The underlying neuropsychological and neural correlates of the impaired Chinese reading skills in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Impaired basic academic skills (e.g., word recognition) are common in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The underlying neuropsychological and neural correlates of impaired Chinese reading skills in children with ADHD have not been substantially explored. Three hundred and two children with ADHD (all medication-naïve) and 105 healthy controls underwent the Chinese language skill assessment, and 175 also underwent fMRI scans (84 ADHD and 91 controls). Between-group and mediation analyses were applied to explore the interrelationships of the diagnosis of ADHD, cognitive dysfunction, and impaired reading skills. Five ADHD-related brain functional networks, including the default mode network (DMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN), were built using predefined regions of interest. Voxel-based group-wise comparisons were performed. The ADHD group performed worse than the control group in word-level reading ability tests, with lower scores in Chinese character recognition (CR) and word chains (WS) (all P < 0.05). With full-scale IQ and sustained attention in the mediation model, the direct effect of ADHD status on the CR score became insignificant (P = 0.066). The underlying neural correlates for the orthographic knowledge (OT) and CR differed between the ADHD and the control group. The ADHD group tended to recruit more DMN regions to maintain their reading performance, while the control group seemed to utilize more DAN regions. Children with ADHD generally presented impaired word-level reading skills, which might be caused by impaired sustained attention and lower IQ. According to the brain functional results, we infer that ADHD children might utilize a different strategy to maintain their orthographic knowledge and character recognition performance.

Integrated transcriptome, proteome and single-cell sequencing uncover the prognostic and immunological features of colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor in pan-cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R) has been demonstrated to be associated with various hematological tumors, especially chronic neutrophilic leukemia; however, the detailed roles of CSF3R in other cancers remain to be explored. METHODS: In the present study, we systematically analyzed the expression profiles of CSF3R in pan-cancer by comprehensive bioinformatics databases, such as Tumor Immune Estimation Resource, version 2 (TIMER2.0), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, version 2 (GEPIA2.0), etc. GEPIA2.0 was also used to analyze the relationship between CSF3R expression and patients' survival prognosis. RESULTS: We found that the high expression of CSF3R was associated with a poor prognosis in the brain tumor patients, such as brain lower grade glioma and glioblastoma multiforme. In addition, we further investigated the genetic mutation and DNA methylation level of CSF3R in multiple cancers. Immune infiltration analysis showed that CSF3R expression was positively correlated with a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in most cancers. Single cell sequencing indicated that CSF3R levels were correlated with several cancer-associated pathways, such as DNA damage, cell invasion, and stemness. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the role of CSF3R in multiple cancers might reveal its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer patients.

Specific brain imaging alterations underlying autistic traits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autistic traits (ATs) are frequently reported in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to examine ATs in children with ADHD from both behavioral and neuroimaging perspectives. METHODS: We used the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) to assess and define subjects with and without ATs. For behavioral analyses, 67 children with ADHD and ATs (ADHD + ATs), 105 children with ADHD but without ATs (ADHD - ATs), and 44 typically developing healthy controls without ATs (HC - ATs) were recruited. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data and analyzed the mean amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mALFF) values (an approach used to depict different spontaneous brain activities) in a sub-sample. The imaging features that were shared between ATs and ADHD symptoms or that were unique to one or the other set of symptoms were illustrated as a way to explore the "brain-behavior" relationship. RESULTS: Compared to ADHD-ATs, the ADHD + ATs group showed more global impairment in all aspects of autistic symptoms and higher hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI). Partial-correlation analysis indicated that HI was significantly positively correlated with all aspects of ATs in ADHD. Imaging analyses indicated that mALFF values in the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), left parietal lobe (PL)/precuneus, and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) might be specifically related to ADHD, while those in the right MTG might be more closely associated with ATs. Furthermore, altered mALFF in the right PL/precuneus correlated with both ADHD and ATs, albeit in diverse directions. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of ATs in children with ADHD manifested as different behavioral characteristics and specific brain functional alterations. Assessing ATs in children with ADHD could help us understand the heterogeneity of ADHD, further explore its pathogenesis, and promote clinical interventions.

