Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are associated with a number of atypicalities in face processing, including difficulties in face memory. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this difficulty are unclear. In neurotypical individuals, repeated presentation of the same face is associated with a reduction in activity, known as repetition suppression (RS), in the fusiform face area (FFA). However, to date, no studies have investigated RS to faces in individuals with ASC, or the relationship between RS and face memory. Here, we measured RS to faces and geometric shapes in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of an ASC and in age and IQ matched controls. Relative to controls, the ASC group showed reduced RS to faces in bilateral FFA and reduced performance on a standardized test of face memory. By contrast, RS to shapes in object-selective regions and object memory did not differ between groups. Individual variation in face-memory performance was positively correlated with RS in regions of left parietal and prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest difficulties in face memory in ASC may be a consequence of differences in the way faces are stored and/or maintained across a network of regions involved in both visual perception and short-term/working memory. Recognizing faces is vital for social functioning, enabling us to engage in appropriate interactions and to form social bonds. Individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC)—a heritable condition associated with difficulties in social communication, unusually narrow interests and repetitive behaviors —show difPrevious work investigating the neural mechanisms of face processing in ASC has primarily focused on the magnitude of the response in a region of occipitotemporal cortex known as the fusiform face area (FFA). While some studies report a reduced FFA response in ASC participants  other woThe second aim of our study was to determine whether any reduction in RS in ASC participants is specific to faces, or generalizes to other  stimulus categories. Previously, we found that the relationship between diminished RS and increasing autistic traits extended to non-face categories (scenes and geometric shapes) , suggestFinally, we also investigated the relationship between RS and memory for faces. Previous studies report that adults with ASC show reduced performance on a standardized test of face memory relative to controls ; however16 neurotypical volunteers and 17 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome participated in the study. One control participant was excluded after scoring high on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) . One ASC participant was excluded after scoring within the control range on both measures. The data from another ASC participant were removed due to excessive head movement in the scanner (>4 mm). This left a total of 30 participants (15 per groups). Groups were matched for age, sex, and IQ   and the Following the scanning session, participants performed an identity discrimination task, during which they were required to respond, via a button press, as to whether 2 consecutively presented faces were of the same or a different identity. Face images were identical to those used in the scanning session. Each trial consisted of consecutive images of 2 same or different identity faces, shown at the same or different sizes. Each image was shown for 1050 ms followed by a 200 ms blank ISI . The experiment comprised 64 trials .http://www.adobe.com).For the localizer scan and RS Experiment 1, color photographs of unfamiliar faces with neutral expressions were obtained from the NimStim , KarolinParticipants lay supine in the magnet bore and viewed images projected onto a screen visible via an angled mirror. The localizer scan comprised images of 64 household objects, 64 scrambled versions of the objects, 64 unfamiliar faces, and 64 scenes. These were presented using a block design, consisting of four 16 s blocks for each of the 4 conditions; each block contained 8 images with each image shown for 1600 ms followed by a 400 ms blank ISI. Blocks of stimuli were separated by an 8 s rest block (fixation). To ensure participants were attending to all trials in the localizer scan they performed a one-back matching task and responded, via a button press, whenever they saw the same image appear on 2 consecutive trials. All participants completed experimental runs in the following order: Experiment 1, Localizer, Experiment 2.P < 0.01 uncorrected (10 contiguous voxels).For each participant, face-selective FFA, occipital face area (OFA), and superior temporal sulcus (STS) were identified using the contrasts faces > scenes. Object-selective lateral occipital (LO) and posterior fusiform gyrus (pFs) were identified using the contrast objects > scrambled-objects. ROIs were identified using a minimal threshold of A). Same- and vary-size conditions each contained 8 same-identity blocks in which the same face was shown 8 times, and 8 vary-identity blocks containing images of 8 different faces; a total of 32 stimulus blocks. Each stimulus block lasted for 10 s, with each image shown for 1050 ms followed by a 200 ms blank ISI . In the same-size blocks, all faces subtended a visual angle of approximately 5.5° × 3.5°. Blocks in the vary-size condition contained images shown at regular-size and at 33% larger and 33% smaller than this size. Blocks were separated by an 8 s period of fixation when an equiluminant gray screen was shown. A total of 8 faces were used across the Experiment, and individual identities were shown an equal number of times in same- and vary-identity blocks. Total scan time was 9.6 min.Experiment 1 used a repeated measures design, investigating the effect of Repetition  and Image Size  . Parameters were identical to those used in Experiment 1, with the exception that image size varied in all blocks  and Image Color  Fig. B. Parameks as in . To testTo determine whether participants were attending to the faces, we monitored and recorded participants’ eye movements during the scanning session using a 50 Hz monocular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible infrared eyetracker . Eyetracking data were analysed with SMI BeGaze3.0 software. A rectangular area-of-interest (AOI) was created around the inner part of the upper face for each 3 image sizes separately. Average dwell time in the AOI was measured for each condition . During scanning, participants were instructed to attend to a fixation cross which appeared during each ISI, and was positioned in a location equivalent to the center of the eyes.MRI scanning was performed on a Siemens Tim Trio 3-Tesla MR scanner with a 32-channel head coil. Brain data were acquired with T2*-weighted echo-planar imaging sensitive to BOLD signal contrast. Each image volume consisted of 32 3 mm thick slices . Slices were acquired sequentially in an oblique axial orientation aligned along the ventral temporal lobes. The first 3 volumes were discarded to allow for the effects of magnetic saturation. A high-resolution structural magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo scan was also acquired at a resolution of 1 × 1 × 1 mm. Following a scanner upgrade, 2 participants (1 ASC) were scanned  using a Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma-fit 3-Tesla MR scanner with a 64-channel head coil. To model any effects of the upgrade, scanner was included as a covariate in all analyses.Data were analysed using SPM 8 software (Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging). Standard pre-processing was applied, including correction for slice-timing and head motion. Each participant's scans were normalized using the linear and nonlinear normalization parameters estimated from warping the participant's structural image to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI)—ICBM avg152 T1 weighted template, using 2 mm isotropic voxels and smoothed with a Gaussian kernel of 8 mm full-width half-maximum. Blocks of each condition were modeled by sustained epochs of neural activity (boxcars) convolved with a canonical hemodynamic response function. Realignment parameters were included as effects of no interest to account for motion-related variance. A high pass filter of 128 s was used to remove low-frequency noise.Mean parameter estimates for each condition were extracted from an 8 mm radius sphere centred on the maximal voxel in each participant's FFA, OFA, and STS (Experiment 1) and LO and pFs (Experiment 2) using MarsBar . In Expe t-test to compare RS between groups . To determine the relationship between individual variation in face memory and RS to faces, first-level images of contrast estimates (Different-Identity > Same-Identity) were entered into whole-brain regression analysis with CFMT and CCMT scores as covariates . Scanner was included as a covariate of no interest in all whole brain analyses.In both experiments we determined whether regions outside of the category-selective ROIs showed a group difference in RS by performing an exploratory whole brain analysis. First-level images of contrast estimates (Different-Identity/Shape > Same-Identity/Shape) were entered into an independent samplesF = 5.77, P < 0.02, ηρ² = 0.17), reflecting greater overall accuracy scores in the control group. This effect was qualified by a significant interaction between Category and Group  = 5.42, P < 0.03, ηρ² = 0.16)  = 3.74, P < 0.005), with no group differences found on the car memory test (P = 0.80).Face and car memory: Accuracy scores for the CFMT and CCMT were entered into a mixed-model ANOVA with Category  as a within-participants measure and Group  as a between-participants factor. The results revealed a main effect of Group  on accuracy, and no interactions between Identity and/or Image-Size and Group (P’s > 79). Accuracy (SD): Control = 96% (0.01); ASC = 96% (0.05).Face identity discrimination: Due to high accuracy rates in both groups (>96%), data were arcsine transformed before being entered into a 2 × 2 × 2 ANOVA (Identity × Size × Group). This revealed no significant effect of Group (P’s > 0.78).Localizer scan: Mean MNI coordinates and numbers of face- and object-selective ROIs identified in both ASC and control groups are detailed in Table F = 89.22, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.78), with no interaction between Repetition and Image-Size (P = 0.38). Crucially, there was a significant interaction between Repetition and Group in this region  = 5.94, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.19) . Paired comparisons revealed that the control group showed significantly greater RS than the ASC group t(26) = 2.44, P < 0.05) . This effect was not further modulated by an interaction with Image-Size (P > 0.87). There was no main effect of Group (P = 0.90), indicating the overall response to faces did not differ between groups.Face-selective ROIs: For the right FFA, the ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of Repetition, reflecting a greater response in the different-identity condition compared with the same-identity condition   = 30.08, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.61); with no interaction between Repetition and Image-Size (P = 0.79). Again, there was a significant interaction between Repetition and Group  = 4.76, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.19) , with controls showing greater RS than the ASC group (t(20) = 2.14, P < 0.05) . This effect was not further modulated by an interaction with Image-Size (P = 0.97), and again there was no main effect of Group (P = 0.75).In left FFA, an analogous ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of Repetition  = 37.95, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.64); lOFA:  = 20.96, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.55), reflecting a greater response in the different-identity condition compared with the same-identity condition (see P’s > 0.37). There was no significant interaction between Repetition and Group in either right or left OFA: rOFA (P = 0.91); lOFA (P = 0.21), and no main effect of Group is either region (P’s > 0.66). Finally, an ANCOVA revealed no effect of Repetition in right STS (P = 0.42) and no interaction between Repetition and Group (P = 0.78). There was a significant effect of Group in this