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Oil is a complex mixture of liquid organic substances in which various solid hydrocarbons, resinous substances and accompanying gases are dissolved. In the article various methods of separation of complex mixtures into simpler compositions were examined. The bulk of the oil components is also determined. An important indicator in the identification of oil products is the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons in their content. In the methods used in the study of petroleum products in environmental objects, gas chromatographic analysis is preferred due to its highest selectivity, sensitivity and accessibility, using different types of detection. On the other hand, during the determination of PAHs in oils and middle distillates, in the chromatograms, the analyte appears against the background of the "naphthenic hump" and paraffins, which form fragments of molecules under electronic conditions, which overlap with each other. Fragments of molecules of substances analyzed in terms of ion mass are placed on them and their mass spectra are analyzed. When performing such analyses, it is practically impossible to identify, quantify, and accurately estimate the signal intensity of peaks associated with polycyclic condensed arenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Personalized medicine, an emerging approach, considers individual differences to tailor treatments optimally. Persian medicine (PM) incorporates individual differences through Mizāj (temperament). A comprehensive understanding of each Mizaj type's characteristics is essential in designing standardized diagnostic tools. Objectives: This study aims to explore the attributes of one of the most significant Mizaj groups, namely cold-wet Mizaj, and its subtypes, including cold-wet Su-e-Mizaj (dystemperament), as well as phlegm dominance in PM sources. Methods: Persian medicine literature, including the Canon of Medicine, was reviewed for relevant concepts. Reliable scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and MagIran, were searched using keywords such as Mizaj, temperament, Su-e-Mizaj, dystemperament, cold-wet dystemperament, phlegm, and Balgham. The obtained results were studied and categorized. Results: Out of the 196 articles obtained related to Mizaj, 16 investigated indices. No studies were found on the indices of coldwet Mizaj and phlegm dominance separately. PM sources exhibit high congruence in describing the characteristics of cold-wet Mizaj. Specifically, emphasis is placed on characteristics such as coldness and softness of the skin to the touch, high fat mass, pale and white complexion, excessive body secretions, weakness and slowness of physical and physiological actions, low vitality, timidity, poor memory, and slow-wittedness. In cold-wet dystemperament, symptoms are more severe, and in the presence of phlegm, a feeling of heaviness is also mentioned as a specific symptom. Conclusions: By compiling indices of cold-wet Mizaj/dystemperament and phlegm dominance, this study can contribute to the development of standardized PM questionnaires, facilitating a personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.To evaluate the application value of the fluorescence PCR probe melting curve (MeltPro) technique in the detection of isoniazid drug- resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in sputum samples. Methods.In this study, we collected sputum samples of PTB that were identified as MTB by GeneXpert MTB/RIF method(MTB positive) from 2021 to 2022. These sputum samples were detected including smear, Myco- bacterium culture, GenoType MTBDRplus,and isoniazid drug-resistance test by MeltPro technique. We did the proportional drug sensitivity test (DST) of isoniazid for culturing positive strains, analyzed the influence of the amount of bacteria in sputum samples on the results of MeltPro technique, compared the difference in the detection rate of isoniazid resistance by proportional DST, GenoType MTBDRplus, and MeltPro technique, The proportional DST results of isoniazid were used as a standard to evaluate the isoniazid drug-resistance detection efficiency of MeltPro technique and GenoType MTBDRplus. Results.157 qualified MTB positive sputum samples were collected, after Mycobacterium culture, we got 130 strains. The rate of success for isoniazid in sputum samples detected by MeltPro technique was84.1%(132/157). Among different grades of sputum smear results, there is a difference in the successful rate of MeltPro technique (H = 24.169,P = 0.000), increased with the grade of sputum smear results, the successful rate was increased from64.8% (32/54,the negative sputum)to 100.0%(17/176/6,the positive sputum grade 3+4+), the successful rate also increased with the increase of MTB grade detected by GeneXpert MTB/RIF, from54.8%(17/31,the very low sputum) to 96.4%(27/28,the high sputum)and the difference between each grade was statistically significant (H = 27.763,P = 0.000). The detection rate of isoniazid resistance using MeltPro technique, GenoType MTBDRplus and proportional DST were 22.0%(29/132),15.3%(19/124),14.6%(19/130), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the three methods (χ2 = 2.997,P = 0.223). Based on the results of proportional DST, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predic- tive value of MeltPro technique in the detection of isoniazid were 84.6%(11/13)91.2%(93/102)55%(11/20) 97.9%(93/95), respectively, Kappa is 0.614. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of GenoType MTBDRplus in the detection of isoniazid were 55.6%(10/18)92.3%(84/91), 58.8% (10/17), 91.3%(84/92),respectively, Kappa is 0.490. Conclusion.The MeltPro technique has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting MTB isoniazid resistance in sputum samples of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and can quickly and accurately screen for isoniazid resistance in patients, To improve the success rate of testing, it is necessary to pay attention to the selection of sputum samples when promoting the application in grassroots laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome (SDPDS) are caused by abnormal water metabolism in the body because of spleen dysfunction. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the efficacy of D-limonene (DL) in resolving phlegm in mice with SDPDS from the perspective of regulating the level of aquaporin 3 (AQP3). Methods: The model of SDPDS was induced in mice using the multifactor modeling method, which combines internal and external dampness. An artificial climate box was used to create a humid environment, whereas the irregular diet was caused by different feeding methods on odd-even days. The mice were divided into blank control, model group, DL low-dose, DL high-dose, and positive groups. The mice were modeled and treated for 7 day. Levels of gastrin and amylase (AMS) in the serum, mucus secretion in the trachea, and AQP3 in the tissue near the gastric cardia. Results: DL significantly reduced mucus secretion in the trachea (P < 0.001). It also increased the level of AMS in the serum (P < 0.01) and decreased the level of AQP3 in the gastric tissue (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Mice with SDPDS exhibited disturbed water metabolism and significantly increased AQP3 levels. DL can restore the levels of AQP3 and plays an important role in resolving phlegm. This study may also help expand the efficacy of natural drugs containing DL and improve the utilization of natural drug resources.

