Charge transfer in SnS2/Na0.9Mg0.45Ti3.55O8 heterojunction in photocatalytic process.

SnS2/Na0.9Mg0.45Ti3.55O8 (SNMTO) composite photocatalyst was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The chemical combination in lattice scale between SnS2 and Na0.9Mg0.45Ti3.55O8 (NMTO) was observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, indicating that heterojunctions were obtained between SnS2 and NMTO. The photocatalytic activity of SNMTO heterojunctions was improved in comparison with that of pure NMTO and SnS2 for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and Rhodamine B. Electrons were excited in n-type semiconductors NMTO and SnS2 under light illumination, and a part of them moved to the interface, determined with the surface potential reduction observed directly by Kelvin probe force microscopy. The charge redistribution in the composite illustrates a high density of interface states between SnS2 and NMTO, which attract lots of photoelectrons, as a result enhancing the photocatalytic performance. This finding is very different from the speculation that the photogenerated electrons and holes migrate from one part to another because it is difficult for charge carriers to travel through the interface with high energy.

TSPO ligands prevent the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and attenuate neointima formation through AMPK activation.

Abnormal growth of the intimal layer of blood vessels (neointima formation) contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis. Recent evidence shows that the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a mitochondrial membrane protein, is involved in diverse cardiovascular diseases. In this study we investigated the role of endogenous TSPO in neointima formation after angioplasty in vitro and in vivo. We established a vascular injury model in vitro by using platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to stimulate rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells (A10 cells). We found that treatment with PDGF-BB (1-20 ng/mL) dose-dependently increased TSPO expression in A10 cells, which was blocked in the presence of PKC inhibitor or MAPK inhibitor. Overexpression of TSPO significantly promoted the proliferation and migration in A10 cells, whereas downregulation of TSPO expression by siRNA or treatment with TSPO ligands PK11195 or Ro5-4864 (104 nM) produced the opposite effects. Furthermore, we found that PK11195 (10-104 nM) dose-dependently activated AMPK in A10 cells. PK11195-induced inhibition on the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-treated A10 cells were abolished by compound C (an AMPK-specific inhibitor, 103 nM). In rats with balloon-injured carotid arteries, TSPO expression was markedly upregulated in the carotid arteries. Administration of PK11195 (3 mg/kg every 3 days, ip), starting from the initial balloon injury and lasting for 2 weeks, greatly attenuated carotid neointima formation by suppressing balloon injury-induced phenotype switching of VSMCs (increased α-SMA expression). These results suggest that TSPO is a vascular injury-response molecule that promotes VSMC proliferation and migration and is responsible for the neointima formation after vascular injury, which provides a novel therapeutic target for various cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Clinical features of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis in Chinese infants.

BACKGROUND: Benign convulsions occur in infants during the course of mild gastroenteritis. It is now recognized as a distinct clinical entity in many countries. However, its occurrence in China has not yet been widely recognized by Chinese pediatricians. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 48 patients with convulsions between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009. RESULTS: The age of onset of gastroenteritis was between 13 months and 24 months in 34 patients (70.83%). The episodes occurred at a distinct autumn/winter peak (75%). The seizures mostly occurred within the first 5 days of gastroenteritis, especially within the first 3 days, peaking on day 2 (39.58%). Thirty-five patients (72.92%) had clustered seizures in their episodes. Most episodes were symmetric, generalized tonic-clonic (83.33%) and brief (93.75%). The seizures were induced by pain and/or crying in 19 (39.58%) patients. Stool culture was positive for rotavirus in 21 (53.85%) of the 39 patients. Twenty patients (20/41, 48.78%) still had clustered seizures after the administration of a single anticonvulsant. The seizures persisted even after the administration of two combined anticonvulsants in 5 (26.32%) of 19 episodes. All patients exhibited normal psychomotor development. CONCLUSIONS: Benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis are not rare in China, and rotavirus infection is a major cause.

[Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in addition to intravenous immunoglobulin in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease: a meta-analysis of randomized trials].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids (GC) plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease. METHODS: Fourteen electronic databases and 3 Japanese magazines were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) describing the use of GC plus IVIG in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease in children were collected. The data of methodological quality and trial information were extracted by two independent researchers. Cochrane review methodology was used for assessing the trial quality and efficacy. Each dichotomous outcome was measured in terms of odds risk (OR) while continuous outcomes shown as weighted mean differences (WMD). And a meta-analysis was made with RevMan5.0.23.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 416 cases in 3 trials were included. There were 209 cases in GC + IVIG group and 207 cases in IVIG group. The incidence of coronary artery lesion (CAL) was not different between GC + IVIG and IVIG groups within 1 month or 1 month post-treatment (OR: 0.74, 0.69; 95%CI: 0.23 - 2.40, 0.35 - 1.38; P = 0.62, 0.30]. The fever duration was shorter in GC + IVIG group than that in IVIG group (WMD: -0.93 d, 95%CI: -1.15 - -0.70, P = 0.00). The treatment failure rate was less in GC + IVIG group than IVIG group (9.09% vs 17.48%, OR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28 - 0.86, P = 0.01). No difference in adverse events was found between two groups (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.22 - 3.03, P = 0.76). CONCLUSION: There is no evidence to support that GC plus IVIG can further reduce the CAL risk of KD patients. But it may lower the treatment failure rate in KD patients.

[Clinical application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children with idiopathic epilepsy].

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the biochemical metabolism by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ('H-MRS) in order to explore the value of 'H-MRS in idiopathic epilepsy in children. METHODS: Thirty-three children with idiopathic epilepsy (14 cases with history of febrile seizures and 19 cases without) and six normal controls experienced MRI of the skull and brain and single-voxel 'H-MRS examinations of the hippocampi-temporal lobe. The signal intensities of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), eatine+phosphocreatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and lactate (Lac) and the ratios of NAA/ (Cho+Cr) and Lac/Cr were compared between the patients and normal controls. RESULTS: MRI examination showed that only one child with epilepsy had myelin dysplasia. 'H-MRS examination showed that the ratio of NAA/ (Cho+Cr) in the epilepsy group was lower than that in the control group (0.64+/-0.07 vs 0.73+/-0.05; P<0.01). The epileptic children with history of febrile seizures had a more decreased ratio of NAA/ (Cho+Cr) compared with those without the history (0.61+/-0.07 vs 0.66+/-0.06; P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the ratio of Lac/Cr between the epilepsy and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: 'H-MRS may provide early information on brain injury sensitively and non-invasively in children with epilepsy. It may be used for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of epilepsy.

[Comparison of efficacy among early, conventional and late intravenous gamma globulin treatment of Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) non-responder and coronary complication among early, conventional and late IVIG treatment in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: All children with KD and IVIG treatment were retrospectively analyzed at 45 hospitals in Beijing during the 5-year period from 2000 through 2004. The time of IVIG treatment was classified as early (Day 1 - 4), conventional (Day 5 - 9) and late treatment group (Day 10 or later). The efficacy of IVIG was judged by the rate of IVIG non-responder. Echocardiography was used to assess the coronary complication at acute (1 - 2 weeks after onset) and sub-acute (3 - 6 weeks after onset) stage. RESULTS: A total of 1052 patients (680 boys, 372 girls) aged 2 months to 13.8 years were included. They were grouped as early, conventional and late treatment in 108, 763 and 181 children respectively. The rate of IVIG non-responders was higher in early (28.7%, 31/108) as compared with conventional (11.9%, 91/763) and late treatment group (7.2%, 13/181, both P < 0.01). The incidences of coronary complications were similar in early (17.6%, 19/108 and 5.9%, 4/68) and conventional treatment group (18.3%, 140/ 763 and 5.5%, 25/452), while significantly higher in late treatment group (33.7%, 61/181 and 12.8%, 15/117) in acute and sub-acute stages (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IVIG treatment in children with KD for a disease duration of 1 - 4 days appeared to increase the rate of IVIG non-responders. Children with IVIG given at Day 10 or later had a higher incidence of acute and sub-acute coronary complications. IVIG given at Day 5 - 9 seems to be the best time for IVIG therapy in KD.

