Efficacy and Safety of Bufei Jiedu Granules in Treating Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Multi-center, Double-Blinded and Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Bufei Jiedu (BFJD) ranules as adjuvant therapy for patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-PTB). METHODS: A large-scale, multi-center, double-blinded, and randomized controlled trial was conducted in 18 sentinel hospitals in China from December 2012 to December 2016. A total of 312 MDR-PTB patients were randomly assigned to BFJD Granules or placebo groups (1:1) using a stratified randomization method, which both received the long-course chemotherapy regimen for 18 months (6 Am-Lfx-P-Z-Pto, 12 Lfx-P-Z-Pto). Meanwhile, patients in both groups also received BFJD Granules or placebo twice a day for a total of 18 months, respectively. The primary outcome was cure rate. The secondary outcomes included time to sputum-culture conversion, changes in lung cavities and quality of life (QoL) of patients. Adverse reactions were monitored during and after the trial. RESULTS: A total of 216 cases completed the trial, 111 in the BFJD Granules group and 105 in the placebo group. BFJD Granules, as an adjuvant treatment, increased the cure rate by 13.6% at the end of treatment, compared with the placebo (58.4% vs. 44.8%, P=0.02), and accelerated the median time to sputum-culture conversion (5 months vs. 11 months). The cavity closure rate of the BFJD Granules group (50.6%, 43/85) was higher than that of the placebo group (32.1%, 26/81; P=0.02) in patients who completed the treatment. At the end of the intensive treatment, according to the 36-item Short Form, the BFJD Granules significantly improved physical functioning, general health, and vitality of patients relative to the placebo group (all P<0.01). Overall, the death rates in the two groups were not significantly different; 5.1% (8/156) in the BFJD Granules group and 2.6% (4/156) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing BFJD Granules with the long-course chemotherapy regimen significantly increased the cure rate and cavity closure rates, and rapidly improved QoL of patients with MDR-PTB (Registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002850).

Deciphering dissolved organic matter characteristics and its fate in a glacier-fed desert river-the Tarim river, China.

The bioavailable diverse dissolved organic matter (DOM) present in glacial meltwater significantly contributes to downstream carbon cycling in mountainous regions. However, the comprehension of molecular-level characteristics of riverine DOM, from tributary to downstream and their fate in glacier-fed desert rivers remains limited. Herein, we employed spectroscopic and high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques to study both optical and molecular-level characteristics of DOM in the Tarim River catchment, northwest China. The results revealed that the DOC values in the downstream were higher than those in the tributaries, yet they remained comparable to those found in other glacier-fed streams worldwide. Five distinct components were identified using EEM-PARAFAC analysis in both tributary and downstream samples. The dominance of three protein-like components in tributary samples, contrasting with a higher presence of humic-like components in downstream samples, which implied that the dilution and alterations of the glacier DOM signature and overprinting with terrestrial-derived DOM. Molecular composition revealed that thousands of compounds with higher molecular weight and increased aromaticity were transformed, generated and introduced from terrestrial inputs during downstream transportation. The twofold rise in polycyclic aromatic and polyphenolic compounds observed downstream compared to tributaries indicated a greater influx of terrestrial organic matter introduced into the downstream during water transportation. The study suggests that the glacier-sourced DOM experienced minimal photodegradations, with limited influence from human activities, while also being shaped by terrestrial inputs during its transit in the alpine-arid region. This unique scenario offers valuable insights into comprehending the fate of DOM originating from glacial meltwater in arid mountainous regions.

Multiple Eruptive Dermatofibroma: A Case Report.

Background: Multiple eruptive dermatofibroma (MEDF) is a rare presentation of dermatofibroma which is frequently associated with underlying diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus infection or systemic lupus erythematosus. It generally presents a characteristic histology with hyperplasia of the epidermis, prominent bundles of collagen and a diffuse proliferation of fibrocytes. Case Summary: We report a case of MEDF in a 30-year-old man who presented with a large number of dark brownish red maculopapules distributed over the trunk and extremities for more than 10 years. According to the pathology, the patient was diagnosed with MEDF. Infections and autoimmune diseases were ruled out. As he had no clinical symptoms, and presented with lesions widely distributed over the body, we gave no special treatment, but suggested a regular examination. Conclusion: Patients with MEDF usually have no pain and pruritus. If human immunodeficiency virus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus and other causes are ruled out, and lesions are widely distributed over the body, regular check-up is recommended without specific treatment.

