Advanced and Readily-Available Wireless-Powered Blue-Light-Implant for Non-Invasive Peri-Implant Disinfection.

Non-invasive light-based antibacterial therapy has a good prospect in non-surgical treatment of peri-implant infections. However, its applications are severely limited by poor penetration of light into human tissues, leading to unsatisfying outcomes. Moreover, as an essential prerequisite for traditional light therapy, lasers can no longer meet the patients' needs for convenient treatment at any time. To break through the spatial and temporal limitations of traditional light therapy, a wireless-powered blue-light zirconia implant for readily available treatment of peri-implant infection is proposed. In space, complete irradiation to complex peri-implant structure is realized by the built-in wireless-powered light source, thus improving the efficacy. In time, wireless-powering allows timely and controllable anti-infection treatment. Blue micro-light emitting diodes are used as therapeutic light sources, which effectively kill peri-implant infection-related bacteria without exogenous photosensitive agents. Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm on implant surface can be completely killed after 20 min irradiation in vitro. The bactericidal rate of peri-implant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection reaches 99.96 ± 0.03% under 30 min per day blue light exposure in vivo. Within the scope of this study, the treatment of peri-implant infection with blue-light implant has preliminary feasibility, giving a new approach to non-invasive treatment of deep oral infections, including peri-implant infections.

Comparison of Effects of Liuzijue Exercise and Conventional Respiratory Training on Patients after Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Liuzijue exercise (LE) for the clinical effect in patients after cardiac surgery.@*METHODS@#Totally 120 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were admitted to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between July and Oclober, 2022 were allocated to the LE group, the conventional respiratory training (CRT) group, and the control group by a random number table at a ratio of 1:1:1; 40 patients in each group. All patients received routine treatment and cardiac rehabilitation. LE group and CRT group respectively performed LE and CRT once a day for 30 min for 7 days. Control group did not receive specialized respiratory training. The forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak inspiratory flow rate, peak expiratory flow rate, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were evaluated before, after 3 and 7 days of intervention. In addition, the postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and the adverse events that occurred during the intervention period were compared.@*RESULTS@#A total of 107 patients completed the study, 120 patients were included in the analysis. After 3 days of intervention, the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, MBI and HAM-A of all 3 groups improved compared with that before the intervention (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the control group, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were significantly improved in the CRT and LE groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the LE group compared with the control and CRT groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On the 7th day after intervention, the difference was still statistically significant (P<0.01), and was significantly different from that on the 3rd day (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, on the 7th day of intervention, the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in the LE group were significantly improved compared with those in the CRT group (P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the CRT group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in postoperative LOS among the 3 groups (P>0.05). No training-related adverse events occurred during the intervention period.@*CONCLUSIONS@#LE is safe and feasible for improving pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, the ability to complete activities of daily living and for relieving anxiety of patients after cardiac surgery (Registration No. ChiCTR2200062964).

Network pharmacology analysis on mechanism of Jian Pi Qing Gan Yin decoction ameliorating high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and validated in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jian Pi Qing Gan Yin (JPQGY) has been used clinically to relieve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China for decades; however, the underlying mechanisms of JPQGY remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: We evaluated the effects and mechanisms of JPQGY and hepatic steatosis caused by the middle stage of 13-week-high-fat-diet-induced NAFLD in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different dosages of JPQGY (5.5, 11, and 22 g/kg/day) were administered to NAFLD mice simultaneously. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and liver lipid- and inflammation-related serum indicators were measured enzymatically. Liver samples were stained with Oil Red O and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Next, we performed a network pharmacology analysis and verified eight target genes mapping to NAFLD-related lipid metabolism pathways. The mRNA/protein expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS: JPQGY significantly relieved histological damage (steatosis-inflammation-fibrosis), prevented the downregulation of AMPK and Pparα, and upregulated LXRα, Srebp-1c, F4/80, Nf-κb, and Cyp2e1 in the HFD-induced NAFLD mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that chronic treatment with JPQGY ameliorated HFD-induced NAFLD in mice by targeting the first and second phases of hepatic steatosis by stimulating the AMPK/PPARα pathway and inhibiting the LXRα/Srebp1/Nf-κb pathway. Our findings provide evidence that supports the clinical use of this formula for high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease.

