Associations between temporal eating patterns and body composition in young adults: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between body composition and temporal eating patterns, including time of first eating occasion, time of last eating occasion, eating window, and eating jet lag (the variability in meal timing between weekdays and weekends). METHODS: A total of 131 participants were included in the study. Temporal eating pattern information was collected through consecutive 7-day eat timing questionnaires and photographic food records. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationships of temporal eating patterns with body composition, and age was adjusted. Eating midpoint was additionally adjusted in the analysis of eating window. RESULTS: On weekdays, both later first eating occasion and last eating occasion were associated with lower lean mass, and longer eating window was associated with lower body fat percentage. On weekends, both later first eating occasion and last eating occasion were associated with lower lean mass, and longer eating window was associated with higher FFMI. Longer first eating occasion jet lag was associated with lower lean mass. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that earlier and more regular eating patterns may have a benefit on body composition.

Identifying Genetic Signatures Associated with Oncogene-Induced Replication Stress in Osteosarcoma and Screening for Potential Targeted Drugs.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor. Due to the lack of selectivity and sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs to tumor cells, coupled with the use of large doses, chemotherapy drugs often have systemic toxicity. The use of modern sequencing technology to screen tumor markers in a large number of tumor samples is a common method for screening highly specific and selective anti-tumor drugs. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers using the latest reported gene expression signatures of oncogene-induced replication stress (ORS) in aggressive cancers, and potential anti-osteosarcoma drugs were screened in different drug databases. In this study, we obtained 89 osteosarcoma-related samples in the TARGET database, all of which included survival information. According to the median expression of each of six reported ORS gene markers (NAT10/DDX27/ZNF48/C8ORF33/MOCS3/MPP6), we divided 89 osteosarcoma gene expression datasets into a high expression group and a low expression group and then performed a differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis. The coexisting genes of 6 groups of DEGs were used as replication stress-related genes (RSGs) of osteosarcoma. Then, key RSGs were screened using LASSO regression, a Cox risk proportional regression prognostic model and a tenfold cross-validation test. GSE21257 datasets collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to verify the prognostic model. The final key RSGs selected were used in the L1000PWD and DGIdb databases to mine potential drugs. After further validation by the prognostic model, we identified seven genes associated with ORS in osteosarcoma as key RSGs, including transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2), solute carrier family 27 member 4 (SLC27A4), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 5 (PCSK5), nucleolar protein 6 (NOL6), coiled-coil-coil-coil-coil-helix domain containing 4 (CHCHD4), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B (EIF3B), and synthesis of cytochrome C oxidase 1 (SCO1). Then, we screened the seven key RSGs in two drug databases and found six potential anti-osteosarcoma drugs (D GIdb database: repaglinide, tacrolimus, sirolimus, cyclosporine, and hydrochlorothiazide; L1000PWD database: the small molecule VU-0365117-1). Seven RSGs (TCF7L2, SLC27A4, PCSK5, NOL6, CHCHD4, EIF3B, and SCO1) may be associated with the ORS gene signatures in osteosarcoma. Repaglinide, tacrolimus, sirolimus, cyclosporine, hydrochlorothiazide and the small molecule VU-0365117-1 are potential therapeutic drugs for osteosarcoma.

Machine learning-based surrogate model assisting stochastic model predictive control of urban drainage systems.

Quantifying the uncertainty of stormwater inflow is critical for improving the resilience of urban drainage systems (UDSs). However, the high computational complexity and time consumption obstruct the implementation of uncertainty-addressing methods for real-time control of UDSs. To address this issue, this study developed a machine learning-based surrogate model (MLSM) that maintains high-fidelity descriptions of drainage dynamics and meanwhile diminishes the computational complexity. With stormwater inflow and controls as inputs and system overflow as the output, MLSM is able to fast evaluate system performance, and therefore stochastic optimization becomes feasible. Thus, a real-time control strategy was built by combining MLSM with the stochastic model predictive control. This strategy used stochastic stormwater inflow scenarios as input and aimed to minimize the expected overflow under all scenarios. An ensemble of stormwater inflow scenarios was generated by assuming the forecast errors follow normal distributions. To downsize the ensemble, representative scenarios with their probabilities were selected using the simultaneous backward reduction method. The proposed control strategy was applied to a combined UDS of China. Results are as follows. (1) MLSM fit well with the original high-fidelity urban drainage model, while the computational time was reduced by 99.1%. (2) The proposed strategy consistently outperformed the classical deterministic model predictive control in both magnitude and duration dimensions of system resilience, when the consumed time compatible is with the real-time operation. It is indicated that the proposed control strategy could be used to inform the real-time operation of complex UDSs and thus enhance system resilience to uncertainty.

