Theoretical Study on Ethylamine Dissociation Reactions Using VRC-VTST and SS-QRRK Methods.

Barrierless bond dissociation reactions play an important role in fuel combustion. In this work, the pressure-dependent dissociation rate constants of ethylamine (EA) are accurately determined using variable-reaction-coordinate variational transition-state theory combined with the system-specific quantum Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel method. Before the kinetics calculations, the performances of four density functional theory methods in describing the bond dissociation of EA are evaluated against the benchmark method, FIC-MRCISD(T)+Q/cc-pVTZ, and the MN15-L/cc-pVTZ method is the best choice. By comparison of the Gibbs free energies and the rate constants for the bond dissociation reactions of EA, ethanol, and propane, the influence of functional groups on the reaction kinetics is discussed. The kinetics calculations show that the dissociation rate constants of EA are sensitive to pressure at low pressures and high temperatures, and the dominant channel is the reaction that yields C2H5 and NH2 radicals. A literature combustion model of EA is updated with our calculations, and the satisfactory agreement between the model predictions and reported ignition delay times of EA suggests the reliability of our calculations.

[The predictive value of warning scores for intensive care unit admission in coronavirus disease 2019 patients].

To evaluate the predictive value of early warning scores for intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Shijiazhuang People's Hospital from January 2021 to February 2021, national early warning score (NEWS), national early warning score 2 (NEWS2), rapid emergency medicine score (REMS), quick sepsis-related organ failure (qSOFA), altered consciousness, blood urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age-65 (CURB-65) were used to evaluate the inpatient condition and the predictive value for ICU admission. A total of 368 patients were included, and 32 patients (8.7%) were transferred to the ICU. The median age was 49.0 (34.0,61.0) years. The scores of NEWS, NEWS2, REMS, and CURB-65 were 1 (0, 2), 1 (0, 2), 4 (2, 6) and 0 (0, 1), respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) cure (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value in detecting patients who are at risk of being transferred to the ICU. Area under the ROC AUC of NEWS was 0.756, sensitivity 65.6%, and specificity 71.3%. ROC AUC of NEWS2 was 0.732, sensitivity 62.5%, and specificity 61.3%. ROC AUC of REMS was 0.787, sensitivity 84.4%, and specificity 64.6%. ROC AUC of CURB-65 was 0.814, sensitivity 81.3%, and specificity 76.8%. The predictive value of NEWS and NEWS2 combined with age were significantly improved. The ROC AUC of NEWS combined with age was 0.885, sensitivity 85.1%, and specificity 75.0%. The ROC AUC of NEWS2 combined with age was 0.883, sensitivity 84.2%, and specificity 75.0%. NEWS and NEWS2 combined with age can be used as a predictive tool for whether COVID-19 patients will be admitted to the ICU.

[Clinical observation of single-segment cervical adjacent segment disease treated with artificial cervical disc replacement].

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes and radiographic results of artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR) for cervical adjacent segment disease (ASD). Methods: The clinical data of 28 patients with single-segment cervical ASD treated with ACDR in Xi 'an Honghui Hospital from December 2013 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 9 females with a mean age of (46±7) years (36-63 years). Preoperative, postoperative 1 month and postoperative 24 months of clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded and compared. The clinical outcome mainly includes Japanese orthopedic association (JOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI%), Odom score and complications. Imaging assessment mainly included range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine, surgical segment ROM, Cobb angle of surgical segment, degree of adjacent disc degeneration, heterotopic ossification, and prosthesis related image parameters. Results: In terms of clinical outcome, the average JOA score was 12.7±1.5 before surgery, 14.0±1.0 one month after surgery, 15.8±0.9 24 months after surgery, and the improvement rate of JOA was 75%±19%. The mean NDI% was 27.0%±2.8% before surgery, 20.5%±1.6% one month after surgery, and 15.3%±2.8% 24 months after surgery; the difference before and after treatment was statistically significant (F=159.101, P<0.01). Twenty patients were classified with excellent Odom score and 8 patients with good Odom score at the final follow-up. The total ROM of cervical spine, operation segment ROM, operation segment Cobb angle were all improved significantly after the operation (F=4.633, 6.063, 26.952, all P<0.05). There was a statistical difference in Miyazaki classification between adjacent discs above ACDR and below the fusion segment 24 months after surgery (µ(c)=2.12, P=0.034). The incidence of heterotopic ossification was 14.3%. The results of displacement degree of prosthesis were as follow: coronal plane (0.30±0.11) mm, sagittal plane (0.28±0.10) mm; subsidence of the prosthesis: (0.27±0.09) mm. No prosthesis loosening was observed. Conclusions: The clinical outcome of revision of cervical ASD by ACDR is satisfactory. The risk of intervertebral disc degeneration in adjacent segments is significantly lower than that of ACDF due to the presence of certain motor function postoperatively.

