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Summary: Sleep disturbances in children with epilepsy are prevalent, and are associated with substantial adverse medical and psychosocial consequences. This study is a 5‐year follow‐up of a clinic‐based sleep intervention study that randomized 100 toddlers and preschool‐age children with epilepsy to a usual care group or a sleep intervention group. The intervention group received standard paediatric neurology care plus three education sessions during the child's routine clinic visit. The outcomes measured were: (1) child sleep by actigraphy and parental report; and (2) maternal sleep and depression. We aimed to evaluate the long‐term benefits of a clinic‐based sleep intervention for paediatric epilepsy. In total, 42 families (42.0%) participated. The average child's age at follow‐up was 9.55 years. Thirty‐eight (90.5%) children were not obtaining sufficient sleep at baseline, and 40 (95.2%) at the 5‐year follow‐up. The numbers of children with clinically significant sleep disturbances were 40 (95.2%) at baseline and 36 (85.7%) at the 5‐year follow‐up. Fourteen mothers (33.3%) had poor sleep quality and high depressive symptoms at both assessment time points. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the child and maternal outcomes between the two trial arms. Overall, there was no evidence that a clinic‐based sleep intervention that effectively improved multiple aspects of sleep in toddlers and preschool‐age children with epilepsy had long‐lasting beneficial effects. Our findings suggest that sleep interventions for families of children with epilepsy require ongoing reinforcement and monitoring during routine paediatric neurology care to prevent sleep problems from persisting or recurring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to identify characteristics in image‐based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Design: Diagnostic study. Setting: Hospital‐based cohort. Participants: Children with symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited and underwent polysomnography. Main outcome measures: Three‐dimensional models of computational fluid dynamics were derived from cone‐beam computed tomography. Results: A total of 68 children participated in the study (44 boys; mean age: 7.8 years), including 34 participants having moderate‐to‐severe OSA (apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] greater than 5 events/h), and 34 age, gender, and body mass index percentile matched participants having primary snoring (AHI less than 1). Children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA had a significantly higher total airway pressure (166.3 vs. 39.1 Pa, p =.009), total airway resistance (9851 vs. 2060 Newton‐metre, p =.004) and velocity at a minimal cross‐sectional area (65.7 vs. 8.8 metre per second, p =.017) than those with primary snoring. The optimal cut‐off points for moderate‐to‐severe OSA were 46.2 Pa in the total airway pressure (area under the curve [AUC] = 73.2%), 2373 Newton‐metre in the total airway resistance (AUC = 72.5%) and 12.6 metres per second in the velocity at a minimal cross‐sectional area (AUC = 70.5%). The conditional logistic regression model revealed that total airway pressure, total airway resistance and velocity at minimal cross‐sectional area were significantly associated with an increased risk of moderate‐to‐severe OSA. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CFD could be a useful tool for evaluating upper airway patency in children with OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rare mutations in NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex assembly factor 5 (NDUFAF5) are linked to Leigh syndrome. Objective: We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and functional findings in a patient cohort with NDUFAF5 mutations. Methods: Patients with biallelic NDUFAF5 mutations were recruited from multi‐centers in Taiwan. Clinical, laboratory, radiological, and follow‐up features were recorded and mitochondrial assays were performed in patients' skin fibroblasts. Results: Nine patients from seven unrelated pedigrees were enrolled, eight homozygous for c.836 T > G (p.Met279Arg) in NDUFAF5 and one compound heterozygous for p.Met279Arg. Onset age had a bimodal distribution. The early‐onset group (age <3 years) presented with psychomotor delay, seizure, respiratory failure, and hyponatremia. The late‐onset group (age ≥5 years) presented with normal development, but slowly progressive dystonia. Combing 25 previously described patients, the p.Met279Arg variant was exclusively identified in Chinese ancestry. Compared with other groups, patients with late‐onset homozygous p.Met279Arg were older at onset (P = 0.008), had less developmental delay (P = 0.01), less hyponatremia (P = 0.01), and better prognosis with preserved ambulatory function into early adulthood (P = 0.01). Bilateral basal ganglia necrosis was a common radiological feature, but brainstem and spinal cord involvement was more common with early‐onset patients (P = 0.02). A modifier gene analysis showed higher concomitant mutation burden in early—versus late‐onset p.Met279Arg homozygous cases (P = 0.04), consistent with more impaired mitochondrial function in fibroblasts from an early‐onset case than a late‐onset patient. Conclusions: The p.Met279Arg variant is a common mutation in our population with phenotypic heterogeneity and divergent prognosis based on age at onset. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoexcited pyroelectricity in ferroelectrics allows the direct conversion of light radiation into electric signal without external power source, thus paving an avenue to promote optoelectronic device performances. However, it is urgently demanded to exploit new ferroelectrics with this attribute covering ultraviolet (UV)‐to‐infrared (IR) region for self‐powered photodetection. Herein, broadband light‐induced pyroelectric effects in a new 2D perovskite‐type ferroelectric, (BBA)2(EA)2Pb3Br10 (1; BBA = p‐bromobenzylammonium, EA = ethylammonium), showing a high Curie temperature of 425 K and notable pyroelectric coefficient (≈5.4 × 10−3 µC cm−2 K−1) is presented. Especially, photo‐induced change of its electric polarization leads to ultraviolet‐to‐infrared pyroelectricity in a wide spectral region (377–1950 nm). Broadband photoactivities actualized by this property break the limitation of its optical bandgap. Thus, single‐crystal detectors of 1 are sensitive to UV‐to‐IR light with a small temperature fluctuation of 0.3 K, exhibiting a high transient responsivity up to ≈0.28 mA W−1 and specific detectivity of 1.31 × 1010 Jones under zero bias (at 405 nm); such figure‐of‐merits are beyond than those self‐powered photodetectors using oxide ferroelectrics. It is anticipated that the findings of light‐induced pyroelectricity afford a feasible strategy to assemble newly‐conceptual smart