Construction and regulation of high active sites in montmorillonite composite catalyst for the removal of ofloxacin via persulfate activation.

In this study, ionic liquids (ILs) were used as organic modifiers by introducing montmorillonite nanolayers containing potential C and N active sites between the montmorillonite nanolayers. Organically modified montmorillonite (ILs-Mt-p) was further prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis under N2 and used for the removal of ofloxacin (OFL) by activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Combined with XPS and other characterization analyses, it was found that the catalyst materials prepared from different organic modifiers had similar surface functional groups and graphitized structures, but contained differences in the types and numbers of C and N active sites. The catalyst (3CPC-Mt-p) obtained after pyrolysis of montmorillonite modified with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) had optimal catalytic performance, in which graphitic C, graphitic N, and carbonyl group (C[bond, double bond]O) could synergistically promote the activation of PMS by electron transfer, and 77.3 % of OFL could be removed within 60 min. The effects of OFL concentration, initial pH, and anions on the effects of OFL removal by the 3CPC-Mt-p/PMS system were further investigated. Satisfactory degradation results were obtained over a wide pH range. Cl- promoted the system to degrade OFL, while the presence of SO42-, H2PO4- and HA showed some inhibition, but overall the 3CPC-Mt-p catalysts had a strong anti-interference ability, showing good application prospects. The quenching experiments and EPR tests showed that O2-- and 1O2 in the 3CPC-Mt-p/PMS system were the main reactive oxygen species for the degradation of OFL, and •OH was also involved in the reaction. This study provides ideas for the construction and modulation of active sites in mineral materials such as montmorillonite and broadens the application of montmorillonite composite catalysts in advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.

Moxibustion regulates the polarization of macrophages through the IL-4/STAT6 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion on "Shenshu" and "Zusanli" on macrophage polarization and IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further explore the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of RA. METHODS: The rats' right hind paws were injected with freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) to establish the model of RA. Seven days after the injection of FCA, moxibustion therapy was performed on the acupoints of Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36) once a day for three weeks. The researchers measured the thickness of the foot pad. ELISA and Histological Analysis were performed to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion. Then researchers detected the expression of macrophage phenotype and the expression of IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway related molecules. RESULTS: It was observed that after the injection of FCA, the rats' feet showed obvious symptoms of redness and swelling. But the symptoms were significantly improved when moxibustion was employed. The study found lower IL-23 and higher IL-4 level in the serum of FCA-injected rats after moxibustion treatment. HE staining showed that the synovium of the RA group was hyperemia and edema, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and vascular dilatation. In the moxibustion group, the degree of synovial hyperemia and edema was improved, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells and vascular dilation were reduced. The study also found that there wer differences among the expressions of macrophage phenotypes in RA, and this was shown by the high expression of CD86 and low expression of CD206. However, the polarization of macrophages in the moxibustion group changed, and that was manifested by enhanced M2-polarized Mφs and inhibited M1-polarized Mφs. Meanwhile, moxibustion suppressed the activation of JAK1, JAK3 and STAT6 in the IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway, which contributed to the polarization of M2 . CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that moxibustion not only suppresses the polarization of M1, but also promotes the polarization of M1. The anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion may be related to the regulation of macrophage polarization through IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway.

Preferential capture of phosphate by an Enteromorpha prolifera-based biopolymer encapsulating hydrous zirconium oxide nanoparticles.

Preferential removal of phosphate from aqueous was conducted by a novel biomass-based nanocomposite (EP-N+-Zr) with encapsulated hydrous zirconium oxide, and the biopolymer EP-N+-Zr features were described. EP-N+-Zr exhibited high selective sequestration toward phosphate when humic acid or other competing anions (Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, ClO4-) coexisted at relatively high levels. Such excellent performance of EP-N+-Zr was attributed to its specific two site structures; the embedded HZO nanoparticles and quaternary ammonia groups [N+(CH2CH3)3Cl-] bonded inside the biomass-Enteromorpha prolifera, which facilitated preferable capture towards phosphate through specific affinity and nonspecific preconcentration of phosphate ions on the basis of the ion exchange, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of phosphate (20 °C) as calculated by Langmuir model was 88.5 mg(P)/g. Regeneration tests showed that EP-N+-Zr could be recycled at least five times without noticeable capacity losses using binary NaOH-NaCl as eluent.

