Response of a submerged macrophyte (Vallisneria natans) to water depth gradients and sediment nutrient concentrations.

Submerged plants constitute a vital component of shallow lake ecosystems, where water depth and sediment nitrogen­phosphorus content are two key factors influencing their growth. This study focuses on Vallisneria natans and investigates the morphological and physiological changes of V. natans under the interaction of three water depth gradients and two different sediment nutrient levels. It explores the mechanisms through which varying sediment nutrient conditions under different water depths affect the growth of V. natans. The results indicate that both independent and interactive effects of water depth and sediment nutrient status significantly impact the morphology, antioxidant enzyme activity, and photosynthetic pigment content of V. natans, with water depth having a greater influence. To adapt to increased water depth-induced light stress, V. natans responds morphologically by increasing leaf length, leaf width, and decreasing maximum root length. Physiologically, it enhances its antioxidant regulation capacity and photosynthetic efficiency by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, root vitality, and photosynthetic pigment content to counter weak light stress. However, these adaptations are insufficient to cope with excessively deep waters (200 cm). Sediment nutrient levels primarily control the growth of V. natans by affecting its root system. When sediment nitrogen and phosphorus content is lower, V. natans exhibits greater total root volume and surface area to enhance nutrient absorption efficiency. Water depth not only directly influences the growth of submerged plants but may also impact the migration and transformation of phosphorus in sediments, further exacerbating its effects on the growth of these plants, thus accelerating the regime shift of shallow lakes. Therefore, this study reveals V. natans' response strategies to varying water depths and sediment nutrient levels, determining suitable water levels and sediment nutrient conditions for its growth. These research findings provide a scientific basis for water level management and ecological restoration of submerged aquatic plants in shallow lakes.

Revealing the Preventable Effects of Fu-Zheng-Qu-Xie Decoction against Recurrence and Metastasis of Postoperative Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology Coupled with Metabolomics Analysis.

Fu-Zheng-Qu-Xie (FZQX) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription for the treatment of lung cancer and exerts proapoptotic and immunomodulatory effects. It has been clinically suggested to be effective in improving the survival of postoperative early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used network pharmacology coupled with metabolomics approaches to explore the pharmacological action and effective mechanism of FZQX against the recurrence and metastasis of postoperative early-stage LUAD. Network pharmacology analysis showed that FZQX could prevent the recurrence and metastasis of postoperative early-stage LUAD by regulating a series of targets involving vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, estrogen receptor 1, sarcoma gene, epidermal growth factor receptor, and protein kinase B and by influencing the Ras, PI3K-Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. In liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, 11 differentially expressed metabolites, including PA(12:0/18:4(6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)), PC(16:0/0:0)[U], LysoPC(18:1(11Z)), and LysoPC(18:0), were discovered in the FZQX-treated group compared to those in the model group before treatment or normal group. They were enriched in cancer metabolism-related signaling pathways such as central carbon metabolism in cancer, choline metabolism, and glycerol phospholipid metabolism. Collectively, our results suggest that the multicomponent and multitarget interaction network of FZQX inhibits the recurrence and metastasis of postoperative early-stage LUAD by activating the receptor signal transduction pathway to inhibit proliferation, induce cell apoptosis, inhibit aerobic glycolysis, and reprogram tumor lipid metabolism.

The kava chalcone flavokawain B exerts inhibitory activity and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibition in malignant B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: B-cell lymphoma, which originates from B cells at diverse differentiation stages, is the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma with tremendous treatment challenges and unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. Flavokawain B (FKB), a naturally occurring chalcone extracted from kava, possesses promising anticancer properties. However, evidence on the effects of FKB on hematological malignancies, particularly lymphomas, remains scarce. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the antilymphoma effect of FKB and its underlying mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Proliferation assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting were employed to determine whether and how FKB affected B-cell lymphoma cell lines in vitro. Xenograft mouse models were established to evaluate the antilymphoma efficacy of FKB in vivo. RESULTS: FKB reduced the viability of a panel of B-cell lymphoma cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mitochondrial apoptosis was markedly induced by FKB, as evidenced by an increased percentage of annexin V-positive cells, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Moreover, FKB inhibited BCL-XL expression and synergized with the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-199. Mechanistically, FKB treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK3ß), and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6). Pharmacological blockage of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, or GSK3ß potentiated the activity of FKB, indicating the involvement of the PI3K/Akt cascade in FKB-mediated inhibitory effects. In mouse xenograft models, the intraperitoneal administration of FKB significantly decreased lymphoma growth, accompanied by diminished mitosis and Ki-67 staining of tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the robust therapeutic potential of FKB in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma.

