New camaenid genus and species from Zhejiang, East China (Eupulmonata, Helicoidea).

We report a new land snail species representing a new genus from the mountainous area of Zhejiang, China. The snail has a depressed shell with granules all over the surface. The soft part of the new taxon is characterized by the presence of a mantle lobe whose form is reviewed herein across a wide range of helicoid snails, the presence of a developed epiphallic papilla, and the absence of a penial sheath, a dart sac apparatus and a flagellum. As indicated by a molecular-based phylogeny (16S + ITS2), the new taxon is deeply nested in the eastern Asian camaenid genera and shows a close relationship with the camaenids distributed in Central China.

The impact of SOX4-activated CTHRC1 transcriptional activity regulating DNA damage repair on cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the predominant subtype within the spectrum of lung malignancies. CTHRC1 has a pro-oncogenic role in various cancers. Here, we observed the upregulation of CTHRC1 in LUAD, but its role in cisplatin resistance in LUAD remains unclear. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to detect CTHRC1 and SRY-related HMG-box 4 (SOX4) expression in LUAD. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis predicted the enriched pathways related to CTHRC1. JASPAR and MotifMap databases predicted upstream transcription factors of CTHRC1. Pearson analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between genes of interest. The interaction and binding relationship between CTHRC1 and SOX4 were validated through dual-luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction determined the expression of CTHRC1 and SOX4 genes. CCK-8 was performed to assess cell viability and calculate IC50 value. Flow cytometry examined the cell cycle. Comet assay and western blot assessed DNA damage. CTHRC1 and SOX4 were upregulated in LUAD. CTHRC1 exhibited higher expression in cisplatin-resistant A549 cells compared to cisplatin-sensitive A549 cells. Knockdown of CTHRC1 enhanced DNA damage during cisplatin treatment and increased the sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin. Additionally, SOX4 modulated DNA damage repair (DDR) by activating CTHRC1 transcriptional activity, promoting cisplatin resistance in LUAD cells. SOX4 regulated DDR by activating CTHRC1, thereby enhancing cisplatin resistance in LUAD cells. The finding provides a novel approach to address clinical cisplatin resistance in LUAD, with CTHRC1 possibly serving as a candidate for targeted therapies in addressing cisplatin resistance within LUAD.

Synthesis of chitosan-based flocculant by dielectric barrier discharge modification and its flocculation performance in wastewater treatment.

As a typical type of organic flocculant, chitosan is limited by its poor water solubility and narrow pH range application. Grafting modification can improve chitosan's solubility and availability through linking macromolecular chains with other types of water-soluble groups or functional side groups. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used to active the surface of chitosan, then activated chitosan was polymerized with acrylamide to synthesize a chitosan-based flocculant, chitosan-acrylamide (CS-AM). During the synthesis of CS-AM, the optimal conditions were determined as follows: discharge time of 5 min, discharge power of 60 W, total monomer mass concentration of 80 g L-1, polymerization time of 3 h, polymerization temperature of 70 °C, and m(CS) : m(AM) ratio of 1 : 3. The structure and morphological characteristics of CS-AM were investigated and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 physical adsorption, respectively. The removal efficiency of kaolin suspension and CNTs suspension can reach up to 95.9% and 90.2% after flocculation of CS-AM. Furthermore, the zeta potential of the supernatant from the CS-AM treated kaolin suspension at different pH values was examined, and the flocculation mechanism of CS-AM was analyzed. This study provides new ideas for the preparation and development of modified chitosan and broadens its application in water treatment.

Non-pharmacological interventions for preventing suicide attempts: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Suicide attempts can cause serious physical harm or death. It would be crucial to gain a better understanding of the comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions. We aimed to identify which non-pharmacological interventions are more effective in preventing suicide attempts. PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched systematically from their inception until 3 April 2023. To be eligible for inclusion, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) had to meet the following criteria: Participants were individuals who had suicidal ideation or a history of severe self-harm or attempted suicide. A network meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to estimate the treatment effect of various non-pharmacological interventions. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023411393). We obtained data from 54 studies involving 17,630 participants. Our primary analysis found that Cognitive therapy (CT) (OR=0.19, 95%CI =0.04-0.81), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (OR=0.37, 95%CI =0.13-0.97), Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (OR=0.42, 95%CI =0.17-0.99), and Brief intervention and contact (BIC) (OR=0.65, 95%CI=0.44-0.94) were superior to TAU (within the longest available follow-up time) in preventing suicide attempts, while other intervention methods do not show significant advantages over TAU. Secondary analysis showed that the two intervention measures (CT and BIC) were effective when follow-up time did not exceed 6 months, but there was no effective intervention measure with longer follow-up times. CT, DBT, CBT, and BIC have a better effect in preventing suicide attempts than other non-pharmacological interventions. Additional research is necessary to validate which interventions, as well as which combinations of interventions, are the most effective.

