Search

The efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) paired with western medicine in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to identify the effects of TCM. Seven electronic databases were reviewed from the inception of these databases to 30 June 2022. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool to provide a score of high, unclear, or low risk of bias. The standard software program (Stata, version 12.0, statistical software) was used for endpoint analyses. A total of 13 RCTs involving 1398 patients conducted in China were included. The cross-sectional data from various studies were plotted, and the results illustrated that the statistically higher rates of total effectiveness (RR, 1.357; 95% CI, 1.259 to 1.464; P < 0.001 ), improvement of chest CT (RR, 1.249; 95% CI, 1.143 to 1.356; P < 0.001 ), and cough improvement (RR, 1.228; 95% CI, 1.057 to 1.570; P = 0.012 ) and a lower incidence of conversion to severe cases (RR, 0.408; 95% CI, 0.275 to 0.605; P < 0.001 ) were demonstrated in the TCM group than that of the control group. Of note, the subgroup on specific TCM of Lianhua Qingwen (LQ) revealed that the experiment group was associated with a higher rate of total effectiveness (RR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.136 to 1.371; P < 0.001 ) and improvement of chest CT (RR, 1.226; 95% CI, 1.110 to 1.356; P < 0.001 ) and a lower rate of conversion to severe cases (RR, 0.469; 95% CI, 0.311 to 0.707; P < 0.001 ). However, there was no significant difference in fever improvement (RD, 0.110; 95% CI, -0.063 to 0.283; P = 0.213 ). The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that TCM combined with western medicine is more effective in treating COVID-19 via relieving symptoms, promoting patients’ recovery, and cutting the rate of patients developing into severe conditions. However, given the relevant possible biases in our study, adequately powered and better-designed studies with long-term follow-up are required to reach a firmer conclusion.

Previous studies revealed that MQEO (Maqian fruits essential oil), which is extracted from the fruit of Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. Pubescens), had a good anti-inflammatory effect, but the effect on endometriosis in vitro remains unknown. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of MQEO against the EESCs (ectopic endometrial stromal cells) were investigated. Cells were treated with a concentration gradient (from 0.025 % to 0.15 %) of MQEO for 24 h and cell viability was detected by CCK-8. In addition, apoptotic rates were investigated using flow cytometry. The effect of MQEO on cell migration was determined by wound-healing and transwell assay. The expression of apoptosis-associated and cell adhesion-related proteins was assessed by western blotting. The transcriptional levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by Real-time qPCR. RNA-seq was used to identify the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in MQEO-pretreated EESCs. We found that the MQEO condition dosage-dependently reduced the cell viability of EESCs. Based on flow cytometry results, the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly with dosage. The wound-healing and transwell results showed that MQEO group exhibited a significantly decreased cell motility and migration ability in comparison with the normal group. Western blotting results showed that MQEO down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and CD44, but up-regulated the cleaved caspase-3 expression in EESCs. What's more, MQEO also inhibited the LPS-induced inflammation in human EECs (endometrial epithelial cells). RNA-seq revealed that 221 DEGs were up-regulated genes and 284 DEGs were down-regulated in MQEO-pretreated EESCs. Our data uncovered the beneficial effects of MQEO in endometriosis and provided new insights into the mechanism of the effect of MQEO on EESCs, suggesting MQEO could be a promising new therapeutic agent for endometriosis.

Objectives An increase in the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with eutopic gland has been reported worldwide due to neonatal screening programs. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of transient CH (TCH) and to investigate predictive factors that could distinguish between permanent and transient CH in patients with eutopic thyroid glands. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 508 children treated for CH with eutopic thyroid glands between June 1998 and June 2020 in Jiangxi Newborn Screening Center. All patients were treated with levothyroxine and underwent Diagnostic re-evaluation after 2–3 years of age. Patients were classified as having TCH or permanent CH (PCH) during follow-up. Results Of the 508 patients initially treated for CH with a normally located gland, 335 patients (65.9%) were classified in the TCH group and 173 (34.1%) in the PCH group based on the defined criteria. Multivariate analysis revealed that TCH was associated with a lower levothyroxine dose at 24 months of age (p Conclusions TCH presents a significant portion of patients with CH. The levothyroxine dose requirement at 24 months of age has a predictive role in differentiating TCH from PCH in CH patients with eutopic thyroid glands.

