Clinicopathologic Features and Treatment Characteristics of Congenital Corneal Opacity Infants and Children Aged 3 Years or Less: A Retrospective Single Institution Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective single institution study, we investigated the clinicopathologic features and treatment characteristics of 90 patients with congenital corneal opacities (CCO) (117 eyes) who were 3 years and younger and treated at our hospital. SUBJECT AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of patients with CCO who presented for the first time for treatment at our hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. CCO were classified using the "STUMPED" (Sclerocornea, Tears in Descement's membrane, Metabolic, Peters, Endothelial dystrophy and Dermoid) method and confirmed by pathological examination. -Results: Seventy percent of the patients had unilateral CCO. Iridocorneal adhesions (61 eyes, 52.1%) and cataracts (22 eyes, 18.8%) were the 2 most common ocular abnormalities. Systemic abnormalities were present in 5 patients (5.6%), including growth retardation (4 patients) and congenital brain defects (1 patient). Eighty-five eyes (72.6%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK), and lamellar keratoplasty (LK) was performed in 30 (25.6%) eyes. Forty-seven (95.9%) eyes with Peters anomaly and all 16 eyes with sclerocornea received PK, and all 24 eyes with dermoids were treated with LK. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that CCO has varied manifestations in infants and young children in China. A thorough medical history, careful clinical examination, and the use of accessory examinations such as ultrasound biomicroscopy are critical for the accurate diagnosis and classification of CCO and to provide guidance on therapeutic choices.

A facile synthesis of segmented silver nanowires and enhancement of the performance of polymer solar cells.

In this work, segmented silver nanowires (AgNWs) with an average diameter of 60 nm have been successfully synthesized by a typical polyol method without any templates and seeds. The synthesized segmented AgNWs were strongly dependent on the reaction temperature and time. It was found from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction measurements that the connection node of segmented AgNWs was in the form of a twinned crystal. We speculated that these segmented AgNWs were possibly derived from end-to-end self-connection and self-concrescence of two neighbouring Ag nanorods or nanowires at a suitable reaction temperature and time, which is further confirmed by the secondary growth of AgNWs. In addition, segmented AgNWs were blended into hole transporting layers to enhance the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs) by utilizing their localized surface plasmon resonance and optical scattering effects. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of PSCs with segmented AgNWs increased from 2.81% and 8.99 mA cm-2 to 3.30% and 9.95 mA cm-2, respectively.

[Research on our hospital inventory management status quo of traditional Chinese medicine drugs and treatment method].

Under the background of the new medical reform, a large variety of traditional Chinese medicine from complicated sources, Chinese traditional medicine of actor of true and false of the quality directly affect the drug safety and clinical efficacy, but also relate to the social and economic benefits of hospital. Along with the development of the modern management of medical institutions and drug circulation circulation system reform in our country, the hospital drug inventory, supply and management work is an important topic for the pharmaceutical trading. However, there is always contradiction, dispensary need to supple pharmacy, in order to satisfy the demands of hospital patients with normal diagnosis and treatment work. However, if the drug inventory is too much, not only increases the drug monitoring problem, at the same time, but also causes storage costs rise. Therefore, completing scientific and reasonable storage and management becomes urgent problems at present. Wherefore, our country administration of traditional Chinese medicine in 2007 promulgated the "Chinese traditional medicine yinpian management norms in hospital", aims to standardize management of Chinese traditional medicine quality and improve the safety of drugs. The author through looking up information and visiting survey, to understand the currently existing problems, and summarizes the literature inland and abroad in recent years Chinese medicine drug inventory management work experience, in view of status quo of Chinese medicine inventory management in China, put forward the solution. To guarantee TCM pharmacy management more standardized, more standard, to adapt to the new reform of Chinese traditional medicine industry, improve the management level of hospital, defend the hospital's reputation and the patient's interests.

Ergothioneine prevents copper-induced oxidative damage to DNA and protein by forming a redox-inactive ergothioneine-copper complex.

