Tumor-associated macrophage-derived exosomal miR21-5p promotes tumor angiogenesis by regulating YAP1/HIF-1α axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently received increasing attention as essential mediators of communication between tumor cells and their microenvironments. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a proangiogenic role in various tumors, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and angiogenesis is closely related to tumor growth and metastasis. This research focused on exploring the mechanisms by which EVs derived from TAMs modulate tumor angiogenesis in HNSCC. Our results indicated that TAMs infiltration correlated positively with microvascular density in HNSCC. Then we collected and identified EVs from TAMs. In the microfluidic chip, TAMs derived EVs significantly enhanced the angiogenic potential of pHUVECs and successfully induced the formation of perfusable blood vessels. qPCR and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that EVs from TAMs transferred miR-21-5p to endothelial cells (ECs). And targeting miR-21-5p of TAMs could effectively inhibit TAM-EVs induced angiogenesis. Western blot and tube formation assays showed that miR-21-5p from TAM-EVs downregulated LATS1 and VHL levels but upregulated YAP1 and HIF-1α levels, and the inhibitors of YAP1 and HIF-1α could both reduce the miR-21-5p enhanced angiogenesis in HUVECs. The in vivo experiments further proved that miR-21-5p carried by TAM-EVs promoted the process of tumor angiogenesis via YAP1/HIF-1α axis in HNSCC. Conclusively, TAM-derived EVs transferred miR-21-5p to ECs to target the mRNA of LATS1 and VHL, which inhibited YAP1 phosphorylation and subsequently enhanced YAP1-mediated HIF-1α transcription and reduced VHL-mediated HIF-1α ubiquitination, contributing to angiogenesis in HNSCC. These findings present a novel regulatory mechanism of tumor angiogenesis, and miR-21-5p/YAP1/HIF-1α might be a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Proanthocyanidins Ameliorate LPS-Inhibited Osteogenesis of PDLSCs by Restoring Lysine Lactylation.

Periodontitis is a bacteria-induced inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, which is an important stem cell source for endogenous periodontal tissue regeneration. Lysine lactylation (Kla) is a novel post-translational modification of proteins that is recently thought to be associated with osteogenic differentiation. Here, we found that lactylation levels are reduced both in the periodontal tissue of rats with periodontitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human PDLSCs. Proanthocyanidins were able to promote the osteogenesis of inflamed PDLSCs by restoring lactylation levels. Mechanistically, proanthocyanidins increased lactate production and restored the lactylation levels of PDLSCs, which recovered osteogenesis of inflamed PDLSCs via the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. These results provide evidence on how epigenetic regulation by pharmacological agents influence the osteogenic phenotype of stem cells and the process of periodontal tissue repair. Our current study highlights the valuable potential of natural product proanthocyanidins in the regenerative engineering of periodontal tissues.

CXCR4 overexpression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia associates with poorer prognosis: A prospective, single-center, observational study.

Controversial data have been reported on the prognostic value of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This prospective, single-center, observational study aimed to evaluate the role of CXCR4 in the pathophysiology of CLL and its prognostic role. A total of 158 patients of CLL were enrolled, and CXCR4 expression on CLL cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) at initial diagnosis. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the CXCR4 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) median. Also, four patient specimens from the CXCR4low and CXCR4high groups were selected for RNASeq analysis. The progression-free survival (PFS) of CLL patients in the CXCR4high group was significantly shorter than the CXCR4low group, with a median follow-up time of 27 months (log-rank P < 0.001). Moreover, CXCR4 overexpression (MFI > 3376) was an independent marker of poor PFS in CLL patients (P < 0.001). Analysis of RNASeq results revealed that CXCR4 plays an important role in the migration of CLL. Collectively, CXCR4 expression levels on leukemia cells can be detected rapidly by FCM. CXCR4 overexpression was significantly associated with poorer prognosis in CLL patients within a shorter follow-up time.

