The pharmacokinetic differences between 10- and 15-µg daily vitamin D doses.

AIMS: The reference nutrient intake for vitamin D in people aged ≥4 years is 10 µg/day (400 IU/day) in the UK, but the recommended daily allowance is 15 µg/day (600 IU/day) for people aged 1-70 years in the USA. Here, we aim to compare the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum concentration profiles between the 2 doses. METHODS: With world-wide trial data of adults aged ≥18 years, 45-93 kg, we constructed a minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetics model of serum concentrations of vitamin D and 25(OH)D using nonlinear mixed effects modelling. We used this model to forecast the mean, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for serum 25(OH)D concentrations in British adults aged ≥16 years. RESULTS: Our final model used bodyweight to adjust volume of each compartment and maximum clearance of 25(OH)D. No other covariate was identified. The model accurately predicted independent data from trials of a broad range of dosing regimens. We simulated British adults and showed that circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in 95% of people taking 10 µg/day for a year is predicted to reach 50 nmol/L in 32 weeks, while 97.5% of those on 15 µg/day were predicted to attain this threshold within 28 weeks. CONCLUSION: Both doses are efficacious in >95% of the British population. The daily dose of 15 µg can help 97.5% of the British adults achieve 50 nmol/L serum 25(OH)D and reach the 25 nmol/L threshold in 4 weeks.

Talaromyoxaones A and B: Unusual Oxaphenalenone Spirolactones as Phosphatase Inhibitors from the Marine-Derived Fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus SCSIO 41517.

(+)- and (-)-talaromyoxaones A and B (1 and 2, respectively), two new oxaphenalenone derivatives with a hemiacetal frame and an unprecedented spirolactone frame of a 2'H,3H,4'H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,3'-pyran]-3-one unit that show biosynthetic enantiodivergence, and two new oxaphenalenone analogues (±)-11-apopyrenulin (3) and (+)- or (-)-abeopyrenulin (4) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus SCSIO 41517. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical calculations of ECD spectra. Compounds 1 and 2 showed selective inhibitory activity against phosphatases SHP1, SHP2, and MEG2 with IC50 values of 1.3-3.4 µM, and the potential modes of action for 1 were investigated by a preliminary molecular docking study.

Talaromynoids A-I, Highly Oxygenated Meroterpenoids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus SCSIO 41517 and Their Lipid Accumulation Inhibitory Activities.

Nine new highly oxygenated 3,5-dimethylorsellinic acid-derived meroterpenoids, talaromynoids A-I (1-9), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus SCSIO 41517. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by HRMS, NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1 and 7-9 possessed unprecedented 5/7/6/5/6/6, 6/7/6/6/6/5, 6/7/6/5/6/5/4, and 7/6/5/6/5/4 polycyclic systems, respectively. Biologically, compound 5 showed selective inhibitory activity against phosphatase CDC25B with an IC50 value of 13 µM. Moreover, 7-9 and 12 exhibited the activity of reducing triglyceride in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dosage-dependent manner.

Mycotoxins as inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases from the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus puniceus SCSIO z021.

Nine new xanthone-type and anthraquinone-type mycotoxins including austocystins J-N (1-5), 7-chloro versicolorin A (6), 3'-hydroxy-8-O-methyl versicolorin B (7), 8-O-methyl versiconol (8) and 2',3'-dihydroxy versiconol (9), together with 17 known analogues (10-26) were isolated from an extract of the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus puniceus SCSIO z021. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were further determined by quantum chemical calculations of ECD spectra or comparison of the experimental ECD spectra. Eleven hydrogenated austocystins were synthesized from 1-2, 10-15 and 17 by catalytic hydrogenation for bioactivities evaluation. Totally, 18 of the all 37 compounds showed strong toxicity against brine shrimps or Vero cell, and the toxicity of 8-O-methyldemethylsterigmatocystin (18) (LC50 = 0.020 µM) against brine shrimps was higher than those of three positive controls. In addition, 22 of the isolated compounds also exhibited significant inhibitory activity against seven different protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), among them austocystin H (15) and methyl-averantin (24) were the most potent inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.20-3.0 µM. Their structure-bioactivity relationship was also discussed.