Protective Mechanism of Electroacupuncture on Peripheral Neurotoxicity Induced by Oxaliplatin in Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in rats.@*METHODS@#Male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 3 groups using a random number table: the control group, the OIPN group, and the EA (OIPN + EA) group, with 10 rats in each. The time courses of mechanical, cold sensitivity, and microcirculation blood flow intensity were determined. The morphology of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was observed by electron microscopic examination. The protein levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the transient receptor potential (TRP) protein family in DRGs were assayed by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#EA treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in OIPN rats (P<0.01). Notably, oxaliplatin treatment resulted in impaired microcirculatory blood flow and pathomorphological defects in DRGs (P<0.01). EA treatment increased the microcirculation blood flow and attenuated the pathological changes induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were down-regulated, and the TRP protein family was over-expressed in the DRGs of OIPN rats (P<0.01). EA increased the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased the level of TRP protein family in DRG (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA may be a potential alternative therapy for OIPN, and its mechanism may be mainly mediated by restoring the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Pharmacological Mechanism of Curcumae Radix in Treatment of Post-stroke Depression： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Post-stroke depression， a common mental complication after stroke， seriously affects the quality of life and even endangers the life safety of patients. It is difficult to be cured due to the complex and diverse pathogenesis. At present， the widely accepted pathogenesis mechanisms include inflammatory mechanism， neurotransmitter mechanism， and endocrine mechanism. According to the theory of Chinese medicine， Qi stagnation， blood stasis， and phlegm turbidity lead to the occurrence of mental diseases after stroke. Curcumae Radix， as a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine， can activate blood circulation for relieving pain， regulate Qi， and relieve depression. The summary of the medication rules of DENG Tie-tao， ZHANG Xue-wen and other Chinese medical physicians showcases that Curcumae Radix is frequently used in the clinical treatment of depression， stroke， and post-stroke depression. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Curcumae Radix contains β-sitosterol， curdione， curcumin and other medicinal ingredients. This study reviewed the pharmacological effects of effective components in Curcumae Radix and the pharmacological mechanism in the treatment of post-stroke depression and summarized the processing methods of Curcumae Radix， aiming to clarify the important role and determine the optimal processing method of Curcumae Radix in the treatment of post-stroke depression. The results indicate that Curcumae Radix has the effects of regulating neurotransmitters， inhibiting neuroinflammation， protecting neurons， regulating neuroendocrine and antithrombosis， which can prevent and treat post-stroke depression through multiple components， targets， and pathways. The wine-processed Curcuma longa has the best effect.

Simultaneous evaluation of kinetic release of labile arsenic and phosphorus in agricultural soils using cerium oxide-based DGT.

The adsorption/desorption of arsenic (As) in agricultural soils is of utmost importance for the evaluation of its kinetic release and potential of entering the food chain by uptake of crops. However, the mobility of As in soils is closely related to the migration behavior of soil phosphorus (P) due to their chemical similarity. Here, the distribution and desorption kinetics of As and P in four different types of farmland soils were simultaneously estimated by cerium oxide-based diffusive gradients in thin films technique (CeO2-DGT) coupled with dynamic model of DGT induced fluxes in soils (DIFS). CeO2-DGT was deployed in the soils over 400 h to investigate the interactions between As and P for their migration behaviors. The accumulated masses of As in the DGT devices showed reverse orders with those of P among the four soils, indicating their competitive adsorption on soil solids. The distribution coefficients (Kdl) for the labile As and P derived from the DIFS model were mutually exclusive. Clay in the soil reduced the pool size of the labile As by increasing the irreversible adsorption of As on soil particles. The adsorption rate constants of As were much smaller than P but their desorption rate constants were comparable. Among the four soils, the soil with the highest soil labile As/P molar ratio measured by DGT showed the largest potential of As phytotoxicity. Both As and P could reach the equilibrium of resupply within 0.7- 18 min under DGT depletion, and significant negative correlation was observed between the desorption rate (kb) of As and clay content in the soils.

