Ligase-mediated synthesis of CuII-responsive allosteric DNAzyme with bifacial 5-carboxyuracil nucleobases.

A CuII-responsive allosteric DNAzyme has been developed by introducing bifacial 5-carboxyuracil (caU) nucleobases, which form both hydrogen-bonded caU-A and metal-mediated caU-CuII-caU base pairs. The base sequence was logically designed based on a known RNA-cleaving DNAzyme so that the caU-modified DNAzyme (caU-DNAzyme) can form a catalytically inactive structure containing three caU-A base pairs and an active form with three caU-CuII-caU pairs. The caU-DNAzyme was synthesized by joining short caU-containing fragments with a standard DNA ligase. The activity of caU-DNAzyme was suppressed without CuII, but enhanced 21-fold with the addition of CuII. Furthermore, the DNAzyme activity was turned on and off during the reaction by the addition and removal of CuII ions. Both ligase-mediated synthesis and CuII-dependent allosteric regulation were achieved by the bifacial base pairing properties of caU. This study provides a new strategy for designing stimuli-responsive DNA molecular systems.

Metal-dependent activity control of a compact-sized 8-17 DNAzyme based on metal-mediated unnatural base pairing.

A compact 8-17 DNAzyme was modified with a CuII-meditated artificial base pair to develop a metal-responsive allosteric DNAzyme. The base sequence was rationally designed based on the reported three-dimensional structure. The activity of the modified DNAzyme was enhanced 5.1-fold by the addition of one equivalent of CuII ions, showing good metal responsiveness. Since it has been challenging to modify compactly folded DNAzymes without losing their activity, this study demonstrates the utility of the metal-mediated artificial base pairing to create stimuli-responsive functional DNAs.

[Formononetin improves cognitive behavior in aging rats with chronic unpredictable mild in hippocampal tissue stress by blocking the NF-κB pathway and inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors].

Objective To investigate the effects of formononetin (FMN) on cognitive behavior and inflammation in aging rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods SD rats aged about 70 weeks were divided into healthy control group, CUMS model group, CUMS combined with 10 mg/kg FMN group, CUMS combined with 20 mg/kg FMN group and CUMS combined with 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (Flu) group. Except for healthy control group, other groups were stimulated with CUMS and administered drugs for 28 days. Sugar water preference, forced swimming experiment and open field experiment were used to observe the emotional behavior of rats in each group. HE staining was used to observe the pathological injury degree of brain equine area. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were detected by the kit. The apoptosis was tested by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) in the brain tissue. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to detect Bcl2, Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in brain tissues. Results Compared with CUMS model group, sugar water consumption, open field activity time, open field travel distance and swimming activity time significantly increased in the CUMS combined with 20 mg/kg FMN group and the CUMS combined with 1.8 mg/kg Flu group. The number of new outarm entry increased significantly, while the number of initial arm entry and other arm entry decreased significantly. The pathological damage of brain equine area was alleviated, and the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were significantly increased. The ratio of BAX/Bcl2 and the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 protein as well as the number of apoptotic cells were significantly decreased. The contents of TNF-α, iNOS and IL-6 were significantly decreased. The protein levels of TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased. Conclusion FMN can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors by blocking NF-κB pathway and improve cognitive and behavioral ability of CUMS aged rats.

Two cases of spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery in the perinatal period: A case report.

RATIONALE: Uterine artery spontaneous rupture is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication during pregnancy and puerperium. The lack of typical symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose, which can result in serious consequences for both the mother and fetus. PATIENT CONCERNS: Case 1 presented with fainting and lower abdominal discomfort, while Case 2 developed hypotension after delivery and remained in poor condition even after rehydration. DIAGNOSES: Both cases were diagnosed with uterine artery spontaneous rupture, with intraoperative findings revealing ruptures in different branches of the uterine artery. INTERVENTIONS: Both cases underwent surgical interventions, with laparoscopic surgery performed in Case 1 and repair of the ruptured artery in Case 2. OUTCOMES: Both cases had successful outcomes, with the ruptured arteries repaired and the patients discharged from the hospital within a week after surgery. LESSONS: Uterine artery spontaneous rupture is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication that may present with atypical symptoms. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial in preventing serious complications for both the mother and fetus. Clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion for this condition when evaluating patients presenting with unexplained symptoms or signs of peritoneal irritation during pregnancy and puerperium.

