The immune response of T cells and therapeutic targets related to regulating the levels of T helper cells after ischaemic stroke.

Through considerable effort in research and clinical studies, the immune system has been identified as a participant in the onset and progression of brain injury after ischaemic stroke. Due to the involvement of all types of immune cells, the roles of the immune system in stroke pathology and associated effects are complicated. Past research concentrated on the functions of monocytes and neutrophils in the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke and tried to demonstrate the mechanisms of tissue injury and protection involving these immune cells. Within the past several years, an increasing number of studies have elucidated the vital functions of T cells in the innate and adaptive immune responses in both the acute and chronic phases of ischaemic stroke. Recently, the phenotypes of T cells with proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory function have been demonstrated in detail. T cells with distinctive phenotypes can also influence cerebral inflammation through various pathways, such as regulating the immune response, interacting with brain-resident immune cells and modulating neurogenesis and angiogenesis during different phases following stroke. In view of the limited treatment options available following stroke other than tissue plasminogen activator therapy, understanding the function of immune responses, especially T cell responses, in the post-stroke recovery period can provide a new therapeutic direction. Here, we discuss the different functions and temporal evolution of T cells with different phenotypes during the acute and chronic phases of ischaemic stroke. We suggest that modulating the balance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions of T cells with distinct phenotypes may become a potential therapeutic approach that reduces the mortality and improves the functional outcomes and prognosis of patients suffering from ischaemic stroke.

[Effect of Gaseous Pollutant Concentration on the Number of Daily Outpatient Visits for Acne in Lanzhou].

Objective To determine the relationship between air pollutants [SO2,NO2,8 hours average concentration of ozone(O38h)] and outpatient visits for acne in Lanzhou,China. Methods Data of daily outpatient visits for acne and concentrations of air pollutants(SO2,NO2,and O38h)from January 2013 to December 2017 were collected.With the control of long-term trend and day-of-week effect,a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to analyze the lag and cumulative effects of air pollutants on the outpatient visits.The model was established based on the different groups of gender and age. Results During the study period,the average daily outpatient visits were 34.94±15.27,and the average concentrations of SO2,NO2,and O38h were 24.09,43.77,and 82.94 µg/m3,respectively.The Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the daily outpatient visits for acne were positively correlated with NO2 concentration while negatively correlated with O38h concentration;SO2 concentration was negatively correlated with O38h concentration;NO2 concentration was positively correlated with SO2 and O38h concentrations.A 10 µg/m3 increase in daily concentrations of NO2 and SO2 was respectively associated with 2.61%(95% CI=0.98%-4.27%)and 1.71%(95% CI=0.54%-2.89%)increase in the outpatient visits for acne.A 10 µg/m3 increase in O38h concentration was associated with -0.62%(95% CI=-1.12%--0.11%)increase in the outpatient visits.Multipollutant models indicated that air pollutant concentrations were significantly associated with the daily outpatient visits for acne. Conclusions SO2 and NO2 are positively associated with daily dermatological department visits for acne in Lanzhou,while O38h concentration has a negative correlation with the visits.The sensitivity of acne daily outpatient visits to changes in SO2,NO2,and O38h varies among patients of different genders and at different ages.

[Effects of Air Pollutants on Outpatient Visits for Atopic Dermatitis in Lanzhou].

