Investigation on the Removal Performances of Heavy Metal Copper (II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Hydrate-Based Method.

Since heavy metal ion-contaminated water pollutionis becoming a serious threat to human and aquatic lives, new methods for highly efficient removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater are important to tackle environmental problems and sustainable development. In this work, we investigate the removal performances of heavy metal copper (II) ions from aqueous solutions using a gas hydrate-based method. Efficient removal of heavy metal copper (II) ions from wastewater via a methane hydrate process was demonstrated. The influence of the temperature, hydration time, copper (II) ions concentration, and stirring rate on the removal of heavy metal copper (II) ions were evaluated. The results suggested that a maximum of 75.8% copper (II) ions were removed from aqueous solution and obtained melted water with 70.6% yield with a temperature of -2 °C, stirring speed 800 r/min, and hydration time of 4 h with aninitial copper concentration of 100 mg/L. The initial concentration of copper (II) ions in the aqueous solution could be increased to between 100 and 500 mg/L. Meanwhile, our study also indicated that 65.6% copper (II) ions were removed from aqueous solution and the yield of melted water with 56.7%, even with the initial copper concentration of 500 mg/L. This research work demonstrates great potential for general applicability to heavy metal ion-contaminated wastewater treatment and provides a reference for the application of the gas hydrate method in separation.

Systematic Assessment of the Catalytic Reactivity of Frustrated Lewis Pairs in C-H Bond Activation.

Unreactive C-H bond activation is a new horizon for frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry. This study provides a systematic assessment of the catalytic reactivity of recently reported intra-molecular FLPs on the activation of typical inert C-H bonds, including 1-methylpyrrole, methane, benzyl, propylene, and benzene, in terms of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactivity of FLPs is evaluated according to the calculated reaction thermodynamic and energy barriers of C-H bond activation processes in the framework of concerted C-H activation mechanisms. As for 1-methylpyrrole, 14 types of N-B-based and 15 types of P-B-based FLPs are proposed to be active. Although none of the evaluated FLPs are able to catalyze the C-H activation of methane, benzyl, or propylene, four types of N-B-based FLPs are suggested to be capable of catalyzing the activation of benzene. Moreover, the influence of the strength of Lewis acid (LA) and Lewis base (LB), and the differences between the influences of LA and LB on the catalytic reactivity of FLPs, are also discussed briefly. This systematic assessment of the catalytic activity of FLPs should provide valuable guidelines to aid the development of efficient FLP-based metal-free catalysts for C-H bond activation.

Fabrication, characterization and adsorption properties of cucurbit[7]uril-functionalized polycaprolactone electrospun nanofibrous membranes.

The fabrication of electrospun nanofibers comprising cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is reported. Various techniques such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC and TG were utilized to characterize the morphology, composition and properties of the nanofibers. Uniform bead-free electrospun nanofibers were obtained from PCL/CB[7] mixed solutions and the average fiber diameter of the nanofibers increases with the increase of CB[7] content. The nanofibers are composed of a physical mixture of PCL and CB[7], and CB[7] itself is present in the PCL fiber matrix in an uncomplexed state. The static adsorption behavior of the PCL/CB[7] nanofibers towards methylene blue (MB) was also preliminary investigated. The results indicate that the adsorption of MB onto the nanofibrous membranes fits the second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model.

A comprehensive review of electrospinning block copolymers.

Electrospinning provides a versatile and cost-effective route for the generation of continuous nanofibres with high surface area-to-volume ratio from various polymers. In parallel, block copolymers (BCPs) are promising candidates for many diverse applications, where nanoscale operation is exploited, owing to their intrinsic self-assembling behaviour at these length scales. Judicious combination of BCPs (with their ability to make nanosized domains at equilibrium) and electrospinning (with its ability to create nano- and microsized fibres and particles) allows one to create BCPs with high surface area-to-volume ratio to deliver higher efficiency or efficacy in their given application. Here, we give a comprehensive overview of the wide range of reports on BCP electrospinning with focus placed on the use of molecular design alongside control over specific electrospinning type and post-treatment methodologies to control the properties of the resultant fibrous materials. Particular attention is paid to the applications of these materials, most notably, their use as biomaterials, separation membranes, sensors, and electronic materials.

