Adsorption of reactive dyes onto chitosan/montmorillonite intercalated composite: multi-response optimization, kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic study

Chitosan/montmorillonite intercalated composite (CTS/MMT) was used as an effective adsorbent for removal of reactive dyes, i.e. Reactive Black 5 (RB5), Reactive Red 136 (RR136), Reactive Yellow 145 (RY145) and Reactive Blue 222 (RB222). Taguchi method attached grey relational analysis was applied to determine the optimal adsorption conditions, including pH, initial concentration of dye, temperature, adsorbent dosage and contact time, for achieving simultaneous maximization of removal percentage and adsorption capacity. The percentage contribution of each adsorption condition was determined in the analysis of variance and showed that the most effective parameter in removal of RB5, RY145 and RB222 is the dye solution pH, whereas the initial concentration was the determining factor for optimum efficiency for the dye RR136. Under respective optimal condition, the removal percentages and adsorption capacity of four reactive dyes onto CTS/MMT were both found in the following order: RR136 > RY145 > RB5 > RB222. The maximum removal percentages of 78.8 and 49.5%, and the adsorption capacity of 315.20 and 123.75 mg/g were obtained for RR136 and RB222, respectively. The adsorption behaviors showed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherms were in best agreement with Avrami fractionary order model and the Toth isotherm, respectively.

[Experimental study on the effect of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction on nasal mucosa infiltration of NK cells in mice with allergic rhinitis]

Objective: To observe the effect of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction on the infiltration and activation of NK cells in nasal mucosa of mouse model with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore the potential mechanism for effective intervention of AR with Yiqi Wenyang Decoction. Methods: Fourty-eight mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low, medium and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group and Cetirizine group, with 8 rats in each group. After modeling of AR, the model group was filled with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Yiqi Wenyang Decoction groups of each dose were given different concentrations of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction water extract, while the Cetirizine group was given aqueous solution of Cetirizine. The behavior, morphological changes of nasal mucosa and infiltration of NK cells in nasal mucosa were observed. The levels of IL-4 and INF-γ in nasal lavage fluid were measured. Besides, the drug safety was observed by acute toxicity test. Results: In the respect of behavioral scoring, middle and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group were superior to the model group (number of sneezing: q value was 7.189, 8.748, respectively; number of scratching nose: q value was 12.074, 14.560, respectively; all P<0.05). In middle and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group, the infiltration of NK cells and nasal lavage fluid IL-4 levels were lower than those in model group (IOD: q value was 10.073, 12.322, respectively; IOD/Area: q value was 10.954, 14.073, respectively; IL-4: q value was 4.705, 6.801, respectively; all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in nasal lavage fluid of INF-γ among each group (Fv=1.166, P>0.05). In acute toxicity test, no obvious poisoning symptoms and death occurred in mice. Conclusion: Yiqi Wenyang Decoction can control the nasal symptom, reduce the local NK cell infiltration of nasal mucosa and inhibit the expression of the 2-type cytokines released by NK cells, which may be related with the potential mechanism of effective intervention of AR with Yiqi Wenyang Decoction.

VIBRATIONAL DEPENDENCE OF LINE COUPLING AND LINE MIXING IN SELF-BROADENED PARALLEL BANDS OF NH3

Line coupling and line mixing effects have been calculated for several self-broadened NH₃ lines in parallel bands involving an excited v ₂ mode. It is well known that once the v ₂ mode is excited, the inversion splitting quickly increases as this quantum number increases. In the present study, we have shown that the v ₂ dependence of the inversion splitting plays a dominant role in the calculated line-shape parameters. For the v ₂ band with a 36 cm^-1 splitting, the intra-doublet couplings practically disappear and for the 2v ₂ and 2v ₂ - v ₂ bands with much higher splitting values, they are completely absent. With respect to the inter-doublet coupling, it becomes the most efficient coupling mechanism for the v ₂ band, but it is also completely absent for bands with higher v ₂ quantum numbers. Because line mixing is caused by line coupling, the above conclusions on line coupling are also applicable for line mixing. Concerning the check of our calculated line mixing effects, while the present formalism has well explained the line mixing signatures observed in the v ₁ band, there are large discrepancies between the measured Rosenkranz mixing parameters and our calculated results for the v ₂ and 2v ₂ bands. In order to clarify these discrepancies, we propose to make some new measurements. In addition, we have calculated self-broadened half-widths in the v ₂ and 2v ₂ bands and made comparisons with several measurements and with the values listed in HITRAN 2012. In general, the agreements with measurements are very good. In contrast, the agreement with HITRAN 2012 is poor, indicating that the empirical formula used to predict the HITRAN 2012 data has to be updated.

