[A long-term follow-up study of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnea overlap syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) on all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnea overlap syndrome(OVS) through long-term follow-up. Methods: A total of 187 OVS patients were divided into the NIPPV group(n=92) and the non-NIPPV group(n=95). Of these, 85 males and 7 females were in the NIPPV group with an average age of (66.5±8.5) years(range 47-80 years); 89 males and 6 females were in the non-NIPPV group with an average age of (67.4±7.8) years(range 44-79 years). Follow-up was performed from enrolment with an average duration of 39(20, 51) months. The all-cause mortality was compared between the two groups. Result: There were no significant differences in their baseline clinical characteristics(all P>0.05), indicating that the data from the two groups were comparable. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed no difference in all-cause mortality between the two groups(log rank P=0.229). However, deaths from cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in the non-NIPPV than in the NIPPV group(15.8% vs. 6.5%,P=0.045). Age, BMI, neck circumference, PaCO2, FEV1, FEV1%, moderate to severe OSA(AHI>15 events/h), mMRC, CAT, number of acute exacerbations of COPD and number of hospitalizations were associated with all-cause death in OVS patients; among which, age(HR 1.067, 95%CI 1.017-1.119, P=0.008), FEV1(HR 0.378, 95%CI 0.176-0.811, P=0.013), and number of COPD exacerbations(HR 1.298, 95%CI 1.102-1.530, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in OVS patients. Conclusions: The combination of NIPPV and conventional treatment may reduce cardio-cerebrovascular disease-related mortality in OVS patients. The deceased OVS patients had severe airflow limitation and mild to moderate OSA. Old age, low FEV1 and COPD exacerbations were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in OVS patients.

[Study on ergonomic influencing factors of work-related muscular skeletal disorders in online delivery staff in the catering industry].

Objective: To analyze the ergonomic influencing factors of work-related muscular skeletal disorders (WMSD) of online delivery staff in the catering industry. Methods: In October 2019, 137 online delivery staff in the catering industry from Nangang District, Xiangfang District and Songbei District in Harbin were investigated by questionnaire and vibration test. The influencing factors of the occurrence of WMSD among online delivery staff were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 137 subjects, 93 (67.9%) had WMSD, and the prevalence rates of neck (35.8%, 49/137) and shoulder (35.8%, 49/137) were highest. The whole-body vibration (WBV) A (8) and hand-arm vibration (HAV) A (8) of the subjects were 0.43 (0.16, 0.87) m/s(2) and 2.25 (1.22, 6.35) m/s(2), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high HAV A (8) was significant risk factor for WMSD of online delivery staff (OR=3.053, 95%CI: 1.126-8.280) , daily riding time≤6 h and working years during12-18 months were protective factors for WMSD of online delivery staff (OR=0.175, 95%CI: 0.052-0.581; OR=0.152, 95%CI: 0.040-0.567) . Conclusion: The high incidence of WMSD for online delivery staff in the catering industry is mainly related to HAV, daily riding time and working years. Researchers need to strengthen the research on the transportation, helmets and other work equipment and task arrangements of online delivery staff in order to improve the labor safety of online delivery staff.

[Clinical features of 141 fatal cases of coronavirus disease in Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, China].