photoelectric devices, such as self‐powered broadband detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broadband photodetection has shown a great promise for diverse applications, while the realization of plateau photoresponse from ultraviolet (UV) to near‐infrared (NIR) spectral region is very challenging. Herein, we exploit photoexcited pyroelectric effect in a chiral hybrid perovskite, (N, N‐dimethylcyclohexylammonium)PbBr3 (1), serving as a new pathway to drive broadband photoactivities. It is a room‐temperature pyroelectric with large polarization of ≈6.4 μC cm−2 and high pyroelectric figure‐of‐merits (FV=1.0×10−2 cm2 μC−1 and FD=7.1×10−5 Pa−1/2). Strikingly, light‐induced pyroelectric effect arising from spontaneous polarization is observed in 1, which cover UV (266 nm) to NIR‐II (1950 nm) full spectral region. The broadband photoresponses actualized by pyroelectricity break the limit of optical band gap. As the first demonstration of photo‐pyroelectricity covering UV‐to‐NIR spectral region in hybrid perovskites, this work paves a pathway to assemble high‐performance smart devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral alternating cations intercalation‐type (ACI) perovskites, which are capable of great structural flexibility and a suitable quantum well barrier thickness that facilitates better charge transport, are urgently desired for circularly polarized light (CPL) detection. However, the chiral–polar photovoltaic effect (CPPE) in chiral ACI perovskites has never been reported although CPPE will provide great opportunities for future sustainable development. Here, by transmuting the organic ligands in 2D Ruddlesden–Popper‐type (RP) perovskites, two chiral–polar photovoltaic ACI perovskites (R/S‐PPA)EAPbCl4 (1R/1S) are successfully developed, which are stabilized by the alternating ordering of the short alkyl EA (EA = ethylammonium) and chiral aromatic PPA (PPA = 1‐phenylpropylamine) cations in the interlayer space. Particularly, converting chiral RP into ACI perovskites gives rise to a remarkable CPPE and suitable quantum well barrier thickness. These features contribute to the exploration of self‐powered ultraviolet CPL detection with an asymmetry factor up to 0.4, which reaches the highest value among the reported layered chiral perovskites. This is thought to be the first realization of CPPE in ACI perovskites, which paves the way for the application of chiral perovskites for self‐powered short‐wave ultraviolet CPL detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate blood pressure (BP) variability in 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Study Design: Case series study.Methods: Children aged 4 to 16 years with clinical symptoms were recruited in a tertiary medical center. Overnight polysomnography and 24-hour recordings of ambulatory BP were performed for each child. The severity of OSA was classified as primary snoring (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] < 1), mild OSA (1 ≤ AHI < 5), moderate OSA (10 > AHI ≥ 5), and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 10). The standard deviation of mean BP was used as an indicator of BP variability.Results: A total of 550 children were included (mean age: 7.6 years; 70% were boys; 20% were obese). Compared with the children with primary snoring, children with severe OSA exhibited significantly higher nighttime systolic BP (108.0 vs. 100.5 mmHg, P < .001), nighttime diastolic BP (58.9 vs 55.6 mmHg, P = .002), nighttime mean arterial pressure (75.3 vs. 70.5 mmHg, P < .001), nighttime systolic BP load (40.5% vs. 25.0%, P < .001), nighttime diastolic BP load (25.3% vs. 12.9%, P < .001), and nighttime systolic BP variability (11.4 vs. 9.6, P = .001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed an independent association between AHI and nighttime systolic BP variability (regression coefficient = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.06-0.56, P = .015) after adjustment for age, gender, adiposity, and hypertensive status.Conclusions: OSA in children is associated with increased BP and BP variability.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2126-2132, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polarized‐light detection in the deep ultraviolet solar‐blind region is indispensable for optoelectronic applications. 2D hybrid perovskite ferroelectrics with inherent anisotropy and bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) have become a robust candidate in this portfolio. We here report a wide band‐gap 2D perovskite ferroelectric, (isobutylammonium)2(methylamium)Pb2Cl7 (1), in which the BPVE behaves as self‐driving source for solar‐blind ultraviolet polarized‐light detection. It exhibits a large dichroism ratio (≈15.7) and superior BPVE‐directed photocurrent (≈3.6 μA cm−2, under 266 nm). These attributes facilitate excellent self‐powered polarized‐light detection of high on/off contrast (≈103) and polarization ratio (≈2.5), beyond those of inorganic oxides (e.g. ZnO, 1.47; GaN, 1.38). This study highlights potential of 2D perovskite ferroelectrics for new optoelectronic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND This study focused on the development of a self‐nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) to improve, potentially, the solubility and oral bioavailability of liquiritin (LQ). METHODS: The solubility of LQ in different types of excipient, namely oils (OLs), emulsifiers (EMs), and co‐emulsifiers (CO‐EMs), was evaluated, and a pseudo‐ternary phase diagram (PTPD) and the formulation optimization were established. The prepared self‐nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of liquiritin (LQ‐SNEDDS) was assessed using droplet size (DS), zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), droplet morphology, drug release in vitro, and oral bioavailability. RESULTS: After the dilution of the LQ‐SNEDDS, a transparent nanoemulsion was obtained with an acceptable DS (24.70 ± 0.73 nm), ZP (−18.69 ± 1.44 mV), and PDI (0.122 ± 0.006). The LQ‐SNEDDS that was developed had a better release rate in vitro than the free LQ suspension. Pharmacokinetic evaluation showed that the relative oral bioavailability of LQ‐SNEDDS was increased by 5.53 times, and LQ‐SNEDDS exhibited a delayed half life and longer retention time in comparison with those of free LQ. Similarly, LQ‐SNEDDS had a better urate lowering effect and provided better organ protection than free LQ at the same dose (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of LQ into SNEDDS could serve as a promising approach to improve the solubility, oral bioavailability, and anti‐hyperuricemic effect of LQ. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperlipidemia has become a common disease in modern society with its prevalence becoming relatively high in the world. A series of complications that accompany hyperlipidemia are seriously threatening individuals' health. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a kind of polyphenol hydroxy (OH) dihydroflavonol extracted from the stems and leaves of Ampelopsis grossedentata. It has a variety of pharmacological activities. This study aims to develop a self‐microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to improve the oral bioavailability of DMY, and to evaluate its hypolipidemic activity. The self‐microemulsion drug delivery system is composed of medium chain triglyceride (MCT, oil phase), Tween 80 (emulsifier), and PEG 200 (coemulsifier). The prepared DMY‐SMEDDS has stable physical and chemical properties, small droplet size (15.49 ±0.15 nm), good polydispersity index (PDI = 0.160 ± 0.010), negative zeta potential (−17.37 ± 0.09 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (98.04 ± 0.25%). The results of in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetics show that the prepared DMY‐SMEDDS significantly improve the solubility of DMY in aqueous medium, while its oral bioavailability is 2.34 times higher than that of free drug. In conclusion, the DMY‐SMEDDS prepared in this study prospectively improves the solubility and oral bioavailability of DMY also enhance the therapeutic effect. Practical Applications: This study is relevant in the sense that SMEDDS may be used as a new strategy to improve the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. This novel nanocarrier could increase (by 2.34 times) the relative bioavailability of oral DMY‐SMEDDS in rats comparative to dihydromyricetin (DMY) suspension. Thus, DMY‐SMEDDS may prospectively be applied in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries in view of its biocompatible excipients and good stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag as first‐line treatment for thrombocytopenia among paediatric patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: Forty‐three childhood patients with thrombocytopenia after HSCT who received eltrombopag were retrospectively analysed. Result: Eltrombopag was began at the median of 27 days after HSCT and lasted for 24 days. Thirty‐five children responded to eltrombopag therapy, and the cumulative platelet recovery rate was 88.9%. The cumulative incidence of platelet recovery was lower (83.9 vs 100%; P =.035) in patients with decreased numbers of megakaryocytes before starting eltrombopag than in those with normal. Factors associated with a significantly elevated response to eltrobopag from univariate analysis were donor type. Results from the multiple regression analysis found that weight (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5–0.9, P =.022), platelet engraftment time (HR = 1.0, 95%CI 1.0–1.0, P =.012) and bone marrow megakaryocytes (HR = 8.0, 95%CI 1.5–43.3, P =.016) before starting eltrombopag were the independent risk factors. Based on Youden's index algorithm in the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, the optimal cut‐off value of the maintenance dose of eltrombopag in predicting nonresponders was 4 mg/kg. The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve was 0.923 with sensitivity of 97.8%, specificity of 87.9%, positive predictive value of 72.3%, and negative predictive value of 92%. None of the paediatric patients stopped using eltrombopag due to side effect or intolerability. Conclusion: Eltrombopag is effective and safe in paediatric patients with thrombocytopenia after HSCT. The number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow before eltrombopag treatment may serve as a predictor of the response to eltrombopag. We recommend that the maintenance dose of eltrombopag should not exceed 4 mg/kg/d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers three‐dimensional structures in assessing upper airway of patients. This study aims to compare the cone‐beam computerized tomography scan measurements between children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring. Study Design: Case–control study. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. Thirty‐six children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA (with apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] > 5 events/hour) and 36 age‐, gender‐, and obesity‐matched children with primary snoring (AHI <1) were enrolled. The measurements in CBCT parameters were compared between children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA and primary snorers by conditional logistic regression model. Results: A total of 72 children (mean age, 7.9 ± 2.8 years; 64% male) were included. Children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA had a significantly smaller nasopharyngeal (2900 ± 1400 vs. 3800 ± 1800 mm3, P =.017) and oropharyngeal airway volume (5600 ± 2700 vs. 7400 ± 4000 mm3, P =.026) than those with primary snoring. Children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA, as compared to primary snorers, also had a significantly smaller minimal airway area in nasopharynx (77.4 ± 37.7 vs. 107.7 ± 52.0 mm2, P =.006) and oropharynx (66.6 ± 61.9 vs. 101.6 ± 65.8 mm2, P =.023). Moreover, the airway length was not significantly different between children with moderate‐to‐severe OSA and primary snoring. Conclusions: The three‐dimensional CBCT airway analysis could be used as a useful tool to evaluate upper airway in children with OSA. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:680–685, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early‐onset mixed chimerism (MC) with a high proportion of residual host cells is considered a signal of graft rejection in patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transfusion‐dependent thalassemia. In order to prevent graft rejection and minimize the risk of treatment‐related graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), we established a hierarchical management system based on chimerism analysis. Method: This retrospective study provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of the 38 patients who developed MC after transplantation among the 144 pediatric thalassemia patients between July 2007 and January 2019 at our center. Results: A sibling donor, a blood type‐matched donor, conditioning regimens without fludarabine, and transplants containing <10 × 108 total nucleated cells/kg were identified to be associated with the development of MC. Among the 38 patients developing MC, only four patients rejected the grafts. The response rate to donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI, only for patients receiving sibling donor transplantation) and cytokine immunomodulation without DLI was 70.6% and 42.9%, respectively. Patients that developed GVHD after DLI or cytokine therapy had a more significant increase in donor cell chimerism (16%, range 0%‐35%) than those without (8.5%, range −21% to 40%, P =.049). However, even when treatment‐related GVHD was included, patients with MC had a lower cumulative incidence of total acute GVHD than patients with complete donor chimerism (29.2% vs 48.0%, P =.030). Conclusions: Interventions based on chimerism analysis were effective in preventing graft rejection and did not increase treatment‐related GVHD in thalassemia patients with MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polarized‐light detection in solar‐blind ultraviolet region is indispensable for optoelectronic applications, whereas new 2D candidates targeted at solar‐blind UV range remain extremely scarce. 