METHODS: A total of 331 patients, who were hospitalized for STEMI and underwent PCI, were enrolled. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were used to find the cutoff value of RER and classify the patients into two groups including higher RER group and lower RER group by cutoff value. Differences between measured parameters in higher RER and lower RER groups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. The evaluation correlation of RDW, red blood cell, and RER with major adverse cardiovascular events was determined by bivariate regression analysis. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with adverse cardiovascular events during the hospitalization of STEMI patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential independent predictors of STEMI. RESULTS: According to ROC analysis, the cutoff value of RER and RDW is 3.10 and 13.9, the sensitivity is 51% and 35%, the specificity is 76% and 80%, respectively. RER showed improved diagnostic capacity compared to RDW in correlation with adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization in STEMI patients (p < 0.001). Compared with the lower RER group, the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients is elevated in the higher RER group (75% vs. 64.5%, p < 0.05). Bivariate regression analysis indicated that RER and RDW showed a good correlation with adverse cardiovascular events, and the difference was statistically significant (R = 0.10 p < 0.05 vs. R = 0.05 p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, hyperlipidemia, RDW, mean platelet volume, total cholesterol, and RER were correlated with the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events during the hospitalization of STEMI patients (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that RER could be an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients (B: 0.574, OR: 1.776, 95% CI: 1.043 ~ 3.023, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RER and RDW demonstrated good correlation with adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization in STEMI patients. RER is a potential independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization in STEMI patients.

A Potential Serum Biomarker, Albumin-to-Glutamyltransferase Ratio, Suggests the Severity of Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the utility of albumin-to-glutamyltransferase ratio (AGR) as a new biomarker to distinguish hepatic carcinoma from hepatitis, as early disease diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring could improve patient management and outcomes. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 34 hepatitis (women 19), 88 cirrhosis (women 22) and 52 hepatic carcinoma (women 9) cases were retrospectively reviewed. Patients diagnosed with cirrhosis were classified by Child-Pugh score and the presence of ascites. The differences among groups were evaluated by the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U. The linear correlation between variables was assessed by Spearman's correlation analysis. The diagnostic value of albumin-to-glutamyltransferase (AGR) was considered using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Multiple logistic regression analysis and univariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify AGR as an independent predictor in liver disease progression. RESULTS: The significant differences among the hepatitis vs. cirrhosis vs. and hepatic carcinoma were AST (108.50 ± 184.00 vs. 38.00 ± 21.50 vs. 47.00 ± 71.00, p < 0.01), TP/AST (TAR, 0.67 ± 0.69 vs. 1.77 ± 0.87 vs. 1.36 ± 0.95, p < 0.01), and ALB/GGT (AGR, 0.32 ± 0.27 vs. 0.67 ± 0.43 vs. 0.20 ± 0.26, p < 0.05). At the same time, AST (32.00 ± 13.50 vs. 53.00 ± 23.00 vs. 114.50 ± 42.50, p < 0.05) and TAR (2.15 ± 0.72 vs. 1.28 ± 0.74 vs. 0.64 ± 0.39, p < 0.05) were higher but AGR (0.86 ± 0.54 vs. 0.46 ± 0.32 vs. 0.26 ± 0.22, p < 0.05) was lower in Child-Pugh class C group compared with group B and C. TAR (1.92 ± 0.73 vs. 0.98 ± 0.89, p < 0.01) and AGR (0.79 ± 0.52 vs. 0.46 ± 0.28, p < 0.05) were significantly elevated in the serum of cirrhosis with no ascites compared with the cirrhosis patients suffered from ascites, while AST (35.00 ± 14.50 vs. 63.00 ± 44.50, p < 0.01) was reduced in cirrhosis patients with no ascites. Furthermore, AST (r = 0.4490, p<0.01) was positively correlated with AFP, TAR (r = -0.4393, p < 0.01) and AGR (r = -0.4395, p < 0.01) were negatively correlated with AFP. The ROC curve analysis for AST had an area under the curve (AUC) ranging from 0.66 to 0.82, TAR ranged from 0.64 to 0.80 and AGR ranged from 0.54 to 0.72. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed AGR as an independent parameter to distinguish liver can¬cer to hepatitis, and AGR was associated with the presence of ascites and the progression in cirrhosis patients. CONCLUSIONS: AGR is a potential biomarker for diagnosis of liver disease progression.

