Effects of peri-operative glucose levels on adverse outcomes in infants receiving open-heart surgery for congenital heart disease with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: Studies designed to evaluate the association of hyperglycemia and adverse events in pediatric patients receiving open cardiac surgery have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate the effects of peri-operative glucose levels on adverse events in infants receiving open-heart surgery with CPB.

Methods: From Nov 2009 through Dec 2009, 100 infants undergoing open-heart surgery were enrolled.

Pulmonary artery perfusion with HTK solution prevents lung injury in infants after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Pulmonary artery perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a novel adjunctive method, which can minimize the lung ischemic-reperfusion injury and inflammatory response. This study evaluated the protective effect of pulmonary perfusion with hypothermic HTK solution in corrections of congenital heart defects with pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: Between June 2009 and December 2009, 24 consecutive infants with congenital heart defects and pulmonary hypertension were randomly divided into perfused group (n = 12) and control group (n = 12).

Building one-dimensional oxide nanostructure arrays on conductive metal substrates for lithium-ion battery anodes.

Lithium ion battery (LIB) is potentially one of the most attractive energy storage devices. To meet the demands of future high-power and high-energy density requirements in both thin-film microbatteries and conventional batteries, it is challenging to explore novel nanostructured anode materials instead of conventional graphite. Compared to traditional electrodes based on nanostructure powder paste, directly grown ordered nanostructure array electrodes not only simplify the electrode processing, but also offer remarkable advantages such as fast electron transport/collection and ion diffusion, sufficient electrochemical reaction of individual nanostructures, enhanced material-electrolyte contact area and facile accommodation of the strains caused by lithium intercalation and de-intercalation.

A new antioxidant xanthone from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana Linn.

The air-dried fruit hulls of Garcinia mangostana Linn. were extracted with 85% ethanol. Furthermore, a new xanthone, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-4',5'-dihydropyrano[2',3':7,8]xanthone, along with five known xanthones related to their antioxidant activity was purified by silica gel column chromatography and then identified using spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, MS).

Amyloid-β induces caspase-dependent loss of PSD-95 and synaptophysin through NMDA receptors.

Soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ) is thought to induce synaptic dysfunction during early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this report, we show that soluble Aβ downregulates the levels of two synaptic proteins, PSD-95 and synaptophysin, and that this effect can be blocked by MK-801 (NMDAR antagonist) and ifenprodil (NR2B antagonist). Low (1 μM) and high (10 μM) doses of NMDA, respectively, prevented and potentiated the actions of Aβ.

A new 3,4-seco-lupane-type triterpenoid from the pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms.

A new triterpenoid, 3,4-seco-lupane-20(29)-ene-3,28-dioic acid, together with three known lignans, (-)-schisandrin B, (-)-sesamin and (-)-syringaresinol, was isolated from the pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms. Their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D-NMR and MS).

C@ZnO nanorod array-based hydrazine electrochemical sensor with improved sensitivity and stability.

ZnO nanorod array grown directly on an inert alloy substrate has been modified with carbon by a simple immersion-calcination route and further used as the working electrode to construct a hydrazine sensor. The C@ZnO nanorod array-based sensor demonstrates a very high sensitivity of 9.4 muA muM(-1) cm(-2) and a low detection limit of 0.

Carbon-Coated SnO(2) Nanorod Array for Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material.

Carbon-coated SnO(2) nanorod array directly grown on the substrate has been prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method for anode material of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical measurement. When used as anodes for LIBs with high current density, as-obtained array reveals excellent cycling stability and rate capability.

[The analysis of the recent effectiveness of the total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repairs on infants].

Objective: To review the efficacy of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) repair and to conclude the factors impacting the peri-operative death rate.

Methods: The clinical data of 145 infants under 1 year old who underwent the TAPVC repair from January 2001 to July 2008 was analyzed. There were 94 male and 51 female patients.

Dihydrophenanthrenes from the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino.

From the CHCl3-soluble portion of the 70% EtOH extract of the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino, two new dihydrophenanthrenes were isolated, 2,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, and 4,4',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-2,2',6,6'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-bi-9,10-dihydrophenanthrenyl. The structures were determined by means of HRMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HMBC experiments.

Tin oxide nanorod array-based electrochemical hydrogen peroxide biosensor.

SnO2 nanorod array grown directly on alloy substrate has been employed as the working electrode of H2O2 biosensor. Single-crystalline SnO2 nanorods provide not only low isoelectric point and enough void spaces for facile horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization but also numerous conductive channels for electron transport to and from current collector; thus, leading to direct electrochemistry of HRP. The nanorod array-based biosensor demonstrates high H2O2 sensing performance in terms of excellent sensitivity (379 μA mM-1 cm-2), low detection limit (0.

The small heat shock protein alphaA-crystallin is expressed in pancreas and acts as a negative regulator of carcinogenesis.

