Terpyridine-based complex nanofibers with Eu3+ as a highly selective chemical probes for UO22.

Uranyl is a radioactive, toxic pollutant commonly found in the waste remaining after nuclear fuel reprocessing, and it poses several types of risks to human health; therefore, developing absorbents and chemical probes for this compound is crucial to overcoming these issues. This study examined the sensing abilities of terpyridine-appended benzenetricarboxyamide (T-BTA) as a chromogenic probe for detecting uranyl ions (UO22+). The complex with Eu3+ (1-Eu) spontaneously formed nanostructured fibers in H2O owing to the triamide groups of T-BTA, which induced intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. The strong blue emission of these nanofibers in H2O was quenched upon adding UO22+ but not upon adding any other metal ion. This high selectivity was probably because of the interactions between the nitrigen atoms of the terpyridine moieties of 1 and UO22+. Furthermore, the 1-Eu nanofibers assumed spherical morphologies when UO22+ was added. To develop a convenient UO22+ sensor, an electrospun film incorporating 1-Eu (ESF-1-Eu) was manufactured, and it exhibited high selectivity for UO22+ over a variety of rival metal ions. The plot for luminescence change of ESF-1-Eu vs UO22+ concentrations in seawater samples showed a good linearty. Thus, the ESF-1-Eu shows potential as a useful sensor for detecting and removing UO22+ in H2O.

[Immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 proteins in traditional serrated adenomas of colon].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serrated adenomas of the colon show mixed characteristics of both hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. Serrated adenomas are known to progress via the serrated pathway than the adenoma-carcinoma pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of traditional serrated adenomas compared to hyperplastic polyps and tubular adenomas by using immunohistochemical staining for p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67. METHODS: Age, sex, location, size and the immunoexpression of p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 were retrospectively analyzed in 20 traditional serrated adenomas, 20 hyperplastic polyps, and 20 tubular adenomas from January 2007 to December 2012 at The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital. RESULTS: There was no difference in Bcl-2 and p53 expression between traditional serrated adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. Ki-67 Expression of traditional serrated adenomas was higher than that of hyperplastic polyps (p=0.001). Ki-67 and p53 expression was similar between traditional serrated and tubular adenomas. Bcl-2 expression of traditional serrated adenomas was lower than that of tubular adenomas (p=0.001). Regarding the expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 in traditional serrated adenomas, there were no statistical differences among age, sex, location, and size. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that Ki-67 may be helpful in distinguishing traditional serrated adenomas from hyperplastic polyps, and p53 expression may be ineffective in distinguishing between traditional serrated and tubular adenomas. From Bcl-2 expression, it is suggested that the tumorigenesis of traditional serrated adenomas is lower than that of tubular adenomas.

[A case of phlebosclerotic colitis in a hemodialysis patient].

Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare disease of intestinal ischemia caused by calcified peripheral mesenteric veins and a thickened colonic wall, differentiating it from the typical ischemic colitis. A 68-year-old man who was undergoing hemodialysis presented with hematochezia and abdominal pain. Colonoscopic findings showed typical dark purple-colored edematous mucosa. Linear calcifications in the colon were noted on both a plain abdominal radiolography and abdominal computer tomography. These findings suggested that the patient suffered from phlebosclerotic colitis. Following bowel rest and fluid therapy, there was full recovery. We herein report a rare case of phlebosclerotic colitis in a hemodialysis patient and include a review of the relevant literature.

A case of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube-induced esophageal rupture repaired by endoscopic clipping.

A 57-year-old man was admitted to another hospital for hematemesis due to heavy drinking. A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was inserted and the patient was transferred to our hospital. The patient's ensuing movements inadvertently caused an esophageal rupture 2.5 cm in size. Since the patient's condition was stable, treatment via endoscopic repair using metallic clips was chosen over emergency surgery. Two hemoclips were fixed at the ends of the ruptured area; by employing an endoscopic detachable snare, the ruptured area was carefully repaired with 10 metallic clips. As a result, the esophageal rupture could be successfully repaired by endoscopic procedure rather than performing surgery.

Fatal Neutropenic Enterocolitis during Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

It is known that neutropenia caused by combination pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is well tolerated and carries a negligible risk of infection. Neutropenic enterocolitis is encountered most frequently in patients with hemato-oncologic diseases who are undergoing intensive chemotherapy. However, little information exists regarding this life-threatening event in the setting of HCV therapy. We present here an unusual case of fatal neutropenic enterocolitis in a cirrhotic patient receiving combination therapy for HCV infection. This is the first report of a death from neutropenic enterocolitis associated with treatment for chronic HCV infection. The present case suggests that caution should be exercised when continuing HCV therapy in neutropenic patients with advanced fibrosis, and the decision to maintain such therapy should be balanced against the potential for serious adverse events.