Protein Z modulates the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Protein Z (PZ), a vitamin-K-dependent anticoagulant glycoprotein, is reported to be highly expressed in various malignant tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the pathological activity of PZ on lung cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. PZ was assessed by Western blot in three non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1299, and H1975). Meanwhile,western blot was used to detect the expression of EMT pathway-related proteins (Slug, Vimentin, and N-cadherin) in the A549 cells knocked down with siRNA. The cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays in the A549 cells. The results showed that PZ expression was higher in A549, H1299, and H1975 cells, according to Western blot. CCK-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays showed that knockdown of PZ significantly decreased cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the protein levels of Slug, Vimentin, and N-cadherin in the A549 cells. In conclusion, the pro-metastasis activity of PZ may modulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway in lung cancer A549 cells.

Erratum to "Protein Z modulates the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0667.].

The effects of group-based cognitive behavioral therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic schizophrenia with more than two years of community-based mental health group rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that community-based group rehabilitation activities can have a positive impact on patients. OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to improve schizophrenia patients' social and self-cognition through short-term group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT), break negative coping styles, and improve the patients' quality of life. METHODS: The patients with schizophrenia who participated in long-term community-based group rehabilitation were treated with G-CBT. Training on coping styles was conducted to improve their self-cognition and social cognition, and the rehabilitation effects of G-CBT on these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patient scores for self-esteem, self-efficacy, and positive coping in the G-CBT group increased, while patient scores for negative coping decreased. Compared with the control group, the differences in the total scores for mental health and the five dimensions of physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning, and emotional role function in the short-form (SF-12) survey were statistically significant. Compared with the baseline data, the differences in self-esteem, self-efficacy, positive coping, negative coping, and quality of life scores were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Short-term G-CBT had a good effect on patients with chronic schizophrenia who participated in community-based group rehabilitation for the long-term.

Machine learning approaches to predict the apparent rate constants for aqueous organic compounds by ferrate.

The apparent second-order rate constant with hexavalent ferrate (Fe(VI)) (kFe(VI)) is a key indicator to evaluate the removal efficiency of a molecule by Fe(VI) oxidation. kFe(VI) is often determined by experiment, but such measurements can hardly catch up with the rapid growth of organic compounds (OCs). To address this issue, in this study, a total of 437 experimental second-order kFe(VI) rate constants at a range of conditions (pH and temperature) were used to train four machine learning (ML) algorithms (lasso regression (LR), ridge regression (RR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM)). Using the Morgan fingerprint (MF)) of a range of organic compounds (OCs) as the input, the performance of the four algorithms was comprehensively compared with respect to the coefficient of determination (R2) and root-mean-square error (RMSE). It is shown that the RR, XGBoost, and LightGBM models displayed generally acceptable performance kFe(VI) (R2test > 0.7). In addition, the shapely additive explanation (SHAP) and feature importance methods were employed to interpret the XGBoost/LightGBM and RR models, respectively. The results showed that the XGBoost/LightGBM and RR models suggestd pH as the most important predictor and the tree-based models elucidate how electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups influence the reactivity of the Fe(VI) species. In addition, the RR model share eight common features, including pH, with the two tree-based models. This work provides a fast and acceptable method for predicting kFe(VI) values and can help researchers better understand the degradation behavior of OCs by Fe(VI) oxidation from the perspective of molecular structure.

"Why I stay in community psychiatric rehabilitation": a semi-structured survey in persons with schizophrenia.

AIMS: Although community psychiatric rehabilitation plays an important role in returning persons with schizophrenia to the society, many patients in China stay in rehabilitation centers for longer periods of time and subsequently fail to integrate. This study is aimed to explore the underlying causes of this trend and identify possible solutions. METHODS: This study used a qualitative descriptive design to examine the persons with schizophrenia who stay in rehabilitation centers for longer periods of time. The researchers conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with the patients recruited through purposeful sampling. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed in transcripts in Chinese. Thematic analysis was performed using Colaizzi's 7-step method. RESULTS: Most patients believe that they have gained knowledge, improved skills, friendship and social circles through community mental rehabilitation, with the sense of belonging and enriched life strongly attracting them to the rehabilitation centers. They felt that the difficulty of further integration into society is mainly because of social prejudice and rejection. In addition, the activities of community mental rehabilitation meet the needs of social communication, which also hinder patients from further entering the society. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with schizophrenia with long-term stay in community mental rehabilitation centers meet their friendship, sense of belonging and social needs by participating in rehabilitation activities. Providing special social opportunity for these patients can get them out of the rehabilitation center. Overall, it is possible for patients to gradually return to society in a collective form.

Right Ventricular Diastolic Performance in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Assessed by Echocardiography.