[Discussion on the indications of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer in the era of precision medicine].

Objective: To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node (ALN), and further optimize the IM-SLNB indications. Methods: All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study. IM-SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM-SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results: Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients (74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM-SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%(4/94) and 9.6%(9/94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3% (36/94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P<0.001) and tumor size (P=0.024). The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM-SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions: IM-SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM-SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

[In vivo characteristics of spinal kinematics in senile degenerative lumbar spondylolysis].

Objective: To investigate the in vivo kinematics of the lumbar degenerative spondylolysis (LDS) in senile patients. Methods: From March to October in 2014, nine L(4-5) LDS patients [mean age (74±9) years] and nine healthy volunteers [mean age, (54±4) years] were recruited. Combined fluoroscopy and CT scanning technique were used to obtain the three dimension kinematic data of the vertebral anatomical structures (vertebral body anterior margin, vertebral body posterior margin, facet joints and spinous process) in various postures (supine, standing, flexion and extension) under physical loads, and to compare the stability of different anatomical structures. The L(4-5) segmental disc angle was also measured in different postures. Paired-samples t test was applied to compare the displacement differences between the two groups. Results: During flexion-extension motion, all anatomical structures of the LDS group were slightly larger than those in normal group, but the statistical difference was not obvious (all P>0.05). For normal group, in anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal direction, sub-movement analysis showed that the anterior vertebral body margin at the flexion range of motion [(-1.07±0.84) mm, (-1.27±1.01) mm] were larger than the extension range of motion [(0.66±1.38) mm, (0.63±0.99) mm] (t=3.21, 4.03, both P<0.05). Whereas for LDS group, in anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal direction, sub-movement analysis showed that the anterior vertebral body margin at the extension range of motion [(1.46±1.26) mm, (1.17±0.54) mm] were significantly greater than the flexion range of motion [(-0.43±0.47) mm, (-0.45±1.24) mm] (t=4.22, 3.59, both P<0.05). The disc angles of the LDS group were all smaller than those in normal group, but the statistical difference was not obvious (all P>0.05). However, the disc angles were significantly different under different postures, the flexion were both the smallest in the normal group and LDS group. Conclusions: The senile LDS patients may not necessarily have instability, stability may also occur in these patients. Increasing extension range of motion is one of the kinematic characteristics in senile patients with LDS. The intervertebral stability should be taken into account, but if instability develops, surgical procedure should be suggested for elderly patients with LDS.

[Application of modified micro titanium plate for extensor attachment point reconstruction in open-door laminoplasty].

Objective: To observe the effect of modified micro titanium plate for extensor attachment point reconstruction in open-door laminoplasty. Methods: From January 2016 to February 2017, 26 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent open-door laminoplasty+modified micro-titanium plate fixation+extensor muscle attachment point reconstruction at Tianjin Hospital were enrolled in this study. There were 14 males and 12 females in this group, aged (59±18) years. The improvement of neurological function based on the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the changes cervical curvature based on the cervical curvature index (CCI), especially the atrophy of the back muscles and the occurrence axial symptoms were recorded and analyzed. Intra-group comparisons were performed by using repeated measures of variance analysis or paired t-test. Results: The operations were performed well without injury to spinal cord. The operation time was (116±32) min with a blood loss of (196±41) ml. The JOA scores was improved form 7.8±2.1 preoperatively to 13.5±3.4 three months after surgery, and 13.9±3.7 at the final follow up (F=30.619, P<0.05). The improvement rate of neurological function was 66%±13%. The CCI decreased from 14.3%±3.9% preoperatively to 13.7%±3.7% three months after surgery and 13.0%±3.3% at the last follow-up (F=0.829, P>0.05). The cross-sectional area of the posterior cervical muscle was (35.9±7.6) cm(2) before surgery, and it was (33.5±6.7) cm(2) at the last follow-up (t=1.208, P>0.05). The spinal cord drift distance was (2.6±0.5) mm. The axial symptoms occurred in three patients, the incidence rate was 11.5%. Conclusion: In the open-door laminectomy, modified micro titanium plate can maintain the stability of the cervical spine, it also can rebuild the extensor attachment points and reduce the atrophy of the posterior cervical muscles, which avoid the occurrence of kyphotic deformity and reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms.