[Quantification of phenylalanine in the brain of patients with hyperphenylalaninemia by (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is an inborn error of metabolism in which the hydroxylation of phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine is disturbed. Accumulation of Phe leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation. (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)HMRS) is a novel non-invasive method to quantitate the brain metabolites besides Phe concentration in HPA patients. And it could be acquired conveniently on clinical MRI routine scanners. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between blood Phe ([Phe](blood)) and [Phe](brain), the characteristics of blood-brain Phe metabolism and its impacts on mental retardation. METHOD: Totally 32 untreated patients diagnosed with HPA were studied, including 18 boys and 14 girls (age ranging from 33 days to 13 years). The patients were divided into two groups: elder than 4 months old (n = 22) and younger than 4 months old (n = 10). (1)HMRS were performed in all patients. [Phe](brain) were measured by absolute [Phe](brain) using Creatinine as an internal reference. [Phe](blood) were measured and developmental quotient (DQ) or intelligence quotients (IQ) were evaluated. RESULT: (1) [Phe](brain) measured by (1)HMRS ranged from 0.0640 to 0.6296 (M = 0.1542) while the [Phe](blood) was from 0.3804 to 2.5140 mmol/L (M = 1.5210 mmol/L) in all the 32 cases of HPA patients. (2) There was a positive linear correlation (r = 0.6103 (P < 0.01)) between [Phe](blood) and [Phe](brain). And there were interindividual differences in [Phe](brain) in several patients. (3) Variable mental retardation were observed in 23/32 cases in this study. (4) There was a negative correlation between [Phe](blood) and [Phe](brain) to the mental retardation (r(blood) = -0.5045, r(brain) = -0.6471 (P < 0.01)) in 22 cases of the HPA patients older than 4 months. And [Phe](brain) had more significant correlation with mental development than [Phe](blood). CONCLUSION: The [Phe](blood) could correspondingly represent the [Phe](brain) in most HPA patients. The Phe concentration could reflect the degree of mental retardation substantially in 22 cases with HPA older than 4 months. And the [Phe](brain) could more accurately illustrate it. (1)HMRS can be used to quantitate intracerebral Phe concentrations non-invasively in HPA patients. Preliminary findings suggest that interindividual variations in the kinetics of Phe uptake and metabolism do exist. (1)HMRS has great clinical significance in understanding the mechanism of HPA patient's mental retardation, providing proper objective standards for better diagnosis and treatment of HPA patients.

[Clinical study of tetrahydrobiopterin responsive phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency in southern and northern Chinese patients].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics of different hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and to discuss the clinical difference between southern and northern Chinese patients with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) responsive phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency. METHODS: (1)BH4 (20 mg/kg) loading test was performed in all 108 HPA patients. These patients, 63 males and 45 females, were at a mean age of 7.05 months. A combined phenylalanine (Phe) and BH4 loading test was carried out in the patients who had a basic blood Phe concentration less than 600 micromol/L. The urine pterine profile analysis and the dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) activity in dry blood filter spot were analyzed simultaneously. (2)BH4 responsive patients were divided to southern and northern groups by their parent's native place and geographic boundary determined by Changjiang River. The change of Phe concentration after BH4 loading test was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: (1)Among the 108 HPA cases, 36 patients (33.3%) were BH4 responsive PAH deficiency, 49 (45.4%) were non-BH4 no responsive phenylketonuria (PKU)and 23(21.3%)were BH4 deficiency (BH4D). The Phe concentration of patients with BH4 responsive PAH deficiency decreased by 49.24% and 65.35% at 8 h and 24 h after oral BH4, 23 in southern group and 13 in northern group among 36 patients. (2)The mean Phe concentration at 24 h after loading test in southern and northern groups were (217.02+/-189.03) micromol/L and 458.75+/-342.54 micromol/L respectively (P<0.05), although the decrease percent of plasma Phe concentration at 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h was no distinct difference between southern and northern groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of mild and moderate HPA patients affected by PAH deficiency show plasma Phe concentration decrease >30% in 24 h after oral BH4 20 mg/kg, few are classic PKU. The responsiveness to BH4 is no difference between southern and northern Chinese patients with BH4 responsive PAH deficiency according to the decrease percent of plasma Phe concentration, although the Phe concentration is lower in southern patients than that in northern patients.

