Metabolism and distribution of two major constituents of 'Xing-Nao-Jing Injection'-germacrone and curdione in rats.

Germacrone and curdione are germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids that are widely distributed and have extensive pharmacological activities; they are the main constituents of 'Xing-Nao-Jing Injection' (XNJ). Studies on the metabolic features of germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids are limited. In this study, the metabolites of germacrone and curdione were characterized by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Oribitrap mass spectrometry after they were orally administered to rats.

Refractory degradable dissolved organic matter (R-DOM) driving nitrogen removal by the electric field coupled iron‑carbon biofilter (E-ICBF): Performance and microbial mechanisms.

Researches on the advanced nitrogen (N) removal of municipal tailwater always overlooked the value of refractory degradable dissolved organic matter (R-DOM). In this study, a novel electric field coupled iron‑carbon biofilter (E-ICBF) was utilized to explore the performance and microbial changes with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the representative R-DOM. Results demonstrated that the removal efficiencies of E-ICBF for nitrate nitrogen (NO-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH-N), and total nitrogen (TN) improved by 28.

[Characteristics of Microplastic Present in Urban Road Dust].

Microplastics (MPs), as an emerging contaminant, have attracted wide attention due to their potentially negative impact on the ecosystem. However, information on microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments, especially road dust, is still rare. In this study, the microplastic pollution in road dust from the Yushan District of Ma'anshan City was characterized.

An increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor functional outcomes in older patients with acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective study.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has emerged as a predictor of functional outcome in stroke patients. However, less is known about the value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in older patients. This clinical study evaluated whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with stroke severity and early clinical outcomes in older patients with acute ischemic stroke.

[Synergy of Algal Sedimentation and Sediment Capping for Methane Emission Control in Bloom Waters].

This study tested a strategy in simulated column systems to control methane emissions from algal bloom waters using the combined technology of algae sedimentation and sediment capping. The results demonstrated that the synergy of algal sedimentation and sediment capping can effectively improve the water environment and reduce methane emissions; however, the improvement rate differed among capping materials. The use of activated carbon yielded better performance on the water environment improvement and methane emission control than soil and zeolite.

Personalised antiplatelet therapy based on pharmacogenomics in acute ischaemic minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Antiplatelet therapy combining aspirin and clopidogrel is considered to be a key intervention for acute ischaemic minor stroke (AIMS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). However, the interindividual variability in response to clopidogrel resulting from the polymorphisms in clopidogrel metabolism-related genes has greatly limited its efficacy. To date, there are no reports on individualised antiplatelet therapy for AIMS and TIA based on the genetic testing and clinical features.

Polymorphism of IFN-γ +874T/A associated with production of IFN-γ affects human papillomavirus susceptibility in rural women from Luohe, Henan, China.

Purpose: In this paper, the association between polymorphisms of IFN-γ +874T/A (rs2430561), IFN-γR1 -56 T/C (rs2234711), IFN-γR1 +95 C/T (rs7749390), and IFN-γR1 -611A/G (rs 1327474) and human papillomavirus (HPV) susceptibility was investigated in rural women from Luohe, Henan, China.

Patients And Methods: A total of 520 rural women were enrolled from Luohe, including 260 with HPV infection and mild dysplasia or less and 260 without HPV infection. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IFN-γ +874T/A, IFN-γR1 -56 T/C, IFN-γR1 +95 C/T and IFN-γR1 -611A/G were genotyped using TaqMan Pre-Designed SNP Genotyping Assays.

[Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Different Forms of Phosphorus in Three Sorts of Rivers around Lake Taihu].

Different forms of phosphorus from the upper reaches of river to lower reaches of river in nine rivers were analyzed to clarify the pollution characteristics of industrial effluent, agriculture effluent and sanitary wastewater to Lake Taihu in February (low water period), May (average water period) and August (abundant water period) of 2009. The results showed that total phosphorus (TP) dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) and soluble reactive phosphorus ( SRP) mass concentration all showed decreasing trend while enzymatic phosphorus (EHP) mass concentration increased with the increase of algal biomass from low water period to abundant water period. Mass concentrations of several forms of phosphorus were all the highest in the rivers impacted by sanitary wastewater, but sanitary wastewater's self-purification capabity from the upper reaches of river to lower reaches of river was the best, and the pollution to Lake Taihu was the lowest.

[Effect of Natural Organic Matter and Electrolytes on the Aggregation of C60 Nanoparticles in Aquatic Systems].

The ettect of natural organic matter (NOM) and electrolytes on the aggregation of G60 nanoparticles in aquatic systems was studied by using dynamic light scattering. The results showed that the concentration of C60 stable suspension prepared by toluene solvent-exchange method was about 20 mg x L(-1). The C60 nanoparticles in the suspension showed a high zeta potential and particle diameter was around 120 nm.

[Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on hippocampal p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in rats with status epilepticus and the mechanism].

Objective: To observe the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) on p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in the hippocampus of rats with status epilepticus (SE) and explore the neuroprotective mechanism of rhuEPO.

Methods: Adult male SD rats were randomized into control, PTZ, rHuEPO, LY294002 group, and DMSO groups and treated with normal saline (NS), PTZ, PTZ+rHuEPO, PTZ+LY294002+rHuEPO, and PTZ+DMSO+rHuEPO, respectively. The behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes of the rats were recorded, and the expressions of p-Akt and caspase-9 were detected using immunohistochemistry.