OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the degree of fever within 48 hours of admission and the prognosis in children with bacterial bloodstream infection.

METHODSThis study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of all patients diagnosed with sepsis who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University between September 2008 and September 2016. The children with bacterial bloodstream infection were classified into 5 groups according to the maximum temperature within 48 hours of admission: <36.5°C group, ≥36.5°C group (normal control), ≥37.5°C group, ≥38.5°C group, and ≥39.5°C group. The mortality was compared between the five groups. Results A total of 213 children with bacterial bloodstream infection were enrolled, consisting of 5 cases in the <36.5°C group, 44 cases in the ≥36.5°C group, 73 cases in the ≥37.5°C group, 69 cases in the ≥38.5°C group, and 22 cases in the ≥39.5°C group. A total of 48 cases died among the 213 patients. A significant difference was observed in the mortality between the five groups (P<0.01). The <36.5°C group and ≥39.5°C group had significantly higher mortality than the normal control group. However, there were no significant differences in the mortality between the ≥37.5°C and ≥38.5°C groups and the normal control group. Conclusions In children with bacterial bloodstream infection, those with a maximum temperature below 36.5°C or above 39.5°C within 48 hours of admission have a significantly increased mortality.

Bacteremia ; mortality ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fever ; complications ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDApproximately 15-20% cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are diagnosed in children. There have been a few studies reporting the epidemiological data of pediatric-onset SLE (cSLE) in China, neither comparing the differences between cSLE and adult-onset SLE (aSLE). The aim of this study was to describe the impact of age of onset on clinical features and survival in cSLE patients in China based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) database.

METHODSWe made a prospective study of 225 cSLE patients (aged Results: The mean age of cSLE patients was 12.16 ± 2.92 years, with 187 (83.1%) females. Fever (P < 0.001) as well as mucocutaneous (P < 0.001) and renal (P = 0.006) disorders were found to be significantly more frequent in cSLE patients as initial symptoms, while muscle and joint lesions were significantly less common compared to aSLE subjects (P < 0.001). The cSLE patients were found to present more frequently with malar rash (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 0.624; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.470-0.829) but less frequently with arthritis (P < 0.001; OR, 2.013; 95% CI, 1.512-2.679) and serositis (P = 0.030; OR, 1.629; 95% CI, 1.053-2.520). There was no significant difference in SLE disease activity index scores between cSLE and aSLE groups (P = 0.478). Cox regression indicated that childhood onset was the risk factor for organ damage in lupus patients (hazard ratio 0.335 [0.170-0.658], P = 0.001). The survival curves between the cSLE and aSLE groups had no significant difference as determined by the log-rank test (0.557, P = 0.455).

CONCLUSIONScSLE in China has different clinical features and more inflammation than aSLE patients. Damage may be less in children and there is no difference in 5- year survival between cSLE and aSLE groups.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Age of Onset ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; epidemiology ; mortality ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Severity of Illness Index ; Young Adult

To provide a scientific evidence for the quality control of Codonopsis Radix, a method was established for determining the content of three free carbohydrates of Codonopsis Radix. The developed method showed good linearity. The calibration curves were linear within the range of 2.312 5-18.500 0 μg for sucrose, 1.500 0-12.000 0 μg for glucose, and 2.000 0-16.000 0 μg for fructose, resgectwely. The recoveries varied between 96.31%-101.8%. The method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for determining the content of sucrose, glucose and fructose of Codonopsis Radix. The results showed that different cultivation measures had an effect on the content of three free carbohydrates of Codonopsis Radix. According to the content of sucrose, using Zhuanggenling>not using Zhuanggenling. While, not pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>pinching, not shelving>pinching, shelving. According to the content of glucose and fructose, not using Zhuanggenling>using Zhuanggenling. While, pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>not pinching, shelving>pinching, not shelving. In consideration of the differences of sweetness and content of the three free carbohydrates in Codonopsis Radix, we recommend that the content of free carbohydrates could be considered as the marker to evaluate the quality of Codonopsis Radix.

