Cross-sectional and dynamic change of serum metabolite profiling for Hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure by UPLC/MS

Summary Acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF) is an increasingly recognized entity encompassing an acute deterioration of liver function and results in the failure of one or more organs with high short-term mortality. The focus of this study was to discover noninvasive and reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis B-related ACLF. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) was used to analyse serum metabolites of 28 patients with hepatitis B-related ACLF, 35 patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 35 healthy volunteers (HS). Characteristic metabolites were screened, identified and dynamically tracked to investigate their value for diagnosis and prognosis. After comparing serum metabolic profile of hepatitis B-related ACLF and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, 99 characteristic metabolites were selected, and 38 of them were identified. Dynamic tracking model demonstrated that 17 metabolites were related to prognosis of hepatitis B-related ACLF, and there were also 11 metabolites which improved with treatment in the survival group. The correlations between these characteristic metabolites and the model for end-stage liver disease score were strong. These observations contributed to the investigation of the mechanisms of hepatitis B-related ACLF manifestation and progression on the metabolic level, and they provided information for the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis B-related ACLF.

Comparison of the effects of the pretreatment and treatment with RhIL-11 on acute liver failure induced by D-galactosamine

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of the pretreatment and treatment with recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) on acute liver failure induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN).

METHODS

The Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, model, pretreatment, treatment and repeated treatment groups. The acute liver failure model was established by intraperitoneal injections with D-GalN (1400 mg/kg). The pretreatment, treatment and repeated treatment groups were injected subcutaneously with rhIL-11 (500 µg/kg). The rats were killed 24, 48, or 72 h after the D-GalN injection. The symptoms and survival rate of the rats were analysed. Liver injury was assessed by serum ALT and AST levels and by histological analysis. The percentage of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA+) cells in the liver tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, the survival rate of the pretreatment group improved markedly, and these rats were protected from severe hepatic injury, as shown by the decreased serum ALT and AST levels and improved histological results. In the pretreatment group, the percentage of PCNA+ cells was significantly increased in the late stage. In contrast, the treatment and repeated treatment groups did not show improved survival rates or the prevention of severe hepatic injury, as shown by the absence of any decrease in the serum ALT and AST levels and the lack of any improvement in the histological results.The treatment and repeated treatment groups also have a significant increase in the percentage of PCNA+ cells in the late stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment with rhIL-11 can reduce acute liver failure and protect the liver. In contrast, the treatment with rhIL-11 cannot reduce acute liver failure or protect the liver.

Clinical effectiveness of multimodality treatment on advanced pediatric hepatoblastoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of multimodality treatment of advanced paediatric hepatoblastoma and the factors affecting the prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

35 childhood patients were treated with multimodality treatments consisting of chemotherapy, surgery, interventional therapy, and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Patients were followed up every month.

RESULTS

33 patients completed the follow-up, of which 17 were in complete remission, 5 were in partial remission, 1 case got worse, and 10 died. The remission rate was 66.7% (22/33), and the overall survival rate was 69.7% (23/33). 1 patient with advanced hepatoblastoma got high-dose chemotherapy combined with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) treatment, and a primary lesion by 18 x 15 x 9 cm reduced to 10 x 8 x 4 cm. Remote metastases significantly alleviated, and partial remission reached six months. The overall survival was 9 months after transplantation. Patients with the mixed phenotype of hepatoblastoma had a worse prognosis than with the epithelial phenotype (p < 0.001), and patients in stage IV had a lower survival rate than in stage III (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodality treatment can effectively improve remission rate and prolong the survival of children with the advanced hepatoblastoma. In addition, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hepatoblastoma pathological classification and staging are of great use in prediction of prognosis.