[Effects of three intravenous gamma globulin regimens on Kawasaki disease and relevant coronary complication rates in pediatric patients: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects on Kawasaki disease (KD) of 3 different intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) regimens and coronary complication rates in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: The clinical data of 1052 children with KD treated in 45 hospitals in Beijing from 2000 through 2004, 680 male and 372 female, aged 2 months-13.8 years, 656 (60.1%) undergoing IVIG 2 g/kg for one dose (single dose group), 292 (26.7%) undergoing 1 g.kg(-1).d(-1) for 2 days (2 d group), and 104 (9.5%) undergoing 400 - 600 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 4 - 5 d (4 - 5 d group) in addition of oral administration of aspirin, were analyzed retrospectively. Echocardiography was used to assess the occurrence of coronary complications 1 - 2 weeks after onset (acute stage) and 3 - 6 weeks after onset (sub-acute stage). RESULTS: The rate of IVIG non-responder of the 2 d group was 20.9%, significantly higher than those of the single dose group and 4 - 5 d group (9.9% and 8.7% respectively, both P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in rates of coronary complication, pericardial effusion, and mitral regurgitation at the acute stage among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). However, the rates of coronary complication and of coronary aneurysm at the sub-acute stage of the single dose group were 5.1% and 1.6%, significantly lower than those of the 4 - 5 d group (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%, P = 0.035 - 0.047) were significantly lower in single dose group (5.1% and 1.6%) as compared to those in 4 - 5 d group and (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%) (P = 0.035 - 0.047). CONCLUSION: IVIG 2 g/kg in a single dose has lower rates of coronary complications and IVIG non-responders in children with KD, and is recommended for initial KD therapy.

[Brain white matter lesions of children with phenylketonuria before and after treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To observe brain white matter changes in children with late-treated phenylketonuria (PKU) before and after receiving treatment. METHODS: This study included 19 PKU patients (aged 34-410 weeks) who were administered a low-phenylalanine diet (< 15-50 mg/kg daily) for 8-16 months. The brain MR imaging with spin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences in coronal and axial planes was taken before and after treatment. The white matter abnormalities (T2WI high signal intensity) were graded based on the Thompson grading system. Meanwhile the intelligence quotient (IQ) or developmental quotient (DQ) was tested by the Gesell's Intelligence Scale. RESULTS: All 19 PKU patients presented with the brain white matter lesions, manifesting abnormally high T2-signal intensity in the periventricular region around anterior and posterior horns of both lateral ventricles. Different extents of mental retardation were also observed in the 19 patients. The low phenylalanine diet treatment decreased the average grade of abnormal T2-signal intensity from 2.59 to 1.76 (P < 0.05). The mean IQ or DQ improved from 44.8 to 61.6 after treatment (P < 0.05). There was some correlation between the amelioration of brain white matter lesions and IQ or DQ. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with late-treated PKU have a higher occurrence of the brain white matter lesions and mental retardation. A low-phenylalanine diet treatment can partly improve the abnormalities. Brain white matter lesions may play a part in mental retardation.

[An eighteen-year study on phenylketonuria].

A study on phenylketonuria (PKU) has been carried out in China-Japan Friendship Hospital since 1984. The results revealed that: (1) Totally 603 patients with PKU were diagnosed and treated in the hospital from October 1984 to September 2002. Among which 136 cases were identified by neonatal screening and treated within 3 months. One hundred and ninety-five cases were treated when the children were 3-12 months of age. Another 272 PKU children were diagnosed when they were more than 1 year old. All of these late-treated cases had some signs and symptoms of PKU. Mental retardation was found in 467 cases and various patterns of seizures in 119 cases. After treatment with low-phenylalanine diet, the follow-up for early-treated patients revealed that their physical and mental developments were normal. In late-treated patients, abnormal behaviour was significantly improved and their developmental quotient were elevated. Prenatal gene diagnosis of PKU risk foetus in 22 PKU families was successfully performed. (2) Urinary pterins obtained from 369 HPA patients were measured by HPLC. Twenty two patients with BH4 deficiency have been recognized. Six single base mutations were detected in 18 unrelated northern Chinese BH4 deficiency families, and the mutations at nucleotides 259C-->T and 286G-->A were common mutations. Eighteen BH4 deficient patients were treated with BH4, L-dopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan, and the results were satisfactory. (3) The abnormal rate of EEG was high in untreated patients with PKU, mainly showing epileptiform discharges and partly showing background activity abnormality. The most frequent finding was patchy areas of increased signal intensity in white matter on MRI in the brain of PKU patients, while delayed myelination and brain agenesis were often detected. After dietary treatment, follow-ups with EEG and MRI revealed that the abnormalities were decreased significantly. (4) The relationship between genotype and intellectual phenotype was examined in 29 late-treated patients with classical PKU. It was found that the genotype of 22 patients were compatible with intellectual phenotype and not well matched in 7 cases. The result indicate that the genotype was well matched with intellectual phenotype in classical PKU patients.