Surgical efficacy and survival prediction of patients with unspecified malignant bone tumors.

BACKGROUND: The surgical efficacy and prognostic outcomes of patients with unspecific malignant bone tumors (UMBTs) remain unclear. The study is to address: 1) What are the clinicopathological features and prognostic determinants for patients with UMBTs? 2) Can a nomogram be developed for clinicians to predict the short and long-term outcomes for individuals with UMBTs? 3) Does surgery improve outcomes for UMBT patients who received radiotherapy or chemotherapy after balancing the confounding bias? METHODS: 400 UMBT patients were filtrated from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database to assess the clinicopathological features, treatments, and factors affecting prognosis. The optimal cutoff values of continuous variables were identified by the x-tile software. Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling were performed to evaluate the independent prognostic factors. Nomogram was further developed by using R software with rms package. The surgical efficacy was further assessed for patients receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy after performing propensity score matching. RESULTS: The enrolled cohort included 195 (48.8%) female and 205 (51.2%) male patients. The 2- and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) rate were 58.2 ± 3.0%, 46.8 ± 3.2%, and 46.5 ± 2.6%, 34.4 ± 2.5%, respectively. Nomogram was finally developed for CSS and OS according to the identified independent factors: age, tumor extent, primary tumor surgery, tumor size, and pathology grade. For UMBT patients who received radiotherapy or chemotherapy, surgical intervention was associated with better CSS (pr = 0.003, pc = 0.002) and OS (pr = 0.035, pc = 0.002), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nomogram was developed for individual UMBT patient to predict short and long-term CSS and OS rate, and more external patient cohorts are warranted for validation. Surgery improves outcomes for UMBT patients who received either radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the simplified chinese version of the fremantle back awareness questionnaire in patients with low back Pain.

PURPOSE: The Fremantle back awareness questionnaire (FreBAQ) was recently developed as simple and quick tool to assess back-specific body perception in Low back pain (LBP) patients. The aim of the present study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Fremantle back awareness questionnaire (FreBAQ) into a Simplified Chinese version (FreBAQ-C), and evaluate the reliability and validity of the FreBAQ-C in patients with non-specific Chronic Low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: The FreBAQ was translated into Chinese according to established methods. Internal consistency was assessed according to Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was estimated by Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was evaluated by correlations between the FreBAQ-C and Visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RDQ), Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK) as well as Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). RESULTS: A total of 105 participants (38 males and 67 females) were included in this study with the mean age of 54.1 ± 15.6 years, mean duration of LBP of 6.8 ± 4.6 years. The FreBAQ-C total scores were well distributed, with no floor or ceiling effects. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.833). ICC of test-retest reliability was good (0.897, 95% confidence interval: 0.852-0.929). The limits of agreement (LOA) ranged from - 5.8 to 6.3. The Standard error of measurement (SEM) and Minimum detectable change (MDC) were 2.16 and 5.99. Construct validity was confirmed by significant correlation of The FreBAQ-C and VAS during motion (r = 0.274, p = 0.005) and rest (r = 0.243, p = 0.012), RDQ (r = 0.377, p < 0.001), PCS (r = 0.439, p < 0.001), and TSK(r = 0.311, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The FreBAQ-C was demonstrated to have acceptable reliability and validity for patients with non-specific CLBP in Chinese mainland. It will allow evaluating body preception of the back in the Chinese population with CLBP.

Relationship Between IL1 Gene Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Ankylosing Spondylitis: An Updated and Supplemented Meta-Analysis.