Platycodin D induces apoptotic cell death through PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways and synergizes with venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous and rapidly progressive hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by frequent relapses and variable prognoses. The development of new treatment options, therefore, is of crucial importance. Platycodin D (PD) is a triterpenoid saponin, extracted from the roots of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC., which has been reported to exhibit therapeutic potential against a broad range of cancers. Although the effects of PD on AML remain unclear, in the present study, we observed a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of multiple human AML cell lines in response to treatment with PD. In addition to triggering mitochondria-dependent apoptosis via the upregulation of BAK and BIM, treatment with PD also induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Western blot analyses revealed marked suppression of the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, ribosomal protein S6, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by PD, in turn implying the participation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK pathways. Pre-incubation with LY294002, MK2206, AR-A014418, or U0126 was consistently found to significantly aggravate PD-induced inhibition of viability. Additionally, PD combined with the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitor venetoclax elicited synergistically enhanced cytotoxic effects. The anti-leukemic activity of PD was further validated using primary samples from de novo AML patients. Given the results of the present study, PD may be a potent therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AML.

Effects of a low-sodium diet in patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) is one of the most common types of primary aldosteronism (PA), an important cause of hypertension. Although high dietary sodium is a major risk factor for hypertension, there is no consensus on the recommended dietary sodium intake for IHA. Objective: This study investigated the effect of a low-sodium diet on hemodynamic variables and relevant disease biomarkers in IHA patients, with the aim of providing a useful reference for clinical treatment. Methods: Fifty IHA patients were evenly randomized into two groups and provided, after a 7-day run-in period (100 mmol/d sodium), either a low-sodium diet (50 mmol/d sodium) or a normal sodium diet (100 mmol/d sodium) for an additional 7 days. After the 14-day intervention (conducted without potassium supplementation), changes in blood pressure (BP) and serum potassium were evaluated in both groups. Results: After the dietary intervention, the low sodium group exhibited, compared to the normal sodium group, decreased BP (SBP: 121.8 ± 12.8 vs. 129.9 ± 12.1 mmHg, p < 0.05; DBP: 82.6 ± 7.6 vs. 86.4 ± 8.2 mmHg, p < 0.05; MAP: 95.7 ± 8.8 vs. 100.9 ± 8.4 mmHg, p < 0.05) and increased serum potassium levels (3.38 ± 0.33 vs. 3.07 ± 0.27 mmol/L, p < 0.001). The low sodium group showed also better control of both BP and serum potassium: BP <140/90 mmHg in 70.0% of total patients (76.0% vs. 64.0%, in the low and normal sodium groups, respectively; p > 0.05), BP <130/85 mmHg in 38.0% of total patients (56.0% vs. 20.0%, p < 0.05), BP <120/80 mmHg in 28.0% of total patients (44.0% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.05); serum potassium ≥3.5 mmol/L in 22.0% of total patients (32.0% vs. 12.0% in the low and normal sodium groups, respectively; p = 0.088). There were differences between the controlled BP group (<120/80 mmHg) and the non-controlled BP group (≥120/80 mmHg) in gender, BP at baseline, and type of diet (low vs. normal sodium). Female gender and low-sodium diet were protective factors for BP control. Conclusions: A low-sodium diet is effective in lowering BP and elevating serum potassium in IHA patients. Female patients on a low-sodium diet are more likely to achieve BP control (<120/80 mmHg). We advocate a dietary sodium intake of 50 mmol/d for IHA patients. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT05649631.

