A Colorimetric Nanofiber Film Based on Ethyl Cellulose/Gelatin/Purple Sweet Potato Anthocyanins for Monitoring Pork Freshness.

In this study, colorimetric indicator nanofiber films based on ethyl cellulose (EC)/gelatin (G) incorporating purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPAs) were designed via electrospinning technology for monitoring and maintaining the freshness of pork. The film presented good structural integrity and stability in a humid environment with water vapor permeability (WVP) of 6.07 ± 0.14 × 10-11 g·m-1s-1Pa-1 and water contact angle (WCA) of 81.62 ± 1.43°. When PSPAs were added into the nanofiber films, the antioxidant capacity was significantly improved (p < 0.05) with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 68.61 ± 1.80%. The nanofiber films showed distinguishable color changes as pH changes and was highly sensitive to volatile ammonia than that of casting films. In the application test, the film color changed from light pink (fresh stage) to light brown (secondary freshness stage) and then to brownish green (spoilage stage), indicating that the nanofiber films can be used to detect the real-time freshness of pork during storage. Meanwhile, it could prolong the shelf life of pork by inhibiting the oxidation degree. Hence, these results suggested that the EC/G/PSPA film has promising future for monitoring freshness and extending shelf life of pork.

An expanded neurogenetic toolkit to decode olfaction in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae.

Anopheles gambiae uses its sense of smell to hunt humans. We report a two-step method yielding cell-type-specific driver lines for enhanced neuroanatomical and functional studies of its olfactory system. We first integrated a driver-responder-marker (DRM) system cassette consisting of a linked T2A-QF2 driver, QUAS-GFP responder, and a gut-specific transgenesis marker into four chemoreceptor genes (Ir25a, Ir76b, Gr22, and orco) using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair. The DRM system facilitated rapid selection of in-frame integrations via screening for GFP+ olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in G1 larval progeny, even at genomic loci such as orco where we found the transgenesis marker was not visible. Next, we converted these DRM integrations into T2A-QF2 driver-marker lines by Cre-loxP excision of the GFP responder, making them suitable for binary use in transcuticular calcium imaging. These cell-type-specific driver lines tiling key OSN subsets will support systematic efforts to decode olfaction in this prolific malaria vector.

Characteristics and potential human health risks of microplastics identified in typical clams from South Yellow Sea Mudflat.

The ingestion of clams (Meretrix) with microplastics (MP) contamination could pose potential risk to human health. The characteristics and potential risks of MP identified in wild-clam and farm-clam from South Yellow Sea Mudflat were studied comprehensively in this paper. The results indicated that MP were identified in both wild-clam (3.4-21.3 items/individual, 2.11-10.65 items/g) and farm-clam (1.3-20.8 items/individual, 0.62-8.67 items/g) among 21 sampling sites along South Yellow Sea Mudflat. The MP abundance of clams from marine estuarine or coast ports were significantly higher than those from purely marine coast mudflat, implying that environmental habitats played an important role on MP characteristics. MP abundance were significantly and positively related to shell length, shell height, shell width and soft tissue wet weight by Pearson test, suggesting the bigger the shell, there existed more MP abundance. Among MP in wild-clams and farm-clams, fragment, fiber were most abundant MP shapes, most MP's sizes were lower than 0.25 mm, the predominant colors were black, red, blue and transparent, chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) was the major polymer. Additionally, estimated dietary intake (EDI) of MP for adults via consumption of wild-clam and farm-clam were 1123.33 ± 399.97 and 795.07 ± 326.72 items/kg/year, respectively, suggesting EDI values of wild-clams were higher than those of farm-clams, and MP intake via wild-clam consumption were more than that via farm-clam consumption. The polymer risk indexes (PRI) of MP in total tissue and digestive system for wild-clam were 1297.8 ± 92.15 (hazard level: IV ~ V), 1038 ± 69.55 (IV ~ V), respectively, while PRI of MP in total tissue and digestive system for farm-clam were 979.92 ± 75.45 (III ~ IV), 735 ± 47.78 (III ~ IV), respectively, implying that PRI and hazard level of MP from wild-clam were higher than those from farm-clam, and the potential risks would decrease greatly when digestive systems of clams are removed during ingestion.

