Two novel alkalitolerant species Pseudalkalibacillus spartinae sp. nov. and Pseudalkalibacillus sedimenti sp. nov.

In this study, two novel alkalitolerant strains (FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T) were isolated from sediment samples collected in Zhangzhou, PR China. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T were new members of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus. The two novel strains showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Pseudalkalibacillus hwajinpoensis DSM 16206T, with values of 97.4 and 97.6 %, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and the reference strain were 77.2 and 79.6 %, 20.9 and 30.2 %, respectively, which were below the prokaryotic species delineation thresholds. The ANI and dDDH values between strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T were 86.0 and 30.2 %, respectively, suggesting that they belonged to different species in the genus Pseudalkalibacillus. The major respiratory quinone in both strains was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids in both novel strains. Combined with results stemming from the determination of physical and biochemical characteristics, chemical properties, and genome analysis, strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T are proposed to represent two novel species of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus, for which the names Pseudalkalibacillus spartinae sp. nov. and Pseudalkalibacillus sedimenti sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are FJAT-53046T (=GDMCC 1.3077T=JCM 35611T) and FJAT-53715T (=GDMCC 1.3076T=JCM 35610T), respectively.

Early prediction of putamen imaging features in HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To explore the correlation between the volume of putamen and brain cognitive impairment in patients with HIV and to predict the feasibility of early-stage HIV brain cognitive impairment through radiomics. METHOD: Retrospective selection of 90 patients with HIV infection, including 36 asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) patients and 54 pre-clinical ANI patients in Beijing YouAn Hospital. All patients received comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and MRI scanning. 3D Slicer software was used to acquire volume of interest (VOI) and radiomics features. Clinical variables and volume of putamen were compared between patients with ANI and pre-clinical ANI. The Kruskal Wallis test was used to analysis multiple comparisons between groups. The relationship between cognitive scores and VOI was compared using linear regression. For radiomics, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce model overfitting and calculations and then a support vector machine (SVM) was used to build a binary classification model. For model performance evaluation, we used an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULT: There were no significant differences in clinical variables between ANI group and pre-clinical-ANI group (P>0.05). The volume of bilateral putamen was significantly different between AHI group and pre-clinical group (P<0.05), but there was only a trend in the left putamen between ANI-treatment group and pre-clinical treatment group(P = 0.063). Reduced cognitive scores in Verbal Fluency, Attention/Working Memory, Executive Functioning, memory and Speed of Information Processing were negatively correlated with the increased VOI (P<0.05), but the correlation was relatively low. In diagnosing the ANI from pre-clinical ANI, the mean area under the ROC curves (AUC) were 0.85 ± 0.22, the mean sensitivity and specificity were 63.12 ± 5.51 and 94.25% ± 3.08%. CONCLUSION: The volumes of putamen in patients with ANI may be larger than patients with pre-clinical ANI, the change of the volume of the putamen may have a certain process; there is a relationship between putamen and cognitive impairment, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Radiomics may be a useful tool for predicting early stage HAND in patients with HIV.

Axonal chronic injury in treatment-naïve HIV+ adults with asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment and its relationship with clinical variables and cognitive status.

BACKGROUND: HIV is a neurotropic virus, and it can bring about neurodegeneration and may even result in cognitive impairments. The precise mechanism of HIV-associated white matter (WM) injury is unknown. The effects of multiple clinical contributors on WM impairments and the relationship between the WM alterations and cognitive performance merit further investigation. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in 20 antiretroviral-naïve HIV-positive asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) adults and 20 healthy volunteers. Whole-brain analysis of DTI metrics between groups was conducted by employing tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS), including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD). DTI parameters were correlated with clinical variables (age, CD4+ cell count, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, plasma viral load and duration of HIV infection) and multiple cognitive tests by using multilinear regression analyses. RESULTS: DTI quantified diffusion alterations in the corpus callosum and corona radiata (MD increased significantly, P < 0.05) and chronic axonal injury in the corpus callosum, corona radiata, internal capsule, external capsule, posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, and superior longitudinal fasciculus (AD increased significantly, P < 0.05). The impairments in the corona radiata had significant correlations with the current CD4+/CD8+ ratios. Increased MD or AD values in multiple white matter structures showed significant associations with many cognitive domain tests. CONCLUSIONS: WM impairments are present in neurologically asymptomatic HIV+ adults, periventricular WM (corpus callosum and corona radiata) are preferential occult injuries, which is associated with axonal chronic damage rather than demyelination. Axonopathy may exist before myelin injury. DTI-TBSS is helpful to explore the WM microstructure abnormalities and provide a new perspective for the investigation of the pathomechanism of HIV-associated WM injury.