Baicalin induces ferroptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing the activity of FTH1.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the role of the ferroptosis-related gene FTH1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and evaluated the therapeutic potential of baicalin in OSCC cell treatment. METHODS: A prognostic model was established by bioinformatic analysis, consisting of 12 ferroptosis related genes (FRGs), and FTH1 was selected as the most significantly up-regulated FRGs. The clinical correlation of FTH1 in OSCC samples was evaluated by both immunohistochemical and bioinformatic characterizations. The effects of FTH1 on migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation were determined by wound healing assays, transwell assays, western blotting and 5'-ethynl 2'-deoxyuridine proliferation assays, respectively. The effects of FTH1 on ferroptosis were tested via ferroptosis markers and Mito Tracker staining. In addition, the therapeutic effects of baicalin on OSCC cells were confirmed using EMT, migration, invasion, proliferation and ferroptosis assays. RESULTS: The 12 FRGs were predictive of the prognosis for OSCC patients, and FTH1 expression was identified as significantly up-regulated in OSCC samples, which was highly associated with survival, immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity. Moreover, knocking down FTH1 inhibited cell proliferation, EMT and invasive phenotypes, but induced ferroptosis in OSCC cells (Cal27 and SCC25). Furthermore, baicalin directly suppressed expression of FTH1 in OSCC cells, and effectively promoted ferroptosis and inhibited the proliferation as well as EMT by directly targeting FTH1. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that FTH1 is a therapeutic target for OSCC treatment, and has provided evidence that baicalin offers a promising alternative for OSCC treatment.

Chirality Engineering of Colloidal Copper Oxide Nanostructures for Tailored Spin-Polarized Catalysis.

The combination of the chiral concept and inorganic nanostructures holds great potential for significantly impacting catalytic processes and products. However, the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials with engineered chiroptical activity and identical structure and size presents a substantial challenge, impeding exploration of the relationship between chirality (optical activity) and catalytic efficiency. Here, we present a facile wet-chemical synthesis for achieving intrinsic and tunable chiroptical activity within colloidal copper oxide nanostructures. These nanostructures exhibit strong spin-polarization selectivity compared with their achiral counterparts. More importantly, the ability to engineer chiroptical activity within the same type of chiral nanostructures allows for the manipulation of spin-dependent catalysis, facilitating a study of the connection between the chiroptical magnitude (asymmetric factor) and catalytic performance in inorganic nanostructures. Specifically, using these materials as model catalysts in a proof-of-concept catalytic reaction, we reveal a linear correlation between the asymmetric factor of chiral nanomaterials and the efficiency of the catalytic reaction. This work paves the way for the development of chiral inorganic nanosystems and their application in catalysis through chiroptical engineering.

THBS1-Mediated Degradation of Collagen via the PI3K/AKT Pathway Facilitates the Metastasis and Poor Prognosis of OSCC.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent form of malignant tumor, characterized by a persistently high incidence and mortality rate. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in the initiation, progression, and diverse biological behaviors of OSCC, facilitated by mechanisms such as providing structural support, promoting cell migration and invasion, regulating cell morphology, and modulating signal transduction. This study investigated the involvement of ECM-related genes, particularly THBS1, in the prognosis and cellular behavior of OSCC. The analysis of ECM-related gene data from OSCC samples identified 165 differentially expressed genes forming two clusters with distinct prognostic outcomes. Seventeen ECM-related genes showed a significant correlation with survival. Experimental methods were employed to demonstrate the impact of THBS1 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and ECM degradation in OSCC cells. A risk-prediction model utilizing four differentially prognostic genes demonstrated significant predictive value in overall survival. THBS1 exhibited enrichment of the PI3K/AKT pathway, indicating its potential role in modulating OSCC. In conclusion, this study observed and verified that ECM-related genes, particularly THBS1, have the potential to influence the prognosis, biological behavior, and immunotherapy of OSCC. These findings hold significant implications for enhancing survival outcomes and providing guidance for precise treatment of OSCC.

An all-in-one platform to deplete pathogenic bacteria for rapid and safe enrichment of plant-derived extracellular vesicles.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have exhibited several advantages, such as high biocompatibility, improvement of skin conditions, and the prevention of skin aging. However, traditional methods of extraction for plant substances, such as heating under reflux or solvent extraction, are complicated, time-consuming, and low in purity. Accordingly, a simple and efficient platform is necessary for purely isolating natural substances from plants. In this study, we report a newly designed platform for removing impurities to purify PDEVs. The proposed platform comprises three parts: (i) inflow of samples, (ii) depletion of impurities, and (iii) collection of PDEVs. The platform is designed to flow from top to bottom using gravity without the need for electric components. The platform allows the delimitation of impurities, such as the pathogenic bacteria in PDEVs, by capturing magnetic beads coated with Concanavalin A (Con A). We validate the practicality of our platform using extracellular vesicles derived from liquorice (LdEVs). Notably, the LdEVs purified using the Con A-coated magnetic beads provide better cell uptake and wound recovery than the commercialized extract LdEVs. This highlights the therapeutic potential of fresh LdEVs purified using our platform, particularly in preventing skin aging. The findings of this study hold significant practical implications for the cosmeceutical and therapeutic field, providing a promising approach for the extraction and purification of natural substances from plants to harness their benefits effectively.