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the associations of PM2.5,PM10,NO2,and SO2 concentrations with the outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis in Lanzhou. Methods The data of outpatient visits,together with meteorological data and air pollutant data,from January 2013 to December 2017 were collected.The generalized additive model based on Poisson distribution was employed to study the lag effects of PM2.5,PM10,NO2,and SO2 concentrations on the visits of outpatients,with the seasonal and long-term trends and day-of-the-week effect controlled. Results The results of the single pollutant model showed that PM2.5 and PM10 had the most obvious while still insignificant impact on the outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis on the current day(lag0).NO2 also had the most obvious impact in the case of lag0 and showed a lag effect.For each 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2 concentration,the excess risk(ER)of outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis was 1.95%(95% CI=1.09%-2.82%,P=0.01).SO2 had the most significant effect on lag6,and the outpatient visits increased by 1.55%(95% CI=0.48%-2.54%)for every 10 µg/m3 rise in SO2 concentration(P=0.02).Females were more sensitive to PM10 and SO2 than males.For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10 and SO2,the female outpatient visits increased by 0.02% and 2.47%,respectively.Males were sensitive to PM2.5 and NO2,and the every 10 µg/m3 rise in PM2.5 and NO2 increased male outpatient visits by 0.47% and 1.78%,respectively.Gaseous pollutants(NO2 and SO2)had more significant effect on people ≤2 years old than on those of other ages.Every 10 µg/m3 rise in NO2 and SO2 would increase the ≤2-year-old outpatient visits by 2.35% and 1.57%,respectively(P=0.02).People of 13-59 years old were sensitive to NO2 concentration,and every 10 µg/m3 rise in NO2 concentration increased their visits by 1.39%.NO2 affected the outpatient visits during the cold and warm seasons,with the ER values of 2.35% and 1.89%,respectively(P=0.01).Particulate matter(PM2.5 and PM10)had the most obvious yet insignificant association with the outpatient visits in winter.The interactions between PM2.5 and NO2,between PM10 and NO2,and between SO2 and NO2 affected the total outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis.The results of double pollutant model showed that in the presence of PM2.5,PM10,or SO2,the effect of NO2 on the outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis enhanced compared with that predicted by single pollutant model(P=0.01). Conclusion The air pollutants(PM2.5,PM10,NO2,and SO2)in Lanzhou were closely related to the outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis,and the increased concentrations of NO2 and SO2 was more likely to increase the risk of atopic dermatitis.

[Effects of Temperature on Outpatient Visits for Urticaria among Lanzhou Residents Based on Distributed Lag Non-linear Model].

Objective To evaluate the influence of temperature on the outpatient visits for urticaria in Lanzhou City and its hysteresis and to find out the sensitive populations by sex and age stratification.Methods We collected the urticaria outpatient data in three grade A class three hospitals as well as the meteorological data and air pollutant data in Lanzhou from January 2011 to December 2017.The distributed lag non-linear model(DLNM)was employed to analyze the influence of daily mean temperature on the outpatient visits for urticaria.Stratification analysis was performed for different age groups(0-14,15-59,≥60 years)and different sex populations.Results Temperature had a non-linear relationship with the outpatient visits for urticaria,and there existed hysteresis.During the research period,the average daily outpatient visits for urticaria at the three hospitals in Lanzhou was 25,ranging from 1 to 76.With the rise in the daily mean temperature within 0-10 ℃,the risk of outpatient visits for urticaria first increased and then decreased.When the daily mean temperature was 2 ℃,hysteresis occurred on the 18th day,and the relative risk(RR)reached the maximum(1.12,95% CI:1.04-1.20)at the lag of 21 days.The risk of urticaria increased with the rise in temperature at high temperature.In addition,the effect of high temperature on the outpatient visits for urticaria in Lanzhou presented hysteresis,and the hysteresis was more obvious at higher temperatures.At the lag of 21 days,when the temperatures were 19.9 ℃ and 25.5 ℃,the RR values were 1.20(95% CI:1.12-1.27)and 1.39(95% CI:1.31-1.48),respectively.The results of stratified analysis showed that the effect of high temperature was more sensitive for those of 0-14 years and 15-59 years as well as the female population,and the RR values at a lag of 21 days were 1.60(95% CI:1.45-1.71),1.34(95% CI:1.25-1.43),and 1.43(95% CI:1.33-1.53)for the population of 0-14 years,the population of 15-59 years,and female population,respectively.Low temperature mainly affected the people aged ≥60 years,with a maximum RR of 1.38(95% CI:1.03-1.85)when the daily mean temperature was -4.8 ℃ at a lag of 12 days.It did not affect other populations.Conclusions The daily mean temperature in Lanzhou share a close relationship with the outpatient visits for urticaria.High temperature will increase the risk of urticaria for people at the age of 0-14 years and 15-59 years,while low temperature will increase the risk of urticaria for people above 60 years.

Development and evaluation of a direct TaqMan qPCR assay for the rapid detection of diverse carnivore amdoparvoviruses.

