Thyroid function, renal function, and depression: an association study.

Objective: To investigate the correlations between thyroid function, renal function, and depression. Methods: Clinical data of 67 patients with Major depressive disorder (MDD) and 36 healthy control subjects between 2018 and 2021 were collected to compare thyroid and renal function. Thyroid and renal functions of depressed patients were then correlated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA).Spearman correlation analysis was used to find the correlation between renal function, thyroid function, and depression. A logistic regression was performed to find significant predictors of depression. Results: Triiodothyronine protamine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine protamine (FT3), uric acid, sodium, and anion gap were lower in the MDD group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis of thyroid function, renal function, and factor terms of HAMD in the MDD group suggested that diurnal variation, hopelessness, and depression level were positively correlated with thyrotropin (TSH) (p < 0.05). Cognitive disturbance, retardation, and depression level were negatively correlated with creatinine (p < 0.05). Diurnal variation was negatively correlated with sodium ion (p < 0.01); hopelessness and depression level were positively correlated with chloride ion (p < 0.05); diurnal variation, retardation, and depression level were negatively correlated with anion gap (p < 0.05). Diurnal variation (p < 0.01) and retardation (p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with osmolality. Cognitive disturbance and depression level were positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p < 0.05). In the MDD group, correlation analysis of thyroid function, renal function, and HAMA factor terms suggested that the total HAMA score and anxiety level were positively correlated with chloride ion (p < 0.05); psychic anxiety, total HAMA score, and anxiety level were negatively correlated with anion gap (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a low level of anion gap was an independent risk factor for depression and anxiety levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Low thyroid function and reduced waste metabolized by the kidneys in patients with MDD suggest a low intake and low metabolism in depressed patients. In addition, subtle fluctuations in the anion gap in depressed patients were strongly correlated with the degree of depression and anxiety.

Platelet Parameters, C-Reactive Protein, and Depression: An Association Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the correlation of platelet parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) with depression. METHODS: The clinical data of 61 patients with depression and 30 healthy control subjects were collected to compare the platelet parameters, CRP levels, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups for correlation analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of patients with depression was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy control subjects, and that this difference was more significant in women than in men. Patients with severe depression showed an increased mean platelet volume (MPV) (P < 0.05). In the patients with depression, MPV was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for work and interest, gastrointestinal symptoms, hopelessness, the anxiety/somatization factor, and the hopelessness factor. Platelet count (PLT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for hypochondriasis, and plateletcrit (PCT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for middle insomnia and hypochondriasis. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms as well as hopelessness. Higher CRP levels (P < 0.05) were found in the patients with depression than in the healthy control subjects. Furthermore, in the patients with depression, CRP levels were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for guilt and the cognitive impairment factor. CONCLUSION: Classical platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW) and CRP were shown to be associated with specific depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment factors, including sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypochondriasis, losing interest in work, and despair. These results suggest that both platelet parameters and CRP could be suitable biomarkers for predicting the occurrence and prognosis of depression, thus providing a new target for its treatment.

Eu3+-Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework Hybrid Material as a Sensitive Turn-On Fluorescent Switch for Levofloxacin Monitoring in Serum and Urine.

The research on luminescent lanthanide-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF)-based hybrid materials has not been reported so far. When a straightforward functionalized modification strategy is employed, a chemical stable Eu3+-modified COF hybrid material, Eu@TpPa-1, is first developed. The functional process does not affect the size and shape of TpPa-1, but after the introduction of Eu3+, Eu@TpPa-1 as a fluorescence sensor exhibits a turn-on response toward levofloxacin. Eu3+ plays a bridge role in the whole detection system, and TpPa-1 serves as a host matrix to provide protection for the introduced Eu3+. This reusable sensor shows strong pink-white and yellow emissions toward the high and low concentration ranges of levofloxacin, respectively. It displays excellent sensitivity and fast response to levofloxacin within 1 min, while refraining from the interference of other coexisting species in serum and urine. The good selectivity and high antidisturbance lead Eu@TpPa-1 to be successfully applied in serum and urine systems for sensing levofloxacin.

