Therapeutic potential of Lingjiao Gouteng decoction in acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol-induced brain injury involving the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alcohol misuse persists as a prevalent societal concern and precipitates diverse deleterious consequences, entailing significant associated health hazards including acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Binge drinking, a commonplace pattern of alcohol consumption, may incite neurodegeneration and neuronal dysfunction. Clinicians tasked with managing AAI confront a dearth of pharmaceutical intervention alternatives. In contrast, natural products have garnered interest due to their compatibility with the human body and fewer side effects. Lingjiao Gouteng decoction (LGD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine decoction, represents a frequently employed prescription in cases of encephalopathy, although its efficacy in addressing acute alcoholism and alcohol-induced brain injury remains inadequately investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the conceivable therapeutic benefits of LGD in AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury, while delving into the underlying fundamental mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established an AAI mouse model through alcohol gavage, and LGD was administered to the mice twice at the 2 h preceding and 30 min subsequent to alcohol exposure. The study encompassed the utilization of the loss of righting reflex assay, histopathological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and cerebral tissue biochemical assays to investigate the impact of LGD on AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury. These assessments included a comprehensive evaluation of various biomarkers associated with the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Finally, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were carried out to explore the underlying mechanisms through which LGD exerts its therapeutic influence, potentially through the regulation of the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway. RESULTS: Our investigation underscores the therapeutic efficacy of LGD in ameliorating AAI, as evidenced by discernible alterations in the loss of righting reflex assay, pathological analysis, and assessment of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. Furthermore, the results of RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining manifest a noteworthy regulatory effect of LGD on the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed the therapeutic potential of LGD in AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury, and the protective effects of LGD against alcohol-induced brain injury may be intricately linked to the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals immunosuppressive landscape in overweight and obese colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are established risk factors for various types of cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. An in-depth understanding of the oncologic characteristics of overweight and obese CRC at the single-cell level can provide valuable insights for the development of more effective treatment strategies for CRC. METHODS: We conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on tumor and adjacent normal colorectal samples from 15 overweight/obese and 15 normal-weight CRC patients. Immunological and metabolic differences between overweight/obese CRC and non-obese CRC were characterized. RESULTS: We obtained single-cell transcriptomics data from a total of 192,785 cells across all samples. By evaluating marker gene expression patterns, we annotated nine main cell types in the CRC ecosystem. Specifically, we found that the cytotoxic function of effector T cells and NK cells was impaired in overweight/obese CRC compared with non-obese CRC, relating to its metabolic dysregulation. CD4+T cells in overweight/obese CRC exhibited higher expression of immune checkpoint molecules. The antigen-presenting ability of DCs and B cells is down-regulated in overweight/obese CRC, which may further aggravate the immunosuppression of overweight/obese CRC. Additionally, dysfunctional stromal cells were identified, potentially promoting invasion and metastasis in overweight/obese CRC. Furthermore, we discovered the up-regulated metabolism of glycolysis and lipids of tumor cells in overweight/obese CRC, which may impact the metabolism and function of immune cells. We also identified inhibitory interactions between tumor cells and T cells in overweight/obese CRC. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that overweight/obese CRC has a more immunosuppressive microenvironment and distinct metabolic reprogramming characterized by increased of glycolysis and lipid metabolism. These findings may have implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for overweight/obese CRC patients.

Stapled transperineal rectovaginal fistula repair for low- and mid-level rectovaginal fistulas: A comparison study with rectal mucosal advancement flap repair.