Anthropogenic Disturbance Stimulates the Export of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Rivers on the Tibetan Plateau.

The impacts of human activities on the riverine carbon (C) cycle have only recently been recognized, and even fewer studies have been reported on anthropogenic impacts on C cycling in rivers draining the vulnerable alpine areas. Here, we examined carbon isotopes (δ13CDOC and Δ14CDOC), fluorescence, and molecular compositions of riverine dissolved organic matters (DOM) in the Bailong River catchment, the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau to identify anthropogenic impacts on the C cycle. Human activities show limited impact on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, but significantly increased the age of DOC (from modern to ∼1600 yr B.P.) and changed the molecular compositions through agriculture and urbanization despite in the catchment with low population density. Agricultural activities indirectly increased the leaching of N-containing aged organic matter from deep soil to rivers. Urbanization released S-containing aged C from fossil products into rivers directly through wastewater. The aged DOC from agricultural activity and wastewater discharge was partly biolabile and/or photolabile. This study highlights that riverine C is sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. Additionally, the study also emphasizes that human activities reintroduce aged DOC into the modern C cycle, which would accelerate the geological C cycle.

Upregulation of galectin-3 in influenza A virus infection promotes viral RNA synthesis through its association with viral PA protein.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is one of the most important viral infections globally. Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) consists of the PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits, and the amino acid residues of each subunit are highly conserved among influenza A virus (IAV) strains. Due to the high mutation rate and emergence of drug resistance, new antiviral strategies are needed. Host cell factors are involved in the transcription and replication of influenza virus. Here, we investigated the role of galectin-3, a member of the ß-galactoside-binding animal lectin family, in the life cycle of IAV infection in vitro and in mice. METHODS: We used galectin-3 knockout and wild-type mice and cells to study the intracellular role of galectin-3 in influenza pathogenesis. Body weight and survival time of IAV-infected mice were analyzed, and viral production in mouse macrophages and lung fibroblasts was examined. Overexpression and knockdown of galectin-3 in A549 human lung epithelial cells were exploited to assess viral entry, viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) import/export, transcription, replication, virion production, as well as interactions between galectin-3 and viral proteins by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, RT-qPCR, minireplicon, and plaque assays. We also employed recombinant galectin-3 proteins to identify specific step(s) of the viral life cycle that was affected by exogenously added galectin-3 in A549 cells. RESULTS: Galectin-3 levels were increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lungs of IAV-infected mice. There was a positive correlation between galectin-3 levels and viral loads. Notably, galectin-3 knockout mice were resistant to IAV infection. Knockdown of galectin-3 significantly reduced the production of viral proteins and virions in A549 cells. While intracellular galectin-3 did not affect viral entry, it increased vRNP nuclear import, RdRp activity, and viral transcription and replication, which were associated with the interaction of galectin-3 with viral PA subunit. Galectin-3 enhanced the interaction between viral PA and PB1 proteins. Moreover, exogenously added recombinant galectin-3 proteins also enhanced viral adsorption and promoted IAV infection in A549 cells. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that galectin-3 enhances viral infection through increases in vRNP nuclear import and RdRp activity, thereby facilitating viral transcription and replication. Our findings also identify galectin-3 as a potential therapeutic target for influenza.

Efficacy of a multicomponent exercise training program intervention in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused changes in lifestyle for older adults such as reduced physical activity and community participation. Community activity centers were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 82) or control arm (n = 85). The intervention comprised one 60 min group exercise session per week in weeks 1-8 and an online home exercise program in weeks 9-16. Physical activity, physical performance, and prefrailty rates were assessed at baseline and 16 weeks. At 16 weeks, compared to the control arm, the intervention arm exhibited improved (p < 0.05) leisure-time physical activity (phi = 0.571), vigorous physical activity (phi = 0.534), and moderate-vigorous physical activity (phi = 0.344); prefrailty rates (phi = 0.179); and short physical performance battery results (η2p = 0.113). The intervention thus effectively improved physical activity levels, physical performance, and prefrailty rates in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Genome-wide analysis of Chinese keloid patients identifies novel causative genes.

