Elevated Interleukin-6 Levels within 72 Hours Post Admission Are Associated with Disease Progression in Nonseptic Critically Ill Children

It has been established that the innate and adaptive immune suppression was heterogeneous in septic and nonseptic critically ill patients, while the value of immune function in pediatric patients with nonseptic critical illness is limited. We conducted a single-center retrospective study to explore this issue. A total of 65 children with nonseptic illnesses were studied for lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin concentrations, complement concentrations, and cytokines in peripheral blood in the next 72 hours after admission to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). When compared to clinically recovered patients, patients with disease progression had a numerically lower but not significantly different median pediatric critical illness score and longer PICU median stays. The analysis of serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, and IgA), serum complement (C3, C4) concentrations, and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significantly difference between patients with and without relieved clinical symptoms by day 4. For the cytokine analysis, the level of IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with disease progression than that in patients who clinically recovered (p=0.046). In the univariate Cox regression analysis, plasma IL-6 levels were associated with outcome. Multivariate analysis evidenced that the level of plasma IL-6 was one of the factors determining the length of hospital stays. In conclusions, our results demonstrate that increased IL-6 levels in the initial 72 hours post admission are associated with prolonged stays and disease progression in nonseptic critically ill children in the PICU

Pure Chloride 2D/3D Heterostructure Passivation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

To date, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have reached a certified efficiency of 25.7%, showing their great potential in industrial commercialization. However, defects at the surface and grain boundaries hinder their device performance and long‐term stability. Herein, long‐chain dodecylammonium halides (DACl, DABr, and DAI) to treat the perovskite surface and improve the device performance are introduced. It is found that the three passivators can all form 2D perovskites but with different halide compositions. The DACl‐treated perovskite forms a pure chloride DA2PbCl4 2D perovskite, while the DABr and DAI‐treated surfaces form a pure iodide DA2PbI4 2D perovskite. Compared with the DA2PbI4 layer, it is found that the DA2PbCl4 passivation layer can more effectively passivate defects, improve carrier separation at the perovskite surface, and optimize the energy alignment between the perovskite film and hole transport layer. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency of 23.91% is achieved for the DACl‐treated PSCs. Moreover, the device maintains around 95% of its initial efficiency after 1000 h storage under relative humidity of 10% at 25 °C

Provider-controlled or user-dependent contraceptive methods: Levels and pattern among married women of reproductive age in China, 1988-2006.

Objectives: To explore levels and patterns in contraceptive use since the introduction of informed choice in reproductive health services in China since 1994, and to assess the implications of reproductive health service needs among married women of reproductive age in China. Material and methods: Data from Chinese nationwide surveys of family planning and reproductive health undertaken in 1988, 1997, 2001, and 2006 were analyzed to assess levels and trends in patterns of contraceptive use among married women by age, residence, and number of children. Contraceptive methods were classified into two categories: provider-controlled and user-dependent methods. Results: The provider-controlled pattern for contraceptive use was predominant regardless of whether women were free to choose their own contraceptives. Older, rural women, and those with more than one child preferred provider-controlled contraceptive methods; this trend has changed little after 1997. In contrast, the user-controlled methods were preferred by young, urban women, strikingly with no or only one child, and geographically in more affluent areas in north or southwest China. Conclusion: A preference for user-dependent methods is noted in the urban areas but inclination towards provider-controlled contraceptive methods is still prevalent in rural areas in China

Lipid Metabolism in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Infuenced by HCMV Infection

Background: The present study was designed to observe the infection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the effect of viral infection on lipid metabolism in VSMCs. Methods: The cytopathic effects were observed by inverted microscopy and viral infection were examined by electron microscopy and RT-PCR. The lipid metabolism related gene profiling of VSMCs after HCMV infection was assayed by cDNA assay and the abnormal expression of genes were validated by quantitative RT-PCR. The content of cholesterol in VSMCs after HCMV infection was assayed by cholesterol detection kit. Results: VSMCs showed obvious cytopathic effects after HCMV infection. Intact viral particles could be detected in VSMCs using electron microscope. By use of RT-PCR technology, IE gene of HCMV could be amplified from VSMCs. The expression of cell lipid metabolism related gene profiling showed obvious disorders. The expression levels of HMG-CoA synthase and HMG-CoA reductase after infection increased significantly. The cellular cholesterol content (µmol/106 cells) was significantly higher than that of mock infected group at 72h post infection. Conclusion: HCMV can infect VSMCs and the infection can affect cellular lipid metabolism related gene expression, which get involved in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS)