The Relationship between Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Erythrocyte Sedimentation/Red Blood Cell Ratio and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: The treatment options of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in active and inactive phases are very different clinically, and the prognosis of patients with active SLE is much worse than inactive patients. However, the present indicators for diagnosis of SLE in activity are limited and inefficient. METHODS: Three hundred thirty patients with SLE were included. All patients are classified as SLEDAI (systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index) > 4 as active and SLEDAI ≤ 4 as inactive. The linear correlation between variables was assessed by Pearson's correlation analysis. The difference between parameters in active and inactive patients was evaluated by the Mann-Whitney U test. The evaluation capacity of erythrocyte sedimenta-tion/red blood cell (ERR) and red blood cell/albumin ratio (RAR) on SLE activity was determined by bivariate regression analysis. Sensitivity and specificity are assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: Compared with the inactive SLE, ESR (52.97 ± 35.66 vs. 32.38 ± 29.16 p < 0.001), ERR (15.40 ± 12.41 vs. 8.19 ± 8.10 p < 0.001) and RAR (0.13 ± 0.10 vs. 0.11 ± 0.20 p = 0.038) are all elevated in active SLE (52.97 ± 35.66 vs. 32.38 ±2 9.16 p < 0.001). ERR shows better correlation than RAR with ESR (p < 0.001 vs. p = 0.911). Patients with active SLE exhibited higher SLEDAI than those with inactive SLE (8.67 ± 2.67 vs. 3.27 ± 1.36, p < 0.001). According to ROC analysis, when ESR levels > 58.5 and ERR levels > 13.18, the sensitivity is 37.6% and 45.2%, the specificity is 83.0% and 83.2%. CONCLUSIONS: ESR and ERR are potential indicators for diagnosis of active and inactive SLE.

Cardiac Biomarker Levels and Their Prognostic Values in COVID-19 Patients With or Without Concomitant Cardiac Disease.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global threat. Increases in cardiac biomarkers are common and are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Although these increases are more likely to occur in cases with concomitant cardiac disease, the differences in cardiac biomarker levels between patients with and without cardiac disease and their associations with in-hospital mortality are largely unknown. A consecutive serial of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases was retrospectively enrolled. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and outcome data were collected. The levels of cardiac biomarkers were evaluated and compared by stratifying patients according to concomitant cardiac conditions and clinical classifications. The prognostic efficacy of cardiac biomarker levels on admission was also assessed. Among the overall study population and survived patients, the cardiac biomarker levels at both the early and late stages in cardiac patients were significantly higher than those in non-cardiac patients. However, their concentrations in cardiac patients were comparable to non-cardiac ones among non-survivors. The cardiac biomarker levels at the late stage of the disease were significantly decreased compared to those at the early stage among patients who were alive. Whereas, the late-stage biomarker levels were significantly increased in patients who ultimately died. Subgroup analysis illustrated that increases in cardiac biomarkers were closely related to the severity of the disease, and were prognostic for high risks of in-hospital mortality in non-cardiac, rather than in cardiac patients. Myo and NT-proBNP, rather than Hs-TnI and CK-MB, were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in the overall population and non-cardiac patients. However, these associations were not significant among cardiac patients. In conclusion, our results helped better understand the release pattern and prognostic performance of cardiac biomarkers in patients with COVID-19. Increased levels of Myo and NT-proBNP on admission could be useful markers for early identifying high-risk patients. However, special attention must be paid when implementing the prognostic function for cardiac patients.

The 308-nm excimer laser stimulates melanogenesis via the wnt/ß-Catenin signaling pathway in B16 cells.

Background: The mechanism of the 308-nm excimer laser in vitiligo treatment has not yet been adequately studied. In this study, we explored the role of the 308-nm excimer laser in treatment of vitiligo and the molecular mechanisms underlying melanin biosynthesis in melanocytes after 308-nm excimer laser radiation. Materials and methods: The B16 cells were irradiated at doses of 0 mJ/cm2, 100 mJ/cm2, 300 mJ/cm2 and 600 mJ/cm2 using a 308-nm excimer laser and then cultured for an additional 24, 48 or 72 hours. Melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in cells were measured by biochemical methods. The expression of tyrosinase, MITF, Wnt3α and ß-catenin was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Cell irradiation with the 308-nm excimer laser not only significantly elevated the melanin content (p < .01) but also stimulated the activity of tyrosinase (p < .01). The expressions of tyrosinase and MITF were also significantly increased in cells after 308-nm excimer laser irradiation. We also defined the signaling pathway by which the 308-nm excimer laser stimulates melanin biosynthesis. Increased Wnt3α and ß-catenin expression was observed by Western blot analysis. Conclusion: Activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway likely led to the activation of MITF and tyrosinase transcription, as well as, the subsequent induction of melanin synthesis.

