Therapeutic effects of ciprofloxacin/bushenhuazhuo combination on chronic prostatitis

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effect of bushenhuazhuo (a Chinese traditional medicine) in combination with ciprofloxacin (an orthodox medicine) in chronic prostatitis (CP) therapy.Methods: A total of 160 patients who suffered from CP and received treatment in the People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou between April 2012 and June 2014 were selected and divided randomly into treatment and control groups, with 80 patients in each group. Control group was given 0.25 g ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets twice a day for 4 weeks. In addition to ciprofloxacin administration, patients in the treatment group also received a dose of bushenhuazhuo preparation twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes, quality of life as well as lecithin body and white blood cell (WBC) count in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS-WBC) were evaluated.Results: Cure rates in the treatment and control groups were 90 and 72.50 %, respectively; this difference was significant (p < 0.05). Scores for National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), WBC, and lecithin bodies in the treatment group (8.20 ± 2.20 points, 4.50 ± 1.20 points, and 28.10 ± 2.10 points, respectively) were higher (p < 0.05) than for the control group (12.20 ± 2.20, 6.30 ± 2.20, and 23.30 ± 2.90 points, respectively). The levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the treatment group (26.20 ± 3.30 and 33.80 ± 5.40 mg/L, respectively) were lower than those in the control group (37.70 ± 3.90 and 48.40 ± 3.70 mg/L, respectively), whereas the level of interleukin (IL)-10 in the treatment group (292.60 ± 23.70 mg/L) was higher (p < 0.05) than that in control group (235.80 ± 25.90 mg/L).Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin combined with the Chinese traditional medicine, bushenhuazhuo preparation, demonstrates a marked therapeutic effect in CP. Its mechanism of action may be related to decreased levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α and increased IL-10.Keywords: Bushenhuazhuo, Interferon – γ, Ciprofloxacin, Chronic prostatitis symptom inde

The Treg/Th17 Paradigm in Lung Cancer

Pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of lung cancer are very complex and not yet entirely clarified. T lymphocytes and their immune-regulatory cytokines play a pivotal role in controlling tumor growth and metastasis. Following activation by unique cytokines, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate into Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Traditionally, research in lung cancer immunity has focused almost exclusively on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Recently, Th17 cells and Tregs represent an intriguing issue to be addressed in lung cancer pathogenesis. Tregs play an important role in the preservation of self-tolerance and modulation of overall immune responses against tumor cells. Th17 cells directly or via other proinflammatory cytokines modulate antitumor immune responses. Notably, there is a close relation between Tregs and Th17 cells. However, the possible interaction between these subsets in lung cancer remains to be elucidated. In this setting, targeting Treg/Th17 balance for therapeutic purposes may represent a useful tool for lung cancer treatment in the future. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent findings of the role of these novel populations in lung cancer immunity and to highlight the pleiotropic effects of these subsets on the development and regulation of lung cancer

Perspective of Monitoring Heavy Metals by Moss Visible Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters

Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements have been mainly applied to investigate the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus in the diagnosis of environmental stress. Moss is sensitive to several abiotic stresses and is considered an environmental indicator. Therefore, moss chlorophyll fluorescence can be as a visual parameter applicable for monitoring heavy metal contaminants in water. Different from previous studies with value changes of chlorophyll fluorescence in mosses, we suggest that phenotypes with anthocyanin accumulation pattern and chlorosis pattern and colors of chlorophyll fluorescence images of the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (ΦPSII) could reflect metal species groups and concentrations roughly. And we further indicated that Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be monitored distinguishably according to the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) fluorescence of sporadic purple and sporadic lavender images, respectively. It is interesting that the fluorescence color patterns were nearly the same for all treatment concentrations. This perspective provides additional data of chlorophyll fluorescence changes in moss under cold, heat, salinity, high light or osmotic stress. Only heat stress and high light have significant effects on the fluorescence parameters of Fv/Fm and ΦPSII. In contrast, mosses are less sensitive to short-term cold, salinity, and osmotic stress. While NPQ decreases rapidly under the osmotic stress. Nevertheless, heat stress, high light or osmotic stress does not usually co-occur in the place where the moss grows. Estimation through moss chlorophyll fluorescence color patterns is still a rapid and non-invasive method to monitor heavy metal pollutions in water