Background: There have been no systemic studies about right heart filling pressure and right ventricular (RV) distensibility in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Therefore, we aimed to explore combinations of echocardiographic indices to assess the stages of RV diastolic dysfunction. Methods and Results: We recruited 32 healthy volunteers and 71 patients with CTEPH. All participants underwent echocardiography, cardiac catheterization (in patients with CTEPH), and a 6-min walk test (6MWT). The right atrial (RA) end-systolic area was adjusted for body surface area (BSA) (indexed RA area). RV global longitudinal diastolic strain rates (SRs) and RV ejection fraction (EF) were measured by speckle tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo), respectively. All 71 patients with CTEPH underwent pulmonary endarterectomy. Of the 71 patients, 52 (73%) had decreased RV systolic function; 12 (16.9%), 26 (36.6%), and 33 (46.5%) patients had normal RV diastolic pattern, abnormal relaxation (stage 1), and pseudo-normal patterns (stage 2), respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values of early diastolic SR <0.8 s-1 and indexed RA area > 8.8 cm2/BSA had the best accuracy in identifying patients with RV diastolic dysfunction, with 87% sensitivity and 82% specificity. During a mean follow-up of 25.2 months after pulmonary endarterectomy, the preoperative indexed RA area was shown as an independent risk factor of the decreased 6MWT distance. Conclusions: Measuring early diastolic SR and indexed RA area would be useful in stratifying RV diastolic function.

Correlations Between SIRT Genetic Polymorphisms and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Parturients Who Had Undergone Cesarean Section.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms of SIRT with postpartum depressive symptoms and analyze the risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms in women following cesarean section. METHODS: A total of 368 Chinese woman undergoing cesarean section were enrolled in this study. A cutoff of ≥10 for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale identified postpartum depressive symptoms. Genotypes of SIRT1, SIRT 2, and SIRT 6 were determined using Sequenom MassArray single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. We analyzed the contribution of genetic factors (SNPs, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype) to postpartum depressive symptoms and performed logistic regression analysis to identify all potential risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms and define interactions between genetic and environmental factors. RESULTS: The incidence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 18.7% in this cohort. Univariate analysis suggested that SIRT2 polymorphism at rs2873703 (TT genotype) and rs4801933 ((TT genotype) and SIRT6 polymorphism at rs350846 (CC genotype) and rs107251 (TT genotype) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms (p<0.05). Linkage disequilibrium was identified between SIRT6 polymorphisms rs350846 and rs107251. Incidence of postpartum depressive symptoms in cesarean-section parturients with SIRT2 haplotype CCC was decreased (OR 0.407, 95% CI 0.191-0.867; p=0.016). SIRT2 polymorphisms rs2873703 and rs4801933 were multiply collinear. Logistic regression analysis showed that SIRT2 polymorphism at rs2873703 (TT genotype) and rs4801933 (TT genotype), domestic violence, stress during pregnancy, and depressive prenatal mood were risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with SIRT2 genotypes rs2873703 TT and rs4801933 TT and experiencing domestic violence, stress during pregnancy, and prenatal depression are more likely to suffer from postpartum depressive symptoms.

Prophylactic use of ketamine reduces postpartum depression in Chinese women undergoing cesarean section✰.

This study aimed to explore the effect of prophylactic ketamine administration on postpartum depression in Chinese woman undergoing cesarean section. This randomized controlled study included 654 Chinese women undergoing cesarean section. At 10 min after child birth, patients in the ketamine group were given 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, whereas patients in the control group received standard postpartum care. At the end of operation, all patients were armed with a patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device. The primary outcome was the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD), as assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the secondary outcomes included the safety assessment and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of postoperative pain. The prevalence of postpartum blues and postpartum depression were significantly lower in the ketamine group than in the control group. Logistic analysis showed that ketamine administration protected against postpartum depression, and PPD-associated risk factors included stress during pregnancy, antenatal depressive symptom and antenatal suicidal ideation. In addition, the antidepressive effect of prophylactic ketamine was stronger in mothers with a history of moderate stress during pregnancy, antenatal depressive symptom and antenatal suicidal ideation. Our findings suggest that ketamine functions as a prophylactic agent against PPD.

Luminescent properties of heterotrinuclear 3d-4f complexes constructed from a naphthalenediol-based acyclic bis(salamo)-type ligand.

Heterotrinuclear 3d-4f complexes with a naphthalenediol-based acyclic bis(salamo)-type ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Spectral titrations clearly show that the heterotrinuclear complexes [Zn2(L)La(OAc)3] (1), [Zn2(L)Ce(OAc)3] (2) and [Zn2(L)Dy(OAc)3(CH3OH)]·CH2Cl2 (3) are acquired by the substitution reaction of the obtained homotrinuclear Zn(II) complex with 1 equiv. of Ln(NO3)3 (Ln3+=La3+, Ce3+ and Dy3+). Two Zn(II) ions are penta- and hexa-coordinated with geometries of distorted tetragonal pyramid and octahedron. La(III) ion is deca-coordinated, adopting a distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry. Ce(III) ion is nona-coordinated with geometry of distorted capped square antiprism as well as Dy(III) ion. The different coordination modes of acetate ions in complexes 1, 2 and 3 lead to different coordination numbers of the lanthanide(III) ions. Furthermore, the structures and fluorescence properties have been discussed.

First total synthesis of the proposed structure of batatin VI.