Protection of Oxygen Glucose Deprivation-Induced Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Injury: Beneficial Effects of Bellidifolin in Cellular Pyroptosis.

Pericytes play critical roles in the maintenance of brain vascular homeostasis. However, very little is currently known about how pericytes regulate ischemic stroke-induced brain injury. Inflammation is a key event in the pathobiology of stroke, in which the nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in, triggering sterile inflammatory responses and pyroptosis. In the current study, an immortalized cell line derived from human brain vascular pericytes (HBVPs) was constructed, and it showed that HBVPs challenged with oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) displays pronounced cellular excretion of LDH, IL-1ß, IL-18 and increased PI positive staining. Mechanistically, upon OGD treatment, NLRP3 forms an inflammasome with its adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase-1, manifested as much more co-stainings of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 in HBVPs, accompanied by the increased protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 as well as the pyroptosis-associated protein gasdermin D (GSDMD). Intriguingly, GSDMD-N shuttled to the mitochondrial membrane triggered by OGD exposure, which promoted massive mitochondria-derived ROS generation. Importantly, the invention value of the specific targets was evaluated by treatment with bellidifolin, a kind of ketone compound derived from Swertia chirayita in traditional Tibetan medicine. It showed that bellidifolin exerts beneficial effects and attenuates the formation of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 complex, thereby impeding GSDMD-N shuttling and resultant ROS generation, protecting against OGD-induced HBVPs pyroptosis. Overall, these findings unravel the potential mechanisms of pericyte injury induced by OGD and indicate that bellidifolin may exert its beneficial effects on pyroptosis, thus providing new therapeutic insights into stroke.

Plant-soil feedback regulates the trade-off between phosphorus acquisition pathways in Pinus elliottii.

Plant-soil feedback (PSF) is conventionally characterized by plant biomass growth, yet it remains unclear how PSF affects plant nutrient acquisition strategies (e.g., nutrient absorption and nutrient resorption) associated with plant growth, particularly under changing soil environments. A greenhouse experiment was performed with seedlings of Pinus elliottii Englem and conditioned soils of monoculture plantations (P. elliottii and Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook). Soil sterilization was designed to test plant phosphorus (P) acquisition strategy with and without native soil fungal communities. Soils from P. elliottii and C. lanceolata plantations were used to explore the specific soil legacy effects on two different P acquisition pathways (absorption and resorption). Phosphorus addition was also applied to examine the separate and combined effects of soil abiotic factors and soil fungal factors on P acquisition pathways. Due to diminished mycorrhizal symbiosis, PSF prompted plants to increasingly rely on P resorption under soil sterilization. In contrast, P absorption was employed preferentially in the heterospecific soil, where species-specific pathogenic fungi could not affect P absorption. Higher soil P availability diluted the effects of soil fungal factors on the trade-off between the two P acquisition pathways in terms of the absolute PSF. Moreover, P addition plays a limited role in terms of the relative PSF and does not affect the direction and strength of relative PSF. Our results reveal the role of PSF in regulating plant P acquisition pathways and highlight the interaction between mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi as the underlying mechanism of PSF.

Association between dietary calcium and depression among American adults: National health and nutrition examination survey.

Background: There is only limited evidence for an association between calcium (Ca) and depression, and the relationship was inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary Ca and the risk of depressive symptoms in individuals over the age of 18 in the US. Methods: We extracted 14,971 participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016 to probe their associations. Dietary Ca intake was measured through 24 h dietary recall method. Patients with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) ≥ 10 scores were believed to have depressive symptoms. The association between dietary Ca and depressive symptoms was investigated using multivariate logistic regression, sensitivity analysis, and restricted cubic spline regression. Results: In this study, 7.6% (1,144/14,971) of them had depressive symptoms. After adjusting for sex, age, race, poverty to income ratio (PIR), marital status, education, body mass index (BMI), caffeine intake, carbohydrates intake, total energy intake, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, serum vitamin D, serum Ca, and Ca supplement, the adjusted ORs value [95% confidence interval (CI)] of depression for the lowest category (Q1 ≤ 534 mg/day) vs. Q2-Q4 of Ca intake were 0.83 (0.69-0.99), 0.97 (0.65-0.95), and 0.80 (0.63-0.98) with the p for trend (p = 0.014). The relationship between dietary Ca intake and depressive symptoms was linear (non-linear p = 0.148). None of the interactions were significant except among races (p for interaction = 0.001). Conclusion: Association between dietary Ca and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in US adults. And Ca intake was negatively associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. As Ca intake increased, the prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased.

