Measurement of the vertical distributions of atmospheric pollutants using an uncrewed aerial vehicle platform in Xi'an, China.

Vertical observations of atmospheric pollutants play crucial roles in a comprehensive understanding of the distribution characteristics and transport of atmospheric pollutants. A hexacopter uncrewed aerial vehicle equipped with miniature monitors was employed to measure the vertical distribution of atmospheric pollutants within a height of 1000 m at a rural site in Xi'an, China, in 2021. The concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) showed generally decreasing trends with increasing height. The ozone (O3) concentration showed a general increasing trend with height followed by a gradual decreasing trend. Vertical decrements of PM2.5 and CO from 0 to 1000 m were significantly (p < 0.05) lower on observation days during summer (14.0 ± 8.1 µg m-3 and 8.7 ± 6.6 ppb, respectively), compared with those in winter (78.3 ± 14.1 µg m-3 and 34.8 ± 17.3 ppb, respectively). The horizontal transport of PM and CO mostly occurred in the morning and at night during winter observations at an altitude of 400-500 m. During the winter haze, the PM and CO profile concentrations below 500 m increased substantially with the decrease in the height of the thermal inversion layer. Vertical O3 transportation was observed in the afternoon and evening during summer, and a ∼37.7% (11.6 ppb) increase in ground-level O3 was observed in relation to vertical transport from the upper atmosphere. The results provide insights into the vertical distribution and transport of atmospheric pollutants in rural areas near cities.

Intravenous immunoglobulin alleviates Japanese encephalitis virus-induced peripheral neuropathy by inhibiting the ASM/ceramide pathway.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection is considered a global public health emergency. Severe peripheral neuropathy caused by JEV infection has increased disability and mortality rates in recent years. Because there are very few therapeutic options for JEV infection, prompt investigations of the ability of clinically safe, efficacious and globally available drugs to inhibit JEV infection and ameliorate peripheral neuropathy are urgently needed. In this study, we found that high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin, a function inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMA), inhibited acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) and ceramide activity in the serum and sciatic nerve of JEV-infected rats, reduced disease severity, reversed electrophysiological and histological abnormalities, significantly reduced circulating proinflammatory cytokine levels, inhibited Th1 and Th17 cell proliferation, and suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory CD4 + cells into the sciatic nerve. It also maintained the peripheral nerve-blood barrier without causing severe clinical side effects. In terms of the potential mechanisms, ASM was found to participate in immune cell differentiation and to activate immune cells, thereby exerting proinflammatory effects. Therefore, immunoglobulin is a FIASMA that reduces abnormal immune responses and thus targets the ASM/ceramide system to treat peripheral neuropathy caused by JEV infection.

Untimely surgery for stent-fracture-related death after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a case report.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a life-saving procedure for patients with severe portal hypertension and persistent variceal bleeding. Stent fracture is a rare and severe complication; however, its cause and mechanisms remain poorly defined. This case helps understand the factors contributing to its occurrence, complications, and subsequent poor outcomes. A 63-year-old male was presented with ruptured bare stent after a TIPS procedure. The upper edge of the bare stent was ruptured, and its fraction subsequently migrated to the entrance of the right atrium. Meanwhile, a mural thrombus was formed in the inferior vena cava. A surgery for the removal of free fracture was planned for preventing the form of pulmonary embolism. Before the surgery, the fracture was shifted to the right inferior pulmonary artery. Therefore, the surgery was canceled for further evaluation. Then, hematemesis suddenly occurred with a high possibility of variceal bleeding and/or gastric ulcer bleeding. Despite comprehensive treatments, the patient symptoms were still worsened with the development of chest tightness, shortness of breath, severe hypoxia, and heart failure. Finally, the patient succumbed to systemic multiorgan failure and death. Taken together, a ruptured unstable stent should be removed as early as the patient is hemodynamically stable, as it is difficult to balance between hemostasis therapy and anticoagulation treatment in patients with liver-cirrhosis-related severe portal hypertension. Physicians should be on high alert of the potential complications of bare stent rapture after TIPS.

