Architecture of industrial Bi-Mo-Co-Fe-K-O propene oxidation catalysts.

Industrial heterogeneous catalysts show high performance coupled with high material complexity. Deconvoluting this complexity into simplified models eases mechanistic studies. However, this approach dilutes the relevance because models are often less performing. We present a holistic approach to reveal the origin of high performance without losing the relevance by pivoting the system at an industrial benchmark. Combining kinetic and structural analyses, we show how the performance of Bi-Mo-Co-Fe-K-O industrial acrolein catalysts occurs. The surface BiMoO ensembles decorated with K supported on ß-Co1-xFexMoO4 perform the propene oxidation, while the K-doped iron molybdate pools electrons to activate dioxygen. The nanostructured vacancy-rich and self-doped bulk phases ensure the charge transport between the two active sites. The features particular to the real system enable the high performance.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in dermatology.

Patients with obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and related disorders - primarily trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, and skin picking disorder - frequently present to dermatologists due to associated hair and skin symptoms. It is therefore crucial that dermatologists be familiar with these disorders. In this review article, we provide an update on clinical features, neurobiology factors, and treatment options for OCD spectrum disorders. Employing PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, a selective literature search was conducted using keywords related to dermatological disorders within the OCD spectrum. OCD and its related disorders share several phenomenological as well as pathophysiological similarities, thus warranting their classification within a separate nosological category of psychiatric disorders. Another similarity of OCD spectrum disorders is the frequent concurrence of hair and skin diseases. Besides symptomatic dermatological treatment, the combination of psychotherapy (behavioral therapy) and psychopharmacotherapy (SSRIs) may be helpful. Although recent insights into OCD have contributed to a better understanding and treatment thereof, more research is required, especially with respect to OCD spectrum disorders, for which large controlled treatment studies are still lacking.

[Clinical observation of the changes of serum helper T-lymphocytes (TH) cytokines in patients with HIV-infection and opportunistic infection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of serum helper T-Lymphocyte (Th) cytokines at each stage in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and with opportunistic infection. METHODS: Seventeen normal subjects were studied as controls. Among the 85 patients with HIV-infection studied, 31 had opportunistic infection. The study was divided into stage A, B, and C according to the standards set forth by The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 17, 29, and 39 subjects were respectively at stage A, B, and C. The levels of the CD4+ T cells and the CD8+ T cells were measured by flow cytometry (FCM), while the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All data were analyzed with statistic software SPSS11.0. RESULTS: The level of the CD4+ T cells was (361.85 +/- 230.61) 10(6)/L in the experimental group, lower than that of the control group (772.41 +/- 161.56) 10(6)/L (t = 6.992, P < 0. 01). The level of IL-2 was (61.82 +/- 63.59) pg/ml, lower than that of the control group (111.25 +/- 66.14) pg/ml (t = 2.907, P < 0.01). In the experimental group, the level of the CD8+ T cells was 713.36 +/- 317.59 10(6)/L, higher than that of the control group (583.24 +/- 96.28) 10(6)/L (t = 3.127, P < 0.01), the level of IL-10 was (1362.70 +/- 869.49) pg/ml, higher than that of the control group (818.54 +/- 276.22) pg/ml (t = 4.704, P < 0.01), and the level of IL-6 was (1883.14 +/- 1058.61) pg/m, higher than that of the control group [(1208.52 +/-745.36) pg/ml] (t = 2.502, P < 0.05). Along with the progression of the disease, the level of IL-2 in the experimental group was decreasing gradually, reaching (51.72 +/- 62.28) pg/ml at stage C and (69.02 +/- 62.77) pg/ml at stage B, both of which were lower than those of the control group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 rose gradually and were (2040.27 +/- 1078.95) pg/ml and (1472.10 +/-982.03 ) pg/ml respectively at stage C, higher than those of the control group. At stage B, the level of IL-10 was (1347.35 +/- 780.95) pg/ml, higher than that of the control group (818.54 +/- 276.22) pg/ml. The level of IL-6 was (2236.24 +/- 1052.42) pg/ml in patients with opportunistic infection, higher than that in those without opportunistic infection (1680.43 +/- 1017.05) pg/ml (t = 2. 395, P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Dynamical measure of the levels of the serum IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with HIV infection is a must. Therefore, the progression of AIDS can be controlled by increasing the level of IL-2, decreasing the levels of IL-6 and IL-10, and adjusting the balance of TH1/TH2 cells.

Assessment of quality of life in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis before and after suction-curettage.