Multicolor Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Inorganic Crystalline Nanostructures Induced by Atomic Chirality.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is well-studied in molecular systems but has been rarely reported in pure inorganic nanoscale crystals. Herein, we develop a family of pure inorganic rare-earth nanowires with robust and color-tunable CPL emissions. The chiral rare earth nanowires possess intrinsic atomic chirality with controlled handedness that is guided by the enantiomers with molecular chirality in the synthesis. By varying luminescent ions incorporated in the crystal lattice, color-tunable CPL can be achieved and is thermally robust, preserving emission over 300 °C, distinct from existing CPL-active materials. Moreover, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate that the synthesized nanostructures can be easily dispersed in a polymer matrix to enable transparent and flexible CPL films. This study opens up a promising avenue to design robust and tunable CPL materials helpful to the understanding of inorganic chiral information and capable of further applications in novel optoelectronic devices.

Research progress on the relationship between mitochondrial function and heart failure: A bibliometric study from 2002 to 2021.

Heart failure is one of the major public health problems in the world. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the relationship between heart failure and mitochondrial function. In the past 2 decades, a growing number of research papers in this field have been published. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the published literature on the relationship between MF and HF in the past 20 years by utilizing Microsoft Excel 2019, Biblio metric analysis platform, WoSCC database, VosViewer and Citespace. The results show that the papers have increased year by year and China and the United States are the leading countries in this field, as well as the countries with the most cooperation and exchanges. University of california system is the research institution with the greatest impacts on research results, and Yip H.K. is the author with more papers. The American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology is probably the most popular magazine. At present, most of the published articles on mitochondria and HF are cited from internationally influential journals. The research focus includes oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis imbalance, mitochondrial quality control and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by inflammation in the pathogenesis of HF. Targeted regulating of mitochondria will be the keynote of future research on prevention and treatment of HF.

LIS1 interacts with CLIP170 to promote tumor growth and metastasis via the Cdc42 signaling pathway in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with high aggressive potential in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Lissencephaly 1 (LIS1) is a microtubule­organizing center­associated protein that regulates the polymerization and stability of microtubules by mediating the motor function of dynein. Recent studies have suggested that LIS1 plays a potential role in the malignant development of tumors, such as in mitosis and migration. However, the role of LIS1 in SACC development and its related molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, the effects of LIS1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of SACC were studied, in vivo and in vitro. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that LIS1 was highly expressed in SACC tissues, and its expression level was associated with malignant progression. In vitro, the results of CCK­8, TUNEL, wound healing and Transwell assays demonstrated that LIS1 promotes proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and enhances the migration and invasion of SACC­LM cells. In vivo, knockdown of LIS1 effectively suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors in a mouse xenograft and distant metastasis of tumor cells in the metastasis model. The co­immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and western blot results also revealed that LIS1 binds to cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP170) to form a protein complex (LIS1/CLIP170), which activates the cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) signaling pathway to modulate the proliferation and anti­apoptosis of tumor cells, and enhanced invasion and metastasis by regulating the formation of invadopodia and the expression of MMPs in SACC­LM cells. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that LIS1 is a cancer promoter in SACC, and the molecular mechanism of the LIS1/CLIP170/Cdc42 signaling pathway is involved in the malignant progression, which offers a promising strategy for targeted therapy of SACC.

CCL25/CCR9 interaction promotes the malignant behavior of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Background: CC chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), an organ-specific chemokine receptor, interacts with its exclusive ligand CCL25 to promote tumor proliferation and metastasis. However, the effect of CCR9 on salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) malignant behavior remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the specific molecular mechanism by which CCR9/CCL25 modulates malignant progression in SACC. Methods: Immunohistochemistry staining and RT-qPCR analyses were performed to detect the correlation of CCR9 expression and tumor progression-associated markers in SACC. In vitro, SACC cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colon formation, and cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays. Vercirnon was used as an inhibitor of CCR9, and LY294002 was used as an inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway in this study. Western blot and RT-qPCR assays were carried out to measure the downstream factors of the interaction of CCL25 and CCR9. The effect of CCL25 on the development of SACC in vivo was examined by a xenograft tumor model in nude mice following CCL25, Vercirnon and LY294002 treatment. Results: CCR9 was highly expressed in SACC compared with adjacent salivary gland tissues, and its level was associated with tumor proliferation and metastases. CCL25 enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through its interaction with CCR9 and exerted an antiapoptotic effect on SACC cells. Targeting CCR9 via Vercirnon significantly reduced the phosphorylation level of AKT induced by CCL25. CCL25/CCR9 could activate its downstream factors through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, such as cyclin D1, BCL2 and SLUG, thus promoting SACC cell proliferation, antiapoptosis, invasion and metastasis. The in vivo data from the xenograft mouse models further proved that CCL25 administration promoted malignant tumor progression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Conclusion: The interaction of CCL25 and CCR9 promotes tumor growth and metastasis in SACC by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, offering a promising strategy for SACC treatment.