2D hybrid perovskite ferroelectrics that combine polarization and semiconducting properties are of increasing interest. Here, using the 3D‐to‐2D dimensional reduction of CH3NH3PbCl3, we designed a multilayered hybrid perovskite ferroelectric, (CH3CH2NH3)2(CH3NH3)2Pb3Cl10, which shows spontaneous polarization and a high Curie temperature (390 K) comparable with that of BaTiO3 (393 K). The wide band gap (ca. 3.35 eV) and anisotropic absorbance stemming from its intrinsic 2D motif, greatly favor its polarization‐sensitive activity in UV region. The device displays excellent polarization‐sensitive behavior under 266 nm, along with a large dichroic ratio (ca. 1.38) and high on/off current ratio (ca. 2.3×103). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the association between daily screen time exposure and both sleep patterns (sleep onset, sleep offset, and nighttime, and daily sleep durations) and sleep disturbances among a clinical sample of children with epilepsy. Design: A cross‐sectional actigraphic sleep study. Methods: A convenience sample of 141 children with epilepsy (1.5–6 years of age) was recruited from an outpatient pediatric neurology clinic of a university‐affiliated children's hospital in northern Taiwan. Participating families completed questionnaires and reported children's screen time use, with children wearing an actigraphy monitor for 7 days to assess sleep patterns. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of screen time exposure with the child's sleep patterns and sleep disturbance scores. Findings: Mean minutes per day of screen time exposure was 89.79 ± 83.94 min, with 62 parents (44.0%) reporting their child having >1 hr of screen time daily. Mean daily sleep duration was 9.26 ± 1.01 hr, with 106 children (93.0%) sleeping <10 hr in a 24‐hr period. In multivariate regression models, daily screen time exposure of >1 hour was associated with 23.4‐min later sleep onset (b = 0.39, p =.02), 20.4‐min later sleep offset (b = 0.34, p =.04), and more severe sleep disturbances (b = 2.42, p =.04). Conclusions: In toddlers and preschool‐age children with epilepsy, daily screen time exposure is greater and sleep duration is shorter than the recommended amount, with increased screen time exposure associated with disturbed sleep. Clinical Relevance: Parents need to be informed about the possible adverse impact of screen time exposure on children's sleep and health as well as the importance of limiting screen time exposure to <1 hr per day for their toddlers and preschool‐age children with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a cross‐sectional study to examine sleep in mothers of children with epilepsy and its relation to their children's sleep. A total of 133 dyads of mothers and children with epilepsy aged 1.5–6 years were recruited between 2015 and 2018 from a children's hospital in northern Taiwan. Participating families provided demographic and health information, with children wearing an actigraphy monitor for 7 days and mothers completing sleep and depressive mood questionnaires. We found that 76 (57.1%) of the mothers had poor sleep quality, with 65 (48.9%) mothers having a clinically significant depressive symptom score. Mean actigraphic wake after sleep onset in children was 1.42 (standard deviation = 0.51) hours, with 126 (94.7%) of the children having a clinically significant sleep disturbance score. Multivariate regression analyses showed that higher depressive symptom scores in mothers (β = 0.14; p <.01) and higher sleep disturbance scores in children (β = 0.07; p =.04) were associated with poorer maternal sleep quality, even when maternal demographic characteristics and the child's clinical and epilepsy variables were considered. Findings from our study suggest that sleep disturbances are a shared problem for mothers and their children with epilepsy. Sleep in both mothers and their children with epilepsy should be evaluated in pediatric neurologic practices, with maternal depressive symptoms screened concurrently. Future pediatric epilepsy studies are warranted to examine whether a family‐based intervention program would be effective to improve sleep in mother‐child dyads and to promote better health and functioning of the entire family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic cutaneous graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) has several atypical variants. We describe two cases of GVHD with clinical and histopathologic features of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), which responded to additional immunosuppression. Recognition of this newly described PRP‐like clinical presentation of GVHD may prompt early consideration of additional steroid‐sparing therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: TET2, a member of the Ten‐Eleven translocation gene family, catalyzes the conversion of 5‐methylcytosine to 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine in DNA. Low expression of TET2 has been reported as a prognostic factor for several types of malignancies in adult patients. However, there have been few data on the effect of TET2 mRNA level on the prognosis of children with ALL so far. Methods: In this study, TET2 expression of samples cryopreserved in the liquid nitrogen from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2011 was retrospectively analyzed in 136 newly diagnosed ALL patients by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The patients' samples were divided into two groups by the median value of patients group and divided into TET2 low and TET2 high groups. Results: A total of 136 childhood ALL patients demonstrated lower TET2 expression than control group (P = .038). TET2 mRNA expression levels were correlated with the disease status. In addition, patients with low TET2 expression had lower platelet counts and lower CR rates. Survival analysis showed that low TET2 expression in children with ALL was associated with lower 5‐year overall survival (OS) (63% vs 88%, P = .011) and event‐free survival (EFS) (60% vs 85%, P = .003). Multivariate analysis revealed that low TET2 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor of OS and EFS. Conclusion: Low expression of TET2 in children with ALL is associated with poor prognosis and can be used as a molecular prognostic marker for risk group stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure changes 6 months after surgery among children with obstructive sleep