Ruptured TIPS stent with a fatal consequence Unstable stent rupture is a life-threatening complication of TIPS and severely complicates the treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding. Early removal of the ruptured stent is necessary to prevent further complications.

Peripheral nerve injury associated with JEV infection in high endemic regions, 2016-2020: a multicenter retrospective study in China.

Previously, we reported a cohort of Japanese encephalitis (JE) patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, the evidence linking Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection and peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains limited, especially the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome significantly differ from traditional JE. We performed a retrospective and multicenter study of 1626 patients with JE recorded in the surveillance system of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spanning the years 2016-2020. Cases were classified into type 1 and type 2 JE based on whether the JE was combined with PNI or not. A comparative analysis was conducted on demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, electromyography data, laboratory results, and treatment outcomes. Among 1626 laboratory confirmed JE patients, 230 (14%) were type 2 mainly located along the Yellow River in northwest China. In addition to fever, headache, and disturbance of consciousness, type 2 patients experienced acute flaccid paralysis of the limbs, as well as severe respiratory muscle paralysis. These patients presented a greater mean length of stay in hospital (children, 22 years [range, 1-34]; adults, 25 years [range, 0-183]) and intensive care unit (children, 16 years [range, 1-30]; adults, 17 years [range, 0-102]). The mortality rate was higher in type 2 patients (36/230 [16%]) compared to type 1 (67/1396 [5%]). The clinical classification of the diagnosis of JE may play a crucial role in developing a rational treatment strategy, thereby mitigating the severity of the disease and potentially reducing disability and mortality rates among patients.

Maxillary sinus floor elevation for implant placement assisted by an autonomous dental implant robotic system: A clinical report.

Precise implant placement is key to ensuring the success of dental implant surgery. Implant robotic systems have been increasingly adopted for clinical procedures because of their accuracy. Maxillary sinus floor elevation with the Disk-up Sinus Reamer (DSR) may be an effective solution for inadequate posterior maxillary bone height. This clinical treatment combined with an autonomous implant robot with DSR for maxillary sinus floor elevation with simultaneous dental implant surgery may be suitable for clinical practice.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and their combinations in the treatment of IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a condition posing a significant threat to public health, currently lacks a specific treatment protocol. Research has underscored the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating IgAN. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of various intervention strategies, such as combining TCM with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), lacks a comprehensive systematic comparison. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a network meta-analysis to assess the clinical efficacy of ACEIs, ARBs, TCM, and their combinations in treating IgAN to offer novel insights and approaches for the clinical management of IgAN. Methods: A systematic review conducted until November 2023 included relevant literature from databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang. Two independent researchers screened and assessed the data for quality. Network and traditional meta-analyses were performed using Stata 18.0 and RevMan 5.3 software, respectively. Outcome measures included 24-h urinary protein quantification (24 hpro), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and adverse event incidence rates (ADRs). Forest plots, cumulative ranking probability curves (SUCRA), and funnel plots generated using Stata 18.0 facilitated a comprehensive analysis of intervention strategies' efficacy and safety. Results: This study included 72 randomized controlled trials, seven interventions, and 7,030 patients. Comparative analysis revealed that ACEI + TCM, ARB + TCM combination therapy, and TCM monotherapy significantly reduced the levels of 24 hpro, eGFR, Scr, and BUN compared to other treatment modalities (p < 0.05). TCM monotherapy demonstrated the most favorable efficacy in reducing eGFR levels (SUCRAs: 78%), whereas the combination of ARB + TCM reduced Scr, 24 hpro, and BUN levels (SUCRAs: 85.7%, 95.2%, and 87.6%, respectively), suggesting that ARB + TCM may represent the optimal intervention strategy. No statistically significant differences were observed among the various treatment strategies in terms of ADR (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of ACEI or ARB with TCM demonstrated superior efficacy compared to ACEI/ARB monotherapy in the treatment of IgAN without any significant ADRs. Therefore, combination therapies can be used to enhance therapeutic outcomes based on individual patient circumstances, highlighting the use of TCM as a widely applicable approach in clinical practice. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023476674.