Vertical profiles of biogenic volatile organic compounds as observed online at a tower in Beijing.

Vertical profiles of isoprene and monoterpenes were measured by a proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) at heights of 3, 15, 32, 64, and 102 m above the ground on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) tower in central Beijing during the winter of 2016 and the summer of 2017. Isoprene mixing ratios were larger in summer due to much stronger local emissions whereas monoterpenes were lower in summer due largely to their consumption by much higher levels of ozone. Isoprene mixing ratios were the highest at the 32 m in summer (1.64 ± 0.66 ppbV) and at 15 m in winter (1.41 ± 0.64 ppbV) with decreasing concentrations to the ground and to the 102 m, indicating emission from the tree canopy of the surrounding parks. Monoterpene mixing ratios were the highest at the 3 m height in both the winter (0.71 ± 0.42 ppbV) and summer (0.16 ± 0.10 ppbV) with a gradual decreasing trend to 102 m, indicting an emission from near the ground level. The lowest isoprene and monoterpene mixing ratios all occurred at 102 m, which were 0.71 ± 0.42 ppbV (winter) and 1.35 ± 0.51 ppbV (summer) for isoprene, and 0.42 ± 0.22 ppbV (winter) and 0.07 ± 0.06 ppbV (summer) for monoterpenes. Isoprene in the summer and monoterpenes in the winter, as observed at the five heights, showed significant mutual correlations. In the winter monoterpenes were positively correlated with combustion tracers CO and acetonitrile at 3 m, suggesting possible anthropogenic sources.

Unstable Tetramic Acid Derivatives from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum EIODSF 008.

Seven new unstable tetramic acid derivatives, cladosporiumins I-O (1⁻7), together with the known analogue cladodionen (8) were isolated from the extract of the deep-sea-derived fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum EIODSF 008. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations and ECD spectra. Compound 4 was a Mg complex of tetramic acid derivative. In acidic solvent, 4 could change to 1 and 6, and 7 could change to 5. In addition, 1, 5 and 8 existed as two exchangeable isomers, respectively. The structures of cladosporiumins E-H were reassigned as their Na complexes. The antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of 1⁻8 were also evaluated. However, because of their instability, all of the isolated compounds did not show significant antibacterial activity as the preliminary EtOAc extracts of the fungal strain.

Fast screening compositions of PM2.5 by ATR-FTIR: Comparison with results from IC andOC/EC analyzers.

Chemical speciation of fine particles or PM2.5 collected on filters is still a costly and time-consuming task. In this study, filter-based PM2.5 samples were collected during November-December 2013 at four sites in Guangzhou, and the major components were fast screened (~7min per filter sample) by Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) in comparison with that measured by Organic carbon/Element carbon (OC/EC) analyzer and Ion Chromatography (IC). The concentrations of nitrate, ammonium, sulfate, primary organic carbon (POC) and secondary organic carbon (SOC) measured by OC/EC and IC analyzers were better correlated with their infrared absorption peak heights at 1320cm-1 for nitrate, 1435, 3045 and 3215cm-1 for ammonium, 615cm-1 for sulfate, 690, 760 and 890cm-1 for POC and 1640 and 1660cm-1 for SOC respectively, during polluted days (PM2.5>75µg/m3) than during clean days (PM2.5≤75µg/m3). With the evolution of a haze episode during our field campaign, the concentrations of the major PM2.5 components displayed consistent variations with their infrared absorption peak heights, suggesting ATR-FTIR could be a fast and useful technique to characterize filter-based PM2.5 compositions particularly during pollution events although cautions should be taken when PM2.5 levels are low. Notably, elevated PM2.5 mass concentrations occurred with enhanced ratios of [NO3-]/[SO42-] and [NH4+]/[SO42-], implying that nitrogenous components play vital roles in the PM2.5 pollution events in the study region.

Anti-HSV-1, antioxidant and antifouling phenolic compounds from the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus versicolor SCSIO 41502.

