Non-solvent cinnamic acid-based gel patch for transdermal drug delivery.

Introduction: Drugs entitled polymeric network special functions in bio-applications. However, the introduction of appropriate solvent for drugs generally incurred tedious inclusion methods, intensive chemical design and aging caused by solvent loss. Herein, a novel non-solvent gel system was proposed for water-insoluble drug loading and subsequent controlled transdermal drug release.

Prevalence and risk factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms and functional constipation among university students in Eastern China.

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among university students worldwide, often coexisting with functional constipation (FC). Family relationships have been identified as crucial factors affecting mental health, yet the gender-specific associations between these conditions remain underexplored.

Aim: To assess prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and FC among Chinese university students and explore their associations.

Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis using crystalline porous materials.

Asymmetric catalysis has emerged as a pivotal strategy in the synthesis of chiral compounds, offering significant advantages in selectivity and efficiency. In recent years, heterogeneous catalysis has become a focal point in the fields of organic synthesis and materials science due to continuous advancements in science and technology, especially the use of crystalline porous materials (CPMs) as catalysts. This review summarizes recent advances in using CPMs, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and zeolites, as promising supports for asymmetric catalysts.

Designing novel tridentate iridium(III) complexes comprising functionalized benzothiazole ligands to improve anticancer activity by targeting mitochondria.

In recent years, organo‑iridium anticancer agents have shown promising antitumor activity toward cancer cells. In this paper, two benzothiazole-based tridentate ligands, 2,2'-(5-(tert-butyl)-1,3-phenylene)bis(benzo[d]thiazole) (L) and 2,2'-(5-(methyl)-1,3-phenylene)bis(benzo[d]thiazole) (L), have been designed and synthesized, and then combined with 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ancillary ligands to form a series of novel [Ir(N^C^N)(N^N)Cl]-type iridium(III) complexes (Ir1-Ir4). The phosphorescence properties of these complexes facilitate the visualization of their subcellular localization and interactions with other biomolecules.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia and patients with normal lower-esophageal-sphincter integrated relaxation pressure: A propensity-score-matched retrospective study.

Background: Most patients who were included in previous studies on achalasia had increased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been confirmed to be effective at relieving the clinical symptoms of achalasia associated with increased LES pressure.

Aim: To identify the safety and efficacy of POEM for patients with normal LES integrated relaxation pressure (LES-IRP).

Maternal oxygen inhalation affects the fetal hemodynamic in low-risk with uncomplicated late pregnancy.

Background: Maternal oxygen inhalation during labor has not been shown to provide significant benefits to newborns. However, its impact on fetal hemodynamics in late pregnancy remains uncertain.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal oxygen inhalation in the late trimester and changes in fetal hemodynamics.

Update on the roles and applications of extracellular vesicles in depression.

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that affects numerous individuals, manifesting as persistent anhedonia, sadness, and hopelessness. Despite extensive research, the exact causes and optimal treatment approaches for depression remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry biological molecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites, have emerged as crucial players in both pathological and physiological processes.

Association between self-reported sleep apnea and albuminuria among middle age and elderly population: Results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The prevalence of both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and albuminuria increase with advanced age. The data on the association between OSA and albuminuria in subjects with advanced age were limited. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the association between sleep apnea (SA) and albuminuria in middle age and elderly population.

Efficacy of medical thoracoscopy combined with fibrinolytic therapy in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and feasibility of medical thoracoscopy combined with fibrinolytic therapy for the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema, with a focus on therapeutic outcomes and recovery duration.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 108 patients treated at Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, between January 2015 and May 2024. Patients were categorized into two groups: the medical thoracoscopy group (n = 33) and the traditional treatment group (n = 75).

Massive endobronchial hemorrhage leading to Cardiac arrest during EBUS-TBNA: a case of successful resuscitation.

Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is commonly used for diagnosing mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Despite a low complication rate, severe hemorrhage can occur which is reported in this literature, particularly in hypervascular conditions like Castleman disease.

Methods: A 54-year-old male with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease underwent EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal lymph node sampling.

Major depressive disorder is associated with mitochondrial T14502C mutation in two Han Chinese families.

Background: Globally, the World Health Organization ranks major depressive disorder (MDD) as the leading cause of disability. However, MDD molecular etiology is still poorly understood.

Aim: To explore the possible association between mitochondrial T14502C mutation and MDD.

Causal associations of obstructive sleep apnea with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: a Mendelian Randomization study.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the causal relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs), employing Mendelian Randomization (MR) to overcome limitations inherent in observational studies.

Methods: Utilizing a two-sample MR approach, this study analyzed genetic variants as instrumental variables to investigate the causal link between OSA and various CRDs, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data were sourced from the FinnGen Consortium (OSA, n = 375,657) and UK Biobank, focusing on genome-wide associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the diseases.

Efficacy, safety, and serum cytokine modulation by olopatadine hydrochloride and desloratadine citrate disodium combination therapy in urticaria.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on serum cytokines of olopatadine hydrochloride (OLP) combined with desloratadine citrate disodium (DES) in treating urticaria.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 114 urticaria patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xinyang Vocational and Technical College from March 2020 to March 2023. The control group (55 patients) received DES, while the research group (59 patients) received OLP+DES combination therapy.

Association of serum interleukin-6 with negative symptoms in stable early-onset schizophrenia.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. However, there was no study concerning the relationship between IL-6 concentrations and clinical features in the chronic phase of early-onset schizophrenia (EOS).

Aim: To investigate the relationship between serum IL-6 concentration and the clinical features of EOS.

Transforming waste into valuables: Preparation and evaluation of dual-ligand hydrophobic charge-induction chromatography using two poor performing ligands.

In conventional chromatographic ligand screening, underperforming ligands are often dismissed. However, this practice may inadvertently overlook potential opportunities. This study aims to investigate whether these underperforming ligands can be repurposed as valuable assets.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate inhibits tumor growth via miR-138 upregulation in intermittent hypoxia-induced xenograft mice.

Purpose: We studied the functions of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (TSA) in inducing tumor growth in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-mimicking intermittent hypoxia (IH) xenograft mice and the underlying potential molecular mechanism.

Methods: RNA sequencing was conducted to screen the differentially expressed microRNAs in cell lines exposed to IH with or without TSA treatment. As part of the 5-week study, we treated xenograft mice with 8-h IH once daily.

Abnormalities of electroencephalography microstates in patients with depression and their association with cognitive function.

Background: A growing number of recent studies have explored underlying activity in the brain by measuring electroencephalography (EEG) in people with depression. However, the consistency of findings on EEG microstates in patients with depression is poor, and few studies have reported the relationship between EEG microstates, cognitive scales, and depression severity scales.

Aim: To investigate the EEG microstate characteristics of patients with depression and their association with cognitive functions.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, sex hormones and cognitive decline in male patients with schizophrenia receiving continuous antipsychotic therapy.

Background: There are systematic differences in clinical features between women and men with schizophrenia (SCZ). The regulation of sex hormones may play a potential role in abnormal neurodevelopment in SCZ. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and sex hormones have complex interacting actions that contribute to the etiology of SCZ.