[The application of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion imaging and 3D arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging in the evaluation of acute cerebral infarction].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance (MR) intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion imaging and 3D pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pcASL) perfusion imaging in the evaluation of acute cerebral infarction. Methods: MR images of 49 patients with unilateral acute cerebral infarction diagnosed and treated in Affiliated Yancheng Hospital of Southeast University Medical College from October 2015 to February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. High signal infarction area (S(D)) on diffusion image slice with the biggest lesion level and abnormal perfusion area (S(CBF)) on the corresponding level were measured. The presence of ischemic penumbra (IP) was represented by S(CBF)> S(D), and patients were divided into group IP and group non-IP. Regions of interest were set on the infarction core, brain tissue near the edge of the lesion (BNL) and their corresponding contralateral regions. The values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion related diffusion coefficient (D(*)), perfusion fraction (f) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) of each region of interest were recorded and relative values of infarction lesion to its contralateral region (rADC, rD, rD(*), rf, rCBF) were calculated. Differences of each parameter value between infarction core, BNL and their corresponding contralateral regions and of each relative parameter value between infarction core and BNL, and between the two groups were compared.The differential diagnostic efficacy of relative parameter value with differences between groups was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The correlations of each relative parameter value of 3D-pcASL and IVIM sequences were analyzed. Results: The ADC, D, f and CBF values of infarction core were significantly lower than those of contralateral regions in both groups (all P<0.01). Among all parameters of BNL in both groups, only the CBF value of group IP was significantly lower than that of contralateral region ((27.58±3.53) vs (41.20±5.66) ml·100 g(-1)·min(-1), P<0.01). The rADC, rD, rf and rCBF of infarction core were significantly lower than those of BNL in both groups (all P<0.01). The rCBF of BNL in group IP was significantly lower than that in group non-IP (0.68±0.12 vs 0.97±0.15, P<0.01), and the area under the curve was 0.949, the optimal threshold was 0.823, and the youden index was 0.855 for identifying the two groups. Other relative parameters values of infarction core and BNL had no statistical difference between the two groups. There were positive correlations between rCBF and rADC, rD, rf (r=0.428,0.335,0.565) of infarction core, rADC and rD, rf (r=0.853,0.602) of infarction core, also rADC and rD (r=0.336) of BNL (all P<0.05). Conclusions: IVIM can effectively evaluate the difusion and perfusion information of acute cerebral infarction lesions. However, its perfusion related parameters are not as good as 3D-pcASL in IP evaluation, which should be flexibly selected according to the actual needs of patients' condition evaluation.

[The combined application of magnetic resonance DTI and 3D-pcASL in differential diagnosis of hyper-acute and acute ischemic cerebral infarction].

Objective: To explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) combined with 3D pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pcASL) perfusion imaging in differential diagnosis of hyper-acute and acute ischemic cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 42 patients with confirmed unilateral ischemic cerebral infarction from February 2015 to October 2017 of Affiliated Yancheng Hospital of Southeast University Medical College were collected. DTI and 3D-pcASL images of hyper-acute (14 patients, group A) and acute (28 patients, group B) ischemic cerebral infarction were retrospectively analyzed. The slice with the biggest lesion on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) was selected to measure the infarction area (S(DWI)) and abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion area (S(CBF)). Regions of interest (ROIs) were set on the infarction core (IC) area, mismatch area of S(CBF) and S(DWI) (MACD), and their corresponding contralateral regions. The values of CBF, average diffusion coefficient (DC(avg)), and fractional anisotropy (FA) parameter images in these ROIs in patients with both S(CBF)>S(DWI) and lower perfusion in the IC were recorded. The relative values of each infarction lesion to its corresponding contralateral region (rCBF, rFA, and rDC(avg)) were calculated. Differences of each parameter value between the IC, MACD and their corresponding contralateral regions and of the relative values between group A and group B were investigated. Results: The CBF and DC(avg) values in the IC and the CBF value in the MACD were lower than that of their corresponding contralateral regions in both groups (P<0.05). The DC(avg) in the MACD in group A patients and the FA in the IC in group B patients were lower than that in their corresponding contralateral regions (P<0.05). Compared to group A patients, group B patients showed decreased rFA, rDC(avg) in the IC and rFA in the MACD, and increased rDC(avg) and rCBF in the MACD (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the best diagnosis cut off values of the rFA and rDC(avg) values in the IC and the rCBF, rFA, and rDC(avg) values in the MACD were 0.890 and 0.541 and 1.139, 0.902 and 0.455, respectively, for identifying two groups. Conclusion: The changes of the CBF, FA, and DC(avg) values and their relative values can be applied to differentially diagnose patients with hyper-acute and acute cerebral infarction, which could provide the basis for selecting more reasonable treatment protocols.

Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus from Grapevines in China.

To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) in China, 195 grapevine samples from 15 Chinese provinces and regions were tested using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The samples included symptomatic and asymptomatic cultivars, with 35.9% (70 of 195) of samples testing positive for GINV. Seventeen samples had obvious ring spot symptoms, and 94.1% (16 of 17) tested positive for GINV, suggesting that GINV may be highly associated with the ring spot symptom. The genetic diversity of GINV isolates was analyzed based on the partial nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP) genes. Phylogenetic analyses of the MP and CP gene sequences divided the GINV isolates into three groups. The majority of the Chinese isolates were in groups 1 and 2, and only one Chinese isolate, along with a previously reported Japanese isolate, was in group 3. This is the first report on the genetic diversity of GINV isolates and their prevalence and distribution in China.

[Shrinkage mode of the primary breast tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy analyzed with part-mount sub-serial sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction technique].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the shrinkage mode of the primary tumor in women with breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) determined by part-mount sub-serial section (PMSS) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique. METHODS: Eighty-six women with pathologically proven solitary invasive ductal carcinoma (ⅡA-ⅢC) were recruited. They were divided into two groups. Group A (n=25) received half cycles of NAC and Group B (n=61) received whole cycles of NAC. Breast specimen was prepared with PMSS, and residual tumors were microscopically outlined, scanned and registered by Photoshop software. The 3D model of residual tumors was reconstructed with 3D-Doctor software to evaluate the shrinkage mode. Further, the clinicpathologic shrinkage modes were divided into 2 categories: concentric shrinkage mode (CSM, the longest diameter of the pathological residual tumors was less than 50% and ≤2 cm in comparison with the primary tumor before NAC), and non-concentric shrinkage mode (NCSM, the longest diameter of the pathological residual tumors was more than 50% and/or >2 cm in comparison with the primary tumor before NAC). RESULTS: Pathological shrinkage modes: Group A: modes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ were observed in 1, 1, and 23 cases, respectively; Group B: modesⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴwere observed in 18, 3, 12, 21, and 7 cases, respectively (P<0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that patients with lower primary tumor stage, PR(-) or mammographic malignant calcification before NAC(-) and lymph nodes down-staging after NAC were more likely to present with CSM after NAC (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The pathologic reconstruction of breast residual tumors can fully and three-dimensionally reveal the shrinkage mode of the primary breast tumor in women with breast cancer after NAC. PMSS and 3D reconstruction of pathology provide a new platform in this area. Primary tumor stage, PR expression and mammographic malignant calcification before NAC and lymph node down-staging after NAC are independent predictors of the clinicopathologic shrinkage mode.

[Protective effects of oxycodone on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of oxycodone in acute lung injury(ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control group, oxycodone group, LPS group, LPS+ oxycodone group. The effects of oxycodone on LPS-induced neutrophils influx, inflammatory cytokines release, pulmonary edema, apoptotic cell were examined. In addition, the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in lung tissues was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Oxycodone significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathologic changes, alveolar hemorrhage, and neutrophil infiltration. The lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, was markedly decreased by oxycodone(5.60±0.24 vs 6.80±0.27, P<0.05 ). Moreover, oxycodone decreased the productions of the inflammatory cytokines including IL-1ß, TNF-α, HMGB-1((1 208±18)pg/ml, (1 660±14) pg/ml, (61±4) pg/ml , all P<0.05). Oxycodone treatment also reduced the concentration of apoptosis in lung tissues(18.6%±0.5%, P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of TLR4 was significantly suppressed by oxycodone treatment in lung tissues(1.20±0.15, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxycodone exerts protective effects on LPS-induced ALI in rats. The potential mechanism of this action may attribute partly to the inhibition of TLR4 activation.