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of patients with fatal coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in order to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data on 141 fatal cases of confirmed COVID-19 that occurred among patients in Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, China, from January 20 to March 6, 2020. We analyzed their epidemiological characteristics, clinical and radiological features, laboratory results, and treatment. Results: Of the 141 patients (49 females, 92 males), the median age was 77 years (range: 24-92 years). The most likely source of exposure included the Huanan seafood market (n=3, 2%), family members (n=6, 4%), and hospital-acquired infection (n=8, 6%). The remaining 116 patients (72%) had no known source of exposure. Of the patients, 101 (72%) had chronic diseases. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (n=121, 85%), dry cough (n=77, 54%), shortness of breath (n=23, 16%), and chest pain (n=15, 10%). Less common clinical manifestations included fatigue (n=7, 4%), headache (n=3, 2%), disorders of consciousness (n=2, 1%), diarrhea (n=2, 1%) and lumbago (n=1, 0.7%). In terms of laboratory tests, the absolute value of lymphocytes in most patients was reduced (n=132, 94%), but C-reactive protein (n=141, 100%), procalcitonin(n=121, 89%), serum amyloid (n=140, 99%) were significantly increased. The most common findings on imaging of the lungs were bilateral multiple mottling and ground-glass opacity (n=101, 72%), mainly in the lower lobes (n=15, 10%), with lesions being more common on the right. Other imaging findings included diffuse consolidation (n=4, 3%), ground-glass opacity and consolidation (n=20, 14%), and pneumothorax (n=1, 0.7%). All patients were treated with antibiotics and antiviral drugs. Other treatments included immunoglobulin (n=49, 35%), corticosteroids (n=45, 32%), continuous renal replacement therapy (n=24, 17%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n=12, 9%). All patients were treated with oxygen therapy. The mode of administration included invasive mechanical ventilation (n=61, 43%), noninvasive mechanical ventilation (n=65, 46%), and nasal catheter oxygen inhalation (n=15, 11%). The direct causes of death were acute respiratory distress syndrome (n=90, 64%), multiple organ failure (n=24, 17%), sudden cardiac arrest (n=11, 8%), viral myocarditis (n=8, 5%), acute myocardial infarction (n=4, 3%), cerebrovascular accident (n=3, 2%), and acute gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1, 0.7%). Conclusions: Risk factors for death due to COVID-19 included older age, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities. The most common direct causes of death were acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, sudden cardiac arrest, and viral myocarditis.

[Clinical observation of Weisu granules in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux].

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Weisu granules in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux.Method:One hundred and eighty patients were divided into three groups in random. Sixty patients in experimental group combined of Lanqin oral solution and Weisu granules. Sixty patients in control group A using Lanqin oral solution. Sixty patients in control group B using Esomeprazole Magnesium Entericcoated Tablets and Lanqin oral solution. The treatment course ranges from 4 weeks.Result:Four weeks after treatment,clinical symptoms of all the three groups improved significantly. The effective curative rate in experimental group was 91.7% which better than that of the control group A 73.3%(P<0.05). After treatment, the symptoms and signs of the experimental group were significantly different from those in the control group A(P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the experimental group and the control group B(P>0.05).Conclusion:The therapeutic method of Weisu granules using in laryngopharyngeal reflux has obvious effects.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China.

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large-sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%-90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL-4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.

[Analysis of individual dose monitoring results among radiation workers in a first-class hospital at Grade 3 from 2010 to 2017].

Objective: To understand the occupational external exposure dose among radiation workers in a first-class hospital at Grade 3 of Suzhou, and to provide reference for radiological protection. Methods: The individual dose of 1156 radiation workers in the hospital from 2010 to 2017 were detected, the annual collective effective dose and per capita annual effective dose were analyzed for different years, different occupations (diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology) , gender, and age. Results: From 2010 to 2017, the total annual collective effective dose was 351.40 person·mSv, the per capita annual dose was 0.30 mSv/a, and radiation workers whose annual effective dose was less than 1 mSv accounted for 94.98%. There were 5 interventional radiology workers and 1 nuclear medicine worker with annual effective dose between 2 and 4 mSv. There was no worker with annual effective dose over 4 mSv. The per capita annual effective dose of nuclear medicine workers was the highest (0.40 mSv/a) . The per capita annual effective dose was not significantly different between radiation workers with different genders and ages (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Most of radiation workers have low individual dose level in the hospital. It is important to focus on nuclear medicine workers and interventional radiology workers.