Background: Keloids are benign skin tumors that appears on skin lesions in humans. Keloids are characterized by invasive tumor growth and are highly prone to recurrence after treatment. The incidence of keloids is ethnically specific; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the incidence of keloids in the Chinese population remains unclear. To date, no reports appear to have been published on the molecular characteristics underlying keloids in the Chinese population from the perspective of whole-genome sequencing. Methods: In this study, we collected keloid samples from 9 keloid patients underwent surgery in the Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, paired them to normal skin tissues, and performed whole-exome sequencing. The average depth of the samples was 1,200×, and the average exome coverage was 98.90%. Results: The bioinformatics analysis identified 3,125 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 299 insertions/deletions (InDels). The major mutation characteristics of the SNVs were C > A and C > T. The non-synonymous SNV types included stopgain, and stoploss. The non-synonym InDels included frameshift deletion, frameshift insertion, and stopgain. We also found a total of 67,873 copy number variations (CNVs) in the samples. The genes with the highest mutation frequency included mucin 4 (MUC4) (55.6%), tubulin tyrosine ligase like 12 (TTLL12) (33.3%), calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 (CACNA1C) (33.3%), and mucin 12 (MUC12) (33.3%). The average tumor mutation burden (TMB) was 289 mutations/million base pair (MB). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that the mutated genes were mainly concentrated in micro ribonucleic acids in cancer and the calcium signaling pathway. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that mutant genes were mainly concentrated in binding cells, cell parts, and cellular processes. Conclusions: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in the Chinese keloid patients and some potential candidate genes related to keloid occurrence and development were identified, which may provide new molecular targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of keloid patients.

Lived Experiences of Newly Admitted to Long-Term Care Facilities among Older Adults with Disabilities in Taiwan.

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Taiwanese older adults with disabilities newly admitted to long-term care facilities (LTCFs). A descriptive phenomenological method was used. Colaizzi's method analysis of 15 participant interviews revealed six themes: "living here is a last resort", "I don't like it but still have to live here", "my needs are not understood", "looking forward to emotional support", "practicing the way of survival", and "trying to make myself better". The older adults were admitted to the LTCF as they or their family members could not take care of themselves due to their disability. Participants explained their new life in the LTCF was like a prison, it was not easy for their needs to be understood. They used self-adjustment and established relationships with staff in the LTCF in order to live a stable life. They lived their lives with silence and alertness to practice the way of survival. They strived to make themselves better through rehabilitation, taking good care of their bodies, and finding their focus and value of life. It is important to pay attention to the care needs as well as life adjustment problems for newly older adults with disabilities in order to assist them in opening up new life experiences in LTCFs.

Effects of a simulation-based nursing process educational program: A mixed-methods study.

AIMS: To examine the effects of a simulation-based nursing process educational program on nursing students' confidence in communication and foundational understanding of the nursing process. BACKGROUND: The nursing process is a core component of patient-centered nursing care that is underpinned by effective communication. However, learning how to engage patients and carry out the distinct steps of the nursing process can be challenging if students are not able to apply knowledge to practice. Simulation-based learning programs can provide an immersive opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of the nursing process as well as improve their communication skills. DESIGN: A mixed methods randomized controlled trial METHODS: Two Fundamentals of Nursing classes were recruited from a university in northern Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 58) engaged with the simulation-based nursing process educational program, which consisted of an online interactive animation and a standardized patient simulation. The control group (n = 49) was assigned a case-study. Confidence in Communication surveys, assignment and examination scores, satisfaction questionnaires and post-simulation reflection logs were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in Confidence in Communication (p < .001). The experimental group performed better on the assignment than the control group (p < .001). No significant difference was seen between either groups' examination performances. The animation's high usage rate (mean 5.91 interactions per-user) and the results of the satisfaction questionnaires indicate the program's positive reception from the experimental group. The following themes emerged: effective communication skills, problem solving, confidence, feeling prepared and novel learning experience. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the simulation-based nursing process educational program increased students' self-confidence in communication and non-verbal communication skills as well as foundational understanding of how to carry out the nursing process. The use of interactive simulation-based learning experiences is recommended to improve nursing students' understanding of how to apply abstract concepts into practice.

