[Evaluation of the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of 80 patients with oral mucosal venous malformation].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser treatment for venous malformations. METHODS: Eighty patients with oral mucosal venous malformations underwent one or more Nd:YAG laser treatments, and photographs of the lesions before and after laser treatment were collected and compared, patients' satisfaction were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS). SPSS 22.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 58 cases were cured in 80 patients, 21 cases showed remarkable improvement. Nine patients(11.25%) experienced adverse effects after laser therapy, including atrophic scars in 2 patients, oral mucosal ulcers in 4 patients, transient hyperpigmentation in 2 patients, and transient hypopigmentation in 1 patient, which met the expected response to effective therapy, and the follow-up results showed that most patients achieved maximum satisfaction values. CONCLUSIONS: Nd:YAG laser is an effective and safe treatment for oral mucosal venous malformation with definite efficacy and few side effects, which is worthy of popularization and application.

Exploring the mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction on the treatment of blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by gut microbiota combined with metabolomics.

BACKGROUND: Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a prescription which included in the "List of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (First Batch)" issued by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the National Medical Products Administration of the People's Republic of China. THSWD is effective and widely applied clinically for many diseases caused by blood deficiency and stasis syndrome in TCM, such as primary dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, and diabetes. METHODS: The TCM model of blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was prepared by ice water bath combined with cyclophosphamide, and the rats were randomly divided into control group, blood deficiency, and blood stasis model group, positive group, and THSWD treatment group. Pharmacodynamics measured the blood routine, blood coagulation, and other related indexes in rats. UHPLC-MS technology was used to analyze the changes in the fingerprints of metabolites in the plasma of rats with blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and combined with mass spectrometry information and public database retrieval, to find potential biomarkers for screening metabolites. At the same time, 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to identify intestinal flora, and statistical analysis was used to find differences in strain diversity between groups. RESULTS: THSWD administration can significantly improve the physical signs, blood routine, and hematopoietic factors caused by the blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome model, and improve the symptoms of blood deficiency. The results of the general pharmacological studies showed THSWD groups improved changes in blood plasma viscosity and coagulation-related factors caused by modeling, and improved coagulation function significantly. The metabolomic analysis found that compared to the model group, THSWD exerted better effects on ß-alanine, taurine, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, Eugenol, sodium deoxycholate, and deethylatrazine. Twenty-three potential differential metabolites showed intervention effects, mainly involved in eight metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, vitamin metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Gut microbiota data showed that, compared to the control group, the relative abundance and value of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota of the blood deficiency and blood stasis model group was significantly reduced, while the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Spirochaetota, Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota, and other pathogenic bacteria was significantly increased. Following THSWD intervention, the abundance of beneficial bacteria increased, and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria decreased. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and differential metabolites showed that the two are closely related. THSWD affected the host blood system through mutual adjustment of these two factors, and improved blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in rats. CONCLUSION: The blood deficiency and blood stasis syndrome model of TCM disease caused by ice bath combined with cyclophosphamide lead to changes in the pharmacology, metabolomics, and gut microbiota. The intervention of THSWD can improve the symptoms caused by blood deficiency and blood stasis. The mechanism is mainly through the regulation of platelet function and amino acid metabolism.

Chemical conversions of free phytosterols during the bleaching of corn oil.

Phytosterols have health benefits; however, they are partially removed during the bleaching of corn oil. We evaluated the chemical conversion of free phytosterols (FPs) during bleaching. FP degradation accelerated with increased time and temperature, following a first-order kinetic model. In the n-heptane system, air and activated clay promoted the chemical conversion of the FPs. Sterenes formation was analysed under different conditions using a zero-order kinetic model. The apparent activation energies revealed sterene formation decreasing in the following order: campesta-3,5-diene ≈ stigmasta-3,5,22-triene > stigmasta-3,5-diene. Isomers of the above were not detected, indicating that these sterenes were the only primary products of FPs. The desorption test indicated that the FP loss from corn oil was not only due to FPs being adsorbed the activated clay, but also FPs adsorbed at acidic activated sites being degraded. This study presents a vital scientific foundation for retaining FPs to develop healthier and more nutritious oils.