region  = 3.32, P = 0.05, ηρ² = 0.21), reflecting a greater response to faces in ASC group compared with the control group  = 5.84, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.20) and left FFA F = 4.10, P = 0.05, ηρ² = 0.19). This reflected diminishing RS as a function of increasing AQ scores. No significant interaction was found in other face-selective ROIs (P’s > 0.35).Analogous ANCOVAs including AQ as a covariate across groups revealed a significant interaction between Repetition and AQ in right FFA  = 37.91, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.61), and left LO  = 15.05, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.38), However, there was no interaction between Repetition and Group in either region (P’s > 0.76). ANCOVAs for right and left pFS, revealed a main effect of Repetition in both regions: right pFS:  = 24.81, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.57); left pFS:  = 35.22, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.59) and a significant interaction between Repetition and Group in both regions: right pFs:  = 4.26, P = 0.05, ηρ² = 0.18); left pFS:  = 7.04, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.23); with controls showing greater RS than the ASC group in both regions. Given that pFS shows considerable overlap with FFA and was defined using the contrast of objects > scrambled, it is likely that this region contains a large number of face-selective voxels. Thus, we performed an additional analysis using the contrast of objects > faces to define object-selective ROIs. Using this definition we again found significant RS to faces in all ROIs (P’s < 0.05), except left LO (P = 0.23), however, crucially, there was no interaction between Repetition and Group in either LO (P’s > 0.59) or pFs (P’s > 0.24). Thus, there were no group differences in RS to faces in object-selective ROIs after excluding face-selective voxels.To determine whether any group difference in RS to faces was specific to face-selective ROIs, we examined RS to faces in object-selective regions see . An ANCOP < 0.05 FWE). At a more liberal threshold, and consistent with the ROI analysis, there was a group difference in a region corresponding to right FFA, with controls showing greater RS than the ASC group .There was no evidence of any group differences in RS at a whole brain corrected level (P’s > 0.11), although left OFA showed a borderline significant interaction between Repetition and CFMT  = 4.39, P = 0.05, ηρ² = 0.20), reflecting greater RS as a function of increased face memory scores.To investigate the relationship between individual variation in face memory and RS in face-selective ROIs, data extracted from each ROI were entered into separate ANCOVAs examining the effects of Repetition and Image-Size as repeated measures, with CFMT and CCMT scores as covariates. This revealed no evidence of an interaction between RS and face memory in FFA or any other face-selective region (P < 0.001 uncorrected), with 3 large clusters apparent in left/medial prefrontal cortex , left inferior parietal cortex , and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex  (see P < 0.01 uncorrected).Next, to explore the relationship between RS and face memory we performed a whole-brain regression analysis (covarying out car memory performance). This revealed a positive relationship between CFMT scores and RS in several regions  see . Activatt-test revealed that mean dwell time on the upper region of the face did not differ between control and ASC participants (P = 0.81); Mean Dwell Time (SE): Controls = 861 ms (94.1); ASC = 771 ms (84.5). Closer inspection of the data revealed that one ASC participant appeared to show an abnormal pattern of gaze behavior, spending less than 3% of dwell time on the upper part of the face. After removing this participant from analysis, mean dwell time for the ASC group was 846 ms (43.0). We also re-analysed the ROI data after removing the same participant and found that the Repetition × Group interaction remained significant in right FFA (P < 0.05) and borderline significant in left FFA (P = 0.07). In addition, the correlation between RS and CFMT remained significant in all regions reported in Table P < 0.001 uncorrected).Due to difficulties in tracking some participants’ pupils , reliable eyetracking data were only available from 19 out of 30 participants (11 ASC). An independent-samples x,y), as within participants factors and Group as a between participant factor. This revealed no main effect of Group (P = 0.80) and no interactions between Block and Group (P = 0.39) or Block, Fixation, and Group (P = 0.11). Thus, groups did not differ in the extent to which they varied their gaze location within blocks.An alternative explanation for group differences in RS is that groups differed in the extent to which they varied their gaze location within blocks . To address this, we calculated the standard deviation of fixation locations across trials within same- and different-identity blocks for each participant. Data were entered into an 2 × 2 ANOVA with Block  and Fixation variation  = 15.8, P < 0.005, ηρ² = 0.40), reflecting a greater response in the different-shape condition relative to the same-shape condition , with no interactions between Repetition and Image-Color (P = 0.26) and no main effect of Group (P = 0.37) or Image-Color (P = 0.54). Crucially, there was no interaction between Repetition and Group (P = 0.96) or Repetition, Image-Color and Group (P = 0.11) in this region, indicating that the magnitude of RS did not differ between groups .ANCOVAs examined the effects of Repetition  and Image-Color  as repeated measures, with Group  as a between participants’ factor and scanner as a covariate. There was a significant effect of Repetition in right LO  = 18.34, P < 0.001, ηρ² = 0.42), with no interaction between Repetition and Image-Color (P = 0.49) . Again, we found no evidence of an interaction between Repetition and Group (P = 0.88)  or between Repetition, Image-Color, and Group (P = 0.13), and no main effect of Group (P = 0.20) or Image-Color (P = 0.65).An ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of Repetition in left LO  = 8.92, P < 0.01, ηρ² = 0.32); lpFs:  = 11.01, P < 0.005, ηρ² = 0.31), reflecting a greater response in the different-shape condition compared with the same-shape condition (see P’s > 0.77). We found no significant interaction between Repetition and Group, or between Repetition, Image-Color, and Group in either right pFs (P’s > 0.20) or left pFs (P’s > 0.46) (see P’s > 0.17) or Image-Color (P’s > 0.69.) in either region.ANCOVAs for right and left pFs revealed a main effect of Repetition in both regions: rpFs: (tion see . The eff.46) see . There wP’s > 0.69). However, when considering control participants only, there was a borderline negative relationship between AQ and RS to shapes in rLO (P = 0.08).Analogous ANCOVAs including AQ as a covariate revealed no significant interaction between Repetition and AQ in any object-selective ROIs  = 8.88, P < 0.01, ηρ² = 0.29), and left FFA  = 14.17, P < 0.005, ηρ² = 0.46), and a significant effect of Group: right FFA:  = 9.89, P < 0.01, ηρ² = 0.31); left FFA:  = 5.65, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.25), with the ASC group showing a greater overall response to shapes than the control group. However, there was no Repetition × Group interaction in either region (P’s > 0.63). ANCOVAs for right and left OFA also revealed a main effect of Repetition in both regions: right OFA:  = 9.65, P < 0.01, ηρ² = 0.34); left OFA:  = 7.27, P < 0.05, ηρ² = 0.31), no effect of Group (P’s > 0.18), and no significant interaction between Repetition and Group (P’s > 0.65). Finally, there was no main effect of Repetition (P = 0.51) or Group (P = 0.18), and no interaction between Repetition and Group (P = 0.85) in right STS. Thus, reduced RS in FFA in the ASC group appears to be specific to faces rather than the consequence of “general” diminished RS in this region.Finally, we examined RS to shapes within face-selective ROIs see . An ANCOt-test revealed no evidence of a group difference in RS to shapes (Different-Shape > Same-Shape) even at a liberal threshold (P < 0.01 uncorrected).An independent samples The aim of this study was to investigate RS to faces in adults with ASC, and to determine the neural mechanisms that underlie difficulties in face memory found in ASC. The results revealed that RS to faces in bilateral FFA was significantly reduced in ASC participants relative to age- and IQ-matched neurotypical controls. By contrast, there was no evidence of group differences in RS to geometric shapes in object-selective regions. ASC participants also performed significantly worse than controls on a standardized test of face memory but not on a test of car memory. Across participants, we found that face memory performance was positively correlated with RS in regions of left parietal and prefrontal cortex. These findings provide the first evidence that RS to facial identity is reduced in ASC. Moreover, they suggest that face memory abilities are linked to RS in regions commonly recruited during short-term and working memory tasks , suggestPrevious work investigating face processing in ASC has focused on the role of the FFA, with mixed evidence regarding extent to which the magnitude of this region's response differs between groups . In the Previous work has found that individuals with ASC show reduced habituation to faces in bilateral amygdala but no group difference in habituation in the fusiform gyrus . HoweverOne possible explanation for the finding of reduced RS to faces in ASC participants is that it may reflect a difficulty in detecting changes in facial identity across trials. For example, previous work indicates that ASC participants show “reduced” neural sensitivity in FFA to small changes in face shape relative to that shown by neurotypical participants in an earlier study  althoug. HoweverASC has been associated with increased time spent attending to the lower regions of a face, rather than the eyes . Thus, oAn additional aim of this study was to determine whether reduced RS is a general characteristic of individuals with ASC. Recent proposals have characterized atypicalities in autism as a “disorder of prediction”  or “atteIn the current study, we found no evidence of reduced RS to shapes in the ASC group. This contrasts with our previous finding of reduced RS as a function of increased autistic traits in a neurotypical population . The reason for this discrepancy is unclear, and more research is needed to clarify whether the previous relationship replicates in independent studies. More importantly, this finding provides a challenge for the notion of a general deficit in predictive mechanisms in ASC, and accords with recent work challenging the notion of “attenuated priors” in ASC . PreviouAn alternative explanation for the “face-specific” RS effect found here is that it reflects underlying differences in the representation of feature space in ASC. P < 0.001) and that future research is needed to determine the reliability of these findings. Finally, although the car memory test provides a measure of non-face memory matched with the CFMT, it does not provide a good behavioral correlate of RS to shapes. Thus, we are unable to determine whether RS to shapes is also related to variation in shape memory in similar or different regions to that found for faces.We also investigated the relationship between individual variation in face memory and RS. An exploratory whole brain analysis revealed that performance on a face memory task was positively related to RS in regions thought to form part of the brain's working memory network ; includiIn conclusion, we found that adults with ASC showed reduced memory for faces but not cars, and reduced RS to faces but not shapes. Furthermore, individual variation in face memory was related to RS in regions of parietal and prefrontal cortex. These findings accord with evidence suggesting ASC is associated with difficulties in face memory, and suggest difficulties in face memory may reflect differences in the way faces are stored and/or maintained across a network of regions involved in both visual perception and short-term/working memory.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.Supplementary DataClick here for additional data file.