Examining the links between regular leisure-time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Between February and July 2019, 539 individuals over age 60 were recruited in northern Taiwan. Demographic, medical history, physical activity and frailty data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of prefrailty was 24.4%; 33.2% had regular leisure-time physical activity, and 14.7% reported >6 hrs daily sitting time. Compared with individuals having regular leisure-time physical activity and shorter sitting times (daily average ≤6 hrs), those having no regular leisure-time physical activity and also shorter sitting times (adjusted OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.12, 2.92), or those also having regular leisure-time physical activity but longer sitting times (adjusted OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 2.22, 8.79) had an increased prefrailty risk. CONCLUSIONS: Having no regular leisure-time physical activity or longer sitting times is associated with a higher risk of prefrailty. For sedentary older adults to prevent prefrailty, they can become more active, sit less or better yet, commit to both.

Efficacy of Moxifloxacin against Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Model in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Moxifloxacin (MFX) shows good in vitro activity against Mycobacterium abscessus and can be a possible antibiotic therapy to treat M. abscessus infection; however, other studies have shown a lower or no activity. We aimed to evaluate MFX activity against M. abscessus using zebrafish (ZF) model in vivo. METHODS: A formulation of M. abscessus labeled with CM-Dil was micro-injected into ZF. Survival curves were determined by recording dead ZF every day. ZF were lysed, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were enumerated. Bacteria dissemination and fluorescence intensity in ZF were analyzed. Inhibition rates of MFX and azithromycin (AZM, positive control) were determined and compared. RESULTS: Significantly increased survival rate was observed with different AZM concentrations. However, increasing MFX concentration did not result in a significant decrease in ZF survival curve. No significant differences in bacterial burdens by CFU loads were observed between AZM and MFX groups at various concentrations. Bacterial fluorescence intensity in ZF was significantly correlated with AZM concentration. However, with increasing MFX concentration, fluorescence intensity decreased slightly when observed under fluorescence microscope. Transferring rates at various concentrations were comparable between the MFX and AZM groups, with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: MFX showed limited efficacy against M . abscessus in vivo using ZF model. Its activity in vivo needs to be confirmed.

Improvement cues of lesion absorption using the adjuvant therapy of traditional Chinese medicine Qinbudan tablet for retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis with standard anti-tuberculosis regimen.

BACKGROUND: China is the second highest pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) burden country worldwide. However, retreatment of PTB has often developed resistance to at least one of the four first-line anti-TB drugs. The cure rate (approximately 50.0-73.3%) and management of retreatment of PTB in China needs to be improved. Qinbudan decoction has been widely used to treat PTB in China since the 1960s. Previously clinical studies have shown that the Qinbudan tablet (QBDT) promoted sputum-culture negative conversion and lesion absorption. However, powerful evidence from a randomized controlled clinical trial is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of QBDT as an adjunct therapy for retreatment of PTB. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in China. People diagnosed with PTB were enrolled who received previous anti-TB treatment from April 2011 to March 2013. The treatment group received an anti-TB regimen and QBDT, and the control group was administered an anti-TB regimen plus placebo. Anti-TB treatment options included isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, streptomycin for 2 months (2HRZES), followed by isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol for 6 months (6HRE), daily for 8 months. Primary outcome was sputum-culture conversion using the MGIT 960 liquid medium method. Secondary outcomes included lung lesion absorption and cavity closure. Adverse events and reactions were observed after treatment. A structured questionnaire was used to record demographic information and clinical symptoms of all subjects. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 software in the full analysis set (FAS) population. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one cases of retreatment PTB were randomly divided into two groups: the placebo group (88 cases) and the QBDT group (93 cases). A total of 166 patients completed the trial and 15 patients lost to follow-up. The culture conversion rate of the QBDT group and placebo group did not show a noticeable improvement by using the covariate sites to correct the rate differences (79.6% vs 69.3%; rate difference = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): - 0.02-0.23; F = 2.48, P = 0.12) after treatment. A significant 16.6% increase in lesion absorption was observed in the QBDT group when compared with the placebo group (67.7% vs 51.1%; rate difference = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02-0.31; χ2 = 5.56, P = 0.02). The intervention and placebo group did not differ in terms of cavity closure (25.5% vs 21.1%; rate difference = 0.04, 95% CI: - 0.21-0.12; χ2 = 0.27, P = 0.60). Two patients who received chemotherapy and combined QBDT reported pruritus/nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: No significant improvement in culture conversion was observed for retreatment PTB with traditional Chinese medicine plus standard anti-TB regimen. However, QBDT as an adjunct therapy significantly promoted lesion absorption, thereby reducing lung injury due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02313610.