BACKGROUND: As an innovative treatment, stapled transperineal rectovaginal fistula repair (STR) for rectovaginal fistula (RVF) has demonstrated effectiveness in preliminary reports. This study aims to compare STR with rectal mucosal advancement flap repair (RAF), a widely utilized surgical procedure, for the surgical outcome of the low- and mid-level RVF. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with low- and mid-level RVF who underwent STR or RAF were included from both the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Xi'an Daxing Hospital. Among the 99 total patients, 77 underwent STR and 22 underwent RAF. Patient demographics, operative data, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Recurrence rate and associated risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among patients in terms of clinical characteristics like age, BMI, aetiology, and fistula features. During the follow-up period of 20 months (interquartile range 3.0-41.8 months), a total of 28 patients relapsed, with a significantly lower recurrence rate in the STR group (20.8 %) than in the RAF group (54.6 %) (P = 0.005). In the multivariate Cox analysis, STR was an independent protective factor against recurrence (HR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.79, P = 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between these two procedures in terms of surgical complications (OR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.19-1.48, P = 0.23). CONCLUSION: For low- and mid-level RVF, STR may be an alternative option for treatment modality that offers a lower recurrence rate, without observed disadvantage in terms of surgical complication rates.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cellular dynamics and therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV in slow transit constipation.

The cellular characteristics of intestinal cells involved in the therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) for treating slow transit constipation (STC) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of colon tissue cells in the STC model and investigate the effects of AS-IV treatment by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). STC mouse models were developed using loperamide, with subsequent treatment using AS-IV. Colon tissues and feces were collected for scRNA-seq and targeted short-chain fatty acid quantification. We integrated scRNA-seq data with network pharmacology to analyze the effect of AS-IV on constipation. AS-IV showed improvement in defecation for STC mice induced by loperamide. Notably, in STC mice, epithelial cells, T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts demonstrated alterations in cell proportions and dysfunctions, which AS-IV partially rectified. AS-IV has the potential to modulate the metabolic pathway of epithelial cells through its interaction with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). AS-IV reinstated fecal butyrate levels and improved energy metabolism in epithelial cells. The proportion of naïve CD4+T cells is elevated in STC, and the differentiation of these cells into regulatory T cells (Treg) is regulated by B cells and fibroblasts through the interaction of ligand-receptor pairs. AS-IV treatment can partially alleviate this trend. The status of fibroblasts in STC undergoes alterations, and the FB_C4_Adamdec1 subset, associated with angiogenesis and the Wingless-related integration (Wnt) pathway, emerges. Our comprehensive analysis identifies perturbations of epithelial cells and tissue microenvironment cells in STC and elucidates mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of AS-IV.

Protection effects of mice liver and lung injury induced by coronavirus infection of Qingfei Paidu decoction involve inhibition of the NLRP3 signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a grave and pervasive global infectious malady brought about by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), posing a significant menace to human well-being. Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPD) represents a pioneering formulation derived from four classical Chinese medicine prescriptions. Substantiated evidence attests to its efficacy in alleviating clinical manifestations, mitigating the incidence of severe and critical conditions, and reducing mortality rates among COVID-19 patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the protection effects of QFPD in mice afflicted with a coronavirus infection, with a particular focus on determining whether its mechanism involves the NLRP3 signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The coronavirus mice model was established through intranasal infection of Kunming mice with Hepatic Mouse Virus A59 (MHV-A59). In the dose-effect experiment, normal saline, ribavirin (80 mg/kg), or QFPD (5, 10, 20 g/kg) were administered to the mice 2 h following MHV-A59 infection. In the time-effect experiment, normal saline or QFPD (20 g/kg) was administered to mice 2 h post MHV-A59 infection. Following the assessment of mouse body weights, food consumption, and water intake, intragastric administration was conducted once daily at consistent intervals over a span of 5 days. The impact of QFPD on pathological alterations in the livers and lungs of MHV-A59-infected mice was evaluated through H&E staining. The viral loads of MHV-A59 in both the liver and lung were determined using qPCR. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the NLRP3 pathway in the liver and lung were assessed through qPCR, Western Blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The administration of QFPD was shown to ameliorate the reduced weight gain, decline in food consumption, and diminished water intake, all of which were repercussions of MHV-A59 infection in mice. QFPD treatment exhibited notable efficacy in safeguarding tissue integrity. The extent of hepatic and pulmonary injury, when coupled with QFPD treatment, demonstrated not only a reduction with higher treatment dosages but also a decline with prolonged treatment duration. In the dose-effect experiment, there was a notable, dose-dependent reduction in the viral loads, as well as the expression levels of IL-1ß, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase 1, Caspase-1 p20, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, and NF-κB within the liver of the QFPD-treated groups. Additionally, in the time-effects experiments, the viral loads and the expression levels of genes and proteins linked to the NLRP3 pathway were consistently lower in the QFPD-treated groups compared with the model control groups, particularly during the periods when their expressions reached their zenith in the model group. Notably, IL-18 showed only a modest elevation relative to the blank control group following QFPD treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, our current study demonstrated that QFPD treatment has the capacity to alleviate infection-related symptoms, mitigate tissue damage in infected organs, and suppress viral replication in coronavirus-infected mice. The protective attributes of QFPD in coronavirus-infected mice are plausibly associated with its modulation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway. We further infer that QFPD holds substantial promise in the context of coronavirus infection therapy.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy suppress rectal cancer revealed by single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for rectal cancer (RC) shows promising clinical response. The modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) by NAC and its association with therapeutic response remain unclear. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing to examine the cell dynamics in 29 patients with RC, who are sampled pairwise before and after treatment. We construct a high-resolution cellular dynamic landscape remodeled by NAC and their associations with therapeutic response. NAC markedly reshapes the populations of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which is strongly associated with therapeutic response. The remodeled CAF subsets regulate the TME through spatial recruitment and crosstalk to activate immunity and suppress tumor progression through multiple cytokines, including CXCL12, SLIT2, and DCN. In contrast, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of malignant cells is upregulated by CAF_FAP through MIR4435-2HG induction, resulting in worse outcomes. Our study demonstrates that NAC inhibits tumor progression and modulates the TME by remodeling CAFs.

Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps in Kashgar Prefecture of Xinjiang, China.

Malignant colorectal tumors and precancerous lesions are closely associated with chronic inflammation. Specific dietary patterns can increase chronic inflammation in the body, thereby promoting the occurrence of tumors and precancerous lesions. We have conducted a case-control study in Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, to explore the association between the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) and the risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP). A total of 52 newly diagnosed patients with CAP and 192 controls at the First People's Hospital of Kashgar Prefecture were enrolled in this study. Dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. The E-DII was calculated based on dietary data, reflecting an individual's dietary inflammatory potential. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between the E-DII and the risk of CAP, with adjustments for potential confounding factors. The results showed that the maximum anti- and pro-inflammatory values of E-DII were -4.33 and +3.48, respectively. Higher E-DII scores were associated with an increased risk of CAP, and this association remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and other relevant variables. Notably, a more pro-inflammatory dietary pattern may be related to an increased risk of developing CAP in Kashgar Prefecture.

Major depressive disorder and chronic gastritis: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have posited a strong correlation between chronic gastritis (CG) and major depressive disorder (MDD), but the nature of this association remains uncertain, owing to the challenges of establishing the temporal sequence. The present study sought to elucidate the elusive relationship between CG and MDD by employing a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: We extracted instrumental variants for MDD and CG from published genome-wide association study data, focusing on individuals of primarily European descent. A comprehensive suite of MR estimations and sensitivity analyses was performed to ensure the robustness of the findings. Each outcome database was analyzed separately in both directions. RESULTS: For MDD and CG, 221 and 5 genetic variants, respectively, were selectively extracted as instrumental variants. The results suggest that MDD is causally associated with an elevated risk of CG (IVW: 23andMe, OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.15-1.54; p = 1.06 × 10-4); conversely, no strong evidence was found to corroborate that CG exerts a causal effect on the incidence of MDD (IVW: OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.95-1.07; p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide novel insights into the causal relationship between CG and MDD, which may have implications for clinical decision-making in patients with MDD and CG.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment between Young-Onset and Old-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sporadic young-onset colorectal cancer (yCRC) is increasing. Compared with old-onset colorectal cancer (oCRC), yCRC has different clinical and molecular characteristics. However, the difference in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between yCRC and oCRC remains unclear. METHODS: Fourteen untreated CRC tumor samples were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS: B cells and naïve T cells are enriched in yCRC, while effector T cells and plasma cells are enriched in oCRC. Effector T cells of yCRC show decreased interferon-gamma response and proliferative activity; meanwhile, Treg cells in yCRC show stronger oxidative phosphorylation and TGF-ß signaling than that in oCRC. The down-regulated immune response of T cells in yCRC may be regulated by immune and malignant cells, as we observed a downregulation of antigen presentation and immune activations in B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. Finally, we identified malignant cells in yCRC and oCRC with high heterogeneity and revealed their interactions with immune cells in the TME. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal significant differences of TME between yCRC and oCRC, of which the TME of yCRC is more immunosuppressive than oCRC. Malignant cells play an essential role in the formation of the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment.

