Immobilization of Pb and Zn in Contaminated Soil Using Alumina-Silica Nano-Amendments Synthesized from Coal Fly Ash.

To apply coal fly ash to the remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil, an alumina-silica nano-amendment (ASNA) was synthesized from coal fly ash and was used for the immobilization of lead and zinc in contaminated soil. The investigation on the synthesis of the ASNA shows that the ASNA can be obtained under a roasting temperature of 700 °C, a ratio of alkali to coal fly ash of 1.2:1, and a molar ratio of silicon to aluminum of 1:1. The ASNA could increase the soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) and decrease the bioavailability of Pb and Zn. When the ASNA addition increased from 0 to 2%, the bioavailability (extracted by CaCl2) of Pb and Zn decreased by 47% and 72%, respectively. Moreover, the addition of the ASNA facilitated the transformation of Pb from a reducible fraction to oxidizable and residual fractions and Zn from an exchangeable fraction to a residual fraction. The correlation analysis and cluster analysis verify that the ASNA modulates the chemical speciation of heavy metals by increasing the soil's CEC and pH, thereby immobilizing heavy metals. It is expected that this study can provide a new method for the remediation of Pb- and Zn-contaminated soil.

Phloridzin Highly Accumulated in Malus rockii Rehder and Its Structure Revision and Hypolipidemic Activity.

Phloridzin is a lead compound of the prestigious antidiabetic gliflozins. The present study found that phloridzin highly accumulated in Malus rockii Rehder. The content of phloridzin in M. rockii was the highest among wild plants, with the percentage of 15.54% in the dry leaves. The structure of phloridzin was revised by proton exchange experiments and extensive 2D NMR spectra. Phloridzin exhibited significant hypolipidemic activity in golden Syrian hamsters maybe by increasing the expression of CYP7A1, at the doses of 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. The total performance of anti-hyperlipidemic effect of phloridzin may be superior to that of lovastatin, though lovastatin was more active than phloridzin. In addition, phloridzin exhibited moderate antimalarial activity with inhibition ratio of 31.3 ± 10.9% at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day, and showed moderate analgesic activity with 28.0% inhibition at a dose of 50 mg/kg.

[Effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Chinese Zhuang Minority medicine on colonic inflammatory impairment and Th17/IL-17F signaling in rats with ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine on helper T cell 17 (Th17)/ Interleukin-17F(IL-17F) signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication and medicated thread moxibustion (MTM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The UC model was induced by free drinking of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 10 d. After successful modeling, rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of salazosulfapyridine (SASP). Medicated thread moxibustion was applied to unilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Qihai" (CV6) alternatively for rats of the MTM group, once daily for 14 d. The body mass, stool shape, and fecal occult test were recorded and conducted daily to perform disease activity index (DAI) score. H．E. staining was used to display pathological changes of the colon tissue. The Th17 cells and IL-17F and retinoic acid related orphan receptor γ t (ROR-γt) in the colon tissue were detected by flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, and the expression levels of RORγt and IL-17F mRNA in colon tissue were detected by quantitive real-time PCR. RESULTS: After modeling, the DAI score, colonic Th17 percentage, RORγt and IL-17F contents, and RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the normal control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Following the intervention, all the aforementioned indexes were reversed in both medication and MTM groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the medication and MTM groups in the levels of the above mentioned indexes (P>0.05, except RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression). H．E. staining showed disappearance of goblet cells, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, exfoliation of the epithelial tissue and edema of colonic mucosal in rats of the model group, which was relatively milder in both medication and MTM groups. CONCLUSION: Medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine can reduce the inflammatory damage of colon tissue in UC rats, which is associated with its effects in suppressing the expression of RORγt, production of Th17 cells, and secretion of pro-inflammatory factor IL-17F in colon tissue.

Effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Chinese Zhuang Minority medicine on colonic inflammatory impairment and Th17/IL-17F signaling in rats with ulcerative colitis / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine on helper T cell 17 (Th17)/ Interleukin-17F(IL-17F) signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication and medicated thread moxibustion (MTM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The UC model was induced by free drinking of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 10 d. After successful modeling, rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of salazosulfapyridine (SASP). Medicated thread moxibustion was applied to unilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Qihai" (CV6) alternatively for rats of the MTM group, once daily for 14 d. The body mass, stool shape, and fecal occult test were recorded and conducted daily to perform disease activity index (DAI) score. H．E. staining was used to display pathological changes of the colon tissue. The Th17 cells and IL-17F and retinoic acid related orphan receptor γ t (ROR-γt) in the colon tissue were detected by flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, and the expression levels of RORγt and IL-17F mRNA in colon tissue were detected by quantitive real-time PCR. RESULTS: After modeling, the DAI score, colonic Th17 percentage, RORγt and IL-17F contents, and RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the normal control group (P0.05, except RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression). H．E. staining showed disappearance of goblet cells, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, exfoliation of the epithelial tissue and edema of colonic mucosal in rats of the model group, which was relatively milder in both medication and MTM groups. CONCLUSION: Medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine can reduce the inflammatory damage of colon tissue in UC rats, which is associated with its effects in suppressing the expression of RORγt, production of Th17 cells, and secretion of pro-inflammatory factor IL-17F in colon tissue.