A febrile old man with xanthochromic hypoglycorrhachia.

INTRODUCTION: Meningitis is a commonly seen disease in the daily practice of emergency departments. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination including Gram stain and culture are crucial for identifying between bacterial and viral meningitis and should be completed prior to antibiotic administration. Hypoglycorrhachia is one of the certain independent predictors of bacterial meningitis. CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old male having a past medical history of alcoholism and liver cirrhosis presented to the emergency department with intermittent fever and chills for one day. Sudden onset of a tonic-clonic seizure for a few minutes with agitation, and neck stiffness on physical examination were noted. Lumbar puncture was performed and xanthochromic turbid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was retrieved. CSF analysis showed pleocytosis with a white blood cell count of 4608/cm2; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 96:4. The CSF also showed extreme hypoglycorrhachia (4 mg/dL) and high protein levels (865 mg/dL) were noted. Bacterial meningitis was diagnosed. The CSF yielded Klebsiella pneumoniae on the third day of admission. After 4 weeks of meropenem complete treatment, the patient recovered uneventfully without any neurological deficit and was discharged one1 month later. DISCUSSION: Hypoglycorrhachia is one of the certain independent predictors of bacterial meningitis. Elevated CSF protein over 150 mg/dL may turn normal crystal-clear CSF into yellowish or turbid CSF. Aerobic Gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella species are uncommon community-acquired pathogens and are more likely to occur after neurosurgical procedures complicated with pyogenic liver abscess and septic endophthalmitis. The appropriate antibiotic should be monitored and adjusted clinically. CONCLUSIONS: In febrile patients, epileptic episodes may hint towards an inflammatory process in the central nervous system. Grossly turbid and xanthochromic CSF with hypoglycorrhachia raise the concern for bacterial meningitis. Adequate antibiotic adjustment according to CSF culture results can also lead to the successful outcome without neurologic deficits.

Distribution and molecular chemodiversity of dissolved organic nitrogen in the vadose zone-groundwater system of a fluvial plain, northern China: Implications for understanding its loss pathway to groundwater.

Nitrogen (N) pollution in groundwater has become a worldwide environmental geological issue due to the excessive N application into the vadose zone and furthered N leaching. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) are proposed as an overlooked pathway of N loss from agricultural systems to groundwater recently. Here, we collected soil (0-320 cm) and groundwater samples in a historic agricultural area to characterize the distribution and chemodiversity of DON in the vadose zone-groundwater system, and identified specific linkages between DON traits and the bacterial community. The results showed that DON and NO3--N were the main forms of dissolved N in the vadose zone-groundwater system. The deep vadose zone (> 100 cm) was an important storage area for DON (44.9%), having implications for long-term groundwater quality degradation. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) revealed that the DON was dominated by condensed aromatics and lignins (57.2%) in the vadose zone, whereas amino sugars, proteins, peptides and lignins (72.5%) were dominant in groundwater. By analyzing shared and ubiquitous DON molecular formulas detected among different layers, it was found that < 2.52% of DONs could be leached from surface soil to groundwater directly, and most DONs went through biological conversion during the whole leaching path. It was identified that bacterial community played an important role in DONs transformation. The most active bacteria in the transformation were Nitrospira, Bacillus, and Sphingomonas and they tended to interact with DON of high N/C and H/C ratios, causing molecules with high unsaturation, high aromaticity and high oxidation to accumulate. The results would be helpful to elucidate DON occurrence in groundwater and track the key processes governing DON transport from the surface soil to groundwater.

