One-step synthesis of thiol-functionalized metal coordination polymers: effective and superfast removal of Hg (II) in the different matrices to ppb level.

The mercury in water bodies has posed a great threat to the environment and humans, and removing mercury and purifying wastewater has become a global environmental issue. Adopting Zn(II) coordination polymers (Zn-CPs) emerged as a new approach, however, the kind of Zn-CPs, which solely consisted of amino groups, exhibited unsatisfactory performance in capturing Hg(II) at a low level and causing the subsequent leaching of Zn(II) after adsorption. In this study, we fabricated the thiol-modified Zn-based coordination polymers (Zn-CPs-SH) through a one-step solvothermal reaction to efficiently capture Hg(II) from wastewater. Its preeminent adsorption performance could be maintained across a broad range of pH (2-7), ion strength (Cl-, SO42-, and NO3- at 0-10,000 mg/L), and dissolved organic matter (0-100 mg/L). The impressive properties, including fast kinetics (k2∼1.01 × 10-4 L/min), outstanding adsorption capacity (1278.72 mg/g, 298 K), superior selectivity (Kd∼2.3 × 104 mL/g), and excellent regeneration capability (Re = 93.54% after 5 cycles), were attributed to the ultra-abundance of adsorption sites donating from thiol groups, which was revealed by XPS analysis, DFT calculations, and molecular orbital theory. Noteworthy, the high practical application potential of Zn-CPs-SH was demonstrated by its outstanding Hg(II) removal efficiency (Re ≥ 99.10%) in various Hg(II)-spiked water matrices, e.g., tap water, river water, and industrial wastewater. Importantly, the residual Hg(II) in the treated water declined to the ppb level without any Zn(II) leaching. Overall, it is highly anticipated that the incorporation of Zn-CPs-SH would facilitate the practical implementation of highly efficient Hg(II) removal in wastewater treatment owing to its exhibiting high selective affinity, superior adsorption capacity, and enhanced efficiency.

A novel therapeutic strategy of combined camrelizumab and apatinib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: 83 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admitted to the interventional oncology department were randomly divided into two groups. Apatinib and camrelizumab were administered to 42 patients in group A, whereas sorafenib was administered to 41 patients in group B for three months. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in terms of objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). Certain tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), immune function T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) were determined before and after treatment. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteopontin (OPN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and epidermal growth factor 7 (EGF7)] were observed. The survival time between the two groups was compared, such as progression-free survival (PFS) and median survival (MS). Finally, the toxicity and side effects data were also obtained. Results: The ORR and DCR of group A were 69.05% and 88.10%, respectively, which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than group B (ORR=53.66% and DCR=70.73%). After treatment, the AFP, CA199, CEA, and HIF-1 levels of both groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the respective biomarker levels of group A were lower than those of group B (P<0.05). Following treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ index in group A significantly increased (P<0.05) while CD8+ level was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared to group B, a significant increase was observed in group A's CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ index. There were no significant changes in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ indexes before and after treatment in group B (P>0.05). The serum level of VEGF, OPN, EGF-7 and AST indexes of group A&B were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with group B, the VEGF, OPN, EGF7 and AST indexes of group A were significantly reduced (P<0.05). PFS and MS in group A were significantly higher than in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B in terms of toxicity and adverse effects (P>0.05). Conclusion: In treating HCC, combining apatinib and camrelizumab can reduce tumor markers, enhance the immune system and curative effect, and prolong patient survival. The underline mechanism is related to the down-regulation of VEGF, OPN and HIF-1 indexes.

[Expression, purification, and characterization of cell-permeable fusion antioxidant enzyme sensitive to matrix metalloproteinases-2/9].

