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Postinfectious cough (PIC) is a common symptom following a respiratory tract infection. Xingbei Zhike (XBZK) granules, a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used for PIC in clinics. However, there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness. To investigate whether treatment with XBZK granules is effective for PIC. A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible participants from fourteen hospitals were randomly assigned in 3:1 ratio to receive either XBZK granules or placebo for 14 days. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of a visual analogue scale (VAS) for cough symptoms. Secondary outcomes included cough symptom score (CSS), time and probability of recovery from cough, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, relief rates of individual symptoms, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score, and the use of reliever drug. A total of 235 patients (176 in XBZK and 59 in placebo groups) were included in the analysis. The AUC for cough VAS scores was lower in the XBZK than placebo group (−8.10, 95 % CI -14.12 to −2.07, p = 0.009), indicating superiority. XBZK decreased CSS (−0.68 points, 95 % CI −1.13 to −0.22, p = 0.01), shortened time to cough recovery (−2 days, hazard ratio [HR] 1.48, 95 % CI 1.03 to 2.13, p = 0.02), enhanced the probability of cough recovery (risk ratio [RR] 1.66, 95 % CI 1.07 to 2.58, p = 0.03), lowered TCM syndrome score (−0.99 points, 95 % CI −1.58 to −0.40, p = 0.004), increased the rate of daytime (RR 1.84, 95 % CI 1.07 to 3.15, p = 0.02) and nighttime (RR 2.07, 95 % CI 1.29 to 3.35, p = 0.004) cough recovery, and reduced the viscosity of sputum (RR 2.92, 95 % CI 1.66 to 5.13, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in LCQ scores and taking reliever drugs between groups. No severe adverse events were reported in either group. XBZK granules are a promising therapy against PIC, effective in lowering the overall severity of cough, shortening the time to cough recovery, and reducing the viscosity of sputum. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determination of a polar pesticide cartap and its metabolite using HILIC-MS/MS. • Cartap was converted into nereistoxin during storage and sample preparation. • Good chromatographic retention, high selectivity and sensitivity were achieved. • The combination of D-SPE and SPE for cleanup. • Isotopic matrix-matched standards for calibrating recovery loss and matric effects. Risk assessment of cartap residue in tea should include the exposure of cartap and its metabolite due to rapid degradation of cartap into nereistoxin. Herein, a reliable method for determination of cartap and nereistoxin in tea was developed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Target compounds were extracted with water containing 1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate. The use of dichloromethane effectively removed caffeine. Tea extracts were cleaned up by dispersive adsorbents of octadecylsilane and strong anion exchanger, then further purified using hydrophilic lipophilic balanced solid phase extraction cartridge. Isotopic internal standard was employed to calibrate the loss of analytes during sample preparation and compensate matrix effects. Method validation illustrated excellent linearity, with correlation coefficients (R2) higher than 0.999. Satisfactory recoveries of target compounds spiked in green tea, black tea and oolong tea ranged from 87.6% to 119.9% with intra- and inter-day precisions below 20%. Limits of quantification of cartap and nereistoxin were 10.0 μg kg−1, and limits of detection were 2.0 μg kg−1 for cartap and 4.0 μg kg−1 for nereistoxin. The developed method was applied to determine cartap and nereistoxin in thirty tea samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrialization in China during the last three decades has resulted in widespread contamination of Cd in agricultural soils. A considerable proportion of the rice grain grown in some areas of southern China has Cd concentrations exceeding the Chinese food limit, raising widespread concern regarding food safety. In this review, we summarize rice grain Cd concentrations in national Chinese markets and in field surveys from contaminated areas, and analyze the potential health risk associated with increased dietary Cd intake. For subsistence rice farmers living in some contaminated areas of southern China who mainly consume locally-produced Cd-contaminated rice, their estimated dietary Cd intake is now comparable to that for the population in the region of Japan where the Itai-Itai disease was first reported. Interventions must be taken urgently to reduce Cd intake for these farmers. We also analyze i) the main reasons causing elevated grain Cd concentrations in southern China, ii) the dominant biogeochemical processes controlling the solubility of Cd in paddy soils, and iii) molecular mechanisms for the uptake and translocation of Cd in rice plants. Based on these analyses, we propose a number of countermeasures to address soil Cd contamination, including i) mitigation of Cd transfer from