Ergothioneine (2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine) is a naturally occurring amino acid analogue found in up to millimolar concentrations in several tissues and biological fluids. However, the biological functions of ergothioneine remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the role of ergothioneine in copper-induced oxidative damage to DNA and protein, using two copper-containing systems: Cu(II) with ascorbate and Cu(II) with H(2)O(2) [0.1 mM Cu(II), 1 mM ascorbate, and 1 mM H(2)O(2)]. Oxidative damage to DNA and bovine serum albumin was measured as strand breakage and protein carbonyl formation, respectively. Ergothioneine (0.1-1.0 mM) provided strong, dose-dependent protection against oxidation of DNA and protein in both copper-containing systems. In contrast, only limited protection was observed with the purported hydroxyl radical scavengers, dimethyl sulfoxide and mannitol, even at concentrations as high as 100 mM. Ergothioneine also significantly inhibited copper-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbate and competed effectively with histidine and 1,10-phenanthroline for binding of cuprous copper, but not cupric copper, as demonstrated by UV-visible and low-temperature electron spin resonance techniques. We conclude that ergothioneine is a potent, natural sulfur-containing antioxidant that prevents copper-dependent oxidative damage to biological macromolecules by forming a redox-inactive ergothioneine-copper complex.

[Source Apportionment of Ozone Pollution in Guangzhou: Case Study with the Application of Lagrangian Photochemical Trajectory Model].

A six-day ozone pollution episode in Guangzhou in early October 2018 was analyzed with the application of a Lagrangian photochemical trajectory model to trace the sources of ozone, quantify the contributions of different regions, and evaluate the effects of emission reduction measures targeted at different emission sectors and different precursors on ozone pollution. The results showed that during the ozone pollution episode, the maximum daily 8 h ozone exceeded 160 µg·m-3 and the highest value reached 271 µg·m-3. The average concentrations of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were (77.7±42.8) µg·m-3 and (71.9±56.2) µg·m-3, respectively. Aromatics and alkenes were the dominant reactive VOCs, with contributions of 38% and 30% to·OH reactivity and 51% and 16% to ozone formation potential, respectively. The ozone pollution in Guangzhou during this episode was affected by three types of air masses, with the primary source regions of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, and regions outside Guangdong Province. For all three air mass types, ozone production in these source region was controlled by VOCs. Sensitivity tests showed that, in the primary source regions, reducing the emissions of VOCs is more effective than reducing NOx in terms of reducing ozone concentrations. Under the condition of full emission reduction, regulating traffic emissions could substantially reduce ozone levels by 14.6%-21.0% in Guangzhou, which was a more significant reduction than regulating controlled industry (8.4%-15.3%), power plant (0.9%-6.2%) and residential (2.3%-4.7%) emissions. However, the traffic emission reduction is not as effective (induced ozone reduction<10%) when the emissions reduction ratio is lower than 90%. In addition, biogenic emissions in the Pearl River Delta also substantially contributed to the ozone levels under certain circumstances, as indicated by the ozone reduction up to 19% when biogenic emissions were shut off.

The Effects of In Ovo Injection of Synbiotics on the Early Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Chicks.

In this study, the effects of synbiotic inclusion at the intra-amniotic stage in layer chicks were evaluated with different parameters, such as performance, immunological function, intestinal development, and cecal microflora content. A total of 1,200 eggs with fertile embryos were allocated into four treatment groups. For every treatment, five replicates were used, and 60 eggs were included in each replicate. The following four treatment groups were established: the non-injected group, 0.9% physiological saline injection (saline) group, 1 × 106 CFU/egg Lactobacillus plantarum injection (probiotic) group, and 1 × 106 CFU/egg L. plantarum + 2 mg/egg Astragalus polysaccharide injection (synbiotic) group. In ovo injection was carried out at 18.5 days of incubation. The results showed that in ovo injection of probiotics or synbiotics did not affect the hatching or growth performance of the chicks but significantly increased their feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, in ovo injection of synbiotics enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in intestinal lavage fluid and the histomorphological development of the small intestine. Our results also indicated that intra-amniotic synbiotic injection significantly increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium colonization while decreasing the relative abundance of Escherichia coli in the chicken cecum (P < 0.05). In summary, in ovo injection of synbiotics had positive impacts on the performance, immunological function, gut development, and microbiota of growing chicks.

