Application of Sorbents for Oil Spill Cleanup Focusing on Natural-Based Modified Materials: A Review.

Conventional synthetic sorbents for oil spill removal are the most widely applied materials, although they are not the optimal choices from an economic and environmental point of view. The use of inexpensive, abundant, non-toxic, biodegradable, and reusable lignocellulosic materials might be an alternative to conventional sorbents, with obvious positive impact on sustainability and circular economy. The objective of this paper was to review reports on the use of natural-based adsorbing materials for the restoration of water bodies threatened by oil spills. The use of raw and modified natural sorbents as a restoration tool, their sorption capacity, along with the individual results in conditions that have been implemented, were examined in detail. Modification methods for improving the hydrophobicity of natural sorbents were also extensively highlighted. Furthermore, an attempt was made to assess the advantages and limitations of each natural sorbent since one material is unlikely to encompass all potential oil spill scenarios. Finally, an evaluation was conducted in order to outline an integrated approach based on the terms of material-environment-economy.

Factors Influencing Survival in Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: The Influence of DNA Ploidy.

Objective. To evaluate the prognostic significance of microscopically assessed DNA ploidy and other clinical and laboratory parameters in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods. 541 patients with histologically proven stage IV CRC treated with palliative chemotherapy at our institution were included in this retrospective analysis, and 9 variables (gender, age, performance status, carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 19-9, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and ploidy (DNA Index)) were assessed for their potential relationship to survival. Results. Mean survival time was 12.8 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.0-13.5). Multivariate analysis revealed that DNA indexes of 2.2-3.6 and >3.6 were associated with 2.94 and 4.98 times higher probability of death, respectively, compared to DNA index <2.2. CRP levels of >15 mg/dL and 5-15 mg/dL were associated with 2.52 and 1.72 times higher risk of death, respectively. Hazard ratios ranged from 1.29 in patients mild anaemia (Hb 12-13.5 g/dL) to 1.88 in patients with severe anaemia (Hb < 8.5 g/dL). Similarly, the presence of hypoalbuminaemia (albumin < 5 g/dL) was found to confer 1.41 times inferior survival capability. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that patients with stage IV CRC with low ploidy score and CRP levels, absent or mild anaemia, and normal albumin levels might derive greatest benefit from palliative chemotherapy.

Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 at the early stages of atherosclerosis in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Members of the immunoglobulin superfamily of endothelial adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), participate in leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium and play an important role in all stages of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to examine the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the aorta of rats at the early stages of atherosclerosis and the correlation with their plasma concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats (n=44), 10 weeks of age, were divided in 4 groups. Groups A and C (n=12) were fed with rich cholesterol diet for 12 and 16 weeks, respectively. Group B (regression group, n=12) was fed for the first 12 weeks with rich cholesterol diet and for another 4 weeks with normal diet. Group D (control group, n=8) was fed with normal diet for 12 weeks. We measured the serum lipid profile, the concentration of soluble ICAM-1 and the immunohistochemical expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the endothelium, media and vasa vasorum of the aorta. RESULTS: There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the expression of ICAM-1 between group C (maximum time of rich cholesterol diet) and all other groups in the 3 groups of the aorta studied. There was regression of the expression of ICAM-1 in group B and significant differences (p<0.05) between group B and all the other groups, except group D in the expression of ICAM-1. There were no significant differences in the expression of VCAM-1 between any groups. The serum concentration of soluble ICAM-1 positively correlated with the expression of the molecule in the vasa vasorum (r=0.35, p<0.05) and fibroblasts/smooth muscular cells (r=0.34, p<0.05) of the aorta. CONCLUSION: A cholesterol diet plays a role in the expression of ICAM-1 but not in that of VCAM-1 in the rat aorta. The expression of ICAM-1 in the aorta regresses after the withdrawal of a cholesterol-rich diet. Soluble ICAM-1 is a reliable measure of ICAM-1 expression in the aorta, vasa vasorum and fibroblasts/smooth muscle cells.

