Adsorption of microcystin contaminants by biochars derived from contrasting pyrolytic conditions: Characteristics, affecting factors, and mechanisms.

The growing incidence of microcystins (MCs) in the environment has become an issue of global concern for the high ecological and human health risks. Herein, a comparative adsorption of three MCs (MC-LR, MC-YR and MC-RR) by spent mushroom substrate (SMS)-derived biochars from contrasting pyrolytic conditions (temperature: 600/300 °C; and gas steam: CO2/N2) was surveyed to better understand the mechanisms and factors affecting the adsorption performance. For biochar preparation, 600 °C and CO2 led to greater levels of aromaticity, ash, SBET, and porosity, while 300 °C and N2 created more surface functional groups. The adsorption of MCs by biochars was a pH-dependent and endothermic physisorption process, following the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.99) and linear isotherm model (R2 > 0.88). The distribution coefficients Kd (0.98-19.2 L/kg) varied greatly among MCs (MC-YR > MC-RR > MC-LR) and biochars (BC600 > BN600 > BC300 > BN300), which depends on the combined effects of hydrophobicity, electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, cation bridging, and the amounts of adsorption sites on biochars. Higher ash, SBET, and total pore volume of BC600 facilitated the adsorption capacity for MCs relative to other biochars. Furthermore, the co-adsorption efficacy for MCs (Kd = 1.09-8.86 L/kg) was far below those for the single adsorption, indicating strong conflicts among competing MCs. This study sheds light on the roles of pyrolytic temperature and gas steam in biochar properties, and elucidates the mechanisms and factors affecting the adsorption performance of different MCs, which lays a foundation for MCs removal from water.

Assessment of clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for the management of primary dysmenorrhea in the UK: A protocol of systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to appraise the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the management of patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in the UK. METHODS: We will comprehensively search electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, Web of Science, and CNKI) and additional resources for original articles on randomized controlled trials published in English, Chinese, German, Spanish, Korean and Japanese. Outcomes will be the pain intensity, pain duration, menstrual cramps, amount of bleeding, and severity of dysmenorrhea symptoms, quality of life, and adverse events. Two authors will independently check all citations, extract data, and assess study quality. All potential conflicts will be solved through discussion by consulting another experienced author. A narrative synthesis will summarize the characteristics and findings of eligible trials. If it is possible, we will also pool the data and carry out meta-analysis. RESULTS: The available evidence of the clinical efficacy of TCM for the treatment of PD in UK will be assessed through outcome measurements. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will determine whether or not TCM is effective and safe for the treatment of PD in UK. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER:: osf.io/jyc95.

[Effect of SAHA on Maturation of Dendritic Cells and Its Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of SAHA on the maturation of human dendritic cells (DC) and to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from human peripheral blood and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with 100 ng/ml rhGM-CSF and 500 U/ml rhIL-4. In the LPS induced maturation process, dendritic cells treated with or without SAHA were used as test group, and dendritic cells treated without LPS or SAHA were used as control group. DC was observed under inverted microscope. Flow cytometer was used to detect the surface antigen molecules expressed by DC. The mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used to observe the allogeneic lymphocyte stimulation. The NF-κB signaling pathway was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: The SAHA could effectively suppress the maturation of DC induced by LPS, the DC treated with SAHA+LPS had immature morphological characteristics; the expression of CD80, CD83 and HLA-DR in SAHA+LPS group and control group were significantly down-regulated as compared with single LPS group (P<0.01); the ability of DC to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T lymphocytes in SAHA+LPS group and control group was significantly weaker than that in single LPS group (P<0.01); EMSA results showed that NF-κB activity decreased after SAHA and LPS treatment and was significantly lower than that of single LPS group. CONCLUSION: SAHA can effectively suppress DC maturation induced by LPS and also weaken the ability to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte. NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in regulating DC maturation.

[Variation in soil Mn fractions as affected by long-term manure amendment using atomic absorption spectrophotometer in a typical grassland of inner Mongolia].

The effect of sheep manure amendment on soil manganese fractions was conducted in a 11 year experiment at inner Mongolia grassland, using sequential extraction procedure in modified Community Bureau of Reference, and determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Five treatments with dry sheep manure addition rate 0, 50, 250, 750, and 1500 g x m(-2) x yr(-1), respectively, were carried out in this experiment. Results showed that the recovery rate for total Mn was 91.4%-105.9%, as the percentage recovered from the summation of the improved BCR results with aqua regia extractable contents, and it was 97.2%-102.9% from certified soil reference materials. Plant available exchangeable Mn could be enhanced by 47.89%, but reducible and total Mn contents decreased significantly under heavy application of manure at depth of 0-5 cm. The effect of manure amendment on Mn fractions was greater in 0-5 cm than in 5-10 cm soil layer. The results are benefit to micronutrient fractions determination and nutrient management in grassland soils.

Innate and adaptive host response during the initial phase of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in the neonatal mouse.

