Separation and purification of active ingredients in tobacco by free-flow electrophoresis.

The active ingredients from tobacco extracts were continuously separated and purified using a homemade free-flow electrophoresis apparatus. A rectangular free flow electrophoresis device was constructed for the continuous separation and preparation, and the operating conditions of the device were optimized. The fractions obtained from the free-flowing component collection unit were then detected by HPLC and GC-MS. The results showed that a 90% methanol-water solution could maximize the extraction of the active components from tobacco. Chlorogenic acid and nicotine were enriched in three and four of 24 fractions, respectively, after free-flow isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. 2-Hydroxy-2-cyclopentene-1-one, 1-(2-methyl-1,3-oxathiolan-2-yl) ethanone, nornicotine, cotinine, and scopolamine were separated and enriched synchronously. Overall, the use of free-flow electrophoresis technology for the separation and purification of the active substances in tobacco can improve the comprehensive utilization rate of tobacco.

Pediatric granular cell tumor of the larynx: A case report and literature review.

An 8-year-old child was admitted to our ENT department for a year because of a hoarse voice. An endoscopic examination displayed that a cystic, solid lesion can be seen in the right subglottis. The lesion was removed using a CO2 laser under general anesthesia. Postoperative histopathology confirmed granular cell tumor (GCT), S-100(+), vimentin (+), and SOX-10(+). GCT, also known as the Abrikossoff tumor, is a rare benign tumor that rarely occurs in the larynx, particularly in children. This case report emphasizes that considerable attention should be given to the differential diagnosis of the laryngeal granulosa cell tumor. Given the recurrence risk of GCT, long-term postoperative follow-up is necessary.

[Trapping array-based preparative two-dimensional liquid chromatography for the purification of four components in tobacco leaves].

Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) has gained increased attention because of its high peak capacity for separating complex samples. However, preparative 2D-LC aimed at isolating compounds is significantly different compared with one-dimensional liquid chromatography (1D-LC) in terms of method development and system configuration; thus, it is less developed than its analytical counterpart. The use of 2D-LC in large-scale product preparation has rarely been reported. Hence, a preparative 2D-LC system was developed in this study. The system was composed of one set of preparative LC modules as a separation system, with a dilution pump, switch valves, and trap column array as the interface, to enable the simultaneous isolation of several compounds. Tobacco was used as a sample, and the developed system was applied to isolate nicotine, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and solanesol. The chromatographic conditions were developed by investigating the trapping efficiency of different types of trap column packings, and chromatographic behaviors under different overload conditions. The four compounds were isolated in one 2D-LC run with high purity. The developed system features low cost because it employs medium-pressure isolation, excellent automation owing to its use of an online column switch, high stability, and capability for large-scale production. The isolation of chemicals from tobacco leaves as pharmaceutical raw materials could aid in the development of the tobacco industry and promote the local agricultural economy.

Role of KCC2 in the Regulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor on Ethanol Consumption in Rats.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common and complex disorder resulting from repetitive alcohol drinking. The mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system, originating from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain, is involved in the rewarding effect of ethanol. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in VTA appear to be key substrates of acute and chronic ethanol, which regulates DA neurotransmission indirectly in the mesocorticolimbic system. Despite significant research on the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced alcohol consumption in male rats involving tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), the mechanisms of BDNF-TrkB regulating alcohol behavior remain scarce. K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2) plays a crucial role in synaptic function in GABAergic neurons by modulating intracellular chlorine homeostasis. Here, we found that 4-week intermittent alcohol exposure impaired the function of KCC2 in VTA, evidenced by a lower expression level of phosphorylated KCC2 and decreased ratio of phosphorylated KCC2 to total KCC2, especially 72 h after withdrawal from 4-week ethanol exposure in male rats. CLP290 (a KCC2 activator) reduced excessive alcohol consumption after alcohol withdrawal, whereas VU0240551 (a specific KCC2 inhibitor) further enhanced alcohol intake. Importantly, VU0240551 reversed the attenuating effects of BDNF and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) on alcohol consumption after withdrawal. Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of 7,8-DHF upregulated KCC2 expression and phosphorylated KCC2 in VTA 72 h after withdrawal from ethanol exposure in male rats. Collectively, our data indicate that KCC2 may be critical in the regulating action of BDNF-TrkB on ethanol consumption in AUD.

