Performance of Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD) in Chinese Population with Primary Prevention Indications: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND International studies have shown that use of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) could reduce lead-related complications while maintaining adequate defibrillation performance; however, data from the Chinese population or other Asian groups are limited. MATERIAL AND METHODS SCOPE is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. Two hundred patients with primary prevention indication for sudden cardiac death (SCD), who are candidates for S-ICD, will be enrolled. From the same population, another 200 patients who are candidates for transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (TV-ICD) will be enrolled after being matched for age, sex, SCD high-risk etiology (ischemic cardiomyopathy, and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, ion channel disease, and other) and atrial fibrillation in a 1: 1 ratio with enrolled S-ICD patients. All the patients will be followed for 18 months under standard of care. RESULTS The primary endpoint is proportion of patients free from inappropriate shock (IAS) at 18 months in the S-ICD group. The lower 95% confidence bound of the proportion will be compared with a performance goal of 90.3%, which was derived from the previous meta-analysis. The comparisons between S-ICD and TV-ICD on IAS, appropriate shock, and complications will be used as secondary endpoints without formal assumptions. CONCLUSIONS This is the first prospective multicenter study focusing on the long-term performance of S-ICD in a Chinese population. By comparing with the data derived from international historical studies and a matched TV-ICD group, data from SCOPE will allow for the assessment of S-ICD in the Chinese population in a contemporary real-world implantation level and programming techniques, which will help us to further modify the device implantation and programming protocol in this specific population in the future.

One-pot superhydrophilic surface modification of waste polyurethane foams for high-efficiency oil/water separation.

Despite of the fact that polymers have brought tremendous convenience to human life, they have also inevitably caused considerable environmental pollution after their service life. Therefore, a feasible strategy that can effectively recycle waste polymers and endow them with high added value is much desired. Superwetting materials have shown great promise in oily wastewater treatment because of their high oil/water separation efficiency. However, most of these materials present some limitations, such as complex preparation procedures and poor salt tolerance, which hamper their practical applications. In this study, an iron hydroxide@polydopamine@waste polyurethane foam (Fe(OH)3@PDA@WPU) was synthesized via a facile and mild "one-pot" reaction. During this process, polymerization of dopamine and in situ growth of Fe(OH)3 were simultaneously realized, and the resultant PDA and Fe(OH)3 nanoparticles were firmly attached to the surface of WPU. Due to the abundant hydrophilic groups from PDA and Fe(OH)3 coupled with the surface roughness created by Fe(OH)3 nanoparticles, the surface properties of the foam could be changed from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic. Remarkably, the Fe(OH)3@PDA@WPU was capable of separating various oil/water mixtures even under some severe conditions (e.g. erosion in a saturated sodium chloride solution and longtime sonication), demonstrating high potential in marine oily sewage treatment. Moreover, this work also paved a new path for reducing the negative impact of waste polymer foams on our environment, and in the meantime realizing their high value utilization.

A new method to recommend left ventricular lead positions for improved CRT volumetric response and long-term prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: Using ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), we sought to develop and validate a new method to recommend left ventricular (LV) lead positions in order to improve volumetric response and long-term prognosis after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: Seventy-nine patients received gated SPECT MPI at baseline, and echocardiography at baseline and follow-up. The volumetric response referred to a reduction of ≥ 15% in LV end-systolic volume 6 months after CRT. After excluding apical, septal, and scarred segments, there were three levels of recommended segments: (1) the optimal recommendation: the latest contracting viable segment; (2) the 2nd recommendation: the late contracting viable segments whose contraction delays were within 10° of the optimal recommendation; and (3) the 3rd recommendation: the viable segments adjacent to the optimal recommendation when there was no late contracting viable segment. RESULTS: After excluding 11 patients whose LV lead was placed in apical or scarred segments, 75.6% of the patients concordant to recommended LV segments (n = 41) responded to CRT while 51.9% of those with non-recommended LV lead locations (n = 27) were responders (P = .043). Response rates were 76.9%, 76.9% , and 73.3% (P = .967), respectively, when LV lead was implanted in the optimal recommendation (n = 13), the 2nd recommendation (n = 13), and the 3rd recommendation (n = 15). LV leads placed at recommended segments reduced composite events of all-cause mortality or heart failure (HF) rehospitalization compared with pacing at non-recommended segments (log-rank χ2 = 5.623, P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Pacing in the recommended LV lead segments identified on gated SPECT MPI was associated with improved volumetric response to CRT and long-term prognosis.

