The efficacy and safety of fluvoxamine in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Recently, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of fluvoxamine have been successfully conducted for the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluvoxamine in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for RCTs which were performed to evaluate fluvoxamine and placebo up to January 31, 2024. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform meta-analysis. The risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) was analyzed and calculated with a random effect model. RESULTS: We pooled 4,711 participants from six RCTs (2,382 in the fluvoxamine group and 2,329 in the placebo group). Compared to the placebo group, the fluvoxamine group had a significantly lower rate of clinical deterioration (RR, 0.73; P = 0.004; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.90; I2 = 0%) and hospitalization (RR, 0.76; P = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.99; I2 = 0%). In the meantime, compared with the placebo group, fluvoxamine group did not show any higher risk of AEs (P = 0.13 and 0.91, respectively) in safety outcomes analysis. The subgroup analysis showed that fluvoxamine treatment performed more than 200 mg daily appears to be more effective than those performed less than 200 mg daily in reducing clinical deterioration and hospitalization risks, while not exhibiting higher AE and SAE risks than placebo group. CONCLUSION: Fluvoxamine for patients with COVID-19, especially those who take 200 mg or more daily, is superior to the placebo group in reducing clinical deterioration and hospitalization, and did not show any higher risk of AEs and SAEs in safety concerns, which might be a promising intervention for COVID-19.

Pallidal versus subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Meige syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) are two common deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets. This meta-analysis was to compared the efficacy and safety of these two DBS targets for the treatment of Meige syndrome (MS). Methods: A systematic search was performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify DBS trials for MS. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform meta-analysis and the mean difference (MD) was analyzed and calculated with a random effect model. Pearson's correlation coefficients and meta-regression analyses were utilized to identify relevant predictive markers. Results: Twenty trials involving 188 participants with GPi-DBS and 110 individuals with STN-DBS were eligible. Both groups showed improvement of the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale-Movement (BFMDRS-M) and Disability (BFMDRS-D) scores (BFMDRS-M: MD = 10.57 [7.74-13.41] for GPi-DBS, and MD = 8.59 [4.08-13.11] for STN-DBS; BFMDRS-D: MD = 5.96 [3.15-8.77] for GPi-DBS, and MD = 4.71 [1.38-8.04] for STN-DBS; all P < 0.001) from baseline to the final follow-up, while no notable disparity in improvement rates was observed between them. Stimulation-related complications occurrence was also similar between two groups (38.54 ± 24.07% vs. 43.17 ± 29.12%, P = 0.7594). Simultaneously, preoperative BFMDRS-M score and disease duration were positively connected with the relative changes in BFMDRS-M score at the final visit. Conclusion: Both GPi-DBS and STN-DBS are effective MS therapies, with no differences in efficacy or the frequency of stimulation-related problems. Higher preoperative scores and longer disease duration probably predict greater improvement.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a review of the current state and future perspectives.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a highly prevalent cancer that typically exhibits indolent behavior and is associated with a favorable prognosis. The treatment of choice is surgical intervention; however, this approach carries the risk of complications, including scarring and loss of thyroid function. Although active surveillance can mitigate the risk of PTC overtreatment, the possibility of tumor growth and metastasis can elicit anxiety among patients. Ultrasoundguided thermal ablation has emerged as a safe and effective alternative for individuals who are ineligible for or decline surgery. This article provides a review of the clinical research on radiofrequency ablation as a treatment for PTC, offering a thorough examination of its efficacy, safety, and future perspectives.

Correction: Silver/silver halide supported on mesoporous ceria particles and photo-CWPO degradation under visible light for organic compounds in acrylonitrile wastewater.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA04465F.].

Correction: Catalytic wet peroxide degradation of acrylonitrile wastewater by ordered mesoporous Ag/CeO2: synthesis, performance and kinetics.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA01258D.].

Multi-Residue Detection of Eight Glucocorticoids by Nano-Au/Fluticasone Propionate Electrochemical Immunosensor.