CuII-mediated DNA base pairing of a triazole-4-carboxylate nucleoside prepared by click chemistry.

Artificial metal-mediated DNA base pairing is a promising strategy for creating highly functionalized DNA supramolecules. Here we report a novel ligand-type triazole-4-carboxylate (TazC) nucleoside that is readily prepared by the click reaction. TazC nucleosides were found to form a stable TazC-CuII-TazC base pair inside DNA duplexes, resulting in CuII-specific duplex stabilization (ΔTm = +7.7 °C). This study demonstrates that the triazole derivatives are useful in the development of metal-mediated base pairing.

Metal-mediated DNA base pairing of easily prepared 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxylate nucleotides.

Metal-mediated DNA base pairs, which consist of two ligand-type artificial nucleobases and a bridging metal ion, have attracted increasing attention in recent years as a different base pairing mode from natural base pairing. Metal-mediated base pairing has been extensively studied, not only for metal-dependent thermal stabilisation of duplexes, but also for metal assembly by DNA templates and construction of functional DNAs that can be controlled by metals. Here, we report the metal-mediated base paring properties of a novel 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxylate (ImOC) nucleobase and a previously reported 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxamide (ImOA) nucleobase, both of which can be easily derived from a commercially available uridine analogue. The ImOC nucleobases were found to form stable ImOC-CuII-ImOC and ImOC-HgII-ImOC base pairs in the presence of the corresponding metal ions, leading to an increase in the duplex melting temperature by +20 °C and +11 °C, respectively. The ImOC bases did not react with other divalent metal ions and showed superior metal selectivity compared to similar nucleobase design reported so far. The ImOC-CuII-ImOC base pair was much more stable than mismatch pairs with other natural nucleobases, confirming the base pair specificity in the presence of CuII. Furthermore, we demonstrated the quantitative assembly of three CuII ions inside a DNA duplex with three consecutive ImOC-ImOC pairs, showing great potential of DNA-template based CuII nanoarray construction. The study of easily-prepared ImOC base pairs will provide a new design strategy for metal-responsive DNA materials.

Insulin growth factor-1 enhances proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of neural progenitor cells by phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K molecules and triggering intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway.

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) transplantation is known as a potential strategy for treating spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to investigate effects of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-I) on NPCs proliferation and clarify associated mechanisms. NPCs isolated from T8-T10 segmental spinal cord tissues of rats were cultured and identification. Then, lentivirus packing plasmids containing IGF-I was constructed and used for NPCs infection. Cell proliferation was evaluated by detecting 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) expression in NPCs, cell differentiation was detected using double-labeling immunofluorescence staining while cell apoptosis was detected using TUNEL assay. In addition, the signal expression of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K in NPCs cells were investigated using immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay. The experimental group was defined as pCMV-IGF-I group, while the negative control group was defined as pCMV-LacZ group. Cells infected with pCMV-IGF-I lentivirus followed by addition of 100 mg/ml rapamycin were defined as pCMV-IGF-I + Rapa group. NPCs were successfully isolated, identified and cultured. IGF-I overexpression significantly inhibited cell apoptosis and enhanced cell migration. Akt/mTOR/ p70S6K signaling cascade was proved to be present in NPCs, IGF-I overexpression significantly activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling cascade, while rapamycin addition inhibited its expression. Also, the activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signal cascade induced by IGF-I significantly enhanced BrdU expression and inhibited cell apoptosis, and promoted the differentiation of NPC into the neuronal system. However, the rapamycin addition inhibited the cell response induced by IGF-I overexpression. IGF-I overexpression could enhance cell proliferation, inhibit cell apoptosis and promote their differentiation into neuronal systems by activating Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling cascade in vitro, indicating that the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling cascade may be the potentially mechanism for the endogenous repair and remodeling of spinal cord after injury.

