[Temporal trend of antibiotic use among primary school children in Shanghai, 2017-2020].

To investigate the temporal trend of antibiotic use among children in Shanghai from 2017 to 2020. The stratified cluster sampling method was used to establish a dynamic cohort of healthy children based on primary schools in Changning District, Shanghai. In the cohort, there were 282 children from 2017, 287 children from 2018, 294 from 2019 and 301 from 2020. A total of 700 children aged 7-11 years were included in the study. The basic information and antibiotic use of children were investigated by questionnaire every year, and their height and weight were measured at the same time. Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference of antibiotic use rate in each year and generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the temporal trend of antibiotic use. The results showed that the use rates of all antibiotics, cephalosporins, azithromycin and other antibiotics (including penicillin, lincomycin, quinolones, etc.) of children between 2017 and 2020 were 15.6%, 10.5%, 2.7%, and 2.4%, respectively. In 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, there were significant differences for the use rates of total antibiotics and other antibiotics in children (P=0.033, P=0.040), and there were no significant differences for the use rates of cephalosporins and azithromycin (P=0.274, P=0.455). After adjusting for children's basic characteristics, the generalized estimation equation showed that the annual use rate of all antibiotics, cephalosporins, and other antibiotics decreased over time.

[An analysis of the new "three tubes" method in the treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture].

To investigate the clinical efficacy, feasibility and safety of new "three tubes" method in the treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture. A total of 22 patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture were retrospectively analyzed. Through the new "three tubes" method of treatment, patients achieved leak cured with reduced hospital stay, less medical expenses and early resumption of oral diet. The new "three tubes" method for spontaneous esophageal rupture has the advantages of easy handling, minimal invasion, few complication and exact curative effect.

[Causal analysis and management strategies of 30-day unplanned revision surgery following single-stage posterior vertebral column resection for severe spinal deformity].

Objective: To investigate the causes of 30-day unplanned revision surgery following one-stage posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) for severe spinal deformity and the methods of prevention and management. Methods: A total of 112 severe deformity patients underwent one-stage PVCR for surgical treatment in the 306(th) Hospital of People's Liberation Army from May 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Six patients required reoperation within 30 days after PVCR, including 2 males and 4 females with average age of 21 years (ranging from 12 to 38 years). Four cases were congenital kyphoscoliosis, 1 was post-laminectomy kyphoscoliosis and 1 was post-tuberculous angular kyphosis. Three cases associated with preoperative neurologic deficit (Frankel C in 1 patient and D in 2 patients). The causes, management and outcomes of unplanned revision surgery within 30 days after PVCR were recorded. Results: The total incidence of unplanned revision surgery within 30 days following PVCR was 5.4% (6/112). There was 1 case due to cerebrospinal fluid leak, 5 cases with varying degrees of new neurologic deficits, the causes were as followed: dural buckling in 1 case, residual bone compression in 1 case, epidural hematoma compression in 2 cases, spinal subdural hematoma in 1 case. All the 6 cases underwent surgical exploration again, including further dural repair, decompression and hematoma clearance. After unplanned reoperation, 6 cases recovered completely. The average follow-up time after surgery was 30.8 months (ranging from 10 to 60 months). The major curve at coronal plane was improved from preoperative 87.7° to 34.2°, with a mean correction of 61.0% at final follow-up; the sagittal kyphosis curve was improved from preoperative 119.5° to 45.5°, with a mean correction of 61.9% at final follow-up. Two patients' neurological status improved from Frankel D to Frankel E, one patient's neurological status improved from Frankel C to Frankel E. Conclusions: One-stage PVCR could be an effective method for treatment of severe spinal deformity. The causes of 30-day unplanned reoperation after PVCR are as followed: cerebrospinal fluid leak, dural buckling, residual bone compression and hematoma compression. Timely surgical exploration can gain good clinical outcomes.

Medium density fibreboard production by hot pressing without adhesive using Triarrhena sacchariflora residue bio-pretreated by white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor.