Amdoparvoviruses infect carnivore species, including mink, raccoon dog, fox, skunk, and red panda. Amdoparvovirus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in farmed minks. Here, we developed a direct TaqMan qPCR assay for detection and quantification of carnivore amdoparvoviruses by using three primers and one probe based on the conserved VP2 gene. The detection limit for Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) and Raccoon dog and arctic fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV) were 4.06 × 101 copies/µl and 2.93 × 101 copies/µl, respectively. Both intra- and inter-assay variability were less than 2%. Among 74 carnivore samples, the positive rates for amdoparvoviruses were 62.2% (46/74) by direct TaqMan qPCR, while only 40.5% (30/74) by SYBR Green I qPCR. This result suggests that the direct TaqMan qPCR was more sensitive than the SYBR Green I qPCR. Additionally, the direct TaqMan qPCR is a rapid and sensitive method for liquid samples at microliter level as the assay employed the direct alkaline lysis method to obtain viral DNA and, therefore, eliminated the cumbersome steps in extracting DNA. Overall, the direct TaqMan qPCR assay possessed high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, indicating that it can be used as a powerful tool for detection and quantification of various carnivore amdoparvoviruses in epidemiological and pathogenesis studies.

Inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase-1 pathway is involved in the therapeutic effects of simvastatin on pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has shown that statins improve pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of RhoA/ROCK1 regulation in the therapeutic effects of simvastatin on PAH. METHODS: For in vivo experiments, rats (N = 40) were randomly assigned to four groups: control, simvastatin, monocrotaline (MCT), and MCT + simvastatin. The MCT group and MCT + simvastatin groups received proline dithiocarbamate (50 mg/kg, i.p.) on the first day of the study. The MCT + simvastatin group received simvastatin (2 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks, after which pulmonary arterial pressure was measured by right heart catheterization. The protein and mRNA levels of Rho and ROCK1 were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and PCR. For in vitro experiments, human pulmonary endothelial cells were divided into seven groups: control, simvastatin, monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP), MCTP + simvastatin, MCTP + simvastatin + mevalonate, MCTP + simvastatin + farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), and MCTP + simvastatin + FPP + geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). After 72 h exposed to the drugs, the protein and mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK1 were measured by Western blot and PCR. RESULTS: The MCT group showed increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure, marked vascular remodeling, and increased protein and mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK1 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). In vitro, the MCTP group showed a marked proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, as well as increased protein and mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK1 compared to the MCTP + simvastatin group. The MCTP + simvastatin + mevalonate group, MCTP + simvastatin+ FPP group, and MCTP + simvastatin + FPP + GGPP group showed increased mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK1, as well as increased protein levels of RhoA, compared to the MCTP + simvastatin group. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin improved vascular remodeling and inhibited the development of PAH. The effects of simvastatin were mediated by inhibition of RhoA/ROCK1. Simvastatin decreased RhoA/ROCK1 overexpression by inhibition of mevalonate, FPP, and GGPP synthesis.

Novel amdoparvovirus infecting farmed raccoon dogs and arctic foxes.

A new amdoparvovirus, named raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV), was identified in farmed sick raccoon dogs and arctic foxes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that RFAV belongs to a new species within the genus Amdoparvovirus of the family Parvoviridae. An RFAV strain was isolated in Crandell feline kidney cell culture.

Isolation and complete nucleotide sequence of a Batai virus strain in Inner Mongolia, China.