[Effects of transient exposure to high glucose on biological behaviors of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To observe the effects of transient exposure to high glucose on biological behaviors of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro. Methods: The dividing method and treatment of cells for the detection of all indexes in this study were as follows. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells of the 4th passage were divided into 3 groups according to the random number table, with 12 wells in each group. Cells in control group (C) were cultured with complete culture solution containing 5 mmol/L D-glucose for 7 d. Cells in transient high glucose group (THG) were cultured with complete culture solution containing 30 mmol/L D-glucose for 2 d and complete culture solution containing 5 mmol/L D-glucose for 5 d. Cells in prolonged high glucose group (PHG) were cultured with complete culture solution containing 30 mmol/L D-glucose for 7 d. (1) The cell morphology in groups C and PHG on culture day 7 and that in group THG on culture day 2 and 7 was observed by inverted optical microscope. (2) On culture day 0, 2, 4, and 7, cell proliferation rate was determined by cell viability analyzing counter. (3) After culture day 2, the scratch experiment was performed, and the cells were further cultured. At post scratch hour (PSH) 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120, the scratch area was measured, and the cell migration rates of the latter 5 time points were calculated. (4) On culture day 0, 2, 4, and 7, the cell apoptosis rate was determined by cell analyzer. (5) Cells were seeded into Matrigel to culture for 24 h after culture day 7. The formation of vessel-like structure was observed by inverted optical microscope. The length and number of branch point of vessel-like structure were calculated. (6) On culture day 2, 4, and 7, mRNA expression of vascularization-related gene tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) was determined with real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance, and LSD test. Results: (1) Cells in group C exhibited ovary shape in cobble stone order on culture day 7. Cells in group THG exhibited long ovary shape and lost cobble stone order on culture day 2 and kept the same changes on culture day 7. Cells in group PHG exhibited long ovary shape and lost cobble stone order on culture day 7. (2) On culture day 0, there was no significant difference in cell proliferation rate among the 3 groups (F=0.23, P>0.05). On culture day 2, cell proliferation rates in groups THG and PHG were similar (P>0.05), which were significantly lower than the cell proliferation rate in group C (with P values below 0.01). On culture day 4 and 7, the cell proliferation rates in groups THG and C were similar (with P values above 0.05), which were significantly higher than those in group PHG (with P values below 0.01). (3) At PSH 24-120, the cell migration rates in groups THG and PHG were similar (with P values above 0.05), which were significantly lower than those in group C (with P values below 0.01). (4) On culture day 0, there was no statistically significant difference in cell apoptosis rate among the 3 groups (F=0.78, P>0.05). On culture day 2, cell apoptosis rates in groups THG and PHG were similar (P>0.05), which were significantly higher than the cell apoptosis rate in group C (with P values below 0.01). On culture day 4 and 7, the cell apoptosis rates in groups THG and C were similar (with P values above 0.05), which were significantly lower than those in group PHG (with P values below 0.01). (5) The length of vessel-like structure of cells in group THG was (1.84±0.10)×10(5) µm, close to (1.82±0.11)×10(5) µm in group PHG (P>0.05), both significantly shorter than (2.75±0.23)×10(5) µm in group C (with P values below 0.01). The numbers of branch point of vessel-like structure of cells in groups THG and PHG were 43±5 and 46±8 respectively, which were close to each other (P>0.05) and both significantly less than 103±21 in group C (with P values below 0.01). (6) On culture day 2, 4, and 7, mRNA expressions of TIMP-3 of cells in groups THG and PHG were similar (with P values above 0.05), which were significantly lower than those in group C (with P values below 0.05). Conclusions: Transient exposure to high glucose can cause metabolic memory of morphology, migration, and angiogenesis in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro, resulting in sustained changes in biological behaviors. The mechanism may be related to the changes of vascularization-related genes.

[Comparison of intensified myeloablative conditioning regime without antithymocytic globulin (ATG) with myeloablative conditioning regime for single-unit unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation in hematological malignancies].