AIMS: To produce fibreboard with Triarrhena sacchariflora residue (TSR) without adhesive and understand the relationship between bio-pretreatment and mechanical property of fibreboard. METHODS AND RESULTS: White-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor was used to pretreat TSR, and biochemical and physical analysis were investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy method. CONCLUSIONS: TSR was suitable to produce fibreboard without adhesive by bio-pretreatment with C. versicolor. The property of fibreboard became stronger by optimization of bio-pretreatment parameters, and the moduli of rupture and elasticity of fibreboard were increased to 18·12 MPa and 4·3 GPa, respectively, which were close to national standard of medium-density fibreboard with adhesive. Bio-pretreated TSR increased the mechanical properties of fibreboard because of 1·4-fold content of polysaccharide and 1·15 U g(-1) laccase, more hydroxyl group and more porous surface structure than that of untreated TSR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: TSR-based fibreboard production without adhesive eliminated potential formaldehyde gas emission.

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of endophytes from Scapania verrucosa Heeg.

We evaluated the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of endophytes isolated from Scapania verrucosa Heeg., which belongs to the liverwort class. A total of 49 endophytic fungi were isolated from S. verrucosa and classified into seven genera and one family in our previous study. In this study, the cytotoxic activity of the endophytes was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, seven of which showed potent toxicity against the brine shrimp with 50% lethal concentration values less than 20 µg/mL. T-30 was the most toxic, with a 50% lethal concentration value of 7.15 µg/mL. Moreover, T-27 exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with minimal inhibitory concentrations below 0.25 and 4 mg/mL, which can inhibit the growth of two standard strains - ATCC 25923 (methicillin-sensitive S. aureus) and ATCC 43300 (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) - in a time-dependent manner, respectively. These results suggest that endophytes in S. verrucosa are the sources for the production of natural bioactive products and thus warrant further investigation.

[Applications of the NDR and DIAL models for risk prediction on cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes in Ningbo].

Objective: To validate the performance of cardiovascular risk prediction models based on the Sweden National Diabetes Register (NDR) and Diabetes Lifetime-perspective prediction (DIAL) model for assessing risks of 5-year and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Based on the Chinese Electronic Health Records Research in Yinzhou study, 83 503 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 30-75 years without a history of CVD at baseline were included from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. Recalibrated NDR model was used to estimate 5-year risk, while the recalibrated DIAL model was used to predict 5-year and 10-year risks. The competing events adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to obtain the observed cardiovascular events. Discrimination C statistics evaluated model accuracy, calibration χ2 value, and calibration plots. Results: Through a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 7 326 cardiovascular events, and 2 937 non-vascular deaths were identified among a total of 83 503 subjects. The recalibrated NDR model overestimated 5-year risk by 39.4% in men and 8.6% in women, whereas the overestimation for the recalibrated DIAL model was 14.6% in men and 50.1% in women. The DIAL model had a better discriminative ability (C-statistic=0.681, 95%CI: 0.672-0.690) than NDR model (C-statistic=0.667, 95%CI: 0.657-0.677) in 5-year risk prediction for men, and the models had a similar ability for women (C-statistic=0.699, 95%CI: 0.690-0.708 for NDR and C-statistic=0.698, 95%CI: 0.689-0.706 for DIAL). The prediction accuracy of the DIAL model was improved in the 10-year risk, with the underestimation being 1.6% for men and the overestimation being 12.8% for women. Conclusions: Both recalibrated NDR and DIAL models overestimated 5-year cardiovascular risk in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, while the higher overestimation was shown using the DIAL model. However, the improvement was found in predicting 10-year CVD risk using the DIAL model, which suggested the value of lifetime risk prediction and indicated the need for research on the lifetime risk prediction model for cardiovascular risk assessment in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Accuracy of the China-PAR and WHO risk models in predicting the ten-year risks of cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population].