Revisiting marine redox conditions during the Ediacaran Shuram carbon isotope excursion.

The Neoproterozoic carbonate record contains multiple carbon isotope anomalies, which are the subject of intense debate. The largest of these anomalies, the Shuram excursion (SE), occurred in the mid-Ediacaran (~574-567 Ma). Accurately reconstructing marine redox landscape is a clear path toward making sense of the mechanism that drives this δ13 C anomaly. Here, we report new uranium isotopic data from the shallow-marine carbonates of the Wonoka Formation, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, where the SE is well preserved. Our data indicate that the δ238 U trend during the SE is highly reproducible across globally disparate sections from different depositional settings. Previously, it was proposed that the positive shift of δ238 U values during the SE suggests an extensive, near-modern level of marine oxygenation. However, recent publications suggest that the fractionation of uranium isotopes in ferruginous and anoxic conditions is comparable, opening up the possibility of non-unique interpretations of the carbonate uranium isotopic record. Here, we build on this idea by investigating the SE in conjunction with additional geochemical proxies. Using a revised uranium isotope mass balance model and an inverse stochastic carbon cycle model, we reevaluate models for δ13 C and δ238 U trends during the SE. We suggest that global seawater δ238 U values during the SE could be explained by an expansion of ferruginous conditions and do not require a near-modern level of oxygenation during the mid-Ediacaran.

The importance of rest phase and pollutant removal mechanism of tidal flow constructed wetlands (TFCW) in rural grey water treatment.

This paper explored the effects of the rest phase of tidal flow constructed wetlands (TFCW) on pollutant removal and microbial communities, and further analyzed the mechanism of TFCW removal of pollutants from grey water. The results showed that the removal rate of organic matter was 69.91 ± 2.44% in the control group (NR-TFCW) without the rest phase, 94.95 ± 1.17% in the experimental group (TFCW), and 96.95 ± 2.43% in the control group (P-TFCW) with the ventilation pipe enhanced rest phase. Limiting and enhancing the oxygen supply in the emptying stage of TFCW will enhance the overlap rate of microorganisms in the upper, middle and lower layers of the reactor. Enhancing the rest phase of TFCW leaded to better aerobic removal of organic matter in the microbial community, while limiting the rest phase of TFCW results in the opposite. In addition, the species overlap rate of the top, middle and bottom layers of NR-TFCW (69.98%) and P-TFCW (54.29%) was higher than that of TFCW (11.34%). The removal of organic matter by TFCW mainly relied on the adsorption of biochar in the flood phase, and the microorganisms aerobic degraded the organic matter adsorbed on the biochar in the rest phase. And thus form a continuous cycle of adsorption and biological regeneration. The microbial community in TFCW did not have the ability to nitrify, but had the ability to remove phosphorus. Ammonia nitrogen in the influent was adsorbed by biochar or converted into cytoplasm. While the phosphorus in the influent was adsorbed by the biochar, it was also being biologically removed.

A Small-Molecule Based Organic Nanoparticle for Photothermal Therapy and Near-Infrared-IIb Imaging.