Based on an indirect competitive method, a novel nano-Au/fluticasone propionate electrochemical immunosensor was successfully fabricated by combining the nanoscale effect, superior conductivity of nano-Au, stable Au-S chemical bond as well as strong interaction between glucocorticoid and the receptor, which was used to simultaneously detect eight kinds of glucocorticoids. The modified immunosensors' electrochemical properties were explored by means of a cyclic voltammetry (CV) method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Two factors (glucocorticoid receptor concentration, incubation time) were studied in order to obtain the optimal results. The immunosensor presents attractive electrochemical performance with a wide linear range (between 0.1 and 1500 ng⋅mL-1) and low detection limit (between 0.057 and 0.357 ng⋅mL-1), realizing the rapid multi-residue detection of a large class of glucocorticoids. Two glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, triamcinolone) were detected in actual skincare samples, which obtained satisfactory detection results.

Targeting EZH2 regulates the biological characteristics of glioma stem cells via the Notch1 pathway.

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor, and its behavior is closely related to the presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs). We found that the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is highly expressed in glioma and that its expression is correlated with the prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in two databases: The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas. Additionally, EZH2 is known to regulate the stemness-associated gene expression, proliferation, and invasion ability of GSCs, which may be achieved through the activation of the STAT3 and Notch1 pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated the effect of the EZH2-specific inhibitor GSK126 on GSCs; these results not only corroborate our hypothesis, but also provide a potential novel treatment approach for glioma.

Adsorption Characteristics of Gas Molecules Adsorbed on Graphene Doped with Mn: A First Principle Study.

Herein, the adsorption characteristics of graphene substrates modified through a combined single manganese atom with a vacancy or four nitrogen to CH2O, H2S and HCN, are thoroughly investigated via the density functional theory (DFT) method. The adsorption structural, electronic structures, magnetic properties and adsorption energies of the adsorption system have been completely analyzed. It is found that the adsorption activity of a single vacancy graphene-embedded Mn atom (MnSV-GN) is the largest in the three graphene supports. The adsorption energies have a good correlation with the integrated projected crystal overlap Hamilton population (-IpCOHP) and Fermi softness. The rising height of the Mn atom and Fermi softness could well describe the adsorption activity of the Mn-modified graphene catalyst. Moreover, the projected crystal overlap Hamilton population (-pCOHP) curves were studied and they can be used as the descriptors of the magnetic field. These results can provide guidance for the development and design of graphene-based single-atom catalysts, especially for the support effect.

The Adsorption Behavior of Gas Molecules on Co/N Co-Doped Graphene.

Herein, we have used density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the adsorption behavior of gas molecules on Co/N3 co-doped graphene (Co/N3-gra). We have investigated the geometric stability, electric properties, and magnetic properties comprehensively upon the interaction between Co/N3-gra and gas molecules. The binding energy of Co is -5.13 eV, which is big enough for application in gas adsorption. For the adsorption of C2H4, CO, NO2, and SO2 on Co/N-gra, the molecules may act as donors or acceptors of electrons, which can lead to charge transfer (range from 0.38 to 0.7 e) and eventually change the conductivity of Co/N-gra. The CO adsorbed Co/N3-gra complex exhibits a semiconductor property and the NO2/SO2 adsorption can regulate the magnetic properties of Co/N3-gra. Moreover, the Co/N3-gra system can be applied as a gas sensor of CO and SO2 with high stability. Thus, we assume that our results can pave the way for the further study of gas sensor and spintronic devices.

Investigation of Carbon Nanotube Grafted Graphene Oxide Hybrid Aerogel for Polystyrene Composites with Reinforced Mechanical Performance.

The rational design of carbon nanomaterials-reinforced polymer matrix composites based on the excellent properties of three-dimensional porous materials still remains a significant challenge. Herein, a novel approach is developed for preparing large-scale 3D carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) aerogel (GO-CNTA) by direct grafting of CNTs onto GO. Following this, styrene was backfilled into the prepared aerogel and polymerized in situ to form GO-CNTA/polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy indicate the successful establishment of CNTs and GO-CNT and the excellent mechanical properties of the 3D frameworks using GO-CNT aerogel. The nanocomposite fabricated with around 1.0 wt% GO-CNT aerogel displayed excellent thermal conductivity of 0.127 W/m∙K and its mechanical properties were significantly enhanced compared with pristine PS, with its tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths increased by 9.01%, 46.8%, and 59.8%, respectively. This facile preparation method provides a new route for facilitating their large-scale production.