The prevalence of overgrowth by aerobic bacteria in the small intestine by small bowel culture: relationship with irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have linked irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), although they have done so on a qualitative basis using breath tests even though quantitative cultures are the hallmark of diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to underscore the frequency of SIBO in a large number of Greeks necessitating upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy by using quantitative microbiological assessment of the duodenal aspirate. METHODS: Consecutive subjects presenting for upper GI endoscopy were eligible to participate. Quantitative culture of aspirates sampled from the third part of the duodenum during upper GI tract endoscopy was conducted under aerobic conditions. IBS was defined by Rome II criteria. RESULTS: Among 320 subjects enrolled, SIBO was diagnosed in 62 (19.4%); 42 of 62 had IBS (67.7%). SIBO was found in 37.5% of IBS sufferers. SIBO was found in 60% of IBS patients with predominant diarrhea compared with 27.3% without diarrhea (P = 0.004). Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common isolates within patients with SIBO. A step-wise logistic regression analysis revealed that IBS, history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and intake of proton pump inhibitors were independently and positively linked with SIBO; gastritis was protective against SIBO. CONCLUSIONS: Using culture of the small bowel, SIBO by aerobe bacteria is independently linked with IBS. These results reinforce results of clinical trials evidencing a therapeutic role of non-absorbable antibiotics for the management of IBS symptoms.

Changes in adaptive and innate immunity in patients with acute pancreatitis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a form of inflammation with clinical features ranging from pancreatic inflammation to fatal systemic manifestations. The aim of this study was to clarify changes in lymphocyte subsets and alterations in the functioning of natural killer (NK) cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients were enrolled into the study; 35 with acute pancreatitis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and 10 healthy subjects. Blood was sampled early from all patients. Blood immune cells were studied on days 1 and 4 by flow cytometry. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-6 were estimated from supernatants of NK cells before/after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RESULTS: Apoptosis in patients was significantly different on days 1 and 4 compared with controls. Apoptosis of CD4(+) lymphocytes was significantly correlated with the days to resolution of SIRS (r = +0.586, p = 0.022). Significant differences were observed in TNFα and IL-6 on day 1 with/without LPS stimulation between patients and healthy individuals. Significantly increased levels of TNFα and IL-6 were found after LPS stimulation compared with unstimulated supernatants in day 1. CONCLUSION: NK cells altered their secretory status when stimulated with LPS. This finding could be explained by the cellular reprogramming of NK cells in the field of acute pancreatitis and SIRS.

Comparison of fibrate, ezetimibe, low- and high-dose statin therapy for the dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The treatment-of-choice for the optimal management of the dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is not clearly defined. We compared the efficacy of 4 drug regimes for the management of this dyslipidemia in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 C57Bl6 mice comprised the study group. The first 10 received standard mouse food for the whole experiment (control group). The remaining 50 mice received atherogenic diet for 14 weeks until the development of the MetS. The mice were then divided into 5 groups: the 1st group continued receiving atherogenic diet, while the other 4 groups received atherogenic diet plus ezetimibe (10 mg/kg per day), fenofibrate (100 mg/kg per day), low-dose atorvastatin (10 mg/kg per day), or high-dose (40 mg/kg per day) atorvastatin, respectively, for another 8 weeks. RESULTS: High-dose atorvastatin treatment achieved the best lipid profile compared with low-dose atorvastatin, ezetimibe, and fibrate therapy. The lipid profile of mice receiving atherogenic diet plus high-dose atorvastatin treatment was similar with mice on regular chow. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose atorvastatin treatment resulted in optimization of the lipid profile in the presence of a high-fat atherogenic diet in a mouse model. Our results suggest that high-dose atorvastatin treatment may be the optimal treatment option for the dyslipidemia associated with MetS. Nevertheless, verification of these results in humans is required before any definite conclusions can be drawn.

Role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: To investigate the probable role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled; nineteen healthy volunteers served as controls; 8 patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and 31 with ulcerative colitis. Clinical and endoscopic activity indexes of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis respectively were estimated. Upon admission blood was sampled; sTREM-1 and TNFalpha were measured by an immunoassay and malondialdehyde (MDA) by the thiobarbitourate assay, after passage through an HPLC system. RESULTS: Median +/- SE of TNFalpha of controls, patients with Crohn's disease and patients with ulcerative colitis were 6.02 +/- 3.94, 7.98 +/- 5.08 (P = NS vs controls), and 8.45 +/- 4.15 ng/L (P = 0.018 vs controls) respectively. Respective values of sTREM-1 were 53.31 +/- 32.93, 735.10 +/- 197.17 (P = 0.008 vs controls) and 435.82 +/- 279.71 ng/L (P = 0.049 vs controls). sTREM-1 was positively correlated with Crohn's disease activity index and clinical and endoscopic activity indexes of ulcerative colitis (P = 0.002, 0.001 and 0.009, respectively). sTREM-1 of patients with ulcerative colitis was positively correlated with TNFalpha (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: sTREM-1 seems to behave as a novel mediator in IBD in correlation with the degree of the inflammatory reaction of the intestinal mucosa.