Near-infrared window IIb (NIR-IIb, 1500-1700 nm) fluorescence imaging demonstrates attractive properties including low scattering, low absorption, and deep tissue penetration, and photothermal therapy (PTT) is also a promising modality for cancer treatment. However, until now, there is no report on theranostic systems based on small organic molecules combining fluorescence imaging in the NIR-IIb and PTT, highlighting the challenge and strong need for development of such agents. Herein, we report a novel small molecule NIR-IIb dye IT-TQF with a D-A-D structure, which exhibited high fluorescence intensity in the NIR-IIb window. To further translate IT-TQF into an effective theranostic agent, IT-TQF was encapsulated into DSPE-PEG2000 to construct IT-TQF NPs. The physical and photochemical properties of the nanoprobe were investigated in vitro, and the in vivo NIR-IIb imaging and PTT performance were evaluated in normal, subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic tumor mice models. IT-TQF NP-based NIR-IIb imaging demonstrated high spatial resolution and high tissue penetration depth, and small normal blood vessels (55.3 µm) were successfully imaged in the NIR-IIb window. Subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic tumors were all clearly delineated. A high tumor signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of 9.42 was achieved for orthotopic osteosarcoma models, and the erosions of bone tissue caused by tumor cells were precisely visualized. Moreover, NIR-II image-guided surgery was successfully performed to completely remove the orthotopic tumor. Importantly, IT-TQF NPs displayed high PTT efficacy (photothermal conversion efficiency: 47%) for effective treatment of tumor mice. In conclusion, IT-TQF NPs are a novel and promising phototheranostic agent in the NIR-IIb window, and the nanoprobe has high potential for a broad range of biomedical applications.

CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Alpha Is a Novel Regulator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Osteochondrogenic Transition and Vascular Calcification.

Aims: Vascular calcification is a common clinical complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), atherosclerosis (AS), and diabetes, which is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients. The transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to an osteochondrogenic phenotype is a crucial step during vascular calcification. The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, but whether it regulates the calcification of arteries and VSMCs remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to understand the role of C/EBPα in the regulation of vascular calcification. Methods and Results: Both mRNA and protein expression levels of C/EBPα were significantly increased in calcified arteries from mice treated with a high dose of vitamin D3 (vD3). Upregulation of C/EBPα was also observed in the high phosphate- and calcium-induced VSMC calcification process. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of C/EBPα significantly attenuated VSMC calcification in vitro. Moreover, C/EBPα depletion in VSMCs significantly reduced the mRNA expression of the osteochondrogenic genes, e.g., sex-determining region Y-box 9 (Sox9). C/EBPα overexpression can induce SOX9 overexpression. Similar changes in the protein expression of SOX9 were also observed in VSMCs after C/EBPα depletion or overexpression. In addition, silencing of Sox9 expression significantly inhibited the phosphate- and calcium-induced VSMC calcification in vitro. Conclusion: Findings in this study indicate that C/EBPα is a key regulator of the osteochondrogenic transdifferentiation of VSMCs and vascular calcification, which may represent a novel therapeutic target for vascular calcification.