Benzo[a]pyrene and fluorene were the most abundant compounds in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depths, respectively. The quantitative values of the pyrogenic index, total index, and diagnostic ratio used in this study showed that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have a pyrogenic origin. The negligible and maximum permissible concentrations values for naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and benzo[a]pyrene indicated a moderate ecological risk. The incremental lifetime cancer risk values for adults and children showed a low and moderate cancer risk, respectively. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are large groups of ubiquitous environmental pollutants composed of two or more fused aromatic rings. This study was designed to evaluate the distribution, potential sources, and ecological and cancer risks of eleven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from Huangpi soils in Wuhan, central China. The soil samples for this study were taken from 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depths. A modified matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction method was applied to extract analytes from the soil samples. A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector was used to determine the concentrations of the compounds. The sum mean concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were 138.93 and 154.99 µg kg Environmental pollution has become a crosscutting issue attracting the attention of countries’ governmental, public, and scientific communities in the last few decades ,2. PolycPAHs), with two or three aromatic rings, and high-molecular weight PAHs (HMWPAHs), with four or more aromatic rings anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dibenzanthracene (dbA), benzo[ghi]perylene (BgP), indenopyrene (InP), and pyrene (Pyr) was purchased from ANPEL laboratory technology . Chromatographic grade dichloromethane and acetonitrile were obtained from Fisher Scientific, , and Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc., USA, respectively. In addition, analytical grade reagents: carbon (C18) , anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and copper powder (Cu) . Florisil , and neutral silica gel  were purchased from the respective companies. Pretreatment and activation of the reagents were carried out to improve the effectiveness of the extraction. Accordingly, the anhydrous sodium sulfate was baked at 450 °C for 4 h before use. The 60–100 mesh Florisil and 100–200 mesh neutral silica gel were activated by oven-drying at 150 °C for 10 h and 180 °C for 4 h, respectively. The neutral silica gel was deactivated with 3% ultrapure water before use. Unlike the other reagents, copper was activated by soaking the copper powder in a 2 N solution of HCl  for 12 h, and was then washed three times with water and three times with acetone pyrene [−1), CSF is the carcinogenic slope factor (µg kg−1 day−1)−1, CSF was based on the cancer-causing ability of BaP, and the CSFingestion, CSFdermal, and CSFinhalation of BaP were 7.3, 25, and 3.85 (µg kg−1 day−1)−1, respectively [−1), ED is the exposure duration (30 years), IRsoil is the soil intake rate (100 mg day−1), IRair is the inhalation rate (20 m3 day−1), SA is the dermal surface exposure (5000 cm2 day−1), cf is the conversion factor (106), AF is the dermal adherence factor (10 mg cm−2), ABS is the dermal adsorption fraction unitless (0.1), and PEF is the soil dust produce factor (1.32 × 109 m3 kg−1). The total risks were the sum of risks of the ILCRs in terms of direct ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. For children, BW (15 kg), EF (180 days), ED (6 year), IRair (10 m3 day−1), SA (2800 cm2 day−1), and AF (0.2 kg cm−2) were assumed [Human health impacts of persistent organic pollutants can arise through dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Human risk assessments of PAHs were evaluated by using the equations adopted from previous work ,39. The ectively . BW is bMicrosoft Excel 2010  was used to organize and arrange the data. All the descriptive statistics: minimum, maximum, average, and other computations were conducted using SPSS statistics version 20 . One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to check if there was a statistical difference in concentrations between individual PAHs, soil depth, and land-use types. Pearson’s correlation analysis was also used to determine the connection between PAHs and soil properties. −1 (∑mean = 138.93 µg kg−1) and 10.36 to 450.59 µg kg−1 (∑mean = 154.99 µg kg−1) in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depths, respectively. Compared to results of other studies, the summed mean concentration of the current study was markedly lower than the 16,380 µg kg−1 reported from roadside soil in India [−1 from core sediments of Lake Hongfeng, southwest China [−1 from the coastal region of Macao, China [−1 from the Majia River and 914.40 µg kg−1 from the Tuhai–Majia River system, China [−1 from urban soil of Xi’an, northwest China [−1 from bank soils in Danjiangkou Reservoir, China [−1 in soil of the Songhua River basin, China [−1 reported in bank soils from the three Gorges, China [−1 in soil from Midway Atoll, the north Pacific Ocean [−1 from bank soils of Luan River, China [PAHs was 73.02 µg kg−1 in the surface and 91.46 µg kg−1 in the subsequent layer, while the concentrations of HMWPAHs were 65.91 and 63.53 µg kg−1 in the two soil depths, respectively. The variation in concentration of PAHs with soil depth is due to a higher photochemical and biological degradation rate in the surface soil [p < 0.05). The average, range, standard deviation, and total concentrations of the 11 PAHs: Acy, Ace, Flr, Phe, Ant, Flu, Pyr, BaA, Chr, NaP, and BaP are illustrated in in India ; the 293st China ; 294 to o, China ; 1174.33m, China ; 2052.6 r, China ; and then, China . Howeverr, China . The relThe spatial distribution of PAHs across different land-use types and sampling sites in the study area was evaluated by comparing the obtained average, range, and total concentrations of PAHs. It can be observed from −1 (S4) to 30.04 µg kg−1 (S11) and 1.31 µg kg−1 (S8) to 35.89 µg kg−1 (S5) in the top and subsequent soil layers, respectively. The average concentration of PAHs in the surface soil layers of the four land-use types were in the order of BL>PF>FL>PGH, with concentrations of 79.45, 54.54, 50.73, and 40.71 µg kg−1, respectively. In contrast, the summed average concentrations of PAHs in the subsequent soil layer were higher in PGH (87.63 µg kg−1), followed by PF (68.53 µg kg−1), BL (57.83 µg kg−1), and FL (39.62 µg kg−1). The higher concentration of PAHs in the 10–20 cm soil layers of PGH could be due to less exposure to environmental factors such as temperature, runoff, sunlight, and the affinity of PAHs to bind with stable soil particles. On the other hand, farmland samples showed a lower level of PAHs than the paddy field and barren land. This might be due to the influence of continuous tillage and other human interference accelerating the photo-oxidation, volatilization, and diagenesis in farmland. The summed mean concentrations of PAHs from both depths of the four land-use types were highest in BL (68.64 µg kg−1), followed by PGH (64.17 µg kg−1), PF (61.54 µg kg−1), and FL (45.18 µg kg−1). However, the one-way analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentration of PAHs among the land-use types and the two soil depths.The mean concentrations of PAHs in all samples ranged from 2.03 µg kgAccording to the literature, the environmental distribution and availability of PAHs depend on their potential sources and pathways ,14, tendIn addition to the above points, the authors of  stated t−1), weakly contaminated (200–600 µg kg−1), contaminated (600–1000 µg kg−1), and heavily contaminated (>1000 µg kg−1). According to these classifications [−1 in the 0–10 cm group and 153.27 µg kg−1 in the 10–20 cm group indicated that the soil is not contaminated with PAHs. The low level of soil contamination in this study might be due to a limited direct discharge of PAHs containing urban wastes and products of traffic combustion [According to the authors of , there aications , the majmbustion . p ≤ 0.01). While BaA showed a significant positive correlation only with Pyr and Flu, this implied that BaA has a common source with Pyr and Flu. Generally, the strong positive correlation among PAHs implied that they have a common origin. The detailed values of the relationships among PAHs and selected soil properties are displayed in the .Many researchers have included soil properties as key parameters during the determination of PAHs in soils and other environmental components. Thus, soil moisture content, soil total organic carbon content, and soil pH were the soil properties determined in this study. The results obtained ranged from 0.63 to 2.71%, from 4.35 to 47.70%, and from 4.12 to 8.07 for TOC, MC, and pH, respectively. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient value obtained in this study showed a significant positive correlation among individual PAHs, except for Nap and BaA (R = −0.053). Acy showed a strong significant correlation with all PAHs except BaA  and Ant (R = 0.137), showed a weak negative correlation with TOC. pH exhibited a negative correlation with all PAHs except Nap (R = 0.011), Chr (R = 0.079), and Ant (R = 0.007). Only Ant (R = 0.139), BaA (R = 0.099), and Flr (R = 0.022) showed a weak positive correlation with soil moisture content. Ace (R = −0.328), Acy (R = −0.317), and Nap R = −0.291) exhibited relatively higher negative correlations with TOC, pH, and MC, respectively. Similarly, the authors of  indicate1 exhibitPAHs are dominated by a homologous series of five petrogenic alkylated PAHs , while the HMWPAHs are chiefly pyrogenic compounds [PAHs; secondly, the PI gives better accuracy with great consistency and less uncertainty; and lastly, natural weathering and biodegradation slightly alter the PI values. In addition to the diagnostic ratio and PI, researchers use a total index (TI) to identify the high-temperature (combustion) or low-temperature (petroleum) sources of PAHs. TI, which is the ratio of (Flu/Flu+Pyr)/0.4 + (Ant/Ant+Phe)/0.1 + (BaA/BaA+Chr)/0.2 as used previously [Researchers commonly determine the distribution and potential sources of PAHs in the environment using diagnostic ratios such as Phe/Ant, Flu/Pyr, BaA/Chr, Flu/Flu+Pyr, and Ant/Ant+Phe . Researcompounds . Therefoompounds , applyineviously ,59, was PAHs ratios  for all the sampling sites were <1. The PI values in this study, which ranged between 0.18 and 0.84, were similar with the PI values of a previous study [The LMW/HMWus study . BaA/Chrus study ,56,58. Aus study ,59,60,61us study . In addiThe mean RQMPCs values of all PAHs in both depths were <1. Ace (0.219) and BaP (0.131) in the 0–10 cm, and Ace (0.194) and Pyr (0.169) 