Hydro-uvarovite from Mantle Peridotites of Naga Hills Ophiolite: A Mineral Tracer for Neo-Tethyan Mantle Wedge Metasomatism

Hydrous Cr-bearing uvarovite garnets are rare in natural occurrences and belong to the ugrandite series and exist in binary solid solutions with grossular and andradite garnets. Here, we report the occurrence of hydrous uvarovite garnet having Cr_(2)O_(3) upto 19.66 wt% and CaO of 32.12–35.14 wt% in the serpentinized mantle peridotites of Naga Hills Ophiolite(NHO), India. They occur in association with low-Cr diopsides. They are enriched in LILE(Ba, Sr), LREEs, with fractionating LREE-MREE [avg.(La/Sm)_(N) = 2.16] with flat MREE/HREE patterns [avg.(Sm/Yb)_(N) = 0.95]. Raman spectra indicate the presence of hydroxyl(OH^(–)) peaks from 3500 to 3700 cm^(-1). Relative abundances in fluid mobile elements and their close association with clinopyroxenes are suggestive of the formation of uvarovite garnets through low temperature metasomatic alteration of low-Cr diopsides by hydrothermal slab fluids. The high LREE concentration and absence of Eu anomaly in the garnet further attest to alkaline nature of the transporting slab dehydrated fluid rather the involvement of low-p H solution. The chemical characteristics of the hydroxyl bearing uvarovite hosted by the mantle peridotite of NHO deviate from the classical features of uvarovite garnet, and their origin is attributed to the fluid-induced metasomatism of the sub arc mantle wedge in a suprasubduction zone regime.

Establishing the relationship between land use land cover,normalized difference vegetation index and land surface temperature:A case of Lower Son River Basin,India

The study explores the intricate interplay between land use land cover(LULC),normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI),and land surface temperature(LST)within the Lower Son River Basin in India from 1991 to 2020.The region’s ecological balance has been increasingly strained due to rapid urbanization and changing land use patterns.Through a combination of Landsat TM&OLI/TIRS satellite imageries and geospatial analysis techniques,this study unveils the intricate connection between land use and land cover changes,vegetation,and land surface temperature variations.The study area is classified into three altitudinal zones(Zone Ⅰ:39–300 m,Zone Ⅱ:301–600 m and Zone Ⅲ:601–1,247 m)to examine the changes in depth.The area has seen significant changes in LULC,vegetation and LST in all the three altitudinal zones.The findings hold significant implications for sustainable land management and environmental conservation strategies in the Lower Son River Basin.As per the result,103,438 ha of vegetation was converted into agriculture land and 82,572 ha of agricultural land was transformed into settlements from 1991 to 2020.This trend shows human pressure on the land resource in the study area.Minor increase in water body is seen which is attributed to commissioning of Bansagar dam.Zone Ⅰ has seen highest settlement growth while Zone Ⅲ experienced severe deforestation of around 15%.Zone Ⅱ and Ⅲ needs attention for holistic sustenance.Analysis of LST shows that it has increased by 0.82℃ from 1991 to 2020 which is a red flag.The study underscores the critical importance of balanced land use practices to preserve ecological integrity and mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization and climate change.

Anticoagulant use before COVID-19 diagnosis prevent COVID-19 associated acute venous thromboembolism or not:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events are associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.There is conflicting evidence on the effects of chronic anticoagulation on mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease.AIM To summarize the body of evidence on the effects of pre-hospital anticoagulation on outcomes in COVID-19 patients.METHODS A Literature search was performed on LitCovid PubMed,WHO,and Scopus databases from inception(December 2019)till June 2023 for original studies reporting an association between prior use of anticoagulants and patient outcomes in adults with COVID-19.The primary outcome was the risk of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients taking anticoagulants.Secondary outcomes included COVID-19 disease severity,in terms of intensive care unit admission or invasive mechanical ventilation/intubation requirement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection,and mortality.The random effects models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios(aORs)with 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs).RESULTS Forty-six observational studies met our inclusion criteria.The unadjusted analysis found no association between prior anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[n=43851,9 studies,odds ratio(OR)=0.67(0.22,2.07);P=0.49;I2=95%].The association between prior anticoagulation and disease severity was non-significant[n=186782;22 studies,OR=1.08(0.78,1.49);P=0.64;I2=89%].However,pre-hospital anticoagulation significantly increased all-cause mortality risk[n=207292;35 studies,OR=1.72(1.37,2.17);P<0.00001;I2=93%].Pooling adjusted estimates revealed a statistically non-significant association between pre-hospital anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[aOR=0.87(0.42,1.80);P=0.71],mortality[aOR=0.94(0.84,1.05);P=0.31],and disease severity[aOR=0.96(0.72,1.26);P=0.76].CONCLUSION Prehospital anticoagulation was not significantly associated with reduced risk of thromboembolic events,improved survival,and lower disease severity in COVID-19 patients.