The small heat shock protein alphaA-crystallin is a structural protein in the ocular lens. In addition, recent studies have also revealed that it is a molecular chaperone, an autokinase and a strong anti-apoptotic regulator. Besides its lenticular distribution, a previous study demonstrates that a detectable level of alphaA-crystallin is found in other tissues including thymus and spleen.

Phenanthrene derivatives from the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino.

From the CHCl(3)-soluble portion of the 70% EtOH extract of the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino, two new phenanthrenes, 7-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1) and 2,2',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-4,4',6,6'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenanthrenes (2), as well as three known phenanthrenes, 6-methoxycoelonin (3), 4,7-dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene (4), and 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene (5), were isolated. The structures were determined by means of HR-MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HMBC experiments.

Carbon-modified Bi(2)WO(6) nanostructures with improved photocatalytic activity under visible light.

Carbon-modified Bi(2)WO(6) (C-Bi(2)WO(6)) nanostructures were synthesized via a hydrothermal process in the presence of glucose followed by the calcination in Ar gas at 500 degrees C. The morphologies and crystallinity of Bi(2)WO(6) and the nature of carbon in the composites obtained with different glucose amounts were characterized. Raman spectrum analysis, electron microscopy results and light absorption of C-Bi(2)WO(6) at wavelengths larger than 450 nm clearly confirmed the carbon modification.

[Retrospective analysis of 100 patients managed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Objective: To describe the experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiorespiratory support of 100 patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical files of 100 patients submitted to the implant of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system for cardiorespiratory assistance of acute and refractory cardiogenic shock from December 2004 to September 2008. There were 67 males and 33 females, age ranged from 5 d to 76 years with a mean of (28+/-26) years, body mass ranged from 3.

[Outcome of surgery for interrupted aortic arch combined cardiac anomaly].

Objective: To retrospectively review the experience in repair of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) and associated cardiac anomaly.

Methods: From January 1997 to January 2008, 36 patients with interrupted aortic arch and associated cardiac anomaly underwent surgical treatment. There were 22 male and 14 female.

Perioperative monitoring of thromboelastograph on hemostasis and therapy for cyanotic infants undergoing complex cardiac surgery.

This study investigated features and treatments of perioperative coagulopathies in cyanotic infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD). Thirty-six infants with cyanotic CCHD were involved and divided into two groups: In group H (n = 20), hematocrit (HCT) > 54%, and in group L (n = 16), HCT < 54%. Blood was sampled at anesthesia induction (T1), rewarming to 36 degrees C (T2), after heparin neutralization (T3), and 4 h after operation (T4).

Transcriptional regulation of PP2A-A alpha is mediated by multiple factors including AP-2alpha, CREB, ETS-1, and SP-1.

Protein phosphatases-2A (PP-2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase and accounts for more than 50% serine/threonine phosphatase activity in eukaryotes. The holoenzyme of PP-2A consists of the scaffold A subunit, the catalytic C subunit and the regulatory B subunit. The scaffold subunits, PP2A-A alpha/beta, provide a platform for both C and B subunits to bind, thus playing a crucial role in providing specific PP-2A activity.

A new bile acid from the bile of Anser anser.

A new compound, named 3alpha-acetoxy-7alpha-hydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (2), along with chenodeoxycholic acid (1), was isolated from the bile of Anser anser. Their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR and MS).

Retrospective analysis of 99 patients with the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Fuwai Hospital.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively summarize and analyze the data of 99 cases with the application of consecutive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) from December 2004 to August 2008 in Fuwai Hospital. The intersurface of the ECMO equipment system was completely heparin coated. All patients received venoarterial ECMO, and the activated clotting time was maintained between 120 and 180 seconds.

High surface area ZnO-carbon composite tubular arrays based on the Kirkendall effect and in situ Zn evaporation.

High surface area ZnO-carbon composite tubular arrays on a ceramic substrate were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal process and a subsequent nanoscale diffusion-related reaction within the carbonaceous species-coated ZnO rod arrays during 900 degrees C annealing.

Self-assembly of Bi2WO6 square nanoplates into hierarchical structures.

Bi2WO6 hierarchical structures constructed by a number of square nanoplates of average approximately 70 nm in side length and approximately 25 nm in thickness have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C. The single-crystal subunit nanoplates with (002) as their two-dimensional (2D) surfaces assembled orderly using both their edges and faces into free-standing films. It was found that the self-assembled growth of these hierarchical structures strongly depended on surfactant Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB), the amounts of the starting materials and the molar ratio of precursors (Bi3+ to WO4(2-)), etc.

A novel and stable "two-hit" acute lung injury model induced by oleic acid in piglets.

Background: Children are susceptible to pulmonary injury, and acute lung injury (ALI) often results in a high mortality and financial cost in pediatric patients. Evidence has showed that oleic acid (OA) plays an important role in ALI. Therefore, it has special significance to study ALI in pediatric patients by using OA-induced animal models.