Spatial distribution and source apportionment of surface soil's polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Yangtze River Delta.

Soil acts as a crucial reservoir of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment, and its PAH content serves as a significant indicator of regional PAH pollution. Monitoring PAH levels in soil is important for assessing the potential risks to human and environmental health. In this study, 53 surface soil samples were collected from the Yangtze River Delta. These samples were monitored for 16 priority PAHs. Pollution levels, compositional profiles, and source differences of soil PAHs were analyzed among different regions, urban and rural areas, and functional zones. The total PAH content (Σ16PAHs) in the surface soil of the Yangtze River Delta was 2326.01 ± 2901.53 ng/g. High-ring PAHs (4-6 rings) accounted for the predominant portion (85.50%) of total PAHs. The average pollution level of soil PAHs in Jiangsu Province (2651.92 ± 3242.87 ng/g) was significantly higher than that of Zhejiang Province (2001.44 ± 2621.71 ng/g) and Shanghai (1669.13 ± 1758.34 ng/g), and high-ring PAHs constituted a predominant portion in these three regions. There was no significant difference in the PAH content between urban and rural areas. In different functional areas, automobile stations exhibited the highest PAH levels among the functional zones analyzed, with traffic emissions identified as a major source of soil PAH in this area. The primary factors influencing the distribution of soil PAHs in the study area were the duration of urbanization exposure (r = 0.753, p < 0.01) and soil organic carbon content (r = 0.452, p < 0.01). This provides novel evidence for the cumulative build-up of PAHs during urbanization. The positive matrix factorization model was used to analyze the sources of PAHs in the surface soil of the Yangtze River Delta, revealing that biomass and coal combustion (60.19%) and traffic emissions and coal combustion (31.82%) were the primary sources of PAHs in the region.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis by targeting the VEGFR2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-angiogenesis has been proposed as an important strategy for angiogenesis-related diseases. Cryptotanshinone (CPT), an active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, may be a potential inhibitor of angiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-angiogenic activities remain poorly understood. This study is to investigate the effects of CPT on VEGF-induced angiogenesis and VEGFR2 signaling pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were treated with different concentration of CPT (5-20µmol/L) and the viability, endothelial cell migration, invasion, and tubular-like structure formation of HUVECs were detected by MTT, wound-healing migration, Transwell invasion and Matrigel tube formation assays, respectively. To assess the effect of CPT on VEGFR2 signaling pathway, VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its downstream molecules, including ERK1/2, p90RSK, Src and FAK were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: CPT significantly suppressed VEGF-induced cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and tubular-like structure formation in HUVECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Western blot results revealed that CPT significantly suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its key downstream protein kinases, including p-ERK1/2, p-p90RSK, pY416-Src and pY576/577-FAK, which are responsible for endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and survival. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that CPT potently inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis by suppressing VEGFR2 activation and its downstream Src/FAK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in HUVECs, highlighting the therapeutic potential for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.

A Case of Survival: Myocardial Infarction and Ventricular Arrhythmia Induced by Severe Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning.

Most cases of acute hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisoning in China are caused by sewage processing. With the rapid development of urbanization in China, H2S poisoning is showing an increasing trend. Here, we report a case of survival from severe H2S poisoning. A 40-year-old worker was found in the underground sewer lines. He was unresponsive with bilaterally dilated pupils and had poor oxygen saturation. After intubation, he was transferred to the intensive care unit. He developed respiratory failure, acute myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia and left ventricular function impairment, requiring artificial ventilation with highly concentrated oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen treatment and drug therapy. Consequently, he completely recovered from the respiratory and cardiac failure. Cases of survival after severe H2S intoxication have been rarely reported. Such exposures may bring about severe myocardial impairment, which is most likely to benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and ß-blocker.

Cardiac Shock Wave Therapy in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is a novel and non-invasive therapy for CAD. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of CSWT on CAD. Methods and results: We performed a comprehensive search of electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Data in October 2021. The results were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical heterogeneity scores were assessed with the standard Cochran's Q test and the I 2 statistic. A total of 8 randomized trials and 2 prospective cohort studies, together involving 643 patients (n = 336 CSWT and n = 307 control), were included in our study. Eight studies with 371 patients showed significantly improved rest left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with CSWT as compared to that of the control group (WMD 3.88, 95% CI 1.53-6.23, p = 0.001, I 2 = 51.2%). Seven studies with 312 patients reported left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) were markedly decreased in the CSWT group compared to the control group (WMD -1.81, 95% CI -3.23 to -0.39, p = 0.012, I 2 = 20.3%). The summed stress score significantly favored the CSWT group (WMD -3.76, 95% CI -6.15 to -1.37, p = 0.002, I 2 = 56.8%), but there was no significant difference for the summed rest score. Our data were acquired from studies without a perceived high risk of bias, so plausible bias is unlikely to seriously affect the main findings of the current study. Conclusion: Based on data from our present meta-analysis, CSWT was shown to moderately improve myocardial perfusion and cardiac function among patients with CAD, which would provide the clinicians with a meaningful and valuable option. Systematic Review Registration: The meta-analysis was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) (https://osf.io/r2xf9).

Efficient degradation of bisphenol A via peroxydisulfate activation using in-situ N-doped carbon nanoparticles: Structure-function relationship and reaction mechanism.

A novel in-situ N-doped carbon nanoparticles (NCNs) was prepared through direct pyrolysis of N-rich polyaniline (PANI) without using external N-containing precursor and the as-prepared materials were employed as metal-free peroxydisulfate (PDS) activator for bisphenol A (BPA) degradation. The catalyst derived from PANI carbonization at 900 °C (NCNs-9) displayed the excellent catalytic activity to activate PDS, resulting in 96.0% BPA degradation efficiency within 20 min. The catalytic activity of NCNs was closely related to their structure-composition, and higher graphitic N content and larger BET surface area were beneficial to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) demonstrated that BPA degradation in PDS/NCNs system was accomplished via non-radical (1O2) and radical ( ·OH, SO4·-, and O2·-) pathways, in which O2·- was the main ROS. The origin of O2·- was the conversion of dissolved oxygen and the activation of PDS. The possible degradation pathways of BPA were also proposed. This study might provide inspirations to design in-situ N-doped carbon nanoparticles as the PDS activator for efficient degradation of persistent organic compound via advanced oxidation processes (AOPs).

Synergistic adsorption and electrocatalytic reduction of bromate by Pd/N-doped loofah sponge-derived biochar electrode.

In this work, a novel Pd/N-doped loofah sponge-derived biochar (Pd/NLSBC) material with three-dimensional (3D) network structure was prepared through the carbonization-impregnation method and applied as cathode for electrocatalytic bromate removal. The N-doped biochar not only increased the adsorption capacity of electrode, but also facilitated electron transfer, subsequently resulting in the high electrocatalytic activity for bromate removal. The results indicated higher bromate adsorption capacity of Pd/NLSBC electrode was favorable to the electrocatalytic bromate removal. The influences of significant operating factors including calcination temperature, initial solution pH, applied current intensity, and initial bromate concentration on electrocatalytic bromate removal were also optimized. Under the current intensity of 10 mA, Pd/NLSBC-800 exhibited the highest bromate removal efficiency (96.7 %) and the bromide conversion rate reached almost 100 % at the initial bromate concentration of 0.781 µmol L-1. This process could be effectively performed over a wide range of pH (2.0-9.0) and be well fitted to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model under different conditions. The reaction mechanism study indicated that both direct electron transfer and indirect reduction by the active hydrogen atom (H*) contributed to the elctrocatalytic bromate removal. Meanwhile, Pd/NLSBC-800 electrode could maintain its high electrocatalytic activity for bromate removal after five cycles.

Protection of Luteolin-7-O-glucoside against apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation through the MAPK pathways in H9c2 cells.