Effects of in ovo Injection of Astragalus Polysaccharide on the Intestinal Development and Mucosal Immunity in Broiler Chickens.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo injection of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on hatchability, body weight (BW), intestinal histomorphology, the number of IgA+ cells and sIgA content in intestine, and the expression of intestinal immune-related genes in broiler chickens. On day 18 of the incubation, a total of 960 live embryo eggs were weighed and randomly divided into 4 treatment groups: a control group and three APS groups. The eggs in the control group were injected with 0.5 mL physiological saline. The eggs in the APS groups were injected with 3 different amounts of APS in 0.5 mL physiological saline: 1 mg (APSL), 2 mg (APSM) and 4 mg (APSH). The solution was injected into the amnion of each egg. The results showed that in ovo injection of APS did not affect the hatchability but increased the body weight of the 14 d and 21 d chickens, with a significant increase observed in the APSM group (P < 0.05). At most time points, the villus height (VH) was increased (P < 0.05) and the crypt depth (CD) was decreased (P < 0.05) in the small intestine of the broilers, with higher VH/CD ratios in the APSL and APSM groups compared with the control group. The number of IgA+ cells in the mucosa and the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the intestinal washings were higher in the APSM and APSH groups than in the APSL and control groups. The gene expression levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interleukin (IL)-4, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 were significantly enhanced by APS stimulation at most time points (P < 0.05). These results indicated that in ovo injection of APS has the potential of promoting intestinal development and enhancing intestinal mucosal immunity of broiler chickens in the early stage after hatching.

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins involving in liver metastasis of human colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma is very important for the appropriate treatment of such patients. However, there has been no effective approach available for clinical application. The present study aimed to investigate the differential expression of proteins in patients with liver metastasis of colorectal carcinomas using proteomic analysis and evaluate its potentiality in clinical diagnosis. METHODS: Fluorescence two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) was used to analyze and compare the protein expression between normal mucosa, the primary focus, and liver metastases. Proteomic analysis was made to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Immunohistological staining was used to confirm the expression of differentially expressed proteins in colorectal carcinomas and areas of liver metastasis. RESULTS: A 1.5-fold difference was found with 46 differentially expressed proteins. In 20 differentially expressed proteins, 3 were down-regulated and 17 up-regulated in liver metastases. Proteomic analysis showed that the S-adenosylmethionine transgelin variant was down-regulated in liver metastasis tissues. Zinc finger protein 64 homolog (Zfp64), guanine nucleotide exchange factor 4 (GEF4), human arginase, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) A3, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced protein 9 were up-regulated in liver metastasis tissues. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that human arginase expression was higher in liver metastases than in the primary focus. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference in protein expression between the primary focus of colorectal carcinoma and liver metastases. The differentially regulated proteins were closely related to liver metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. Elevated human arginase may be an important molecular marker for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma.

Differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly into hepatocyte-like cells.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) isolated from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue and umbilical cord blood can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. MSC can also be isolated from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (UC MSC), which can be easily obtained. UC MSC are more primitive MSC than those isolated from other tissue sources and do not express the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (HLA-DR) antigens. Previous studies have shown that UC MSC are still viable and not rejected 4 months after transplantation as xenografts, without the need for immune suppression, suggesting that they are a favorable cell source for transplantation. METHODS: UC MSC were induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by a simple one-step protocol with hepatotic growth factor (HGF) and fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4). Differentiated cells were examined for the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers and hepatocyte functions. RESULTS: UC MSC were isolated. Flow cytometry analysis showed that they expressed the MSC-specific markers. They differentiated into osteoblast-, adipocyte- and chondrocyte-like cells, showing their multipotent differentiation potential. Immunocytochemistry, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis demonstrated that UC MSC expressed the hepatocyte-specific markers albumin (ALB), human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) following hepatocyte induction. Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed that differentiated UC MSC could store glycogen, and an low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-uptake assay showed that they could uptake LDL. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that UC MSC can differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells following the induction of HGF and FGF-4. UC MSC can serve as a favorable cell source for tissue engineering in the treatment of liver disease.