Basement membrane regeneration and TGF-ß1 expression in rabbits with corneal perforating injury.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between basement membrane (BM) regeneration and the spatiotemporal expression of TGF-ß1 during wound healing in rabbits with corneal perforating injury. Methods: Forty-two rabbits were randomly allocated into 7 experimental groups, with 6 rabbits per group at each time point. The central cornea of the left eye was injured with 2.0 mm trephine to establish the perforating injury model. Six rabbits that received no treatment were used as controls. The cornea was evaluated at 3 days, 1-3 weeks, and 1-3 months after injury with a slit lamp for haze levels. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to quantify the relative expression of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA mRNA. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to assess TGF-ß1 and alpha-smooth actin (α-SMA) expression and localization. BM regeneration was assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: After injury, dense haze appeared at 1 month and then gradually faded. The relative expression of TGF-ß1 mRNA peaked at 1 week and then decreased until 2 months. The relative α-SMA mRNA expression reached its peak at 1 week, then reached a small peak again at 1 month. IF results showed that TGF-ß1 was initially detected in the fibrin clot at 3 days and then in the entire repairing stroma at 1 week. TGF-ß1 localization gradually diminished from the anterior region to the posterior region at 2 weeks to 1 month, and it was nearly absent at 2 months. The myofibroblast marker α-SMA was observed in the entire healing stroma at 2 weeks. Localization of α-SMA gradually disappeared from the anterior region at 3 weeks to 1 month, remaining only in the posterior region at 2 months and disappearing at 3 months. Defective epithelial basement membrane (EBM) was first detected at 3 weeks after injury, then gradually repaired, and was nearly regenerated at 3 months. A thin and uneven Descemet's membrane (DM) was initially detected at 2 months after injury, then gradually regenerated to some extent, but remained abnormal at 3 months. Conclusions: In the rabbit corneal perforating injury model, EBM regeneration was observed earlier than DM. At 3 months, complete EBM regeneration was observed, while the regenerated DM was still defective. TGF-ß1 was distributed throughout the entire wound area in the early stages and then decreased from the anterior to the posterior region. α-SMA exhibited a similar temporospatial expression to TGF-ß1. EBM regeneration may play a key role in low expression of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA in the anterior stroma. Meanwhile, incomplete DM regeneration may contribute to the sustained expression of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA in the posterior stroma.

Fast recovery of sparse fringes in unknown freeform surface interferometry.

In the adaptive freeform surface interferometer, the adaptive algorithms were equipped to find the required aberration compensation, making interferogram with dark areas (incomplete interferogram) sparse. However, traditional blind search-based algorithms are limited by convergence rate, time consumption, and convenience. As an alternative, we propose an intelligent approach composed of deep learning and ray tracing technology, which can recover sparse fringes from the incomplete interferogram without iterations. Simulations show that the proposed method has only a few seconds time cost with the failure rate less than 4‰. At the same time, the proposed method is easy to perform because it does not require the manual intervention of internal parameters before execution as in traditional algorithms. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method was validated in the experiment. We believe that this approach is much more promising in the future.

Electro-adsorption of Cs(I) ions from aqueous solution by capacitive deionization using ACC/MoO3 composite electrode.

The separation of Cs+ from radioactive wastes is of paramount importance, but still a challenge. In this paper, ACC/MoO3 composite electrode was prepared and used for the separation of Cs+ by capacitive deionization (CDI). The electrode materials were characterized by SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS before and after adsorption experiments. The composite electrode was composed of ACC and hexagonal tunnel structure of MoO3, which had a mesoporous structure. The specific surface area, average pore diameter, total pore volume and maximal specific capacitance were 170.4 m2 g-1, 2.127 nm, 0.906 cm3 g-1 and 76.3 F g-1, respectively. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and the mass transfer process were analyzed, and the possible adsorption mechanism was proposed. The removal efficiency of Cs+ increased with the increase of voltage and the decrease of Cs+ concentration, which reached 44.7 % after 240 min when voltage was 1.2 V and Cs+ concentration was 5 mg L-1. The Cs+ adsorption onto the ACC/MoO3 composite was multi-layer adsorption and the adsorption to active sites (AAS) was the rate-limiting step. Overall, the ACC/MoO3 composite was a potential electrode for Cs+ separation.