聚叶钗子股—中国兰科新记录种及形态特征增补（英文）

报道了产自滇东南的中国兰科植物一新记录种——聚叶钗子股(Luisia appressifolia Averyanov)。研究发现,已往文献报道该种时,对其花部特征(如花颜色、萼片及花瓣形状、大小等)的描述仅依据腊叶标本,因标本严重失水导致描述信息不准或缺失。本文根据新鲜植株和花部材料对该种相关形态特征给予了补充。

Texture evaluation in AZ31/AZ31 multilayer and AZ31/AA5068 laminar composite during accumulative roll bonding

This article presents the texture development of magnesium AZ31 alloy in the accumulative roll bonded(ARB) AZ31/AZ31 multilayer and AZ31/AA5086 laminate composite.The comparative study demonstrates that the texture evolution in AZ31 in a multilayer system is strongly influenced by the interfaces.A typical basal texture of AZ31 has been observed in AZ31/AZ31 multilayer with texture intensity increased with the rolling deformation.Presence of AZ31/AA5086 interface in the laminate composite leads to a tilted basal texture along the rolling direction(RD) in AZ31 alloy.The texture intensity of composite increased initially with rolling reduction and weakened at the higher rolling strain.Weakening of texture in AZ31 during the laminate processing at higher strain has been attributed to the development of wavy interfaces in AZ31/AA5086 laminate.

Cope's sign and complete heart block secondary to acute cholecystitis: A case report

Rationale: Cope's sign is reflex bradycardia seen in the patient presenting with symptoms of acute cholecystitis. This bradycardia may be due to vagally mediated cardio-biliary reflex. Many of these reflexes due to acute cholecystitis have similar clinical features (some electrocardiographic changes like bradycardia, complete heart block, and asystole) mimicking that of acute coronary syndrome. Patient's concern: A 60-year old male presented with symptoms of acute cholecystitis and referred to the emergency department with complete heart block and abdominal pain with hypotension requiring an emergency temporary pacemaker. Diagnosis: Cope's sign and complete heart block. Intervention: Emergency temporary cardiac pacemaker insertion. Outcomes: The patient was discharged after three days with regular follow-up and advice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Lessons: Complete heart block or any symptomatic bradycardia associated with abdominal pain should be under consideration of cholecystitis that may be associated with either presence or absence of gall stones due to cardio biliary reflex.

A safe haven of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment:Prevalence and potential transmission risks in the effluent,sludge,and biosolids

The novel coronavirus,SARS-CoV-2,which has caused millions of death globally is recognized to be unstable and recalcitrant in the environment,especially in the way it has been evolving to form new and highly transmissible variants.Of particular concerns are human-environment interactions and the handling and reusing the environmental materials,such as effluents,sludge,or biosolids laden with the SARS-CoV-2 without adequate treatments,thereby suggesting potential transmission and health risks.This study assesses the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in effluents,sludge,and biosolids.Further,we evaluate the environmental,ecological,and health risks of reusing these environmental materials by wastewater/sludge workers and farmers.A systematic review of literature from the Scopus database resulted in a total of 21 articles(11 for effluents,8 for sludge,and 2 for biosolids)that met the criteria for meta-analysis,which are then subdivided into 30 meta-analyzed studies.The prevalence of SAR-CoV-2 RNA in effluent and sludge based on random-effect models are 27.51 and 1012.25,respectively,with a 95%CI between 6.14 and 48.89 for the effluent,and 104.78 and 1019.71 for the sludge.However,the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the biosolids based on the fixed-effect model is 30.59,with a 95%CI between 10.10 and 51.08.The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in environmental materials indicates the inefficiency in some of the treatment systems currently deployed to inactivate and remove the novel virus,which could be a potential health risk concern to vulnerable wastewater workers in particular,and the environmental and ecological issues for the population at large.This timely review portends the associated risks in handling and reusing environmental materials without proper and adequate treatments.