Triptolide inhibits migration and proliferation of fibroblasts from ileocolonic anastomosis of patients with Crohn's disease via regulating the miR­16­1/HSP70 pathway.

Anastomotic fibrosis is highly likely to lead to reoperation in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Triptolide (TPL) is considered to have anti­inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in a variety of autoimmune diseases, including CD. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of TPL on fibroblasts from strictured ileocolonic anastomosis of patients with CD and its underlying mechanism. Primary fibroblasts were obtained from strictured anastomosis tissue (SAT) samples and matched anastomosis­adjacent normal tissue (NT) samples which were collected from 10 CD patients who underwent reoperation because of anastomotic stricture. Reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT­qPCR) was used to measure miR­16­1 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels. Western blotting was conducted to determine expression of HSP70, collagen I (Col­I), collagen III (Col­III) and α­smooth muscle actin (α­SMA) proteins. Agomir­16­1 and antagomir­16­1 were used to up and downregulate the expression of miR­16­1, respectively. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to inhibit the expression of HSP70. A wound healing assay was performed to measure the migration of fibroblasts. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and 5­bromo­2­deoxyrudidine assays. Cell apoptosis was determined by caspase­3 activity and TUNEL assays. The results demonstrated that the levels of Col­I, Col­III and α­SMA were all significantly upregulated in SAT compared with NT. miR­16­1 levels in the SAT group were significantly compared with the NT group; conversely, the expression levels of HSP70 mRNA and protein in the SAT group were significantly lower compared with the NT group. Next, fibroblasts were treated with TPL to examine its effect on the miR­16­1/HSP70 pathway. The results demonstrated that the elevated expression of miR­16­1 in the SAT group was effectively inhibited by TPL treatment. Compared with the NT group, both the mRNA and protein levels of HSP70 were significantly downregulated in the SAT group cells, while TPL exhibited a strong promoting effect on HSP70 synthesis. Furthermore, upregulation of miR­16­1 reversed the effect of TPL on the miR­16­1/HSP70 pathway in fibroblasts from SAT. Overexpression of miR­16­1 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of TPL treatment on migration, proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM)­associated protein expression of fibroblasts from SAT. Finally, downregulation of miR­16­1 caused similar effects to the fibroblasts as the TPL treatment; however, the inhibitory effects on cell biological functions induced by antagomir­16­1 were all significantly reversed by HSP70 silencing. The present findings indicated that TPL may be a potential therapeutic option for postoperative anastomosis fibrosis of patients with CD. The miR­16­1/HSP70 pathway had a substantial role in the inhibitory effects of TPL on migration, proliferation and ECM synthesis rate of fibroblasts from strictured anastomosis tissues.

Triptolide exerts protective effects against fibrosis following ileocolonic anastomosis by mechanisms involving the miR-16-1/HSP70 pathway in IL-10-deficient mice.

Surgeries, particularly ileocecal resection (ICR), are often required in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). However, recurrences are common for patients who undergo ICR, and anastomotic fibrosis is the main cause of re-operation. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of triptolide (TPL) in ameliorating fibrosis following ileocolonic anastomosis. A model of IL­10­/­ mice undergoing ICR was used to study postsurgical inflammation and fibrosis of anastomosis. For this purpsose, interleukin (IL)­10­/­ mice were randomly divided into 3 groups as follows: the control group, the saline­treated group subjected to ICR (ST­ICR) and the TPL­treated group subjected to ICR (TT­ICR). Wild­type (WT) mice of matching ages were assigned to the WT group. The effects of TPL treatment on ileocolonic anastomosis were determined by histopathological evaluation, western blot analysis and ELISA. The analysis of the effects of TPL treatment on microRNA­16­1 (miR­16­1) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression was carried out by RT­qPCR and western blot analysis. Compared with the control group, significantly higher inflammation scores following anastomosis were observed in the ST­ICR group (P<0.05), although reversion was observed in the TT­ICR group, which was consistent with changes in the area of CD4+ cell infiltration. The elevated fibrosis scores and the overexpression of procollagen I and III in the ST­ICR group were all inhibited by TPL. With an increase in the severity of inflammation and fibrosis, the levels of IL­6, tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α) and transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) increased; however, a significant decrease in these levels was observed following treatment with TPL (P<0.05). The results of RT­qPCR revealed that the upregulated miR­16­1 levels in the ST­ICR group were significantly reduced by TPL. HSP70, which can be inhibited by miR-16-1, ameliorates anastomotic inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, the present study demonstrates that TPL exerts a protective effect against fibrosis following anastomosis in CD. The miR­16­1/HSP70 signaling pathway, which can be regulated by TPL, may thus represent a novel therapeutic option in CD that deserves further investigation.

