Search

To explore the clinical effectiveness of xingnao kaiqiao (regaining consciousness and opening orifice) acupuncture therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke, and establish a prediction model for prognosis for the target population through Logistic regression analysis. Ninety-six patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to either an ozone therapy group or an ozone therapy plus xingnao kaiqiao acupuncture group (OA group) with a 1:1 ratio. The patients in the ozone group was treated with ozone therapy, and those in the OA group were treated with acupuncture at Nèiguān (内关PC6), Shuĭgōu (水沟GV26), Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交SP6), lower Jíquán (下极泉Extra, lower HT1), Wĕizhōng (委中BL40) and Chĭzé (尺泽LU5) on the basis of the treatment as the ozone therapy group. The treatment was given once daily for 7 days as a session and 3 consecutive sessions were required. Before treatment and 48 h after treatment, the serological indicators (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and hypersensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) were tested. Using the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, the neurological and cognitive functions of patients were assessed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated with the modified Rankin scale, and the incidence of adverse effects was analyzed statistically in two groups. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis was adopted to detect the risk factors of the prognosis in patients and the nomographic prediction model was established. (1) clinical therapeutic effect: after treatment, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and Hs-CRP in the OA group were significantly lower than that in the ozone group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, compared with the ozone therapy group, NIHSS score was lower and the scores of BI and MoCA were significantly higher in the OA group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate of the OA group was 91.67%, higher than that of the ozone therapy group (62.50%, P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse effects in the OA group was lower when compared with that in the ozone group (P < 0.05); (2) establishment of prediction model for prognosis: age, history of diabetes, cardiogenic cerebral embolism, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), white blood cell (WBC) and treatment methods were independent risk factors of the unfavorable prognosis for the patients with acute stroke. The established model had sound accuracy for prediction of prognosis. Xingnao kaiqiao acupuncture was effective on acute ischemic stroke, and the prognosis of this therapy was increased significantly when combined with the ozone therapy. The preventive measures should be set up for patients with risk factors, e.g. advanced age, diabetes, cardiogenic cerebral embolism, low HDL-C and abnormal WBC, in order to further reduce the risk of unfavorable prognosis in patients with acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study concerning the clinical features, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and outcomes in patients presenting with acute total occlusion of left main coronary artery (LM) without collateral circulation is limited. 25 patients with acute total LM occlusion without collateral circulation by emergency coronary angiography, from muti-center registry, were retrospectively studied. The clinical and angiographic characteristics, ECG and in-hospital mortality were reviewed. Nineteen patients (76%) presented with cardiogenic shock. Twelve (60%, 12/20) patients had coronary slow flow or no reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The in-hospital mortality rate was 88% (n = 22). All the patients presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial ischemia (STEMI) pattern, mostly involving leads I, aVL, V2, V3, V4, V5 and ST-segment depression in leads II, III and aVF. Acute total LM occlusion without collateral circulation portends high in-hospital mortality. Anterior ST elevation in the precordial leads from V2 to V4 through V6, and ST elevation in leads I and aVL, accompanying with ST depression in the inferior leads is associated with acute total LM occlusion without collateral circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two nonsingular three-dimensional (3D) guidance strategies to intercept a stationary target with desired impact angles, subject to nonlinear coupled dynamics, field-of-view (FOV) limit and lateral acceleration bounds, are investigated. As a stepping stone, two novel sliding mode surfaces are designed, the convergence and boundedness of the two sliding mode surfaces can guarantee the impact-angle-constrained interception while maintaining the seeker's lock-on condition during the guidance. A novel auxiliary system is also presented to compensate for the effects caused by input saturation. In addition, the analytical achievable impact angles set is presented in terms of the initial engagement condition. Numerical simulations with various constraints, a realistic missile model and comparison study have been considered to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategies. • Three-dimensional impact angle guidance strategy with physical constraints is proposed based on nonlinear coupled engagement kinematics, without decoupling into two subsystems. • Two novel sliding mode surfaces are presented, the finite-time convergence and boundedness of the two sliding mode surfaces guarantee the interception of the stationary target with desired impact angles while maintaining FOV constraints and robustness to uncertainties. • The proposed impact angle guidance strategy is nonsingular and lateral accelerations