2618 aluminum alloy has been used in aerospace structural parts, but the coarse second phase particles agglomerated in the alloy usually result in poor mechanical properties. In this paper, the morphology and distribution of the second phase particles and the mechanical properties of 2618 aluminum alloy ring were investigated, and the fracture morphology is observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The result show that the mechanical properties in the axial direction are lower than those in the circumferential direction. It is evidentially shown that the agglomeration of Al9FeNi intermetallic particles and magnesium oxides in the fracture is the main reason for the poor mechanical properties in the axial direction.

Hemangioma of the prostate is rarely reported. We here describe a hemangioma of the prostate in a 31-year-old man.The history, imaging characteristics, treatment and one year follow-up results were well documented. The chief complaint was retrograde ejaculation. A 3.1 cm × 2.9 cm mass in the prostate was detected by ultrasound. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was performed.Pathological examination revealed the mass was hemangioma. Immunohistochemical study found the tissue was SMA, CD34, CD31 positive, but D2-40 negative. Imaging feature combined with pathological result suggests the diagnosis of hemangioma of the prostate. One year follow-up revealed the patient was infertile.We suggest TURP should be performed to remove the hemangioma. Combined treatment is necessary to resolve the patient's infertility.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic cardiovascular emergency with a poor prognosis, and little preceding symptoms. Abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to the pathogenesis of AD. However, comprehensive lipid alterations related to AD pathogenesis remain unclear. Moreover, there is an urgent need for new or better biomarkers for improved risk assessment and surveillance of AD. Therefore, an untargeted lipidomic approach based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry was employed to unveil plasma lipidomic alterations and potential biomarkers for AD patients in this study. We found that 278 of 439 identified lipid species were significantly altered in AD patients (n = 35) compared to normal controls (n = 32). Notably, most lipid species, including fatty acids, acylcarnitines, cholesteryl ester, ceramides, hexosylceramides, sphingomyelins, lysophosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylinositols, diacylglycerols, and triacylglycerols with total acyl chain carbon number ≥54 and/or total double bond number ≥4 were decreased, whereas phosphatidylethanolamines and triacylglycerols with total double bond number

BACKGROUND Diet-induced disordered phospholipid metabolism and disturbed macrophage metabolism contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. However, the effects of oleate, a main dietary fatty acid, on macrophage phospholipid metabolism are unclear. OBJECTIVES We aimed to discover oleate-induced disorders of macrophage phospholipid metabolism and potential therapeutic targets for treating diet-related metabolic diseases. METHODS RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to 65 μg oleate/mL, within the blood concentration range of humans and mice, to trigger disorders of phospholipid metabolism. Meanwhile, WY-14643 and pioglitazone, 2 drugs widely used for treating metabolic diseases, were employed to prevent oleate-induced disorders of macrophage phospholipid metabolism. Subsequently, an untargeted metabolomics approach based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to discover relevant metabolic disorders and potential therapeutic targets. RESULTS We showed that 196 metabolites involved in phospholipid metabolism were altered upon oleate treatment and interventions of WY-14643 and pioglitazone (P

Abnormal extracellular microenvironment signals of macrophages contribute to the occurrence and progression of metabolic diseases. Macrophage metabolism is a therapeutic target for treating metabolic diseases. However, molecular mechanisms of metabolic disturbances in the extracellular microenvironment of macrophages remain unclear. Here, an untargeted metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed significant metabolic disturbances in the extracellular microenvironment of oleate-treated macrophages. Most of above changes were responsive to resveratrol and/or pioglitazone intervention. Notably, the concentration levels of most saccharides and lactate were increased in the extracellular microenvironment of the oleate-treated macrophages. The increased levels of fructose and lactate were abolished by resveratrol and/or pioglitazone treatment. Additionally, the concentrations of isoleucine and metabolites derived from branched-chain amino acids (including 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate, and 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate) were increased in the extracellular microenvironment of the oleate-treated macrophages. These effects were alleviated or abolished by both resveratrol and pioglitazone treatments. Moreover, myristate and oleate accumulated in the extracellular microenvironment of the oleate-treated macrophages. The metabolic disturbances in the extracellular microenvironment of oleate-treated macrophages indicated carbohydrate metabolism, glycolysis, branched-chain amino acid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism as potential therapeutic targets for treating metabolic diseases and the intervention effects of resveratrol and pioglitazone. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the accumulation of saccharides, lactate, isoleucine and branched-chain amino acid-derived metabolites in the extracellular microenvironment of macrophages.