Paleo-glacial reconstruction of the Thajwas glacier in the Kashmir Himalaya using 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide dating

Quantitative glacial chronologies of past glaciations are sparse in the Himalaya, and mostly absent in the Kashmir Himalaya. We used cosmogenicBe exposure dating, and geomorphological mapping to reconstruct glacial advances of the Thajwas Glacier(TG) in the Great Himalayan Range of the Kashmir Himalaya. FromBe exposure dating of ten moraine boulders, four glacial stages with ages ~20.77 ±2.28 ka, ~11.46 ± 1.69 ka, ~9.12 ± 1.39 ka and ~4.19 ± 0.78 ka, were identified. The reconstructed cosmogenic radionuclide ages confirmed the global Last Glacial Maximum(g LGM), Younger Dryas, Early Holocene, and Neoglaciation episodes. As per area and volume change analyses, the TG has lost 51.1 km~2 of its area and a volume of 2.64 km~3 during the last 20.77 ± 2.28 ka. Overall, the results suggested that the TG has lost 64% of area and 73% of volume from the Last glacial maximum to Neoglaciation and about 85.74% and 87.67% of area and volume, respectively, from Neoglaciation to the present day. The equilibrium line altitude of the TG fluctuated from 4238 m a.s.l present to3365 m a.s.l during the g LGM(20.77 ± 2.28 ka). The significant cooling induced by a drop in mean ambient temperature resulted in a positive mass balance of the TG during the g LGM. Subsequently the melting accelerated due to the continuing rise of the global ambient temperature. Paleo-glacial history reconstruction of the Kashmir Himalaya, with its specific geomorphic and climatic setting, would help close the information gap about the chronology of past regional glacial episodes.

Design and comparative in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of starch-acrylate graft copolymer based salbutamol sulphate sustained release tablets

The present work deals with the development of controlled release tablets of salbutamol sulphate(SS)using graft copolymers of methyl methacrylate(St-g-PMMA and Ast-g-PMMA)on starch and acetylated starch.Formulations were evaluated for physical characteristics like hardness,friability,drug release,drug content and weight variations,which fulfilled all the official requirements of tablet dosage form.The release rates from formulated matrix tablets were studied at SGF(pH 1.2)followed by SIF(pH 6.8).Drug release from the graft copolymer based tablets was found to be sustained upto the 14 h with>75%drug release.The in-vitro release study showed that the graft copolymer based matrix formulations(F3&F4)exhibited highest correlation value(r2)for higuchi kinetic model and Korsmeyer's model with n values between 0.61 and 0.67 proved that release mechanisms were governed by both diffusion and erosion mechanism.There was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters(tmax,Cmax,AUC,Ke,and t1/2)of the graft copolymers matrices and HPMC K100M matrix tablets,indicating their comparable sustained release effect.The potential of graft copolymers to sustain the drug release is well supported by in-vivo pharmacokinetic studies and their adequate physicochemical properties make them promising excipients for controlled drug delivery system.

Wireless Party in India

India is emerging as one of the most competitive telecom markets.This paper first introduces key wireless operators in India,and then focuses on the subscriber growth,ARPU,value-add services and service quality of this market.It concludes that both equipment vendors and foreign operators have shown great interest in the market.

Challenges on Induction of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies for Optimization of HIV Vaccines Development and Vectored Immunoprophylaxis

Despite extensive research efforts, a preventive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine remains one of the major challenges in the field of AIDS research. Experimental strategies which have been proven successful for other viral vaccines are not enough to tackle HIV-1 and new approaches to design effective preventive AIDS vaccines are of utmost importance. Due to enormous diversity among global circulating HIV strains, an effective HIV vaccine must elicit broadly protective antibodies based responses;therefore discovering new broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV has become major focus in HIV vaccine research. However further understanding of the viral targets of such antibodies and mechanisms of action of bNAbs is required for advancement of HIV vaccine research. This technical note discusses our current knowledge on the bNAbs and immunoprophylaxis using viral vectors with their relevance in designing of new candidates to HIV-1 vaccines.