In Situ Fabrication of N-Doped ZnS/ZnO Composition for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Activity.

For achieving the goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, developing hydrogen energy, the green and clean energy, shows a promising perspective for solving the energy and ecological issues. Herein, firstly, we used the hydrothermal method to synthesize the ZnS(en)0.5 as the precursor. Then, ZnS/ZnO composite was obtained by the in situ transformation of ZnS(en)0.5 with heat treatment under air atmosphere. The composition, optical property, morphology, and structural properties of the composite were characterized by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra (Uv-vis Abs), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy image (TEM). Moreover, the content of ZnO in ZnS/ZnO was controlled via adjustment of the calcination times. The visible-light response of ZnS/ZnO originated from the in situ doping of N during the transformation of ZnS(en)0.5 to ZnS/ZnO under heat treatment, which was verified well by XPS. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution experiments demonstrated that the sample of ZnS/ZnO-0.5 h with 6.9 wt% of ZnO had the best H2 evolution activity (1790 µmol/h/g) under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), about 7.0 and 12.3 times that of the pure ZnS and ZnO, respectively. The enhanced activities of the ZnS/ZnO composites were ascribed to the intimated hetero-interface between components and efficient transfer of photo-generated electrons from ZnS to ZnO.

Adam SPGD algorithm in freeform surface in-process interferometry.

The adaptive interferometer has been recently proposed to realize the metrology of unknown freeform surfaces with several restructured algorithms for feedback control. The adaptive moment estimation (Adam) stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm is employed in this paper for fringes release. The proposed algorithm makes considerable progress in relieving conflict of the convergence rate, speed, and parameters intervention. Simulations and experiments show its 37% time saving and 99% convergence rate, with arbitrarily configured parameter increment, compared with the SPGD algorithm. It would have great potential in in-process tests in freeform surface fabrication or large-volume testing.

[Clinical efficacy of different rehabilitation modes for lumbar degenerative diseases after operation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical effects of different postoperative rehabilitation modes on lumbar degenerative diseases, and explore influence of rehabilitation mode and other factors on postoperative effect. METHODS: From June 2013 to July 2016, totally 900 patients were admitted from nine tertiary hospitals in Beijing to perform single segment bone grafting and internal fixation due to lumbar degenerative diseases were prospectively analyzed. There were 428 males and 472 females, the age of patient over 18 years old, with an average of (51.42±12.41) years old;according to patients' subjective wishes and actual residence conditions, all patients were divided into three groups, named as observation group 1 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment model intervention), observation group 2 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment, classified rehabilitation model intervention), and control group(performed routine rehabilitation model intervention). Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were used to evaluate postoperative efficacy among three groups at 24 weeks. Possible factors affecting the postoperative efficacy including age, age grouping, gender, body mass index (BMI), BMI grouping, education level, visiting hospital, payment method of medical expenses, preoperative complications, preoperative JOA score, clinical diagnosis, surgery section, operative method, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative complications and rehabilitation mode were listed as independent variables, and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks as dependent variables. Univariate analysis was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors and postoperative efficacy. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors, rehabilitation mode and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks, in further to find out the main reasons which affect postoperative efficacy, and to analyze impact of rehabilitation mode on postoperative efficacy. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 24 weeks after operation. All incisions healed at stage I with stable internal fixation. (1)Evaluation of postoperative efficacy:① There were no statistical differences in preoperative VAS and ODI among three groups(P>0.05), the degree of pain and dysfunction decreased among three groups after operation, and had differences in postoperative VAS and ODI among three groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between observation group 1 and observation group 2(P>0.05); while compared with observation group 1 and control group, observation group 2 and control group, there were significant differences (P<0.05). ②The function among three groups were improved in varying degrees after operation. There was difference in JOA score among three groups before operation and 24 weeks after operation (P<0.05). There were no difference in JOA score among three groups between observation group 1 and observation group 2 (P>0.05);while compared with observation group 1 and control group, observation group 2 and control group, there were significant differences (P<0.05). (2)Influencing factors at 24 weeks after operation:①Univariate analysis showed gender, age, age grouping, education level, preoperative complications, clinical diagnosis, operative section, operative method, preoperative JOA score and rehabilitation mode had statistical significance with postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks (P<0.05). BMI, BMI grouping, payment method of medical expenses, visiting hospital, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative complications had no statistical significance with postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks (P<0.05).②Multivariate analysis results showed gender, rehabilitation mode, age, preoperative JOA score entered the equation eventually, stepwise multiple linear equation obtained had statistical significance (F=12.294, P= 0.000). Among rehabilitation mode, standardized regression coefficient of the integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment with classified rehabilitation model was absolute value of the largest (0.176), which had the greatest influence on postoperative curative effect. The degree of dysfunction in control group was higher than that in observation group 1 and observation group 2. Postoperative dysfunction was more severe in males than that of in females. Older age has higher degree of dysfunction after operation. Lower preoperative JOA score has higher degree of dysfunction after operation. CONCLUSION: Preoperative JOA score, gender, age could predict postoperative clinical effects of lumbar degenerative diseases in varying degrees treated with single level bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Different rehabilitation modes could improve clinical effects. Intergrated rehabilitation orthopedic treatment model and integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment with classifiedrehabilitation model are superior to conventional rehabilitation model in improving patients' postoperative function and relieving pain, which is worthy of promoting in clinical.

