PAHs removal by soil washing with thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate.

Remediating soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) presents a significant environmental challenge due to their toxic and carcinogenic properties. Traditional PAHs remediation methods-chemical, thermal, and bioremediation-along with conventional soil-washing agents like surfactants and cyclodextrins face challenges of cost, ecological harm, and inefficiency. Here we show an effective and environmentally friendly calixarene derivative for PAHs removal through soil washing. Thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (TCAS) has a unique molecular structure of a sulfonate group and a sulfur atom, which enhances its solubility and facilitates selective binding with PAHs. It forms host-guest complexes with PAHs through π-π stacking, OH-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic interactions. These interactions enable partial encapsulation of PAH molecules, aiding their desorption from the soil matrix. Our results show that a 0.7% solution of TCAS can extract approximately 50% of PAHs from contaminated soil while preserving soil nutrients and minimizing adverse environmental effects. This research unveils the pioneering application of TCAS in removing PAHs from contaminated soil, marking a transformative advancement in resource-efficient and sustainable soil remediation strategies.

Genomics and morphometrics reveal the adaptive evolution of pikas.

Pikas (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae) are small mouse-like lagomorphs. To investigate their adaptation to different ecological environments during their dispersal from the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QTP), we collected 226 pikas and measured 20 morphological characteristics and recorded habitat information. We also sequenced the genome of 81 specimens, representing 27 putative pika species. The genome-wide tree based on 4 090 coding genes identified five subgenera, i.e., Alienauroa, Conothoa, Lagotona, Ochotona, and Pika, consistent with morphometric data. Morphologically, Alienauroa and Ochotona had similar traits, including smaller size and earlier divergence time compared to other pikas. Consistently, the habitats of Alienauroa and Ochotona differed from those of the remaining subgenera. Phylogenetic signal analysis detected 83 genes significantly related to morphological characteristics, including several visual and hearing-related genes. Analysis of shared amino acid substitutions and positively selected genes (PSGs) in Alienauroa and Ochotona identified two genes, i.e., mitochondrial function-related TSFM (p.Q155E) and low-light visual sensitivity-related PROM1 (p.H419Y). Functional experiments demonstrated that TSFM-155E significantly enhanced mitochondrial function compared to TSFM-155Q in other pikas, and PROM1-419Y decreased the modeling of dynamic intracellular chloride efflux upon calcium uptake. Alienauroa and Ochotona individuals mostly inhabit different environments (e.g., subtropical forests) than other pikas, suggesting that a shift from the larger ancestral type and changes in sensory acuity and energy enhancement may have been required in their new environments. This study increases our understanding of the evolutionary history of pikas.

A review on future wastewater treatment technologies: micro-nanobubbles, hybrid electro-Fenton processes, photocatalytic fuel cells, and microbial fuel cells.

The future prospect in wastewater treatment technologies mostly emphasizes processing efficiency and the economic benefits. Undeniably, the use of advanced oxidation processes in physical and chemical treatments has played a vital role in helping the technologies to remove the organic pollutants efficiently and reduce the energy consumption or even harvesting the electrons movements in the oxidation process to produce electrical energy. In the present paper, we review several types of wastewater treatment technologies, namely micro-nanobubbles, hybrid electro-Fenton processes, photocatalytic fuel cells, and microbial fuel cells. The aims are to explore the interaction of hydroxyl radicals with pollutants using these wastewater technologies, including their removal efficiencies, optimal conditions, reactor setup, and energy generation. Despite these technologies recording high removal efficiency of organic pollutants, the selection of the technologies is dependent on the characteristics of the wastewater and the daily production volume. Hence the review paper also provides comparisons between technologies as the guidance in technology selection.

