Optimal cut-off value of serum procalcitonin in predicting bacterial infection induced acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective observational study.

Objective: To explore the optimal cut-off value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in predicting bacterial infection in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: 204 hospitalized patients with AECOPD were enrolled in this study. Their diagnoses and treatments followed routine protocols in Fu-Xing Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

[Effects of bio-organic fertilizer and fungicide application on continuous cropping obstacles of cut chrysanthemum].

Abstract: Fusarium wilt is a soil borne disease caused by plant continuous cropping in monoculture Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' monoculture not only declines plant quality and yield but also decreases soil enzymes and soil microbial diversity over successive cultivation. In this article, the effects of fungicide (Carbendazim MBC), antifungal enhanced bio-organic fertilizer (BOF), and their combined application on the quality and soil enzymes activities of Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' in continuous cropping systems were investigated. The results showed that both bioorganic fertilizer (BOF) and fungicide (MBC) single application could effectively prevent the occurrence of Fusarium wilt disease of cut chrysanthemum.

[The diagnostic values of Wells score and modified Geneva score for pretesting acute pulmonary embolism: a prospective study].

Objective: To assess the diagnostic predictive value of Wells score and modified Geneva score for acute pulmonary embolism by prospective case series and to explore a more suitable scoring system for Chinese population.

Methods: All the patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE) and received CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were enrolled consecutively in Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, China, from June 2009 to August 2011. Before CTPA test or on condition that test results were unknown, clinical scoring was assessed prospectively by the Wells score and the modified Geneva score.

[Changes in pulmonary function in SARS patients during the three-year convalescent period].

Objective: To investigate the patterns of pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during three-year convalescent period, and to investigate the changes and the medium and long term effects on pulmonary function of SARS patients.

Methods: Pulmonary function tests were conducted for four times in 37 SARS patients during three-year convalescent period. They were discharged from hospital within one month, three months, one year and three years respectively.

Synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological studies of novel piperidine-based analogues of cocaine: evidence of unfavorable interactions proximal to the 3alpha-position of the piperidine ring.

A qualitative model for the binding pocket proximal to the 3alpha-substituent of the piperidine-based monoamine transporter ligands was proposed and tested. Based on this model, a new series of druglike 3alpha-modified piperidine-based analogues of cocaine were designed, synthesized, and studied for their ability to inhibit reuptake of DA, 5-HT, and NE by the DA, 5-HT, and NE transporters. We found that the insertion of at least one additional methylene group between the piperidine ring and the polar group in the 3alpha-substituent dramatically improves the activity of the compounds that are generally inactive without this additional linker.

Biaryl analogues of conformationally constrained tricyclic tropanes as potent and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: synthesis and evaluation of their uptake inhibition at monoamine transporter sites.

A series of novel conformationally constrained tricyclic tropane derivatives containing a biaryl moiety, (Z)-9-(biarylylmethylene)-7-azatricyclo[4.3.1.

SAR studies of piperidine-based analogues of cocaine. 4. Effect of N-modification and ester replacement.

A series of novel N- and 3alpha-modified piperidine-based analogues of cocaine were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit reuptake of DA, 5-HT, and NE by the DA, 5-HT, and NE transporters. N-Demethylation of trans-(+)-3alpha-piperidine-based ligands leads to improved activity at the SERT and NET and modest changes at the DAT. Replacement of the N-methyl group in trans-(+)-ester 1a with phenylalkyl groups leads to a modest 2.

The role of superoxide and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced necrosis and apoptosis.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated cell death is complex, probably involving elements of necrosis and apoptosis. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are incompletely understood but have been suggested to involve reactive oxygen species such as nitric oxide and superoxide anion (O(2)) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. In this study, we used a selective nonpeptidyl superoxide dismutase mimetic (M40403) and SN50, a peptide inhibitor of NF-kappaB translocation, to investigate the role of O(2) and the potential downstream signaling molecules in cell death induced by activation of the NMDA receptor.