NMR Analysis of Lipid Oxidation in Flaxseed Oil-in-Water Emulsions.

The formation of linolenic (Ln) and linoleic (L) acyl oxidation products during storage of flaxseed oil (FO)-in-water emulsions was monitored using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, as well as chemical analytical methods and gas chromatography. Emulsions containing 10% FO and 1% Tween 60 were prepared by homogenization and then stored at 37 °C in the dark for 21 days under accelerated oxidation conditions (500 µmol ferrous sulfate). The induction time of the emulsions, after which rapid lipid oxidation was first observed, was 5-7 days, as shown by increases in peroxide values and hydroperoxide concentrations determined by NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of the hexanal and propanal concentrations during storage by HS-SPME-GC indicated that the oxidation of Ln and L acyls in the emulsions occurred simultaneously. The oxidation products originating from the Ln and L acyls were monitored using 1H NMR spectroscopy throughout the oxidation process. These results also showed that the Ln and L acyls oxidized simultaneously, and isomers of hydroperoxy-cyclic hydroperoxides (HCPs), Z,E-conjugated dienic hydroperoxides (ZECDHPs), and E,E-conjugated dienic hydroperoxides (EECDHPs) were the major primary oxidation products. Aldehydes were observed after 7 days, which was taken to be the start of the propagation stage, with the formation of a significant amount of oxygenated α, ß-unsaturated aldehydes (OαßUAs). Based on the concentrations of hydroperoxides originating from the Ln and L acyls, our results suggested that the loss rate of L acyls was parallel to that of Ln acyls. This result was consistent with Ln acyls adopting a tighter packing at the oil-water interface in the emulsions than L acyls. This hypothesis was supported by the NMR relaxation time data. A good correlation between the isomer concentrations of ZECDHPs and HCPs in Ln acyls and between ZECDHPs and EECDHPs in L acyls was shown, with the mole ratios between them being 1.2 and 1.1, respectively. Droplet size and microstructure analyses showed that droplet aggregation occurred from 11 days onwards, which was attributed to polar oxidation products located at the oil droplet surfaces promoting coalescence. Zeta-potential measurements indicated that the droplets became more negative during storage, which was attributed to the accumulation of anionic reaction products at the droplet surfaces.

A systematic review on botany, processing, application, phytochemistry and pharmacological action of Radix Rehmnniae.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Radix Rehmanniae (RR) is the tuber root of Rehmannia glutionsa Libosch, which was firstly recorded in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica (⟪⟫). RR is a non-toxic and wide used traditional Chinese medicine. RR has the effect of clearing heat, generating essence, cooling blood, stopping bleeding, nourishing yin and blood, and filling marrow. It is used in clinic in the form of processed decoction pieces, including Dry Radix Rehmnniae (DRR) and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP). The application of RR in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions can treat various diseases, such as anemia, irregular menstruation, deficiency of liver yin, renal failure and so on. AIM OF REVIEW: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and productive review of RR, which mainly contains botanical characteristics, processing methods, traditional application, chemical composition, quality control and pharmacological action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature search was conducted through the Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, CNKI, and WanFang DATA using the keywords "Radix Rehmnniae", "Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata", "processing", "clinical application", "chemical composition", "quality control", and "pharmacological action". In addition, information was collected from relevant textbooks, reviews, and documents. RESULTS: RR is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with clinical value and rich resources. More than 100 components have been isolated and identified from RR. It has multiple pharmacological actions, such as hemostasis, antioxidation, anti-osteoporosis, lowering blood sugar, improving renal function, anti-inflammation, protecting neuronal function, antidepression and anti-anxiety. DRR and RRP are two different processed products of RR. After processing, there are great changes in property, taste, efficacy, clinical application, chemical composition and pharmacological action. At present, identifying chemical constituents of RR and its medicinal value has been deeply studied. However, there is a lack of research on the reasons for the differences in pharmacological effects between DRR and RRP. The reasons for these differences need to be further verified. Catalpol, the active component of RR, has been studied extensively in the literature, but the pharmacological effects of catalpol cannot represent the pharmacological effects of the whole RR. In the future, effective components such as rehmannioside D, polysaccharide, total glycosides, and effective parts in RR need to be further studied and developed. The pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of RR need to be further discussed. The scientific connotation and processing methods of RRP need to be studied and standardized.

