Precisely Regulating Intermolecular Interactions and Molecular Packing of Nonfused-Ring Electron Acceptors via Halogen Transposition for High-Performance Organic Solar Cells.

The structure of molecular aggregates is crucial for charge transport and photovoltaic performance in organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, the intermolecular interactions and aggregated structures of nonfused-ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) are precisely regulated through a halogen transposition strategy, resulting in a noteworthy transformation from a 2D-layered structure to a 3D-interconnected packing network. Based on the 3D electron transport pathway, the binary and ternary devices deliver outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 17.46% and 18.24%, respectively, marking the highest value for NFREA-based OSCs.

Intrauterine chilled saline instillation reduces endometrial impairment on MRI after ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of uterine adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intrauterine chilled saline can reduce endometrial impairment during US-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) of adenomyosis. METHODS: An open-label, randomized trial was conducted with sixty symptomatic adenomyosis patients who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive PMWA treatment assisted by intrauterine saline instillation (study group) or traditional PMWA treatment alone (control group). The primary endpoint was endometrial perfusion impairment grade on post-ablation contrast-enhanced MRI. The secondary endpoints were endometrial dehydration grade, ablation rate, and intra-ablation discomfort. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. The incidence rates of endometrial perfusion impairment on MRI in the study and control groups were 6.7% (2/30) and 46.7% (14/30), respectively (p < 0.001). There were 28 (93.3%), 2 (6.7%), 0, and 0 patients in the study group and 16 (53.3%), 7 (23.3%), 5 (16.7%), and 2 (6.7%) in the control group (p < 0.001) who had grade 0, 1, 2, and 3 perfusion impairment, respectively. Additionally, there were 27 (90%), 3 (10%), and 0 patients in the study group and 19 (63.3%), 10 (33.3%), and 1 (3.3%) in the control group who had grade 0, 1, and 2 endometrial dehydration (p = 0.01). The ablation rates achieved in the study and control groups were 93.3 ± 17% (range: 69.2-139.6%) and 99.7 ± 15.7% (range: 71.5-129.8%), and they were not significantly different (p = 0.14). No significant difference was found in the intra-ablation discomfort. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine chilled saline can effectively reduce endometrial impairment after PMWA treatment for adenomyosis. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This trial demonstrated that the instillation of intrauterine chilled saline reduced endometrial impairment on MRI during PMWA of adenomyosis. This approach allows more precise and safe ablation in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: Endometrial impairment occurs in the PMWA treatment of adenomyosis. Intrauterine chilled saline can reduce endometrial impairment during PMWA for adenomyosis. An intrauterine catheter is a practical endometrial protecting method during thermal ablation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100053582. Registered 24 November 2021, www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=141090 .

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis with abnormal uterine bleeding: clinical outcome and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) for adenomyosis with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB-A). METHODS: Baseline data of patients with AUB-A who underwent US-guided PMWA treatment between October 2020 and October 2021, including demography characteristics, laboratory and imaging examination results were retrospectively analyzed. 3D reconstruction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to quantitatively assess the local treatment responses, including ratio of non-perfusion volume to adenomyosis volume (NPVr), ablation rate of the endometrial-myometrial junction (EMJ), and surface area (SA) of the ablated part of the EMJ. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, and divided into two groups: group with complete relief (CR), and group with partial relief (PR) or no relief (NR). Data were compared between them. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were analyzed with a mean age of 38.7 ± 6.8 years (range: 24-48): 48.4% (15/31), 63.3% (19/30), and 65.5% (19/29) achieved CR at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. In univariate analysis, compared with the PR/NR group, serum CA125 levels were significantly lower in CR group at 3 months, while ablation rates of EMJ and SA of the ablated part of the EMJ were significantly higher at the three time points. Other baseline characteristics and NPVr did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Baseline CA125 and ablation rate of the EMJ and SA of the ablated part of the EMJ are associated with the outcome of AUB-A patients after US-guided PMWA treatment.

