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Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of psilocybin in adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: A systematic search (up to September 14, 2023) was conducted for RCTs that examined the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of psilocybin in physically healthy adult patients with MDD. Three independent researchers extracted data from publications where the primary outcome was a change in depressive symptoms, and key secondary outcomes were changes in anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation, discontinuation rates for any reason, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Results: Five RCTs with 472 adult patients with MDD on psilocybin (n = 274) and controls (n = 198) were included. Two of the five RCTs (40%) reported mixed results, while the other three (60%) found that psilocybin had a beneficial effect on MDD treatment. Four RCTs (80%) assessing the anxiolytic effects of psilocybin for treating MDD found that psilocybin was significantly more effective than the control group in improving anxiety symptoms. Psilocybin was more effective than the control group in improving suicidal ideation in one out of five RCTs. Discontinuation rates were similar for any reason between the psilocybin group (2–13%) and the control group (4–21%) (P > 0.05). Four RCTs (80%) reported ADRs in detail. The most common ADR in both groups was headache. Conclusion: Psilocybin was effective in improving depressive symptoms in over half of the included studies and reduced anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD. The long-term efficacy and safety of psilocybin for MDD treatment needs to be further investigated in large RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) as an intervention for schizophrenia remain unclear. This systematic review examined the efficacy and safety of dTMS for schizophrenia. Methods: A systematic search of Chinese (WanFang and Chinese Journal Net) and English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) were conducted. Results: Three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comprising 80 patients were included in the analyses. Active dTMS was comparable to the sham treatment in improving total psychopathology, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and auditory hallucinations measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS), respectively. Only one RCT reported the effects on neurocognitive function measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), suggesting that dTMS may only improve one Stockings of Cambridge measure (i.e., subsequent times for five move problems). All three studies reported overall discontinuation rates, which ranged from 16.7% to 44.4%. Adverse events were reported in only one RCT, the most common being tingling/twitching (30.0%, 3/10), head/facial discomfort (30.0%, 3/10), and back pain (20.0%, 2/10). Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that dTMS does not reduce psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia, but it shows potential for improving executive functions. Future RCTs with larger sample sizes focusing on the effects of dTMS on psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia are warranted to further explore these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) is a safe, effective, and novel technique that is currently being used in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This study aimed to summarize the clinical practices of THRIVE use in ECT to aid physicians and institutions in implementing the best practice guidelines for ECT. Thus, we reviewed the current literature and presented our consensus on the application of THRIVE in ECT in daily clinical practice. This consensus provides information regarding THRIVE use in ECT, including its safety, effectiveness, procedures, precautions, special case management, and application in special populations. Moreover, it guides the standardized use of THRIVE in ECT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic exposure to excessive endogenous cortisol leads to brain changes in Cushing's disease (CD). However, it remains unclear how CD affects large-scale functional networks (FNs) and whether these effects are reversible after treatment. This study aimed to investigate functional network changes of CD patients and their reversibility in a longitudinal cohort. Methods: Active CD patients (N = 37) were treated by transsphenoidal pituitary surgery and reexamined 3 months later. FNs were computed from resting-state fMRI data of the CD patients and matched normal controls (NCs, N = 37). A pattern classifier was built on the FNs to distinguish active CD patients from controls and applied to FNs of the CD patients at the 3-month follow-up. Two subgroups of endocrine-remitted CD patients were identified according to their classification scores, referred to as image-based phenotypically (IBP) recovered and unrecovered CD patients, respectively. The informative FNs identified by the classification model were compared between NCs, active CD patients, and endocrine-remitted patients as well as between IBP recovered and unrecovered CD patients to explore their functional network reversibility. Results: All 37 CD patients reached endocrine remission after treatment. The classification model identified three informative FNs, including cerebellar network (CerebN), fronto-parietal network (FPN), and default mode network. Among them, CerebN and FPN partially recovered toward normal at 3 months after treatment. Moreover, the informative FNs were correlated with 24-h urinary-free cortisol and emotion scales in CD patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CD patients have aberrant FNs that are partially reversible toward normal after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine sex differences in the antidepressant and neurocognitive effects of adjunctive nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) in patients with treatment-refractory depression (TRD), which has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Methods: The study enrolled 20 patients with TRD, comprising 11 males and 9 females, who underwent a series of 6 NET sessions. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive symptoms, response, and remission at baseline and after the first, third, and sixth NET sessions. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was used to assess neurocognitive function at baseline and after the sixth NET session. Results: After completing 6 NET sessions, female patients experiencing TRD exhibited a higher inclination toward achieving an antidepressant response (77.8% vs. 45.5%, P=.197) and antidepressant remission (22.2% vs. 0%, P=.189) when compared to their male counterparts. No significant differences were observed in changes in the HAMD-17 and WCST subscale scores (all P > .05), including completing classification number, total error number, persistent error number, and random error number between males and females. Additionally, no significant correlations were observed between baseline WCST subscale scores and changes in HAMD-17 scores or endpoint scores, irrespective of sex (all P > .05). Conclusion: These pilot findings suggest that female patients with TRD exhibited increased rates of achieving antidepressant response and remission after undergoing NET. However, further studies should be conducted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the application of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in schizophrenia, inconsistent results have been reported. The purpose of this exploratory systematic review of RCTs was to evaluate tACS as an adjunct treatment for patients with schizophrenia based on its therapeutic effects, tolerability, and safety. Methods: Our analysis included RCTs that evaluated adjunctive tACS' effectiveness, tolerability, and safety in schizophrenia patients. Three independent authors extracted data and synthesized it using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Three RCTs involving 76 patients with schizophrenia were encompassed in the analysis, with 40 participants receiving active tACS and 36 receiving sham tACS. Our study revealed a significant superiority of active tACS over sham tACS in improving total psychopathology (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12, -0.10; I² = 16%, p = 0.02) and negative psychopathology (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.18; I² = 0%, p = 0.007) in schizophrenia. The two groups, however, showed no significant differences in positive psychopathology, general psychopathology, or auditory hallucinations (all p > 0.05). Two RCTs examined the neurocognitive effects of tACS, yielding varied findings. Both groups demonstrated similar rates of discontinuation due to any reason and adverse events (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adjunctive tACS is promising as a viable approach for mitigating total and negative psychopathology in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of tACS's therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, it is imperative to conduct extensive, meticulously planned, and well-documented RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sterculia monosperma fruit is the dried and mature seed of Sterculia monosperma, which belongs to genus Sterculia. In China, this plant is a widely distributed arbor with a long planting history in Lingnan area. It is mainly cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan and Taiwan of China; it is also distributed in India, Vietnam and Indonesia, mostly cultivated artificially. S. monosperma fruit has many functions like warming the stomach and killing pests, but its name and characteristics are easily confused with other plants of genus Sterculia. However, the relevant research foundation is relatively weak. Pharmacognostical study can provide reference for its resource development and quality standard formulation. This study identifies the morphological and microscopic characteristics of S. monosperma fruit, as well as the microscopic identification of seed cross-section and powder. The DNA barcode sequences ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK and rbcL of S. monosperma were obtained through bidirectional sequencing, Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) genetic distance was calculated, and the neighbor joining tree was established for clustering analysis. The results were as follows: (1) The morphological characteristics of S. monosperma fruit included dark red fruit shell and reddish brown or dark chestnut surface. It was hard in texture, with two thick yellowish endosperms inside. (2) The micro-morphological characteristics was that the exotesta was reddish brown, extremely thin, and brittle in texture; the mesotesta was black brown, thick, and hard in texture; the endotesta coat was light yellow and soft in texture. (3) The microscopic characteristics included the structure and arrangement of the exotesta stone cell, the grid cell structure of the mesotesta, the bead thickening of the cell wall of the endotesta cells, and the calcium oxalate cluster crystals. (4) Based on the ITS2 sequence, S. monosperma fruit could be effectively distinguished from other plants in genus Sterculia, while the matK sequence could effectively distinguish S. lanceolata from other plants in genus Sterculia. This study obtained the data on the morphological characteristics, micro-morphological characteristics and microscopic characteristics of S. monosperma fruit. Combined with the ITS2 barcode sequence, S. monosperma fruit can be effectively identified, which provides a scientific reference for the development of its germplasm resources and the formulation of relevant quality standards.