Identification of toxicity variations in a stream affected by industrial effluents using Daphnia magna and Ulva pertusa

A comprehensive toxicity monitoring study from August to October 2011 using Daphnia magna and Ulva pertusa was conducted to identify the cause of toxicity in a stream receiving industrial effluents (IEs) from a textile and leather products manufacturing complex. Acute toxicity toward both species was observed consistently in IE, which influenced toxicity of downstream (DS) water. A toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) confirmed that both Cu and Zn were key toxicants in the IE, and that the calculated toxicity based on Cu and Zn concentrations well simulated the variation in the observed toxicity (r(2)=0.9216 and 0.7256 for D. magna and U. pertusa, respectively). In particular, U. pertusa was sensitive enough to detect acute toxicity in DS and was useful to identify Zn as a key toxicant. Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde were induced significantly in D. magna, although acute toxicity was not observed. In addition, higher levels of antioxidant enzymes were expressed in DS than upstream waters, likely due to the Cu and Zn from IE. Overall, TIE procedures with a battery of bioassays were effective for identifying the cause of lethal and sub-lethal toxicity in effluent and stream water.

A novel bioassay using root re-growth in Lemna

A new phytotoxicity test method based on root elongation of three Lemna species (Lemna gibba, L. minor, and L. paucicostata) has been developed. Tests with aquatic plants have, typically, favored measurements on fronds (e.g. frond number, area, biomass) rather than on roots, due, in part, to issues associated with handling fragile roots and the time-consuming procedures of selecting roots with identical root lengths. The present method differs in that roots were excised prior to exposure with subsequent measurements on newly developed roots. Results show that there were species-specific difference in sensitivity to the five metals tested (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu and Hg), with Ag being the most toxic (EC50=5.3-37.6 μgL(-1)) to all three species, and Cr the least toxic for L. gibba and L. minor (1148.3 and 341.8 μgL(-1), respectively) and Cu for L. paucicostata (470.4 μgL(-1)). Direct comparisons were made with measurements of frond area, which were found to be less sensitive. More generally, root re-growth was shown to reflect the toxic responses of all three Lemna species to these five important metals. The root growth bioassay differs from three internationally standardized methods (ISO, OCED and US EPA) in that it is completed in 48 h, the required volume of test solutions is only 3 ml and non-axenic plants are used. Our results show that the Lemna root method is a simple, rapid, cost-effective, sensitive and precise bioassay to assess the toxic risks of metals and has practical application for monitoring municipal and industrial waste waters where metals are common constituents.

Lack of hemodynamic interaction between CGRP-receptor antagonist telcagepant (MK-0974) and sumatriptan: results from a randomized study in patients with migraine

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to assess the effects of sumatriptan monotherapy, telcagepant monotherapy, and their combination on blood pressure (BP) in migraine patients during a headache-free period.

METHODS

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-period, single-dose, randomized crossover study in 24 migraine patients was conducted. In each period, patients received a single oral dose of sumatriptan 100 mg alone, telcagepant 600 mg alone, sumatriptan 100 mg coadministered with telcagepant 600 mg, or placebo. Semi-recumbent BP was measured pre-dose and at seven post-dose time points over a period of six hours. Individual time-weighted averages in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated using a linear mixed-effects model. The pharmacokinetics of sumatriptan alone and in the presence of telcagepant were also evaluated using limited sampling times.

RESULTS

The mean difference in time-weighted (0-2.5 h) MAP (90% confidence interval) was 1.2 mmHg (-0.2, 2.7) between telcagepant and placebo, 4.0 mmHg (2.5, 5.5) between sumatriptan and placebo, and 1.5 mmHg (0.0, 3.0) between telcagepant with sumatriptan vs sumatriptan alone. When coadministered with telcagepant, the AUC0-6h and C(max) of sumatriptan were increased by 23% and 24%, respectively. The small MAP increases observed after coadministration could possibly be associated with the slight elevations in sumatriptan levels.

CONCLUSION

Telcagepant does not elevate mean MAP, and coadministration of telcagepant with sumatriptan results in elevations in MAP similar to those observed following administration of sumatriptan alone in migraineurs during the interictal period. When coadministered, telcagepant slightly increases the plasma levels of sumatriptan, but without an apparent clinically meaningful effect.

Effects of glutamine-supplemented enteral or parenteral nutrition on apoptosis of intestinal mucosal cells in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Hhigh mortality of the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is caused by the damage of intestinal mucosal barrier. Glutamine (Gln) has been used to protect the intestinal mucosal barrier in the treatments of many severe diseases.