Comprehensive Identification of Astilbin Metabolites in Rats Based on Multiple Metabolite Templates Combined with UHPLC-Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Astilbin, a dihydroflavonoid compound widely found in plants, exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities and biological effects. However, little is known about the metabolism of this active compound in vivo, which is very helpful for elucidating the pharmacodynamic material basis and application of astilbin. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid profiling and identification method for metabolites in rat urine, faeces and plasma using a UHPLC-Q-Exactive mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. METHODS: In this study, a simple and rapid systematic strategy and 7 metabolite templates, which were established based on previous reports, were utilized to screen and identify astilbin metabolites. RESULTS: As a result, a total of 71 metabolites were detected and characterized, among which 32 metabolites were found in rat urine, while 27 and 38 metabolites were characterized from rat plasma and faeces, respectively. These metabolites were presumed to be generated through ring cleavage, sulfation, dehydrogenation, methylation, hydroxylation, glucuronidation, dehydroxylation and their composite reactions. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the capacity of the sensitive UHPLC-Q-Exactive mass spectrometer analytical system combined with the data-mining methods to rapidly elucidate the unknown metabolism. Moreover, the comprehensive metabolism study of astilbin provided an overall metabolic profile, which will be of great help in predicting the in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles and understanding the action mechanism of this active ingredient.

[Research progress of Astragali Radix fermentation].

Astragali Radix is one of traditional Chinese medicines with effects in invigorating Qi for consolidating superficies, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, promoting pus discharge and tissue regeneration. In recent years, the traditional Chinese medicine fermentation technology has received extensive attentions due to its high efficiency and safety. The pharmacological functions of traditional Chinese medicines could be further enhanced after microbial fermentation, which has a broad development prospects. In this paper, we summarized relevant literatures of Astragali Radix fermentation in such aspects as fermentation strains, fermentation forms, process optimization, active ingredients and pharmacological effects, in the expectation of providing a reference for development and utilization of Astragali Radix.

Comparative metabolism study on chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid using UHPLC-Q-TOF MS coupled with network pharmacology.

Chlorogenic acid (5-CQA), neochlorogenic acid (3-CQA), and cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), usually simultaneously exist in many traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). However, insufficient attentions have been paid to the comparative metabolism study on these three isomeric constituents with similar effects on anti-inflammation until now. In this study, a novel strategy was established to perform comparative analysis of their metabolic fates in rats and elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of anti-inflammation. Firstly, diagnostic product ions (DPIs) deduced from the representative reference standards were adopted to rapidly screen and characterize the metabolites in rat plasma, urine and faeces using UHPLC-Q-TOF MS. Subsequently, Network pharmacology was utilized to elucidate their anti-inflammatory mechanism. Consequently, a total of 73 metabolites were detected and characterized, including 50, 47 and 43 metabolites for 5-CQA, 4-CQA and 3-CQA, orderly. Moreover, the network pharmacology study indicated that these three isomeric constituents and their major metabolites with similar in vivo metabolic pathways exerted anti-inflammatory effects through co-owned 20 biological processes, which involved 10 major signal pathways and 159 potential targets. Our study shed light on the similarities and differences of the metabolic profiling and anti-inflammatory activity among these three isomeric constituents and set an example for the further researches on the active mechanism of isomeric constituents existing in TCMs based on comparative metabolism study.

Antimicrobial Activity of an Implantable Wireless Blue Light-Emitting Diode Against Root Canal Biofilm In Vitro.