Chemical investigation of the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus versicolor SCSIO 41502 resulted in the isolation of three new anthraquinones, aspergilols G-I (1-3), one new diphenyl ether, 4-carbglyceryl-3,3'-dihydroxy-5,5'-dimethyldiphenyl ether (4), and one new benzaldehyde derivative, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(4-methoxy-2-oxopentyl)-3-methylbenzaldehyde (5), along with 23 known phenolic compounds (6-28). The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 3 was established by CD spectrum and the modified Mosher method. Compounds 2, 3 and 9 had evident antiviral activity towards HSV-1 with EC50 values of 4.68, 6.25, and 3.12µM, respectively. Compounds 15, 18, 20 and 22-24 showed more potent antioxidant activity than l-ascorbic acid with IC50 values of 18.92-52.27µM towards DPPH radicals. Comparison of the structures and antioxidant activities of 1-28 suggests that the number of phenolic hydroxyl group that can freely rotate can significantly affect the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds. In addition, 4, 22-24 and 27 had significant antifouling activity against Bugula neritina larval settlement with EC50 values of 1.28, 2.61, 5.48, 1.59, and 3.40µg/ml, respectively.

pVEGF-loaded lipopolysaccharide-amine nanopolymersomes for therapeutic angiogenesis.

Therapeutic angiogenesis via gene delivery is promising for tissue survival and regeneration after injury or ischemia. A stable, safe and efficient gene vector is essential for successful angiogenesis. We have demonstrated that our newly developed lipopolysaccharide-amine nanopolymersomes (LNPs) have higher than 95% transfection efficiency when delivering pEGFP into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). To explore their clinical potential in therapeutic angiogenesis, in this study, we studied their toxicity, storage stability, protection ability to genes and efficacy to deliver therapeutic genes of pVEGF in MSCs and zebrafish. The results show that LNPs can condense pVEGF to form pVEGF-loaded nanopolymersomes (VNPs), and protect pVEGF against DNase digestion in 6 h. Both LNPs and VNPs have low toxicity to MSCs, erythrocytes and zebrafish embryos. LNPs are stable at 4 °C for at least two years with unchanged size and transfection efficiency. MSCs transfected by VNPs continuously synthesize VEGF for at least four days under control, with a peak (21.25 ng ml(-1)) ∼35-fold greater than that for the untreated group. VNPs induce significant and dose-dependent angiogenesis in zebrafish without causing death, deformity or delay in growth and development, and the induced maximal vessel area of subintestinal vessel plexus is 2.5-fold higher than that for the untreated group. Our study suggests that VNP has high potential in therapeutic angiogenesis.

New Antibacterial Peptaibiotics against Plant and Fish Pathogens from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Simplicillium obclavatum EIODSF 020.

Bacterial diseases could severely harm agricultural production. To develop new antibacterial agents, the secondary metabolites of a deep-sea-derived fungus Simplicillium obclavatum EIODSF 020 with antibacterial activities against plant and fish pathogens were investigated by a bioassay-guided approach, which led to the isolation of 11 new peptaibiotics, simplicpeptaibs A-K (1-11). They contain 16-19 residues, including ß-alanine, tyrosine, or tyrosine O-sulfate, that were rarely present in peptaibiotics. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (NMR, HRMS, HRMS2, and ECD) and Marfey's method. The primary and secondary structures of novel sulfated peptaibiotic 9 were reconfirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Genome sequencing of S. obclavatum EIODSF 020 allowed the detection of a gene cluster encoding two individual NRPSs (totally containing 19 modules) that was closely related to simplicpeptaib biosynthesis. Antibacterial investigations of 1-11 together with the previously isolated linear and cyclic peptides from this strain suggested the antibacterial property of this fungus was attributed to the peptaibiotics and cyclic lipopeptides. Among them, compounds 4, 6, 7, and 9 showed significant activity against the tobacco pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum or tilapia pathogens Streptococcus iniae and Streptococcus agalactiae. The antibacterial activity of 6 against R. solanacearum could be enhanced by the addition of 1% NaCl. The structure-bioactivity relationship of simplicpeptaibs was discussed.

Prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloids as phosphatase inhibitors from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus.