AIM

To explore the impact of glutamine on the apoptosis of intestinal mucosa and Bax expression in rats with SAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated group, SAP + parenteral nutrition (PN) group, SAP + enteral nutrition (EN) group, SAP + EN + Gln group, and SAP + PN + Gln group. Rats were sacrificed 4 days and 7 days after nutritional support. The intestinal epithelial apoptosis and the expression of Bax were examined by TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.

RESULTS

The apoptotic index (AI) of SAP groups was higher than that of sham-operated group. After 7 days treatment, the AI of SAP + EN + Gln group was significantly lower than that of the SAP + EN or SAP + PN group. In addition, the AI of the SAP groups after 7 days treatment was significantly lower than that of the same groups at 4 days after treatment. Furthermore, the Bax expression of SAP + EN + Gln group was significantly lower than that in the SAP + EN or SAP + PN group. However, no significant differences were observed between SAP + EN + Gln group and SAP + PN + Gln group in AI and Bax expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of Gln and parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition inhibits the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and maintains the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Characterization and application of a nose-only exposure chamber for inhalation delivery of liposomal drugs and nucleic acids to mice

BACKGROUND

A small nose-only exposure chamber was evaluated for inhalation delivery of drug carrier systems (DCSs) to mice for the treatment of lung cancer. The chamber then was used for inhalation delivery of an anticancer drug, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) directly to the cancerous lungs of mice.

METHODS

The uniformity of particle delivery across the ports of the exposure chamber and stability of the DCS (liposomes) during continuous aerosolization by a Collison nebulizer were examined. The mean produced particle size by number was approximately 130 nm, and the mass median diameter was approximately 270 nm. The system was then used to deliver DCS containing doxorubicin (DOX) and ASO or siRNA targeted to multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) mRNA as suppressors of cancer cell resistance. The retention of the drug in the lungs and the effect on tumor size were compared after inhalation delivery and intravenous injection in a nu/nu mouse model of lung cancer.

RESULTS

The aerosol mass across the four inhalation ports had a coefficient of variation of less than 12%, and approximately 1.4% of the nebulized mass was available for inhalation at each port. The mean size of 130 nm of liposomal DCS did not change significantly during continuous 60-min aerosolization. For inhalation delivery of DCS with DOX+ASO/siRNA, the amount of drugs available for inhalation was lower compared with intravenous injection of DOX; however, the observed lung dose and the retention time were significantly higher. The delivery of DOX+ASO/siRNA via inhalation resulted in tumor volume reduction of more than 90%, whereas only about 40% reduction was achieved after intravenous injection of DOX.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigated exposure system is suitable for inhalation delivery of complex DCS, and its use to deliver DCS containing anticancer drugs and resistance suppressors via inhalation offered a superior method for lung cancer treatment in mice compared with intravenous injections.

Thrombospondin-1 and transforming growth factor-β1 levels in prolactinoma and their clinical significance

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles of angiogenesis, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in invasive and noninvasive prolactinoma.

METHODS

TSP-1 and TGF-β1 protein were examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in 81 prolactinomas. Angiogenesis was assessed by measuring microvessel density via CD34 immunostaining.

RESULTS

Microvessel density was significantly higher in invasive prolactinomas than in noninvasive prolactinomas. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that significantly fewer invasive prolactinomas were positive for TSP-1 compared with noninvasive prolactinomas (17.9% versus 50.0%, respectively), and significantly higher numbers of invasive prolactinomas were positive for TGF-β1 compared with noninvasive prolactinomas (82.1% versus 42.9%, respectively). Microvessel density was significantly lower in TSP-1-positive prolactinomas than in TSP-1-negative prolactinomas, and significantly higher in TGF-β1-positive prolactinomas than in TGF-β1-negative prolactinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a close relationship between angiogenesis and tumour invasiveness in prolactinoma. TSP-1 and TGF-β1 may play important roles in the progression of prolactinoma, by affecting angiogenesis.