Sorption of DONs onto clay minerals in single-solute and multi-solute systems: Implications for DONs mobility in the vadose zone and leachability into groundwater.

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) with a mixture of various organic nitrogen (N) is recognized as an emerging groundwater contaminant. Investigating the behavior and mechanism of DON sorption onto clay minerals, which are key components of vadose zone media, is crucial to evaluating its leaching potential. Considering the interactions among multiple DON compounds (DONs) may influence their sorption behaviors, the sorption of three typical DONs (amino acid, protein and urea) to clay minerals in single-, binary- and ternary-solute systems were explored, respectively. In addition, a combination of multiple methods, including physiochemical characterization, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and pH variation analysis, were used to provide insight into the governing mechanisms. Results indicated that the sorption kinetics and isotherms of single systems were well-fitted by pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm models, respectively. The mechanisms involved in the sorption of DONs onto clay minerals varied with the sorption time. The dominant interactions included van der Waals forces, ligand exchange, and hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) in the initial phase of the sorption process, whereas electrostatic interactions were predominant in the later stage as H+ was released into the solution. In binary-solute systems, either cooperative or competitive sorption was observed depending on the co-solute combination. For instance, the sorption behaviors of amino acids and urea were simultaneously enhanced in the binary system because of the formation of highly charged complexes as new active sites. Proteins sorption, however, was inhibited by the coexistence of urea as a result of active site depletion and protein denaturation. In ternary-solute systems, the sorption of DONs was balanced by cooperative and competitive sorption processes. These findings elucidated the sorption behaviors of DONs onto clay minerals in multi-solute systems and contributed to the evaluation of the mobility of DONs in the vadose zone and their leachability into groundwater.

Photochemical pollutant degradation on facet junction-engineered TiO2 promoted by organic arsenical: Governing roles of arsenic-terminated surface chemistry and bulk-free radical speciation.

Photochemical oxidation based on semiconducting metal oxides is an efficient strategy to remove environmental pollutants in water, air and soil. The fine manipulation of photo-carriers separation, surface chemistry and radical speciation is of considerable interest for environmental remediation. In this work, the morphology- and structure-tailored TiO2 single crystals with epitaxial {101}/{001} facet junction were designed, prepared and tested for photochemical pollutant oxidation in the presence of organic arsenicals, the main component in swine wastewater from livestock industry, although they have been forbidden for several years. The facet junction-tailored TiO2 deserved an efficient photo-carriers separation with high quantum efficiency. The photochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) was substantially improved by roxarsone (ROX). ROX-enhanced photochemical activity of TiO2 was mainly attributed to the in-situ arsenic-terminated surface chemistry by Ti-OAsVO3/-OAsIIIO2. This surface played governing roles in water/TiO2 interactions, and changed water adsorption from dissociative to molecular configuration. Furthermore, ·OH was finely regulated from low-activity surface-bound to high-activity bulk-free speciation between as-generated photo-holes with free water molecules. Our findings provided a new chance to refine the TiO2-based photochemical oxidation, and a modifying technology to treat swine wastewater from livestock industry with much reduced secondary pollution.

Efficacy of Moxifloxacin against in Zebrafish Model / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#Moxifloxacin (MFX) shows good activity against and can be a possible antibiotic therapy to treat infection; however, other studies have shown a lower or no activity. We aimed to evaluate MFX activity against using zebrafish (ZF) model .@*Methods@#A formulation of labeled with CM-Dil was micro-injected into ZF. Survival curves were determined by recording dead ZF every day. ZF were lysed, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were enumerated. Bacteria dissemination and fluorescence intensity in ZF were analyzed. Inhibition rates of MFX and azithromycin (AZM, positive control) were determined and compared.@*Results@#Significantly increased survival rate was observed with different AZM concentrations. However, increasing MFX concentration did not result in a significant decrease in ZF survival curve. No significant differences in bacterial burdens by CFU loads were observed between AZM and MFX groups at various concentrations. Bacterial fluorescence intensity in ZF was significantly correlated with AZM concentration. However, with increasing MFX concentration, fluorescence intensity decreased slightly when observed under fluorescence microscope. Transferring rates at various concentrations were comparable between the MFX and AZM groups, with no significant difference.@*Conclusion@#MFX showed limited efficacy against using ZF model. Its activity needs to be confirmed.

