Role of iron ore in enhancing gasification of iron coke:Structural evolution,influence mechanism and kinetic analysis

The utilization of iron coke provides a green pathway for low-carbon ironmaking.To uncover the influence mechanism of iron ore on the behavior and kinetics of iron coke gasification,the effect of iron ore on the microstructure of iron coke was investigated.Furthermore,a comparative study of the gasification reactions between iron coke and coke was conducted through non-isothermal thermogravimetric method.The findings indicate that compared to coke,iron coke exhibits an augmentation in micropores and specific surface area,and the micropores further extend and interconnect.This provides more adsorption sites for CO_(2) molecules during the gasification process,resulting in a reduction in the initial gasification temperature of iron coke.Accelerating the heating rate in non-isothermal gasification can enhance the reactivity of iron coke.The metallic iron reduced from iron ore is embedded in the carbon matrix,reducing the orderliness of the carbon structure,which is primarily responsible for the heightened reactivity of the carbon atoms.The kinetic study indicates that the random pore model can effectively represent the gasification process of iron coke due to its rich pore structure.Moreover,as the proportion of iron ore increases,the activation energy for the carbon gasification gradually decreases,from 246.2 kJ/mol for coke to 192.5 kJ/mol for iron coke 15wt%.

Intravenous iron in chronic kidney disease without anaemia but iron deficiency:A scoping review

Iron deficiency(ID)is a prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease(CKD),often managed reactively when associated with anaemia.This scoping review evaluates the evidence supporting intravenous(IV)iron therapy in non-anaemic individuals with CKD and ID,focusing on safety,efficacy,and emerging therapeutic implications.Current diagnostic markers,including serum ferritin,transferrin saturation,and reticulocyte haemoglobin content,are reviewed alongside their limitations in the context of inflammation and variability.The pathophysiology of ID in CKD is explored,highlighting the roles of hepcidin,hypoxia-inducible factor pathways,and uraemic toxins.Comparative studies reveal that IV iron offers a more rapid correction of iron stores,improved com-pliance,and fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral iron.Evidence from trials such as“iron and heart”and“iron and muscle”suggests potential benefits of IV iron on functional capacity and fatigue,though findings were sta-tistically non-significant.Insights from heart failure trials support the safety and efficacy of IV iron in improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations,with newer formulations like ferric derisomaltose demonstrating favourable safety profiles.This review underscores the need for standardized screening protocols for ID in CKD,even in the absence of anaemia,to facilitate earlier intervention.Future research should prioritise robust outcome measures,larger sample sizes,and person-specific treatment strategies to optimise dosing and administration frequency.Tailored approaches to IV iron therapy have the potential to significantly improve functional outcomes,quality of life,and long-term health in people with CKD.

Prediction of intrusive gas pores caused by resin burning in sand core for iron castings

In the production of castings,intrusive gas pore represents a kind of common defects which can lead to leakage in high gas-tightness requirement castings,such as cylinder blocks and cylinder heads for engines.It occurs due to the intrusion of gases generated during the resin burning of the sand core into castings during the casting process.Therefore,a gas generation and flow constitution model was established,in which the gas generation rate is a function of temperature and time,and the flow of gas is controlled by the gas release,conservation,and Darcy's law.The heat transfer and gas flow during casting process was numerically simulated.The dangerous point of cores is firstly identified by a virtual heat transfer method based on the similarity between heat transfer and gas flow in the sand core.The gas pores in castings are predicted by the gas pressure,the viscosity and state of the melt for these dangerous points.Three distinct sand core structures were designed and used for the production of iron castings,and the simulated gas pore results were validated by the obtained castings.