Background: Somatic GNAS mutations are acknowledged as a significant etiological factor for acromegaly. However, the relationship between GNAS mutation status, clinical characteristics and gender has not been adequately investigated. This study aims to address these gaps by examining GNAS mutations and delineating the detailed clinical profile of affected patients within a Chinese acromegaly cohort., Methods: Our study encompassed 97 individuals newly diagnosed with acromegaly, who underwent surgical treatment between May 2015 and January 2022. We obtained DNA from frozen pituitary adenomas to screen for GNAS hotspot mutations and assessed the associated clinical characteristics., Results: In our cohort, 44.3% (43/97) of patients exhibited somatic GNAS mutations. Patients with mutations were predominantly male (58.1% vs. 33.3%, p=0.015), experienced longer diagnosis delays [72.0 (48.0, 120.0) vs 36.0 (21.0, 75.0) months, p=0.002], had smaller maximum tumor diameters (1.75±0.83 vs. 2.23±0.89 cm, p=0.008), and demonstrated higher rates of GH secretion per unit tumor volume [18.93 (9.67, 30.12) vs 10.91 (2.80, 20.40) ng/mL/cm3, p=0.005]. Regarding gender-specific differences, GNAS mutations in male patients were linked to significantly higher baseline GH levels [24.40 (14.40, 36.30) vs. 10.55 (5.25, 16.95) ng/mL, p=0.002], while female patients with mutations had notably smaller tumor sizes (1.55±0.55 cm vs. 2.32±0.85 cm, p<0.001)., Conclusion: GNAS mutations are prevalent among Chinese acromegaly patients, correlating with reduced pituitary tumor sizes and enhanced GH secretion functions. Our findings underscore the influence of gender on the clinical manifestations of GNAS mutations. Accordingly, we recommend that future clinical and foundational researches on acromegaly give heightened consideration to gender-specific differences.

Quantitative detection of tetracycline (TC) and nitrofurantoin (NFT) in food and water is of importance for food safety and environmental protection. Herein, Zn 2+ was introduced into a europium metal-organic framework Eu-bpdc (H 2 bpdc = 2,2'-bipyridyl-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid) to prepare a composite of Zn 2+ @Eu-bpdc, which was developed as a fluorescence sensor for TC and NFT. The fluorescence mechanism concerns with bpdc 2- ligand-to-Eu(III) charge transfer, and the detection mechanism is the inner filter effect. Zn 2+ @Eu-bpdc is a ratiometric fluorescence sensor for TC with the linear fitting equation of I 520 / I 618 = 1.94 × 10 4 M -1 C TC , whose limit of detection (LOD) is 0.148 μmol·L -1 (μM); it is also a fluorescence "turn-off" sensor for NFT with the fitting equation of ( I 0 - I )/ I = 3.62 × 10 4 M -1 C NFT and LOD = 0.0792 μM. Zn 2+ @Eu-bpdc can detect TC or NFT in lake water, honey, and milk with high accuracy. The emission color changes of paper-based Zn 2+ @Eu-bpdc depending on C TC or C NFT reveal the visualization detections of TC and NFT. With the red and green values as input signals, smartphone-assisted on-site detection is utilized to recognize the antibiotic residuals of TC and NFT by a self-programmed APP. Zn 2+ @Eu-bpdc is promising in a smartphone-assisted intelligent platform for on-site detection of TC and NFT.