[Multicentre clinical observation of anticoagulation and thrombolysis for the deep venous thrombosis].

OBJECTIVE: Multicentre clinical observation for therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety of anticoagulation and thrombolysis in deep venous thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: 127 patients with DVT in left leg were randomly divided into four groups. Group A: treated with batroxobin. Group B: use Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). Group C: batroxobin and LMWH. Group D: urokinase and LMWH. Observing the perimeter of thigh and calf periodically, monitoring coagulation function, registering the frequency and degree of the complication. RESULTS: All the treatments in four groups can relieve the swell level of the affected legs (P < 0.05). We got the best efficacy when we use batroxobin together with LMWH (P < 0.05), especially in treating the patients with a long course of treatment. Batroxobin can obviously reduce the level of blood FBG (P < 0.05), and have no significant effect with other index of coagulation function (P > 0.05). Inject ing batroxobin into affected legs with the micro pump got a better efficacy and much safer than intravenously guttae from peripheral vein. CONCLUSION: Treating DVT with batroxobin got a definite efficacy, especially in cases with a long course of treatment; micro pumping can give a better effect and a high safety.

Efficient Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Employing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters as Exciton Harvesters.

Utilization of triplet excitons plays a key role in obtaining highly efficient quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs). However, to date, only phosphorescent materials have been implemented to harvest triplet excitons in QD-LEDs. In this work, we introduced a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter, 4,5-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phthalonitrile (2CzPN), doped into poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) as an exciton harvester in red QD-LEDs by solution processing. As a result, electrons leaking to the PVK layer will be trapped by 2CzPN to form long-lifetime TADF excitons in the 2CzPN:PVK layer, and then this harvested exciton energy can be effectively transferred to the adjacent QDs by the Förster resonance energy-transfer process. The fabricated red CdSe/CdS core/shell QD-LEDs show a maximum luminescence efficiency of 17.33 cd/A and longer lifetime. Our results demonstrate that the TADF sensitizer would be a promising candidate to develop highly efficient QD-LEDs.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis comparing modified cross-linking and standard cross-linking for progressive keratoconus.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and safety between modified cross-linking (MC) and standard cross-linking (SC) in mild or moderate progressive keratoconus. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved from four electronic databases, including CENTRAL, Clinical Trials gov, PupMed and OVID MEDLINE. We set post-surgical maximum K value (Kmax) as the primary outcome. In addition, uncorrected and corrected distant visual acuity (UDVA and UDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), endothelial cell density (ECD), central cornea thickness (CCT) and depth of demarcation line (DDL) were Meta-analyzed as secondary outcomes. Mean differences for these outcomes were pooled through either a random-effect model or fixed-effect model according to data heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-four comparative studies either on accelerated cross-linking (AC) compared with SC or on trans-epithelial cross-linking (TC) compared with SC were included and pooled for analysis. The results indicated that MC was significantly inferior to SC at delaying Kmax deterioration [AC vs SC 0.49 (95% CI: 0.04-0.94, I2=75%, P=0.03); TC vs SC 1.15 (95% CI: 0.54-1.75, I2=50%, P=0.0002)]. SE decreased significantly for SC when compared to AC [0.62 (95% CI: 0.38-0.86, I2=22%, P<0.00001)]. DDL of SC was more significantly deeper than that of TC [-133.49 (95% CI: -145.94 to -121.04, I2=33%, P<0.00001)]. Other outcomes demonstrated comparable results between MC and SC. CONCLUSION: SC is more favorable at halting the progression of keratoconus, but visual acuity improvement showed comparable results between MCs and SC.

Comparative study of proteome between primary cancer and hepatic metastatic tumor in colorectal cancer.

