Unprecedented Fluorescent Dinuclear CoII and ZnII Coordination Compounds with a Symmetric Bis(salamo)-Like Tetraoxime.

Two unprecedented homometallic CoII and ZnII coordination compounds, [M2(L)(OCH3)][M2(L)(OAc)] (MII = CoII (1) and ZnII (2)), with a novel symmetric bis(salamo)-like tetraoxime ligand H3L were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrafred (IR), ultraviolet⁻visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), fluorescent spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The unit cell of the two coordination compounds contains two crystallographically and chemically independent dinuclear coordination compounds. In the two coordination compounds, three metal ions are five-coordinated, formed two square pyramidal and a trigonal bipyramidal geometries, and the other metal ion is a hexacoordinate octahedral configuration. In addition, the coordination compound 1 forms a 3D supramolecular structure, and the coordination compound 2 forms a 0D dimer structure by the inter-molecular hydrogen bond interactions. Meanwhile, the fluorescence spectra of the coordination compounds 1 and 2 were also measured and discussed.

[Analysis of fragile X mental retardation 1 gene premutation in multiple system atrophy patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Chinese multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients have premutation of fragile X mental retardation 1 gene(FMR1). METHODS: FMR1 CGG repeats were analyzed in 157 MSA patients by polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis. The patients were collected from Movement Disorder & Neurogenetics Research Center of China-Japan friendship hospital. There were 83 male cases and 74 female cases, including 51 MSA-C patients, 12 MSA-P patients and 94 MSA-P+C patients. RESULTS: No FMR1 CGG repeat premutation was detected in 157 MSA patients. The repeats ranged from 11-49, most common allele was 22. A MSA-C case carried 35/49 alleles did not have middle cerebellar peduncles(MCP) sign which was necessary for the diagnosis of fragile X associated tremor ataxia syndrome(FXTAS). CONCLUSION: The FMR1 premutation in Chinese MSA patients might be very rare.

Clinical and genetic study of ataxia with vitamin E deficiency: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) is a type of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia. Clinical manifestations include progressive cerebellar ataxia and movement disorders. TTPA gene mutations cause the disease. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, dystonic tremors and a remarkably decreased serum vitamin E concentration. Brain magnetic resonance images showed that her brainstem and cerebellum were within normal limits. Acquired causes of ataxia were excluded. Whole exome sequencing subsequently identified a novel homozygous variant (c.473T>C, p.F158S) of the TPPA gene. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that F185S is harmful to protein function. After supplementing the patient with vitamin E 400 mg three times per day for 2 years, her symptoms remained stable. CONCLUSION: We identified an AVED patient caused by novel mutation in TTPA gene. Our findings widen the known TTPA gene mutation spectrum.

Outcomes of concurrent versus sequential icotinib therapy and chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with sensitive EGFR mutations.

To explore a better treatment strategy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, a total of 271 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the combination group (58 cases), which received concurrent icotinib, pemetrexed, and platinum treatment, and the sequential group (213 cases), which received the sequential pemetrexed and platinum therapy, followed by icotinib treatment. The primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and PFS on the subsequent line of therapy (PFS2). PFS in the combination group was significantly higher compared with that in the sequential group (16.89 months vs. 9.90 months; p < 0.001). PFS in the combination group was also significantly higher than PFS2 in the sequential group (16.89 months vs. 14.05 months; p = 0.009). The overall survival (OS) of the patients was 33.22 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.99-37.01) in the combination group and 26.47 months (95% CI: 25.05-26.95) in the sequential group (p < 0.001). The combination group's objective response rate was superior to that of the sequential group (79.31% vs. 52.11%; p < 0.001). Propensity score matching also revealed that icotinib therapy combined with chemotherapy extended the PFS, PFS2, and OS of the patients (p < 0.0001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.001, respectively). The combination group's objective response rate was also better compared with the sequential group (79.31% vs. 51.72%; p = 0.001). In conclusion, our study demonstrated icotinib combined with chemotherapy can improve survival efficacy better than the separated two-line therapy. Study Highlights WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC? For advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating EGFR mutants, EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard first-line treatment. Unfortunately, most patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations acquire EGFR-TKI resistance after EGFR-TKI treatment for about 10-14 months. Studies have indicated that chemotherapy plus EGFR-TKIs may have combined effects on the growth of NSCLC cells. However, until now, there has been no study comparing the concurrent and sequential EGFR-TKIs plus chemotherapy. WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS? We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of concurrent versus sequential icotinib and chemotherapy in untreated NSCLC with sensitive EGFR mutations. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE? In the patients with NSCLC with sensitive EGFR mutations, the first-line pemetrexed plus platinum combined with icotinib better improved PFS, PFS2, and objective response rate compared with first-line icotinib and second-line pemetrexed plus platinum. HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE? The results of this paper provide guidance for the strategy choice in the treatment of patients with NSCLC.