Aim: Fascin is an actin-binding protein that promotes tumor metastasis. The inhibition of fascin on the progress of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not very clear. Hence, this study explored the potential effect of NP-G2-044, a novel fascin inhibitor, in human NSCLC lines and the Lewis lung cancer (LCC) mice model., Methods: The growth of cells was analyzed via CCK-8 assays, and the flow cytometry was adopted for cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, as well as the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells with or without NP-G2-044. The therapy of NP-G2-044, which synergizes with cisplatin and PD-1, was evaluated in the established xenograft Lewis's lung cancer of mice., Results: Fascin was overexpressed in human NSCLC cells, and inhibition of fascin by NP-G2-044 attenuated NSCLC cell growth and remarkably undermined the ability of migration and invasion in vitro, which was related to the reduced epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) including downregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin, and upregulation of E-cadherin. Further results implied that the above changes may be partially mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In vivo, NP-G2-044 slowed down tumor development and enhanced overall survival alone, leading to synergistic anticancer effects with cisplatin or PD-1 inhibitor., Conclusion: Fascin inhibition could inhibit the metastasis of NSCLC and has the potential to enhance the efficacy of cisplatin and PD-1 inhibitors by blocking the Wnt/β- catenin pathway., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Purpose: To examine the effects of serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on choroidal structures with different blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with acromegaly without diabetic retinopathy., Methods: Eighty-eight eyes of 44 patients with acromegaly were divided into a nondiabetic group (23 patients, 46 eyes) and a diabetic group (21 patients, 42 eyes). Forty-four age- and sex-matched healthy controls and 21 patients with type 2 DM without diabetic retinopathy were also included. Linear regression models with a simple slope analysis were used to identify the correlation and interaction between endocrine parameters and choroidal thickness (ChT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascular index (CVI)., Results: Our study revealed significant increases in the ChT, LA, SA, and TCA in patients with acromegaly compared with healthy controls, with no difference in the CVI. Comparatively, patients with DM with acromegaly had greater ChT than matched patients with type 2 DM, with no significant differences in other choroidal parameters. The enhancement of SA, LA and TCA caused by an acromegalic status disappeared in patients with diabetic status, whereas ChT and CVI were not affected by the interaction. In the diabetic acromegaly, higher IGF-1 (P = 0.006) and GH levels (P = 0.049), longer DM duration (P = 0.007), lower blood glucose (P = 0.001), and the interaction between GH and blood glucose were associated independently with thicker ChT. Higher GH levels (P = 0.016, 0.004 and 0.007), longer DM duration (P = 0.022, 0.013 and 0.013), lower blood glucose (P = 0.034, 0.011 and 0.01), and the interaction of IGF-1 and blood glucose were associated independently with larger SA, LA, and TCA. As blood glucose levels increased, the positive correlation between serum GH level and ChT diminished, and became insignificant when blood glucose was more than 7.35 mM/L. The associations between serum IGF-1 levels and LA, SA, and TCA became increasingly negative, with LA, becoming significantly and negatively associated to the GH levels only when blood glucose levels were more than 8.59 mM/L., Conclusions: Acromegaly-related choroidal enhancements diminish in the presence of DM. In diabetic acromegaly, blood glucose levels are linked negatively with changes in choroidal metrics and their association with GH and IGF-1., Translational Relevance: We revealed the potential beneficial impacts of IGF-1 and GH on structural measures of the choroid in patients with DM at relatively well-controlled blood glucose level, which could provide a potential treatment target for diabetic retinopathy.