Non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio is a better predictor of new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than non-HDL-cholesterol: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The nonHDLc/HDLc ratio (in which nonHDLc is defined as total cholesterol minus HDLc) is positively associated with multiple dyslipidemia-related disorders. This study aimed to determine whether the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio is an independent predictor of new-onset NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) in Chinese population. METHODS: A perspective cohort study consisting of 3374 Chinese adults without liver diseases or metabolic disturbances was performed. Anthropometric parameters and data of metabolic and plasma lipid profile were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses were carried out to evaluate the association of the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio with incident NAFLD. ROC curve analysis was preformed to compare the predictive value between the nonHDLc/HDLc and the nonHDLc for NAFLD. RESULTS: Two thousand seven hundred seventeen participants were included in the final analysis. During a median follow-up period of 1.6 years, 264 participants (9.71%) developed NAFLD. After adjustment for potential confounders, a high nonHDLc/HDLc ratio (highest tertile) was associated with elevated risk of NAFLD (HR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.13-6.24; P = 0.025 in female and HR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.15-3.90; P = 0.016 in male). A nonlinear relationship was observed when the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio was ≤3.5. AUC values for nonHDLc/HDLc ratios (0.717 in female and 0.682 in male) were significantly higher than nonHDLc (0.675 in female and 0.653 in male) (P = 0.049 in female and P = 0.037 in male). In addition, the optimal cut-off value of nonHDLc/HDLc ratio for detection of NAFLD was 2.4 in female and 2.3 in male. CONCLUSIONS: The nonHDLc/HDLc ratio is an independent predictor of NAFLD and a stronger predictor than nonHDLc in Chinese population, which might be expected to better guide early identification of individuals at risk of NAFLD.

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components Predict the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Mainland Chinese: A 3-Year Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: It has well established that metabolic syndrome (MetS) can predict the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in some population groups. However, limited evidence is available regarding the predictive effect of MetS for incident T2DM in mainland Chinese population. METHODS: A 3-year cohort study was performed for 9735 Chinese without diabetes at baseline. MetS and its components were assessed by multivariable analysis using Cox regression. Prediction models were developed. Discrimination was assessed with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs), and performance was assessed by a calibration curve. RESULTS: The 3-year cumulative incidence of T2DM was 11.29%. Baseline MetS was associated with an increased risk of T2DM after adjusting for age (HR = 2.68, 95% CI, 2.27-3.17 in males; HR = 2.59, 95% CI, 1.83-3.65 in females). Baseline MetS exhibited relatively high specificity (88% in males, 94% in females) and high negative predictive value (90% in males, 94% in females) but low sensitivity (36% in males, 23% in females) and low positive predictive value (31% in males and females) for predicting the 3-year risk of T2DM. AUCs, including age and components of MetS, for the prediction model were 0.779 (95% CI: 0.759-0.799) in males and 0.860 (95% CI: 0.836-0.883) in females. Calibration curves revealed good agreement between prediction and observation results in males; however, the model could overestimate the risk when the predicted probability is >40% in females. CONCLUSIONS: MetS predicts the risk of T2DM. The quantitative MetS-based prediction model for T2DM risk may improve preventive strategies for T2DM and present considerable public health benefits for the people in mainland China.

Worldwide malaria incidence and cancer mortality are inversely associated.

BACKGROUND: Investigations on the effects of malaria infection on cancer mortality are limited except for the incidence of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in African children. Our previous murine lung cancer model study demonstrated that malaria infection significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the life span of tumor-bearing mice. This study aims to assess the possible associations between malaria incidence and human cancer mortality. METHODS: We compiled data on worldwide malaria incidence and age-standardized mortality related to 30 types of cancer in 56 countries for the period 1955-2008, and analyzed their longitudinal correlations by a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM), adjusted for a nonlinear year effect and potential confounders such as country's income levels, life expectancies and geographical locations. RESULTS: Malaria incidence was negatively correlated with all-cause cancer mortality, yielding regression coefficients (log scale) of -0.020 (95%CI: -0.027,-0.014) for men (P < 0.001) and-0.020 (95%CI: -0.025,-0.014) for women (P < 0.001). Among the 29 individual types of cancer studied, malaria incidence was negatively correlated with colorectum and anus (men and women), colon (men and women), lung (men), stomach (men), and breast (women) cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed a possible inverse association between malaria incidence and the mortalities of all-cause and some types of solid cancers, which is opposite to the known effect of malaria on the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma. Activation of the whole immune system, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by Plasmodium infection may partially explain why endemic malaria might reduce cancer mortality at the population level.