The literature has provided inconsistent findings on the relationship between interleukin IL-1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Online electronic database searches were performed for relevant research published as of May 2021. Meta-analysis was performed to compare alleles and multiple genetic models (including dominant, recessive, heterozygous, and homozygous models) using random-effects models to reduce the impact of heterogeneity. A 95% confidence interval (95% CI) odds ratio (OR) was used to assess potential relationships. Nineteen studies including 6235 patients with AS and 5919 healthy controls were recruited. IL-1A-889 (rs1800587) had statistical significance in the allelic model (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08-1.77, P = 0.010) (I2 = 51%.1, P = 0.0001); homozygous model (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.27-2.89, P = 0.002); heterozygous model (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.02-2.17, P = 0.163); dominant genetic model (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.05-2.24, P = 0.026); and recessive model (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.04-2.28, P = 0.031). Further stratified analysis showed that the allele model (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.69, P = 0.008), heterozygous model (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.96, P = 0.017), and dominant model (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.11-1.99, P = 0.007) in the English population and allele model (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.45-3.37, P = 0.0001), homozygous model (OR 3.85, 95% CI 1.38-10.76, P = 0.010), heterozygous model (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.85-6.32, P = 0.0001), and dominant model (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.93-6.30, P = 0.001) in Tunis were significantly associated with susceptibility to AS. Analysis of the IL1F7 exon 2 (rs3811047) showed that the G allele frequency was higher in the normal population than in the AS population (OR 0.76, 95% CI (0.64, 0.91)). Further stratified analysis concluded that the allele model was significantly associated with AS susceptibility in Canadian (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.94, P = 0.011) and Chinese patients (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41-0.98, P = 0.041). The meta-analysis showed that the IL-1 gene polymorphism IL-1A-889 (rs1800587) increases the risk of AS in English and Tunisian populations. IL1F7 exon 2 (rs3811047) is negatively correlated with susceptibility to AS in Canadian and Chinese populations, but additional studies are needed for further exploration.

Chronic inflammation as a potential mediator between phthalate exposure and depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: A few studies have reported phthalate exposure as a risk factor for depressive symptoms, but the results have been inconsistent. Whether chronic inflammation mediates the relationship between phthalates (PAEs) and depressive symptoms remains unclear. In this study, we establish mediating models of inflammatory factors and explore the mediating role of chronic inflammation in the association between PAEs exposure and depressive symptoms. METHODS: The sample included 989 participants from the Study on Health and Environment of the Elderly in Lu'an City, Anhui Province. Geriatric depression scale (GDS-30) was used to screen depressive symptoms of the elderly. The levels of seven kinds of PAEs in urine samples and four inflammatory factors in serum of the elderly were measured. To establish the mediating effect of inflammatory factors to explore the potential effect of PAEs exposure on the increased odds of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Adjusted for multiple variables, the highest tertiles of Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) (95%CI = 1.051-2.112), Mono benzyl phthalate (MBzP) (95%CI = 1.016-2.082) and Mono butyl phthalate (MBP) (95%CI = 1.102-2.262) were positively correlated with depressive symptoms. The mediating effect of IL-6 and generalized inflammation factor between MEHP exposure and depressive symptoms were 15.96% (95%CI=0.0288-0.1971) and 14.25% (95%CI = 0.0167-0.1899). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of MEHP, MBzP and MBP increased the odds of depressive symptoms in the elderly, and chronic inflammation had a partial mediating effect on the increased odds of depressive symptoms due to MEHP exposure.

miR-6769b-5p targets CCND-1 to regulate proliferation in cadmium-treated placental trophoblasts: Association with the impairment of fetal growth.

Environmental cadmium (Cd) is positively associated with placental impairment and fetal growth retardation. Nevertheless, its potential mechanisms remain unclear. microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to influence placental development and fetal growth. This work was aimed to determine which miRNAs are involved in Cd-impaired placental and fetal development based on the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles analysis. As a result, gestational Cd exposure deceased fetal and placental weight, and reduced the protein level of PCNA in human and mouse placentae. Furthermore, the results of mRNA microarray showed that Cd-downregulated mRNAs were predictively correlated with several biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and motility. In addition, the results of miRNA microarray and qPCR assay demonstrated that Cd significantly increased the level of miR-6769b-5p, miR-146b-5p and miR-452-5p. Integrated analysis of Cd-upregulated miRNAs predicted target genes and Cd-downregulated mRNAs found that overlapping mRNAs, such as CCND1, CDK13, RINT1 and CDC26 were also significantly associated with cell proliferation. Further experiments showed that miR-6769b-5p inhibitor, but not miR-146b-5p and miR-452-5p, markedly reversed Cd-downregulated the expression of proliferation-related mRNAs, and thereby restored Cd-decreased the proteins level of CCND1 and PCNA in human placental trophoblasts. Dual luciferase reporter assay further revealed that miR-6769b-5p directly targets CCND1. Finally, the case-control study demonstrated that increased miR-6769b-5p level and impaired cell proliferation were observed in small-for-gestational-age human placentae. In conclusion, miR-6769b-5p targets CCND-1 to regulate proliferation in Cd-treated placental trophoblasts, which is associated with the impairment of fetal growth. Our findings imply that placental miR-6769b-5p may be used as an epigenetic marker for environmental pollutants-caused fetal growth restriction and its late-onset chronic diseases.