Study of Active Screening to Detect Un-Registered Open Cases of Tuberculosis in Rural Areas of Capital District of Rajasthan, India

Tuberculosis is one among top 10 causes of deaths worldwide. Access to effective diagnosis by every TB patient is one among five missions of Global Plan. Active case finding among vulnerable groups has been the key focus area of National Strategic Plan to control TB in India 2017-25. This cross-sectional study was carried out to find out the additional open cases of TB through active screening of general & rural population in selected villages of Jaipur, the capital district in Rajasthan state of India. An active screening team of trained staff visited each house-hold in selected study villages for interviewing the head of house-hold or other adult member available at the time of visit. Family members of age ≥ 15 years were screened for complain of chronic cough of duration 2 weeks or more with study questionnaire. Presumptive cases found at screening were referred for seeking medical consultations from nearest designated microscopy centre. The referred patients were followed up on telephone up to five times for results of medical consultancies. Laboratory technicians of catchment DMCs were also followed up for verification of results. Total 19,306 individuals were covered. Study included 52.8% male, 69.3% ≥ 15 years age, and 99.3% Hindu participants. There were total 153 presumptive TB patients. Out of these, total 10 cases were confirmed as TB. The yield of detection was 0.51 cases/1000 population screened. Study finds active screening as a feasible and effective strategy in detecting additional cases of TB from general and rural population.

Numerical Solution of Generalized Abel’s Integral Equation by Variational Iteration Method

In this paper, a user friendly algorithm based on the variational iteration method (VIM) is proposed to solve singular integral equations with generalized Abel’s kernel. It is observed that an approximate solutions yn(x) converges to the exact solution irrespective of the initial choice y0 (x). Illustrative numerical examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency and simplicity of the method in solving these types of singular integral equations.

Early Stage above Ground Interaction in Wheat-Jatropha Agrisilviculture System

Experiments were conducted to analyze the initial tree crop interaction between Jatropha curcas and wheat by planting the perennial component in East-West orientation with 8-2 m distance and wheat as intercrop at National Research Centre for Agroforestry （NRCAF）, Jhansi during July, 2007 to April, 2009. During planting of Jatropha the interaction to wheat was non-significant and influence of orientation is also nil. Eighteen months after plating Jatropha had attained the mean height of 124.56 cm, collar diameter of 6.37 cm, number of branches of 11.25, canopy diameter of 98.5 cm and yielded 18.5 g seeds per plant. During 18 MAP also observations revealed the non-significant influence of Jatropha on wheat. Observations also indicated the progress in wheat growth and yield attributes with the increase of distances from tree base and it follow the order of 0.5 m〈1.0 m〈2.0 m〈3.0, 4.0 m and open. Nearly, 62% and 14% yield loss in wheat grain was observed at 0.5 m and lm distance from the tree base respectively compare with open. Comparison ofwheat-Jatropha agrisilviculture system and sole wheat cropping indicated the net grain yield reduction up to 13.5% by agrisilviculture system. The comparison of wheat and straw yields between the two years clearly indicating that the system and sole cropping have not much differed while the influence of climatic factor is witnessed by the variation of yields over years. It revealed that the initial above ground interaction between Jatropha and wheat was due to the space that can be managed by the pruning of branches which is a recommended cultural practice of Jatropha.

Enhanced Solar Water Desalination by CuCo_(2)S_(4)-decorated Carbon Foam Derived from Waste Plastics

Interfacial solar desalination is an emerging technology for freshwater production,but the finding of novel solar evaporators is still challenging.In the present research,graphitic carbon foam(CF)was synthesized from the upcycling of waste plastic polyethylene terephthalate(PET)waste bottles functionalized with carrollite CuCo_(2)S_(4) as a photothermal layer.Analytical characterization[X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS)]confirms the functionalization of carrollite CuCo_(2)S_(4) on graphitic carbon foam.The UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis showed an enhanced optical absorption in the UV-Vis-near IR region(>96%)for functionalized CuCo_(2)S_(4)-CF foam compared to carbon foam(67%).The interfacial solar desalination experiment presented a significantly enhanced evaporation rate of 2.4 kg·m^(−2)·h^(−1) for CuCo_(2)S_(4)-CF compared to that of CF(1.60 kg·m^(−2)·h^(−1))and that of CuCo_(2)S_(4)(1.60 kg·m^(−2)·h^(−1)).The obtained results proved that the newly synthesized CuCo_(2)S_(4)-CF from the upcycled plastic into new material for the photothermal desalination process can enhance the practice of a circular economy to produce fresh water.