Network pharmacology-based identification of miRNA expression of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetic patients, along with hypertension, hyperlipemia, proteinuria, edema, and other clinical manifestations. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has shown significant clinical efficacy against DN. However, the overall molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been entirely elucidated. Using network pharmacology, we aimed to identify the key active ingredients and potential pharmacological mechanisms of AM in treating DN and provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy.The active ingredients of AM were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and the potential targets of AM were identified using the therapeutic target database. DN-related target genes were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE1009 and 3 widely used databases-DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The DN-AM common target protein interaction network was established by using the STRING database. Active ingredients candidate targets proteins networks were constructed using Cytoscape software for visualization. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyses were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery database. Target-regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) of these hub genes were obtained from the therapeutic target database, which could then be used for further identification of AM-regulated key miRNAs.A total of 17 active ingredients and 214 target proteins were screened from AM. 61 candidate co-expressed genes with therapeutic effects against DN were obtained and considered as potential therapeutic targets. GO and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress reaction, HIF signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. In all, 636 differentially expressed genes were identified between the DN patients and control group by using microarray data, GSE1009. Lastly, VEGFA, epidermal growth factor receptor, STAT1, and GJA1 were screened as hub genes. The relationships between miRNAs and hub genes were constructed, which showed that miR-302-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, and miR-520-3p were regulated by VEGFA and epidermal growth factor receptor. Meanwhile, VEGFA also influenced miR-15-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-106-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, and miR-519-3p. In addition, miR-1-3p and miR-206 were regulated by VEGFA and GJA1, and miR-23-3p was regulated by STAT1 and GJA1.To our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time the characteristic multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of AM that seem to be the underlying mechanisms of action of AM in the treatment of DN with respect to miRNAs.Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. Using affinity solid phase extraction assay.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. is a traditional Tibetan medicine used for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, but the scientific validation was very limited. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to rapid screen and targeted isolate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors from S. obvallata extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An efficient ligand-fishing method based on affinity solid phase extraction (A-SPE) combining with HPLC was developed. The identified COX-2 inhibitors were separated using preparative liquid chromatography. In vitro COX-2 inhibition assays were employed to confirm the inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds. In addition, the effect of the isolated compounds on the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the expression of COX-2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of four phenylpropanoids, isolariciresinol, syringaresinol, pinoresinol and balanophonin were targeted isolated as COX-2 inhibitors with IC50 values of 36.4 ± 2.6 µM, 23.1 ± 1.8 µM, 3.6 ± 0.3 µM and 12.1 ± 0.9 µM, respectively. The isolated compounds significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. And, the results of the inhibitory effect on the release of PGE2 and the expression of COX-2 in LPS-induced macrophages were consistent with A-SPE analysis. CONCLUSION: The present work demonstrated that the developed A-SPE-HPLC method could successfully targeted isolated COX-2 inhibitors from S. obvallata extract. And, the isolation results indicated that the therapeutic effect of S. obvallata on inflammation-related diseases was partly based on the COX-2 active ingredients.

Toxic arsenic in marketed aquatic products from coastal cities in China: Occurrence, human dietary exposure risk, and coexposure risk with mercury and selenium.

To improve the accuracy of dietary risk assessment of arsenic (As) from aquatic products, toxic As species (As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonic acid [MMA], and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA]) and total As were analyzed in 124 marketed aquatic products from eight coastal cities in China. Distribution characteristics of Toxic As (the sum of the four toxic As species) in the samples and associated risk of human dietary exposure were emphatically investigated. The impact of cooccurrence of As and other chemical elements in the aquatic products was assessed based on our former results of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se). Toxic As contents (maximum value 0.358 mg kg-1 wet weight) in the samples accounted for at most 14.1% of total As. DMA was the major component (mean proportion 50.8% for shellfish, 100% for fish) of Toxic As in aquatic products. Shellfish contained more Toxic As than fish did. Mean estimated daily intakes of Toxic As for the residents with aquatic product consumption rates of 46.1-235 g day-1 ranged from 0.034 to 0.290 µg kg-1 day-1. Potential health risk was indicated among those who greatly consumed aquatic products, as their target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) values exceeded safety thresholds (1 for THQ, 10-4 for TR). DMA and MMA exposure contributed to 3.42-7.72% of the THQToxic As. Positive correlations between concentrations of As and Hg (Fish: r = 0.47, p < 0.01; Shellfish: r = 0.60, p < 0.01), as well as between that of As and Se (Fish: r = 0.69, p < 0.01; Shellfish: r = 0.37, p < 0.01) were found in the samples. It requires attentions urgently that As and Hg coexposure through aquatic product consumption rose the sum THQ of Toxic As and methylmercury (MeHg) to approximately two to eight times as high as the THQToxic As.

Interfacially Super-Assembled Tyramine-Modified Mesoporous Silica-Alumina Oxide Heterochannels for Label-Free Tyrosinase Detection.

Tyrosinase (TYR) is a multifunctional copper-containing enzyme that plays a critical role in the biosynthetic pathway of melanin. Thus, the detection of TYR activity possesses vast importance from clinical diagnosis to the food industry. However, most TYR detection methods are expensive, complicated, and time-consuming. Herein, a functional nanofluidic heterochannel composed of an ultrathin tyramine-modified mesoporous silica layer (Tyr-MS) and alumina oxide (AAO) arrays is constructed by an interfacial super-assembly method. The heterochannel with plenty of enzyme catalytic sites for TYR provides the response of the ion current signal against TYR concentrations. Introducing enzymatic reaction paves the way for the heterochannel to achieve label-free, selective, specific detection of TYR. Notably, a highly sensitive detection of TYR with a limit of 2 U mL-1 was obtained by optimizing the modified conditions. Detailed investigations and theoretical calculations further reveal the mechanism for the detection performance. This work provides a simple, low-cost, quick response, and label-free platform based on functional nanofluidic devices for enzyme-sensing technologies.