Prediction model for acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with a less favorable outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence, mortality and risk factors of AKI after CABG, and to establish a risk prediction model. METHODS: From January 2016 to June 2018, 541 patients who underwent CABG were enrolled. The clinical characteristics were collected to calculate the incidence and mortality of AKI after CABG. Patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to the statistical data. The differences of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables between the two groups were comparatively analysed. The risk factors of AKI were obtained by binary logistic stepwise regression analyses using related factors as independent variables. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative AKI in 541 patients was 27.9% (151 cases). The in-hospital mortality in AKI group was higher than that in non-AKI group (5.30% vs 0.00%, P < 0.001). Single factor analysis showed that the risk factors for postoperative AKI including age, BMI, hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, eGFR, serum uric acid level, CABG combined valve operation, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), operation time, aortic cross-clamping time, CPB time, mechanical ventilation time and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Multivariate regression analysis suggested that age (P = 0.006, OR 2.323), BMI (P = 0.004, OR 2.495), hypertension (P = 0.032, OR 1.712), eGFR (P = 0.002, OR 3.054), CPB time (P = 0.024, OR 1.007) and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (P = 0.010, OR 2.640) were independent risk factors for AKI. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a common complication after CABG and is related to multiple perioperative factors. It is suggested that early recognition of these risk factors and interventions should be carried out in clinical practice. The risk prediction model can be used as a simple tool for predicting postoperative AKI.

Reductive Coupling of Diynes at Rhodium Gives Fluorescent Rhodacyclopentadienes or Phosphorescent Rhodium 2,2'-Biphenyl Complexes.

Reactions of [Rh(κ(2) -O,O-acac)(PMe3 )2 ] (acac=acetylacetonato) and α,ω-bis(arylbutadiynyl)alkanes afford two isomeric types of MC4 metallacycles with very different photophysical properties. As a result of a [2+2] reductive coupling at Rh, 2,5-bis(arylethynyl)rhodacyclopentadienes (A) are formed, which display intense fluorescence (Φ=0.07-0.54, τ=0.2-2.5 ns) despite the presence of the heavy metal atom. Rhodium biphenyl complexes (B), which show exceptionally long-lived (hundreds of µs) phosphorescence (Φ=0.01-0.33) at room temperature in solution, have been isolated as a second isomer originating from an unusual [4+2] cycloaddition reaction and a subsequent ß-H-shift. We attribute the different photophysical properties of isomers A and B to a higher excited state density and a less stabilized T1 state in the biphenyl complexes B, allowing for more efficient intersystem crossing S1 →Tn and T1 →S0 . Control of the isomer distribution is achieved by modification of the bis- (diyne) linker length, providing a fundamentally new route to access photoactive metal biphenyl compounds.

Factors affecting toxic lead(Ii) ion bioremediation by Fusarium equiseti isolated from the mangrove soil environment of southeast Borneo

Aims: Electronic waste (e-waste) is an inorganic pollutant which causes a serious environmental problem since it contains toxic heavy metals, which cannot be removed from contaminated sites easily. The use of biomaterials for removing heavy metals from contaminated soil and wastewater has emerged as a potential alternative method to the conventional techniques. The present study were aimed to isolate efficient lead tolerant fungi from mangrove soil environment and measure its capability for lead removal from aqueous solution. Methodology and results: Lead tolerant fungal strains were isolated from soil samples using PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) supplemented with varied concentrations of lead ions (100-500 mg/L). The most tolerant fungal strain was successfully isolated and identified molecularly as Fusarium equiseti KR706303. The isolated fungus was used for biosorption studies using Potato dextrose broth (PDB) supplemented with lead ions. The effects of pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, biomass dose and age, agitation and contact time to the Pb(II) removal efficiency were monitored in the study. The results showed that the optimal parameters for the removal of lead ions such as heavy metal concentration and pH were 300 mg/L, with a maximum Pb(II) adsorption of 97.9% observed at pH 4 and temperature of 30 °C during the batch biosorption experiments. The optimal parameters for biomass dose, agitation speed, contact time and biomass age were observed at 0.04 g, 150 rpm, 60 min and fifth day; respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The observation in this study revealed that the biomass of the isolated Fusarium equiseti KR706303 has the potential to be used as a biosorbent for heavy metal particularly Pb(II) removal from the contaminated sites. The technology is simple, efficient, cost effective and environmental friendly.

Regiospecific formation and unusual optical properties of 2,5-bis(arylethynyl)rhodacyclopentadienes: a new class of luminescent organometallics.