To observe the influence of different cultivation measures on the chemical constituents of Codonopsis Radix and provide reference for its reasonable cultivation, Codonopsis Radix samples cultivated by different cultivation measures were collected from the planting base in Min county,and their quality were evaluated by establishing HPLC fingerprint and determining the content of lobetyolin and Codonopsis Radix polysaccharide. The results show that different cultivation measures have an effect on the quality of Codonopsis Radix and the contents of lobetyolin and Codonopsis Radix polysaccharide are obviously different. According to the content of lobetyolin, not using Zhuanggenling>using Zhuanggenling. While, not pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>pinching, shelving>pinching, not shelving. According to the content of Codonopsis Radix polysaccharide, not using Zhuanggenling>using Zhuanggenling. While, not pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>pinching, not shelving>pinching, shelving. Based on the chemical quality evaluation results, the appropriate cultivation measure of Codonopsis Radix is not using Zhuanggenling, not pinching and shelving.

This study is to determine the content of three alkaloids and establish the HPLC fingerprint of "Jianlian" Nelumbinis Plumula. The HPLC method of content determination was as follows: Thermo C18 (4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) was conducted with acetonitrile-sodium dodecyl sulfonate solution-acetic acid (56: 43: 1) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The monitoring wavelength was set at 282 nm and the column temperature was 35 degrees C. The method of HPLC fingerprint was as follows: Agilent ZORBAX SB-Aq C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) was conducted with gradient elution of methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1), the monitoring wavelength was set at 282 nm and the column temperature was 35 degrees C. Similarities evaluation and hierarchical clustering analysis were applied to demonstrate the variability of 12 batches of "Jianlian" Nelumbinis Plumula samples. The results demonstrated that 11 batches showed good similarity on chemical constituents. The method could well display the chemical information of "Jianlian" Nelumbinis Plumula. It was simple, reliable and could be used for the chemical quality control of "Jianlian" Nelumbinis Plumula.
Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Nelumbo ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDNeuroimaging studies have found that functional changes exist in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the majority of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in patients with PD are task-related and cross-sectional. This study investigated the functional changes observed in patients with PD, at both baseline and after 2 years, using resting-state fMRI. It further investigated the relationship between whole-brain spontaneous neural activity of patients with PD and their clinical characteristics.

METHODSSeventeen patients with PD underwent an MRI procedure at both baseline and after 2 years using resting-state fMRI that was derived from the same 3T MRI. In addition, 20 age- and sex-matched, healthy controls were examined using resting-state fMRI. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) approach was used to analyze the fMRI data. Nonlinear registration was used to model within-subject changes over the scanning interval, as well as changes between the patients with PD and the healthy controls. A correlative analysis between the fALFF values and clinical characteristics was performed in the regions showing fALFF differences.

RESULTSCompared to the control subjects, the patients with PD showed increased fALFF values in the left inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and right middle frontal gyrus. Compared to the baseline in the 2 years follow-up, the patients with PD presented with increased fALFF values in the right middle temporal gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus while also having decreased fALFF values in the right cerebellum, right thalamus, right striatum, left superior parietal lobule, left IPL, left precentral gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus (P < 0.01, after correction with AlphaSim). In addition, the fALFF values in the right cerebellum were positively correlated with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores (r = 0.51, P < 0.05, uncorrected) and the change in the UPDRS motor score (r = 0.61, P < 0.05, uncorrected).

CONCLUSIONSThe baseline and longitudinal changes of the fALFF values in our study suggest that dysfunction in the brain may affect the regions related to cortico-striato-pallido-thalamic loops and cerebello-thalamo-cortical loops as the disease progresses and that alterations to the spontaneous neural activity of the cerebellum may also play an important role in the disease's progression in patients with PD.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; pathology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; diagnosis

BACKGROUNDLittle attention has been paid to the role of subcortical deep gray matter (SDGM) structures in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced cognitive impairment, especially hippocampal subfields. Our aims were to assess the in vivo volumes of SDGM structures and hippocampal subfields using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to test their associations with cognitive performance in T2DM.

METHODSA total of 80 T2DM patients and 80 neurologically unimpaired healthy controls matched by age, sex and education level was enrolled in this study. We assessed the volumes of the SDGM structures and seven hippocampal subfields on MRI using a novel technique that enabled automated volumetry. We used Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores as measures of cognitive performance. The association of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with SDGM structures and neuropsychological tests and correlations between hippocampal subfields and neuropsychological tests were assessed by partial correlation analysis in T2DM.