Effect of Moxibustion on Inflammatory Cytokines in Animals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of moxibustion on the level of inflammatory cytokines in animal models with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to provide evidence for the clinical application of moxibustion to the treatment of RA and related basic researches. METHODS: The databases employed in this study include PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), SinoMed, and Wanfang Data Information Site. The retrieval time was from the establishment of these databases to March 2020. The reviewers made use of the CAMARADES 10-item checklist to evaluate the quality of each included study. The inflammatory cytokines were considered as the outcome measure. The Revman 5.3 software was used to conduct meta-analysis on the outcome indicators of the studies included. RESULTS: A total of 648 articles were retrieved and 18 animal experiments were included in this study. The quality scores of the studies ranged from two to eight with a mean of 5.8. Compared with the effect of the control group, moxibustion reduced the expression of TNF-α (SMD 2.95, 95% CI: 1.99-3.92, P < 0.00001), IL-1ß (SMD 4.10, 95% CI: 2.37-5.84, P < 0.00001), IFN-γ (MD 25, 95% CI: 16.17-33.82, P < 0.00001), IL-6 (MD 11.83, 95% CI: 6.22-17.44, P < 0.0001), and IL-17 (MD 99.3, 95% CI: 86.83-111.76, P < 0.00001). At the same time, the level of IL-2 (SMD 8.89, 95% CI: 0.93-16.86, P=0.03), IL-4 (MD 1.79, 95% CI: 0.26-3.32, P=0.02), and IL-10 (MD 5.93, 95% CI: 1.37-10.49, P=0.01) increased after moxibustion treatment. Asymmetric funnel plots indicated that there was publication bias. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present review indicate that moxibustion can protect the synovium of joint in animal models with RA by upregulation of the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines and downregulation of the level of proinflammatory cytokines. Moxibustion has the potential to relieve inflammation of RA.

[Effects of moxibustion on serum cytokines in experimental animals with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effects of moxibustion on serum cytokines in experimental animals with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and CBM were searched for animal experiments on moxibustion intervention for rheumatoid arthritis. Related data were extracted, and RevMan 5.3 was used to perform a meta-analysis of outcome measures, including serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and degree of swelling of diseased joint. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included. The detection methods included radioimmunoassay and ELISA and the experimental animal species included rats and rabbits. The studies on serum TNF-α and degree of swelling of diseased joint had publication bias. Meta-analysis showed that the moxibustion group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, VEGF, IL-17, and RANKL, significant increases in the serum levels of TGF-ß and IFN-γ, and a significant reduction in the degree of swelling of diseased joints in model animals. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can effectively regulate levels of the serum cytokines in experimental animals of rheumatoid arthritis and thus reduce inflammatory response and alleviate the swelling of diseased joints.

Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for simple obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obesity is a growing chronic health problem worldwide. Studies about acupuncture for obesity treatment are many. But there are some doubts about the effectiveness of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in treating obesity due to its lack of medical evidence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for obesity treatment and provide clinic evidence. Four English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database and Wan-Fang Data) were searched from their receptions to August 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the comparison between acupuncture and sham acupuncture to treat simple obesity were included. The primary outcome of body mass index (BMI) would be used to measure the effect of acupuncture on obesity. According to the trial data extraction form based on the Cochrane Handbook, two reviewers separately extracted the data. Risk of bias of the RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The study included 8 RCTs with 403 patients. When compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture showed obviously effect in BMI reduction (MD=1.0kg/m2, 95% CI=0.6 to 1.4, P<0.001). There was also significant reduction in body weight (MD=1.85kg, 95%CI=0.82 to 2.88, p<0.001), WC (MD=0.97cm, 95%CI=0.24 to 1.71, p=0.01) and body fat mass percentage (MD=1.01, 95%CI=0.25 to 1.77, p<0.05). However, WHR (MD=0.01, 95%CI=0 to 0.03, p>0.05) was not statistically and significantly different between the acupuncture and control groups. Adverse effects were reported in 3 studies. The review suggests that acupuncture is an effective therapy for simple obesity rather than a placebo effect. This potential benefit needs to be further evaluated by longer-term and more rigorous RCTs.

Acupuncture vs sham acupuncture for simple obesity: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a growing chronic health problem worldwide. Studies about acupuncture for obesity treatment are many. But there are some doubts about the effectiveness of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture in treating obesity due to its lack of an evidence-based medical proof. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for obesity treatment and provide clinic evidence. METHODS: This protocol was based on the previous reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis agreements. Four English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Wan-Fang Data) will be searched from their receptions to August 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture compared sham acupuncture (or no treatment) to treat simple obesity will be included. The primary outcome of body mass index (BMI) and body weight (BW) will be used to measure the effect of acupuncture on obesity. According to the trial data extraction form based on the Cochrane Handbook, 2 reviewers will separately extract the data. Risk of bias of the RCTs will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Publication bias will be assessed with funnel plots. RESULTS: This study will be to evaluate whether acupuncture is an effective intervention for simple obesity when compared with sham acupuncture. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will help clinicians provide effective treatment options for obese patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for systematic review and meta- analysis. The results of this review will be disseminated in a peer-review journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019129825.