A series of 2,5-bis(arylethynyl)rhodacyclopentadienes has been prepared by a rare example of regiospecific reductive coupling of 1,4-(p-R-phenyl)-1,3-butadiynes (R=H, Me, OMe, SMe, NMe2, CF3, CO2Me, CN, NO2, -C≡C-(p-C6H4-NHex2), -C≡C-(p-C6H4-CO2Oct)) at [RhX(PMe3)4] (1) (X=-C≡C-SiMe3 (a), -C≡C-(p-C6H4-NMe2) (b), -C≡C-C≡C-(p-C6H4-NPh2) (c) or -C≡C-{p-C6H4-C≡C-(p-C6H4 -N(C6H13)2)} (d) or Me (e)), giving the 2,5-bis(arylethynyl) isomer exclusively. The rhodacyclopentadienes bearing a methyl ligand in the equatorial plane (compound 1 e) have been converted into their chloro analogues by reaction with HCl etherate. The rhodacycles thus obtained are stable to air and moisture in the solid state and the acceptor-substituted compounds are even stable to air and moisture in solution. The photophysical properties of the rhodacyclopentadienes are highly unusual in that they exhibit, exclusively, fluorescence between 500-800 nm from the S1 state, with quantum yields of Φ=0.01-0.18 and short lifetimes (τ=0.45-8.20 ns). The triplet state formation (Φ(ISC) =0.57 for 2 a) is exceptionally slow, occurring on the nanosecond timescale. This is unexpected, because the Rh atom should normally facilitate intersystem crossing within femto- to picoseconds, leading to phosphorescence from the T1 state. This work therefore highlights that in some transition-metal complexes, the heavy atom can play a more subtle role in controlling the photophysical behavior than is commonly appreciated.

Lymph node metastasis and prognostic analysis of 354 cases of T1 breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the characteristics of lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with T1 breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological data of 354 patients with T1 breast cancer after standard treatment from March 2007 to September 2011 were collected to analyze the relationship between the clinical characteristics of T1 breast cancer, lymph node metastasis and prognostic features.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 354 patients with T1 breast cancer, 105 patients (29.7%) had lymph node metastasis, among them 73 cases (69.5%) had 1-3 lymph node metastasis, and 32 cases (30.5%) had more than 4 lymph node metastasis. The lymph node metastasis rate was 8.3% in T1a patients, 39.7% in T1b patients, and 30.4% in T1c cases (P = 0.005). Pairwise comparison showed that the difference of lymph node metastasis rate between T1a, T1b and T1c patients was statistically significant (P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). The difference of lymph node metastasis rates in T1b and T1c patients was statistically insignificant (P = 0.171). In the 354 patients of T1 breast cancer, 92 patients had vascular tumor thrombi and their lymph node metastasis rate was 71.7%, while the lymph node metastasis rate in 262 patients without vascular tumor thrombus was 14.9% (P < 0.001). The median follow-up was 49 months (range 27-81 months). 12 patients developed recurrence, and 3 patients died, one of them died of cerebrovascular accident. The 4-year disease-free survival for all patients was 96.6%, and the 4-year overall survival rate was 99.2%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a correlation between vascular tumor thrombus, tumor size and lymph node metastasis rate. The lymph node metastasis rate is lower in T1a patients and relatively higher in T1b/c patients. Compared with patients without vascular tumor thrombus, the T1 breast cancer patients with vascular tumor thrombi have a higher lymph node metastasis rate. Generally speaking, there is a still good prognosis in patients with T1 breast cancer.</p>

Regulation of heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation during microcystin-LR-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in a human liver cell line.

Acute exposure to microcystin-LR (MC-LR) can induce the reorganization or disruption of the cytoskeleton, but proteins or enzymes correlated with this stress response have not been fully identified. Here, we report alterations to HSP27 during MC-LR-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in the human liver cell line HL7702. The cells incubated with MC-LR exhibited the rearrangement of filamentous actins and microtubules. The activity of protein phosphatase 2A was greatly decreased by MC-LR exposure. Furthermore, MC-LR markedly increased the level of HSP27 phosphorylation with the enhanced distribution of phosphorylated HSP27 to the cytoskeleton. To further determine the regulation of MC-LR-induced HSP27 phosphorylation, the activation of the MAPK superfamily was assessed. The result showed phospho-activation of p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK1/2 by MC-LR. Increases in HSP27 phosphorylation were suppressed by pretreating cells with SB203580 or SP600125, which are inhibitors of p38 MAPK or JNK, respectively. These data suggest that phosphorylated HSP27 is involved in cytoskeletal reorganization and is regulated by MAPKs, possibly as a consequence of PP2A inhibition. Moreover, the regulation of HSP27 phosphorylation may be important in MC-LR-induced cytoskeleton reassembly, which may provide helpful insights into the mechanism of MC-LR toxicity.