Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Catalytic activity of activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acidin synthesizing 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl1,3-dioxolane, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-l,3-dioxolane, cyclohexanone ethylene ketal, cyclohexanone 1,2-propanediol ketal, butanone ethylene ketal, butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal, 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane,2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane was reported. It has been demonstrated that activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acid is an excellent catalyst. Various factors involved in these reactions were investigated. The optimum conditions found were: molar ratio of aldehyde/ketone to glycol is 1/1.5, mass ratio of the catalyst used to the reactants is 1.0%, and reaction time is 1.0 h. Under these conditions, the yield of 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-l,3-dioxolane is 61.5%, of 2,4-dimethyl2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane is 69.1%, of cyclohexanone ethylene ketal is 74.6%, of cyclohexanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 80.1%, of butanone ethylene ketal is 69.5%, of butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 78.5%, of 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane is 56.7%, of 4-methyl-2-phenyl- 1,3-dioxolane is 86.2%, of 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.5%, of 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.9%.

This study aimed to analyze the etiology of the encephalitis outbreak in Longyan, Fujian Province, China in 2010, in order to provide valuable information for this prevention and control of this disease. Pathogens were confirmed from cerebrospinal fluid samples with fluorescent RT-PCR, virus isolation (RD cells), and neutralization tests. Then, the VP1 fragments or whole genome nucleotide sequences were determined for four virus strains using PCR. Homology was assessed using the MegAlign software, and a phylogenetic evolutionary tree was drawn using Mega 4.0 software. The results confirmed that the etiology of the outbreak was the ECHO6 intestinal virus, and the nucleotide sequence of the VP1 segment indicated that the C2 subtype was responsible. The genome sequence consisted of 7407 nucleotides, and resembled the genome of other ECHO and CoxB viruses with homology levels of 78.5%-87.3%. The encephalitis outbreak in Longyan in 2010 was caused by the ECHO6 C2 subtype intestinal virus, and its complete genome sequence length is similar to the standard strain (U16283) with a sequence homology of 80.4%.
Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Echovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; Mice ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo indicate the deficiency of the classical method for analyzing data on individual matching case-control study in consideration of the interaction between the study factor (exposure) and the matching factor, and to find out a proper method for handling this deficiency.

METHODFirst, experimental data with 50 pairs of cases and controls were used for strata analysis according to the values of a matching factor to illustrate the possible interaction between a risk factor (exposure) and the matching factor. Second, a detailed procedure was proposed for analyzing such data.

RESULTSInteraction between the study factor and matching factor was demonstrated by using strata analysis and unconditional logistic regression analysis. Therefore the results from the classical analysis for such data might be incorrect.

CONCLUSIONData from individual matching case-control study design should be dealt with strata analysis or multivariate analysis to explore and evaluate the possible interaction between the study factor and matching factor. The conclusion would be valid only after such analysis is conducted.

Case-Control Studies ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors

Catalytic activity of activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acid in synthesizing 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl- 1,3-dioxolane, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane, cyclohexanone ethylene ketal, cyclohexanone 1,2-propa- nediol ketal, butanone ethylene ketal, butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal, 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane was reported. It has been demonstrated that activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acid is an excellent catalyst. Various factors involved in these reactions were investigated. The optimum conditions found were: molar ratio of aldehyde/ketone to glycol is 1/1.5, mass ratio of the catalyst used to the reactants is 1.0%, and reaction time is 1.0 h. Under these conditions, the yield of 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane is 61.5%, of 2,4-dimethyl- 2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane is 69.1%, of cyclohexanone ethylene ketal is 74.6%, of cyclohexanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 80.1%, of butanone ethylene ketal is 69.5%, of butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 78.5%, of 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane is 56.7%, of 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane is 86.2%, of 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.5%, of 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.9%.

Objective To assess the methodology and quality on Meta-analysis used in papers being published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology.Methods Computerized literature searching was carried out in Wanfang Medical Online to collect articles that Meta-analysis was used in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology since it was founded till December,2012.Manual retrieval was also conducted.Two researchers independently screened for literature and extracted data.Disagreements were resolved through discussion or by resort to a third reviewer if consensus was not reached.Qualities on methodologies or on the processes of reporting and reviewing,were evaluated by both AMSTAR and PRISMA scales.Statistical calculations and analyses were performed using SPSS 13.0.Results Fifty-five papers on meta-analyses were included in this study.Results on the qualities of methodology or evaluation showed that only 2 articles (3.6％) were rated as high,35 articles (63.7％) as moderate and 18 (32.7％) as low.The quality on methodology being used in literature had improved since 2008.However,there were still some problems seen in the following areas as the list of studies (included and excluded),comprehensive search on literature,quality of the included studies having been assessed and documented,etc.Results on evaluation of quality showed that the included reviews had high quality on the titles of the report,sources of information,summary measures and synthesis of results.However,areas as:structured summary,methods on searching,data collection,risk of bias in individual studies,summary of evidence,limitations,funding etc.,were still lack of comprehensive reports.Conclusion Articles on Meta-analysis published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology provided substantial evidence for more reliable information on the etiology and risk factors of the studies.However,both of the qualities on methodology and reports in the included literature presented problems at different levels that called for careful improvement.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the early use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhu-EPO) on neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.