Objective: We developed an implantable wireless blue micro light-emitting diode (micro-LED) device and evaluated the utility of continuous antimicrobial blue light (aBL) irradiation emitted from this micro-LED for root canal disinfection. Methods: An implantable wireless blue micro-LED device (peak wavelength: 410 nm, maximum power: 15 mW) was developed to be placed in the root canal. Optical transmission of the device in human dentin tissue was simulated using Monte Carlo ray-tracing method. The bactericidal effect of low-level aBL on planktonic root canal infection-related bacteria [Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin-resistant Streptococcus aureus (MRSA), and Prevotella intermedia] was evaluated by colony counting. The biocompatibility of continuous low-level aBL exposure was evaluated by infrared thermal imaging and cell viability tests. Thirty extracted intact human single-rooted teeth were prepared and the root canals were infected with E. faecalis for 14 days to form biofilm. The infected root canals were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10), and treated with normal saline (group NS), calcium hydroxide (group CH), and micro-LED device (group aBL) for 3 and 7 days. The bactericidal effect of each group was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Monte Carlo simulation showed that blue light irradiation of the micro-LED device decreased exponentially with the light transmission distance through human dentin tissue. Planktonic E. faecalis, MRSA, and P. intermedia were significantly eliminated after irradiation with 432, 36, and 1.35 J/cm2 aBL, respectively (p < 0.05). Infrared thermal imaging and cell viability tests showed that continuous aBL exposure is biocompatible in vitro. CLSM and SEM analyses revealed that the micro-LED device had a greater antimicrobial effect than CH on E. faecalis biofilm in the root canal. Conclusions: The wireless blue micro-LED device is a promising and user-friendly approach for root canal disinfection that will facilitate infection control in the root canal using aBL.

The chemical transformations for Radix Astragali via different alkaline wash conditions by quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Radix Astragali is a famous Chinese traditional and folk medicine with a wide range of medicinal values in clinic. In this study, an analytical efficient strategy based on UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS and UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS was established to explore and reveal the chemical transformations for Radix Astragali under different alkaline wash conditions for analytical sample preparation. Firstly, a rapid and sensitive UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method for the quantification of 14 main constituents in Radix Astragali has been developed and validated. Secondly, according to the standard substance comparison, accurate mass measurements, mass fragmentation behaviors and related literatures, a total of 102 components have been screened and identified using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap method. Among them, 47 compounds are saponins, and the other 55 are flavonoids. Consequently, there were two chemical transformations including hydrolysis and degradation observed when Radix Astragali was treated with alkali. Besides, hydrolysis of glycosides and acetyl played a considerably important role in the process of sample preparation. It has been proved that 10 % ammonia could relatively guarantee the high content of astragaloside IV and avoid the over-degradation of most chemical ingredients in Radix Astragali. In conclusion, this work would provide a scientific and practical method for quality control of Radix Astragali as well as its compound preparations.

Study on quality standard of gypenosides extract and Gypenosides Tablets / 中国中药杂志

In response to no national standard for Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a market survey was carried out, and 17 batches of gypenosides extract and 29 batches of Gypenosides Tablets on the market were collected. With gypenoside A as an index, the TLC qualitative identification and HPLC quantitative evaluation method of gypenosides extract and tablets was established. Based on the determination results of 17 batches of gypenosides extract and 29 batches of Gypenosides Tablets, the quality standards of gypenosides extract and tablets were formulated respectively, so as to give suggestions for improving the quality standards of gypenosides extract and tablets. Compared with the existing ministerial standards, the qualitative identification and quantitative detection of specific components were added, in order to provide scientific basis and suggestions for the revision of the quality standard of gypenosides extract and tablet preparation.