Organic fertilizer enhances soil aggregate stability by altering greenhouse soil content of iron oxide and organic carbon

Both soil organic carbon (SOC) and iron (Fe) oxide content, among other factors, drive the formation and stability of soil aggregates.However, the mechanism of these drivers in greenhouse soil fertilized with organic fertilizer is not well understood.In a 3-year field experiment, we aimed to investigate the factors which drive the stability of soil aggregates in greenhouse soil.To explore the impact of organic fertilizer on soil aggregates, we established four treatments:no fertilization (CK);inorganic fertilizer (CF);organic fertilizer (OF);and combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizers(COF).The application of organic fertilizer significantly enhanced the stability of aggregates, that is it enhanced the mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter and aggregate content (%) of>0.25 mm aggregate fractions.OF and COF treatments increased the concentration of SOC, especially the aliphatic-C, aromatic-C and polysaccharide-C components of SOC, particularly in>0.25 mm aggregates.Organic fertilizer application significantly increased the content of free Fe(Fed), reactive Fe (Feo), and non-crystalline Fe in both bulk soil and aggregates.Furthermore, non-crystalline Fe showed a positive correlation with SOC content in both bulk soil and aggregates.Both non-crystalline Fe and SOC were significantly positively correlated with>2 mm mean weight diameter.Overall, we believe that the increase of SOC, aromatic-C, and non-crystal ine Fe concentrations in soil after the application of organic fertilizer is the reason for improving soil aggregate stability.

Application of Grey Relational Analysis in Regional Water Environment Assessment——Taking Jin River Basin as An Example

According to the data from four water monitoring stations at Meihewan, Shimawan, Tanwan and Jinbin, the water environment at the downstream basin of Jin River was evaluated through grey reIational analysis in this study. The resuIts showed that the water environment was severeIy contaminated by phosphorus, am-monia nitrogen and permanganate.

Evaluation of Erythrocyte Iron Incorporation in Beijing Prepubertal Children Using a Single Stable Isotope Tracer Method

Objective To analyze the rate of erythrocyte iron incorporation and provided guidance for the iron nutrition for prepubertal children.Methods Fifty-seven prepubertal children of Beijing were involved in this study and each subject was orally administered 3 mg of 57 Fe twice daily to obtain a total of 30 mg 57 Fe after a 5-d period. The stable isotope ratios in RBCs were determined in 14 th day, 28 th day, 60 th day, and 90 th day. The erythrocyte incorporation rate in children was calculated using the stable isotope ratios, blood volume and body iron mass.Results The percentage of erythrocyte 57 Fe incorporation increased starting 14 th day, reached a peak at 60 d(boys: 19.67% ± 0.56%, girls: 21.33% ± 0.59%) and then decreased. The erythrocyte incorporation rates of 57 Fe obtained for girls in 60 th day was significantly higher than those obtained for boys(P < 0.0001).Conclusions The oral administration of 57 Fe to children can be used to obtain erythrocyte iron incorporation within 90 d. Prepubertal girls should begin to increase the intake of iron and further studies should pay more attention to the iron status in prepubertal children.

Physical Performance of Migrant Schoolchildren with Marginal and Severe Iron Deficiency in the Suburbs of Beijing

Objectives To investigate relationship between iron deficiency of different degrees and physical performance and habitual activity of migrant schoolchildren at the age of 11-14 years. Methods Ninety one randomly selected schoolchildren were divided into three groups according to their iron status. Iron status including hemoglobin （Hb）, serum ferritin （SF）, serum iron （SI） and sTfR was determined. Physical performance tests included maximum oxygen consumption （VO2max） and maximum work time. Energy expenditure （EE） and daily physical activity were estimated by recording 24-h heart rate （HR）. Dietary intake was assessed with frequency questionnaires, and physical activity level was estimated with frequency and physical activity questionnaires. Results Severe iron deficiency （IDA） impaired the aerobic capacity and habitual physical activity. When fat-free mass （FFM） was considered, VO2max （VO2max/FFM） was significantly lower in the iron-marginal group than in the iron-adequate groups among girls （P=0.02）, but such a deference was not found among boys （P=0.28）. Aerobic activity and EE at leisure were significantly lower in the severe iron deficient group than in the marginal iron deficient and iron adequate groups. Net HR at leisure time was correlated with lib, log SF, body weight, and FFM （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The functional effect of iron deficiency on physical performance and habitual physical activity rely on the degree of current iron deficiency. Severe iron deficiency significantly impairs both aerobic capacity and habitual physical activity. Iron-marginal deficiency impairs VO2max/FFM in girls, rather than in boys.