Acquired long QT syndrome in chronic kidney disease patients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. QT interval prolongation is a congenital or acquired condition that is associated with an increased risk of torsade de pointes (TdP), sudden cardiac death (SCD), and all-cause mortality in the general population. The prevalence of acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS) is high, and various acquired conditions contribute to the prolonged QT interval in patients with CKD. More notably, the prolonged QT interval in CKD is an independent risk factor for SCD and all-cause mortality. In this review, we focus on the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, underlying mechanisms and treatments of aLQTS in CKD, promoting the management of aLQTS in CKD patients.

Vasostatin-2 inhibits cell proliferation and adhesion in vascular smooth muscle cells, which are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis.

Recently, the serum expression level of vasostatin-2 was found to be reduced and is being studied as an important indicator to assess the presence and severity of coronary artery disease; the functional properties of vasostatin-2 and its relationship with the development of atherosclerosis remains unclear. In this study, we attempted to detect the expression of vasostatin-2 and its impact on human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to assess the expression level of vasostatin-2 in VSMCs between those from atherosclerosis and disease-free donors; we found that vasostatin-2 was significantly down-regulated in atherosclerosis patient tissues and cell lines. In addition, the over-expression of vasostatin-2 apparently inhibits cell proliferation and migration in VSMCs. Gain-of-function in vitro experiments further show that vasostatin-2 over-expression significantly inhibits inflammatory cytokines release in VSMCs. In addition, cell adhesion experimental analysis showed that soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1) had decreased expression when vasostatin-2 was over-expressed in VSMCs. Therefore, our results indicate that vasostatin-2 is an atherosclerosis-related factor that can inhibit cell proliferation, inflammatory response and cell adhesion in VSMCs. Taken together, our results indicate that vasostatin-2 could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic option for human atherosclerosis in the near future.

Low-dose Exogenous Ouabain Alleviates Cardiac Lipotoxicity Through Suppressing Expression of CD36.

CD36 is a key transporter involved in fatty acid (FA) uptake and contributes to the accumulation of FA in cardiomyocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of ouabain, a glycoside regulator of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, in the regulation of CD36 expression and FA accumulation. FATP1 transgenic (Tg) mice with lipotoxic cardiomyopathy displayed significantly increased cardiac CD36 expression and free fatty acid accumulation. The data on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that endogenous ouabain was decreased in the serum of Tg mice versus wild-type mice. CD36 expression and free fatty acid accumulation in their primary cardiomyocytes were abated by treatment with 0.15-0.30 µM ouabain. CD36 expression was suppressed by 0.2 µM ouabain treatment, and the suppression was rescued by C-reactive protein. CD36 expression and free fatty acid accumulation in the heart were markedly reduced in Tg mice injected with 30 or 40 ng of ouabain (P < 0.01). Obvious fatty infiltration was found in noninjected Tg mice but not in the mice injected with 40 ng of ouabain. In conclusion, low-dose exogenous ouabain increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity, suppressed C-reactive protein-mediated CD36 expression, and alleviated murine cardiac lipotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

The spontaneous pneumopyopericardium simultaneously masquerading as acute myocardial infarction and surgical abdomen: a case report.