Suicide death, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Diabetes has been indicated to be a risk factor for suicide. We aim to estimate the prevalence of suicide in patients with diabetes. DESIGN: A meta-analysis using PRISMA methodology was adopted to examine the incidence of suicide in diabetic patients. DATA SOURCES: From inception to October 2022, three online databases (PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science) were used to search studies. REVIEW METHODS: We used random-effects model to analysis. And our primary outcome was the incidence of suicide death per 100 person-years, and other outcomes were prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. To explore the sources of heterogeneity in our study, we performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: The suicide death rate in diabetic patients was 0.027 per 100 person-years, with a higher rate for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus compared to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The prevalence of suicidal ideation in diabetes patients was 0.175, with a higher prevalence in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus compared to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The prevalence of suicide attempts in diabetes patients was 0.033, indicating a higher rate for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus compared to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a high rate of suicide among people with diabetes, and this study identifies populations and regions at high risk for suicide. Our review emphasizes interventions in mental health and the improvement of suicide prevention programmes. IMPACT: The study investigated suicide death, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in diabetic individuals. Suicide rates are elevated among diabetic patients, and various patient groups face distinct suicide risks. It is important to prioritize the mental well-being of diabetic individuals and enhance interventions, including personalized approaches, to inform public health efforts aimed at preventing and addressing suicide among diabetic patients. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public involvement.

Double-Masked, Vehicle-Controlled, Randomized, Phase II Study of the Ocular Hypotensive Activity and Safety of VVN539 Ophthalmic Solution.

Purpose: To assess safety and ocular hypotensive efficacy of VVN539 ophthalmic solution in a first-in-human study. Design: Multicenter, double-masked, randomized, vehicle-controlled, dose-response, parallel-comparison study. Participants: Sixty-eight subjects with ocular hypertension (OHT) or open-angle glaucoma enrolled at 5 private practices. Methods: After washout of ocular hypotensive medications as required, the subjects were randomized to receive either VVN539 ophthalmic solution 0.02%, 0.04%, or vehicle once-daily (QD) in the morning (5 days), once-daily in the evening (6 days) and then twice-daily (6 days). Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of VVNM539 to its vehicle in mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at each diurnal time point (8:00am, 10:00am, and 4:00pm) at visit 4 (day 7), visit 5 (day 14), and visit 6 (day 21). Results: Mean IOP decreased throughout dosing in the active groups to between 18 and 20 mmHg in both active groups, to between 22 to 23 mmHg in the vehicle group. VVN539 0.04% was statistically superior to vehicle at all 9 diurnal time points (QD AM, QD PM, and twice daily, P ≤ 0.0109). VVN539 0.02% was statistically superior to vehicle at only 6 of 9 diurnal time points (selected QD times and twice daily). The most common ocular treatment-emergent adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia (11 [47.8%], 10 [4.5%], and 1 [4.3%]), followed by ocular hyperemia (3 [13.0%], 5 [22.7%] and 0), respectively. There were no clinically significant changes of note in visual acuity, biomicroscopy, dilated ophthalmoscopy, blood chemistry, hematology, or cardiovascular measures. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this initial phase II study indicate that VVN539 ophthalmic solution showed clinically and statistically significant ocular hypertensive activity and was relatively well tolerated for the treatment of subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma or OHT. Additional studies will be required for a more complete evaluation of the utility of VVN539 ophthalmic solution. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Effect of Socioeconomic Disparities on Suicide Risk in Patients With Prostate Cancer During 2005 to 2020: A Population Study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether socioeconomic disparities have an impact on the likelihood of suicide among prostate cancer patients. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for patients diagnosed with malignant prostate cancer between 2005 and 2020. The socioeconomic disparities of the patients were evaluated by median household income (MHI) and ethnicity. Ethnicity included Spanish-Hispanic-Latino and non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino. A Cox proportional risk model was utilized. Using the Kaplan-Meier approach, the cumulative incidence of suicide mortality was measured. RESULTS: A total of 857,418 US population with prostate cancer were included. In the multivariate analysis, individuals with MHI over $75,000 had a lower risk of suicide mortality than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in all patients (aHRs: 0.693, 95 CI%: 0.603-0.797). Spanish-Hispanic-Latino displayed lower overall suicide mortality in all patients (aHRs: 0.426, 95% CI: 0.323-0.561). In the subgroup analysis of different ages, individuals with MHI over $75,000 had a lower risk of suicide than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in patients 60 to 79 years (aHRs: 0.668, 95% CI: 0.562-0.794) and individuals with MHI below $54,999 had higher suicide risk than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in patients 80+ years (aHRs: 1.786, 95% CI: 1.100-2.902). Hispanic-Latino individuals had lower overall suicide mortality in 00 to 59 years (aHRs: 0.420, 95% CI: 0.240-0.734), 60 to 79 years (aHRs: 0.445, 95% CI: 0.319-0.621), 80+ years (aHRs: 0.363, 95% CI: 0.133-0.988). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic disparities, including MHI and ethnicity, are important factors strongly related to suicide risk in prostate cancer patients. The lower MHI individuals and non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino individuals were associated with higher suicide risk.