Current strategies for SARS-CoV-2 molecular detection.

The molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 is extremely important for the discovery and prevention of pandemic dissemination. Because SARS-CoV-2 is not always present in the samples that can be collected, the sample chosen for testing has inevitably become the key to the SARS-CoV-2 positive cases screening. The nucleotide amplification strategy mainly includes Q-PCR assays and isothermal amplification assays. The Q-PCR assay is the most used SARS-CoV-2 detection assay. Due to heavy expenditures and other drawbacks, isothermal amplification cannot replace the dominant position of the Q-PCR assay. The antibody-based detection combined with Q-PCR can help to find more positive cases than only using nucleotide amplification-based assays. Pooled testing based on Q-PCR significantly increases efficiency and reduces the cost of massive-scale screening. The endless stream of variants emerging across the world poses a great challenge to SARS-CoV-2 molecular detection. The multi-target assays and several other strategies have proved to be efficient in the detection of mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further research work should concentrate on: (1) identifying more ideal sample plucking strategies, (2) ameliorating the Q-PCR primer and probes targeted toward mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants, (3) exploring more economical and precise isothermal amplification assays, and (4) developing more advanced strategies for antibody/antigen or engineered antibodies to ameliorate the antibody/antigen-based strategy.

Effects of essential oil extracted from Artemisia argyi leaf on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Artemisia argyi leaf is a well-known species in traditional Chinese medicine, and its essential oil (AAEO) has been identified to exert various physiological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AAEO on lipid metabolism and the potential microbial role in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. A total of 50 male mice were assigned to five groups for feeding with a control diet (Con), a high-fat diet (HFD), and the HFD plus the low (LEO), medium (MEO), and high (HEO) doses of AAEO. The results demonstrated that dietary HFD markedly increased the body weight gain compared with the control mice (p < 0.05), while mice in the HEO group showed a lower body weight compared to the HFD group (p < 0.05). The weight of fatty tissues and serum lipid indexes (TBA, HDL, and LDL levels) were increased in response to dietary HFD, while there was no significant difference in AAEO-treated mice (p < 0.05). The jejunal villus height was dramatically decreased in HFD-fed mice compared with the control mice, while HEO resulted in a dramatically higher villus height than that in the HFD group (p < 0.05). Microbial α-diversity was not changed in this study, but ß-diversity indicated that microbial compositions differed in control, HFD, and EO subjects. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bacteroides was greater (p < 0.05) in the feces of the Con group when compared to the HFD and EO groups. On the contrary, the abundance of Muribaculum was lower in the Con group compared to the HFD and EO groups (p < 0.05). Although the Muribaculum in the EO group was lower than that in the HFD group, there was no statistically notable difference between the HFD and EO groups (p > 0.05). Simultaneously, the relative abundance of Alistipes (p < 0.05) and Rikenella (p < 0.05) was also dramatically higher in the Con group than in the HFD and EO groups. The abundance of norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014 was lower in the HFD or EO group than in the Con group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggested that HEO could affect body weight and lipid metabolism without gut microbes in ICR mice, and it was beneficial for the structure of the jejunal epithelial tissue.