BACKGROUND: Focal axillary hyperhidrosis (FAH) is a benign functional disorder that may lead to social and psychologic handicap. Hence, the improvement of quality of life is a major aim of therapy. Several studies evaluating the quality of life before and after application of topical agents, injections with botulinum toxin, and thoracoscopic sympathectomy have been reported. However, changes of quality of life after minimally invasive surgical procedures such as suction-curettage (SC) have not been investigated so far. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the quality of life in patients with FAH before and after SC using the validated Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). METHODS: In all, 51 patients who underwent SC were followed up for 9 months. The DLQI was completed by the patients before and 9 months after surgery. In addition, scores for patient satisfaction and improvement of FAH were applied. RESULTS: The median DLQI score before treatment was 12 (range: 9-18). Nine months after surgery a significant decrease of the DLQI score was observed (median: 4; range: 2-8) resulting in a relative reduction and improvement of the DLQI score of 63.4% (range: 33-83; P < .05), respectively. A significant sweat reduction was reported in 68.6% of patients experiencing a decrease of sweating of at least 75% after SC. Moreover, 78.4% of the patients were very or completely satisfied with the surgical procedure. LIMITATIONS: Only severe cases of hyperhidrosis, refractory to conservative therapy, were included. No objective outcome measure (eg, gravimetry) was included. CONCLUSION: Our data support results of previous studies demonstrating that FAH is associated with considerably reduced quality of life. SC is an effective surgical therapy option that can largely reverse the disabilities experienced by patients with excessive axillary sweating.

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on plasma MCP-1 and MSP in AIDS patients / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 in AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Chinese AIDS patients were treated with HAART for 3 months and 84 German AIDS patients with HAART for 3 to 6 years. The pre-treatment and post-treatment plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their correlations with CD4+ cell counts and viral loads were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The mean levels of MCP-1 were significantly higher and MSP were significantly lower in HIV-infected patients compared with the HIV-negative controls (P <0.01). After HAART for three months, there were no significant changes in the levels of these cytokines. But after long-term HAART (for 3 to 6 y), the level of MCP-1 was increased and that of MSP decreased significantly (P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between MSP and MCP-1 levels, and the same for MSP level and CD4+ cell counts; while there was a positive correlation between MCP-1 levels and CD4+ cell counts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The changed plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 are associated with HIV-1 infection and HAART may reverse the levels of these two cytokines.</p>

An adherence typology: coping, quality of life, and physical symptoms of people living with HIV/AIDS and their adherence to antiretroviral treatment.

BACKGROUND: Research has found that patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy is crucial to treatment success, but this research did not investigate the patient's viewpoint. This study examined relationships between types of adherence and coping, psychosocial factors, quality of life (QoL), and physical symptoms from the perspective of people living with HIV/AIDS. MATERIAL/METHODS: The quantitative study involved 100 HIV-positive participants. Questionnaires comprised the Trier Scales on Coping with Physical Illness, Medical-Outcomes-Study HIV Health-Survey QoL, Social Factors of Antiretroviral Therapy, and the HIV/AIDS Physical Symptom-Checklist. A sub-sample of 41 participants underwent semi-standardized interviews eliciting the type of adherence. Grounded Theory was the method of qualitative analyses. RESULTS: Maladaptive coping (rumination) related to poor mental health (p<0.001), concealing the HIV-infection (p<0.01), and being treatment-naive (p<0.01). Spiritual coping was more likely in women (p<0.001). Overall, QoL was worse in participants with more physical symptoms (p<0.001) and in those seeking mental health care (p<0.001). Working and maintaining a regular daily routine were associated with better adherence (p<0.05). Four adherence types were identified: 'Traditional Adherence' (with indifferent, faithful, and anxious subtypes), 'Traditional Non-Adherence', 'Critical Adherence', and 'Critical Non-Adherence'. The traditional types underscored a paternalistic medical model, while critical types emphasized 'autonomous patients'. Critical types were less frequent (39%), although superior to traditional types (p<0.001) in internal locus of control, optimal social support, and adaptive coping. CONCLUSIONS: Critical adherence is superior to traditional adherence with respect to physical and psychosocial factors. Strategies to improve adherence should therefore target empowerment and autonomy rather than patient obedience.

Liposomal pegylated doxorubicin versus low-dose recombinant interferon Alfa-2a in the treatment of advanced classic Kaposi's sarcoma; retrospective analysis of three German centers.