Thermal degradation of stigmasterol under the deodorisation temperature exposure alone and in edible corn oil.

Phytosterols are commonly found in vegetable oils and possess health benefits for humans. While investigating the chemical conversion of stigmasterol at deodorisation temperatures, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) experiments led to the identification of 5-ethyl-6-methyl-3-heptene-2-one, 3-hydoxy-steroid, 3-ketostigmasterol, and 3,7-diketostigmasterol as by-products. The identification of these compounds assisted in the interpretation of the stigmasterol oligomers characterised by high-pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). A similar analysis was conducted in stripped corn oil at the deodorisation temperatures. As such, 5-ethyl-6-methyl-3-heptene-2-one, 3-hydoxy-steroid, 3-ketostigmasterol and 3,7-diketostigmasterol were also detected in stripped corn oil, while the contents of 3-hydoxy-steroid and 5-ethyl-6-methyl-3-heptene-2-one were higher than those of 3-ketostigmasterol, as revealed by quantum chemical simulations. In addition, stripped corn oil exhibited the characteristic of preventing stigmasterol degradation below 200 °C, whereas it enhanced the chemical conversion (such as esterification and degradation) of stigmasterol at higher temperatures.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer: Taohong Siwu Decoction.

The high incidence of breast cancer is the greastest threat to women' health all over the world. Among them, HER-2 positive breast cancer has the characteristics of high malignancy, easy recurrence and metastasis, and poor prognosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a rich theoretical basis and clinical application for breast cancer. TCM believes that blood stasis syndrome is one of the important pathogenesis of breast formation and development. Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSHWD) is based on the "First Prescription of Gynecology" Siwu Decoction. It is widely used in various blood stasis and blood deficiency syndromes, mainly in gynecological blood stasis. Clinical studies have found that THSWD can treat breast cancer by reducing blood vessel and lymphangiogenesis with auxiliary chemotherapy. In this study, we aim to explore the material basis and mechanism of THSWD in the treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer through literature review and network pharmacology studies. Through a literature review of the traditional application, chemical composition of Chinese herbal medicine of THSWD, as well as its clinical reports and pharmacological research on breast cancer treatment. Meanwhile, we conducted "component-pathway-target" network through network pharmacology reveals the main material basis, possible targets and pathways of THSWD in inhibiting HER-2 positive breast cancer. Literature review and network pharmacology research results had predicted that, baicalein, kaempferol, caffeic acid, amygdalin, quercetin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, catalpol, hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin in THSWD are the main effective chemical composition. THSWD regulates 386 protein targets and 166 pathways related to breast cancer. The molecular mechanism is mainly to improve the microenvironment of tumor cells, regulate the process of tumor cell EMT, and inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This study revealed the mechanism of action of THSWD in the treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer through literature review and network pharmacology studies, providing a scientific basis for clinical application.

Tachykinin signaling inhibits task-specific behavioral responsiveness in honeybee workers.

Behavioral specialization is key to the success of social insects and leads to division of labor among colony members. Response thresholds to task-specific stimuli are thought to proximally regulate behavioral specialization, but their neurobiological regulation is complex and not well understood. Here, we show that response thresholds to task-relevant stimuli correspond to the specialization of three behavioral phenotypes of honeybee workers in the well-studied and important Apis mellifera and Apis cerana. Quantitative neuropeptidome comparisons suggest two tachykinin-related peptides (TRP2 and TRP3) as candidates for the modification of these response thresholds. Based on our characterization of their receptor binding and downstream signaling, we confirm a functional role of tachykinin signaling in regulating specific responsiveness of honeybee workers: TRP2 injection and RNAi-mediated downregulation cause consistent, opposite effects on responsiveness to task-specific stimuli of each behaviorally specialized phenotype but not to stimuli that are unrelated to their tasks. Thus, our study demonstrates that TRP signaling regulates the degree of task-specific responsiveness of specialized honeybee workers and may control the context specificity of behavior in animals more generally.