Nanotherapy in Joints: Increasing Endogenous Hyaluronan Production by Delivering Hyaluronan Synthase 2.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint degenerative disease that causes pain, joint damage, and dysfunction. External hyaluronic acid (HA) supplement is a common method for the management of osteoarthritis which requires multi-injections. It is demonstrated that biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles successfully deliver an enzyme, hyaluronan synthase type 2 (HAS2), into synoviocytes from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and generate endogenous HA with high molecular weights. In a rat TMJ osteoarthritis inflammation model, this strategy promotes endogenous HA production and inhibits the synovial inflammation of OA for more than 3 weeks with one-shot administration. Such nanotherapy also helps repairing the bone defects in a rat OA bone defect model.

Tatarinan O, a lignin-like compound from the roots of Acorus tatarinowii Schott inhibits osteoclast differentiation through suppressing the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1.

Osteoclasts (OC) are large multinucleated cells derived from monocyte/macrophage precursors. Suppressing osteoclastogenesis is considered as an effective therapeutic approach to erosive bone disease. The root of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine was used to treat rheumatosis and other inflammatory disease. However, the effects of tatarinan O (TO), one of the lignin-like compounds isolated from the roots of Acorus tatarinowii Schott during bone development are still unclear. In the present study, we explored the effect of TO on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. TO was found to suppress osteoclast differentiation from RANKL-stimulated mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without significant cytotoxicity. TO also dose-dependently suppressed bone resorption activity of mature osteoclasts. Additionally, TO apparently inhibited the expression of osteoclastic marker genes, such as MMP-9, Cts K and TRAP. Furthermore, our results showed that TO decreased RANKL-induced expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 without influencing NF-κB activation and MAPK phosphorylation. Hence, for the first time we revealed that TO dose-dependently inhibited osteoclastogenesis from RANKL-stimulated mouse BMMs via decreasing the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos.

[Observation on clinical effect of ZHUANG medicine mediated thread moxibustion combined with medication for patients with ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of Sulfasalazine (SASP) combined with ZHUANG medicine mediated thread moxibustion (ZMMTM) for patients with mild and moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A total of 46 UC patients were randomly and equally divided into moxibustion group (SASP combined with ZMMTM) and SASP medication group. Patients of both groups were treated by oral administration of SASP (1 g, tid) for six weeks. For patients of the moxibustion group, ZMMTM was applied to points Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Dachangshu (BL 25), once a day, for 20 times. The therapeutic effect was assessed according to Schroeder and colleagues' method (1987), scores of Baron' s endoscope scale (0 - 9 scoring standards, 1964), 0 - 3 scoring standards of activity indexes (including 4 items of diarrhea, hemorrhage, mucosal appearance and doctors' evaluation), respectively. RESULTS: Of the two 32 UC patients in the medication and moxibustion groups, 6 and 9 had a complete remission in their symptoms, 6 and 7 experienced a remarkable improvement, 5 and 6 were effective, and 6 and 1 was invalid, with the effective rates being 73.91% and 95.65%, respectively. Following the treatment, both endoscopic score and activity index in the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those of the medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ZMMTM combined with medication is significantly superior to simple medication in relieving clinical symptoms of mild and moderate UC patients.

