Establishment and characterization of a radiation-induced dermatitis rat model.

Radiation-induced dermatitis is a common and serious side effect after radiotherapy. Current clinical treatments cannot efficiently or fully prevent the occurrence of post-irradiation dermatitis, which remains a significant clinical problem. Resolving this challenge requires gaining a better understanding of the precise pathophysiology, which in turn requires establishment of a suitable animal model that mimics the clinical condition, and can also be used to investigate the mechanism and explore effective treatment options. In this study, a single dose of 90 Gy irradiation to rats resulted in ulceration, dermal thickening, inflammation, hair follicle loss, and sebaceous glands loss, indicating successful establishment of the model. Few hair follicle cells migrated to form epidermal cells, and both the severity of skin fibrosis and hydroxyproline levels increased with time post-irradiation. Radiation damaged the mitochondria and induced both apoptosis and autophagy of the skin cells. Therefore, irradiation of 90 Gy can be used to successfully establish a rat model of radiation-induced dermatitis. This model will be helpful for developing new treatments and gaining a better understanding of the pathological mechanism of radiation-induced dermatitis. Specifically, our results suggest autophagy regulation as a potentially effective therapeutic target.

Use of Emergency Medical Services and Timely Treatment Among Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Emergency medical services (EMSs) are critical for early treatment of patients with ischemic stroke, yet data on EMS utilization and its association with timely treatment in China are still limited. Methods- We examined data from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance for patients with ischemic stroke from June 2015 to June 2018. Absolute standardized difference was used for covariates' balance assessments. We used multivariable logistic models with the generalized estimating equations to account for intrahospital clustering in identifying demographic and clinical factors associated with EMS use as well as in evaluating the association of EMS use with timely treatment. Results- Of the 560 447 patients with ischemic stroke analyzed, only 69 841 (12.5%) were transported by EMS. Multivariable-adjusted results indicated that those with younger age, lower levels of education, less insurance coverage, lower income, lower stroke severity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral vascular disease were less likely to use EMS. However, a history of cardiovascular diseases was associated with increased EMS usage. Compared with self-transport, EMS transport was associated with significantly shorter onset-to-door time, door-to-needle time (if prenotification was sent), earlier arrival (adjusted odds ratio [95% CIs] were 2.07 [1.95-2.20] for onset-to-door time ≤2 hours, 2.32 [2.18-2.47] for onset-to-door time ≤3.5 hours), and more rapid treatment (2.96 [2.88-3.05] for IV-tPA [intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator] in eligible patients, 1.70 [1.62-1.77] for treatment with IV-tPA by 3 hours if onset-to-door time ≤2 hours, and 1.76 [1.70-1.83] for treatment with IV-tPA by 4.5 hours if onset-to-door time ≤3.5 hours). Conclusions- Although EMS transportation is associated with substantial reductions in prehospital delay and improved likelihood of early arrival and timely treatment, rate of utilization is currently low among Chinese patients with ischemic stroke. Developing an efficient EMS system and promoting culture-adapted education efforts are necessary for improving EMS activation.

Atrial Fibrillation Known Before or Detected After Stroke Share Similar Risk of Ischemic Stroke Recurrence and Death.

Background and Purpose- We aim to compare the risk of 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence and death for atrial fibrillation diagnosed after stroke (AFDAS), atrial fibrillation known before stroke (KAF), and sinus rhythm (SR). Methods- From June 2012 to January 2013, 19 604 patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted to 219 urban hospitals in the China National Stroke Registry II. Based on heart rhythm assessed during admission, we classified patients as AFDAS, KAF, or SR. We explored the relationship between heart rhythm groups and 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence or death by using Cox regression adjusted for multiple covariates. Considering that death is a competing risk for stroke recurrence, we used the competing risks analysis of Fine and Gray and subdistribution Cox proportional hazards to test the association between heart rhythm and 1-year outcomes. Results- Among 19 604 ischemic stroke patients, 17 727 had SR, 495 AFDAS, and 1382 KAF. At 1 year, 54 (10.9%) patients with AFDAS, 182 (13.2%) with KAF, and 1008 (5.7%) with SR had recurrent ischemic strokes ( P<0.0001). Mortality was 22.0% in patients with AFDAS, 22.1% in patients with KAF, and 7.0% in patients with SR ( P<0.0001). AFDAS-related ischemic stroke recurrence adjusted risk was higher than that of SR (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratios, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.29-2.01) but not different from that of KAF (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.87-1.45]). The adjusted risk of 1-year death for AFDAS was also higher than that of SR (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.37-2.12) and not different from that of KAF (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.86-1.41). Conclusions- This study showed that AFDAS had similar risk of 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence and mortality when compared with KAF and higher risk when compared with SR. The potential risk of AFDAS should be given more emphasis, and appropriate treatment is needed to achieve reduction in the incidence of stroke recurrence and mortality.