Uterine artery embolization combined with percutaneous microwave ablation for the treatment of prolapsed uterine submucosal leiomyoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal myomectomy is the most common form of radical treatment for prolapsed submucosal leiomyoma and is typically performed under general anesthesia. However, an alternative treatment approach is needed for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia. We describe a case with such a patient who was successfully treated via a minimally invasive method under local anesthesia. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old female suffered from abnormal uterine bleeding, severe anemia, and a reduced quality of life attributed to a massive prolapsed submucosal leiomyoma. She could not tolerate general anesthesia due to a congenital thoracic malformation and cardiopulmonary insufficiency. A new individualized combined treatment, consisting uterine artery embolization (UAE), percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) of the pedicle and the endometrium, and transvaginal removal of the leiomyoma by twisting, was performed. The lesion was completely removed successfully under local anesthesia without any major complications. The postoperative follow-up showed complete symptom relief and a significant improvement in the quality of life. CONCLUSION: UAE combined with PMWA can be performed under local anesthesia and is a promising alternative treatment for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis in the posterior uterine wall.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) for treating adenomyosis in the posterior uterine wall. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with symptomatic adenomyosis in the posterior uterine wall who had been subjected to PMWA were retrospectively enrolled in this study. 20 patients who had no ideal transabdominal puncture path due to the retroverted or retroflexed uterine position were treated with PMWA combined with Yu's uteropexy (Group 1). The other 16 patients were treated with PMWA only (Group 2). The non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio, symptomatic relief rate, recurrence rate, changes in clinical symptom scores, economic cost, and complications were compared. RESULTS: The mean NPV ratio for the 36 patients was 90.2±18.3%, and the percentage of patients who obtained complete relief of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia was 81.3% (26/32), and 69.6% (16/23) respectively. The recurrence rate was 11.1% (4/36). No major complication was observed. Minor complications included lower abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, nausea, and/or vomiting after ablation, with incidences of 55.6%, 41.7%, 47.2%, and 19.4% respectively. Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the median value of NPV ratio, symptomatic relief rate of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, changes in clinical symptom scores, recurrence rate and economic cost between the two groups (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PMWA is an effective and safe treatment for adenomyosis in the posterior uterine wall. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study focused on the ultrasound-guided PMWA treatment for adenomyosis in the posterior uterine wall. Yu's uteropexy, a new ancillary technique allowing safe PMWA for deep posterior uterine wall lesions in retroverted uterus, expanded the indications of PMWA for symptomatic adenomyosis.

Environmental mechanism of capturing nutrient-rich particles by the lake bottom trap in a large, shallow lake.

Bottom traps capture and preserve nutrient-rich mobile bottom sediments by forming a weak hydrodynamic environment. In this study, Lake Chaohu, a large shallow lake in China, was considered the research object, and the influence of trap at the bottom of the lake on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of sediments and water were analysed by combining on-site monitoring and laboratory analysis. The results showed that the hydrodynamic intensity was attenuated by more than 65% at the bottom of the trap compared with that of the upper surface of the water body under different weather conditions, forming an obviously weak hydrodynamic environment. The weak dynamic environment and large sedimentation rate at the bottom of the trap were beneficial to the sedimentation and storage of fine particles that adsorb nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the water. Owing to the increase in local water depth, a low-temperature and low-dissolved oxygen environment was formed inside the trap. The abundance and diversity of microorganisms in the sediments inside the trap were reduced, and the abundance of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in the sediment was reduced by approximately 50%, indicating an environment favourable for nitrogen accumulation in the sediment in the trap. Therefore, the environment inside the bottom trap is favourable for capturing the high nutrient-rich particulate matter in the water, which provides theoretical support for use of the lake bottom traps for controlling the endogenous pollution of shallow lakes.