Myocardial hypertrophy is often associated with myocardial infarction. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside (LUTG) has the prosperity of preventing cardiomyocyte injury. The current study aimed to explore the potential protective effect of LUTG and its relevant mechanisms in the heart. To establish the cardiac hypertrophy model in vitro, Angiotensin II (Ang II) was used to stimuli H9c2 cells in this study. The CCK­8 assay showed that LUTG pretreatment improved cell viability of cardiomyocytes co­treated with Ang II and ischemia/reperfusion. LUTG decreased the reactive oxygen species levels. Furthermore, it was demonstrated LUTG could reduce the release amount of lactate dehydrogenase and recover the catalase activity according to the flow cytometry analysis, and activity detection, respectively in Ang II­H/R­treated H9c2 cells. In addition, the flow cytometry analysis showed that the pretreatment of LUTG mitigated cell apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in the cardiac hypertrophy model. Meanwhile, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays showed that the apoptosis­related genes, including poly (ADP­ribose) polymerase, Fas, Fasl and Caspase­3 were downregulated at the transcriptional and translational levels. Notably, the protien expression of phosphorylated (p)­extracellular signal­regulated kinas (ERK) 1/2, p­janus kinase and p­P38 were reduced, while the expression of p­ERK5 was elevated in the LUTG pretreatment groups compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment group. Based on these results, it was suggested that the anti­apoptosis effect of LUTG may be associated with regulating the activation of mitogen­activated protein kinases signaling pathways.

Catheter ablation versus medical therapy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence from randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The superiority of catheter ablation (CA) for persistent (and long-standing persistent) atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently not well defined. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the clinical outcomes of CA compared with medical therapy in persistent AF patients. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov for RCTs comparing CA with medical therapy in patients with persistent AF. For CA vs medical rhythm control, the primary outcome was freedom from atrial arrhythmia. For CA vs medical rate control, the primary outcome was the change in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 809 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with medical rhythm control, CA was superior in achieving freedom from atrial arrhythmia (RR 2.08, 95% CI [1.67, 2.58]; P < 0.00001). Similar result was found in CA arm without antiarrhythmic drug use after operation (RR 1.82, 95%CI [1.33, 2.49]; P = 0.0002). CA was also superior in reducing the probability of cardioversion (RR 0.59, 95%CI [0.46, 0.76]; P < 0.0001) and hospitalization (RR 0.54, 95%CI [0.39, 0.74]; P = 0.0002). Compared with the medical rate control in persistent AF patients with heart failure (HF), CA significantly improved the LVEF (MD 7.72, 95%CI [4.78, 10.67]; P < 0.00001) and reduced Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores (MD 11.1395% CI [2.52-19.75]; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CA appeared to be superior to medical therapy in persistent AF patients and might be considered as a first-line therapy for some persistent AF patients especially for those with HF.

Research Progress of Angiogenesis in Atherosclerotic Plaque in Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.

Angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque plays a critical role in the mechanism of atherosclerotic physiopathology. Present consensus shows that angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque is mainly resulted in hypoxia, inflammation and some pro-angiogenic factors. The homeostasis in plaque, which is hypoxic and infiltrated by inflammatory cells, may lead to angiogenesis, increase the plaque instability and the incidence rate of vascular events. This article reviews the progression of pathogenetic mechanism, physiopathological significance, relevant detecting technique and corresponding therapeutic methods of Chinese and Western medicine of angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque, so as to provide more theoretical basis for atherosclerotic clinical treatment.