[Effect of adipose-derived stem cells on radiation-induced acute skin injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on radiation-induced skin injury in SD rats.
 Methods: Radioactive particles 192Ir were used to irradiate the left medial thigh skin of SD rats, and the irradiation dose was at 90 Gy. Then, the rats were randomly allocated into a control group and a treatment group (each n=9). After the irradiation, the control group was injected with 60 µL PBS and the treatment group was injected with 60 µL ADSCs in irradiated skin. The progress of skin damage and healing was observed and photographed every day. Twenty-eighth days after the irradiation, the irradiated skin tissue was taken from the left thigh, and then fixed with formaldehyde fixative solution. At the same time, the skin tissue of the corresponding part of the normal group (n=9) that was not irradiated was also taken. After sampling, embedding and slicing, immunohistochemical staining was used to compare the levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and HE staining was used to compare pathological features of the skin.
 Results: Radioactive particle 192Ir caused the development of III or IV radioactive skin damage. The score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The wounds of the treatment group were basically healed at 28 days, while the ulcer of the control group was unhealed. So, the healing time was shorter in the treatment group. The expression of α-SMA in the skin of the two groups was increased after the radiotherapy. By analyzing the pathological microstructure image, we found that the thickness of epidermis in the control group was greater than that in the treatment group, while the vascular density in the treatment group was greater than that in the control group (all P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Radioactive particles 192Ir can cause skin damage, while the adipose-derived stem cells might alleviate radiation-induced skin injury and promote ulcer healing by promoting angiogenesis.

Ontogeny of the pollinium in Hoya carnosa provides new insights into microsporogenesis.

The presence of a pollinium is a distinct character in Apocynaceae which is important for phylogenetic analysis. The pollinium of Hoya has an outer sporopollenin wall and a pellucid margin which are adaptive features. However, their ontogeny and related evolutionary implications are not entirely understood. Therefore, a representative species Hoya carnosa was selected to investigate the pollinium development using light and electron microscopy and cytochemical tests. In contrast to the microsporogenesis in most angiosperms, which is associated with callose, the non-callosic intersporal walls in Hoya carnosa, together with the successive cytokinesis and linear form of the tetrad, represent an alternative pattern of microsporogenesis. This pattern has specific implication for the early stages of pollen morphogenesis. The absence of exine and apertures in the pollen grains in the pollinium could result from a combination of factors including the absence of callose in the early stages and the modifications in later developmental pathways, e.g., the sporopollenin accumulation pathway. The pollinium wall is an exine without stratification, its surface lacks sculptures, and it provides structural support and protection. The pollen tubes germinate through the pellucid margin and germinating ridge which are specialized features. The pellucid margin originates from aborted microspores. The germinating ridge that lies on the outer side of the pellucid margin develops in the same way as a classic pollen exine. The pollen grains are aggregated by intine fusion which is favorable for tube germination and growth. Comparing Asclepiadoideae with the other two subfamilies of Apocynaceae that develop a pollinium, the pollinium of Asclepiadoideae has reduced deposition of sporopollenin in the inner walls but an increase in the outer pollinium wall, thus making the inner walls more reduced and simplified, and the outer walls more solid. The adaptive characters of the pollen wall structure and the cohesion mechanism suggest that the pollinium of Hoya carnosa is a derived form of pollen aggregation.

You Pretend, I Laugh: Associations Between Dyadic Pretend Play and Children's Display of Positive Emotions.