[Analysis of the incidence and age characteristics of upper gastrointestinal cancer among 2003-2012 in the high incidence area of esophageal cancer, Cixian County, in Hebei Province]

Objective: To investigate the overall incidence and age distribution of upper digestive tract cancer in Cixian county, and to provide a reliable basis of prevention and treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: Collected annual incidence rate among 2003-2012 from Cixian cancer registry and abstracted all incidence rate of upper digestive tract cancer. The age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population (ASR China) was calculated using the national population composition of 2000. The age-standardized incidence rate by world standard population (ASR world) was calculated using the world population composition of 1964 of Segi's. The annual average change (APC) was used to estimate the growth rate of the last two years in comparision with the first two years, which was calculated by Joinpoint regression model. The data was divided into two sections (from 2003 to 2007, and from 2008 to 2012), and the rate difference of different age group was calculated. Results: The crude incidence rate of the digestive tract cancer from 2003 to 2012 was 165.36/100 000 (10 309/6 234 346), which dropped from 170.75/10 100 000 (1 029/602 638) of 2003 to 146.02/100 000 of 2012 (936/640 991).The PC and APC of the crude incidence rate of upper gastrointestinal cancer were-12.96%, and-1.54% (95%CI:-3.22%-0.07%), respectively. The PC and APC of ASR China were-10.83%, and-1.30% (95%CI: 2.54%-0.03%), respectively. The PC and APC of ASR world were-9.82%, and-1.13% (95%CI:-2.20%--0.03%), respectively. The incidence of upper gastrointestinal cancer decreased. The incidence rate of 2003-2007 and 2008-2012 were 171.55/100 000 (5 239/3 048 593), and 159.41/10 000 (5 070/3 180 514), respectively and the rate difference was-12.15/100 000. The decrease of rate difference of 70 to 74 years old was the most (-340.32/100 000) and the increase of rate difference over the age of 85 was the most (447.21/100 000). Conclusion: From 2003 to 2012, the crude incidence of upper digestive tract cancer in Cixian showed a decreasing trend, and the 70-74 years old age group shows the most obvious decline.

[Effects of arnebia root oil on wound healing of rats with full-thickness skin defect and the related mechanism]

Objective: To observe the effects of arnebia root oil on wound healing of rats with full-thickness skin defect, and to explore the related mechanism. Methods: Eighty SD rats were divided into arnebia root oil group and control group according to the random number table, with 40 rats in each group, then full-thickness skin wounds with area of 3 cm×3 cm were inflicted on the back of each rat. Wounds of rats in arnebia root oil group and control group were treated with sterile medical gauze and bandage package infiltrated with arnebia root oil gauze or Vaseline gauze, respectively, with dressing change of once every two days. On post injury day (PID) 3, 7, 14, and 21, 10 rats in each group were sacrificed respectively for general observation and calculation of wound healing rate. The tissue samples of unhealed wound were collected for observation of histomorphological change with HE staining, observation of expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) with immunohistochemical staining, and determination of mRNA expressions of VEGF and bFGF with real time fluorescent quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) On PID 3, there were a few secretions in wounds of rats in the two groups. On PID 7, there were fewer secretions and more granulation tissue in wounds of rats in arnebia root oil group, while there were more secretions and less granulation tissue in wounds of rats in control group. On PID 14, most of the wounds of rats in arnebia root oil group were healed and there was much red granulation tissue in unhealed wounds, while part of wounds of rats in control group was healed and there were a few secretions and less granulation tissue in unhealed wounds. On PID 21, wounds of rats in arnebia root oil group were basically healed, while there were still some unhealed wounds of rats in control group. (2) On PID 3 and 7, the wound healing rates of rats in arnebia root oil group were (39±5)% and (46±4)% respectively, which were close to (34±3)% and (44±4)% of rats in control group (with t values respectively 0.807 and 0.481, P values above 0.05). On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rates of rats in arnebia root oil group were (76±4)% and (90±3)% respectively, which were significantly higher than (60±6)% and (73±5)% of rats in control group (with t values respectively 2.308 and 3.072, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) On PID 3, 7, and 14, granulation tissue, fibroblasts, and nascent capillaries in unhealed wound tissue of rats in the two groups both gradually increased, and more ranulation tissue, fibroblasts, and nascent capillaries were seen in unhealed wound tissue of rats in arnebia root oil group. On PID 21, granulation tissue, fibroblasts, and nascent capillaries in unhealed wound tissue of rats in the two groups both gradually decreased. (4) On PID 3, 7, and 14, the numbers of VEGF positive cells and bFGF positive cells in unhealed wound tissue of rats in the two groups both gradually increased; there were more VEGF positive cells and bFGF positive cells in unhealed wound tissue of rats in arnebia root oil group than those in control group. On PID 21, positive expressions of VEGF and bFGF both decreased in unhealed wound tissue of rats in the two groups. (5) On PID 3, 7, and 14, mRNA expressions of VEGF in unhealed wound tissue of rats in arnebia root oil group were higher than those of control group (with t values from 2.967 to 4.173, P values below 0.01). On PID 21, mRNA expression of VEGF in unhealed wound tissue of rats in arnebia root oil group was lower than that of control group (t=-4.786, P<0.001). From PID 3 to 21, mRNA expressions of bFGF in unhealed wound tissue of rats in arnebia root oil group were higher than those of control group (with t values from 2.326 to 4.702, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Arnebia root oil can promote wound healing of rats with full-thickness skin defect, which may relate to increasing expressions of VEGF and bFGF.

Relaxation matrix for symmetric tops with inversion symmetry: Line coupling and line mixing effects on NH3 lines in the 𝝂4 band

Line shape parameters including the half-widths and the off-diagonal elements of the relaxation matrix have been calculated for self-broadened NH₃ lines in the perpendicular ν₄ band. As in the pure rotational and the parallel ν₁ bands, the small inversion splitting in this band causes a complete failure of the isolated line approximation. As a result, one has to use formalisms not relying on this approximation. However, due to differences between parallel and perpendicular bands of NH₃, the applicability of the formalism used in our previous studies of the ν₁ band and other parallel bands must be carefully verified. We have found that, as long as potential models only contain components with K₁ = K₂ = 0, whose matrix elements require the selection rule Δk = 0, the formalism is applicable for the ν₄ band with some minor adjustments. Based on both theoretical considerations and results from numerical calculations, the non-diagonality of the relaxation matrices in all the ^PP, ^RP, ^PQ, ^RQ, ^PR, and ^RR branches is discussed. Theoretically calculated self-broadened half-widths are compared with measurements and the values listed in HITRAN 2012. With respect to line coupling effects, we have compared our calculated intra-doublet off-diagonal elements of the relaxation matrix with reliable measurements carried out in the ^PP branch where the spectral environment is favorable. The agreement is rather good since our results do well reproduce the observed k and j dependences of these elements, thus validating our formalism.

[Value of heart rate as an optimum index in evaluating physical labor intensity]

Objective: To investigate the possibility of heart rate as an optimum index for evaluating physical labor intensity. Methods: From September to October, 2015, a total of 111 male young adults were selected as study subjects. A cycle ergometer was used for exercise at different intensities (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 W) , and the exercise at each intensity lasted for 6 minutes. The subjects wore the K4b2 portable cardiopulmonary function testing instrument for the real-time monitoring of heart rate (HR) , pulmonary ventilation volume (Ve) , oxygen consumption (VO(2)) , and energy metabolic rate (E) . The origin software was used for correlation and regression analyses of HR, Ve, VO(2), and E collected at different intensities to establish Ve-HR, VO(2)-HR, and E-HR regression equations. Results: At different intensities, HR was positively correlated with Ve, VO(2), and E (r=0.8985, 0.8733, and 0.8973, all P<0.01) . There was a significant difference in the R(2) value of Ve-HR, VO(2)-HR, and E-HR regression equations (R(2)=0.8070, 0.7625, and 0.8049, all P <0.01) . The validation results showed that there was no significant difference between the calculated values and the measured ones (P>0.05) . Conclusion: HR can replace Ve, VO(2), and E and be used as an optimum index for evaluating physical labor intensity.