Quanduzhong capsules for the treatment of grade 1 hypertension patients with low-to-moderate risk: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Duzhong [DZ (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.)] is regarded as a traditional Chinese medicine with a history dating back more than 2000 years. This herb is considered a nourishing herb in China and is commonly used as a tonic to strengthen muscles and bones, nourish the kidneys and liver, and soothe miscarriages. Moreover, there is evidence that DZ is capable of regulating blood pressure (BP), and several compounds isolated from DZ have been shown to have a BP-lowering effect. Quanduzhong capsules contain an extract of DZ [Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (Eucommiaceae; Eucommiae cortex)] that is effective in treating hypertension. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Quanduzhong capsules in the treatment of low-to-moderate risk grade 1 hypertension patients. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients from 3 centers with documented low-to-moderate risk grade 1 hypertension were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the test group or the control group. After a 1 week lead-in period using sham Quanduzhong capsules, all patients who met the entry criteria (29 cases in the test group and 29 cases in the control group) entered the 4 week test period. The test group took Quanduzhong capsules, and the control group continued to take sham Quanduzhong capsules. The primary endpoints [24-h mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) determined via 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM); office SBP and DBP] and secondary endpoints [mean arterial pressure; mean pulse; daytime mean SBP and DBP; nocturnal mean SBP and DBP; SBP and DBP load; area under the blood pressure (BP) curve; morning peak BP; early morning SBP and DBP; smoothness index of SBP and DBP; 24 h BP mean coefficient of variation (CV); percentage of patients with circadian restoration in ABPM; home BP; quality of life evaluated by WHO Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire; grading and quantitative evaluation of hypertension symptoms; values of plasmatic renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, ß-2 microglobulin and homocysteine] were assessed following the treatment. Drug-related adverse events and adverse drug reactions were also compared. Results: After a 4 week test period, a significant difference in the DBP CV between the two groups was observed (-2.49 ± 4.32 vs. 0.76 ± 4.3; p < .05). Moreover, the mean office SBP change was -7.62 ± 9.32 mmHg, and the mean DBP change was -4.66 ± 6.03 (p < .05). Among the three subjects with abnormal homocysteine levels in the test group, homocysteine levels decreased by 6.23 ± 9.15 µmol/L after treatment. No differences were observed between the two groups in any other indicators. After 4 weeks of treatment, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of safety indicators (p > .05). No abnormal vital signs (except BP) or severe liver or renal function impairment were observed during the treatment periods; in addition, adverse events and drug reactions were mild. Conclusion: Treatment with Quanduzhong capsules reduced office SBP and DBP as well as DBP CV determined by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring in patients with grade 1 hypertension at low-to-moderate risk. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=32531, identifier ChiCTR1900021699.

Polarization of macrophages in the trigeminal ganglion of rats with pulpitis.

BACKGROUND: Dental pulp tissues are rich in pain-related afferent nerve fibers, which originate from primary sensory neurons in the trigeminal ganglion (TG). The mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) underlying ectopic pain following peripheral inflammation have been reported that the macrophages as inflammatory and immunologic mediators in the TG play an important role in the process of pulpitis and hyperalgesia. OBJECTIVE(S): To observe the polarization response and dynamic distribution of macrophages in the TG during the development of dental pulp inflammation. METHODS: A rat model of pulpitis was established using complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), toluidine blue (TB) staining, and RT-qPCR were performed to observe the expression of macrophage-related factors in the TG. RESULTS: The results of IHC staining showed that M2 macrophages labeled with CD206 were observed in the TG of both the control and CFA groups. The statistical analysis indicated that the number of CD206-positive macrophages in the TG increased significantly at 24 h after CFA-induced pulpitis, reached a peak at 2 weeks, and then returned to the normal level after 6 weeks. The ratio of M2/M1 in the CFA groups was significantly lower than that in the control group from 24 to 72 h, and this pattern was reversed at 2 weeks after CFA-induced pulpitis; then, the ratio increased significantly and was maintained at a high level for 4 weeks. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of IL-10 in the TG increased significantly from 1 to 4 weeks after CFA-induced pulpitis. CONCLUSION: The trend of M2 macrophages was opposite to that of M1 macrophages in the TG during the process of pulpitis induced by CFA, which is consistent with the expression of macrophage-related cytokines. Macrophage polarization in the TG may participate in the neuroinflammation response induced by dental pulpitis.