Pneumopyopericardium is a rare disease, presenting clinically as a spectrum of acute myocardial infarction or severe surgical abdomen, which includes various symptoms and changes in cardiac enzymes and electrocardiogram. Here, we report a case of pneumopyopericardium in a 61-year-old male farmer in China. An early diagnosis of pneumopyopericardium was difficult due to his acute myocardial infarction­ and severe surgical abdomen­like symptoms and signs. The electrocardiogram, esophagogram, and chest computed tomographic scan commonly revealed pericardial fluid and air and excluded a gastrointestinal perforation in late stage of severe inflammation. Despite therapy with antibiotics and pericardial open surgical drainage, his severe inflammation was not well controlled, partly due to the pericardial cavity drainage obstruction induced by pericardial adhesion. The present case indicated the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of pneumopyopericardium.

Statistical analysis of 4 types of neck whiplash injuries based on classical meridian theory.

As one component of the Chinese medicine meridian system, the meridian sinew (Jingjin, (see text), tendino-musculo) is specially described as being for acupuncture treatment of the musculoskeletal system because of its dynamic attributes and tender point correlations. In recent decades, the therapeutic importance of the sinew meridian has become revalued in clinical application. Based on this theory, the authors have established therapeutic strategies of acupuncture treatment in Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) by categorizing four types of neck symptom presentations. The advantage of this new system is to make it much easier for the clinician to find effective acupuncture points. This study attempts to prove the significance of the proposed therapeutic strategies by analyzing data collected from a clinical survey of various WAD using non-supervised statistical methods, such as correlation analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. The clinical survey data have successfully verified discrete characteristics of four neck syndromes, based upon the range of motion (ROM) and tender point location findings. A summary of the relationships among the symptoms of the four neck syndromes has shown the correlation coefficient as having a statistical significance (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), especially with regard to ROM. Furthermore, factor and cluster analyses resulted in a total of 11 categories of general symptoms, which implies syndrome factors are more related to the Liver, as originally described in classical theory. The hypothesis of meridian sinew syndromes in WAD is clearly supported by the statistical analysis of the clinical trials. This new discovery should be beneficial in improving therapeutic outcomes.

[Effect of Negative Emotions on Serum Levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormones and Neuropeptide Y in Hepatitis B Liver Cirrhosis Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of negative emotions on serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and neuropeptide Y (NYP) in hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (HBLC) patients. METHODS: Totally 617 HBLC patients were assigned to the negative emotion group (415 cases) and the non-negative emotion group (202 cases) judged by negative emotions. Case numbers of various grading Child-Pugh were recorded in the two groups. Their liver functions were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of ACTH and NPY were detected using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in Child-Pugh grading between the two groups (χ2 = 0.65, P = 0.72). Compared with the non-negative emotional group, serum ACTH levels decreased significantly in the negative emotion group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum ACTH levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The negative emotion of HBLC patients was not related to the serum ACTH level, but to relatively lower-concentration serum NPY levels.

Facile fabrication of 3D Janus foams of electrospun cellulose nanofibers/rGO for high efficiency solar interface evaporation.

Solar-powered interfacial evaporation is one of the most efficient state-of-the-art technologies for producing clean water via desalination. Herein, we report a novel bio-based nanofibrous foam for high efficiency solar interface evaporation. To this end, a hybrid membrane of cellulose nanofibers/graphene oxide (GO) is first fabricated by electrospinning coupled with in situ layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. After that, the membrane is subjected to a foaming process in an aqueous NaBH4, which effectively transforms the 2D membrane into a 3D foam. This structure can improve the photothermal conversion efficiency and also facilitate the water transport at the gas-water interface. In the meantime, the GO is converted to the reduced GO (rGO) with a higher light absorption efficiency. Finally, one side of the foam is hydrophobically modified via spray-coating with a fluorocarbon resin (FR) to obtain the Janus type 3D foam, namely FR@EC/rGO. The resultant 3D foam combines the functions of solar energy absorption in the upper layer and water pumping capability in the lower layer. It exhibits an extraordinary solar vapor conversion efficiency of 94.2 % and a fast evaporation rate of 1.83 kg m-2 h-1, showing high potential in future seawater desalination.

Wenxin Keli suppresses ventricular triggered arrhythmias via selective inhibition of late sodium current.