BACKGROUND: Batai virus (BATV) is a member of the Orthobunyavirus genus of the family Bunyaviridae, and a vector-borne pathogen. Genomic variations of BATV exist in different regions of the world, due to genetic reassortment. Whole-genome sequencing of any isolate is necessary for a phylogenetic analysis. In 1998, a BATV strain was isolated from an Anopheles philippines mosquito in Yunnan Province, China. This strain has not been found to infect any other host. We investigated BATV infection in cattle in Inner Mongolia, China and performed deep sequencing of the genome of the BATV isolate. FINDINGS: Ninety-five blood samples were collected from cattle in Inner Mongolia, China in 2012. The BATV infection rate was 2.1%. Previously, BATV strain NM/12 was isolated from two cattle in Inner Mongolia, China, and the whole genomic sequence of the strain has been available. We determined the complete genomic nucleotide sequences of the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments using bovine blood obtained in 2012, and the nucleotide homologies of these segments with those from GenBank were 88.7%-97%, 84%-95.4%, and 72.6%-95.8%, respectively. The deduced amino acid identities were 87.2-99.7%, 64.2-96.8%, and 81.1-98.6%. Phylogenetic analyses based on full-length genomic sequences indicated that the M and L segments, and a portion of the S segment, of NM/12 are most closely related to the BATV strains isolated in Asia. The S and M segments of NM/12 were independent of phylogenetic lineages. The L segment was the most closely related to Chittoor/IG-20217 (isolated in India), and distantly related to isolated strains in Italy. Nucleotide substitution rates in the nucleotide sequences that code for the nucleocapsid, envelope glycoprotein, and polymerase protein of NM/12 strain were 2.56%, 4.69%, and 4.21%, respectively, relative to the original strain of MM2222. CONCLUSION: A novel BATV NM/12 strain from bovine serum collected in Inner Mongolia was isolated from cattle in China for the first time. Our findings elucidate the evolutionary status of the BATV NM/12 strain among different orthobunyavirus strains and may provide some clues to prevent the emergence of BATV infection in cattle and humans.

Pulmonary function differences in patients with chronic right heart failure secondary to pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic left heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary abnormalities are found in both chronic heart failure (CHF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The differences of pulmonary function in chronic left heart failure and chronic right heart failure are not fully understood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 120 patients with stable CHF (60 with chronic left heart failure and 60 with chronic right heart failure). All patients had pulmonary function testing, including pulmonary function testing at rest and incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). RESULTS: Patients with right heart failure had a significantly lower end-tidal partial pressure of CO2 (PetCO2), higher end-tidal partial pressure of O2 (PetO2) and minute ventilation/CO2 production (VE/VCO2) at rest. Patients with right heart failure had a lower peak PetCO2, and a higher peak dead space volume/tidal volume (VD/VT) ratio, peak PetO2, peak VE/VCO2, and VE/VCO2 slope during exercise. Patients with right heart failure had more changes in ∆PetCO2 and ∆VE/VCO2, from rest to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with right heart failure had worse pulmonary function at rest and exercise, which was due to severe ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatching, severe ventilation inefficiency, and gas exchange abnormality.

Differences in exercise capacity in patients with chronic left heart failure and chronic right heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Exercise impairment is common in chronic left heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Exercise impairment degree is a strong predictor of clinical outcome. Our purpose was to evaluate differences in exercise capacity using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) in patients with chronic left and right heart failure, and determine which factors were related to exercise impairment. METHODS: 102 patients with class II/III New York Heart Association were involved in the study (41 with chronic left heart failure, 61 with chronic right heart failure secondary to PAH). All patients underwent CPX to evaluate exercise capacity. RESULTS: Patients with right heart failure had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake (VO2), peak VO2/kg ratio, peak oxygen uptake/heart rate (VO2/HR) ratio and increases in oxygen uptake/increase in work rate (ΔVO2/ΔWR) slope, and had higher minute ventilation/CO2 production ratio and peak dead space volume/tidal volume during exercise. In patients with left heart failure, peak VO2/HR ratio was positively correlated with ΔVO2/ΔWR slope. However, VO2 and VO2/HR ratio were positively correlated with ΔVO2/ΔWR slope in patients with right heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with left heart failure, patients with right heart failure showed worse exercise capacity resulting from worse pulmonary and cardiovascular adaptation to exercise.

[Rapid determination of beet sugar content using near infrared spectroscopy].