Karst groundwater, which is one of most important drinking water sources, is vulnerable to be polluted as its closed hydraulic relation with surface water. Thus, it is very important to identify the groundwater source to control groundwater pollution. The Pearson correlation coefficient among major ions (Na + K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , HCO 3 - , SO 4 2- , and Cl - ) was employed to deduce the groundwater types in Zhong Liang Mountain, Southwest China. Then, the combined method of principal component analysis and cluster analysis were employed to identify the groundwater sources in a typical karst region of southwest China. The results shown that (1) the high positive correlation between cations and anions indicated the water-rock reaction of Ca-HCO 3 , Ca-SO 4 , (Na + K)-Cl, and Mg-SO 4 . (2) The major two principal components that would represent water-rock reaction of CaSO 4 and Ca-HCO 3 would, respectively, explain 60.41% and 31.80% of groundwater information. (3) Based on the two principal components, 33 groundwater samples were clustered into eight groups through hierarchical clustering, each group has similar water-rock reaction. The findings would be employed to forecast the surge water, that was an important work for tunnel construction and operation. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The components of groundwater was highly correlated with water-rock reaction. The principal component analysis screens the types of groundwater. The cluster analysis identifies the groundwater sources., (© 2024 Water Environment Federation.)

Background: The efficacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) as an intervention for schizophrenia remain unclear. This systematic review examined the efficacy and safety of dTMS for schizophrenia., Methods: A systematic search of Chinese (WanFang and Chinese Journal Net) and English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) were conducted., Results: Three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comprising 80 patients were included in the analyses. Active dTMS was comparable to the sham treatment in improving total psychopathology, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and auditory hallucinations measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS), respectively. Only one RCT reported the effects on neurocognitive function measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), suggesting that dTMS may only improve one Stockings of Cambridge measure (i.e., subsequent times for five move problems). All three studies reported overall discontinuation rates, which ranged from 16.7% to 44.4%. Adverse events were reported in only one RCT, the most common being tingling/twitching (30.0%, 3/10), head/facial discomfort (30.0%, 3/10), and back pain (20.0%, 2/10)., Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that dTMS does not reduce psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia, but it shows potential for improving executive functions. Future RCTs with larger sample sizes focusing on the effects of dTMS on psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia are warranted to further explore these findings., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Mo, Shi, Yang, Lan, Deng, Huang, Tan, Pridmore, Ungvari, Xiang and Zheng.)

Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) is a safe, effective, and novel technique that is currently being used in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This study aimed to summarize the clinical practices of THRIVE use in ECT to aid physicians and institutions in implementing the best practice guidelines for ECT. Thus, we reviewed the current literature and presented our consensus on the application of THRIVE in ECT in daily clinical practice. This consensus provides information regarding THRIVE use in ECT, including its safety, effectiveness, procedures, precautions, special case management, and application in special populations. Moreover, it guides the standardized use of THRIVE in ECT., (2024 authors.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine sex differences in the antidepressant and neurocognitive effects of adjunctive nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) in patients with treatment-refractory depression (TRD), which has not yet been thoroughly investigated., Methods: The study enrolled 20 patients with TRD, comprising 11 males and 9 females, who underwent a series of 6 NET sessions. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive symptoms, response, and remission at baseline and after the first, third, and sixth NET sessions. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was used to assess neurocognitive function at baseline and after the sixth NET session., Results: After completing 6 NET sessions, female patients experiencing TRD exhibited a higher inclination toward achieving an antidepressant response (77.8% vs. 45.5%, P  = .197) and antidepressant remission (22.2% vs. 0%, P  = .189) when compared to their male counterparts. No significant differences were observed in changes in the HAMD-17 and WCST subscale scores (all P > .05), including completing classification number, total error number, persistent error number, and random error number between males and females. Additionally, no significant correlations were observed between baseline WCST subscale scores and changes in HAMD-17 scores or endpoint scores, irrespective of sex (all P > .05)., Conclusion: These pilot findings suggest that female patients with TRD exhibited increased rates of achieving antidepressant response and remission after undergoing NET. However, further studies should be conducted to confirm these findings., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests: Wei Zheng is serving as one of the Editors in Chief of this journal. We declare that Wei Zheng had no involvement in the peer review of this article and has no access to information regarding its peer review. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (2024 authors.)