Background: Understanding how pretend play is related to positive emotions is important for supporting children's development and promoting their wellbeing. However, previous studies have mainly examined this association at individual levels and overlooked the potential links at interpersonal levels. This is an important knowledge gap because pretend play is commonly performed in social contexts. The current study investigates how peer pretend play is associated with children's display of positive emotions at both individual and dyadic levels. Methods: One hundred and eight Chinese children (M age = 8.95 years, SD = 0.99, 51.9% girls) were observed playing in peer dyads with toys. An interaction of 10 min was coded for each child's pretend play behavior, social and emotional pretend play themes, and display of positive emotions. Multilevel modeling was used to examine age and gender differences in peer pretend play. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) were estimated to test the hypothesized associations between dyadic pretend play and children' display of positive emotions. Results: Compared to children whose playmates engaged in less pretend play, children whose playmates engaged in more pretend play were more likely to display positive emotions (p = 0.021). Additionally, children's display of positive emotions was predicted by both their own (p = 0.027) and their playmate's (p = 0.01) pretend play with emotional themes. Compared to younger children, older children were less likely to engage in pretend play (p = 0.002), but more likely to engage in pretend play with social themes (p = 0.03) when the total frequency of pretend play was controlled for. Boys were 4.9 times and 2.16 times as likely as girls to create aggressive pretend themes (p < 0.001) and non-aggressive negative pretend themes (p = 0.007), respectively. No significant gender differences were found in positive pretend themes. Conclusions: Pretending with peers may increase not only children's own, but also their play partner's display of positive emotions. Pretend play may not simply decline in middle childhood as previously assumed.

Dyadic association between aggressive pretend play and children's anger expression.

This study investigates the association between children's peer-reported expression of anger and their pretend play with aggressive/negative themes observed during spontaneous play with classmates. Participants comprised 104 Chinese children (Mage  = 8.98 years, SD = 0.97, 49% girls) and were filmed playing in peer dyads with toys. Aggressive and non-aggressive negative pretend themes were coded at five-second intervals for 10 minutes. Children's expression of anger in real situations was reported by peers. Analysis using actor-partner interdependence modelling (APIM) revealed significant partner effects, indicating that children were more likely to engage in pretend play with aggressive themes when they were playing with a partner who was perceived by their peers as more easily angered. It was also found that boys were more likely to engage in pretend play with both aggressive and non-aggressive negative themes compared with girls.

Maternal anxiety and depression and their associations with mother-child pretend play: a longitudinal observational study.

BACKGROUND: Parental anxiety and depression have been associated with changes to parent-child interactions. Although play constitutes an important part of parent-child interactions and affords critical developmental opportunities, little is known regarding how parental anxiety and depression are related to parent-child play. This is an important knowledge gap because parents play a crucial role in children's early play experience. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether levels of maternal anxiety and depression respectively predicted frequencies of pretend play in both mothers and their children, and whether mothers' engagement in pretend play predicted child behaviour problems two years later. METHODS: Pretend play in 60 mother-toddler dyads (Mage of child = 29.67 months, SD = 3.25, 41.7% girls) was assessed during home visits. Maternal anxiety and depression were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Children's behaviour problems were rated by mothers at baseline and two years later. Hierarchical regression analyses examined concurrent associations between mother-child pretend play and maternal anxiety and depression at baseline, and longitudinal associations between baseline mother pretend play and child behavioural problems two years later. RESULTS: Higher maternal anxiety predicted less pretend play in mothers and children (ß = - .23, BCa 95% CI: [- .018, - .001]) and ß = - .22, BCa 95% CI [- .014, - .001]). Higher maternal depression predicted less child pretend play (ß = - .20, BCa 95% CI [- .012, - .001]). There was evidence (albeit weak) that more mother pretend play at baseline predicted fewer child behaviour problems two years later (ß = - .18, BCa 95% CI [- 62.38, 11.69]), when baseline child behaviour problems and maternal anxiety were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal anxiety and depression are associated with less pretend play during mother-child interaction. Mother's pretend play might help reduce child behavioural problems risks, suggesting that play might be one mechanism by which maternal mental health influences children's development.

Post-traumatic Growth Level and Its Influencing Factors Among Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To assess post-traumatic growth (PTG) level and explore its influence factors among frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: From April 11th to 12th, 2020, a cross sectional study was conducted on 116 frontline nurses who had participated in fight against the COVID-19 in Wuhan city, China. General information and psychological discomfort were collected. Chinese version post-traumatic growth inventory with 20 items was applied to assess PTG level. Univariable analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to explore potential influencing factors of PTGI score. Results: The average score of PTGI in frontline nurses was 65.65 ± 11.50. In univariable analyses, gender, age, education level, marital status, living with parents, professional title, working years and professional psychological support was not statistically associated with the PTGI score. In both univariable and multivariable analyses, having support from family members and friends, being psychological comfort and having children and increased the PTGI score significantly. The three factors only explained 3.8% variance. Conclusion: Moderate PGT was observed in the frontline nurses who had battled against COVID-19. Social support and professional psychological intervention should be applied to further improve PTG level. Further studies with large sample size are required to explore more potential influencing factors.