In order to classify and set different prices on basis of difference of beet sugar content in the acquisition process and promote the development of beet sugar industry healthily, a fast, nondestructive, accurate method to detect sugar content of beet was determined by applying near infrared spectroscopy technology. Eight hundred twenty samples from 28 representative varieties of beet were collected as calibration set and 70 samples were chosen as prediction set. Then near infrared spectra of calibration set samples were collected by scanning, effective information was extracted from NIR spectroscopy, and the original spectroscopy data was optimized by data preprocessing methods appropriately. Then partial least square(PLS)regression was used to establish beet sugar quantitative prediction mathematical model. The performances of the models were evaluated by the root mean square of cross-validation (RMSECV), the coefficient of determination (R2) of the calibration model and the standard error of prediction (SEP), and the predicted results of these models were compared. Results show that the established mathematical model by using first derivative (FD) and standard normal variate transformation (SNV) coupled with partial least squares has good predictive ability. The R2 of calibration models of sugar content of beet is 0.908 3, and the RMSECV is 0.376 7. Using this model to forecast the prediction set including 70 samples, the correlation coefficient is 0.921 4 between predicted values and measured values, and the standard error of prediction (SEP) is 0.439, without significant difference (p > 0.05) between predicted values and measured values. These results demonstrated that NIRS can take advantage of simple, rapid, nondestructive and environmental detection method and could be applied to predict beet sugar content. This model owned high accuracy and can meet the precision need of determination of beet sugar content. This detection method could be used to classify and set different prices on basis of difference of beet sugar content in the acquisition process.

Etiological classification and manifestation of pulmonary artery dissection: A literature review and case analysis.

Background: Pulmonary artery dissection (PAD) is an uncommon condition associated with high mortality rates. To date, a comprehensive examination of various underlying causes of PAD remains unexplored. Methods: We used the search words "pulmonary artery dissection," "pulmonary artery dilatation," and "pulmonary artery rupture" in the public database, and examined the medical records of PAD patients treated in our hospital. Data on demographics, aetiology, PAD locations, histopathology, treatments, and outcomes, were collected. Results: A total of 145 patients with PAD (135 cases from the literature and 10 cases from our hospital) were analysed. PAD aetiology was categorized into four groups: congenital heart diseases (CHD) associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), non-CHD associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH), aortic dissection-related, and miscellaneous causes. The most frequent cause, accounting for 32.4 % of PAD cases, was congenital heart disease, followed by idiopathic PAH (13 %) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6 %). Patients with CHD were typically younger at the time of PAD diagnosis (median age: 35 years old) when compared with those suffering from aortic dissection, PH-associated conditions, or other causes (median age: 45, 55, and 56 years old, respectively). Imaging of the pulmonary artery proved effective in diagnosing PAD. The outcomes were generally poor. 44.7 % (21/47) of patients with CHD associated with PAH and 47.7 % (21/44) of non-CHD PH-associated diseases died during follow-up. Multidisciplinary team consultations are crucial when making decisions on management of PAD. Characteristic PAD histopathology features included thickened intima and hypertrophied media with atheromatous degeneration, disrupted elastic fibres, and lymphocytic infiltration. Conclusions: PAD aetiology can be divided into four main categories, with CHD associated with PAH being the leading cause. Despite the similar histopathology features, clinical manifestations and outcomes vary according to the aetiology.

CPT-11 Chemotherapy Rescued A Patient with Atypical Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma from Emergent Condition.

Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare and poorly defined variant of fibrosarcoma, but generally insensitive to chemotherapy and progresses with poor prognosis. We report the marvelous effect of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) chemotherapy in rescuing a patient with atypical SEF from emergent condition, who underwent recurrences after several treatment methods. Small dose of CPT-11 was administered to the patient, with which, the size of superficial mass (cervical lymph node) gradually decreased observed by the naked eyes in 5 days. X-ray and CT image proved a marked reduction in the size of the tumor. CPT-11 is valuable for the treatment of this aggressive sarcoma. In condition of emergency caused by sarcoma oppression, administering a tolerable small dose of topoisomerase I-inhibiting drug could be a beneficial choice.