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for symptomatic abdominal wall endometriosis and treatment response evaluation with contrast-enhanced imaging: The first experience.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is a relatively uncommon condition associated with diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties among all the extra pelvic endometriosis. The main therapies include surgery and oral contraceptive administration. Percutaneous cryoablation and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are also proven to be valid alternatives. Microwave ablation (MWA) as one of the thermal ablation methods has not been applied in the treatment of AWE yet. Herein the feasibility of ultrasound (US) -guided MWA for AWE was explored and treatment response evaluation was carried out using contrast-enhanced imaging. METHODS: Three consecutive patients who underwent US-guided MWA for AWE with typical symptoms were included in this retrospective study. US, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laboratory tests, and US-guided core-needle biopsy were conducted for pre-treatment assessment and ruling out malignancy. The interventional procedure was carried out under local anesthesia with MWA and the output power was 60w. Post-treatment contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed to evaluate the instant treatment response. The follow-up intervals were 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. The clinical symptoms and condition of AWE lesions were recorded in each follow-up. RESULTS: The MWA procedure was completed in all the patients with no blood perfusion inside each lesion by instant CEUS after treatment. The mean ablation time was 687 seconds (s) for a single patient (ranged from 660s to 742s). Clinical symptoms were relieved evidently at the end of the follow-up. The pain according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased from 4-6 before treatment to 0-2 after treatment. Mild to moderate complications included slightly abdominal pain and fat liquefaction occurred. In terms of technical outcomes, the volume of all six lesions reduced in different degrees at the end of follow-up (ranged: 16.6% to 100%). CONCLUSION: US-guided MWA may be a feasible and promising approach for symptomatic AWE.

Sequential thermal ablation in combination with sclerotherapy using lauromacrogol as a successful translative therapy for an unresectable huge biliary cystadenocarcinoma: The first experience assisted by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma (BCAC) is an extremely rare intrahepatic cystic tumor. Patients usually present with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and abdominal mass. This tumor occurs most commonly in the left hemiliver and is thought to mainly develop from a benign biliary cystadenoma (BCA). At present, the disease is mainly diagnosed by ultrasound, CT, MR, and other imaging methods, and the main treatment is radical surgical resection. We reported a 75-year-old female with an unresectable huge BCAC (i.e., 161×145×122 mm in three orthogonal directions) and poor general condition (40 in Karnofsky Performance Status, KPS) who received sequential thermal ablation (i.e., cryoablation and microwave ablation) in combination with sclerotherapy using lauromacrogol. The diagnosis of intrahepatic BCAC was confirmed pathologically. Preablation grayscale US showed the BCAC with a clear boundary, regular shape, and cystic-solid mixed echogenicity, which appeared as a huge multilocular cystic lesions with thick internal sepatations. Preablation contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) showed honeycomb-like hyper-enhancement of the thick internal sepatations and cystic wall in the arterial and portal phase, and sustained enhancement of the thick internal sepatations and cystic wall in the late phase. 6-month postablation CEUS showed non-enhancement in most parts of the lesion in the arterial phase and 6-month postablation MRI showed the volume reduction ratio (VRR) was about 70%. The abdominal pain and abdominal distension were relieved remarkably, and her quality of life was greatly improved (70 in KPS). In conclusion, sequential thermal ablation in combination with sclerotherapy provides a successful translative therapy for this unresectable huge BCAC with a poor general condition, which makes subsequent curative surgery or ablation possible.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for uterine fibroids: mid-term local treatment efficiency and associated influencing factors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mid-term local treatment efficiency of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for uterine fibroids (UFs) and the associated influencing factors. METHODS: From July 2020 to October 2021, a total of 28 patients with 52 UFs who had undergone ultrasound-guided MWA were retrospectively included in this study. Pre-treatment clinical characteristics, conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features were analyzed to explore their correlation with volume reduction ratios (VRRs) of sufficient ablation (i.e. a VRR of at least 50% at the 3 month follow-up). The patients were assessed at 1-, 3-, 6 month follow-up after MWA treatment and the assessment included VRR, adverse events, uterine fibroid symptom (UFS) and quality of life (QoL) scores, and clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The procedures of percutaneous MWA for UFs were tolerated well and no major complications occurred in all patients. At the 1-, 3-, 6 month follow-up, the median VRRs of UFs were 30.1%, 46.9%, and 65.8%, respectively. At the 3 month follow-up, 44.4% of fibroids obtained sufficient ablation while the remaining 55.6% obtained partial ablation (i.e. a VRR of <50%). Non-enhancing area during the early phase (i.e. within 30 s after injecting contrast agent) on pre-treatment CEUS was present in 22.2% UFs, which was associated with sufficient ablation at the 3 month follow-up (p < 0.05). In addition, the relevant clinical symptoms of all patients were alleviated or removed. The UFS and QoL score after MWA decreased significantly in comparison with those after MWA (p = 0.04 and p = 0.057, respectively), indicating a remarkable improvement of clinical symptom and QoL. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided MWA is an effective and safe method to treat patients with UFs. Non-enhancing area during the early phase on pretreatment CEUS is associated with mid-term local treatment efficiency, which might be used to predict treatment outcome. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Non-enhancing area during the early phase on pretreatment CEUS is an important factor associated with mid-term local treatment efficiency. This is the first study finding that CEUS feature can be used as a marker for the prediction of mid-term local treatment response.

