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Hyperuricemia is a prevalent metabolic disorder that arises from abnormal purine metabolism and reduced excretion of uric acid (UA). The gut microbiota plays a significant role in the biosynthesis and excretion of UA. Probiotics capable of purine degradation possess the potential to prevent hyperuricemia. Our study aimed to screen probiotics in areas with abundant dairy products and longevity populations in China, which could attenuate the level of UA and explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, twenty-three lactic acid bacteria isolated from healthy Chinese infant feces and traditional fermented foods such as hurood and lump milk were evaluated for the ability to tolerance acid, bile, artificial gastric juice, and artificial intestinal juice to determine the potential of the candidate strains as probiotics. Eight strains were identified as possessing superior tolerance to simulated intestinal conditions and were further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), revealing that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 (Lact-1) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HCS17-040 (Lact-2) possess the most potent ability to degrade purine nucleosides. The effect of Lact-1 and Lact-2 on hyperuricemia was evaluated by intervening with them in the potassium oxonate and adenine-induced hyperuricemia Balb/c mice model in vivo. Our results showed that the level of serum UA in hyperuricemic mice can be efficiently reduced via the oral administration of Lact-1 (p < 0.05). It significantly inhibited the levels of liver inflammatory cytokines and hepatic xanthine oxidase through a TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway across the gut–liver axis. Furthermore, UA transporters ABCG2 and SLC2A9 were substantially upregulated by the intervention of this probiotic. Fecal ATP levels were significantly induced, while fecal xanthine dehydrogenase and allantoinase levels were increased following probiotics. RNA sequencing of HT-29 cells line treated with Lact-1 and its metabolites demonstrated significant regulation of pathways related to hyperuricemia. In summary, these findings demonstrate that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 possesses a capacity to ameliorate hyperuricemia by inhibiting UA biosynthesis via enhancing gastrointestinal barrier functions and promoting UA removal through the upregulation of urate transporters, thereby providing a basis for the probiotic formulation by targeting the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease-19 disease originated in China by the end of 2019 and has spread all over the world, with many casualties reported since then. Research for the discovery of effective pharmaceuticals is going on around the world. Pharmaceutical scientists are keenly interested in revealing the capacities of a large number of already existing molecules in molecular and drug databases to fight against coronavirus. We identified several triazole and quinazolinone derivatives from molecular databases that share key pharmacophore features with oxadiazole, a known drug-like compound, and conducted computational analysis to evaluate their ability to bind with the envelope protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. The molecules were screened for their absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion properties and drug-likeness using the SwissADME webserver. Out of a large number of molecules investigated, six were reported in this work that showed appreciable binding energy values. In vitro, in vivo toxicological studies and clinical trials have to be conducted to get the complete picture of their efficiency and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) is a natural plant resource widely used as a food and herbal medication in China. Glycycoumarin (GCM) is a major coumarin in licorice that possesses several biological activities. However, little is known about its pharmacokinetic profile. The present study aimed to describe the oral absorption, tissue distribution, and excretion of GCM in rats. Free (parent drug) and/or total (parent drug plus the glucuronidated metabolite) GCM in biological samples was quantified before and after the hydrolysis reaction with ß-glucuronidase using a reliable LC-MS/MS method. The results indicated that GCM was rapidly absorbed and transformed into its conjugated metabolites after administration. Free GCM plasma concentrations after i. v. (10 mg/kg) administration quickly decreased with an average t1/2,λz of 0.71 h, whereas the totalGCMconcentration reduced slowly with a t1/2, λz of 2.46 h. The area under the curve of glucuronidated metabolites was approximately four-times higher than that of free GCM. Presumably, because of hepatic and/or intestinal tract first-pass metabolism, GCM exhibited a poor bioavailability of 9.22%, as estimated from its total plasma concentration. Additionally, GCM was distributed rapidly and widely in various tissues except the brain. The liver had the highest concentration; further, GCM was promptly eliminated from test tissues after intraperitoneal (20 mg/kg) administration, but only a small amount of GCM was excreted via bile and urine. Overall, GCM is absorbed and rapidly transformed into its conjugated metabolites with low bioavailability; further, it is distributed in various tissues, except the brain. These pharmacokinetic results are helpful for better understanding the characteristics and pharmacological effects of GCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uncertainty remains about the association of potassium (K) intake with depression and anxiety status. We explored their relationship using 24‐h urinary K, reflecting K intake, in general population. Methods: We collected 24‐h urine and performed self‐rating depression and anxiety scales (SDS, SAS) cross‐sectionally in adults selected by random sampling in China. SDS and SAS standard score ≥50 defined depression and anxiety status. Participants were divided into three groups (T1, T2, and T3) by 24‐h urinary K tertile. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding anti‐hypertensive agent takers. Results: 546 participants comprised current analytical sample. First, T1 and T2 groups showed higher SDS scores (40.0 vs 40.0 vs 36.0, p =.001), prevalence (19.8 vs 15.9 vs 7.1%, p =.002), whereas increased adjusted odds for depression status only in T1 group (OR = 2.71, p =.017), compared with T3 group. Second, T1 and T2 groups showed higher SAS scores (38.0 vs 40 vs 35.0, p <.001) and prevalence (14.8 vs 21.4 vs 8.8%, p =.003), whereas increased adjusted odds for anxiety status only in T2 group (OR = 2.07, p =.042), compared with T3 groups. Third, T1 and T2 groups showed higher prevalence (10.4% vs 11.5% vs 2.7%, p =.004) and adjusted odds (OR = 3.71, p =.013; OR = 3.66, p =.014) for co‐existent anxiety and depression status, compared with T3 group. Most results remained consistent in sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Lower K intake is implicated in presence of anxiety and depression status in general population; this may provide basis for programs to increase K intake and prevent disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the relationship of sodium, potassium and the ratio of sodium to potassium (Na/K) with albuminuria, a cross-sectional study was carried out in China in 2017. Sodium, potassium and albumin excretions were examined in a 24-h (h) urine sample collected from 1486 participants. Microalbuminuria was defined as 24-h urinary albumin excretion between 30 and 300 mg/24 h. The participants had an average age of 46.2 ± 14.1 years old, and 48.9% were men. The proportion of patients with microalbuminuria was 9.0%. As illustrated by the adjusted generalized linear mixed model, sodium concentration increased significantly with the increase in 24-h urinary albumin (β = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–1.93; P = 0.003). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the odds ratio (OR) of microalbuminuria increased with the quartiles of sodium [OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.26–3.84 (the maximum quartile vs. the minimum quartile), Pfor trend = 0.006]. Potassium and the Na/K ratio did not have any association with outcome indicators. A high amount of sodium intake was potentially correlated with early renal function impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texts from pre-imperial and early imperial China are replete with dietary information, regimens for nourishing the body and instructions on how not to soil its inner purity. Sources have far less to say about the body's effluvia and the waste and muck that is shed and excreted by human and non-human animals. This article studies references to excreta and excretion in early China. It shows how human and animal faeces as well as the locus of excretion connoted both negative and positive spheres. Excreta were deemed noxious yet also beneficial, they were to be discarded yet also reused. Latrines were liminal zones, operating at the intersection of social propriety and physical and moral rejection. The process of excretion made the body vulnerable to external influences such as demonic illness, yet faecal matter of itself also had medicinal healing powers. In agriculture, matter exuded was matter used to fecundate and fertilize crops. The waste and human nightsoil that accumulated in the concealed domestic space of the latrine and pigpen ended up as sought-after produce infusing life into seeds, fields, and public productivity. By bringing together evidence across a range of textual and material sources – from latrines, to pigs, to a line in the Laozi 老子 and its commentaries – this article traces excretory experience and matter through its cycle from defecation to regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the association between sodium and potassium consumption levels, hypertension and knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) toward salt and the commitment to effective sodium