Gastric Mucosa Pathology in Rats with Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer with Spleen Deficiency and Blood Stasis.

Objective: This research aimed at better understanding the histopathological development of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) and organelle ultrastructure changes. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the model and control groups. Model rats drank N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine solution, while control rats drank pure water ad libitum. At 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8 months after the start of feeding, eight rats were randomly chosen from each group, and gastric mucosa tissues were removed for histopathological analysis. H&E staining was applied to analyze the pathological histological structure of the rat gastric mucosa via a light microscope, and the ultrastructural changes were observed via a transmission electron microscope. Results: Gastric mucosal pathologies of model rats such as mucosal atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, inflammatory lesions, and even intraepithelial neoplasia deteriorated over time. The endoplasmic reticulum gap widened, the mitochondrial endothelial cristae were disrupted, the nuclear membrane thickened, and chromatin condensed with heterotypic alterations in the main and parietal cells. Additionally, endothelial cell enlargement and thickening of the microvascular intima were seen. Conclusion: Our research showed that the PLGC progression of rats is correlated with the pathological alteration axis of "normal gastric mucosa-gastric mucosa inflammatory changes-intestinal metaplasia with mild dysplasia-moderate to severe dysplasia." Ultrastructure analysis of model rats is compatible with the structural changes in the gastric mucosa with spleen deficiency and blood stasis. The pathological evolutionary axis and ultrastructural analysis are helpful for evaluating potential novel herbal therapies for PLGC.

Gastroprotective mechanism of modified lvdou gancao decoction on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice: Involvement of Nrf-2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Modified Lvdou Gancao decoction (MLG), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been put into clinical use to treat the diseases of the digestive system for a long run, showing great faculty in gastric protection and anti-inflammatory, whereas its protective mechanisms have not been determined. The current study puts the focus on the protective effect and its possible mechanisms of MLG on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice. In addition to various gastric lesion parameters and histopathology analysis, the activities of a list of relevant indicators in gastric mucosa were explored including ALDH, ADH, MDA, T-SOD, GSH-Px, and MPO, and the mechanisms were clarified using RT-qPCR, ELISA Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that MLG treatment induced significant increment of ADH, ALDH, T-SOD, GSH-Px, NO, PGE2 and SS activities in gastric tissues, while MPO, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1ß levels were on the decline, both in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to the model group, the mRNA expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1 in the MLG treated groups showed an upward trend while the NF-κB, TNFα, IL-1ß and COX2 in the MLG treated groups had a downward trend simultaneously. Furthermore, the protein levels of p65, p-p65, IκBα, p-IκBα, iNOS, COX2 and p38 were inhibited, while Nrf2, HO-1, SOD1, SOD2 and eNOS were ramped up in MLG treatment groups. Immunofluorescence intensities of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the MLG treated groups were considerably enhanced, with p65 and IκBα diminished simultaneously, exhibiting similar trends to that of qPCR and western blot. To sum up, MLG could significantly ameliorate ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice, which might be put down to the activation of alcohol metabolizing enzymes, attenuation of the oxidative damage and inflammatory response to maintain the gastric mucosa. The gastroprotective effect of MLG might be achieved through the diminution of damage factors and the enhancement of defensive factors involving NF-κB/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. We further confirmed that MLG has strong potential in preventing and treating ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

External rectal prolapse: abdominal or perineal repair for men? A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: External rectal prolapse is a relatively rare disease, in which male patients account for a minority. The selection of abdominal repair or perineal repair for male patients has rarely been investigated. METHODS: Fifty-one male patients receiving abdominal repair (laparoscopic ventral rectopexy) or perineal repair (Delorme or Altemeier procedures) at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between March 2013 and September 2019 were retrospectively analysed. We compared the recurrence, complication rate, post-operative defecation disorder, length of stay, and quality of life between the abdominal and perineal groups. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, 45 had a complete follow-up, with a median of 48.5 months (range, 22.8-101.8 months). A total of 35 patients were under age 40 years. The complication rate associated with abdominal repair was less than that associated with perineal repair (0% vs 20.7%, P = 0.031) and the recurrence rate was also lower (9.5% vs 41.7%, P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that perineal repair (odds ratio, 9.827; 95% confidence interval, 1.296-74.50; P = 0.027) might be a risk factor for recurrence. Moreover, only perineal repair significantly improved post-operative constipation status (preoperative vs post-operative, 72.4% vs 25.0%, P = 0.001). There was no reported mortality in either of the groups. No patient's sexual function was affected by the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical approaches were safe in men. Compared with perineal repair, the complication rate and recurrence rate for abdominal repair were lower. However, perineal repair was better able to correct constipation.

