Objective To develop some 3-aminooxazolidin-2-one derivatives with bacteria quorum sensing(QS) inhibitory activity. Methods Using (2-hydroxyethyl) hydrazine as raw material, we finished the synthesis through cyclization, condensation, hydrolysis and condensation reaction, and evaluated their inhibition of QS via Chromobacterium violaceum. Results Eight compounds were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and MS characterization. Compounds Z2 had inhibitory effect against QS. Conclusion None of the eight synthesized compounds have been reported before and the synthetic route is reliable. Compounds Z2 have inhibitory effect against QS.

The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) and the implantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on cardiac function of ischemic hearts in canines. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded to establish the canine model of acute myocardial infarct (AMI). Four weeks later, the animals were randomly divided into four groups: TMLR group, in which transmyocardial laser-induced channels were established at the ischemic region; EPCs+TMLR group, in which EPCs were locally transplanted into laser-induced channels at the ischemic region; EPCs group, in which the EPCs were injected into the ischemic region; control group, in which the AMI animals received neither TMLR nor EPCs. The peripheral blood (50 mL) was sampled in all groups. Mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood were separated and cultured to obtain spindle-shaped attaching (AT) cells in vitro. AT cells were labeled with 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-1 to 3,3, 3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) before injecting into the laser-induced channels or ischemic region. Four weeks after the first operation, TMLR was performed in the TMLR group and EPCs+TMLR group, and at the same time, the EPCs originating from the AT cells were mixed with calcium alginate (CA). Then the EPCs-CA composites were implanted into myocardial channels induced by laser in the EPCs+TMLR group, and into the myocardial infarct area in the EPCs group. All dogs underwent echocardiography at second month after LAD occlusion. Finally the samples of myocardium around the LAD were subjected to histochemical and immunohistologic examinations. The results showed there was no significant difference in the diameter of left atrium and ventricle before treatment among all groups (P>0.05). Eight weeks after modeling, the regional contractility in the LAD territory in the EPCs+TMLR group was increased as compared with control group and TMLR group, but there was no significant difference between control group and TMLR group. Neoangiogenesis was observed in the EPCs+TMLR group, and the fibrosis was seen in the TMLR group. There was no significant difference in neoangiogenesis around the channels induced by laser among EPCs+TMLR, EPCs and TMLR groups. It was concluded that TMLR combined with EPCs could improve the regional and global cardiac function in AMI, and augment neovascularizaiton in channels of ischemic myocardium induced by laser.

The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) and the implantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on cardiac function of ischemic hearts in canines. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded to establish the canine model of acute myocardial infarct (AMI). Four weeks later, the animals were randomly divided into four groups: TMLR group, in which transmyocardial laser-induced channels were established at the ischemic region; EPCs+TMLR group, in which EPCs were locally transplanted into laser-induced channels at the ischemic region; EPCs group, in which the EPCs were injected into the ischemic region; control group, in which the AMI animals received neither TMLR nor EPCs. The peripheral blood (50 mL) was sampled in all groups. Mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood were separated and cultured to obtain spindle-shaped attaching (AT) cells in vitro. AT cells were labeled with 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-1 to 3,3, 3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) before injecting into the laser-induced channels or ischemic region. Four weeks after the first operation, TMLR was performed in the TMLR group and EPCs+TMLR group, and at the same time, the EPCs originating from the AT cells were mixed with calcium alginate (CA). Then the EPCs-CA composites were implanted into myocardial channels induced by laser in the EPCs+TMLR group, and into the myocardial infarct area in the EPCs group. All dogs underwent echocardiography at second month after LAD occlusion. Finally the samples of myocardium around the LAD were subjected to histochemical and immunohistologic examinations. The results showed there was no significant difference in the diameter of left atrium and ventricle before treatment among all groups (P>0.05). Eight weeks after modeling, the regional contractility in the LAD territory in the EPCs+TMLR group was increased as compared with control group and TMLR group, but there was no significant difference between control group and TMLR group. Neoangiogenesis was observed in the EPCs+TMLR group, and the fibrosis was seen in the TMLR group. There was no significant difference in neoangiogenesis around the channels induced by laser among EPCs+TMLR, EPCs and TMLR groups. It was concluded that TMLR combined with EPCs could improve the regional and global cardiac function in AMI, and augment neovascularizaiton in channels of ischemic myocardium induced by laser.
Animals ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; surgery ; Dogs ; Humans ; Muscle Contraction ; physiology ; Myocardial Ischemia ; pathology ; therapy ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Stem Cells ; Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization ; methods