Prevalence of Anemia and its Risk Factors among Children under 36 Months Old in China.

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographic factors of anemia in children <36 months old in China. In this study, data of 24 235 children were investigated from 32 primary health care (PHC) facilities in 11 province-level regions. Pearson χ2-test and logistic regression model were used to estimate potential risk factors associated with anemia. The overall prevalence of anemia was 24.4%, and 32.8% children from rural areas were anemic, but no statistically significant difference was observed between male and female. Predictors of anemia are different regions of China, cesarean delivery, premature birth and neonatal asphyxia. We also found that education level and income of children's parents are important determinants of childhood anemia. In additional, feeding practice would affect anemia among children aged 6-12 months. Our results could provide some insights for prevention and control of childhood anemia in PHC facilities.

[Cardiac Ultrastructure and Changes of HSP70 and HIF-1α Expression in Electric Shock Death Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe cardiac ultrastructure and the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and hypoxia inducible factor-lα (HIF-lα) in electric shock death rats and to explore the application of these indexes as the basis of medical identification in electric shock death. METHODS: Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into electric shock death group, postmortem electric shock group and the control group. The changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope, and the expressions of myocardial HSP70 and HIF-1α were observed by immunohistochemical technology. RESULTS: Myocardial myofibril fracture, mitochondrial cristae and membrane dissolution, and disordered arrangement of Z lines and M lines were observed in electric shock rats. HSP70 and HIF-lα were strong positive expressions in the electric shock death group, significantly compared with the control and postmortem electric shock groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of HSP70 and HIF-lα were obviously increased in electric shock death group, which may be used as the diagnostic indicator of electric shock death.

Ethanol extract of Verbena officinalis alleviates MCAO-induced ischaemic stroke by inhibiting IL17A pathway-regulated neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND: The prevention and treatment of ischaemic stroke is a worldwide challenge, and effective clinical treatment strategies are lacking. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Verbena officinalis in managing cerebrovascular disorders. However, the neuroprotective bioactive components and mechanisms remain unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate the pharmacological combinatorial components and mechanism underlying the anti-ischemic stroke effect of the ethanol extract of Verbena officinalis (VO Ex). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The components of VO Ex were identified by HPLC. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced brain injury model was used to assess the therapeutic effect of VO Ex. The activity of the chemical components of VO Ex was evaluated using a primary astrocyte injury model induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). RNA sequencing was used to reveal the potential targets of VO Ex against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), and the results were verified by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The key components and target binding ability were predicted by molecular docking. Finally, the mechanism of combinatorial components was verified by experiments. RESULTS: The HPLC results indicated that the main ingredients of VO Ex were hastatoside, verbenalin, acteoside, luteolin, apigenin and hispidulin. In vivo experiments showed that VO Ex improved MCAO-induced acute cerebral ischemic injury. Transcriptomic data and biological experiments suggested that VO Ex exerted therapeutic effects through IL17A signalling pathways. The in vitro experiments indicated that verbenalin, acteoside, luteolin, apigenin and hispidulin exhibited neuroprotective activities. The novel formula of VALAH, derived from the aforementioned active ingredients, exhibited superior efficacy compared to each individual component. Molecular docking and mechanistic studies have confirmed that VALAH functions in the treatment of ischaemic stroke by suppressing the activation of the IL17A signalling pathway. CONCLUSION: This work is the first to reveal that VO Ex effectively inhibits the IL17A signaling pathway and mitigates neuroinflammation following ischemic stroke. Moreover, we identified the novel formula VALAH as the bioactive combinatorial components for VO Ex. Further research suggests that the activity of VALAH is associated with IL17A-mediated regulation of neuroinflammation. This finding provides new insights into the efficacious components and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.