Multi-scale coupling analysis of urbanization and ecosystem services supply-demand budget in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

Rapid economic development and human activities have severely affected ecosystem function.Analysis of the spatial distribution of areas of rapid urbanization is the basis for optimizing urban-ecological spatial design.This paper evaluated the spatial distribution of urbanization in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH)region,and then quantified the ecosystem services(ES)budget in the region based on an ES supply and demand matrix.The results showed that(1)urbanization patterns in the BTH region were relatively stable from 2000 to 2015,with clear patterns of low levels of urbanization in the northwest and high levels in the southeast;(2)areas with positive ES budget values were found throughout the region,except in built-up areas,with high ES supply areas concentrated in the northwest,and high ES demand areas in the southeast;(3)at both the county and prefecture-city levels,urbanization had negative,positive,and negative correlations with ES supply,demand,and budget,respectively;(4)the coupling coordination degree(CCD)increased,with high CCD values in the southeast.Based on these results,policy recommendations include strengthening rational land-use planning and ecosystem management,promoting the coordinated development of the economy and ecological function,and coordinating the provision of production-life-ecological functions.

Assessing the impacts of current and future changes of the planforms of river Brahmaputra on its land use-land cover

River bankline migration is a frequent phenomenon in the river of the floodplain region.Nowadays,channel dynamics-related changes in land use and land cover(LULC)are becoming a risk to the life and property of people living in the vicinity of rivers.A comprehensive evaluation of the causes and consequences of such changes is essential for better policy and decision-making for disaster risk reduction and management.The present study assesses the changes in the Brahmaputra River planform using the GIS-based Digital Shoreline Analysis System(DSAS)and relates it with the changing LULC of the floodplain evaluated using the CA-Markov model.In this study,the future channel of the Brahmaputra River and its flood plain’s future LULC were forecasted to pinpoint the erosion-vulnerable zone.Forty-eight years(1973–2021)of remotely sensed data were applied to estimate the rate of bankline migration.It was observed that the river’s erosion-accretion rate was higher in early times than in more recent ones.The left and right banks’average shifting rates between 1973 and 1988 were -55.44 m/y and -56.79 m/y,respectively,while they were-17.25 m/y and -48.49 m/y from 2011 to 2021.The left bank of the river Brahmaputra had more erosion than the right,which indicates that the river is shifting in the leftward direction(Southward).In this river course,zone A(Lower course)and zone B(Middle course)were more adversely affected than zone C(Upper course).According to the predicted result,the left bank is more susceptible to bank erosion than the right bank(where the average rate of erosion and deposition was -72.23 m/y and 79.50 m/y,respectively).The left bank’s average rate of erosion was -111.22 m/y.The research assesses the LULC study in conjunction with river channel dynamics in vulnerable areas where nearby infrastructure and settlements were at risk due to channel migration.The degree of accu-racy was verified using the actual bankline and predicted bankline,as well as the actual LULC map and anticipated LULC map.In more than 90% of cases,the bankline’s position and shape generally remain the same as the actual bankline.The overall,and kappa accuracy of all the LULC maps was more than 85%,which was suitable for the forecast.Moreover,chi-square(x^(2))result values for classified classes denoted the accuracy and acceptability of the CA-Markov model for predicting the LULC map.The results of this work aim to understand better the efficient hazard management strategy for the Brahmaputra River for hazard managers of the region using an automated prediction approach.

Spatial distribution of fossil fuel derived CO_(2) over India using radiocarbon measurements in crop plants

Examining the contribution of fossil fuel CO_(2) to the total CO_(2) changes in the atmosphere is of primary concern due to its alarming levels of fossil fuel emissions over the globe,specifically developing countries.Atmospheric radiocarbon represents an important observational constraint and utilized to trace fossil fuel derived CO_(2)(CO_(2ff))in the atmosphere.For the first time,we have presented a detailed analysis on the spatial distribution of fossil fuel derived CO_(2)(CO_(2ff))over India using radiocarbon(Δ14C)measurements during three-year period.Analysis shows that theΔ14C values are varying between 29.33‰ to-34.06‰ across India in the year 2017,where highest value belongs to a location from Gujarat while lowest value belongs to a location from Chhattisgarh.Based on the14C patterns,spatial distributions of CO_(2ff) mole fractions have been determined over India and the calculated values of CO_(2ff) mole fractions are varying between 4.85 ppm to 26.59 ppm across India.It is also noticed that the highest CO_(2ff) mole fraction is observed as 26.59 ppm from a site in Chhattisgarh.CO_(2ff) mole fraction values from four high altitude sites are found to be varied between 4.85 ppm to 14.87 ppm.Effect of sampling different crop plants from the same growing season and different crop plant organs(grains,leaves,stems)on theΔ14C and CO_(2ff) have been studied.Annual and intra seasonal variations in theΔ14C and CO_(2ff) mole fractions have also been analyzed from a rural location(Dholpur,Rajasthan).