Comparative Study on Functional Components, Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Amaranthus Caudatus L. Oils Obtained by Different Solvents Extraction.

Functional compositions, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Amaranthus caudatus L. oils (ACO) obtained by different solvents were comparatively investigated. All the resulted ACO were enrich in 75% unsaturated fatty acid and in squalene of about 4 g/100 g. Different solvents showed varying in oil extraction, where acetone results a highest yield of 6.80 g/100 g. ACO extracted by ethanol showed a highest tocopherol (1351.26 mg/kg), polyphenols (211.28 mg/kg) and squalene (42519.13 mg/kg). However, phytosterols in ACO extracted by hexane (27571.20 mg/kg) was higher than that by acetone (19789.91 mg/kg), ethanol (22015.73 mg/kg) and petroleum ether (24763.30 mg/kg). Furthermore, antioxidant activity of ACO was also measured by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay. According to principal component and correlation analysis, squalene was correlated with the DPPH scavenging ability, but phytosterols and tocopherols was correlated with the ABTS and ferric reducing ability of the oils, respectively. This study provides a promising excellent source of functional oil for food industries.

Effect of unsaturation of free fatty acids and phytosterols on the formation of esterified phytosterols during deodorization of corn oil.

BACKGROUND: Phytosterols are partly removed during oil refining, and the magnitude of phytosterols loss largely depends on the refining conditions applied and the molecular conformation. The aim of this research was to study the effect of deodorization conditions and molecular unsaturation on the esterification of phytosterols during deodorization of corn oil. RESULTS: In the chemical model, free fatty acids (FFAs) were the major provider of acyl groups during the formation of phytosteryl fatty acid esters (PEs) under deodorization conditions. Among the main parameters of the deodorization, temperature played a role in the formation of PEs with a time-dependent manner. In comparison, saturated palmitic acid had a higher capability of esterifying free phytosterols (FPs) to PEs than unsaturated oleic acid and linoleic acid. Moreover, the influence of FFA unsaturation on the degradation of FPs depended on temperature. Besides, the formation of stigmasteryl ester had a competitive advantage over that of sitosteryl ester by quantum chemistry simulation. CONCLUSION: For laboratory-scale deodorization of corn oil, saturated fatty acids and deodorization process with steam as stripping gas could obviously esterify FPs to PEs. FPs were abundantly enriched in distillate during the deodorization process with nitrogen as stripping gas, whereas FPs and PEs were distilled simultaneously during the deodorization process with steam. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Molecular reaction mechanism for elimination of zearalenone during simulated alkali neutralization process of corn oil.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is one of the most widely distributed harmful mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species, especially deposited in corn oil. In this study, we systematically tracked the changes of ZEN in the refining of corn oil, and especially during neutralization process. An alkali neutralization process could remove certain amounts of ZEN that was much more than that of others refining steps. In a mimicking condition, ZEN contents decreased continuously and significantly with increasing neutralization temperature. However, when returned to neutral, recoverable ZEN decreased with increasing temperature, which confirmed more degradation of ZEN at high temperature. HPLC-Q/TOF MS and NMR evidence showed that non-reversible hydrolyzate followed decarboxylation was observed in a high-temperature alkali neutralization condition. The results may serve as the scientific basis for the elimination of zearalenone in refined vegetable oils, and provide clues to understanding the oil-safety aspects of elimination of zearalenone.

New sesquiterpenoids from the stems of Dendrobium nobile and their neuroprotective activities.

Three new sesquiterpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S,3R,4S,5R,6S,9R)-3,11,12-trihydroxypicrotoxane-2(15)-lactone (1), (-)-(1S,2R,3S,4R,5S,6R,9S,12R)-3,11,13-trihydroxypicrotoxane-2(15)-lactone (2), and (+)-(1R,5R,6S,8R,9R)-8,12-dihydroxy-copacamphan-3-en-2-one (3), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the n-butanol soluble fraction of a 95% EtOH extract of the stems of Dendrobium nobile. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Particularly, to solve difficult stereochemical problems, electronic circular dichroism calculations, NMR data calculations, and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction were performed. Interestingly, compounds 1 and 2 were picrotoxinin-type sesquiterpenoids with an unusual C15,2-lactone ring. All new sesquiterpenoids (1-3) showed a significant neuroprotective activity against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells. Notably, at 25 and 50 µM, compounds 1 and 2 showed the best protective effects, even better than the positive control (vitamin E).