10–20 cm group exhibited higher RQMPCs. Chr (0.001) showed the lowest RQMPCs in both soil depths. The RQMPCs, RQNCs, and TEQ values of the PAHs investigated in this study are presented in −1 in the 0–10 cm soil layer and 70.13 µg kg−1 in the 10–20 cm soil layer were less than the threshold ecological risk values (800 µg kg−1) used in [A RQMPCs value of >1.0 signifies that PAHs in the environment can cause substantial contamination, while RQNCs <1.0 implies that the occurrence of PAHs can pose negligible contamination ,63. The  used in . −8–3.54 × 10−8, 1.94 × 10−6–6.06 × 10−6, and 9.06 × 10−13–2.83 × 10−12 for ILCRingestion, ILCRdermal, and ILCRinhalation, respectively. Meanwhile, the ILCR values for children were ranged from 9.23 × 10−7–9.51 × 10−6, 1.62 × 10−6–2.77 × 10−4, and 4.78 × 10−11–2.31 × 10−10 for ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation, respectively. According to the literature [−6 indicates negligible potential cancer and human health risks, while values from 10−6 to 10−4 indicate low cancer risk. Thus, the obtained cancer risk values for adults revealed that the PAHs can bring a negligible carcinogenic impact through ingestion and inhalation, whereas the ILCRdermal (1.94 × 10−6–6.06 × 10−6) for adults indicates a low potential cancer risk. The ILCRingestion (9.23 × 10−7–9.51 × 10−6) and ILCRdermal (1.62 × 10−6–2.77 × 10−4) values for children indicated low and moderate cancer risk, respectively. ILCR values for children were higher than those for adults. The ILCR results in this study were comparable to those reported in [The incremental lifetime cancer risk values for adults ranged as such: 1.13 × 10terature , ILCR ≤ −1) and in the next layer (24.74 µg kg−1) were much lower than the safe soil levels recommended by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (600 µg kg−1) [All PAHs in this study except BaP exhibited TEQ values of <1, suggesting that these levels of PAHs cannot induce a harmful human health impact ,64. The µg kg−1) .PAHs constituted 53% and 59% of the total PAH concentration in the surface and subsequent soil layers, respectively. BaP in the surface and Flr in the subsurface soil layer were the most highly concentrated PAHs. The obtained total mean concentrations of PAHs from both layers of different land-use types decreased in the order of BL > PGH > PF > FL. Due to fewer petrogenic sources nearby and limited application of untreated irrigation water, the concentrations of PAHs in this study were lower than the concentrations of PAHs reported from different parts of China and other countries. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient results showed strong, moderate, and relatively weak positive relationships among the investigated PAHs. However, PAHs showed mostly weak negative with infrequent weak positive correlations with soil moisture content, pH, and total organic carbon. The diagnostic ratios, PI, and TI values indicated that the PAHs detected in the study area have a pyrogenic origin. The RQNCs and RQMPCs values indicated that the majority of the PAHs investigated in this study have a moderate level of ecological risk. The TEQ values of the PAHs investigated in this study were less than the threshold ecological risk and safe levels for soil. ILCR results revealed a low potential of cancer risk for adults and a moderate risk for children posed by the PAHs in the study area. Eighteen soil samples collected from different land-use types were analyzed in this study. The mean concentrations of the PAHs investigated in this study were higher in the soil layer of 10–20 cm depth than that of 0–10 cm depth. LMW


The therapeutic should be given as a loading dose that is infused during a 10 min period, but if a rapid bolus injection is deemed to be hemodynamically appropriate, it would be a more opportune route of administration. So we studied the efficacy of different doses of DEX as a rapid bolus for children to prevent and treat EA.Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly sensitive α1), the 0.25 μg/kg DEX group (group D2), the 0.5 μg/kg DEX group (group D3), the 0.75 μg/kg DEX group (group D4), and the 1 μg/kg DEX group (group D5). Heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP) and blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) were recorded immediately before the study drug injection (baseline) and every minute for 5 min thereafter and at the time points of the skin cut and hernial sac pull. EA and pain were assessed in the post -anesthesia care unit, and any complementary medicine and adverse events were recorded too.One hundred patients were enrolled and randomly divided into five groups: the control group  bolus administration of 0.75 and 1.0 μg/kg of DEX could improve the recovery profile by reducing the incidence of EA in children. Although its use resulted in a transient decreases in HR and MBP, DEX was clinically well-tolerated in children.ChiCTR-IPR-17010658. Registered 17 February 2017.No.  EA, ppression , 8. Whilpression , 10, it pression  had obsepression  documentWe conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial in 100 patients in the 2nd Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children’s Hospital of WenZhou Medical University.According to the preliminary experimental results, two groups with the smallest difference in the five groups were analyzed with a = 0.05, b = 0.2, and the difference between groups was 0.4.The calculated sample size was 16 cases per group. Considering the 20% sample exfoliate rate, we need 20 cases per group, a total of 100 cases sample size.http://www.chictr.org.cn (No. ChiCTR-IPR-17010658), and conducted from April 2017 to October 2017. After obtaining informed written consent from parent of each child, 100 ASA I or II pediatric patients, aged 3–7 yr., were randomly (Random number method) enrolled into five groups: the control group (group D1), the 0.25 μg/kg DEX group (group D2), the 0.5 μg/kg DEX group (group D3), the 0.75 μg/kg DEX group (group D4), and the 1 μg/kg DEX group (group D5). Inclusion criteria were: normal intelligence and normal liver and kidney function, scheduled for elective inguinal hernia repair surgery, entering the operating room by themselves without parents, and no history of an allergy to anesthesia.This clinical trial was registered at 2 receptor agonists or antagonists  allergic to DEX, similar active ingredients, or excipients; (2) G-6-PD deficiency; (3) a history of arrhythmia, bronchial, and cardiovascular diseases, abnormal liver function; or (4) a history of use of alpha  allergicNo premedication was administered. A peripheral venous catheter was inserted approximately 2 h prior to surgery (while in the unit). EMLA cream  was used to ease venous cannulation. HR, noninvasive arterial blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), electrocardiogram (ECG), and bispectral index (BIS) were monitored. After preoxygenation via face mask, anesthesia was induced with propofol 2–3 mg/kg and inhalation of 6 vol% sevoflurane. After the pupils were fixed, the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted and the ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block was performed by ultrasound guidance to relieve postoperative pain. Anesthesia was maintained with 2-3 vol% sevoflurane to maintained BIS from 40 to 60 and retaining spontaneous respiration. After the vital signs were stable, study groups received a rapid bolus injection of different doses of DEX  at a rate of less than 5 s, while patients in the control group received saline in an equal volume. When the surgery was completed, every one of the patients was moved to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and the children naturally regained consciousness.2 were recorded immediately before the study drug injection (baseline), every minute for 5 min thereafter, and at the time points of the skin cut and hernial sac pull. EA was assessed by the study staff upon arrival in the PACU using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale , with a score of > 12 considered to be a diagnosis of EA [HR, mean blood pressure (MBP), and SaOp value of less than 0.05 was considered to be a significant difference.All of the data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), median (interquartile range), or number (%), as appropriate. The measurement data was analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk. The normal distribution data which satisfied the homogeneity test of variance was tested by ANOVA, if not, by Kruskal-Wallis. The abnormal distribution data was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis to compare among groups. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to assess the comparison among groups in count data. The repeated measurement data (MAP and HR) was analyzed by two-way ANOVA, and the comparisons of intra-group and among groups were analyzed by bonferroni. Data were analyzed using SPSS software . A There were 100 pediatric patients who were enrolled and randomly divided into five groups. As seen in Table 4 and D5, and a trend of fewer was observed in group D2 and D3  . There were eight patients who had a 30% decrease from the baseline of HR, and none of the patients required treatment for bradycardia. Four patients needed propofol to treat EA, and no one needed treatment for bradycardia, pain, or other adverse events, including cough, headache, and vomiting Table . All of 5) Table .Table 6CEven without a pediatric label, additions to the literature on pediatric applications of DEX have risen in the last few years . DEX hasIn our study, we found that 0.75 and 1.0 μg/kg DEX rapid infusion could significantly reduce the incidence of EA, while 0.25 and 0.5 μg/kg DEX had the fewer trend. Hauber JA et al.  had foun2-adrenoreceptor and then central α2-adrenoreceptor stimulation [2-adrenoreceptor.DEX could significantly decrease HR and MBP. The minimal HR was significantly lower after the administration of DEX in the dose of 0.5, 0.75 and 1 μg/kg, and the duration time was significantly prolonged after 1.0 μg/kg DEX infusion, but no one needed treatment. In human and animal models, DEX has a biphasic blood pressure impact: a preliminary but transitory elevation in blood pressure accompanied by a long-lasting hypotensive effect that is induced by peripheralαmulation , 12, 17.2 without special handling. This may because deep sedation and oral/pharyngeal anatomic frequently happened in deep sleep after the administration of DEX.The general agreement seems to be that DEX is linked to minimal respiratory depression , 17, 18.In conclusion, rapid infusion of DEX at dose of 0.75, and 1.0 μg/kg DEX could prevent EA. Even though the use of DEX resulted in transient decreases in HR and MBP, the drug is well-tolerated in pediatric patients. Our study provides a new clinical application for the rapid intravenous injection of DEX for the prevention and treatment of EA.