Antioxidant enzymes fused with cell-penetrating peptides could enter cells and protect cells from irradiation damage. However, the unselective transmembrane ability of cell-penetrating peptide may also bring antioxidant enzymes into tumor cells, thus protecting tumor cells and consequently reducing the efficacy of radiotherapy. There are active matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 or MMP-9 in most tumor cellular microenvironments. Therefore, a fusion protein containing an MMP-2/9 cleavable substrate peptide X, a cell-penetrating peptide R9, a glutathione S-transferase (GST), and a human Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), was designed and named GST-SOD1-X-R9. In the tumor microenvironment, GST-SOD1-X-R9 would lose its cell-penetrating peptide and could not enter tumor cells due to the cleavage of substrate X by active MMP-2/9, thereby achieving selected entering normal cells. The complete nucleotide sequence of SOD1-X-R9 was synthesized and inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1. The pGEX4T-1-SOD1-X-R9 recombinant plasmid was obtained, and soluble expression of the fusion protein was achieved. GST-SOD1-X-R9 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and GST affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of the fusion protein was approximately 47 kDa, consistent with the theoretical value. The SOD and GST activities were 2 954 U/mg and 328 U/mg, respectively. Stability test suggested that almost no change in either SOD activity or GST activity of GST-SOD1-X-R9 was observed under physiological conditions. The fusion protein could be partially digested by collagenase Ⅳ in solution. Subsequently, the effect of MMP-2/9 activity on transmembrane ability of the fusion protein was tested using 2D and 3D cultured HepG2 cells. Little extracellular MMP-2 activity of HepG2 cells was observed under 2D culture condition. While under the 3D culture model, the size and the MMP-2 activity of the HepG2 tumor spheroid increased daily. GST-SOD1-R9 proteins showed the same transmembrane efficiency in 2D cultured HepG2 cells, but the transmembrane efficiency of GST-SOD1-X-R9 in 3D cultured HepG2 spheres was reduced remarkably. This study provided a basis for further investigating the selectively protective effect of GST-SOD1-X-R9 against oxidative damage in normal cells.

NAVIGATE 24-Month Results: Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy for Pulmonary Lesions at 37 Centers in Europe and the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a minimally invasive, image-guided approach to access lung lesions for biopsy or localization for treatment. However, no studies have reported prospective 24-month follow-up from a large, multinational, generalizable cohort. This study evaluated ENB safety, diagnostic yield, and usage patterns in an unrestricted, real-world observational design. METHODS: The NAVIGATE single-arm, pragmatic cohort study (NCT02410837) enrolled subjects at 37 academic and community sites in seven countries with prospective 24-month follow-up. Subjects underwent ENB using the superDimension navigation system versions 6.3 to 7.1. The prespecified primary end point was procedure-related pneumothorax requiring intervention or hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 1388 subjects were enrolled for lung lesion biopsy (1329; 95.7%), fiducial marker placement (272; 19.6%), dye marking (23; 1.7%), or lymph node biopsy (36; 2.6%). Concurrent endobronchial ultrasound-guided staging occurred in 456 subjects. General anesthesia (78.2% overall, 56.6% Europe, 81.4% United States), radial endobronchial ultrasound (50.6%, 4.0%, 57.4%), fluoroscopy (85.0%, 41.7%, 91.0%), and rapid on-site evaluation use (61.7%, 17.3%, 68.5%) differed between regions. Pneumothorax and bronchopulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 4.7% and 2.7% of subjects, respectively (3.2% [primary end point] and 1.7% requiring intervention or hospitalization). Respiratory failure occurred in 0.6%. The diagnostic yield was 67.8% (range: 61.9%-70.7%; 55.2% Europe, 69.8% United States). Sensitivity for malignancy was 62.6%. Lung cancer clinical stage was I to II in 64.7% (55.3% Europe, 65.8% United States). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a heterogeneous cohort and regional differences in procedural techniques, ENB demonstrates low complications and a 67.8% diagnostic yield while allowing biopsy, staging, fiducial placement, and dye marking in a single procedure.

Programmed responses of different life-stages of the seagrass Ruppia sinensis to copper and cadmium exposure.

Seagrass meadows are recognized as crucial and are among the most vulnerable habitats worldwide. The aquatic plant genus Ruppia is tolerant of a wide salinity range, and high concentrations of trace metals. However, the tolerance of its early life stages to such trace metal exposure is unclear. Thus, the current study investigated the trace metal-absorbing capacity of three different life-history stages of Ruppia sinensis, a species that is widely distributed in China, by observing toxic symptoms at the individual, subcellular, and transcription levels. The seedling period was the most vulnerable, with visible toxic effects at the individual level in response to 50 µM copper and 500 µM cadmium after 4 days of exposure. The highest concentrations of trace metals occurred in the vacuoles and cytoplasmic structures of aboveground tissues. Genes related to signal identification and protein processing were significantly downregulated after 4 days of exposure to copper and cadmium. These results provide information relating to the strategies evolved by R. sinensis to absorb and isolate trace elements, and highlight the phytoremediation potential of this species.

