The efficacy of modified contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) using Sonazoid in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) is an algorithm for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk populations. Previous studies have shown the algorithm to have high specificity and moderate sensitivity. Nevertheless, it is designated for utilization solely with blood pool contrast agents. Sonazoid, a contrast agent that combines blood pools and Kupffer cells properties, has recently gained approval for marketing in an increased number of countries. Enhanced sensitivity in diagnosing HCC may be achieved through the distinctive Kupffer phase (KP) exhibited by Sonazoid. Certain academics have suggested the modified CEUS LI-RADS using Sonazoid. The main criteria of mild and late (≥60 seconds) washout in CEUS LI-RADS LR-5 were replaced by KP (>10 minutes) defects as the primary criteria. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified CEUS LI-RADS using Sonazoid in diagnosing HCC. Methods: Original studies on Sonazoid and CEUS LI-RADS were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases until 13 July 2023, with no restrictions on language. We enrolled studies that applied Sonazoid for CEUS in patients at high risk of HCC and modified CEUS LI-RADS for the diagnosis of intrahepatic nodules. Meta-analyses, evaluations, case studies, correspondences, remarks, and summaries of conferences were excluded. Additionally, studies that fell outside the scope of this study and contained data on the same patients were also excluded. We evaluated the quality of research by employing the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. A bivariate mixed effects model was utilized to conduct a meta-analysis, summarizing the sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HCC. The investigation of potential factors contributing to study heterogeneity was conducted using meta-regression analysis. Results: Out of the 103 studies screened, 6 studies (835 lesions) were included in the final results. Modified CEUS LR-5 exhibited a sensitivity of 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70-0.82; I2=71.98%; P=0.00] and a specificity of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83-0.92; I2=0.00; P=0.47) for HCC diagnosis, with heterogeneity in sensitivity. The presence of heterogeneity in the study was found to have a significant association with factors such as the study design, the number of image reviewers, the proportion of cirrhosis, the proportion of other non-HCC malignancies (OM) cases, and the type of reference standard (P≤0.05). Conclusions: The modified CEUS LI-RADS LR-5 categorization demonstrates a reasonable level of sensitivity 0.77, but an insufficient level of specificity 0.88 when diagnosing HCC. KP defects cannot be used as a primary feature in the diagnosis of HCC by CEUS LI-RADS, perhaps as an ancillary feature.

Surface-Diffusion-Induced Amorphization of Pt Nanoparticles over Ru Oxide Boost Acidic Oxygen Evolution.

Phase transformation offers an alternative strategy for the synthesis of nanomaterials with unconventional phases, allowing us to further explore their unique properties and promising applications. Herein, we first observed the amorphization of Pt nanoparticles on the RuO2 surface by in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate the low energy barrier and thermodynamic driving force for Pt atoms transferring from the Pt cluster to the RuO2 surface to form amorphous Pt. Remarkably, the as-synthesized amorphous Pt/RuO2 exhibits 14.2 times enhanced mass activity compared to commercial RuO2 catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Water electrolyzer with amorphous Pt/RuO2 achieves 1.0 A cm-2 at 1.70 V and remains stable at 200 mA cm-2 for over 80 h. The amorphous Pt layer not only optimized the *O binding but also enhanced the antioxidation ability of amorphous Pt/RuO2, thereby boosting the activity and stability for the OER.

Inhibiting Photo-Oxidation and Enhancing Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Water Oxidation over Covalent Organic Frameworks Through the Coordination of Cobalt with Bipyridine.

Photocatalytic water splitting using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is a promising approach for harnessing solar energy. However, challenges such as slow kinetic dynamics in the photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and COFs' self-oxidation hinder its progress. In this study, an enamine-based COF coordinated is introduced with cobalt dichloride, CoCl2 (CoCl2-TpBPy). The coordination of cobalt ions with bipyridines in CoCl2-TpBPy enhances charge-carrier separation and migration, leading to effective photocatalytic OER. Under visible light irradiation, CoCl2-TpBPy achieves a notable OER rate of up to 1 mmol·g-1·h-1, surpassing the reported organic semiconductor analogs. Additionally, CoCl2-TpBPy shows minimal nitrogen evolution compared to TpBPy and ethanol-treated TpBPy (E-TpBPy), indicating cobalt plays a pivotal role in improving charge utilization and minimizing photo-oxidation. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses revealed that Co(IV) species are key to the high OER efficiency. This work highlights Co(IV) species in the efficient OER and inhibiting photo-oxidation of CoCl2-TpBPy.