Detection of organophosphorus pesticides by nanogold/mercaptomethamidophos multi-residue electrochemical biosensor.

Based on the successful synthesis of mercaptomethamidophos as a substrate, a novel nanogold/mercaptomethamidophos multi-residue electrochemical biosensor was designed and fabricated by combining nanoscale effect, strong Au-S bonds as well as interaction between acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and mercaptomethamidophos, which can simultaneously detect 11 kinds of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and total amount of OPPs using indirect competitive method. Electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode was characterized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The AChE concentration and incubation time were optimized at 37.4 °C to achieve the best detection effect. This biosensor exhibits excellent electrochemical properties with a wider linear range of 0.1 ~ 1500 ng·mL-1, lower detection limit of 0.019 ~ 0.077 ng·mL-1, better stability and repeatability, which realizes the rapid detection of total amount of OPPs, and can simultaneously detect a large class of OPPs rather than one kind of OPP. Two OPPs (trichlorfon, dichlorvos) were detected in actual samples of apple and cabbage and achieved satisfactory test results.

Precipitation of Magnetic Iron Oxide Induced by Sporosarcina pasteurii Cells.

Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) is bacterium notable for its highly efficient urea degradation ability. Due to its high urease activity, S. pasteurii has been successfully utilized in applications including solidifying soil or sand, termed "bio-concrete". In addition to calcium carbonate precipitation, urease isolated from the jack bean plant was recently demonstrated to induce the formation of magnetic iron oxide particles from soluble ferrous ion in a designed reaction. However, it remained unknown if a similar magnetic material could be formed using whole cells with high urease activity under biocompatible conditions. Here, we demonstrated that magnetic iron oxide with a highly ordered structure could be formed on the surface of S. pasteurii cells with a theoretical product of 1.17 mg in a 2-mL reaction. Moreover, the cells surrounded by the precipitated magnetic iron oxide maintained their viability. Due to the simple cultivation of S. pasteurii, the process developed in this study could be useful for the green synthesis of magnetic iron oxide, basic research on the mechanism of magnetic microbial-induced precipitation (MIP), and related engineering applications.

Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, tranexamic acid (TXA) antifibrinolytic therapy before aneurysm clipping or embolization has been widely reported, but its safety and efficacy remain controversial. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of TXA therapy in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients, aiming to improve the evidence-based medical knowledge of treatment options for such patients. METHODS: Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to 1 March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We extracted safety and efficacy outcomes and performed a meta-analysis using the Review Manager software. We performed two group analyses of TXA duration and daily dose. RESULTS: Ten RCT studies, enrolling a total of 2,810 participants (1,410 with and 1,400 without TXA therapy), matched the selection criteria. In the TXA duration group: TXA did not reduce overall mortality during the follow-up period [RR 1.00 (95% CI 0.81-1.22)]. The overall rebleeding rate in the TXA group was 0.53 times that of the control group, which was statistically significant [RR 0.53 (95% CI 0.39-0.71)]. However, an RR of 0.43 was not statistically significant in the subgroup analysis of short-term therapy [RR 0.43 (95% CI 0.13-1.39)]. The overall incidence of hydrocephalus was significantly higher in the TXA group than in the control group [RR 1.13 (95% CI 1.02-1.24)]. However, the trend was not statistically significant in the subgroup analysis [short-term: RR 1.10 (95% CI 0.99-1.23); long-term: RR 1.22 (95% CI 0.99-1.50)]. Treatment with TXA did not cause significant delayed cerebral ischemia [RR 1.18 (95% CI 0.89-1.56)], and its subgroup analysis showed an opposite and insignificant effect [short-term: RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.79-1.25); long-term: RR 1.38 (95% CI 0.86-2.21)]. Results in the daily dose group were consistent with those in the TXA duration group. CONCLUSIONS: Tranexamic acid does not reduce overall mortality in patients with aSAH, nor does it increase the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia. Tranexamic acid in treating aSAH can reduce the incidence of rebleeding. However, there is no statisticalsignificance in the ultra-early short-term and low daily dose TXA therapy, which may be due to the lack of relevant studies, and more RCT experiments are needed for further study. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp? PROSPERO, identifier: 244079.