Association between oppositional defiant disorder and parenting style in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. / æ³¨æ„ç¼ºé™·å¤šåŠ¨éšœç¢å„¿ç«¥å ±æ‚£å¯¹ç«‹è¿æŠ—æ€§éšœç¢ä¸Žçˆ¶æ¯å »è‚²æ–¹å¼çš„ç›¸å ³æ€§.

OBJECTIVES: To study the association between oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and parenting style in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: A case-control study was performed on 482 children with ADHD, among whom 322 did not have ODD (simple ADHD group) and 160 had ODD (ADHD+ODD group). General demographic data and the Parenting Style Scale assessment scores were collected from the two groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between parenting style and ODD in children with ADHD. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in parenting style scores (including rejection factor, emotional warmth factor, overprotection factor, and preference factor) and general demographic data between the simple ADHD and ADHD+ODD groups (P>0.05). Among the children with the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD, the older the child or the lower the father's educational level, the higher the risk of ODD (P<0.05), while there was no significant association between parenting style and the development of ODD (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Parenting style is not significantly associated with the development of ODD in children with ADHD. In clinical practice, it is necessary to eliminate the stereotype that the parents of children with ADHD and comorbid ODD have a poor parenting style and look for the causes of development of ODD from multiple perspectives, so as to provide reasonable intervention recommendations.

Internet addiction mediates the association between cyber victimization and psychological and physical symptoms:moderation by physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: The potential mechanisms underlying cyber victimization and the resulting psychological and physical symptoms remain unclear. Thus, the present study investigated whether Internet addiction mediates the association between peer victimization (e.g., cyberbullying) and psychological and physical symptoms. Furthermore, it was assessed whether physical exercise moderates the hypothetical mediation. METHODS: 1854 students from 11 middle and high schools in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, were sampled for this study. Psychological and physical symptoms were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, while Internet addiction was evaluated using the Internet addiction test by Young. Cyber victimization was measured using a single question. In addition, this study examined whether Internet addiction mediated the association between cyber victimization and both psychological and physical symptoms. Additional work was conducted to test if physical exercise played a moderating role in the mediation hypothesized above. Mediation and moderation were analyzed using PROCESS macro for SPSS. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that both cyber victimization (ß = - 0.102, p < 0.05) and Internet addiction (ß = - 0.278, p < 0.05) significantly predicted psychological and physical symptoms and demographic variables were controlled. Further mediation analysis suggested that Internet addiction mediated the relationship between cyber victimization and psychological and physical symptoms. The 95% CI (confidence interval) of the direct effect was (- 4.283, - 1.696) and the indirect effect (- 1.904, - 0.820), respectively, excluding zero. Finally, moderation analysis indicated that physical exercise moderated the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological and physical symptoms (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Internet addiction plays a mediating role in the association between cyber victimization and both psychological and physical symptoms, Thus, addressing Internet addiction among cyberbullying victims is worthwhile. Furthermore, physical exercise alleviates negative impacts on health and should thus be promoted.

[Experts consensus statement on Qilong Capsules in clinical practice].

Qilong Capsules is the representative Chinese patent medicine of the theory of " invigorating Qi and activating blood circulation" in traditional Chinese medicine( TCM),with distinct characteristics of TCM in clinical application. Qilong Capsules indication on package insert is ischemic stroke( cerebral infarction),which is a complex disease and has many pathological links. The treatment principles and methods at various stages are different. Inappropriate time of intervention,dosage and course of treatment make it difficult to give full play to the efficacy,but also cause adverse reactions,such as bleeding. In order to promote the rational use of Qilong Capsules,the project team invited frontline clinical experts,pharmaceutical experts and methodologist of evidence-based medicine around China to develop the consensus. The consensus is based on a combination of clinical research evidence and expert experi-ence to give recommendations for clinical problems with evidence support and expert consensus suggestions for clinical problems without evidence support. The consensus recommends the indication,timing of intervention,dosage,course of treatment,combined medication and contraindications of Qilong Capsules in clinical application,and introduced its safety characteristics,in order to guide clinical medical workers( involving Chinese medicine,Western medicine,combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine) to use Qilong Capsules reasonably in the treatment of cerebral infarction.