Z-Guggulsterone Relieves Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting the Expression of Astrocytes and Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Spinal Dorsal Horn.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate whether Z-guggulsterone can relieve neuropathic pain in sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) mice by inhibiting the expression of astrocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced and assessed in CCI mice. Z-guggulsterone was administered multiple times via intraperitoneal injection. Pain behaviour assessments were made by conducting paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) tests. The expression level of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn was observed by immunofluorescence. The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the spinal cord were measured by ELISA. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA or two-way ANOVA. Results: The PWMT and TWL were higher on the 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th days after CCI, the expression level of GFAP in the spinal dorsal horn was lower, and the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the spinal cord were lower in the CCI+Z-GS-L, CCI+Z-GS-M and CCI+Z-GS-H groups than in the CCI+Veh group in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Z-guggulsterone can relieve neurological pain in CCI mice, which may be related to the inhibition of astrocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn.

Small Airway Dysfunction in Chronic Bronchitis with Preserved Pulmonary Function.

Impairment of pulmonary function was evaluated in chronic bronchitis patients with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm). We retrospectively collected clinical data from 157 chronic bronchitis (CB) and 186 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients between October 2014 and September 2017. These patients were assigned to three groups: control (normal pulmonary function), PRISm (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] ≥ 0.7, FEV1 < 80% of predicted value), and COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7) groups. Because small airway function was the main focus, in the COPD group, only patients in accordance with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades 1 and 2 were included. Evaluation of pulmonary function (including impulse oscillometry) was performed and compared among these groups. Compared with the control group, the PRISm and COPD groups showed statistically significant differences in the predicted FEV1% (p < 0.001), maximal expiratory flow (MEF) 25% (p < 0.001), MEF50% (p < 0.001), maximal midexpiratory flow (MMEF) 25-75% (p < 0.001), residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC; p < 0.001), FVC% (p < 0.001), total respiratory resistance and proximal respiratory resistance (R5-R20; p < 0.001), respiratory system reactance at 5 Hz (X5; p < 0.001), resonant frequency (Fres; p < 0.001), and area of reactance (Ax; p < 0.001). However, the predicted FEV1% and RV/TLC were similar between the PRISm and COPD groups (p=0.992 and 0.122, respectively). PRISm is a nonspecific pattern of pulmonary function that indicates small airway dysfunction and may increase the risk of transformation to obstructive ventilation dysfunction. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-OCH-14004904.

Component-target network and mechanism of Qufeng Zhitong capsule in the treatment of neuropathic pain.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qufeng Zhitong capsule (QFZTC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinically used for treating pain. However, the active ingredients of QFZTC and its pharmacological mechanism in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to identify the active ingredients of QFZTC and reveal its target genes and underlying mechanism of action in NP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the active ingredients of QFZTC. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to determine the core targets and pathway enrichment of QFZTC. An NP mice model was established through chronic compression injury (CCI) surgery of the sciatic nerve, while von Frey instrumentation and a thermal stimulator were employed to measure the sensitivity of mice to mechanical and thermal stimuli. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression of TLR4 and p-P65 in microglia. Western blotting was used to detect the levels of protein expression of Iba-1, TLR4, MyD88, P65, p-P65, and c-Fos, while ELISA kits were used to detect the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. RESULTS: Seven active ingredients were identified in QFZTC: gallic acid, loganylic acid, syringin, corilagin, loganin, ellagic acid, and osthole. Network analysis identified TLR4, TNF, IL6, IL1ß, and c-Fos as core targets, and Toll-like receptors and NF-κB as core signaling pathways. Treatment with QFZTC significantly relieved mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in CCI mice models. CCI induced an increase in the expression of TLR4 and p-P65 in microglia, whereas QFZTC dose-dependently reduced the expression of Iba-1, TLR4, MyD88, and p-P65 in the spinal cord. QFZTC inhibited the expression of the c-Fos pain marker and reduced the expression of the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: We combined the active ingredients of QFZTC with network pharmacology research to clarify its biological mechanism in the treatment of NP. We demonstrated that QFZTC reduced NP in mice probably through regulating the spinal microglia via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Hence, QFZTC could be regarded as a potential drug for relieving NP.