BACKGROUND: Wenxin Keli is a popular Chinese herb extract that approximately five million Asians are currently taking for the treatment of a variety of ventricular arrhythmias. However, its electrophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: The concentration-dependent electrophysiological effects of Wenxin Keli were evaluated in the isolated rabbit left ventricular myocytes and wedge preparation. Wenxin Keli selectively inhibited late sodium current (INa) with an IC50 of 3.8 ± 0.4 mg/mL, which was significantly lower than the IC50 of 10.6 ± 0.9 mg/mL (n = 6, P < 0.05) for the fast INa. Wenxin Keli produced a small but statistically significant QT prolongation at 0.3 mg/mL, but shortened the QT and Tp-e interval at concentrations ≥ 1 mg/mL. Wenxin Keli increased QRS duration by 10.1% from 34.8 ± 1.0 ms to 38.3 ± 1.1 ms (n = 6, P < 0.01) at 3 mg/mL at a basic cycle length of 2,000 ms. However, its effect on the QRS duration exhibited weak use-dependency, that is, QRS remained less changed at increased pacing rates than other classic sodium channel blockers, such as flecainide, quinidine, and lidocaine. On the other hand, Wenxin Keli at 1-3 mg/mL markedly reduced dofetilide-induced QT and Tp-e prolongation by attenuation of its reverse use-dependence and abolished dofetilide-induced early afterdepolarization (EAD) in four of four left ventricular wedge preparations. It also suppressed digoxin-induced delayed after depolarization (DAD) and ventricular tachycardias without changing the positive staircase pattern in contractility at 1-3 mg/mL in a separate experimental series (four of four). CONCLUSIONS: Wenxin Keli suppressed EADs, DADs, and triggered ventricular arrhythmias via selective inhibition of late INa.

L539 fs/47, a truncated mutation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), decreases hERG ion channel currents in HEK 293 cells.

Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) are responsible for congenital Type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2). Previously, we reported a truncated mutation of hERG in a Chinese family with LQT2, namely L539 fs/47, which is composed of a 19 bp deletion mutation and an A1692G polymorphism. This mutation was found to cause an LQT2 phenotype. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functional role of L539 fs/47 at the cellular level and its potential contribution to the loss of function of hERG channels. The function of the truncated mutation L539 fs/47 was evaluated by constructing a mutated plasmid, transfection of the mutated cDNA into HEK 293 cells and subsequent patch-clamp, western blotting and immunostaining experiments. Homologous expression of L539 fs/47 in HEK 293 cells produced a non-functional protein that was detected in cell membranes. When L539 fs/47 was expressed simultaneously with wild-type hERG, it suppressed wild-type hERG currents in a dose-dependent manner and changed the gating properties of the channel. Although L539 fs/47 hERG proteins were detected on plasma membranes, they failed to generate hERG currents. In general, L539 fs/47 dose-dependently decreases hERG ion channel currents and suppresses the function of wild-type channels function. This may explain, in part, the clinical manifestations of LQT2 in the family with this mutation.

Facile fabrication of three-dimensional nanofibrous foams of cellulose@g-C3N4@Cu2O with superior visible-light photocatalytic performance.

In this work, a unique three-dimensional nanofibrous foam of cellulose@g-C3N4@Cu2O was prepared via electrospinning followed by a foaming process. A cellulose solution in DMAc/LiCl containing g-C3N4 and CuSO4 was applied for electrospinning, while aqueous alkali was used as the coagulation bath. The solidification of electrospun cellulose/g-C3N4 nanofibers would be accompanied with in-situ formation of Cu(OH)2 nanoparticles. Interestingly, the hydrogen gas (H2) generated from NaBH4 could transform the two-dimensional membrane into a three-dimensional foam, leading to the increased specific surface area and porosity of the material. Meanwhile, the Cu(OH)2 nanoparticles attached on the electrospun nanofibers were reduced to Cu2O to form a p-n heterostructure between Cu2O and g-C3N4. The as-prepared cellulose@g-C3N4@Cu2O foam exhibited a high degradation efficiency (99.5 %) for the dye of Congo Red under visible light radiation. And ·O2- was discovered to be the dominant reactive species responsive for dye degradation. Moreover, the cellulose@g-C3N4@Cu2O could maintain its initial degradation efficiency even after seven cycles of reuse, suggesting the excellent stability and cycling performance.