The Impact of Biopsy Tool Choice and Rapid On-Site Evaluation on Diagnostic Accuracy for Malignant Lesions in the Prospective: Multicenter NAVIGATE Study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is impacted by biopsy tool strategy and rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) use. This analysis evaluates usage patterns, accuracy, and safety of tool strategy and ROSE in a multicenter study. METHODS: NAVIGATE (NCT02410837) evaluates ENB using the superDimension navigation system (versions 6.3 to 7.1). The 1-year analysis included 1215 prospectively enrolled subjects at 29 United States sites. Included herein are 416 subjects who underwent ENB-aided biopsy of a single lung lesion positive for malignancy at 1 year. Use of a restricted number of tools (only biopsy forceps, standard cytology brush, and/or bronchoalveolar lavage) was compared with an extensive multimodal strategy (biopsy forceps, cytology brush, aspirating needle, triple needle cytology brush, needle-tipped cytology brush, core biopsy system, and bronchoalveolar lavage). RESULTS: Of malignant cases, 86.8% (361/416) of true positive diagnoses were obtained using extensive multimodal strategies. ROSE was used in 300/416 cases. The finding of malignancy by ROSE reduced the total number of tools used. A malignant ROSE call was obtained in 71% (212/300), most (88.7%; 188/212) by the first tool used (49.5% with aspirating needle, 20.2% with cytology brush, 17.0% with forceps). True positive rates were highest for the biopsy forceps (86.9%) and aspirating needle (86.6%). Use of extensive tool strategies did not increase the rates of pneumothorax (5.5% restricted, 2.8% extensive) or bronchopulmonary hemorrhage (3.6% restricted, 1.1% extensive). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that extensive biopsy tool strategies, including the aspirating needle, may provide higher true positive rates for detecting lung cancer without increasing complications.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare aetiology for fetal pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE: We present fetal pleural effusions associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). CASE REPORT: We report a case of fetal pleural effusion in late pregnancy. Due to developing rapidly over short period of time, the baby was delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks gestation. Generalised oedema, sparse haemorrhagic papules, pulmonary involvement, mediastinal mass and liver dysfunction were identified postnatally. Structural malformations, maternal-fetal blood type incompatibility, chromosomal abnormalities and viral infection were excluded. Mediastinal mass biopsy and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). The baby is currently in a stable condition and undergoing regular chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital LCH is a rare aetiology of fetal pleural effusions.

Jiawei Shengmai San herbal formula ameliorates diabetic associate cognitive decline by modulating AKT and CREB in rats.

