Biochar-loaded Ce3+-enriched ultra-fine ceria nanoparticles for phosphate adsorption.

Biochar-loaded Ce3+-enriched ultra-fine ceria nanoparticles (Ce-BC) was prepared by a facile impregnation-precipitation-pyrolysis process and applied as adsorbents to adsorb phosphate from water. The crystal size of ceria nanoparticles in the Ce-BC was as small as 2-5 nm and the concentration of Ce3+ was high to 59.6 %, which was benefited from the rapid precipitation, N2 pyrolysis atmosphere and the presence of the biochar during preparation. Ce-BC exhibited a fast adsorption kinetics for phosphate and the adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 10 min. The maximum phosphate adsorption capacity was up to 77.7 mg P g-1 at pH 3.0. Based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, Ce3+ of ceria was demonstrated playing the vital role on phosphate removal and the formation of CePO4 nanocrystals was the main adsorption mechanism. This work provides a facile strategy for preparing high Ce3+ contenting materials and shows a great potential application for the phosphate removal for its high-effective and high stability.

Mechanistic insights into the enhanced removal of roxsarsone and its metabolites by a sludge-based, biochar supported zerovalent iron nanocomposite: Adsorption and redox transformation.

Roxarsone is a phenyl-substituted arsonic acid comprising both arsenate and benzene rings. Few adsorbents are designed for the effective capture of both the organic and inorganic moieties of ROX molecules. Herein, nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles were incorporated on the surface of sludge-based biochar (SBC) to fabricate a dual-affinity sorbent that attracts both the arsenate and benzene rings of ROX. The incorporation of nZVI particles significantly increased the binding affinity and sorption capacity for ROX molecules compared to pristine SBC and pure nZVI. The enhanced elimination of ROX molecules was ascribed to synergetic adsorption and degradation reactions, through π-π* electron donor/acceptor interactions, H-bonding, and As-O-Fe coordination. Among these, the predominate adsorption force was As-O-Fe coordination. During the sorption process, some ROX molecules were decomposed into inorganic arsenic and organic metabolites by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the early stages of the reaction. The degradation pathways of ROX were proposed according to the oxidation intermediates. This work provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the design of adsorbents according to the structure of the target pollutant.

Dehydration of fructose, sucrose and inulin to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over yeast-derived carbonaceous microspheres at low temperatures.

This work prepared carbonaceous microspheres by hydrothermal carbonization of yeast cells followed by sulfonation with concentrated sulphuric acid (98%) at room temperature. The obtained carbonaceous product (CM-SO3H) had a high acid density (1.80 mmol g-1). We evaluated CM-SO3H as a solid catalyst for the dehydration of fructose-based carbohydrates to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]). The effects of the catalyst and substrate loadings as well as the reaction temperature and time on the yield of 5-HMF were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a 5-HMF yield of up to 83.5% was obtained from fructose with a reaction temperature of 80 °C for 30 min. Furthermore, 44.8% and 59.2% 5-HMF yields were obtained from sucrose (80 °C for 30 min) and inulin (80 °C for 60 min), respectively. CM-SO3H and [BMIM][Cl] showed high stability and could be recycled between five and eight times without significant loss of catalytic activity. More importantly, the catalytic system could be applied to high substrate concentrations. CM-SO3H combined with [BMIM][Cl] is a promising system for transforming fructose-based carbohydrates into 5-HMF.

Risk factors of hepatitis C virus transmission and genotype distribution in former blood donors from Chinese rural area.

