[Advances in the research of application of urine output monitoring in prevention and treatment of burn shock]

Fluid therapy is a crucial treatment for patients with extensive burn, which affects patients'prognosis directly. Accurate urine output measurement plays an irreplaceable role in guiding fluid resuscitation in clinic. As one of the best indexes in traditional burn resuscitation, urine output comprehensively reflects systemic circulation. However, it doesn't fully reflect all the specific chapters of microcirculation and systemic circulation and deficient cellular oxygen metabolism exactly. We need to use urine output combined with other shock parameters to ensure adequate fluid replacement. Currently, the most common way of urine output monitoring is manual measurement. The article reviews the application of urine output monitoring in guiding fluid resuscitation of burn shock.

An alkynyl-protected Au40 nanocluster featuring PhCC–Au–P^P motifs

An alkynyl-protected gold nanocluster [Au₄₀(PhCC)₂₀(dppm)₄](SbF₆)₄ (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) (1) has been synthesized.

Ligand effects in catalysis by atomically precise gold nanoclusters

Atomically precise gold nanoclusters are ideal model catalysts with well-defined compositions and tunable structures. Determination of the ligand effect on catalysis requires the use of gold nanoclusters with protecting ligands as the only variable. Two isostructural Au38 nanoclusters, [Au38(L)20(Ph3P)4]2+ (L = alkynyl or thiolate), have been synthesized by a direct reduction method, and they have an unprecedented face-centered cubic (fcc)-type Au34 kernel surrounded by 4 AuL2 staple motifs, 4 Ph3P, and 12 bridging L ligands. The Au34 kernel can be derived from the fusion of two fcc-type Au20 via sharing a Au6 face. Catalytic performance was studied with these two nanoclusters supported on TiO2 (1/TiO2 and 2/TiO2) as catalysts. The alkynyl-protected Au38 are very active (>97%) in the semihydrogenation of alkynes (including terminal and internal ones) to alkenes, whereas the thiolated Au38 showed a very low conversion (<2%). This fact suggests that the protecting ligands play an important role in H2 activation. This work presents a clear demonstration that catalytic performance of gold nanoclusters can be modulated by the controlled construction of ligand spheres.

[Advances on epidemiological research of human infections with novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus]

Human infections with novel avian influenza A(H7N9)virus was an emerging infectious disease discovered in March, 2013. As of June30, 2016, 770 cases of H7N9 were reported in worldwide including 315 deaths with 40.9% of high case fatality rate. Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta were the high-prevalence area. Formerly, the cases of H7N9 were concentrated on the municipalities. However, most of the case-patients were from smaller cities or rural areas nowadays. The H7N9 human infections mainly occurred in winter and spring every waves as similar as seasonal and H5N1 human infections. Middle aged and old (the median age was 61 years) male patients were occupied the large proportion among the cases of H7N9. In addition, the phenomenon of the limited and unsustained human-to-human transmission were existed. At present, the 4 major epidemic waves had happened and human infections with novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus could be outbreak regularly in China. In this paper, the pathogenic characteristics and disease distribution of H7N9 influenza A viruses were elaborated, with both transmission factors and control measures, which were helpful to provide the scientific evidence for prevention and control in H7N9avian influenza epidemic.

Alkynyl-protected silver nanoclusters featuring an anticuboctahedral kernel

Two unique silver nanoclusters protected by alkynyl and diphosphine ligands have been synthesized. Single crystal structural determination reveals that they have a centered anticuboctahedral Ag₁₃ kernel. Such a kernel is observed for the first time in a coinage metal nanocluster. This work offers new insights into the fact that the PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C ligand represents a new direction in synthesizing novel metal nanoclusters.

Efficacy and safety of fosaprepitant in the prevention of nausea and vomiting following highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Chinese people: A randomized, double-blind, phase III study

The prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting was one of the most challenging supportive care issues in oncology, especially to highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). A total of 645 patients were randomized into fosaprepitant group (fosaprepitant/placebo 150 mg d1 in combination with granisetron and dexamethasone) or aprepitant group (aprepitant/placebo 125 mg d1; 80 mg d2‐d3 plus granisetron and dexamethasone).The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who had a complete response (CR) over the entire treatment course (0–120 hr, overall phase [OP]). It was assessed by using a non‐inferiority model, with a non‐inferiority margin of 10%. The difference of the CR rate was compared between two groups with chi‐square analysis. Six hundred and twenty‐six patients were included in the per protocol analysis. The percentage of patients with a CR in the fosaprepitant group was not inferior to that in the aprepitant group (90.85% versus 94.17%, p = .1302) during OP. Whether the cisplatin‐based chemotherapy or not, the CR rate of the fosaprepitant group was not inferior to that of the aprepitant group. Both regimens were well tolerated. The most common adverse event was constipation. Fosaprepitant provided effective and well‐tolerated control of nausea and vomiting associated with HEC in Chinese patients.

Alkynyl-protected gold and gold–silver nanoclusters

Alkynyl-protected coinage metal nanoclusters show new structural features and have interesting luminescence properties and catalytic behavior.

Intensely luminescent gold(i) phosphinopyridyl clusters: visualization of unsupported aurophilic interactions in solution

Green emissive [Au₉(PNC)₆](BF₄)₃ can be converted to orange emissive [Au₁₁(PNC)₆(PPh₃)₂](BF₄)₅ showing the presence of unsupported Au^I–Au^I interactions in solution.

[Investigation on folic acid supplementation status among Chinese women in the first trimester of pregnancy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate folic acid (FA) supplementation status among Chinese rural reproductive women in their early pregnancy, and to provide evidence for the evaluation of FA supplementation project from national basic public health services.