paddy soils to rice grain, and ii) intervention in those farmers who consume home-grown Cd-contaminated rice. Liming to increase soil pH to 6.5 and gene editing biotechnology are effective strategies to decrease Cd accumulation in rice grain. For these local farmers with high-Cd exposure risk, local governments should monitor the Cd concentration in their home-grown rice and exchange those high-Cd rice with low-Cd rice in order to reduce their dietary Cd intake. Image 1 • We review the status of Cd contamination in soils and rice grain in China. • We summarize the biogeochemical processes and molecular tools to produce Cd-safe rice. • We propose a number of countermeasures to tackle soil Cd contamination. • Interventions are required for the local farmers consuming Cd-contaminated rice. This review analyzes the current status of Cd contamination in agricultural soils and rice grain in China and proposes strategies to tackle this issue, including mitigation and intervention measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apelin and Elabela (Ela) are peptides encoded by APLN and APELA, respectively, which act on their receptor APJ and play crucial roles in the body. Recent research has shown that they not only have important effects on the endocrine system, but also promote vascular development and maintain the homeostasis of myocardial cells. From a molecular biology perspective, we explored the roles of Ela and apelin in the cardiovascular system and summarized the mechanisms of apelin-APJ signaling in the progression of myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, and congenital heart disease. Evidences indicated that apelin and Ela play important roles in cardiovascular diseases, and there are many studies focused on developing apelin, Ela, and their analogues for clinical treatments. However, the literature on the therapeutic potential of apelin, Ela and their analogues and other APJ agonists in the cardiovascular system is still limited. This review summarized the regulatory pathways of apelin/ELA-APJ axis in cardiovascular function and cardiovascular-related diseases, and the therapeutic effects of their analogues in cardiovascular diseases were also included. [Display omitted] • Comprehensively discuss the role of APJ ligand apelin and Elabela in cardiovascular disease. • Elabela and apelin activate receptor APJ, and can influence functions of the cardiovascular system. • Clinical application of apelin and Elabela as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AIM2 is a target gene of miR-193b-5p. • Over expression of miR-193b-5p reduced pyroptosis and increased cell activity in OGD/R PC12 cells by AIM2 pathway. • miR-193b-5p-overexpressing exosomes had a greater effect in inhibiting AIM2 pathway-mediated pyroptosis in both in vivo and in vitro assays. • BMSC-Exos attenuate cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting AIM2 pathway-mediated pyroptosis through miR-193b-5p delivery. Ischemic stroke represents a major factor causing global morbidity and death. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes (Exos) have important effects on treating ischemic stroke. Here, we investigated the therapeutic mechanism by which BMSC-derived exosomal miR-193b-5p affects ischemic stroke. luciferase assay was performed to evaluate the regulatory relationship of miR-193b-5p with absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2). Additionally, an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model was constructed for the in vitro assay, while a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was developed for the in vivo assay. After exosome therapy, lactate dehydrogenase and MTT assays were conducted to detect cytotoxicity and cell viability, while PCR, ELISA, western blotting assay, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect changes in the levels of pyroptosis-related molecules. TTC staining and TUNEL assays were performed to assess cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In the luciferase assay, miR-193b-5p showed direct binding to the 3ʹ-untranslated region of AIM2. In both in vivo and in vitro assays, the injected exosomes could access the sites of ischemic injury and could be internalized. In the in vitro assay, compared to normal BMSC-Exos, miR-193b-5p-overexpressing BMSC-Exos showed greater effects on increasing cell viability and attenuating cytotoxicity; AIM2, GSDMD-N, and cleaved caspase-1 levels; and IL-1β/IL-18 generation. In the in vivo assay, compared to normal BMSC-Exos, miR-193b-5p-overexpressing BMSC-Exos showed greater effects on decreasing the levels of these pyroptosis-related molecules and infarct volume. BMSC-Exos attenuate the cerebral I/R injury in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting AIM2 pathway-mediated pyroptosis through miR-193b-5p delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination in some areas of southern China has resulted in elevated dietary intake of cadmium (Cd), posing a potential risk to human health. A survey of paired soil-rice (n = 200) and soil-vegetable (n = 142) samples was conducted in Xiangtan county of Hunan province, southern China. The