UV-B affects photosynthesis, ROS production and motility of the freshwater flagellate, Euglena agilis Carter

The effects of ultraviolet B (UV-B; 295-320 nm) radiation on certain vital physiological (photosynthesis), biochemical (production of reactive oxygen species - ROS) and behavioral (motility and orientation) characteristics were investigated in the unicellular photoautotroph, Euglena agilis Carter. The photosynthetic performance of E. agilis was recorded after exposure of between 15 and 60 min followed by a period of recovery lasting 6-24h under dim light (5-10 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1)). The maximum quantum yield of PS II (F(v)/F(m)) was reduced to 65% and 14% of initial values immediately following 15 and 30 min UV-B exposure, but recovered to 100 and 86% of the initials, respectively. Values of rETR(max) in E. agilis exposed to 15 min UV-B were similar to those of the initials, but a 30 min UV exposure resulted in 75% reduction of rETR(max) with only a 43% recovery as compared with the initial after 24h recovery. After a 60 min UV-B exposure, there were no Chl a fluorescence signals, and hence no F(v)/F(m) or rETR(max). A UV dose-dependent increase in DCFH-DA fluorescence was found in E. agilis cells, reflecting an increase in ROS production. After exposures to UV-B for between 15 and 60 min, the percentages of motile cells in the population decreased to 76, 39 and 15%, respectively. Following 24h in dim light, the percentage of motile cells increased to between 66% and 95% of the initial value. The velocity of non-irradiated cells was 60 μm s(-1), which decreased to 16-35 μm s(-1) immediately following exposure for 15-60 min. After periods of time in dim light (6, 12 and 24h) velocities had recovered to between 44 and 81% of the initial value. In untreated controls, the r-value was 0.23, indicating random movement of E. agilis, but it increased to 0.35 and 0.72 after exposure to UV-B for 30 and 60 min, respectively. There was a tendency towards vertical downward movement of cells proportional to the duration of exposure. The compactness of E. agilis decreased from 2.9 in controls to 1.8-2.3 in cells treated with UV-B although significant recovery followed. UV-B dose-dependent interaction between photosynthetic activity, ROS production and movement is discussed in terms of a UV-protective mechanism in E. agilis.

Molecular characterization of hot spring cyanobacteria and evaluation of their photoprotective compounds

Phylogenetic analysis of 4 cyanobacterial strains isolated from hot springs in Rajgir, India, was carried out using the 16S rRNA gene (1400 bp). These strains were identified as members of Chroococcales ( Cyanothece sp. strain HKAR-1) and Nostocales ( Nostoc sp. strain HKAR-2, Scytonema sp. strain HKAR-3, and Rivularia sp. strain HKAR-4). Furthermore, we evaluated the presence of ultraviolet-screening and (or) photoprotective compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and scytonemin, in these cyanobacteria by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Well-characterized MAAs, including the critical and highly polar compounds shinorine, porphyra-334, and mycosporine-glycine, as well as several unknown MAAs, were found in these hot-spring-inhabiting microorganisms. The presence of scytonemin was detected only in Scytonema sp. strain HKAR-3 and Rivularia sp. strain HKAR-4. The results indicate that hot spring cyanobacteria, namely Cyanothece, Nostoc, Scytonema, and Rivularia, belonging to different groups possess various photoprotective compounds to cope up with the negative impacts of damaging radiations.

Bending sensor based on intermodal interference properties of two-dimensional waveguide array fiber

We propose a highly sensitive bending sensor based on the intermodal interference properties of a strongly coupled two-dimentional waveguide array fiber (WAF). The interference resonance peaks formed by the SMF-WAF-SMF Mach-Zehnder interferometer are intrinsically the result of interference between the LP(01)-like supermode and other higher order supermodes, displaying supernormal sensitivity to bending in a wide curvature range. The bending sensitivity of the intermodal MZI is a quadratic function of curvature, and the resonance wavelength shift is up to 100 nm within a curvature range 0-10 m(-1). The fabrication reveals briefness, and temperature response shows little impact on the bend sensing precision. The high bending sensitivity and wide sensing range can make this device a candidate for bending discrimination and measurement in widespread areas.