OBJECTIVE: To campare the effect and tolerance beween intensified myeloablative conditioning regime (IMCR) without antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and myeloablative conditioning regime (MCR) for single-unit unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (sUCBT) in hematological malignancies. METHODS: The clinical data of 190 patients with hematological malignancies undergoing sUCBT between April 2000 and December 2013 at Department of Hematology, Anhui Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, of whom 156 received IMCR without ATG (IMCR group), including 79 patient receiving total body irradiation (TBI)/cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C)/cyclophosphamide (CY) regime, 47 receiving fludarabine (Flu)/busulfan (Bu)/CY regime, and 30 receiving Ara-C/Bu/CY regime, and all of the 156 received a combination of cyclosporine A (CsA) and mycophelonate mofetil (MMF) for the prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD); the remaining 34 patients received MCR (MCR group), 30 patients receiving Bu/CY regime, and 4 receiving TBI/CY regime, all using CsA/MMF±ATG or methotrexate (MTX) for the prophylaxis of GVHD. The two groups were compared in disease status at the time of transplantation, characteristics of graft, transplantation effect, and transplantation-related complications. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, disease type, human leukocyte antigen match, ABO blood type match, and disease status at the time of transplantation (all P>0.05). The median age and body weight at transplantation in the IMCR group were significantly higher than those in the MCR group (13 years vs 9 years, P=0.003; 44 kg vs 26 kg, P=0.000). The median doses of infused total nucleated cells (×10(7)/kg) and CD34(+) cells (×10(5)/kg) in the IMCR group were significantly lower than in the MCR group (3.87 vs 4.99, P=0.002; 2.00 vs 3.17, P=0.000). The cumulative incidence of myeloid engraftment on the 42th day and platelet engraftment on the 120th day in the IMCR group were remarkably higher than in the MCR group [96.33%(95%CI: 96.27%-96.39%)vs 82.30%(95%CI: 80.67%-83.93%), P=0.000; 86.44%(95%CI: 86.28%-86.60%)vs 51.17%(95%CI: 49.02%-53.32%), P=0.002]. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of grade Ⅱ to Ⅳ acute GVHD, grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ acute GVHD, and 2-year chronic GVHD(P=0.482, 0.928, 0.579). The incidence of pre-engraftment syndrome in the IMCR group was higher than in the MCR group(82.70% vs 47.06%, P=0.000). And 180-day transplantation-related mortality (TRM) in the IMCR group was lower than that in the MCR group [20.50%(95%CI: 20.28%-20.71%)vs 42.20% (95%CI: 41.32%-45.09%), P=0.004]. Up to October 2015, with a median follow-up of 44.2(22.7-188.9)months, the estimated 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival in the IMCR group were both significantly higher than those in the MCR group (62.90% vs 34.10%, P=0.000; 58.60% vs 34.10%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: IMCR without ATG may improve the engraftment without increasing complications, reduce early transplantation-related mortality, and improve survival.

[Pathogens and clinical characteristics of bacterial infection in hematology department between 2010 and 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of distribution and drug resistance of bacterial infection in several different parts of hematology department inpatients of Anhui Provincial Hospital from January 2010 to December 2014, including patients who had received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Anti-microbial susceptibility test was done by Kirby-Bauer method and automated systems and the data were analysed by WHONET 5.6 software. RESULTS: A total of 3 312 copies of inspection samples were analyzed, including 2 716 (82%) blood samples and other 596 specimens (18%). 634 bacterial strains were isolated from 3 312 samples (19.14%) including 488 samples (76.97%) from blood culture. 427 (67.35%) bacterial strains were gram-negative, and the other 207 (32.65%) were gram-positive. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were most common gram-negative bacterial and the resistant rates to imipenem were 0.8%, 11.8% and 3.3%, respectively. Detection rates of Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 83.9% and 75.0%, respectively. At the same time, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Enterococcus were most common kinds of gram-positive bacteria. Methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococcus accounted for 65.9% antibiotic resistance. No vancomycin and/or linezolid and/or tigecycline resistant strains of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. were found in those patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with hematology diseases had a higher risk of bacterial infections, mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria. There are different distributions of bacterial in different wards.

Predictive potential role of glutathione S-transferases polymorphisms in response to chemotherapy and breast cancer prognosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of GSTM1 null/present, GSTT1 null/present, and GSTP1 polymorphisms in the clinical response to chemotherapy and treatment outcome of breast cancer. The GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphism genotypes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that breast cancer patients carrying the GG genotype of GSTP1 IIe105Val showed a significantly better response to chemotherapy compared to those expressing the AA genotype [odds ratio = 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.24-5.91, P = 0.007]. The Cox proportional hazards model indicated that the GG genotype of GSTP1 IIe105Val in breast cancer patients was correlated with a lower risk of death from all causes than those with AA genotype. The adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) for the GG genotype of GSTP1 IIe105Val was 0.44 (0.18-0.99; P = 0.03). In conclusion, the results of our study indicated that the GG genotype of GSTP1 IIe105Val was significantly associated with better response to chemotherapy and longer overall survival, compared to the wide-type genotype.