concentrations of Cd in all the samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Dietary intakes of Cd from the consumption of locally produced rice and vegetables were estimated for different age groups. Among the 342 crop samples collected in the survey, 88% and 29% of rice grain and vegetable samples, respectively, exceeded the Chinese maximum permissible limit for Cd (0.2 mg dry weight kg −1 , 0.2 mg fresh weight kg −1 and 0.1 mg fresh weight kg −1 for rice, leafy vegetables and for rootstalk and legume vegetables, respectively). The median dietary Cd intake varied from 66.5 to 116 μg Cd kg −1 body weight (BW) month −1 , with children (4–11 years) exhibiting the highest intake. These values are 2.7–4.6 times the tolerable dietary intake of 25 μg kg −1  BW month −1 recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. For the general population in Xiangtan county, rice contributed the majority (81%) of the Cd intake with vegetables contributing only 19%. The median hazard quotient calculated from dietary Cd intake was 2.4 times the permissible level, indicating a high risk to the local residents. This study highlights an urgent need to reduce the transfer of Cd from soil to the food chain in the investigated region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of cadmium (Cd) in paddy soil is a serious environmental problem threatening food safety in some parts of southern China, where rice grain Cd concentration often exceeds the Chinese limit (0.2 mg kg −1 ). We tested the effect of CaCO 3 liming combined with growing low Cd cultivars on Cd accumulation in rice grain in 2-year field trials. A liming model was used to predict the doses of lime required. Lime (2.25–7.5 t ha −1 ) was applied in 2016 only and the effect monitored in both 2016 and 2017. Soil pH was increased from the initial 5.5 to the target value 6.5 by 7.5 t ha −1 CaCO 3 . Liming greatly reduced CaCl 2 -extractable Cd in the rhizospheric soil. Grain Cd concentration in the control exceeded the limit by 2–5 times. Liming at 7.5 t ha −1 decreased grain Cd concentration by 70–80% in both seasons without affecting grain yield. Grain Cd concentration was below the limit in the 7.5 t ha −1 liming treatment in both seasons. Grain Cd concentration correlated closely with CaCl 2 -extractable Cd in rhizospheric soil at the grain maturing stage. Seasonal difference in grain Cd concentration was attributed to the soil water status at the grain maturing stage. Liming had no significant effect on grain arsenic concentration or speciation. A single application of CaCO 3 to raise soil pH to 6.5, combined with low Cd cultivars and delayed drainage of paddy water during late grain filling stage, was highly effective at reducing Cd accumulation in rice grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrialization in China in recent decades has resulted in soil contamination in some areas, raising the concern about food safety. Consumption of rice represents a major exposure route for the toxic elements cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). We collected 160 polished rice from local markets in 20 provinces in China and determined total Cd and As concentrations and As speciation. Total Cd concentration ranged from below the detection limit to 0.77 mg kg −1 , with 10% of the samples exceeding the Chinese limit (0.2 mg kg −1 ). Rice Cd concentration showed a distinct geographical pattern, increasing from low levels in the north to high levels in the south of China. Median daily Cd intake from rice varied from 0.01 μg kg −1 body weight in the north to 0.61 μg kg −1 body weight in the south of China, representing between 1% and 73% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) recommended by FAO/WHO. The highest median Cd intake from rice was in Hunan province with 2 times TDI. Total As concentration ranged from 0.011 to 0.186 mg kg −1 , with inorganic As (iAs) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAs) on average accounting for 69% and 31%, respectively. All samples were below the Chinese limit for iAs in rice (0.2 mg kg −1 ). There was no clear geographical pattern in rice total As concentration, but rice produced in northeastern China contained higher percentages of DMAs and lower percentages of iAs. This study highlights a high risk of Cd exposure from rice consumption for the population of southern China and suggested strategies for reducing Cd accumulation in rice crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast, sensitive and reliable method for the determination of fipronil and its metabolites in tea and chrysanthemum was developed using a modified QuEChERS technique and an ultra performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The mixture of adsorbents containing primary secondary amine (PSA), octadecylsilane (C 18 ) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), was used as QuEChERS adsorbents. The use of mass resolution at 70000 full width at half maximum (FWHM) and narrow mass windows at 5 ppm achieved high selectivity and repeatability. Satisfactory linearity with correlative coefficient (R 2 ) higher than 0.996 was achieved for all compounds. Recoveries