BACKGROUND: Illegal commercial plasma and blood donation activities in the late 1980s and early 1990s caused a large number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in rural areas of China. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the risk factors of HCV RNA positivity and HCV genotype distribution in former blood donors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a former blood donation village in rural Hebei Province, North China. All residents were invited for a questionnaire interview and testing for HCV antibodies as well as HCV nucleic acids. Questionnaires were administered to collect information about their personal status and commercial blood donation history. Nested PCR was used to amplify HCV nucleic acids in C/E1 region and NS5b region followed by genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the distributions of HCV genotypes in different groups. RESULTS: A total of 512 blood samples were collected. Anti-HCV positive were 148 (28.5%) whereas RNA positive rate was 13.87%. Residents between 50 and 59 years old had the highest RNA positive rate (27/109, 24.77%) (P = 0.0051). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that plasma donation (OR = 8.666, 95% CI: 1.390-54.025) was the dominant risk factor of HCV infection. Furthermore, HCV subtypes 1b and 2a were found by genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. 36 samples (53.73%) were subtype 1b and 31 samples (46.27%) were subtype 2a. CONCLUSIONS: Unsafe practices during illegal plasma donation led to a high risk of HCV infection. The identification of genotypes 1b and 2a as major HCV genotypes circulating in this region may help to predict the future burden of HCV related diseases and facilitate better medical treatment towards HCV carriers. These results are useful for public healthcare as well as disease control and surveillance.

Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C among former blood donors in rural China.

BACKGROUND: Illegal commercial plasma and blood donation activities in the late 1980s and early 1990s caused a large number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in rural areas of China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2008, in which all residents in a former blood donation village in rural Hebei Province were invited for a questionnaire interview and testing for HCV antibodies. Questionnaires were administered to collect information about their personal status and commercial blood donation history, and HCV antibodies were tested by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Of 520 villagers who participated in the interviews, 236 (45.4%) reported a history of selling whole blood or plasma. HCV seropositivity was confirmed in 148/520 (28.5%) interviewees and 101/236 (42.8%) former commercial plasma and blood donors. Selling plasma was the strongest independent predictor of HCV seropositivity (p=0.0037). Past history of an operation was also independently associated with HCV infection (p=0.0270). CONCLUSIONS: Unsafe practices during illegal plasma donation led to a high risk of HCV seropositivity for donors during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Many infected people suffered chronic hepatitis from that time onwards and urgently needed treatment and care.

[Investigating genotype of HCV distribution among residents in a "blood donation" village in Hebei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate genotype of HCV infection among residents in a rural village, Hebei Province. METHODS: Blood samples of the 520 residents were collected, and C/E1 of HCV genome of the 483 samples were obtained by RT-PCR amplifying, and the gene sequences were analyzed and the polygenetic tree were drawn by the software Mega 4.0. RESULTS: In 483 subjects, HCV-RNA positive objectives are 70, positive prevalence is 14.5%, genotyping for all the samples successfully, including genotypes 1b and 2a, which are 36 (51.4%), 34 (48.6%) respectively. CONCLUSION: HCV RNA positive rate is 14.5%, which is higher than general people. Subtypes 1b and 2a seemed to be the dominant genotypes of HCV in Zhao county area of Hebei Province.

[The analysis of "alpha" dominant mutation of hepatitis B virus in community-based Zhengding area, Hebei province].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the "alpha"dominant mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in community-based Zhengding. Analysis the role of the newborn hepatitis B vaccination on the mutation. METHODS: Based on the national surveillance of hepatitis B, 11,478 people's sera were collected and tested by SPRIA with kits. Collect people's sera with positive HBsAg and amplify the S gene. Sequencing and clastwaling them with the standard sequences. RESULTS: Overall, HBV DNA was successfully amplified and sequenced in 434 of 443 samples. 6.7% samples mutated in HBV "alpha" dominant region. The difference between the mutation ratio of the two loops of HBV "alpha" dominant between the people born before and after the year 1986 has no significance. CONCLUSION: There were HBV "alpha" dominant mutant virus in the local area with a low infection rate in the population born after the year 1986. It could not explain the newborn hepatitis B vaccination can induce the prevalence of the "alpha" dominant mutate HBV.

[Study on factors influencing acetabular development after closed reduction in developmental dislocation of the hip].