EphrinB2 activation enhances angiogenesis, reduces amyloid-ß deposits and secondary damage in thalamus at the early stage after cortical infarction in hypertensive rats.

Cerebral infarction causes secondary neurodegeneration and angiogenesis in thalamus, which impacts functional recovery after stroke. Here, we hypothesize that activation of ephrinB2 could stimulate angiogenesis and restore the secondary neurodegeneration in thalamus after cerebral infarction. Focal cerebral infarction was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Secondary damage, angiogenesis, amyloid-ß (Aß) deposits, levels of ephrinB2 and receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) in the ipsilateral thalamus were determined by immunofluorescence and immunoblot. The contribution of ephrinB2 to angiogenesis was determined by siRNA-mediated knockdown of ephrinB2 and pharmacological activation of ephrinB2. The results showed that formation of new vessels and ephrinB2 expression was markedly increased in the ipsilateral thalamus at seven days after MCAO. EphrinB2 knockdown markedly suppressed angiogenesis coinciding with increased Aß accumulation, neuronal loss and gliosis in the ipsilateral thalamus. In contrast, clustered EphB2-Fc significantly enhanced angiogenesis, alleviated Aß accumulation and the secondary thalamic damage, which was accompanied by accelerated function recovery. Additionally, activation of ephrinB2 significantly reduced RAGE levels in the ipsilateral thalamus. Our findings suggest that activation of ephrinB2 promotes angiogenesis, ameliorates Aß accumulation and the secondary thalamic damage after cerebral infarction. Additionally, RAGE might be involved in Aß clearance by activating ephrinB2 in the thalamus.

LRH-1 drives hepatocellular carcinoma partially through induction of c-myc and cyclin E1, and suppression of p21.

BACKGROUND: To explore potential therapeutic target is one of the areas of great interest in both clinical and basic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) studies. Nuclear receptor liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1, NR5A2) is proved to play a positive role in several cancers including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and intestinal cancer in recent years. However, the exact role of LRH-1 in the development and progression of HCC is not fully elucidated. METHODS: The LRH-1 expression level in HCC clinical samples was examined by immunohis-tochemistry (IHC). Stable LRH-1-suppressed HepG2 clones (HepG2LRH-1/-) were generated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and both in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. RESULTS: We confirmed that LRH-1 showed an increased expression pattern in HCC clinical samples. Our in vitro and in vivo results indicated that suppression of LRH-1 in HepG2 significantly attenuated its proliferation rate and tumorigenic capacity. Gene expression microarray analysis indicated that LRH-1mostly regulated gene expression involved in cell cycle. In addition, our gain-of-function experiments indicated that ectopic expression of LRH-1 dramatically induced the mRNA and protein levels of c-myc and cyclin E1, while attenuating the expression of p21. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LRH-1 might be a potential therapeutic target for clinical HCC treatment.

Brain Structures Associated with Internet Addiction Tendency in Adolescent Online Game Players.

With the development of the Internet, an increasing number of adolescents play online game excessively, which leads to adverse effects on individuals and society. Previous studies have demonstrated altered gray-matter volume (GMV) in individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), but the relationship between the tendency to IGD and the GMV across whole brain is still unclear in adolescents. In the present study, anatomical imaging with high resolution was performed on 67 male adolescents who played online game; and Young's Internet addiction test (IAT) was conducted to test the tendency to IGD. FMRIB Software Library (FSL) was used to calculate the voxel-based correlations between the GMV and the IAT score after controlling for the age and years of education. The GMVs of the bilateral postcentral gyri (postCG), the bilateral precentral gyri (preCG), the right precuneus, the left posterior midcingulate cortex (pMCC), the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL), and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) were negatively correlated with the IAT score. The correlation still existed between the IAT score and the GMVs of the bilateral postCG, the left preCG, the left pMCC, and the right MFG after controlling for the total time of playing online game. When the participants were divided into two groups according to the IAT score, the GMVs of these IAT-related brain regions were lower in high IAT score subgroup (IAT score >50) than in low IAT score subgroup (IAT score ≤50). Our results suggested that the GMVs of brain regions involved in sensorimotor process and cognitive control were associated with the IGD tendency. These findings may lead to new targets for preventing and treating the IGD.