Six previously undescribed prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloids, talaromyines A-F (1-6), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus SCSIO 41517. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic data including NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and electronic circular dichroism calculations, together with chemical analysis of hydrolysates. Compounds 1-5 represent the first example of spirocyclic indole diketopiperazines biosynthesized from the condensation of L-tryptophan and L-alanine. Compounds 2 and 4-5 showed selective inhibitory activities against phosphatases TCPTP and MEG2 with IC50 value of 17.9-29.7 µM, respectively. Compounds 4-5 exhibited mild cytotoxic activities against two human cancer cell lines H1975 and HepG-2.

Efficient cytosolic delivery mediated by polymersomes facilely prepared from a degradable, amphiphilic, and amphoteric copolymer.

To solve problems in polymersome preparation caused by liposolubility of copolymers and to improve the cytosolic delivery efficiency of polymersomes to drugs, a lipopolysaccharide-amine (LPSA) copolymer with amphotericity and amphiphilicity is developed. LPSA contains two hydrophilic oppositely charged blocks (anionic oxidized alginate (OA), cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI 1.8 k)) and one hydrophobic block (cholesteryl), where OA is the backbone and cholesteryl-grafted PEI is the side chain. The two hydrophilic blocks first guarantee that LPSA will dissolve in water, and then help polymersome formation via electrostatic interactions to generate water insoluble interpolyelectrolyte complexes, which supplement the hydrophobic part to reach the right hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity ratio, and thus realize a one-step self-assembly of polymersomes in water. Our results show LPSA nanopolymersomes (LNPs) have low cytotoxicity and degradability, and an excellent ability to enter cells. TEM observation demonstrates that LNPs are entrapped in endosomes after endocytosis, and are then released to cytosols because of their strong endosomal escape capacity. As an example of cytosolic delivery to bioactive molecules, pDNA is delivered in mesenchymal stem cells, and more than 95% of cells express a large target protein, indicating that LNPs have high cytosolic delivery efficiency. Our study provides a novel, easy, and universal method to design copolymers for the preparation of polymersomes as efficient cytosolic delivery nanocarriers.

Punicesterones A-G, polyhydroxylated mycoecdysteroids from the deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus puniceus SCSIO z021.

Seven undescribed polyhydroxylated mycoecdysteroids, punicesterones A-G, along with two known analogues, were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungal strain Aspergillus puniceus SCSIO z021 (Trichocomaceae). Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, HRESIMS data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Punicesterone An unexpectedly possessed a nicotinoyl unit substituted at C-22 of a typical ecdysteroid skeleton. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and antibacterial activities. Punicesterones B and C showed the activity of reducing triglyceride in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dosage-dependent manner, and also exhibited antibacterial activity against five pathogens.

Intermediate-volatility aromatic hydrocarbons from the rubber products industry in China.

As key components of intermediate-volatility organic compounds (IVOCs), intermediate-volatility aromatic hydrocarbons (IAHs) are important precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Rubber products (RP) industry has significant influence on ozone and SOA formation, yet few studies are available to characterize their emissions of IAHs. Here we conducted measurements of IAHs emitted from rubber products (RP) factories in China. Tens of C10-C12 IAH species were identified with C10H14-AH (such as tetramethyl benzene) and naphthalene (C10H8) as the dominant species, accounting for 57.0 % - 100.0 % of total IAHs emissions. On average, IAHs showed higher concentrations (1.1 × 102-1.2 × 103 µg m-3) in mixing, extrusion, painting, crushing, and grinding processes than those (8.2-14 µg m-3) in vulcanization and gumming processes as well as warehouse. Moreover, IAHs concentrations were 1.3-1.7 times of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (VAHs; C6-C9 aromatics) in the emissions from mixing, extrusion, crushing and grinding processes. The average IAHs to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ratios also showed relatively higher values (0.1-0.7) in these processes, which were significantly higher than those of 0.01-0.03 observed in other industries, and even comparable to the IVOCs to VOCs ratio of 0.2 used for estimating solvent-related emission. The ozone and SOA formation potential values of IAHs were 1.1-2.6 times and 0.9-3.9 times those of VAHs, respectively, and were 0.5-1.0 times and 0.9-1.9 times those of total VOCs in emissions of mixing, extrusion, crushing, and grinding processes of the RP industry. The total emission of IAHs was estimated to be 115.8 Gg from the RP industry in China, which could account for 64.5 % of total IAH emissions from all industrial sectors. This study further suggests that the RP industry might be an important emission source of IAHs with substantially higher ozone and SOA formation potentials.