reduction and potassium supplementation to achieve the purpose of suppressing hypertension. A stratified multistage random sampling method was used to obtain a representative provincial sample of 7512 residents aged 18–69 years through a cross-sectional survey by the Salt Reduction and Hypertension Prevention Project (SRHPP) in Zhejiang Province of China in 2017–2018. A screening including demographic, anthropometric, salt-related KAB and physical measurements was implemented, and 24-h urine of approximately 1/5 of the participants was collected and tested. The mean age was 44.8 years, 50.1% were women, 44.0% lived in urban areas, and hypertension or prehypertension accounted for approximately 35.0%. The mean 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion were 3848.5 (1661.1) mg/d and 1491.1 (710.9) mg/d, respectively. KAB in urban areas was generally more favorable than in rural areas, women were better than men, and the optimal blood pressure group was better than the other two groups (P < 0.05). However, the awareness and correct use rate of salt-restricted spoons, low-sodium salt and nutrition labeling were lower. A multivariable linear regression model indicated that KAB had a smaller effect on sodium (two indicators effective for promoting sodium reduction) and a greater effect on potassium (six indicators effective for promoting potassium supplementation) and mainly focused on knowledge and behavior indicators. A multivariable logistic regression model indicated that mastering more knowledge and taking active measures could effectively reduce the transition to hypertension, even if the individual was already in prehypertension. There is much room for improvement of salt-related KAB in the Chinese population. A clear association indicates that KAB can help to reduce sodium and supplement potassium, especially potassium, and help to suppress the development of hypertension. The role of beliefs in KAB should be fully valued and improved, similar to knowledge and behaviors. This study provides important evidence and insight into China's efforts to meet the targets of salt reduction and hypertension prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory wild birds can carry various pathogens, such as influenza A virus, which can spread to globally and cause disease outbreaks and epidemics. Continuous epidemiological surveillance of migratory wild birds is of great significance for the early warning, prevention, and control of epidemics. To investigate the pathogen infection status of migratory wild birds in eastern China, fecal samples were collected from wetlands to conduct pathogen surveillance. The results showed that duck orthoreovirus (DRV) and goose parvovirus (GPV) nucleic acid were detected positive in the fecal samples collected from wild ducks, egrets, and swan. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes reveals that the isolates were closely related to the prevalent strains in the regions involved in East Asian-Australasian (EAA) migratory flyway. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes confirmed that they were closely related to circulating strains in the regions involved in the EAA migration pathway. The findings of this study have expanded the host range of the orthoreovirus and parvovirus, and revealed possible virus transmission between wild migratory birds and poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YY-20394, a highly selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, is under NDA submission for treating follicular lymphoma in China. The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of YY-20394 were evaluated in healthy Chinese male subjects following a single oral dose of 80 mg [14C]YY-20394 (100 µCi). Within 264 h post-dose, 92.1% of the administered dose was recovered, with 58.1% from urine and 34.0% from faeces. YY-20394 was rapidly absorbed in humans, and the peak plasma concentrations occurred at 1.0 h. The absorbed drug fraction was at least 58.1% according to urine recovery. In addition to the parent drug, nine metabolites were identified in plasma, urine, and faeces. Unchanged YY-20394 was the predominant drug-related component in plasma (accounting for 68.4% of the total radioactivity), urine (accounting for 90.0% of the urinary radioactivity) and faeces (accounting for 41.7% of the faecal radioactivity). In humans, the major metabolic sites were the morphine ring and side chains of piperidine rings. The major metabolic pathways involved N-dealkylation, O-dealkylation, glucuronidation and acetylation. Overall, renal elimination played a significant role in the disposition of YY-20394, and the morphine ring and the side chain of the piperidine ring was the predominant metabolic sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Medical Products Administration has authorized sodium oligomannate for treating mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. In this study, an LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to quantitate sodium oligomannate in different biomatrices. The plasma pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion of sodium oligomannate in Sprague-Dawley rats and beagle dogs were systematically investigated. Despite its complicated structural composition, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profiles of the oligosaccharides in sodium oligomannate of different sizes and terminal derivatives were indiscriminate. Sodium oligomannate mainly crossed the gastrointestinal epithelium through paracellular transport following oral administration, with very low oral bioavailability in rats (0.6%–1.6%) and dogs (4.5%–9.3%). Absorbed sodium oligomannate mainly resided in circulating body fluids in free form with minimal distribution into erythrocytes and major tissues. Sodium oligomannate could penetrate the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier of rats, showing a constant area under the concentration-time curve ratio (CSF/plasma) of approximately 5%. The cumulative urinary excretion of sodium oligomannate was commensurate with its oral bioavailability, supporting that excretion was predominantly renal, whereas no obvious biliary secretion was observed following a single oral dose to bile duct-cannulated rats. Moreover, only 33.7% (male) and 26.3% (female) of the oral dose were recovered in the rat excreta within 96 h following a single oral administration, suggesting that the intestinal flora may have ingested a portion of unabsorbed sodium oligomannate as a nutrient. [Display omitted] • ADME profiles of sodium oligomannate oligosaccharides were indiscriminate. • An LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the ADME study of sodium oligomannate. • Sodium oligomannate was absorbed through paracellular transport with very low BA. • Approximately 5% of sodium oligomannate penetrated the blood–CSF barrier of rats. • The absorbed drug was excreted through the kidney; unabsorbed drug was excreted in feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TPN729, a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), is in phase II clinical trials in China. Previous studies suggested that TPN729 possesses promising therapeutic value. In previous non-radiolabeled rat excretion studies, the recovery of TPN729 and its major metabolites accounted for approximately 8.58% of the administration dose in urine and faeces by 48 h post-dose. To solve this problem and further study the metabolism of TPN729 in rats, we used the radio-isotopic tracing technique for the first time. In this study, the mass balance, tissue distribution, and metabolism of TPN729 were evaluated in rats after a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg [14C]TPN729 (150 μCi/kg). At 168 h post-dose, the mean total radioactivity recovery of the dose was 92.13%. Faeces was the major excretion route, accounting for 74.63% of the dose, and urine excretion accounted for 17.50%. After oral administration of [14C]TPN729, radioactivity was widely distributed in all examined tissues, and a higher radioactivity concentration was observed in the stomach, large intestine, lung, liver, small intestine, and eyes. The concentration of drug-related materials were similar in plasma and blood cells. A total of 51 metabolites were identified in rat plasma, urine, faeces, and bile, and the predominant metabolically susceptible position of TPN729 was the pyrrolidine moiety. The main metabolic pathways were N-dealkylation, oxidation, and dehydrogenation. In summary, we solved the previous problem of low drug recovery, elucidated the major excretion pathway, determined the tissue distribution patterns, and investigated the metabolism of TPN729 in rats by using a radioisotopic tracing technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives]This study aimed to explore the effect of temperature on the energy metabolism of Solenaia oleivira with different sizes, further perfect the physiological energetics data of S. oleivira, and guide the large-scale artifical cultivation of S. oleivira in China. [Methods]The effects of five temperatures(15,20,25,30 and 35 ℃)on the oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, ingestion rate and assimilation rate of juvenile, young and adult S. oleivira were studied through using the stagnant water method under controlled, and the energy budget equations under different temperatures were established. [Results]Temperature had significant effects on oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, ingestion rate and assimilation rate of S. oleivira. The oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate,ingestion rate and assimilation rate of juvenile, young and adult S. oleivira all increased first and then decreased with the increase of temperature, where the oxygen consumption rate and ingestion rate reached the maximum values at 30 ℃,and the ammonia excretion rate and assimilation rate reached the maximum values at 25 ℃; the sizes had significant effects on oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, ingestion rate and assimilation rate of S. oleivira. The ingestion