Revealing the atomic mechanism of diamond–iron interfacial reaction

Diamond,with ultrahigh hardness,high wear resistance,high thermal conductivity,and so forth,has attracted worldwide attention.However,researchers found emergent reactions at the interfaces between diamond and ferrous materials,which significantly affects the performance of diamond-based devices.Herein,combing experiments and theoretical calculations,taking diamond–iron(Fe)interface as a prototype,the counter-diffusion mechanism of Fe/carbon atoms has been established.Surprisingly,it is identified that Fe and diamond first form a coherent interface,and then Fe atoms diffuse into diamond and prefer the carbon vacancies sites.Meanwhile,the relaxed carbon atoms diffuse into the Fe lattice,forming Fe_(3)C.Moreover,graphite is observed at the Fe_(3)C surface when Fe_(3)C is over-saturated by carbon atoms.The present findings are expected to offer new insights into the atomic mechanism for diamondferrous material's interfacial reactions,benefiting diamond-based device applications.

Diffusion and reaction mechanism of limestone and quartz in fluxed iron ore pellet roasting process

The increase to the proportion of fluxed pellets in the blast furnace burden is a useful way to reduce the carbon emissions in the ironmaking process.In this study,the interaction between calcium carbonate and iron ore powder and the mineralization mechanism of fluxed iron ore pellet in the roasting process were investigated through diffusion couple experiments.Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the elements’diffusion and phase transformation during the roasting process.The results indicated that limestone decomposed into calcium oxide,and magnetite was oxidized to hematite at the early stage of preheating.With the increase in roasting temperature,the diffusion rate of Fe and Ca was obviously accelerated,while the diffusion rate of Si was relatively slow.The order of magnitude of interdiffusion coefficient of Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO diffusion couple was 10^(−10) m^(2)·s^(−1) at a roasting temperature of 1200℃for 9 h.Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) was the initial product in the Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO-SiO_(2) diffusion interface,and then Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) continued to react with Fe_(2)O_(3) to form CaFe_(2)O_(4).With the expansion of the diffusion region,the sillico-ferrite of calcium liquid phase was produced due to the melting of SiO_(2) into CaFe_(2)O_(4),which can strengthen the consolidation of fluxed pellets.Furthermore,andradite would be formed around a small part of quartz particles,which is also conducive to the consolidation of fluxed pellets.In addition,the principle diagram of limestone and quartz diffusion reaction in the process of fluxed pellet roasting was discussed.

Regulatory mechanisms of iron homeostasis in maize mediated by ZmFIT

Regulation of iron homeostasis in maize remains unclear,despite the known roles of FER-Like Fe deficiency-induced transcription factor(FIT)in Arabidopsis and rice.ZmFIT,like At FIT and Os FIT,interacts with iron-related transcription factors 2(ZmIRO2).Here,we investigate the involvement of ZmFIT in iron homeostasis.Mutant ZmFIT lines exhibiting symptoms of Fe deficiency had reduced shoot iron content.Transcriptome analysis revealed downregulation of Fe deficiency-responsive genes in the roots of a Zmfit mutant.ZmFIT facilitates the nuclear translocation of ZmIRO2 to activate transcription of downstream genes under Fe-deficient conditions.Our findings suggest that ZmFIT,by interaction with ZmIRO2,mediates iron homeostasis in maize.Notably,the binding and activation mechanisms of ZmFIT resemble those in Arabidopsis but differ from those in rice,whereas downstream genes regulated by ZmFIT show similarities to rice but differences from Arabidopsis.In brief,ZmFIT,orthgologs of Os FIT and At FIT in rice and maize,respectively,regulates iron uptake and homeostasis in maize,but with variations.

