Synergistic binding mechanisms of co-contaminants in soil profiles: Influence of iron-bearing minerals and microbial communities.

In contaminated soil sites, the coexistence of inorganic and organic contaminants poses a significant threat to both the surrounding ecosystem and public health. However, the migration characteristics of these co-contaminants within the soil and their interactions with key components, including Fe-bearing minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms, remain unclear. This study involved the collection of a 4.3-m-depth co-contaminated soil profile to investigate the vertical distribution patterns of co-contaminants (namely, arsenic, cadmium, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) and their binding mechanisms with environmental factors. The results indicated a notable downward accumulation of inorganic contaminants with increasing soil depth, whereas PCBs were predominantly concentrated in the uppermost layer. Chemical extraction and synchrotron radiation analysis highlighted a positive correlation between the abundance of reactive iron (FeCBD) and both co-contaminants and microbial communities in the contaminated site. Furthermore, Mantel tests and structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated the direct impacts of FeCBD and microbial communities on co-contaminants within the soil profile. Overall, these results provided valuable insights into the migration and transformation characteristics of co-contaminants and their binding mechanisms mediated by minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms.

Case Report: Multiple Organ Failure Caused by Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), a natural epidemic disease caused by hantavirus (HV), is one of the viral diseases that pose a major threat to our health. Considering the increasing number of atypical-onset cases reported in some countries, it is important to be familiar with the symptoms of HFRS and the signs of HV infection. This report describes the case of a 55-year-old man with complaints of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. His symptoms showed no significant improvement after routine anti-infective, antipyretic, and other symptomatic supportive treatments administered at a local clinic. During these treatments, the patient had progressive oliguria; after 3 days, he also developed multiple organ failures, such as the liver and kidney, and was examined for positive serum IgM antibodies to hemorrhagic fever during treatment at our hospital. The patient was finally diagnosed with HFRS followed by multiple organ failure. After antiviral therapy, including ribavirin, piperacillin, and tazobactam, continuous renal replacement therapy, fluid metabolism adjustment, and related supportive therapy were administered, which improved his liver and kidney function. He was discharged on the 25th day after hospitalization. It is difficult to manage patients who develop multiple organ failure after HFRS. Moreover, this condition is rare in clinical settings, with fever being the initial indication. For diseases with unknown origin such as refractory fever and diarrhea, it is crucial to differentiate them from common pathogenic infection and HV infections to provide timely treatment that improves the prognosis of patients.

Intrinsic enzyme-like activity of magnetite particles is enhanced by cultivation with Trichoderma guizhouense.

Fungal-mineral interactions can produce large amounts of biogenic nano-size (~ 1-100 nm) minerals, yet their influence on fungal physiology and growth remains largely unexplored. Using Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 and magnetite (Mt) as a model fungus and mineral system, we have shown for the first time that biogenic Mt nanoparticles formed during fungal-mineral cultivation exhibit intrinsic peroxidase-like activity. Specifically, the average peroxidase-like activity of Mt nanoparticles after 72 h cultivation was ~ 2.4 times higher than that of the original Mt. Evidence from high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated that the unique properties of magnetite nanoparticles largely stemmed from their high proportion of surface non-lattice oxygen, through occupying surface oxygen-vacant sites, rather than Fe redox chemistry, which challenges conventional Fenton reaction theories that assume iron to be the sole redox-active centre. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry with a resolution down to 50 nm demonstrated that a thin (< 1 µm) oxygen-film was present on the surface of fungal hyphae. Furthermore, synchrotron radiation-based micro-FTIR spectra revealed that surface oxygen groups corresponded mainly to organic OH, mineral OH and carbonyl groups. Together, these findings highlight an important, but unrecognized, catalytic activity of mineral nanoparticles produced by fungal-mineral interactions and contribute substantially to our understanding of mineral nanoparticles in natural ecosystems.

Mechanisms of potentially toxic metal removal from biogas residues via vermicomposting revealed by synchrotron radiation-based spectromicroscopies.

Biogas residues (BR) contaminated with potentially toxic metals pose environmental risks to soils and food chains, and strategies are needed to decrease the concentration and bioavailability of potentially toxic metals in BR. Here, metal fractions and removal mechanisms were quantified by synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared and micro X-ray fluorescence spectromicroscopies on BR and earthworms subject to vermicomposting. Vermicomposting resulted in decreases in concentrations of potentially toxic metals in BR and increases in metal removal efficiencies due to uptake by earthworms. Prior to vermicomposting, Zn, Cu and Pb were associated with N-H, O-H, aromatic C, aliphatic C, and amide functional groups, but following maturation during vermicomposting, metals were associated with N-H, O-H, aliphatic C and polysaccharide functional groups. Following vermicomposting, Zn and Cu were mainly distributed in the dermal portions of earthworms, whereas Pb was more homogeneously distributed among the inner and outer portions of the earthworms, revealing that different metals may have different uptake routes. These findings provide a new strategy for safe utilization of BR by using earthworms via vermicomposting to remove potentially toxic metals and in situ insights into how metals binding and distribution characteristics in BR and earthworms during compost and vermicomposting processes.

