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In this work, the seasonal variations of the carbonate system and air‐sea CO2 fluxes were investigated by two cruises in the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) and the East China Sea (ECS), which were significantly influenced by the Changjiang riverine inputs across seasons. Biological‐mediated change of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was first quantitated through a three end‐member mixing model from winter to spring. Our modeling results suggested that DIC addition through biological remineralization persisted in the SYS during winter and spring, while DIC removal was evident in the Changjiang River Plume and the offshore ECS triggered by river inputs in spring. Horizontal and vertical mixing together constituted the largest contribution to the interseasonal variability of partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in the SYS (−69.5%), the river plume (−59.3%), and the ECS offshore (−43.8%), followed by temperature effects in the plume area (29.4%), and biological processes in the ECS offshore (24.1%) and the SYS (−7.7%), with air‐sea CO2 exchange contributing the least in both three subregions. The SYS, the river plume, and the ECS offshore all acted as atmospheric CO2 sinks in both winter and spring. Furthermore, their ability to absorb atmospheric CO2 increased from winter to spring, as reflected in a ∼1.8‐fold increase in the overall spring air‐sea CO2 flux compared to winter estimation. Plain Language Summary: The carbonate system has played an essential role in regulating the ocean carbon cycle due to its buffer capacity for ocean acidification, especially in continental shelf seas. However, complex biological and physical processes present difficulties in assessing the seasonal dynamics of the carbonate system and following air‐sea CO2 fluxes. In this study, seasonal variations of the carbonate system were identified in the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) and the East China Sea (ECS). From winter to spring, biological DIC addition happened in the SYS, while DIC removal by biological production exceeded the addition by remineralization and caused most springtime DIC consumption in the river plume and the ECS offshore. We also quantified pCO2 variations from winter to spring, revealing the importance of physical mixing in controlling the ocean carbon cycle. Our study regions acted as atmospheric CO2 sinks in winter and spring, and their sink capacity was strengthened from winter to spring. Key Points: Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) addition occurred in the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) during winter and spring, while springtime DIC removal occurred in the river plume and the East China Sea (ECS) offshorePhysical mixing became the primary factor in regulating the interseasonal variation of pCO2The capacity of coastal waters in absorbing atmospheric CO2 was enhanced from winter to spring [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ratiometric luminescent temperature sensing based on a single matrix is highly desirable at present. However, the adjustments of the temperature response range and sensitivity are still a huge challenge. Herein, a novel series of isostructural three-dimensional (3D) lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) {[Ln4(ebdc)6(DMF)2.75(H2O)7]}n (HPU-99, where Ln = Eu and EuxTb1−x, H2ebdc = 5-ethynyl-isophthalic acid) are synthesized by a solvothermal method using a 5-ethynyl-isophthalic acid ligand (H2ebdc). Notably, a series of Ln-MOFs EuxTb1−x-HPU-99 (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) are obtained by adjusting the proportion of Eu3+/Tb3+ in the bimetallic materials, which exhibit temperature dependent luminescent behavior with a fluorescence color gradient and demonstrate that chemical components would affect the ratiometric luminescent temperature sensing performance. Furthermore, the luminescence of HPU-99 is altered after the argentophilic alkynyl groups anchor the silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). This work showcases that bimetallic Ln-MOFs have great potential in luminescent sensing at an atomically precise level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an alkynyl-modified aromatic dicarboxylic acid bifunctional ligand was selected to construct lanthanide compound {[Eu4(ebdc)6(4,4-bpy)0.5(H2O)4.5]·(C2H5OH)1.25(H2O)}n (Eu-MOF, H2ebdc = 5-ethynyl-isophthalic acid, 4,4-bpy = 4,4-bipyridine, and MOF = metal-organic framework), of which the uncoordinated alkynyl group would be used to anchor silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). The Eu-MOF exhibits double emission peaks, located at 492 and 611 nm, respectively, in which the high-energy blue emission is associated with alkynyl-modified ligand while the low-energy red emission belongs to characteristic emission of Eu3+, indicating that ligands can effectively sensitize Eu3+ luminescence. The intensity ratio of the dual emission fluorescence peaks of Eu-MOF displays a good linear relationship with temperature, which realizes the detection function in the low temperature region of 75–275 K, and the thermal sensitivity reaches 1.5398%·K−1. After anchoring the Ag NCs, the high-energy blue emission is significantly quenched, indicating that the Ag NCs are indeed confined into the framework and interact with the alkynyl group, and thus change the overall