Autonomous robotic system for the assisted immediate placement of a maxillary anterior implant: A clinical report.

Precise reproduction of the preoperatively designed 3-dimensional (3D) implant position is key to seating a prefabricated restoration and restoring esthetics. Static and dynamic computer-aided implant surgery (CAIS) based on the fusion of 3D imaging files have been used to improve implant accuracy. However, both techniques have shortcomings that can be remedied by a robotic system. This clinical report describes the immediate placement of an implant in the anterior esthetic zone by using an autonomous dental implant robotic system (ADIR).

A type I and type II chemical biology toolbox to overcome the hypoxic tumour microenvironment for photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality employed for the treatment of various types of cancers, localized infections, and other diseases. Upon illumination, the photo-excited photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen and other reactive species, thereby inducing cytotoxicity in the target cells. The hypoxic tumour microenvironment (TME), however, poses a limitation on the supply of oxygen in tumour tissues. Moreover, under such conditions, tumour metastasis and drug resistance frequently occur, further compromising the efficacy of PDT in combating tumours. Traditionally, type I photosensitizers with lower oxygen consumption demonstrate significant potential in overcoming hypoxic environments and play a crucial role in determining the therapeutic efficacy of PDT because type I photosensitizers can generate highly cytotoxic free radicals. In comparison, type II photosensitizers exhibit high oxygen dependence. The rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the type II process is significantly higher than that in the type I process. Thus, the efficiency and selectivity of PDT depend on the properties of the photosensitizer. Here, the recent development and application of type I and type II photosensitizers, mainly in the past year, are summarized. The design methods, electronic structures, photophysical properties, lipophilic properties, electric charge, and other molecular characteristics of these photosensitizers are discussed in detail. These modifications alter the microstructure of photosensitizers and directly impact the results of PDT. The main content of this paper will have a positive promoting and inspiring effect on the future development of PDT.

Construction of TiO2/CuPc Heterojunctions for the Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 with Water.

Utilizing solar energy for photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an attractive research field because of its convenience, safety, and practicality. The selection of an appropriate photocatalyst is the key to achieve efficient CO2 reduction. Herein, we report the synthesis of TiO2/CuPc heterojunctions by compositing CuPc with TiO2 microspheres via a hydroxyl-induced self-assembly process. The experimental investigations demonstrated that the optimal TiO2/0.5CuPc photocatalyst exhibited a significantly enhanced CO2 photoreduction rate up to 32.4 µmol·g-1·h-1 under 300 W xenon lamp irradiation, which was 3.7 times that of the TiO2 microspheres alone. The results of photoelectrochemical experiments indicated that the construction of the heterojunctions by introducing CuPc effectively promoted the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers, thus enhancing the catalytic effect of the photocatalyst.

Sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensing of CA125 by using nanoribbon-like Ti3C2Tx MXenes and toluidine blue/UIO-66-NH2.

CA125 (carbohydrate antigen 125) is an important biomarker of ovarian cancer, so developing effective method for its detection is of great significance. In the present work, a novel sandwich-like electrochemical immunosensor (STEM) of CA125 was constructed by preparing nanoribbon-like Ti3C2Tx MXenes (Ti3C2TxNR) to immobilize primary antibody (PAb) of CA125 and UIO-66-NH2 MOFs structure to immobilize second antibody (SAb) and electroactive toluidine blue (Tb) probe. In this designed STEM assay, the as-prepared Ti3C2TxNR nanohybrid offers the advantages in large surface area and conductivity as carrier, and UIO-66-NH2 provided an ideal platform to accommodate SAb and a large number of Tb molecules as signal amplifier. In the presence of CA125, the peak currents of Tb from the formed STEM structure increase with the increase of CA125 level. After optimizing the related control conditions, a wide linear range (0.2-150.0 U mL-1) and a very low detection limit (0.05 U mL-1) of CA125 were achieved. It's thus expected the developed STEM strategy has important applications for the detection of CA125.

