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Owing to their chiral and self-assembly features, chiral supramolecules exhibit superior recognition and catalytic abilities. Here, we construct a chiral H-aggregates based on a cyanine dye, 3,3′-di(3-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4′5′-dibenzo-9-methyl-thiacarbocyanine triethylammonium salt (MeCy), by spontaneous symmetry breaking in the presence of NaNO 3. The chiral H-aggregates could specially recognize parallel DNA G-quadruplexes among other DNA types, probably by a three-step process, which comprises the amplified chiral induction, the disassembly of chiral H-aggregates and the binding of the MeCy monomer. The MeCy monomer binding to DNA parallel G-quadruplex led to a lighting-up fluorescence intensity obviously. Chiral supramolecules targeted to DNA G-quadruplex was proposed, and its transformation process was revealed, and thus potentially provided an excellent probe for DNA parallel G-quadruplexes. To create your abstract, type over the instructions in the template box below. Fonts or abstract dimensions should not be changed or altered. Image 1 • A chiral supramolecular probe targeting to DNA G-quadurplex was proposed. • The chiral H-aggregates could specially recognize parallel DNA G-quadruplexes among other DNA types. • Chiral H-aggregates could disassociate into its monomer by a lighting-up protocol interacting with parallel G-quadruplexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its potential biological relevance, DNA G-quadruplex has been considered as a prospective anti-cancer target. Some known G-quadruplex-interactive N -containing compounds with low cytotoxicity have become prospective anticancer drugs. Here we reported a new type of N -containing alkaloids 3,8a-disubstituted indolizinones, and investigated their substituent effects at 3- and 8a-positions in targeting to DNA c-myc G-quadruplex. And then we used 3-naphtyl-8a-(pyridin-2-yl) substrate I8 as an example, and investigated its ability in targeting to DNA parallel G-quadruplexes in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome depends on the severity of the disease. • Glucocorticoid treatment increased fatality in patients with mild disease. • Increased fatality was only observed in patients ≤65 years, male, and early admission. • Low-moderate glucocorticoids reduced fatality in critically ill patients. To determine whether glucocorticoids can improve clinical outcomes of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients, and how to identify patients who may benefit from the treatment. A retrospective study was performed to include patients with confirmed SFTS from designated hospitals. The effect of glucocorticoids in reducing case fatality rate (CFR) and improving clinical recovery was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 2478 eligible patients were analyzed, of whom 331 received glucocorticoids. An integrated parameter (L-index) based on Log 10 (lactate dehydrogenase*blood urea nitrogen/lymphocyte count) was constructed to discriminate disease severity. In patients with L-index >3.823 indicating severe SFTS, significantly reduced CFR was observed in patients receiving low-moderate glucocorticoid doses with ≤60 mg daily methylprednisolone or equivalent (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.88), but not in patients receiving high doses. In patients with L-index ≤3.823 indicating mild SFTS, glucocorticoid treatment was significantly associated with increased CFR (OR 3.34, 95% CI, 1.35-9.51), and mainly attributable to high-dose glucocorticoids (OR 2.83, 95% CI, 1.72-4.96). Disaggregated data analysis revealed a significant effect only in patients ≤65 years old, male, and early admission within 7 days after onset, but not in their counterparts. Glucocorticoids are not recommended for mild patients defined by L-index <3.823; however, patients with severe SFTS may benefit from low-moderate doses of glucocorticoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Strong links exist between circadian disturbances and some of the most characteristic symptoms of clinical major depressive disorder (MDD). However, changes in the expression of clock genes or neuropeptides related to the regulation of circadian rhythm that may influence the susceptibility to recurrence after antidepressant treatment in MDD have not been investigated. Methods: Blood samples were collected at 4h intervals for 24h from 12 male healthy controls and 12 male MDD patients before and after treatment with escitalopram for 8 weeks. The outcome measures included the relative expression of clock gene mRNA (PERIOD1, PERIOD2, PERIOD3, CRY1, BMAL1, NPAS2, and GSK-3β), and the levels of serum melatonin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH). Results: Compared with healthy controls, MDD patients showed disruptions in the diurnal rhythms of the expression of PERIOD1, PERIOD2, CRY1, BMAL1, NPAS2, and GSK-3β and disruptions in the diurnal rhythms of the release of melatonin, VIP, cortisol, ACTH, IGF-1, and GH. Several of these disruptions (i.e., PER1, CRY1, melatonin, VIP, cortisol, ACTH, and IGF-1) persisted 8 weeks after escitalopram treatment, similar to the increase in the 24h levels of VIP and decreases in the 24h levels of cortisol and ACTH. Conclusion: These persistent neurobiological changes may play a role in MDD symptoms that are thought to contribute to the vulnerability to recurrence and long-term maintenance therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]