It will be more conducive to obtain curative effect and improve prognosis to treat cognitive impairment after stroke (PSCI) early. PSCI corresponds to the disorders of "dementia", "amnesia" and " loss of brain marrow" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). We summarized the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of PSCI as " phlegm, stasis, deficiency and stagnation". The phlegm and stasis are both causes and effects in the continuous development of the disease. The deficiency includes congenital qi deficiency and acquired deficiency of spleen and stomach qi, which are the key links in the development of PSCI. The stagnation refers to liver qi stagnation, or qi stagnation transforming into fire and fire generating wind, which plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PSCI. Phlegm, stasis, deficiency and stagnation lead to damage of brain marrow and dysfunction of cognition. In depth analysis of TCM pathogenesis of PSCI is of great significance to expound the disease evolution process and to guide clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Much attention in the gas processing industry is paid to the purification of natural gas from acidic impurities - CO2 and H2S., which is achieved by absorption with an absorption solution based on methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). There are losses. Purpose: Development of a method for reducing MDEA losses in the technology of natural gas purification from acidic impurities - gases: CO2 and H2S. Methodology. The technological equipment of Mubarek Gas Processing Plant LLC was used, the presence of MDEA and other organic compounds in phlegm and waste water was studied (GOST R 55684-2013). Originality. Data on the irretrievable losses of methyldiethanolamine and phlegm in the technology of gas purification from sulfur and carbon dioxide and ways to reduce them are presented. Findings.The patterns of irretrievable losses of phlegm and methyldiethanolamine in the technology of gas purification from sulfur and carbon dioxide at the Mubarek gas processing plant are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the confusion about the concepts of "phlegm" and "in" in the clinical practice and literature reports of contemporary Chinese medicine, this paper proposes that it is vital to clarify the concepts of "phlegm" and "Yin" for better prevention and treatment of diseases related to "phlegm" and "Yin". Huangdi Neijing was the first to record the name of the disease related to "Yin disease". Zhang Zhongjing's detailed records of the disease related to "Yin" and the prescriptions for the treatment of "Yin" greatly developed and enriched the theory of "Yin disease" in traditional Chinese medicine, which had an important influence on later generations. Subsequently, the concept of "phlegm" gradually came into being. In the Song Dynasty, the concept of "phlegm" was gradually perfected. In the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, doctors gradually generalized the concept of "phlegm" and gradually formed a relatively complete theory of phlegm disease. Contemporary Chinese medicine scholars have explored, analyzed, and preliminarily summarized the concept and essence of "Yin" and "phlegm" from the perspective of modern medicine and began to pay attention to "Yin". By organizing and analyzing the differences in the concepts and treatment of "phlegm" and "Yin" above, and combining them with the author's long-term clinical practice, it is proposed that the essence and connotation of "Yin" should be further explored. This would further expound on the important value and clinical significance of treating chronic respiratory diseases from "Yin evil". In addition, the research ideas of preventing and treating chronic respiratory diseases are proposed based on "Yin evil". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Few studies have examined the effects of long-term childhood air pollution exposure on adult respiratory health, including whether childhood respiratory effects underlie this relation., Objectives: To evaluate associations between childhood air pollution exposure and self-reported adult bronchitic symptoms, while considering child respiratory health, in the Southern California Children's Health Study., Methods: Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone, particulate matter<2.5μm (PM 2.5 ) and <10μm (PM 10 ) exposures assessed using inverse-distance-squared spatial interpolation based on childhood (birth-17 years) residential histories. Bronchitic symptoms (bronchitis, cough, or phlegm in last 12 months) were ascertained via questionnaire in adulthood. Associations between mean air pollution exposure across childhood and self-reported adult bronchitic symptoms were estimated using logistic regression. We further adjusted for childhood bronchitic symptoms and asthma to understand whether associations operated beyond childhood respiratory health impacts. Effect modification was assessed for family history of asthma, childhood asthma, and adult allergies., Measurements and Main Results: 1308 participants were included (mostly non-Hispanic White [56%] or Hispanic [32%]). At adult assessment (age mean=32.0 years, standard deviation [SD]=4.7) 25% reported bronchitic symptoms. Adult bronchitic symptoms were associated with NO 2 and PM 10 childhood exposures. Odds ratios per SD increase: 1.69 (95%CI:1.14,2.49) for NO 2 (SD=11.1ppb); 1.51 (95%CI:1.00,2.27) for PM 10 (SD=14.2µg/m 3 ). Adjusting for childhood bronchitic symptoms or asthma produced similar results. NO 2 and PM 10 associations were modified by childhood asthma, with larger associations among asthmatics., Conclusion: Childhood NO 2 and PM 10 exposures were associated with adult bronchitic symptoms. Associations were not explained by childhood respiratory health impacts; however, participants with childhood asthma had stronger associations.

