Dual colorimetric and near-infrared fluorescence probe for Hg2+ detection and cell imaging.

Hg2+ in the environment endangers human health, and a convenient monitoring method is needed for the detection of Hg2+. In this study, we constructed a dual colorimetric near-infrared fluorescent probe (E)-2-(3-(3-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-4-hydroxystyryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ylidene)malononitrile (YF-Hg), based on the malononitrile isophorone. YF-Hg can detect Hg2+ rapidly and sensitively, with fluorescence emission in the near-infrared region (659 nm) with an obvious color change from violet to red in the visible light range. In addition, the low toxicity and large Stokes shift (191 nm) of YF-Hg also suggest that it is a potential tool for live-cell fluorescence imaging.

Chinese Proprietary Medicine Xianling Gubao Capsule for Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Objective: To assess the benefit and harm of Chinese medicine Xianling Gubao (XLGB) capsule compared to conventional medication or placebo to inform clinical practice. Methods: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with Jadad score ≥3 of XLGB capsule compared to pharmaceutical medication, placebo, or no treatment for primary osteoporosis. We conducted searches in EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (Sino-Med) from their inception till November 13th, 2021. Study selection and data extraction were done by two authors independently. The methodological quality of the RCTs was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. The effect size was presented as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Our searches identified 2292 records and after exclusions, eight trials involving 846 participants were included. There was no statistically significant difference between conventional medications with or without XLGB on new fracture (RR: 0.50, 95% CI: [0.13, 1.87]). Quality of life by SF-36 questionnaire of XLGB plus calcium carbonate, vitamin D3, and calcitriol was improved than that of without XLGB (MD: 6.72 scores, 95% CI: [2.82, 10.62]). XLGB increased bone mineral density similarly as calcium carbonate plus vitamin D3 (MD: 0.21, 95% CI: [-0.16, 0.58]) or as alendronate sodium, calcium carbonate plus vitamin D3 (MD: 0.00, 95% CI: [-0.10, 0.10]), but it had no additional effect as an add-on treatment to conventional medications (MD: 0.13, 95% CI: [-0.12, 0.37]). XLGB relieved pain via visual analog scale more effectively when combined with medications (MD: -1.55 score, 95% CI: [-2.47, -0.63]). XLGB as monotherapy did not increase adverse events (RR: 0.63, 95% CI: [0.28, 1.41]), or as an add-on treatment (RR: 0.25, 95% CI: [0.03, 2.16]). Conclusion: This systematic review shows that XLGB capsule appears to be safe and has a beneficial effect on the quality of life and pain relief when used alone or in combination with conventional medications in osteoporosis patients. Further large, rigorous trials are warranted to test its long-term benefit.

[Characteristics of Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes in Different Water Bodies in Hilly and Gully Regions of the Loess Plateau].

Studying the isotope characteristics and water body transformation relationships among different water bodies in the hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau can provide a theoretical foundation for evaluating regional climate, ecology, and water resources. In this study, daily and monthly averaged δD and δ18O in precipitation, river water, and shallow groundwater were measured in 2017 in the Jiuyuangou watershed, which has a good ecological condition. The compositional relationship between the stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in difference water bodies was explored, the influence factors and spatio-temporal variation of δ18O in precipitation and river water were analyzed, and the stable isotope conversion ratios between different water bodies in the study area were calculated using the two-terminal mixed model. The main conclusions of the study are as follows:the d-excess of river water showed an increasing trend with elevation during the observation period; the δ18O of river water was enriched with increasing distance from the river source and decreased with increasing altitude; temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity had significant effects on the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of precipitation; precipitation and shallow groundwater replenish the river during the non-flood period, the proportions of which were 46% and 54%, respectively; and during the flood season, the shallow groundwater is replenished by river water and precipitation, the proportions were 60% and 40%, respectively. These results indicate that there is a good conversion relationship between "precipitation-river-shallow groundwater" in the study area. The implementation of soil and water conservation measures has had some influence on the conversion of different water bodies in small watersheds. The results provide a basis for the establishment of water cycle models for hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau.