Exploring the oncogenic potential of circSOD2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a novel positive feedback loop.

Background: Existing studies have found that circular RNAs (circRNAs) act as sponges for micro RNAs (miRNAs) to control downstream genes. However, the specific functionalities and mechanisms of circRNAs in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Methods: Patient cohorts from online databases were used to screen candidate circRNAs, while another cohort from our hospital was obtained for validation.

Brain structural alterations in internet gaming disorder: Focus on the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system.

Aims: This study aimed to identify gray/white matter volume (GMV/WMV) alterations in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), with a special focus on the subregions of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and their clinical association.

Results: Compared with healthy controls, IGDs showed bigger GMV in the bilateral caudate and the left nucleus accumbens (NAc), and bigger WMV in the inferior parietal lobule. The comparison of regions of interest (ROI) confirmed increased GMV in the bilateral caudate (including the dorsal anterior, body, and tail) and the left core of NAc in IGD, but no significant WMV alterations in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system.

Small Molecule Epigenetic Modulators in Pure Chemical Cell Fate Conversion.

Although innovative technologies for somatic cell reprogramming and transdifferentiation provide new strategies for the research of translational medicine, including disease modeling, drug screening, artificial organ development, and cell therapy, recipient safety remains a concern due to the use of exogenous transcription factors during induction. To resolve this problem, new induction approaches containing clinically applicable small molecules have been explored. Small molecule epigenetic modulators such as DNA methylation writer inhibitors, histone methylation writer inhibitors, histone acylation reader inhibitors, and histone acetylation eraser inhibitors could overcome epigenetic barriers during cell fate conversion.

Patients With Drug-Naive Bipolar Disorder in Remission After 8 Weeks of Treatment Had Decreased Serum Uric Acid Concentrations.

Evidence indicates that the serum concentration of uric acid (UA) in patients may relate both to the pathophysiology and therapeutics of bipolar disorder (BPD). The purpose of this study was to examine the changes and clinical significance of serum UA concentrations in first-episode manic patients suffering from BPD. Seventy-six drug-naive patients with first-episode bipolar mania and 76 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were recruited.

Perception of social support and psychotic symptoms among persons with schizophrenia: A strategy to lessen caregiver burden.

Background: Improving patients' perception of social support is significant not only for their re-adaptation to life but also for alleviating caregivers' burden.

Aim: This study aims to examine an integrated model regarding social support, psychotic symptoms and caregiver burden.

Methods: Persons with schizophrenia ( = 300) and their family caregivers ( = 300) in Xinjin County, Chengdu, China, completed the survey to report their demographics, patients' perception of social support (Duke Social Support Index), psychotic symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and caregiver burden (Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, Short Version).

Effects of chronic cocaine exposure on the circadian rhythmic expression of the clock genes in reward-related brain areas in rats.

Drug addiction is a widespread social problem, which not only brings adverse consequences to the human body, but also causes great burden to the society. However, it's still unclear how the long-term and sustained cocaine exposure will affect clock genes' expression in the reward related brain areas. We hypothesize that chronic cocaine exposure causes changes in the circadian rhythmic expression of clock genes in brain regions associated with reward, since previous studies have shown that cocaine use causes circadian disorders.

Elevated Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Free Fatty Acid Levels Are Associated with Unfavorable Functional Outcome in Subjects with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) free fatty acid (FFA) levels in a cohort of patients with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In a prospective study, FFA levels were measured using an enzyme cycling method on admission in serum and CSF of 252 consecutive patients with AIS. The prognostic value of FFA to predict the functional outcome and mortality within 90-day was compared with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and with other known outcome predictors.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of serum CXCL12 levels in patients with ischemic stroke.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of CXC chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12) in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). All consecutive patients with first-ever AIS from January 2014 to August 2014 were recruited to participate in the study. CXCL12 and NIH Stroke Scale were measured at the time of admission.

[The effect of equilibrium psychological intervention in wounded patients in Lushan earthquake].

Objective: To investigate the early psychological effect of the equilibrium psychological intervention on the person who were injured in the disaster incident.

Methods: The equilibrium psychological intervention was used to the injured person in the Lushan earthquake during the early period. The GHQ-12, HAMA and HAMD were used before and after the evaluation.

[Quality of life of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders].

Objective: To assess the quality of life of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Methods: The PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales (Chinese Version) were administered to 73 ADHD children and 98 gender and age-matched healthy children.

[A cross-sectional investigation on eating disorders in 1486 female students from universities, senior high schools and junior high schools in Chengdu].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of eating disorders and its correlated factors in female students of universities, senior high schools and junior high schools.

Methods: A total of 1486 female students took part in the study. They were sampled by optimum distributing delaminating grouping method, representing the female students in 6 universities and 8 high schools in the 5 urban areas in Chengdu.