A simple and rapid approach for on-site analysis of nicotine in tobacco based on a screen-printed electrode as an electrochemical sensor.

In this study, we report a portable kit consisting of a portable workstation, gold screen-printed electrode (SPE), 0.45 µm filter membrane, phosphate buffer solution (PBS), and acetic acid (1%) for point-of-use (POU) analysis of nicotine in tobacco. The activated-screen-printed electrode (A-SPE) displayed superior electron transmission efficiency, and the A-SPE without modification was employed for high-performance analysis of nicotine in actual tobacco after simple sample pretreatment. Remarkably, the fabricated nicotine sensor exhibited a broad working range of 10-100 µg g-1, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 6.4 µg mL-1, good stability, selectivity, and practicality under the optimal conditions. The method was applied to the determination of nicotine in (spiked) samples. Satisfactory recovery results demonstrated that the as-prepared portable kit method with outstanding electrocatalysis ability was feasible for analysis of nicotine in tobacco. Moreover, the values obtained using the A-SPE were in good agreement with those determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), which confirms the feasibility and validity of the present method. The results of the as-proposed portable kit provided a new strategy for analyzing nicotine in actual tobacco samples.

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway in Ventral Tegmental Area is Involved in Regulation of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on Alcohol Consumption in Rats.

We recently reported that intraperitoneal injection of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mimicking small compound, could attenuate alcohol-related behaviors in a two-bottle choice ethanol consumption procedure (IA2BC) in rats via tropomyosin receptor kinase B in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is closely related to alcohol use disorder. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the regulation of 7,8-DHF on alcohol drinking behavior remain elusive. In this study, we determined the role of nitric oxide (NO), a pleiotropic signaling molecule, in the VTA in the action of 7,8-DHF upon alcohol drinking behavior. Intermittent alcohol exposure led to the overexpression of NO in the VTA, especially 72 h after withdrawal from four weeks of ethanol exposure in IA2BC rats. A higher amount of alcohol intake was also found at the same time point, consistent with the overexpression of NO in the VTA. Microinjection of NG-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester, (NO synthase inhibitor) or 2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (NO scavenger) into the VTA inhibited alcohol intake, whereas application of S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP, the NO donor) in the VTA further enhanced alcohol consumption in IA2BC rats. Interestingly, either 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a sGC inhibitor) or KT5823 [a selective protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor] blocked NO's enhancing effect on ethanol intake. Intraperitoneal injection of 7,8-DHF reduced the overexpression of NO; SNAP microinjected into the VTA reversed the inhibitory effects of 7,8-DHF on alcohol consumption. Our findings suggest that NO-cGMP-PKG might be involved in regulation of 7,8-DHF on alcohol consumption in IA2BC rats.

[An epidemiological survey of laryngopharyngeal refux disease in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery clinics in Chongqing area].

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and affecting factors of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease（LPRD） in otolaryngology head and neck surgery in Chongqing,and to provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis and therapy of LPRD. Methods:Multi-center cross-sectional survey method and systematic sampling method were used to select patients at fifteen hospitals in Chongqing from August to November in 2019. Then reflux symptom index（RSI） was investigated. At the same time, the information of the relevant dietary habits, including smoking and drinking, spicy diet, high-fat diet, and satiety was collected. Moreover, the factors related to LRPD（gender, age, symptoms, diet and lifestyle） were analyzed. Results:The composition ratio of LPRD was 11.90%（385/3234） in 3234 effective questionnaires and 385 positive ones. The composition ratio was 12.55%（173/1378） in men and 11.42%（212/1856） in women. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. The difference in composition ratio among different age groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）, with the highest composition ratio between 40 and 59 years old（170/1390）. Constant throat-clearing（symptom 2） and globus sensation（symptom 8） were most correlated with LPRD. Logistic regression analysis showed that spicy diet, over eating, and smoking were highly related to LPRD. Conclusion:Globus sensation and constant throat-clearing are the most common symptoms in LPRD patients. Spicy diet, over eating, and smoking are risk factors for LPRD.

[The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss].