[Clinical value of bendopnea in chronic heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction]

Objective: To explore the clinical value of bendopnea in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: According to the existence of bendopnea or not, a total of 192 consecutive chronic heart failure patients with HFrEF admitted to our department from January 2014 to January 2016 were divided into the bendopnea group and non-bendopnea group. Subgroup analysis was performed in the subgroups with various bendopnea symptoms appearance time (0-10 s, 11-20 s and 21-30 s). The relationship between bendopnea and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), NT-proBNP and NYHA classification were analyzed. Results: Bendopnea was confirmed in 74 out of 192 (38.54%) cases with HFrEF, and the average time of symptoms appearance was (8.62±2.29) s. LVEF and 6-MWD values were significantly lower in the bendopnea group than those in the non-bendopnea group (both P<0.05). The NT-proBNP level and the prevalence of patients with NYHA grade Ⅳ were significantly higher in the bendopnea group than those in the non-bendopnea group (both P<0.05). There were significant difference on LVEF, 6-MWD, NT-proBNP and patients with NYHA grade Ⅳ in bendopnea patients with various bendopnea symptoms appearance time (all P<0.05) and shorter bendopnea symptoms appearance time was related to severe symptoms and signs of chronic heart failure. Conclusion: The incidence rate of bendopnea is high in patients with HFrEF, and which is related closely to the cardiac function and shorter bendopnea symptoms appearance time is related to severe symptoms and signs of chronic heart failure in HFrEF patients.

Tea Consumption and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Although tea consumption has been reported to have various health benefits in humans, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated directly. We aimed to examine the relationship between tea consumption and HRQOL among older Chinese adults.

METHODS

We analyzed community-based cross-sectional data of 5,557 older Chinese individuals aged 60 years or older who participated in the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study. Information on tea consumption and HRQOL assessed by the European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were collected by questionnaires. We estimated the relationship of tea consumption and the EQ-5D index score using linear regression models and the association between tea consumption and self-reported EQ-5D health problems using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The EQ-5D index score was higher for habitual tea drinkers than their counterparts. In multivariate linear analyses controlling for socio-demographic conditions, health conditions, and lifestyle habits, the differences in ED-5D index score between individuals with and without tea drinking habits was 0.012 (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.017). In multivariate logistic analyses, habitual tea drinking was inversely associated with reporting of problems in EQ-5D dimensions mobility (odds ration [OR], 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23-0.84); pain/discomfort (OR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61-0.90); and anxiety/depression (OR, 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.97). These associations were more evident for black or oolong tea than green tea.

CONCLUSION

Habitual tea consumption was associated with better HRQOL in older adults.

Prospective validation of a novel renal activity index of lupus nephritis

Objectives The renal activity index for lupus (RAIL) score was developed in children with lupus nephritis as a weighted sum of six urine biomarkers (UBMs) (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, ceruloplasmin, adiponectin, hemopexin and kidney injury molecule 1) measured in a random urine sample. We aimed at prospectively validating the RAIL in adults with lupus nephritis. Methods Urine from 79 adults was collected at the time of kidney biopsy to assay the RAIL UBMs. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we evaluated the accuracy of the RAIL to discriminate high lupus nephritis activity status (National Institutes of Health activity index (NIH-AI) score >10), from low/moderate lupus nephritis activity status (NIH-AI score ≤10). Results In this mixed racial cohort, high lupus nephritis activity was present in 15 patients (19%), and 71% had proliferative lupus nephritis. Use of the identical RAIL algorithm developed in children resulted in only fair prediction of lupus nephritis activity status of adults (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.62). Alternative weightings of the six RAIL UBMs as suggested by logistic regression yielded excellent accuracy to predict lupus nephritis activity status (AUC 0.88). Accuracy of the model did not improve with adjustment of the UBMs for urine creatinine or albumin, and was little influenced by concurrent kidney damage. Conclusions The RAIL UBMs provide excellent prediction of lupus nephritis activity in adults. Age adaption of the RAIL is warranted to optimize its discriminative validity to predict high lupus nephritis activity status non-invasively.

