3D magnetic flower-spherical Fe2O3-NiO derived from NiFe-layered double hydroxides for the efficient removal of Bensulfuron methyl: Morphological control and bimetallic synergy.

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic flower-spherical Fe2O3-NiO derived from NiFe-layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDHs) was fabricated through urea hydrothermal and calcination methods. The as-prepared materials were applied to activate PMS to degrade one of herbicide named Bensulfuron methyl (BSM). Fe2O3-NiO-1 demonstrated the highest catalytic activity and the lowest ions leaching by comparing the performance of LDHs and derivative bimetallic oxide synthesized by co-precipitation method, urea hydrothermal method and direct calcination method. Based on the results of SEM, BET and CV, the high catalytic activity of Fe2O3-NiO-1 originated from 3D morphology, lager specific area and pore size and faster electron transfer capability. The factors influencing the degradation performance were investigated and 0.1 g·L-1 Fe2O3-NiO could effectively activate PMS (1 mmol·L-1) to completely remove 10 mg·L-1 BSM within 30 min at pH 7.0. In Fe2O3-NiO/PMS system, OH, SO4- and 1O2 were produced and contributed to the BSM removal according to the results of EPR and quenching experiments. In order to expand its application range, Fe2O3-NiO/PMS system was used to degrade aniline (AN), sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), phenacetin (PNT), bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,4,6-triclofen (2,4,6-TCP) and the results showed the degradation efficiency could reach 90 % or more. Additionally, the application of catalysts in different actual water samples and the ability of reuse were tested. Based on the strategies of bimetallic synergy and morphology control, Fe-based bimetallic oxides with 3D morphology were developed in this study, which could effectively enhance the catalytic activity and inhibit the dissolution of metal ions, providing the design ideas for the construction of efficient catalysts and the removal of complex organic pollutants.

Eight-month intensive meditation-based intervention improves refractory hallucinations and delusions and quality of life in male inpatients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study investigated the impact of an 8-month daily-guided intensive meditation-based intervention (iMI) on persistent hallucinations/delusions and health-related quality of life (QoL) in male inpatients with schizophrenia with treatment-refractory hallucinations and delusions (TRHDs). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial assigned 64 male inpatients with schizophrenia and TRHD equally to an 8-month iMI plus general rehabilitation program (GRP) or GRP alone. Assessments were conducted at baseline and the third and eighth months using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 36-Item Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Primary outcomes measured PANSS reduction rates for total score, positive symptoms, and hallucinations/delusions items. Secondary outcomes assessed PANSS, SF-36, and FFMQ scores for psychotic symptoms, health-related QoL, and mindfulness skills, respectively. RESULTS: In the primary outcome, iMI significantly improved the reduction rates of PANSS total score, positive symptoms, and hallucination/delusion items compared with GRP at both the third and eighth months. Treatment response rates (≥25% reduction) for these measures significantly increased in the iMI group at the eighth month. Concerning secondary outcomes, iMI significantly reduced PANSS total score and hallucination/delusion items, while increasing scores in physical activity and mindfulness skills at both the third and eighth months compared with GRP. These effects were more pronounced with an 8-month intervention compared with a 3-month intervention. CONCLUSIONS: An iMI benefits patients with TRHDs by reducing persistent hallucinations/delusions and enhancing health-related QoL. Longer iMI duration yields superior treatment outcomes.

Differing Prevalence and Correlates of Metabolic Syndromes Between Chlorpromazine and Clozapine: A 10-year Retrospective Study of a Male Chinese Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotics are known to be associated with metabolic syndromes (MetS). Chlorpromazine (CPZ) and Clozapine (CLZ) are currently the most commonly used antipsychotics in low-income districts of China. However, potential differences in the long-term effects of CPZ and CLZ on MetS in schizophrenia inpatients are not well understood. Here, we aimed to identify any MetS profile differences between long-term schizophrenia patients who were prescribed either CPZ or CLZ at a primary psychiatric hospital. METHODS: We recruited a total of 204 male schizophrenia patients who received either CPZ or CLZ. We measured their weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP), as well as their biochemical indicators, including fasting blood glucose (FBS), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). RESULTS: The MetS prevalence in the CPZ and CLZ groups was 31% and 37.5%, respectively. The CLZ group had significantly higher DBP levels and a higher incidence of dyslipidemia (HDL-c) but lower HDL-c and TC levels than the CPZ group. We also determined that smoking history, BMI, and duration of hospitalisation were risk factors for the development of MetS. Moreover, we found that CPZ and CLZ were correlated with the same risk for developing MetS and that BMI was a vital risk factor of MetS for both the CPZ and CLZ groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term CPZ and CLZ prescriptions were associated with similar profiles for developing MetS of schizophrenia patients.