A case report of a long-term survivor after inadvertent ligation of the left pulmonary artery during intended ductal ligation.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can close on its own during childhood. Patent ductus arteriosus with left pulmonary artery (LPA) occlusion is rare. Here, we describe possible aetiologies of this condition and treatment strategies based on recent guidelines. Case summary: A 35-year-old man experienced shortness of breath for 20 years. Physical examination revealed pitting oedema, digital clubbing, and bi-phasic murmur along the left sternal border at the 2nd and 3rd intercostal space. Congenital heart disease was suspected. Echocardiography revealed a severely dilated pulmonary trunk and PDA; however, the LPA was not visible. The patient has undergone PDA ligation surgery >30 years ago, which may have caused accidental LPA ligation; however, extreme elevation of pulmonary pressure led to increased difficulties in performing LPA reconstruction and PDA division. Therefore, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) initial combination therapy with parenteral prostanoids was prescribed. The patient's condition improved gradually. Discussion: Inadvertent ligation of the LPA instead of PDA is a rare and usually fatal complication during ductal ligation. Patients who survive this catastrophic complication usually develop the progressive pulmonary vascular disease with increased pulmonary pressure and impaired lung parenchyma resulting in right heart and respiratory failure. Early and regular follow-up with cardiac imaging studies is important to diagnose this complication. Reconstruction of the ligated LPA and PDA late in the disease course is difficult due to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Initial PAH combination therapy may be valuable for relieving the patients' symptoms at that stage. Heart and lung transplantation can also be considered in suitable patients.

Conjugation of the glutelin hydrolysates-glucosamine by transglutaminase and functional properties and antioxidant activity of the products.

A novel mixture of glycopeptides was prepared from corn glutelin and glucosamine (GlcN). The functional properties and antioxidative activities of this mixture were investigated. Corn glutelin was limited hydrolyzed by Alcalase, and then its hydrolysates were glycosylated with GlcN by transglutaminase (TGase) to modify its main and side chain, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the content of GlcN conjugated to peptides was 81.98 ± 1.98 mg/g glutelin peptides. According to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis, there are two types of glycopeptides in the mixture, TGase and non-enzymatic glycated counterparts. Compared with original glutelin, the glycosylated glutelin hydrolysates exhibited better solubility in the pH range of 2-11 and other functional properties except foaming stability. Meanwhile, it is more easily digested by pepsin and trypsin, and possessed excellent antioxidative activities. It also exhibited cytoprotective effects and intracellular ROS scavenging activities in LO2 cells subjected to oxidative stress by oxidation with ethanol solution.

A cross-sectional study using the national standard to examine differences between public and private non-profit nursing homes in China.

AIM: Most studies on nursing home quality focus on developed countries, with little coverage in developing countries. Our study aimed to compare the differences between Chinese public and private non-profit nursing homes using the latest national standard. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 232 nursing homes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, China. We conducted statistical analyses (chi-square and independent sample t test) to investigate differences in public and private non-profit nursing homes. We fitted a binary logistic regression model with whether or not the nursing home received a 3-star or higher rating as the dependent variable, and the ownership type as explanatory variable, after adjusting for nursing home characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 232 nursing homes included in the study sample, 44.8% were public nursing homes and 55.2% were private non-profit nursing homes. The t test analysis comparing the measures of nursing homes yielded significant results for 4 measures, 3 of which (overall rating, environment, and services) favored private non-profit nursing homes. A regression analysis using whether or not the nursing home received a 3-star or higher rating as the dependent variable showed that when adjusting for nursing home characteristics, private non-profit nursing homes were more likely to have a 3 or higher star compared with public nursing homes (odds ratio = 1.961, 95% confidence interval: 1.056-3.643). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that private non-profit nursing homes performed better than public nursing homes when using the Chinese national standard for nursing homes.

Evaluation of 188Re-DTPA-deoxyglucose as a potential cancer radiopharmaceutical.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to synthesize diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-deoxyglucose (DTPA-DG) radiolabeled with (188)Re and to evaluate its biologic characteristics using mammary tumor-bearing mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The biodistribution of the radiolabeled compound was determined by tissue counting at 3, 12, and 24 hours after injection in experimental animals. Scintigraphic examinations of nude mice bearing breast cancer (MCF-7 cells) were performed after (188)Re-DTPA-DG (18.5 MBq) was injected in the tail vein. For the tumor inhibitory portion of this work, tumor volumes were measured and recorded every 3 days until the 21st day after injection. RESULTS: The radiochemical purity of (188)Re-DTPA-DG was 95.0%. Based on biodistribution measurements, (188)Re-DTPA-DG was taken up at high levels by the tumor. The mean tumoral percent injected dosages per gram (% ID/g) were 1.98 +/- 0.29 (SD), 2.89 +/- 0.43, and 0.42 +/- 0.06 % ID/g at 3, 12, and 24 hours, respectively, after injection. In the (188)Re-DTPA-DG scintigraphic examinations, the tumors were clearly delineated on the images recorded 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after injection. In the tumor inhibitory evaluations, the tumor volume of the (188)Re-DTPA-DG-treated group increased more slowly than that of the control groups, which were treated with (188)Re-perrhenate or saline (p < 0.01). Rhenium-188-DTPA-DG showed excellent tumor targeting and tumor growth suppression properties on MCF-7 tumor cells. CONCLUSION: Rhenium-188-DTPA-DG may be a potential agent for the diagnosis and radiotherapy of tumors.