Iron and ferritin effects on intensive care unit mortality:A metaanalysis

BACKGROUND The effect of serum iron or ferritin parameters on mortality among critically ill patients is not well characterized.AIM To determine the association between serum iron or ferritin parameters and mortality among critically ill patients.METHODS Web of Science,Embase,PubMed,and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies on serum iron or ferritin parameters and mortality among critically ill patients.Two reviewers independently assessed,selected,and abstracted data from studies reporting on serum iron or ferritin parameters and mortality among critically ill patients.Data on serum iron or ferritin levels,mortality,and demographics were extracted.RESULTS Nineteen studies comprising 125490 patients were eligible for inclusion.We observed a slight negative effect of serum ferritin on mortality in the United States population[relative risk(RR)1.002;95%CI:1.002-1.004].In patients with sepsis,serum iron had a significant negative effect on mortality(RR=1.567;95%CI:1.208-1.925).CONCLUSION This systematic review presents evidence of a negative correlation between serum iron levels and mortality among patients with sepsis.Furthermore,it reveals a minor yet adverse impact of serum ferritin on mortality among the United States population.

Responses of growth performance,antioxidant function,small intestinal morphology and mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein to dietary iron in yellow-feathered broilers

This study aimed to investigate the dose-effect of iron on growth performance,antioxidant function.intestinal morphology,and mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein in 1-to21-d-old yellow-feathered broilers.A total of 7201-d-old yellow-feathered maleb roilers were allocated to 9 treatments with 8 replicate cages of 10 birds per cage.The dietary treatments were consisted of a basal diet(contained 79.6 mg Fe kg^(-1))supplemented with 0,20,40,60,80,160,320,640,and 1,280 mg Fe kg^(-1)in the form of FeSO_(4)·7H_(2)O.Compared with the birds in the control group,birds supplemented with 20mg Fe kg^(-1)had higher average daily gain(ADG)(P<0.0001).Adding 640 and 1,280 mg Fe kg^(-1)significantly decreased ADG(P<0.0001)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)(P<0.0001)compared with supplementation of 20mg Fe kg^(-1).Malondialdehyde(MDA)concentration in plasma and duodenum increased linearly(P<0.0001),but MDA concentration in liver and jejunum increased linearly(P<0.05)or quadratically(P<0.05)with increased dietary Fe concentration.The villus height(VH)in duodenum and jejunum,and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth(V/C)in duodenum decreased linearly(P?0.05)as dietary Feincreased.As dietary Fe increased,the jejunal relative mRNA abundance of claudin-1 decreased linearly(P=0.001),but the jejunal relative mRNA abundance of zona occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin decreased linearly(P?0.05)or quadratically(P?0.05).Compared with the supplementation of 20 mg Fe kg^(-1),the supplementation of640 mg Fe kg^(-1)or higher increased(P?0.05)MDA concentrations in plasma,duodenum,and jejunum,decreased VH in the duodenum and jejunum,and the addition of 1,280 mg Fe kg^(-1)reduced(P?0.05)the jejunal tight junction protein(claudin-1,ZO-1,occludin)mRNA abundance.In summary,640 mg of supplemental Fe kg^(-1)or greater was associated with decreased growth performance,increased oxidative stress,disrupted intestinal morphology,and reduced mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein.