Hydroxyethyl starch resuscitation downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines in the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 on serum pro-inflammatory variables, immunologic variables, fluid balance (FB)-negative(-) rate and renal function in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. From October, 2007 to November, 2008, a total of 120 SAP patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Fifty-nine patients in the HES group received 6% HES 130/0.4 combined with crystalloid solution for fluid resuscitation (HES group). In the control group, 61 patients received only crystalloid solution after admission. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in serum were measured on days 1, 2, 4 and 8. The peripheral blood CD4+CD8+ T lymphocyte rates, serum BUN and Cr values were also measured on days 1, 4 and 8. Patients with FB(-) rates were recorded from day 1 to 8. Interaction term analysis (hospital stay and fluid resuscitation methods) based on mixed-effects regression model revealed significantly lower levels of IL-1 and TNF-α in the HES group compared with the control group. The difference in curve's risk ratio was not significant for IL-6, CD4+CD8+ T lymphocyte rate, BUN and Cr values (P>0.05). In the HES group, we detected a significantly higher rate of patients with FB(-) from day 4 to 8 (P<0.05). Thus, HES 130/0.4 resuscitation could decrease the IL-1 and IL-8 levels, shorten the duration of positive FB, and preserve the patient's immune status as well as renal function during the early phase of SAP.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel ferulic acid-memoquin hybrids as potential multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

A novel series of ferulic acid-memoquin hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The in vitro studies showed that most of the compounds exhibited a significant ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC50 of 3.2-34.7µM) and self-induced ß-amyloid (Aß1-42) aggregation (30.8-39.1%, 25µM), to act as potential antioxidants (ORAC-FL value of 0.9-1.3). In particular, compound 17d had the greatest ability to inhibit AChE (IC50=3.2µM), and Aß1-42 aggregation (30.8%) was also an excellent antioxidant and neuroprotectant. Moreover, it is capable of disaggregating self-induced Aß aggregation. Furthermore, 17d could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. The results showed that compound 17d is a potential multifunctional agent for the treatment of AD.

Synthesis of N-vinylindoles through copper catalyzed cyclization reaction of N-(2-alkynylphenyl)imine.

A copper(II)-catalyzed cyclization reaction of N-(2-alkynylphenyl)imine was developed. This strategy provided an effective procedure for the synthesis of substituted N-vinylindoles in moderate to good yields.

Inverted U-Shaped Relationship between Central Venous Pressure and Intra-Abdominal Pressure in the Early Phase of Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have indicated that intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is positively correlated with central venous pressure (CVP) in severe cases. However, although elevated IAP is common in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), its relationship with CVP remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the association of IAP with CVP in early-phase SAP patients. METHODS: In total, 116 SAP patients were included in this retrospective study. On the first day of hospitalization, blood samples were collected for biochemical examination and cytokine concentration monitoring. Additionally, a urinary catheter and right subclavian vein catheter were inserted for IAP and CVP measurement, respectively. Other routine clinical data were also recorded. RESULTS: Within 24 hours after hospitalization, CVP fluctuated and increased with increasing IAP up to 15.7 mmHg (P = 0.054) but decreased with increasing IAP when the IAP was > 15.7 mmHg (P < 0.001). After adjusting for abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), a similar distribution was observed. An inverted U-shaped trend between IAP and CVP was also present in the groups classified according to the patient's sex, local complications, ascites, and serum amylase levels. CONCLUSIONS: CVP and IAP have an inverted U-shaped relationship, with a peak at an IAP of 15.7 mmHg in the early phase of SAP. After this peak, CVP decreases as IAP increases. These results have crucial implications for clinical fluid resuscitation in SAP patients. In particular, because one CVP value might be correlated with different IAP values in patients with the same CVP, the volume of fluid needed might be different.

[Way of 'analytical thinking' on data from epidemiological studies].

Analysis on data from epidemiological studies is the sequencing process of applying statistical methods to collected data from different angles, interpreting intermediate results, drawing statistical conclusions and forming scientific findings based on existing knowledge. This is also called the 'process of converting data to evidence'. Final results from the analysis are expressed through scientific papers. Process of an accurate, clear and comprehensive data analysis is critical to form a convincing conclusion on a paper. This article discusses how to form the analytical thoughts for conducting a thorough data analysis in order to draw a convincing evidence from epidemiological data.

Angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab increases the risk of ischemic heart disease associated with chemotherapy: a meta-analysis.

Concerns have arisen regarding the risk of ischemic heart disease with the novel antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab, a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody to the vascular endothelial growth factor that is widely used in cancer treatment. Currently, the role of bevacizumab in ischemic heart disease is controversial. This meta-analysis was therefore performed to assess the overall risk of ischemic heart disease associated with the use of bevacizumab. The databases of PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for English language studies of randomised controlled trials comparing bevacizumab with control therapy published through October 25, 2012. Summary incidence rates, relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of the included studies. A total of 4,617 patients from 7 randomised controlled trials were identified and included for analysis. Among those patients receiving bevacizumab, the summary incidence of ischemic heart disease was 1.0% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.4%). Patients treated with bevacizumab had a significantly increased risk of ischemic heart disease with an RR of 2.49 (95% CI, 1.37-4.52) compared with controls. In addition, both high doses and low doses of bevacizumab increased the risk of cardiac ischemia (low dose at 2.5 mg/kg per week: RR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.09-4.19]; high dose at 5 mg/kg per week: RR, 4.81 [95% CI, 1.03-22.42]). Bevacizumab was also found to significantly increase the risk of cardiac ischemia in patients with colorectal cancer (RR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.11-4.06) compared with controls. This meta-analysis shows the use of bevacizumab was associated with an increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease in colorectal cancer patients receiving this drug. Our conclusions are limited by the available data. Further evaluations of high-quality RCTs are needed.

[The analysis of threshold effect using Empower Stats software].

In many studies about biomedical research factors influence on the outcome variable, it has no influence or has a positive effect within a certain range. Exceeding a certain threshold value, the size of the effect and/or orientation will change, which called threshold effect. Whether there are threshold effects in the analysis of factors (x) on the outcome variable (y), it can be observed through a smooth curve fitting to see whether there is a piecewise linear relationship. And then using segmented regression model, LRT test and Bootstrap resampling method to analyze the threshold effect. Empower Stats software developed by American X & Y Solutions Inc has a threshold effect analysis module. You can input the threshold value at a given threshold segmentation simulated data. You may not input the threshold, but determined the optimal threshold analog data by the software automatically, and calculated the threshold confidence intervals.

Oncogenic PIK3CA-driven mammary tumors frequently recur via PI3K pathway-dependent and PI3K pathway-independent mechanisms.

PIK3CA gain-of-function mutations are a common oncogenic event in human malignancy, making phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) a target for cancer therapy. Despite the promise of targeted therapy, resistance often develops, leading to treatment failure. To elucidate mechanisms of resistance to PI3K-targeted therapy, we constructed a mouse model of breast cancer conditionally expressing human PIK3CA(H1047R). Notably, most PIK3CA(H1047R)-driven mammary tumors recurred after PIK3CA(H1047R) inactivation. Genomic analyses of recurrent tumors revealed multiple lesions, including focal amplification of Met or Myc (also known as c-Met and c-Myc, respectively). Whereas Met amplification led to tumor survival dependent on activation of endogenous PI3K, tumors with Myc amplification became independent of the PI3K pathway. Functional analyses showed that Myc contributed to oncogene independence and resistance to PI3K inhibition. Notably, PIK3CA mutations and c-MYC elevation co-occur in a substantial fraction of human breast tumors. Together, these data suggest that c-MYC elevation represents a potential mechanism by which tumors develop resistance to current PI3K-targeted therapies.

microRNA expression in the biology, prognosis, and therapy of Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Multilevel genetic characterization of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is required to improve our understanding of the underlying molecular changes that lead to the initiation and progression of this disease. We performed microRNA-expression profiling of bone marrow-derived CD19(+) WM cells, compared with their normal cellular counterparts and validated data by quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We identified a WM-specific microRNA signature characterized by increased expression of microRNA-363*/-206/-494/-155/-184/-542-3p, and decreased expression of microRNA-9* (ANOVA; P < .01). We found that microRNA-155 regulates proliferation and growth of WM cells in vitro and in vivo, by inhibiting MAPK/ERK, PI3/AKT, and NF-kappaB pathways. Potential microRNA-155 target genes were identified using gene-expression profiling and included genes involved in cell-cycle progression, adhesion, and migration. Importantly, increased expression of the 6 miRNAs significantly correlated with a poorer outcome predicted by the International Prognostic Staging System for WM. We further demonstrated that therapeutic agents commonly used in WM alter the levels of the major miRNAs identified, by inducing downmodulation of 5 increased miRNAs and up-modulation of patient-downexpressed miRNA-9*. These data indicate that microRNAs play a pivotal role in the biology of WM; represent important prognostic marker; and provide the basis for the development of new microRNA-based targeted therapies in WM.