Erchen decoction to reduce oxidative stress in dyslipidemia phlegm-dampness retention syndrome mice: In vivo mechanism revealed by metabolomics (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry).

OBJECTIVE: Erchen decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, can reduce the level of oxidative stress for the treatment of dyslipidemia phlegm-dampness retention syndrome (DPDRS); however, studies have not elucidated the mechanism underlying its metabolic action. Here, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomic techniques were utilized to characterize the in vivo effects of Erchen decoction in achieving reduction of oxidative stress levels and understand the potential metabolic mechanisms of action. METHODS: We constructed a DPDRS animal model using a multifactorial composite modeling approach, and Erchen decoction was administered by gavage. We employed LC-MS-based metabolomic techniques in combination with serum-associated factors, gene transcription, methylation detection, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: In this study, the constructed animal model of DPDRS had satisfactory quality. Erchen decoction treatment reduced the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, t total cholesterol and riglyceride; it improved the endothelial structure, increased levels of serum ß-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and glutathione concentrations, increased aortic phosphoserine aminotransferase and phosphoserine phosphatase gene expression levels, and decreased aortic phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase methylation level. A total of 64 differential metabolites were obtained using LC-MS assay, and 34 differential metabolic pathways were obtained after enrichment. CONCLUSIONS: Erchen decoction treatment of DPDRS mice reversed lipid indexes, improved vascular endothelial structure, increased serum and aortic anti-oxidative stress factor concentration and expression levels, and decreased methylation levels, thereby reducing oxidative stress and protecting vascular endothelium. Tricarboxylic acid cycle and metabolic pathways of serum glutamine, serine, tryptophan, pyrimidine, and pyruvate were the most relevant metabolic pathways involved in reducing oxidative stress levels by Erchen decoction during DPDRS treatment; especially, mitochondrial redox homeostasis maintenance in endothelial cells may be crucial. In this work, the therapeutic potential of Erchen decoction for reducing the oxidative stress level in DPDRS was demonstrated; however, its in-depth mechanism is worth further exploration.

Fiber-optic bending vector sensor based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer exploiting lateral-offset and up-taper.

A simple, compact, and highly sensitive optical fiber directional bend sensor is presented. This device consists of a lateral-offset splicing joint and an up-taper formed through excessive fusion splicing method. The lateral-offset splicing breaks the cylindrical symmetry of the fiber and defines a pair of directions along which the bending response of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer transmission spectrum is different and thus could be used for bending vector measurement. For a curvature range from -3 to 3 m(-1), the bending sensitivities at 1463.86 nm and 1548.41 nm reach 11.987 nm/m(-1) and 8.697 nm/m(-1), respectively.

Xiaopiyishen Herbal Extract Granule Improves the Quality of Life among People with Fatigue-Predominant Subhealth and Liver-Qi Stagnation and Spleen-Qi Deficiency Syndrome.

To observe the effects of Xiaopiyishen Herbal Extract Granule (XPYS-HEG) on the quality of life in people with fatigue-predominant subhealth (FPSH) and liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency syndrome, the participants were allocated randomly to the treatment group (XPYS, n = 100) and the control group (placebo, n = 100) in this study. The study period was 18 weeks (6 weeks for the intervention and 12 weeks for followup). The results show that there were no differences between the two groups for the scores of eight factors on the SF-36 (Chinese version of the SF-36 universal quality-of-life scale) at baseline. Compared with the baseline score, intervention with XPYS-HEG led to a significant increase in scores for the factor of bodily pain at the end of the 6th week. Compared with the score at the end of the 6th week, the score for the factor of mental health in the XPYS group significantly increased at the end of the 18th week. Therefore, XPYS-HEG could partially improve the quality of life for people with FPSH and liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency syndrome, which can ease bodily pain, stimulate a positive mood, and ease a negative mood.