Treatment With Wheat Root Exudates and Soil Microorganisms From Wheat/Watermelon Companion Cropping Can Induce Watermelon Disease Resistance Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum.

Companion cropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can enhance watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] wilt disease resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. However, the mechanism of resistance induction remains unknown. In this study, the effects of microbial community dynamics and the interactions between wheat and watermelon plants, particularly the effect of wheat root exudates on watermelon resistance against F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, were examined using a plant-soil feedback trial and plant tissue culture approach. The plant-soil feedback trial showed that treating watermelon with soil from wheat/watermelon companion cropping decreased watermelon wilt disease incidence and severity, increased lignin biosynthesis- and defense-related gene expression, and increased ß-1,3-glucanase activity in watermelon roots. Furthermore, soil microbes can contribute to increasing disease resistance in watermelon plants. Tissue culture experiments showed that both exogenous addition of wheat root exudates and companion cropping with wheat increased host defense gene expression, lignin and total phenols, and increased ß-1,3-glucanase activity in watermelon roots. In conclusion, both root exudates from wheat and the related soil microorganisms in a wheat/watermelon companion cropping system played critical roles in enhancing resistance to watermelon wilt disease induced by F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum.

Herb induced liver injury after using herbal medicine: A systemic review and case-control study.

In Taiwan, traditional herbal medication was included in Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system since 1996 and in 9 out of 10 hospitals have developed their own departments of traditional medicine. This study aims to address the herb-induced liver injury (HILI) after using herbal medicine on the relationship between age, gender, epidemiology, laboratory data, pathogenesis, mobility, and mortality.We searched the PubMed database with "hepatitis after herbal medicine" and "in human" till 2018 April and returned 163 articles in a systemic review manner. Two cases reports describing in-vitro liver injury were excluded. Reviews and articles without the detailed report, laboratory data and history were excluded from this study. In the end, there were 53 articles enrolled in this study. These enrolled literatures are from France (n = 13), Germany (n = 12), Switzerland (n = 5) United States of America (n = 4), Korea (n = 4), Hong Kong (n = 4), Greece (n = 3), China (n = 2), Canada (n = 1), Italy (n = 1), Thailand (n = 1), Finland (n = 1), Taiwan (n = 1), and Japan (n = 1). The data were analyzed with a commercial statistical software Stata/SE 12.0 program Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA. Statistical χ tests were performed and the significance was set at a P value of less than .05 (2-tailed).The ages are ranged from 15 to 78 years with the mean ±â€ŠSD (standard deviation) of 48.3 ±â€Š16.2 years old. The majority of cases are female (n = 37). In elderly, man is more commonly seen than female in HILI (37.5% vs 10.5%, P = .02). Female is vulnerable to cholestatic type of HILI than male (21.1% vs 0.0%, P = .04). Of all the cases in HILI, using pure substance are more commonly seen than mixed substance (P = .02). In gender, male patients have higher alanine aminotransferase (GPT) (IU/L) level in HILI than female ones (1560 ±â€Š819 vs 1047 ±â€Š706, P = .03).In HILI, the female is more commonly seen than male, but less than male in the elderly. The pure substance more often happens to HILI than mixture substance. Female is predominant in the cholestatic type of HILI. The major prevalence of HILI is in Europe rather than Asia. HILI cases in Europe is 2.75-fold than in Asia. This could be due to fewer reports of the herb induced liver injury in Asia compared to Europe. Prevention of HILI is the best policy, because it needs to take 78 ±â€Š59 days to recover.