AIM: To identify the differential proteins associated with colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis. METHODS: Hydrophobic protein samples were extracted from normal colorectal mucosa, primary cancer lesion and hepatic metastatic foci of colorectal cancer. With two-dimensional electrophoresis and image analysis, differentially expressed protein spots were detected, and the proteins were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprint analysis. RESULTS: Significant alterations of the proteins in number and expression levels were discovered in primary cancer and hepatic metastatic foci, the expression of a number of proteins was lost in 25-40 ku, but protein spots was increased in 14-21 ku, compared with normal mucosa. Nine differentially expressed protein spots were identified. Three proteins expressed in normal mucosa, but lost in primary cancer and hepatic metastasis, were recognized as calmodulin, ribonuclease 6 precursor and mannosidase-alpha. Proapolipoprotein was expressed progressively from normal mucosa to primary cancer and hepatic metastasis. The differentially expressed protein of beta-globin was found in normal mucosa and hepatic metastatic tumor, but lost in primary cancer lesion. Cdc 42, a GTP-binding protein, was identified in hepatic metastasis. The protein spots of C4 from primary cancer, M7 and M9 from hepatic metastasis had less homology with the proteins in database. CONCLUSION: Variations of hydrophobic protein expression in colorectal cancer initiation and hepatic metastasis are significant and can be observed with two-dimensional electrophoresis. The expression of calmodulin, ribonuclease 6 precursor and mannosidase-alpha is lost but the expression of proapolipoprotein is enhanced which is associated with colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis. Cdc 42 and beta-globin are expressed abnormally in hepatic metastasis. Protein C4, M7 and M9 may be associated with colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis.

[The influence of FasL gene expression upon hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study FasL gene expression in colorectal carcinoma and its influences on biological behaviour of colorectal cancer and hepatic metastasis. METHODS: FasL gene expressions were examined with RT-PCR technique in the primary locus of colorectal cancer, mucosa adjacent to cancer, and hepatic metastasis. HR-8348 cells of human rectal cancer cell line were transfected with FasL cDNA. Cell growth suppression rates and cell response to 5-FU and carboplatin were observed and analysed with MTT method. RESULTS: FasL gene expressions were detected in the primary site of colorectal cancer (n = 58), cancer adjacent mucosa (n = 58), and hepatic metastasis (n = 28). The positive rate of FasL expression was 24% (14/58), 14% (8/58), 100% (28/28), respectively, in primary site, tumor adjacent mucoca and hepatic metastasis. FasL expression rate in hepatic metastasis was higher than that in the primary site (chi2 = 43.49, P < 0.01) and tumor adjacent mucosa (chi2 = 57.66, P < 0.01). In a group of patients with hepatic metastasis, FasL expression rate in primary site was higher than that in patients without hepatic metastasis (chi2 = 3.96, P < 0.05). In vitro experiment, positive expression of FasL was found in transfected HR-8348 cells. When 5-FU or carboplatin was added, there was a significant difference in growth suppression rate between FasL positive and control cancer cells (t = 9.02, t = 11.93, P < 0.01). Under same concentration of chemotheraputic agent, survival rate of FasL positive HR-8348 cells was higher than that of control cells. CONCLUSIONS: FasL positive cancer cells have more powerful resistance to chemotheraputic drugs. Expression of FasL gene in colorectal cancer cells is related with immune evasion to escape killing by immune cells, showing stronger drug-resistance, and it facilitates hepatic metastasis.

[Proteome study of colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis].