Sources and factors controlling the distribution of heavy metals in coastal sediments of Haiyang, China.

In this study, the pollution level of heavy metals (HMs), their sources as well as factors influencing their distribution, were studied using data about the concentration of Cr, Pb, Cu, As, Hg and Zn in surface sediment samples from Haiyang coastal areas, and those on sediment grain size and tidal residual currents. Cr, Cu and Pb originated from natural processes and had similar distributions which were mainly affected by sediment grain size, tidal residual currents and coastal currents. Areas with high levels of these elements were also mainly located in the sedimentation zone of fine materials with weak hydrodynamic force. In contrast, Zn and Hg were derived from anthropogenic activities such as industrial sewage and raft cultures, while As originated from both natural and human sources. Overall, sediment grain size, hydrodynamic effects and human activities were the main factors affecting the distribution of HMs in the Haiyang coastal sea.

Lipopeptides against COVID-19 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase using molecular docking.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel virus that is responsible for the largest pandemic in recent times. Although numerous studies have explored methods to cope with COVID-19 and targeted drugs and vaccines have been developed, the spread of disease remains rapid due to the high infectivity and mutation capability of SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus of COVID-19. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to seek more efficient treatments and approaches to combat the disease. METHODS: In this study, molecular docking was used to predict the binding of different lipopeptides, which exhibit significant biological functions, to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (also known as nsp12) of SARS-CoV-2, the central component of coronaviral replication and transcription machinery. RESULTS: The results showed that seven lipopeptides bound to nsp12 at the same location as the FDA-approved drug remdesivir, with higher affinities. Notably, iron-chelating ferrocin A (ferrocin A-iron complex [FAC]) bound to nsp12 most tightly, releasing up to 9.1 kcal mol-1 of free energy. Protein-ligand interaction analysis revealed that FAC formed four hydrogen bonds, two hydrophobic interactions, and three salt bridges with nsp12. These active amino acids are mainly distributed in the fingers and thumb subdomains of nsp12 and are highly conserved. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the abovementioned lipopeptides can tightly bind to nsp12, and thus represent promising drug candidates for anti-coronaviral treatments with the potential to fight SARS-CoV-2.

The key role of straight fluid jet in predicting the drug dissolution from electrospun nanofibers.

In nanopharmaceutics, a robust manipulation of the preparation process and an accurate prediction of the final product size are very important for developing novel nano drug delivery systems. In the present study, for the first time, a process parameter, i.e. the length of the straight fluid jet, L, is correlated with an experimental parameter, i.e. fluid flow rate, F; a nanofiber property, i.e. diameter, D; and the corresponding drug-sustained release profile. Using a mixed solution consisting of 15% (w/v) polyacrylonitrile and 3% (w/v) ketoprofen in acetone and N,N-dimethylformamide (2:8, v:v) as a spinnable working fluid, a series of medicated nanofibers were prepared under variable F and were characterized. The analysis results disclosed the quantitative relationships among different types of parameters. The process parameter L exhibited a better linear relationship with the nanofibers' diameter (D) than the processing parameter F. These results give a hint that process parameters can be exploited as useful tools for accurately predicting and tailoring the resultant nanofibers' D, and in turn their functional performances. The strategy proposed here presents a new approach to investigate the electrohydrodynamic process and manipulate the functions of nanoproducts through process-property-performance relationships.