A research strategy combining transcriptome data mining and experimental verification was adopted to identify the marker genes characterizing the syndrome elements of phlegm, stasis, and deficiency in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH). Firstly, the common differentially expressed gene sets of SONFH with the syndromes of phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals, vessel obstruction, and liver-kidney deficiency were obtained from the clinical transcriptomic analysis of a previous study. The differential expression trend analysis and functional gene mining were then employed to predict the candidate marker gene sets representing phlegm, stasis, and deficiency. The whole blood samples from SONFH patients, whole blood samples from SONFH rats, and affected femoral head tissue samples were collected for qPCR, which aimed to determine the expression levels of the candidate marker genes mentioned above. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) was established to objectively evaluate the syndrome differentiation effectiveness of the candidate marker genes mentioned above. The transcriptome data analysis results showed that the candidate marker genes for phlegm was ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6(ELOVL6), and those for stasis were ankyrin 1(ANK1), glycophorin A/B(GYPA/B), and Rh-associated glycoprotein(RHAG). The candidate marker genes for deficiency were solute carrier family 2 member 1(SLC2A1) and stomatin(STOM). The qPCR results showed that compared with that in the non-SONFH group, ELOVL6 had the lowest expression level in the peripheral blood of the SONFH patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals(P&lt;0.05). Compared with that in the normal control group, ELOVL6 had the lowest expression level in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 4 weeks(P&lt;0.01), and it showed better syndrome differentiation effectiveness of rats modeled for 4 weeks(AUC=0.850, P=0.006) than at other modeling time points(8, 12, 16, and 21 weeks, AUC of 0.689, 0.766, 0.588, and 0.662, respectively). Compared with that in the non-SONFH group, the expression levels of ANK1, GYPA, and RHAG were the lowest in the peripheral blood of SONFH patients with the vessel obstruction syndrome(P&lt;0.05). The expression levels of the three genes were the lowest in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 12 weeks(P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01), and their syndrome differentiation effectiveness in the rats modeled for 12 weeks(GYPA: AUC=0.861, P=0.012; ANK1: AUC=0.855, P=0.006; RHAG: AUC=0.854, P=0.009) was superior to that for 4, 8, 16, and 21 weeks(GYPA: AUC=0.646, 0.573, 0.691, and 0.617, respectively; ANK: AUC1=0.630, 0.658, 0.657, and 0.585, respectively; RHAG: AUC=0.592, 0.511, 0.515, and 0.536, respectively). Compared with the non-SONFH group, both SLC2A1 and STOM had the lowest expression levels in the peripheral blood of patients with the syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency(P&lt;0.05). Compared with the normal control group, their expression levels were the lowest in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 21 weeks(P&lt;0.05, except STOM in the peripheral blood of rats). Moreover, the syndrome differentiation effectiveness of SLC2A1 in the rats modeled for 21 weeks(AUC=0.806, P=0.009) was superior to that for 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks(AUC=0.520, 0.580, 0.741, 0.774, respectively), and STOM was meaningless in syndrome differentiation. In summary, the candidate marker gene for phlegm in SONFH is ELOVL6; the candidate marker genes for stasis are GYPA, RHAG, and ANK1; the candidate marker gene for deficiency is SLC2A1. The results help to reveal the biological connotations of phlegm, stasis, and deficiency in SONFH at the genetic level.