Diversified demand for health tourism matters: From a perspective of the intra-industry trade.

Previous studies on health tourism were limited to a small range of topics related to medical tourism. At present, the concept of health tourism has become profound because medical care has been altered from "disease-centered" to "health-centered". The main purpose of this study is to identify the key factors influencing the development of health tourism in China. To this end, in the first stage, an intra-industry trade theory was introduced and quantitative methods were applied to discover the important factors. In the second stage, multiple sources, including empirical studies, official data, research reports, and notably field investigations and case studies were incorporated to take in-depth discussions. The results indicated the foremost factors affecting the health tourism trade were total health expenditure per capita and the number of domestic health consumers. Notably, health tourism was substantially determined by the "willingness to spend on health" of domestic health consumers. In addition, Chinese health tourists were more likely to positively accept health tourism services in China. An important conclusion is that China should diversify health tourism offerings for different consumer groups. Once diversified products for health tourism are provided, the number of health tourism consumers will soar accordingly, which thus contributes to forming economies of scale, lowering the average costs of health treatment, increasing health tourism profit, and stimulating economic development.

Effects of mindfulness-based childbirth on procedural fear， pain and outcome in pregnant women / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of mindfulness-based childbirth on procedural fear， pain and pregnancy outcome in pregnant women， so as to provide references for clinical application of mindfulness-based childbirth. MethodsA total of 100 pregnant women in the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected， and divided into experimental group and control group by random number table method， each with 50 cases. All pregnant women received routine nursing， based on this， experimental group received an 8-week mindfulness-based childbirth intervention. Then pregnant women were evaluated with Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaires （CAQ） and Numerical Rating Scale （NRS）， meantime， the labour course and mode of delivery were recorded. Thereafter， the two groups were compared in terms of fear， pain， labor course and delivery mode. ResultsThe scores of CAQ ［（30.46±9.27） vs.（43.24±14.54）， t=-5.242， P<0.01］ and NRS ［（6.64±0.80） vs.（7.32±0.77）， t=-4.331， P<0.01］ yielded statistical differences between experimental group and control group. The labor course of experimental group was shorter than that of control group ［（10.10±1.91）h vs.（13.28±3.28）h， t=-5.921， P<0.01］. The vaginal delivery rate was 84.00% in experimental group and 60.00% in control group， and the cesarean section rate was 16.00% and 40.00%， respectively， with statistical difference （χ2=7.143， P<0.01）. ConclusionMindfulness-based childbirth may alleviate the labor fear and pain， shorten the labor course and promote vaginal delivery.

Targeted Separation of COX-2 Inhibitor from Pterocephalus hookeri Using Preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Directed by the Affinity Solid-Phase Extraction HPLC System.

Pterocephalus hookeri, as a kind of popular traditional Tibetan medicine, is reputed to treat inflammatory related diseases. In the present work, a cyclooxygenase-2 functionalized affinity solid-phase extraction HPLC system was developed and combined with preparative-HPLC for rapidly screening and separating cyclooxygenase-2 ligand from P. hookeri extracts. Firstly, ligands of cyclooxygenase-2 were screened from extracts by affinity solid-phase extraction HPLC system. Then directed by the screening results, the recognized potential active compounds were targeted separated. As a result, the major cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor of P. hookeri was obtained with a purity of >95%, which was identified as sylvestroside I. To test the accuracy of this method, the anti-inflammatory activity of sylvestroside I was inspected in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The results show that sylvestroside I significantly suppressed the release of prostaglandin E2 with dose-dependent, which was in good agreement with the screening result of the affinity solid-phase method. This method of integration of screening and targeted separation proved to be very efficient for the recognition and isolation of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from natural products.