Search

Sinomenine (SIN), a natural product, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for thousands of years. SIN has been developed for the treatment of RA by way of tablets and injections, but both dosage forms have been associated with severe adverse reactions. Making SIN into liposomes-in-hydrogel biomaterials for external use has a good slow-release effect and can play an important role in avoiding the first-pass effect, gastrointestinal reaction, and increasing the local action time of drugs. SIN-loaded liposomes were formed by the thin-film dispersion method, then SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were prepared by combining the SIN-L with hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. In this paper, the basic characteristics, In vitro and Ex vivo release, and antioxidant activity of SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were studied. The results showed that SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels have good sustained-release and antioxidant effects, and the preparation is expected to be a good biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dynamic headspace sampling with on-line monitoring of CH 4 and NMHC reflects quasi-realtime release behavior of volatile compounds. • Profiles of VOCs and their released rates described by NMHC were closely related to microalgae's state of health or the life stages. • NMHC and methane were estimated from 0.02 to 0.59 μgC/(h g) and 0.05–3.96 μgC/(h g), respectively. The spectrum of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released by the microalgae-water phase of Taihu Lake in China was examined, then release behaviors were studied using non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC, including a few polar organics) to describe the total amount of the released VOCs. Coupled dynamic headspace sampling with on-line monitoring of methane and NMHC was used to reflect the quasi-realtime release behavior of methane and NMHC by the microalgae-water phase. Alkanes, alkenes, oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) and volatile sulfide chemicals (VOSCs) were detected. Their relative contents over time varied markedly from the stationary to the apoptosis phase, with their release rates as described by NMHC estimated from 0.02 to 0.59 μgC/(h g). Methane was investigated simultaneously, and its release rate was found to be 0.05–3.96 μgC/(h g). The release rates of both NMHC and methane were found to relate to the culture phase of the microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Plant litter decomposition is an important pathway of heavy metal cycling in forested soil and watershed ecosystems globally, but is so far an overlooked aspects in the existing literature. To investigate the temporal dynamics of heavy metals in decomposing litter, we conducted a two-year field experiment using litterbag method across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in an alpine forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Using multigroup comparisons of structural equation modeling with different litter mass-loss intervals, we assessed the direct and indirect effects of several biotic and abiotic factors on the release rates of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr). Results suggested that both the concentrations and amounts of Pb, Cd, and Cr increased during litter decomposition regardless of ecosystem type and litter species, showing an immobilization pattern. The release rates of Pb, Cd, or Cr shared a common hierarchy of drivers across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with environmental factors and initial litter quality having both direct and indirect effects, and the effects of initial litter quality gained importance in the late decomposition stages. However, litter chemical dynamics and microbial diversity index have significant effects on release rates throughout the decomposition process. Our results are useful for better understanding heavy metal fluxes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and for predicting anthropogenic heavy metal pollution impacts on ecosystems. In addition, our results indicated that not only spatial but also temporal variability should be taken into consideration when addressing heavy metal dynamics accompanying litter decomposition process. Highlights • The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr all increased in decomposing litter across ecosystems. • Pb, Cd, and Cr all showed an immobilization pattern regardless of ecosystem type and species. • The release rates of Pb, Cd, and Cr shared a common hierarchy of drivers across ecosystems. • Environment and initial litter quality had both direct and indirect effects on metal release rates. • Litter chemical dynamics and microbial diversity index had consistent effects on metal release rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]