One year into the pandemic: the impacts of social vulnerability on COVID-19 outcomes and urban-rural differences in the conterminous United States.

This paper first explores spatial distributions and patterns of COVID-19 case rates (cases/100,000 people) and mortality rates (deaths/100,000 people) and their disparities between urban and rural counties in the contiguous US. A county-level social vulnerability index was created using principal component analysis. Social vulnerability components were regressed against both county case and mortality rates. Results suggest that hotspots of case and mortality rates are clustered in Midwest and Upper-Midwest US. We found substantial disparities in case and mortality rates between urban and rural counties. County social vulnerability was positively correlated with both case and mortality rates suggesting counties with higher social vulnerability had higher case and mortality rates. Relationships between social vulnerability components and case and mortality rates vary across the conterminous US. Additionally, counties with increased racial and ethnic minorities, higher percentages of minors, and lower median household income are associated with higher COVID-19 case and mortality rates.

Hematopoietic cell kinase enhances osteosarcoma development via the MEK/ERK pathway.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a sarcoma with high rates of pulmonary metastases and mortality. The mechanisms underlying tumour generation and development in OS are not well-understood. Haematopoietic cell kinase (HCK), a vital member of the Src family of kinase proteins, plays crucial roles in cancer progression and may act as an anticancer target; however, the mechanism by which HCK enhances OS development remains unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the role of HCK in OS development in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of HCK attenuated OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion and increased OS cell apoptosis, whereas overexpression of HCK enhanced these processes. Mechanistically, HCK expression enhanced OS tumorigenesis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway; HCK upregulation increased the phosphorylation of MEK and ERK and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition, with a reduction in E-cadherin in vitro. Furthermore, HCK downregulation decreased the tumour volume and weight in mice transplanted with OS cells. In conclusion, HCK plays a crucial role in OS tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis via the MEK/ERK pathway, suggesting that HCK is a potential target for developing treatments for OS.

Gestational cadmium exposure impairs placental angiogenesis via activating GC/GR signaling.

Gestational exposure to environmental Cd caused placental angiogenesis impairment and fetal growth restriction (FGR). However, its mechanism remained unclear. This study was to investigate the effects of Cd exposure during pregnancy on placental angiogenesis and its mechanism. Pregnant mice were exposed to CdCl2 (4.5 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 8 with or without melatonin (MT) (5.0 mg/kg), an anti-endoplasmic reticulum stress agent, from GD7 to GD15. Human primary placental trophoblasts and JEG-3 cells were stimulated using CdCl2 (20 µM) after MT (1 mM) preprocessing. We firstly found MT treatment obviously mitigated environmental Cd-induced placental angiogenesis disorder and reduction of the VEGF-A level. Mechanistically, MT reversed environmental Cd-downregulated the protein expression of VEGF-A via inhibiting glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation. Notably, our data showed MT treatment antagonized Cd-activated GC/GR signaling via blocking PERK signaling and thereby upregulated VEGF-A and 11ß-HSD2 protein expression. Based upon the population case-control study, the levels of VEGF-A and 11ß-HSD2 protein in small-for-gestational-age placentae were significantly reduced when compared to appropriate-for-gestational-age placentae. Overall, environmental Cd exposure during gestation impaired placental angiogenesis via PERK-regulated GC/GR signaling in placental trophoblasts. Our findings will provide a basis for prevention and treatment of placental impairments and fetal growth restriction caused by environment toxicants in future.

The exploration of mechanisms of comorbidity between migraine and depression.

Migraine comorbid with depression is common and is often encountered in clinical practice. The comorbidity may lead to more serious conditions with other symptoms and a longer duration of treatment and it may impose heavy economic and social burdens, directly or indirectly, on patients and their families. Numerous studies have been published on the association of migraine with depression. Numerous literature have showed that the comorbidity may have a common complicated pathogenic mechanism involving biopsychosocial characteristics, including abnormal brain development and shared genetic basis, as well as neurotransmitters, sex hormones and stress. In addition, some studies have identified the multiple, bidirectional relationship between migraine and depressive disorder. We searched the literature for the possible common mechanisms between migraine and depression and classified the research results.

Single-stage multi-level construct design incorporating ribs and chest wall reconstruction after en bloc resection of spinal tumour.