[Study of building quantitative analysis model for chlorophyll in winter wheat with reflective spectrum using MSC-ANN algorithm].

Preprocess method of multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) was used to reject noises in the original spectra produced by the environmental physical factor effectively, then the principal components of near-infrared spectroscopy were calculated by nonlinear iterative partial least squares (NIPALS) before building the back propagation artificial neural networks method (BP-ANN), and the numbers of principal components were calculated by the method of cross validation. The calculated principal components were used as the inputs of the artificial neural networks model, and the artificial neural networks model was used to find the relation between chlorophyll in winter wheat and reflective spectrum, which can predict the content of chlorophyll in winter wheat. The correlation coefficient (r) of calibration set was 0.9604, while the standard deviation (SD) and relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.187 and 5.18% respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) of predicted set was 0.9600, and the standard deviation (SD) and relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.145 and 4.21% respectively. It means that the MSC-ANN algorithm can reject noises in the original spectra produced by the environmental physical factor effectively and set up an exact model to predict the contents of chlorophyll in living leaves veraciously to replace the classical method and meet the needs of fast analysis of agricultural products.

NF-κB pathway activation during endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin is a commonly used anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent; however, its application is limited owing to its cardiotoxicity. Current clinical treatments cannot efficiently or fully prevent doxorubicin-induced toxicity, primarily because its pathogenesis and mechanisms of action remain unknown. In this study, we established a rat model of chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, in which the severity of cardiac fibrosis and hydroxyproline levels increased in a time-dependent manner. Doxorubicin damaged the mitochondria and blood vessels and induced autophagy. Cells undergoing endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT)and those expressing endothelial cell and myofibroblast markers were simultaneously observed in vitro and in rats treated with doxorubicin. The NF-κB pathway was activated during EndoMT, andp65 and p-p65 were strongly expressed in the nucleus of endothelial cells in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that vascular injury and cardiac fibrosis are characteristic symptoms of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The NF-κB pathway-associated EndoMT may influence the pathogenesis of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, and the constituents of this pathway may be potential therapeutic targets to prevent the development of this condition.

Disparities in outcomes associated with rural-urban insurance status in China among inpatient women with stroke: a registry-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Despite a few studies have demonstrated sex differences in stroke care and outcomes, limited research has explored insurance-related disparities in outcomes, particularly among women stroke patients. The aim was to determine whether rural-urban health insurance status affect the stroke treatment, process of care, and 1-year clinical outcomes for inpatient ischemic stroke in women. METHODS: Women patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) covered by New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) and urban resident/employee-based basic medical insurance scheme (URBMI/UEBMI) were abstracted from the China National Stroke Registry II (CNSR II). Shared frailty model in the Cox model or generalized estimating equation with consideration of the hospital's cluster effect were used to assess the associations between rural-urban insurance status and quality of care during hospitalization and 1-year stroke outcomes including all-cause death, 1-year recurrence, and 1-year disability. RESULTS: A total of 5,707 women patients enrolled from 219 hospitals in CNSR II were analyzed. Compared with 2,880 women patients covered by URBMI/UEBMI, 2,827 women patients covered by NRCMS were younger (65.7 versus 68.9 years), less likely to have vascular risk factors, awareness and treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia prior to stroke. Women covered by NRCMS were more likely to receive early antithrombotics, discharge antithrombotics, lipid-lowering drugs, but less likely to receive antihypertensive medication than those covered by URBMI/UEBMI. One-year all-cause mortality and stroke recurrence were both significantly higher in women patients with NRCMS than those with URBMI/UEBMI [adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.40 (1.06-1.84) and 1.38 (1.04-1.83), separately]. CONCLUSIONS: AIS women patients with rural-urban insurance status demonstrated remarkable differences in age, stroke risk factors, awareness and treatment, the process of care, and 1-year stroke recurrence and mortality. Healthcare policymakers need to focus their attention on these disparities and take proper steps to improve primary healthcare service in rural areas.