Silver/silver halide supported on mesoporous ceria particles and photo-CWPO degradation under visible light for organic compounds in acrylonitrile wastewater.

Silver/silver halide supported on ordered mesoporous ceria particles (Ag/AgCl/CeO2) were rapidly prepared by microwave-assisted soft template method, deposition precipitation method and photoreduction method, using cerium nitrate and silver nitrate as raw materials and block copolymer F127 as a template. The morphology, structure and chemical composition of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption and UV-Vis Drs. Catalytic wet peroxide system assisted with visible light photocatalysis (photo-CWPO) was conducted to investigate the performance of organics degradation by Ag/AgCl/CeO2 as a catalyst in acrylonitrile wastewater. The results showed that the Ag/AgCl/CeO2 prepared has an ordered mesoporous structure, Ag and AgCl are formed on the surface of CeO2, with a specific surface area of 302.6-336.2 m2 g-1 and the average pore size is 8.04-8.90 nm. There is a strong absorption in the visible region and a band gap of 2.9 eV. The Ag/AgCl/CeO2 catalyst has higher catalytic performance in the photo-CWPO system than in the CWPO system alone. Ag loading, catalyst and H2O2 dosage, and pH value can affect the COD removal. When the concentration of COD in acrylonitrile wastewater was 500 mg L-1, the amount of catalyst was 200 mg, the amount of H2O2 (30%) was 8 mL, and the reaction time was 60 min, the COD removal reached 90%.

The modulation effect of pi-pi interactions on the electronic and photochromic properties of viologen complexes containing N,N'-bis(carboxyethyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium.

Two viologen complexes containing N,N'-bis(carboxyethyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (BCEbpy) were prepared, namely [Zn(H2O)6]·(BCEbpy)·(p-BDC)·3H2O (1) and [Co(H2O)6]·(BCEbpy)·(p-BDC)·3H2O (2) (p-H2BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), and their crystal structures, photochromism, frontier molecular orbitals, Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D fingerprint plots were investigated. The modulation effects of pi-pi interactions were explored on the electronic and photochromic properties of compounds 1 and 2. Due to the existence of photo-response viologen radicals, both complexes 1 and 2 display excellent photo-response properties in the sequence 1 < 2. The results indicate that compound 1 exhibits intramolecular electron transfer; compound 2 exhibits both intramolecular and intermolecular electron transfer, which is mainly due to the change of electronic and steric structures caused by pi-pi interactions with a faster photo-response rate than that of compound 1. The donor-acceptor modes, matching principles and inter/intramolecular atom-atom close contacts were illustrated by the density functional theory (DFT)-B3LYP/6-311(d,p) method.

Catalytic wet peroxide degradation of acrylonitrile wastewater by ordered mesoporous Ag/CeO2: synthesis, performance and kinetics.

Ordered mesoporous Ag/CeO2 catalysts have been successfully synthesized by a microwave assisted soft template method. The morphology, structure and chemical composition of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, EDS, TEM and XPS. The study of catalytic performance and reaction kinetics of organic matter degradation in acrylonitrile wastewater was performed in a catalytic wet peroxide (CWPO) system. The degradation pathways of organic matter in acrylonitrile wastewater were elucidated by temporal evolution of intermediates and final products detected by GC/MS analysis along with a continuous flow experiment study. The results show that the Ag/CeO2 has an ordered mesoporous structure, the specific surface area is 91.4-118.2 m2 g-1 and the average pore size is 12.63-16.86 nm. 0.4-Ag/CeO2 showed the best catalytic performance, the COD removal rate reached 94.6%, which was 30% higher than that of CeO2. The degradation is in accordance with the second-order reaction kinetics of the Arrhenius empirical model and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model. However the latter fits better, and the linear correlation coefficient R 2 is more than 0.98, which describes the adsorption catalytic mechanism of Ag/CeO2. According to the analysis by GC/MS, the organic compounds in acrylonitrile wastewater oxidized into intermediate compounds and other small compounds, then are further oxidized into carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic activity of Ag/CeO2 was the result of the combination of Lewis acid-base position of CeO2 and redox cycle of Ce3+/Ce4+.

Marine-derived fungi as a source of bioactive indole alkaloids with diversified structures.