Determining gestational age in resource-poor settings is challenging because of limited availability of ultrasound technology and late first presentation to antenatal clinic. Last menstrual period (LMP), symphysio-pubis fundal height (SFH) and Ballard Score (BS) at delivery are therefore often used. We assessed the accuracy of LMP, SFH, and BS to estimate gestational age at delivery and preterm birth compared to ultrasound (US) using a large dataset derived from a randomized controlled trial in pregnant malaria patients in four African countries.Mean and median gestational age for US, LMP, SFH and BS were calculated for the entire study population and stratified by country. Correlation coefficients were calculated using Pearson’s rho, and Bland Altman plots were used to calculate mean differences in findings with 95% limit of agreements. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated considering US as reference method to identify term and preterm babies.P. falciparum infection and a gestational age > 24 weeks determined by ultrasound at enrolment were included in the analysis. The mean gestational age at delivery using US was 38.7 weeks (95%CI: 38.6–38.8), by LMP, 38.4 weeks (95%CI: 38.0–38.9), by SFH, 38.3 weeks (95%CI: 38.2–38.5), and by BS 38.0 weeks (95%CI: 37.9–38.1) (p < 0.001). Correlation between US and any of the other three methods was poor to moderate. Sensitivity and specificity to determine prematurity were 0.63 (95%CI 0.50–0.75) and 0.72  for LMP, 0.80 (95%CI 0.74–0.85) and 0.74 (95%CI 0.72–0.76) for SFH and 0.42 (95%CI 0.35–0.49) and 0.77 (95%CI 0.74–0.79) for BS.A total of 1630 women with P. falciparum malaria, SFH may be the most useful antenatal tool to date a pregnancy when women present first in second and third trimester. The Ballard postnatal maturation assessment has a limited role and lacks precision. Improving ultrasound facilities and skills, and early attendance, together with the development of new technologies such as automated image analysis and new postnatal methods to assess gestational age, are essential for the study and management of preterm birth in low-income settings.In settings with limited access to ultrasound, and in women who had been treated with The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2128-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Clinical trials and cohort studies investigating adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth  and fetal growth restriction  rely on fetal biometry to estimate gestational age at delivery .In most low and middle-income countries (LMICs) determining gestational age at rupture of membranes and/or onset of labour is challenging, and postnatally birthweight alone is to crude a measure and is unable to differentiate between growth-restricted and preterm babies . AlthougAnother option available to healthcare workers in LMICs is the Ballard score (BS) which estimates a gestational age range through postnatal examination of physical and neurological neonatal maturity characteristics , 9. HoweUltrasound is increasingly used in LMICs but its availability remain limited in rural and remote settings; in addition, a great proportion of women still attend late for antenatal care, often after 24 gestational weeks . In the The present study is a secondary analysis of data collected as part of a large randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of four different artemisinin-combination therapies in pregnancy . Using fP. falciparum malaria in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The trial was conducted between June 2010 and August 2013 at seven sites across four countries, namely Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia . Eligible patients were randomized to one of four treatment arms and followed up weekly until day 63 and then again at delivery. The methods of the trial, including details on quality assurance and quality control are described in detail elsewhere [This assessment was conducted in the framework of an open label, randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of four different artemisinin-combination therapies in women presenting with lsewhere , as welllsewhere .Since only women in the second or third trimester were eligible into the study, gestational age at enrolment was determined using diagnostic ultrasound (US) imaging equipment (FFSonic UF-4100) with a 3.5 MHz transducer for transabdominal examination normally and a 5 MHz transducer for very thin women. Gestational age was calculated based on biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length  using stComprehensive quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems were put in place to ensure the quality and reliability of measurements, and the inter-site comparability of US measurements. This included centrally purchased equipment, a standard operating procedure (SOP) which was applicable and mandatory across all sites  to the top of the symphysis pubis.At enrolment into the study, patients were asked about the date of their LMP. LMP was defined as the date of the first day of the last menstruation.The gestational age of babies delivered at the hospital was assessed using the BS. Physical and neurological criteria were recorded according to standard guidelines . Each ofAll statistical analyses were done using Stata v14 . For the purpose of this analysis, women with a gestational age > 24 weeks at enrolment, where the birth date of the baby was not documented, who had twins, miscarriages or stillbirths were excluded. In a sensitivity analysis women ≥24 weeks gestational age at enrolment were included.p ≤ 0.05 and US was considered the reference method. Mean and median gestational age for US, LMP, SFH and BS were calculated for the entire study population and stratified by country. Inter-country and inter-method comparisons were done using the Kruskal-Wallis method; correlation coefficients were calculated using Pearson’s rho (r), Bland Altman plots were used to calculate mean differences in findings and 95% limit of agreements (LoA). In order to improve clarity, results of all methods were rounded to the nearest full week for scatterplots [The level of significance was defined as terplots .To calculate performance of each method, all babies with gestational age ≥ 37 weeks were categorized as “term”, all other babies as “pre-term”. A “term” result was defined as a negative outcome, a “pre-term” result as a positive result. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated accordingly considering US as reference method . AdditioP. falciparum infection were included in the main trial [n = 1579), those without documented birth date of the baby (n = 130) or who had twins (n = 38), miscarriages or stillbirths (n = 51) were excluded from the present analysis, resulting in a total of 1630 (47.5%) women included. Out of them, 382 (23.4%) were enrolled in Burkina Faso, 582 (35.7%) in Malawi, 294 (18.0%) in Ghana and 372 (22.8%) in Zambia.A total of 3428 women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and with microscopy-confirmed in trial . Women wp < 0.001 for all country comparison) , with the lowest mean age of 20.6 years (95%CI: 20.2–21.1) in Zambia and the highest with 24.5 years (95%CI: 23.8–25.2) in Ghana (n = 1520) babies, results from SFH for 99.6% (n = 1624) mothers and LMP for 24.8% (n = 404) of enrolled women.Results from BS were available for 93.5% (p < 0.001) , by LMP was 38.4 weeks , by SFH was 38.3 weeks  and by BS was 38.0 weeks  . However, correlations varied considerably in between countries  but showed great intercountry variations Table  & Fig. 3r = 0.27, 95% limit of agreement − 4.1to 5.4, range of averages 27.29–43.21) and higher mean differences for LMP with 1.15 weeks  and SFH with 0.89 weeks .The sensitivity analyses including women ≥24 weeks’ gestation at enrolment into the study showed results consistent with the main analyses for BS with mean difference of 0.66 weeks (Pearson p = 0.093), whereas all other indicators showed significant differences . When the cut-off was set at 32 weeks to define very preterm babies sensitivity decreased significantly for LMP and BS to 0.33 (95%CI: 0.01–0.91) and 0.10 (95%CI: 0.001–0.30) respectively (p < 0.01 for both), but increased to 0.90 (95%CI: 0.70–0.99) for SFH (p < 0.01). Specificity increased to 0.94 (95%CI: 0.91–0.96), 0.98 (95%CI: 0.97–0.98) and 1.00 (95%CI: 1.00–1.00) for LMP, SFH and BS respectively . When comparing true results to false results deriving from the different cut-offs the difference was significant (p < 0.0001).Using ultrasound as the reference, 1391 mothers delivered term babies compared to 239 preterm babies (< 37 weeks’ gestation). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 0.63 (95%CI 0.50–0.75), 0.72 (95%CI: 0.66–0.76), 0.28 (95%CI: 0.21–0.36) and 0.92 (95%CI: 0.88–0.95) respectively for LMP, 0.80 95%CI 0.74–0.85), 0.74 (95%CI 0.72–0.76), 0.35 (95%CI 0.31–0.39) and 0.96 (95%CI 0.94–0.97) respectively for SFH and 0.42 (95%CI 0.35–0.49), 0.77 (95%CI 0.74–0.79), 0.23 (95%CI 00.19–0.27) and 0.89 (95%CI 0.87–0.91) respectively for BS  correlates best, and BS the least, with the reference method ultrasound.r = 0.16) when comparing US and BS in Zambia, however performance was better in Malawi (r = 0.5). While a QC/QA system was set up for US, for the other methods such a system was not in place and therefore inter-sites comparability may be limited. When comparing US to LMP the correlation turned negative (r = − 0.06) for Burkina Faso and did not excel in any of the other countries. This contradictory finding may partly be due to the low sample size for Burkina Faso for LMP data, but presumably also reflects the substantial recall bias and uncertainty due to irregular menstrual period as well as potential differences in literacy rates.The correlation between methods differed substantially depending on country. For example, r was close to 0  is probably the best alternative to US measurements in routine care and for further clinical management of the pregnancy. In order to ensure quality measurements, healthcare workers must be taught to assess SFH in a methodical manner , and shoThis paper provides further confirmation of the limitations of BS postnatal maturation assessment for pregnancy dating. One significant issue will undoubtedly be that of training and may explain the poor correlation observed at the site in Zambia; BS assessments, in particular its neurological component require training and refresher training . PostnatA recent call by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has recognised the need for new postnatal tools . ApproacAccuracy of any method, including ultrasound, is assessor-dependent; training and quality control are key tools to ensure optimal measurements, which can be achieved for routine care in challenging LMIC settings . ExpandiThe present evaluation has a number of limitations. The current reference standard for pregnancy dating is the measurement of the fetal crown-rump length before 13 weeks’ gestation. No measurements were done at this early gestation due to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the main trial, and thus algorithms estimating gestational age from fetal head circumference, femur length and abdominal circumference had to be used, introducing imprecision . AmongstLastly, data analysis for LMP was limited primarily to one site only, and only one SFH per women was available for analysis. However, the sample size for other measurements was adequate.P. falciparum malaria. Postnatal maturation assessments have a limited role and lack precision. Improving ultrasound facilities and early attendance, together with the development of new technologies such as automated image and video analysis for both ultrasound and BS and new postnatal methods to assess gestational age, will greatly assist with the management of preterm birth in low-income settings.In conclusion, in settings where ultrasound scanning is still limited SFH may be the most useful tool to predict gestational age at delivery if measured between 13 and 24 gestational weeks amongst women undergoing treatment for Additional file 1:Standard operating procedures (PREGACT study) for obstetric ultrasound for the assessment of embryos and foetuses during pregnancy. (PDF 165 kb)