Renal Dysfunction and In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke After Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy.

Background The impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on clinical short-term outcomes after stroke thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator remains controversial. Methods and Results We analyzed 18 320 ischemic stroke patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator at participating hospitals in the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance between June 2015 and November 2017. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between eGFR (<45, 45-59, 60-89, and ≥90 mL/min per 1.73 m2) and in-hospital mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics and the hospital clustering effect. Of the 18 320 patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator, 601 (3.3%) had an eGFR <45, 625 (3.4%) had an eGFR 45 to 59, 3679 (20.1%) had an eGFR 60 to 89, and 13 415 (73.2%) had an eGFR ≥90. As compared with eGFR ≥90, eGFR values <45 (6.7% versus 0.9%, adjusted odds ratio, 3.59; 95% CI, 2.18-5.91), 45 to 59 (4.0% versus 0.9%, adjusted odds ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.18-3.38), and 60 to 89 (2.5% versus 0.9%, adjusted odds ratio, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.20-2.34) were independently associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality. However, there was no statistically significant association between eGFR and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusions eGFR was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients after treatment with tissue plasminogen activator. eGFR is an important predictor of poststroke short-term death but not of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

[Study on the interaction of carbaryl and ctDNA by resonance light scattering spectra and its application].

Interaction modes of carbaryl and DNA were studied by resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra and absorption spectra. Experiments show that at pH 1.97, there are two interaction modes between carbaryl and ctDNA, namely surface assembly mode and intercalative mode. Interaction mode has a relation with the concentration ratio of carbaryl to ctDNA. Under this condition, the RLS intensity o f carbaryl and ctDNA is proportional to the concentration of ctDNA. According to this, one new simple and rapid method of determining ctDNA was set up. The linear ranges of the concentration of ctDNA were 0.02-3 microg x mL(-1), the linear regression equation was I = 200.77c (microg x mL(-1)) + 118.91, and the correlation coefficient was r = 0.998 9. This method has successfully been used to determine the synthetic samples.

%ggBaseline: a SAS macro for analyzing and reporting baseline characteristics automatically in medical research.

Demographic tables are widely used to report baseline characteristics in medical research. However, the traditional copy-paste production method is time-consuming and frequently generates typing errors. Current available statistical tools are still far away from ideal, because they are difficult to understand and they lack flexibility. A user-friendly, dynamic, and flexible tool is needed for researchers to automate the creation of demographic tables. In this paper, we introduce a SAS macro, %ggBaseline, that automatically analyzing and reporting baseline characteristics with the final production of publication-quality demographic tables. The macro provides optional parameters that allow for the full customization of desired demographic tables. Since %ggBaseline allows for the quick creation of reproducible and fully customizable tables, it can be beneficial to academics, clinical trials and medical research studies by making the presentation and formatting of results faster and more efficient.

Thalli Growth, Propagule Survival, and Integrated Physiological Response to Nitrogen Stress of Ramalina calicaris var. japonica in Shennongjia Mountain (China).

In this study, effects of nitrogen (N) availability on growth, survival of Ramalina calicaris var. japonica, and whether it respond nitrogen stress in an integrated physiological way was evaluated. Thalli growth and propagule survival, thalli N and phosphorus (P) content, and activity of phosphomonoesterase (PME) of R. calicaris var. japonica were determined in a field experiment. Its differentiate adsorption in ammonia and nitrate, the activity of glutamine synthetase (GSA) and nitrate reductase (NRA) also were investigated in a series of indoor experiments. The results showed that N deposition significantly decreased the growth and survival of this lichen, and the N sensitivity threshold was suggested at 6.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1. When the N deposition increased from 8.59 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1 to 14.24, 20.49, 32.99 and 57.99 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1, the growth rates of lichen thalli decreased by 26.47, 39.01, 52.18 and 60.3%, respectively; Whereas the survival rate of the lichen propagules decreased from 92.8% of control (0.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1) to 10.7% of 50.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1, when they were treated with 0.00, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1 deposition. Compared with an adequate adsorption of ammonium N, no nitrate adsorption occurred when thalli was submerged in solution lower than 0.4 mM. Our results also suggested that thalli total nitrogen, N:P ratio increased with N availability, and the activity of PME was significantly correlated with thalli total nitrogen. These all indicated that phosphorus limitation occurred when R. calicaris var. japonica treated with higher nitrogen deposition. Compared with slightly effects of NRA, GSA of R. calicaris var. japonica responded nitrogen availability significantly; In addition, GSA and NRA negatively correlated with thalli growth rate and propagule survival significantly. These results indicated that nitrogen stress do decrease growth and survival of R. calicaris var. japonica, and lichen would be impacted by excess nitrogen in a integrated, not a fragmentary way, including nitrogen uptake, assimilation, even nutrient balance of nitrogen and phosphorous.