The analysis of the allergens in 576 patients with allergic rhinitis in Qingyang of Gansu Province / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the allergens distribution of 576 allergic rhinitis patients in Qingyang, and to provide basic epidemiologic information for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.@*METHOD@#Skin prick test was done to all the 576 patients with allergic rhinitis with 28 kinds of allergens.@*RESULT@#Four hundred and eighty cases (83.3%) showed positive reaction to at least one allergen of 28 allergens. The most common allergens were Magwort (73.3%), Giant Ragweed (55.0%) Tree II (51.7%), Tree I (48.3%) Dermatophagoides farinae (43.3%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (36.7%). Moreover. the positivity decreased with age. There was no difference between male and female.@*CONCLUSION@#The study shows that Magwort. Giant ragweed and tree II are the most important allergens on Qingyang district.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of preoperational catgut implantation at acupoint for hemorrhoid operation-induced pain in patients].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the preemptive analgesia effect of catgut implantation in Chengshan (BL 57) area on hemorrhoid operation-induced pain and the security, so as to find a new method for easing post-operative pain of hemorrhoid. METHODS: A total of 120 cases of mixed hemorrhoids patients were randomly divided into the catgut implantation group and medication group (n=60). In implantation group, a piece of catgut was embedded into bilateral BL 57 acupoint area half an hour before surgery. Patients of the medication group were asked to orally take Tramadol Hydrochloride Capsules (100 mg) after the surgery. The pain score of mixed hemorrhoids patients was evaluated 5, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after operation by using visual analogue scales (VAS). The complications, analgesics use and adverse reactions were recorded simultaneously. RESULTS: Comparison between two groups showed that the VAS scores of the catgut implantation group at 5, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after operation were significantly lower than those of the medication group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications of uroschesis and hydroncus, adverse reactions of nausea, vomiting and vertigo, and the number of patients using Sauteralgyl were significantly lower in the catgut implantation group than in the medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at BL 57 can effectively relieve the postoperative pain, reduce postoperative adverse reactions and complications in mixed hemorrhoids patients.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) on postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) on postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases with postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids were divided into an electroacupuncture group (60 cases) and a medication group (60 cases) randomly. The disperse-dense wave in frequency of 2Hz/100Hz at Chengshan (BL 57) were used in the electroacupuncture group. Its first treatment was in 30 min after the operation, and then it was given once a day after hip bath in the morning. 2 tablets of Naproxen Sunstained Release Capsule were taken in 30 min after operation in the medication group, and then it was taken 2 tablets a day before dressing change. After 4 times of treatment, evaluate the changing condition of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after operation. RESULTS: The VAS at 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after operation in the electroacupuncture group (6.78 +/- 2.12, 5.56 +/- 1.87, 4.34 +/- 2.23 and 3.15 +/- 2.11) were all lower than those in the medication group (7.56 +/- 2.01, 6.23 +/- 1.15, 5.57 +/- 2.21 and 4.34 +/- 2.12), and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) can reduce the postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids.

Effect of electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) on postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the effect of electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) on postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty cases with postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids were divided into an electroacupuncture group (60 cases) and a medication group (60 cases) randomly. The disperse-dense wave in frequency of 2Hz/100Hz at Chengshan (BL 57) were used in the electroacupuncture group. Its first treatment was in 30 min after the operation, and then it was given once a day after hip bath in the morning. 2 tablets of Naproxen Sunstained Release Capsule were taken in 30 min after operation in the medication group, and then it was taken 2 tablets a day before dressing change. After 4 times of treatment, evaluate the changing condition of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS at 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after operation in the electroacupuncture group (6.78 +/- 2.12, 5.56 +/- 1.87, 4.34 +/- 2.23 and 3.15 +/- 2.11) were all lower than those in the medication group (7.56 +/- 2.01, 6.23 +/- 1.15, 5.57 +/- 2.21 and 4.34 +/- 2.12), and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at Chengshan (BL 57) can reduce the postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids.</p>

Microbial remediation and optimization of oil polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay in China.

OBJECTIVE: The wetland at Dalian Bay in the Northeast of China has been polluted by oil severely. The effect of various microbes and operation parameters on the bioremediation of oil-polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay was investigated and reported previously. In the study, other operation conditions related to the status of medium were investigated via statistical experimental design and analysis and a necessary information is involved to use micro-technology in the application. METHODS: The method used involved the direct inoculation of selected bacteria, which were capable of degrading oil. The operation conditions were further optimized and evaluated by gravimetrical assay. RESULTS: The optimal pH and temperature for the studied bacteria to degrade the existing oil pollutants were established as pH 8.0 and 27 degrees C. The mixed of various bacteria showed better results in terms of oil degradation than any single one. Among the selected four factors, disturbance, oxidant, nutrients, and biosurfactant, the former two contributed more impacts on the oil degradation in the early stage of process, while the latter two became the limiting factors in the late stage. Three sets of optimal conditions were obtained for each individual stage, but no one was suitable for the overall process. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of using direct inoculation into the contaminated soil samples to remove oil pollutants. It suggested that the operation conditions should be monitored and adjusted during the different stages of bio-reactions in the process to achieve the best result of oil degradation.

Microbial remediation and optimization of oil polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The wetland at Dalian Bay in the Northeast of China has been polluted by oil severely. The effect of various microbes and operation parameters on the bioremediation of oil-polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay was investigated and reported previously. In the study, other operation conditions related to the status of medium were investigated via statistical experimental design and analysis and a necessary information is involved to use micro-technology in the application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The method used involved the direct inoculation of selected bacteria, which were capable of degrading oil. The operation conditions were further optimized and evaluated by gravimetrical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The optimal pH and temperature for the studied bacteria to degrade the existing oil pollutants were established as pH 8.0 and 27 degrees C. The mixed of various bacteria showed better results in terms of oil degradation than any single one. Among the selected four factors, disturbance, oxidant, nutrients, and biosurfactant, the former two contributed more impacts on the oil degradation in the early stage of process, while the latter two became the limiting factors in the late stage. Three sets of optimal conditions were obtained for each individual stage, but no one was suitable for the overall process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of using direct inoculation into the contaminated soil samples to remove oil pollutants. It suggested that the operation conditions should be monitored and adjusted during the different stages of bio-reactions in the process to achieve the best result of oil degradation.</p>