Preliminary results in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with the uncovertebral joint fusion cage in a goat model.

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily evaluate the safety and efficacy of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage in a goat model of cervical spine interbody fusion. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy adult goats were randomly assigned to one of the two following groups: Group A, goats were implanted with an uncovertebral joint fusion cage combined with a local autograft and Group B, goats were implanted with a non-profile cage filled with a local autograft. The goats were prospectively evaluated for 24 weeks and then were sacrificed for evaluation. X-rays, CT and micro-CT scanning, and undecalcified bone histological analysis were used for the evaluation of fusion. RESULTS: 75.0% (9/12) of the goats in Group A were evaluated as having fusion at 12 weeks, compared to 41.7% (5/12) in Group B. 83.3% (10/12) of the goats in Group A were evaluated as having fusion at 24 weeks compared to 58.3% (7/12) in Group B. The fusion grading scores in Group A were significantly higher than that in Group B both at 12 weeks and 24 weeks (P < 0.05). Micro-CT scanning and undecalcified bone histological analysis showed that new bone formation can be obviously found in the bilateral uncovertebral joint. The bone volume fraction (BV/ TV) in Group A (23.59 ± 4.43%) was significantly higher than Group B (16.16 ± 4.21%), with P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of this study demonstrated that uncovertebral joint fusion cage is effective for achieving early bone formation and fusion without increase of serious complications.

A Successful Pregnancy after Laparoscopic Surgery: Severe Recurrent Pelvic Arteriovenous Malformation Managed by Laparoscopic Internal Iliac Artery Ligation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show a case of severe pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) treated by laparoscopic internal iliac artery ligation after 2 uterine artery embolization (UAE) procedures, where successful pregnancy was achieved after surgery. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of the technique with a video. SETTING: Chinese PLA General Hospital. INTERVENTIONS: A 36-year-old woman with heavy menstrual bleeding was diagnosed with pelvic AVM by computed tomography scan. Before surgical intervention, she underwent 2 UAE procedures that temporarily reduced menstrual blood loss. Finally, we performed a laparoscopic internal iliac artery ligation on her. After the surgery, she conceived naturally. During the cesarean section, no AVMs were found. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic internal iliac artery ligation can be a choice for patients who still have severe symptoms of AVM after UAE.

Sharp Switching of DNAzyme Activity through the Formation of a CuII -Mediated Carboxyimidazole Base Pair.

DNAzymes are widely used as functional units for creating DNA-based sensors and devices. Switching of DNAzyme activity by external stimuli is of increasing interest. Herein we report a CuII -responsive DNAzyme rationally designed by incorporating one of the most stabilizing artificial metallo-base pairs, a CuII -mediated carboxyimidazole base pair (ImC -CuII -ImC ), into a known RNA-cleaving DNAzyme. Cleavage of the substrate was suppressed without CuII , but the reaction proceeded efficiently in the presence of CuII ions. This is due to the induction of a catalytically active structure by ImC -CuII -ImC pairing. The on/off ratio was as high as 12-fold, which far exceeds that of the previously reported DNAzyme with a CuII -mediated hydroxypyridone base pair. The DNAzyme activity can be regulated specifically in response to CuII ions during the reaction through the addition, removal, or reduction of CuII . This approach should advance the development of stimuli-responsive DNA systems with a well-defined sharp switching function.