Antipsychotic polypharmacy and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China.

OBJECTIVE: In China, maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by primary care physicians, but their prescribing patterns have not been studied. This study examined the frequency as well as demographic and clinical correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. METHOD: A total of 623 community-dwelling patients from 18 randomly selected primary care services were interviewed. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, including number of hospitalizations, antipsychotic drug-induced side effects, and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. RESULTS: The rate of APP prescription was 31% (193/623). Of the patients on APP, 89.6% received 2 antipsychotics, 10.4% received 3 or more antipsychotics. Clozapine (35.6%) was the most commonly prescribed second generation antipsychotic (SGA), while perphenazine (17.8%) was the most commonly prescribed first generation antipsychotic (FGA). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that patients on APP were more likely to receive SGAs and anticholinergics, had fewer hospitalizations, younger age of onset, and higher doses of antipsychotics. There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the QOL domains. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately a third of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in primary care receive APP. Further examination of the rationale and appropriateness of APP and its alternatives is warranted.

Electroconvulsive Therapy Alone for Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Randomized, Single-blind, Controlled Trials [RETRACTED].

PURPOSE: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a common treatment in practice for schizophrenia in most developing countries. This is a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of ECT alone versus antipsychotic (AP) monotherapy for schizophrenia using randomized, single-blind, controlled trial (RCT) data. METHODS: Two assessors independently extracted data. Standardized and weighted mean difference (SMD/WMD), odds ratios (ORs) ± 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and number needed to harm (NNH) were calculated by Review Manager Version 5.3 and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 software. RESULTS: Five RCTs (n = 365; age, 34.1 ± 4.7 years; percentage of male, 52.8 ± 9.5; range on the Jaded scale, 2-3) were identified and analyzed. Electroconvulsive therapy alone was superior to AP monotherapy with chlorpromazine, haloperidol, paliperidone, clozapine, and risperidone, respectively, regarding symptomatic improvement at last-observation end point (SMD, -0.84; P = 0.02; I = 89%). Improvement with ECT separated from AP as early as weeks 1 to 2 (SMD, -1.26; P = 0.01; I = 89%). Meta-analysis of the end point memory quotient of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, Chinese version, revealed that the ECT alone group had poorer memory performance than the AP group (WMD, -9.34; P < 0.00001; I = 0%), but the difference lost its significance within 2 weeks after ECT (WMD, 0.09 to -6.54; P = 0.11-0.97; I = 0%). Compared with AP monotherapy, ECT was associated with more memory impairment (OR, 14.11; P = 0.004; NNH, 6) but with less akathisia (OR, 0.06; P = 0.0009; NNH, 6), tremor (OR, 0.08; P = 0.02; NNH, 7), and tachycardia (OR, 0.06; P = 0.006; NNH, 5). There were no significant differences in other adverse events and all-cause discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Electroconvulsive therapy alone could be an effective and safe treatment option for schizophrenia, with transient memory impairment and headache being the major side effects.

Adjunctive Electroconvulsive Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Rater-Masked Controlled Trials [RETRACTED].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the efficacy and safety of adjunctive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) when combined with antipsychotics (APs) versus AP therapy for schizophrenia and related disorders during the acute phase. METHODS: Two evaluators independently selected studies, extracted data, and conducted quality assessment and data synthesis. Standardized and weighted mean differences (SMD/WMD), risk ratio (RR) ±95% confidence intervals (CIs), number needed to treat (NNT), and number needed to harm (NNH) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-two RCTs (n = 1365, age = 36.9 years, male = 53%), including double-blind (8 RCTs) and rater-masked (14 RCTs) designs, were identified and analyzed. Adjunctive ECT was superior to AP therapy regarding (1) symptomatic improvement at last-observation endpoint (standardized mean difference, -0.67; P < 0.00001; I = 79%); (2) study-defined response (RR = 1.81, I = 0%, P < 0.00001, NNT = 4) and remission (RR = 2.05, I = 0%, P = 0.0004, NNT = 13); and (3) positive, negative, and general psychopathology subscores (weighted mean difference, -4.01 to -1.79; P = 0.005-0.0001). Results were similar in all preplanned subgroup analyses including Chinese (11 RCTs) versus non-Chinese (7 RCTs) origin, those with a Jadad score 3 or higher (12 RCTs) versus lower than 3 (6 RCTs), and those with clozapine (5 RCTs) versus those with non-clozapine treatments (13 RCTs). Compared with AP therapy, adjunctive ECT AP was significantly associated with more headache (RR = 2.72, P = 0.04, NNH = 5) and memory impairment (RR = 14.24, P = 0.01, NNH = 7). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive ECT seems to be an effective and safe option for schizophrenia and related disorders during acute phases but was associated with transient memory impairment and headaches.

Comorbid Moderate-Severe Depressive Symptoms and their Association with Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia Treated in Primary Care.

This study described the prevalence and correlates of comorbid moderate-severe depressive symptoms (comorbid depression thereafter) and their association with quality of life (QOL) in schizophrenia patients treated in primary care. 623 schizophrenia patients were enrolled. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including comorbid depression [defined as a total score of 18 or above on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] were recorded. Depressive symptoms (defined as a total score of 9 or above on the MADRS) were present in 54.1 % of patients, while 17.7 % had comorbid depression. Analysis of covariance revealed that comorbid depression was significantly associated with lower mental QOL. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that more severe positive and negative symptoms, anxiety symptoms, use of first-generation antipsychotics and antidepressants, were independently associated with comorbid depression. Given the negative association between comorbid depression and QOL, attempts to address comorbid depression in schizophrenia patients treated in primary care should be made.

Use of electroconvulsive therapy in older Chinese psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in older Chinese psychiatric patients. This study examined the frequency of ECT and the demographic and clinical correlates in older psychiatric patients hospitalized in a large psychiatric institution in Beijing, China. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of 2339 inpatients aged 60 years and older treated over a period of 8 years (2007-2013) in a university-affiliated psychiatric institution in Beijing. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the electronic chart management system for discharged patients. RESULTS: The rate of ECT use was 28.1% in the whole sample; 37.9% in those with bipolar disorders, 43.6% in major depression, 21.2% in schizophrenia, and 10.7% in other diagnoses. ECT ("ECT group") was associated with 60-65-year age group, high risk for suicide and low risk for falls at the time of admission, use of mood stabilizers and antidepressants, lack of health insurance, and having major medical conditions and diagnosis of major depression. The above significant correlates explained 24.9% of the variance of ECT use (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a major psychiatric hospital in China, the use of ECT was common among older patients. ECT use in older patients treated in other clinical settings warrants further investigations.

Electroconvulsive therapy and its association with demographic and clinical characteristics in Chinese psychiatric patients.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the frequency of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use in China. This study examined the frequency of ECT and its relationship with demographic and clinical characteristics in a large psychiatric institution in China. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all the 19,982 inpatients aged 18 to 59 years treated during the period of 8 years (2007-2013) in a tertiary psychiatric institution in Beijing. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the electronic chart management system for discharged patients. RESULTS: The frequency of ECT use was 57.7% in the whole sample, 68.4% in bipolar disorders, 66.3% in major depression, 55.2% in schizophrenia, and 28.6% in other psychiatric disorders. Patients who received ECT (ECT group) had shorter length of hospitalization compared with the non-ECT group. In multiple logistic regression analysis, ECT use was independently associated with age younger than 30 years; higher risk for suicide and aggression at time of admission; mood disorders; lower risk for falls; more treatment with antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants; less health insurance coverage and major medical conditions; as well as non-local residency status. Compared with 2007 (35.5%), ECT use significantly increased in the period of 2008 (49.1%) to 2013 (61.9%). All these significant correlates combined explained 20% of the variance of ECT use (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a major psychiatric center in China, the use of ECT was much more common than the figures reported from most countries around the world. Reasons for this difference and variances in outcomes between settings with higher and lower ECT use should be studied.