OBJECTIVE: To study differential expression proteins associated with colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis with proteomic techniques. METHODS: Using isoelectric focusing/SDS acrylamide gel two-dimensional electrophoresis to analyse differential expression protein spots among normal colorectal mucosa, primary cancer lesion and hepatic metastasis. Peptide mass fingerprinting was used to identify the differential proteins. RESULTS: Significant differences of protein expression were found on two-dimensional electrophoresis. Nine differential protein spots were analysed and identified. Calmodulin, ribonuclease 6 precursor and protein XP_040720 (mannosidase-alpha) were detected in normal colorectal mucosa, but lost in primary cancer lesion and hepatic metastasis. Proapolipoprotein was expressed progressively from normal mucosa to primary cancer and hepatic metastasis. Expression of beta-globin was found in normal mucosa and hepatic metastasis, but not in primary cancer lesion. Cdc42 was a differential expression protein in hepatic metastasis. Peptide mass fingerprints of differential protein spot C4, M7 and M9 had low homology with database proteins, they were candidates of associated proteins with colorectal cancer genesis and hepatic metastasis. CONCLUSION: Loss of calmodulin, ribonuclease 6 precursor and mannosidase-alpha expression are associated with colorectal cancer genesis. Enhancement expression of proapolipoprotein is related with colorectal genesis and hepatic metastasis. Cdc42 and beta-globin are associated proteins with hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer.

A cultural practice of drinking realgar wine leading to elevated urinary arsenic and its potential health risk.

Toasting friends and family with realgar wines and painting children's foreheads and limbs with the leftover realgar/alcohol slurries is an important customary ritual during the Dragon Boat Festival (DBF); a Chinese national holiday and ancient feast day celebrated throughout Asia. Realgar is an arsenic sulfide mineral, and source of highly toxic inorganic arsenic. Despite the long history of realgar use during the DBF, associated risk to human health by arsenic ingestion or percutaneous adsorption is unknown. To address this urine samples were collected from a cohort of volunteers who were partaking in the DBF festivities. The total concentration of arsenic in the wine consumed was 70 mg L⁻¹ with all the arsenic found to be inorganic. Total arsenic concentrations in adult urine reached a maximum of ca. 550 µg L⁻¹ (mean 220.2 µg L⁻¹) after 16 h post-ingestion of realgar wine, while face painting caused arsenic levels in children's urine to soar to 100 µg L⁻¹ (mean 85.3 µg L⁻¹) 40 h after the initial paint application. The average concentration of inorganic arsenic in the urine of realgar wine drinkers on average doubled 16 h after drinking, although this was not permanent and levels subsided after 28 h. As would be expected in young children, the proportions of organic arsenic in the urine remained high throughout the 88-h monitoring period. However, even when arsenic concentrations in the urine peaked at 40 h after paint application, concentrations in the urine only declined slightly thereafter, suggesting pronounced longer term dermal accumulation and penetration of arsenic. Drinking wines blended with realgar or using realgar based paints on children does result in the significant absorption of arsenic and therefore presents a potentially serious and currently unquantified health risk.

Assessment of the solubility and bioaccessibility of arsenic in realgar wine using a simulated gastrointestinal system.

Consumption of arsenic (As) wine is a traditional activity during the classic Chinese festival of Duanwu, colloquially known worldwide as the Dragon Boat Day. Arsenic wine is drunk on the morning of the fifth day of the fifth lunar calendar month to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a famed Chinese poet who drowned himself in protest of a corrupt government, and to protect against ill fortune. Although realgar minerals are characteristically composed of sparingly soluble tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfides (As(4)S(4)), purity does vary with up to 10% of As being present as non-sulfur bound species, such as arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)). Despite, the renewed interest in As speciation and the bioaccessibility of the active As components in realgar based Chinese medicines, little is known about the safety surrounding the cultural practice of drinking As wine. In a series of experiments the speciation and solubility of As in a range of wines were investigated. Furthermore, a simulated gastrointestinal system was employed to predict the impact of digestive processes on As bioavailability. The predominant soluble As species found in all the wines were As(III) and As(V). Based on typical As wine recipes employing 0.1 g realgar mL(-1) wine, the concentration of dissolved As ranged from ca. 100 to 400 mg L(-1) depending on the ethanol content of the preparation: with the As solubility found to be higher in wines with a lower proportion of ethanol. Based on a common 100 mL measure of wine with a concentration of 400 mg As L(-1), the amount of soluble As would equate to around half of the acute minimal lethal dose for adults. This is likely an underestimate of the bioaccessible concentration, as a three-fold increase in bioaccessibility could be observed in the intestinal phase based on the results from the stimulated gastrointestinal system.