PURPOSE: Multi-level reconstruction incorporating the chest wall and ribs is technically demanding after multi-segmental total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of thoracic spinal tumours. Few surgical techniques are reported for effective reconstruction. A novel and straightforward technical reconstruction through posterior-lateral approach was presented to solve the extensive chest wall defect and prevent occurrences of severe respiratory dysfunctions after performing TES. The preliminary outcomes of surgery were reviewed. METHODS: Multi-level TES was performed for five patients with primary or recurrent thoracic spinal malignancies through posterior-lateral approach. The involved ribs and chest wall were removed to achieve tumour-free margin. Then titanium mesh with allograft bone and pedicle screw-rod system were adopted for the circumferential spinal reconstruction routinely. Titanium rods were modified accordingly to attach to the screw-rod system proximally, and the distal end of rods was dynamically inserted into the ribs. RESULTS: The mean surgery time was 6.7 hours (range 5-8), with the average blood loss of 3260 ml (range 2300-4500). No severe neurological complications were reported while three patients had complaints of slight numbness of chest skin (no. 1, 3, and 5). No severe respiratory complications occurred during peri-operative period. No implant failure and no local recurrence or distant metastases were observed with an average follow-up of 12.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The single-stage reconstructions incorporating spine and chest wall are straightforward and easy to perform. The preliminary outcomes of co-reconstructions are promising and favourable. More studies and longer follow-up are required to validate this technique.

[Investigation on the spectrum of complex self-organized plasma photonic crystal].

A complex plasma photonic crystal (PPC) was obtained by self-organization of filaments in air dielectric barrier discharge using two planar water electrodes. The PPC structure consists of many square sublattices, and each sublattice is composed of large spots, two kinds of small spots and lines, corresponding to thick plasma columns, two kinds of thin plasma columns, and plasma slices, respectively. By using the optical emission spectrum method, the electron densities and molecular vibration temperatures at different positions of the PPC were studied. The electron densities were compared by comparing the broadenings of Ar I (2P2-->1S5) spectrum line, and the molecular vibration temperatures were calculated by the spectrum line of nitrogen band of second positive system (C3Πu-->B3Πg) . It was found that the electron densities and molecular vibration temperatures at different positions are both different, showing that the plasma states at different positions are different. The descending order of the electron density is: thin plasma columns around the thick plasma columns, thick plasma columns, plasma slices, and thin plasma columns at junction of plasma slices. The descending order of the molecular vibration temperature is: thin plasma columns at junction of plasma slices, plasma slices, thick plasma columns, and thin plasma columns around the thick plasma columns, which is opposite to that of the electron density. So, the electron densities and the molecular vibration temperatures in different positions of the PPC show the opposite changing trend. As the refractive index of plasma is dependent upon the electron density, the thick plasma columns, two kinds of thin plasma columns and plasma slices in this PPC have different refractive indexes. Together with the surrounding area where no discharges occur, in which the refractive index is also different from the discharging areas, the complex PPC can be seen as a self-organized periodic structure with five different refractive indexes. The PPC has the advantages of being obtained easily, having structural diversity, and being analyzed simply, which may lead to wide applications in many scientific and technical areas.

Activin A induces growth arrest through a SMAD- dependent pathway in hepatic progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: Activin A, an important member of transforming growth factor-ß superfamily, is reported to inhibit proliferation of mature hepatocyte. However, the effect of activin A on growth of hepatic progenitor cells is not fully understood. To that end, we attempted to evaluate the potential role of activin A in the regulation of hepatic progenitor cell proliferation. RESULTS: Using the 2-acetaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy model, activin A expression decreased immediately after partial hepatectomy and then increased from the 9th to 15th day post surgery, which is associated with the attenuation of oval cell proliferation. Activin A inhibited oval cell line LE6 growth via activating the SMAD signaling pathway, which manifested as the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the inhibition of Rb phosphorylation, the suppression of cyclinD1 and cyclinE, and the promotion of p21WAF1/Cip1 and p15INK4B expression. Treatment with activin A antagonist follistatin or blocking SMAD signaling could diminish the anti-proliferative effect of activin A. By contrast, inhibition of the MAPK pathway did not contribute to this effect. Antagonizing activin A activity by follistatin administration enhanced oval cell proliferation in the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy model. CONCLUSION: Activin A, acting through the SMAD pathway, negatively regulates the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells.

