Evaluation of a diabetes management program in China demonstrated association of improved continuity of care with clinical outcomes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate a community-based diabetes management program in Shanghai, China and to examine the association between continuity of care and clinical outcomes.

Study Design And Setting: The diabetes management program was implemented in downtown Shanghai. One hundred fifty-six patients participated in the intervention group and 182 patients were in the control group.

Assessing continuity of care in a community diabetes program: initial questionnaire development and validation.

Objective: To develop and validate a questionnaire based on agency theory to measure continuity of care in a community-based diabetes control program in Shanghai, China.

Study Design And Setting: Continuity of care was conceptualized in relation to two domains: information transfer and goal alignment. The questionnaire combined scales adopted from two validated questionnaires: the Primary Care Assessment Survey and the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Measure.

Neutral hydrolyses of carbon disulfide: An ab initio study of water catalysis.

The water-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) has been investigated at the levels of HF and MP2 with the basis set of 6-311++G(d,p) using the combined supramolecular/continuum models, in which up to six water molecules are involved in the hydrolysis and the effect of water bulk solvent is taken into account according to the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The activation Gibbs free energies in water solution, DeltaG(sol) (not equal) (298 K), for the rate-determining steps of one up to six water hydrolyses are 247.9, 184.

Distortion product otoacoustic emission fine structure is responsible for variability of distortion product otoacoustic emission contralateral suppression.

Alteration of the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level by a contralateral sound, which is known as DPOAE contralateral suppression, has been attributed to the feedback mechanism of the medial olivocochlear efferents. However, the limited dynamic range and large intra- and intersubject variabilities in the outcome of the measurement restrict its application in assessing the efferent function. In this study, the 2f(1)-f(2) DPgram was measured with a high frequency resolution in six human ears, which exhibits a fine structure with the quasiperiodic appearance of peaks and dips.

Optical properties of ultrashort semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube capsules down to sub-10 nm.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are typically long (greater than or approximately equal 100 nm) and have been well established as novel quasi one-dimensional systems with interesting electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. Here, quasi zero-dimensional SWNTs with finite lengths down to the molecular scale (7.5 nm in average) were obtained by length separation using a density gradient ultracentrifugation method.

Contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions and the middle-ear muscle reflex in human ears.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were measured in the absence and presence of contralateral noise at five levels--below, equal to, and above the middle-ear muscle (MEM) reflex threshold. The resultant changes in DPOAE level and phase were dependent on stimulus frequency and noise level. Both low-level noise, believed to elicit the medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex, and high-level noise, thought to activate both MOC and MEM reflexes, significantly decreased the DPOAE level.

Nano-Graphene Oxide for Cellular Imaging and Drug Delivery.

Two-dimensional graphene offers interesting electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties that are currently being explored for advanced electronics, membranes, and composites. Here we synthesize and explore the biological applications of nano-graphene oxide (NGO), i.e.

The COP9 signalosome-mediated deneddylation is stimulated by caspases during apoptosis.

In concert with the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS) the COP9 signalosome (CSN) controls the stability of cellular regulators. The CSN interacts with cullin-RING Ub ligases (CRLs) consisting of a specific cullin, a RING protein as Rbx1 and substrate recognition proteins. The Ub-like protein Nedd8 is covalently linked to cullins and removed by the CSN-mediated deneddylation.

[A study of paternity testing with considering mutation].

Objective: To formulate recommendations in the evaluation of results of genetic analyses in paternity testing under considering mutations.

Methods: A total of 15 short tandem repeat(STR) loci were employed for this study, which were included CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, VWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, PentaD and PentaE. Both 100 cases of true trio and 100 cases of false trio were investigated.

Supramolecular chemistry on water-soluble carbon nanotubes for drug loading and delivery.

We show that large surface areas exist for supramolecular chemistry on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) prefunctionalized noncovalently or covalently by common surfactant or acid-oxidation routes. Water-soluble SWNTs with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalization via these routes allow for surprisingly high degrees of pi-stacking of aromatic molecules, including a cancer drug (doxorubicin) with ultrahigh loading capacity, a widely used fluorescence molecule (fluorescein), and combinations of molecules. Binding of molecules to nanotubes and their release can be controlled by varying the pH.

Contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions: effect of the primary frequency in Dpgrams.

The amplitude of the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) can be suppressed by presenting contralateral acoustic stimulation. To test the hypothesis that DPOAE contralateral suppression is influenced by the primary frequency in DPgrams, DPgrams were recorded at resolutions of 1, 8, and 17 pts/octave, in the absence and presence of contralateral broadband noise (BBN). Participants were 20 normal-hearing human adults.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is not required for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is selectively toxic to tumor compared with normal cells. Other members of the TNF family of death ligands (TNF, CD95L) engage their respective receptors (TNF-R1 and CD95), resulting in internalization of receptor and ligand and recruitment of adaptor proteins to the caspase activation platform known as the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). Recently, TNF-R1 and CD95 have been shown to induce apoptosis with an absolute requirement for internalization of their corresponding receptors in the formation of a DISC.

Death receptor-induced apoptosis reveals a novel interplay between the chromosomal passenger complex and CENP-C during interphase.

Despite the fact that the chromosomal passenger complex is well known to regulate kinetochore behavior in mitosis, no functional link has yet been established between the complex and kinetochore structure. In addition, remarkably little is known about how the complex targets to centromeres. Here, in a study of caspase-8 activation during death receptor-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, we have found that cleaved caspase-8 rapidly translocates to the nucleus and that this translocation is correlated with loss of the centromere protein (CENP)-C, resulting in extensive disruption of centromeres.

Noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes by fluorescein-polyethylene glycol: supramolecular conjugates with pH-dependent absorbance and fluorescence.

