Plasmon-Enhanced Ultrasensitive Surface Analysis Using Ag Nanoantenna.

Raman scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy permeate analytic science and are featured in the plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy (PES) family. However, the modest enhancement of plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF) significantly limits the sensitivity in surface analysis and material characterization. Herein, we report a Ag nanoantenna platform, which simultaneously fulfills very strong emission (an optimum average enhancement of 105-fold) and an ultrafast emission rate (∼280-fold) in PES. For applications in surface science, this platform has been examined with a diverse array of fluorophores. Meanwhile, we utilized a finite-element method (FEM) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to comprehensively investigate the mechanism of largely enhanced radiative decay. PES with a shell-isolated Ag nanoantenna will open a wealth of advanced scenarios for ultrasensitive surface analysis.

Prognostic factors of early outcome in pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: an analysis of 116 cases.

Early mortality remains a major challenge for the treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which warrants the need for prompt risk stratification in the early phase of the disease. We retrospectively analyzed clinical features of a cohort of pediatric patients managed at a tertiary hospital in southern China from 2005 to 2015. A total of 116 patients (median age 27.5 months) with predominantly secondary HLH were included. In a multivariate Cox regression model, neutrophils <0.5 × 10(9)/L (risk ratio (RR) = 5.01; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.55-16.20; P = 0.007), total bilirubin over twofold upper limit of normal value (RR = 2.86; 95 % CI 0.83-9.88; P = 0.097), and albumin ≤20 g/L (RR = 5.79; 95 % CI 1.70-19.73; P = 0.005) at diagnosis were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. The 30-day overall survival rate (OS) of patients with three risk factors was significantly lower than that of patients with zero to two risk factors (0 vs 90.7 %; P<0.001). Patients with three risk factors were 64-fold more likely to have early adverse outcome as compared to patients with zero to two risk factors (RR = 64.45; 95 % CI 18.35-226.33; P<0.001). Platelet count normalization in 2 weeks was an independent predictor for resolution after initial therapy with an odds ratio (OR) of 18.4 (95 % CI 2.7-122.9; P = 0.003). Our results indicate that severe neutropenia and liver function damage are prognostic factors for early death in HLH and platelet count normalization in 2 weeks is a critical predictor for resolution after initial therapy.

[Establishment of a diagnostic model of serum protein fingerprint pattern for esophageal cancer screening in high incidence area and its clinical value].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the alterations of serum proteomic pattern in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by SELDI-TOF-MS, to establish a diagnostic model of ESCC screening in high incidence area and investigate its clinical value. METHODS: SELDI-TOF-MS and CM10 proteinChip were used to detect the serum proteomic patterns of 36 cases of ESCC and 38 healthy control subjects in high incidence area. The data were analyzed and a diagnostic model was established by using support vector machine (SVM). The diagnostic model was evaluated by leave-one-out cross validation. RESULTS: At the molecular weight range of 2000 to 20,000, 31 protein peaks were significantly different between ESCC and controls (P < 0.01). A diagnostic model consisting of 4 protein peaks could do the best in diagnosis of ESCC and controls. The accuracy was 85.1%, sensitivity was 86.1%, specificity was 84.2%, and positive value was 83.8%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic model formed by 4 protein peaks, established in this study, can well distinguish ESCC from healthy subjects. It provides a new approach for ESCC screening in high incidence area.

[Analysis of trace elements and macro elements in jin he nao xue kang capsules].

Ten trace elements and macro elements in Jin He Nao Xue Kang capsules, such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that there are comparatively rich macro element Mg, and profitable elements such as trace elements Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni etc in Jin He Nao Xue Kang capsules. The contents of poisonous elements (Cd and Pb) are comparatively low. The content sequence of metal elements is as follow: Fe>Mg>Zn>Mn>Cu>Ni>Cr>Pb>Co>Cd. It provided useful data for discussing the relationship between trace elements and macro elements in Tibetan traditional medicine, and the cure for vascular and cerebral vascular disease.