To study early events of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis and its sequelae, the authors induced a controlled infection in the brains of mice using HSVgH, a genetically modified Disabled Infective Single Cycle virus. Neonatal Balb/C mice were infected with various amounts of HSVgH- virus by intracerebral injection. Results showed that the survival of infected mice was dependent on the amount of virus injected. Infection with 200,000 plaque forming units (pfu) of HSVgH-, virus resulted in 0% survival, whereas 25,000 pfu resulted in 75% survival. If the mice died, 98% of the deaths occurred between 3 and 7 days after infection. Replication competent virus was recovered from 20% of mice brains infected with 25,000 pfu of HSVgH-. Neutralizing antibodies were not detected 6 weeks post infection in sera of mice, which survived infection with 25,000 pfu of HSVgH-. LacZ histochemistry and immunoperoxidase staining using anti-HSV and anti- beta-galactosidase antibodies revealed that the infection was limited to the site of injection. Tissue destruction was observed at the site of inoculation 3 days post infection using cresyl violet staining. At 3 days post infection adjacent sections showed positive cells for viral antigens and apoptotic cells in the infected area. Immunoperoxidase staining using antibodies to surface markers showed microglial activation beginning on day 1 and astrocyte proliferation beginning on day 3 post infection. B and T lymphocytes were not detected on day 1 through 7 post infection. This controlled experimental HSV infection suggests a limited non-specific early host response in the neonate to HSV encephalitis.

Effect of resveratrol on herpes simplex virus vaginal infection in the mouse.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural component of certain foods, such as grapes, that, when topically applied, has been shown to limit HSV-1 lesion formation in the skin of mice [Antiviral Res. 61:19-26, 2004]. To determine if it is active on genital HSV infection, the vagina of mice were infected with HSV-2 or HSV-1 and treated with a cream formulation of resveratrol. Mice were evaluated daily for extravaginal disease and vaginal swabs were taken regularly and assayed for infectious virus. Initial studies demonstrated that 19% resveratrol cream administered intravaginally five times a day for 5 days beginning 1h after infection significantly reduced HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 of infection and prevented extravaginal disease when compared to animals treated with placebo. When resveratrol was tested at a concentration of 6.25% and 12.5% administered five times a day, 6.25% limited virus replication only on day 1 and delayed development of extravaginal disease by 1 day. However, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 and abolished extravaginal disease. If the number of applications per day was reduced to three for 5 days, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication only on day 1, while 19% resveratrol inhibited it throughout the 9-day assay period. When the animals with three treatments per day were examined for extravaginal disease, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol was ineffective when compared to placebo, while animals treated with 19% resveratrol did not exhibit extravaginal disease. When treatment was delayed 6h, 12.5% resveratrol did not inhibit HSV-2 replication or extravaginal lesion formation, but 19% resveratrol did. When resveratrol was used to treat vaginal HSV-1 infection, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol did not limit replication or prevent extravaginal lesion formation. In contrast, 19% resveratrol did significantly limit vaginal HSV-1 replication and reduced extravaginal lesion formation, but the latter was not significant. Mortality rates in placebo-treated animals was 37%, 6.25% resveratrol-treated animals was 40%, 12.5% resveratrol-treated animals was 24%, and 19% resveratrol-treated animals was 3%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that resveratrol cream inhibits or reduces HSV replication in the vagina of mice and limits extravaginal disease.

Effect of topically applied resveratrol on cutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in hairless mice.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural component of certain foods, such as grapes, that has been shown to have anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) activity in vitro. To determine if it is active in vivo, the abraded epidermis of SKH1 mice were infected with HSV-1 and topically treated with 12.5 or 25% resveratrol cream or cream only. Initial studies demonstrated that: (1). 25% resveratrol cream topically applied two, three, or five times a day effectively suppressed lesion development whereas 12.5% resveratrol cream effectively suppressed lesion formation when applied five times a day starting 1h after infection; (2). when treatment was begun 1, 6, or 12h after infection, both 12.5 and 25% resveratrol were effective at 1 and 6h after infection, but not if applied 12h after infection. Comparative studies between resveratrol cream, 10% docosanol cream (Abreva) and 5% acyclovir ointment (Zovirax) were also carried out. When treatment was begun 1h after infection and repeated every 3h five times a day for 5 days, 12.5 and 25% resveratrol significantly (P=0.0001) inhibited the development of HSV-1 induced skin lesions. Acyclovir was as effective (P=0.0001) as resveratrol. Animals that were topically treated with docosanol were not protected and developed lesions in a manner indistinguishable from cream only controls. These studies were repeated with an HSV-1 acyclovir-resistant virus. As before, 12.5 and 25% resveratrol cream effectively suppressed lesion formation. The skin of resveratrol-treated animals showed no apparent dermal toxicity such as erythema, scaling, crusting, lichenification, or excoriation. These studies demonstrate that topically applied resveratrol inhibits HSV lesion formation in the skin of mice.

A modification of the epidermal scarification model of herpes simplex virus infection to achieve a reproducible and uniform progression of disease.

A slight modification in the method used to remove the top keratinized layer of skin in the epidermal scarification model of HSV infection results in an easier, less painful, more uniform and reproducible means of infection. The back of mice was depilated and the top skin layer was removed either by scratching with the side of a 26 gauge needle, or by abrading with sand paper or a hand held motorized pedicure/manicure instrument. The virus was then applied on the scarified or abraded skin and the mice were observed for lesion development from day 3 to 10 post-infection. A uniform pattern of lesion development in terms of onset of lesions by day 3, progression to zosteriform by day 5 occurred for mice whose skin was abraded whereas variability in the time course, progression of symptoms and greater trauma occurred for mice whose skin was scratched with needle.