Bevacizumab and risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with brain metastases: a meta-analysis.

Administration of bevacizumab to patients with brain metastases (BM) is controversial due to concerns about the increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). This meta-analysis assessed whether the risk of ICH increases in BM patients receiving treatments that contain bevacizumab versus without. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and annual meeting abstracts of the American Society of Clinical Oncology up to 13 November 2016 were searched for studies that referred to ICH complications due to bevacizumab in patients with BM. Eight studies involving 8713 patients were included in this analysis. Compared with the control arm without bevacizumab, the bevacizumab treatment arm did not exhibit a significant increase in ICH [odds ratio (OR) 1.20; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.69-2.09; P = 0.53]. Subgroup analyses with retrospective studies showed a similar result, although subgroup analyses with prospective studies failed. This meta-analysis revealed that bevacizumab does not significantly increase the risk of ICH in solid tumor patients with BM.

Therapeutic effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng on atherosclerosis in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng( PNS) on ather-osclerosis( AS) in ApoE knockout mice. Methods According to TC level, ApoE knockout mice were ran-domly assigned into six groups. Control group was fed with normal diet, and the other groups were fed with high-fat diet. After 16 weeks, mouse serum and aortas were harvested. The formation of atherosclerotic plaque was analyzed by oil red staining, the proportion of pathological lesion and the apoptosis of endothelial cells in left ventricular outflow tract were analyzed by HE staining and TUNEL. The serum level of lipids profiles, oxLDL-C were detected, and the mRNA ex-pressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, iNOS, eNOS, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by qPCR. Results In model group, the serum content of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C significantly increased(P<0.01); the area of atherosclerotic plaque significantly increased ( P <0.01) ; and the apoptosis of endothelial cells and the proportion of pathological lesion of left ventricular out- flow tract significantly increased(P<0.01). Also, the mRNA expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, iNOS, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in model group increased. Compared with model group, the serum content of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C decreased after administration of PNS. The serum content of oxLDL-C was significantly reduced in PNS groups( P <0.01, P <0.05 ) . The apoptosis of endothelial cells significantly declined as well ( P <0.01, P <0.05 ) . The area of atherosclerotic plaque decreased after administration of PNS. The mRNA ex-pression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, iNOS, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in PNS groups were down-regulated. Conclu-sions In ApoE-KO mouse model, PNS plays a role in the therapy of AS, which may be due to its modulating lipid metabolism, protecting vascular endothelium, de-creasing inflammation and inhibiting adhesion of im-mune cells.

Isoprenaline induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells.

The emerging role of stress-related signaling in regulating cancer development and progression has been recognized. However, whether stress serves as a mechanism to promote gastric cancer metastasis is not clear. Here, we show that the ß2-AR agonist, isoprenaline, upregulates expression levels of CD44 and CD44v8-10 in gastric cancer cells. CD44, a cancer stem cell-related marker, is expressed at high levels in gastric cancer tissues, which strongly correlates with the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated phenotypes both in vivo and in vitro. Combined with experimental observations in two human gastric cancer cell lines, we found that ß2-AR signaling can initiate EMT. It led to an increased expression of mesenchymal markers, such as α-SMA, vimentin, and snail at mRNA and protein levels, and conversely a decrease in epithelial markers, E-cadherin and ß-catenin. Isoprenaline stimulation of ß2-AR receptors activates the downstream target STAT3, which functions as a positive regulator and mediated the phenotypic switch toward a mesenchymal cell type in gastric cancer cells. Our data provide a mechanistic understanding of the complex signaling cascades involving stress-related hormones and their effects on EMT. In light of our observations, pharmacological interventions targeting ß2-AR-STAT3 signaling can potentially be used to ameliorate stress-associated influences on gastric cancer development and progression.