electronic distribution. This is the first case of anchoring Ag NCs by a luminescent Eu-MOF and studying nanocluster loading by using spectroscopic properties. In addition, the Ag NCs@Eu-MOF also shows a good catalytic activity for cycloaddition reaction from CO2 and epoxides. This study not only provides ideas for exploring the changes in optical properties of luminescent MOFs and Ag NCs caused by confinement effect, but also expands their potential applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death initiated by the activation of caspases, which is involved in the development and progression of several cardiovascular diseases. The gasdermins, a protein family, are key executive proteins in the development of pyroptosis, which increase cell membrane permeability, mediate the release of inflammatory factors, and aggravate the inflammatory injury. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown unique therapeutic advantages in cardiovascular diseases with multi-component and multi-target characteristics. Currently, the effective prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on the theory of pyroptosis become a new research hotspot in this field. Based on the theories of TCM and modern medicine, this study summarized the role of pyroptosis in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and myocarditis. The role of TCM, including active monomers, crude extracts, and compound preparations, in cardiovascular protection through the regulation of pyroptosis was also summarized, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases by TCM.

This paper aimed to explore the antidepressant effect of the essential oil from Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq.(EOST) on the treatment of depression and its mechanism by using a combination of network pharmacology and the mouse model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced depression. The chemical components in EOST were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS), and 12 active components were selected as the study objects. The targets related to EOST were obtained by Traditional Chinese Medicines Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database. The targets related to depression were screened out through GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database(TTD), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) database. The Venny 2.1 was applied to screen out the common targets of EOST and depression. The targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 to generate "drug-active component-diease-target" network diagram. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed using STRING 11.5 database and Cytoscape 3.7.2, and the core targets were screened out. DAVID 6.8 database was used for Gene Ontology(GO) func-tional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and subsequently the enrichment results were visualized through the bioinformatics platform. The mouse model of depression was induced by intraperitoneally injecting with LPS in mice. Before modeling, mice were administrated orally with EOST. The antidepressant effect of EOST was evalua-ted by tail suspension test(TST), forced swimming test(FST), and novelty suppressed feeding test(NSFT) after modeling. The content of interleukin(IL)-1β was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression levels of IL-1β and pro IL-1β in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. There were 12 main components and 179 targets in EOAT, of which, 116 targets were related to depression, mainly involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) signaling pathway. Biological processes such as synaptic signal transduction, G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, and chemical synaptic transmission were involved. Molecular functions such as neurotransmitter receptor activity, RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcription factor activity, and heme binding were involved. In mice experiments, the results showed that EOST at 100 mg·kg~(-1) and 50 mg·kg~(-1) significantly shortened the immobility time in TST and FST as well as the feeding latency in NSFT compared with the model group, decreased the levels of serum IL-1β and NO, and reduced the protein expression levels of IL-1β and pro IL-1β in the hippocampus. In conclusion, EOST shows a good antidepressant effect in a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway manner. The mechanism may be attributed to the fact that EOST can down-regulate the protein expression levels of IL-1β and pro IL-1β, decrease the release of inflammatory factors, and reduce neuroinflammation response.