METHODSForty-four preterm infants (30 males and 14 females) were randomly divided into two groups: Rhu-EPO treatment and untreated control (n=22 each). From postnatal day 7, the Rhu-EPO treatment group received intravenous rhu-EPO (250 IU/kg3 times weekly) for 4 weeks. A Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) was performed at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age. A Gesell Development Schedule was used to evaluate neurological development 6 and 12 months after birth.

RESULTSThe NBNA score in the rhu-EPO treatment group (36.20+/-0.75) was significantly higher than that in the control group (34.40+/-1.05) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age (P<0.05). The developmental quotient of fine motor in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group 6 months after birth (P<0.05). By 12 months after birth, the developmental quotient of gross motor, fine motor and language in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly use of Rhu-EPO can promote neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.

Anemia ; prevention & control ; Brain ; drug effects ; physiology ; Child Development ; drug effects ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Behavior ; drug effects ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; prevention & control ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo study changes of TLR2 signaling pathway expression in Kupffer cells during the process of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in a mice model and the mechanism of TLR2 signaling pathway participating in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSBALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups: sham operation (SH), ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and GdCl3 treatment (Gd) groups. After 4 h of reperfusion, the expression of TLR2 mRNA and membrane TLR2 protein were analyzed in ischemic lobes of the livers, and in Kupffer cells isolated from ischemic lobes. The expression of NF-kappaB in ischemic lobes was also examined. Levels of endotoxin, ALT and TNFalpha were measured at the same time point.

RESULTSThe expressions of TLR2 mRNA and protein in both ischemic hepatic lobes and Kupffer cells isolated from ischemic lobes were increased in the I/R group compared to those in the SH group, as well as the expression of NF-kappaB in ischemic lobes, which was down regulated by intravenous GdCl3 treatment. Levels of ALT and TNFalpha in the portal vein were higher in the I/R group than in the SH group, which also were decreased with treatment of GdCl3. The level of endotoxin in the three groups remained constant.

CONCLUSIONTLR2 signaling pathway in Kupffer cells is activated during the process of hepatic ischemic/reperfusion injury. The activation of TLR2 signaling pathway in Kupffer cells may play a role in this process.

Animals ; Kupffer Cells ; metabolism ; Liver ; blood supply ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDRestoration of blood flow to the ischemic liver lobes may paradoxically exacerbate tissue injury, which is called hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), expressed on several liver cell types, and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway are crucial to mediating hepatic inflammatory response. Because IRI is essentially a kind of profound acute inflammatory reaction evoked by many kinds of danger signals, we investigated TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling pathway activation in a murine model of partial hepatic IRI.

METHODSWild-type mice (WT, C3H/HeN) or TLR4 mutant mice (C3H/HeJ) were subjected to 45 minutes of partial hepatic ischemia followed by 1 hour, 3 hours of reperfusion. Sham group accepted the same procedure without the obstruction of blood supply. At the end of reperfusion, the compromise of liver function and the histological change of liver sections were measured as the severity of liver injury. The level of endotoxin in the portal vein was measured by limulus assay. NF-kappaB activation was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in systemic blood after hepatic IRI were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe compromise of liver function and the morphological injuries in mutant mice were relieved more markedly than those in WT mice after partial hepatic IRI. NF-kappaB activation in WT mice was stronger than that in TLR4 mutant mice, and both were stronger than those in the sham operated mice (P < 0.01). Endotoxin in each group was undetectable. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in systemic blood were elevated in both strains, but lower in the sham operated group. These mediators were significantly decreased in TLR4 mutant mice compared with those in WT mice (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling pathway may mediate hepatic IRI triggered by endogenous danger signals. Inhibition of the TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for attenuating ischemia/reperfusion-induced tissue damage in some clinical settings.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Interleukin-1beta ; biosynthesis ; Liver ; blood supply ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis