[Anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability for optimal compatibility ratio of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Paeoniae Radix Alba].

Trace metals deficiency or excess are associated with the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Aconiti Radix Cocta(A) and Paeoniae Radix Alba(B) are commonly used together for the treatment of RA. In this study, we aim to determine anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability in the compatibility of herb A and B for avoiding metal deficiency or excess, and optimize the combination ratio of herb A and B, accordingly. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioaccessibility were evaluated by in vitro simulator of all gastrointestinal tract(including mouth, stomach, small and large intestines), and the roles of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes and intestinal microflora were investigated. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability was assessed by the affinity adsorption with liposomes. The results indicated that compatibility proportion of corresponding herbal plants, gastrointestinal digestion and microbial metabolic, which could affect metal digestion and absorption. The optimal compatibility proportion of 1 A∶1 B is recommended, according to the dose of anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability, which is often chosen for clinical practice of RA therapy. Thus, anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability might be the key active substances for RA treatment.

Constituting fully integrated visual analysis system for Cu(II) on TiO2/cellulose paper.

As a cheap and abundant porous material, cellulose filter paper was used to immobilize nano-TiO2 and denoted as TiO2/cellulose paper (TCP). With high adsorption capacity for Cu(II) (more than 1.65 mg), TCP was used as an adsorbent, photocatalyst, and colorimetric sensor at the same time. Under the optimum adsorption conditions, i.e., pH 6.5 and 25 °C, the adsorption ratio of Cu(II) was higher than 96.1%. Humic substances from the matrix could be enriched onto TCP but the interference of their colors on colorimetric detection could be eliminated by the photodegradation. In the presence of hydroxylamine, neocuproine, as a selective indicator, was added onto TCP, and a visual color change from white to orange was generated. The concentration of Cu(II) was quantified by the color intensity images using image processing software. This fully integrated visual analysis system was successfully applied for the detection of Cu(II) in 10.0 L of drinking water and seawater with a preconcentration factor of 10(4). The log-linear calibration curve for Cu(II) was in the range of 0.5-50.0 µg L(-1) with a determination coefficient (R(2)) of 0.985 and its detection limit was 0.073 µg L(-1).

[Application of in vitro bionic digestion and biomembrane extraction for metal speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment in lianhua qingwen capsule].

One of the causes of the high cost of pharmaceuticals and the major obstacles to rapidly assessing the bioavailability and risk of a chemical is the lack of experimental model systems. A new pre-treatment technology, in vitro bionic digestion was designed for metal analysis in Lianhua Qingwen capsule. The capsule was digested on 37 degrees C under the acidity of the stomach or intestine, and with the inorganic and organic compounds (including digestive enzymes) found in the stomach or intestine, and then the chyme was obtained. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as biomembrane model Affinity-monolayer liposome metals (AMLMs) and water-soluble metals were used for metal speciation analysis in the capsule. Based on the concentration of AMLMs, the main absorption site of trace metals was proposed. The metal total contents or the concentration of AMLMs in the capsule were compared to the nutritional requirements, daily permissible dose and heavy metal total contents from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards". The metal concentrations in the capsule were within the safety baseline levels for human consumption. After in vitro bionic digestion, most of trace metals were absorbed mainly in intestine. The concentration of As, Cd, Pb was 0.38, 0.07, 1.60 mg x kg(-1), respectively, far less than the permissible dose from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards".

[Application of bionic technology to speciation analysis and bioavailability assessment of nickel in transgenic soybean].

The safety of transgenic food has been paid the most attention to by the public and scientists. Trace metal bioavailability could provide information for safety assessment of transgenic food. The critical functional digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract were simulated by bionic gastrointestinal digestion, metabolism of gut microbiota, and bionic biomembrane adsorption with liposome and then used for the pretreatment of transgenic and general soybeans. Ni speciation in the chyme was defined as affinity-liposome and water soluble Ni. Nickel bioavailability was assessed by the content of affinity-liposome Ni. Water soluble Ni was the main species of nickel complex in the chyme. Nickel bioavailability was 4.1% for transgenic soybean and 3.3% for general soybean, which could be enhanced by gastrointestinal digestion and metabolism of gut microbiota. After transgene, nickel bioavailability was increased 24% but the content of affinity-liposome Ni was 122.3 ng x g(-1) for transgenic soybean, just as 36% as that of general soybean.