Oral Bromelain for the Control of Facial Swelling, Trismus, and Pain After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether bromelain can decrease trismus, pain, and facial swelling in patients undergoing impacted third molar surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three databases were searched to identify relevant studies through November 1, 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of bromelain versus placebo after mandibular third molar surgery were included. The main outcome measures, pain, facial swelling, and trismus, were assessed in the early stage (2 to 3 days) and the late stage (7 days) after surgery. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using fixed-effect models. All statistical analyses were implemented using Review Manager 5.3. RESULT: Six RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested that bromelain appears to be effective for decreasing facial swelling in the early and late stages after surgery (early-stage SMD, -0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.46 to -0.02; P = .03; late-stage SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.24; P = .0004). Bromelain alleviated postoperative pain 7 days after surgery (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.20; P = .002), but there was no significant difference in pain levels at the early stage. For trismus, analyses showed that bromelain had no apparent effect on early or late trismus. CONCLUSION: Bromelain conferred moderate relief of postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery.

[Mechanism of Duhuo Jisheng decotion in delaying degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells in human intervertebral disc].

This paper aimed to investigate the role of Duhuo Jisheng decotion (DHJSD) in delaying human disc degeneration and its possible molecular mechanism. The intervertebral disc specimens were divided into normal and degenerated groups according to Pfirrmann classfication. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, MMP-3 and MMP-13 in intervertebral disc tissue were detected by Western blot and PCR. Then degenerated human primary NPCs were cultured in vitro, the viability of NPCs treated with stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1，10 µg·L⁻¹)and various concentrations of DHJSD was assessed by the CCK-8 assay, and the appropriate concentration was screened. The experiment was divided into three groups, control group, SDF-1 group and DHJSD plus SDF-1 group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, Agg, coIⅡ, MMP-3 and MMP-13 were detected. The levels of CXCR4, NF-κB major groups P65 phosphorylation (p-P65) and nuclear translocation, after treated with CXCR4 siRNA and NF-κB inhibitor (BAY11-7082) were measured by Western blot and immunofluorescence. At the same time, the expression of cell inflammatory factors and extracellular matrix were also measured. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, MMP-3 and MMP-13 in the degenerated intervertebral disc tissue were significantly increased. In vitro study, the results of CCK-8 indicated that the viability of NPCs was significantly increased when DHJSD concentration was 300 mg·L⁻¹. After the experiment was divided into three groups, compared with SDF-1 group, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, MMP-3 and MMP-13 in DHJSD group were significantly decreased, but the expressions of Agg, coIⅡ were significantly increased. When CXCR4-siRNA was transfected into NPCs, SDF-1 increased expressions of CXCR4 and p-P65 and inhibited nuclear translocation of P65, whose effect was suppressed by CXCR4-siRNA and DHJSD. In addition, when BAY11-7082 was used to treat NPCs, the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, MMP-3 and MMP-13 were significantly decreased. DHJSD could inhibit the production of inflammatory factors and promote the synthesis of extracellular matrix. The potential mechanism may be related to the SDF-1/CXCR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Research progress of Gastrodiae Rhizoma machining processing, composition analysis and in vivo metabolism].

Steaming method is a traditional processing method for Gastrodiae Rhizoma(GR). The current studies on the steaming method's mechanism of GR are mainly focused on facilitating softening slice, destroying the ß-glycosidic bond enzymes to reduce the decomposition of gastrodia glycosides (killing enzyme and protecting glycosides). The researches on the processing mechanism are still incomplete, while revealing and analyzing the active components in the body's metabolic process are important channels and new models to clarify the mechanism of traditional medicine processing. In order to provides a reference for the in-depth study of the processing mechanism of GR, we have reviewed the relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years and briefly summarized the processing, composition analysis and in vivo metabolism of GR in this study.

Duhuo Jisheng Decoction inhibits SDF-1-induced inflammation and matrix degradation in human degenerative nucleus pulposus cells in vitro through the CXCR4/NF-κB pathway.