The causes of death were sharp instrument injury, blunt force trauma, fire, intoxication, asphyxia, drowning, hypothermia, hyperthermia, acute heart failure, and natural causes. Of these, 28  were aged ≤5 years. Palpebral conjunctival petechiae were initially assessed at autopsy in supine bodies, then reassessed in prone bodies after 30 min. Among 414 bodies, 291 (70.2%) and 123 (29.7%) who were aged between 6 and 100 years, and 18 (64.2%) and 10 (35.7%) aged <5 years at the time of death, were discovered in the supine and prone positions, respectively. The amounts of petechiae increased within 1.5 days postmortem, but not in those discovered in the prone position. The rates at which petechiae increased were higher in supine overweight bodies (BMI ≥ 25.0) and in those who were discovered supine and had died of asphyxia or drowning (37.5%). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for bodies discovered in the supine and prone positions did not statistically affect the occurrence of petechiae. Several postmortem factors can cause hypostatic blood redistribution that manifests as increased amounts of petechiae in the palpebral conjunctivae.The present study aimed to determine whether postmortem period, physical constitution, cause of death, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are associated with positional changes in the postmortem appearance of conjunctival petechiae. We retrospectively investigated serial forensic autopsies from 6 h to 6 days postmortem ( Conjunctival petechiae comprise an important forensic indicator of mechanical compression of the jugular veins caused by external force to the neck . ConsensThe present study aimed to identify factors that were involved in the occurrence of conjunctival petechiae in 442 forensic autopsies. Factors included postmortem changes in body position, elapsed time after death, body mass index (BMI), cause of death and resuscitation.n = 309; prone, n = 133). Tables n = 105 male and n = 36 female), followed by natural causes , fire  and intoxication . The remainder died of asphyxia , acute heart failure , sharp instrument injury 25 , drowning , hyperthermia  and hypothermia .Among 442 bodies found between 6 h to 6 days postmortem, 303 were male, 139 were female, and the median age was 62  years. Inclusion criteria were defined as the position of the body at the time of discovery , followed by blunt force trauma , asphyxia , and acute heart failure . The remainder died of intoxication  and hyperthermia . No one aged <5 years died due to fire, drowning or hypothermia.Among 16 individuals aged <5 years who were discovered in the supine or prone position, natural causes other than acute heart failure comprised the most prevalent cause of death , several (< 10), or absent. Bodies were then placed in the prone position in an autopsy room for 30 min at a temperature of 15 °C, and palpebral conjunctival petechiae were reassessed after returning the bodies to the supine position. Body mass index or the Kaup index, postmortem period, cause of death as reported on the death certificate, and preceding resuscitation efforts were documented as potential covariates.p values are reported without correction for multiplicity. Values with two-sided p < 0.05 were considered significant. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS, Version 19.0.0 .Variables were selected using backwards multivariate generalized estimating equations analyses with outcome variables distributed according to Poisson. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for statistically significant risk factors. Nominal Among 309 (69.9%) of 442 bodies that were discovered in the supine position, 291 were aged >5 and 18 were aged <5 years.Based on postmortem periods of about <12, 12–24, >24–36, >36–48, >48–60, >60–72, and > 72 h, petechiae appeared in approximately 100% (5/5), 22.8% (21/92), 17.2% (15/87), 9.8% (4/41), 11.1% (1/9), 0.0% (0/14), and 0.0% (0/43), respectively, of the bodies of individuals that were aged >5 years at the time of death. Petechiae were obvious within 1.5 days, compared with >1.5 days postmortem. Petechiae did not appear in the bodies of children aged <5 years at any time.n = 70), 18.5 to <25.0 (n = 159), 25.0–30.0 (n = 47) and BMI > 30.0 (n = 15) in those aged >5 years as malnutrition, normal weight, overweight and obesity according to World Health Organization standards.We classified BMI < 18.5 , 13 to <15 as thin (n = 6), 15 to <19 as normal weight (n = 9), and > 19 as overnutrition (n = 1). Several petechiae were found only in 33.3% of children with normal weight. However, petechiae were not affected after changing position  and low for hypothermia, hyperthermia and deaths caused by other natural causes. Other causes of death, such as sharp instrument injury, blunt force trauma, fire, intoxication, drowning, and acute heart failure, were associated with moderate rates of petechiae.Figure Petechiae appeared in the bodies of individual aged >5 years who had sustained blunt force trauma (40.0%) and those who had died of natural causes (10.0%). However, petechiae did not appear after death when the position was changed Table .Table 6CCardiopulmonary resuscitation was applied to 79 (27.1%) of the 291 individuals aged >5 years and to 8 (44.4%) of the 18 bodies of children aged <5 years. The ratios of numerous, several and absent petechiae appearing before changing position were 26.6% (21/79), 27.8% (22/79) and 45.6% (36/79) in those aged >5 years, and 0% (0/8), 25.0% (2/8), and 75.0% (6/8) in those aged <5 years, respectively.p < 0.0001) and with a BMI ≥ 25.0 . The likelihood of change was greater after asphyxia and drowning compared with other causes of death . Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not a statistically significant factor.The probability that petechiae would reappear with positional conversion was significant, particularly within 1.5 days of death  of the 442 autopsied bodies that were discovered in the prone position, 123 were aged >5 years and 10 were aged <5 years , 21.9% (7/32), 9.1% (3/33), 5.9% (1/17), 12.5% (1/8), 20.0% (2/10), and 0.0% (0/19), respectively. Petechiae became obvious within 1.5 days, compared with >1.5 days postmortem. Petechiae did not appear in the bodies of children aged <5 years.n = 33) as malnutrition, BMI 18.5 to <25.0 (n = 61) as normal weight, BMI 25.0–30.0 (n = 24) as overweight, and BMI > 30.0 (n = 5) as obesity. Based on BMI, the ratios of numerous, several, and no petechiae appearing before and after changing position were as follows: malnutrition: absent 42.4% vs. 42.4%; standard: numerous 41.0% vs. 45.9%, overweight: 58.3% vs. 75.0%; obesity: several 60.0% vs. 60.0% , 9.8% (6/61), 25.0% (6/24), and 0.0% (0/5), respectively.n = 3), 13 to <15 as thin (n = 2), 15 to <19 as normal weight (n = 5) and > 19 as overnutrition (n = 0). Numerous  and several  petechiae appeared in those classified as malnutrition. However, petechiae did not change after changing position  who died of blunt force trauma and in 1 (16.7%) of 6 who died of natural causes. However, changing the position of the body did not affect the appearance of petechiae after death (Table 0% who diCardiopulmonary resuscitation was applied to 19 of 123 (15.4%) deaths. The rates of numerous, several, and no petechiae appearing before changing body position were 42.1% (8/19), 31.6% (6/19) and 26.3% (5/19), respectively. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not applied to children aged <5 years . However, the ratio of increased amounts of petechiae was higher after changing the body from the supine, to the prone position . The rates at which petechiae increased in the prone position did not significantly differ among all factors. One explanation for this is the large amount of extant petechiae by the time a body was discovered in the prone position. In contrast, the amount of petechiae obviously changed in bodies that had been discovered in the supine position <1.5 days, compared with >1.5 days postmortem . The assumed explanation for this finding is similar to the spread of postmortem lividity , in whicPetechiae appeared more frequently in obese bodies than in those with a lower BMI. The tendency towards an increased rate of petechiae due to changes in body position was higher in obesity compared with a lower BMI which might be associated with larger circulating blood volumes , and incThe prevalence of petechiae and the rate at which they increased with positional changes were very high after asphyxia and drowning, and low after death due to hypothermia, hyperthermia and natural causes other than acute heart failure. Blood fluidity in the supine position might have influenced the rate at which petechiae increased in death due to asphyxia and drowning, being higher for acute death than after hypothermia and hyperthermia with subacute death/delayed death. These findings suggested that hypostatic blood can become redistributed in the face soon after death and partly involve the appearance of, or increase in the amount of petechiae in the palpebral conjunctivae. This phenomenon might reflect microvascular injury during distress before death caused by arteriolar hyperemia, vascular congestion and tissue hypoxia . HoweverCardiopulmonary resuscitation has repeatedly been discussed as a possible cause of conjunctival petechiae , 17, butWe concluded that a postmortem period within 1.5 days, BMI ≥ 25.0, and death caused by asphyxia and drowning (acute death) are associated with positional changes in amounts of petechiae.Positional changes in petechiae occurred within 1.5 days postmortem and were associated with BMI ≥ 25.0, asphyxia and acute drowning.Forensic pathologists should assess the presence of conjunctival petechiae before changing the position of a body.The possibility of positional asphyxia should be carefully considered.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation might influence petechiae in addition to body position at discovery.