Objective: To externally validate and compare the accuracy of the China-PAR (Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China) model and the 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) cardiovascular disease risk charts for East Asian in predicting a 10-year cardiovascular disease in a general Chinese population. Methods: Participants aged 40-79 years without prior cardiovascular disease at baseline in the CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY) were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the observed cardiovascular events (including non-fatal myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, and non-fatal or fatal stroke) rate within ten years. The expected risks were calculated using the WHO risk charts for East Asia (including the laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based models) and the China-PAR model. The expected-observed ratios were calculated to evaluate the overestimation or underestimation of the models in the cohort. Model accuracy was assessed by discrimination C-index, calibration χ2 value, and calibration plots. Results: During a median of 7.26 years of follow-up, 13 301 cardiovascular events were identified among 225 811 participants. The C-index for the China-PAR model, WHO laboratory-based model and WHO non-laboratory-based model were 0.741 (0.735-0.747), 0.747 (0.740-0.753), and 0.739 (0.733-0.746) for men, and 0.782 (0.776-0.788), 0.789 (0.783-0.795), and 0.782 (0.776-0.787) for women, respectively. The WHO laboratory-based model and non-laboratory-based model underestimated the 10-year ASCVD risk by around 15% in women and underestimated by 0.8% and 4.4% in men, respectively. The China-PAR model underestimated the risks by 19.5% and 42.3% for men and women. Conclusions: The China-PAR and WHO models all have pretty good discriminations for 10-year cardiovascular risk assessment in this general Chinese population. However, the accuracy should be improved in the highest-risk groups, suggesting further specific models are still needed for those with the highest risk, such as patients with diabetes or older persons.

Oleanolic acid inhibits hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear model.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scarring, a common proliferative disorder of dermal fibroblasts, results from an overproduction of collagen and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Although treatment with surgical excision or steroid hormones can modify the symptoms, numerous treatment-related complications have been described. AIM: To investigate the effects of oleanolic acid (OA), a naturally occurring triterpenoid, on hypertrophic scarring in a rabbit ear model. METHODS: A rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scarring was used, with wounds produced with a biopsy punch. Oleanolic acid (2.5%, 5% and 10%) was applied once daily to the scars for 22 days. On postoperative day 28, the scars were excised, and the tissue used for histological examination and assays of the levels of collagens I and III, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß(1). The scar elevation index (SEI) was also determined. RESULTS: Treatment with different concentrations of oleanolic acid (OA) for 22 days significantly inhibited hypertrophic scarring in rabbit ear tissue. Levels of TGF-ß(1), collagen I and collagen III were significantly decreased and levels of MMP-1 significantly increased in the scar tissue. SEI was also significantly reduced. Histological findings showed significant amelioration of the scar tissue. CONCLUSIONS: OA suppresses hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear model and may be an effective cure for human hypertrophic scarring.

In vitro antioxidant activities of endophytic fungi isolated from the liverwort Scapania verrucosa.

We investigated in vitro antioxidant activities of 49 endophytic fungi isolated from the liverwort Scapania verrucosa. Based on morphological and molecular identification, the endophytic fungi isolated were classified into seven genera (Hypocrea, Penicillium, Tolypocladium, Chaetomium, Xylaria, Nemania, and Creosphaeria), all belonging to one family (Xylariaceae). By screening with the 2,2'-azino-di(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization assay, the ethyl acetate extracts of five endophytic fungi (T7, T21, T24, T32, and T38 strains), which exhibited remarkable Trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity (ranging from 997.06 to 1248.10 µmol TE/g extract), were selected and their antioxidant capacity was further evaluated by assays for 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating. The ethyl acetate extracts of two endophytic fungi (T24 and T38) were found to have comparable scavenging abilities on both DPPH-free radicals (93.9 and 88.7%, respectively, at 50 µg/mL) and hydroxyl radicals (97.1 and 89.4%, respectively, at 2 mg/mL) when compared with those of the positive controls (ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene, respectively). Although their reducing powers were similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene, as indicated by absorbance (0.35 and 0.30 at 50 µg/mL, respectively), only the T38 strain's ethyl acetate extract showed ferrous ion chelating ability (92.9% at 1 mg/mL) comparable to that of the EDTA-2Na control. These endophytic fungi in S. verrucosa are a potential novel source of natural antioxidants.

Stimulatory effect of LPS and feedback effect of PGE2 on IL-27 production.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a new member of the IL-6/IL-12 family, composed of two subunits, the Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28 chains (p28), and produced by activated monocytes and dendritic cells. IL-27 plays an important role in the regulation of differentiation of naive T helper cells and has diverse effects on innate immune cells. However, the pro-inflammatory mechanisms of IL-27 are still not well known. In this study, we investigated the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the production of IL-27. We found that LPS-stimulated IL-27 production was in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in THP-1 cells. We have also shown that IL-27 induced PGE2 production and COX-2 gene expression at the level of mRNA as well as protein. Moreover, we found feed back effect of PGE2 on the production of IL-27 in THP-1 cells. The results suggest that PGE2 significantly inhibits LPS-induced IL-27 production, without affecting basal IL-27 expression. Further experiment suggests that PGE2 and LPS regulate IL-27 through NF-κB pathway. Our findings may have wide implication for IL-27 in inflammatory diseases.