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen on sudden sensorineural hearing loss（SSNHL）. Method:One hundred and seven patients with SSNHL were selected, and were randomly divided into 3 groups according to admission order. Therapeutic schedule in group A （38 cases） consisted of hyperbaric oxygen treatment once a day for 10 consecutive days, then 1 day off treatment, and on treatment for another 10 consecutive days （20 treatments in total）. Twenty-seven patients in group B were treated with hyperbaric oxygen twice per day for a total of 10 days. Forty-two patients in group C didn't receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Meanwhile, all patients were given conventional treatment for 14 days in accordance with the recommendations of the otolaryngology, head and neck branch of the Chinese medical association for the diagnosis and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Patients in group A underwent pure tone audiometry after the end of treatment, and patients in group B and C were reexamined 20 days after the start of treatment, and the treatment efficacy of the three groups was compared. Result:The overall effective rate of group A was 78.9%, and the improvement of hearing threshold was（27.2±17.5） dB HL. In group B, the overall effective rate was 81.5%, and the improvement of threshold value was（26.9±16.7） dB HL. The overall effective rate of group C was 61.9%, and the improvement of threshold value o was（17.6±18.5） dB HL. The effective rate of group C was significantly higher than that of group A or B, while there was no significant difference in efficacy between group A and group B. Conclusion:The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen combined with drug therapy for SSNHL is better than that of drug therapy alone. Programs of different hyperbaric oxygen combined with drug therapy can be selected on an individual basis.

Efficiently capturing tobacco specific nitrosamines with Hß zeolite in solution.

The high-efficiency capture of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines by Hß zeolite in solution is reported for the first time, along with the adsorption of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-3-pyridyl-1-butanone in aqueous solution. Different from other zeolites such as NaZSM-5, the specific pore size of Hß exerted a crucial function endowing the zeolite a higher removal of TSNA and selectivity of NNK. The adsorption thermodynamics of NNK by Hß in aqueous adsorption was fitted to Temkin adsorption model with a linearly decreasing isosteric heat of adsorption. In addition, the adsorptive capacity of Hß zeolite for NNK reached over 70 mg g-1, offering a powerful sorbent of TSNA to protect environment.

Transoral laser microsurgery versus radiotherapy for T1 glottic carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiotherapy (RT) are both accepted treatment modalities for glottic cancer. The objective of the study was to assess the oncologic outcomes and life quality of TLM in comparison with RT for T1 glottic carcinoma. We searched Medline/PubMed, Web of knowledge, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Wiley online library, Springer, Google, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), etc. We screened the literature, assessed the quality of the studies, and extracted the relevant data through the establishment of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was done using the Cochrane collaboration' s RevMan 5.0 for data analysis. A total of 11 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The laryngeal preservation for patients undergoing TLM was significantly better than that for RT (P < 0.00). The laser surgery significantly improved the overall survival of patients with T1 glottic carcinoma (P = 0.04). No statistically significant differences were found between TLM and RT regarding the local control (P = 0.91). The funnel plot demonstrates no apparent publication bias in the overall survival and laryngeal preservation comparison. Our meta-analysis suggested that laser surgery was a preferred method than radiotherapy with respect to significantly better overall survival and laryngeal preservation. But the local control was not significant different. Further prospective randomized controlled studies will be needed.

Nickel Disulfide-Graphene Nanosheets Composites with Improved Electrochemical Performance for Sodium Ion Battery.

Nickel disulfide-graphene nanosheets (NiS2-GNS) composites were successfully synthesized via a simple and mild hydrothermal method. It was revealed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images that the spherical NiS2 nanoparticles with a diameter of 200-300 nm were uniformly dispersed on graphene nanosheets. Na(+) electrochemical storage properties including cycling performance and high-rate capability of NiS2-GNS composites were investigated, demonstrating a superior reversible capacity of 407 mAh g(-1) with the capacity retention of 77% over 200 cycles at a current density of 0.1 C. Furthermore, even at a large current density of 2 C, a high capacity of 168 mAh g(-1) can still remain, which is much higher than that of pristine NiS2 materials. The enhancement in electrochemical properties might be attributed to the synergetic effect endowed by high conductivity of graphene and novel structure of the electrode material. Combined with the advantages of low cost and environmental benignity, NiS2-GNS composite would be a potential anode material for sodium ion batteries.