Memory loss is a complication of diabetes which requires new approaches to its treatment. Shengmai San (SMS) is a famous traditional Chinese formula containing Panax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicas, and Schisandra chinensis, whereas Radix puerariae has many reported pharmacological uses. In this study the combination, as Jiawei SMS (J-SMS) was screened for its ability to reverse diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats. This was assessed behaviorally in diabetic rats (Streptozotocin, 45 mg/kg), with biochemical and western blot analysis (Akt and CREB). Diabetic rats showed fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the range of 13-15 mM throughout the study. J-SMS (0.5, 1.5, 4.5 g/kg) treatment significantly improved learning and memory deficit among diabetic rats as evidenced by preference for novel object, reduced escape latency and increased number of platform crossings (p < .05) in the NORT and MWM tests. Treatment with J-SMS also significantly improved the histopathological changes in the diabetic brain and increased the protein expression of AKT and CREB, required for proper memory function (p < .01). This study highlighted that J-SMS can reverse reference and working memory deficit among diabetic rats by modulating AKT and CREB proteins activation. Thus, J-SMS formulation might be possible candidate for further development.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: One-Year Results of the Prospective, Multicenter NAVIGATE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a minimally invasive technology that guides endoscopic tools to pulmonary lesions. ENB has been evaluated primarily in small, single-center studies; thus, the diagnostic yield in a generalizable setting is unknown. METHODS: NAVIGATE is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study that evaluated ENB using the superDimension navigation system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). In this United States cohort analysis, 1215 consecutive subjects were enrolled at 29 academic and community sites from April 2015 to August 2016. RESULTS: The median lesion size was 20.0 mm. Fluoroscopy was used in 91% of cases (lesions visible in 60%) and radial endobronchial ultrasound in 57%. The median ENB planning time was 5 minutes; the ENB-specific procedure time was 25 minutes. Among 1157 subjects undergoing ENB-guided biopsy, 94% (1092 of 1157) had navigation completed and tissue obtained. Follow-up was completed in 99% of subjects at 1 month and 80% at 12 months. The 12-month diagnostic yield was 73%. Pathology results of the ENB-aided tissue samples showed malignancy in 44% (484 of 1092). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for malignancy were 69%, 100%, 100%, and 56%, respectively. ENB-related Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 2 or higher pneumothoraces (requiring admission or chest tube placement) occurred in 2.9%. The ENB-related Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 2 or higher bronchopulmonary hemorrhage and grade 4 or higher respiratory failure rates were 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NAVIGATE shows that an ENB-aided diagnosis can be obtained in approximately three-quarters of evaluable patients across a generalizable cohort based on prospective 12-month follow-up in a pragmatic setting with a low procedural complication rate.

Which Genes in a Typical Intertidal Seagrass (Zostera japonica) Indicate Copper-, Lead-, and Cadmium Pollution?

Healthy seagrasses are considered a prime indicator of estuarine and coastal ecosystem function; however, as the only group of flowering plants recolonizing the sea, seagrasses are frequently exposed to anthropogenic heavy metal pollutants, which are associated with high levels of molecular damage. To determine whether biologically relevant concentrations of heavy metals cause systematic alterations in RNA expression patterns, we performed a gene expression study using transcriptome analyses (RNA-seq). We exposed the typical intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica to 0 and 50 µM of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) under laboratory conditions. A total of 18,266 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 2001 co-expressed genes directly related by Cu, Pb, and Cd stress. We also examined the effects of short-term heavy metal Cu, Pb, and Cd pulses on the accumulation of metals in Z. japonica and showed metal concentrations were higher in the shoots than in roots. Twelve differentially expressed genes were further analyzed for expression differences using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Our data suggest that as coastal seawater pollution worsens, the sensitive genes identified in this study may be useful biomarkers of sublethal effects and provide fundamental information for Z. japonica resistant gene engineering.

A novel NHS mutation causes Nance-Horan Syndrome in a Chinese family.

BACKGROUND: Nance-Horan Syndrome (NHS) (OMIM: 302350) is a rare X-linked developmental disorder characterized by bilateral congenital cataracts, with occasional dental anomalies, characteristic dysmorphic features, brachymetacarpia and mental retardation. Carrier females exhibit similar manifestations that are less severe than in affected males. METHODS: Here, we report a four-generation Chinese family with multiple affected individuals presenting Nance-Horan Syndrome. Whole-exome sequencing combined with RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing was used to search for a genetic cause underlying the disease phenotype. RESULTS: Whole-exome sequencing identified in all affected individuals of the family a novel donor splicing site mutation (NM_198270: c.1045 + 2T > A) in intron 4 of the gene NHS, which maps to chromosome Xp22.13. The identified mutation results in an RNA processing defect causing a 416-nucleotide addition to exon 4 of the mRNA transcript, likely producing a truncated NHS protein. CONCLUSIONS: The donor splicing site mutation NM_198270: c.1045 + 2T > A of the NHS gene is the causative mutation in this Nance-Horan Syndrome family. This research broadens the spectrum of NHS gene mutations, contributing to our understanding of the molecular genetics of NHS.

Anti-oxidative feedback and biomarkers in the intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica induced by exposure to copper, lead and cadmium.