[Chemical Constituents from Drypetes hainanensis Stems and Leaves].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the stems and leaves in Drypetes hainanensis. METHODS: The constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatography, and the structures were identified by extensive spectral analysis. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as syringaresinol-4-O-glycoside (1), koaburaside (2), abietin (3) syringin (4), kelampayoside A (5), 7,7'-bis-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-8,8'-dihydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuran-4-O-ß-glucopyranoside (6), amentoflavone (7), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8),1,4-di-O-methyl-myo-inositol (9), glycerol (10) and succinic acid (11). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Effect of Naoshuantong capsule on change of SSQOL index in patients with ischemic stroke in six mouths follow-up].

To evaluate the effect of Naoshuantong capsule on the life quality of patients with ischemic stroke in six months of follow-up studies, and observe the adverse events. The results would provide reference for the secondary prevention on the recovery stage of ischemic stroke. 696 patients from 12 Class III Grade I hospitals nationwide were divided into 2 groups by central randomization system. The study group, 344 cases, were treated with Naoshuantong capsule plus Aspirin, and the control group, 352 cases, were treated with Aspirin. The patients were treated for 6 months. At the end of treatment, SS-QOL used for evaluating the quality of life was observed. The safety index was defined by adverse observation event. The incidence of adverse events and laboratory tests results were observed before and after treatment at the same time. The results indicated that compared to the control group, the treatment group had significant statistical difference in the impact of effort, self-care ability and the the work or labor ability of patients (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed. Naoshuantong capsule showed some superiority to Asprin on improving the quality of life on patients with ischemic stroke, and it could be used in secondary prevention on the recovery stage of ischemic stroke. Naoshuantong capsule is safe and effective in the treatment of convalescence ischemic stroke.

Salidroside inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells through up-regulating tumor suppressor miR-1343-3p and down-regulating MAP3K6/MMP24 signal molecules.

Salidroside inhibited the proliferation of cancer cell. Nevertheless, the mechanism has not been completely clarified. The purpose of the study is to explore the mechanisms of salidroside against gastric cancer. To analyze the changes of microRNA (miRNA) in gastric cancer cells under the treatment of salidroside, the miRNA expression was analyzed by using RNA-seq in cancer cells for 24 h after salidroside treatment. The differentially expressed miRNAs were clustered and their target genes were analyzed. Selected miRNA and target mRNA genes were further verified by q-PCR. The expressions of target genes in cancer cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. Cancer cell apoptotic index was significantly increased after salidroside treatment. The proliferation of gastric cancer cells were blocked at S-phase cell cycle. The expression of 44 miRNAs changed differentially after salidroside treatment in cancer cells. Bioinformatic analysis showed that there were 1384 target mRNAs corresponding to the differentially expressed miRNAs. Surprisingly, salidroside significantly up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor miR-1343-3p, and down-regulated the expression of MAP3K6, STAT3 and MMP24-related genes. Salidroside suppressed the growth of gastric cancer by inducing the cancer cell apoptosis, arresting the cancer cell cycle and down-regulating the related signal transduction pathways. miRNAs are expressed differentially in gastric cancer cells after salidroside treatment, playing important roles in regulating proliferation and metastasis. Salidroside may suppress the growth of gastric cancer by up-regulating the expression of the tumor suppressor miR-1343-3p and down-regulating the expression of MAP3K6 and MMP24 signal molecules.

[Difference between the cognitive and control ability and the responsibility in forensic psychiatry evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the difference between the cognitive and control ability and the responsibility in forensic psychiatry evaluation. METHODS: To compare the results of the responsibility evaluation from 2001.1 to 2006.10 (the first period) with that of the cognitive and control ability evaluation from 2006.11 to 2010.10 (the second period). The admissibility opinions on court judgment and evaluation were investigated by return visit. The legal professions' opinions on forensic psychiatric issues from the police office, the procuratorate, the court, and the judiciary were investigated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of the criminal types between two periods (P > 0.05). There was significant difference of the diagnostic types between two periods (P < 0.05). The proportion of normal range and part loss of the cognitive and control ability in the second period were higher than that in the first period, but the proportion of complete loss of the cognitive and control ability in the second period was lower than that in the first period (P < 0.05). Among the legal professions, 70.5% of them thought that "the evaluation of cognitive and control ability" was different from "the evaluation of criminal responsibility" and 94.9% of them thought that "to confirm the influence of the forensic psychiatric evaluation of mental disorder on the crime behavior" or "to assess of cognitive and control ability" met requirements of normative judicial expertise. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of cognitive and control ability is more aligned with legal requirements and behavioral norms of own subject than the evaluation of responsibility.