at three levels (2, 10 and 50 μg kg −1 ) ranged from 86% to 112%, while the intra- and inter-day accuracies were less than 15%. Limits of quantification for fipronil and its metabolites were 2 μg kg −1 , which fulfils the requirement of maximum residue limits formulated by European Union and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method was developed for the determination of atropine and scopolamine in buckwheat and related products. A modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction procedure was evaluated. Dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) was studied as clean-up step, using graphitized black carbon (GBC) and primary secondary amine (PSA). The extract was diluted with water (50:50, v/v ) prior to chromatographic analysis. The method was validated and recoveries (except chia samples spiked at 10 μg/kg) ranged from 75% to 92%. Intra and inter-day precision was lower than or equal to 17%. The limit of quantification of atropine and scopolamine was 0.4 and 2 μg/kg, respectively. Eight types of samples (buckwheat, wheat, soy, buckwheat flour, buckwheat noodle, amaranth grain, chia seeds and peeled millet) were analyzed. Target compounds were not found above the detection limits of the method, but three transformation products of scopolamine (norscopine, hydroscopolamine and dihydroxyscopolamine) were putative identified in the tested samples using high resolution mass spectrometry (Exactive-Orbitrap). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide residues could be transferred from tea into its infusion and by-products, and subsequently consumed by humans. Extra extraction conditions may induce more pesticide leaching into the infusion and by-products of tea and cause greater damage to humans. The aim of this study is to evaluate the infusion of multiple pesticides from green tea into hot water via pressurized liquid extraction. The results showed that pesticides in spiked samples generally have higher leaching (0.8–45.0%) than those in the positive samples. There was a marked rise of transfer rates when water solubility increased from 20 mg L −1 to 450 mg L −1 and LogKow decreased from 6 to 4. All pesticides had more leaching into hot water using pressurized liquid extraction than traditional tea brewing. This study helps in risk assessment of pesticide residues and in the formulation of maximum residue levels (MRLs) in tea and its by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batch nitrification tests were conducted with sludge and wastewater streams obtained from field implementations to evaluate nitrification inhibition and efficiency of a nitrifiers bioaugmentation technology at full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The results showed that the substrate organic carbon and pH of wastewater streams were inhibitory factors to nitrification and the low pH was the cause of the WWTP experiencing poor nitrification. An ammonia-nitrogen removal rate of 0.21 mg-N/g MLVSS-h was observed at pH 6.5, while the rate increased to 0.54 mg-N/g MLVSS-h with an introduction of 6% bioaugmented nitrifiers, indicating that the integrated side-stream nitrifiers bioaugmentation process was beneficial in improving nitrification efficiency, even under low pH conditions not conducive to nitrification. The study provides new insights into effective upgrading of municipal WWTPs exposed to poor nitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The residues of gibberellic acid (GA3) in tea shoots, made tea, and tea infusion were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass (UPLC-MS/MS) to study its degradation pattern during tea planting, processing, and brewing. The dissipation rate of GA3 was described using first-order kinetics. Its half-life ranged from 1.67 to 2.01days in tea shoots. Degradation and concentration during green tea processing had equally important functions on GA3 residues in product intermediates and made tea. Except for water content, little GA3 residue difference was found in tea shoots and made tea. GA3 dissipated rapidly in the baking stage during processing. The transfer coefficient of GA3 residues from made tea to infusion was from 26.23% to 54.55%. GA3 extraction efficiency varied with different infusion times and concentrations of GA3 in made tea. This research revealed that GA3 may be safe when applied in tea gardens at suitable doses and picking intervals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Representing the staple crop for half of the world population, rice can accumulate high levels of cadmium (Cd) in its grain, posing concerns on food safety. Different soil amendments have been proposed to decrease Cd accumulation in rice grain by either decreasing soil Cd availability, introducing competitive ions on Cd uptake, or down-regulating the expression of transporters for Cd uptake. However, the effectiveness of soil amendments applied alone or in combinations needs to be tested under field conditions. Here, we present results of field trials with two rice cultivars differing in Cd accumulation grown at three field sites in southern China in two years, to investigate the