Technological value of SPECT/CT fusion imaging for the diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of diagnosing and locating lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) fusion imaging with 99mTc labeled red blood cells ((99m)Tc-RBC). Fifty-six patients with suspected lower GI bleeding received a preoperative intravenous injection of (99m)Tc-RBC and each underwent planar, SPECT/CT imaging of the lower abdominal region. The location and path of lower GI bleeding were diagnosed by contrastive analysis of planar and SPECT/CT fusion imaging. Among the 56 patients selected, there were abnormalities in concentrated radionuclide activity with planar imaging in 50 patients and in SPECT/CT fusion imaging in 52 patients. Moreover, bleeding points that were coincident with the surgical results were evident with planar imaging in 31 patients and with SPECT/CT fusion imaging in 48 patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of planar imaging and SPECT/CT fusion imaging were 89.3% (50/56) and 92.9% (52/56), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 0.11, P > 0.05). The corresponding positional accuracy values were 73.8% (31/42) and 92.3% (48/52), and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 4.63, P < 0.05). (99m)Tc- RBC SPECT/CT fusion imaging is an effective, simple, and accurate method that can be used for diagnosing and locating lower GI bleeding.

Protective and sensitive effects of melatonin combined with adriamycin on ER+ (estrogen receptor) breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the protective and sensitive effects of melatonin (MLT) in the treatment of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ER+ breast cancer rat model was established and then rats were randomly divided into five different groups as follows: control group, Diss group, adriamycin (ADM) group, MLT group, and MLT combined with adriamycin (M+A) group. Tumor weights and one month survival rate were compared among these groups. In addition, changes of tumor tissues and expression of E-cadherin were observed under optical microscopy or electro-microscopy. RESULTS: Tumor weights were significantly lighter in M+A group than those in ADM group (p < 0.05). Under optical and electro-microscopy, tumor cell apoptosis was obviously increased in MLT group, and tumor cell injury was more severe in M+A group than that in ADM group; additionally, expression of E-cadherin was higher in MLT group and M+A group than that in other groups. Moreover, MLT group had the highest one month survival rate (100%), there was the poorest life quality in ADM group, but the best life quality in MLT. CONCLUSION: MLT could enhance the sensitivity of tumor to ADM in vivo and improve patient's life quality.

Detection and sequence analysis of grapevine virus B isolates from China.

The presence of grapevine virus B (GVB) was detected in 188 grapevine samples from China by double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The accuracy of detection by RT-PCR was confirmed by sequencing amplified PCR fragments. Seventeen samples were GVB-positive by DAS-ELISA and five by RT-PCR. The isolate QMW proved to be positive by RT-PCR only, and four isolates (DGWH, DGW, QM, and JFL) could be detected by both methods. Among the five GVB-positive samples detected by RT-PCR, two isolates were originally collected from Henan province and three from Liaoning province. The expected 722 bp DNA fragment, covering partial ORF3 through partial ORF5, was amplified from the five GVB infected samples. Sequence analysis revealed that the molecular variants΄ composition of GVB in the different isolates was complex. Clones of DGWH, DGW, QM, and JFL isolate shared high nucleotide identities, while the identities among the clones of isolate QMW varied. The variants of GVB isolates obtained in this study showed nucleotide identities from 81.1% to 97.9% among themselves, and 79.1% to 98.5% identity with five previously published GVB isolates in NCBI. The alignment of partial ORF3 and the phylogenetic relationships of ORF4 revealed that the molecular variants of Chinese GVB isolates could be clustered into three groups. Only isolate DGW was in the same group with the reported GVB isolates from other countries; the other four GVB isolates in this study were clustered into two groups.

Biodegradable and redox-responsive chitosan/poly(L-aspartic acid) submicron capsules for transmucosal delivery of proteins and peptides.

