Gross yield driving the mass fluxes of fishery drugs: Evidence of occurrence from full aquaculture cycle in lower Yangtze River Basin.

Expanding aquaculture has generated pollutants like fishery drugs in wastewater, which affects the aquatic environments and hinders sustainable development of aquaculture. To evaluate the occurrence, mass fluxes and production factors of fishery drugs in aquaculture, full-aquaculture-cycle monitoring in finfish and crustacean wastewater was conducted in the lower Yangtze River Basin, and 28 pesticides and 15 antibiotics were detected. The results showed that individual fishery drugs varied from ppt to ppb levels. Among them, sulfonamides were dominant with a mean concentration of 105.95 ± 4.13 ng·L-1 in finfish aquacultural wastewater, and insecticides were prevailing in crustacean aquacultural wastewater with a content of 146.56 ± 0.66 ng·L-1. Since the susceptibility to finfish disease determined the aquaculture practice, there were significant differences between two types of aquacultural wastewater. Finfish aquacultural wastewater contained more drugs and reached peak earlier in rapid-growth period, yet crustacean aquacultural wastewater peaked at the harvest period, to prevent against disease. Meanwhile, higher ecological risk, especially for florfenicol, were found in finfish wastewater. With 6 production factors from Good Aquaculture Practice, the gross yield was the most influential factor of drug mass flux, explaining 98 % variance by stepwise regression. Apart from increasing concentrations of fishery drugs in wastewater, regional high-yield aquaculture also significantly impacted the corresponding mass flux. As estimated by linear regression, 1.63 tons of target drugs would be discharged by 1 Mt. aquatic products, and 7.77 tons were discharged from aquaculture in the lower Yangtze River Basin in 2021. This is the first report to quantify mass fluxes of fishery drugs and to highlight gross yield as the most influential factor, which provides guidance for the supervision and regulation of sustainable aquaculture.

Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) using newly synthesized black phosphorus/ZnO nanocomposites.

Removal of high toxic Cr(VI) with solar plays an important role in improving water pollution, but is facing a dilemma of developing excellent photocatalysts with high conversion efficiency and low cost. Different from traditional nano-structuring, this work focuses on the interfacial hybridization by considering the intrinsic difference in bonding interaction. Herein, we intentionally make some layered black phosphorus (BP) sheets with Van der Waals interaction to bond with ZnO surfaces, in which some additional electron channels can be formed by this multilevel atomic hybridization to accelerate carrier transfer and separation. Compared to the pristine ZnO and BP nanosheets, the light absorption and carrier separation efficiency can be sharply enhanced by this particular electronic structure, which makes the Cr reduction performance enhanced about 7.1 times. Our findings suggest a new insight into accelerating Cr(VI) reduction by designing interfacial atom hybridization.

Photo-induced heterogeneous regeneration of Fe(â ¡) in Fenton reaction for efficient polycyclic antibiotics removal and in-depth charge transfer mechanism.

Fenton reaction is regarded as a potential treatment for antibiotics removal, but challenges remain due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of Fe(III) reduction and incomplete degradation from insufficient active substance. Distinguished from traditional Fe(Ⅱ) regeneration techniques, this work focuses on utilizing the aliovalent redox pairs and built-in electric field to induce photo-excited electrons to cross the material interface and achieve Fe(III) reduction (heterogeneous regeneration). Herein, oxygen-deficient CeO2 particles are anchored on metal-organic frameworks (MIL-88A) and thus constitute the heterojunction with enhanced photoelectric properties, accelerating the directional charge transfer. Consequently, the synthesized MIL-88A/CeO2(OV) composite can degrade 95.76% of oxytetracycline within 60 min in photo-Fenton reaction and maintain a high mineralization rate (75.33%) after 4 cyclic tests. Furthermore, the charge transfer mechanisms of Fe cycle and antibiotics mineralization are both unveiled via experiment results and theorical calculation. This work proposes a new paradigm for constructing self-sufficient photo-Fenton catalytic system for efficient and sustainable removal of polycyclic antibiotics.

NIR/pH-responsive chitosan hydrogels containing Ti3C2/AuNRs with NIR-triggered photothermal effect.

Remotely multi-responsive chitosan (CS) hydrogels holds great promise in the design of anticancer drug carriers. In this paper, near-infrared (NIR)-/pH-dual responsive CS/ß-GP/Ti3C2@AuNRs hybrid hydrogel was prepared based on CS/ß-glycerol phosphate disodium salt (ß-GP) crosslinking system embedded with NIR-responsive Ti3C2@gold nanorods (AuNRs) nanosheets. Excess ß-GP promoted the formation of massive electronegative cavities, which endowed hybrid hydrogels with high drug loading efficiency for electropositive DOX (around 88.5 %). The collapse of chitosan network in acidic medium gave the hybrid hydrogel with distinct pH response. In addition, the distinct temperature increase owing to the strong NIR responsiveness of Ti3C2@AuNRs nanosheets would accelerate the DOX release dramatically. Therefore, NIR-, pH- and thermal-multi-responsiveness would synergistically endow CS/ß-GP/Ti3C2@AuNRs hybrid hydrogel with notable NIR-triggered photothermal effect and remotely controllable drug delivery properties.