Characteristics of drug-related problems and pharmacists' interventions in a geriatric unit in China.

Background Data is lacking on the characteristics of drug-related problems in Chinese elderly inpatients and the impacts of clinical pharmacy activities in the geriatric ward in China. Objective To describe the nature of drug-related problems in elderly inpatients based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification, and identify the correlates of the drug-related problems. Setting Geriatric ward of a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. Method Pharmacists reviewed medication orders over a 12-month period with drug-related problems and interventions documented. Drug-related problems were categorized respectively according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine factors associated with drug-related problems. Main outcome measure The causes, interventions proposed and risk factors of potential drug-related problems. Results A total of 335 interventions associated with possible drug-related problems for 184 older patients were recorded. The incidence of patients experiencing at least one drug-related problem was 34.5%. Drug therapy problems were most commonly classified within the treatment effectiveness domain. Drug selection accounted for most cause of possible drug-related problems. The most common intervention was starting a drug and the acceptance rate was 91.9%. The factors associated with drug-related problems were the number of prescribed medications, Charlson Comorbidity Index and length of stay (P < 0.05). Conclusion Drug-related problems are common in elderly inpatients. Clinical pharmacy service is necessary to the optimization of drug therapy in older inpatients.

Inhibition of PDE4 protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress through activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) produces neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia. However, the involved mechanism remains unclear. Augmentation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress promotes neuronal apoptosis, and excessive oxidative stress is an inducer of ER stress. The present study aimed to determine whether suppression of ER stress is involved in the protective effects of PDE4 inhibition against cerebral ischemia. We found that exposing HT-22 cells to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) significantly activated ER stress, as evidenced by increased expression of the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP). Overexpression of PDE4B increased ER stress, while knocking down PDE4B or treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor, FCPR03, prevented OGD-induced ER stress in HT-22 cells. Furthermore, FCPR03 promoted the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Importantly, the Nrf-2 inhibitor, ML385, blocked the inhibitory role of FCPR03 on OGD-induced ER stress. ML385 also abolished the protective role of FCPR03 in HT-22 cells subjected to OGD. Knocking down heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is a target of Nrf-2, also blocked the protective role of FCPR03, enhanced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased ER stress and cell death. We then found that FCPR03 or the antioxidant, N-Acetyl-l-cysteine, reduced oxidative stress in cells exposed to OGD. This effect was accompanied by increased cell viability and decreased ER stress. In primary cultured neurons, we found that FCPR03 reduced OGD-induced production of ROS and phosphorylation of eIF2α. The neuroprotective effect of FCPR03 against OGD in neurons was blocked by ML385. These results demonstrate that inhibition of PDE4 activates Nrf-2/HO-1, attenuates the production of ROS, and thereby attenuates ER stress in neurons exposed to OGD. Additionally, we conclude that FCPR03 may represent a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ER stress-related disorders.

