Role of Appetite Hormone Dysregulation in Symptomology and Executive Function in Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests an association of insulin and leptin with attention and executive function. The roles of dysregulated appetite hormones, including insulin and leptin, in the pathomechanisms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated cognitive function impairment remain unknown. METHODS: In total, 50 adolescents with ADHD were enrolled and age and sex matched with 50 typically developing controls. The parent-reported Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale and self-reported Barratt Impulsiveness Scale were employed for symptom assessment. The fasting serum concentrations of appetite hormones-leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and adiponectin-were measured. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was used to examine executive function. RESULTS: Generalized linear models with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and medications indicated that the adolescents with ADHD had higher levels of insulin (P = .039) and leptin (P = .006) than did those in the control group. Self-reported attention and self-control symptoms were negatively associated with insulin level (P = .025 and .018, respectively) and positively associated with leptin level (both P < .001). In addition, insulin level was positively associated with executive function (P = .031). CONCLUSION: Appetite hormone dysregulation was associated with the symptomology and executive function among adolescents with ADHD. Our results may inspire researchers to further examine the role of appetite hormone dysregulation in ADHD pathogenesis.

Influencing factors of hospitalization cost of hypertension patients in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the influencing factors of hospitalization cost of hypertensive patients in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine, TCM) hospitals, which can provide a scientific basis for hospitals to control the hospitalization cost of hypertension. Methods: In this study, 3,595 hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of tertiary hypertension in Tianshui City Hospital of TCM, Gansu Province, China, from January 2017 to June 2022, were used as research subjects. Using univariate analysis to identify the relevant variables of hospitalization cost, followed by incorporating the statistically significant variables of univariate analysis as independent variables in multiple linear regression analysis, and establishing the path model based on the results of the multiple linear regression finally, to explore the factors influencing hospitalization cost comprehensively. Results: The results showed that hospitalization cost of hypertension patients were mainly influenced by length of stay, age, admission pathways, payment methods of medical insurance, and visit times, with length of stay being the most critical factor. Conclusion: The Chinese government should actively exert the characteristics and advantages of TCM in the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension, consistently optimize the treatment plans of TCM, effectively reduce the length of stay and steadily improve the health literacy level of patients, to alleviate the illnesses pain and reduce the economic burden of patients.

Evaluation of Lipidomics Profile of Quinoa Flour and Changes during Storage Based on Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

Although quinoa is nutritious, its high fat content and lipase activity make it easily oxidized during storage. Meanwhile, quinoa's lipid composition and changes during storage are still unknown. Therefore, we stored fresh quinoa flour at low temperature and low humidity (LL), normal temperature and normal humidity (NN), and high temperature and high humidity (HH) conditions for 120 days to assess its oxidative stability and to monitor the changes in lipid composition. Herein, the contents of fatty acids, the peroxide values, the malondialdehyde values, and the lipase activity in quinoa flour during storage are determined to evaluate its oxidation stability. At LL and NN conditions, the contents of fatty acids, the peroxide values, the malondialdehyde values, and the lipase activity changed slowly. They were 3 (LL) and 5 times (NN), 2.7 (LL) and 4.7 times (NN), 1.4 (LL) and 2.3 times (NN), and 1.5 (LL) and 1.6 times (NN) the initial content at storage up to 120 d. However, with the prolongation of storage time under HH conditions, they all increased significantly to 8, 6.6, 3, and 2 times the original content. Moreover, during the storage of quinoa under LL, NN, and HH conditions for 120 days, we continuously monitored the lipid composition of quinoa grains with UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS. We identified a total of 14 subclasses of 229 lipids, including 90 significantly different lipid species. PCA and PLS-DA showed that quinoa lipids in HH conditions changed significantly with prolonged storage; among these, the TG and DG classes were the most susceptible to oxidation, which could distinguish fresh quinoa from oxidized quinoa. Simultaneously, we also found that lipase activity has a significant impact on lipid metabolism through correlation analysis, which also indicates that enzyme inactivation treatment can slow down lipid hydrolysis and oxidation during storage. To explore the mechanism of these changes, we also identified twelve important lipid metabolism pathways during quinoa storage. In conclusion, our study advances knowledge of the storage stability and lipid oxidation mechanisms of quinoa and provides a theoretical basis for setting the shelf life of quinoa.

PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor Plus Chemotherapy Versus PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor in Microsatellite Instability Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy versus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy in advanced microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients with MSI/dMMR gastrointestinal cancer who received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 with or without chemotherapy and compared objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy (chemo-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 group) and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 group). Propensity score-based overlap weighting analysis was conducted to adjust the baseline covariable imbalance. Sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the stability of the results by propensity score matching and multivariable Cox and logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were eligible, with 68 and 188 receiving chemo-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1, respectively. The chemo-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 group showed significant improvements versus the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 group in ORR (61.8% v 38.8%; P = .001), DCR (92.6% v 74.5%; P = .002), PFS (median PFS [mPFS], not reached [NR] v 27.9 months; P = .004), and OS (median OS [mOS], NR v NR; P = .014). After overlap weighting, the improvements tended to be more significant with chemo-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 versus anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in ORR (62.5% v. 38.3%; P < .001), DCR (93.8% v 74.2%; P < .001), PFS (mPFS, NR v 26.0 months; P = .004), and OS (mOS, NR v NR; P = .010). These results were solidified through sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Chemo-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 is superior to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in MSI/dMMR gastrointestinal cancers with improved efficacy.

Optimization of Automatic Synthesis and Separation of [18F] AV-45 and Quality Control.

Objective: Based on the Tracerlab FXF-N platform, a synthesis program and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification program edited by us can stably and repeatedly produce [18F] AV-45 without changing the process. The [18F] AV-45 produced meets the main indexes of radiopharmaceutical intravenous preparations. Methods: The O-toluene sulfonated precursor (1 mg) was subjected to nucleophilic radiofluorination at 115°C in anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), then the protective group was hydrolyzed by acid. The neutralized reaction mixture was purified through a preparative HPLC then formulated for injection using a C18 purification cartridge. This method yielded a relatively pure [18F] AV-45 product with high specific activity. Results: Four consecutive radiochemical synthesis operations were carried out in this experiment; the average production time of [18F] AV-45 preparation was 60 min, the radiochemical yield was 14.8 ± 2.1% (n = 4), the radiochemical purity was greater than 95%, and the other important quality control indexes met the requirements of radioactive drugs for intravenous administration. Conclusion: This experiment was based on the Tracerlab FXF-N platform with the synthesis program and preparative HPLC purification program edited by us. Through screening and optimization of the separation and purification system and the separation and analysis system, as well as automatic radiochemical synthesis and preparation quality control, intravenous [18F] AV-45 was successfully prepared.

Recent Advances in Carbon-Based Adsorbents for Adsorptive Separation of Light Hydrocarbons.

Light hydrocarbons (LHs) separation is an important process in petrochemical industry. The current separation technology predominantly relies on cryogenic distillation, which results in considerable energy consumption. Adsorptive separation using porous solids has received widespread attention due to its lower energy footprint and higher efficiency. Thus, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the design and synthesis of high-performance porous solids. Among them, porous carbons display exceptional stability, tunable pore structure, and surface chemistry and thus represent a class of novel adsorbents upon achieving the matched pore structures for LHs separations. In this review, the modulation strategies toward advanced carbon-based adsorbents for LHs separation are firstly reviewed. Then, the relationships between separation performances and key structural parameters of carbon adsorbents are discussed by exemplifying specific separation cases. The research findings on the control of the pore structures as well as the quantification of the adsorption sites are highlighted. Finally, the challenges of carbonaceous adsorbents facing for LHs separation are given, which would motivate us to rationally design more efficient absorbents and separation processes in future.