Prediction of the prognosis of patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure using the model for end-stage liver disease scoring system and a novel logistic regression model.

The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scoring system in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACLF-HBV), and to establish a new model for predicting the prognosis of ACLF-HBV. A total of 204 adult patients with ACLF-HBV were retrospectively recruited between July 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004. The MELD scores were calculated according to the widely accepted formula. The 3-month mortality was calculated. The validity of the MELD model was determined by means of the concordance (c) statistic. Clinical data and biochemical values were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis based on which the regression model for predicting prognosis was established. The receiver-operating characteristic curves were drawn for the MELD scoring system and the new regression model and the areas under the curves (AUC) were compared by the z-test. The 3-month mortality rate was 57.8%. The mean MELD score for the patients who died was significantly greater than those who survived beyond 3 months (28.7 vs 22.4, P = 0.003). The concordance (c) statistic (equivalent to the AUC) for the MELD scoring system predicting 3-month mortality was 0.709 (SE = 0.036, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.638-0.780). The independent factors predicting prognosis were hepatorenal syndrome (P < 0.001), liver cirrhosis (P = 0.009), HBeAg (P = 0.013), albumin (P = 0.028) and prothrombin activity (P = 0.011) as identified in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The regression model that was constructed by the logistic regression analysis produced a greater prognostic value (c = 0.891) than the MELD scoring system (z = 4.333, P < 0.001). The MELD scoring system is a promising and useful predictor for 3-month mortality of ACLF-HBV patients. Hepatorenal syndrome, liver cirrhosis, HBeAg, albumin and prothrombin activity are independent factors affecting the 3-month mortality. The newly established logistic regression model appears to be superior to the MELD scoring system in predicting 3-month mortality in patients with ACLF-HBV.

Long non-coding RNA FGF14-AS2 represses proliferation, migration, invasion, and induces apoptosis in breast cancer by sponging miR-205-5p.

OBJECTIVE: The heterogeneity of breast cancer leads to its complexity and diversity in the process of evolution, which brings great difficulties to the stratification and individualized treatment of breast cancer patients. The long noncoding RNA FGF14 antisense RNA 2 (FGF14-AS2) is concerned with the progression and prognosis of breast cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanism of FGF14-AS2 in breast cancer has rarely been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expressions of FGF14-AS2 and miR-205-5p in breast cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of breast cells were assessed by MTT or transwell or flow cytometry assay. The interaction between FGF14-AS2 and miR-205-5p were predicted by lncRNA-microRNA database DIANA-LncBase v2 and confirmed by the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System. RESULTS: FGF14-AS2 was down-regulated while miR-205-5p was up-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cells and correlated with tumor stage and size. Functionally, the overexpression of FGF14-AS2 or miR-205-5p knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Moreover, FGF14-AS2 could directly bind to miR-205-5p, and the overexpression of FGF14-AS2 undermined the miR-205-5p induced effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: FGF14-AS2 directly bind to miR-205-5p to repress proliferation, migration, invasion, and induce apoptosis in breast cancer. This study may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Correlation analysis of mineral element contents and quality traits in milled rice (Oryza stavia L.).

The relationships among potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) contents in milled rice (Oryza stavia L.) of 274 genotypes and the relationships between these mineral element contents and other rice quality traits including 3 cooking quality traits, 17 amino acid contents, and protein content were investigated. The results showed that there were significant correlations among most of mineral element contents. Mg, Fe, and Mn contents were significantly correlated with most of the other mineral element contents, while Cu content had significantly negative associations with the K and Mg contents of rice. The relationships between mineral element contents and cooking quality traits showed that gel consistency (GC) was significantly correlated with K, Cu, and Mn contents of rice. Amylose content (AC) was significantly associated with K, Na, Mg, Cu, and Mn contents. The alkali spreading value (ASV) had closely positive relationships with Ca, Mg, and Mn contents. In addition, 8 mineral element contents had obvious correlations with different amino acid contents. Mg, Ca, and Zn contents were significantly correlated with most of the 17 amino acid contents, but Na content did not correlate with amino acid contents except aspartic acid of rice. Furthermore, significant associations were found between protein content and Na, Mg, Zn, Cu, or Mn content. Six principal components were extracted to explain 84.50% of the total variances and contained the information provided by the original 29 variables according to the principal component analysis.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities of pig coronary arteries.