Effects of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill on Iron Metabolism in Rats with Iron Deficiency Anemia

[Objectives]This study was conducted to observe the effect of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill on iron metabolism in rats with iron deficiency anemia. [Methods] The iron-deficiency anemia rat model was established by feeding low-iron diet. Meanwhile, the rats were given oral gavage of ferrous succinate(0.036 g/kg, positive drug group) and Lujingyiqishengxue Pill(4.4, 2.2, 1.1 g/kg, high, middle and low dose groups), once daily for 42 consecutive days. The body weight of the rats was observed every week, and the peripheral blood[red blood cells(RBC), hemoglobin(HGB), and hematocrit(HCT)]and the iron contents in tissues(the liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney) of the rats were detected after modeling;and serum iron(SI), serum total iron binding capacity(TIBC), transferrin saturation(TSAT), serum ferritin(SF) and serum transferrin receptor 1(TFR1) and other iron metabolism indexes were determined. [Results] Compared with the model group, the high-dose Lujingyiqishengxue Pill significantly reversed the peripheral blood(HGB, HCT) and iron contents of various tissues(the liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney) in rats(P<0.01), and significantly increased SI, TSAT, SF(P<0.01), while the contents of TIBC and TFR1 were significantly decreased(P<0.01). [Conclusions] Lujingyiqishengxue Pill can significantly improve anemia and regulate iron metabolism in rats with iron-deficiency anemia, which provides a pharmacological reference for the clinical application of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill.

Carbon Monoxide Modulates Auxin Transport and Nitric Oxide Signaling in Plants under Iron Deficiency Stress

Carbon monoxide(CO)and nitric oxide(NO)are signal molecules that enhance plant adaptation to environmental stimuli.Auxin is an essential phytohormone for plant growth and development.CO and NO play crucial roles in modulating the plant’s response to iron deficiency.Iron deficiency leads to an increase in the activity of heme oxygenase(HO)and the subsequent generation of CO.Additionally,it alters the polar subcellular distribution of Pin-Formed 1(PIN1)proteins,resulting in enhanced auxin transport.This alteration,in turn,leads to an increase in NO accumulation.Furthermore,iron deficiency enhances the activity of ferric chelate reductase(FCR),as well as the expression of the Fer-like iron deficiency-induced transcription factor 1(FIT)and the ferric reduction oxidase 2(FRO2)genes in plant roots.Overexpression of the long hypocotyl 1(HY1)gene,which encodes heme oxygenase,or the CO donor treatment resulted in enhanced basipetal auxin transport,higher FCR activity,and the expression of FIT and FRO2 genes under Fe deficiency.Here,a potential mechanism is proposed:CO and NO interact with auxin to address iron deficiency stress.CO alters auxin transport,enhancing its accumulation in roots and up-regulating key iron-related genes like FRO2 and IRT1.Elevated auxin levels affect NO signaling,leading to greater sensitivity in root development.This interplay promotes FCR activity,which is crucial for iron absorption.Together,these molecules enhance iron uptake and root growth,revealing a novel aspect of plant physiology in adapting to environmental stress.

Elucidating the enhancement of kaolinite flotation by iron content through density functional theory: A study on sodium oleate adsorption efficiency

This study delves into the intricate relationship between iron(Fe)content in kaolinite and its impact on the adsorption behavior of sodium oleate.The effects of different iron concentrations on adsorption energy,hydrogen bond kinetics and adsorption efficiency were studied through simulation and experimental verification.The results show that the presence of iron in the kaolinite structure significantly improves the adsorption capacity of sodium oleate.Kaolinite samples with high iron content have better adsorption properties,lower adsorption energy levels and shorter and stronger hydrogen bonds than pure kaolinite.The optimal concentration of oleic acid ions for achieving maximum adsorption efficiency was identified as 1.2 mmol/L across different kaolinite samples.At this concentration,the adsorption rates and capacities reach their peak,with Fe-enriched kaolinite samples exhibiting notably higher flotation recovery rates.This optimal concentration represents a balance between sufficient oleic acid ion availability for surface interactions and the prevention of self-aggregation phenomena that could hinder adsorption.This study offers promising avenues for optimizing the flotation process in mineral processing applications.