Luminescence of er doped ZnS quantum dots excited by infrared lasers.

ZnS:Er quantum dots were prepared in aqueous medium from readily available precursors. The construction, morphology and luminescence properties of the ZnS:Er quantum dots were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence spectra. The average particle size was calculated using the Scherrer formula to be 4 nm, which is also observed from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. Different laser wavelengths at 976 +/- 2 nm and 1480 nm were utilized as the excitation source. ZnS:Er quantum dots had a fluorescence spectrum in 1550 nm region through the 4I13/2 --> 4I15/2 transition. Furthermore, intensity increased with increasing excitation intensity and dopant concentration. The reason for the photoluminescence spectra broadening is discussed. It is because the energy levels of Er3+ are split by a coulombic interaction between electrons, including spin correction and spin-orbit coupling, and eventually by the Stark effect due to ZnS QDs crystal field and local coordination.

[Development of 3-enzyme pyrosequencing system and its application in rapid diagnosis of Down's syndrome].

To avoid sequencing error resulting from use of apyrase in conventional 4- enzyme pyrosequencing system, a non-apyrase 3-enzyme pyrosequencing system with a better performance of quantitative analysis was established. The method is to immobilize biotinylated DNA template, ATP sulfurylase and luciferase on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads for pyrosequencing. After pyrosequencing, ATP produced from the pyrosequencing reaction and excess dNTPs were removed by magnetic separation technique; another dNTP was then dispensed for sequencing reaction, and the components interfering with the next circle of pyrosequencing reaction were removed by the same way, achieving the circular sequencing. This new system can accurately measure base sequences of a target DNA template, and also can quantitatively determine the relative ratio of two alleles. The allele ratios in two SNPs (rs1042917 and rs4818219) having a higher heterozygote rate on chromosome 21 were successfully detected for 16 normal samples and 8 clinical samples from Down's syndrome patients. The results can accurately demonstrate whether or not the target sample has equal copies of chromosome 21 from mother and father. This paper established a non-apyrase 3-enzyme pyrosequencing method, which owns a good perform-ance of quantitative analysis. The method is especially suitable to allelic quantification of an SNP, enabling the rapid diagnosis of Down's syndrome by analyzing allele ratio of SNPs on chromosome 21.

Preparation and Evaluation of New Glycopeptides Obtained by Proteolysis from Corn Gluten Meal Followed by Transglutaminase-Induced Glycosylation with Glucosamine.

New glycopeptides were generated by proteolysis from corn gluten meal (CGM) followed by transglutaminase (TGase)-induced glycosylation with glucosamine (GlcN). The glycopeptides exhibited desirable antioxidant and intracellular ROS-scavenging properties. The amount of conjugated GlcN quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was 23.0 g/kg protein. The formed glycopeptides contained both glycosylated and glycation types, as demonstrated by the electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS/MS). The glycopeptides exhibited scavenging capabilities against free radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals by reducing their power. The potential protection of glycopeptides against ethanol-induced injury in LO2 cells was assessed In Vitro based on methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) testing and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, respectively. Glycopeptide cytoprotection was expressed in a dose-dependent manner, with the glycopeptides exhibiting good solubility ranging from 74.8% to 83.2% throughout a pH range of 2-10. Correspondingly, the glycopeptides showed good emulsifying activity (36.0 m2/g protein), emulsion stability (74.9%), and low surface hydrophobicity (16.3). These results indicate that glycosylation of CGM significantly improved its biological and functional properties. Glycopeptides from CGM could be used as potential antioxidants as well as comprising a functional food ingredient.