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Macrophages play an essential role in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that mechanical load can influence macrophage function, leading to excessive and uncontrolled inflammation and even systemic damage, including cardiovascular disease and knee osteoarthritis. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, murine RAW264.7 cells were treated with mechanical stretch (MS) using the Flexcell-5000T Tension System. The expression of inflammatory factors and cytokine release were measured by RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. The protein expression of NF-κB p65, Iκb-α, p-Iκb-α, RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 was also detected by Western blotting. Then, Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of macrophage subsets. Meanwhile, Y-27632 dihydrochloride, a ROCK inhibitor, was added to knockdown ROCK signal transduction in cells. Our results demonstrated that MS upregulated mRNA expression and increased the secretion levels of proinflammatory factors iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Additionally, MS significantly increased the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ and CD11b+CD206+ subsets in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, NF-κB p65, and IκB-α increased in MS-treated RAW264.7 cells, as well as the IL-6 and iNOS. In contrast, ROCK inhibitor significantly blocked the activation of RhoA-ROCK and NF-κB pathway, decreased the protein expression of IL-6 and iNOS, reduced the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ cells subpopulation, and increased the proportion of CD11b+CD206+ cell subpopulation after MS. These data indicate that mechanical stretch can regulate the RAW264.7 macrophage polarization and enhance inflammatory responses in vitro, which may contribute to activation the RhoA-ROCK/NF-κB pathway.

A series of novel 4-N-phenylaminoquinoline derivatives containing a morpholine group were designed and synthesized, and their anti-cholinesterase activities and ABTS radical-scavenging activities were tested. Among them, compounds 11a, 11g, 11h, 11j, 11l, and 12a had comparable inhibition activities to reference galantamine in AChE. Especially, compound 11g revealed the most potent inhibition on AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 1.94 ± 0.13 μM and 28.37 ± 1.85 μM, respectively. The kinetic analysis demonstrated that both the compounds 11a and 11g acted as mixed-type AChE inhibitors. A further docking comparison between the 11a- and 12a-AChE complexes agreed with the different inhibitory potency observed in experiments. Besides, compounds 11f and 11l showed excellent ABTS radical-scavenging activities, with IC50 values of 9.07 ± 1.34 μM and 6.05 ± 1.17 μM, respectively, which were superior to the control, Trolox (IC50 = 11.03 ± 0.76 μM). It is worth noting that 3-aminoquinoline derivatives 12a–12d exhibited better drug-like properties.

Amomum maximum Roxb. rhizome is a fork medicine mainly used in South and Southeast Asia. In present study, the hypoglycaemic effects of the ethanolic extract of A. maximum rhizome were demonstrated both on α-glucosidase assay in vitro and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced postprandial hyperglycaemia in mice. Furthermore, six labdane diterpenes, amoxanthin A (1), ottensinin (2), coronarin D (3), coronarin D methyl ether (4), isocoronarin D (5), and zerumin (6), were isolated from its ethyl acetate sub-fraction with the guidance of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Among these compounds, 2 and 6 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase, as well as on STZ-induced high postprandial blood glucose levels in mice. Additionally, molecular docking analysis revealed that 2 and 6 could firmly bind to the active sites of α-glucosidase. These results suggest that compounds 2 and 6 are the main anti-hyperglycaemic agents present in A. maximum, which may demonstrate potential beneficial effects in diabetes management.

Breast cancer (BRCA) is a malignancy that occurs in breast epithelium or ductal epithelium. The progression of BRCA is greatly influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Studies have shown that Pachymic acid (PA) had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and metastasis of BRCA cells and could also enhance immunity. We planned to use the methods of network pharmacology and bio-information analysis to clarify the role of this molecule in the TME of BRCA and its target. We predicted the potential targets of PA. In addition, by comparing the cancer profiles in the The Tumor Genome Atlas (TCGA) genome with normal profiles, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. At the intersection of predicted targets and DEGs were 16 important genes. Enrichment analysis and survival analysis were performed on these genes. Two hub genes were found in combination with the RNA-seq expression and protein expression in T cell subsets by Immunohistochemical analysis. Finally, we used the GSE42568 data to construct a risk prediction model and obtained independent prognostic indicators. And we identified two PA targets that played a role in the TME, thus providing new ideas for research on BRCA.