Metal Organic Frame-Upconverting Nanoparticle Assemblies for the FRET Based Sensor Detection of Bisphenol A in High-Salt Foods.

To resolve the occurrence of unfulfillable detection in high-salts foods, we used fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) sensors based on nanoparticle upconversion. In this study, we developed a novel FRET sensor for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA) in high-salt foods. We based this approach on the assembly of aptamer modified upconversion nanoparticles (DNA1-UCNPs) and complementary DNA modified metal organic frames (DNA2-MOFs), which possessed corresponding wavelength absorption. Targeting BPA signal transduction was performed using the BPA aptamer, via competitive recognition between the BPA analyte and complementary DNA sequences in a high-salt solution. Sensor adaption in high-salt samples was attributed to functional hydrophilic groups, modified in the MOFs, and the enhanced colloidal stability of these MOFs. The MOF-UCNP assembly displayed considerable analytical performance in terms of BPA detection, with a linear range of 0.1-100 nM, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 nM, in a 340 mM NaCl food sample (the energy drink, Gatorade). Thus, this method provides a solid basis for small molecules detection in high-salt foods.

Comparison of 99mTc-DTPA and serum creatinine, cystatin C in detection of glomerular filtration rate: a retrospective clinical data analysis of 744 Chinese subjects.

BACKGROUND: To compare the accuracy of various equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate. METHODS: Chronic kidney disease was classified by Tc-DTPA scintigraphy (reference glomerular filtration rate), estimating glomerular filtration rate was estimated using various formulas. The similarity to reference glomerular filtration rate decide the accuracy of estimating glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: Overall, the Fengscr-cys equation had significantly higher accuracy and correct proportion in chronic kidney disease stage classification than other equations. The subgroup analysis showed that Fengscr-cys equation was slightly more precise than other equations both in the male and female patients. Moreover, in patients older than 60 years or whose reference glomerular filtration rate was above 60 ml/min, Fengscr-cys equation also showed better accuracy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that estimating glomerular filtration rate equations evaluated by serum cystatin C were better than serum creatinine-based equations, estimating glomerular filtration rate equations evaluated by both serum creatinine and cystatin C were better than those evaluated by serum creatinine or cystatin C alone. Among all enrolled equations, Fengscr-cys equation might be the best one to evaluate glomerular filtration rate in general Chinese paticipants.

Varicella outbreak trends in school settings during the voluntary single-dose vaccine era from 2006 to 2017 in Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate varicella outbreak trends among schoolchildren during the voluntary single-dose varicella vaccine (VarV) era in Shanghai, China. METHODS: Trends in school varicella outbreaks from 2006 to 2017 were assessed using joinpoint regression models. The impacts of changes in single-dose VarV coverage among schoolchildren and implementation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategies on outbreak trends were further analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 265 varicella outbreaks involving 3263 cases were reported in Shanghai from 2006 to 2017. The number of outbreaks showed an increasing trend from 2006 to 2017 (t=2.62, p=0.026), especially in kindergartens. The proportion of breakthrough varicella cases among all outbreak-related cases showed an increasing trend from 30.4% in 2008 to 85.7% in 2017 (t=7.45, p<0.001). Single-dose VarV coverage among schoolchildren was 88.1%, and showed a significant increase from the 1996 to the 2008 birth cohorts, followed by a non-significant decline from the 2008 to the 2014 birth cohorts. During school outbreaks in which PEP campaigns were conducted, the varicella attack rate was significantly lower than those in outbreaks without PEP campaigns (1.2% vs. 1.4%; Chi-square=23.35, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even with high coverage, single-dose VarV is insufficient to prevent school outbreaks. The administration of VarV as PEP is an appropriate intervention for varicella outbreak control prior to implementing a two-dose VarV schedule.

[Serological Characteristics and Family Survey of 3 Cases of H-deficient Blood Group].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serological characteristics and the genetic status of the family of H-deficient blood group in Jining area of Shandong province in China. METHODS: ABO, H, and Lewis blood groups in 3 probands were screened out by the serological method, and saliva testing was performed on all the individuals. The presence of weak A or B on the RBC was confirmed by using the adsorption-elution procedure. RESULTS: Three cases of H-deficient blood group were identified to be para-Bombay blood group (secretor), out of 3 cases, 2 cases were Bh, 1 case was Ah, and anti-H or anti-HI antibody was detected in their serum. CONCLUSION: Three cases of H-deficerent blood group are para-Bombay phenotype, among them one proband's parents have been confirmed to be consanguineous relationship.