rate, oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate of juveniles were significantly higher than those of young and adult S. oleivira. In their energy allocation strategies, the respiratory energy accounted for the largest proportion(22.01%-94.90%),followed by defecation energy(9.47%-59.69%),growth energy(-25.39%-56.33%),and excretion energy(0.37%-20.08%)successively. The proportion occupied by growth energy in the ingestion energy of S. oleivira increased first and then decreased with the increase of temperature, and reached the peak value at 20 ℃ or 25 ℃,and reached the lowest value at 15 ℃. The proportion of growth energy of juvenile, young and adult S. oleivira were high at 25-35 ℃,20-30 ℃ and 15-30 ℃, respectively, and the temperature ranges that they were adaptable to were expanded with their growth. [Conclusions]The metabolic physiology and ingestion physiology of S. oleivira were significantly influenced by the temperature and sizes. Within the temperature of 20-25 ℃,the proportion of growth energy in ingestion energy was high, so the temperature range was more suitable for their growth. The temperature range suitable for the growth of S. oleivira was gradually expanded with sizes increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tebipenem pivoxil (TBPM-PI), an oral carbapenem antibiotic, has shown special advantages in pediatric infections and was in urgent need in China. Although pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion, and metabolite information of its active form tebipenem (TBPM) has been reported, ethnic differences may exist among the Chinese and Japanese population. By now, no systematic pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion, metabolites, or safety information has been revealed to the Chinese population. The purpose of the present work was to investigate abovementioned information of TBPM-PI granules after oral single ascending doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg in Chinese volunteers. Based on the pharmacokinetic study, the urine pharmaco-metabolomic analysis was conducted to reveal metabolomic interruptions and metabolite information. The study design was a single-center, open-label, randomized, single-dose pharmacokinetic study of 36 healthy volunteers (with half of them being male and the other half female). Time to maximum concentration (T max) was reached at 0.50, 0.50, or 0.67 h for 100, 200, or 400 mg, respectively. The linear pharmacokinetic characteristic of maximum plasma concentration (C max) was detected over 100–200 mg. The area under the concentration time curve (AUC) was proportional to the dose in the range of 100–400 mg. The maximum urinary excretion rate was detected at 0–1 or 1–2 h for dose of 100 or 200–400 mg. Cumulative amount of TBPM excreted in urine by 24 h accounted up to 90, 95, and 80% of dose administered for three groups, respectively. The pharmaco-metabolomic analysis revealed urine metabolic trajectory of deviation at 0–1 or 1–2 h and gradually regressing back to the pre-dose group at the following time periods. Urine metabolites from M1 to M4 were identified, indicating ethnic difference in metabolites among the Chinese or Japanese population. The current work proved safety and tolerance of single-dose administration of oral TBPM-PI in Chinese healthy volunteers over doses of 100–400 mg. All these results provide pharmacokinetics, urine excretion, urine metabolomics, urine metabolites, and safety information in healthy Chinese volunteers after oral single ascending doses of TBPM-PI, benefitting further development and clinical utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background High salt intake is a known risk factor of hypertension, which in turn increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for predicting 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (UNa24h) using casual urine specimens in Chinese hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 966 patients with hypertension were included from 8 provinces across China. A UNa24h prediction model (Sun_C method) was developed for males and females using linear regression based on age, weight, sodium concentration in the spot urine (UNaspot), and creatinine concentration in the spot urine (UCrspot). The data were split into the training (70%) and testing (30%) sets to, respectively, develop and evaluate the Sun_C method. Results Compared with the Kawasaki, INTERSALT, and Tanaka methods, Sun_C method achieved a low and consistent mean bias (1.1 mmol/d) within the range from 106 to 212 mmol/d of UNa24h (equivalent to NaCl intake of 6–12 g/d). In addition, the Sun_C method showed no significant difference between the measured and estimated UNa24h in a paired t -test (P = 0.689). At individual level, Sun_C method had 79.8% of individuals at the cutoff under ±30% level. Conclusions Sun_C method may prove a reasonable method to estimate the daily dietary sodium intakes (particularly in the range of 6–12 g/d of NaCl) in Chinese hypertensive patients using spot urine measurements. As the amount of data increases in the future, the performance of our formulae will be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flonoltinib Maleate (FM) is a dual-target inhibitor that selectively suppresses Janus kinase 2/FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (JAK2/FLT3), which is currently in phase I/IIa clinical trial in China for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In this research, we used [14C]-labeled FM (14C-FM) to investigate the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of FM in rats using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry/Radioactivity Monitoring (HPLC-HRMS/RAM) and liquid scintillation counter. The results revealed that FM displayed widespread distribution in rats. Furthermore, FM demonstrated rapid clearance without any observed risk of organ toxicity attributed to accumulation. Profiling of FM metabolites in rat plasma, feces, urine, and bile identified a total of 17 distinct metabolites, comprising 7 phase I metabolites and 10 phase II metabolites. The major metabolic reactions involved oxygenation, dealkylation, methylation, sulfation, glucuronidation and glutathione conjugation. Based on these findings, a putative metabolic pathway of FM in rats was proposed. The overall recovery rate in the excretion experiment ranged from 93.04 % to 94.74 %. The results indicated that FM undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism in SD rats, with the majority being excreted through bile as metabolites and ultimately eliminated via feces. A minor fraction of FM (<10 %) was excreted through renal excretion in the form of urine. Integration of the current results with previous pharmacokinetic investigations of FM in rats and dogs enables a comprehensive elucidation of the in vivo ADME processes and characteristics of FM, thereby establishing a solid foundation for subsequent clinical investigations of FM. [Display omitted] • Distribution, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]-Flonoltinib in rats investigated. • Wide distribution, rapid clearance, no risk of organ toxicity due to accumulation found. • 17 metabolites identified in rat plasma, feces, urine, and bile. • Main route is hepatic metabolism by excretion via bile and elimination through feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined Na intake and identified the major food sources of Na in healthy Chinese adults aged ≥50 years in Hong Kong.Design: Participants who completed a baseline assessment of a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of exercise and nutrition supplementation on improving physical and cognitive functions were included. A single 24-h urine sample and a 3-d diet record were used to measure urinary Na excretion and dietary intake, respectively. The compliances to the WHO (<5 g/d) and China Nutrition Society (<6 g/d) recommendations for salt intake were assessed based on the urinary Na excretion. The relative contribution of sixteen food groups to the dietary Na intake was expressed as percentages. Associations between food groups and urinary Na excretion were analysed using multiple linear regression.Setting: Community facilities.Participants: Totally, 114 healthy Chinese adults (mean age 60·6 years, 55 % women).Results: The mean urinary Na excretion over 24-h was 2876·6 ± 1249·4 mg/d (7·3 ± 3·2 g salt/d). Overall, 22·8 % of participants met the WHO recommendation and 34·2 % met the Chinese Nutrition Society recommendation for salt intake. The major food sources of dietary Na intake were condiments (42·4 %), cereals and their products (16·8 %) and soups (13·5 %). Higher intakes of seafood and nuts were associated with lower urinary Na excretion.Conclusions: Public health strategies should target healthy Chinese adults in Hong Kong to modify the current patterns of Na intake. Targeting condiments, cereals and their products and soups will be an important strategy to reduce their Na intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China, the largest producer and user of antibiotics in the world, discharges excessive amounts of these substances into the environment, without prior treatment. This results in ubiquitous distribution of these substances, as well as increased levels of drug-resistant bacteria, that will eventually cause unimaginable consequences to the environment and to humans. However, most of the research on antibiotics has focused on residue analysis of single medium such as wastewater and landfills. There is paucity of research that systematically investigates the fate of antibiotics after excretion, and specifically of end-treatment processes. In this paper, the fate of antibiotic emissions is systematically calculated. The results show that human and livestock feces account for 57.6% and 42.6% of the discharge of medicinal antibiotics and veterinary antibiotics, respectively. Of these feces types, pig feces accounted for 98.7% of antibiotic residues in livestock feces. The above conclusions can be used to clarify the direction of the tracking and supervision