Paper spray mass spectrometry (PSMS) has been widely used for rapid analysis of complex samples, particularly in rapid analysis of clinical samples for point-of-care diagnostics. In this study, heating PSMS was developed for enhanced detection of propranolol in dried blood samples (DBS). Prepared DBS were first placed on an aluminum plate and organic solvent was added. The plate was then heated using a heating probe. Heating was revealed to play two roles in detection of propranolol in DBS: (1) improving the diffusion of propranolol from paper to solvent and (2) improving release of propranolol from protein–propranolol complex. Heating efficiency evaluated at different temperatures showed that detection of propranolol in DBS significantly improved (about 30 times) under optimized temperature. Using an isotopic internal standard, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of propranolol were found to be less than 0.4 ng mL−1 (S/N > 3) and less than 1 ng mL−1 (S/N > 10), respectively. The dynamic ranges of propranolol were found to be in the range of 1.0–500 ng mL−1 with an excellent correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.999). This method also showed good precision (5.2–18.5%, n = 5) and acceptable recovery (70.0–81.5%, n = 5). Furthermore, clinical DBS collected from volunteer patients before and after oral doses of propranolol were successfully analyzed. This study demonstrated that heating PSMS is a promising method for rapid detection of propranolol in DBS for point-of-care diagnostics.

N′-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) is considered to be one of the most carcinogenic compounds of the four conventionally measured tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs). In order to evaluate the significance of metabolic activation for the carcinogenic potential of NNN, its catalysis by different phase I enzymes and its interaction with nicotine and nicotine-derived TSNAs need to be investigated. Using an in vitro model system, NNN was found to interact with various cytochrome P450 enzymes, predominantly CYP2A13. Mass-spectrometric analysis confirmed the presence of various predicted NNN metabolites, including 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) and 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl)-butyric acid (hydroxy acid) but little amount of 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl) butanal (OPB), which was somewhat different from in vitro NNK metabolism. Addition of nicotine, N′-Nitrosoanatabine (NAT), N′-Nitrosoanabasine (NAB) resulted in a competitive inhibition for NNN metabolism. The inhibition constant Ki value was calculated as 0.98 μM (nicotine), 1.37 μM (NAT), 0.71 μM (NAB) for HPB formation, 1.35 μM (nicotine), 1.35 μM (NAT), 1.01 μM (NAB) for hydroxy acid formation and 8.40 μM (nicotine), 3.40 μM (NAT), 3.04 μM (NAB) for OPB formation, respectively. These results implied that CYP2A13 is the most efficient enzyme to metabolize NNN in vitro and structurally similar tobacco constitutes including nicotine, NAT and NAB influence the metabolic activation of NNN, which may further interfere in its carcinogenicity.

To develop Al-Si cast alloys with high performance is important for lightweighting vehicles. In this study, the effects of the alloying elements such as Si, Cu, Mg contents (5%-7% Si, 1%-3%Cu, 0.3%-0.9%Mg) on mechanical properties of a test Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloy was studied to achieve a specific composition. The experimental results show that the Al-6%Si-3%Cu-0.3%Mg alloy has better comprehensive mechanical properties after T6 heat treatment, which indicates a remarkable interaction of the alloying elements for improving performance.