Most (85% or more) of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (3' :5' -cyclic-AMP 5'-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) activity of pig coronary arteries was found in the 40 000 times g supernatant fraction of homogenates of the intima plus media layer. Chromatography of the soluble fraction of this layer on DEAE-cellulose resolved two phosphodiesterase activities and a heat stable, non-dializable activator. Peak I activity had apparent Km values of 2-4 muM for cyclic GMP and 40-100 muM for cyclic AMP. Peak II activity was relatively specific for cyclic AMP and exhibited apparent negatively cooperative behavior. Peak I but not peak II activity could be stimulated 3-8-fold by the addition of the boiled activator fraction or a boiled crude supernatant fraction. Cyclic AMP hydrolysis by peak I or peak II was more rapid in the presence of Mn-2+ than Mg-2+, but the latter promoted hydrolysis of cyclic GMP by peak I more effectively than did Mn-2+ in the presence of activator. In the absence of added metals, ethylene bis(oxyethylenenitriol)tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) and EDTA both inhibited hydrolysis of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP by phosphodiesterase activities in the supernatant fraction and in peak I, but EDTA produced more complete inhibition at lower concentrations than did EGTA. Imidazole (1 muM to 10 mM) had virtually no effect on the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP catalyzed by either of the two separated peaks or by total phosphodiesterase activities in crude supernatant or particulate fractions.

Donepezil improves learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice by inhibition of microglial activation.

Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is a representative symptomatic therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have reported the anti-inflammatory effects of donepezil. However, limited studies that investigate its anti-inflammatory effect in AD have been reported. Considering the role of proinflammatory molecules and microglial activation in the pathogenesis of AD, the current study aimed to elucidate the effects of donepezil on microglial activation induced by amyloid deposition in transgenic mice. Our results showed that chronic treatment with donepezil significantly improved the cognitive function in the novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test in amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) transgenic mice. We further demonstrated that these cognitive enhancements were related to the anti-inflammatory effect of donepezil. We found that donepezil could inhibit the expression of CD68, a specific marker of microglial activation, and reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß. Immunohistochemistry and Congo red co-staining revealed that congophilic amyloid and activated microglia around plaques were also reduced by donepezil treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis showed that donepezil decreased insoluble Aß40/Aß42 and soluble Aß40 levels. Moreover, donepezil reversed the impaired expression of insulin-degrading enzyme in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Our findings indicated that donepezil improves cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by a mechanism that may be associated with its inhibition of microglial activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines.

Cesium cholate: determination of X-ray crystal structure indicates participation of the ring hydroxyl groups in metal binding.

The crystal structure of cesium cholate, C(24)H(36)(OH)(3) COOCs has been determined with three-dimensional X-ray diffractometer data. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1) with unit-cell dimensions a = 11.543(5) A, b = 8.614(3) A, and c = 12.662(5) A, beta(deg) = 107.95(2), V = 1197.7 A(3) and Z = 2. The atomic parameters were refined to a final r = 0.0269 and R(omega) = 0.0280 for 2342 observed reflections. Each Cs(+) is coordinated to 7 oxygen atoms from 5 different cholate anions with Cs-O distances ranging from 2.957(4) A to 3.678(5) A. In this crystal, 5 cholates are coordinated with 1 Cs(+), and 5 Cs(+) are coordinated with 1 cholate anion. Carboxyl and all the 3 ring hydroxyl groups of cholate anion participate in binding to Cs(+) simultaneously, and there is no water molecule coordinated with the Cs(+). The pattern of successive rows arranged with polar (p) and non-polar (n) faces in apposition leads to the formation of a sandwich sheet structure with polar and non-polar channels. The Cs ions lie within the polar interior of the sandwich. The H-bond network is reorganized in forming cesium cholate from cholic acid. All the oxygen atoms in cholate anion are involved in H-bonding reciprocally or with water molecules to form an extensive 3-dimensional network of H-bonds. Compared with cholic acid and other similar type of steroids, the coordination structure and H-bonding of Cs cholate crystal are distinct.