Genomic insights into the evolution of flavonoid biosynthesis and O-methyltransferase and glucosyltransferase in Chrysanthemum indicum

Summary: Flavonoids are a class of secondary metabolites widely distributed in plants. Regiospecific modification by methylation and glycosylation determines flavonoid diversity. A rare flavone glycoside, diosmin (luteolin-4′-methoxyl-7-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside), occurs in Chrysanthemum indicum. How Chrysanthemum plants evolve new biosynthetic capacities remains elusive. Here, we assemble a 3.11-Gb high-quality C. indicum genome with a contig N50 value of 4.39 Mb and annotate 50,606 protein-coding genes. One (CiCOMT10) of the tandemly repeated O-methyltransferase genes undergoes neofunctionalization, preferentially transferring the methyl group to the 4′-hydroxyl group of luteolin with ortho-substituents to form diosmetin. In addition, CiUGT11 (UGT88B3) specifically glucosylates 7-OH group of diosmetin. Next, we construct a one-pot cascade biocatalyst system by combining CiCOMT10, CiUGT11, and our previously identified rhamnosyltransferase, effectively producing diosmin with over 80% conversion from luteolin. This study clarifies the role of transferases in flavonoid diversity and provides important gene elements essential for producing rare flavone

Prevalence of Herpes and Respiratory Viruses in Induced Sputum among Hospitalized Children with Non Typical Bacterial Community-Acquired Pneumonia

<div><p>Objective</p><p>Few comprehensive studies have searched for viruses in infants and young children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of human herpes viruses (HHVs) and other respiratory viruses in CAP not caused by typical bacterial infection and to determine their prevalence and clinical significance.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Induced sputum (IS) samples were collected from 354 hospitalised patients (infants, n = 205; children, n = 149) with respiratory illness (CAP or non-CAP) admitted to Wenling Hospital of China. We tested for HHVs and respiratory viruses using PCR-based assays. The epidemiological profiles were also analysed.</p><p>Results</p><p>High rate of virus detection (more than 98%) and co-infection (more than 80%) were found among IS samples from 354 hospitalised infants and children with respiratory illness in this study. Of 273 CAP samples tested, CMV (91.6%), HHV-6 (50.9%), RSV (37.4%), EBV (35.5%), HBoV (28.2%), HHV-7 (18.3%) and rhinovirus (17.2%) were the most commonly detected viruses. Of 81 non- CAP samples tested, CMV (63%), RSV (49.4%), HHV-6 (42%), EBV (24.7%), HHV-7 (13.6%) and HBoV (8.6%) were the dominant viruses detected. The prevalence of several viral agents (rhinovirus, bocavirus, adenovirus and CMV) among IS samples of CAP were significantly higher than that of non-CAP control group. We also found the prevalence of RSV coinfection with HHVs was also higher among CAP group than that of non-CAP control.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>With sensitive molecular detection techniques and IS samples, high rates of viral identification were achieved in infants and young children with respiratory illness in a rural area of China. The clinical significance of rhinovirus, bocavirus, adenovirus and HHV (especially CMV) infections should receive greater attention in future treatment and prevention studies of CAP in infants and children.</p></div

Demographic and aetiological data in this study.

*<p>Pearson Chi-Square analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 17.</p>**<p>Fisher’s Exact Test analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 17.</p

Distribution of viruses among different age groups in this study.

<p>(A) Detection HHVs in CAP group; (B) Detection common respiratory viruses in CAP group; (C) Detection of HHVs in non-CAP group; (D) Detection common respiratory viruses in non-CAP group.</p

Seasons distribution of dominant viruses in IS samples of CAP patients from September of 2007 to April of 2008(Autumn: Sep. to Oct. of 2007; Winter: Nov. of 2007 to Jan. of 2008; Spring: Feb. to Apr. of 2008).

<p>Seasons distribution of dominant viruses in IS samples of CAP patients from September of 2007 to April of 2008(Autumn: Sep. to Oct. of 2007; Winter: Nov. of 2007 to Jan. of 2008; Spring: Feb. to Apr. of 2008).</p