[Characteristics of papillary structure of thyroidal lesions on multiple-slice spiral computed tomography for the diagnosis of thyroidal diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of papillary structure of thyroidal lesions on MSCT (multiple-slice spiral computed tomography) for the diagnosis of thyroidal diseases. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of thyroidal diseases pathologically confirmed with plain and contrast MSCT data from March 2003 to April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The number, margin, shape, enhancement behavior, location, calcification and the delineation of papillary structure were compared by the stata 10.1 software. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between thyroidal carcinoma, thyroidal adenoma and nodular goiter in margin, shape and location of papillary structure (P < 0.05). Papillary structure of thyroidal carcinoma was most commonly located in central part with an indistinct margin. Psammoma, such as microcalcification, was characteristic of thyroidal cancer. Coarse and peripheral calcification was commonly observed in nodular goiter. No statistical difference existed in the number and internal septa of papillary structure among thyroidal carcinoma, thyroidal adenoma and nodular goiter (P > 0.05). It could offer a more distinct visualization of papillary structure during the venous phase. CONCLUSION: The features of papillary structure on MSCT of various thyroidal lesions may help make the differential diagnosis of thyroidal lesions.

A rearrangement of saccharin-derived cyclic ketimines with 3-chlorooxindoles leading to spiro-1,3-benzothiazine oxindoles.

An unusual rearrangement of saccharin-derived cyclic ketimines (SDCIs) and 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed to provide a series of spiro-1,3-benzothiazine oxindoles. The reaction features simple manipulations, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions and inexpensive reagents. It is the first example where SDCIs serve as a ring-opening reagent in organic synthesis.

Current situation and prospect of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder research in China: Epidemiology, research, diagnosis, and treatment status.

Standards of HIV/AIDS prevention and control in some areas of China are still poor. People live longer with the use of therapeutic drugs, which may lead to an increase in the number of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, only a few multicenter and large-scale studies investigating the prevalence and incidence of HAND have been undertaken in China. While the number of HIV/AIDS cases in China is still large, the prevalence of HAND is remains unclear. The diagnosis of HAND in China is mainly based on the international diagnostic scale, to which Chinese features are added. At present, five classes of antiretroviral therapy drugs widely used in China: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-NRTIs (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and membrane fusion inhibitors (FIs). There is no specific treatment or drug for HAND in China. Efforts are needed in the following aspects: trying to understand more epidemic features of HAND in China; formulating a unified neuropsychological scale with Chinese characteristics to diagnose HAND and adopt new approaches to identify different stages of HAND; early stage (reversible) accurate hierarchical prediction and diagnosis, combined with artificial intelligence to improve the work efficiency of doctors, and to solve the failure of outpatient diagnosis cases (asymptomatic patients); and exploring and establishing a perfect system for target treatment with HAND.

Tranexamic Acid for Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing hematoma expansion (HE) in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in acute spontaneous ICH with a particular focus on subgroups. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, PubMed, and WHO ICTRP. The primary outcome measurement was HE. The secondary outcome measurements included 3-month poor functional outcome (PFO), 3-month mortality, and major thromboembolic events (MTE). We conducted subgroup analysis according to the CT markers of HE (standard-risk population and high-risk population) and the time from onset to randomization (>4.5 and ≤4.5 h). Results: We identified seven studies (representing five RCTs) involving 2,650 participants. Compared with placebo, TXA may reduce HE on subsequent imaging (odd ratio [OR] 0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.692-0.984; p = 0.033; I2 = 0%; GRADE: moderate certainty). TXA and placebo arms did not differ in the rates of 3-month PFO, 3-month mortality, and MTE. Subgroup analysis indicated that TXA reduced the risk of HE in the high-risk population with CT markers of HE (OR 0.646; 95% CI 0.503-0.829; p = 0.001; I2 = 0 %) and in patients who were treated within 4.5 h of symptom onset (OR 0.823; 95% CI 0.690-0.980; p = 0.029; I2 = 0%), but this protective effect was not observed in the standard-risk population and patients who were treated over 4.5 h of symptom onset. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid (TXA) may decrease the risk of HE in patients with acute spontaneous ICH. Importantly, the decreased risk was observed in patients who were treatable within 4.5 h and with a high risk of HE, but not in those who were treatable over 4.5 h and in standard-risk population. However, PFO or mortality at 3 months did not significantly differ between patients who received TXA and those who received placebo. TXA is safe for acute spontaneous ICH without increasing MTE.