RLIP76 expression as a prognostic marker of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: RLIP (Ral-interacting protein)-76/RalBP11 (Ral-binding protein-1), a multifunctional protein and stress-inducible non-ABC transporter, have been proven to serve as a critical role in cancer development and progression; however, little is known about the pathological role of RLIP76 in breast cancer patients. The study aimed to determine the correlation between RLIP76 expression in breast cancer patient and clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using RT-PCR and Western blot, messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of RLIP76 were determined in breast cancer and adjacent normal mammary tissues. The relationship of RLIP76 expression with clinical characteristics of 245 breast cancer patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the present study, our results indicated that RLIP76 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in the breast cancer tissues while compared with adjacent normal mammary tissues and the correlation with RLIP76 protein expression was significantly associated with age (the non-ABC transporter, stage and the expression were significantly associated-T2 vs. T3-T4, p < 0.01), lymph node metastasis (N0-N1 vs. N2-N3, p < 0.01), and PR (positive vs. negative, p < 0.01) in breast cancer patients; furthermore, we also found that RLIP76 protein overexpression was an unfavorable prognostic factor in the patients suffered from breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: RLIP76 overexpression serves as an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in breast cancer patients.

Expression profiles of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical pathology and has become a focus for research in recent years. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes responsible for the degradation of almost all extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). The over-expression of MMPs or tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may disrupt the dynamic balance of the ECM. Therefore, in the current study, the expression levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar IDD patients were evaluated in an attempt to elucidate their role in IDD pathogenesis and progression. In total, 60 IDD patients were recruited as the experimental group, along with 20 cases of lumbar vertebral injury without disc degeneration as the control group. Preoperative venous blood samples were collected, and intervertebral disc tissues were collected from the lesion during surgery. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Serum and tissue MMP-1 levels in IDD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, sub-group analysis revealed that severe IDD patients had higher MMP-1 levels compared with mild or moderate IDD patients (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in TIMP- 1 levels in either the serum or tissues of IDD patients compared to patients in the control group (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that MMP-1 expression is increased in IDD, with higher expression observed in more severe cases, whereas TIMP-1 expression was similarly expressed in both normal and degenerated discs.

Direct period measurement for fiber Bragg grating using an optical imaging technique.

This paper proposes an approach based on an optical imaging technique for the period measurement of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The simple, direct technique involves a differential interface contrast (DIC) microscope and a high-resolution CCD camera. Image processing is performed on the microscope images to obtain low-noise grating profiles and then the grating periods. Adopting a large image sample size in the image processing can reduce uncertainty. During the investigation, FBGs of different grating periods are fabricated by prestraining the photosensitive fibers during the UV-writing process. A good linearity between the measured Bragg wavelengths and grating periods is observed and the measured strain-optics coefficient was found to be in agreement with reported literature.

Fluorescence detection of etoposide-loaded nanoparticles by HPLC and pharmacokinetics study.

A simple HPLC with fluorescence detection method was developed for determination and pharmacokinetic study of Etoposide in dog plasma.Plasma sample pretreatment involved liquid-liquid extraction of 500 µL plasma. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Gemini C18 column with a mixture of methanol (A) and water (B) (0~5 min, volume of A was 45-50%, 5~10 min, volume of A was 50-90%) used as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min.These results indicated that the accuracy and precision of the current assay were within the recommendations for assay validation as stipulated in "Guidance for Industry: Bioanalytical Method Validation". Etoposide nanoparticles and injection pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: T1/2, 2.26 (0.71) and 1.74 (0.43) h;Cmax, 13.24 (5.32) and 8.12 (3.61) µg/ml; AUC0-t, 41.32 (7.33) and 16.53 (4.12) µg · ml - 1 · h; AUC0-∞, 49.54 (9.62) and 19.64 (8.22) µg · ml - 1 · h; MRT, 3.13 (0.54) and 2.06 (0.33) h and CL 7.35 (1.53) and 12.61 (2.22), respectively.This method was fully validated and successfully applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study of Etoposide in dogs after i. v. drip administration.

Strongly linearly polarized low threshold lasing of all organic photonic quasicrystals.