PURPOSE: Little is known about combination of the circulating Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA and tumor volume in prognosis of stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. We conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic values of combining these two factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By Kaplan-Meier, we compare the differences of survival curves between 385 patients with different EBV DNA or tumor volume levels, or with the combination of two biomarkers mentioned above. RESULTS: Gross tumor volume of cervical lymph nodes (GTVnd, p < 0.001) and total tumor volume (GTVtotal, p < 0.001) were both closely related to pretreatment EBV DNA, while gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx, p=0.047) was weakly related to EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly correlated with progress-free survival (PFS, p=0.005), locoregional-free survival (LRFS, p=0.039), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, p=0.017), while GTVtotal, regardless of GTVnx and GTVnd, had a significant correlation with PFS and LRFS. The p-values of GTVtotal for PFS and LRFS were 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. According to GTVtotal and pretreatment EBV DNA level, patients were divided into a low-risk group (EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm³; EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal ≥ 30 cm³; or EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm³) and a high-risk group (EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal ≥ 30 cm³). When patients in the low-risk group were compared with those in the high-risk group, 3-year PFS (p=0.003), LRFS (p=0.010), and DMFS (p=0.031) rates were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment plasma EBV DNA and tumor volume were both closely correlated with prognosis of stage II NPC patients in the IMRT era. Combination of EBV DNA and tumor volume can refine prognosis and indicate for clinical therapy.
Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies* ; DNA* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Nasopharynx ; Plasma ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy* ; Tumor Burden*

Objective To study the source of infection,the scope of epidemic and control measures in an outbreak involving students having symptoms as fever,dizziness,headache,vomiting and nausea.Methods The suspected-case was defined as fever (armpit temperature ≥37 ℃) and with one or more of the following symptoms:dizziness,headache,vomiting and nausea,among students and teachers at school from Mar 1,2012.Confirmed-case was among suspected case accompanied by both throat and rectal swabs enterovirus positive by RT-PCR.All the cases were collected through checking the medical records from 4 hospitals as well as through the absence records of students and teachers,from Mar 1,2012.We conducted a case-control study with ratio of 1 ∶ 2 and data on the exposures to water among students and teachers was collected prior to the illness.27 cases' throat and rectal swabs were collected and analyzed by RT-PCR and PCR sequence methods.2 warm-water samples were collected for testing the counts on total bacteria and E.coli.Results 103 students' cases were identified in school L,with the attack rate as 4.6％ (103/2255).Students from Grade three had the high attack rate as 18.1％ (72/397) and 77.7％ (80/103) of the cases located in the building with ' multiple-functions'.Epidemic curve of the outbreak showed a pattern with continuous common source of infection.It seemed that the exposure to warm-water appeared to be the major risk factor (OR =18.3,95％CI:2.0-169.5) together with the intake of un-boiled water (OR =15.5,95 ％CI:1.7-141.8).Specimens from 27 students (81.5％,22/27) were identified enterovirus positive by RT-PCR,and 7 of the 9 students were confirmed carrying Echo 30.Bacteria and coli were negative from the 2 warm-water samples.Conclusion This viral meningitis-outbreak was caused by Echo 30,with drinking water as the major risk factor.