Dehydrocostus lactone alleviates irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis by blocking TLR4/MD2 complex formation.

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan (CPT-11) is used as chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of colorectal cancer. However, without satisfactory treatments, its gastrointestinal toxicities such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammation severely restrained its clinical application. Roots of Aucklandia lappa Decne. are used as traditional Chinese medicine to relieve gastrointestinal dysfunction and dehydrocostus lactone (DHL) is one of its main active components. Nevertheless, the efficacy and mechanism of DHL against intestinal mucositis remains unclear. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of DHL on CPT-11-induced intestinal mucositis and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The protective effect of DHL was investigated in CPT-11-induced mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+CPT-11 induced THP-1 macrophages. Body weight, diarrhea score, survival rate, colon length, and histopathological changes in mice colon and jejunum were analyzed to evaluate the protective effect of DHL in vivo. And DHL on reducing inflammatory response and regulating TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in vivo and in vitro were explored. Moreover, DHL on the interaction between TLR4 and MD2 was investigated. And silencing TLR4 targeted by siRNA was performed to validate the mechanisms of DHL on regulating the inflammation. RESULTS: DHL prevented CPT-11-induced intestinal damage, represented by reducing weight loss, diarrhea score, mortality rate and the shortening of the colon. Histological analysis confirmed that DHL prevented intestinal epithelial injury and improved the intestinal barrier function in CPT-11 induced mice. Besides, DHL significantly downregulated the level of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in CPT-11-induced mice and LPS+CPT-11-induced THP-1 macrophages. In addition, DHL blocked TLR4/MD2 complex formation. Molecular docking combined with SIP and DARTS assay showed that DHL could bind to TLR4/MD2 and occludes the hydrophobic pocket of MD2. Furthermore, Silencing TLR4 abrogated the effect of DHL on LPS+CPT-11 induced inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophages. Additionally, DHL ameliorate the CPT-11-induced intestinal mucositis without affecting the anti-tumor efficacy of CPT-11 in the tumor xenograft mice. CONCLUSION: This study found that DHL exhibited the anti-inflammatory effects in CPT-11-induced intestinal mucositis by inhibiting the formation of TLR4/MD2 complex and then regulation of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. DHL is potentially served as a novel strategy of combined medication with CPT-11.

Anthropometric and physical fitness indicators in the combine draft between the finalist and the eliminated player in the national basketball association all-star slam dunk contest.

Little is known about the difference of anthropometry and physical fitness between the finalist and eliminated player in the NBA all star slam dunk contest. This study aimed to compare the difference on anthropometric and physical fitness indicator in the combine draft between finalist and eliminated player in the national basketball association all star slam dunk contest. Draft data of 32 basketball players (N = 32, age in draft year: 20.69±2.28 years old, height without shoes: 196.75±8.68 cm, weight: 96.85±10 kg, body fat percentage: 6.07±1.23%) participating in the 2000-2015 draft and 2003-2023 slam dunk contest was selected from national basketball association database. It was classified into finals group (FG) (N = 16) and elimination group (EG) (N = 16). Independent sample t-test with cohen's d was adopted for evaluating the statistical significance of intergroup difference and its effect size. The result indicates that Finalist group was significant less than elimination group on height without shoes (FG vs EG: 193.43±9.47 cm vs 200.06±6.52 cm, P<0.05), standing reach (FG vs EG: 257.66±12.32 cm vs 268.29±10.03 cm, P<0.05) and weight (FG vs EG: 93.38±7.37 kg vs 100.33±11.25 kg, P<0.05). Conversely, compared to elimination group,finalist group has significant better performance on three quarter court sprint (FG vs EG: 3.15±0.1 s vs 3.26±0.12 s, P<0.05), standing vertical jump (FG vs EG: 84.88±5.13 cm vs 78.83±4.9 cm, P<0.05) and max vertical jump (FG vs EG: 102.39±6.47 cm vs 94.79±8.34 cm, P<0.05). However, effect size analysis indicated that height without shoes,standing reach,weight (cohen's d = 0.73-0.959, 0.7≤cohen's d<1.3, moderate) from the anthropometric indicator and three quarter court sprint, standing vertical jump, and max vertical jump (cohen's d = 0.97-1.21, 0.7≤cohen's d<1.3, moderate) from physical fitness indicator has moderate effect size, whereas effect size of body fat percentage, wingspan and lane agility time (cohen's d = 0.31-0.67, 0.3≤cohen's d<0.7, small) was small. To conclude, specific anthropometric and physical fitness indicator shows clear difference between finals group and elimination group. Height without shoes, standing reach,weight in anthropometry and three quarter court sprint, standing vertical jump, and max vertical jump in physical fitness are key indicator to slam dunk performance. In line with the result in the study, NBA staff can select suitable rookies for slam dunk contest. Similiarly, coach from NBA or other basketball league, who want to improve the player's slam dunk performance, should use specific training programs to develop the slam dunk-related indicator.