Macrophages play an essential role in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that mechanical load can influence macrophage function, leading to excessive and uncontrolled inflammation and even systemic damage, including cardiovascular disease and knee osteoarthritis. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, murine RAW264.7 cells were treated with mechanical stretch (MS) using the Flexcell-5000T Tension System. The expression of inflammatory factors and cytokine release were measured by RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. The protein expression of NF

Bioaugmented biotrickling filter (BTF) seeded with Piscinibacter caeni MQ-18, Pseudomonas oleovorans DT4, and activated sludge was established to investigate the treatment performance and biodegradation kinetics of the gaseous mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Experimental results showed an enhanced startup performance with a startup period of 9 d in bioaugmented BTF (25 d in control BTF seeded with activated sludge). The interaction parameter I2,1 of control (7.462) and bioaugmented BTF (3.267) obtained by the elimination capacity–sum kinetics with interaction parameter (EC–SKIP) model indicated that THF has a stronger inhibition of MTBE biodegradation in the control BTF than in the bioaugmented BTF. Similarly, the self-inhibition EC–SKIP model quantified the positive effects of MTBE on THF biodegradation, as well as the negative effects of THF on MTBE biodegradation and the self-inhibition of MTBE and THF. Metabolic intermediate analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, biofilm-biomass determination, and high-throughput sequencing revealed the possible mechanism of the enhanced treatment performance and biodegradation interactions of MTBE and THF.

RD‐N, an aminomethylated derivative of riccardin D, is a lysosomotropic agent that can trigger lysosomal membrane permeabilization followed by cathepsin B (CTSB)‐dependent apoptosis in prostate cancer (PCa) cells, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we show that RD‐N treatment drives CTSB translocation from the lysosomes to the nucleus where it promotes DNA damage by suppression of the breast cancer 1 protein (BRCA1). Inhibition of CTSB activity with its specific inhibitors, or by CTSB‐targeting siRNA or CTSB with enzyme‐negative domain attenuated activation of BRCA1 and DNA damage induced by RD‐N. Conversely, CTSB overexpression resulted in inhibition of BRCA1 and sensitized PCa cells to RD‐N‐induced cell death. Furthermore, RD‐N‐induced cell death was exacerbated in BRCA1‐deficient cancer cells. We also demonstrated that CTSB/BRCA1‐dependent DNA damage was critical for RD‐N, but not for etoposide, reinforcing the importance of CTSB/BRCA1 in RD‐N‐mediated cell death. In addition, RD‐N synergistically increased cell sensitivity to cisplatin, and this effect was more evidenced in BRCA1‐deficient cancer cells. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism that RD‐N promotes CTSB‐dependent DNA damage by the suppression of BRCA1 in PCa cells, leading to the identification of a potential compound that target lysosomes for cancer treatment.

The comprehensive phytochemical research of Lethariella cladonioides (Nyl.) Krog, (Parmeliaceae), a lichen in southwest China, resulted in isolation of eighteen compounds (1–18), including a new phenolic acid 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde (1) and seventeen known compounds, nine phenolic acids (2–10), one dibenzofuran (11), two depsides (12 and 13), one alkane (14), one glucoside (15), two polyols (16 and 17), and one fatty acid (18). The structures of these compounds were assigned by detailed interpretations of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS) and comparisons with the published data. Among them, 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde (1) is a new one. (−)-hydroxypropan-2′,3′-diol-orsellinate (10) have not been reported from any species in the lichens. Compounds 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16 and 18 were firstly isolated from the genus Lethariella (Motyka) Krog. Compounds 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 were reported from L. cladonioides firstly. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was also discussed.