The first total synthesis of batatin VI, an architecturally novel resin glycoside dimer, has been achieved via a convergent [5 + 3] glycosidic coupling approach. An improved protocol for the construction of the key 18-membered macrolactone core using a Keck macrolactonization method was introduced. However, the synthesized compound was not identical to the natural batatin VI.

[In vitro effect of secnidazole benzoate on Trichomonas vaginalis].

OBJECTIVE: To research the trichomonacidal effect of secnidazole benzoate in vitro. METHODS: Trichomonas vaginalis was cultured in liver extract medium in 96-well microplate. The culture suspension of Trichomonas vaginalis was divided into four groups: secnidazole benzoate, secnidazole, metronidazole and control, with medium as blank control. MTT colorimetric assay was applied to determine the inhibitory effect of secnidazole benzoate on the proliferation of Trichomonas vaginalis. The culture suspension was transferred into test tubes and divided into same groups to observe inhibitory effect by the classical microscopic counting method. RESULTS: After 24 h incubation, the proliferation of the parasites was concentration-dependent by secnidazole benzoate (t = 9.02, P < 0.01) at the concentration ranges from 0.15 microg/ml to 20.0 microg/ml with a relative inhibition rate (%) of 14.6, 28.7, 31.3, 60.4, 89.0, 89.2, 95.6, and 100.0 for MTT colorimetric assay, and 18.2, 31.1, 39.7, 68.8, 84.6, 90.1, 94.6, and 100.0 for counting method, respectively. In the period of 6-24 h incubation, the inhibition was in a time-dependent manner. The minimum sterilizing concentration and the minimum inhibitory concentration were 20 microg/ml and 0.15 microg/ml respectively. CONCLUSION: Secnidazole benzoate shows a similar trichomonacidal effect to metronidazole and secnidazole.

Effects of chromium picolinate on oxidative damage in primary piglet hepatocytes.

Chromium picolinate is a popular nutritional supplement whose safety has been questioned because of the potential risk of oxidative DNA damage. To investigate this possibility, a dose-dependent study was performed in piglet hepatocyte cultures in which low (8 microM), medium (200 microM), and high (400 microM) doses of chromium picolinate were tested and compared to untreated controls. After 48 h incubation, there were no significant differences in the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, medium lactate dehydrogenase activity, and comet indicators between the three experimental groups and controls (p > 0.05). In the 8 microM-treated group, the intracellular malondialdehyde content was significantly decreased relative to controls (p < 0.05). All of the studied parameters showed a dose-dependent increase that was statistically significant between the low and high doses (p < 0.05). These results suggest that: (1) chromium picolinate may affect the oxidative status of piglet hepatocytes; (2) the appropriate dose (approximately physiological concentration) of chromium picolinate can inhibit lipid peroxidation, and (3) high doses of chromium picolinate have no significant effects on oxidative damage in piglet hepatocytes, but the existing evidence also imply that exposure to a higher dose appears to be unwarranted.

Study of oxidative damage in growing-finishing pigs with continuous excess dietary chromium picolinate intake.

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) is a popular nutritional supplement; however, its safety has been questioned as it may be a source of oxidative stress that induces genotoxicity. The current work investigated the effect of excessive CrPic intake on oxidative damage in growing-finishing pigs. Thirty castrated male pigs, weighing approximately 30 kg each, were randomly divided into five groups and fed a diet with 0, 200, 800, 1,600, 3,200 microg of Cr/kg feed as CrPic for 80 days (approximately the entire growing-finishing period). High CrPic dose significantly decreased superoxide dismutase activity in serum at 80 days as well as the catalase activity in kidney (p < 0.05); however, compared to controls, malondialdehyde in tissue and serum, urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine level, and DNA strand breaks in liver and kidney had no notable differences (p > 0.05). These results suggested that long-term exposure to different doses of CrPic in feed did not increase the formation of biomarkers of oxidative damage in growing-finishing pigs. However, taking into account the changes of antioxidant enzymes activity, excessive dietary CrPic intake was not recommended in this study.

A novel extracellular protease with fibrinolytic activity from the culture supernatant of Cordyceps sinensis: purification and characterization.

A novel serine protease with fibrinolytic activity named CSP was purified from the culture supernatant of the fungus Cordyceps sinensis, a kind of Chinese herbal medicine. Analysis of the purified enzyme by SDS-PAGE indicated that CSP was a single polypeptide chain with an apparent molecular weight of 31 kDa, and N-terminal sequencing revealed that the first ten amino acid residues of the enzyme were Ala-Leu-Ala-Thr-Gln-His-Gly-Ala-Pro-Trp-. When casein was used as a substrate, the proteolytic activity of CSP reached its maximum at pH 7.0 and 40 degrees C. The effect of chemical agents on the enzyme activity indicated that CSP is a serine protease with a free cysteine residue near the active site. It hydrolysed fibrinogen, fibrin and casein with a high efficiency, while hydrolysing bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) to a lesser extent. CSP was found to be a plasmin-like protease, but not a plasminogen activator, and it preferentially cleaved the A alpha chain of fibrinogen and the alpha-chain of fibrin. Therefore, the extracellular protein CSP may represent a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of thrombosis.