Spin-related symmetry breaking induced by half-disordered hybridization in BixEr2-xRu2O7 pyrochlores for acidic oxygen evolution.

While acidic oxygen evolution reaction plays a critical role in electrochemical energy conversion devices, the sluggish reaction kinetics and poor stability in acidic electrolyte challenges materials development. Unlike traditional nano-structuring approaches, this work focuses on the structural symmetry breaking to rearrange spin electron occupation and optimize spin-dependent orbital interaction to alter charge transfer between catalysts and reactants. Herein, we propose an atomic half-disordering strategy in multistage-hybridized BixEr2-xRu2O7 pyrochlores to reconfigure orbital degeneracy and spin-related electron occupation. This strategy involves controlling the bonding interaction of Bi-6s lone pair electrons, in which partial atom rearrangement makes the active sites transform into asymmetric high-spin states from symmetric low-spin states. As a result, the half-disordered BixEr2-xRu2O7 pyrochlores demonstrate an overpotential of ~0.18 V at 10 mA cm-2 accompanied with excellent stability of 100 h in acidic electrolyte. Our findings not only provide a strategy for designing atom-disorder-related catalysts, but also provides a deeper understanding of the spin-related acidic oxygen evolution reaction kinetics.

SNHG14 Upregulation Was a Molecular Mechanism Underlying MPP+ Neurotoxicity in Dopaminergic SK-N-SH Cells via SNHG14-miR-519a-3p-ATG10 ceRNA Pathway.

Long non-coding RNA small nuclear RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) is a novel contributor of dopaminergic neuronal injury in Parkinson's disease. We further explored its role in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-damaged dopaminergic neurons (DAn) and the possible mechanism involving SNHG14, microRNA (miR)-519a-3p, and autophagy-related 10 (ATG10). MPP+ cytotoxicity was measured by MTS cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and a series of assay kits for detecting apoptosis and oxidative stress. Molecule expression was examined by qPCR and Western blotting, and RNA interaction was predicted by starBase2.0 of ENCORI platform and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. SNHG14 and ATG10 expression was increased, and miR-519a-3p was decreased in MPP+-treated SK-N-SH cells, and SNHG14 knockdown alleviated MPP+-induced SK-N-SH cell damage by regulating cell viability, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Additionally, antisense RNA of miR-519a-3p abated the suppressive role of SNHG14 knockdown, and ectopic expression of ATG10 counteracted the protective role of miR-519a-3p against MPP+ neurotoxicity. Mechanistically, SNHG14 and ATG10 were competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miR-519a-3p, and ATG10 expression could be positively modulated by SNHG14 via sponging miR-519a-3p. Target silencing SNHG14 and restoring miR-519a-3p could prevent DAn from MPP+ toxicity via regulation of ATG10.

Investigations on the Respiratory Function in COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health crisis. However, whether it can cause respiratory dysfunction or physical and psychological disorders in patients remains unknown. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the respiratory function, activities of daily living, quality of life, and mental status of patients with COVID-19. Participants and outcomes. Data was collected from the follow-up of eligible patients who attended the fever clinic of three hospitals in Jiangxi Province, from March to May 2020. The outcomes included respiratory muscle function, degree of dyspnea, aerobic capacity, activities of daily living, quality of life, and mental status. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients (72 men and 67 women) were included in this study. The proportions of mild, moderate, severe, and critical cases of COVID-19 were 7.1% (10 cases), 68.3% (95 cases), 20.1% (28 cases), and 4.2% (6 cases), respectively. The rates of abnormal maximal inspiratory pressure were 10.0%, 25.2%, 25.0%, and 16.7%, respectively. There were 50%, 65.3%, 50%, and 66.7% of the patients with abnormal dyspnea in the four clinical classifications, respectively. Patients generally show a decline in quality of life, anxiety, and depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory dysfunction, decreased quality of life, and psychological disorders were present in each clinical classification of COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out respiratory rehabilitation and psychological intervention for COVID-19 patients.

Liuzijue is a promising exercise option for rehabilitating discharged COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Among discharged COVID-19 patients, the health-related quality of life is poor, and patients suffer from significant physical and psychological impairment. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Liuzijue exercise on the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Thirty three eligible patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study after discharge. All the participants practiced Liuzijue exercise once per day for 20 minutes over 4 weeks. Data were collected at baseline and the end of the intervention. Primary outcomes involved functional capacity and secondary outcomes involved quality of life. RESULTS: The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), and diaphragm movement in deep breathing (DM-DB) of patients increased significantly after 4 weeks of intervention. The dyspnea was also alleviated and exercise capacity was significantly improved. In terms of quality of life, physical functioning and role-physical scores were significantly increased. Moreover, Liuzijue could significantly alleviate the depression and anxiety status of the patients. CONCLUSION: Liuzijue exercise is a viable alternative home exercise program that produced better functional capacity and quality of life in discharged patients with COVID-19. These findings also showed the necessity of rehabilitation intervention for cured COVID-19 patients.

Stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Recently, extensive researches about stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke have been published; our review evaluated the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke. Our review was registered on PROSPERO (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO), registration number CRD42019135805. Two independent observers searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded) for relevant studies up to 31 May 2019. We included clinical trials which compared efficacy outcomes (measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), or Barthel index (BI)) and safety outcomes (such as death and adverse effects) between the stem cell-based therapies and control in ischemic stroke. We performed random effect meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3. Our review included nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven non-randomized studies (NRSs), involving 740 participants. Stem cell-based therapies were associated with better outcomes measured by NIHSS (mean difference (MD) - 1.63, 95% confidence intervals (CI) - 2.73 to - 0.53, I2 =60%) and BI (MD 14.68, 95% CI 1.12 to 28.24, I2 = 68%) in RCTs, and by BI (MD 6.40, 95% CI 3.14 to 9.65, I2 = 0%) in NRSs. However, the risk of bias was high and the efficacy outcomes of RCTs were high heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in mortality between the stem cell group and the control group. Fever, headache, and recurrent stroke were the most frequently reported adverse effects. Our review shows that stem cell-based therapies can improve the neurological deficits and activities of daily living in patients with ischemic stroke.

Xiaoyukang Jiaonang Promotes the Degradation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α and Antiangiogenesis and Anti-Inflammation in Chronic Subdural Hematoma Rat Model.

Xiaoyukang Jiaonang (XYK) is a Chinese patent medicine approved by the National Medical Product Administration which is used to treat intracranial hematoma in China. In this study, we observed the molecular mechanism of XYK in hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), inflammation and angiogenesis of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The CSDH model was made by using internal iliac vein blood of Wister rats, and rats were divided into sham group, CSDH group and XYK group. The rats in the XYK group were gavaged with Xiaoyukang Jiaonang (185 mg/kg) for 7 days, and rats in the CSDH group and sham group were gavaged with the same amount of physiological saline for 7 days. In the CSHD rat model, active inflammation and angiogenesis were observed around the hematoma. XYK promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1α, and reduced the concentration of VEGF and the ratio of angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2. XYK reduced proinflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine. In tissue section, XYK reduced the size of the hematoma and membrane, and reduced vWF positive cells in membrane. Furthermore, the endothelial progenitor cells in blood decreased as well. Overall, XYK shows anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects which may relate to the degradation of HIF-1α.

Raw Material Regulates Flavor Formation via Driving Microbiota in Chinese Liquor Fermentation.

Raw material is important for flavors in fermented foods. Here, the effect of hulless barley on the microbiota in Chinese liquor was studied using two main cultivars (heilaoya and dulihuang). Six genera (Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, Komagataella, Aspergillus, Pichia, and Weissella) were identified as flavor producers. Komagataella, mainly correlated with esters, dominated in heilaoya, and Pichia, mainly correlated with carbonyls, dominated in dulihuang. The Mantel test indicated reducing sugar drove the succession of microbiota (heilaoya: P = 0.001; dulihuang: P = 0.006). Especially, glucose (P = 0.0226) and fructose (P = 0.0168) presented the most significant correlations with Pichia and Komagataella, respectively. The simulative fermentation confirmed Komagataella phaffii QK2 grew better in heilaoya with more fructose, whereas Pichia fermentans PF grew better in dulihuang with more glucose. This work highlighted the effect of raw material on microbiota, which would be beneficial for regulating the quality of fermented foods.

iTRAQ-Based Proteomics Analysis of Plasma of Myasthenia Gravis Patients Treated with Jia Wei Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease. A proportion of MG patients did not get satisfactory results after treatment with pyridostigmine and prednisone. Jia Wei Bu Zhong Yi Qi (Jia Wei BZYQ) decoction, a water extract from multiple herbs, has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of multiple "Qi deficiency type" diseases including MG in China. In this text, we investigated protein alterations in the plasma from healthy volunteers (C), MG patients without any treatment (T1), MG patients with routine western medical treatment (T2), and MG patients with combined treatments of Jia Wei BZYQ decoction and routine western medicines (T3) and identified some potential proteins involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of MG. iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) and 2D-LC-MS/MS (two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technologies) were employed to screen differentially expressed proteins. The identification, quantification, functional annotation, and interaction of proteins were analyzed by matching software and databases. In our project, 618 proteins were identified, among which 447 proteins had quantitative data. The number of differentially expressed proteins was 110, 117, 143, 115, 86, and 158 in T1 vs. C, T2 vs. C, T2 vs. T1, T3 vs. C, T3 vs. T1, and T3 vs. T2 groups, respectively. Functional annotation results showed that many differentially expressed proteins were closely associated with immune responses. For instance, some key proteins such as C-reactive protein, apolipoprotein C-III, apolipoprotein A-II, alpha-actinin-1, and thrombospondin-1 have been found to be abnormally expressed in T3 group compared to T1 group or T2 group. Interaction network analyses also provided some potential biomarkers or targets for MG management.