of antibiotic residues and provide new ideas for the treatment of antibiotics, especially their terminal removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, a new goose astrovirus (GAstrV) was reported in China, which causes 2 to 20% deaths in 4- to 16-day-old goslings causing great damages to the livestock industry. Gout is the typical feature of GAstrV infection in goslings. However, the mechanism of gout formation remains unclear. In the present study, 2-day-old goslings were infected intramuscularly with GAstrV for 14 D. One quarter of the infected goslings died, and typical gout pathological changes were found in the dead infected goslings. Pathological changes were observed in the morphology of the kidney and liver, such as degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Accordingly, a high virus load was found in both organs. The serum level of uric acid in the inoculated goslings was higher, whereas no differences were found in levels of creatinine, calcium, and phosphorus. Moreover, the xanthine dehydrogenase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities and the mRNA levels of xanthine dehydrogenase, adenosine deaminase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1 in livers increased, wheres the multidrug resistance– associated protein 4 mRNA level and Na-K-ATPase activity in the kidneys decreased. These results showed that GAstrV infection could cause lesions on the liver and kidney and then increase the expression or activity of enzymes related to uric acid production in the liver and decrease renal excretion function, which contribute to hyperuricemia and gout formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Low sodium and high potassium intake is reported to be a risk of hypertension. However, it is uncertain whether these associations can be generalized to those without hypertension. This study is to evaluate the associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) with estimated urinary sodium excretion (eUNaE), estimated urinary potassium excretion (eUKE) and their ratio (Na/K ratio) among hypertensive, normotensive, and hypotensive Chinese individuals.Methods and Study Design: A large institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Third Xiangya Hospital, Changsha between August 2017 and November 2018. Spot urine samples were collected to test urinary sodium, potassium, and creatinine excretions for each participant. The Kawasaki formula was used to estimate 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretions.Results: A total of 26,363 eligible subjects were used to analyze the associations of blood pressure with eUNaE, eUKE, and their ratio. 27.3% (n=7,201) of participants were diagnosed with hypertension, 5.4% (n=1,427) were diagnosed with hypotension, and the remaining of 17,735 participants were normotensive. A significant increase in SBP and DBP was related to the Na/K ratio increase in hypertensive and normotensive subgroups (all ptrend<0.01), but the association was not significant for DBP among hypotensive individuals (ptrend=0.58). Stronger associations of SBP with the Na/K ratio were observed in older people (pinteraction<0.01) and females (pinteraction<0.0001), but the same trend was not observed for DBP (pinteraction=0.10 and 0.88, respectively).Conclusions: High potassium and low sodium intake were further confirmed to reduce blood pressure in hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High alkaline environment can lead to respiratory alkalosis and ammonia toxification to freshwater fish. However, the Amur ide (Leuciscus waleckii), which inhabits an extremely alkaline lake in China with titratable alkalinity up to 53.57 mM (pH 9.6) has developed special physiological and molecular mechanisms to adapt to such an environment. Nevertheless, how the Amur ide can maintain acid-base balance and perform ammonia detoxification effectively remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to study the ammonia excretion rate (T amm), total nitrogen accumulation in blood and tissues, including identification, expression, and localization of ammonia-related transporters in gills of both the alkali and freshwater forms of the Amur ide. The results showed that the freshwater form Amur ide does not have a perfect ammonia excretion mechanism exposed to high-alkaline condition. Nevertheless, the alkali form of Amur ide was able to excrete ammonia better than freshwater from Amur ide, which was facilitated by the ionocytes transporters (Rhbg , Rhcg1 , Na+/H+ exchanger 2 (NHE2), and V-type H+ ATPase (VHA)) in the gills. Converting ammonia into urea served as an ammonia detoxication strategy to reduced endogenous ammonia accumulation under high-alkaline environment. • Amur ide thrives in extreme alkali-saline lake. • A unique physiological and molecular mechanism for ammonia excretion. • Gill Rh proteins and H+ transporters actively facilitate ammonia excretion. • Decrease in endogenous ammonia accumulation and maintain acid-base balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huai'an area in Jiangsu Province of East China is an endemic region of esophageal cancer (EC). The regional heterogeneity of EC suggests that the levels of potential carcinogens might vary throughout the environment. It has been suggested that the most likely carcinogens related to EC are a group known as the N-nitrosamines. In this study, we measured the concentrations of nine nitrosamines in drinking water and human urine in two areas in China, one with a high incidence of EC (Huai'an) and one with a low incidence (Nanjing). Among the nine target analytes, N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine (NDPA), N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPyr), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and N-nitrosomorpholine (NMor) occurred at higher concentrations in drinking water in the high incidence area. Inhabitants from the high incidence area also had urinary excretions with significantly higher concentrations of NDEA, NDBA, N-nitrosopiperidine (NPip) and N-nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA). These findings indicated that people in the high EC incidence area were exposed to higher levels of nitrosamines. However, the association between the incidence of EC and nitrosamines exposure will need to be evaluated in more detail. • Esophageal cancer (EC) is a complex disease with regional heterogeneity. • The high EC incidence area was shown to have higher nitrosamines contamination. • NDPA, NDBA, NDEA, NPyr and NMor were enriched in the drinking water. • Urinary concentrations of NDEA, NDBA, NPip and NDphA were higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has one of the highest salt intake levels in the world, and Chinese people form one of the largest foreign-born communities now living in Europe. The present study was performed to assess 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion in Chinese migrants in Italy and to explore possible associations with hypertension, hypertension awareness, and length of residence in Italy. A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted on 319 first-generation Chinese migrants (154 women and 165 men) aged 18–70 years. Subjects were asked to do a 24-hour urine collection and the relationships of urinary sodium and potassium and arterial blood pressure, hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or anti-hypertensive drug use), hypertension awareness, and years of residence in Italy were investigated with linear or logistic regression analysis. Sodium excretion was 145.2 mmol/day (95%CI 138.0–152.3) in men, and 134.7 (95%CI 127.6–141.8) in women corresponding to a dietary salt intake of 9.4 g/day (95%CI 9.0–9.9) and 8.8 (95%CI 8.3–9.2) respectively. Potassium excretion was 35.1 mmol/day (95%CI 33.6–36.5), with no significant difference by gender. At multivariable adjusted linear regression analysis body mass index, low education level, and hypertension were positive predictors of sodium urinary excretion; gender (women), and body mass index were positive predictors of potassium excretion. Sodium and potassium excretion were unaffected by hypertension awareness or years of residence in Italy. Sodium excretion in Chinese workers is higher than recommended and in line with high salt intake in Italy. Potassium consumption remains low. • Daily sodium excretion of Chinese migrants was in line with the high sodium intake in Italy, while potassium excretion was markedly lower. • The area of origin in China remains a proxy for sodium and potassium intake after migration • Hypertension awareness is a powerful drive to treatment for Chinese in Italy whereas the importance of salt intake reduction is not appreciated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metalaxyl (MET) and myclobutanil (MYC) are two widely used chiral fungicides that may pose health risks to non-occupationally exposed populations. Here, the two fungicides were enantiomer-specific quantified in the dietary food and urine of residents in an Eastern China city, to determine the exposure and excretion of these contaminants in different populations. Results indicate that residues of MET and MYC varied with different food items at 0.42–0.86 ng/g fresh weight (FW) and 0.18–0.33 ng/g FW, respectively. In urine samples, the residual levels after creatinine adjusting (CR) ranged from 10.2 to 1715.4 ng/g CR for MET and were below the detection limit up to 320.7 ng/g CR for MYC. Significant age- and gender-related differences were separately found in urinary MET and MYC of different populations. Monte-Carlo simulations suggested that children had higher daily dietary intake (DDI) but lower urinary excretion (DUE) rates than youths, and thus may suffer higher body burdens. The residues of antifungally ineffective enantiomers (S -MET and R -MYC) were slightly higher than their antipodes in foods. Moreover, the enantiomer-selective urinary excretion resulted in higher retention of S -MET and R -MYC in the human body. Our results suggest that both dietary intake and urinary excretion should be enantiomer-specifically considered when assessing the exposure risk and body burden of chiral fungicides in the non-occupationally exposed population. Furthermore, substitutive application of enantiomer-enriched fungicide formulations can not only benefit the antifungal efficacy but also be safer for human health. [Display omitted] • Metalaxyl and myclobutanil were enantiomer-specifically detected in food and urine. • Urinary excretion of metalaxyl and myclobutanil were age- and gender-dependent. • Children intake more metalaxyl and myclobutanil but excrete less than youths. • Antifungally ineffective enantiomers brought extra burden to the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) was intimately correlated with vascular stiffness and abnormal ankle brachial index (ABI) in various populations. These correlations lost significance after adjustment for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), indicating that the association of UA and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) or ABI might be driven by kidney function. UA is predominantly eliminated through the kidneys, and metabolic disorders can influence the clearance of UA. In this study, we aimed to explore the putative correlation between FEUA and baPWV or ABI to determine to what extent the associations with UA were affected by renal function. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 2351 participants, who underwent general health screening in Hanzhong people’s hospital from March to June of 2017. BaPWV and ABI were measured using a volume-plethysmographic apparatus (BP-203RPEII; Nihon Colin, Tokyo, Japan). FEUA was divided into quartiles: Q1:FEUA≤3.07; Q2: 3.07 9.19. Results: Lower FEUA predicted a higher prevalence of high baPWV and low ABI (p for trend <0.001). The respective ORs for high baPWV from the first to the third quartiles of FEUA were 1.777(1.323, 2.387); 1.561(1.158, 2.104); and 1.680 (1.250, 2.259). The prevalence of low ABI was greatly elevated with the decrement of FEUA [ORs for the first to third FEUA quartiles were 6.977(2.062, 23.610); 5.123(1.475, 17.790); and 2.685(0.709, 10.171), respectively]. The association of FEUA and ABI was independent of related confounding factors. However, the association between FEUA and baPWV was greatly influenced by corresponding confounders, especially gender. The efficacy of FEUA in the prediction of low ABI was stronger than that of serum UA. However, serum UA was more powerful in the prediction of high baPWV. Conclusion: Kidney function exerted a profound influence on the relationship between UA and baPWV or ABI, revealing complex interactions among cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fruquintinib (HMPL-013) is a novel, potent, and highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (1, 2 and 3). This study was conducted to investigate the metabolism, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of HMPL-013 after a single oral dose to healthy Chinese men.Methods: Six subjects were administrated an oral suspension containing 5 mg of 14C-labeled HMPL-013 (100 μCi) in a fasted state. Blood and excreta samples were collected at the designated time points or intervals for pharmacokinetics and radiometric analyses. Safety assessments were conducted throughout the study.Results: Over a 336-h post-dose collection period, mean recovery was 90.11% of the radiolabeled dose, with 60.31% in urine and 29.80% in feces. Mean C max, AUC0-∞, and T max for HMPL-013 in plasma were 113 ng/mL, 4797 h ng/mL, and 2 h, respectively. Radioactivity and HMPL-013 were cleared from circulation with terminal half-lives of 41.1 and 33.4 h. HMPL-013 was the predominant circulating radioactive component, representing 72.48% of the total radioactivity. M11 was the major circulating metabolite, accounting for 17.31% of the total radioactivity. An additional seven circulating metabolites were identified, each accounting for less than 5% of the total radioactivity. In urine, HMPL-013 accounted for only 0.50% of the administered dose. Three major metabolites M285, M381, and M409-4 were identified in urine accounting for 10.48, 21.16, and 8.92% of the dose, respectively. In feces, HMPL-013 accounted for 5.34% of the dose. M205, M365-2, and M380 were the major metabolites, accounting for 2.29, 3.30, and 2.59% of the dose, respectively.Conclusion: HMPL-013 was well tolerated and absorbed rapidly, with parent compound being the predominant circulating component. HMPL-013 was extensively metabolized prior to excretion, and urine was the major route of excretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry are an important source of fecal contamination in environments. However, tools for detecting and tracking this fecal contamination are in the early stages of development. In practice, we have found that source tracking methods targeting the 16S rRNA genes of poultry-specific microbiota are not sufficiently sensitive. We therefore developed two quantitative PCR assays for detection of poultry fecal contamination, by targeting chicken and duck mitochondrial genes: NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 ( ND5) and cytochrome b ( cytb). The sensitivity of both assays was 100% when tested on 50 chicken and duck fecal samples from 10 provinces of China. These assays were also tested in field samples, including soil and water collected adjacent to duck farms, and soils fertilized with chicken manure. Poultry mitochondrial DNA was detected in most of these samples, indicating that the assays are a robust method for monitoring environmental contamination with poultry feces. Complemented with existing indicators of fecal contamination, these markers should improve the efficiency and accuracy of microbial source tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the validity of urinary iodine excretion ( UIE) estimated by urinary iodine/creatinine ratio ( UI/Cr) from spot urines in Chinese school-age children. Design A cross-sectional survey was performed in which twice-repeated collections of 24-h urine, and spot urine samples were obtained within 1 month. Measurements Urinary iodine concentration ( UIC), urinary creatinine concentration ( UCr), urine volume (Uvol) of spot and 24-h urine samples were measured. Measured 24-h UIE was calculated from 24-h UIC multiplied by 24-h Uvol, while the estimated 24-h UIE was calculated from spot UI/Cr multiplied by 24-h urinary creatinine excretion (24-h UCrE). Results No significant difference was observed in 24-h Uvol between two repeated collections ( P = 0·70), while spot UIC, 24-h UIC, spot UI/Cr and measured 24-h UIE were significantly different ( P < 0·05). The estimated 24-h UIE was 247 (136-431) μg/day in the first collection, lower than the measured 24-h UIE of 329 (183-536) μg/day ( P < 0·001), while no significant difference was observed ( P = 0·30) in the second sampling as the estimated 24-h UIE was 355 (168-624) μg/day and the measured 24-h UIE 350 (181-615) μg/day. The spot UIC ( r = 0·57, P < 0·001), spot UI/Cr ( r = 0·63, P < 0·001) and the estimated 24-h UIE ( r = 0·83, P < 0·001) were strongly correlated with the measured 24-h UIE in the first collection. Likewise, in the second sampling, spot UIC ( r = 0·60, P < 0·001), spot UI/Cr ( r = 0·72, P < 0·001) and the estimated 24-h UIE ( r = 0·89, P < 0·001) were also correlated with measured 24-h UIE. The Bland-Altman results indicated 95% of subjects were expected to locate within the limits of agreement ( LOA), but showed an underestimation of the urinary iodine excretion by the estimated 24-h UIE. In addition, moderate-to-good agreement was found for the estimated and measured 24-h UIE, with kappa values of 0·55 and 0·66. Conclusions Estimated 24-h UIE by UI/Cr ratio from spot urine could represent a valid and reliable alternative for measured 24-h UIE in estimating iodine excretion in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Albuminuria is a risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. However, little is known about the association of 24 h urinary sodium and potassium excretion with albuminuria in China. The aim of this study was to examine this association by analyzing the data from 1,975 Chinese adults living in north China.Methods and Study Design: Excretion of urinary sodium, potassium and albumin was assessed in a single 24-h urine sample for each participant. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured and body mass index was determined as weight divided by square height. Fasting blood sample was collected and fasting glucose was measured.Results: The average 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion were 232 mmol and 40.8 mmol, resulting a mean sodium to potassium ratio of 6.7. The median (Q1-Q3) 24-h urinary albuminuria excretion was 6.1 mg (4.5-8.7 mg). Overall, urinary sodium excretion was positively associated with albumin excretion (β=0.029, p<0.001). This association was independent of major cardiovascular risk factors including age, gender, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, fasting glucose, waist circumference, hypertensive drug treatment, and smoking. Moreover, the relation of sodium and albumin was similar in the subgroups stratified by gender, adiposity and diabetic status. No significant associations of potassium excretion or sodium to potassium ratio with urinary albumin excretion were observed.Conclusions: In cross-sectional analyses, high sodium intake was shown to be associated with increased urinary albuminuria in the general Chinese adult population, supporting salt restriction for renal and cardiovascular health benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of 24 h urinary Na excretion and Na:K with obesity in Chinese adults.Design: Population-based cross-sectional study using a four-stage stratified sampling strategy.Setting: Shandong Province, China.Subjects: Chinese adults (n 1906) aged 18-69 years who provided complete 24 h urine samples.Results: Odds of obesity increased significantly across increasing quartiles of urinary Na excretion (1·00, 1·54, 1·69 and 2·52, respectively, for overweight; 1·00, 1·20, 1·50, and 2·03, respectively, for obesity; 1·00, 1·44, 1·85 and 2·53, respectively, for abdominal obesity (assessed by waist circumference); and 1·00, 1·28, 1·44 and 1·75, respectively, for abdominal obesity (assessed by waist-to-height ratio); P for linear trend <0·001 for all). In addition, odds of abdominal obesity, but not odds of overweight and obesity, increased significantly with successive Na:K quartiles. Additionally, for each increment in urinary Na excretion of 100 mmol, odds of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity (by waist circumference) and abdominal obesity (by waist-to-height ratio) increased significantly by 46 %, 39 %, 55 % and 33 %, respectively. Similarly, with a 1 sd increase in Na:K, odds of abdominal obesity (by waist circumference) and abdominal obesity (by waist-to-height ratio) increased significantly by 12 % and 15 %, respectively.Conclusions: These findings suggest that 24 h urinary Na excretion and Na:K might be important risk factors for obesity in Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are commonly used in our daily life. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (BP-3), 4-hydroxy benzophenone (4-HBP), 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone (BP-1), 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy benzophenone (BP-2) and 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (BP-8) were measured in urine samples from Chinese young adults. The results indicated that Chinese young adults were widely exposed to BP-3, BP-1, and 4-HBP, with the median concentrations of 0.55, 0.21, and 0.08 ng/mL, respectively. No significant difference was found between males and females, between urban and rural population. The correlations between urinary concentrations provided important indications for sources and metabolic pathways of target compounds. The estimated daily excretion doses of BP-3, 4-HBP, BP-1, BP-2 and BP-8 were 27.2, 2.24, 5.86, 0.76 and 0.30 ng/kg-bw/day, respectively. The ratio of exposure to excretion must be considered for the exposure assessment with chemicals based on urine measurement. This is the first nationwide study on BP-derivatives with young adults in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient (N and P) fluxes via excretion by macrozoobenthos were estimated in a Chinese large shallow lake (Lake Taihu). The spatial variation in nutrient fluxes and the differences of specific excretion rate among six dominant species were quantified. The distribution of dominant species varied significantly among different trophic lake areas. The maximum biomass of macrozoobenthos was calculated in phytoplankton-dominated lake areas, while the minimum occurred in macrophyte-dominated lake areas. Mass-specific excretion rate among six dominant species was significantly different. Our results indicated that nutrient flux through benthic invertebrate varied spatially, which was affected by dominant benthic species composition and biomass.Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri,Corbicula flumineaandBellamya aeruginosamade the greatest contribution to the total nutrient fluxes in Lake Taihu. N and P fluxes excreted by macrozoobenthos were greatest in phytoplankton-dominated lake areas (1037.7 μmol N m−2d−1and 111.74 μmol P m−2d−1), which were almost 20 times greater than in the other lake areas. Since N and P excreted by macrozoobenthos could be rapidly absorbed by algae, macrozoobenthos might be a significant nutrient source contributing to frequent algal blooms in Lake Taihu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroids are excreted from humans and animals and discharged with wastewaters into the environment, resulting in potential adverse effects on organisms. Based on the excretion rates from different groups of humans and animals, the emissions of seven steroids (estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), testosterone (T), androsterone (A), progesterone (P), and cortisol (C)) were comprehensively estimated in 58 river basins of whole China, and their multimedia fate was simulated by using a level III fugacity multimedia model. The results showed that higher emission densities for the steroids were found in the river basins of east China than in west China. This distribution was found to be generally similar to the distribution of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) across China. E3, A, and P displayed higher emission densities than the other steroids in most of the river basins. The total excretion of steroids by humans and animals in China was estimated to be 3069 t/yr. The excretion of steroids from animals was two times larger than that from humans. After various treatments, the total emission of steroids was reduced to 2486 t/yr, of which more than 80% was discharged into the water compartment. The predicted concentrations in water were within an order of magnitude of the measured concentrations available in the literature. Owing to wastewater irrigation, more steroid mass loadings in agricultural soil were found in the basins of Haihe River and Huaihe River in comparison with the other river basins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the emissions and multimedia fate of seven steroids in the river basins of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High-throughput screening of active components of Xiaoke pills in vivo. • Rapid research strategy of TCM's in vivo ADME process. • First report on complete and efficient ADME analysis strategy of TCM for zebrafish. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in clinical settings for over 2000 years in China. The study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of TCM in vivo could be beneficial for the discovery of the active components in TCM. However, the conventional strategies used for ADME research are based on rodent models and have the characteristics of lengthy experimental periods, complex processes, and extensive data processing, which make it difficult to perform rapid analyses and high-throughput ADME screening of the medicinal components of TCM. In this study, an integrated high-throughput research strategy for the in vivo ADME analysis of TCM was established based on a zebrafish model. Accordingly, a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging, and in-house non-targeted precise-and-thorough background-subtraction (PATBS) data post-processing techniques were successfully applied for the analysis of the metabolism of zebrafish exposed to Xiaoke pills. A total of 49 compounds related to Xiaoke pills (including 13 prototypical components and 36 metabolites) were detected in zebrafish. In total, 32 of them, including puerarin, daidzein, deoxyschizandrin, formononetin, and glibenclamide, which have been identified to have hypoglycemic activity in our previous studies and are phase I and phase II metabolites resulting from the hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and glycosylation of the prototypical components in vivo , were found in rats treated with Xiaoke pills. Furthermore, the overall distribution of the known compounds in zebrafish exposed to Xiaoke pills was explored using DESI-MS. In summary, this study provides a practical approach for the high-throughput screening of the active components of TCM using a zebrafish model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an improved salt-restriction spoon on the attitude of salt-restriction, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (24HUNa). Design: A community intervention study. Setting: Two villages in Beijing. Participants: 403 local adult residents being responsible for home cooking. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group were provided with an improved salt-restriction-spoon and health education, and were informed of their actual salt intake and 24HUNa. Not any intervention was given to those in the control group. Main Outcome Measures: The scores on the variables of Health Belief Model, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24HUNa. Analysis: Covariance analyses, Chi-square tests, Student’s t tests, and repeated measures analyses of variance. Results: After 6 months of intervention, the intervention group felt significantly less objective barriers, and got access to significantly more cues to action as compared to the control group. The using rate and the correctly using rate of salt-restriction-spoon were significantly higher in the intervention group. The daily salt intake decreased by 1.42 g in the intervention group and by 0.28 g in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 7.044, P<0.001) and significant difference between groups by time (F = 2.589, P = 0.041). The 24HUNa decreased by 34.84 mmol in the intervention group and by 33.65 mmol in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 14.648, P<0.001) without significant difference between groups by time (F = 0.222, P = 0.870). Conclusions: The intervention effect was acceptable, therefore, the improved salt-restriction-spoon and corresponding health education could be considered as an alternative for salt reduction strategy in China and other countries where salt intake comes mainly from home cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Diosbulbin B (DB) is the main constituent of furano-norditerpenes in Dioscorea bulbifera Linn., which is widely distributed in China and was usually used as a remedy for sore throat, struma and tumor. Owing to its potential antitumor activity, DB has been considered as a promising candidate for drug development. Aim of the study: To study the pharmacokinetic properties and excretion of DB in rats by a sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method. Absolute bioavailability and gender-related pharmacokinetic properties, as well as excretion fractions of DB in urine and feces after oral and intravenous administrations would be addressed for the first time. Materials and methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were administrated orally (32mg/kg) and intravenously (0.5mg/kg) of DB, respectively. The concentrations