The coupling of wet scrubber with thermally activated persulfate (PS) for the removal of gaseous p-xylene was studied in the present work. The effects of process parameters (i.e., activation temperature, gas flow rate, PS dosage, and absorption solution pH) on p-xylene removal were studied. The removal efficiency increased with the activation temperature and PS dosage, while decreased with the increase of gas flow rate. The inhibition effect was observed when the pH of the reaction system was alkaline due to the existence of NH3(aq) resulting from ammonium translation. P-xylene was efficiently eliminated under the optimal conditions with a maximum removal efficiency of 78.5%. The most important radicals, namely, SO4 − and HO , were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance, and the selectivity of SO4 − was determined by quenching tests. HO and SO4 − oxidations accounted for 41.3% and 37.4% of the removal of p-xylene, respectively. The contribution of SO4 − increased with the accumulation of H+. Moreover, the absorption solution reused via adding PS and it still showed perfect removal capacity for p-xylene at the end of each cycle. Finally, a possible degradation pathway of p-xylene was proposed based on the measurements of intermediates being detected in the gas and liquid phases.

Five new isosteroidal alkaloids, walujewine A (1), walujewine B (4), walujewine C (5), walujewine D (6), walujewine E (10) were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria walujewii together with seven known isosteroidal alkaloids (2, 3, 7-9, 11, 12). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of IR, ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the isolates were tested for ChE inhibiting activity by the Ellman's method. Compounds 3-5 and 8-10 were potent dual AChE-BChE inhibitors, and compound 1 showed highly selective AChE inhibition. The structure-activity relationship of compounds 1-12 was discussed in details. And kinetic analysis showed that compounds 1, 3-5, and 8-10 were mixed-type reversible inhibitors of AChE, simultaneously binding to the catalytic and peripheral anionic sites, which was verified by in silico docking studies. The docking simulation also showed that active compound 3 and 8 created many interactions with the CAS and PAS gorges of BChE, revealing their mixed-type inhibition. ADMET analysis further confirmed the therapeutic potential of some isosteroidal alkaloids based on their high BBB-penetration.

© 2019 Elsevier Inc. In this work, three nanoporous carbon materials Z11-700, Z11-800 and Z11-900 were synthesized by a one-step calcination of zeolitic imidazolate framework-11 (ZIF-11) at 700, 800 and 900 ​°C, respectively. The samples obtained were characterized by SEM, PXRD, FT-IR, Raman spectra and N2 adsorption. The results showed that the three ZIF-11 derived samples were micro/mesoporous and had high BET surface areas and pore volumes. Of the synthesized samples, Z11-900 displayed an excellent iodine vapour uptake of 3775 ​mg/g which was superior compared with Z11-700 and Z11-800, as well as other reported solid state materials. What is more, the regeneration efficiency of Z11-900 for iodine molecules was near to 90% (3672 ​mg/g) after three cycles of reuse. The easy operation, highly-effective and recyclable features enable the ZIF-11 derived nanoporous carbons to be a promising adsorbent for applications in environmental remediation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of antibiotics in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in multiple regions of China, and to provide a reference for CAP standard treatment and rational antibiotic use in children. METHODS: The medical data of 1383 children with CAP who were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics in 10 grade A tertiary hospitals from 9 cities between April 14, 2014 and January 1, 2016 were reviewed, to analyze the status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children in North China, Northeast China, East China, and South China. RESULTS: The overall rate of antibiotic use in children with CAP was 89.08%, with 88.7% in North China, 95.5% in Northeast China, 83.3% in East China, and 86.6% in South China. The main types of antibiotics used were cephalosporins, macrolides, compound preparations of β-lactam antibiotics, polyphosphoric broad-spectrum antibiotics and other β-lactam antibiotics. The selection of antibiotics was generally rational, but antibiotics were still used in some patients with viral infection alone or a combined use of ≥ 2 kinds of antibiotics were noted in some patients with infection caused by one kind of pathogen. Irrational antibiotic use was observed in 131 children (10.63%). CONCLUSIONS: There are high rates of antibiotic use and irrational use of antibiotics among children with CAP. Standard management of antibiotic use in children with CAP should be strengthened.