Secondary coronary artery ostial lesions: Three case reports.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of coronary artery ostial lesions seen clinically. Secondary coronary artery ostial lesions are rare, and cases reported previously were associated with syphilitic vasculitis and aortic dissection. Here, we report three rare cases of secondary coronary ostial lesions. Due to their rareness, these lesions can easily be neglected, which may lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. CASE SUMMARY: We present three patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina caused by secondary coronary artery ostial lesions. In Case 1, coronary angiography (CAG) revealed 90% stenosis of the left main coronary ostium. Chest contrast computed tomography (CT) suggested thymic carcinoma invading the left main coronary ostium. Coronary artery bypass grafting and tumor resection were performed. In Case 2, echocardiography revealed a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA)-like dilatation. CAG showed a right coronary sinus giant aneurysm and complete obstruction of the right coronary artery (RCA) ostium. Aortic contrast CT confirmed these findings. The Bentall procedure was performed. In Case 3, CT CAG identified an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (AORCA) from the left sinus of Valsalva coursing between the aorta and pulmonary trunk, causing severe RCA ostium stenosis by compression. Surgical correction of the AORCA was performed. CONCLUSION: The cases reported here suggest that we should consider other causes of coronary ostial lesions other than atherosclerosis.

Development of a generalized model for kidney depth estimation in the Chinese population: A multi-center study.

PURPOSE: To establish an accurate and reliable equation for kidney depth estimation in adult patients from different Chinese geographical regions. METHOD: This multicenter study enrolled Eastern Asian Chinese patients with abdominal PET/CT scans at 26 imaging centers from six macro-regions across China in 3 years. Age, gender, height, weight, primary disease and its extent on PET scans of the participants were collected as potential predictive factors. Kidney depth on CT, defined as the average of the vertical distances from the posterior skin to the farthest anterior and closest posterior surfaces of each kidney, was measured as the standard reference. The new kidney depth model was constructed using a multiple regression model, and its performance was compared to those of three established models by computing the absolute value of estimation errors in comparison with CT-measured kidney depth. RESULTS: A total of 2502 patients were enrolled and classified into training (n=1653) and testing (n = 849) subsets. In the training subset, two kidney depth models were constructed: Left (cm): 0.013×age+0.117×gender-0.044×height+0.087×weight+7.951, Right (cm): 0.005×age+0.013×gender-0.035×height+0.082×weight+7.266 (weight: kg, height: cm, gender = 0 if female, 1 if male). In the testing subset, one-way analysis of variance showed that the estimation errors of the new models did not significantly differ among the 6 regions. Bland-Altman analysis determined that new equations had lower estimated biases (left: 0.039 cm, right: 0.018 cm) compared with other existing models. CONCLUSION: The new equations were highly accurate for kidney depth estimation in adults from all over China, with lower estimation errors compared to other established models.

Metastasis germinomas of the external acoustic meatus: in a 19-year-boy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The external acoustic meatus metastasis of germinomas is a rare event. CASE PRESENTATION: we describe a 19-year-old boy with stuffiness and earplug of the left ear but no other symptoms. The whole body F-18 FDG PET/CT and the brain MRI are performed and demonstrated a germinoma in the pineal gland and vermis cerebellum region and in the right of thalamus. Photomicrograph showing marked infiltration of lymphoplasma cells and macrophages including giant cells. Immunohistochemical analysis results demonstrated the tumor cells are strongly positive for CD117 and PLAP. The final diagnosis was germinoma and all adjuvant therapy was achieved. CONCLUSION: Although the external acoustic meatus metastasis of germinomas is rare, the diagnosis should be taken into serious consideration in order to improve. In addition, F-18 FDG PET/CT was very useful in diagnosis primary disease and excluding distant metastases. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of this type of case.

[Effect of juglone on the ultrastructure of human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of juglone on the ultrastructure of human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells. METHODS: BEL-7402 cells were incubated in the presence of 12.5 micromol/L juglone for 24 h, and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for HE staining and Coomassie brilliant blue staining and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Incubation with juglone resulted in obvious changes in the cell morphology and cytoskeletal alterations of the cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced volume of the cell bodies, dissociation of the cells, curling and malformation of the microvilli on the cell surface with rupture of the intercellular junction and enlargement of the intercellular space. The formation of apoptotic bodies was observed. Transmission electron microscopy showed expansion of the endoplasmic reticula, mitochondrial cristea disintegration, nucleolar fragmentation and formation of the apoptotic bodies after the exposure to juglone for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Juglone can cause ultrastructural changes of human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells and induce their apoptosis.