The effect of reheating process on the microstructure and mechanical property of A390 aluminum alloy and its evolution mechanism was studied. During reheating process, the microstructure of A390 ingots changed greatly, the microstructure ofα-Al particles changed from dendrite to spherical. As the reheating temperature increased primary Si and eutectic Si gradually grew up and spheroidized while the mechanical properties got the maximum value as the ingot reheating to 540°C. The relationship the between reheating power and microstructure was built. Improving reheating power can restrain the growth of grains, but if the reheating power was too high, the microstructure becomes non-uniform. It has been found that reheating of A390 aluminum alloy experiences two processes of grain combination and Ostwald growing.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms. Rape pollen is an apicultural product that is composed of nutritionally valuable and biologi- cally active substances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of rape pollen supercritical CO2 fluid extract (SFE-CO2) in BPH development using a testosterone-induced BPH rat model. BPH was induced in the experimental groups by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone for a period of 30 days. Rape pollen SFE-CO2 was administered daily by oral gavage concurrently with the testosterone injections. Animals were sacrificed at the sched - uled termination and the prostates were weighed and subjected to histopathological examination. Testosterone, dihydrotestos- terone (DHT), 5α-reductase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were also measured. BPH-induced animals exhibited an increase in prostate weight with increased testosterone, DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 expression levels. However, rape pollen SFE-CO2 treatment resulted in significant reductions in the prostate index and testosterone, DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 levels compared with those in BPH-induced animals. Histopathological examination also demonstrated that rape pollen SFE-CO2 treatment suppressed testosterone-induced BPH. These observations indicate that rape pollen SFE-CO2 inhibits the development of BPH in rats and these effects are closely associated with reductions in DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 levels. Therefore, the results of the present study clearly indicate that rape pollen SFE-CO2 extract may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly toxic alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde, is a major component of cigarette smoke and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. crotonaldehyde exposure is known to have adverse effects on respiratory health, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. as alveolar macrophages display important immunological and inflammatory properties in response to extraneous substances in the lung, we aimed at gaining more insight in changes of human macrophage-like cells transcriptome in response to crotonaldehyde. in vitro cultures of human thp-1 cells (a human monocytic leukemia cell line) were differentiated into macrophage-like cells treated by pma (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and be exposed crotonaldehyde. using rna-seq technology such as digital gene expression, the global changes in transcriptional level were analyzed. real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qpcr) was performed to validate rna-seq data. the differential regulated genes in many biological processes were dysregulated, including in antigen processing and presentation, oxidative stress, inflammation, cytokine signaling, and apoptosis. collectively, our study demonstrated that crotonaldehyde altered gene expression profile in the genome-wide transcriptional level in human macrophage-like cells, and many of them may represent potential mechanisms of crotonaldehyde causing cytotoxicity and tissue injury in the human lung.

The hot deformation behavior of hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy was investigated by thermal simulation test at the deformation temperature of 330-480 and the strain rate of 0.1-10s-1using the Gleeble-1500 thermal mechanical simulator. The relationship of flow stress, temperature and strain rate was appropriately described by the deformation constitutive equation, and the deformation activation energy is 187.418 KJ/mol. In addition, the microstructures of these specimens were analyzed and the result showed that the inhomogeneous deformation enhances with increasing strain rate and decreasing deformation temperature, and the presence of primary silicon had a strong influence on the uneven deformation.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly toxic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde, is a major component of cigarette smoke (CS) and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Exposure to crotonaldehyde-rich pollutants such as CS is associated with suppression of respiratory host defense against infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apoptotic and immunological effects of crotonaldehyde exposure in a rat alveolar macrophage (AM) cell line, NR8383. Our studies showed that crotonaldehyde induced AM cell death mainly via the apoptotic process. Crotonaldehyde also decreased the phagocytic activity of AMs. Crotonaldehyde caused inhibition of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12 production in AMs treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is probably related to inhibition of NF-κB activation. These results indicate that crotonaldehyde can cause adverse effects in AMs via multiple mechanisms, and may contribute to compromised lung immunological response in smokers.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly electrophilic alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde, is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and a risk factor for multiple respiratory diseases. Crotonaldehyde is highly volatile and hydrophilic, so it is efficiently absorbed in the respiratory tract. Alveolar macrophages are major effector cells of the nonspecific host defence in the lung. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways responsible for cell death of alveolar macrophage induced by crotonaldehyde. Our results show that crotonaldehyde induces apoptosis in alveolar macrophages, as indicated by phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment of alveolar macrophages with N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase inhibited crotonaldehyde-induced apoptosis. Crotonaldehyde-induced apoptosis was characterized by ROS generation, GSH depletion, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m), the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 activation, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and the increase of p53 expression. Furthermore, pretreatment with either p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha or calcium chelator BAP-TA-AM effectively attenuated apoptosis induced by crotonaldehyde. Taken together, our results showed that crotonaldehyde induce apoptosis in alveolar macrophages through intracellular calcium, mitochondria and p53 signaling pathways. These results would help to illustrate the mechanism of toxicity induced by crotonaldehyde and to look for a novel treatment for diseases induced by exposure to crotonaldehyde-rich pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