Insurance status and 1-year outcomes of stroke and transient ischaemic attack: a registry-based cohort study in China.

OBJECTIVE: Although more than 95% of the population is insured by urban or rural insurance programmes in China, little research has been done on insurance-related outcome disparities for patients with acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). This study aimed to examine the relationship between insurance status and 1-year outcomes for patients with stroke and TIA. METHODS: We abstracted 24 941 patients with acute stroke and TIA from the China National Stroke Registry II. Insurance status was categorised as Urban Basic Medical Insurance Scheme (UBMIS), New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) and self-payment. The relationship between insurance status and 1-year outcomes, including all-cause death, stroke recurrence and disability, was analysed using the shared frailty model in the Cox model or generalised estimating equation with consideration of the hospital's cluster effect. RESULTS: About 50% of patients were covered by UBMIS, 41.2% by NRCMS and 8.9% by self-payment. Compared with patients covered by UBMIS, patients covered by NRCMS had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death (9.7% vs 8.6%, adjusted HR: 1.32 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.48), p<0.001), stroke recurrence (7.2% vs 6.5%, adjusted HR: 1.12 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.37), p<0.001) and disability (32.0% vs 26.3%, adjusted OR: 1.29 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.39), p<0.001). Compared with patients covered by UBMIS, self-payment patients had a similar risk of death and stroke recurrence but a higher risk of disability. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke and TIA demonstrated differences in 1-year mortality, stroke recurrence and disability between urban and rural insurance groups in China.

Novel synthesis of N(4)-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones using poly(ethylene glycol) as soluble polymer support.

An efficient method for the liquid-phase combinatorial synthesis of N4-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones has been developed. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) stepwise reacted with bromoacetyl bromide, a primary amine and 2-azidobenzoic acid to give a potential PEG-bound dipeptide, which was reduced by NaI / acetic acid, along with concurrent cyclization and cleavage of the seven-membered heterocycle from the PEG support.

[Simultaneous determination of glucose, fructose and sucrose in aqueous solution by short-wavelength near infrared spectroscopy].

The calibration model for simultaneous determination of glucose, fructose and sucrose in aqueous solution was built by partial least squares and short-wavelength near infrared spectroscopy (800-1,100 nm). Twenty five samples in calibration set and 9 samples in prediction set were designed by orthogonal design. Building models from calibration set and validation for prediction set obtained the better results. For concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose in the ranges of 12.23-61.14 mg x mL(-1), 12.50-62.50 mg x mL(-1) and 12.09-60.44 mg x mL(-1), the relative standard deviations in the calibration set are 1.43%, 4.51% and 1.59% respectively, and the relative standard deviations in the prediction set are 3.40%, 3.73% and 2.80% respectively. The advantages of the method are simple and effective, with low cost for the simultaneous determination of multi-component system. It may be applied in practice easily.

[Reaction of atrazine with protein and its application to detection of protein].

The resonance light scattering (RLS) technique and UV-Vis absorption spectra were applied to the investigation of the interaction between atrazine and bovine serum albumin(BSA). Under acidic conditions, the formation of atrazine-BSA supermolecule by Van der Waals force and N/O--H...pi hydrogen bonds leads to a red shift of absorption band and strong RLS enhancement of atrazine. The characteristics and intensity of RLS were related to the pH, the concentration of atrazine, and temperature. Under the optimum conditions, the enhanced RLS intensities are in proportion to the concentration of BSA in the range of 0.05-100 microg x mL(-1). Based on the enhancement of the RLS, a simple and sensitive method for the determination of BSA was established. The detection limit (3sigma) is 12 ng x mL(-1). Synthesis samples were determined with satisfactory results.