The first experience of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for extracranial schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve in carotid space and treatment response evaluation with contrast-enhanced imaging: A case report.

Schwannoma is a benign tumor that originates from Schwann cells in the nerve sheathing of cranial, other peripheral, or autonomic nerves. Patients often present with painless mass as the chief complaint. The main symptoms of this tumor are related to its size and specific nerve origin. At present, the pretreatment diagnosis is mainly made by ultrasound, CT, MR, or biopsy, and the main treatment is surgical resection. We reported a new treatment method for cervical schwannoma in a 65-year-old woman with a history of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When the patient's neck mass was initially found with hoarseness and severe cough, it was considered as cervical lymph node metastasis of lung cancer due to her medical history. And she was diagnosed with schwannoma by core-needle biopsy after chemotherapy failed and the tumor shrank after the radiotherapy with no improvement of the clinical symptoms. After considering the physical condition, the patients were treated in our department for minimal invasiveness treatment. The patient was definitively diagnosed with cervical vagus schwannoma and was treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of schwannoma under general anesthesia with systematic evaluation and improved preoperative examination. Her condition was stable, and the symptoms of severe cough disappeared after anesthesia resuscitation and the ablation. The tumor continued to shrink after the operation with no recurrence of cough symptoms. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for cervical vagus schwannomas might be a minimally invasive, effective, and relatively safe alternative to conventional treatment for those patients with severe symptoms.

Research on application of a new bottom trap technology to catch particles rich in nutrients in a large shallow lake.

The resuspension and sedimentation of particulate matter and the release of nutrients from sediment are important factors affecting the eutrophication of shallow lakes. The capture and removal of particles rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients at the bottom of lakes is of great significance for improving the management and eutrophication status of lakes. This study investigated the feasibility of applying lake bottom trap technology in seven different locations in Lake Chaohu, which is the fifth largest freshwater lake in China. The results showed that the trap in the western part of Lake Chaohu had the highest sedimentation rate and could capture most of the nutrients. The sedimentation rates were higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The bottom trap effectively collected and preserved chlorophyll a, organic matter, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. The trap per meter length (15-20 m wide) could catch 20.7-27.6 m3 of particles rich in nutrients with a water content of 50-70%, organic matter content of 281.9-375.8 kg, total nitrogen content of 24.5-32.6 kg, and total phosphorus content of 10.5-14 kg. The proposed bottom trap had little impact on the benthic organism system of the lake. The bottom trap technology used in this study could solve the problem of nitrogen, phosphorus, and algae accumulation in lakes and reservoirs, broaden the utility of lake hydrodynamics in environmental pollution control, and provide new ideas and strategies for the control and management of cumulative pollution in shallow lakes and reservoirs.