Aerosol inhalation of inflammatory cells-targeted dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate for efficient allergic asthma therapy.

Allergic asthma (AA) is a common breathing disorder clinically characterized by the high occurrence of acute and continuous inflammation. However, the current treatment options for AA are lacking in effectiveness and diversity. In this study, we determined that the cell membrane receptor of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was highly overexpressed on the inflammatory cells that infiltrate the pulmonary tissues in AA cases. Therefore, we developed a GGT-specific dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate (GSHDDC) that could be administered via aerosol inhalation to treat AA in a rapid and sustained manner. The GSHDDC was fabricated by the covalent attachment of 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate-modified dexamethasone to polyamidoamine dendrimers via a carbonic ester linkage and the amino Michael addition, followed by the surface modification of the dendrimers with the GGT substrate of glutathione. After aerosol inhalation by the AA mice, the small particle-sized GSHDDC could easily diffuse into pulmonary alveoli and touch with the inflammatory cells via the glutathione ligand/GGT receptor-mediated recognition. The overexpressed GGT on the surface of inflammatory cells then triggers the gamma-glutamyl transfer reactions of glutathione to generate positively charged primary amines, thereby inducing rapid cationization-mediated cellular endocytosis into the inflammatory cells. The dexamethasone was gradually released by the intracellular enzyme hydrolysis, enabling sustained anti-inflammatory effects (e.g., reducing eosinophil infiltration, decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors) in the ovalbumin-induced AA mice. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an inhalational and active inflammatory cells-targeted dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate for efficient AA therapy.

Dissolution and regeneration of starch in hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid aqueous solution.

There have been continuous quests for suitable solvents for starch, given the importance of effective starch dissolution in its modification and subsequent materials production. In light of this, the potential of hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) as a promising solvent for starch was investigated. Within this study, a hydroxyl-functionalized IL 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazole chloride ([Dhpmim][Cl]) was synthesized, and the dissolution of starch in this IL and its aqueous solutions was examined. Starch (5.35 wt%) was completely dissolved in [Dhpmim][Cl] within 2 h at 100 °C. The solubility of starch in [Dhpmim][Cl]-water mixtures initially increased and then decreased with rising water content. The optimal ratio was found to be 1:9 (wt/wt) water:[Dhpmim][Cl], achieving the highest solubility at 9.28 wt%. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations elucidated the possible interactions between starch and solvents. After dissolution and regeneration in the 1:9 water:[Dhpmim][Cl] mixture, starch showed no discernible change in the molecular structure, with no derivatization reaction observed. Regenerated starch exhibited a transformation in crystalline structure from A-type to V-type, and its relative crystallinity (12.4 %) was lower than that of native starch (25.2 %), resulting in decreased thermal stability. This study suggests that the hydroxyl-functionalized IL, [Dhpmim][Cl], and its aqueous solutions serve as effective solvents for starch dissolution.