Different Effects of Thiazolidinediones on In-Stent Restenosis and Target Lesion Revascularization after PCI: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains the leading problem encountered after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) has been shown to be associated with reduced ISR and target lesion revascularization (TLR); however, the results are inconsistent, especially between rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. In this study, fourteen RCTs with a total of 1350 patients were finally included through a systematical literature search of Embase, Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to January 31, 2017. The follow-up duration of the included trials ranged from 6 months to 18 months. The results demonstrated that TZDs treatment is associated with significantly reduced risk of TLR (RR:0.45, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.67 for pioglitazone, RR:0.68, 95%CI 0.46 to 1.00 for rosiglitazone). Pioglitazone is associated with significantly reduced risks of ISR (RR:0.47, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.81), major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (RR:0.44, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.64) and neointimal area (SMD: -0.585, 95%CI -0.910 to -0.261). No significant relationship was observed between rosiglitazone and ISR (RR:0.91, 95%CI 0.39 to 2.12), MACE (RR:0.73, 95%CI 0.53 to 1.00) and neointimal area (SMD: -0.164, 95%CI -1.146 to 0.818). This meta-analysis demonstrated that TZDs treatment is associated with significant reduction in ISR, TLR and MACE for patients after PCI. Pioglitazone treatment seems to have more beneficial effects than rosiglitazone and no significantly increased cardiovascular risk was detected for both agents.

Recurrence of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and sustained hypotension shock in cystic pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor which derives from chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland or relevant to sympathetic nerves and ganglia. The clinical features of pheochromocytoma are various. Paroxysmal episodes of serious hypertension, headache, palpitation, and diaphoresis are the typical manifestations (Bravo, 2004). Hypotension shock, pulmonary edema, and acute coronary syndrome induced by pheochromocytoma are uncommon (Malindretos et al., 2008; Batisse-Lignier et al., 2015). In this study, we present a rare case of cystic pheochromocytoma causing recurrent hypotension shock, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and acute coronary syndrome, and the possible mechanisms are discussed.

Antioxidant Lignans and Neolignans from Acorus tatarinowii.

Eleven new lignans and neolignans, named acortatarinowins G-N (1-8), including three pairs of enantiomers (1a/1b-3a/3b) and five optically pure lignans and neolignans (4-8), along with five known analogs (9-14), were isolated from the rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. Compounds 1-3 were successfully separated by chiral HPLC to afford 1a/1b-3a/3b. The planar structures of 1-8 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses including HRESIMS and NMR. Their absolute configurations were determined by analyses of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and a modified Mosher's method, assisted by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Compounds 1a and 1b were rare 7,8'-epoxy-8,7'-oxyneolignane. Compounds 1-8 were evaluated for their antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reducing antioxidant power assay. Compound 6, exhibiting strong DPPH radical scavenging capacity with IC50 value of 16.4 ± 0.22 µg/mL, could interpret the herbal traditional usage.

Catheter ablation versus medical rate control for persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of restoring the sinus rhythm by catheter ablation relative to that of medical rate control for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF) remains to be defined. METHODS: We systematically searched Embase, Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for articles that compared the outcomes of interest between catheter ablation and medical rate control therapy in persistent AF patients with HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). The primary endpoint was the change in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following catheter ablation or medical rate control therapy relative to baseline. Other endpoints included changes in cardiac function and exercise capacity, including the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, the peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) results, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 143 patients were included. At the overall term follow-up, catheter ablation significantly improved the LVEF (mean difference [MD]: 6.22%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-11.74, P = 0.03) and peak VO2 (MD: 2.81 mL/kg/min; 95% CI: 0.78-4.85, P = 0.007) and reduced the NYHA class (MD: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.59-1.21, P < 0.001) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaires (MLHFQ) scores (MD: -11.05; 95% CI: -19.45 - -2.66, P = 0.01) compared with the medical rate control for persistent AF patients with HF. Alterations in parameters, such as the BNP level, 6MWT, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire scores also revealed trends that favored catheter ablation therapy, although these differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation resulted in improved LVEF, cardiac function, exercise capacity, and QOL for persistent AF patients with HF compared with the medical rate control strategy.

Transition-metal-free synthesis of phenanthridinones from biaryl-2-oxamic acid under radical conditions.

Na2S2O8-promoted decarboxylative cyclization of biaryl-2-oxamic acid for phenanthridinones has been developed. This work illustrates the first example of intramolecular decarboxylative amidation of unactivated arene under transition-metal-free conditions. Additionally, this approach provides an efficient and economical method to access biologically interesting phenanthridinones, an important structure motif in many natural products.