Benefit-Risk Assessment of Dietary Patterns by Bioavailable Metals, Gut Microbes, and Their Interaction for Human Health.

The high-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-protein (HC-LFP) and low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein (LC-HFP) diets are the main dietary patterns worldwide. The influence of dietary patterns on bioavailable metals, gut microbes, and their interaction is still unknown. A biomimetic digestive tract with full functions is constructed to transform the diets into chyme, and the gut microbes are cultured with the corresponding chyme. The diet species-specificity in bioavailable metal content and the positive and negative correlations between bioavailable metals and microbial reproductions are disclosed. The safe dosage and maximum consumption are 369.5 and 858.6 g/d and 268.6 and 3119.0 g/d for LC-HFP and HC-LFP, respectively. When replacing HC-LFP with LC-HFP for 21 days, the bioavailability of Fe and Cr is increased 83.2% and 268.4%, respectively; the reproductions of harmful and benefical microbes are significantly increased and decreased. The prevalences of obesity, inflammation, septicemia, and cancer are increased, and then the risk of dietary pattern shift is disclosed.

Long-term stable, high accuracy, and visual detection platform for In-field analysis of nitrite in food based on colorimetric test paper and deep convolutional neural networks.

Nitrite is one of the most common carcinogens in daily food. Its simple, rapid, inexpensive, and in-field measurement is important for food safety, based on the requirements of the standard from Codex Alimentarius Commission and China. Using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and thin layer silica gel (SG), p-aminophenylcyclic acid (SA) and naphthalene ethylenediamine hydrochloride (NEH), as carriers and chromogenic agents, respectively, PAN-NSS as nitrite color sensor is proposed. After fixing and protecting of SA and NEH with layer-upon-layer PAN, the validity period of the test paper can be prolonged from 7 days to more than 30 days. The reproducibility of PAN-NSS preparation is ensured by electrospinning. Combined with PAN-NSS, deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) and APP as a visual monitoring platform, which has the functions of rapid sampling, data processing and transmission, intuitive feedback, etc., and provides a fully integrated detection system for field detection.

Low-toxic, fluorescent labeled and size-controlled graphene oxide quantum dots@polystyrene nanospheres as reference material for quantitative determination and in vivo tracing.

Polystyrene (PS) is selected as a representative nanoplastic and persistent pollutant for its difficult degradation and wide application. The environmental risk assessment of PS is obstructed by the toxic dye-based fluorescent PS, which false positives could be induced by the leakage of dye. For high biocompatibility, low toxicity, hydrophilicity, good water dispersibility, strong fluorescent stability, graphene oxide quantum dots (o-CQDs) are selected and embedded into PS microspheres, i.e., o-CQDs@PS, by microemulsion polymerization and denoted as CPS. Meanwhile, the sizes of CPS, e.g., 100, 150, and 200 nm, could be controlled by optimizing the type and number of water-soluble initiators. The anti-interference, low toxicity, and in vivo fluorescent tracing of CPS are proven by the coexistence of metals (including Fe2+, Fe3+, K+, Ba2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Na+) on the fluorescence intensity of CPS, the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Artemia cysts as aquatic phytoplankton and zooplankton cultured with CPS, and the transfer of CPS from water into brine shrimp. In the concentration range of 0.1-100 mg/L, CPS can be quantitatively determined, which is suitable for coastal water and wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, CPS with standard size is suitable as reference material of PS.

Benefit-risk assessment of metal bioavailability in edible fungi by biomimetic whole digestive tracts with digestion, metabolism, and absorption functions.

As worldwide edible fungi, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus accumulate both essential and harmful metals. Metal bioavailability is important for metal benefit-risk assessment. A full functional model of digestive tracts (including digestion, metabolism, and absorption) is established. Under the digestive tract functions, the bioaccessible and bioavailable metals are released from edible fungi and absorbed by intestinal tract, respectively. Based on bioavailable metal contents in the intestine, safe dosage and maximum consumption are 43.52 g/d and 248.7 g/d for Agaricus bisporu, 20.59/328.9 g/d (for males/ female) and 132.9 g/d for Lentinus edodes; V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Cr, Cd and Pb in Agaricus bisporus and Lentinula edodes are absorbed mainly in the large intestine; Fe is mainly absorbed in small intestine; edible fungi species-specificity in metal bioavailability is observed for As and Mn, which are mainly absorbed by small and large intestine for Agaricus bisporus and Lentinus edodes, respectively; and then metal toxicity on small and large intestine is disclosed. Metal benefit-risk is assessed by the content of monolayer liposome-extracted metal in the chyme from small and large intestine, which is controlled by the gastrointestinal functions, metal and edible fungi species.

Speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment of trace metals in herbal decoctions using a combined technique of in Vitro digestion and biomembrane filtration as sample pretreatment method.

Sample preparation is the first crucial step in the speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment of trace metals in plant samples such as herb and vegetables. Two bionic technologies titled 'in vitro digestion' and 'extraction with biomembrane' were developed for pre-treatment of herbal decoction. The decoctions of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora were digested at body temperature, at the acidity of the stomach or intestine and with inorganic and organic materials (digestive enzymes were included for whole-bionic and excluded for semi-bionic) found in the stomach or intestine. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as a biomembrane model. Affinity-monolayer liposome metals and water-soluble metals were used for speciation analysis and bioavailability assessment of copper and zinc in herbal decoction. In the decoction of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora, Zn was mainly absorbed in the intestine and Cu was mainly absorbed by both stomach and intestine. The safe dosage for males and females is below 257.1 g/day Aconiteum carmichaeli and 529.4 g/day Paeonia lactiflora.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gigantochloa verticillata (Bambusodae).

Gigantochloa verticillata is produced in Mengla and Jinghong, Yunnan Province, China, and cultivated in Hong Kong. Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia are distributed and cultivated. We determined the complete chloroplast genome sequence for G. verticillata using Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast sequence is 139,489 bp, including large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,062 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,877 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 21,775 bp. Plastid genome contain 132 genes, 85 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 23 chloroplast genomes indicates that G. verticillata is closely related to Dendrocalamus latiflorus in Bambusodae.

Correction to: The data and characteristics of the human milk banks in mainland China.

In the original publication of the article, "Hainan province" in Fig 1 was missed out. The corrected Fig. 1 is given below.

The data and characteristics of the human milk banks in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Human milk banks (HMB) have been established for over 100 years in North America and Europe. This study aimed to describe and summarize the operation and characteristics of the HMBs in mainland China since the first nonprofit HMB operated in 2013. METHODS: Operation of HMB in mainland China is based on the standards and guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America and some countries in Europe and was modified to meet the needs and circumstances in China such as donation only in the local HMB by medical staff. We reviewed the descriptive data of these 14 HMBs and the clinical characteristics of recipients, the eligible milk donors and the donor milk retrospectively. RESULTS: In mainland China, from March 2013 to December 2016, 14 nonprofit HMBs were developed and operational in public hospitals except one and located in the south, east, north and northwest of mainland China. In total, 2680 eligible donors donated 4608.2 L of breast milk. The mean age of these donors was 29.4 years with 60.6% receiving college education and 90.6% term delivery. A total of 4678 recipients including preterm infants (n = 2990, 63.9%), feeding intolerance (n = 711, 15.2%), maternal illness (n = 345, 7.4%), serious infection (n = 314, 6.7%), necrotising enterocolitis (n = 244, 5.2%), post-surgery (n = 38, 0.8%) and others (n = 36, 0.8%). The rate of discarded raw milk was only 4.4% because of hepatitis B and C or cytomegalovirus positivity. CONCLUSIONS: HMB has been developing rapidly in mainland China. Donor human milk was used not only for preterm infants but also for other ill children. But the sustainability of milk banking needs proper management and more financial support by relative health authorities and the government.

Photo-oxidation of Sb(III) in the seawater by marine phytoplankton-transition metals-light system.

The photo-oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) by marine microalgae (diatom, green and red algae) with or without the presence of transition metals (Fe(III), Cu(II) and Mn(II)). The influence of marine phytoplankton on the photochemistry of antimony was confirmed for the first time. The conversion ratio of Sb(III) to Sb(V) increased with increasing algae concentration and irradiation time. Different species of marine phytoplankton were found to have different photo-oxidizing abilities. The photochemical redox of transition metals could induce the species transformation of antimony. After photo-induced oxidation by marine phytoplankton and transition metals, the ratio of Sb(V) to Sb(III) was in the range of 1.07-5.48 for six algae (Tetraselmis levis, Chlorella autotrophica, Nannochloropsis sp., Tetraselmis subcordiformis, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and Porphyridium purpureum), and only 0.92 for Dunaliella salina. The distribution of antimony in the sunlit surface seawater was greatly affected by combined effects of marine phytoplankton (main contributor) and transition metals; both synergistic and antagonistic effects were observed. The results provided further insights into the distribution of Sb(III) and Sb(V) and the biogeochemical cycle of antimony, and have significant implications for the risk assessment of antimony in the sunlit surface seawater.