Protection of Viola odorata L.against Neurodegenerative Diseases:Potential of the Extract and Major Phytoconstituents

Background:Neurodegenerative diseases cause cognitive impairment owing to neuronal death and deterioration.Only a few brain-protecting chemical investigations yielded neuroprotective medications.Viola odoata L.is a traditional medicinal herb that has lately been shown to have strong pharmacological effectiveness against major neurological illnesses with fewer adverse effects.Objective:The objective of the current review is to provide a thorough overview of the key biologically active components and extract of Viola odorata L.in their capacity to safeguard nerve cells.Methods:Science Direct,PubMed,Springer Nature,and Google Scholar were scoured for relevant articles using the terms“Viola odorata L.”,and in the heading and abstract or main text,“neuroprotective activity”,“neurode-generative disease”,“pharmacological potential”,and“therapeutic activity”along with“extract”or“phytocon-stituents”.Neuroprotective activity of Viola odorata L.extract or phytoconstituents were used to classify and investigate the articles that passed the screening process.Results:A total of one hundred twenty one papers were reviewed based on the collected data.The following topics have been elaborated upon in the text:pathological factors of neurodegenerative diseases;role of medic-inal plants in neurodegenerative diseases;Viola odorata L.taxonomy,pharmacological activities,toxicity and adverse effect;neuroprotective activity of extract and various active components of Viola odorata L.The primary phytocomponents of Viola odorata L.were discovered to be anthocyanins,flavonoids,melatonin,salicylic acid,cumarins and various alkaloids,which are primarily responsible for its neuroprotective action.These natural plant compounds can boost antioxidant levels,reduce harmful oxidants,alleviate nerve pain,decrease the pro-duction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α𝛼,lower the total amount of nitrite produced,and trigger various neuroprotective mechanisms in the nervous system.It has been also concluded in several in-vestigations that Viola odorata L.extract and some of its major molecular components can protect against toxic affronts,either directly through neuroprotective mechanisms or indirectly through antioxidant properties.Conclusion:Despite the need for further research,the presence of bioactive components in Viola odarata L.that hold the potential to become effective neuroprotective therapeutic agents shows its potential use in treating neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuro-inflammation and neurotransmitter deficiency.

Clodronate-superparamagnetic iron oxide-containing liposomes attenuate renal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Background and objective： It has been shown that macrophages play an important role in the development of severe acute pancreatitis （SAP）, and eventually lead to multiple organ failure （MOF）. Clodronate-liposome selectively depleted macrophages. This study was to investigate the role of renal macrophage infiltration in acute renal injury in rats with SAP and to evaluate the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide （SPIO）-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） for diagnosis. Methods： Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by chemical coprecipitation. SPIO-liposomes and SPIO-clodronate-liposomes were prepared by the thin film method. SAP models were prepared by injection of sodium taurocholate into the subcapsular space of rat pancreas. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, SAP plus SPIO-liposome （P） group, and SAP plus SPIO-clodronatecontaining liposome （T） group. Kidney injury was evaluated by T2-weighted MRI scan. The levels of serum amylase （SAM）, blood urea nitrogen （BUN）, and serum creatinine （SCr） were measured by an automated enzymatic method. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pathological changes in the pancreas and kidney were observed using hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E） staining, while cell apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining. In addition, the macrophage markers （CD68） of the renal tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results： The pathological changes in the pancreas and kidneys of rats in the T group were milder than those in the P group. The MRI signal intensity of the kidneys in the P and T groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. There were significant changes in the two experimental groups （P〈0.01）. The levels of SAM, Bun, SCr, and TNF-α in rats in the P group were higher than those in the control group （P〈0.01） and in the T group （P〈0.01）. The apoptosis of the kidney in the T group was higher than that in the P group at 2 and 6 h （P〈0.01）. Conclusions： Clodronate-containing liposomes protected against renal injury in SAP rats, and SPIO can be used as a tracer for MRI examination to detect renal injury in SAP rats. SPIO-aided MRI provided an efficient non-invasive way to monitor the migration of macrophages after renal injury in rats with SAP.