Removal of Co, Sr and Cs ions from simulated radioactive wastewater by forward osmosis.

The removal of Co, Sr and Cs ions form simulated radioactive wastewater using forward osmosis (FO) process was investigated. The effect of various factors on nuclide transport was examined, including membrane orientation, NaCl concentration, flow velocity, and the main factors were identified by correlation analysis. The mechanisms of nuclides transfer through membrane were explored. The results indicated that the active layer facing draw solution (AL-DS) had higher nuclide flux than AL-FS. At AL-FS mode, the highest flux of Co, Sr and Cs were only 1.54, 10.22 and 15.63 mg m-2 h-1 respectively by cellulose triacetate with embedded polyester screen support (CTA-ES) membrane. At AL-DS mode, the flux of Co and Cs increased when NaCl concentration and flow velocity increased. Convection, diffusion and electrostatic interactions were found to influence the nuclide transport all together. The Pearson correlation and partial correlation analysis identified that the diffusion coefficient of nuclides and reverse NaCl flux were the most important factors affecting nuclide flux through cellulose triacetate membrane. The water flux, NaCl concentration, flow velocity and partition coefficient were not the main affecting factors for nuclide flux.

No Increased Risk of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Following Alemtuzumab Induction in Kidney Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder is a known complication of solid-organ transplant. The use of depleting induction agents has demonstrated varying associations with incidence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Alemtuzumab, a depleting induction agent for kidney transplant patients, has shown promising results in reducing the risk of acute rejection and graft loss in the first year. Its unique mechanism of depleting both T-cell and B-cell populations may be beneficial in preventing the occurrence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the known risk factors for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder in the setting of alemtuzumab induction to determine whether incidence increases with this induction agent. We reviewed medical records of all alemtuzumab-induced kidney transplants from March 2006 to November 2015. RESULTS: Of the 675 transplant patients who received alemtuzumab induction, 10 developed posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, with a cumulative incidence rate of 1.5%. All diagnosed patients had several known risk factors associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder: 7 with advanced age over 60 years, 5 being cytomegalovirus-negative recipients, and all 10 donor kidneys being male patients and Epstein-Barr virus positive before transplant. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate seen in our patient population was within the range of the average in the United States but far lower than the incidence rates associated with other induction agents. Alemtuzumab is associated with a lower cumulative incidence rate of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder compared with published reports of other induction treatments.

Electro-enhanced removal of cobalt ions from aqueous solution by capacitive deionization.

Electro-enhanced removal of cobalt (Co) ions from aqueous solution by capacitive deionization (CDI) was investigated in this study. The effect of applied voltage and initial Co ions concentration, as well as coexisted ions on removal efficiency of Co ions was determined. Co ions adsorption performance was also evaluated by kinetic models, isotherm models and three mass transfer models. The results indicated that the removal efficiency of Co ions had positive correlation with applied voltage (R2 = 0.9991), which increased from 15.11% to 36.54% when the applied voltage increased from 0 V to 1.2 V. However, the removal efficiency of Co ions decreased gradually from 36.54% to 9.51% with the increasing initial Co ions concentration from 5 to 30 mg L-1. The coexisted ions (Sr and Cs) also largely inhibited the removal efficiency of Co ions and make it reduce to 8.37%. After fitting the adsorption data, pseudo-second order (PSO) model was better than pseudo-first order (PFO) for each applied voltage and initial concentration. A monolayer adsorption is the main adsorption mechanism of Co ions adsorption on the activated carbon cloth (ACC) because of the higher regression coefficient (0.964) by Langmuir isotherm. Based on kinetics together with the equilibrium isotherm, three mass transfer models were established and adsorption of the ions onto the active sites (AAS) model is the rate-limiting step due to the best fitting for the kinetic adsorption data of Co ions on ACC electrode. In addition, the Co ions were uniformly distributed on ACC electrode after adsorption.