Capsicum annuum L. cv. Melchor). The application of ∗, b∗, and C∗), while chlorophyll a and b levels declined and β-carotene increased. The concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Cu were reduced in the fruits of plants irrigated with The horticultural industry demands high-quality resources to achieve excellence in yield and optimal revenues. Nitrogen is a pivotal nutrient to accomplish these goals for plant growth and product quality. However, competition for water in semi-arid regions can force the use of brackish waters, which can impair N uptake. The lower N uptake can be due to several reasons, such as an antagonism between ions, an absence of ATP, and/or alteration of N metabolism. The effect of supplying N as  However, the negative effects of salinity could, in part, be compensated by an appropriate, balanced N supply. Some studies indicated that the supply of − and Consumers are increasingly demanding high-quality products with benefits for human health . Howeverake rate  and decrake rate . Severalransport ; and  is one of the most valuable crops in the Mediterranean area and is usually cultivated in greenhouses, which allow higher yield and exceptional fruit quality in comparison with open field  conditions  (0.2 mm thick). Ventilation was provided by two roof vents (opening area: 1 m × 30 m) and two side vents (opening area: 1.5 m × 26 m) set in both the south and north arches. The greenhouse was equipped with a commercial climate control system . A continuous register of the temperature and humidity  was maintained. In the greenhouse, pepper seedlings (cv. Melchor) were transplanted on 19 August 2013, two plants into each 27-L container filled with perlite, with a density of 2.5 plants per m2. The cultivation was carried out with a type of Dutch pruning; two stalks were left on each plant.The experiments took place in a greenhouse located in the IFAPA center “La Mojonera” . It was of the multi-tunnel type (3 spans), oriented east–west, and had an area of 720 m−1) per container. Two levels of nutrient solution salinity were used: 8 mM NaCl (C) for half of the plants and 25 mM NaCl (S) for the other half. Also, the plants in each salinity treatment were supplied with different N sources: half received Water and fertilizer were delivered by an automated drip irrigation system . The nutrient solution was applied with one dripper  + (b∗2)], 0 being at the center of a color sphere, and the value increases according to the distance from the center. Finally, abh is the hue angle [abh = arc tg(b∗a∗)], which is defined as starting at the +a∗ axis and is expressed in degrees; 0° would be +a∗ (red), 90° would be +b∗ (yellow), 180° would be −a∗ (green), and 270° would be −b∗ (blue).Pepper fruit color was measured with a Konica-Minolta CR-300 colorimeter  having a D65 illuminant, making three measurements along the equatorial perimeter. The color data are provided as CIELa and b, lycopene, and β-carotene were calculated using The β-carotene, lycopene, and chlorophylls were extracted from 1-g samples of frozen pepper fruits (−80°C) with 25 mL of acetone–hexane (2:3) solvent. The samples were homogenized using a polytron and centrifuged at 3,500 rpm for 6 min, at 4°C. Subsequently, the optical density of the supernatant was measured spectrophotometrically at wavelengths of 663, 645, 505, and 453 nm. The concentrations of chlorophylls The Ca, K, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, and Na concentrations in the dry matter of fruits were determined with an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer . An ETHOS ONE microwave digestion system  was applied for fruit sample preparation. This digestion procedure has many advantages due to the speed of the digestion process, the lower acid consumption and lower possibility of contamination, and the high extraction efficiencies .The fruit dry weight was determined after at least 72 h at 70°C and the total nitrogen was measured in the dry matter, using a LECO FP-528 . We use the conversion factor 6.25 to convert total nitrogen to total protein .−1 fresh weight.The total phenolic compounds were extracted from 0.5 g of frozen pepper fruit (−80°C) with 5 mL of 80% acetone. The homogenate was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 min, at 4°C. For the determination, Folin–Ciocalteu reagent was used, diluted with Milli-Q water (1:10). The diluted reagent (1 mL) was mixed with 100 μL of supernatant and 2 mL of Milli-Q water, and 5 mL of sodium carbonate (20%) were then added. The mixture was kept for 30 min in the dark and then the absorbance was measured at 765 nm, according to the methodology of −1 and the column temperature was kept at 55°C. The injection volume was 1 μL. The excitation (λex) and emission (λem) wavelengths were set at 266 and 473 nm, respectively. The solvent system consisted of two eluents: (A) AccQ⋅Tag-ultra eluent A concentrate  and water ; (B) AccQ⋅Tag-ultra eluent B. The following elution gradient was used: 0–0.54 min, 99.9% A–0.1% B; 5.74 min, 90.9% A–9.1% B; 7.74 min, 78.8% A–21.2% B; 8.04 min, 40.4% A–59.6% B; 8.05–8.64 min, 10% A–90% B; 8.73–10 min, 99.9% A–0.1% B. Empower 2 (Waters) software was used for system control and data acquisition. External standards (Thermo Scientific) were used for quantification of (Ala) alanine; (Arg) arginine; (Asp) aspartic acid; (Cys) cysteine; (Glu) glutamic acid; (Gly) glycine; (His) histidine; (Ile) isoleucine; (Leu) leucine; (Lys) lysine; (Met) methionine; (Phe) phenylalanine; (Pro) proline; (Ser) serine; (Thr) threonine; (Tyr) tyrosine; and  valine.The free amino acids were extracted from fruits frozen at −80°C: the homogenate was extracted, after vortexing at 5,000 rpm , and analyzed by the AccQ⋅Tag-ultra ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method . For derivatization, 70 μL of borate buffer were added to the hydrolyzed sample or to 10 μL of the fruit homogenate. Next, 20 μL of reagent solution were added. The reaction mixture was mixed immediately and heated at 55°C for 10 min. After cooling, an aliquot of the reaction mixture was used for UPLC injection. The UPLC was performed with an Acquity system  equipped with a fluorescence detection (FLR) system. A BEH C18 100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm column (Waters) was used. The flow rate was 0.7 mL min−1 of tissue] was used, and standard curves of putrescine, cadaverine, and histamine were prepared. The results are expressed as nmol (g fresh weight)−1.Free polyamines were extracted by homogenizing 1.0 g of tissue in 10 mL of 5% perchloric acid, using a Polytron  homogenizer, and were analyzed by the benzoylation method , using hP ≤ 0.05) of differences between mean values was tested by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test, using Statgraphics Centurion® XVI . Four combinations of treatments were used, involving two N forms  and the significance (∗) values were only affected by salinity. However, the fruit of plants irrigated with ∗, b∗, and C∗, compared with the supply of a∗ = 24.01 and b∗ = 11.56) and had a less intense and less vivid color (C∗ = 26.73), although such differences would hardly be perceived by consumers . This could be because the chlorophyll a increased in the same proportion (from 0.37 to 0.65 mg kg−1 FW) as the degradation of chlorophyll b (from 0.74 to 0.32)  . Salinitto 0.32) . The conper se, leading to antagonism in cation uptake, and/or alterations in the osmotic balance (−1 DW and from 21 to 145 mg kg−1 DW in fruits of plants irrigated with + accumulation was severely limited in the presence of The P, K, Ca, Mg, and Cu concentrations in pepper fruits were influenced significantly by the salinity and N form, decreasing with the presence of solution . Thus, tsolution . In plan balance . BorgognWhen l plants . LikewisThe content of total phenolics was highest in fruits of plants irrigated with y stress . The tot control , in acco control . Phenoli control . Moreove control . AuthorsAmino acids are essential for human health. They are required for the growth, development, regeneration, and reconstruction of the body and are responsible for the production of antibodies, blood cells, hormones, and enzymes . The conNH4+ . In a mo−1 FW (Putrescine, cadaverine, and histamine were present in pepper fruit. However, histamine was scarcely detectable; therefore, only the data for putrescine and cadaverine are presented . The putl g−1 FW , while tl g−1 FW . Houdussl g−1 FW . Althougchildren . Therefochildren .Irrigation with a nutrient solution in which The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author.FdA, PL, MS-G, and EM conceived and supervised the whole study. FdA and MCP wrote the manuscript with inputs from all authors. MEP carried out the field experiment. MCP analyzed the plant material. MCP and JL-M performed the statistical analysis. All authors discussed the results and provided critical feedback on the manuscript.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression of the group treated with KLC (7.2 g/kg) was increased (p < 0.01). In conclusion, KLC could obviously inhibit the growth of prostate, and KLC (3.6 g/kg) could promote the expressions of Nrf2 and NQO1.Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in the current ageing male population. This research aims to study the effects of Kelong-Capsules (KLC) on testosterone-induced BPH. Thirty rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and three treatment groups. Three treatment groups were given KLC (3.6 g/kg), KLC (7.2 g/kg), and finasteride (0.9 mg/kg), respectively, for 28 days after establishing the animal model. The BPH rat models were evaluated by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptoms and prostate index (PI). Results indicated that three treatment groups all alleviated the pathological changes of prostate and kidney at different levels. Compared with the model group, the PI of the groups treated with KLC (7.2 g/kg) and finasteride decreased significantly. The expressions of NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1) in the group treated with KLC (3.6 g/kg) increased markedly ( Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized by proliferation of the epithelial and stroma cell in the prostate gland . It is aThe cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (PGs), which plays a main role in inflammatory responses . The coeThe therapeutic methods of BPH include drug therapy  and operations  . AlthougBPH animal model is necessary for in vivo efficacy study. But spontaneous BPH is rare in other species than man. Hormone-induced BPH rat model is proposed, which may be more relevant to the disease . In the All the herbs were purchased from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Medical University and extracted according to the standard methods recommended by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010). KLC includes 8 kinds of herbs as follows: Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fructus), Fuling (Poria), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fuzi , Huangqi , and Cishi (Magnetitum). The 8 herbs were immersed in 6000 ml of hot water and regathered every 2 hours for 3 times. The solution was concentrated to a small volume at 60°C and then evaporated to dry the extract in a 70°C vacuum drying box. Lastly, the extract powder (200 g) was obtained by smashing the dry extract. The KLC samples (280 g) were composed of extract powder and soybean isoflavone and pumpkin seed oil. The KLC samples were dissolved by 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na).n = 30) weighing 290–320 g were obtained from the Hunan SJA Laboratory Animal