Plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine correlate with the efficacy of antidepressant agents and serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic markers.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is associated with depressive-like behavior in rodents. We undertook cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of plasma levels of H2S and its substrate homocysteine (Hcy) in depression and assessed the association of both parameters with psychopathology and cognitive function. METHODS: Forty-one patients suffering from depression (PSDs) and 48 healthy volunteers were recruited. PSDs were treated for 8 weeks. Analyzable data were collected from all participants for assessment of their psychopathology and cognitive function. Plasma was collected for determination of levels of H2S and Hcy, and data were correlated to determine their potential as plasma biomarkers. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analyses revealed PSDs to have a low plasma H2S level and high Hcy level. Longitudinal analyses revealed that 8 weeks of treatment reversed the changes in plasma levels of H2S and Hcy in PSDs. Plasma levels of H2S and Hcy were associated with psychopathology and cognitive function in depression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for a combination of plasma levels of H2S and Hcy and expression of the TNF gene (i.e., H2S-Hcy-TNF) was 0.848 for diagnosing depression and 0.977 for predicting the efficacy of antidepressant agents. CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of H2S and Hcy reflect changes in psychopathology and cognitive function in depression and H2S-Hcy-TNF has the potential to diagnose depression and predict the efficacy of antidepressant medications.

Cu(I)-catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from aminopyridines and nitroolefins using air as the oxidant.

A copper-catalyzed method for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aminopyridines and nitroolefins using air as oxidation agent in a one-pot procedure has been developed. In this process, the reaction appears to be very general and suitable for construction of a variety of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.

[Study on the solid state transformation of PET/nano-CaCO3 composites by variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy].

Solid state transformation of crude poly (ethylene terephthalate)(PET) and PET/nano-CaCO3 (MPET) composites were studied by variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy during the heating process from 40 to 250 degrees C. The effects of nanometer calcium carbonate(nano-CaCO3) on the solid state transformation and crystal correlation bands of MPET composites were analyzed by the curves of the ratio of 1 342 and 1 410 cm(-1) absorbency(A1 342/A1 410) with temperature increasing, and together with DSC curves in the same condition. The results showed that the crystallization degrees of crude PET and MPET are obviously different in this condition by adding nano-CaCO3 particles as inhomogeneous nucleating agents.

[Analysis on influence factors of dietary supplement used in population aged above 45 years in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To explore influence factors of dietary supplement used in population aged above 45 years in Beijing. METHODS: Utilizing the data of the survey of dietary supplement (DS) used in Beijing in 2006 was to investigate the influence factors by using multi-factorial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: All 2487 samples were included in the analysis. Sex, age, average income of each month for each member of the family, experiences of deficiency of nutrition, attitude to nutrition knowledge, attitude to the need of DS and city-or-rural resident had shown effects on DS using. The percentage of using DS in female was higher than that in male being 19.3% and 11.8% respectively. The percentage grew up as the age became older. The same trend appeared as the economic-status going up, but not as education level change. Use of DS was greater in urban population (16.9%) than in rural population (14.6%). The percentage of using DS in people who had or just been diagnosed as malnutrition/deficiency disease or chronic disease, or those who thought themselves having got these diseases only by their own feeling were higher than those did not. CONCLUSION: People the female, the elder, or those having higher income, having experiences of deficiency of nutrition, are more interested in nutrition knowledge, and more positive in need of DS and those living in rural should be the target population of nutrition education for DS use.

[Finger reconstruction with extended free second toe flap transfer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an ideal method for finger reconstruction with extended the second toe flap transfer. METHODS: The second toe free flap was created, combined with an pedicled skin flap from the fibular side of the great toe inlaid in the ventral side of the second toe, a double-wing flap and the distal part of the metatarsal bone. The composite free flap was transferred by vascular anastomosis for finger reconstruction. RESULTS: The reconstructed finger exhibited nice looking and better function. The procedure had little influence to the appearance and function of the donor foot. CONCLUSION: This method is effective in ameliorating the appearance and function of the reconstructed finger with the second toe transfer.