Dual binding site acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors have recently emerged as two classes of new anti-Alzheimer agents to positively modify the disease’s course. In this work, a new series of 4-N-phenylaminoquinolines was synthesized and evaluated for their abilities to inhibit AChE and BChE. Compound 11b showed significant inhibitory activities on AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 0.86 and 2.65 μM, respectively, a lot better than that of reference drug galanthamine. Furthermore, docking study showed that compound 11b interacted simultaneously not only with active and peripheral sites of AChE, but also with all five regions of BChE active site. These findings suggest that these derivatives could be regarded as promising starting points for further drug discovery developments.

Objective To isolate and identify bioactive constituents from the stem barks of Illicium difengpi.

A series of new 4-N-phenylaminoquinoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and their anticholinesterase activities, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, metal-chelating ability were tested. Among them, compounds 11j, 11k and 11l had comparable inhibition activities to reference drug galantamine both in AChE and in BChE. Especially, compound 11j revealed the most potent inhibition to eeAChE and eqBChE with IC50 values of 1.20 μM and 18.52 μM, respectively. Furthermore, both kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition and molecular docking study indicated that compound 11j was mixed-type inhibitor, binding simultaneously to the catalytic anionic site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE, and propidium iodide displacement assay showed significant displacement of propidium iodide with compound 11k (25.80%) from PAS of eeAChE. More importantly, compound 11l displayed excellent DPPH radical scavenging activity (84% at 1 mg/mL), and its EC50 value was 0.328 μM. In addition, compounds 11a, 11j, 11k and 11l exhibited obvious biometal chelating abilities toward Al3+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions. Taken together, 4-N-phenylaminoquinoline derivatives targeting multiple pathogenetic factors deserve further investigation for treatment of AD.

Due to some drawbacks of the Divisia inedex and its relevant decomposition methods, such as difficult affording accurate estimations in period-wise and cross-region decompositions with large discrete change data and involving logarithmic calculations. This paper introduces a new decomposition index based on Laspeyres index (LI), leaving no unexplained residuals. It distributes interactive term among related factors according to different contribution rates of each factor which are related to the changes of these factors. An empirical illustration, decomposing changes in CO2 emissions in China from 1996 to 2011 by both the proposed method (WLI) and Sun's Laspeyres index (SLI) methods time-series and period-wise methods, is carried out.

At a time of increased international concern and negotiation for GHG emissions reduction, country studies on the underlying effects of GHG growth gain importance. China experienced continuous, rapid economic growth over the past. At the same time, energy consumption and CO2 emissions increased rapidly while the energy intensity and carbon intensity showed a downward trend at country level. What factors were driving this change? What measures can be adopted to ensure the continual decrease of energy intensity and carbon intensity? The refined IDA method is employed in this paper to identify the impact of each factor. A year-by-year decomposition is carried out at sector level, and various interesting results on the underlying effects are found. The results yield important hints for the planning of energy and climate policy.

A new dihydroisocoumarin derivative, R-(−)-heteroscyphide (1), together with three known terpenoid derivatives (2–4), were isolated from the liverwort Heteroscyphus coalitus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and the biogenetic pathway of compound 1 was proposed. Cytotoxic test revealed that they exhibited moderate inhibitory activity to three human tumor cell lines.

Background To investigate the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and to search for novel therapeutic targets, the glomerular protein expression profile of KKAy mice treated by losartan was analyzed by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Methods The eight-week-old KKAy mice were divided into the losartan treatment group and the non-treatment group, and C57BL/6 mice were used as the control group. After 12 weeks treatment, glomeruli were isolated by abdominal perfusion with magnetic beads, and the glomerular proteins were extracted. The glomerular protein expression profiles were investigated using 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis was used to confirm the results of proteomics. Results Losartan treatment improved albuminuria and renal pathologic lesion of KKAy mice. A total of 62 glomerular proteins were differentially expressed between the KKAy losartan treatment mice and KKAy non-treatment mice. Among them, the expression of 28 proteins were up-regulated, including glycerokinase, sulfite oxidase, glycine amidinotransferase, and adenosylhomocysteinase. The expression of 13 proteins were down-regulated, including 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, ATP synthase subunit d, 60 kDa heat shock protein, and 75 kDa glucose-regulated protein(GRP75). A total of six proteins were found to be differentially expressed between the KKAy non-treatment mice and C57BL/6 mice glomeruli, and their differential expression was suppressed by losartan treatment, including mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit d, GRP75, and selenium-binding protein 1 et al. Conclusions Treatment with losartan suppresses the differential expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit d, GRP75, selenium-binding protein 1 etc. In diabetic KKAy mice glomeruli, may play a renoprotective role by reducing glomerular mitochondrial ROS genesis and inhibiting oxidative stress.

