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TiO crystals are widely used in photocatalytic processes due to their low cost and fabulous catalytic performance. As described in our previous study, three types of TiO with the main surfaces of {101}, {001} and {100} were synthesized. In this study, the three types of TiO are used to investigate roxithromycin (ROX) photocatalytic degradation kinetics and the pH effect. For photocatalytic degradation, the obtained data have shown that the overall order of optimal degradation is shown as {101} > {001} > {100}. The photooxidation kinetics for {101} facet conforms to first-order kinetics at from pH 5 to pH 10, and most of the photooxidation kinetics for {001} and {100} facets are fitted well with the zero-order and second-order kinetics, respectively. The pH effects are varied to the three types of TiO , of which {101} has the best degradation effect at pH values 4, 7 and 8, while {001} works best at pH 5 or pH 6, and {100} has a relatively obvious effect at pH 4 and pH 9. The relation between adsorption and oxidation has been tested and proved that the strong adsorption corresponds to the fast oxidation.

There is a rising concern about the pollution of microplastics (plastic particles < 5 mm) in water due to their physicochemical properties, especially their interaction with organic contaminants; however, such knowledge is still limited. The mass production and consumption of medication for the treatment of infectious diseases in human and animals have led to the ubiquity of antibiotics in the environment. We studied the single and joint effects of microplastics (1-μm and 10-μm polystyrene particles, PS) and roxithromycin (ROX) on Daphnia magna through the acute and sublethal toxicity tests. The 48-h median effective concentration (EC 50 ) of 1-μm and 10-μm PS to D. magna was 66.97 mg/L and 199.94 mg/L, respectively, while the value of ROX was 20.28 mg/L. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of four enzymatic biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), were further detected to assess the oxidative stress caused in D. magna caused. The results showed that 48-h exposure to PS (0.1 mg/L) or ROX (0.01 mg/L) alone activated the activities of CAT and GST and MDA levels. When compared with the ROX alone, the responses of GPx and MDA in D. magna co-exposed to 1-μm PS were significantly decreased, while co-exposure to 10-μm PS significantly decreased the responses of GST and MDA. Furthermore, the integrated biomarker response version 2 (IBRv2) analysis revealed that co-exposure to 1-μm PS and ROX led to the strongest biological responses in D. magna . Our findings underlined that microplastics should be a concern when they interact with the co-existence of pollutants in the aquatic environment.

A sodium carboxy-methylcellulose (CMC)/chitosan (CS) composite sponge as drug carrier was prepared, and its structure and functions were investigated. Samples with different CMC/chitosan ratios and under different pH conditions were synthesized via a freeze-drying method. The microstructure of the dried sponges was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Molecule interactions between polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and Thermal gravimetric analyze (TGA). The swelling degree, weight loss, in vitro drug release behavior and antibacterial property of the sponges were determined as well. The results showed that the CMC/chitosan ratio and the pH value significantly affected the appearance of the blending solution and the microstructure of the final product, and also affected the sponge's degradation behavior, drug-loading capacity and the antibacterial activity. Gentamicin (GEN) as a hydrophilic model drug was remarkably superior to the other two hydrophobic drugs, ibuprofen (IBU) and roxithromycin (ROX), with respect to in vitro releasing. Moreover, higher CMC content and lower pH value of the sponge were confirmed to lead a larger loading for GEN. The bacteriostatic experiment showed a strong antimicrobial ability of GEN-loaded sponges on inhibiting Escherichia coli.

The pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) residues in freshwater lakes are being highlighted around the world. The occurrence and ecological risk of 34 PPCPs classified as antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), cardiovascular drugs, psychotropic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, psychostimulants, and pesticides during rainstorm period in surface water of the Dongting Lake, China, were studied. Twenty-six out of thirty-four PPCPs were detected, and the total concentrations of antibiotics ranged from 0.15 to 214.75 ng L −1 in surface water. The highest average concentration was observed for diclofenac, followed by diethyltoluamide (DEET). The PPCP concentrations were much lower in Dongting Lake compared to other rivers and lakes due to the strong dilution effect of rainstorm, while the detection rate remains high. Caffeine and DEET were detected with 100% frequency in Dongting Lake, and the detection rates of diclofenac, mefenamic acid, and roxithromycin were above 90%. The pollution levels of antibiotics decreased in the order of East Dongting Lake > South Dongting Lake > West Dongting Lake, which may be related to the distribution of aquaculture plants, sewage treatment plants, and population density. The risk quotient (RQ) method was used to evaluate ecological environment risk under the worst case and the results suggested that clarithromycin, diclofenac, roxithromycin, and erythromycin might pose a significant risk to aquatic organisms in Dongting Lake, especially clarithromycin. This study can provide data support for further research on the dilutive effect and mechanism of rainwater runoff on PPCPs in lakes on a large scale.

The mechanisms underlying the non-antimicrobial immunomodulatory properties of macrolides are not well understood. To systematically review the evidence for the immunomodulatory properties of macrolides in humans and to describe the underlying mechanism and extent of their influence on the innate and adaptive immune system. A systematic literature search was done in MEDLINE using the OVID interface from 1946 to December 2016 according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Original articles investigating the influence of four macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and roxithromycin) on immunological markers in humans were included. We identified 22 randomized, controlled trials, 16 prospective cohort studies, and 8 case-control studies investigating 47 different immunological markers (186 measurements) in 1,834 participants. The most frequently reported outcomes were a decrease in the number of neutrophils, and the concentrations of neutrophil elastase, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, eosinophilic cationic protein, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Inhibition of neutrophil function was reported more frequently than eosinophil function. A decrease in T helper (Th) 2 cells cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6) was reported more frequently than a decrease in Th1 cytokines (IL-2, INF-gamma). Macrolides influence a broad range of immunological mechanisms resulting in immunomodulatory effects. To optimize the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases by macrolides, further studies are necessary, particularly comparing different macrolides and dose effect relationships.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aging‐associated disease with a poor prognosis. Emerging evidence has revealed that targeting senescent cells may be a potential treatment for IPF. In this study, we aimed to explore whether roxithromycin (RXM) can improve lung fibrosis by targeting senescent cells. First, we confirmed the ability of RXM to selectively kill senescent cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the expression of senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, suggesting the potential role of RXM as a “senolytic” and “senomorphic” drug. Next, we observed that TGF-β- and senescent cell-induced lung fibroblast activation was inhibited by RXM treatment, which prompted us to further investigate its effect in vivo. In a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, RXM was shown to attenuate lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, the senescent phenotype of lung tissues induced by BLM was significantly diminished after RXM administration, indicating the potential of RXM as an antifibrotic and antisenescent agent. Interestingly, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), implicated in lung fibrosis and cell senescence, was shown to be inhibited by RXM treatments. The antifibroblast activation and antisenescent effects of RXM were abolished in NOX4 knockdown cells, demonstrating that RXM may ameliorate BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting senescent cells mediated by the NOX4 pathway. Collectively, these data demonstrated that RXM may be a potential clinical agent for IPF and further supported the notion that targeting cellular senescence is a promising treatment for progressive age-related disease.

Antimicrobial resistance seriously threatened human health. Combination therapy is generally an effective strategy to fight resistance, while some data on its effects are conflicting. To explore the reasons, the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FICIs) of three designed combinations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were determined using checkerboard method, and their minimal concentrations inhibiting colony formation by 99% (MIC 99% s) and mutant prevention concentrations (MPCs) alone or in combinations including different proportions were first determined using agar plates. The results indicated that different proportions of a combination had presented different MPCs and mutant selection window (MSWs), and also showed that the smaller the FICIs of two agents in combinations were, the more probable their MSWs were to close each other. As two agents of a combination had different pharmacokinetic characters, the ratios of two agents in blood and infectious sites were likely different even though a specific proportion was administrated, which would lead to different effects preventing resistance. Thereby, these experimental results theoretically indicated that synergistic combination closing each other’s MSWs had a great potency to prevent resistance according to the hypotheses of MSW and MPC, and deduced that in vivo synergistic validity of a combination was likely a key to prevent resistance. Moreover, a synergistic combination of roxithromycin/doxycycline with the FICIs of 0.26–0.50 and 0.28–0.38 respectively against MRSA 01 and 02 was obtained, and the MSWs of these two agents could be simultaneously closed each other in a certain range of proportions, but for others. Meanwhile, its effect preventing resistance needs to be further verified.