The Enhanced Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance of Polythiophene/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites with Polar Ethylene Glycol Branched-Chain Modifications.

In order to develop flexible thermoelectric materials with thermoelectric and mechanical properties, in this study, we designed and synthesized polythiophene derivatives with branched ethylene glycol polar side-chains named P3MBTEMT, which were used in combination with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to prepare composite thin films and flexible thermoelectric devices. A comparison was made with a polymer named P3(TEG)T, which has a polar alkoxy linear chain. The UV-vis results indicated that the larger steric hindrances of the branched ethylene glycol side-chain in P3MBTEMT could inhibit its self-aggregation and had a stronger interaction with the SWCNTs compared to that of P3(TEG)T, which was also confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. When the mass ratio of SWCNTs to P3MBTEMT was 9:1 (represented as P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.9), the composite film exhibited the highest thermoelectric properties with a power factor of 446.98 µW m-1 K-2, which was more than two times higher than that of P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.9 (215.08 µW m-1 K-2). The output power of the thermoelectric device with P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.9 was 2483.92 nW at 50 K, which was 1.66 times higher than that of P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.9 (1492.65 nW). Furthermore, the P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.5 showed superior mechanical properties compared to P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.5. These results indicated that the mechanical and thermoelectric performances of polymer/SWCNT composites could be significantly improved by adding polar branched side-chains to conjugated polymers. This study provided a new strategy for creating high-performing novel flexible thermoelectric materials.

Phosphine-Capped Effects Enable Full-Color Clusteroluminescence in Nonconjugated Polyesters.

Full-color luminophores have advanced applications in materials and engineering, but constructing color-tunable clusteroluminescence (CL) from nonconjugated polymers based on through-space interactions remains a huge challenge. Herein, we develop phosphine-capped nonconjugated polyesters exhibiting blue-to-red CL (400-700 nm) based on phosphine-initiated copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides, especially P1-0.5TPP, which exhibits red CL (610 nm) with a high quantum yield of 32%. Experiments and theoretical calculations disclose that the phosphine-capped effect in polyesters brings about conformational changes and induces phosphine-ester clusters by through-space (n,π*) interactions. Moreover, CL colors and efficiencies can be easily tailored by types of phosphines, compositions and structures of polyesters, and concentration. Significantly, the role of polymer motions (group, segmental, and chain motions) on CL originating from microregions inside polyesters is revealed. Further, phosphine-capped nonconjugated polyesters are demonstrated to be nonconjugated dyes and fluorescent fibers and are also used for multicolor light-emitting diodes including white light. This work not only provides an engineering strategy based on the end-group effect to prepare full-color clusteroluminogens but also broadens the prospects for material applications.

Sagittal support rather than medial cortical support matters in geriatric intertrochanteric fracture: A finite element analysis study.

Hip fracture, increasing exponentially with age, is osteoporosis's most severe clinical consequence. Intertrochanteric fracture, one of the main types of hip fracture, is associated with higher mortality and morbidity. The current research hotspots lay in improving the treatment effect and optimizing the secondary stability after intertrochanteric fracture surgery. Cortex buttress reduction is a widely accepted method for treating intertrochanteric fracture by allowing the head-neck fragment to slide and rigidly contact the femoral shaft's cortex. Medial cortical support is considered a more effective option in treating young patients. However, osteo-degenerations features, including bone weakness and cortical thickness thinning, affect the performance of cortex support in geriatric intertrochanteric fracture treatment. Literature focusing on the age-specific difference in cortex performance in the fractured hip is scarce. We hypothesized that this osteo-19 degenerative feature affects the performance of cortex support in treating intertrochanteric fractures between the young and the elderly. We established twenty models for the old and the young with intertrochanteric fractures and performed static and dynamic simulations under one-legged stance and walking cycle conditions. The von Mises stress and displacement on the femur, proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) implant, fracture plane, and the cutting volume of cancellous bone of the femur were compared. It was observed that defects in the anterior and posterior cortical bone walls significantly increase the stress on the PFNA implant, the displacement of the fracture surface, and cause a greater volume of cancellous bone to be resected. We concluded that ensuring the integrity and alignment of the anterior and posterior cortical bones is essential for elderly patients, and sagittal support is recommended. This finding suggests that the treatment method for intertrochanteric fracture may differ, considering the patient's age difference.

