Exosomal biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors: the emerging roles of CA125, HE4, and C5a.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the utility of serum exosomal markers CA125, HE4, and C5a, both individually and in combination, for distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. METHODS: In this study, we selected a total of 234 patients diagnosed with ovarian tumors, including 34 with malignant tumors, 10 with borderline ovarian tumors, and 190 with benign tumors. This study conducted comparisons of exosomal levels of CA125, HE4, and C5a among distinct groups, as well as making comparisons between serum and exosomal levels of CA125 and HE4. Furthermore, the diagnostic performance was assessed through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) was computed, and a comparative evaluation of sensitivity and specificity was conducted to ascertain their effectiveness in determining the nature of ovarian tumors across different markers. RESULTS: Serum CA125 and HE4 levels, the ROMA index, exosomal CA125, HE4, C5a levels, and their combined applied value (OCS value) were notably elevated in the ovarian non-benign tumor group compared to the benign tumor group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Exosomal and serum levels of CA125 and HE4 exhibited a positive correlation, with concentrations of these markers in serum surpassing those in exosomes. The combined OCS (AUC = 0.871) for CA125, HE4, and C5a in exosomes demonstrated superior sensitivity (0.773) and specificity (0.932) compared to serum tumor markers (CA125, HE4) and the ROMA index. The tumor stage represents an autonomous risk factor influencing the prognosis of individuals with ovarian malignancies. CONCLUSION: The stage of ovarian malignancy is an independent risk factor for its prognosis. The combination of exosomal CA125, HE4 and C5a has a higher clinical value for the identification of the nature of ovarian tumours.

Identification with all humanity and willingness to help people in COVID-19 affected countries: Testing a moderated mediation model.

The conceptualization of Identification with All Humankind (IWAH) suggests that human beings care deeply not only for their own ingroups but for all humanity as a whole. The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed so much international help across national borders. Inspired by research on IWAH, we examined whether IWAH was associated with adolescents' sympathy for people in COVID-19 affected countries, which was further related to their willingness to help. The moderating role of conscientiousness on this indirect association was also examined. Eight hundred and fifty four students were recruited as participants. Data were obtained with adolescents reporting on their IWAH, sympathy for and willingness to help people in COVID-19 affected countries. The results indicated that IWAH was both directly and indirectly associated with their willingness to help people in COVID-19 affected countries via sympathy for them. Adolescents' conscientiousness moderated the indirect relation of adolescents' IWAH with their willingness to help via sympathy for people in COVID-19 affected countries. Specifically, for adolescents high in conscientiousness, IWAH was more strongly associated with willingness to give help. The main conclusion is that adolescents high in IWAH were more likely to experience sympathy for people in COVID-19 affected countries, thus making them more likely to give help, especially for adolescents high in conscientiousness.

New chlorophenolic glycoside from Curculigo orchioides and their activities on 5α-reductase.

Two new chlorophenolic glucosides curculigines P (1) and Q (2), together with seven known compounds (3-9), were isolated from the dried rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1 D, 2 D NMR and MS. All the isolated compounds were evaluated on 5α-reductase activity by a HaCaT-based bioassay. Compounds 1-9 showed varying degrees of inhibiting activity against 5α-reductase, while compound 1 indicated the most potent inhibitory effect.[Formula: see text].

Fully automated chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization-mass spectrometry as an effective tool for rapid and high-throughput screening of 5α-reductase inhibitors.

The 5α-reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and excess DHT could cause androgen-related diseases such as androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To discover new 5α-reductase inhibitors, effective drug screening method with high throughput is thus essential. In this study, fully automated chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (nano-ESI-MS) was innovatively utilized as a screening tool for 5α-reductase inhibitory assay in direct infusion mode, which simplified sample pretreatment and greatly improved experimental efficiency. The preliminary data indicated that curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, exhibited notably 5α-reductase inhibition activity. Moreover, the obtained results of the chip-based nano-ESI-MS were well consistent with those of HPLC-MS, which suggested that the chip-based nano-ESI-MS could be treated as a rapid and high-throughput drugs screening strategy in pharmaceutical development. Graphical abstract.

Harsh parenting and academic achievement in Chinese adolescents: Potential mediating roles of effortful control and classroom engagement.

This study examined (a) the potential mediating roles of effortful control and classroom engagement in the association between harsh parenting and adolescent academic achievement, and (b) the potential moderating role of gender. Sixth through eighth graders in rural China (n=815, mean age=12.55years) reported on harsh parenting, effortful control, and classroom engagement. Parents also reported on each other's harsh parenting. Academic achievement was assessed by students' test scores and teacher-rated academic performance. Results of structural equation modeling revealed gender differences in patterns of association among the model variables. Harsh parenting was negatively and directly associated with academic achievement for both boys and girls. It was also negatively and indirectly associated with academic achievement via effortful control and classroom engagement sequentially, forming a common indirect "path" for boys and girls. The indirect negative effect of harsh parenting on boys' academic achievement was mainly realized through the mediator of effortful control, whereas this same indirect effect for girls was mainly realized through the mediator of classroom engagement. Jointly, effortful control and classroom engagement precipitates more indirect effects for boys than for girls in the association between harsh parenting and academic achievement. The discussion analyzes the potential "paths" from harsh parenting to adolescent academic achievement, as well as gender differences in these "paths." The current study has implications for teachers and parents eager to improve students' classroom engagement and academic achievement.