Newborn screening is one of public health concerns designed to screen infants shortly after birth. Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke such as nicotine has been reported to affect babies. Levels of nicotine and cotinine in meconium were widely used to evaluate the tobacco exposure of foetuses during pregnancy in a polluted environment. In this study, medical swabs were applied by using touch spray-mass spectrometry (TS-MS) to collect meconium from newborn infants for detection of nicotine and cotinine. Parameters such as choice of spray solvents, solvent volume and collision energy for screening of nicotine and cotinine were optimized. The limits of detection, reproducibility and matrix effect for analysis of meconium were also investigated. In this study, the levels of nicotine and cotinine in 54 puerpera volunteers were screened by TS-MS and were validated by using traditional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These results showed that medical swab TS-MS would be useful for newborn screening of nicotine and cotinine in meconium with high reproducibility, speed, sensitivity and specificity. The use of disposable medical swabs involves no sample preparation and no chromatographic separation, significantly reducing the cost and time required for screening a large number of clinical sample. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is considered to be the most carcinogenic of the four tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and it needs to be metabolically activated to exert its carcinogenic effect on humans. For the simultaneous intake of NNK and other compounds with similar molecular structures in the context of tobacco smoke, whether (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) and nicotine contribute to the inhibitory potency of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme-catalyzed NNK metabolism or not needs to be investigated. In the in vitro study, 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl) butanal (OPB), 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB) and 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl) butanoic acid (OPBA) were established as the products of the CYP2A13-catalyzed NNK metabolism and the kinetic parameters were calculated from the Michaelis-Menten equation. Addition of NAT, NAB or nicotine resulted in a competitive inhibition for the NNK metabolism catalyzed by CYP2A13. The inhibition constant Ki values were calculated to be 0.21 μM (NAT), 0.23 μM (NAB) and 8.51 μM (nicotine) for OPB formation; 0.71 μM (NAT), 0.87 μM (NAB) and 25.01 μM (nicotine) for HPB formation and 0.36 μM (NAT), 0.50 μM (NAB) and 6.57 μM (nicotine) for OPBA formation, respectively. In addition, the study of the transformation of the three metabolites revealed OPB was not only an end product but also an intermediate product of the CYP2A13-catalyzed NNK metabolism. These results suggest that structurally similar tobacco constituents with weak or no carcinogenicity influence the metabolic activation of NNK, which interferes with its carcinogenicity to some extent.

A design of experiment technique was used to optimize the microstructure of the AZ91D alloy produced by rheo-casting. The experimental design consists of four parameters (pouring temperature, shearing temperature, shearing time and shearing rate) with three levels. The grain size and shape factor measurements of primary α -Mg particles were conducted to determine the microstructure. The contribution of each parameter shows that pouring temperature is the most significant parameter affecting the grain size, and the shape factor highly depends on the shearing temperature. The optimized rheo-casting processing parameters are 650 °C for pouring temperature, 585 °C for shearing temperature, 40 s for shearing time, and 600 r/min for shearing rate. Under the optimized processing parameters, the average grain size is 28.53 μm, and the shape factor is 0.591.