The development of peptides and proteins is hampered by their rapid clearance in liver and other body tissues by proteolytic enzymes, so these drugs are difficult to administer except for the injection. Here, we designed and fabricated a novel biodegradable and redox-responsive submicron capsules through the layer-by-layer technique with poly(L-aspartic acid) and chitosan for transmucosal delivery of proteins and peptides. TEM graphs reveal that the intact submicron capsules were obtained and the shell of submicron capsules was about 40 nm. The mucoadhesion test indicates that the adsorption amount of the mucin could achieve up to 96.2 µg per 2 mg. The cell viability test shows that all types of submicron capsules had good cytocompatibility and the cell viability was above 90 %. As a drug model, the insulin could be loaded in the submicron capsules, and the loading efficiency was about 5 %. The release amount of insulin could be regulated by the levels of GSH. Therefore, the mucoadhesive submicron capsules as vehicles have a potential for the mucosal delivery (e.g. nasal and buccal) of therapeutic peptide and protein drugs.

Anti-tumor activity and immunogenicity of a mutated staphylococcal enterotoxin C2.

In this study, a novel SEC2 mutant with lower toxic activity, named 2M-118 (H118A/T20L/G22E), was engineered by site-directed mutagenesis of structural domains that are responsible for MHC class II molecule binding and TCR binding, respectively. Stimulating activity on murine splenocytes, anti-tumor effect and immunogenicity of 2M-118 were investigated in BALB/c mice. 2M-118 not only remained splenocyte stimulation activity, but also effectively inhibited the growth of S180 sarcoma in the BALB/c mice. Even though antibodies to 2M-118 could be induced after repeated administration, the action of 2M-118 was hardly neutralized or cross neutralized. Like other superantigens, immunosuppression could happen when 2M-118 was given at a greater dose. In conclusion, 2M-118 is a promising anti-tumor drug candidate for its acceptable toxicity and satisfying anti-tumour efficacy.

[Summary and analysis of total auricle reconstruction in adult microtia patients].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of auricle reconstruction in adult patients with microtia and summarize the experience. Methods: Clinical data of adult patients with microtia who underwent total auricle reconstruction using the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction from June 2016 to June 2021 were analyzed. A total of 41 adult patients (42 ears) with microtia were enrolled, including 30 males and 11 females, with the median age at the time of surgery of 37 years. Autogenous costal cartilage was used as the auricular framework for all patients in this group. The first stage surgery was performed according to the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction procedure,cartilage auricular framework carving was performed by different methods according to the ossification state of adult costal cartilage. Six months following the primary operation, ear elevation and cranioauricular angle formation, retroauricular facial flap transfer and medium-thick skin grafting were performed in the second stage. Results: All patients successfully completed two stage operation. During the follow-up of 3 months and 24 months, all the 41 patients were satisfied with the morphology of reconstructed auricle. Conclusion: According to the costal cartilage status of adult patients, different costal cartilage carving techniques can be used for total auricle reconstruction to obtain ideal surgical results.

Investigation of the hydrogen bonding in ice Ih by first-principles density function methods.

It is a well recognized difficult task to simulate the vibrational dynamics of ices using the density functional theory (DFT), and there has thus been rather limited success in modelling the inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra for even the simplest structure of ice, ice Ih, particularly in the translational region below 400 cm(-1). The reason is partly due to the complex nature of hydrogen bonding (H-bond) among water-water molecules which require considerable improvement of the quantum mechanical simulation methods, and partly owing to the randomness of protons in ice structures which often requires simulation of large super-lattices. In this report, we present the first series of successful simulation results for ice Ih using DFT methods. On the basis of the recent advancement in the DFT programs, we have achieved for the first time theoretical outcomes that not only reproduce the rotational frequencies between 500 to 1200 cm(-1) for ice Ih, but also the two optic peaks at ∼240 and 320 cm(-1) in the translational region of the INS spectra [J. C. Li, J. Chem. Phys 105, 6733 (1996)]. Besides, we have also investigated the impact of pairwise configurations of H(2)O molecules on the H-bond and found that different proton arrangements of pairwise H(2)O in the ice Ih crystal lattice could not alter the nature of H-bond as significantly as suggested in an early paper [J. C. Li and D. K. Ross, Nature (London) 365, 327 (1993)], i.e., reproducing the two experimental optic peaks do not need to invoke the two H-bonds as proposed in the previous model which led to considerable debates. The results of this work suggest that the observed optic peaks may be attributed to the coupling between the two bands of H-O stretching modes in H(2)O. The current computational work is expected to shed new light on the nature of the H-bonds in water, and in addition to offer a new approach towards probing the interaction between water and biomaterials for which H-bond is essential.

Cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Dementia and cognitive impairment (CI) are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have important clinical consequences. We explored the prognostic factors for CI in patients with PD. METHODS: A total of 102 patients with PD in Xuan wu hospital and Qian dongnan People's Hospital from 2005 to 2010 were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical and neurological assessments. Relevant demographic and performance parameters were analysed to determine variables that may be independently associated with the progression of CI. RESULTS: In the 6-month follow-up group, CI progressed in three out of 58 cases (5%): two cases progressed from mild CI (MiCI) to moderate CI (MoCI), and one case from MoCI to dementia. In the six-month-to-two-year follow-up group, seven out of 46 cases (15%) worsened: one case developed MiCI, three cases progressed from MiCI to MoCI and three other cases from MoCI to dementia. In the two-to-five-year group, 20 out of 44 cases (45%) worsened with one case developing MiCI, 14 cases progressing from MiCi to MoCI and five cases from MoCI to dementia. Compared with other patients, those with worsening of CI symptoms were significantly older in the two-to-five-year group. Progression of CI was also associated with age at onset and initial staging of PD. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, late onset of disease and severity of PD are the predictive factors for the progression of CI in PD. The highest probability of progression of CI is in patients with initial severe impairments of visuospatial function.

[The characterization analysis of pathogenic T cells in immune-mediated aplastic anemia mouse model].

Objective: This study aims, in addition to characterizing pathogenic T cells trafficking to bone marrow (BM) and other organs, to establish immune-mediated AA C.B10 mouse model by DsRed mouse (B6 background) lymph nodes (LN) cells infusion after a total body irradiation (TBI) . Methods: The C.B10 mice received a 5 Gy TBI and then were infused with DsRed mouse (B6 background) LN cells at 5×10(6)/mouse via a tail vein injection. The severity of bone marrow failure (BMF) was observed by mononuclear cell count in bone marrow and peripheral blood cell count. On days 3, 6, 9, and 12, mice were sacrificed and collected BM, spleens, LN, or thymus to analyze the dynamic change and activation status of donor T cells in these organs by a flow cytometry. At day 12, the donor-derived T cells from BM, spleens, and LN were sorted to collect the DsRed(+)CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and DsRed(+)CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells for RNA isolation and gene expression analyses by PCR array. Results: Relative to control animals that received 5 Gy TBI without LN cell infusion, AA mice developed severe BMF with dramatic decrease in total BM cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets in peripheral blood on days 9 and 12 after the LN cell infusion. The frequencies of DsRed(+) T cells trafficking to BM, LN, and spleens increased with time. Surprisingly, although the DsRed(+) T cells in BM increased dramatically at a level much higher than those in the spleens and LN on day 12, there were very few DsRed(+) T cells in BM on days three and six, which was significantly lower than those in spleens or LN. The frequency of DsRed(+) T cells in thymus was the lowest during the whole process. On day 12, the DsRed(+)CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells of BM, LN, and spleens from AA mice were (91.38±2.10) %, (39.78±6.98) %, and (67.87±12.77) %, respectively. On the contrary, the DsRed(+)CD3(+)CD8(+)T cells of BM, LN, and spleens were (98.21±1.49) %, (94.06±4.20) %, and (96.29±1.23) %, respectively. We assessed the donor T cell phenotypes using the CD44 and CD62L markers and found that almost all of the DsRed(+)CD4(+) or DsRed(+)CD8(+) T cells in BM were effector memory T cell phenotype from day 9 to day 12. Meanwhile, transcriptome analyses showed higher expression in CD38, IFN-γ, LAG3, CSF1, SPP1, and TNFSF13B in BM DsRed(+)CD4(+) and DsRed(+)CD8(+) T cells. However, there was a lower expression in FOXP3 and CTLA4 in BM DsRed(+)CD4(+) T cells than those in spleens and LN. Conclusions: The DsRed LN cells infusion to induce BMF in CB10 mice enabled to track the donor-derived pathogenic T cells. Besides previously published findings in this model, we demonstrated that donor CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells primarily homed to spleens and LN, expanded and differentiated, then infiltrated in BM with a terminal effector memory phenotype. The T cells infiltrated in BM showed more activation and less immunosuppression characteristics compared to those homing to spleens and LN during the BMF development.