We report the use of fluorescein-polyethylene glycol (Fluor-PEG) to non-covalently functionalize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for obtaining aqueous-soluble nanotube conjugates (Fluor-PEG/SWNT) and simultaneously affording fluorescence labels to nanotubes. We find serendipitously that fluorescein, a widely used fluorophore, can strongly adsorb onto the sidewall of the SWNTs likely via π-stacking, and the hydrophilic PEG chain imparts high aqueous solubility. Interaction between fluorescein and SWNT is pH dependent; it weakens as the pH is increased, causing the Fluor-PEG/SWNT conjugate to be less stable at high pHs.

Evidence for the involvement of carbon-centered radicals in the induction of apoptotic cell death by artemisinin compounds.

Artemisinin and its derivatives are currently recommended as first-line antimalarials in regions where Plasmodium falciparum is resistant to traditional drugs. The cytotoxic activity of these endoperoxides toward rapidly dividing human carcinoma cells and cell lines has been reported, and it is hypothesized that activation of the endoperoxide bridge by an iron(II) species, to form C-centered radicals, is essential for cytotoxicity. The studies described here have utilized artemisinin derivatives, dihydroartemisinin, 10beta-(p-bromophenoxy)dihydroartemisinin, and 10beta-(p-fluorophenoxy)dihydroartemisinin, to determine the chemistry of endoperoxide bridge activation to reactive intermediates responsible for initiating cell death and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cell death.

FeCo/graphitic-shell nanocrystals as advanced magnetic-resonance-imaging and near-infrared agents.

Nanocrystals with advanced magnetic or optical properties have been actively pursued for potential biological applications, including integrated imaging, diagnosis and therapy. Among various magnetic nanocrystals, FeCo has superior magnetic properties, but it has yet to be explored owing to the problems of easy oxidation and potential toxicity. Previously, FeCo nanocrystals with multilayered graphitic carbon, pyrolytic carbon or inert metals have been obtained, but not in the single-shelled, discrete, chemically functionalized and water-soluble forms desired for biological applications.

Sequencing and analysis of a genomic fragment provide an insight into the Dunaliella viridis genomic sequence.

Dunaliella is a genus of wall-less unicellular eukaryotic green alga. Its exceptional resistances to salt and various other stresses have made it an ideal model for stress tolerance study. However, very little is known about its genome and genomic sequences.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering effects of silver colloids with different shapes.

By solution-based method, three kinds of silver colloids, self-assembled nanowires, triangular nanoplates and quasispherical nanoparticles, have been synthesized. TEM studies revealed that they exposed different crystal planes, such as {111} crystal planes to triangular nanoplates, mainly {100} and {111} planes to self-assembly nanowires. Hereby, do the distinct shapes and crystal planes have an impact on the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)? The great differences of the SERS spectra of rhodamine B at these Ag colloids confirmed that the shapes and crystal planes of silver have great effect on Raman enhancement, especially the crystal planes.

[Identification of sarcosaphagous flies by analyses the sequence of 16S rDNA].

Objective: To solve the difficulties of identification of Sarcosaphagous flies such as Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) which could not be identified by analyzing the 278bp and 635 bp regions of the gene encoding for cytochrome oxidase subunit I and II (CO I and CO II) in mtDNA.

Methods: Specimens were collected from the corpses of rabbits on the grassland in Huhhot and Chengdu, the sequences of 551 bp region of 16S rDNA of their mtDNA were analyzed, the multiple-alignment program DNAMAN(version 4.0) and MEGA 2.

Microstructure-hardened silver nanowires.

To exploit the novel size-dependent mechanical properties of nanowires, it is necessary for one to develop strategies to control the strength and toughness of these materials. Here, we report on the mechanical properties of silver nanowires with a unique fivefold twin structure using a lateral force atomic force microscopy (AFM) method in which wires are held in a double-clamped beam configuration. Force-displacement curves exhibit super elastic behavior followed by unexpected brittle failure without significant plastic deformation.

Use of carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres as templates for fabricating metal oxide hollow spheres.

A general method for the synthesis of metal oxide hollow spheres has been developed by using carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres prepared from saccharide solution as templates. Hollow spheres of a series of metal oxides (SnO2, Al2O3, Ga2O3, CoO, NiO, Mn3O4, Cr2O3, La2O3, Y2O3, Lu2O3, CeO2, TiO2, and ZrO2) have been prepared in this way. The method involves the initial absorption of metal ions from solution into the functional surface layer of carbonaceous saccharide microspheres; these are then densified and cross-linked in a subsequent calcination and oxidation procedure to form metal oxide hollow spheres.

[Clinical study of the effect of methylene blue combined with aprotinin on intraperitoneal adhesion].

Objective: To study the effect of methylene blue combined with aprotinin on intraperitoneal adhesion.

Methods: From May 2000 to February 2004, there were 83 patients receiving total or partial colectomy and temporary ileostomy or colostomy, and second anastomosis was performed within 8-12 weeks after the first operation. These patients were divided into four groups and followed by intraperitoneal administration of saline,methylene blue,aprotinin,combined methylene blue and aprotinin respectively during the second operation, then adhesion formation was quantitatively graded.

The Shanghai case: A qualitative evaluation of community health reform in response to the challenge of population ageing.

Shanghai's health care system is facing a serious challenge of an ageing population, as 14% of its 17 million residents are 65 or older. In 2000, a community health reform was implemented to provide comprehensive and continuous primary care to community residents with a focus on seniors. The study employed the theoretical framework of examining primary care in terms of the constellation of its four unique elements (first contact, comprehensiveness, longitudinality and coordination) and three healthcare components (structure, process and outcome).