Preparation of high-temperature and low-temperature-resistant solid microbial agent for cattle manure fermentation and effect on composting.

We used microbiology and molecular biology techniques to screen out high-temperature and low-temperature-resistant saprobiotics for compost and prepared a compound fermentation bacteria agent to rapidly ferment cattle manure into high-quality organic fertilizer in low-temperature season. Conventional composting and high-throughput techniques were used to analyze the changes of physical and chemical indexes and biodiversity in the process of composting, from which high and low-temperature-resistant strains were obtained, and high-temperature and low-temperature-resistant solid composite bactericides were prepared and added to composting to verify the effects of composite bactericides on composting. The conventional composting cycle took 22 days, and the diversity of microflora increased first and then decreased. Composting temperature and microbial population were the key factors for the success or failure of composting. Two strains of high-temperature-resistant bacteria and six strains of low-temperature-resistant bacteria were screened out, and they were efficient in degrading starch, cellulose, and protein. The high-temperature and low-temperature-resistant solid bacterial agent was successfully prepared with adjuvant. The preparation could make the compost temperature rise quickly at low temperature, the high temperature lasted for a long time, the water content, C/N, and organic matter fell quickly, the contents of total phosphorus and total potassium were increased, and the seed germination index was significantly improved. Improve the composting effect. The solid composite bacterial agent can shorten the composting time at low temperature and improve the composting efficiency and quality.

The treatment of petrochemical wastewater via ozone-persulfate coupled catalytic oxidation: mechanism of removal of soluble organic matter.

Petrochemical wastewater contains a variety of organic pollutants. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are used for deep petrochemical wastewater treatment with distinct advantages, including the complete mineralization of organic substances, minimal residual byproducts, and compatibility with biological treatment systems. This work evaluates the effectiveness of three methods, namely, ozone, persulfate, and O3-PMS (ozone-persulfate) processes, which were compared to remove soluble organic matter. The O3-PMS process offered significant advantages in terms of organic matter removal efficiency. This process involves ozone dissolution in an aqueous persulfate solution, producing a more significant amount of hydroxyl radicals in comparison to single AOPs. The production of hydroxyl radicals and the synergistic effect of hydroxyl radicals and persulfate radicals were investigated. In the O3-PMS process, transition metal ions were added to understand the mechanism of the O3-PMS coupled catalytic oxidation system. The results showed that when the ozone concentration was in the range of 5 ~ 25 mg/L, the dosage of persulfate was in the range of 0.01 ~ 0.05 mol/L, the dosage of metal compounds was in the range of 0:0 ~ 2:1, and the reaction time was in the range of 0 ~ 2 h; the optimum chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) and total organic content (TOC) removal effect was achieved under the coupled system with an ozone concentration of 10 mg/L, a persulfate dosage of 0.02 mol/L, a 1:2 dosage ratio of between Fe2+ and Cu2+ compounds, and a reaction time of 2 h. Under optimal reaction conditions, the rates of CODCr and TOC removal reached 70% and 79.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the removal kinetics of the O3-PMS coupled catalytic oxidation system was analyzed to optimize the removal conditions of COD and TOC, and the mechanism regulating the degradation of dissolved organic matter was explored by three-dimensional fluorescence and GC-MS technology. Thus, O3-PMS coupled catalytic oxidation is an effective process for the deep treatment of wastewater. The careful selection of transition metal ions serves as a theoretical foundation for the subsequent preparation of catalysts for the ozone persulfate oxidation system, and this study provides a suitable reference for removing organic matter from petrochemical wastewater.