Inter-population comparisons of copper resistance and accumulation in the red seaweed, Gracilariopsis longissima

Copper (Cu) resistance and accumulation of five populations of the red seaweed Gracilariopsis longissima collected from sites in south west England (Fal Estuary, Helford Estuary and Chesil Fleet) that differ in their degree of Cu contamination was assessed under controlled laboratory conditions, on two separate occasions (April and October). The effects of a range of Cu concentrations (0-250 μg l(-1)) on relative growth rates was the same for all populations with reductions observable at concentrations as low as 12 μg l(-1) and cessation of growth at 250 μg l(-1). There was no significant difference in the calculated EC(50) values for the April and October samples, with means of 31.1 and 25.8 μg l(-1), respectively. Over the range of concentrations used in this study, copper content increased linearly and the pattern of accumulation was the same for all populations at both time periods. From the linear regressions of the pooled data a concentration factor of 2.25 × 10(3) was calculated. These results imply that G. longissima has an innate tolerance to Cu and that populations have not evolved copper-tolerant ecotypes. In laboratory studies, accumulated Cu was released when transferred to 'clean' seawater with approximately 80% being lost after 8 days, with no significant difference between populations in their response. The results from a 30 days in situ transplantation experiment using two populations from the Fal Estuary provided further evidence for dynamic changes in Cu content in response to changes in Cu bioavailability. The findings in this study are discussed in the context of implications for seaweed biomonitoring.

Phenol toxicity to the aquatic macrophyte Lemna paucicostata

Phenol is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and a widely used reference toxicant for many bioassays. However, little information is available regarding the toxic effects of phenol on aquatic macrophytes. Seventy-two hour bioassays, with different end-points, were carried out to assess phenol toxicity in Lemna paucicostata. A concentration-dependent decline in frond multiplication and colony disintegration was observed, with 11.38 and 22.76 μM phenol resulting in browning of fronds and colony disintegration, respectively. Growth of fronds, as measured by changes in surface area, was significantly inhibited with EC₅₀ value of 2.70 μM. When pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence imaging (i-PAM) was employed, the maximum quantum yield of PS II (F(v)/F(m)) significantly declined with increasing phenol concentrations with resultant EC₅₀ of 1.91 μM and coefficients of variation (CVs) generated for the EC₅₀ values of less than 4.7%. A gradual increase in fluorescence emissions from chlorophylls a and b and pheophytin up to a concentration of 2.85 μM was found but declined markedly at higher concentrations. The significant correlation between the F(v)/F(m) and surface growth rate data implies that the former is an appropriate biomarker of whole plant toxicity. Using imaging Chl a fluorescence on L. paucicostata provides a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for assessing the toxic risks posed by phenol to aquatic ecosystems and has practical applications for municipal and industrial waste water management.

Streptococcus pyogenes cluster in a care home in England April to June 2010

Two fatal cases of Streptococcus pyogenes emm st22.6 bacteraemia occurred in a care home in England during April and June 2010, initiating a cluster investigation. The first case had left the home 13 days before the second case took up residence. We sought further cases and carriers. We swabbed throat and chronic skin lesions from residents and staff and examined these specimens for the presence of S. pyogenes. 61 specimens were taken from 18 of 19 residents and 39 of 39 staff. All results from swabbing were culture negative. We observed infection control practices and the environment at the care home for deficiencies. Issues were identified relating to the correct use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, clinical waste and laundry. Infection control practices were improved and training given. Infection control practices and the environment at a care home should be examined as part of the investigation of a S. pyogenes cluster. Screening for carriage of S. pyogenes should be done before antibiotic chemoprophylaxis is issued to care home residents and staff.

Streptococcus pyogenes cluster in a care home in England April to June 2010

Two fatal cases of Streptococcus pyogenes emm st22.6 bacteraemia occurred in a care home in England during April and June 2010, initiating a cluster investigation. The first case had left the home 13 days before the second case took up residence. We sought further cases and carriers. We swabbed throat and chronic skin lesions from residents and staff and examined these specimens for the presence of S. pyogenes. 61 specimens were taken from 18 of 19 residents and 39 of 39 staff. All results from swabbing were culture negative. We observed infection control practices and the environment at the care home for deficiencies. Issues were identified relating to the correct use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, clinical waste and laundry. Infection control practices were improved and training given. Infection control practices and the environment at a care home should be examined as part of the investigation of a S. pyogenes cluster. Screening for carriage of S. pyogenes should be done before antibiotic chemoprophylaxis is issued to care home residents and staff.