Three-dimensional flower-like magnetic CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 composites activating peroxymonosulfate for high efficient degradation of aniline.

In this study, 3D flower-like magnetic CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 was prepared by a facile urea hydrothermal method and utilized to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degrading aniline (AN). CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 was systematically characterized to explore the relationship between its structure and catalytic performance. Compared with CoFe-LDHs synthesized by co-precipitation method, CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 exhibited three dimensional structure and larger specific surface, which could increase the degradation efficiency of AN markedly. 96% of 10 mg L-1 AN could be eliminated by 0.3 mM PMS and 50 mg L-1 CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 at initial pH 6 within 5 min and the total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency could be high to 52.8% in 30 min. CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4 can be separated by a magnet easily due to its magnetism, which makes it avoid secondary pollution and provide convenience. After recycling six times, the degradation efficiency still maintained at 92.6%. Besides, CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4/PMS can degrade AN in practical water samples effectively. In addition, the possible mechanism of CoFe-LDHs/CoFe2O4/PMS system for the degradation of AN was proposed. The radical scavenging experiments confirmed that SO4·-, HO· and O2·- were involved and SO4·- played a dominant role in the degradation of AN, and it was further proved by electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) as well. Our findings can provide some new insights into the efficient and skillful design and application of heterogeneous catalyst for environmental remediation.

Evaluation of paliperidone on social function in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The impairment of social function is widespread in the patients with chronic schizophrenia, which seriously affects family, life and work conditions. AIMS: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of paliperidone in the treatment of social function in chronic schizophrenia. METHODS: A total of 81 patients who met the standard criteria for schizophrenia and long-term hospitalised inpatients were randomly divided into the treatment group and normal control group following a 1- year prospective follow-up study. The reatment group (41 cases) used paliperidone extended-release tablets for reducing dosage, as appropriate, based on the original treatment strategy; and the control group (40 cases) used the former drugs. All patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scales (PANSS), and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used to assess adverse drug reactions. The Hospitalised Psychiatric Patients' Social Functions Rating Scale (SSPI) was used to assess social function of participants before and after 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: At baseline there were no significant differences between the two groups in age, duration of illness, educational background and dosage of antipsychotic drugs (converted into chlorpromazine equivalency). There was statistically significant difference in PANSS positive symptoms by interaction effect (Fgroup×time=18.24, df=3237, p<0.001) and time effect (Ftime=21.66, df=3, p<0.01) and the difference in PANSS positive symptoms by grouping effect (Fgroup=0.68, df=1, p=0.41) was not statistically significant. The difference of grouping effect of PANSS negative symptoms (Fgroup=9.93, df=1, p=0.002), time effect (Ftime=279.15, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup × time=279.15, df=3237, p<0.001) were statistically significant. There were statistically significant differences in the grouping effect (Fgr oup=6.59, df=1, p=0.012), time effect (Ftime=152.97, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup × time=148.82, df=3237, p<0.001) of PANSS general pathological symptoms, the same as the total score of the PANSS, which showed large differences in grouping effect (Fg roup=7.04, df=1, p=0.001), time effect (Ftime=210.78, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup × time=205.20, df=3237, p<0.01). We found in the total SSPI score, grouping effect (Fgroup=31.70, df=1, p<0.001), time effect (Ftime=161.84, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup × time=132.74, df=3237, p<0.001) were demonstrated to be significantly different. Even though adverse reactions occurred 7 times in the treatment group and 44 times in the control group based on the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS), incidence rate was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²=18.854, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Paliperidone can safely and effectively improve negative symptoms and social function in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Highly Efficient and Selective Photooxidation of Sulfur Mustard Simulant by a Triazolobenzothiadiazole-Moiety-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework in Air.

A photoactive triazolobenzothiadiazole (TBTD)-conjugated terphenyldicarboxylate (TPDC) linker was introduced into a porous and robust UiO-68 isoreticular zirconium metal-organic framework (denoted as UiO-68-TBTD) by the de novo synthetic approach of mixed TPDC struts. Under blue-light-emitting-diode irradiation, UiO-68-TBTD can serve as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the highly efficient and selective oxidation of a sulfur mustard simulant (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide) to the corresponding much less toxic sulfoxide product, with a half-life of only 3 min in the open air atmosphere.