Synthesis of Azepino[4,5-b]indole via Ring Expansion of Tetrahydro-ß-carbolines Ammonium Ylide.

The formal cyclization strategy was generally used to construct azepino[4,5-b]indole. Herein, we reported a novel and expeditious protocol for the synthesis of quaternary carbon azepino[4,5-b]indole via ring expansion of ammonium ylide, which was formed by the reaction of tetrahydro-ß-carbolines with the diazo compound. The easily available substrates, mild reaction conditions, and broad functional tolerance rendered this method a practical strategy that may significantly afford an efficient method of scaffold hopping in drug discovery.

Primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma: A clinicopathological study of 64 patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic indicators of primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma (PACC). METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 64 primary PACC patients and analyzed retrospectively at the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, and the Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2003 to August 2023. The 64 patients (28 males and 36 females) were aged from 20 to 73 years, with a median age of 49 years and an average age of 49.3 years. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumors expressed CK7, S-100 protein, CK5/6, CD117, and p63. Seven patients underwent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing and three were found to have myeloblastosis (MYB) gene translocation. In total, 53 patients underwent surgery, among whom 31 received only surgery and 22 received both surgery and postoperative chemoradiotherapy. In addition, 10 patients received chemoradiotherapy only, while one patient underwent treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. The overall survival rates in the first, third, and fifth years were 98.4%, 95.3%, and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prognostic analysis revealed that age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis status, margin status, and choice of treatment modality significantly influenced the patients' prognosis.

Impact of the National Nursing Development Plan on nursing human resources in China: An interrupted time series analysis for 1978-2021.

BACKGROUND: Shortages of nurses and unequal distribution of nursing staff have been huge challenges for global health services. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the National Nursing Development Plan on nursing human resources in China. METHODS: An interrupted time series design was used in this study. The data for this study were extracted from the National Health Statistics Yearbook from 1978 to 2021. The Ministry of Health issued the National Nursing Development Plan (2005-2010) in July 2005. Subsequently, the strategic plan was issued every 5 years: the National Nursing Development Plan (2011-2015), the National Nursing Development Plan (2016-2020), and the National Nursing Development Plan (2021-2025). This study used five indicators including 1) the number of registered nurses (RNs) in China, 2) the number of RNs per 1000 population in China, 3) the proportion of RNs in health technical personnel in China, 4) the doctor-nurse ratio and 5) the number of nurses working in primary medical institutions to evaluate the changing trend of nursing human resources in China from 1978 to 2021. RESULTS: Interrupted time series analysis showed that after the implementation of the National Nursing Development Plan (2005-2010), the building of nurses in China was gradually strengthening, and the number of RNs in China increased by 0.198 million per year (95%CI 0.174-0.223; P < 0.001); the number of RNs per 1000 population (Coefficient = 0.139; 95%CI 0.123-0.154; P < 0.001); the proportion of RNs in the total number of health professionals in China has increased from 29.6 % to 44.6 % (Coefficient = 0.010; 95%CI 0.009-0.010; P < 0.001); in China, the doctor-nurse ratio increased by 0.024 (95%CI 0.019-0.029; P < 0.001). In 2021, the number of RNs working in primary medical institutions increased by approximately 0.86 million compared with that in 2005, and the proportion of RNs in the country increased by 1.4 %. The development of nurses is especially tilted to the primary level to meet the health and nursing needs of the primary level. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the National Nursing Development Plan has greatly expanded the scale of nursing human resources in China and significantly optimized the efficiency of allocation. The implementation of the National Nursing Development Plan (2011-2015) and the National Nursing Development Plan (2016-2020) well continued the strategic plan from 2005 to 2010, further expanded the nursing workforce and further optimized the allocation efficiency. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The implementation of the National Nursing Development Plan has greatly expanded the scale of nursing human resources in China and significantly optimized the efficiency of allocation.