We evaluated the occurrence of three antibiotics (roxithromycin, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol) in surface water and effluents from several sewage treatment plants (STPs) on the Han River, Korea. In addition, standard acute toxicity tests were conducted using the microbe Vibrio fischeri, freshwater macroinvertebrates Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa, and fish (Oryzias latipes) for these antibiotics. Antibiotics were more frequently detected at higher amounts in effluent samples and in samples collected during the low‐flow season. For trimethoprim and chloramphenicol, the levels observed in surface water during low flow were, on average, 108 and 31 ng/L, respectively. These levels were comparable to those measured in the municipal effluents (average, 80 and 37 ng/L, respectively), suggesting the presence of other sources upstream (e.g., livestock wastes). For roxithromycin, surface water levels were approximately an order of magnitude lower than effluent levels. Adverse effects of roxithromycin, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol were observed at mg/L levels in standard acute aquatic ecotoxicity tests. Based on hazard quotients calculated for the three antibiotics, minimal risks to aquatic systems are suggested. To further increase scientific understanding about the potential impacts of these pharmaceuticals in the environment, however, chronic ecotoxicology studies, with more subtle but ecologically meaningful end points or in combination with other mechanistically related contaminants, may be beneficial.

Purpose Prophylactic antibiotics to prolong latency and reduce the risk of neonatal and maternal infections are used for preterm premature rupture of membranes. This study compared outcomes between two macrolides: roxithromycin given twice a day for a week and azithromycin, given as a single dose, which is more convenient. Methods Two local protocols were retrospectively compared: roxithromycin and ampicillin from July 2005 to May 2016, and azithromycin and ampicillin from May 2016 to May 2018. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, at 24–34 weeks of gestation upon admission with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Primary outcome was length of the latency period, defined as time from first antibiotic dose to 34 + 0 weeks, or spontaneous or indicated delivery prior to 34 + 0 weeks. Secondary outcomes were rates of chorioamnionitis, delivery mode, birth weight and Apgar scores. Results A total of 207 women met inclusion criteria, of whom, 173 received penicillin and roxithromycin and 34 received penicillin and azithromycin. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The latent period was longer in the azithromycin group than in the roxithromycin group (14.09 ± 14.2 days and 7.87 ± 10.2 days, respectively, P  = 0.003). Rates of chorioamnionitis, cesarean deliveries, Apgar scores and birth weights were similar between the groups. Conclusions Azithromycin compared to roxithromycin results in a longer latency period in the setting of preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24–34 weeks of gestation. Given its more convenient regimen and our results, it seems justified to use azithromycin as the first-line treatment for patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

The present study investigates the fabrication of carbon aerogel, utilising corn stover as a primary constituent by employing the freeze-drying-carbonization method for the purpose of modifying cathode materials for the electro-Fenton method. The experimental study investigated the removal of a pharmaceutical substance, roxithromycin, using carbonation temperature and current intensity as the independent variables. The research findings demonstrated that carbon aerogel electrodes, subjected to different carbonization temperatures, possess a distinctive three-dimensional mesh architecture. Furthermore, it was observed that both the degree of graphitization and the presence of unsaturated carbon structures within the material intensified as the carbonization temperature was elevated. Under optimal experimental conditions (10 mA/cm2 electrical density and 600℃ carbonisation temperature), the removal rate of roxithromycin reached 75.06%. This research offers innovative concepts and techniques for harnessing organic remediation using the electro-Fenton process.