Co., Ltd. . The rats were housed under constant temperature (23 ± 1°C) and dark-light cycle (12 h : 12 h). All the animal experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Hunan Academy of TCM and performed according to the Guidelines. Before the formal study, the rats had already been adapted to the laboratory environment for 5 days.Adult male Sprague Dawley rats  for 30 min for 28 days after wound healing. Meanwhile, the BPH rat model was induced by subcutaneous injection of 5 mg/kg testosterone propionate  for 28 days.n = 6, per group): the normal group, the model group, two KLC treatment groups, and the positive control group. Apart from the normal group, the castration had been performed and KDBS models were established in the model and three treatment groups. The five groups were treated with different drugs after the models were established: The normal and model groups received 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na). The two KLC treated groups received KLC (3.6 or 7.2 g/kg). The positive control group received 0.9 mg/kg finasteride as 5α-reductase inhibitor . All drugs were administered to animals via gavage once a day for 28 days. The body weight was measured once a week. At the end of the experiment, the size of the prostatic tissue was recorded. The PI of each rat was the ratio of prostate weight to body weight (mg/g).The animals were randomly divided into five groups . Morphological changes were observed with light microscopy .To evaluate morphological changes in the prostate and kidney, tissues were embedded in paraffin, cut into sections of 4 β-actin  after blocking with TBST containing 5% nonfat milk at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the membranes were washed three times with TBST, incubated with secondary antibodies for goat anti-mouse  at room temperature for 40 mins, and washed in TBST for 5 times for 3 mins. The bands were visualized with an enhanced chemiluminescence detection kit .The total protein of the prostate tissue was extracted and concentration was determined by BCA Protein Assay Kit . The protein extracts were separated on 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes (PVDF). The membranes were incubated overnight at 4°C with primary antibodies for Nrf2 , NQO1 , COX-2 , or p < 0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. These results were analysed with SPSS 17.0 statistical software .The results were presented with the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistically significant differences were determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). During the experiment, rats gained weight significantly. The body weight of the normal group steadily increased until the 62nd day and reached 526.25 ± 28.90 g. The body weight of the model group increased from the initial to the 14th day and reached 392.02 ± 21.60 g. Moreover, the trend of the KLC treatment group at 3.6 g/kg, the KLC treatment group at 7.2 g/kg, and the finasteride group were almost consistent with the model group and reached 389.56 ± 12.79 g, 392.12 ± 12.92 g, and 382.17 ± 21.07 g, respectively. Finally, the body weight of the model increased steadily until the 62nd day to 502.9 ± 41.22 g. The KLC treatment group at 3.6 g/kg, the KLC treatment group at 7.2 g/kg, and the finasteride group slowly gained weight to 467.32 ± 25.53 g, 467.98 ± 33.99 g, and 488.73 ± 27.95 g, respectively .Tongue colour was an important evaluative indicator in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome Differentiation. The model group showed deeper red than the normal group, as well as looser stools, slower movement, and stagnated weight, or even reduced weight during the modelling period . These cp < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the model group and the KLC (3.6 g/kg) group (p > 0.05). Treatment with KLC (7.2 g/kg) and finasteride had significantly lower PI than the model group . There was no difference in the levels of COX-2 between the model and treated groups  obviously alleviated prostatic hyperplasia, as it was evidenced by thinner epithelium than the model group.Soy isoflavones from the KLC prescription could replace antiandrogen. Pumpkin seed oil could inhibit testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate , 22. ModClinical studies confirmed that the antioxidant defence system decreased in elderly patients with BPH , 27. OthIn summary, we demonstrated that KLC could effectively inhibit the growth of the prostate and enhance antioxidant activity via increasing the protein expressions of Nrf2 and NQO1. The mechanism of anti-inflammation needed to be further clarified. Our results provided insights into the antioxidant mechanisms of KLC, which was basis for the further research.


By adding only a trace amount of DHAA into the synthesis system, the structure of the samples could be transformed from cubic phase to lamellar phase, since the added DHAA solubilized in CTAB micelles to change the effective surfactant ion pair packing parameter. The dosage of CTAB should be moderate; too high or too low will decay the ordering degree of the lamellar structure.A much higher concentration of NaOH resulted in an ethanol-rich solvent in which the DHAA did not solubilize in the micelles of CTAB, but adsorbed at the hydrophilic headgroup–solvent interface. Accordingly, a structural transformation from lamellar phase to hexagonal phase occurred.Using a mixture of neutral primary amine dehydroabietylamine (DHAA) and long-chain cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as the template, ordered lamellar supermicroporous silicas were synthesized with NaOH as the base source and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica source. The concentrations of DHAA, CTAB, and NaOH in the synthesis system had great effects on the structural properties of the samples. When the molar ratio of components was nTEOS:nCTAB:nDHAA:nNaOH:nH According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) classification, materials with pore size less than 2 nm can be denoted as microporous materials, while materials with pore size in the range of 2–50 nm are mesoporous materials. UsuallyIn order to obtain supermicroporous structures, short-chain templating agents are usually required. Unfortunately, it is difficult to form well-ordered supermicroporous structures owing to their poor self-assembly ability–8. In orPreviously, our group successfully synthesized ordered hexagonal silica with rosin-based quaternary ammonium salt made from dehydroabietylamine , NaOH (AR), and TEOS (AR) were provided by Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co. Ltd. Dehydroabietylamine (~98 wt%) was purchased from Hangzhou Wanjing New Materials Co. Ltd.2O = 1:0.026~0.1425:0~0.01428:0.417~0.65:60. After continuous stirring for 5 h, the mixture was transferred to a Teflon-lined steel autoclave and subjected to hydrothermal treatment in air-dry oven at 373 K for 72 h. The resulting product was filtered out and washed with distilled water and ethanol several times. After drying at 333 K overnight, the organic species were removed by extraction in ethanol–HCl for 8 h or calcination in air at 823 K for 4 h.Certain amounts of CTAB, DHAA, and NaOH were dissolved in distilled water under vigorous stirring at 308 K. TEOS was slowly added into thissolution, and then a white precipitate was obtained. The molar ratio of the resulting mixture was nTEOS:nCTAB:nDHAA:nNaOH:nHθ, ranging from 0.5° to 10.0° for small-angle. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were obtained with a JEM-2100 instrument  operated at an accelerating voltage of 200 kV. The samples were ultrasonically dispersed in ethanol and then dropped onto carbon-coated copper grids prior to measurement.Nitrogen sorption isotherms were measured on a Micromeritics ASAP2020 system .The surface areas were calculatedusing the BET method, and the poredistributions were plotted using the DFT model.X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations of the samples were recorded by a D8 Focus diffractometer  with Cu Ka radiation (k = 0.154 nm). The operating target voltage was 40 kV and the current was 40 mA. The sample was scanned for 2θ = 2.52° (d211 = 3.50 nm), a weak shoulder diffraction peak at 2θ = 2.90° (d220 = 3.04 nm), and some slight diffraction peaks at 2θ = 3.85°~5°. As the DHAA was added to the synthesis system, the sample (θ = 3.04° (d001 = 2.90 nm) and 2θ = 6.08° (d002 = 1.45 nm), which could be indexed on a lamellar phase. In contrast with the conventional MCM-50[0lc [0 value decreased accordingly. Second, DHAA has a hydrophobic three-ringphenanthrene-like skeleton (composed of a benzene ring and two saturated six-membered rings), which is rigid and haslarge volume. Such hydrophobic groups will stretch into the hydrophobic centers of the CTAB micelles to increase the V value. Meanwhile, with the π electrons from the benzene ring, the hydrophobic group of DHAA can interact with the alkyl chain of CTAB through the powerful van der Waals force. Because DHAA possesses a short molecular diameter (less than 2 nm), the alkyl chain of CTAB will shrink and bind onto the hydrophobic group of DHAA in water to form a smaller hydrophobic core. As a result, the length of the hydrophobic chain (lc) was reduced, and the pore size of the materials decreased. Finally, the g value increased to about 1, and well-ordered lamellar silica with smaller pore size was obtained.e sample  showed tal MCM-50, the posal MCM-50, indicatθ = 3.16° (d001 = 2.97 nm), indicating that the regularity of the pore structure was poor. Obviously, the formation of an ordered pore structure requires a sufficient amount of CTAB in the reaction system. When the content of CTAB increased from 0.026 to 0.0741, the peaks of the samples (θ = 3.18° (d001 = 2.78 nm) and 2θ = 6.38° (d002 = 1.38 nm), suggesting thata highly ordered supermicroporous silica was obtained. However, the further addition of CTAB led to decreaseddiffraction peaks  and 2θ = 6.58° (d002 = 1.34), indicating the formation of a lamellar supermicroporous structure. As the NaOH content increased to 0.5, two stronger peaks at 2θ = 3.18° (d001 = 2.78 nm) and 2θ = 6.38°(d002 = 1.38 nm) can be observed in the pattern in θ = 2.41° (d100 = 3.66 nm)and two weak peaks at 2θ = 4°~5°could be detected for both samples, which can be indexed as 100, 110, and 200 crystal planes of the hexagonal phase. Thus, as a result of increasing pH value, the structuraltransformation from lamellar phase to hexagonal phase occurred. As the dosage of NaOH increased, the hydrolysis rate of TEOS increased accordingly, which led to a higher content of ethanol in the synthesis system. In such an ethanol-rich solvent, the solubility of DHAA will be increased. Therefore, the DHAA will not solubilize in CTAB micelles, but adsorb at the hydrophilic headgroup–solvent interface, leading to an increase in the effective area of polar head (a0), elongation of the length of hydrophobic chain (lc), and reduction of the hydrophobic chain volume (V). Therefore, the g value decreased to 1/2 accordingly, and an MCM-41–like hexagonal silica was obtained. However, because of the existence of DHAA, the interaction between the silicate species and the headgroupsof the templating agentswas hindered, so that the ordering degree of the obtained materials was poor.2O = 1:0.114:0.00457:0.5:60. After extraction in refluxed ethanol–HCl for 8 h, sample b (θ = 3.40° (d001 = 2.60 nm), suggesting that the ordered pore structure of the sample was partially destroyed by the extraction. After calcination at 823 K for 4 h, no diffraction peaks could be observed Click here for additional data file.