US-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hyperthyroidism and immediate treatment response evaluation with contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease mainly manifested by hyperexcitability of multiple systems and hypermetabolism. Currently, antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioiodine therapy (RIT), and surgery are mainly used in the clinical treatment for primary hyperthyroidism. We reported a case of a 28-year-old female who received a novel treatment for primary hyperthyroidism. This patient had poor control of thyroid function while taking ATD, and her oral Methimazole (MMI) dose varied repeatedly between 20 mg qd and 15 mg qd, failing to maintain a stable status. To minimize the possible complication and to achieve drug reduction or withdrawal, she refused RIT and surgery and showed up in our department. The patient, diagnosed with Graves' disease (GD) and met the surgical indication after systematic clinical evaluation, was subject to ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of the partial thyroid gland with continuous oral administration of 20 mg qd MMI. The post-ablation condition was stable and the patient was discharged 2 days after the operation. Thyroid ultrasound and serum thyroid function test were examined regularly after ablation and the MMI dosage was gradually reduced according to the results of the biochemical examination. Five weeks after the operation, the patient completely discontinued the medication. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation is minimally invasive, safe, and effective, and has potential to be an alternative treatment besides the 3 classical treatments of hyperthyroidism.

Large lake sluice operations during an extreme rainfall season greatly affect circulation and water quality dynamics of a shallow eutrophic lake.

Large hydraulic infrastructures have been constructed globally to address water challenges. Past studies have well documented their effects on downstream aquatic ecosystems, which have included disrupting hydrological regimes as well as nutrient delivery, cycling and mediating processes that affect primary production. However, how these infrastructure operations affect lake ecosystems where the infrastructures are situated remains poorly understood. In the present study, we used a three-dimensional hydrodynamic-biogeochemical lake model to quantify the potential effects of large lake sluice operations under extreme high water levels on current structure and water quality parameters of Lake Chaohu in China. We designed and simulated multiple operation strategies based on actual operation curves during the 2016 extreme rainfall season. The model successfully captured the water quality dynamics of Lake Chaohu during both the calibration and validation phases. Our results indicate that higher lake water release rates led to overall accelerations of the current velocity; however, the deceleration of along-shore current velocity along the shorelines was also evident. Higher release rates also resulted in rapid rises ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) concentrations in the eastern lake basin, as well as a lake-wide rise of chlorophyll-a (Chla) concentration. When the lake sluice was operated at its full capacity, mean concentrations of these four parameters increased by 5.21%, 5.58%, 9.6% and 7.46%, respectively. Modeling results demonstrate that the effects of lake sluice operations were still quite pronounced for four months after the operations. Modeling results also revealed that higher release rate during the operation phase may help decease TN and TP concentrations during the subsequent period. This study provides a useful perspective on how to support the planning and operation of large infrastructures in the face of climate change induced extreme events.

US-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of submandibular gland: A new minimal invasive and effective treatment for refractory sialorrhea and treatment response evaluation with contrast-enhanced imaging techniques.

A 33 years' old male complained of excessive salivation with frequent swallowing and spitting, which resulted in communication disturbance, reduced quality of life, and social embarrassment for 19 years. He had been diagnosed as sialorrhea and submandibular gland hyperfunction by stomatologist, then had unilateral submandibular gland resection 13 years ago, but the symptom relief was not satisfactory. After that, he had been treated with glycopyrrolate for less than a year, which was withdrawn because of the short duration of symptomatic control after each tablet take-in and intolerable side effects. With the wish to receive a new treatment with long term effectiveness, low re-operation risk and normal preserved saliva secretion function, the patient was subject to MWA for the right submandibular gland. After systematic clinical evaluation, US-guided percutaneous MWA was successfully performed with an uneventful post-operative course. The volume of the right submandibular gland and ablated area were measured precisely by an ablation planning software system with automatic volume measurement function based on three-dimensional reconstruction of the pre-operative and post-operative enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) raw data. Finally, the ablated volume was calculated as 62.2% of the whole right submandibular gland. The patient was discharged 1 day after the operation, with symptoms relieved significantly, the mean value of whole saliva flow rate (SFR) decreased from 11 ml to 7.5 ml per 15 minutes. During the follow up by phone three months after operation, the patient reported that the treatment effect was satisfactory, whereas the SFR value became stable as 7 ml per 15 minutes, drooling frequency and drooling severity (DFDS) score decreased from 6 to 5, drooling impact scale (DIS) score decreased from 43 to 26. US-guided percutaneous MWA of submandibular gland seems to be an alternative, minimal invasive, and effective treatment for refractory sialorrhea.We described a patient with refractory sialorrhea treated successfully with ultrasound (US) guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA).