Marine-derived fungi are well known as rich sources of bioactive natural products. Growing evidences indicated that indole alkaloids, isolated from a variety of marine-derived fungi, have attracted considerable attention for their diverse, challenging structural complexity and promising bioactivities, and therefore, indole alkaloids have potential to be pharmaceutical lead compounds. Systemic compilation of the relevant literature. In this review, we demonstrated a comprehensive overview of 431 new indole alkaloids from 21 genera of marine-derived fungi with an emphasis on their structures and bioactivities, covering literatures published during 1982-2019.

BRD4 regulates self-renewal ability and tumorigenicity of glioma-initiating cells by enrichment in the Notch1 promoter region.

Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family proteins are considered to be epigenetic readers that regulate gene expression by recognizing acetyl lysine residues on histones and nonhistone chromatin factors and have been classified as curative targets for a variety of cancers. Glioma-initiating cells (GICs), which commit self-renewal, perpetual proliferation, multidirectional differentiation, and vigorous tumorigenicity, sustain the peculiar genetic and epigenetic diversification in the GBM patients, thus, GICs result in tumor recurrence. Abundant evidence demonstrates that BET proteins regulate differentiation of stem cells. However, it endures ambiguous how individual BET proteins take part in GIC advancement, and how do small molecule inhibitors like I-BET151 target functional autonomous BET proteins. Here, we validated that BRD4, not BRD2 or BRD3, has value in targeted glioma therapy. We announce a signaling pathway concerning BRD4 and Notch1 that sustains the self-renewal of GICs. Moreover, in-depth mechanistic research showed that BRD4 was concentrated at the promoter region of Notch1 and may be involved in the process of tumor metabolism. Furthermore, in intracranial models, I-BET151 eliminated U87 GICs' tumorigenicity. The outcomes of this research could be conducive to design clinical trials for treatment of glioma based on BRD4.

Dual PLK1 and STAT3 inhibition promotes glioblastoma cells apoptosis through MYC.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest primary brain tumor that is highly resistant to current treatments. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are highly expressed in gliomas, especially GBM. Previous studies have shown reciprocal activation between PLK1 and STAT3 and that they regulate the same pools of MYC downstream. We have demonstrated that PLK1 and STAT3 levels are elevated in gliomas compared with those in normal brain tissues, and high expression of both PLK1 and STAT3 is associated with poor prognosis in TCGA. Moreover, there was direct or indirect reciprocal regulation between PLK1 and STAT3. Furthermore, we found that PLK1 and STAT3 can regulate the same pools of MYC downstream. Compared to monotherapy, combined treatment of glioma cells with PLK1 and STAT3 inhibitors, BI2536 and Stattic, respectively, showed lower expression of MYC, synergistic induction of cell invasion and apoptosis in vitro, and tumor inhibition in xenografts. PLK1 and STAT3 were able to directly regulate the expression of MYC and induce apoptosis of glioma cells through the regulation of MYC. These findings may help develop a therapeutic strategy for dual inhibition of PLK1 and STAT3 against the tumorigenesis of glioma.

Detection of Six ß-Agonists by Three Multiresidue Immunosensors Based on an Anti-bovine Serum Albumin-Ractopamine-Clenbuterol-Salbutamol Antibody.

According to an indirect competitive immunoassay, six ß-agonists (clenbuterol (CL), salbutamol (SAL), ractopamine (RAC), terbutaline (TER), mabuterol (MAB), and tulobuterol (TUL)) were detected by three novel multiresidue immunosensors on the basis of the successful preparation of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-RAC-CL-SAL multideterminant antigen and anti-BSA-RAC-CL-SAL antibody. A new strategy was reported to detect six ß-agonists by combining nanotechnology, electrochemical detection, and specific immune technology. At the same concentration, the amperometric response for detection of six ß-agonists was in a sequence of GCE/GNP/SAL > GCE/GNP/RAC > GCE/GNP/CL. Detection limits of six ß-agonists show that the multiresidue detection performance of the GCE/GNP/RAC immunosensor is better than those of GCE/GNP/SAL and GCE/GNP/CL immunosensors. Three immunosensors manifest superior properties with a wide linear range, low detection limit, excellent reproducibility, and stability. The proposed GCE/GNP/RAC immunosensor displays high accuracy and can be effectively used for real sample detection.