Long noncoding RNAs, glucose metabolism and cancer (Review).

Cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, which, despite numerous advances over several decades, remains a challenge to treat that challenging to detect at an early stage or treat during the later stages. Long noncoding RNAs are >200 nucleotides long and do not possess protein-coding capacity, instead regulating cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, maturation, apoptosis, metastasis, and sugar metabolism. Several studies have shown the role of lncRNAs and glucose metabolism in regulating several key glycolytic enzymes and the activity of multiple functional signaling pathways during tumor progression. Thus, it is possible to further learn about the effects of lncRNA and glycolytic metabolism on tumor diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis through a thorough investigation of the lncRNA expression profiles and glycolytic metabolism in tumors. This may provide a novel strategy for improving the management of several types of cancer.

Long non­coding RNAs, lipid metabolism and cancer (Review).

Cancer has emerged as the most common cause of death in China. The change in lipid metabolism has been confirmed to have a role in several tumor types, such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal and liver cancer. Cancer cells use lipid metabolism for energy and then rapidly proliferate, invade and migrate. The main pathway by which cancer cell lipid metabolism influences cancer progression is increased fatty acid synthesis. Long non-coding (lnc)RNAs are important ncRNAs that were indicated to have significant roles in the development of human tumors. They are considered potential tumor biomarkers. Increased lipid synthesis or uptake due to deregulation of lncRNAs contributes to rapid tumor growth. In the present review, current studies on the relationship between lncRNAs, lipid metabolism and the occurrence and development of tumors were collated and summarized, and their mechanism of action was discussed. The review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for tumor treatment and prognosis evaluation based on the effective regulation of lncRNAs and lipid metabolism.

Curcumin induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of STAT3/VEGF/HIF-1α signaling.

Curcumin is the most abundant derivative of turmeric rhizome. Although studies have proved that curcumin could inhibit the growth of tumors, its specific molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to systematically elaborate the mechanisms of curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of curcumin was determined by the cell viability test. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the cell cycle and the apoptosis of cancer cells, and the cancer cell migration was detected by wound healing experiments. The expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in cancer cells were examined by immunostaining and analyzed by the Image J analysis system. After treatment with curcumin, the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells increased significantly (P < 0.05). The proliferation of cancer cells was arrested at the S-phase cell cycle, and the migration of cancer cells was inhibited by the increasing concentration of curcumin, together with the decreasing expressions of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways. The results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, blocking the cancer cell cycle in the S phase, and reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways.

Computer-based multiple component cognitive training in children with ADHD: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: ADHD is associated with deficits in executive functions. Cognitive training is a promising nonpharmacological intervention for ADHD, however, there is insufficient evidence to guide the selection of training for individuals with ADHD. This pilot study aims to investigate the efficacy of executive function training targeting key executive dysfunctions in ADHD, compared with general executive function training which targets other executive functions. METHODS: A total of 127 subjects (6-12 years) diagnosed with ADHD were allocated to receive one of two different cognitive trainings. ADHD symptoms and cognitive functions were evaluated using parent-rated scales and CANTAB cognitive assessments. All participants were required to complete 48 training sessions within a two-month period. RESULTS: 94 out of 127 children completed the required training and assessments. Both ADHD executive function training group and general executive function training group showed significant improvement in ADHD symptoms on the ADHD Rating Scale and in executive function on the assessment of CANTAB. There was no significant difference in improvements between the two groups. Subgroup analysis suggested that children who had ADHD-RS total scores less than or equal to 28 at baseline showed greater improvement following ADHD executive function training. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that cognitive training can improve ADHD symptoms and executive function, with no difference in efficacy between targeted and generalized cognitive training. In addition, individuals with lower symptom severity may benefit more from training targeting key ADHD executive dysfunctions.