Two-year follow-up for 45 patients with achalasia who underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Achalasia is an oesophageal disorder characterized by abnormalities of peristalsis and impaired swallowing-induced relaxation. The therapeutic approach at present remains palliative. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is thought to be less invasive and to maintain the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter postoperatively. However, the effects of POEM still need to be evaluated and understood. METHODS: We analysed the outcome for 45 achalasia patients who underwent POEM in our centre, described the details of surgery and evaluated the effects by 4 s integrated relaxation pressure (4s-IRP). All patients were followed up for at least 2 years and were assessed by the dysphagia score, the Eckardt score, oesophageal manometry and the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Q-questionnaire. According to the new Chicago classification of oesophageal motility using high-resolution manometry, the patients were diagnosed and classified into types I, II and III. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 46.32 ± 19.04 years (range 26-72 years), and the ratio of women to men was 1.81. All patients were suffering from dysphagia; more than half of them experienced regurgitation. The data revealed that POEM considerably reduced the 4s-IRP, dysphagia score and Eckardt score postoperatively (all P < 0.05). The patients with type III achalasia had higher values of 4s-IRP than the others (type I, P = 0.025; type II, P = 0.022) before treatment and at 3 months after treatment (type I, P = 0.028; type II, P = 0.047). In type I patients, GERD symptoms were more likely to appear at 24 months after POEM than in type II and III patients (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Peroral endoscopic myotomy provides definite relief of symptoms in these patients with achalasia and offers them long-term therapeutic benefit. Considering the risks of surgery, we believe that POEM is a better choice than surgery for achalasia patients and carries lower risk. However, our study is a preliminary exploration; therefore, larger-scale studies are needed for further research on POEM.

Remediation of 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene contaminated soil using a combined thermal desorption-molten salt oxidation reactor system.

A combined thermal desorption (TD)-molten salt oxidation (MSO) reactor system was applied to remediate the 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (1,2,3-TCB) contaminated soil. The TD reactor was used to enrich the contaminant from soil, and its dechlorination of the contaminant was achieved in the MSO reactor. The optimum operating conditions of TD, and the effects of MSO reactor temperatures, additive amounts of the TCB on destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of TCB and chlorine retention efficiency (CRE) were investigated. The reaction mechanism and pathway were proposed as well. The combined system could remediate the contaminated soil at a large scale of concentration from 5 to 25gkg(-1), and the DRE and CRE reached more than 99% and 95%, respectively, at temperatures above 850°C. The reaction emissions included C6H6, CH4, CO and CO2, and chlorinated species were not detected. It was found that a little increase in the temperature can considerably reduce the emission of C6H6, CH4, and CO, while the CO2 level increased.

Destruction of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in a ternary carbonate molten salt reactor.

Soil contamination by PBDEs has become a significant environmental concern and requires appropriate remediation technologies. In this study, the destruction of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in a ternary molten salt (Li, Na, K)2 CO3 reactor was evaluated. The effects of reaction temperature, additive amount of BDE-209 and salt mixture, on off-gas species, were investigated. The salt mixture after reaction was characterized by XRD analysis and a reaction pathway proposed. The results showed that the amounts of C2H6, C2H4, C4H8 and CH4 in the off-gas decreased with increases in temperature, while the CO2 level increased. When the reaction temperature reached 750 °C, incomplete combustion products (PICs) were no longer detected. Increasing BDE-209 loading was not helpful for the reaction, as more PICs were produced. Larger amounts of salt mixture were helpful for the reaction and PICs were not observed with the mole ratio 1: 2000 of BDE-209 to carbonate melt. XRD analysis confirmed the capture of bromine in BDE-209 by the molten salt.

Study on drug release of gastrodin ion-activated nasal in situ gel in vitro / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the drug release characteristics and mechanism of gastrodin ion-activated nasal in situ gel in vitro.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Regularity and mechanism of the drug release of gastrodin nasal in situ gel were studied by using the diffusion cell model and the membrane-less dissolution model, respectively. A novel kinesis diffusion cell model was designed according to the characteristics of release environment of nasal cavity. It was used to investigate the effect of adhesiveness on the release of the in situ gel.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Drug release of gastrodin nasal in situ gel followed the one order release model. Erosion rate of the gel was low and not linearly correlated with the release rate. Compared with gastrodin solution, the nasal in situ gel could increase release time and release amount.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gastrodin in the nasal in situ gel is released mainly by diffusion rather than erosion. Release amount of the in situ gel in nasal cavity may be obviously increased because of its adhesiveness.</p>

PlexinA1 expression in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.