In vitro neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells induced by hepatocyte growth factor and glial cell derived neurotrophic factor

OBJECTIVE

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have great potential for cell-based transplantation therapy in treating neurological disease. However, the best combination of various trophic factors to produce full neural differentiation of BMSCs was still unclear. In our study, we aimed to investigate the neural differentiation capacity of rat BMSCs induced by growth factors including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, BrdU cell proliferation assay and flow cytometry were implemented to evaluate whether GDNF and HGF had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs. Moreover, the expression of neural specific markers in BMSCs was identified using immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at various time points (1, 7, 14 and 21-day post-induction).

RESULTS

CCK-8 and BrdU proliferation analyses demonstrated that only HGF treatment had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs on the day 14 and 21 after incubation. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analyses showed that GDNF and HGF elevated the expression of nestin and NCAM, and the combined application of GDNF and HGF has the most significant effect on day 7 after induction. However, at the day of 14 and 21 post-induction, the expression level of nestin and NCAM in GDNF-treatment group was significantly higher than the other three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

HGF, not GDNF plays a positive role in BMSCs proliferation, whereas GDNF and HGF are capable of promoting BMSCs to differentiate into neuron-like cells.

[The efficiency of different biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a meta-analysis]

Objective: To compare the success rates of wire-guided biliary cannulation (WGC) and conventional cannulation (CC) and their effect on the outcome of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected by searching CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library.The assessment of methodological quality and data extraction of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.2 software. Results: Ten RCTs, with a total of 3 262 patients enrolled, were retrieved.Meta-analysis demonstrated that WGC had a higher success rate(RR=1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.06, P<0.01)and a lower risk of PEP after cannulation (RR=0.54, 95%CI 0.41-0.71, P<0.01). The main reason for the lower risk of PEP was due to lower proportion of mild PEP patients after WGC(RR=0.52, 95%CI 0.36-0.73, P<0.01), while the incidence of modest and severe PEP was comparable in the two groups(modest group: RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.43-1.64, P=0.61; severe group: RR=0.53, 95%CI 0.22-1.31, P=0.17). Conclusion: WGC may increase the success rate of cannulation and reduce the incidence of PEP because of less complications of mild PEP.

PR1 peptide vaccine induces specific immunity with clinical responses in myeloid malignancies

PR1, an HLA-A2-restricted peptide derived from both proteinase 3 and neutrophil elastase, is recognized on myeloid leukemia cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that preferentially kill leukemia and contribute to cytogenetic remission. To evaluate safety, immunogenicity and clinical activity of PR1 vaccination, a phase I/II trial was conducted. Sixty-six HLA-A2+ patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML: 42), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML: 13) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS: 11) received three to six PR1 peptide vaccinations, administered subcutaneously every 3 weeks at dose levels of 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg. Patients were randomized to the 3 dose levels after establishing the safety of the highest dose level. Primary endpoints were safety and immune response, assessed by doubling of PR1/HLA-A2 tetramer-specific CTL, and the secondary endpoint was clinical response. Immune responses were noted in 35 of 66 (53%) patients. Of the 53 evaluable patients with active disease, 12 (24%) had objective clinical responses (complete: 8, partial: 1 and hematological improvement: 3). PR1-specific immune response was seen in 9 of 25 clinical responders vs. 3 of 28 clinical non-responders (p=0.03). In conclusion, PR1 peptide vaccine induces specific immunity that correlates with clinical responses, including molecular remission, in AML, CML and MDS patients.

Plasma Level of Placenta-Derived Macrophage-Stimulating Protein -Chain in Preeclampsia before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy

Object

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of placenta-derived macrophage-stimulating protein α-chain (MSP-α) before the 20^th week of gestation for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia (PE).

