A novel self-crosslinked gel microspheres of Premna microphylla turcz leaves for the absorption of uranium.

Premna microphylla turcz leaves (PMTL) is a resource-rich, biodegradable, renewable biomass. Here, a microsphere adsorbent was prepared from PMTL by a self-crosslinking method without any addition of chemical cross-linking agent, and characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XPS. The influence of preparation methods and conditions on the properties of the microspheres was studied and the self-crosslinking mechanism was analyzed. The effects of temperature, pH, contact time, uranium concentration, and adsorbent dosage on its adsorption performance toward to uranium were systematically explored. The results showed that PMTL endogenous pectin binding with endogenous Ca2+, Mg2+ and other metal ions to form an 'egg box' structure might be the mechanism of its self-crosslinking to form microspheres. The adsorption isotherms fitted well by the Freundlich model and the experimental maximum adsorption capacity of microspheres was 346.65 mg·g-1 at pH of 5, and kinetics data correlated well with the pseudo-second order model. The adsorption mechanism might be the coordination bonding between the uranium and oxygen-containing groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups), and the ion exchange between the uranium and metal ions (mainly Ca2+ and Mg2+). The PMTL microspheres are promising in treating uranium-containing wastewater in a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.

Synthesis and Characterization of WO3/Graphene Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities by One-Step In-Situ Hydrothermal Reaction.

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanorods are synthesized on the surface of graphene (GR) sheets by using a one-step in-situ hydrothermal method employing sodium tungstate (Na2WO4·2H2O) and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors. The resulting WO3/GR nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirm that the interface between WO3 nanorod and graphene contains chemical bonds. The enhanced optical absorption properties are measured by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the WO3/GR nanocomposites under visible light is evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue, where the degradation rate of WO3/GR nanocomposites is shown to be double that of pure WO3. This is attributed to the synergistic effect of graphene and the WO3 nanorod, which greatly enhances the photocatalytic performance of the prepared sample, reduces the recombination of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs and increases the visible light absorption efficiency. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism of the WO3/GR nanocomposites is presented. The synthesis of the prepared sample is convenient, direct and environmentally friendly. The study reports a highly efficient composite photocatalyst for the degradation of contaminants that can be applied to cleaning up the environment.

Correlation analysis between the LDL-C in serum and the onset of transient ischemic attack caused by CSVD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum and the onset of transient ischemic attack caused by cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD). Between September 2012 and September 2015, 249 patients who were diagnosed as CSVD were randomly enrolled in this study. According to MRI results, patients were divided into the patient and control groups. In the patient group, the patients were further subdivided into the white matter lesion (WML) group (n=86) and lacunar infarction (LI) group (n=53). Head MRI and/or CT were conducted on all the patients. This included T1 and T2 phases, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR). Additionally, mini-mental status examination (MMSE) test and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test were carried out on all the patients. As a result, the age, total cholesterol (TC) level and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the patient group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The MMSE and MoCA scores in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). With all the risk factors being set as independent variables and small vessel disease (SVD) as the dependent variable, we performed the logistic regression analysis and correlation analysis for paired data, and found that the increase in LDL was correlated to the onset of SVD, OR=1,321. After adjustment of other risk factors, we enrolled the level of triglyceride (TG) into the multivariable analysis and obtained a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). In conclusion, LDL is a major risk factor affecting the onset of transient ischemic attack (TIA) induced by CSVD. Patients with hyperlipidemia should receive head MRI or CT examination to eliminate the probability of the existence of CSVD. To reduce the occurrence of adverse events in clinical practice, we can perform early intervention in SVD by decreasing the level of LDL, improving the endothelial function of small vessels and applying the anti-inflammation and nerve-protection methods.

Influence of serum VEGF levels on therapeutic outcome and diagnosis/prognostic value in patients with cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level on therapeutic outcome and diagnosis/prognostic value in patients with cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 37 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer by biopsy were selected and treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted before treatment to assess VEGF levels, and its relationships with clinicopathological features and short-term therapeutic effects were analyzed. RESULTS: The median VEGF level in 37 patients before treatment was 647.15 (393.35~1125.16) pg/ mL. Serum VEGF levels in patients aged <50 years, in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIa~IVa, with lymph node metastasis and tumor size>4 cm were significantly increased (P<0.05). The complete remission (CR) rate was 48.7% (18/37), partial remission (PR) rate was 35.1% (13/37), stable disease (SD) rate was 13.5% (5/37) and progressive disease (PD) rate was 2.70% (1/37), so the objective remission rate (ORR) after treatment was 83.8% (31/37). Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size and serum VEGF level before treatment were independent risk factors affecting the therapeutic outcome, and the higher the level of serum VEGF, the worse the prognosis when tumor size>4 cm. Some 56.8% of patients manifested with myelosuppression, 37.8% with leucopenia, 24.3% with thrombocytopenia, 5.41% with diarrhea, 46.0% with nausea and vomiting, 21.6% with hair loss and 8.11% with hepatic and renal injury during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Serum VEGF level may reflect the degree of malignancy of cervical cancer and predict therapeutic effect, which is of great importance to cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Concentrated sodium chloride catheter lock solution--a new effective alternative method for hemodialysis patients with high bleeding risk.

BACKGROUND: Locking catheter with heparin may increase bleeding risk of some hemodialysis (HD) patients. Hence, the security and effectivity of 10% concentrated sodium chloride (CSC) used as an alternative method for patients with high bleeding risk need to be investigated. METHODS: Seventy-two patients inserted temporary central venous catheters were divided into two groups randomly. A total of 3125 U/mL heparin saline (HS) was used in HS group and 10% CSC in CSC group to lock catheters. Heparin-free HD was used for the first time and plasma specimens were collected to test coagulation indicators before catheter-locking (at the end of HD) and at 30 min after it. Then, blood flow velocities (BFVs), incidences of catheter thrombosis, etc. were followed up at each time of HD. RESULTS: Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of two groups had no difference at the end of heparin-free HD (27.100 [25.675-28.950] vs. 27.250 [25.150-29.575] second, p = 0.933), but at 30 minutes after using different catheter lock solutions, APTT of HS group was obviously longer than CSC group (50.100 [41.275-65.400] vs. 27.500 [25.525-29.875] second, p < 0.001). Catheters' retaining time of two groups were the same (p = 0.306), so did the average BFVs (p > 0.05). But catheters' thrombosis incidence and urokinase usage of HS group were less than CSC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Comparing with HS group, thrombosis incidences of CSC group increased, but catheters' retaining time and average BFVs remained the same and coagulation indicators of it were unaffected. Therefore, it can be an effective alternative lock method for HD patients with high bleeding risk.