Passive smoking, cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms and dysmenorrhea.

PURPOSE: This study investigated whether the association between passive smoking exposure and dysmenorrhea is modified by two susceptibility genes, CYP1A1MspI and CYP1A1HincII. METHODS: This report includes 1,645 (1,124 no dysmenorrhea, 521 dysmenorrhea) non-smoking and non-drinking newly wedding female workers at Anqing, China between June 1997 and June 2000. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of passive smoking exposure and genetic susceptibility with dysmenorrhea, adjusting for maternal age, BMI, age of menarche, education, vibration exposure, shift work, noise exposure, pregnancy history, perceived stress and physical laboring stress. RESULTS: In the passive smoking group, women who have C/C6235 genotype (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.3) in CYP1A1MspI and Ile/Ile462 genotype (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1-7.7) in CYP1A1HincII was associated with an increased risk of dysmenorrhea. When stratified by women genotype, the adjusted OR of dysmenorrheal was 1.6 (95% CI = 1.2-2.1) for passive smoking group with Ile/Ile462 genotype, and 1.5 (95% CI = 1.0-2.1) with C/C6235 genotype, compared to non-passive smoking group, respectively. The data further showed that there was a significant combined effect between passive smoking and the CYP1A1 Msp1C/C6235 (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0-2.1), and HincII Ile/Ile462 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.1), respectively. CONCLUSION: CYP1A1 MspI and HincII genotypes modified the association between passive smoking and dysmenorrhea.

CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms in modifying the association between passive smoking and primary dysmenorrhea.

PURPOSE: This study investigated whether the association between passive smoking exposure and primary dysmenorrhea is modified by two susceptibility genes, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1)MspI and CYP1A1HincII. METHODS: We recruited 1645 female textile workers from 1997 to 2000 in Anqing, China, collecting information about passive smoking and status of primary dysmenorrhea and taking blood samples. We analyzed the association of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms and passive smoking exposure with primary dysmenorrhea using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: In the passive smoking group, women who had the C/C6235 genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.0-3.3) in CYP1A1MspI and Ile/Ile462 genotype (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.1-7.7) in CYP1A1HincII had increased risk of dysmenorrhea. When stratified by genotype, the adjusted OR of dysmenorrhea was 1.6 (95% CI = 1.2-2.1) for the passive smoking group with the Ile/Ile462 genotype and 1.5 (95% CI = 1.0-2.1) with the C/C6235 genotype, compared with the nonpassive smoking group. The data further showed that there was a significant combined effect between passive smoking and the CYP1A1MspI C/C6235 and HincII Ile/Ile462 genotypes (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.2-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: CYP1A1MspI and HincII genotypes modified the association between passive smoking and primary dysmenorrhea.

Passive smoking, Cyp1A1 gene polymorphism and dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether the association between passive smoking exposure and dysmenorrhea is modified by two susceptibility genes, CYP1A1MspI and CYP1A1HincII. METHODS: This report includes 1645 (1124 no dysmenorrhea, 521 dysmenorrhea) nonsmoking and nondrinking newly wed female workers at Anqing, China between June 1997 and June 2000. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of passive smoking exposure and genetic susceptibility with dysmenorrhea, adjusting for perceived stress. RESULTS: When stratified by women genotype, the adjusted OR of dysmenorrhea was 1.6 (95%CI=1.3-2.1) for passive smoking group with Ile/Ile462 genotype, and 1.5 (95%CI=1.1-2.1) with C/C6235 genotype, compared to nonpassive smoking group, respectively. The data further showed that there was a significant combined effect between passive smoking and the CYP1A1 MspI C/C6235 and HincII Ile/Ile462 genotype (OR=2.6, 95%CI=1.3-5.2). CONCLUSION: CYP1A1 MspI and HincII genotypes modified the association between passive smoking and dysmenorrhea.