The connection between six common air pollution particles and adult brain tumors: a meta-analysis of 26,217,930 individuals.

Environmental air pollutants (black carbon (BC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter with diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with diameter <10 µm (PM10), and ozone (O3)) are one of the major menaces to mankind's health globally. This analysis reviews the association between exposure to these air pollutants and the chance of developing brain tumors in adults (total brain tumors, malignant brain tumors, and benign brain tumors). Studies published by April 2022 were searched. Raw effect sizes were converted to standardized effect sizes per 10 µg/m3 increase. Random effect models were applied to calculate combined effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. A total of 8 articles were included for meta-analysis. The pooled effect size (ES) for per 10 µg/m3 BC intake was 1.67 (95% CI: 1.25, 2.22), P = 0.449. For every 10 µg/m3 rise in NO2 concentration, ES was 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.05), P = 0.319. Meanwhile, there was a boundary association between NOx and adult brain tumors (ES and 95% CI: 1.01; 1.00, 1.01/10 µg/m3; P = 0.716). While there was no conjunction between PM2.5, PM10, O3 (PM2.5: ES and 95% CI: 1.04; 0.99, 1.08/10 µg/m3; P = 0.834; PM10: ES and 95% CI: 1.01; 0.97, 1.04/10 µg/m3; P = 0.627; O3: ES and 95% CI: 0.97; 0.94, 1.00/10 µg/m3; P = 0.253). This research shows testimony of a significant link between air pollutants and brain tumors in adults, especially when exposed to BC, NO2, and NOx. This evidence emphasizes the importance of improving air quality as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent the occurrence and deterioration of brain tumors.

Anesthetic management of thoracotomy for massive intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: a case report.

BACKGROUNDS: Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare thoracic tumor and usually asymptomatic. Massive SFTP may affect adjacent organs and tissues including pulmonary vasculature, bronchus and heart. A thoracotomy for massive SFTP is necessary in severe case. Therefore, it is important for anesthesiologists to understand the condition of patients with massive SFTP and develop an appropriate anesthetic management strategy. A 76-year-old woman with massive SFTP presented to our clinical center and was evaluated as requiring thoracotomy. She received multidisciplinary cooperation treatment from the radiology, cardiac, thoracic surgery and anesthetic teams. The perioperative management of anesthesiologists played a crucial role in the great prognosis of this woman. CONCLUSIONS: This case report demonstrates the importance of comprehensive and meticulous perioperative management and provides guidance to the multidisciplinary team on the potential risk and the rational treatment strategy of patients with massive SFTP during the perioperative period.

Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) enhances non-small cell lung cancer malignancy and is inhibited by microRNA-498-5p.