BACKGROUND: Classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare neoplasm, predominantly occurring in older subjects of Eastern Europe or Mediterranean descent. While single lesions may be treated by simple excision, laser therapy, cryotherapy, or intralesional therapy, advanced or disseminated disease requires systemic treatment. Several studies reported the effectiveness of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and low-dose recombinant interferon alfa-2a (IFNalpha) in the treatment of AIDS-associated KS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective analysis of three German centers was to compare the effectiveness and tolerability of PLD with IFNalpha in patients with advanced classic KS. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 18 Caucasian patients who had been treated for histologically proven classic KS, with either with PLD or IFNalpha was performed. Twelve patients received 20 mg/m2 of PLD monthly, and the number of cycles was adapted to the clinical response. Dose reduction or increased cycle length was conducted if toxicity intervened. In 6 patients, 3 million U of IFNalpha was injected subcutaneously 3 times a week. IFNalpha -therapy was adapted according to the clinical response. RESULTS: In the 12 KS patients treated with PLD, complete response (CR) was achieved in 8 (67 percent), major response (MR) in 3 (25 percent), and minor response (mR) in 1 (8 percent). Stable disease (SD) or progression of disease (PD) was not observed. An initial response was noted after 4-16 weeks of treatment (mean 8.6 weeks), the mean cumulative dose of PLD was 571.5 mg/m2 (range, 40 to 1496 mg/m2), and the mean follow-up was 13 months. Neutropenia (33 percent) related to PLD was the most common adverse event (4/12). Vomiting occurred in 3 (25 percent) patients; none of these were severe. Six patients were treated with IFNalpha. MR was achieved in 1 (17 percent), mR in 4 (67 percent) and SD in 1 of 6 patients (17 percent), neither had CR or PD. An initial response was observed after 8-17 weeks of treatment (mean 12.7 weeks). Fever occurred in 4 patients (67 percent). Flu-like symptoms in 3 patients (50 percent) related to IFNalpha were the most common adverse events. Mean follow-up was 6.3 months. The differences in response to treatment between PLD and IFNalpha, in general, were significant with p < 0.05 (T-test for independent samples). Comparing weeks to respond and treatment efficiency data were significant with p < 0.001 (Fisher's exact): response to PLD was up to one-third faster than IFNalpha. Calculating different stages of response (MR, CR, etc.), PLD also was clearly superior (p = 0.018) to IFNalpha (Fisher's exact). CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis of patients with classic KS confirms the efficacy and safety of PLD. The benefits of PLD, including the monthly application, the high response even after previous treatments have failed, and the low rate of side effects even in elderly individuals, outweigh the risks. PLD is superior to IFNalpha and should be considered as an promising option in the treatment of advanced classic KS.

Pimecrolimus 1% cream for cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Topical treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus usually includes potent glucocorticosteroids. However, prolonged use causes adverse side effects including skin atrophy as the foremost concern. In contrast to glucocorticosteroids, the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive macrolactam pimecrolimus has no atrophogenic potential. Affected areas of 11 patients with different forms of lupus erythematosus were treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream under semiocclusive conditions twice daily for 3 weeks. Skin involvement before and after therapy was assessed by means of a clinical score. In all patients, significant regression of skin lesions was observed after therapy (P <.001). This was an open and uncontrolled study on a limited number of cases. We suggest that pimecrolimus 1% cream could be an efficacious and safe treatment option for cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

[Effect of HIV-1 infection on apoptosis of CD4+ T lymphocytes mediated by Fas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenic role of Fas/CD95 in HIV-1 infection subjects, and to investigate the effects of HIV on plasma levels of sFas and the expression of CD95 on different CD4(+) T lymphocyte subpopulations. METHODS: Four-color flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of CD95, CD45RO, CD45RA on CD4(+ )T lymphocyte in peripheral blood from HIV-1 infection subjects and serum Fas levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULT: Compared with healthy controls, serum Fas levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) in HIV group and positively correlated with the disease progress. The expression of CD95 on naive T-lymphocyte subsets was increased whereas that on memory T-lymphocyte subsets was decreased. CONCLUSION: Fas plays an important role in the deletion of CD4(+) T-lymphocyte during HIV-1 infection. Further understanding of the relationship between Fas/CD95 and CD45RO/CD45RA may help to predict the progression of the disease and the clinical outcome.

[Expression of co-receptor on different T lymphocytes subpopulations after effective HAART].