decrease to zero at terminal interception. • The analytical solution of the achievable impact angles set is presented to avoid unsuitable selection of desired impact constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the safety of inactivated coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) vaccine in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients with epilepsy.Methods: All patients with epilepsy were selected from Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus in Pediatric Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis (ESOSPIT) project and younger than 17 years old. The patients were treated with mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin). A total of 44 patients who completed the two-dose inactivated COVID-19 vaccine between July 7, 2021, and January 1, 2022, were enrolled.Results: The median age of seizure onset was 23 months. About two-thirds of patients have focal seizures. Thirty-three patients use antiseizure medications. The mean duration of rapamycin treatment was 55.59 ± 18.42 months. Adverse reactions within 28 days after injection occurred in 11 patients (25%), all were under 12 years old. Injection site pain was the most reported event (20.45%), which was mild in severity and improved within one day. All patients had no seizure-related changes after vaccination.Conclusion: This study shows that the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine was well tolerated and safe in TSC patients with epilepsy, as well as for those treated with mTOR inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This panel study aimed to determine the acute effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on schoolchildren's pulmonary function. We selected 51 schoolchildren aged 9–12 years attending a full-time boarding school in Beijing, China, measured the indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations for five consecutive days, calculated the PM 2.5 time-weighted individual exposure levels based on the school micro-environmental concentrations and the time activity pattern recorded by schoolchildren, measured schoolchildren's pulmonary function on the fifth day. The survey was performed three times from December 2018 to April 2019. We used a linear mixed-effects model to evaluate the associations between PM 2.5 and pulmonary function. During the three surveys, the median PM 2.5 time-weighted individual exposure concentrations were 15.30 µg/m3, 48.92 µg/m3, and 42.89 µg/m3, respectively. There was a significant difference between the three surveys in vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) and forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV 1 /FVC) (P < 0.05). The relevance analysis found that PM 2.5 had lag effect on schoolchildren's pulmonary function, each 10 µg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 could cause largest decreases in FEF 25%–75% , FEV 1 /FVC, FEF 75 %, and FEV 1 on lag 0–1 d (80.44 mL/s, 35.85%, 78.58 mL/s, and 61.34 mL, respectively), and largest decreases in FEF 25 % on lag 1 d (83.68 mL/s), in VC on lag 4 d (32.34 mL), and in FVC on lag 0–4 d (37.76 mL). Gender subgroup analysis revealed that the increase in PM 2.5 caused a decrease in FEV 1 /FVC and VC on the day of physical examination only in boys, and on lag days it caused changes in different pulmonary function indicators, both for boys and girls, but most of the pulmonary function indicators decreased more in boys than in girls. Our findings show that acute PM 2.5 exposure has significant effects on pulmonary function within 0–4 d, on both small airway indicators and large airway indicators. Boys' pulmonary function is more sensitive to PM 2.5 than girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To comparatively study the toxicity of four metal-containing nanoparticles (MNPs) and their chemical counterparts to the air-blood barrier (ABB) permeability using an in vitro model. ABB model, which was developed via the co-culturing of A549 and pulmonary capillary endothelium, was exposed to spherical CuO-NPs (divided into CuO-40, CuO-80, and CuO-100 based on particle size), nano-Al 2 O 3 (sheet and short-rod-shaped), nano-ZnO, nano-PbS, CuSO 4 , Al 2 (SO 4) 3 , Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 , and Pb(NO 3) 2 for 60 min. Every 10 min following exposure, the cumulative cleared volume (ΔTCL) of Lucifer yellow by the model was calculated. A clearance curve was established using linear regression analysis of ΔTCL versus time. Permeability coefficient (P) was calculated based on the slope of the curve to represent the degree of change in the ABB permeability. The results found the increased P values of CuO-40, CuO-80, sheet, and short-rod-shaped nano-Al 2 O 3 , Al 2 (SO 4) 3 , and Pb(NO 3) 2. Among them, small CuO-40 and CuO-80 were stronger than CuO-100 and CuSO 4 ; no difference was observed between Al 2 (SO 4) 3 and sheet and short-rod-shaped nano-Al 2 O 3 ; and nano-PbS was slightly weaker than Pb(NO 3) 2. So clearly the MNPs possess diverse toxicity. ABB permeability abnormality means pulmonary toxicity potential. More studies are warranted to understand MNPs toxicity and ultimately control the health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dysregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and/or solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is believed to contribute to ferroptosis in the hearts suffered ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), but the mechanisms behind the dysregulation of them are not fully elucidated. Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation gene 1 (MALT1) can function as a paracaspase to cleave specified substrates and it is predicted to interact with Nrf2. This study aims to explore whether targeting MALT1 can reduce I/R-induced ferroptosis via enhancing the Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway. The SD rat hearts were subjected to 1h-ischemia plus 3h-reperfusion to establish the I/R injury model, which showed myocardial injuries (increase in infarct size and creatine kinase release) and up-regulation of MALT1 while downregulation of Nrf2 and SLC7A11 concomitant with the increased ferroptosis, reflecting by an increase in glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) level while decreases in the levels of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), total iron, Fe2+ and lipid peroxidation (LPO); these phenomena were reversed in the presence of MI-2, a specific inhibitor of MALT1. Consistently, similar results were achieved in the cultured cardiomyocytes subjected to 8h-hypoxia plus 12h-reoxygenation. Furthermore, micafungin, an antifungal drug, could also exert beneficial effect on mitigating myocardial I/R injury via inhibition of MALT1. Based on these observations, we conclud that inhibition of MALT1 can reduce I/R-induced myocardial ferroptosis through enhancing the Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway; and MALT1 may be used as a potential target to seek novel or existing drugs (such as micafungin) for treating myocardial infarction. [Display omitted] • Upregulation of MALT1 occurs in rat hearts suffered ischemia/reperfusion. • Inhibition of MALT1 reduces I/R-induced ferroptosis via enhancing the Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway. • Micafungin mitigate myocardial I/R injury via inhibition of MALT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeds bring severe threats to agricultural production and most traditional herbicides cause serious pollution to the environment. Caffeic acid is a potential allelochemical of many crops. To develop novel herbicides, a series of trans -caffeic acid analogues were prepared to evaluate their growth inhibition on S. viridis and investigate structure-activity relationships. Presence of hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring greatly reduced the phytotoxicity of analogues and the double bond seemed not to be necessary. Moreover, it was found that halogenated cinnamic acid analogues showed potent inhibitory activity. 4-Fluorocinnamic acid (4-FCA) displayed the strongest growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas it induced significantly weaker inhibition on wheat. This selectivity could help us to develop a novel herbicide. Exposure of S. viridis to 4-FCA increased levels of H 2 O 2 and catalase (CAT) in roots, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of 4-FCA might be related to oxidative stress. Thus, we have found an active lead compound for a novel herbicide derived from crop allelochemicals, which may help in the development of new environmentally safe herbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To summarize the experience in microsurgical resection of cervical spinal cord arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Methods Six patients undergoing microsurgical resection of cervical intramedullary AVM in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China, between March 2005 and March 2015 were reviewed retrospectively, and their clinical manifestations, imaging data, surgical treatment, and results of long-term follow-up were analyzed. Results Of the 6 patients who underwent AVM resection, 2 had compact AVMs and 4 had diffuse AVMs. All 6 patients were reexamined with spinal magnetic resonance imaging within 48 hours after surgery, and 1 patient was examined with digital subtraction angiography. The average patient age was 40.7 ± 10.4 years (range, 29–60 years). Three patients had chronic onset, of whom 2 developed sensory disturbances and 1 had muscle weakness. The other 3 patients had acute onset, including 1 with sudden quadriplegia, 1 with idiopathic severe headache and altered consciousness, and 1 with idiopathic neck pain. The average duration of follow-up was 48.5 ± 38.9 months (range, 15–119 months). One patient experienced complete recovery, and the other 5 patients showed improvement. No patient exhibited deterioration. Conclusion Microsurgical resection of cervical intramedullary AVMs has obtained satisfactory clinical results. Preoperative magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography, and digital subtraction angiography are useful for evaluating the angioarchitecture, which is key to the success of surgery. Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is an important aid in the surgical treatment of spinal AVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salidroside (SAL) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from the medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea . A recent study has reported that SAL can efficiently decrease atherosclerotic plaque formation in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice. This study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of antiatherogenic effects of SAL. Given the importance of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in atherosclerosis, we sought to elucidate whether SAL could stimulate eNOS activation and also to explore its upstream signaling pathway. Six-week old apoE −/− male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then were administered with SAL for another 8 weeks. SAL significantly improved endothelial function associated with increasing eNOS activation, thus reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area. SAL increased eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation and decreased eNOS-Thr495 phosphorylation, indicative of eNOS activation in endothelium. The aortic sinus lesions in SAL treated mice displayed reduced inflammation. SAL significantly activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Both AMPK inhibitor and AMPK small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished SAL-induced Akt-Ser473 and eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation. In contrast, LY294002, the PI3k/Akt pathway inhibitor, abolished SAL-induced phosphorylation and expression of eNOS. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that SAL decreased cellular ATP content and increased the cellular AMP/ATP ratio, which was associated with the activation of AMPK. SAL was found to decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), which is a likely consequence of reduced ATP production. The action of SAL to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation may at least be attributed to its effect on improving endothelial function by promoting nitric oxide (NO) production, which was associated with mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent activation of the AMPK/PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Taken together, our data described the effects of SAL on mitochondria, which played critical roles in improving endothelial function in atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Eight compounds were isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Trichaptum pargamenum. [•] Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. [•] Absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffractions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3(OH)2 was prepared via co-precipitation using oxalic acid as chelating agent. [•] The reaction mechanism for the preparation of precursor was also studied. [•] Effect of excess Li on the physical and electrochemical properties of the oxides was investigated. [•] Among the samples, Li1.1(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 exhibits excellent electrochemical properties. [•] Such enhanced electrochemical performances are related to the improved physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to develop hyaluronic acid-coated, paclitaxel-loaded, nanostructured lipid carriers (HA-NLCs) prepared via electrostatic attraction for delivering paclitaxel (PTX) to tumors overexpressing CD44. First, cationic PTX-NLC was prepared by melt emulsion technology. Then, PTX-NLC were coated with hyaluronic acid (HA). The in vitro release of PTX was evaluated by the dialysis method. This analysis showed that PTX was released more slowly from HA-NLC than from Taxol®. The in vitro cytotoxicity of HA-NLC was investigated using the MTT method in B16, CT26 and HCT116 cell lines. The results showed that the cytotoxicity of HA-NLC against these three cancer cell lines was superior to that of Taxol®. The in vivo antitumor effect, the pharmacokinetics and the tissue distribution of HA-NLC were all evaluated in B16-bearing Kunming mice. The results showed that HA-NLC was better tolerated and had increased antitumor activity in B16-bearing Kunming mice compared with Taxol®. Furthermore, HA-NLC could prolong the circulation time of PTX in blood and increase the accumulation of PTX in the tumor. Therefore, HA-NLC prepared via electrostatic attraction was an effective carrier for delivering PTX to tumors overexpressing CD44. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of fixed-time control is addressed for the autonomous proximity of non-cooperative targets with full-state constraints, input saturation, parameter uncertainties, and matched and unmatched disturbances. A six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) relative motion model for non-cooperative targets is constructed. Combining with a radial basis function neural network (RBF-NN), a fixed-time disturbance observer is proposed to estimate system disturbances. Model items and assumptions for the boundedness of the derivatives of the disturbances are not required in the proposed disturbance observer. The back-stepping technique provides an adaptive fixed-time controller to stabilize the full-state constrained relative error system and a unified framework for dealing with constrained and unconstrained cases is proposed by designing a coordinate transformation method. The fixed-time stability of the relative error system is guaranteed by the proposed controller regardless of the constraints. Finally, two simulation scenarios validate the effectiveness and robustness of the developed controller design. • A fixed-time neural network disturbance observer is presented to estimate disturbances with high frequency noise. • A unified coordinate transformation theory is proposed for the full-state constrained system. • An anti-saturation fixed time controller is designed to achieve spacecraft autonomous rendezvous and docking task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Citrus fruit is widely consumed and provides ascorbate for human health. The ascorbate content in pulp is generally higher in orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.) than in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.). However, what contributes to such difference is still unknown. In the present study, ascorbate accumulation, expression profiles of genes involved in l-galactose pathway and activity changes of enzymes related with l-ascorbic acid (AA) oxidation and recycling were investigated during fruit development and ripening in fruit pulp of Satsuma mandarin and orange. As fruit ripens, total ascorbate (T-ASC) or AA content increased in mandarin whereas fluctuated on a relatively high level in orange. Concentrations of T-ASC or AA in pulp of orange were over 1.5-fold higher than that in pulp of Satsuma mandarin during fruit ripening. Further analysis showed that each transcript of four genes (encoding GDP-d-mannose-3′,5′-epimerase, GDP-l-galactose-pyrophosphatase, l-galactose dehydrogenase and l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase respectively) in orange was almost on a higher level and the activities of oxidation enzymes (ascorbate oxidase and ascorbate peroxidase) were lower during fruit ripening as compared with Satsuma mandarin. As ascorbate pool size is decided by the combination of biosynthesis, oxidation and recycling, therefore, higher expression of four genes along with lower activity of oxidation enzymes should contribute at least partially to the higher ASC accumulation in orange pulp. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Information about citrus ethylene-responsive element binding factor (ERF) genes and their functions in fruit ripening or in stress tolerance is still scarce. In the present study, one of ERF genes, CitERF was isolated from fruit of Citrus unshiu with a maximal putative open reading frame encoding 207 amino acids. The deduced protein contains a region rich in acidic amino acids, an AP2/ERF domain and a KRRK nuclear localization signal. It belongs to group B of Class I in the ERF subfamily in which MdERF2 (Malus×domestica ethylene-response factor 2) and PsERF1b (Prunus salicina ethylene-response factor 1b) were involved in the progress of fruit ripening. CitERF mRNA level in fruit peel and pulp increased obviously along with fruit ripening. However, its expression could be reduced significantly by treatments of total shading and fruit-bear-shoot girdling plus defoliation during fruit ripening. As for the response to abiotic stresses, CitERF expression was found to be induced continuously during the treatment of 10% polyethylene glycol. On the other hand, it could be induced to high level at 1h after the treatment of 4°C or 250mM NaCl and then declined continuously. Taken together, the results suggested that CitERF may play an important role in some biological processes during fruit ripening and in improving tolerance to drought, low temperature and salt stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Mycobacterium vaccae (MV) in prevention of tuberculosis (TB) among high risk people. Methods: Database of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, SCI, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CBM, CNKI and VIP were searched till July 2009. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomized controlled clinical trials (CCTs) investigating MV as interventions in people at high risk of TB were identified for critical appraisal. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and quality assessment. Effectiveness of MV was summarized in different group of risk people through RevMan 5.0 by The Cochrane Collaboration. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Risk difference (RD) of protection index (PI), its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and the P value were as following: MV vs. Isoniazid (INH): 0.02 (−0.01, 0.05) (P =0.12); MV vs. (INH plus RFT): 0.00 (−0.00, 0.00) (P =1.00); MV vs. Blank: 0.04 (0.00, 0.08) (P =0.03) for soldiers with PPD strong positive; 0.00 (−0.00, 0.00) (P =0.05) for students with PPD strong positive; 0.20 (0.05, 0.36) (P =0.01) for aged people of clinical cured pulmonary TB, and 0.08 (0.01, 0.14) (P =0.03) for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In HIV-infected people, The Risk Ratio (RR) of MV vs. CV (control vaccine) of positive stimulation index (SI) (≥3) in lymphocyte proliferation assays (LPA) to Mycobacterium vaccae sonicate (MVS) was 2.39 with 95% CI (1.56, 3.66), P <0.0001. Immunization had no adverse effects on CD4 cell count or HIV viral load. The most frequent adverse effects of MV were induration and sore arm. Conclusions: Available evidence shows that MV is effective in preventing TB in PPD strong positive/type 2 diabetes mellitus/aged people of clinical cured pulmonary TB, and is safe, well-tolerated and effective in inducing biologically relevant immune response against TB in HIV-infected patients. High-quality trials aimed at different groups of high risk people are encouraged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis in Sichuan Province, China, for the period 2000–2006. Materials and methods: Data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the high caseload provinces in China were collected. This was a descriptive study, and the Besag and Newell method was applied. Results: From 2000 to 2006, the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis increased from 54 to 103/100000, the mortality rate increased from 0.02 to 0.30/100000, and the case–fatality rate increased from 0.04% to 0.29%. The age groups 20–24, 65–69, and 70–74 years had higher incidences. There were more cases and deaths in males compared to females. Peasants contributed the most to caseloads (64%) and deaths (69%) in the total population. The north and west regions of Sichuan Province had higher incidences. Sichuan had a higher incidence, mortality rate, and case–fatality rate than both the national level and Henan Province between 2001 and 2003. It also had a higher prevalence of active tuberculosis and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis than the national level and Guangdong Province after 1990. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a major problem in China compared to India and Indonesia. Conclusions: Sichuan should be the most important province in China with regard to tuberculosis prevention and control, especially for male peasants from the north and west regions and the active pulmonary tuberculosis and sputum smear-positive cases. The major challenge is multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) based on electrochemical detection offer several potential advantages and have been applied in clinical, medical, biotechnological, food and environmental analysis. Among the enzyme labels employed, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) are the most common. This brief review reflects recent advances, challenges, and trends of electrochemical EIAs focusing on HRP, ALP or GOx as labels over the past five years. We especially emphasize current development of EIAs combined with other developments, including nanotechnology and miniaturization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reaction pathway and energies for the gas-phase CO2–CO conversion by W+ are discussed from density functional theory (DFT) UB3LYP calculation at the relativistic effective core potential (ECP) of Stuttgart basis sets with W+ and 6-311+G(2d) with CO2. The reaction mechanism between W+ and CO2 is an insertion–elimination mechanism. The W+ inserts with no energy barrier into a CO bond resulting in an OWCO+ insertion product. The intrinsic reaction coordinate for the insertion process has been defined and the reaction mechanism has been investigated by analyzing various structures along this path. Crossing points (CPs) are localized, and possible spin inversion processes are discussed by means of the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The entire reaction mechanism for the gas-phase CO2–CO conversion by early transition metal ions, La+, Hf+, and Ta+, are studied using density functional theory (DFT). The results indicate that the lowest energy path corresponds to the η2-O coordination of CO2 followed by the insertion of M+ into the C–O bond. The reactions are all exothermic due to the participation of the metal ions, to be compared with the strong endothermic process of the unimolecular CO2 decomposition. Crossing points (CPs) are localized, and possible spin inversion processes are discussed by means of the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reactions of 4d transition metal ions (except Tc and Cd) with N2O on two potential energy surfaces, producing the metal oxide ion and N2, are studied by means of density functional theory. The results indicate that the lowest energy path corresponds to the coordination of N2O followed by the insertion of M+ into the N–O bond. The reaction mechanism between 4d transition metal ions and N2O is an insertion–elimination mechanism. All products are formed in exothermic processes. The potential energy curve crossings, which dramatically affect reaction mechanisms, are discussed in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objectives: We aimed to investigate trends in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among Chinese people from first report to 2006, and to detect the high prevalence regions in order to guide control efforts. Materials and methods: The CBM, VIP, CNKI, and MEDLINE databases were searched through both keywords and subject headings. The literature was screened, and two investigators assessed the quality and extracted the data. Trends in MDR-TB prevalence in three groups – primary, acquired, and combined MDR-TB – were examined separately, using the Cochran–Armitage trend test. Differences were tested with the Kruskal–Wallis test. High prevalence provinces were explored through comparison of the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) with the national average level. Results: Overall 169 studies were included, with 165 in Chinese and four in English. One hundred and sixteen studies concerned primary MDR-TB, 103 acquired MDR-TB, and 130 combined MDR-TB, with total positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates of 110 076, 25 187, and 150 233, respectively. The prevalences of MDR-TB in the three groups in 2005 were 2.64-, 6.20-, and 3.84-times that of 1985, respectively, all showing an upward trend (p <0.05). The prevalences among the three groups were significantly different (p <0.05), with acquired drug resistance (27.5%, 95% CI 26.9–28.1%) much higher than primary drug resistance (4.3%, 95% CI 4.2–4.4%), and combined resistance (9.9%, 95% CI 9.8–10.1%) in between. The top three prevalence regions for primary, acquired, and combined MDR-TB were distributed in the zone from the northeast to the southwest of China, with Hebei, Tibet, and Shanxi having an extremely high prevalence. Conclusions: The prevalence of MDR-TB among the Chinese people has shown an upward trend since 1985. It is necessary to continue to monitor this trend in China. Special attention should be paid to provinces distributed in the zone from the northeast to the southwest of China for MDR-TB surveillance, research, and control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Corncob acid hydrolysate was used for microbial oil production. [•] Oleaginous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum was used for lipid production. [•] Effect of medium composition and cultural condition were investigated. [•] Under the optimum conditions, the lipid content (45.4%) increased for 26.5%. [•] Under the optimum conditions, the lipid coefficient (22.9%) increased for 31.6%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Epigynum auritum led to the isolation of three novel C 21 pregnane glycosides, epigynosides, E–G ( 1 – 3 ), together with two known pregnane glycosides, epigynosides A ( 4 ) and C ( 5 ). Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data (MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) analysis, as well as comparison with the reported data. The immunological activities of the new compounds was evaluated against concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated proliferation of mice splenocyte in vitro. Compounds 1 – 3 displayed significant immunosuppressive activities, close to the efficacy of the positive control (dexamethasone) at the concentration of 50 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]