Methods and Materials

Two parts of this nested case-control study were simultaneously executed, and 1500 pregnant women were recruited. A total of 124 pregnant women were included in the plasma analysis part of this study. The MSP-α plasma level was measured before the 20^th week of gestation, and the participants were followed until delivery. A case group of 62 women with PE and a control group of 62 women matched by gestational age, maternal age, and pre-pregnancy BMI (with normotensive pregnancies) were evaluated. In the placenta analysis part of this nested case-control study, the placentas of 34 pregnant women were randomly obtained. The placental levels of MSP were measured in 17 individuals with PE (case group) and in 17 women with a normotensive pregnancy matched by gestational age and maternal age (control group).

Results

The plasma level of MSP-α was higher in the PE group than in the control group before the 20^th week of gestation (p < 0.001). In addition, compared to the women with severe features in the PE group, those without severe features had a significantly higher plasma MSP-α level before the 20^th week of gestation (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of MSP-α before the 20^th week of gestation was 0.905 (95% CI, 0.811–0.962) for the women with early-onset PE without severe features. With regard to the placenta, the PE group (accumulated optical density, IOD [SUM] = 8862.37 ± 2064.42) exhibited increased MSP staining (more intense MSP staining or more extensive staining) compared with the control group (normal pregnancies (IOD [SUM] = 447.92 ± 114.72, P < 0.001). Furthermore, increased MSP staining was detected among the women without severe features compared with those with severe features in the PE group (IOD [SUM]: 12192.65 ± 5325.56 vs. 4104.83 ± 2383.06, P = 0.021).

Conclusion

According to the findings of this study, the plasma level of MSP-α may be associated with PE, and MSP-α may be considered a candidate protein for further analysis in studies of PE. Multicenter studies with larger sample sizes must be performed in the future to obtain accurate results regarding the predictive value of MSP-α in combination with other protein factors for the early diagnosis of PE.

Influence of Different Anticoagulant Agents on Fibrinopeptide A Generation

The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of different anticoagulant drugs on fibrinopeptide A (FPA) generation inhibition and to identify whether there is any correlation between FPA generation, Hemochron ACT, global clotting as says, and chromogenic assays. Unfractionated heparin is a conventionally used anticoagulant. New anticoagulant drugs such as low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), pentasaccharide, and antithrombin drugs are now approved for various indications. Anti-Xa drugs are in various phases of clinical development. The influence of different anticoagulant agents has been studied on fibrinopeptide A generation, Hemochron celite ACT, global clotting assays, and chromogenic anti-Xa and anti-Ila assays. Different LMWHs (Clivarin, Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, and Tinzaparin), anti-Xa agents (Pentasaccharide, DX-9065a and unfractionated heparin), and anti-Ila agents (PEG-Hirudin, Hirudin, Efegatran and Argatroban) were studied. The blood from healthy volunteers (n=4) was drawn for each drug. Imuclone FPA enzyme-linked immunosorbent kit assay, Hemochron celite ACT assay, global clotting assays (PT, APTT, Heptest-HI, thrombin time), and Loyola chromogenic anti-Xa and anti-Ila assays were studied. Pentasaccharide demonstrated minimal effects on the whole blood clotting time such as ACT and on inhibition of FPA generation (IC50 > 25 /g/mL). DX-9065a exhibited a significant prolongation of ACT and marked inhibition of FPA generation (IC50 = 4.12 Ag/mL). Unfractionated heparin showed a marked inhibition of FPA generation (IC,, = 5.16 Aog/mL). Pentasaccharide, DX-9065a and UFH showed a marked correlation between ACT and inhibition of FPA generation. LMWHs demonstrated concentrationdependent inhibition of FPA generation. LMWHs studied showed good correlation between FPA generation inhibition and ACT test. Similar correlation was seen between FPA generation inhibition and the APTT, anti Xa (heptest-HI assay) and anti-IIa activity. Anti-IIa drugs demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of FPA generation. Their FPA generation inhibition potency is correlated with the ACT assay. A strong correlation between Hemochron ACT and FPA generation inhibition was observed. Based on this significant correlation, the FPA generation inhibition can be predicted by point-of-care ACT assay.