of DB in rat plasma were determined by a sensitive and well-validated LC–MS/MS method. Main pharmacokinetic parameters including area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC), elimination half time (t 1/2), mean residence time (MRT), apparent volume of distribution (V d) and clearance rate (CL) were estimated using a non-compartmental pharmacokinetics data analysis software. Urine and feces of rats were collected within 48h after oral administration (32mg/kg) and detected by UPLC–MS/MS and HPLC, respectively. Results: The standard curves of DB in rat plasma and urine showed good linearity in the concentration range of 1.0–515ng/mL in the method, with acceptable selectivity, precisions, recoveries, and stability. The oral absolute bioavailability of DB in female rats was 2.0%, significantly higher than that of males (0.3%) (p<0.05). Female rats demonstrated longer t 1/2 and MRT (p<0.01), bigger V d and higher CL (p<0.05) than males after intravenous administration of DB. Bigger but no significant difference in excretion fractions of urine and feces in female rats were observed, comparing to those in males. Conclusion: A simple and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was developed to determine the pharmacokinetic profiles of DB in rats, as well as the excretion in rat urine. Gender exerted a significant influence on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of DB in rats. Female rats showed significantly better absorption of DB than males after oral administration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Arctiin, an important lignan compound in Fructus Arctii, has been reported to possess various kinds of bioactivities. Previous studies on the pharmacokinetic of arctiin after oral administration showed that it had a rapid absorption phase followed by a sharp but lasting disappearance. To gain deep insight into the action mechanism of arctiin, the excretion and metabolism of arctiin in vivo should be further studied. In this paper, three metabolites were isolated and identified in rat feces as (−)-enterolactone (M-1), (−)-arctigenin (M-2) and [(2R,3R)-2-(3′-hydroxybenzyl)-3-(3″,4″-dimethoxybenzyl)-butyrolactone] (M-3). Based on the structures of three metabolites, possible metabolic pathways of arctiin in rats are proposed. At the same time, the cumulative excretion rate of arctiin and its metabolites in rat urine and feces were determined, indicating that arctiin was excreted 19.84% in urine and 1.80% in feces, respectively, enterolactone, the most main metabolite, was excreted 35.80% in feces. These results provide very important information for understanding the metabolism and excretion of arctiin in vivo and speculating its action mechanism, they can provide useful information and reference for further metabolic investigations on arctiin in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper evaluated the excretion masses and environmental occurrence of 11 classes of 50 antibiotics in six typical swine and dairy cattle farms in southern China. Animal feeds, wastewater and solid manure samples as well as environmental samples (soil, stream and well water) were collected in December 2010 from these farms. Twenty eight antibiotics, including tetracyclines, bacitracin, lincomycin, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, ceftiofur, trimethoprim, macrolides, and florfenicol, were detected in the feeds, animal wastes and receiving environments. The normalized daily excretion masses per swine and cattle were estimated to be 18.2mg/day/swine and 4.24mg/day/cattle. Chlortetracycline (11.6mg/day/swine), bacitracin (3.81mg/day/swine), lincomycin (1.19mg/day/swine) and tetracycline (1.04mg/day/swine) were the main contributors to the normalized daily excretion masses of antibiotics per swine, while chlortetracycline (3.66mg/day/cattle) contributed 86% of the normalized daily excretion masses of antibiotics per cattle. Based on the survey of feeds and animal wastes from the swine farms and interview with the farmers, antibiotics excreted by swine were mainly originated from the feeds, while antibiotics excreted by dairy cattle were mainly from the injection route. If we assume that the swine and cattle in China excrete the same masses of antibiotics as the selected livestock farms, the total excretion mass by swine and cattle per annum in China could reach 3,080,000kg/year and 164,000kg/year. Various antibiotics such as sulfonamides, tetracyclines, fluroquinolones, macrolides, trimethoprim, lincomycin and florfenicol were detected in well water, stream and field soil, suggesting that livestock farms could be an important pollution source of various antibiotics to the receiving environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. has been traditionally used in China as antitussive and expectorant herbs, and newly used in the clinical treatment of leukemia in recent years. Aim: To investigate whether gender exerted a significant influence on the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of peimine and peiminine in Sprague-Dawley rats who were given a single oral administration of 4.25g/kg Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. extract. Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into two groups based on the gender and orally administered 4.25g/kg Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. extract for each individual pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion study. Results: Compared with female rats, peimine and peiminine were eliminated slowly from male rat plasma, and significant gender-related differences were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters. Drug blood and tissue levels in male rats were significantly higher than the female counterparts except for several tissues, such as fat, muscle and skin. Gender also exerted a significant influence on the urine excretion but such effect was not observed in the feces excretion study. Conclusions: Gender exerted a significant influence on the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and urine excretion of peimine and peiminine. It is assumed that the sex-associated differences of peimine and peiminine in rats might be mainly result from sex-dependent expression and activity of drug metabolism enzymes and P-glycoprotein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fate and occurrence of fourteen androgens, four estrogens, five glucocorticoids and five progestagens were investigated in three swine farms and three dairy cattle farms with different farming scales and wastes disposal systems in China. Twenty-one, 22, and 12 of total 28 steroids were detected in feces samples with concentrations ranging from below method limit of quantitation (

Due to a long history of extensive mercury mining and smelting activities, local residents in Wanshan, China, are suffering from elevated mercury exposure. The objective of the present study was to study the effects of oral supplementation with selenium-enriched yeast in these long-term mercury-exposed populations. One hundred and three volunteers from Wanshan area were recruited and 53 of them were supplemented with 100 μg of organic selenium daily as selenium-enriched yeast while 50 of them were supplemented with the nonselenium-enriched yeast for 3 months. The effects of selenium supplementation on urinary mercury, selenium, and oxidative stress-related biomarkers including malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine were assessed. This 3-month selenium supplementation trial indicated that organic selenium supplementation could increase mercury excretion and decrease urinary malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mussels were maintained for 4weeks under different combinations of dissolved oxygen concentration (1.5, 3.0 and 6.0mgO2 l−1) and salinity (15, 20, 25 and 30) in a 3×4 factorial design experiment. Clearance rate (CR), absorption efficiency (AE), respiration rate (RR) and scope for growth (SFG) decreased with decreasing salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO), while excretion rate (ER) increased with decreasing salinity and increasing DO. The O:N ratio was <10 at salinities of 15 and 20, irrespective of DO levels. SFG was negative in most of the treatments, except for those under 6.0mgO2 l−1 or at a salinity of 30 when DO was lower. The results may help explain the distribution pattern of Perna viridis in Hong Kong waters and provide guidelines for mussel culture site selection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The major challenge for measles elimination is to harness sufficient political will to provide the necessary financial and human resources. This is particularly relevant for local governments (at county and township levels in China) and communities that generally have not accepted measles as a serious health burden and thus have not made its prevention a high priority. An effort has been made to use surveillance data to harness political will and overcome or mitigate the shortage of resources in the impoverished province of Guangxi, one of China's 31 administrative divisions. A comprehensive information system collecting data pertaining to Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI-info) was refined to align with China's political system and translate international and national commitments into sustainable local actions. The EPI-info has proved an effective tool in identifying high-risk areas, strengthening routine immunization services, conducting mass measles immunization campaigns, and catalyzing capacity building at both county and local community levels. We outline the principles and operational features of the EPI-info and the rationale and steps taken to refine it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine [12·3 g nitrogen (N) L−1], collected from native Tan sheep in rangeland of the Loess Plateau in north-western China, was applied to vegetation patches dominated by Stipa bungeana (C3 grass) or Pennisetum flaccidum, (C4 grass) at either 0, 1·0, 2·0 or 4·0 L urine m−2 in early-, mid-, or late-growing season, and