Effect of safety valve types on the gas venting behavior and thermal runaway hazard severity of large-format prismatic lithium iron phosphate batteries

The safety valve is an important component to ensure the safe operation of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).However,the effect of safety valve type on the thermal runaway(TR)and gas venting behavior of LIBs,as well as the TR hazard severity of LIBs,are not known.In this paper,the TR and gas venting behavior of three 100 A h lithium iron phosphate(LFP)batteries with different safety valves are investigated under overheating.Compared to previous studies,the main contribution of this work is in studying and evaluating the effect of gas venting behavior and TR hazard severity of LFP batteries with three safety valve types.Two significant results are obtained:(Ⅰ)the safety valve type dominates over gas venting pressure of battery during safety venting,the maximum gas venting pressure of LFP batteries with a round safety valve is 3320 Pa,which is one order of magnitude higher than other batteries with oval or cavity safety valve;(Ⅱ)the LFP battery with oval safety valve has the lowest TR hazard as shown by the TR hazard assessment model based on gray-fuzzy analytic hierarchy process.This study reveals the effect of safety valve type on TR and gas venting,providing a clear direction for the safety valve design.

Repressing iron overload ameliorates central poststroke pain via the Hdac2-Kv1.2 axis in a rat model of hemorrhagic stroke

Thalamic hemorrhage can lead to the development of central post-stroke pain.Changes in histone acetylation levels,which are regulated by histone deacetylases,affect the excitability of neurons surrounding the hemorrhagic area.However,the regulato ry mechanism of histone deacetylases in central post-stroke pain remains unclea r.Here,we show that iron overload leads to an increase in histone deacetylase 2expression in damaged ventral posterolateral nucleus neurons.Inhibiting this increase restored histone H3 acetylation in the Kcna2 promoter region of the voltage-dependent potassium(Kv)channel subunit gene in a rat model of central post-stroke pain,thereby increasing Kcna2expression and relieving central pain.However,in the absence of nerve injury,increasing histone deacetylase 2 expression decreased Kcna2expression,decreased Kv current,increased the excitability of neurons in the ventral posterolateral nucleus area,and led to neuropathic pain symptoms.Moreover,treatment with the iron chelator deferiprone effectively reduced iron overload in the ventral posterolateral nucleus after intracerebral hemorrhage,reversed histone deacetylase 2 upregulation and Kv1.2 downregulation,and alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity in central post-stroke pain rats.These results suggest that histone deacetylase 2 upregulation and Kv1.2 downregulation,mediated by iron overload,are important factors in central post-stroke pain pathogenesis and co uld se rve as new to rgets for central poststroke pain treatment.

An Integrated Analysis on the Synergistic Reduction of Carbon and Pollution Emissions from China’s Iron and Steel Industry

Decarbonization and decontamination of the iron and steel industry(ISI),which contributes up to 15%to anthropogenic CO_(2) emissions(or carbon emissions)and significant proportions of air and water pollutant emissions in China,are challenged by the huge demand for steel.Carbon and pollutants often share common emission sources,indicating that emission reduction could be achieved synergistically.Here,we explored the inherent potential of measures to adjust feedstock composition and technological structure and to control the size of the ISI to achieve carbon emission reduction(CER)and pollution emission reduction(PER).We investigated five typical pollutants in this study,namely,petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants and chemical oxygen demand in wastewater,particulate matter,SO_(2),and NO_(x) in off gases,and examined synergies between CER and PER by employing cross elasticity for the period between 2022 and 2035.The results suggest that a reduction of 8.7%-11.7%in carbon emissions and 20%-31%in pollution emissions(except for particulate matter emissions)could be achieved by 2025 under a high steel scrap ratio(SSR)scenario.Here,the SSR and electric arc furnace(EAF)ratio serve critical roles in enhancing synergies between CER and PER(which vary with the type of pollutant).However,subject to a limited volume of steel scrap,a focused increase in the EAF ratio with neglection of the available supply of steel scrap to EAF facilities would lead to an increase carbon and pollution emissions.Although CER can be achieved through SSR and EAF ratio optimization,only when the crude steel production growth rate remains below 2.2%can these optimization measures maintain the emissions in 2030 at a similar level to that in 2021.Therefore,the synergistic effects between PER and CER should be considered when formulating a development route for the ISI in the future.