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common disease in orthopedic clinics world-wide. A classic Fangji of traditional Chinese medicine, Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD), has been proven clinically effective for LBP but its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that DHJSD might relieve LBP through inhibiting the exaggerated proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Thus, we studied the effects of DHJSD on stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)-induced inflammation and ECM degradation in human nucleus pulposus cells (hNPCs). The primary hNPCs were isolated from either degenerated human intervertebral disc (HID) of LBP patients or normal HID of lumbar vertebral fracture patients, and cultured in vitro. The cells were treated with SDF-1 (10 ng/mL) and subsequently with different concentrations (100-500 µg/mL) of DHJSD for 24 h, respectively. We found that application of DHJSD significantly antagonized the SDF-1-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and reduction of aggrecan and type II collagen in the hNPCs. DHJSD also markedly reduced the SDF-1-induced increase of CXCR4 and p-p65 and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65 in the hNPCs. DHJSD, CXCR4-siRNA, and NF-κB inhibitor (BAY11-7082) caused the same inhibition of exaggerated proinflammatory cytokines in the SDF-1-treated hNPCs. These results provided compelling evidence that DHJSD may inhibit the generation of proinflammatory mediators and ECM degradation of HID through an orchestrated targeting at multiple molecules in the SDF-1/CXCR4/NF-κB pathway, thus offered novel mechanistic insights into the clinical effectiveness of DHJSD on LBP.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Responsive Nanoparticles for Synergistic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer via Simultaneous Anti-Angiogenesis and Chemotherapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, especially in developed countries. Although patients' overall survival has been improved by either conventional chemotherapy or newly developed anti-angiogenesis treatment based on its highly vascularized feature, the relatively low therapeutic efficacy and severe side effects remain big problems in clinical practice. In this study, we describe an easy method to construct a novel matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) responsive nanocarrier, which can load hydrophobic agents (camptothecin and sorafenib) with high efficiency to exert synergistic efficacy for CRC treatment. The drug-containing nanoparticles can particularly respond to the MMP-2 and realize the controlled release of payloads at the tumor site. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that this responsive nanoparticle exhibits much higher therapeutic efficacy than that of single antitumor agents or combined drugs coadministrated in traditional ways.

Fe3-xCuxO4 as highly active heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts toward elemental mercury removal.

A series of novel spinel Fe3-xCuxO4 (0

Effects of experimental nitrogen and phosphorus addition on litter decomposition in an old-growth tropical forest.

The responses of litter decomposition to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions were examined in an old-growth tropical forest in southern China to test the following hypotheses: (1) N addition would decrease litter decomposition; (2) P addition would increase litter decomposition, and (3) P addition would mitigate the inhibitive effect of N addition. Two kinds of leaf litter, Schima superba Chardn. & Champ. (S.S.) and Castanopsis chinensis Hance (C.C.), were studied using the litterbag technique. Four treatments were conducted at the following levels: control, N-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)), P-addition (150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)) and NP-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) plus 150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)). While N addition significantly decreased the decomposition of both litters, P addition significantly inhibited decomposition of C.C., but did not affect the decomposition of S.S. The negative effect of N addition on litter decomposition might be related to the high N-saturation in this old-growth tropical forest; however, the negative effect of P addition might be due to the suppression of "microbial P mining". Significant interaction between N and P addition was found on litter decomposition, which was reflected by the less negative effect in NP-addition plots than those in N-addition plots. Our results suggest that P addition may also have negative effect on litter decomposition and that P addition would mitigate the negative effect of N deposition on litter decomposition in tropical forests.

[Evaluation of treatment technology of odor pollution source in petrochemical industry].

Using an environmental technology assessment system, we put forward the evaluation index system for treatment technology of the typical odor pollution sources in the petroleum refining process, which has been applied in the assessment of the industrial technology. And then the best available techniques are selected for emissions of gas refinery sewage treatment plant, headspace gas of acidic water jars, headspace gas of cold coke jugs/intermediate oil tank/dirty oil tank, exhaust of oxidative sweetening, and vapors of loading and unloading oil.