Speciation of antimony by preconcentration of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in water samples onto nanometer-size titanium dioxide and selective determination by flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry.

A novel method for prevention of the oxidation of Sb(III) during sample pretreatment, preconcentration of Sb(III) and Sb(V) with nanometer size titanium dioxide (rutile) and speciation analysis of antimony, has been developed. Antimony(III) could be selectively determined by flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry, coexisting with Sb(V). Trace Sb(III) and Sb(V) were all adsorbed onto 50 m g TiO2 from 500 ml solution at pH 3.0 within 15 min, then eluted by 10 ml of 5 mol/l HCl solution. One eluent was directly used for the analysis of Sb(III); to the other eluent was added 0.5 g KI and 0.2 g thiourea to reduce Sb(V) to Sb(III), then the mixture was used for the determination of total antimony. The antimony(V) content is the mathematical difference of the two concentrations. Detection limits (based on 3sigma of the blank determinations, n=11) of 0.05 ng/ml for Sb(III) and 0.06 ng/ml for Sb(V), were obtained.

Surface modification of nanometer size TiO2 with salicylic acid for photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol.

The efficiency of photocatalytic reactions was limited by the wide band-gap of TiO(2) and the high degree of electron-hole recombination inherent in photocatalytic process, as well as by the limited adsorption capability of photocatalysts. In order to increase the overall efficiency, the surface of nanometer size TiO(2) was simply and fast modified by chemical adsorption in saturated solution of salicylic acid. A stable, light yellow surface complex was formed quickly, which has obvious absorption in the region from 320 to 420 nm. Through surface modification, the adsorption efficiency of 4-nitrophenol by TiO(2) was enhanced from 42 to 84%. The photocatalytic efficiency was tested on the degradation of 4-nitrophenol. The influences of catalyst and its dosage, pH value, and 4-nitrophenol concentration on the degradation were investigated. Under such photodegradation conditions as initial pH 4.0, 4-nitrophenol 5 mg l(-1), catalyst 100 mg, and irradiation time 160 min with 160 W high-pressure mercury lamp, the degradation efficiency of 4-nitrophenol by TiO(2) was increased from 39.5 to 79.3% after surface modification, and furthermore, the degradation efficiency could be enhanced to 91.1% if the concentration of 4-nitrophenol was not more than 1 mg l(-1). Compared with the pure TiO(2), surface modification led not only to improve the surface coverage of 4-nitrophenol, but also to increase the light utilization. Both of these factors were crucial for the photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous photocatalysis, especially for photodegradation of aromatic pollutants.

Effect of excessive CO2 on physiological functions in coastal diatom.

Rising dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 in seawater may directly/indirectly cause ocean acidification and desalination. However, little is known about coastal physiological functions sensitivity to these processes. Here we show some links between ocean acidification/desalination and physiological functions in Thalassiosira weissflogii. Cell density (CD), protein, chlorophyll a (Chl a), malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and carbonic anhydrase (CAs) were determined for the assessment of algal biomass, nutritional value, photosynthesis and respiration, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, and carbon sequestration ability. The influence of pH on the algal Chl a and MDA were extremely significant (P < 0.01). Salinity (S) on cell density and acidity (pH) on protein was significant (0.01 < P < 0.05). Additionally, a significant negative-correlation was observed between cell density and CAs. CAs and SOD had negatively correlations with CD, Chl a, protein, and MDA under pH or S influence, but positive correlation between themselves. Coastal physiological functions were affected by increasing order was acidification < acidification + desalination < desalination for Chl a and protein, desalination < acidification + desalination < acidification for SOD and CAs. Thus, the ongoing excessive CO2-driven ocean acidification and desalination should be of high attention when assessing the risks of climate change on coastal phytoplankton.

Effect of nitrate enrichment and diatoms on the bioavailability of Fe(III) oxyhydroxide colloids in seawater.