Minimally Invasive Decompression and Intracorporeal Bone Grafting Combined with Temporary Percutaneous Short-Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation for Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture with Neurological Deficits.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits treated with minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment stabilization. METHODS: Patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits underwent minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment stabilization. Instrumentation was removed approximately 1 year after vertebral fracture union. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operative duration and intraoperative bleeding volume were 135 ± 63 minutes and 120 ± 200 mL, respectively. The average American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale scores had significantly improved at the final follow-up examination. The visual analog scale score had decreased from 7.8 ± 1.1 preoperatively to <2.9 ± 1.3 (P < 0.05) at 1 week postoperatively. The Oswestry disability index had decreased from 86.1 ± 8.8 preoperatively to 15.9 ± 6.4 (P < 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The canal stenosis index had improved from 43.4% ± 12.0% to 93.8% ± 4.8% (P < 0.05). The sagittal Cobb angle had been corrected from 17.8° ± 7.5° to 4.0° ± 1.9° (P < 0.05) and remained at 4.9° ± 2.0° (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The sagittal index had been corrected from 16.6° ± 6.1° to 0.3° ± 4.6° (P < 0.05) and remained at 1.5° + 4.5° (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The anterior vertebral height had increased from 49.3% ± 11.1% to 97.6% ± 6.5% (P < 0.05) and remained at 95.7% ± 6.0% (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. After implant removal, the total kyphosis correction losses were 1.5° ± 0.8° for the Cobb angle, 2.0° ± 1.1° for the sagittal index, and 3.4% ± 2.1% for the anterior vertebral height. One pullout screw and one broken rod were found in 1 patient each. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment fixation yielded satisfactory results in decompression and immediate kyphosis correction. Additionally, this procedure resulted in maintenance of the vertebral height and prevented late correction loss after implant removal.

[Applied anatomy research of the uncovertebral joint for design of uncovertebral joint fusion cage].

OBJECTIVE: To measure anatomical parameters related to cervical uncovertebral joint and provide data support for the design of uncovertebral joint fusion cage. METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, raw DICOM data of cervical CT scan in 60 patients (30 males and 30 females, aged 39-60 years) were obtained, then the three-dimensional cervical spine model was reconstructed for anatomical measurement by using the Mimics19.0 software. The height of the uncinate process, the length of the uncinate process, the width of the uncinate process, and the length of the uncovertebral joint in the intervertebral foramen region were measured bilaterally from C3 to C7. The anterior and posterior distances between the uncinate processes were measured from C3 to C7. The height of the uncovertebral joint space, the central height of the intervertebral disc space, and the depth of the intervertebral disc space were also measured from C2, 3 to C6, 7. The mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum were calculated by using the SPSS22.0 statistical software for the design of uncovertebral joint fusion cage. RESULTS: The height of the uncinate process, the length of the uncinate process, the width of the uncinate process, and the length of the uncovertebral joint in the intervertebral foramen region of C3-C7 and the height of the uncovertebral joint space of C2, 3-C6, 7 showed no significant difference between two sides (P>0.05). The height of the uncovertebral joint space also had no significant difference between females and males (P>0.05). The anterior distances between the uncinate processes of C3-C7 were significantly larger than the posterior distances between the uncinate processes (P<0.05), the uncovertebral joint presented a posterior cohesive shape. The central height of the intervertebral disc space in male group was slightly higher than that in female group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05) at C2, 3 and C5, 6; the depth of the intervertebral disc space in male group was significantly higher than that in female group (P<0.05). The central height of the intervertebral disc space was (4.94±0.49) mm (range, 3.81-5.90 mm), the depth of the intervertebral disc space was (15.78±1.23) mm (range, 12.94-18.85 mm), the anterior and posterior distances between the uncinate processes were (17.19±2.39) mm (range, 13.39-24.63 mm) and (10.84±2.12) mm (range, 7.19-16.64 mm), respectively. According to the results of the anatomical research, the height of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage was designed as 5, 6, 7, and 8 mm; the depth of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage was designed as 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 mm; the width of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage was designed as 14-18 mm; and the two wings are designed as arc-shape with 2 and 3 mm in width. CONCLUSION: There are certain differences in the anatomical parameters of the uncovertebral joint between different segments. The uncovertebral joint fusion cage that designed based on the results of anatomical research is suitable for most patients.