BACKGROUND: Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) is clearly recognized as a tumour promoter in diversiform of human malignancies. Nevertheless, knowledge of its expression, functions and potential molecular mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive. METHODS: Differential expression of WT1 mRNA and protein between NSCLC and normal tissues were assessed by analyzing RNA-seq data from Oncomine and protein data from Human Protein Atlas, respectively. Subsequently, prognosis significance and immune cell infiltration were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plotter and CIBERSORT. 60 pairs of local NSCLC tissues were involved to validate WT1 expression by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. Moreover, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, transwell, dual luciferase reporter assays and in vivo xenograft tumour growth experiments were conducted to explore the function and mechanism of WT1 in NSCLC. RESULTS: Our solid data indicated that WT1 was increased in NSCLC tissues and cell lines in comparison with their matched controls. In particular, its upregulation correlated with worse prognosis and immune infiltration of the patients. Functional assays demonstrated that knockdown of WT1 inhibited NSCLC malignancy, including inhibiting cell proliferation, survival and invasion. Further exploration discovered that microRNA-498-5p (miR-498-5p) was the upstream suppressor of WT1 by directly targeting the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of WT1 mRNA. Moreover, expression of miR-498-5p was notably decreased and inversely correlated with WT1 in NSCLC tissues. Finally, we proved that miR-498-5p was a potent tumour suppressor in NSCLC by suppressing cell proliferation, survival and invasion, while WT1 restoration could in turn disrupt this suppression both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: The abnormal increase in WT1 contributes to the malignant properties of NSCLC cells, and miR-498-5p is a natural inhibitor of WT1. Our findings might facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies against NSCLC in the future.

Socioeconomic status on survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely acknowledged as a prevalent malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the independent impact of Median Household Income (MHI) on prognosis and survival outcomes in patients with CRC. METHODS: Data from 17 cancer registries of the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, with follow-up extended until November 2022 was analyzed. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of different levels of MHI on survival outcomes among patients with CRC. A total of 761,697 CRC patient records were retrieved from the SEER database. RESULTS: The Cox regression analysis results indicated that patients with higher MHI exhibited improved overall survival outcomes when compared to those with lower MHI (MMHI: P < 0.001; HMHI: P < 0.001). Regardless of the specific tumor location, gender, stage of CRC, or treatment method, higher MHI is consistently linked to improved survival outcomes. However, this association was not found to be statistically significant among American Indian/Alaska Native (MMHI: P = 0.017; HMHI: P = 0.081), Asian or Pacific Islander (MMHI: P = 0.223; HMHI: P = 0.002) and unmarried or domestic partner patients (MMHI: P = 0.311; HMHI: P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the importance of considering socioeconomic factors, such as income level, in understanding and addressing disparities in survival outcomes of CRC patients.

Incidence, prevalence and risk factors of device-related pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit: A meta-analysis of 10,084 patients from 11 countries.

Device-related pressure injuries (DRPIs) prevail in the intensive care unit (ICU) and have much to do with medical devices and patients' conditions. This meta-analysis aims to systematically assess the incidence, prevalence and risk factors related to DRPIs among adults in ICU. Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed and CINAHL were searched from inception to March 2023. Observational studies were included, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to assess literature quality. The primary outcomes were the incidence, prevalence and risk factors regarding DRPIs among adults in ICU. The 19 studies conformed to the criteria for inclusion in the review. The estimated pooled incidence of DRPIs was 14.7% (95% CI: 9.7%-19.6%) in 10 studies (4866 participants). The estimated pooled prevalence of DRPIs was 19.0% (95% CI: 13.6%-24.3%) in 9 studies (5218 participants). The most significant risk factor for DRPIs was using mechanical ventilation. The pooled analysis of the four studies showed that DRPIs were more likely to occur in patients who required mechanical ventilation compared with patients who did not use mechanical ventilation (OR: 9.67, 95% CI: 5.03-18.61, p < 0.001) and using vasopressors, age, length of ICU stays, APACHE II score, Braden score, fever, sex, oedema, diabetes and number of medical devices, SOFA score was also related to pressure injuries risk. The incidence and prevalence of DRPIs in adult ICU were high, and the most significant risk factor for DRPIs was using mechanical ventilation. It is imminent to identify patients of increased risk with DRPIs early.

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma-modified chitosan flocculant and its flocculation performance.

The flocculation performance of chitosan can be enhanced by grafting modification to overcome its disadvantages of poor water solubility. In this study, chitosan was modified by dielectric barrier discharge plasma and polymerized with acrylamide and aluminum chloride to synthesize a new chitosan-based flocculant, namely, chitosan-acrylamide-aluminum chloride (CA-PAC). After optimizing the synthesis conditions of CA-PAC, the best conditions were as follows: discharge time of 3 min, discharge power of 50 W, polymerization temperature of 60 °C, polymerization time of 3 h, total monomer concentration of 100 g/L, and m(AlCl3):m(CA) ratio of 2:1. Characterization was performed through SEM, XPS, FTIR, XRD, TG and 1H NMR. Results showed that the preparation of CA-PAC was successful. The influences of flocculant dosage, pH, and stirring intensity on flocculation efficiency were investigated. The removal efficiency of turbidity was 94.1 %. The investigation of the flocculation mechanism revealed that CA-PAC mainly relied on charge neutralization or the synergic action of electric neutralization, bridging, and roll-sweep under acidic and neutral conditions, but it depended on the joint action of adsorption bridging and net sweeping under alkaline conditions. This study provides new ideas for the preparation and development of modified chitosan and broadens its application in water treatment.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Laeocathaica amdoana Möllendorff, 1899 and phylogenetic analysis of Camaenidae (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Helicoidea).

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the dart sac-bearing camaenid Laeocathaica Möllendorff, 1899 was sequenced and analyzed in this study. The whole mitogenome of Laeocathaica amdoana Möllendorff, 1899 was 14,660 bp in length and its nucleotide composition showed high AT-content of 67.45%. It had 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The phylogeny yielded by both Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood method suggested that Laeocathaica was closely related to the other dart sac-bearing camaenids with known complete mitochondrial genome. These genetic data are expected to provide fundamental resources for further genetic studies on the camaenids.

Gender differences in suicide among patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths in patients with bipolar disorder. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematic searched from inception to March 7, 2023. Two reviewers extract data independently. Demographic data, the number of males and females with bipolar disorder, and the number of individuals with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths among participants were extracted. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in males and females was 48.0 % and 44.0 %, respectively, and the overall male-to-female ratios present a statistically insignificant result (OR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.75-1.21) among patients with bipolar disorder. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts in males and females was 6.7 % and 9.3 %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant lower prevalence among male patients with bipolar disorder (OR = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.67-0.75). However, the pooled prevalence of suicide deaths in males and females was 0.7 % and 0.3 % respectively, and there was a statistically significant higher prevalence among male patients with bipolar disorder (OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.63-2.13). LIMITATIONS: The included studies were from mainly middle- and high-income countries and used inconsistent measurement tools. Thus, there is a potential for bias in our results. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with bipolar disorder, females were found to have a higher prevalence of suicide attempts, while males have a higher prevalence of suicide deaths. However, there is no significant gender difference in suicidal ideation. Efforts to optimize recognition, treatment, and administration in males and females may reduce gender differences.

A Bifunctional PARP-HDAC Inhibitor with Activity in Ewing Sarcoma.

PURPOSE: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been shown to induce pharmacologic "BRCAness" in cancer cells with proficient DNA repair activity. This provides a rationale for exploring combination treatments with HDAC and PARP inhibition in cancer types that are insensitive to single-agent PARP inhibitors (PARPi). Here, we report the concept and characterization of a novel bifunctional PARPi (kt-3283) with dual activity toward PARP1/2 and HDAC enzymes in Ewing sarcoma cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Inhibition of PARP1/2 and HDAC was measured using PARP1/2, HDAC activity, and PAR formation assays. Cytotoxicity was assessed by IncuCyte live cell imaging, CellTiter-Glo, and spheroid assays. Cell-cycle profiles were determined using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. DNA damage was examined by γH2AX expression and comet assay. Inhibition of metastatic potential by kt-3283 was evaluated via ex vivo pulmonary metastasis assay (PuMA). RESULTS: Compared with FDA-approved PARP (olaparib) and HDAC (vorinostat) inhibitors, kt-3283 displayed enhanced cytotoxicity in Ewing sarcoma models. The kt-3283-induced cytotoxicity was associated with strong S and G2-M cell-cycle arrest in nanomolar concentration range and elevated DNA damage as assessed by γH2AX tracking and comet assays. In three-dimensional spheroid models of Ewing sarcoma, kt-3283 showed efficacy in lower concentrations than olaparib and vorinostat, and kt-3283 inhibited colonization of Ewing sarcoma cells in the ex vivo PuMA model. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the preclinical justification for studying the benefit of dual PARP and HDAC inhibition in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma in a clinical trial and provides proof-of-concept for a bifunctional single-molecule therapeutic strategy.