Background Venous thrombosis is common in nephrotic syndrome, but portal vein thrombosis has a relatively low incidence in patients with nephrotic syndrome. We describe here a case of an 18-year old male student with newly diagnosed nephrotic syndrome that was complicated with portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Conclusion In the presence of newly diagnosed nephrotic syndrome of minimal change disease, thrombus formation can occur and should be noted, particularly when it occurs, in rare sites. The recognition in nephrotic syndrome complicated with portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis should be emphasized.

Background The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in IgA nephropathy remains a controversial issue. The aim of the current updated meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of O3FA treatment for adult IgA nephropathy. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials that compared O3FA treatments with placebo or no treatment in adult IgA nephropathy. Outcomes of interest were effects on urine protein excretion (UPE) and renal function. Results Five RCTs (239 patients) were included for analysis. Compared with control groups, O3FA treatments did not show significant benefits for reducing UPE (standardized mean difference (SMD), -0.111; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.369 - 0.147) or improving glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or estimated GFR (SMD, 0.177; 95% CI, -0.082 - 0.435), although the pooled results slightly favored O3FA. On the other hand, a lower risk of an increase of 50% or more in serum creatinine and ESRD were found in O3FA-treated IgA nephropathy patients (RR 0.189; 95% CI 0.068 - 0.524, p = 0.001; RR 0.236; 95% CI 0.094 - 0.594, p = 0.002), but the two outcomes were reported in only two trials. Conclusion The current metaanalysis suggests that there are insufficient data to confirm the efficacy of O3FA treatments for proteinuria and renal function in IgA nephropathy. Further large scale trials are needed to shed more light on this issue.

Six novel phototoxins, phaeosphaerins A–F (1–6), together with six known perylenequinones were isolated from an endolichenic fungus Phaeosphaeria sp. Their structures were determined unequivocally on the basis of comprehensive analysis of MS and NMR data as well as electronic circular dichroism calculations. These toxins kill cancer cells in vitro with accumulation in lysosomes, and the killing effects were potently intensified in the presence of light.

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of netrin-1 on peritubular capillary (PTC) loss and hypoxia in 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 10 rats/group): sham-operated rats treated with control adenovirus; 5/6 Nx rats treated with control adenovirus; and 5/6 Nx rats treated with recombinant adenovirus mediated netrin-1 gene (Ad-netrin-1) therapy. Rats were killed 12 weeks after surgery. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and 24-h urinary albumin excretion rates were measured. Pathological changes in renal tissues were analyzed histologically. The concentration of netrin-1, CD34, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time PCR. Results: Renal function and histopathological damage were significantly improved in Adnetrin-1 treated 5/6 Nx rats, compared with rats treated with the control adenovirus in the 5/6 Nx group. Furthermore, Ad-netrin-1 treatment induced a significant increase in renal PTC density, accompanied by a significant decrease in HIF-1α expression. Conclusion: Adenovirus mediated netrin-1 treatment attenuates PTC damage, relieves tissues hypoxia and improves renal function, thus alleviating renal pathological changes and interstitial fibrosis in 5/6 Nx rats.

In this work, Compact-Tension (C(T)) specimens with transverse welds in the sample centre were designed. The residual stress distributions were measured parallel and perpendicular to the weld nugget. Fatigue crack growth (FCG) rates were measured in the lab air. It is shown that compressive residual stresses around notch have significant effect on FCG rates and the effect deceases with crack growing. FCG rate is lower in the nugget than in parent material. Effects of residual stress were studied with crack growing. The lower crack growth rate in nugget is believed to be linked in part to compressive residual stress, but also in part to a microstructure effect present when crack grows in the recrystallized nugget.