RESULTSBilaterally, the hippocampal volumes were smaller in T2DM patients, mainly in the CA1 and subiculum subfields. Partial correlation analysis showed that the MoCA scores, particularly those regarding delayed memory, were significantly positively correlated with reduced hippocampal CA1 and subiculum volumes in T2DM patients. Additionally, higher HbA1c levels were significantly associated with poor memory performance and hippocampal atrophy among T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONSThese data indicate that the hippocampus might be the main affected region among the SDGM structures in T2DM. These structural changes in the hippocampal CA1 and subiculum areas might be at the core of underlying neurobiological mechanisms of hippocampal dysfunction, suggesting that degeneration in these regions could be responsible for memory impairments in T2DM patients.

Aged ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; etiology ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests

The systematic position of Fritillaria hupehensis has been in dispute. Phylogentic analyses were conducted on sequences of ITS, rpl16, matK sequences for species of F. hupehensis and allies. Lilium davidii was designed as outgroup. The analyses were performed using MP and ML methods. Conclusions could be achieved as follow. The topologies of MP and ML are consistent. The samples of F. hepehensis from different places form a supported clade with a strong bootstrap. And then form a strongly supported clade with F. anhuiensis, F. monantha. The results suggests that although F. hupehensis has a closet relation with the two ones, it exists some difference.
DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Endoribonucleases ; genetics ; Fritillaria ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleotidyltransferases ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) on proliferation of human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells and its relation to insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) expression.

METHODSThe siRNA technology was used to silence the IGFBP-3 gene in LNCaP cells. LNCaP cells and IGFBP-3 gene silenced LNCaP cells were exposed to IP6 for 24 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay; cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of IGFBP-3 and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were analyzed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe proliferation of LNCaP cells was be inhibited by IP6 in a dose dependent manner. After exposure to IP6 for 24 h, the cell viability in LNCaP cells and siRNA-treated LNCaP cells was 53.2%±11.6% and 82.3%±10.9%, respectively (P<0.05). After treatment of 1.5 mmol IP6，the apoptosis rate of LNCAP cells and siRNA-treated LNCAP cells was 40.48%±13.21% and 30.43%±10.65%, respectively (P<0.05). The proportion of G1 and G2 phase in LNCAP cells was 70.58%±8.25% and 5.64%±1.23%，after IP6 treatment the percentage of G1 phase cells decreased to 48.66%±11.23% and G2 phase cells increased to 31.11%±9.68%. However, for siRNA treated LNCAP cells, the proportion of G1 phase cells was 58.25%±12.36% and G2 phase cells was 23.85%±12.45%. Higher expression of IGFBP-3 and lower expression of Bcl-2 in LNCaP cells treated with IP6 were found at both mRNA and protein levels. IP6 treatment enhanced IGFBP-3 mRNA expression by 2.21±0.15 folds. In the contrast, expression of Bcl-2 mRNA decreased by 0.69±0.03 folds. Meanwhile, after IGFBP- gene silence Bcl-2 expression was not decreased.

CONCLUSIONIP6 can inhibit the proliferation of LNCaP cells, which may be associated with the changes of IGFBP-3 level through Bcl-2 expression.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytic Acid ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering

OBJECTIVETo construct plant expression pCAMBIA1301-PMI by substituting PMI for hygromycin resistance gene in pCAMBIA1301 and obtain transgenic Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba using PMI-mannose selection system.

METHODThe 6-phosphomannose isomerase gene (PMI) of Escherichia coli was amplified by PCR. Sequence analysis showed that it shared 100% amino acids identities with the sequences of PMI genes isolates reported in the NCBI. Based on pCAMBIA1305, the plant expression pCAMBIA1305-PMI was constructed successfully by substituting PMI for hygromycin resistance gene in pCAMBIA1305. pCAMBIA1305-PMI was transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, and then the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba were inoculated in LBA4404 with pCAMBIA1305-PMI.

RESULTPlant expression pCAMBIA1301-PMI was successfully constructed and the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba inoculated in LBA4404 with pCAMBIA1305-PMI were selected on medium supplemented with a combination of 20 g x L(-1) mannose and 10 g x L(-1) sucrose as a carbon source. The transformation efficiency rate was 23.7%.

CONCLUSIONGenetic transformation was confirmed by PCR, indicating that a new method for obtaining transgenic S. miltiorrhiza f. alba plants was developed using PMI-mannose selection system.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hygromycin B ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Mannose-6-Phosphate Isomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transformation, Genetic