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An I2-induced 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction has been developed for the synthesis of benzo[f]isoindole-1,3-dicarboxylates from quinones and N-substituted amino esters. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields in one step from 3 equiv of amino ester to react with the quinone structure. The utility of this transformation has been highlighted by its use for the construction of benzo[f]isoindole-1,3-dicarboxylates, which have been identified in natural products exhibiting important biological activities.

A new family of heterometal-organic frameworks has been prepared by two synthesis strategies, in which IFMC-26 and IFMC-27 are constructed by self-assembly and IFMC-28 is obtained by stepwise synthesis based on the metalloligand (IFMC=Institute of Functional Material Chemistry). IFMC-26 is a (3,6)-connected net and IFMC-27 is a (4,8)-connected 3D framework. The metalloligands {Ni(H4 L)}(NO3 )2 are connected by binuclear lanthanide clusters giving rise to a 2D sheet structure in IFMC-28. Notably, IFMC-26-Eux Tby and IFMC-28-Eux Tby have been obtained by changing the molar ratios of raw materials. Owing to the porosity of IFMC-26, Tb(3+) @IFMC-26-Eu and Eu(3+) @IFMC-26-Tb are obtained by postencapsulating Tb(III) and Eu(III) ions into the pores, respectively. Tunable luminescence in metal-organic frameworks is achieved by the two kinds of doping methods. In particular, the quantum yields of heterometal-organic frameworks are apparently enhanced by postencapsulation of Ln(III) ions., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

PKKKRKV (Pro-Lys-Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-Val, PV7), a seven amino acid peptide, has emerged as one of the primary nuclear localization signals that can be targeted into cell nucleus via the nuclear import machinery. Taking advantage of chemical diversity and biological activities of this short peptide sequence, in this study, Pluronic F127 nanomicelles engineered with nuclear localized functionality were successfully developed for intracellular drug delivery. These nanomicelles with the size ~100 nm were self-assembled from F127 polymer that was flanked with two PV7 sequences at its both terminal ends. Hydrophobic anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) with inherent fluorescence was chosen as the model drug, which was found to be efficiently encapsulated into nanomicelles with the encapsulation efficiency at 72.68%. In comparison with the non-functionalized namomicelles, the microscopic observation reveals that PV7 functionalized nanomicelles display a higher cellular uptake, especially into the nucleus of HepG2 cells, due to the nuclear localization signal effects. Both cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies show that the DOX-loaded nanomicelles were more potent than drug nanomicelles without nuclear targeting functionality. It was thus concluded that PV7 functionalized nanomicelles could be a potentially alternative vehicle for nuclear targeting drug delivery., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the infection rate and genotypes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) by examining bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP)., Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detecting MP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 220 children hospitalized with CAP, and the accuracy was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Positive samples were digested with HaeⅡ and Hae Ⅲ and compared with standard strain to analyze the genotypes of MP from positive samples. The accuracy of genotyping was confirmed by sequencing the amplified products of some randomly selected positive samples., Results: The positive rate of MP in 220 samples was 55.0% (121/220). MP infection occurred mostly in preschool and school-age children (63.5%, 101/159), and the lowest positive rate was seen in children aged under 6 months (20%, 1/5). The positive rate showed no significant differences between sexes and between seasons. Sixty randomly selected MP-positive samples showed a genotype of P1 type 1 after restriction digestion, which was further confirmed by sequencing of 4 samples., Conclusions: MP is one of the main pathogens of pneumonia in children, and the MP infection rate is significantly correlated with age. The dominant genotype of MP in children is P1 type 1.

Objective: To study the significance and safety of flexible bronchoscopy and balloon dilatation in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases in children., Methods: A total of 438 children (236 males and 202 females) with respiratory diseases who were aged from 17 days to 15 years, were examined and/or treated by bronchoscopy (including bronchoscopic intervention) under local anesthesia., Results: Of the 438 children, 311 were diagnosed with pulmonary infection, 68 with atelectasis, 36 with recurrent cough and asthma, 6 with hemoptysis of unknown origin, 6 with bronchial foreign body, 5 with congenital bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 2 with bronchiectasis, 1 with ciliary dyskinesia syndrome, 1 with lung tumor, and 2 with congenital immunodeficiency disease. After bronchoscopic examination, local flushing or bronchoalveolar lavage, and foreign body extraction, marked response was seen in 379 cases and response was seen in 46 cases. High-pressure balloon dilatation under bronchoscopy was performed in 5 cases with inflammatory stricture and achieved satisfying clinical effect. No severe complications were found in bronchoscopy., Conclusions: Bronchoscopy and balloon dilatation under local anesthesia is safe and effective for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases in children.