Influence of Fusion on the Behavior of Adjacent Disc Arthroplasty in Contiguous 2-Level Hybrid Surgery In Vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the behavior of disc arthroplasty in 2-level hybrid surgery (HS) was affected by adjacent fusion in vivo compared with cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) alone. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients undergoing either a 1-level CDA or contiguous 2-level HS were retrospectively reviewed. Radiologic assessments included segmental lordosis (SL), intervertebral disc height (IDH), changes in SL and IDH, range of motion (ROM) of the disc replacement and its adjacent segments, migration and subsidence of the prosthesis, heterotopic ossification (HO), and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) adjacent to the arthroplasty level. Clinical features and outcome scores were also recorded. RESULTS: Compared with 1-level CDA, the increased SL and IDH immediately after surgery in 2-level HS were more likely to be lost throughout the follow-up period. However, both groups generally maintained the SL and IDH of the arthroplasty segment postoperatively. Two-level HS did not exhibit hypermobility of the disc prosthesis and preserved preoperative ROM of the adjacent segment of the device. The HS group showed adverse effects on the prosthesis stability, but there was no significant difference in the number of cases of obvious migration or subsidence between the groups. The differences in HO, ASD, and clinical outcomes between the groups were not significant at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the fusion in 2-level HS partially affected the behavior of adjacent disc arthroplasty compared with CDA alone, it did not cause severe complications and adverse clinical outcomes. However, large-scale and long follow-up trials are warranted.

Heterotopic ossification is related to change in disc space angle after Prestige-LP cervical disc arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of the immediate post-operative change in disc space angle relative to preoperation on heterotopic ossification (HO) occurrence following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and on clinical and radiographic outcomes. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with single-level Prestige-LP arthroplasty were retrospectively reviewed. HO was assessed based on McAfee classification. Radiological parameters, including index disc space angle (DSA), functional spinal unit angle, cervical lordosis, segmental range of motion (SROM), migration and subsidence of the prosthesis, prosthesis-endplate coverage ratio, and complications, were evaluated. Clinical features and outcome scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: A significant association between immediate post-operative DSA change and HO occurrence was found. Patients with a more than 5° increase in immediate post-operative DSA lordosis had a significantly higher incidence of HO and more severe HO than patients with a less than 5° DSA increase after CDA. No correlation was observed between clinical outcomes and post-operative DSA increase or HO occurrence. Both groups maintained cervical sagittal alignment. However, patients with a more than 5° DSA increase exhibited larger anterior migration amount and lower prosthesis-endplate coverage ratio compared to a less than 5° increase in DSA, and more lordotic DSA and less SROM at the final follow-up compared with those at preoperation. No significant difference in other complications was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with a more than 5° increase in immediate post-operative DSA showed adverse effects on HO formation. Overcorrected DSA was associated with poor prosthesis stability, inadequate endplate coverage, and limited SROM, although it did not affect the clinical outcomes. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Dihydromyricetin alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury via the regulation of transformation, lipid homeostasis, cell death and regeneration.

AIMS: We previously reported that Hovenia dulcis Thunb. extract, a traditional Chinese medicine rich in dihydromyricetin (DHM), exhibited a significant hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. However, whether DHM plays a protective role in APAP hepatotoxicity and what mechanisms are involved remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of DHM against APAP-induced liver injury. MAIN METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were used for the experiment. LC-MS, q-PCR, immunochemistry and western blot analysis were employed to mechanism analysis. KEY FINDINGS: DHM exhibited a protective effect against APAP-induced liver injury. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the protective effect of DHM against APAP hepatotoxicity had multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics involving APAP metabolism, lipid regulation, and hepatocyte death and regeneration. DHM pretreatment resulted in cytochrome P450 2E1 inhibition and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 activation, affecting APAP biotransformation. Moreover, DHM pretreatment significantly ameliorated lipid dysregulation via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) signalling pathways. Furthermore, DHM regulated the expression of cell death- and liver regeneration-associated proteins. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggested that DHM alleviated APAP-induced liver injury in mice by inhibiting hepatocyte death, promoting p53-related regeneration, and regulating lipid homeostatic imbalance and APAP transformation. Based on these findings, DHM provides a potential and novel approach for preventing and treating APAP-induced liver damage, and SREBP-1c signalling might be a new therapeutic target for APAP hepatotoxicity.