Vertical measurements of atmospheric CO2 and 14CO2 at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in China.

The CO2 and 14CO2 levels in air samples from the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains (Xi'an, China) were determined. In 2021, a hexacopter unmanned aerial vehicle sampled air at different heights, from near-ground to 2000 m. The objectives of this study were to determine vertical characteristics of CO2 and 14CO2, the sources of different-height CO2, and the influence of air mass transport. The CO2 concentrations mainly exhibited a slight decreasing trend with increasing height during summer observations, which was in contrast to the increasing trend that was followed by a subsequent gradual decreasing trend during early winter observations, with peak CO2 levels (443.4 ± 0.4-475.7 ± 0.5 ppm) at 100-500 m. The variation in vertical concentrations from 20 to 1000 m in early winter observations (21.6 ± 19.3 ppm) was greater than that in summer observations (14.6 ± 14.3 ppm), and the maximum vertical variation from 20 to ∼2000 m reached 61.1 ppm. Combining Δ14C and δ13C vertical measurements, the results showed that fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff, 56.1 ± 15.2 %), which mainly come from coal combustion (81.2 ± 3.4 %), was the main contributor to CO2 levels in excess of the background level (CO2ex) during early winter observations. In contrast, biological CO2 (CO2bio) dominated CO2ex in summer observations. The vertical distributions of CO2ff in early winter observations and CO2bio in summer observations were consistent with those of CO2 during early winter and summer observations, respectively. The strong correlation between winter CO2bio and ΔCO (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) indicated that biomass burning was the main contributor to CO2bio during early winter observations. Approximately half of the air masses originated from the Guanzhong Basin during observations. The results provide insights into the vertical distribution of different-sources of atmospheric CO2 in scientific support of formulating carbon emission-reduction strategies.

Chronic exposure to 3,6-dichlorocarbazole exacerbates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in zebrafish by disrupting lipid metabolism and inducing special lipid biomarker accumulation.

Most previous studies have focused primarily on the adverse effects of environmental chemicals on organisms of good healthy. Although global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached approximately 25%, the impact of environmentally persistent organic chemicals on organisms with NAFLD is substantially unknown. Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) as emerging contaminants have been frequently detected in the environment and organisms. In this study, we investigated the impact of the most frequently detected PHCZs, 3,6-dichlorocarbazole (36-CCZ), on zebrafish with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. After 4 weeks exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of 36-CCZ (0.16-0.45 µg/L), the accumulation of lipid in zebrafish liver dramatically increased, and the transcription of genes involved in lipid synthesis, transport and oxidation was significantly upregulated, demonstrating that 36-CCZ had exacerbated the NAFLD in zebrafish. Lipidomic analysis indicated that 36-CCZ had significantly affected liver lipid metabolic pathways, mainly including glycerolipids and glycerophospholipids. Additionally, fifteen lipids were identified as potential lipid biomarkers for 36-CCZ exacerbation of NAFLD, including diacylglycerols (DGs), triglycerides (TGs), phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), phosphatidic acid (PA), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). These findings demonstrate that long-term exposure to 36-CCZ can promote the progression of NAFLD, which will contribute to raising awareness of the health risks of PHCZs.

Osthole Activates the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway via α7nAChR Upregulation to Alleviate Inflammatory Responses.

Osthole (also known as Osthol) is the main anti-inflammatory coumarin found in Cnidium monnieri and severs as the exclusive quality-controlled component according the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, its underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that Osthole treatment significantly inhibited the generation of TNF-α, but not IL-6 in the classical LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage model. In addition, LPS induced the activation of both MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways, of which the former was dose-dependently restrained by Osthole via suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK and P38 proteins, while the phosphorylation of IκB and P65 proteins remained unaffected. Interestingly, Osthole dose-dependently up-regulated the expression of the key cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway regulator α7nAChR, and the TNF-α inhibition effect of Osthole was also significantly alleviated by the treatment of α7nAChR antagonist methylbetaine. These results demonstrate that Osthole may regulate TNF-α by promoting the expression of α7nAChR, thereby activate the vagus nerve-dependent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

Atmospheric CO2 and 14CO2 observations at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in China: Temporal characteristics and source quantification.