OBJECTIVE: To measure CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptor expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells in HIV-1 infection and to relate levels to the distribution of CD45RO memory and CD45RA-naive subsets after effective HAART. METHODS: Four-color cytofluorometry with appropriate conjugated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was performed to define CD45RA and CD45RO subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells and measure the expression of CCR5, CXCR4 in blood from 43 received HAART patients and 5 non-treated HIV and 13 healthy controls. RESULTS: The levels of CCR5 and CXCR4 on CD4 and CD8 T cells and their CD45RO/CD45RA subsets in HIV-1-infected patients had not any statistical significance than that on control subjects and effective HAART could adjust the expression on T cells. CONCLUSION: CXCR4/CCR5 plays an important role in the progress of HIV-1 infection. The most favorable condition for treatment should be initiated before stage B.

[Evaluation of serum interleukin-18 and interleukin-10 in patients with HIV-1 and hepatitis viruses co-infected subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of cytokines in patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection. METHODS: Serum levels of IL-18 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HIV-RNA levels were measured in EDTA plasma by quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CD4(+) lymphocyte counts were determined by four-color Flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The levels of IL-18 were significantly higher in HIV-infected persons compared with those in controls (P<0.05). With HIV disease progression, IL-18 levels increased while Il-10 levels decreased. HCV patients showed lower levels of IL-18 and IL-10 than those of the co-infection group. CONCLUSION: Univariate analyses shows significant co-variables IL-10 in co-infection. Up-regulating IL-18 activity and/or down-regulating IL-10 may be a potential therapy to patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection.

[Immune activation in AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis role of immune system activation in AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma(AIDS-KS). METHODS: The serum levels of sFas, beta 2-microglobin, IL-10, IL-16, IL-18, IL-6 and sIL-4R were detected by ELISA in 8 AIDS-KS patients, 28 patients with HIV infection but without Kaposi's sarcoma(HIV-NKS) and 16 normal controls. The lymphocyte and their subsets, CD38(+) CD8, HLA-DR(+)CD8 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) in 12 AIDS-KS and 32 HIV-NKS were detected by flow cytometer. RESULTS: Beta 2-MG and sIL-4R in HIV-NKS were significantly higher than those in normal controls(P<0.05), IL-16 in HIV-NKS was significantly lower than that in controls(P<0.05). IL-18 was higher in both AIDS-KS and HIV-NKS compared with normal controls. In AIDS-KS, CD3, CD4, CD8, NK and HLA-DR(+)CD8 were lower than those in HIV-NKS whereas CD19 and CD38(+)CD8 were higher than those in HIV-NKS. But the difference was not statistically(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although both AIDS-KS and HIV-NKS demonstrate some activation of immune system, there appears to be no significant difference between immune responses in KS and NKS patients. These data suggest that the activation of the immune system is unlikely to contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of AIDS-KS.

[Drug resistance of HIV-infected patients after the failure of highly active antiretroviral treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To find out the mechanism of drug resistance by detecting the mutations of HIV RNA in patients who failed in the anti-HIV therapy, to direct the clinical use of anti-HIV drugs and to complement the existing drug resistant database. METHODS: HIV RNA and DNA were extracted from the plasma of 10 HIV-infected patients who developed drug resistance in the Clinic of AIDS, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany. Then HIV-RNA was amplified in the reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease regions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After purified, the PCR products was sequenced. The acquired sequences were compared with the international standard strain HXB2CG and the resistant database of Stanford University. RESULTS: Some mutations were found to cause the corresponding resistance to certain drugs and were consistent with the clinical results. Some mutations existed in some patients, such as V179I in RT and K20T, K20I in protease, which hadn't been reported in the resistant database of Stanford University yet. CONCLUSION: Patients who fail in HAART have different mutations in RT and protease regions. Mutations such as V179I in RT and K20T, K20I etc in protease may be related to drug resistance.

[Influence of HGV super-infected with HIV or HCV on the virus replication].

OBJECTIVE: To realize human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) super-infected with hepatitis G virus(HGV or GBV/C) and to probe into the mechanism of these virus infection in the body. METHODS: HIV and HCV load were tested by the quantitated RT-PCR in the HIV or HCV infected plasma samples respectively and the HGV RNA was detected in all of the samples. Then some of the HGV positive were sequenced. RESULTS: 123 of 317 HIV patients were positive for HGV, the positive rate was 38.8%. Among the 91 HCV patients, 19 were positive for HGV. The positive rate is 20.9% which was less than that of HIV patients. HIV load of the patients super-infected with HGV was less than that of those without HGV[(1.8+/-0.6)x10 copies/ml compared with (1.9+/-1.1)x10(2)copies/ml]; while HGV and HCV super-infection did not influence the HCV RNA load significantly [(1.5+/-0.6)x10(4) copies/ml compared with (5.4+/-1.8)x10(4)copies/ml]. The HGV sequences from HIV or HCV patients were compared and showed no difference markedly. CONCLUSION: The rate of the HIV and HGV super-infection is higher than that of HCV. HGV may inhibit HIV reproduction in the body while superinfection.