Decreased plasma neuroactive amino acids and increased nitric oxide levels in melancholic major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Amino acid neurotransmitters and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Here we want to establish whether changes in their plasma levels may serve as biomarker for the melancholic subtype of this disorder. METHODS: Plasma levels of glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), glycine (Gly), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and NO were determined in 27 medicine-naïve melancholic MDD patients and 30 matched controls. Seven of the MDD patients participated also in a follow-up study after 2 months' antidepressant treatment. The relationship between plasma and cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) levels of these compounds was analyzed in an additional group of 10 non-depressed subjects. RESULTS: The plasma levels of Asp, Gly and GABA were significantly lower whereas the NO levels were significantly higher in melancholic MDD patients, also after 2 months of fluoxetine treatment. In the additional 10 non-depressed subjects, no significant correlation was observed between plasma and CSF levels of these compounds. CONCLUSION: These data give the first indication that decreased plasma levels of Asp, Gly and GABA and increased NO levels may serve as a clinical trait-marker for melancholic MDD. The specificity and selectivity of this putative trait-marker has to be investigated in follow-up studies.

[Investigation of plasma parameters of the square pattern with two kinds of spatiotemporal symmetry in dielectric barrier discharge].

Two kinds of square patterns with different spatiotemporal symmetry were observed in dielectric barrier discharge, and their plasma parameters were measured by using optical emission spectra. It was found that the spatiotemporal symmetry of the square pattern at lower gas pressure is different from the one at higher gas pressure. Six spectral lines in the emission spectrum of the N2 second positive band were chosen to estimate the vibrational temperature, and the ratio of I391.4/I394.1 was used to represent the average electron energy. The excitation temperature was determined by the ratio of I763.2/I772.1. Furthermore, the width and shift of Ar I 696.54 nm were used to estimate the electron density. The results show that the vibrational temperature, excitation temperature and electron energy of the square pattern at lower gas pressure are higher than those at higher gas pressure, while the electron density is lower than that at higher gas pressure.

A multifunctional biomimetic nanoplatform for image-guideded photothermal-ferroptotic synergistic osteosarcoma therapy.

Much effort has been devoted to improving treatment efficiency for osteosarcoma (OS). However, most current approaches result in poor therapeutic responses, thus indicating the need for the development of other therapeutic options. This study developed a multifunctional nanoparticle, PDA-MOF-E-M, an aggregation of OS targeting, programmed death targeting, and near-infrared (NIR)-aided targeting. At the same time, a multifunctional nanoparticle that utilises Fe-MOFs to create a cellular iron-rich environment and erastin as a ferroptosis inducer while ensuring targeted delivery to OS cells through cell membrane encapsulation is presented. The combination of PDA-MOF-E-M and PTT increased intracellular ROS and LPO levels and induced ferroptosis-related protein expression. A PDA-based PTT combined with erastin showed significant synergistic therapeutic improvement in the anti-tumour efficiency of the nanoparticle in vitro and vivo. The multifunctional nanoparticle efficiently prevents the osteoclasia progression of OS xenograft bone tumors in vivo. Finally, this study provides guidance and a point of reference for clinical approaches to treating OS.

[Correlation of neurochemical metabolism with memory function in young adult patients with first-episode depression studied with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of neurochemical metabolism in hippocampus with memory function in young adult patients with first-episode depression. METHODS: Twenty patients with first-episode depression (patient group) and fifteen health subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The neurochemical metabolism, including the levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr), Myoinositol (mI) were measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscope (1H-MRS) in bilateral hippocampus. Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) were used to examine the memory function in both groups. RESULTS: The memory quotient (89.15 ±6.62) of patient group was significantly lower than that of controls (P <0.01),the scores of long-term memory,short-term memory and immediate memory in patients were also lower than those of controls (P<0.05 or 0.01). In patient group, the ratio of NAA/Cr (1.34 ±0.08) in the left hippocampus was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01); and the ratio of mI/Cr in the bilateral hippocampus [(0.63 ±0.13) in left and (0.6 ±0.1) in right] was significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In patient group,the ratio of NAA/Cr in the left hippocampus was positively correlated with WMS scores (P<0.01), and the ratio of mI/Cr in the left hippocampus was negatively correlated with WMS scores (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The memory deficit and abnormal metabolism function of neuron cell in hippocampus coexist in young adult patients with first-episode depression, and the lower NAA/Cr and higher mI/Cr ratio in the left hippocampus may result in the memory deficit.