Blood pressure circadian rhythms and adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetes frequently develop orthostatic hypotension (OH). The present study was designed to examine the relationship of blood pressure (BP) circadian rhythms and outcomes in diabetes with OH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 173 inpatients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Patients were divided into an OH group and a non-OH group according to the BP changes detected in the supine and standing position. Then, 24-h ambulatory BP was monitored. Patients were followed up for an average of 45 ± 10 months post-discharge. Outcomes - death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke - were recorded. RESULTS: There were 61 patients (35.26%) in the OH group and 112 patients (64.74%) in the non-OH group. In the OH group, the night-time systolic BP and night-time diastolic BP were higher, the blood BP rhythms were predominantly of the riser type (67.21%). OH was as an independent marker of riser type circadian rhythm (adjusted odds ratio 4.532, 95% confidence interval 2.579-7.966). In the OH group, the incidence rates of mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were increased significantly compared with those in the non-OH group (11.48 vs 2.68%, P = 0.014; 37.70 vs 8.93%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had type 2 diabetes diagnosed with OH, the BP circadian rhythm usually showed riser patterns, and they had increased rates of mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

The levels of serum pro-calcitonin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during acute exacerbation.

The level of of procalcitonin (PCT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) was investigated. Total of 20 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD who were admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Binzhou Center Hospital in the period of October 2012 to April 2015 were enrolled in the AECOPD group. According to the color of the sputum, the patients with AECOPD were divided into purulent sputum group (n=8) and non-purulent sputum group (n=12). In addition, 15 healthy people from the outpatient medical center were also selected as healthy control group. The levels of serum PCT and hs-CRP in both groups were determined by chemiluminescence and immunoturbidimetry, respectively for the comparison analysis. The serum PCT concentration in AECOPD group was 2.07±5.57 ng/ml, while that in healthy control group was 0.21±0.17 ng/ml. Significant difference was found between serum PCT levels in the two groups (p<0.05). The serum concentration of hs-CRP in AECOPD group was 3.66±3.95 mg/l, which is significantly higher than that of the healthy control group (0.49±0.17) (p<0.001). In AECOPD group, the sensitivity of PCT, hs-CRP and white blood cell count was 75, 40 and 40%, respectively, while the specificity was 80, 100 and 100%, respectively, indicating that PCT has higher sensitivity than hs-CRP and white blood cell count (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in specificity among these three methods (p>0.05). PCT level of the patients in purulent sputum group was 3.72±8.80 ng/ml, while that of the patients in non-purulent sputum group was 0.97±1.06 ng/ml. The serum hs-CRP level of patients in purulent sputum group was 4.94±4.60 mg/l, while that of the patients in non-purulent sputum group was (2.80±3.38 mg/l). Both the above parameters showed no significant difference between the purulent sputum group and the non-purulent sputum group (p>0.05). In conclusion, serum PCT and hs-CRP levels can be used as auxiliary diagnosis index for acute exacerbation of COPD. Measurement of serum PCT and hs-CRP levels in patients with AECOPD may be helpful in guiding antibacterial drug therapy.

Vitamin D Level is Associated with Increased Left Ventricular Mass and Arterial Stiffness in Older Patients with Impaired Renal Function.

BACKGROUND Impaired renal function is common among older patients. Deficiency of vitamin D is a frequent phenomenon among patients with impaired renal function, who are likely to develop cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to explore the association of 25 (OH) D levels with left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness in older patients with impaired renal function. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on their admission estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 273 inpatients (≥65 years) were allocated into a normal eGFR group (≥60 ml/min) and an impaired eGFR group (<60 ml/min). The 25 (OH) D levels were measured and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was estimated. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used to explore arterial stiffness. RESULTS The 25 (OH) D levels of patients in the impaired eGFR group were significantly lower than in the normal eGFR group [(11.92±6.01) µg/L vs. (18.14±8.07) µg/L, p<0.05). LVMI and PWV were both significantly higher in the impaired eGFR group than in the normal eGFR group [(104.89±33.50) g/m2 vs. (92.95±18.95) g/m2, P<0.05; (15.99±3.10) m/s vs. (13.62±2.90) m/s, P<0.05]. After adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, cardiovascular risk factors, serum calcium, and iPTH levels, the inverse association between LVMI and 25 (OH) D, PWV, and 25 (OH) D were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D level is lower in older patients with impaired renal function. Lower vitamin D levels were correlated with higher left ventricular mass and increased arterial stiffness in older patients.