The photoconversion of colloidal iron oxyhydroxides was a significant source of bioavailable iron in coastal systems. Diatoms dominate phytoplankton communities in coastal and upwelling regions. Diatoms are often exposed to eutrophication. We investigated the effects of different species of diatom, cell density, illumination period, and nitrate additions on the bioavailability of Fe(III) oxy-hydroxide colloids in seawaters. With the increase of illumination period from 1 to 4 h, the ratios of concentrations of total dissolved Fe (DFe) to colloidal iron oxyhydroxides and Fe(II) to DFe increased up to 24.3% and 23.9% for seawater without coastal diatoms, 45.6% and 30.2% for Skeletonema costatum, 44.3% and 29.7% for Thalassiosira weissflogii, respectively. The photochemical activity of coastal diatoms themselves (excluding the dissolved organic matter secreted by algae) on the species transformation of iron in seawater (including the light-induced dissolution of Fe(III) oxyhydroxide colloids and the photo-reduction of Fe(III) into Fe(II)) was confirmed for the first time. There was no significant difference of the ability of S. costatum and Thalassiosira weissflogii on the photoconversion of colloidal iron oxyhydroxides. The photoproduction of dissolved Fe(II) and DFe in the seawater with or without diatoms could be depressed by the nitrate addition.

Influence of acidification and eutrophication on physiological functions of Conticribra weissflogii and Prorocentrum donghaiense.

Eutrophication and acidification have been the most concerned environmental problems in coastal ecosystem. However, their combined effect on coastal ecosystem function was unknown. Both diatom (Conticribra weissflogii) and dinoflagellate (Prorocentrum donghaiense) are used as coastal algal model. Seven parameters were determined for physiological function assessment, including cell density, chlorophyll a (Chl a), protein, malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, carbonic anhydrase (CA), and nitrate reductase (NR). The influence of nitrate (N) and phosphate (P) on MDA and CA in C. weissflogii was significant, and that on Chl a and protein in P. donghaiense were also significant. However, the influence of acidification on physiological functions was not significant. The effect of acidification could be intensified by coastal eutrophication. More importantly, the coexist influence of acidification and eutrophication on CA, NR and protein in C. weissflogii and MDA in P. donghaiense was significant. Both NR activity and Chl a content in P. donghaiense were positively correlated to N and P concentration when pH were 7.9 and 7.8, respectively. With simultaneous worsening of acidification and eutrophication, the cell growth of P. Donghaiense was accelerated more obviously than C. weissflogii, i.e., dinoflagellate was more adaptable than diatom, thus algal species distribution and abundance could be changed.

Photocatalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol on nanometer size titanium dioxide surface modified with 5-sulfosalicylic acid.

The surface of nanometer size TiO(2) was simply and fast modified by chemical adsorption in saturated solution of 5-sulfosalicylic acid. After surface modification, a stable, yellow surface complex was formed quickly, the wavelength response range of TiO(2) was expanded, it has obvious absorption in the region from 320 to 450 nm; the adsorption efficiency of p-nitrophenol (PNP) by TiO(2) was enhanced from 42% to 84%. The photocatalytic activity was tested on the degradation of PNP. The influences of catalyst and its dosage, pH value, and PNP concentration on the degradation were investigated. On optimal photodegradation conditions, including initial pH 4.0, PNP 5 mg l(-1), catalyst 100 mg, irradiation time 120 min with 160 W high-pressure mercury lamp, the degradation efficiency of PNP was increased from 40% to 88% after surface modification. Surface modification led not only to an increase in the light utilization, but also improved the surface coverage of PNP in comparison with the pure TiO(2). Both of these factors are crucial for the photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous photocatalysis, especially for photodegradation of benzenoid pollutants.

Influence of eutrophication on metal bioaccumulation and oral bioavailability in oysters, Crassostrea angulata.

Oysters (Crassostrea angulata) are often exposed to eutrophication. However, how these exposures influence metal bioaccumulation and oral bioavailability (OBA) in oysters is unknown. After a four month field experimental cultivation, bioaccumulation factors (BAF) of metals (Fe, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) from seawater to oysters and metal oral bioavailability in oysters by bionic gastrointestinal tract were determined. A positive effect of macronutrient (nitrate N and total P) concentration in seawater on BAF of Cd in oysters was observed, but such an effect was not significant for Fe, Cu, Pb, and As. Only OBA of As was significantly positively correlated to N and P contents. For Fe, OBA was negatively correlated with N. The regular variation of the OBA of Fe and As may be due to the effect of eutrophication on the synthesis of metal granules and heat-stable protein in oysters, respectively.