Sensitivity of spore germination and germ tube elongation of Saccharina japonica to metal exposure

The sensitivity of early life stages of the brown seaweed Saccharina japonica to six metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) and two waste-water samples were investigated and a new toxicity bioassay developed. The two endpoints used were spore germination and germ tube elongation with an exposure time of 24 h. Optimal test conditions determined for photon irradiance, pH, salinity and temperature were darkness, pH 8, 35‰ and 15°C, respectively. The toxicity ranking of five metals was: Hg (EC(50) of 41 and 42 μg l(-1)) > Cu (120 and 81 μg l(-1)) > Ni (2,009 and 1,360 μg l(-1)) > Zn (3,024 and 3,897 μg l(-1)) > Pb (4,760 and 4,429 μg l(-1)) > Cd (15,052 and 7,541 μg l(-1)) for germination and germ tube elongation, respectively. The sensitivities to Cd, Cu and Ni were greater in germ tube elongation than in germination process. When tested against two different waste-water samples (processed animal and printed circuit board waste-water) values of EC(50) were between 21.29 and 32.02% for germination and between 5.33 and 8.98% for germ tube elongation. Despite differences in their chemical composition, the toxic effects of waste-water samples, as indicated by EC(50) values, did not differ significantly for the same endpoints. The CV range for both germination and germ tube elongation was between 4.61 and 37.69%, indicating high levels of precision of the tests. The results compare favourably with those from more established test procedures employing micro- and macroalgae. The advantages and potential limitations of the bioassay for the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems and commercial cultivation areas in near-shore environments are discussed.

A comparative study on toxicity identification of industrial effluents using Daphnia magna

In this study, acute toxicity monitoring and toxicity identification evaluation procedures were applied to identify causative toxicants in industrial effluents. Effluents from a metal plating factory and a rubber products factory were acutely toxic toward Daphnia magna and the toxicity varied over different sampling events (2.9-5.9 and 1.7-7.6 TU, respectively). For the rubber products effluent, it was confirmed that zinc (5.65-13.18 mg L(-1)) was found to be a major cause of toxicity, which is likely originated from zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and zinc diethyldithiocarbamate used as vulcanization accelerators. For the metal plating effluent, it appeared that the presence of high concentrations of Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) (8,539-11,400 and 3,588-4,850 mg L(-1), respectively) caused the observed toxicity. These toxicants likely originated from sodium bisulfate (NaHSO(3)) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) used as reducing and oxidizing agents. Though copper was found to be present in levels much higher than the EC(50) (50% effective concentration) value, this was not attributable to the toxicity of metal plating effluent likely due to complexation with dissolved organic matter.

Comparison of the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain in a group of Chinese children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Previous research has suggested there is a high level of comparability between the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) Functional Skills Mobility domain. However, there are only a few studies that have examined the correlations between these instruments. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain scaled scores in a group of Chinese children with spastic cerebral palsy, at the ages of 12-70 months, in order to explore the feasibility of using them interchangeably.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis was conducted of data collected during a prospective international collaborative study that used the GMFM-66 and the PEDI to examine the impact of treatment. This study examined the Pearson correlations between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain at six time points over the course of 28 consecutive weeks for 115 Chinese children who participated at baseline.

RESULTS

Pearson correlations between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain ranged from 0.83 to 0.90 for the six time points of data collection, with statistically significant P-values <0.0001 for each correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support previous research that the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain are complementary assessments that may be used interchangeably when it is not possible to administer both.