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors influencing acetabular development after closed reduction in developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH), to provide theoretical basis for improving the therapeutic effects of closed reduction treatment of DDH. METHODS: A total of 100 children with single side DDH who were treated by closed reduction from January 2002 to December 2005 were followed up, and the AI and AI (D/W) of dislocation hip were measured at the 12th month after reduction. Ten factors such as gender, side, age, AI and AI (D/W) of dislocation hip before reduction, degree of dislocation, the rate of width of femoral head, femoral neck anteversion of dislocation hip before reduction, h/b rate,cut off adductor and skeletal traction et al were taken as independent variable, AI and AI (D/W) at the 12th month after reduction were taken as dependent variable,then multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to screen the major influencing factors. RESULTS: Age, gender, degree of dislocation, h/b rate, the rate of width of femoral head and femoral neck anteversion exerted obviously influence on AI and AI (D/W),and then age,degree of dislocation and FNA had positive correlation with AI and negative correlation with AI (D/W); the rate of width of femoral head and h/b rate had negative correlation with AI and positive correlation with AI(D/W). The development of acetabular of female patients was faster than that of male patients. CONCLUSION: Age, gender,degree of dislocation, concentric reduction or not, the development degree of femoral head before reduction and proximal femoral shape are the major factors influencing acetabular development.

[A study of acetabular development after closed reduction in developmental dislocation of the hip].

OBJECTIVE: Through a retrospective study, to observe the clinical therapeutic effect for closed reduction treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH), and to dynamically analyze characteristics of acetabular development after closed reduction in DDH. METHODS: A total of 100 single side DDH children who were treated by "the treatment mode of closed reduction" from January 2002 to December 2005 were followed up, including 18 males and 82 females, with the average age of 19.4 months (ranging from 7 months to 36 months). Sixty-eight patients had left side dislocation, while 32 had right side dislocation. According to Zionts dislocation grades, 15 cases were degree I, 50 degree II, 26 degree III and 9 degree IV. Adductor tenotomies and skeletal traction were carried out in 74 cases, while direct closed reduction was performed in 26 cases. The four-level functional evaluation criterion was used to assess the clinical therapeutic effect. Lesional and homeochronous normal hips were paired, and acetabular index (AI) and AI (D/W) of lesional and normal hips, before the reduction and in the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month, respectively, after the reduction, were dynamically measured. RESULTS: The total choiceness rate of 100 children was 88.00%. Twelve months after the reduction, lesional AI decreased from (37.17 +/- 2.17) degrees to (27.02 +/- 3.54) degrees, while lesional AI (D/W) increased from 22.06% +/- 1.65% to 29.80% +/- 3.56%, and the differences among each time-point had statistical significance (P < 0.01). Both rates of lesional AI decrease and AI (D/W) increase were obviously faster than those of normal side physiological development (P < 0.01). In all durations after 12 months reduction, the rates of lesional AI were (3.22 +/- 1.42) degrees and (3.41 +/- 2.03) degrees in 1-3 months and 10-12 months , respectively, and the rates of AI (D/W) were 2.69% +/- 1.83% and 2.33% +/- 1.13%, respectively, and they were obviously faster than the other durations (P < 0.01). Both rates of lesional AI decrease and AI (D/W) increase were obviously faster than the homeochronous rate of normal side physiological development in each duration (P < 0.01). The rates of lesional AI were (13.71 +/- 3.96) degrees and (11.48 +/- 4.15) degrees in 7-12 age group and 13-18 age group, respectively, and the rates of AI (D/W) were 9.95% +/- 3.81% and 8.28% +/- 3.58%, respectively, and they were obviously faster than the other age groups (P < 0.05). Both changes of lesional AI and AI (D/W) were obviously faster than the homeochronous changes of normal side in each age group(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There are simple operating requirements and fine therapeutic effect of "the treatment mode of closed reduction" . Within 12-month after the closed reduction treatment, the rate of lesional acetabular development is obviously faster than that of normal side physiological development. The crest-time of lesional acetabular development is during 1-3 months and 10-12 months, and the best treatment time of closed reduction is the age before 18 months.