7′-Hydroxyriccardin C (1) and marchantin E (2), two macrocyclic bisbibenzyls with a stereogenic center at the ethylene bridge from Chinese liverworts, were investigated stereochemically. Compound 1 was found to be optically active and occurred as a pair of dynamically interchangeable atropisomers at room temperature due to the low barrier of rotation around the biaryl bond, while 2 was a racemic mixture, which was successfully resolved by chiral HPLC into two enantiomers. Their absolute configurations were unequivocally assigned by analysis of temperature-dependent NMR spectra, X-ray crystallographic diffraction, and comparison of experimental and calculated ECD data.

Chemical investigation of the fungus Phellinus baumii has resulted in characterization of five previously undescribed hispidin derivatives, phellibaumins A-E (1-5), as well as two pairs of new non-equivalent epimeric benzyl dihydroflavones, methylphelligrin A (9), epi-methylphelligrin A (10), methylphelligrin B (11), and epi-methylphelligrin B (12), together with five known compounds, interfungin B (6), phelligridin H (7), phelligridimer A (8), phelligrin A (13), and epi-phelligrin A (14). Phellibaumin A (1) was a novel hispidin derivative with a unique 3,4-dihydroxybenzofuran unit. These compounds exhibited NF-κB inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 52.96 μM (1), 41.40 μM (2), 52.92 μM (5), 36.44 μM (9 and 10), and 22.46 μM (11 and 12), respectively.

Four new phenolic glycosides, named rebouosides A–D (1–4, resp.), along with three known ones 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-allopyranoside (5), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl β-D-allopyranoside (6), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl β-D-glucopyranoside (7), and a nucleoside, inosine (8), were isolated from Chinese liverwort Reboulia hemisphaerica. Their structures were elucidated by acidic hydrolysis and extensive spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of metformin on renal injury of C57BL/6J mice treated with a high fat diet. High-fat diet for 12 weeks was used to establish the mice model of metabolism syndrome and the intervention of metformin (75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 4 weeks, and plasma biochemical indicator and body weight were used to evaluate the model. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SERBP)-1c, TNF-α, NADPH Oxidase (NOX)4 mRNA was determined by real time-PCR. Phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (P-AMPK)α protein was detected by western blotting. Oil Red O staining, Masson staining and HE staining were for observing renal pathological changes. At the end of 12th week, compared with mice on low fat diet (LFD), body weight (BW), the levels of fasting insulin (FINS), plasma and renal triglyceride (TG) were higher and plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were significantly lower, but the levels of fasting blood glycemia (FBG), plasma total cholesterol (TC) and renal TC had no changes; Oil Red O staining revealed renal lipids deposition, Masson staining and HE staining revealed glomerular hypertrophy, matrix increasing, and inflammatory cells infiltration in glomerular; the expression of p-AMPKα protein decreased and the expression of SREBP-1c, TNF-α, NOX4 mRNA increased significantly in mouse treated with high fat diet (HFD). Compared with the HFD group, through metformin interventing, metabolic disorders were significantly improved, renal lipids deposition and other pathological changes were ameliorated, the expression of p-AMPKα protein increased and the expression of SREBP-1c, TNF-α, NOX4 mRNA decreased significantly. Metformin improved metabolic disorders, upregulated activity of renal AMPK, diminished the expression of renal SREBP-1c, TNF-α, NOX4 mRNA, decreased accumulation of renal lipids, and prevened renal injury.

Irrigation with tertiary effluent, secondary effluent, and raw wastewater (sewage) were studied with tap water irrigation as the control. The effects of the irrigations on the qualities of three testing crops: cucumber, celery cabbage and maize were investigated. The contents of residual chloride ion, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and residual heavy metals in these irrigated crops were also examined. The results showed that the secondary and tertiary effluent had no significant effects on the crop qualities. However, irrigation with the sewage could lead to increase parts of nutrient components in the crops. Irrigation with the sewage caused accumulation of nitrate and heavy metals in the crops, indicating that sewage was not suitable for irrigation. The risk assessment results suggested that the health risk of the irrigations using sewage and secondary effluent exceeded the maximum acceptable risk level. Comparatively, the risk in the tertiary effluent irrigation was much lower than the acceptable level.