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for dry eye disease (DED) in young and middle-aged office employee in Xi'an., Methods: This cross-sectional study of the prevalence of and risk factors for DED investigated 486 young and middle-aged Chinese office employee in Xi'an. DED symptoms and potential risk factors were assessed using the ocular surface disease index combined with a risk factors questionnaire, and tear function was evaluated using the tear film break-up time and Schirmer's test. Possible risk factors for DED were estimated by binary Logistic regression analysis., Results: DED was diagnosed in 100 females and 96 males, giving a prevalence of 40.3% [95% confidence interval (CI)=36.0%-44.7%]. The multivariate binary Logistic regression model indicated that the possible risk factors for DED were being female (OR=1.592, 95%CI=1.034-2.451, P =0.035), being aged ≥40y (OR=1.593, 95%CI=1.034-2.454, P =0.035), using a VDT daily for >6h (OR=1.990, 95%CI=1.334-2.971, P =0.001), the presence of central air conditioning (OR=1.548, 95%CI=1.053-2.276, P =0.026), and self-reported dryness of the mouth and nose (OR=1.589, 95%CI=1.071-2.357, P =0.021)., Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of clinically diagnosed DED in young and middle-aged video display terminal (VDT) users. Interventions against the modifiable risk factors should be taken to prevent the occurrence and development of DED in this population., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Objective Hemocoagulase injection based on the venom of Agkistrodon halys Pallas is widely used in the treatment of hemorrhagic disorders. This study aimed to characterize the clinical laboratory findings of hemocoagulase-induced hypofibrinogenemia as the associated adverse reaction of hemocoagulase injection.Methods We retrospectively enrolled 27 in-patients who were treated with hemocoagulase injection for hemoptysis and developed hypofibrinogenemia during the period of January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018. Clinical data were collected and investigated, including clinical manifestations, hemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters, dosage of hemocoagulase, the medication time, and the cryoprecipitate blood product infusion. Differences in fibrinogen, D-dimer, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) before, during, and after the application of hemocoagulase injection were analyzed statistically.Results Plasma fibrinogen level during medication of hemocoagulase injection decreased significantly compared to that before the treatment ( F =1.80, P <0.001), with the average decrease of 2.28 g/L (0.63-3.9 g/L). After withdrawal, fibrinogen level increased significantly compared to that during the medication ( F =-1.20, P <0.001), but was still lower than that before the medication ( F =0.59, P =0.03). The D-dimer level and the FDP level after withdrawal decreased significantly compared to the levels during the medication ( F =0.83, P =0.002; Wilcoxon-test, Z =-4.54, P <0.001). Spearman's correlation analyses did not find either fibrinogen change during-before the administration or FDP change after-during the administration was associated with the dosage of hemocoagulase ( r =-0.17, P =0.40; r =-0.28, P =0.15; respectively) and the time of recovery from hypofibrinogenemia ( r =-0.45, P =0.05; r =0.13, P =0.61; respectively).Conclusion Monitoring both clotting and fibrinolysis parameters is essential in the management of hemoptysis patients treated with hemocoagulase injection. Clinicians should be aware of hypofibrinogenemia and consider discontinuation of the administration of hemocoagulase whenever necessary.

Background: Evidence suggest that IL-18 gene polymorphisms may be risk factors for several cancers. Increasing studies investigating the association between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms (-607 C>A and -137G>C) and cancer risk have yielded conflicting results., Methodology/principal Findings: We performed a meta-analysis of 26 studies including 4096 cases and 5222 controls. We assessed the strength of the association of IL-18 gene promoter -607 C>A and -137G>C polymorphisms with cancer risk and performed sub-group analyses by cancer types, ethnicities, source of controls and sample size. The pooled results revealed a significant increased risk of cancer susceptibility for -607 C>A (CA vs. CC: OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.37, Pheterogeneity = 0.033; CA/AA vs. CC: OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.34, Pheterogeneity = 0.007), but no significant association for -137 G>C was observed with overall cancer risk. Sub-group analyses revealed that an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was both found for -607 C>A (CA/AA vs. CC: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.69, Pheterogeneity = 0.823) and -137G>C (GC/CC vs. GG: OR = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.26, 1.96, Pheterogeneity = 0.373). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the -607A/-137C and -607C/-137C haplotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as compared with the -607C/-137G haplotype (-607A/-137C vs. -607C/-137G: OR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.13, 1.40; Pheterogeneity = 0.569; -607C/-137C vs. -607C/-137G: OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.27; Pheterogeneity = 0.775). As for gastrointestinal cancer, we also found that -607 C>A polymorphism was significantly associated with increased cancer risk (CA/AA vs. CC: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.50, Pheterogeneity = 0.458). Further sub-group analysis revealed that -137G>C polymorphism contributed to cancer risk in Asians but not in Caucasians (GC/CC vs. GG: OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.64, Pheterogeneity<0.001)., Conclusions: The meta-analysis results suggest that IL-18 gene promoter -607 C>A polymorphism is significantly associated with overall cancer risk, especially in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastrointestinal cancer; and the -137 G>C polymorphism is associated with increased overall cancer risk in Asian populations and also significantly increases the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.