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Objective The aim of our study was to examine how serial urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and interleukin (IL)-18 concentrations change over time after kidney transplantation and whether we can use them to predict delayed graft function (DGF). Methods Spot urine samples for the NGAL and IL-18 tests were taken at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after transplantation from every patient at hospital presentation. Urine samples were tested for NGAL by a chemiluminescence assay kit on the ARCHITECT I2000 immunology analyzer. IL-18 were measured by a quantitative immunoenzymatic assay kit. Serum samples for the creatinine measurement were taken at 24, 48, and 72 hours after kidney transplantation. Serum samples were tested for creatinine on the Olympus analyzer 5821 by alkaline picric acid method. The patients were divided into 2 groups: DGF group and non-DGF group. Results The urine NGAL levels were increased in DGF group at all points over the follow-up period. There are differences ( P < .05) in NGAL concentrations between DGF (n = 21) and non-DGF groups (n = 102). However, urine samples from the DGF group (n = 21) had increased IL-18 concentrations at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively compared with non-DGF group samples (n = 102) ( P < .05). There were obvious distinctions ( P < .05) of serum creatinine (SCr) levels in 24 hours between the DGF (n = 21) and non-DGF groups (n = 102). The specificity and positive predictive value of NGAL in the DGF diagnosis increased with time, but the sensitivity and negative predictive value do not change. The specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive, value and negative predictive value of IL-18 in the DGF diagnosis changed irregularly at multiple time points after transplant. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 24-hour SCr were 47.4% and 95.7%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of combination of NGAL, IL-18, and SCr (area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve = 0.984; 95% CI, 0.887–0.994) were 90.9% and 100%, respectively. Overall, the combination of NGAL, IL-18, and SCr was found to have a significantly better positive predictive value than all the other combination assays ( P < .05). In addition, there were obvious distinction of the negative predictive value of NGAL and IL-18 combination compared with those of other combinations ( P < .05). Conclusions The combination of NGAL, IL-18, and SCr measurements after initiation of treatment may be highly effective for risk stratification in patients with DGF. The combination may be useful to cover the complete diagnostic window of patients presenting with DGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of the study was to investigate the differences in eggshell quality, bone quality and serum bone biochemistry markers associated with changes in age and dietary soybean oil levels in laying hens. 2. A total of 54, 19-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were housed in 18 battery cages (3 birds/cage) and randomly divided into three diet treatments for 90 d: control-fat (CF, 1.9% soybean oil), moderate-fat (MF, 7% soybean oil) and high-fat (HF, 10% soybean oil). 3. The hens’ body weights (BW), egg production, egg weights, eggshell thickness and femoral diameter were higher at d 90 than at d 60 or d 30. Meanwhile, feed intake, relative bone weights, all bone strength parameters and serum Ca were lower at d 90 or 60 than at d 30. 4. Compared to the CF hens, the feed intake, BW, abdominal fat pad weights and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were elevated in MF or HF hens. The eggshell thickness, relative femoral and tibial weight, femoral stiffness, femoral modulus, tibial mixed force and serum calcium and phosphorus levels were lower in MF or HF hens than CF hens. 5. These findings suggest that bone loss in caged hens starts from an early stage of the laying period, and dietary oil (particularly with diets over 10% soybean oil) has harmful effects on eggshell quality, bone strength and bone mineralisation from an early stage of the laying period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background For patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS), age at onset is not only a key factor for diagnosis and prognosis, but also a clue for exploring pathogenesis. Reports based on results from a single medical center suggested that the mean age at onset of ALS in China was earlier than in other developed countries. A larger, multicenter-based study is needed to confirm this finding. Methods A registry-based study of ALS was conducted at 10 ALS centers of the Chinese ALS Association from March 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009. The demographical and clinical features of patients with ALS were collected. Results Data from a total of 455 patients with ALS were available for analysis. The mean age at onset for the entire cohort was 52.4 ± 12.1 years. The peak age at onset was in the 45- to 49-year-old age group for women and the 55- to 59-year-old age group for men. The age at onset for patients from Guangzhou (a southern region) was significantly earlier than it was for patients from Shanghai (an eastern region) ( t = 2.270, P = 0.025). Conclusions This investigation confirmed the earlier age at onset of ALS in China as compared with other countries. Further population-based case-control investigations of genetic and environmental factors are needed to identify the potential risk factors for Chinese ALS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have theoretically investigated the optical properties of multilayer structures composed of a highly absorptive metal film and a photonic crystal with defects. It is found that when the photonic crystal containing defects is asymmetric, multiple near-perfect reflection peaks at defect wavelengths will appear within the total absorption broadband of the multilayer because of the highly absorptive metal film, while the high transmission peaks appear when the photonic crystal with defects is nearly symmetric. Such properties are significant for designing particular multichannel reflection and transmission filters