HIGD­1B inhibits hypoxia­induced mitochondrial fragmentation by regulating OPA1 cleavage in cardiomyocytes.

The dynamic regulation of mitochondrial morphology is key for eukaryotic cells to manage physiological challenges. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular basis of mitochondrial dynamic regulation. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of HIG1 hypoxia inducible domain family member 1B (HIGD­1B) in hypoxia­induced mitochondrial fragmentation. Protein expression was determined via western blotting. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect the subcellular location of HIGD­1B. Cell Counting Kit­8 assays and flow cytometry were carried out to measure cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Protein interactions were evaluated by co­immunoprecipitation. In the present study, it was found that HIGD­1B serves a role in cell survival by maintaining the integrity of the mitochondria under hypoxic conditions. Knockdown of HIGD­1B promoted mitochondrial fragmentation, while overexpression of HIGD­1B increased survival by preventing activation of caspase­3 and ­9. HIGD­1B expression was associated with cell viability and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, HIGD­1B delayed the cleavage process of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and stabilized mitochondrial morphology by interacting with OPA1. Collectively, the results from the present study identified a role for HIGD­1B as an inhibitor of the mitochondrial fission in cardiomyocytes.

Modification of as Synthesized SBA-15 with Pt nanoparticles: Nanoconfinement Effects Give a Boost for Hydrogen Storage at Room Temperature.

In this work, Pt nanoparticles were incorporated into SBA-15 to prepare the materials for hydrogen spillover adsorption. We provide a direct modification (DM) strategy to improve the content of Pt nanoparticles inside the channels of SBA-15. In this strategy, the Pt precursor was directly incorporated into as synthesized SBA-15 by a solid-state grinding method. The subsequent calcination in air, then H2/Ar gases was conducted to obtain the resultant materials of PtAS. For the samples of PtAS, Pt nanoparticles up to 5.0 wt% have a high dispersion inside the channels of SBA-15. The size of nanoparticles is in control of 3.7 nm. Although much work so far has focused on modification of SBA-15 with Pt nanoparticles. Here, it is the first time the loading amount of Pt nanoparticles raises up to 5.0 wt%, and the location of the Pt nanoparticles is interior channels of SBA-15. We reveal that the high dispersion behaviors of Pt nanoparticles are ascribed to the nanoconfinement effects provided by as synthesized SBA-15. However, the samples derived from template free SBA-15 (PtCS) show sparsely dispersion of Pt nanoparticles with the size of 7.7 nm. We demonstrate that the PtAS samples show better hydrogen adsorption performance than PtCS.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in PM2.5, PM10, TSP and gas phase in office environment in Shanghai, China: occurrence and human exposure.

To evaluate risk via inhalation exposure of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in office environment, thirty-six pairs air samples including PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm), PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm), total suspended particles (TSP) with matching gas phase were collected in office environment in Shanghai, China. The average concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and TSP were 20.4, 27.2 and 50.3 µg/m3, respectively. Σ15PBDEs mean concentrations in PM2.5, PM10, TSP and gas phase were 51.8, 110.7, 148 and 59.6 pg/m3, respectively. Much more PBDEs distributed in fine fractions than coarse ones. PBDEs congener profiles found in PM2.5, PM10 and TSP (dominated by BDE-209) were different from that in gas phase (dominated by the tri- to penta-BDEs). Approximately 3.20 pg/kg/d PM2.5 bound PBDEs can be inhaled into the lung; 3.62 pg/kg/d PM10-PM2.5(particles with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5-10 µm) bound PBDEs tended to be deposited in the upper part of respiratory system, and the intake of PBDEs via gas-phase was 2.74 pg/kg/d. The exposure of PBDEs was far below the minimal risk levels (MRLs), indicating lower risk from PBDEs via inhalation in the studied office in Shanghai.