The Patterns of Complementary Feeding and Growth among 12 to 23 Month-Old Children in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the characteristics of dietary patterns among children aged 12 to 23 months and discusses the relationship between dietary patterns and the growth of children. METHOD: Cross-sectional data were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0 to 18 year-old children in China ( n = 2,449) to describe the patterns of complementary feeding and the growth of children. Cluster analysis was used to analyze complementary feeding patterns, and an analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were conducted to analyze the relationship between Z scores and complementary feeding patterns. RESULTS: Four dietary patterns were identified among the children via cluster analysis. In Pattern 4 ( n = 104, 4.2%), children still consumed milk as their staple food. They displayed the lowest grain, fruit, vegetable, egg, and flesh foods consumption, a medium frequency of breast milk consumption, and a high frequency of dairy product consumption. Pattern 4 had the lowest length-for-age Z scores and weight-for-age Z scores, with -0.10 ± 1.34 and 0.24 ± 1.00, respectively ( F = 7.940, P < 0.001; F = 5.317, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although China is undergoing rapid urbanization and economic development, there is still a phenomenon of insufficient intake of protein-rich foods and dairy-based dietary patterns at the stage of complementary food introduced among children aged 12 to 23 months.

Characteristics of Brain White Matter Microstructure in HIV Male Patients With Primary Syphilis Co-Infection.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of syphilis infection on the microstructure of white matter (WM) in HIV-infected male patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods: Twenty-seven HIV-infected male patients with current syphilis or a history of syphilis (HIV +/syphilis +), twenty-nine HIV-infected male patients without syphilis co-infection (HIV +/syphilis-), and twenty-nine healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. All participants received DTI, and all patients received comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was adopted to analyze the DTI measures: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between DTI measures and cognitive performance. Results: There were no significant differences in DTI measures between HIV+/syphilis- and HC. Compared with HC, lower FA was found in body of corpus callosum (BCC), splenium of corpus callosum (SCC), genu of corpus callosum (GCC), the bilateral anterior corona radiata (ACR), superior corona radiata (SCR), posterior corona radiata (PCR), and posterior thalamic radiation (PTR) in HIV+/syphilis+ (p < 0.05). Higher RD was found in BCC and SCC (p < 0.05). Compared with HIV+/syphilis-, lower scores were found in complex motor skills (CMS) in HIV+/syphilis+, lower FA was found in BCC, SCC, GCC, the bilateral ACR, SCR, PCR, PTR, cingulate gyrus (CGC), the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFO), the retrolenticular part of internal capsule (RLIC), sagittal stratum (SS), external capsule (EC) in HIV+/syphilis+ (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis uncorrected for multiple comparisons showed there was a positive correlation between FA in GCC and CMS, FA in BCC, and CMS in HIV+/syphilis+. Conclusions: Syphilis co-infection can have an additive or synergistic effect on the brain WM in HIV-infected subjects. HIV-infected patients without syphilis should be actively treated to avoid syphilis infection.

National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0-17 Years of Age in China.

The main purpose of the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children 0-17 years of age in China (CNHSC) was to collect basic data on the nutrition, development, and health status for children in different regions across China using evidence-based, reliable, and cost-effective approaches. Children and their parents or guardians from seven regions (south, southwest, north, northwest, eastern, central, and northeast China) in China were recruited. A multi-stage stratified randomized sampling method was used. Two provinces were randomly sampled from each of the seven regions, from which one urban district and one rural country were also randomly sampled, resulting in a total of 28 survey counties/districts. Dietary surveys, health examinations, laboratory testing, and questionnaires were used to collect dietary intake, nutritional status, child development, and health status information. Nutrition, health, and lifestyle assessment of children and their parents was determined using the Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) survey. Greater than 100,000 children (38,000 children < 6 years of age and 66,000 children 6-17 years of age) completed the survey. The survey provided comprehensive data on child nutrition and health status for future studies and will serve as the basis for an integrated nutrition and health improvement strategies proposal for children in China.

Lipid microdomain polarization is required for NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS signaling in Picea meyeri pollen tube tip growth.

The polarization of sterol-enriched lipid microdomains has been linked to morphogenesis and cell movement in diverse cell types. Recent biochemical evidence has confirmed the presence of lipid microdomains in plant cells; however, direct evidence for a functional link between these microdomains and plant cell growth is still lacking. Here, we reported the involvement of lipid microdomains in NADPH oxidase (NOX)-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling in Picea meyeri pollen tube growth. Staining with di-4-ANEPPDHQ or filipin revealed that sterol-enriched microdomains were polarized to the growing tip of the pollen tube. Sterol sequestration with filipin disrupted membrane microdomain polarization, depressed tip-based ROS formation, dissipated tip-focused cytosolic Ca(2+) gradient and thereby arrested tip growth. NOX clustered at the growing tip, and corresponded with the ordered membrane domains. Immunoblot analysis and native gel assays demonstrated that NOX was partially associated with detergent-resistant membranes and, furthermore, that NOX in a sterol-dependent fashion depends on membrane microdomains for its enzymatic activity. In addition, in vivo time-lapse imaging revealed the coexistence of a steep tip-high apical ROS gradient and subapical ROS production, highlighting the reported signaling role for ROS in polar cell growth. Our results suggest that the polarization of lipid microdomains to the apical plasma membrane, and the inclusion of NOX into these domains, contribute, at least in part, to the ability to grow in a highly polarized manner to form pollen tubes.

