Recent Insights into the Roles of PEST-Containing Nuclear Protein.

PEST-containing nuclear protein (PCNP), a short-lived small nuclear protein with 178 amino acids, is a nuclear protein containing two PEST sequences. PCNP is highly expressed in several malignant tumors such as cervical cancer, rectal cancer, and lung cancer. It is also associated with cell cycle regulation and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) and Wnt signaling pathways during tumor growth. The present article discuss how PCNP regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt signaling pathways and related proteins, and the ubiquitination of PCNP regulates tumor cell cycle as well as the progress of the application of PCNP in the pathophysiology and treatment of colon cancer, human ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, lung adenocarcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. The main relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, with keywords such as PEST-containing nuclear protein (PCNP), cancer (tumor), and signaling pathways as inclusion/exclusion criteria. Relevant references has been included and cited in the manuscript.

Insight into the Critical Role of Oxygen Vacancies and V=O Bonds Length in V2O5 for Advanced Zinc Ion Storage.

Due to the larger sizes and stronger positive polarity of Zn2+ than dominant univalent ions, Zn2+ sluggish diffusion within V2O5 host electrodes is an essential issue in developing aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) of higher energy densities. Herein, a high-performance V2O5 cathode was developed through subtly synthesizing and tuning V2O5 with oxygen vacancies-enriched and elongated apical V=O1 bond by altering the gradient concentration of hydrazine hydrate in the gas-solid reaction system. This strategy can enhance both intrinsic and extrinsic conductivity to a large extent. The electrochemical testing demonstrated the oxygen vacancies-enriched and elongated apical V=O1 bond can not only increase the intrinsic electronic conductivity of V2O5, but also induce additional pseudocapacitance to enhance the Zn2+ diffusion kinetics. We used infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to characterize the change in the bond length structure of V2O5. Simultaneously, the long-term cyclability (capacity retention of 76.9 % after 1200 cycles at 4.0 A g-1) and rate capabilities (218 mAh g-1 at 4.0 A g-1) are promoted as well. We believe that our work might shed light on the bond length engineering of V2O5 and provide insights for the reasonable designing of novel cathodes for practical rechargeable ZIBs.

The role of microRNAs in depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder with increasing prevalence worldwide. It is a leading cause of disability and suicide, severely affecting physical and mental health. However, the study of depression remains at an exploratory stage in terms of diagnostics and treatment due to the complexity of its pathogenesis. MicroRNAs are endogenous short-stranded non-coding RNAs capable of binding to the 3'untranslated region of mRNAs. Because of their ability to repress translation process of genes and are found at high levels in brain tissues, investigation of their role in depression has gradually increased recently. This article summarizes recent research progress on the relationship between microRNAs and depression. The microRNAs play a regulatory role in the pathophysiology of depression, involving dysregulation of monoamines, abnormalities in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, hyperactivity of the HPA axis, and dysregulation of inflammatory responses. These microRNAs might provide new clue for the diagnosis and treatment of MDD, and the development of antidepressant drugs.

Effect of linezolid on serum PCT, ESR, and CRP in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The continuous development of drug-resistant tuberculosis in recent years has brought new attention to tuberculosis. linezolid is usually used to treat infection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, for it has good effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and has strong antibacterial activity on the drug-resistant strain. This study aims to investigate the effects of linezolid on serum procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia. METHODS: Forty patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia were divided into 2 groups: observation group (n = 20), patients treated with linezolid; control group (n = 20), patients treated with moxifloxacin. At 14 days, one month and 3 months of treatment, changes in serum PCT, ESR, CRP, and bacterial eradication rate (negative conversion rate) were compared between the 2 groups, and the incidence of adverse reactions was compared. RESULTS: Serum PCT, ESR, and CRP in the 2 groups were significantly lower after 14 days of treatment than before treatment (P < .05), the decrease was more significant in the observation group, and the differences in ESR and CRP were statistically significant (t = 2.199, 2.494, P < .05). Furthermore, the negative conversion rate was higher in the observation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). At one month of treatment, serum PCT, ESR, and CRP were lower in the observation group, and the difference in CRP was statistically significant (t = 3.274, P < .05). Furthermore, the negative conversion rate was slightly higher in the observation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). At 3 months of treatment, differences in PCT, ESR, and CRP were not statistically significant, and the negative conversion rate was the same between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the observation group, but all were mild, and the differences between these 2 groups were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of tuberculosis and pneumonia, linezolid can improve serum PCT, ESR, and CRP levels, and eradicate bacteria. However, adverse reactions should be strictly monitored to ensure its safety.