A new rheo-extrusion technique has been developed to produce extruded profiles. The AZ31 slurry is fabricated by a twin-screw mechanism, and has spheroidal solid particles with a grain size of about 50 to 80μm. The slurry was introduced into an extrusion container with an inner diameter of 95mm, and then squeezed to a billet before extruding into a round bar with a diameter of 22mm using a 500kN extrusion machine. It is found that the new technique has a lower deformation resistance than that of the conventionally hot extrusion technique in the same extrusion velocity. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the rheo-extruded bars were examined in detail. The results illustrated that grains of the bar were very fine with the average grain size about 2.3μm，and the mechanical properties were improved substantially compared with those of the same alloy produced by the conventional hot extrusion.

The billet of magnesium AZ31B was made by twin-screw rheo-cast, and the specimen cut from the rheo-cast billet and normal cast billet were compressed in Gleeble-3000 hot simulator. The deformation temperature was 300, 350, and the strain rates were 0.001~1s-1. The relationship among flow stress, deformation temperature and strain rates were analyzed. The variation of the microstructure was observed and compared after the specimen was hot compressed. The results show that the surface of the rheo-cast specimen is much more smooth than the normal cast specimen after the compression. The dynamic recrystallization had taken place during the compression and the recrystallized grain of rheo-cast sample is more tiny than normal cast specimen.

An application of the semi-solid alloy Al-6Si-2Mg to produce automobile components was carried out for farther development of this new alloy. The experiments were done in a self-developed SSM trial line composed of semi-continuous caster combined with electromagnetic stirring for feedstock billet production, 6-station induction reheating equipment for restoring thixotropy of SSM billet and modified die-casting unit for semi-solid thixoforming. The results show that Al-6Si-2Mg alloy has such a suitable fraction solid and low temperature sensitivity of fraction solid that the controllability of SSM process is increased greatly. The billets have uniformly fine microstructure with a higher degree of sphericity and also retain good thixotropic properties. During thixoforming, the die is filled completely, the microstructure of components is dense, and the primary phases are near spherical, and the mechanical property after heat treatment has good performance.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly toxic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde, is a major component of cigarette smoke and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Crotonaldehyde exposure is known to have adverse effects on respiratory health, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. As alveolar macrophages display important immunological and inflammatory properties in response to extraneous substances in the lung, we aimed at gaining more insight in changes of human macrophage-like cells transcriptome in response to crotonaldehyde. In vitro cultures of human THP-1 cells (a human monocytic leukemia cell line) were differentiated into macrophage-like cells treated by PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and be exposed crotonaldehyde. Using RNA-seq technology such as digital gene expression, the global changes in transcriptional level were analyzed. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to validate RNA-seq data. The differential regulated genes in many biological processes were dysregulated, including in antigen processing and presentation, oxidative stress, inflammation, cytokine signaling, and apoptosis. Collectively, our study demonstrated that crotonaldehyde altered gene expression profile in the genome-wide transcriptional level in human macrophage-like cells, and many of them may represent potential mechanisms of crotonaldehyde causing cytotoxicity and tissue injury in the human lung.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly toxic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde, is a major component of cigarette smoke and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Crotonaldehyde exposure is known to have adverse effects on respiratory health, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. To examine the interaction between macrophages and airway epithelial cells after exposure to crotonaldehyde, BEAS-2B and A549 cells were treated with conditioned media from a human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) cells stimulated with crotonaldehyde. We demonstrate that conditioned media from THP-1 cells stimulated with crotonaldehyde increased interleukin (IL)-8 production, enhanced nuclear factor (NF)-κB and AP-1 DNA-binding activity in BEAS-2B and A549 cells. Analysis of these conditioned media revealed marked increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β and IL-8 levels. Preincubation of conditioned media with either TNF-α- or IL-1β-neutralizing antibodies reduced IL-8 production. Furthermore, BEAS-2B and A549 cells directly treated with crotonaldehyde induced increase in IL-8 production. These data suggest that crotonaldehyde is capable of directly stimulating the production of IL-8 in both macrophages and airway epithelial cells. Crotonaldehyde-stimulated macrophages also amplify the inflammatory response by enhancing IL-8 release from airway epithelial cells mediated by NF-κB and AP-1 pathways through a mechanism involving TNF-α and IL-1β. These findings indicate that crotonaldehyde can cause lung inflammatory response via multiple mechanisms, and may contribute to chronic airway inflammation in smokers.