Selenium supplementation for polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The efficacy of selenium supplementation was elusive for polycystic ovary syndrome. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the efficacy of selenium supplementation for polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, Cochrane library database, CNKI, Chongqing VIP database and Wanfang databases have been searched through July 2022 and we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effect of selenium supplementation versus placebo in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Results: Five RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo group for polycystic ovary syndrome, selenium supplementation was associated with significantly reduced total testosterone (SMD=-0.42; 95% CI=-0.78 to -0.06; p = 0.02) and cholesterol (SMD=-0.71; 95% CI=-1.41 to -0.02; p = 0.04), but revealed no remarkable influence on SHBG (SMD=-0.52; 95% CI=-1.29 to 0.25; p = 0.19), triglyceride (SMD=-1.45; 95% CI=-3.62 to 0.73; p = 0.19), LDL (SMD=-0.17; 95% CI=-0.72 to 0.37; p = 0.53), FPG (SMD=-0.95; 95% CI=-3.72 to 1.82; p = 0.50) or HOMA-IR (SMD=-0.51; 95% CI=-3.79 to 2.77; p = 0.76). Conclusions: Selenium supplementation may be able to improve the metabolic response for polycystic ovary syndrome, and this finding should be interpreted with caution.

Gint4.T-Modified DNA Tetrahedrons Loaded with Doxorubicin Inhibits Glioma Cell Proliferation by Targeting PDGFRß.

Glioma is one of the deadliest intrinsic brain tumours due to its invasive growth. The effect of glioma treatment is poor because of the presence of the blood-brain barrier and blood tumour barrier and insufficient drug targeting. DNA tetrahedrons (TDN) show great potential for drug delivery and may be a novel therapeutic strategy for glioma. In this study, we used TDN to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) for the glioma therapy. Gint4.T, an aptamer that could recognize platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß on tumour cell, was used to modify TDN (Apt-TDN) for targeted drug delivery. The TDN were self-assembled by one-step synthesis, which showed small size (10 nm) and negative charge. Fetal bovine serum test showed its stability as a drug delivery vehicle. Apt-TDN could be effectively taken up by U87MG cells. Compared with DOX and DOX@TDN (TDN loaded with DOX), the DOX@Apt-TDN (Gint4.T-modified TDN loaded with DOX) showed more early apoptosis rate, higher cell cycle arrest, and greater cytotoxicity towards U87MG cells. In conclusion, our findings indicated that DOX@Apt-TDN provides a novel therapy with promising clinical application for gliomas patients.

A survey of the perceived risk for stroke among community residents in western urban China.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Persons who perceive their risk for stroke can promote the intervention of stroke risk factors and reduce the risk of stroke occurrence. Our purpose was to assess the knowledge of stroke risk factors and the level of perceived risk for stroke. METHODS: In 2011, a population-based face-to-face interview survey was conducted in Yuzhong district, Chongqing. A total of 1500 potential participants aged ≥18 years old were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The knowledge of stroke risk factors and perceived risk for stroke was surveyed. RESULTS: A total of 941 participants completed the questionnaire survey. The respondents' awareness rate of stroke risk factors ranged between 53.3% and 87.2%. The community residents' perceived risk for stroke was only 17.7%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 45-64 years age group, a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and stroke were independent predictors of perceived risk for stroke. Perceived risk for stroke increased as the number of risk factors increased (P<0.001). However, even for respondents with three or more risk factors, only 41% perceived themselves to be at risk for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based survey, few community residents perceived risk for stroke, even among those with multiple stroke risk factors, most did not perceive themselves to be at risk for stroke. Persons with 45-64 years old, a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease or stroke were more likely to perceive risk for stroke. The awareness of the risk for stroke has yet to be enhanced among community residents.