Ecological risk assessment and source apportionment of metals in the surface sediments of river systems in Lake Taihu Basin, China.

In this study, the concentrations of Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in the surface sediments of 94 sites sampled from six water systems in the Lake Taihu Basin in China were measured, and the pollution risks and sources of the metals were identified. The results showed that the mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in the riverine surface sediments were 163.6, 102.5, 45.5, 44.7, 37.0, 13.3, 0.5, and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively, higher than the corresponding background values (except for Hg). According to the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), the Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Cd concentrations in the riverine surface sediments were generally at low levels of pollution. Based on a pollution load index (PLI) evaluation, the Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cu concentrations in the riverine surface sediments were generally at moderate levels of pollution. According to the thresholds of potential ecological risk, the Cd and Hg concentrations in the riverine surface sediments exhibited moderate potential ecological risks. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the Pb in the riverine surface sediments primarily originated from domestic sewage, agricultural wastewater discharge, and petroleum combustion; the concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Zn were influenced by the electroplating and alloy manufacturing industries; the concentrations of Cu and As mainly originated from pesticide use and industrial wastewater discharge; and those of Cd and Hg primarily stemmed from industrial wastewater discharge. This research provides information regarding metallic contamination and the possible associated ecological risks to benthic organisms in the surface sediments of river systems and is useful for developing sustainable strategies for environmental pollution control and management in the Lake Taihu Basin.

[Distribution and Pollution Assessment of Nutrients in the Surface Sediments of a Macrophyte-Dominated Zone in Lake Taihu].

To clarify the spatial distribution and pollution status of nutrients in the surface sediments from a macrophyte-dominated zone in Lake Taihu, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), alkali nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM) were measured at 60 sampling sites in Xukou Bay. A pollution evaluation and source apportionment analysis of these nutrients was also carried out. The average contents of TN, TP, AN, AP, and OM in the surface sediments of Xukou Bay were 1027.5, 423.2, 46.4, 15.3, and 17096.6 mg·kg-1, respectively, with the OM content being significantly higher in the northeast zone than in other areas of the bay. The average value of STN and STP was 1.75 and 0.91, respectively, indicating that TN and TP represent moderate and mild levels of pollution, respectively. The average comprehensive pollution index (FF) was 1.57, indicated that the surface sediment was moderately polluted. The observed organic pollution index indicated that the surface sediments in Xukou Bay were generally clean. Based on C/N values, organic matter in the surface sediments is derived from the bio-deposition of non-fibrous plants and phytoplankton. Based on correlation analysis, OM and TN in the surface sediments of Xukou Bay are derived from the same source, while TP is derived from an alternative source.

Will elevated atmospheric CO2 boost the growth of an invasive submerged macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana under the interference of phytoplankton?

The growth of most submerged macrophytes is likely to be limited by the availability of carbon resource, and this is especially true for the obligatory carbon dioxide (CO2) users. A mesocosm experiment was performed to investigate the physiological, photophysiological, and biochemical responses of Cabomba caroliniana, an invasive macrophyte specie in the Lake Taihu Basin, to elevated atmospheric CO2 (1000 µmol mol-1); we also examined the possible impacts of interferences derived from the phytoplankton proliferation and its concomitant disturbances on the growth of C. caroliniana. The results demonstrated that elevated atmospheric CO2 significantly enhanced the biomass, relative growth rate, and photosynthate accumulation of C. caroliniana. C. caroliniana exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 exhibited a higher relative maximum electron transport rate and photosynthetic efficiency, compared to those exposed to ambient atmospheric CO2. However, the positive effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on C. caroliniana were gradually compromised as time went by, and the down-regulations of the relative growth rate (RGR) and photosynthetic activity were coupled with phytoplankton proliferation under elevated atmospheric CO2. This study demonstrated that the growth of C. caroliniana under the phytoplankton interference can be greatly affected, directly and indirectly, by the increasing atmospheric CO2.