[Sequence detection of HBV-DNA P and C region in HIV/HBV superinfection subjects with drug resistance to HAART].

OBJECTIVE: To further study the resistance of HBV to high activity antiretrovirus therapy(HAART). METHODS: HBV-DNA was quantitatively detected by real-time PCR in 36 HIV/HBV superinfection subjects, C region and P region HBV-DNA in high copies HBV-DNA subjects were detected by routine PCR, PCR products were purified and sequenced and compared with the HBV international Genbank using BLSAT softy ware. RESULT: HBV-DNA was positive in 4 of 36 patients (11.1%) and another 3 had low copies(<10(4)copies/ml), one had a high HBV-DNA copies (10(7)copies/ml). It's HBV-DNA C region sequence had mutation on 2 sites (nt 2412 T/C; nt 2413 T/C) and 1 mutation P region (nt 741 A/G, also YMDD/YVDD) compared with HBV international Genbak reference sequence. CONCLUSION: The HBV resistance to HAART may be related with multiple genetic mutations in the C and P regain of HBV-DNA.

Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin.

BACKGROUND: People tend to feel better after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This study was performed to investigate the impact of UVA exposure on psychological and neuroendocrine parameters. METHODS: Fifty-three volunteers were separated into 42 individuals who had UVA exposure and 11 individuals who had no UVA exposure. The UVA-exposed volunteers had irradiation sessions six times in a three-week period. All volunteers completed two questionnaires at baseline (T1) and at the end of the study (T3). For the determination of serotonin and melatonin serum levels of all volunteers blood samples were collected at baseline (T1), after the first UVA exposure (T2), and at the end of the study after the sixth exposure (T3). RESULTS: UVA-exposed volunteers felt significantly more balanced, less nervous, more strengthened, and more satisfied with their appearance at T3. By contrast, the controls did not show significant changes of psychological parameters. In comparison to T1 and T3, serum serotonin was significantly higher and the serum melatonin was significantly lower for the volunteers exposed to UVA at T2. Both, for exposed and non-exposed volunteers serotonin and melatonin levels did not significantly differ at T1 and T3. CONCLUSIONS: It remains obscure, whether the exposure to UVA or other components of the treatment were responsible for the psychological benefits observed. The changes of circulating neuroendocrine mediators found after UVA exposure at T2 may be due to an UVA-induced effect via a cutaneous pathway. Nevertheless, the positive psychological effects observed in our study cannot be attributed to circulating serotonin or melatonin.

The effects of HAART on the serum interleukin 16 in patients with HIV infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore the change of serum interleukin 16 (IL-16) level and the effects of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on IL-16 in patients with HIV infection.Methods:77 patients with HIV infection were studied,with fifteen normal subjects studied as controls.The patients were subdivided into stages according to the standards by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).Of all the individuals,the CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells and the amout of IL-16 were measured at each stage to find the difference among normal and groups of the patests,and between the groups with and without HAART.Results:The level of CD4+ T cells in the experimental group were lower than that of the control group in of the patients (P

First Resolution of a Free Secondary Phosphine Chiral at Phosphorus and Stereospecific Formation and Structural Characterization of a Homochiral Secondary Phosphine-Borane Complex.

The R(P) diastereomer of (-)-menthylmesitylphosphine, (R(P))-1, has been isolated with high configurational purity at phosphorus by fractional crystallization of an (R(P))-1/(S(P))-1 = 43/57 mixture from acetonitrile containing a trace of sodium acetylacetonate as a proton scavenger or by deboranation of the corresponding borane complex (S(P))-2 with diethylamine, thereby effecting the first resolution of a secondary phosphine chiral at phosphorus. The crystal and molecular structure of (S(P))-2 has been determined. The ready isolation of (S(P))-2 of 97% diastereomeric purity in 66% yield from an equilibrium (R(P))-2/(S(P))-2 = 28/72 mixture in n-hexane by second-order asymmetric transformation and its quantitative and stereospecific conversion under mild conditions into (R(P))-1 of similar purity augurs well for the future of the resolved secondary phosphines in stereoselective syntheses.