apnea.Study Design: Prospective interventional study.Setting: Tertiary medical hospital.Subjects and Methods: Children aged 4 to 16 years with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >1) were recruited. All children underwent adenotonsillectomy and postoperative polysomnography overnight. The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was measured before and 6 months after surgery.Results: The study cohort enrolled 124 children: mean (SD) age, 7.3 (3.1) years; 73% boys. After surgery, the apnea-hypopnea index significantly decreased from 13.3 (18.1) to 3.3 (7.2) events per hour ( P < .001). Overall systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different following surgery, while daytime systolic blood pressure was slightly increased (114.3 to 117.3 mm Hg, P < .01) postoperatively. The hypertensive group (n = 43) exhibited significantly decreased levels of overall diastolic, nighttime systolic, and nighttime diastolic blood pressure ( P < .05), and 54% of hypertensive children became nonhypertensive after surgery. The nonhypertensive group (n = 81) showed slightly increased levels of nocturnal overall systolic, daytime systolic, and nighttime systolic blood pressure. A generalized linear mixed model revealed that children with hypertension had a greater decrease in systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure during the daytime and nighttime (all P < .05) than those without hypertension.Conclusions: Ambulatory blood pressure changes after adenotonsillectomy among children with obstructive sleep apnea are minimal. The decrease in ambulatory blood pressure after surgery is more prominent for hypertensive children than nonhypertensive children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible‐light‐enabled photocatalytic carbotrifluoro‐methylations of allylic alcohols and sodium triflinate were explored through 1,2‐migration of an aryl group, affording an efficient method for synthesis of β‐trifluoromethyl‐α‐substituted carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. This catalyst system is well tolerant of various synthetically useful functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease in the elderly, causing pain and contributing to poor quality of life. Surgical intervention, such as knee arthroplasty, can be used in those with end‐stage knee OA. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common surgical procedures for end‐stage knee OA, with promising clinical outcomes. However, a large proportion of patients with isolated compartment OA can be treated with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) instead. UKA has shown better patient‐reported functional outcomes, and lower mortality and major complication rates than TKA. The percentage of UKA in knee arthroplasty varied in different orthopedic centers, and we believed that the requirement for UKA was underestimated in many centers. A retrospective study was carried out on our Chinese patient population presenting for knee arthroplasty; it aimed to identify the proportion of patients that might be suitable for UKA. Methods: A retrospective cross‐sectional study of 155 consecutive patients (168 knees) awaiting TKA for end‐stage primary OA was performed. The pattern and grade of OA was recorded from preoperative weight‐bearing anteroposterior and non‐weight‐bearing lateral radiographs. The medial, lateral, patellofemoral compartment was given an individual Kellgren–Lawrence grade on the radiographs, and those grade ≥3 were defined as end‐stage OA. The compartments involvement was established then. The integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was determined by the modified Keyes classification on lateral radiographs. The applicability for total or partial knee arthroplasty was determined according to the compartments involvement. Results: Medial compartment involvement was found in 154 (91.7%) knees, while the involvement of the lateral compartment and patellofemoral joint was found in 54 (32.1%) and 57 (33.9%) knees, respectively. Eighty‐one (48.2%) of the knees showed medial compartment OA with or without patellofemoral joint involvement, and modified Keyes classification grade 1, indicating an intact ACL, and, hence, potential suitability for medial UKA. Isolated lateral OA indicating possible suitability for lateral UKA was identified in 11 knees (6.5%). No patients showed isolated patellofemoral joint OA. The other 76 (45.2%) knees could be treated by TKA. Conclusions: The medial compartment was the most commonly affected in our Chinese patients indicated for knee arthroplasty. More than half of the patients in this group could be treated by either medial or lateral UKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Epirubicin is a chemotherapy agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the outcome of HCC patients receiving epirubicin remains unsatisfactory. Moreover, our previous study indicated that celecoxib suppresses HCC progression and liver cancer stemness. This study evaluated the potential of celecoxib to serve as a complementary therapy during epirubicin treatment. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasiveness, and anchorage‐independent growth were analyzed in hepatoma cells. Therapeutic efficacy was validated in rat orthotopic Novikoff hepatoma. After animal sacrifice, the antitumor mechanism of celecoxib and epirubicin combined therapy was investigated by histological analysis. Celecoxib enhanced the cytotoxic activity of epirubicin in HCC cells by promoting apoptosis. Besides, celecoxib potentiated the antineoplastic function of epirubicin in inhibiting the invasiveness and anchorage‐independent growth of HCC cells. Ultrasound monitoring showed that combined therapy was more potent than either therapy alone in perturbing HCC progression. Consistently, the size and weight of dissected HCC tissues from rats receiving combined therapy were smallest among all groups. HCC treated with combined therapy exhibited the highest prevalence of apoptotic cells, which was accompanied by reduced proliferating and angiogenic activities in tumor tissues. Moreover, the expression levels of cancer stemness markers (CD44 and CD133) and drug transporter MDR‐1 were significantly diminished in rats receiving combined therapy. Besides, celecoxib treatment increased the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and reduced the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs), tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), and the expression of immune checkpoint PD‐L1 in HCC tissues during epirubicin therapy. Celecoxib augmented the therapeutic efficacy while modulated cancer stemness and antitumor immunity. Thus, celecoxib may serve as complementary therapy to improve the outcome of patients with advanced HCC during epirubicin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To describe sleep patterns in young children with epilepsy and to examine levels of agreement between measurements derived from actigraphy and diary recordings. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Methods: Eighty‐nine toddlers and preschool‐aged children with epilepsy wore an actigraph on their wrists for 7 consecutive days. Parents and caregivers maintained a concurrent sleep diary while the child was wearing the monitor. Levels of agreement between actigraphy and diary recordings were examined using the Bland and Altman method separately for all recording days, weekdays, and weekends. Findings: Discrepancies between actigraphy‐derived and diary‐documented sleep onset, sleep offset, actual sleep at night, wake after sleep onset, and daytime sleep were ±35, ±15, ±82, ±70, and ±29 min, respectively. Differences between actigraphy and diary‐derived sleep variables were consistently greater for weekends than for weekdays. Discrepancies between actigraphy and diary‐derived actual sleep at night were significantly greater for children who slept alone than for those who co‐slept with a parent. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates an acceptable agreement between actigraphy and diary recordings for sleep onset, sleep offset, and daytime sleep, but insufficient agreement for actual sleep at night and wake after sleep onset, with parents of children sleeping alone more likely to misestimate child sleep behaviors. Deviation of weekend sleep from weekdays further decreased the accuracy of parental sleep estimates and increased the discrepancies between actigraphy and diary. Clinical Relevance: Sleep in children with epilepsy assessed using diary recordings alone could be misleading, and actigraphy should be preferred over diaries when resources are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: To investigate the effects of diseases severity on postoperative complications following adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).Study Design: Retrospective study.Methods: Children aged <18 years were enrolled and underwent T&A for treating SDB. Polysomnography was used to classify the disease severity: primary snoring (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] <1), mild (AHI = 1-5), moderate (AHI = 5-10), and severe obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] (AHI ≥10). Postoperative bleeding was graded using a severity scale (level I, self-reported bleeding; level II, requiring inpatient admission; level III, requiring reoperation). Primary bleeding is defined as hemorrhage occurring within the initial 24 postoperative hours. Perioperative respiratory complications are defined as oxygen saturation of less than 90%, 92%, or 95% in the recovery room. Major respiratory complications include laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and intubation at recovery stage.Results: A total of 610 children were included, of whom 42 (6.9%), eight (1.3%), and six (1.0%) children showed levels I, II, and III postoperative bleeding, respectively. Only one child had primary bleeding. The incidence and timing of postoperative bleeding did not differ significantly for children with different OSA severities. The rate of perioperative respiratory complications ranged from 1.6% to 14.3% on the basis of their definitions. The Cochran-Armitage test supported the trend that perioperative respiratory complications increase with the AHI. Six children developed major respiratory complications, which were not significantly associated with OSA severity.Conclusions: Children with severe OSA have increased risks of perioperative respiratory complications. However, OSA severity does not influence major respiratory complications or postoperative bleeding in children.Level Of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:2646-2652, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of CD26 surface expression on the circulating malignant T-cell is the most widely accepted diagnostic marker in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). CTCL cases with reemergence of CD7 and/or CD26 surface expression are unusual and of uncertain prognosis. We report the case of an erythrodermic leukemic mycosis fungoides patient who had achieved temporary remission after several months on multimodality immunotherapy and extracorporeal photopheresis, but who relapsed with aggressive disease phenotypically characterized by CD4+ T-cells with high CD26 expression. Polymerase chain reaction studies and high-throughput sequencing analyses from peripheral blood mononuclear cells at presentation and relapse consistently showed an identical clonal T-cell receptor suggesting evolution of her original malignant clone which lacked CD26 expression. Interestingly, quantitative expression of the sialomucin, CD164, mirrored her clinical picture, thus favoring its reliability as a novel biomarker in CTCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is an uncommon inherited neurometabolic disease. The clinical presentations and MR findings in children with AADC deficiency were investigated. Total 12 children (6 boys, 6 girls), aged from 9 to 50 months (mean, 23 ±13 months), with AADC deficiency, were enrolled for analysis. Of 12 patients enrolled, clinical presentations included global developmental delay with generalized hypotonia in 12 (100%), dystonia in 12 (100%), oculogyric crisis in 12 (100%), and excessive sweating in 8 (67%). Sleep problem was also found in 4 (33%). Of 15 MR examinations, the major changes included 6 (40%) with diffusely prominent bilateral frontal sulci, 10 (67%) with prominent frontal horns, and 12 (80%) with hypomyelination. In AADC patients, the frontal horn was significantly widened ( P < 0.01), and the volume of caudate nucleus was also significantly smaller than that of controls ( P = 0.02). The ratios of thickness of the splenium to that of the genu of corpus callosum were also significantly increased ( P < 0.01). There was also significant decrease of fiber density indices in major white matter fiber tracts. Using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics approach, we also revealed significant change in major fiber tracts related to language function and motor function. In conclusion, the present study indicated that AADC deficiency may have significant impact on brain development, especially the frontal lobe and fiber tracts related to language function and motor function. Long-term follow-up of brain MRI in patients with AADC deficiency may clarify the possible effect of AADC deficiency on brain development. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1532-1540, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: To develop a clinical risk prediction model that identifies children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a clinical setting by examining the symptoms, physical status, and OSA-18 questionnaire results.Design: Single institutional, cross-sectional study.Methods: Children aged 2 to 18 years with symptoms of OSA were enrolled. Pediatric OSA was diagnosed through full-night polysomnography. Clinical data, namely demographics, symptoms, OSA-18 survey results, tonsil and adenoid sizes, and the weight of each child, were examined for constructing a simple point-based clinical model for OSA prediction. Variables for the risk model were selected using multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: Of the 310 participants (mean age, 7.6 ± 3.7 years; boys, 67%), 170 (55%) experienced OSA. Modeling variables were determined using several univariate logistic regression analyses, followed by multivariable logistic regression analyses. A point-based clinical model incorporating the age, tonsil size (5 points maximum), adenoid size (5 and 20 points for age > 6 years and < 6 years, respectively), obesity (5 points for age > 6 years), and breathing pauses (5 points) was developed (area under the curve = 0.832). Moreover, the optimal cutoff points for predicting the apnea-hypopnea index of > 1 and > 5 were 10 (sensitivity, 72.9%; specificity, 65.0%) and 12 (sensitivity, 77.5%; specificity, 56.9%), respectively. Internal validation using the bootstrap method revealed no apparent overfitting problem.Conclusion: A novel clinical prediction model was developed for determining the risk of pediatric OSA; the model can be useful in identifying high-risk patients among those with sleep disturbances.Level Of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:2403-2409, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel visible-light-driven g-C3N4/MIL-53(Al) composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared using a facile stirring method at room temperature. The g-C3N4/MIL-53(Al) composites were characterized and their effects on the photocatalytic activities for rhodamine B degradation were investigated. The g-C3N4(20 wt%)/MIL-53(Al) photocatalyst displayed optimal photocatalytic degradation efficiency, which was about five times higher than the photocatalytic activity of pure g-C3N4. The improved photocatalytic performance of the g-C3N4/MIL-53(Al) photocatalyst was predominantly attributed to the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs and the low charge-transfer resistance. g-C3N4/MIL-53(Al) also exhibited excellent stability and reusability. A proposed mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity is also discussed based on the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag nanoparticle (NP)-decorated MIL-125(Ti) microspheres (Ag@MIL-125(Ti)) were firstly fabricated via a facile hydrothermal and following photo-reduction method. The photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The characterization results indicated that Ag NPs were dispersed on the surface of MIL-125(Ti) microspheres, and the Ag NPs had a uniform diameter of about 40 nm. The composites exhibited excellent visible-light absorption, due to the modification with the Ag NPs. The photocatalytic activity for the visible-light-promoted degradation of Rhodamine B was improved through the optimization of the amount of Ag loaded as a co-catalyst, this amount being determined as 3 wt%. Additionally, studies performed using radical scavengers indicated that O2− and e− served as the main reactive species. The catalyst can be reused at least five times without significant loss of its . Furthermore, a photocatalytic mechanism for degradation of organics over Ag@MIL-125(Ti) is also proposed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenytoin ( PHT) is a commonly prescribed first-line antiepileptic drug. However, long-term administration of PHT can cause memory loss and balance disturbance. Gastrodin ( GD) is the major bioactive component in Tianma and has sedative, anticonvulsive, memory strengthening, and neuroprotective effects. To combine the two drugs seems attractive; however, little was known about the efficacy of combination therapy. In this study, convulsive attack was successfully induced by penicillin. Isobolographic analysis, memory and balance behavior test, histopathological examination, and Western blot analysis were used to investigate whether the combination therapy of GD and PHT can enhance anticonvulsive effect and reduce the side effects associated with PHT. The GD alone (950.60 mg/kg) and the PHT alone (45.50 mg/kg) could produce an anticonvulsive effect, while comparable effect could be produced by PHT : GD = 1 : 50 (8.59 : 429.27 mg/kg), which reduce the dose of PHT by 81% and GD by 55%. After the chronic anticonvulsive experiments of 16 days, the balance disturbance and short-/long-term memory loss were observed in the PHT group, while the PHT + GD therapy can protect the normal balance and memory function. The neuron morphology of hippocampus was preserved, and the number of surviving neurons after combination therapy was more than the model group. The amount of NF-κB (p65) expression was increased in combination group. All above suggested the potential of the combination of PHT and GD enhances the anticonvulsive effect and the neuroprotective effect and reduces the PHT-associated memory and balance disturbance. The PHT + GD strategy would provide new possibilities as a novel promising methodology to treat epileptic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metal-organic framework material, MIL-125(Ti), was solvothermally prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning , Fourier transform and surface area measurements. MIL-125(Ti) was then used as an adsorbent for Rhodamine B (RhB) removal in aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption mechanism, adsorption isotherm, activation energy and various thermodynamic parameters were studied in detail. The maximum adsorption capacity of MIL-125(Ti) for RhB was 59.92 mg g−1. MIL-125(Ti) appears to be a promising material for RhB adsorption from aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) is the first line therapy for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); however, inconsistency between objective and subjective outcomes perplexes physicians. This study investigates changes of objective and subjective outcomes in children with OSA after T&A, in particular, to elucidate correlations and discrepancies between these 2 measures.Study Design: Case series with record review.Setting: Tertiary referral medical center.Subjects and Methods: Symptomatic children with polysomnographic diagnosis of OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 1) were included. All children underwent T&A to treat OSA, along with completely objective (polysomnography) and subjective (Obstructive Sleep Apnea 18-Item Quality-of-Life Questionnaire [OSA-18]) measures before and 3 months after surgery.Results: One hundred nineteen children were included (mean age, 6.9 ± 3.3 years; 76% boys). Adenotonsillectomy significantly reduced AHI from 15.4 ± 21.2 per hour to 1.6 ± 2.5 per hour (P < .001). The OSA-18 scores were significantly improved after surgery (P < .001). A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was found between AHI and OSA-18 scores preoperatively (ρ = 0.22, P = .016) but not postoperatively (ρ = 0.04, P = .677). Among those cases with residual OSA after surgery, only 6% (3/54) had a residual effect on quality of life (OSA-18 score > 60).Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy improves both objective and subjective outcomes. After surgery, quality of life significantly improved subjectively, despite an incomplete resolution of OSA objectively, leading to a better correlation between objective and subjective measures before as opposed to after surgery. Discrepancy between the 2 measures warrants an evaluation of a child both objectively and subjectively when treating OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT ZnO nanowire (NW) grown on triple-junction (TJ) solar cells via the hydrothermal growth method to enhance efficiency is investigated. In this paper, experimental results indicate that TJ solar cells with ZnO NW as an antireflection (AR) coating have the lowest reflectance in the short wavelength spectrum, as compared with those of bare TJ solar cells (without AR coating) and solar cells with SiN x and TiO2/Al2O3 AR coatings. ZnO NW has the lowest light reflection among all experimental samples, especially in the range of ultraviolet to green light (300-500 nm). It was found that ZnO NW could enhance the conversion efficiency by 6.92%, as compared with the conventional TJ solar cell. In contrast, SiN x and TiO2/Al2O3 AR coatings could only enhance the conversion efficiency by 3.72% and 6.46% increase, respectively. The encapsulated results also suggested that the cell with ZnO NW coating could provide the best solar cell performances. Furthermore, all samples are measured at tilt angles of 0°-90° and results show that the solar cells with ZnO NW have the highest efficiency at all tilt angles. Furthermore, a small NW diameter increases light absorption. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A straightforward, protecting-group-free protocol for the synthesis of chiral 6-substituted and 6,6'-disubstituted binols (binol = 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol) by palladium-catalyzed hydroxylation, C-N and C-O coupling of chiral 6-bromo- and 6,6' -dibromo-1,1'-binaphthols is developed. The protecting group free palladium-catalyzed hydroxylation, C-O and C-N cross-coupling protocol affords a straightforward and general method for the synthesis of chiral 6-substituted and 6,6'-disubstituted binols with good yields, avoiding the tedious procedures of introduction and removal of protecting groups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An atom-economic, practical and cost-effective protocol for synthesis of chiral amino acid anilides via ligand-free copper-catalyzed selective CN cross coupling of chiral amino acid amides and aryl halides, hetereoaryl halides and a vinyl bromide has been developed. No racemization occurred during the CN coupling. A plausible mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has recently re-emerged causing millions of infections in countries around the Indian Ocean. While CHIKV has a broad host cell range and productively infects a number of different cell types, macrophages have been identified as a potential viral reservoir serving to increase the duration of symptoms. To date no CHIKV interacting protein has been characterized and this study sought to identify CHIKV binding proteins expressed on target cell membranes. Two-dimensional virus overlay identified prohibitin (PHB) as a microglial cell expressed CHIKV binding protein. Co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation as well as antibody and siRNA mediated infection inhibition studies all confirmed a role for PHB in mediating internalization of CHIKV into microglial cells. PHB is the first identified CHIKV receptor protein, and this study is evidence that PHB may play a role in the internalization of multiple viruses. J. Med. Virol. 84:1757-1770, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is the precursor of several neuropeptides, such as corticotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone and the endogenous opioid (β-endorphin). Our previous studies have indicated that POMC gene delivery inhibited the progression and metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma via the α- melanocyte-stimulating hormone/melanortin-1 receptor (MC-1R) pathway. Methods In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of POMC gene therapy was evaluated in mice bearing established Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) models both in vitro and in vivo. We also investigated the MC-1R-independent mechanism underlying POMC gene therapy. Results We found that POMC gene delivery significantly inhibited the growth and colony formation in MC-1R-deficient LLC cells. In addition, POMC gene transfer effectively suppressed the growth of established LLC in mice. The inhibitory mechanisms underlying POMC gene delivery were attibuted to be inhibition of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, POMC gene delivery attenuated tumor β-catenin signaling by reducing protein levels of β-catenin and its downstream proto-oncogenes, including cyclin D1 and c-myc. Lastly, POMC gene delivery induced a significant suppression of tumor vasculature. Conclusions These results support the existence of an MC-1R-independent pathway for POMC gene therapy, which further expands the therapeutic spectrum of POMC therapy for multiple types of cancer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sample preparation is the first crucial step in the speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment of trace metals in plant samples such as herb and vegetables. Two bionic technologies titled ' in vitro digestion' and 'extraction with biomembrane' were developed for pre-treatment of herbal decoction. The decoctions of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora were digested at body temperature, at the acidity of the stomach or intestine and with inorganic and organic materials (digestive enzymes were included for whole-bionic and excluded for semi-bionic) found in the stomach or intestine. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as a biomembrane model. Affinity-monolayer liposome metals and water-soluble metals were used for speciation analysis and bioavailability assessment of copper and zinc in herbal decoction. In the decoction of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora, Zn was mainly absorbed in the intestine and Cu was mainly absorbed by both stomach and intestine. The safe dosage for males and females is below 257.1 g/day Aconiteum carmichaeli and 529.4 g/day Paeonia lactiflora. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]