Background: Airway mucus plugs are frequently identified on CT scans of patients with COPD with a smoking history without mucus-related symptoms (ie, cough, phlegm [silent mucus plugs])., Research Question: In patients with COPD, what are the risk and protective factors associated with silent airway mucus plugs? Are silent mucus plugs associated with functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease?, Study Design and Methods: We identified mucus plugs on chest CT scans of participants with COPD from the COPDGene study. The mucus plug score was defined as the number of pulmonary segments with mucus plugs, ranging from 0 to 18, and categorized into three groups (0, 1-2, and ≥ 3). We determined risk and protective factors for silent mucus plugs and the associations of silent mucus plugs with measures of disease severity using multivariable linear and logistic regression models., Results: Of 4,363 participants with COPD, 1,739 had no cough or phlegm. Among the 1,739 participants, 627 (36%) had airway mucus plugs identified on CT scan. Risk factors of silent mucus plugs (compared with symptomatic mucus plugs) were older age (OR, 1.02), female sex (OR, 1.40), and Black race (OR, 1.93) (all P values < .01). Among those without cough or phlegm, silent mucus plugs (vs absence of mucus plugs) were associated with worse 6-min walk distance, worse resting arterial oxygen saturation, worse FEV 1 % predicted, greater emphysema, thicker airway walls, and higher odds of severe exacerbation in the past year in adjusted models., Interpretation: Mucus plugs are common in patients with COPD without mucus-related symptoms. Silent mucus plugs are associated with worse functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease. CT scan-identified mucus plugs can complement the evaluation of patients with COPD., Competing Interests: Financial/Nonfinancial Disclosures The authors have reported to CHEST the following: M. H. C. reported receiving grants from Bayer. A. A. D. reported receiving personal fees from Boehringer-Ingelheim and having a patent for Methods and Compositions Relating to Airway Dysfunction pending (701586-190200USPT). N. L. T. reported that she and/or her husband are general stockholders with no controlling interest in the following: Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark Corp, Microsoft Corp, Amgen Inc, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cisco Systems Inc, Medtronic, Merck & Co Inc, Procter & Gamble, Crisper Therapeutics, Nvidia, Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, United Health, Abbott Labs, Eli Lilly and Co, AbbVie Inc, and LyondellBasell Industries. Ruben S. J. Estépar reported receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the conduct of the study. Raúl S. J. Estépar reported being a founder and equity holder of Quantitative Imaging Solutions; receiving grants from Boehringer-Ingelheim; contracts to serve as image core from Insmed and Lung Biotechnology; and personal fees from LeukoLab and Chiesi. A. C. Y. is supported by the NIH [Grants R01HL149861, R01HL164824, U01HL089897]. None declared (S. K. M., H. P. N., S. G., J. L. O., W. R. D., P. N., S. J. K., K. J., P. P. M., M. A., M. U. A., M. Z., A. N. A., R. E., S. S., E. B., W. W., J. B. R.)., (Copyright © 2023 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We employed a multidisciplinary approach incorporating theoretical ideas, clinical experience, psychology, physiology, traditional Chinese medicine (CM), modern practice of CM, and oncology to explore the effect of patients' repression of negative emotions and traumatic events on breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis., Methods: BC female patients, older than 18 years of age, with available pathology reports who were treated at Rabin Medical Center were recruited. All participants completed questionnaires regarding medical history, behavioral tendencies, negative emotions, trauma, symptoms, and pathology (from a CM perspective). Data on tumor characteristics were collected from the pathology reports. The associations were examined using hierarchical binary logistic regressions., Results: A total of 155 BC patients were enrolled. The median age was 52 years, with a range of 26-79; 95% were mothers; 28% had estrogen receptor (ER)-negative BC, 52% had progesterone receptor (PR)-negative BC, 48% had human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC, and antigen Ki-67 ≥ 20% was reported for 52% of tumors. Statistically significant associations were found between the emotional markers (sense of motherhood failure, and lack of self-fulfillment), avoidance behavior, and physical symptoms that are related to emotional repression based on CM. Significant associations were also found between variables associated with physical symptoms of emotional repression, which involves the production and accumulation of non-substantial phlegm (i.e., "high-lipid Qi-like microscopic phlegm"), avoidance behavior which unconsciously uses "high-lipid Qi-like microscopic phlegm" in order to achieve emotional repression, and tumor parameters including tumor grade, PR status, and Ki-67. Patients with higher levels of "high-lipid Qi-like microscopic phlegm" were more likely to have tumors with worse prognosis (PR-negative, higher grade, and higher Ki-67)., Conclusion: We demonstrated a relationship between emotional parameters, behavioral tendencies, CM parameters, and oncologic parameters in BC. Additional research is warranted to explore these associations and their relevance to clinical practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Shanghai Yueyang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)