AIM: To explore the expression of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation. METHODS: PlexinA1 mRNA and protein expressions of Semaphorin6D were measured using semi-quantity reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting in 20 cases of gastric carcinoma and corresponding normal gastric mucosa. PlexinA1, Ki-67 expression and microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry in 50 cases of gastric carcinoma and 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expressions of PlexinA1 in gastric carcinoma were significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa (0.71 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.25, P = 0.0299 < 0.05, and 0.47 +/- 0.16 vs 0.21 +/- 0.08, P = 0.0000 < 0.01), and MVD within tumor tissues increased significantly with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r =0.8736, P < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.7286, P < 0.01), and MVD of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (25.25 +/- 3.93) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (19.56 +/- 1.75), (P < 0.01). Proliferation index of tumor cells within tumor tissues were positively correlated with PlexinA1 mRNA expression (r = 0.5420, P = 0.014 < 0.01) and PlexinA1 protein expression (r = 0.5024, P = 0.024 < 0.05). The proliferation index of the PlexinA1 positive staining group (567.69 +/- 125.61) was significantly higher than that of the negative group (369.58 +/- 116.88), (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PlexinA1 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma, and be related to tumor angiogenesis and proliferation.

[Surgical treatment for patients with gastric cancer: report of 2335 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the important factors affecting the prognosis of patient with gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The data of 2335 cases of resected gastric carcinoma from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2005 were studied by using univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Male patients accounted for 81.0% and female patients 19.0%. The ratio of male to female was 4.2: 1.0. Patients under 50 years old accounted for 77.2%. Two hundred and seventy-five cases were early gastric cancer, accounting for 11.8%, and another 2060 cases were advanced gastric cancer, accounting for 88.2%. Tumor diameter of 72.8% patients was more than 4 cm and 69.6% cases suffered with low differentiated cancer. Curative resections were performed in 1690 patients (72.4%) and palliative operation in other patients. After operation, 1538 cases (65.9%) received comprehensive treatment. For all cases, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71.9%, 45.3% and 40.1% respectively. The independent risk factors influencing prognosis of these patients were Borrmann classification,TNM staging, curative resection and multidisciplinary treatment through univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: The factors influencing prognosis of patient with gastric carcinoma after resection are Borrmann classification,TNM staging, curative resection and multidisciplinary treatment. Early and curative resection is the most important management to improve therapeutic efficacy of stomach cancer.

[Expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 in gastric carcinoma and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCG2) in gastric carcinoma and its clinical significance. METHODS: Expression of ABCG2 protein was examined by immunohistochemical technique in specimens from 45 gastric carcinoma tissues and 30 surrounding normal tissues. The expression of ABCG2 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and real-time quantitative PCR in specimens from 30 gastric carcinoma tissues and 30 surrounding normal gastric mucosa respectively. RESULTS: ABCG2 protein expression was observed in 28 of 45 (62.2%) cases by immunohistochemical analysis, while in 2 of 30 (6.7%) normal tissues (P< 0.05). In ABCG2-positive tumors, adjacent non-neoplastic tissue was similarly analyzed and revealed that ABCG2 was up-regulated in gastric carcinoma. The positive rates of ABCG2 expression in poorly differentiated and/or undifferentiated carcinoma were significantly higher than those in well and/or moderately-differentiated carcinoma (P< 0.05). The mRNA expression of ABCG2 was significantly higher in gastric carcinoma tissue than that in normal gastric mucosa (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ABCG2 expression is up-regulated in gastric carcinoma. ABCG2 may be an important factor in the research of gastric cancer stem cell.

[Expression of Plexin A1 in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with tumor angiogenesis and proliferation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Plexin A1 in gastric cancer(GC) and its relationship with angiogenesis and proliferation of GC. METHODS: Plexin A1 mRNA expression in 20 cases of GC specimens and matched resected normal gastric tissue were examined by RT-PCR. Plexin A1, Ki-67, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) in 50 cases of GC specimens and 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that the expression of Plexin A1 in GC was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa(0.71 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.25, P < 0.05). MVD within tumor tissue increased significantly with Plexin A1 mRNA expression(r=0.8736, P < 0.01) and Plexin A1 protein expression (P < 0.01). The Plexin A1 expression was positively correlated with the proliferation index (Ki-67) of cancer cells (r=0.4851, P < 0.01). However, the Plexin A1 expression level had no relationship with the VEGF expression level. CONCLUSION: Plexin A1 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of GC. Plexin A1 may regulate angiogenesis, and promote the proliferation of GC cells.

Expression of semaphorin 6D in gastric carcinoma and its significance.

AIM: To investigate the protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 6D in gastric carcinoma and its significance. METHODS: The protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 6D was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting respectively in 30 cases of gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 6D in gastric carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa (0.24 +/- 0.06 vs 0.19 +/- 0.07, 0.26 +/- 0.09 vs 0.20 +/- 0.10, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Semaphorin 6D may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma, and is related to tumor angiogenesis.