in the visible and near infrared regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrients in animal manure are valuable inputs in agronomic crop production. Timely and reliable information on animal manure nutrient content will facilitate the utilization of manure as organic fertilizer and reduce any associated potential environmental problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using multiple linear regression (MLR), polynomial regression, and artificial neural network (ANN) models to determine nutrient content in dairy manure. Fresh manure samples (n = 86) from Holstein dairy cattle were collected from 34 dairy farms located in Beijing city, China. All samples were analyzed for nutrient content (ammonium nitrogen, total potassium, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) by standard laboratory methods. The physicochemical properties (specific gravity, electrical conductivity, and pH) of dairy manure samples were measured. Relationships between nutrient content and physicochemical properties were explored by MLR, polynomial regression, and ANN models. Several parameters (R², modeling efficiency statistic, mean squared error of prediction, mean bias, linear bias, and maximum bias) were calculated to evaluate model performance. The residual analysis results indicated that all MLR models for the testing data set had significant mean and linear bias. When compared with MLR and polynomial regression models, the ANN model for all nutrient contents had better performance with higher R² and modeling efficiency statistics and lower mean squared error of prediction, mean bias, linear bias, and maximum bias. These findings demonstrated that the ANN model may be an appropriate tool to predict dairy manure nutrient content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a series of chiral bifunctional hydrogen-bonding organocatalysts, the asymmetric cascade Michael/cyclization reaction between 2-substituted thiazolones and 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)malononitriles gives novel, potentially bioactive thiazole-fused spirooxindoles with good product yields and excellent enantioselectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the methods for the synthesis of spiro compounds containing dihydrofuran and coumarin moieties from 3-bromo-4-hydroxycoumarins as cyclic α-halo compound based.

Studies have demonstrated that obesity and osteoporosis are linked disorders in humans. This study examined the hypothesis that excessive lipid consumption affects bone metabolism in laying hens. A total of one hundred 63-wk-old laying hens were randomly divided into 2 treatments and fed either a regular layer diet (control) or a high energy and low protein diet (HE-LP; experimental treatment) for 80 d. Egg production, feed intake, and BW were recorded at various days during the treatment. At d 80, ten randomly chosen birds per treatment group were killed. Abdominal fat weight, liver weight, and liver fat content were determined. Serum levels of total calcium, inorganic phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin, leptin-like protein, and estrogen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tibia length and width were measured using a vernier caliper; density of the right tibias was determined using an x-ray scanner; and mechanical properties of the left tibias were analyzed using a material testing machine. The expression of osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin mRNA in the keel bone was analyzed by real-time PCR. The concentration of osteocalcin protein in the keels was measured using western blot. Compared with control hens, hens fed the HE-LP diet had lower egg production, lower feed intake, greater liver fat content, and greater abdominal fat pad mass (P < 0.05). Feeding the HE-LP diet increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin, leptin-like protein, and estrogen concentrations (P < 0.05), and decreased the keel osteocalcin concentrations (P < 0.05). There were significant positive correlations between the serum concentrations of leptin-like protein, estrogen, and osteocalcin regardless of treatment (P < 0.05). The results indicated that HE-LP diet induced a fatty liver disorder in laying hens with an upregulation in bone turnover and exacerbated skeletal damage. The data supported a role for lipid metabolism in skeletal heath of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The aim was to investigate whether abnormal TTTTA and TTTCA repeat expansions in introns of SAMD12,TNRC6A and RAPGEF2 are involved in the pathogenesis of familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy (FCMTE). Methods: Five families diagnosed with FCMTE were included in the current genetic analysis. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed in selected patients of each family. TTTTA and TTTCA expansions were examined by repeat‐primed polymerase chain reaction. The clinical features of FCMTE were elicited as defined by the common genetic mechanism of 14 patients. Results: Abnormal TTTCA expansion was identified and co‐segregated in all five FCMTE families, four inserted in SAMD12 and one in RAPGEF2. The insertion of expanded TTTCA was not found in 116 control alleles. TTTTA expansion in SAMD12 was detected in 90.9% (10/11) of patients or mutation carriers; TTTTA expansion in RAPGEF2 was not found. The onset age of myoclonic tremor was 27.4 ± 5.9 (19–37) and epilepsy usually presented around age 34. Focal and generalized seizures were witnessed with various origins recorded by electroencephalogram. Cognitive deficits were not common within the first 3 years after epilepsy onset. Emotional instability was reported by most patients. No patients showed any cerebellar deficits. Valproate added with clonazepam is effective in controlling seizures but cannot guarantee a complete remission of tremor. Repeat length showed intergenerational instability and was inversely correlated with age at onset of myoclonic tremor and epilepsy. Conclusions: TTTCA expansion insertion is associated with FCMTE in Chinese families. The homogenous genetic mechanism allowed for a higher precision of FCMTE description. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile fabrication of flower-shaped porphyrin Janus colloids with oriented arrangement was demonstrated based on the interfacial assembly and water droplet template. The as-fabricated colloidal crystals from flower-shaped Janus particles show a special optical signal produced from the hierarchical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Recent studies found that microembolic signals ( MESs) could be detected by transcranial Doppler in patients with moyamoya disease. However, the clinical significance of MESs in moyamoya disease remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate whether the MESs could predict cerebral ischaemic events in patients with moyamoya disease. Methods Fifty-four consecutive patients with moyamoya disease were recruited. MESs were monitored by transcranial Doppler for 30 min in the bilateral middle cerebral arteries of each patient on admission. Patients were followed up for 1 year. The primary end-point was cerebral ischaemic events including stroke and transient ischaemic attack ( TIA). Results MESs were detected in 11 (20.4%) patients, with a frequency of 11 (10.2%) in 108 hemispheres. Logistic regression analysis revealed that previous ischaemic events within 3 months were associated with the presence of MESs (odds ratio 4.41, 95% CI 1.11-17.59). During a median follow-up of 384 days, 14 (13.0%) hemispheres had ischaemic events (seven strokes and seven TIAs). Cox regression showed that the hazard ratio for the risk of new ischaemic stroke and TIA in the hemispheres with MESs was 6.84 (95% CI 1.82-25.66) compared with those without, and 10.61 (95% CI 1.66-67.70) for ischaemic stroke alone, after controlling for age, sex, presence of ischaemic events at baseline, Suzuki stages and revascularization surgery. Conclusions In patients with moyamoya disease, the presence of MESs is associated with recent ischaemic symptoms and independently predicts cerebral ischaemic events. MES detection may be of potential clinical value in the management of patients with moyamoya disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to studies in European, North American, Australian, and Asian populations, FUS gene mutations occur in 0.6-20.2% of the patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 0.4-2.0% of sporadic ALS cases. In China, FUS mutations have been reported in several familial ALS pedigrees but not in sporadic ALS cases. Here, we screened for FUS mutations in Chinese patients with ALS. Methods: We sequenced all of the 15 exons of FUS in 10 familial ALS pedigrees, exons 5, 6, 14, and 15 in 210 patients with sporadic ALS and 151 healthy controls. All patients were negative for SOD1, TARDBP, and ANG mutations. Results: A c.1562G>T (p.R521L) missense mutation was identified in one familial ALS proband and her asymptomatic daughter. A c.1562G>A (p.R521H) missense mutation was identified in two patients with sporadic ALS. Three synonymous mutations (c.453C>T, c.648C>T, and c.1464C>T) were detected among four patients with sporadic ALS, and a untranslated region variant (*14C>T) was identified in one familial ALS proband and one patient with sporadic ALS. Conclusions: The frequency of FUS mutations is approximately 1.0% in our SOD1-, ANG-, TARDBP-mutation-negative sporadic ALS cohort and similar to that reported in previous studies from Asia in our familial ALS cohort. [Correction added on 31 May 2012, after first online publication: the gene FUS- was changed to ANG-]. Our findings provide an overview of the occurrence of FUS mutations in Chinese sporadic and familial ALS cases and highlight the importance of screening for FUS mutations in ALS patients of Chinese origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dystonia is defined as the presence of sustained involuntary muscle contractions, often leading to abnormal posture and movement. DYT1 is caused by a mutation in the TOR1A gene, whilst mutations in THAP1 gene have been identified as responsible for DYT6. The relative frequency and phenotype differences between DYT1 and DYT6 amongst Chinese primary dystonia patients have not been well-characterized. One hundred eleven unrelated Chinese patients with primary dystonia were screened for mutations in TOR1A and THAP1 genes, and correlate this with clinical presentation. Exon 5 of TOR1A and all three exons and exon-intron conjunctions in THAP1 were screened by direct sequencing. Three subjects were found to have the GAG deletion in the TOR1A gene, and two patients were detected with THAP1 gene mutations/variations (c.224A>T, c.449A>C). The overall mutation frequency was 4.5% in this cohort with TOR1A mutations found in 2.7% and THAP1 mutations found in 1.8%. No mutations were detected in the controls composed of 100 normal Chinese subjects. The clinical presentations of the DYT1 cases included onset in the limbs that could progress to the generalized dystonia within several years but without cranial involvement. Whilst in the DYT6 cases, the onset was cranial or cervical and progresses very slowly. The major clinical differences between DYT1 and DYT6 dystonia in China were the cranial involvement in DYT6 and progress to general dystonia within several years in DYT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: To study the prevalence of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib α in a Chinese Han population and to determine the relationship between VNTR polymorphisms and aspirin resistance. Methods: Three hundred healthy individuals and 110 patients with cerebral infarction volunteered to participate in this study. The genotype status of all participants was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Platelet aggregation in patients with cerebral infarction receiving aspirin (100 mg/day) for at least 7 days, was measured by optical transmission aggregometry. Results and discussion: Only three alleles of GP Ib α, namely, B, C and D, were found. Type A was not found in the Chinese Han participants. Aspirin-sensitive patients were significantly more often of CC genotype than aspirin-semi-responders. Conclusions: Only three types of alleles B, C and D were detected in the north-eastern region of China. The CC genotype of the VTNR polymorphism in GPIb appears to be more sensitive to the inhibitory action of low-dose aspirin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]