Population genetics analysis of the black rockfish <em>Sebastes schlegelii</em> in Northern China based on 2b-RAD simplified genome sequencing

The black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii is an important fishery species in Japan, South Korea, and China. Overfishing has severely depleted the natural resources of S. schlegelii in recent years, leading to the initiation of programs aimed at enhancing fish stock. However, the genetic structure of northern populations remains elusive, posing challenges in collecting and preserving germplasm resources. In this study, a total of 191 S. schlegelii individuals from seven populations, including one cultured population (Changdao: CDYZ) and six wild populations (Lianyungang: LYG; Qingdao: QD; Weihai: WH; Changdao: CDYS; Beidaihe: BDH) sequenced by 2b-RAD method and their population genetics was analyzed using 27,064 SNPs obtained. The results indicated low genetic diversity in both wild and cultured populations (PIC Ho: 0.174-0.273, He: 0.173-0.234), with the cultured population exhibiting higher diversity than the wild ones. Moderate genetic differentiation existed between the cultured population and six wild populations (0.05 Fst Fst Nm > 1). This study provides a theoretical basis for conserving and rationalizing germplasm resources for S. schlegelii

Heat transfer performance of a device integrating thermosyphon with form-stable phase change materials

peer reviewedPhase change materials (PCM) are applied worldwide as a thermal energy storage technology to reduce energy demands in buildings and solve environmental contamination issues. Form-stable phase change materials (FSPCM), as one branch of PCMs, can be improved by embedding them with thermosyphon, resulting in a better thermal performance. In this paper, a novel thermoplastic elastomer-based FSPCM was developed and tested. A device integrating FSPCM with thermosyphon was created, and the heat transfer mechanism of the unit was studied. The numerical model was established, and experiments were conducted accordingly. The average relative error between the experimental data and the model predictions was <3 %. Furthermore, a parameter study was conducted to investigate the effects of several essential factors. As a result, the evaporator length and PCM thermal conductivity were found to significantly influence the unit's heat transfer rate and overall thermal performance. However, the impact of the latent heat of the FSPCM on the heat transfer rate was negligible, for which it takes 1170 s, 1230 s, and 1394 s to finish changing phase with 136 kJ/kg, 160 kJ/kg, and 200 kJ/kg, respectively. This paper provides insights on the performance of thermosyphon integrated form-stable phase change materials and discusses its relevance for thermal energy storage applications.11. Sustainable cities and communitie

Effect of Fe3+ on the nutrient removal performance and microbial community in a biofilm system

In this study, the influence of Fe3+ on N removal, microbial assembly, and species interactions in a biofilm system was determined. The results showed that maximum efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (P), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were achieved using 10 mg/L Fe3+, reaching values of 100, 78.85, 100, and 95.8%, respectively, whereas at concentrations of 15 and 30 mg/L Fe3+ suppressed the removal of NH4+-N, TN, and COD. In terms of absolute abundance, the expression of bacterial amoA, narG, nirK, and napA was maximal in the presence of 10 mg/L Fe3+ (9.18 × 105, 8.58 × 108, 1.09 × 108, and 1.07 × 109 copies/g dry weight, respectively). Irrespective of Fe3+ concentrations, the P removal efficiency remained at almost 100%. Candidatus_Competibacter (10.26–23.32%) was identified as the most abundant bacterial genus within the system. Determinism (50%) and stochasticity (50%) contributed equally to microbial community assembly. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that in the presence of Fe3+, 60.94% of OTUs in the biofilm system exhibited positive interactions, whereas 39.06% exhibited negative interactions. Within the OTU-based co-occurrence network, fourteen species were identified as key microbes. The stability of the system was found to be predominantly shaped by microbial cooperation, complemented by competition for resources or niche incompatibility. The results of this study suggested that during chemical P removal in wastewater treatment plants using biofilm methods, the concentration of supplemental Fe3+ should be maintained at 10 mg/L, which would not only contribute to P elimination, but also enhance N and COD removal