[Improved effects of saponins from Panax japonicus on decline of cognitive function in natural aging rats via NLRP3 inflammasome pathway].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of total saponins from Panax japonicus( SPJ) on cognitive decline of natural aging rats and its mechanism. Thirty male SD rats of eighteen month old were randomly divided into three groups: aged group,10 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group and 30 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group. The SPJ-treated groups were given SPJ at the dosages of 10 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 mg·kg~(-1),respectively,from the age of 18 to 24 months. Aged group were lavaged the same amount of saline,10 six-month-old rats were used as control group,with 10 rats in each group. The open field test,novel object recognition and Morris water maze were performed to detect the changes of cognitive function in each group. The changes of synaptic transmission of long-term potentiation( LTP) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by field potential recording. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and the changes of Glu A1,Glu A2,CAMKⅡ,CREB and phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ,CREB in each group.The results showed that SPJ could improve the decline of cognitive function in aging rats,reduce the damage of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region of aged rats,and decrease the expression of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 in aging rats. At the same time,SPJ could enhance the membrane expression of AMPA receptor( Glu A1 and Glu A2),and increase the expression of p-CAMKⅡand p-CREB in aging rats.SPJ could improve cognitive decline of natural aging rats,and its mechanism may be related to regulating NLRP3 inflammasome,thus regulating the membrane expression of AMPA receptor,and enhancing the expression phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ and CREB.

Improved effects of saponins from Panax japonicus on decline of cognitive function in natural aging rats via NLRP3 inflammasome pathway / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of total saponins from Panax japonicus( SPJ) on cognitive decline of natural aging rats and its mechanism. Thirty male SD rats of eighteen month old were randomly divided into three groups: aged group,10 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group and 30 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group. The SPJ-treated groups were given SPJ at the dosages of 10 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 mg·kg~(-1),respectively,from the age of 18 to 24 months. Aged group were lavaged the same amount of saline,10 six-month-old rats were used as control group,with 10 rats in each group. The open field test,novel object recognition and Morris water maze were performed to detect the changes of cognitive function in each group. The changes of synaptic transmission of long-term potentiation( LTP) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by field potential recording. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and the changes of Glu A1,Glu A2,CAMKⅡ,CREB and phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ,CREB in each group.The results showed that SPJ could improve the decline of cognitive function in aging rats,reduce the damage of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region of aged rats,and decrease the expression of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 in aging rats. At the same time,SPJ could enhance the membrane expression of AMPA receptor( Glu A1 and Glu A2),and increase the expression of p-CAMKⅡand p-CREB in aging rats.SPJ could improve cognitive decline of natural aging rats,and its mechanism may be related to regulating NLRP3 inflammasome,thus regulating the membrane expression of AMPA receptor,and enhancing the expression phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ and CREB.

Central Lymph Node Status has Significant Prognostic Value in the Clinically Node-Negative Tall-Cell Variant of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Regardless of T-Staging and Radioactive Iodine Administration: First Evidence From a Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of central lymph node (CLN) status in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains controversial. This study aimed to provide the first evidence on this issue for the aggressive tall-cell variant (TCV) subtype. METHODS: The study identified TCV patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox regression models were used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 744 patients included, 404 were recorded as N0, which were pathologically or only clinically confirmed. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) did not differ significantly between the N0 and pN1a patients (p > 0.05). To investigate the reason, the N0 patients were subdivided according to the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN). The patients with a N0 diagnosis confirmed by two or more ELNs (N0-e2+) showed significantly better outcomes than the pN1a patients and their N0 counterparts without ELN (N0-e0) (p < 0.05), whereas the N0-e0 and pN1a groups demonstrated comparable outcomes in both the log-rank and multivariate analyses (p > 0.05). Moreover, the subgroup analyses showed that even among the patients with early T-staging (T1-T2) or receipt of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, the N0-e0 patients still demonstrated compromised OS compared with the N0-e2+ group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The cN0 patients without ELN (N0-e0) had outcomes similar to those of the pN1a patients, but showed a poorer OS than the N0-e2+ group regardless of T-staging and RAI administration, suggesting that occult CLN metastases might act as a negative prognosticator in cN0 TCV. Therefore, prophylactic central neck dissection might be considered for biopsy-proven cN0 TCV patients. Prospective studies are expected to further validate our conclusions.

Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a single ascending dose of baicalein chewable tablets in healthy subjects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammation, fever, cough, dysentery, and hypertension. Baicalein is a flavonoid isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and is a novel neuroprotective agent under development for the treatment of Parkinson׳s disease. We aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of baicalein and its main metabolite, bacalin, after single-dose administration in healthy Chinese subjects. The safety and tolerability of baicalein were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, single-dose trial of baicalein (100-2800 mg) in 72 healthy adults. Samples of blood, urine and feces were collected at regular intervals up to 48 h after administration of the study drug. Baicalein and baicalin were then analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The maximum concentration that the drug achieved after dosing (Cmax), time to Cmax (Tmax), terminal half-life (t1/2), area under the curve from time zero to time of last quantifiable concentration (AUC(0, t)), area under the curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(0, ∞)), apparent total plasma clearance (CL/F), and apparent total volume of distribution (V/F) were determined using non-compartmental models. Dose proportion was tested using a method combining the equivalence criterion and power model. Physical examinations, vital signs, ECG findings, hematology, and urinalysis were monitored before and at regular intervals after administration of the study drug. RESULTS: The PK profile of baicelein and baicelin was characterized by a median Tmax of 0.75-3.5 h and 0.5-3 h, respectively, followed by a multiphasic profile with a t1/2 of 1.90-15.01 h and 4.22-10.80 h, respectively. The estimates of the proportionality coefficient (90% CI) for Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 0.83 (0.70-0.96), 0.91 (0.81-1.00) and 0.92 (0.82-1.02), respectively. All values overlapped within the pre-specified range of (0.89-1.11), (0.93-1.07), and (0.93-1.07), respectively. Dose proportionality was inconclusive for a baicalein dose range of 100-2800 mg. The total urinary clearance of baicalein and baicalin was <1%. Approximately 27% of baicalein was eliminated as unchanged drug in feces. Baicalein was well tolerated. Eleven treatment-related adverse events were observed, and all were rated as "mild" and resolved without further treatment. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Single oral doses of 100-2800 mg of baicalein were safe and well tolerated by healthy subjects. Clinical laboratory assessments showed no signs of toxicity in the liver or kidney. The favorable safety profile and PK properties warrant further clinical studies for baicalein.

Immobilization of polymeric g-C3N4 on structured ceramic foam for efficient visible light photocatalytic air purification with real indoor illumination.

The immobilization of a photocatalyst on a proper support is pivotal for practical environmental applications. In this work, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a rising visible light photocatalyst was first immobilized on structured Al2O3 ceramic foam by a novel in situ approach. Immobilized g-C3N4 was applied for photocatalytic removal of 600 ppb level NO in air under real indoor illumination of an energy-saving lamp. The photocatalytic activity of immobilized g-C3N4 was gradually improved as the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 450 to 600 °C. The optimized conditions for g-C3N4 immobilization on Al2O3 supports can be achieved at 600 °C for 2 h. The NO removal ratio could reach up to 77.1%, exceeding that of other types of well-known immobilized photocatalysts. Immobilized g-C3N4 was stable in activity and can be used repeatedly without deactivation. The immobilization of g-C3N4 on Al2O3 ceramic foam was found to be firm enough to overwhelm the continuous air flowing, which can be ascribed to the special chemical interaction between g-C3N4 and Al2O3. On the basis of the 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pirroline-N-oxide electron spin resonance (DMPO ESR) spin trapping and reaction intermediate monitoring, the active species produced from g-C3N4 under illumination were confirmed and the reaction mechanism of photocatalytic NO oxidation by g-C3N4 was revealed. The present work could provide new perspectives for promoting large-scale environmental applications of supported photocatalysts.