BACKGROUND: Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suffer multiple organ dysfunctions. However, whether patients develop dyslipidemia is unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the pathological alterations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and total cholesterol (TC) in COVID-19 patients and their relationships with the disease severity. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to examine serum levels of LDL-c, HDL-c, and TC on 597 COVID-19 patients (mild: 394; severe, 171; critical: 32) who were hospitalized in our center between February 1 and March 3, 2020. Age-and gender-matched normal subjects (n 5 50) who had routine laboratory lipid tests between October 1 and November 1, 2019 in our center were included as the control group. RESULTS: LDL-c and TC levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients as compared with normal subjects (P , .001). There were significant and gradual decreases in levels of LDL-c (median (IQR) in mg/dL, mild:

Background and Aims: Published data on the prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in ovarian cancer are controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to obtain a more accurate assessment of prognostic significance of NLR in ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to May 2016. Hazard ratio (HR) and odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were carried out to explore the source of heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 10.0. Results: A total of 12 studies, consisting of 3,854 patients, which met our criterion were selected in this meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that high pre-treatment NLR level was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.69, 95% CI 1.29-2.22) and shorter progression free survival (PFS) (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.27–2.09). Additionally, increased NLR was also significantly correlated with advanced FIGO stage (OR 2.32, 95% CI1.79-3.00), higher serum level of CA-125 (OR 3.33, 95% CI 2.43-4.58), more extensive ascites (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.31-5.42) as well as less chemotheraputic response (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40-0.70). The findings from most of subgroup meta-analyses were consistent with those from the overall meta-analyses. Conclusions: Elevated pre-treatment NLR could served as a predicative factor of poor prognosis for ovarian cancer patients.

DNA G-quadruplexes are not only attractive drug targets for cancer therapeutics, but also have important applications in supramolecular assembly. Here, we report a platinum(II)-based tripod (Pt-tripod) specifically binds the biological relevant hybrid-1 human telomeric G-quadruplex (Tel26), and strongly inhibits telomerase activity. Further investigations illustrate Pt-tripod induces the formation of monomeric and multimeric Pt-tripod‒Tel26 complex structures in solution. We solve the 1:1 and the unique dimeric 4:2 Pt-tripod–Tel26 complex structures by NMR. The structures indicate preferential binding of Pt-tripod to the 5ʹ-end of Tel26 at a low Pt-tripod/Tel26 ratio of 0–1.0. After adding more Pt-tripod, the Pt-tripod binds the 3ʹ-end of Tel26, unexpectedly inducing a unique dimeric 4:2 structure interlocked by an A:A non-canonical pair at the 3ʹ-end. Our structures provide a structural basis for understanding the dynamic binding of small molecules with G-quadruplex and DNA damage mechanisms, and insights into the recognition and assembly of higher-order G-quadruplexes.