Lasing is obtained from a two-dimensional (2D) Penrose photonic quasicrystal made of a low index contrast material of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLCs) that enables a substantial reduction in the optical pumping threshold. This lasing architecture further allows for excellent linear polarization characteristics as well as wide directional dependence. The pumping threshold is fivefold lower than that obtained from the 2D defect-free photonic crystals fabricated under similar conditions. These properties make H-PDLC photonic quasicrystal promising for a new type of all organic miniature lasers.

Spatial angle dependent lasing from a dye-doped two-dimensional hexagonal photonic crystal made of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals.

The observation of spatial angle dependent lasing from a dye-doped two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PC) holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals made of hexagonal lattice structure is reported. With the increasing output angle of the laser beam in the plane perpendicular to the 2D PC, the lasing wavelength is red-shifted. By analyzing the lasing oscillation trace, we found that the effective lattice constant changes with the output angle, causing the spatial angle dependent lasing.

Is FCGR2A a susceptibility gene to systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese?

Recent genome-wide association scans and replication studies reinforce that FCGR2A is a susceptibility gene in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Caucasians. However, previous case control studies denied such conclusions in Chinese people. Besides genetic heterogeneity among different ethnicities, copy number variation (CNV), non-homogenous phenotypes and insufficient power may be confounders. We performed a case control study with 1066 Chinese (589 SLE patients and 477 healthy controls) and a meta-analysis based on 2328 SLE patients and 2313 healthy controls. FCGR2A CNV and FCGR2A131H/R [rs1801274] were detected by TaqMan assays. No variation of copy numbers of FCGR2A gene was found in Chinese. A further case control study suggested a dose-response character for FCGR2A131H/R and it affected disease activity, severity and prognosis. Finally, meta-analysis indicated FCGR2A that was a susceptibility gene to SLE in Chinese with an odds ratio of 1.094 and population attributable risk proportion of (PARP) 0.031. By an integrative strategy, we validate that FCGR2A bears no population-specific CNV. FCGR2A131H/R contributes to SLE susceptibility in Chinese, and affects disease activity, severity and prognosis. The undetected association in Chinese derives from under-power rather than any methodological obstacle due to CNV or population-specific genetic effect.

Under- and over-consumption intermittent TB treatment among rural TB patients in south-west China.

OBJECTIVE: To assess adherence to intermittent directly observed treatment (DOT) during the 2-month intensive phase of tuberculosis (TB) treatment in south-west rural China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Simao Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. One hundred and thirty new TB patients registered under DOTS and treated during the 2-month intensive phase and their observers were separately interviewed at their homes using structured questionnaires. Numbers of packs of TB drugs were checked on the spot. RESULTS: Of 130 visits, the same percentage (3.1%) of patients and their observers reported missing > or =2 consecutive weeks of treatment (prevalence-adjusted kappa = 0.94). The percentages who missed > or =20% of the packs, as reported by patients and observers, were 3.8 and 2.3, respectively (prevalence-adjusted kappa = 0.969). According to the pill count, nine patients (7%) had missed > or =20% of the packs, 10 had over-consumed TB drugs and two had lost respectively five and six packs. Eight of the 10 who had over-consumed had done so due to confusion in the days of the month, and two because they wanted a quicker recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent regimens in China need to be more carefully monitored to avoid over-consumption of anti-tuberculosis drugs in addition to non-adherence due to under-consumption.

Involvement of pressure-related mechanism in activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

The goal of this study was to clarify the relationship between blood pressure and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity. Different levels of blood pressure were obtained by long-term (six days) intravenous infusion of different concentrations (0.3%-8%) of NaCl solution to normal SD rats. iNOS activity assay and measurement of urinary nitrate/nitrite (UNOx), an index of NO production of the whole body, were carried out by isotope-labeled L-arginine conversion rate measurement and Greiss Reaction respectively. Groups of normotensive and hypertensive rats including normal Wistar rats, normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, high NaCl-induced hypertensive rats (NaHR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used to detect the changes in iNOS protein under normotension and hypertension by Western blotting. iNOS activity of aorta and kidney tissues and UNOx increased more significantly in hypertensive animals than in the normotensive control ones. Accordingly, iNOS protein in the aortas of NaHR and SHR increased by 149% and 261% respectively. It is suggested that in addition to cytokine and bacterial products etc, blood pressure is also an effective regulatory factor involved in iNOS activation and expression.