A two-year (March 2021 to February 2023) continuous atmospheric CO2 and a one-year regular atmospheric 14CO2 measurement records were measured at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in Xi'an, China, aiming to study the temporal characteristics of atmospheric CO2 and the contributions from the sources of fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff) and biological CO2 (CO2bio) fluxes. The two-year mean CO2 mole fraction was 442.2 ± 16.3 ppm, with a yearly increase of 4.7 ppm (i.e., 1.1 %) during the two-year observations. Seasonal CO2 mole fractions were the highest in winter (452.1 ± 17.7 ppm) and the lowest in summer (433.5 ± 13.3 ppm), with the monthly CO2 levels peaking in January and troughing in June. Diurnal CO2 levels peaked at dawn (05:00-07:00) in spring, summer and autumn, and at 10:00 in winter. 14C analysis revealed that the excess CO2 (CO2ex, atmospheric CO2 minus background CO2) at this site was mainly from CO2ff emissions (67.0 ± 26.8 %), and CO2ff mole fractions were the highest in winter (20.6 ± 17.7 ppm). Local CO enhancement above the background mole fraction (ΔCO) was significantly (r = 0.74, p < 0.05) positively correlated with CO2ff in a one-year measurement, and ΔCO:CO2ff showed a ratio of 23 ± 6 ppb/ppm during summer and winter sampling days, much lower than previous measurements and suggesting an improvement in combustion efficiency over the last decade. CO2bio mole fractions also peaked in winter (14.2 ± 9.6 ppm), apparently due to biomass combustion and the lower and more stable wintertime atmospheric boundary layer. The negative CO2bio values in summer indicated that terrestrial vegetation of the Qinling Mountains had the potential to uptake atmospheric CO2 during the corresponding sampling days. This site is most sensitive to local emissions from Xi'an and to short distance transportation from the southern Qinling Mountains through the valleys.

Direct C-H Sulfuration: Synthesis of Disulfides, Dithiocarbamates, Xanthates, Thiocarbamates and Thiocarbonates.

In light of the important biological activities and widespread applications of organic disulfides, dithiocarbamates, xanthates, thiocarbamates and thiocarbonates, the continual persuit of efficient methods for their synthesis remains crucial. Traditionally, the preparation of such compounds heavily relied on intricate multi-step syntheses and the use of highly prefunctionalized starting materials. Over the past two decades, the direct sulfuration of C-H bonds has evolved into a straightforward, atom- and step-economical method for the preparation of organosulfur compounds. This review aims to provide an up-to-date discussion on direct C-H disulfuration, dithiocarbamation, xanthylation, thiocarbamation and thiocarbonation, with a special focus on describing scopes and mechanistic aspects. Moreover, the synthetic limitations and applications of some of these methodologies, along with the key unsolved challenges to be addressed in the future are also discussed. The majority of examples covered in this review are accomplished via metal-free, photochemical or electrochemical approaches, which are in alignment with the overraching objectives of green and sustainable chemistry. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate recent advancements, providing valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of efficient and sustainable synthetic strategies for these crucial classes of organosulfur compounds.

[Research Status of Nanomaterial Medical Device and Discussion on Biological Evaluation].

In recent years, China has made great progress in basic nanomedicine, nanotoxicology and nanobiology research. Nanotechnology has been continuously applied in biomaterial and medical device, more and more medical devices applying nanomaterials are developed and manufactured. In order to gain more comprehension and accurate understanding of the research and industrial development in nanobiomaterial medical devices, this study reviewed the common nanomaterial in medical devices and the regulatory situation of nanomaterial medical devices at home and abroad, and discussed the current challenges in biological evaluation of nanomaterial medical devices, with a view to providing ideas for the safety evaluation and research of related products.