The presence of algae cells and algae-derived organic matter (AOM) including extracellular organic matter (EOM) and intracellular organic matter (IOM) has a significant impact on drinking water treatment. Jar tests were conducted with or without preozonation to assess the effect of preozonation on the characteristics of AOM and algae cells with respect to their removal by the following coagulation process. Algae cells and AOM were analyzed by photomicrography, particle size distribution, UV absorbance scanning, HPSEC-UV and batch ultrafiltration (UF). Micrographs and particle size distribution of algae cells with or without ozonation showed that ozonation could oxidize chlorophyll in algae cells, damage algae cells to varying degrees and increase the settling property of algae cells. UV absorbance scanning showed there were more protein-like substances in AOM. Molecular weight (MW) distribution revealed that IOM and EOM had almost the same species of organic matter: the major species of IOM was organic matter with high MW and EOM was organic matter with lower MW. Overall, preozonation can enhance the coagulation process by greatly increasing the removal efficiency of algae cells and particles. At the same time, preozonation is not very effective on enhancing AOM removal, for it is limited in improving the removal rate of EOM, and it can cause the release of IOM.

Background/Aims: To investigate the effects of peritubular capillary (PTC) loss and hypoxia on the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a rat model of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Methods: Female Wistar rats received Caulis aristolochiae manshuriensis (CAM) decoction by gavage for 8 weeks, and were sacrificed at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, respectively, after administration. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and urinary protein were monitored prior to sacrifice. PTC loss and tubulointerstitial hypoxia were assessed by CD34 immunostaining and hypoxia-inducible factor-α subunit 1 (HIF-1α) expression, respectively. Myofibroblasts were assessed by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. The expression of angiogenic factor was assessed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: AAN rats differed from controls by increased BUN, Scr and 24-hour urinary protein excretion rates. There was a progressive loss of PTCs in the AAN model, which was associated with the decreased expression of VEGF. A significant increase in nuclear localization of HIF-1α was seen 16 weeks after treatment with CAM decoction in the context of severe tubulointerstitial damage. Multifocal tubulointerstitial fibrosis was seen in AAN rats at weeks 12 and 16, predominantly in the area of the outer stripe and outer medulla. No significant pathologic changes were found in control rats. Conclusion: Following the reduction of PTCs density and up-regulation of HIF-1α, the tubulointerstitial fibrosis area increased. Ischemia and hypoxia are the important causes of severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis in AAN rats.

A novel catalyst for the ozonation process was prepared by loading manganese on the granular activated carbon (GAC). Nitrobenzene was used as a model refractory organic micropollutant in this study. The catalytic activity of GAC and the Mn-loaded GAC were studied respectively. The removal efficiency of nitrobenzene by Mn-loaded GAC catalyzed ozonation could reach 34.2–49.9%, with the oxidation efficiency being about 1.5–2.0 times higher than that achieved in GAC catalyzed ozonation and 2.0–3.0 times higher than that achieved by ozonation alone. The effect of pH and the t -butanol on the GAC/ozone process was discussed. The optimum condition for preparing the catalyst was studied.

Water shortage and water environmental pollution have promoted the development of wastewater reclamation and reuse in China in recent years. Different treatment processes are employed for this purpose, such as pond-farmland systems using solar radiation as initial energy source, treating wastewater at low cost and low energy consumption to realize wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation on farmland to provide both water and nutrients. Some full-scale projects on municipal wastewater reclamation mainly based on activated sludge and/or submerged biofilm processes followed by some advanced treatment processes such as filtration and disinfecting, from which the effluent is reused in agriculture, industry and domestic uses except for drinking purpose have been built and put into operation in some water shortage cities, which are described in this paper. In some water scarce cities the domestic wastewater reclamation and reuse (dual water system) is employed for a building, a group of buildings or a sub-residential district, whose treatment system consists of submerged biofilm process, dual-media filter and disinfection.