Application of Nanostructures in Electrochromic Materials and Devices: Recent Progress.

The recent progress in application of nanostructures in electrochromic materials and devices is reviewed. ZnO nanowire array modified by viologen and WO3, crystalline WO3 nanoparticles and nanorods, mesoporous WO3 and TiO2, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanotubes, Prussian blue nanoinks and nanostructures in switchable mirrors are reviewed. The electrochromic properties were significantly enhanced by applying nanostructures, resulting in faster switching responses, higher stability and higher optical contrast. A perspective on the development trends in electrochromic materials and devices is also proposed.

[Synthesis and spectrum of some 5-furanyl-1-benzothiazoyl pyrazoline compounds with fluorescence].

Pyrazoline derivatives have been investigated in many aspects due to their blue light emission with high quantum yield, ready accessibility, and easily being used as carrier transporting as well as emitting materials. According to Schellhammer theory of the relation between chemical structure and fluorescent quality, we designed some new fluorescent compounds with the benzothiazoyl group in the 1-pyrazoline, the derivatives of phenyl in the 3-pyrazoline and the furan in the 5-pyrazoline, and they possess fluorescent nature. In addition, the results of our research have shown that the benzothiazoyl derivatives can also be used for electroluminescence devices. Several benzothiazoyl pyrazoline compounds were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, fluorescence spectrum and elementary analysis. The fluorescence spectra showed that these compounds have good fluorescence. The fluorescence emission wavelengths are about 440-460 nm, and the fluorescence intensity is related to the substituent of the compounds.

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 in the plasma and hematoma fluid of intracerebral hemorrhage patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 played in secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Hematoma fluid and peripheral blood samples were collected from 60 ICH patients, 34 males and 26 females, aged 60 +/- 13 (37 - 81) n the days 1, 4, and 7 after evacuation of hematoma. Peripheral blood samples were collected form. 30 sex, and age-matched healthy adults as normal controls. Cerebrospinal fluid (SCF) samples were collected from 10 sex, and age-matched patients to undergo operation during lumbar anesthesia. ELISA was used to detect the content of MMP-9. Tada formula was used to calculate the perihematomal edema volume. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHHS) and Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) were used to assess the condition of patients. RESULTS: (1) The MMP-9 levels in the plasma and hematoma fluid of the ICH patients at all time points were all significantly higher than those of the normal controls (all P < 0.01). MMP-9 was not found in the normal CSF. (2) The plasma and hematoma fluid MMP-9 levels were increased already in the day 1, peaked in the day 4, and then kept at a high level until the day 7. (3) The MMP-9 levels in hematoma fluid t all time points were all significantly higher than those in the plasma (all P < 0.01). (4) The MMP-9 level was positively correlated with the hematoma volume and NIHSS score, and negatively correlated with the GCS score (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 may takes part in the secondary injury after ICH, and its change is correlated with the hydrocephalus of patients. The dynamical change of the plasma MMP-9 level is consistent with the hematoma fluid MMP-9 level after ICH. There is a positive correlation among the MMP-9 level, perihematomal edema volume, and severity of ICH.