Protective effects and possible molecular mechanism of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.

Hovenia dulcis Thunb. is a traditional hepatoprotective Chinese medicine, and in research, much effort has been focused on the protection against alcoholic liver injury. In this study, the protective effects of a fruit ethanol extract of Hovenia dulcis (FE) against APAP-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice and the possibly involved molecular mechanisms were investigated. Hepatoprotective activity of FE is clearly indicated by histopathological and biochemical examination. Treatment with FE resulted in inhibition of CYP2E1 activity involved in the transformation of APAP in vivo. Expressions of the altered bile acid metabolism and transport-related genes and relative proteins of apoptosis were normalized by preconditioning with FE before APAP treatment. These results suggested FE to alleviate APAP-induced liver injury in a dose-dependent manner by inhibition of cytochrome P450 activity, hepatocyte apoptosis and regulation of bile acid homeostasis imbalance.

Polyoxometalate-Decorated g-C3 N4 -Wrapping Snowflake-Like CdS Nanocrystal for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution technology is recognized as a promising approach to relieving the growing energy crisis. Therefore, the development of a stable high-performance photocatalyst has long been the focus of research. In this work, quaternary composite materials involving a snowflake-like CdS nanocrystal wrapped by different amounts of polyoxometalate-decorated g-C3 N4 and polypyrrole (GPP@CdS) have been synthesized as photocatalysts for hydrogen production under visible-light irradiation. It has been revealed that the best composite (40 % GPP@CdS composite) exhibits hydrogen production activity of 1321 µmol, which exceeds that of CdS by a factor of more than two, and can be used in at least seven cycles with negligible loss of activity. The enhanced photocatalytic performance has been primarily attributed to the efficient synergy of CdS, g-C3 N4 , polypyrrole (PPy), and the polyoxometalate Ni4 (PW9 )2 . It should be noted that the introduction of PPy and g-C3 N4 into the title composite simultaneously promotes electron/hole pair separation and photocatalytic stability, whereas Ni4 (PW9 )2 serves as an efficient electron modulator and extra catalytic active site.

Urinary Antibiotics of Pregnant Women in Eastern China and Cumulative Health Risk Assessment.

Exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy can pose a systematic effect on human health. A few biomonitoring studies have demonstrated an extensive exposure of children to antibiotics, but there is still a lack of data for pregnant women. To assess the exposure of pregnant women to antibiotics and potential health risk, we investigated 536 pregnant women aged 16-42 years from two geographically different study sites in Eastern China in 2015. We measured 21 antibiotics of five categories (seven fluoroquinolones, three phenicols, four tetracyclines, three macrolides, and four sulfonamides) in urine using the isotope dilution ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The hazard index (HI) was calculated on the basis of estimated daily exposure dose and acceptable daily intakes. A total of 16 antibiotics were found in urine, with detection frequencies between 0.2 and 16.0%. Antibiotics were overall detected in 41.6% of urine, and two or more antibiotics were detected in 13.1% of urine. Ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and trimethoprim were most frequently detected in urine, with detection frequencies between 10 and 20%. The majority of the antibiotics tested had an estimated daily exposure dose less than 1 µg/kg/day, and 4.3% of pregnant women had a HI value of more than 1. These findings indicated that pregnant women were frequently exposed to antibiotics and some individuals were in the potential risk of adverse microbiological effects induced by antibiotics.