Impulse buying behavior during livestreaming: Moderating effects of scarcity persuasion and price perception.

This research aimed to identify the factors that influence impulse buying behavior during livestreaming and advance the existing literature based on a proposed conceptual framework grounded in the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model. We also tested the moderating effects of price perception and scarcity persuasion. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 837 Chinese participants aged over 18 years. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling using Smart-PLS version 4.0. The findings showed that susceptibility to social influence, impulse buying tendency, cognitive reactions, affective reactions, and the urge to buy impulsively are statistically significant predictors of impulse buying during livestreaming, with price perception and scarcity persuasion as moderators. The study expands the S-O-R model for livestreaming impulse buying in e-commerce context, highlighting its multifaceted nature and revealing the mediating role of Urge to Buy Impulsively in translating cognitive and emotional factors into impulse buying behavior. These insights offer practical guidance for marketers to design tailored strategies that leverage psychological triggers and external cues to enhance consumer engagement and encourage desired behaviors, ultimately leading to more effective marketing campaigns and improved consumer experiences.

Migration and transformation modes of microplastics in reclaimed wastewater treatment plant and sludge treatment center with thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion.

Microplastics in wastewater have been investigated globally, but less research on the migration and transformation of microplastics throughout wastewater and sludge treatment. This study investigated the fate of microplastics in a reclaimed wastewater treatment plant and a centralized sludge treatment center with thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion. The results exhibited that the effluent microplastics of this reclaimed wastewater treatment plant were 0.75 ± 0.26 items/L. Approximately 98 % of microplastics were adsorbed and precipitated into sludge. After thermal hydrolysis, anaerobic digestion and plate and frame dewatering, the removal rate of microplastics was 41 %. Thermal hydrolysis was the most effective method for removing microplastics. Polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene were widely detected in wastewater and sludge. 30 million microplastics were released into the downstream river and 51.80 billion microplastics entered soil through sludge cake daily. Therefore, substantial microplastics still entered the natural environment despite the high microplastics removal rate of reclaimed wastewater and sludge treatment.

Myosteatosis is associated with coronary artery calcification in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Myosteatosis, rather than low muscle mass, is the primary etiologic factor of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Myosteatosis may lead to a series of metabolic dysfunctions, such as insulin resistance, systematic inflammation, and oxidative stress, and all these dysfunctions are closely associated with the acceleration of T2DM and atherosclerosis. AIM: To investigate the association between myosteatosis and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with T2DM. METHODS: Patients with T2DM, who had not experienced major cardiovascular events and had undergone both abdominal and thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans, were included. The mean skeletal muscle attenuation was assessed using abdominal CT images at the L3 level. The CAC score was determined from thoracic CT images using the Agatston scoring method. Myosteatosis was diagnosed according to Martin's criteria. Severe CAC (SCAC) was defined when the CAC score exceeded 300. Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients with T2DM were enrolled. Among them, 167 (25.6%) patients had SCAC. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis, age, duration of diabetes, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors of SCAC. Myosteatosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAC (OR = 2.381, P = 0.003). The association between myosteatosis and SCAC was significant in the younger patients (OR = 2.672, 95%CI: 1.477-4.834, P = 0.002), but not the older patients (OR = 1.456, 95%CI: 0.863-2.455, P = 0.188), and was more prominent in the population with lower risks of atherosclerosis. The decision tree analyses prioritized older age as the primary variable for SCAC. In older patients, cigarette smoking was the main contributing factor for SCAC, while in younger patients, it was myosteatosis. CONCLUSION: Myosteatosis is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, especially in the population with younger ages and fewer traditional risk factors.

Polysomnography and Neuropsychological Analysis of Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Two Years After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan.