Synthesis, characterization, and antiinflammatory activity of naproxen complexes with rare earth (III).

RE(III) complexes of Naproxen(HNap) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductance measurements, solubilities, thermal analysis, infrared, proton magnetic resonance, and electronic spectral data. The elemental analyses reveal the presence of 1:3 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry and the IR spectra suggest the carboxylate group of HNap functions, as a bridging ligand to coordinate to RE(III) ions. The electronic spectra recorded in solid exhibit only slight shifts in visible regions, on which beta, delta and b1/2 of covalent parameters have been calculated. Formalin-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced rat ear edema inflammatory models were chosen to examine the antiinflammatory activity of Nd(III) complex, which ascertained enhanced antiinflammatory activity relative to the ligand.

Sugar interaction with metal ions. Crystal structure and FT-IR spectroscopic study of strontium galactarate mono-hydrate.

The crystal structure of strontium galactarate mono-hydrate, Sr2+ x C6H8O8(2-) x H2O, Mr = 313.76, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.268(2), b = 10.333(2), c = 10.194(2) A, beta = 117.87(3) degrees, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, Z = 4, Dx = 2.180 Mg m(-3), V = 956.1(3) A3, mu = 5.676 mm(-1), F(000) = 624, T = 293(2) K, R = 0.0260 for 1690 observed reflections and 145 parameters refined, has been determined. The galactarate ion is centro-symmetrical in the crystal structure, although it contains independent half-ions. The Sr2+ ion is nine-coordinated (tricapped trigonal prism) with five Sr-O bonds from carboxylic groups, and four from hydroxyl groups. The water molecule does not take part in the coordination. Six hydrogen bonds are formed, three of them related to the water molecule. The spectroscopic evidence shows that the carboxylic acid dimers of the free acid dissociate. The asymmetric stretching vibrations of the anionic COO groups in the salt are observed at 1609 and 1548, and 1581 cm(-1), assigned to a mono-dentate and a tetra-dentate coordination, respectively. The symmetric stretching vibration is located at 1397 cm(-1). The hydroxyl groups of the galactarate skeleton take part in the metal-oxygen interaction, and the hydrogen-bonding network is rearranged upon sugar metalation.

Sugar interaction with metal ions. FT-IR study on the structure of crystalline galactaric acid and its K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and La3+ complexes.

The FT-IR spectra of galactaric acid and its K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and La3+ salts have been recorded and interpreted. Spectroscopic evidence shows that the dimeric carboxylic groups of the free acid are dissociated upon formation of the salt, and the asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations of the anionic COO- group in these salts are observed at about 1600 and 1400 cm-1, respectively. The two carboxylic groups of the galactarate coordinate with Ca2+ ions in a monodentate form. One of the carboxylic groups in the Ba2+ salt coordinates in a monodentate state; another group interacts with three cations in a tetradentate form. In the K+, NH4+, and La3+ salts, the COO- groups coordinate in a polydentate manner with the cations. By comparison of the spectra of the salts with that of the free acid, it is concluded that the hydroxyl groups of the galactarate skeleton take part in metal-oxygen interaction, and the hydrogen-bonding network is rearranged upon sugar metalation. The degree of participation of the sugar OH groups in metal-galactarate interaction is varied from the K+ and NH4+ salts to the Ca2+, Ba2+, and La3+ salts.

Chronic tonsillitis and IgA nephropathy.

The authors studied the effect of tonsillectomy for IgA nephropathy and the relationship between chronic tonsillitis and IgA nephropathy. Forty-five patients with IgA nephropathy were treated by tonsillectomy in our department. The effective rate of hematuria type IgA nephropathy was 86.2% and that of non-hematuria type 62.5%. We also determined the immunoglobulin composition of the tonsilla tissue in 18 IgA nephropathy patients and compared it with that of 18 chronic tonsillitis patients. The immunoglobin level of the IgA nephropathy group was higher than that of the contrast group, indicating that the disorder of tonsilla immunity may be one of the pathogenic factors for IgA nephropathy. Since no specific method has been available for the treatment of IgA nephropathy, we use tonsillectomy as an effective procedure.