Expression and Relationship of Netrin-1, DCC, UNC5B, and VEGF in Villous Tissues of Patients with Delayed Abortion.

In order to investigate the correlation between neuroaxon-guiding factor (Netrin-1), deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), uncoordinated 5B (UNC5B), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression machine in villus tissues of delayed abortion in colorectal cancer, a total of 120 pregnant women are selected from February 2019 to August 2021. The two groups of subjects improve the relevant examinations before surgery and the underwent negative pressure induces abortion hysterectomy guided by abdominal ultrasound under intravenous anesthesia. The mRNA and protein expressions of netrin-1, DCC, UNC5B, and VEGF in the villi of the two groups are detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlation of the four indicators is analyzed by Pearson's test.

[Emission Characteristics and Emission Factors of Volatile Organic Compounds from E-waste Dismantling and Recycling Processes].

A large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from the high temperature treatment process in the dismantling and recycling procedure of e-wastes, which has a significant impact on the surrounding environment and human health. In this study, an e-waste dismantling and recycling yard was selected to measure the VOCs concentrations and compositions in the exhaust of treatment facilities of heating baking board, plastic granulation, wet extraction, and pyrometallurgical workshops, and the emission characteristics of VOCs and emission factors for total VOCs from different production processes were investigated. The results showed that there were significant differences in total VOCs emission concentrations among different production processes. The concentrations of total VOCs produced in different workshops followed the descending order of the heating baking board (heating rotary plate furnace) process[(2096.1±732.4) µg·m-3] > plastic granulation process[(1639.1±538.5) µg·m-3] > heating baking board (electric heater) process[(625.3±535.5) µg·m-3] > pyrometallurgical process[(436.8±305.2) µg·m-3] > wet extraction process[(271.3±73.1) µg·m-3]. The compositions of VOCs emitted from different production processes were also clearly different; however, the major components of VOCs were generally oxygenated compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons. The specific component characteristics were as follows:the dominant groups of VOCs emitted from the heating baking board process (including heating rotary plate furnaces and electric heaters) were oxygenated compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons, accounting for 74.1%-79.7% of the total. The main components of VOCs emitted from the pelletizing process were aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds, accounting for 71.8% of the total. Oxygenated compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons, which contributed equally, were also the main groups of VOCs discharged by the wet extraction process, and the sum proportion of the two groups was 84.2%. Halogenated hydrocarbon was the dominant group of VOCs from the pyrometallurgical process, accounting for 92.1% of the sum of VOCs. There was a substantial divergence in the total VOCs emission factors of different production processes. The ranking of the mean values of emission factors of total VOCs was as follows:the heating baking board (electric heater) process (297.0 g·t-1) > plastic granulation process (29.5 g·t-1) > wet extraction process (25.4 g·t-1) > heating baking board (heating rotary plate furnace) process (25.2 g·t-1) > pyrometallurgical process (1.9 g·t-1). Therefore, the main VOCs emission processes of the e-waste centralized dismantling and recycling industry were the heating baking board process and plastic granulation process.

Amplification of fluorescence polarization signal based on specific recognition of aptamers combined with quantum quenching effect for ultrasensitive and simple detection of PCB-77.

Here, we report a novel aptasensor based on decahedral silver nanoparticles (Ag10NPs) enhanced fluorescence polarization (FP) for detecting PCB-77. Using aptamer modified Ag10NPs hybridized with DNA sequence labeled fluorescent group as an analytical probe, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-77) could be detected with high sensitivity and selectivity. The linear range of determination was 0.02 ng/L to 390 ng/L and the limit of detection was 5 pg/L. In addition, through the optimization of the experiment condition and signal probe DNA (pDNA), we found that the maximum FP signal could be generated when the distance between fluorescein and the surface of Ag10NPs was 3 nm. When the aptamer was immobilized on the surface of Ag10NPs could be strengthened the anti-interference performance of aptamer nanoprobe and further improved the detection ability. At the same time, we also compared the detection performance of the traditional FP signal enhancer streptavidin (SA) analysis system. The fluorescence polarization aptasensor could detect PCB-77 samples efficiently in complex environmental water, which shows a good application prospect.