Because of its unique chemical and physical properties, graphene oxide (GO) has attracted a large number of researchers to explore its biomedical applications in the past few years. Here, we synthesized a novel multifunctional nanocomposite based on GO and systemically investigated its applications for in vitro hepatocarcinoma diagnosis and treatment. This multifunctional nanocomposite named GO-PEG-FA/Gd/DOX was obtained as the following procedures: gadolinium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (Gd-DTPA-PDDA) as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe was applied to modify GO by simple physical sorption with a loading efficiency of Gd(3+) up to 0.314 mg mg(-1). In order to improve its tumor targeting imaging and treatment efficiency, the obtained intermediate product was further modified with folic acid (FA). Finally, the nanocomposite was allowed to load anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride via π-π stacking and hydrophobic interaction with the loading capacity reaching 1.38 mg mg(-1). MRI test revealed that GO-PEG-FA/Gd/DOX exhibit superior tumor targeting imaging efficiency over free Gd(3+). The in vitro release of DOX from the nanocomposite under tumor relevant condition (pH 5.5) was fast at the initial 10 h and then become relatively slow afterward. Moreover, we experimentally demonstrated that the multifunctional nanocomposite exhibited obviously cytotoxic effect upon cancer cells. Above results are promising for the next in vivo experiment and make it possible to be a potential candidate for malignancy early detection and specific treatment., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Under the premise what we have known bacterial artificial chromosome(BAC)clone sequence information and gene annotation predicted in the Chinese Merino sheep major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, the digested fragments from 6 BAC clones that were located in the MHC region of the Chinese Merino sheep genome BAC library, which were used to screen the cDNA library using plaque in situ hybridization as probes. The full length of positive cDNA clones (sequences) isolated were completely sequenced, and the sequences obtained were aligned with the corresponding known sequence information and the BAC clones with gene annotation. Meanwhile, the sequence similarity was searched in NCBI Blastn database. This work aimed at verification of accuracy of the gene annotation results and initial analysis of gene (sequence) function. At last, 27 positive cDNA clones (sequences) in total were screened through two runs of hybridization. It was also found that these sequences could be positioned in the corresponding BAC clones, and 25 sequences were located in exon area of the annotated gene. It was verified that 23 sequences had the highest sequence similarity with those in the Bos taurus by searching against the NCBI Blastn database; moreover, the function of these sequences were closely relate to immunology.

Fisher-Bickerstaff syndrome (FBS) was recently proposed to help to diagnose the conditions that overlap Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis, as well as the unclassified conditions that had ophthalmoplegia and ataxia with clear consciousness, flexor plantar response and preserved tendon reflexes. Recurrences are exceptional with Guillain-Barré syndrome and its variants. Here we reported a patient with diagnosis of recurrent FBS. The patient presented with recurrent drowsiness, unsteady gait, diplopia and reduced deep tendon reflexes, which met the diagnostic criteria for FBS. The interval was eight months. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins during each episode and got good recovery. To our knowledge, this is a relatively early report about recurrent FBS case that had central and peripheral involvement during each episode in China.

A novel amphiphilic camptothecin prodrug that spontaneously arranges into nanomicelles which preferentially release the cytotoxic drug under tumor-relevant reductive conditions is designed., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

The synthesis and biological efficacy of novel nanomicelles that rapidly disassemble and release their encapsulated payload intracellularly under tumor-relevant glutathione (GSH) levels are reported. The unique design includes a PEG-sheddable shell and poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine) core with a redox-sensitive disulfide linkage.