OBJECTIVE: We used polysomnography (PSG) monitoring and neuropsychological scales to explore the characteristics of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Wuhan, two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 42 patients in the Sleep Medicine Center were diagnosed with insomnia between December 2021 and May 2022; they were divided into the PTSD group (patients with PTSD diagnosed with insomnia after COVID-19 infection) and the non-PTSD group (patients with insomnia without PTSD). A healthy control group was simultaneously included. RESULTS: The PTSD group was more significant than the non-PTSD group in partial manifestations of sleep disorders, neuropsychological clinical symptoms, and partial PSG data. Patients with different COVID-19 subtypes showed significant differences in the course of disease, sleep disorders, neuropsychological clinical symptoms, relevant scale scores, and PSG data analysis. CONCLUSION: The emotional anxiety and depression of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with PTSD two years after the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan are more significant, and will not be self-alleviated with the passage of time. It is necessary to continue to pay attention to the PTSD symptoms and sleep psychology of COVID-19 infected patients, and take appropriate measures. Patients with severe and critical COVID-19 have more severe sleep and mental disorders, and there is a significant correlation between the duration of the disease and the severity of mental and mental disorders and sleep disorders after recovery.

Cold-induced FOXO1 nuclear transport aids cold survival and tissue storage.

Cold-induced injuries severely limit opportunities and outcomes of hypothermic therapies and organ preservation, calling for better understanding of cold adaptation. Here, by surveying cold-altered chromatin accessibility and integrated CUT&Tag/RNA-seq analyses in human stem cells, we reveal forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) as a key transcription factor for autonomous cold adaptation. Accordingly, we find a nonconventional, temperature-sensitive FOXO1 transport mechanism involving the nuclear pore complex protein RANBP2, SUMO-modification of transporter proteins Importin-7 and Exportin-1, and a SUMO-interacting motif on FOXO1. Our conclusions are supported by cold survival experiments with human cell models and zebrafish larvae. Promoting FOXO1 nuclear entry by the Exportin-1 inhibitor KPT-330 enhances cold tolerance in pre-diabetic obese mice, and greatly prolongs the shelf-life of human and mouse pancreatic tissues and islets. Transplantation of mouse islets cold-stored for 14 days reestablishes normoglycemia in diabetic mice. Our findings uncover a regulatory network and potential therapeutic targets to boost spontaneous cold adaptation.

Multilocular thymic cysts can be easily misdiagnosed as malignant tumor on computer tomography: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) is a rare mediastinal lesion which is considered to occur in the process of acquired inflammation. It is usually characterized by well-defined cystic density and is filled with transparent liquid. CASE SUMMARY: We report on a 39-year-old male with a cystic-solid mass in the anterior mediastinum. Computer tomography (CT) imaging showed that the mass was irregular with unclear boundaries. After injection of contrast agent, there was a slight enhancement of stripes and nodules. According to CT findings, it was diagnosed as thymic cancer. CONCLUSION: After surgery, MTC accompanied by bleeding and infection was confirmed by pathological examination. The main lesson of this case was that malignant thymic tumor and MTC of the anterior mediastinum sometimes exhibit similar CT findings. Caution is necessary in clinical work to avoid misdiagnosis.

Species-level Microbiota of Biting Midges and Ticks from Poyang Lake.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area, namely, Qunlu Practice Base, Peach Blossom Garden, and Huangtong Animal Husbandry, and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans, to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods: Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit (OPU) analysis, we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species, biting midges and ticks, including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals, collected around Poyang Lake. Results: A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges, including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species, and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks, including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species. Surprisingly, OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors, with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens, including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii, compared to 50 in ticks, such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri. We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks. Furthermore, the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria. Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges, while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks. Meanwhile, Coxiella spp., which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, were detected in all tick samples. The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion: Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria, and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals. The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

Clinical characteristic, common sites, and geographical distribution of pediatric tuberculosis patients in Southwest China.