effects of two Mn-containing soil amendments (MnO 2 , Mn-loaded biochar (MB)), Si fertilizer (Si), limestone, and K 2 SO 4 , as well as interactions among MnO 2 , Si, and limestone on decreasing Cd accumulation in rice grain. We found that single applications of MnO 2 or MB to acidic soils low in Mn decreased grain Cd concentrations by 44–53 % or 78–82 %, respectively, over two years without decrease in performance. These effects were comparable to or greater than those induced by limestone liming alone (45–62 %). Strong interactions between MnO 2 and limestone resulting from their influence on soil extractable Cd and Mn led to non-additive effects on lowering grain Cd. MB addition minimized grain Cd concentrations, primarily by increasing extractable and dissolved Mn concentrations, but also by decreasing Cd extractability in soil. In comparison, Si and K 2 SO 4 amendments affected grain Cd levels only weakly. We conclude that the amendments that decrease labile Cd and increase labile Mn in soils are most effective at reducing Cd accumulation in rice grain, thus contributing to food safety. [Display omitted] • Soil Mn amendment can effectively decrease Cd accumulation in rice grain on acidic soils low in Mn. • Non-additive interactions between soil liming and MnO 2 amendment on grain Cd were discovered using a factorial treatment design. • Mn-loaded biochar was most effective in decreasing grain Cd by simultaneously increasing extractable Mn and decreasing extractable Cd of field-moist soils at rice grain-filling stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium bioavailability in paddy soils is strongly affected by flooding-draining cycle. In this study, we used synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy and a stirred-flow method to investigate the effects of flooding-draining and amendments of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 on Cd speciation and release kinetics from a Cd-spiked paddy soil (total Cd concentration of 165 mg kg−1). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis showed that Cd was predominantly bound to non-iron-clay minerals (e.g. Cd-kaolinite, Cd-illite, and Cd-montmorillonite, accounting for 60–100%) in the air-dried soil and 1- or 7-day flooded samples. After prolonged flooding (30 and 120 days), Cd-iron mineral complexes (e.g. Cd bound to ferrihydrite and goethite) became the predominant species (accounting for 52–100%). Stirred-flow kinetic analysis showed that both prolonged flooding and the amendments with CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 decreased the maximum amount and the rate coefficient of Cd release. However, the effect of prolonged flooding was reversed after a short period of draining, indicating that although Cd was immobilized during flooding, it became mobile rapidly after the soil was drained, possibly due to pH decrease and rapid oxidation of CdS. The effects of the amendments on Cd uptake in rice plants were tested in a pot experiment using the same paddy soil without Cd spiking (total Cd 2.1 mg kg−1). Amendment with CaCO 3 and, to a lesser extent, CaSO 4 , decreased the Cd accumulation in two cultivars of rice. The combination of CaCO 3 amendment and a low Cd accumulating cultivar was effective at limiting grain Cd concentration to below the 0.2 mg kg−1 limit. Image 1 • Soil amendments and flooding-draining cycle impact paddy soil Cd speciation and release kinetics. • Cd bound to iron minerals predominated after long-term flooding. • Cd immobilized during flooding became mobile rapidly after draining. • CaCO 3 amendment was effective at decreasing Cd accumulation in rice grain. Capsule: Flooding changed cadmium speciation in a paddy soil and decreased Cd release kinetics. However, Cd immobilized during flooding became mobile rapidly after drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel method for simultaneous determination of 38 PCBs in tea using GC–MS/MS. • D-SPE combined with PVPP adsorbent effectively removed tea matrices. • Satisfactory sensitivity and recovery were obtained for most PCBs. • Different tea samples (green, oolong and black tea) were analyzed. A gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of 38 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tea. Sample preparation was based on a dispersive solid phase extraction procedure through an extraction of target compounds. An appropriate amount of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone was directly added in tea extractions to effectively remove polyphenols, and then tea extracts were cleaned up with primary secondary amine, florisil and graphitised carbon black. The method was validated, and linearity with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99 was obtained. Satisfactory recoveries at 2, 10, 50, and 100 µg kg−1 ranged from 71% to 117% with a maximum relative standard deviation of 23%, except for PCB 81, 77, 126 and 169, of which recoveries were in the range of 32%–63%. Limits of quantitation for PCBs were 2 or 10 µg kg−1, which was set as the lowest validated and spiked level meeting the acceptable accuracy and precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]