To evaluate clinical outcomes of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBCST) between opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) and conventional multiple sclerosis (CMS) during disease progressive stage in a Chinese population. Thirty-six secondary progressive MS patients, among whom 21 were with OSMS and 15 with CMS, underwent APBSCT and were followed up for an average of 48.92 months (range, 10-91 months). Peripheral blood stem cells were obtained by leukapheresis after mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Modified BEAM conditioning regimen (Tiniposide, melphalan, carmustin, and cytosine arabinoside) were administered. Outcomes were evaluated using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). No maintenance treatment was administered if there was no disease progression. No treatment-related mortality occurred. Among the 36 patients, one OSMS patient dropped during the follow-up. Among the 22 relapse-free patients, 20 were with continuous neurological improvement without any relapse events, and two remained in neurologically stable states. Among the 13 relapse patients, seven had experienced of neurological relapse, but with no progression during the follow-up period; and six experienced neurological deterioration after transplantation and needed further immunosuppressant treatment. The confirmed relapse-free survival rate was 62.9% and progression-free survival rate was 83.3% after 91 months according to Kaplan and Meier survival curves. Eleven of the 20 OSMS patients (55%) and two of the 15 CMS patients (13.3%) stayed in disease active group (P = 0.014). For the 20 OSMS patients, the overall EDSS score decreased significantly after transplantation (P = 0.016), while visual functions had no significant improvement (P = 0.716). Progressive OSMS has a higher relapse rate than CMS following APBSCT.

A novel amphiphilic four-armed [poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine)]₂-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-[poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine)]₂ hybrid copolymer has been prepared. The cytotoxicity study shows that the copolymer has good biocompatibility with no obvious inhibition effect on cell growth. The amphiphilic copolymers could self-assemble to form vesicles in aqueous solution. DOX · HCl, as a hydrophilic drug, can be loaded into the vesicles, and then successfully internalized by human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Importantly, the DOX-loaded vesicles show a greatly improved drug release behavior with a zero-order release at the initial stage, suggesting a great potential as the carrier of hydrophilic drugs for controlled drug delivery., (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A highly effective one-pot Friedländer quinoline synthesis using inexpensive reagents has been developed. o-Nitroarylcarbaldehydes were reduced to o-aminoarylcarbaldehydes with iron in the presence of catalytic HCl (aq.) and subsequently condensed in situ with aldehydes or ketones to form mono- or di-substituted quinolines in high yields (66-100%).

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a continuously disabling disease and it is unresponsive to high dose steroid and immunomodulation with disease progression. The autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been introduced in the treatment of refractory forms of multiple sclerosis. In this study, the clinical outcomes followed by ASCT were evaluated for patients with progressive MS., Methods: Twenty-two patients with secondary progressive MS were treated with ASCT. Peripheral blood stem cells were obtained by leukapheresis after mobilization with granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Etoposide, melphalan, carmustin and cytosine arabinoside were administered as conditioning regimen. Outcomes were evaluated by the expanded disability status scale and progression free survival. No maintenance treatment was administered during a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 6 to 59 months)., Results: No death occurred following the treatment. The overall confirmed progression free survival rate was 77% up to 59 months after transplantation which was significantly higher compared with pre-transplantation (P = 0.000). Thirteen patients (59%) had remarkable improvement in neurological manifestations, four (18%) stabilized their disability status and five (23%) showed clinical recurrence of active symptoms., Conclusions: ASCT as a therapy is safe and available. It can improve or stabilize neurological manifestations in most patients with progressive MS following failure of conventional therapy.

We describe the results of a clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifteen patients (all patients with secondary progressive MS) were enrolled. The median expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score at baseline was 6.0 (range, 4.5-7.5). Peripheral blood stem cells were obtained by leukapheresis after mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. In 9 patients, CD34+ cell selection was performed with a CliniMACS cell selection system, and 6 patients accepted infusion of unmodified peripheral blood stem cells. The modified BEAM (carmustine, teniposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) was the sole conditioning regimen used. The adverse effects included infections, mucositis, transient hepatotoxicity, and diarrhea. Three patients had flares of neurologic deterioration during mobilization, 8 patients had the same manifestation during transplantation, and 2 patients had similar flares within 3 months of transplantation. Six patients experienced continuous neurologic improvement after transplantation, 5 patients experienced neurologic progression, and 4 patients had stabilization of their disease. The confirmed progression-free rate was 63.8% at 49 months. The results of lymphocyte purging were no better than for no purging. Auto-HSCT proved to be safe and beneficial for some MS patients. Further studies are needed to establish the merit of this procedure for MS patients.