Pharmacokinetics of a New Oral Vitamin D Receptor Activator (2-Methylene-19-Nor-(20S)-1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3) in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism on Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: 2-Methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (DP001 or 2MD) is a novel, potent 1α-hydroxylated vitamin D analog that binds to the vitamin D receptor and suppresses parathyroid hormone synthesis and secretion with potential for an improved safety profile compared to existing active vitamin D analogs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of DP001 given orally after hemodialysis. METHODS: DP001 (550 ng) was given orally to 11 hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after each dialysis session (3 times/week) for 4 weeks. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed after the first and final dose. RESULTS: After the first and final dose, the half-life of DP001 was similar (55.8 ± 13.0 and 50.8 ± 8.2 h, respectively). At 4 weeks, the time to maximum plasma concentration was 4.0 ± 0.8 h, with a concentration maximum of 3.4 ± 0.3 pg/mL. The area under the curve (0 to infinity) after the final dose was 204.3 ± 23.9 pg h/mL, and apparent volume of distribution was 2.03 ± 0.22 L/kg. At week 4, mean intact parathyroid hormone was suppressed 33% from the baseline (pre-dose) value (313 ± 52 vs 462 ± 39 pg/mL, respectively). No clinically significant changes from baseline values were found for vital signs, electrocardiogram measurements, or other laboratory parameters, including serum calcium and phosphorus. CONCLUSIONS: In hemodialysis patients, DP001 has a longer half-life than existing vitamin D therapies and enables control of parathyroid hormone when administered every 2-3 days on the day of dialysis. It is effective at a lower concentration maximum and area under the curve than other clinically available vitamin D compounds. DP001 may represent a therapeutic improvement over existing compounds due to rapid and extensive distribution to its target and its long half-life enabling sustained parathyroid hormone suppression. These studies support further evaluation of DP001 in longer-term treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Analysis of the binding sites of vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and vitamin D 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) for the design of selective CYP24A1 inhibitors: Homology modelling, molecular dynamics simulations and identification of key binding requirements.

A homology model of human CYP27B1 was built using MOE and was further optimised by molecular dynamics simulations of the hCYP27B1 homology model and a hCYP27B1-SDZ-88357 complex. Docking results from the hCYP27B1-SDZ-88357 complex showed amino acids Arg107, Asn387 and Asp320 have an important role in binding interaction, with Asp320 part of the important acid-alcohol pair situated in the I-helix with the conserved sequence (A/G) GX (E/D) (T/S), which assumes an essential role in the binding of an oxygen molecule for catalysis. Additional docking experiments with selective hCYP27B1 or hCYP24A1 inhibitors using both the hCYP27B1 model and a triple mutant hCYP24A1 model provided further support for the importance of H-bonding interactions with the three identified active site amino acids. To confirm the role of Arg107, Asn387 and Asp320 in the active site of hCYP27B1 compounds were designed that would form H-bonding interactions, as determined from docking experiments with the hCYP27B1 model. Subsequent synthesis and CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 enzyme assays of the designed compounds 1a and 1b showed a∼5-fold selectivity for CYP27B1 confirming the importance of Asp320 in particular and also Asn387 and Arg107 as important amino acids for CYP27B1 inhibitory activity.

Synthesis, molecular modelling and CYP24A1 inhibitory activity of novel of (E)-N-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-(phenylethyl)-3/4-styrylbenzamides.

CYP24A1 (25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase) is a useful enzyme target for a range of medical conditions including cancer, cardiovascular and autoimmune disease, which show elevated CYP24A1 levels and corresponding reduction of calcitriol (the biologically active form of vitamin D). A series of (E)-N-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-(phenylethyl)-3/4-styrylbenzamides have been synthesised using an efficient synthetic route and shown to be potent inhibitors of CYP24A1 (IC50 0.11-0.35µM) compared with the standard ketoconazole. Molecular modelling using our CYP24A1 homology model showed the inhibitors to fill the hydrophobic binding site, forming key transition metal interaction between the imidazole nitrogen and the haem Fe3+ and multiple interactions with the active site amino acid residues.