Effect of Qingjin Huatan Decoction on transferrin and Iron regulatory protein in COPD rats

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Qingjin Huatan Decoction in regulating iron metabolism by regulating inflammatory factors in the inflammatory environment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods:The COPD model was prepared by tracheal drops of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with smoke.40 rats were randomly divided into normal group,COPD group,roxithromycin western medicine group and Qingjin Huatan Decoction traditional Chinese medicine group(n=10).Post-molding drug administration intervention,Qingjin Huatan Decoction Chinese medicine group was given 14.62 g/kg(Qingjin Huatan Decoction),roxithromycin western medicine group was given 0.01575 g/kg(roxithromycin),COPD group and normal group were given normal saline 10 mL/kg,twice a day.The expressions of Hepcidin,IL-1β,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in serum of rats in each group were detected by ELISA.WesternBlot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of TF and IREB2 protein and mRNA in lung tissues of each group.Results:Compared with the normal group,the contents of serum Hepcidin and IL-10 in COPD group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the contents of serum IL-1βand TGF-β1 were significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with COPD group,the contents of serum Hepcidin and IL-10 were significantly increased in the two drug groups(P<0.01),while the contents of serum IL-1βand TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the two drug groups(P<0.05).Compared with normal group,TF mRNA and protein expression in COPD group were increased(P<0.01),while IREB2 mRNA and protein expression were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with COPD group,TF mRNA and protein expressions in lung tissues of the two-drug group were decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),while IREB2 mRNA and protein expressions were increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Iron metabolism is related to inflammation.Qingjin Huatan Decoction can regulate iron metabolism in inflammatory environment to treat COPD.

Source and level of dietary iron influence semen quality by affecting inflammation, oxidative stress and iron utilization levels in boars

Background Boars fed a mixed form of inorganic and organic iron in excess of the NRC recommended levels still develop anemia,which suggested that the current level and form of iron supplementation in boar diets may be inappropriate.Therefore,56 healthy Topeka E line boars aged 15–21 months were randomly divided into 5 groups:basal diet supplemented with 96 mg/kg ferrous sulfate(FeSO_(4))and 54 mg/kg glycine chelated iron(Gly-Fe,control);80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe;80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated iron(MHA-Fe,from CalimetFe)for 16 weeks.The effects of dietary iron supplementation with different sources and levels on semen quality in boars were investigated.Results 1)Serum Fe and hemoglobin concentrations were not affected by reduced dietary iron levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups compared with the control group(P>0.05).2)Serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and sperm malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and higher serum superoxide dismutase levels and lower MDA levels in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group(P<0.05).3)Boars in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups had lower serum hepcidin(P<0.01),ferritin(P<0.05),and transferrin receptor(P<0.01)concentrations,and boars in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group had higher seminal plasma Fe concentrations compared with the control group.4)Boars in the 80 mg/kg and 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups had lower abnormal sperm rate and in situ oscillating sperm ratio compared to the control group at weeks 12 and/or 16 of the trial.However,the effect of Gly-Fe on improving semen quality in boars was not evident.5)Serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with hepcidin concentration(P<0.05),which in turn was significantly positively correlated with abnormal sperm rate(P<0.05).Furthermore,significant correlations were also found between indicators of iron status and oxidative stress and semen quality parameters.Conclusions Dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe did not induce iron deficiency,but rather reduced serum inflammatory levels and hepcidin concentration,alleviated oxidative stress,increased body iron utilization,and improved semen quality in adult boars.