[Weighting coefficients of symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of corresponding TCM syndrome elements of ulcerative colitis based on expert questionnaire investigation].

OBJECTIVE: To define the weighting coefficients of the symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of corresponding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements of ulcerative colitis based on expert questionnaire investigation. METHODS: The questionnaire included eight syndrome elements of location and 11 syndrome elements relating to disease characteristics. Experts who answered the questionnaire were titled as associate chief physician or above, and had been practicing as professionals in general practice of medicine of digestive system for a long time. They came from 15 third-grade class-A hospitals (6 provinces and Beijing) in China. The weighting coefficients of the symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of corresponding TCM syndrome elements of ulcerative colitis were identified preliminarily based on consent degree of the experts (mean value and variation coefficient). RESULTS: There were 9, 6, 14, 5, 9, 8, 12 and 2 symptoms and signs corresponding to 8 TCM syndrome elements related to disease location and the ranges of weighting coefficients were listed as follows: liver, from 7.49 to 4.18; heart, from 6.90 to 5.51; spleen, from 7.96 to 5.55; lung, from 6.30 to 5.27; kidney, from 7.82 to 5.71; stomach, from 7.53 to 6.15; large intestine, from 8.40 to 6.70; bowel collaterals, from 8.49 to 6.41. Numbers of symptoms and signs corresponding to 11 TCM syndrome elements related to disease nature were 13, 8, 17, 18, 17, 18, 6, 11, 2, 10 and 11 and the ranges of weighting coefficients were listed as follows: qi deficiency, from 7.44 to 5.60; blood deficiency, from 7.90 to 5.59; yin deficiency, from 6.88 to 4.91; yang deficiency, from 7.54 to 5.57; dampness, from 7.91 to 4.96; excess heat (fire), from 7.13 to 5.69; excess cold, from 7.51 to 6.14; qi stagnation, from 7.38 to 5.88; qi sinking, from 7.65 to 7.43; blood stasis, from 7.60 to 5.79; fluid retention, from 7.08 to 4.46. CONCLUSION: On the basis of previous document research and clinical research in ulcerative colitis, the expert questionnaire can collect consensus opinions of experts. The weighting coefficients of the symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of corresponding TCM syndrome elements of ulcerative colitis are defined preliminarily. Thereby it will lay the foundation for establishing differentiation criteria of ulcerative colitis based on TCM syndrome elements.

Polyethylenimine-Functionalized Nanofiber Nonwovens Electrospun from Cotton Cellulose for Wound Dressing with High Drug Loading and Sustained Release Properties.

Electrospun cellulose nanofiber nonwovens have shown promise in wound dressing owing to the highly interconnected pore structure, high hydrophilicity coupled with other coveted characteristics of biodegradability, biocompatibility and renewability. However, electrospun cellulose wound dressings with loaded drugs for better wound healing have been rarely reported. In this study, a novel wound dressing with a high drug loading capacity and sustained drug release properties was successfully fabricated via electropinning of cellulose followed by polyethylenimine (PEI)-functionalization. Remarkably, the grafted PEI chains on the surface of electrospun cellulose nanofibers provided numerous active amino groups, while the highly porous structure of nonwovens could be well retained after modification, which resulted in enhanced adsorption performance against the anionic drug of sodium salicylate (NaSA). More specifically, when immersed in 100 mg/L NaSA solution for 24 h, the as-prepared cellulose-PEI nonwoven displayed a multilayer adsorption behavior. And at the optimal pH of 3, a high drug loading capacity of 78 mg/g could be achieved, which was 20 times higher than that of pristine electrospun cellulose nonwoven. Furthermore, it was discovered that the NaSA-loaded cellulose-PEI could continuously release the drug for 12 h in simulated body fluid (SBF), indicating the versatility of cellulose-PEI as an advanced wound dressing with drug carrier functionalities.