METHODS

The data on intake status of FA supplementation from "National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP)" database between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012 was used and analyzed.A total of 902 270 women who achieved follow-up during early pregnancy from 220 pilot counties of 31 provinces were recruited.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2012, the rate of FA intake among women recuited were 73.58% (134 131/182 289), 75.88% (329 288/433 970) and 76.53% (218 896/286 011), respectively, which increased year by year (χtrend(2)=13 371.8, P<0.001). Among 682 315 women who took FA, 350 738(51.40%) women began to take FA 3 months before amenorrhea; 130 683 (19.15%) women began to take FA 1-2 months before amenorrhea, and 200 894 (29.44%) began to take FA after amenorrhea.Among 682 315 women who took FA, 645 310 (94.58%) women took it regularly, and 342 418 (50.18%) women took FA in a standardized way.

CONCLUSIONS

The status of FA intake among Chinese rural women in the first trimester of pregnancy was good, and 75.62% (682 315/902 270) of them took FA.It is also important for basic public health services to improve the rate of FA intake and increase the rate of taking FA in a standardized way in Chinese rural pregnant women.

[Finite element analysis of astigmatic keratotomy based on corneal biomechanical properties]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a finite-element biomechanical model of astigmatic keratotomy, and to investigate the impact of surgical parameters on corneal deformation, stress distribution and astigmatism correction.

METHODS

With Rhinoceros modeling and Abaqus finite element analysis software, a three-dimensional finite-element model of astigmatic cornea was developed, and surgical parameters such as incision optical zone, incision depth and length were varied. Postoperative corneal stress, apical deformation and astigmatism correction were assessed.

RESULTS

A significant increase of stress was noticed near corneal incisions, and maximum corneal stress decreased with the increase of incision depth. Both anterior and posterior corneal surface moved slightly forward postoperatively. Maximum corneal stress was 340 392, 361 022 and 214 187 Pa, and anterior and posterior apical deformation was 49.80, 51.64, 55.53 μm and 54.15, 55.91, 59.67 μm, with 45°, 60° and 90° in arc length of the incision, respectively. The refractive power decreased in steep meridian and increased in flat meridian, resulting in a total decrease of corneal astigmatism. The magnitude of astigmatism correction was 0.85, 1.59, 2.23 and 3.06 D with 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° in arc length of the incision, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The finite-element biomechanical model of astigmatic keratotomy could be used to predict the optical outcomes after surgery. The magnitude of astigmatism correction is positively correlated with the surgical incision arc length. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 674-680).

[Clinical results of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking in the treatment of keratoconus]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in the treatment of keratoconus.

METHODS

Prospective study. Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with keratoconus underwent transepithelial CXL, and the fellow eyes were considered as the controls. The mean age was (22.4±6.5) years old. In the CXL group, topical anesthesia (0.1% tetracaine) was given for 15 minutes, and 0.5% riboflavin was applied until saturated in the anterior chamber. Then an ultraviolet A irradiance of 3 mW/cm(2) on the cornea was performed for 30 minutes. Postoperative corneal reepithelization time was recorded. Preoperative and postoperative examinations included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive error, topography, corneal biomechanical parameters, thinnest corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density.

RESULTS

The mean corneal reepithelization time was 1.0(1.0 to 2.0) days. In the transepithelial CXL group, at the end of the 12-month follow-up, CDVA and refractive outcomes were significantly improved (P<0.05). Maximum K-value, anterior and posterior elevations were significantly decreased by (-2.23 ± 2.82)D (t=-3.153, P=0.007), (-4.69 ± 4.99) μm (t=-3.758, P=0.002), and (-13.94 ± 25.81) μm (t=-2.160, P=0.047), respectively. Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, thinnest corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The differences in the changes of UDVA, CDVA, spherical equivalent refraction, and maximum K-value between the CXL and control groups were significant at 12 months (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Transepithelial CXL is effective in optimizing the irregular corneal surface of keratoconus, and might halt its progression. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 525-530).

Thiacalix[4]arene: New protection for metal nanoclusters

Surface organic ligands are critical for the formation and properties of atomically precise metal nanoclusters. In contrast to the conventionally used protective ligands such as thiolates and phosphines, thiacalix[4]arene has been used in the synthesis of a silver nanocluster, [Ag35(H2L)2(L)(C≡CBu(t))16](SbF6)3, (H4L, p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]-arene). This is the first structurally determined calixarene-protected metal nanocluster. The chelating and macrocyclic effects make the thiacalix[4]arene a rigid shell that protects the silver core. Upon addition or removal of one silver atom, the Ag35 cluster can be transformed to Ag36 or Ag34 species, and the optical properties are changed accordingly. The successful use of thiacalixarene in the synthesis of well-defined silver nanoclusters suggests a bright future for metal nanoclusters protected by macrocyclic ligands.

Development of a Continuous Fluorescence Assay for Rhinovirus 14 3C Protease Using Synthetic Peptides

Rhinovirus 3C protease is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention owing to its important role in virion maturation and infectivity. In order to facilitate the identification of potential 3C protease inhibitors, we have developed a continuous fluorescence assay using 5-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]naphthalene-1-sulphonic acid (Edans) as a fluorescent donor and 4-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid (Dabcyl) as a quenching acceptor. Several fluorogenic peptide substrates for 3C protease were synthesized by both solution chemistry and solid phase peptide synthesis. One of the synthetic Edans/Dabcyl substrates, with an amino acid sequence derived from the 2C/3A site of the virus polyprotein, yielded a 24-fold increase in fluorescence intensity after 3C cleavage. Data regarding substrate cleavage kinetics, assay sensitivity and optimization are presented. The application of this assay to the evaluation of 3C protease inhibitors is also shown.