herbage mass and tiller number per sample recorded, allowing calculation of the respective contributions of increases in tiller weight and tiller density to the response from N in urine. Such records were made three times in the growing season of application of urine, and at the end of the following growing season. Responses to urine were of the order of 1 and 5 kg herbage DM kg−1 N applied for S. bungeana and P. flaccidum, respectively. Except for early-season application, responses of S. bungeana were mainly expressed in the season following urine application whereas responses of P. flaccidum tended to be expressed within the year of urine application, although with a residual response in the following year. The general pattern was for a tiller density-mediated response in the period immediately after application, followed later by a tiller weight-mediated response. Taken together with other recent research, S. bungeana can be considered a stress-tolerating species with a limited response to N application and P. flaccidum an opportunist species able to capitalize on increased N supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Herbage intake of grazing ruminants is a crucial information for evaluating grazing systems. Since direct measurement of herbage intake is impossible, it is often estimated based on measurement of faecal excretion and digestibility of ingested herbage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the external inert marker titanium dioxide (TiO2) for estimating faecal excretion. Stall feeding and grazing experiments were conducted in Inner Mongolia, People''s Republic of China, to determine faecal recovery of TiO2, time to reach equilibrium of intake and excretion of TiO2 after initial administration, the effects of frequency and time of marker administration and of grab sampling on excretion pattern of TiO2, and to evaluate prediction accuracy of faecal excretion. The overall mean of the recoveries in the different experiments (n =7) amounted to 1.04 (S.D.=0.05; range=0.96–1.09). However, in the stall feeding experiments, faecal recovery of TiO2 was higher (P<0.001) in hay diets than in diets with hay and concentrate feed with 1.08 and 0.99, respectively. Furthermore, faecal recovery was higher for sheep at high (5 sheep/ha) than low (2 sheep/ha) stocking rate (1.07 versus 1.00; P=0.014). The equilibrium of intake and excretion of TiO2 was reached 5 days after initial TiO2 administration. Faecal TiO2 concentrations differed between grab samples obtained at three times within a day. The variation in faecal TiO2 concentration was smaller and accuracy of prediction of faecal excretion was higher with twice than once daily TiO2 administration and grab sampling. In conclusion, these experiments show that TiO2 is a reliable marker for estimating faecal excretion in grazing sheep. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Pravastatin is a potent cholesterol-lowering agent; ~34% of an oral dose of pravastatin is eliminated unchanged through biliary and urinary excretion. Rifampicin is an inducer of drug metabolism enzymes, and it affects the activities of transporters involved in pravastatin disposition. Drug-drug interaction between rifampicin and pravastatin is possible because of the effects of rifampicin on the activities of drug transporters. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of a single oral dose of rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin. Methods: Healthy Chinese male volunteers were recruited for this 2-phase, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive either rifam-picin or placebo concomitantly with pravastatin. All subjects received a 20-mg oral dose of pravastatin on days 1 and 9, separated by an 8-day washout period. Subjects in the rifampicin group received a single 600-mg oral dose of rifampicin on day 1 and placebo on day 9; those in the placebo group received placebo on day 1 and a single 600-mg oral dose of rifampicin on day 9. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine plasma concentrations of pravastatin for up to 12 hours after administration. Results: Twelve volunteers participated in the study (6 per group). The mean (SD) age of the subjects was 20 (2) years (range, 18–25 years). The mean height of the subjects was 174 (4) cm (range, 168–180 cm), and the mean weight was 69.2 (3.7) kg (range, 65–77 kg). The mean pharmacokinetic parameters for pravastatin that changed significantly were as follows (rifampicin and placebo groups, respectively): Cmax (315.7 [227.2] and 115.8 [77.5] ng · mL−1 [P = 0.009]); AUC0–12 (604.8 [73.3] and 259.0 [133.4] ng · h · mL−1 [P < 0.001]); AUC0–∞) (623.3 [248.8] and 275.1 [58.5] ng · h · mL−1 [P < 0.001]); and apparent oral clearance (CL/F) (0.52 [0.18] and 1.30 [0.58] L · h−1 · kg−1 [P < 0.001]). No significant changes in the Tmax or t½ of pravastatin were observed. All subjects tolerated pravastatin well during both phases of the study, with or without coadministration of rifampicin. None of the subjects withdrew from the study. Conclusion: Coadministration of a single oral dose of rifampicin significantly increased the plasma concentration of pravastatin in this group of healthy Chinese male subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents abstracts of several studies on environmental geochemistry. Some of the abstracts presented include "Biogeochemical Cycling of Nutrients in Karstic Catchments, Southwestern China: Linkages to Changes of Eco-Environments," by Congqiang Liu and "Emerging Organic Contamination in China," by Guibin Jiang and colleagues.

Even though the chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have been on the environmental pollution agenda throughout the last 50 years it is a class of chemicals that only now is discussed in terms of an emerging issue with extensive annual publication rates. Major reviews on CPs have been produced, but a deeper understanding of the chemical fate of CPs, including formation of metabolites in animals and humans, is still missing. Thus, the present review aims to critically compile our present knowledge on the disposition, i.e. Adsorption, Disposition, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) of CPs in biota and to identify research needs. We conclude that CPs could be effectively absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract (GI) tract, and probably also from the lungs, and transported to various organs. A biphasic elimination is suggested, with a rapid initial phase followed by a terminal phase, the latter (e.g., fat tissues) covering half-lives of weeks and months. CPs are metabolized in the liver and excreted mainly via the bile and faeces, and the metabolic rate and type of metabolites are dependent on chlorine content and chain length. Results that strengthen CP metabolism are in vivo findings of phase II metabolites in bile, and CP degradation to carbon fragments in experimental animals. Still the metabolic transformations of CPs are poorly studied, and no metabolic scheme has yet been presented. Further, toxicokinetic mass balance calculations suggest that a large part of a given dose (not found as parent compound) is transformation products of CPs, and in vitro metabolism studies present numerous CP metabolites (e.g., chloroalkenes, chlorinated ketones, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids)., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

• We investigated the fate of 40 steroid hormones in two swine farms. • 31 and 22 target steroids were detected in the wastewater and feces. • The two integrated WWTPs are effective in removing steroids. • The contribution of some steroids by sows was higher than byhumans. Steroid hormones are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can cause adverse effects even at trace levels. The information about steroid hormones in animal wastes is still very limited. Here we investigated the occurrence and fate of fourteen androgens, twenty-one progestogens, and five glucocorticoids in Farm Luo Cheng (LC) and Farm Shui Tai (ST) with integrated wastewater treatment systems (WTSs) in South China. These two integrated systems have four stages: primary treatment (primary sedimentation tank), secondary biological treatment (biogas digester and up-flow anaerobic sludge reaction bed (UASB)), third-stage disinfection process, and fourth-stage dilution and further biodegradation process (oxidation fish ponds/lagoons). A total of 31 target steroid hormones were detected in the wastewater of the two swine farms, with concentrations ranging from 0.12 ng/L (medroxyprogesterone acetate, MPA) to 11,200 ng/L (5α-dihydroprogesterone, 5α-DHP). A total of 22 target steroid hormones were detected in feces, of which 19 were detected in Farm LC and 17 in Farm ST. Some of these detected steroids were synthetic chemicals, which might be parent chemicals from exogenous addition or their metabolites, or transformation products from other natural steroids. The steroids excretion of sows in swine farms were estimated, with some steroids such as androstenedione (AED, 41.5 μg/d), epiandrosterone (EADR, 268 μg/d), progesterone (P, 661 μg/d), and 5α-DHP (982μg/d) having much higher values than those from human bodies. Both WTSs in the swine farms could effectively remove the target steroid hormones, with the removal rates of most targets exceeding 90%. In comparison, the anaerobic digester-A2/O (anaerobic-anoxic-oxic)-lagoon system performed better in removing steroids than the up-flow anaerobic sludge reaction bed (UASB)-two-stage series (A/O)2-oxidation fish ponds system. However, there were still 22 steroid hormones, including 14 synthetic ones detected in the effluent, with the risk quotients of most synthetic steroids exceeding 1, showing high risks to aquatic organisms. The findings from this study showed that there is a wide presence of steroid hormones, especially some synthetic steroids in animal wastes, posing potential ecological risks, and these steroids should be removed before discharge to the environment. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]