Objective: To study the relationship between the degrees of peripheral auditory dysfunction and clinical dementia rating (CDR) in the patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)., Methods: Pure-tone thresholds (PT), word recognition scores (WRS), acoustic immittance and auditory brain-stem responses (ABR) were done to evaluate the auditory function in 24 cases of the patients with MCI and in 31 cases of the patients with AD and in 50 subjects of the control group. Clinical dementia rating (CDR) questionnaire was used to define the dementia degree of the subjects., Results: Twenty-four MCI patients and 31 AD patients were selected, with average age of 72.0 +/- 6. 5 and 73.1+/-7. 5 of whom 70.8% and 67.7% were female separately. There was no significant difference in PTT and WRS between the MCI and AD groups (P > 0.05). In order to ascertain the relationship between hearing level and degree of dementia, all subjects were divided into 4 groups according their hearing loss (PTA <25 dB:0, 25-30 dB:1, 31-35 dB:2, >35 dB:3) to compare their CDR scores (the control:0, MCI:0. 5, mild AD:1). The more the CDR scores have, the more hearing impairment after controlling the confounder factors (Kendalls tau b = - 0.285, P = 0.018). No significant difference was found between the two groups in audiometry reliability, acoustic immittance and ABR (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The positive relationship was founded the peripheral hearing impairment and the score of CDR questionnaire in less than 0.5 score of CDR groups and mild AD patients.

Objective: To evaluate the pure tone hearing threshold and word recognition score of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and to analyze the relationship between hearing loss and the cognition impairment., Methods: Pure tone audiometry, word recognition score (WRS), acoustic immittance and auditory brainstem response (ABR) are used to evaluate the auditory function of 43 patients with AD and 50 subjects of the control group. The confounding factors are controlled., Results: The average age of 43 dementia patients was 72.7 +/- 6.4, and 69.7% was female. Bilateral hearing thresholds are similar in all subjects. All indices but Mini-mental scale of equastionnaire (MMSE) of patients and control group were not statistically different. There was no significant difference in pure tone audiometry (PTA), PTA2 (dB HL, mean +/- s) and WRS (%, mean +/- s) between the two groups (P > 0.05), therefore the hearing threshold of AD group (PTA = 26.3 +/- 8.5, PTA2 = 29.1 +/- 8.7, WRS = 85.5 +/- 15.5) is lower than that of control group (PTA = 23.2 +/- 10.6, PTA2 = 26.2 +/- 11.8, WRS = 87.6 +/- 16.8). No significant difference was found between the two groups in audiometry reliability, acoustic immittance and ABR (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: No significant difference was found between the peripheral hearing dysfunction of AD patients and that normal elderly people, i.e., PTA, PTA2 and WRS were not related to MMSE.

117 cases of acute arsenic poisoning, caused by ingestion of food contaminated by As2O2, presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. The average level of urinary arsenic was 3.926 mg/L. The incidence of neuritis, poisoning hepatopathy and abdominal ECG was respectively 7.7%, 32.54%, 35.9%. All the cases recovered after oral or parenteral administration of dimecapto succinate (DMS) in six weeks. DMS is the drug of choice in the treatment of arsenic poisoning.

From Dec. 1985 to July 1988, 2006 patients with renal calculi were treated with Zhongshan Hospital JT-ESWL-I and France EDAP machines. Post-treatment obstruction of ureteral street stones occurred in 20 patients (1% in this series) with large renal calculi: 10 cases occurred in the left ureter, whereas the others in the right. The length of street stones measured 3-22 cm. Among the 20 cases, 14 patients were cured by medicine, repeated ESWL, or/and endoscopical manipulation. Two patients with acute renal failure were completely free of ureteral stones after nephrostomy or placement of a ureteral catheter and irrigation. 2 patients are still under treatment. In addition, some factors of the formation, prevention and treatment of the ureteral street stones are discussed in this paper.