Early diagenesis and benthic fluxes of redox-sensitive metals in eastern China shelf sediments

Thirteen Short sediment cores (30-50 cm) were collected from Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and Changjiang Estuary in China, and the early diagenesis of several redox sensitive metals (Fe, Mn, Mo, U and V, referring to as RSMs) in sediment were studied. The recycling process of Mo and Mn was closely correlated with each other, generating benthic fluxes diffusing upward from sediment to overlying water column, and the flux rates are related to the organic carbon oxidation rates. The recycling of U and V were more tightly coupled with Fe oxides, generating benthic fluxes going downward into the sediment in most cores. Significant authigenic accumulation of U, in contrary to little to no accumulation of Mo and V, were found in the study region, even in Changjiang Estuary where hypoxic condition was often found during summer. Benthic diffusive fluxes were compared with authigenic mass accumulate rates (MAR), which indicated that, besides the benthic diffusion process, there are other processes controlling the authigenic accumulation of the RSMs. The close relationships between authigenic accumulation of RSMs with OCburial and OCburial with Sburial, indicating the authigenic accumulation of RSMs is a consequence of redox environment in shelf sediment, which directly influencing the organic carbon degradation process. Compared with other continental margin, moderate enrichment of U was found in China continental sediment. The authigenic U accumulation in BS and NYS sediments accounted for 20 - 68% of the Yellow River input, whilst in SYS sediments accounted for ~ 64% of the Yellow River and Changjiang River input, which acting as important U sinks that cannot be ignored

Dual hydrophobic modifications toward anion exchange membranes with both high ion conductivity and excellent dimensional stability

Abstract(#br)Anion exchange membrane (AEMs) as a kind of important functional material are widely used in many fields including fuel cell, electrodialysis and water treatment. However, synthetic AEMs generally suffer a pernicious trade-off: high ion-conductive AEMs lack dimensional stability and vice versa. Herein we demonstrate a versatile strategy to prepare the AEMs with both high ion conductivity and excellent dimensional stability ( i.e. , low swelling ratio) via hydrophobic crosslinking and introducing hydrophobic chains. The hydrophobic length of crosslinkers has great influence on construction of highly efficient ion channels in the AEMs. Amazingly, the hydrophilic poly (phenylene oxide) (PPO) AEM crosslinked by 1,8-diaminooctane has the highest hydroxide conductivity that is further improved to 157.2 mS cm −1 (10% increases) with a low swelling ratio of 12.9% at 80 °C by introducing hydrophobic PPO backbone. This AEM not only overcomes the trade-off between the ion conductivity and the dimensional stability of crosslinked AEMs, but also breaks the upper bound between the ion conductivity and the water uptake. The newly developed strategy of hydrophobic dual-modifications promises to be an effective approach to develop the high-performance AEMs

Effects of Different Freezing Methods on the Quality of Sea Bass

In this study, the effects of different freezing methods namely air freezing, cryogenic freezing, freezing after dipping in a refrigerating medium consisting of 20% ethanol (V/V), 20% propylene glycol (V/V), 5 g/100 mL trehalose aqueous solution and freezing after dipping in anhydrous ethanol on the quality of sea bass were investigated. The results showed that the freezing rates of refrigerating medium freezing and anhydrous ethanol freezing were 8.20 and 6.25 cm/h, which were 32.80 and 25.00 times as high as that of air freezing, respectively. The microstructure of frozen sea bass showed that the small ice crystals formed between muscle tissues were small, and the muscle fibers were closely arranged. Refrigerating medium freezing was more conducive to maintaining the water-holding capacity (WHC) of muscle tissues and slowing down the migration of immobilized water, and had a significant effect on maintaining the freshness, texture properties and protein thermostability of fish fillets. In summary, refrigerating medium freezing can effectively slow down the quality deterioration of frozen sea bass. The results of this study will provide a theoretical and practical basis for improving the storage quality of frozen aquatic products

The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in resident intruder paradigm-induced aggressive behaviors in mice

Background: Aggressive behaviors are one of the most important negative behaviors that seriously endangers human health. Also, the central para-inflammation of microglia triggered by stress can affect neurological function, plasticity, and behavior. NLRP3 integrates stress-related signals and is a key driver of this neural para-inflammation. However, it is unclear whether the NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in the development of aggressive behaviors.Methods: First, aggressive behavior model mice were established using the resident intruder paradigm. Then, aggressive behaviors were determined with open-field tests (OFT), elevated plus-maze (EPM), and aggressive behavior tests (AT). Moreover, the expression of P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasome complexes were assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. The levels of NLRP3 and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Finally, nerve plasticity damage was observed by immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscope, and BrdU staining.Results: Overall, the resident intruder paradigm induced aggressive behaviors, activated the hippocampal P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasome, and promoted the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β in mice. Moreover, NLRP3 knockdown, administration of P2X7R antagonist (A804598), and IL-1β blocker (IL-1Ra) prevented NLRP3 inflammasome-driven inflammatory responses and ameliorated resident intruder paradigm-induced aggressive behaviors. Also, the resident intruder paradigm promoted the activation of mouse microglia, damaging synapses in the hippocampus, and suppressing hippocampal regeneration in mice. Besides, NLRP3 knockdown, administration of A804598, and IL-1Ra inhibited the activation of microglia, improved synaptic damage, and restored hippocampal regeneration.Conclusion: The NLRP3 inflammasome-driven inflammatory response contributed to resident intruder paradigm-induced aggressive behavior, which might be related to neuroplasticity. Therefore, the NLRP3 inflammasome can be a potential target to treat aggressive behavior-related mental illnesses