Screening and identification of a specific peptide binding to hepatocellular carcinoma cells from a phage display peptide library.

To screen and identify the novel probe markers binding hepatocellular carcinoma specifically and sensitively, a phage-displayed 12-mer peptide library was used to make biopanning with the modified protocols on HepG2 cells. After four rounds of panning, the consensus sequences were obtained, and the PC28, a phage clone with most specific and sensitive binding to HepG2 cells, was identified as the best positive clone. The peptide probe HCSP4 (sequence SLDSTHTHAPWP) was synthesized based on the sequencing result of PC28. The specificity and sensitivity of HCSP4 were primarily analyzed using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and other methods. The results show that HCSP4 can bind to hepatocellular carcinoma cells with satisfactory specificity and sensitivity. It may be a promising lead candidate for molecular imaging and targeted drug delivery in the diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Perindopril treatment promote left ventricle remodeling in patients with heart failure screened positive for autoantibodies against angiotensin II type 1 receptor.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies specific to the angiotensin II type I receptor (anti-AT1-AR) have been implicated in the pathology of congestive heart failure (CHF). Anti-AT1-AR may be associated with left ventricular function in CHF patients treated with perindopril. METHODS: Synthetic angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) peptides served as the target antigen. ELISA was used to screen the sera of 156 CHF patients, which were divided into positive and negative groups based on their anti-AT1-AR reactivity. Echocardiography and a 6-minute walk test were performed at baseline and after one year of perindopril therapy. The end-point events were compared over a 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: Final analysis covered 138 patients, including 82 positive and 56 negative. The frequency and geometric mean titre of anti-AT1-AR were significantly lower in the positive group after one year of treatment (all P < 0.01, from 100% to 73.2% and from 1:125.3 ± 1.0 to 1:69.2 ± 1.1). Of these, 22 patients showed no antibodies. Both groups showed improvement in left ventricular end-diastole, end-systolic dimensions, ejection fraction, and a 6-minute walk test by perindopril in combination with standard treatment regime for one year (all P < 0.01). However, the 82 patients positive for anti-AT1-AR showed more pronounced improvement than the 56 negative patients (all P < 0.05). However, after 5 years of follow-up, the rate of all causes and cardiovascular mortality attributable to any cause and the re-hospitalisation rate showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perindopril treatment significantly decreased the frequency and geometric mean titre in patients positive for anti-AT1-AR, even to complete ablation. These patients showed greater improvement in left ventricular remodeling and heart function than negative that in patients after one year of perindopril treatment in combination with standard treatment, but no significant differences in endpoint events were observed in the following 5 years. Anti-AT1-AR might be a useful biomarker of over-activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system for clinical medication.

Removal of cyanide from acrylonitrile wastewater using gas membrane.

Acrylonitrile wastewater is one of the most refractory industrial wastewaters as it contains cyanide at a high concentration. This study introduced a safe, effective and economic strategy, that is, use of the gas membrane to acrylonitrile wastewater treatment. Due to the complicated constituents of acrylonitrile wastewater, cyanide removal rate by gas membrane is very low. In order to enhance HCN removal, the operational conditions were optimized; pre-treatment strategies for fouling mitigation were also proposed and tested for acrylonitrile wastewater. The optimal operational parameters were achieved at an acidified pH of 5.0, wastewater velocity of 0.14 m s(-1), NaOH concentration of 10% and a temperature of 40 °C. The major factor affecting HCN removal was the pH of the acidified wastewater. The reason for the low removal rate was further explored and found to be the decrease of HCN transfer coefficient, which was caused by membrane fouling. Furthermore, the predominant foulants have been identified as colloidal organic materials and inorganic salts. Alkalization, which is effective in reducing these materials, has been proven to be most effective in mitigating membrane fouling and improving HCN removal, which was also confirmed by a pilot-scale study. The overall removal rate was therefore significantly enhanced to 87.1%.