Effects of Erchen Decoction on Oxidative Stress-Related Cytochrome P450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid in Dyslipidemic Mice with Phlegm-Dampness Retention Syndrome: A Randomized, Controlled Trial on the Correspondence between Prescription and Syndrome.

Phlegm-dampness retention (PDR) syndrome is one of the main syndromes of dyslipidemia. This study investigated the effects of Erchen decoction (ECD) on concentrations of two oxidative stress-related cytochrome P450 (CYP450) metabolites of arachidonic acid-14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE)-in mice with dyslipidemia and phlegm-dampness retention (PDR) syndrome (n = 5 C57BL/6J mice and n = 30 apolipoprotein E knockout mice). Murine models of the disease and syndrome were established using multifactor stimulation. Then, all mice were assigned to normal, model, low- (L-), medium- (M-), or high- (H-) dose ECD groups or to a control or an unmatched prescription-syndrome (unmatched P-S) group; five mice were included in each group. Dose formulations were administered by oral gavage for 30 days to animals in the corresponding groups. We detected and analyzed hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining characteristics of the mouse aorta and serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), 14,15-DHET, and 20-HETE concentrations in each group. TC and LDL-C concentrations significantly decreased in the M-ECD versus control group (P < 0.05); however, the TC and LDL-C concentrations were not significantly different in the unmatched P-S versus model group (P > 0.05). After treatment in the P-S correspondence groups (L-ECD, M-ECD, and H-ECD groups), the concentration of ONOO- decreased to different degrees in each group. Among these groups, the concentration of ONOO- significantly decreased in the L-ECD, M-ECD, and H-ECD groups versus the model group (P < 0.05). However, the concentration of ONOO- was not significantly different in the unmatched P-S versus the model group (P > 0.05). From the perspective of aortic HE staining, the P-S group experienced an improved endothelium structure after treatment. 14,15-DHET concentrations significantly increased in the normal, M-ECD, and H-ECD groups versus the model group; in the H-ECD versus the L-ECD group; and in the H-ECD versus the control group (all P < 0.05) to various extents after different doses of the prescription. 20-HETE concentrations pronouncedly decreased in the M-ECD versus normal group; in the M- and H-ECD groups versus the model group; in the M-ECD versus the L-ECD group; in the M-ECD versus the control group; and in the M-ECD versus the unmatched P-S (P < 0.05). However, the concentrations of 14,15-DHET and 20-HETE in the model group were not significantly different from those of the unmatched P-S (P > 0.05). In this study, ECD reversed blood lipid indexes and ameliorated oxidative stress-related metabolites, elevating serum 14,15-DHET and lowering serum 20-HETE in mice with dyslipidemia and PDR syndrome via CYP450 pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The efficacy of ECD relies on correspondence between the prescription and the syndrome. These findings scientifically validate the treatment according to traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation. ECD can strengthen the protective effect on the vascular endothelium by driving out pathogenic factors and strengthening healthy resistance. Its efficacy may be related to the adjustment of the polarization state of macrophages.

Mechanically Strong and Electrically Conductive Polyethylene Oxide/Few-Layer Graphene/Cellulose Nanofibrils Nanocomposite Films.

In this work, a cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)/few-layer graphene (FLG) hybrid is mechanically stripped from bamboo pulp and expanded graphene (EG) using a grinder. This strategy is scalable and environmentally friendly for high-efficiency exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in an aqueous medium. The in situ-generated CNFs play a key role in this process, acting as a "green" dispersant. Next, the obtained CNFs-FLG is used as a functional filler in a polyoxyethylene (PEO) matrix. When the composition of CNFs-FLG is 50 wt.%, the resultant PEO/CNFs-FLG nanocomposite film exhibits a Young's modulus of 1.8 GPa and a tensile strength of 25.7 MPa, showing 480% and 260% enhancement as compared to those of the pure PEO film, respectively. Remarkably, the incorporation of CNFs-FLG also provides the nanocomposite films with a stunning electrical conductivity (72.6 S/m). These attractive features make PEO/CNFs-FLG nanocomposite films a promising candidate for future electronic devices.