Background: The data report of a large sample, dynamic epidemiology, and characteristic analysis of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) in Southwest China is not clear. Herein, we conducted descriptive dynamic epidemiology, characteristic analysis and geographical distribution study of pediatric TB inpatients in Southwest China for more than 20 years. Methods: Patients with pediatric TB were recruited from October 2002 to September 2022 in Southwest of China based on etiology or clinical confirmation. Extract hospitalization medical record information for each patient. The geographical distribution chart of cases is used to display the trend of case flow segmented every 5 years. Results: Among 3,024 pediatric TB patients with an average age of 9.11 ± 4.39, 17.49% (529) had pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), 9.06% (274) had extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), and 73.45% (2,221) had combined TB. The most common form of EPTB is disseminated TB (28.98%), followed by TB lymphadenitis (20.56%), pleural TB (19.72%), and TB meningitis (19.68%). Children aged 0-4 years had a high risk of TB meningitis and a severe symptoms, while children in the elderly age group had a high risk of pleural TB. In the past 20 years, hospitalized TB pediatric cases mainly came from Sichuan, Tibet, Qinghai, Yunnan and other places. The number of patients from ethnic minorities, especially Tibetans, showed an upward trend on a yearly basis (χ2 = 401.43, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Public health investment and effective management in pediatric TB should be further strengthened.

Flavonoids from the Aerial Parts of Sophora tonkinensis and Their Potential Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Four undescribed prenylated flavonoids, sophoratones A-D (1-4), and 17 known flavonoids, were obtained from the aerial parts of Sophora tonkinensis. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by detailed interpretation of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ECD calculations. Meanwhile, the ability of these compounds to inhibit the release of nitric oxide (NO) by a lipopolysaccharide induced mouse in RAW 264.7 cells was assayed. The results indicated that some compounds exhibited clear inhibitory effects, with IC50 ranging from 19.91 ± 1.08 to 35.72 ± 2.92 µM. These results suggest that prenylated flavonoids from the aerial parts of S. tonkinensis could potentially be used as a latent source of anti-inflammatory agents.

[Effect of Spatholobi Caulis extract from ethyl acetate on immune killing function of NK cells].

This study aims to investigate the regulatory effect of the Spatholobi Caulis extract from ethyl acetate(SEA) on natural killer(NK) cells under physiological conditions and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The C57BL/6 mice were randomized into NC and SEA groups, and NK-92 cells were respectively treated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 µg·mL~(-1) SEA. The body weight and immune organ index of the mice were compared between groups. The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay was employed to examine the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells treated with SEA and the killing activity of mouse NK cells against YAC-1 cells. The cell-counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to examine the impact of SEA on the proliferation of NK-92 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the number of NK cells in the peripheral blood as well as the expression levels of natural killer group 2 member A(NKG2A) and natural killer group 2 member D(NKG2D). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to determine the interferon(IFN)-γ secretion in the serum. Semi-quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of NKG2A, NKG2D, and IFN-γ in spleen cells. Western blot was employed to investigate the involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/extracellular regulated protein kinase 1(ERK1) signaling pathway. The results showed that SEA exhibited no adverse effects on the body, while significantly enhance the number of NK cells and augment the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells against YAC-1 cells. Moreover, it suppressed the expression of NKG2A, enhanced the expression of NKG2D, promoted IFN-γ secretion, and upregulated the protein levels of PI3K and ERK. The findings suggest that SEA has the potential to enhance the immune recognition and effector function of NK cells by increasing the cell number, modulating the expression of functional receptors, and promoting IFN-γ secretion via the PI3K/ERK signaling pathway.

Release characteristics and risk assessment of volatile sulfur compounds in municipal wastewater treatment plants.

In recent years, the malodorous gases generated by sewage treatment plants have gradually received widespread attention due to their sensory stimulation and health hazards. The emission concentration, sensory evaluation and health risk assessment of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) were all explored in two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with oxidation ditch and anaerobic/oxic treatment process, respectively. The VSCs concentration showed the highest amount in the primary treatment unit in both the two WWTPs (73.3% in Plant A and 93.0% in Plant B), while the H2S took the main role in the composition of VSCs. However, H2S took a larger percentage in Plant A (84.5% ∼ 87.0%) rather than Plant B (61.2% ∼ 83.5%), which may be due to the different operating conditions and sludge properties in different treatment process. Besides, H2S also gained the first rank in the sensory evaluation and health risk assessment, which may cause considerable sensory irritation and health risk to workers and surrounding residents. Furthermore, the influencing factor analyses of VSCs emission showed that the temperature of water and air, ORP of sludge made the greatest effect on VSCs release. This study provides theoretical and data support for the research of VSCs emission control in WWTPs.