Characterizing distribution, sources, and potential health risk of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in office environment.

This study evaluated the levels and spatial distribution of PBDEs in 9 typical offices in Shanghai, China through the sample analysis of air and settled dust (floor dust, desktop dust and dust in computer case). PBDEs in air ranged from 93 to 322 pg/m(3), while the PBDEs levels in dust varied from 247 to 3.3 × 10(4) ng/g. Spatial variability of PBDEs in office dust was evident and likely influenced by air exchange and the use of electronic devices. A significant positive linear correlation was observed between the power usage rate and PBDE levels in both office air (R(2) = 0.81) and settled dust (R(2) = 0.94). The PBDEs exposure via inhalation and dust ingestion were both analyzed to estimate the life-time cancer risk, which is 1.34 × 10(-22) to 7.16 × 10(-22), significantly lower than the threshold level (10(-6)). Non-cancer risk indicated by the hazard index (<1) is also low in current exposure conditions.

Toxicity of surface water from Huangpu River to luminous bacteria (Vibrio qinghaiensis SP. Q67) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

Degradation of water quality is an emerging problem in many developing countries. Bioassay is an effective approach to monitor quality of water in aquatic environments. Studies have used luminescent bacteria and zebrafish embryos as bioassay tools in monitoring river water quality. In this study, luminous bacteria (Vibrio qinghaiensis sp. Q67) assay and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo toxicity test were performed to assess the ecotoxicity of surface water from the Huangpu River, China, collected during 2012-2013. River water samples inhibited the luminescence [inhibition rates 0-34.6% (±4.82%)] of Q67 and increased the lethal rates and induced morphological abnormalities in zebrafish embryos. The toxicity to luminous bacteria and zebrafish embryos were higher in winter than in summer months. In addition, samples collected in industrial area, urban sampling sites near drainage outlets, and at the intersection of the tributary that flows into the Huangpu River showed higher toxicity.

[Effect of anxin granules combined with tirofiba on patients with acute myocardial infarction after elective percutaneous coronary intervention].

To investigate the influence of Anxin granules combined with tirofiban on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Patients after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). One hundred and twenty AMI patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The patients in the two groups were all given Tirofiban 30mins before PCI . The treatment group was added Anxin granules 30 mins before and after PCI. Tissue factor (TF) and von willebrand factor (vWF) were tested at 6 hours after operation. Syndromatology alteration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and bleeding complications were observed at 4 weeks after operation. Both TF and vWF at 6 hours after operation of the treatment group was lower than the control group significantly (P < 0.01), while the condition of myocardial ischemia at 90 mins after operation of the treatment group was better than control group with significance. The syndromatology alteration of TCM especially spontaneous perspiration and hypodynamia of the treatment group were improved significantly compared to control group 4 weeks after operation. All patients in both groups had no bleeding complications and thrombopenia. The study suggests that Anxin granules combined with tirofiba can improve the clinical efficacy and the endothelial function of AMI patients after PCI with no increase in bleeding events.

Occurrence and human health risk of wastewater-derived pharmaceuticals in a drinking water source for Shanghai, East China.

Pharmaceuticals are heavily used to improve human and animal health, resulting in the frequent contamination of aquatic environments with pharmaceutical residues, which has raised considerable concern in recent years. When inadequately removed from drinking water in water treatment plants, pharmaceuticals can have potential toxic effects on human health. This study investigated the spatial distributions and seasonal variations of five pharmaceuticals, including ibuprofen (IBP), ketoprofen (KEP), naproxen (NPX), diclofenac (DFC), and clofibric acid (CA), in the Huangpu River system (a drinking water source for Shanghai) over a period of almost two years as well as the associated risk to human health for different age groups. All of the targets were ubiquitous in the river water, with levels decreasing in the following order: KEP (mean: 28.6 ng/L)≈IBP (23.3 ng/L)>DFC (13.6 ng/L)≈NPX (12.3 ng/L)>CA (1.6ng/L). The concentrations of all of the investigated compounds were at the low or medium end of the global range. The upstream tributaries contained lower IBP but higher NPX than did the mainstream and downstream tributaries. However, no significant variations were found in the levels of KEP, DFC, or CA at the different sampling sites. Except for CA in the mainstream, significantly higher pharmaceutical levels were observed in the dry season than in the wet season. Overall, a very low risk of the selected pharmaceuticals for human health via drinking water was observed, but future studies are needed to examine the fate and chronic effects of all pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the human health risk of pharmaceuticals in raw drinking water in China.