Personalise vitamin D3 using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling.

Plasma concentration of vitamin D3 metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3 ) is variable among individuals. The objective of this study is to establish an accurate model for 25(OH)D3 pharmacokinetics (PKs) to support selection of a suitable dose regimen for an individual. We collated vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 plasma PK data from reported clinical trials and developed a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to appropriately recapitulate training data. Model predictions were then qualified with 25(OH)D3 plasma PKs under vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 dose regimens distinct from training data. From data exploration, we observed the increase in plasma 25(OH)D3 after repeated dosing was negatively correlated with 25(OH)D3 baseline levels. Our final model included a first-order vitamin D3 absorption, a first-order vitamin D3 metabolism, and a nonlinear 25(OH)D3 elimination function. This structure explained the apparent paradox. Remarkably, the model accurately predicted plasma 25(OH)D3 following repeated dosing up to 1250 µg/d in the test set. It also made sensible predictions for large single vitamin D3 doses up to 50,000 µg in the test set. Model predicts 10 µg/d regimen may be ineffective for achieving sufficiency (plasma 25(OH)D3 ≥ 75 nmol/L) for a severely deficient individual (baseline 25(OH)D3 = 10 nmol/L), and it might take the same person over 200 days to reach sufficiency at 20 µg/d dose. We propose to personalize vitamin D3 supplementation protocol with this PBPK model. It would require measuring 25(OH)D3 baseline levels, which is not routinely performed under the current UK public health advice. STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC? Vitamin D PK exhibits substantial inter-individual variability. Different officially recommended daily doses are confusing. ​ WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Is the UK's recommended 10 µg daily dose sufficient? Should everyone be given same dose? ​ WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE? Our model accurately predicts plasma 25(OH)D under daily oral administration of vitamin D3 . The 10 µg daily vitamin D3 dose is insufficient for prophylaxis (plasma 25(OH)D at 75 nmol/L). ​ HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE DRUG DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, AND/OR THERAPEUTICS? Combining blood test to measure 25(OH)D baseline with this PBPK model will help inform dosage selection and select follow-up date to improve effectiveness of Hypovitaminosis D treatment.

Essential oil from Artemisia annua aerial parts: composition and repellent activity against two storage pests.

As a medicinal plant, Artemisia annua is widely distributed in China. The purpose of this work was to analyze the chemical composition of essential oil from A. annua aerial portions, as well as to assess its repellent activity against Lasioderma serricorne and Tribolium castaneum adults. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses enabled the identification of 15 components representing 90.1% of the essential oil. The main components included artemisia ketone (70.6%), α-caryophyllene (5.1%) and germacrene D (3.8%). The essential oil was found to possess considerable ability to repel the two storage pests. This paper provided some evidence for the exploitation and utilization of A. annua resources as a natural repellent.

A numerical study on capillary-evaporation behavior of porous wick in electronic cigarettes.

A mathematical model based on heat and mass transfer processes in the porous wick of electronic cigarettes was established to describe the atomization of e-liquids according to max liquid temperature, vaporization rate and thermal efficiency in a single puff. Dominant capillary-evaporation effects were defined in the model to account for the effects of electrical power, e-liquid composition and porosity of the wick material on atomization and energy transmission processes. Liquid temperature, vaporization rate, and thermal efficiency were predicted using the mathematical model in 64 groups, varying with electrical power, e-liquid composition and wick porosity. Experimental studies were carried out using a scaled-model test bench to validate the model's prediction. A higher PG/VG ratio in the e-liquid promoted energy transfer for vaporization, and the e-liquid temperature was comparatively reduced at a relatively high power, which was helpful to avoid atomizer overheating. Compared with the other factors, wick porosity affected the thermal efficiency more significantly. The vaporization rate increased with a higher wick porosity in a certain range. The modelling results suggested that a greater wick porosity and a higher PG ratio in e-liquids helped to improve the overall thermal efficiency.