[Effect of Qingkailing Injection on children with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia of phlegm-heat obstructing Fei syndrome pattern at different time-points].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect of Qingkailing Injection (QKL) for treatment of children's respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia of phlegm-heat obstructing Fei syndrome pattern (SVP-PH) depending upon main symptom assessment. METHODS: A Chinese-Western medicine comparative trial was conducted on 206 children with SVP-PH in two groups treated with Ribavirin injection plus compound guaiacol potassium sul-fonale oral solution (as control group) and QKL injection plus Ertong Qingfei oral liquid (as treated group) respectively, for 10 days. The curative effectiveness on four main symptoms (fever, cough, sputum and short breath) were evaluated at different time-points. RESULTS: The effectiveness in the treated group at various time-points was superior to that in the control group, showing the earlier initiating time (on the 4th day) and the preponderances on cough and sputum ran all through the whole course. CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine shows a multi-target effect in treating children's SVP-HP.

Altered Brain Function in Young HIV Patients with Syphilis Infection: A Voxel-Wise Degree Centrality Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the possible effect of syphilis co-infection in the brain function in young HIV patients by using voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) analysis. METHODS: Forty-four syphilis-co-infected HIV patients (HIV+/syphilis+), 45 HIV patients without syphilis history (HIV+/syphilis-) and 43 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state fMRI examinations. Laboratory tests and a battery of neuropsychological tests were performed before each MRI examination. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences of DC among the three groups. The correlations between MRI metrics and laboratory/neuropsychological tests in each patient's group were performed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Compared with HIV+/syphilis-, worse performance in complex motor skills was found in HIV+/syphilis+. Compared with HC, HIV+/syphilis+ and HIV+/syphilis- groups showed attenuated DC in the right orbital frontal cortex and increased DC in the left parietal/temporal cortex. Besides, we also found increased DC in the left inferior frontal cortex and bilateral posterior cingulated cortex/precuneus in HIV+/syphilis+ compared with HC. Moreover, compared with HIV+/syphilis-, HIV+/syphilis+ displayed decreased DC in the left middle occipital cortex. Additionally, in HIV+/syphilis+ group, the mean z value of DC was correlated to the CD4+ cell counts and the learning and delayed recall score. CONCLUSION: Syphilis co-infection might be related to more brain functional reorganization in young HIV patients which could be reflected by DC value.

Oxycodone vs Sufentanil in Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia After Gynecological Tumor Operation: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare analgesic effect and side effects of oxycodone and sufentanil in transition analgesia and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after gynecological tumor operation under general anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind research was conducted. Patients undergoing elective gynecological tumor surgery were randomized into four groups: Group S (sufentanil transition analgesia and sufentanil PCIA), Group OS (oxycodone transition analgesia and sufentanil PCIA), Group SO (sufentanil transition analgesia and oxycodone PCIA) and Group O (oxycodone transition analgesia and oxycodone PCIA). The primary outcomes were Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at rest and coughing, accumulated opioid consumption in PCIA and patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: Patients in Group OS and Group O showed shorter time of consciousness recovery and extubation after surgery. Accumulated opioid consumption in PCIA (equal to morphine) in Group SO and Group O was significantly less than that in Group S and Group OS. Patients in Group O showed lower NRS at rest and coughing, but higher patients' satisfaction 3, 24 and 48 hours after surgery. Patients in Group SO and Group O showed a shorter time of intestinal recovery, first feeding and first-time movement. CONCLUSION: Both oxycodone and sufentanil provided adequate pain relief in transitional analgesia and PCIA treatment after surgery. Oxycodone without background infusion showed less analgesic drug consumption and faster recovery than sufentanil with background infusion in PCIA after gynecological tumor operation under general anesthesia.