Pemetrexed plus Platinum as the First-Line Treatment Option for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

To compare the efficacy and toxicities of pemetrexed plus platinum with other platinum regimens in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using trials identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the trials and extracted data. The outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and different types of toxicity. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using RevMan software. Results: Four trials involving 2,518 patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC met the inclusion criteria. Pemetrexed plus platinum chemotherapy (PPC) improved survival compared with other platinum-based regimens (PBR) in patients with advanced NSCLC (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83–1.00, p = 0.04), especially in those with non-squamous histology (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77–0.98, p = 0.02). No statistically significant improvement in either PFS or RR was found in PPC group as compared with PBR group (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.94–1.13, p = 0.57; OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.95–1.39, p = 0.15, respectively). Compared with PBR, PPC led to less grade 3–4 neutropenia and leukopenia but more grade 3–4 nausea. However, hematological toxicity analysis revealed significant heterogeneities. Conclusion: Our results suggest that PPC in the first-line setting leads to a significant survival advantage with acceptable toxicities for advanced NSCLC patients, especially those with non-squamous histology, as compared with other PRB. PPC could be considered as the first-line treatment option for advanced NSCLC patients, especially those with non-squamous histology

Studies on Isolation, Purification and Gastric Mucosal Protective Activity in Vitro of Laoxianghuang Polysaccharide

In this study, Laoxianghuang polysaccharide was used as the experimental material to examine the protective effects on stomach mucosa. The polysaccharide was first extracted by hot water and then purified by Sevag methods deproteinization, DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange chromatography column, and CL-6B agarose gel column. The ethanol-damaged human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) model and the GES-1 scratch injury model were used to evaluate gastric mucosal protective activity of the polysaccharide in vitro. Results showed that six fractions of Laoxianghuang polysaccharide were obtained, including PFCP, PFCP-1, PFCP-2, PFCP-3, PFCP-2-1, and PFCP-2-2. After ethanol damaged to GES-1, each fraction of Laoxianghuang polysaccharide improved cellular activity, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) content, exhibiting good antioxidant capacity to reduce mucosal damage. Among them, PFCP-2-1 (50 μg/mL) had the best effect on improving SOD enzyme activity and reducing MDA content, and PFCP-2-1 (5 μg/mL) had the best effect on improving CAT enzyme activity, which was significant compared with the model group (P0.05). In conclusion, Laoxianghuang polysaccharide PFCP-2-1 may exert gastric mucosal protective activity by enhancing cellular antioxidant capacity as well as promoting the proliferation and migration of GES-1

Statins and the Risk of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>Several epidemiologic studies have evaluated the association between statins and lung cancer risk, whereas randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cardiovascular outcomes provide relevant data as a secondary end point. We conducted a meta-analysis of all relevant studies to examine this association.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>A systematic literature search up to March 2012 was performed in PubMed database. Study-specific risk estimates were pooled using a random-effects model.</p> <p>Results</p><p>Nineteen studies (5 RCTs and 14 observational studies) involving 38,013 lung cancer cases contributed to the analysis. They were grouped on the basis of study design, and separate meta-analyses were conducted. There was no evidence of an association between statin use and risk of lung cancer either among RCTs (relative risk [RR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–1.09), among cohort studies (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82–1.07), or among case-control studies (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.57–1.16). Low evidence of publication bias was found. However, statistically significant heterogeneity was found among cohort studies and among case-control studies. After excluding the studies contributing most to the heterogeneity, summary estimates were essentially unchanged.</p> <p>Conclusion</p><p>The results of our meta-analysis suggest that there is no association between statin use and the risk of lung cancer.</p> </div

Methodological quality of included cohort studies and case–control studies based on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

†<p>Follow-up ≥4 year.</p

In RCT studies, risk estimates of lung cancer associated with statin use.

<p>Squares indicate study-specific risk estimates (size of the square reflects the study-specific statistical weight, i.e., the inverse of the variance); horizontal lines indicate 95% confidence intervals (CIs); diamonds indicate summary risk estimate with its corresponding 95% confidence interval. Abbreviations: RR, risk ratio; AFCAPS, Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study; ALLHAT-LLT, Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial; LIPS, Lesol Intervention Prevention; 4S, Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study; HPS, Heart Protection Study; WOSCOPS, West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study.</p