Objective To investigate effects of different de-cellularization methods on biomechanical properties and histological structure of annulus fibrosus in pigtails and provide experimental evidence for the construction of tissue engineering annulus fibrosus. Methods Sixty Fresh annulus fibrosus were dissected from caudal disks of pigs and randomly assigned to 4 groups with 15 in each group. Triton X-100 group(Group A): annulus fibrosus were treated with hypotonic Tris-HCl buffer for 48 hours and de-cellularized with Triton X-100, DNase Ⅰ and RNase A. SDS group (Group B): annulus fibrosus were subjected to 3 cycles of freeze-thaw and subsequently de-cellularized with SDS, DNaseⅠ and RNase A. Trypsin group (Group C): annulus fibrosus were de-cellularized with Tris buffer containing trypsin, DNase Ⅰ and RNase A. Control group: fresh annulus fibrosus underwent no treatment. After the de-cellularization process was completed, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was carried out to examine the efficacy on cell removal, and the ultrastructure of annulus fibrosus were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The collagen content, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and biomechanical parameters in each group were also detected. Results HE staining and scanning electron microscopy showed that no residual cells were found in Group A, B and C. The structure of annulus fibrosus in Group A was not disturbed, while that in Group B and C was damaged severely and slightly, respectively. There was no statistical difference in collagen content among Group A, B and C, as compared to the control group (P>0.05). But the GAG content was significantly more lower in Group A, B and C than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in ultimate load, ultimate stress, toughness, elastic modulus and mechanical work to fracture between Group A, C and control group (P>0.05), while these parameters of Group B were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The Triton X-100-treated annulus fibrosus retained the major extracellular matrix composition after cell removal and preserved the major structure and mechanical strength, which is preferable for the construction of tissue engineering annulus fibrosus.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of structural MRI in the diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 （SCA3） and further evaluate its correlation with disease severity and disease duration. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 81 genetically diagnosed SCA3 patients ［59 symptomatic （sym-SCA3） and 22 pre-symptomatic （pre-SCA3）］ and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls （HCs）. MRI structural images （3D T1 MPRAGE） and clinical data of all subjects were collected. Three observers with different radiological experience measured the width of the superior， middle and inferior cerebellar peduncle （SCP， MCP and ICP）， the anterior-posterior diameters of the pons and spinal cord at the levels of the foramen magnum and upper edge of the 3rd-5th cervical vertebra. One observer performed the measurements again 2 months later to assess for the intra- and inter-observer reliability， respectively. One-way ANOVA， rank-sum test， ROC curve and Random Forest were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the above metrics for SCA3， and the correlation between the metrics and clinical variables was analyzed. ResultsNot depending on the radiological experience， the metrics based on morphological MRI showed high intra- and inter-observer reliability， among which bilateral superior and middle cerebellar peduncles performed best. The diameters of bilateral SCP， MCP， ICP， pons and spinal cord （except spinal cord at the level of the upper edge of the 5th cervical vertebra） decreased successively in HCs， pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3 with a statistical difference （P<0.017）. ROC analysis revealed that the left MCP had the highest diagnostic value for pre-SCA3 （AUC=0.911）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 85.7%， 95.5% and 10.15 mm， respectively. In contrast， the right SCP had the highest diagnostic value for sym-SCA3 （AUC=0.999）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 100%， 98.3% and 2.62 mm， respectively. The Random Forest model based on the above metrics also had high diagnostic efficiency （AUC= 0.970， specificity=93.1%）， and the left MCP contributed the most. Correlation analysis showed that the above metrics had a significantly or moderately negative correlation with the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia （SARA） and disease duration （P<0.05）. ConclusionNot depending on radiological experience， measurements of brain structure based on morphological MRI are reliable， which can help diagnose SCA3 and predict disease severity and duration. The left MCP and the right SCP perform best for predicting pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3， respectively. Therefore， the structural MRI is recommended for assisting the clinical diagnosis of SCA3.

Through analyzing the indication distribution of the different acupoints located at the upper limbs recorded in
Acupuncture Points ; Arm ; Goiter ; Humans ; Meridians ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of premature rupture of the membrane (PROM) on neonatal complications in premature infants.

METHODSThe registration information of 7684 preterm infants with gestational age <37 weeks were collected from the cooperative units in the task group between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Specially trained personnel from each cooperative units filled in the unified form in a standardized format to record the gender, gestational age, birth weight, PROM, placental abruption, antenatal corticosteroid, Apgar score, amniotic fluid pollution, and complications of the infants. The data were analyzed comparatively between the cases with PROM and those without (control).

RESULTSThe preterm mortality rate was significantly lower but the incidences of ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly higher in PROM group than in the control group (P<0.05). The 95% confidence interval of the OR value was <1 for mortality, and was >1 for ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, gender, mode of delivery, placental abruption, placenta previa, prenatal hormones, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational period hypertension and 5-min Apgar score <7, the incidences of NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05) with 95% confidence interval of OR value >1, but the mortality rate and incidence of ICH were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPROM is a risk factor for NEC, ROP and BPD in preterm infants, and adequate intervention of PROM can reduce the incidences of such complications as NEC, ROP and BPD in the infants.

Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; pathology ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; etiology ; Infant, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of acupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the children with cerebral palsy salivation on the basis of oral function training.

METHODSA total of 124 children were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 62 cases in each one. Oral function training (30 min a time) and NMES (20 min a time) were used in the two groups. Acupuncture was applied after NMES in the observation group. The main acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Speech AreaⅠ, Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Scalp acupuncture was for 1 h, and body acupuncture was for 30 min. Pricking blood was used at Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) for the patients of Ⅴ in teacher salivation grading (TDS). All the treatment was given for 3 courses, 30 days as a course, 5 times a week, once a day. TDS, safety, dysphagia and Gesell development scale were assessed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the total effective rate of TDS in the observation group was 83.9% (52/62), which was better than 58.1% (36/62) in the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate of dysphasia in the observation group was 88.7% (55/62), which was better than 69.4% (43/62) in the control group (<0.05). The lip and tongue movement, chewing and swallowing after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all <0.05). After treatment, the Gesell development scale of adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient were better compared with those before treatment in the observation group (all <0.05); the language behavior improved after treatment in the control group (<0.05). The adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (<0.05，<0.01). The adverse reactions in the observation group were less than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with NMES are better than simple NMES for children with cerebral palsy salivation. The methods could not only improve children's behavior cognitive ability, but also improve the sensation and motor coordination of the lip, tongue, pharynx, etc. As a result, the salivation and swallowing function improve.