To investigate the potential influences of anthropogenic pollutants, we evaluated the responses of the intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica to three heavy metals: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). Z. japonica was exposed to various concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Cd (0, 0.5, 5, 50µM) over seven days. The effects were then analyzed using the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and lipid peroxidation measured using malondialdehyde (MDA) as proxy. Metal accumulation in the above-ground tissues and phenotypic changes were also investigated. Our results revealed that heavy metal concentration increased in seagrass exposed to high levels of metals. Z. japonica has great potential for metal accumulation and a suitable candidate for the decontamination of moderately Cu contaminated bodies of water and can also potentially enhanced efforts of environmental decontamination, either through phytoextraction abilities or by functioning as an indicator for monitoring programs that use SOD, CAT, GPX, POD and MDA as biomarkers.

Mercury isotope signatures of seawater discharged from a coal-fired power plant equipped with a seawater flue gas desulfurization system.

Seawater flue gas desulfurization (SFGD) systems are commonly used to remove acidic SO2 from the flue gas with alkaline seawater in many coastal coal-fired power plants in China. However, large amount of mercury (Hg) originated from coal is also transferred into seawater during the desulfurization (De-SO2) process. This research investigated Hg isotopes in seawater discharged from a coastal plant equipped with a SFGD system for the first time. Suspended particles of inorganic minerals, carbon residuals and sulfides are enriched in heavy Hg isotopes during the De-SO2 process. δ(202)Hg of particulate mercury (PHg) gradually decreased from -0.30‰ to -1.53‰ in study sea area as the distance from the point of discharge increased. The results revealed that physical mixing of contaminated De-SO2 seawater and uncontaminated fresh seawater caused a change in isotopic composition of PHg isotopes in the discharging area; and suggested that both De-SO2 seawater and local background contributed to PHg. The impacted sea area predicted with isotopic tracing technique was much larger than that resulted from a simple comparison of pollutant concentration. It was the first attempt to apply mercury isotopic composition signatures with two-component mixing model to trace the mercury pollution and its influence in seawater. The results could be beneficial to the coal-fired plants with SFGD systems to assess and control Hg pollution in sea area.

[The longitude study on the mental development of congenital hearing-impaired infants and toddlers].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of chronological age and acoustic device in cognitive development of congenital hearing-impaired infants and toddlers, and analyze the correlation of abilities in cognitive development with other factors. METHODS: Depending on chronological age (1 year old group and 2 years old group) and acoustic device (hearing aids and cochlear implantation), locomotor, personal-social, hearing and speech, hand and eye co-ordination, performance tests in Griffith Cognitive Development Scale were used to assess the cognitive development of 80 hearing-impaired infants and toddlers aged 0-2 years, including before intervention (0 month), after intervention (6, 12 months). Datas were analyzed by Repeated Measurements and Pearson Correlation Test. RESULTS: During 1 year hearing intervention and rehabilitation, hearing and speech, performance and cognitive were extremely significant difference for each phase of early intervention (P < 0.01), the development of locomotor, personal-social, hand and eye co-ordination were no significant difference (P > 0.05). Personal-Social in 1 year old group with hearing impairment was much higher than 2 years old group P < 0.05). Hearing and speech in cochlear implanted group with hearing loss was much higher than hearing aids group. Cognitive development was positive correlation with various region development P < 0.01), and was negatively correlated with chronological age (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive development is proportional to recovery time. The chronological age of early intervention obviously affect deaf children's cognitive development. The ability of hearing and speech in cochlear implanted children is superior to children with hearing aids in severe and profound hearing impaired children.

Clinical effect evaluation of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with the spinal external fixator for the treatment of osteoporotic compressive fractures with posterior vertebral defect.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report a new technique and assess clinical outcome of compressive fractures with posterior vertebral defect treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with the spinal external fixator. METHOD: 80 patients (32 males and 48 females), ranging from 62 to 88 years old with the mean age of 71.5 years, underwent surgery for the compressive fractures with posterior vertebral defect by percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with the spinal external fixator. All patients were diagnosed to have fresh compressive fractures with osteoporosis and posterior vertebral defect shown on roentgenograms, computed tomography scans or magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively. They underwent spinal external fixation firstly to be fixed and restored, then to be carried out percutaneous vertebroplasty. The mean follow-up was 24 months (16-42 months). Spinal canal encroachment, spinal cobb angle and vertebral body height loss were measured to assess clinical outcome before and after surgery, at the final follow-up. The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were used for pain and functional assessment. In all cases, preoperative and postoperative radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were obtained. RESULTS: The average time of surgery was 88 min (75-115 min). The mean blood loss was 10 ml (6-12 ml) during surgery. The anterior height loss of vertebral body decreased significantly from 79.3 ± 11% before surgery to 8.0 ± 5.2% after surgery, and 7.6 ± 6.0% at the final follow-up. The spinal canal encroachment significantly reduced from 19.9 ± 2.6 % preoperatively to 4.0 ± 0.7% postoperatively, 4.1 ± 0.7% at the final follow-up. The Cobb angle was corrected from 25.8 ± 7.9° primarily to 8.2 ± 4.1° postoperatively, 7.8 ± 3.1° at the final follow-up. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among them before and after the surgery. Postoperative VAS and Oswestry scores were both significantly different from the preoperative and follow-up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results are encouraging, showing that the spinal external fixator combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty was a safe and effective method to treat the osteoporotic compressive fractures with posterior vertebral defect.

Degradation of 1-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) urea by nanoscale zerovalent iron under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

The goal of present study was to investigate the applicability of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) on the degradation of 1-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) urea (CCU) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The experimental results showed that NZVI could effectively degrade CCU, but the removal efficiencies were different under these two different conditions. The best removal efficiencies for CCU were 90.2 and 75.8% under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals and reductively hydrogen would account for the rapid degradation of CCU under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The experimental results also showed that surfactant Tween 20 significantly inhibited the degradation of CCU under aerobic conditions. However it markedly enhanced the degradation of CCU under anaerobic condition.

Smokeless tobacco reduction: preliminary study of tobacco-free snuff versus no snuff.

This preliminary study examined the effects of tobacco-free snuff (intervention, n = 52) compared with no snuff (control, n = 54) for reducing tobacco use among smokeless tobacco (ST) users not interested in quitting. Both groups received behavioral instructions, and intervention subjects received tobacco-free snuff for 8 weeks. Participants were required to reduce their intake by 50% during the first 4 weeks and by 75% during the subsequent 4 weeks. Follow-up occurred at 12 weeks. Significant reductions were observed from baseline to week 8 (end of treatment) for both treatment groups in the amount of ST use (tins/week and dips/day, p<.001); mean urinary cotinine (p<.001); and mean urinary total NNAL, a carcinogen biomarker (p<.001). At week 8 the intervention resulted in a lower mean total NNAL (p = .048). Compared with the control condition, the intervention resulted in a higher percentage of subjects achieving at least a 50% reduction in cotinine (p = .046) and total NNAL (p = .002) at the end of treatment, more quit attempts (p = .030), and a longer mean duration of abstinence (p = .013) through follow-up. An ST reduction intervention incorporating tobacco-free snuff could potentially reduce risk for ST-related disease beyond that achieved with no snuff by increasing the number of patients who achieve significant reductions in carcinogen exposure and, more important, by facilitating tobacco abstinence by increasing quit attempts and abstinence duration.

[Adjustment effect of Radix Astragalus and Radix Angelicae sinensis on TNF-alpha and bFGF on renal injury induced by ischemia reperfusion in rabbit].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of Astragalus membeanaceus and Angelica sinensis inrenal ischemia reperfusion injury of rabbits. METHOD: Thirty-four heathy mature Japanese big-ear rabbits were randomized into control group, IR model group, Astragalus Membeanaceus + IR groupand Danggui + IR group. Renal ischemia lasted for 1 hour and then the renal reperfusion lasted for 48 hours. At the end, kidneys were observed with Electron Microscopy and the level of Cr in serum and the level of TNF-alpha and bFGF in kidneys were measured. RESULT: The changes of kidneys in IR model group were significant, but they were slight in Astragalus Membeanaceus + IR group and Danggui + IR group. The level of Cr in serum and the level of TNF-alpha in kidneys of IR model group were higher and yet the level of bFGF decreased obviously. The level of Cr and TNF-alpha in Astragalus Membeanaceus + IR group and Danggui + IR group was lower than that in IR model group and the level of bFGF was higher than that in IR model group. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of Astragalus Membeanaceus and Danggui in remedying renal IR injury may be relative to their regulation of TNF-alpha, bFGF and other cytokines.