Collection efficiencies of an electrostatic sampler with superhydrophobic surface for fungal bioaerosols

We recently developed an electrostatic precipitator with superhydrophobic surface (EPSS), which collects particles into a 10- to 40-μl water droplet allowing achievement of very high concentration rates (defined as the ratio of particle concentration in the collection liquid vs. the airborne particle concentration per time unit) when sampling airborne bacteria. Here, we analyzed the performance of this sampler when collecting three commonly found fungal spores--Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium melinii, and Aspergillus versicolor--under different operating conditions. We also adapted adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence for the analysis of collection efficiency and the concentration rates. The collection efficiency ranged from 10 to 36% at a sampling flow rate of 10 l/min when the airborne fungal spore concentration was approximately 10(5)-10(6) spores/m(3) resulting in concentration rates in the range of 1 × 10(5)-3 × 10(5)/min for a 10-μl droplet. The collection efficiency was inversely proportional to the airborne spore concentration and it increased to above 60% for common ambient spore concentrations, e.g., 10(4)-10(5) spores/m(3). The spore concentrations determined by the ATP-based method were not statistically different from those determined by microscopy and allowed us to analyze spore concentrations that were too low to be reliably detected by microscopy.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The new electrostatic precipitator with superhydrophobic surface (EPSS) collects airborne fungal spores into small water droplets (10 and 40 μl) allowing achievement of concentration rates that are higher than those of most currently available bioaerosol samplers. Biosamplers with high concentration rates enable detection of low ambient aerial bioaerosol concentrations in various environments, including indoors air, and would be useful for improved exposure assessment. A successful adaptation of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence assay for the quantification of fungal spores from a specific species enables fast sample analysis in laboratory investigations. This rapid assay could be especially useful when investigating the performance of biological samplers as a function of multiple operational parameters.

Serum peptide profiles during progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection to liver failure

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients with liver failure have a poor prognosis, and no satisfactory biomarkers are available for diagnosis before the end-stage. We explored serum peptide profiling for diagnosis and prediction of progression to liver failure in HBV-infected patients. Serum samples (164) from healthy subjects (n = 20), or subjects with chronic hepatitis B without cirrhosis and liver failure [chronic hepatitis B subjects without cirrhosis and liver failure (CHB); n = 33], with compensated liver cirrhosis (compensated liver cirrhosis (LC); n = 35), with acute-on-chronic liver failure [acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF); n = 38] or with chronic liver failure [chronic liver failure (CLF), n = 38] were applied to ClinProt magnetic beads, and bound peptides/proteins were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Our classification diagnostic models of liver disease were generated based on the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Quick Classifier Algorithm (QC). Differentially expressed peptides were found among all test groups, with patterns of difference that readily distinguished between healthy and various HBV-associated liver disease samples. The model generated seven characteristic peptide peaks at 4053 m/z, 3506 m/z, 4963 m/z, 9289 m/z, 2628 m/z, 3193 m/z and 6432 m/z, giving overall predictive capability of 54.27%. Two-way comparisons of LC, ACLF or CLF vs CHB had predictive capabilities of 79.8%, 91.41% and 97.99%, respectively. Comparisons of ACLF or CLF vs LC were predictive at 87.72% and 82.18%, respectively and ACLF vs CLF was predictive at 75.05%. These classification diagnostic models generated by different peptide peaks were further validated in blinded tests with 67-100% accuracy. Serum peptide patterns vary during progression of chronic HBV infection to liver failure and may be used to distinguish different stages of the disease.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation for analgesic properties and constituents of Vitex negundo L. seeds

This study was undertaken to ascertain the analgesic properties of Vitex negundo L. seeds and to isolate and characterize the active constituents. Among the 80% ethanol extract and some fractions with different polarity, the acetoacetate fraction showed the highest anti-nociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced writhing test in ICR mice. The analgesic bioguided isolation of the acetoacetate fraction yielded two major lignans: 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde (1) and vitedoamine A (2). Given orally, compound (1), which was more productive, produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injections and exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activities in dimethyl benzene-induced ear edema test in a dose-dependent manner. Since co-administration of naloxone fails to antagonize the analgesic activity of compound (1) in the formalin test, we suggest that compound (1) possesses potent analgesic effects which are most likely to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity rather than through opioid receptor system and therefore could partially explain the anti-nociceptive effect of V. negundo L. seeds.