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.

[Analysis of Phenotype and Genotype of A Family with Hereditary Coagulation Factor â ¤ Deficiency Caused by A Compound Heterozygous Mutation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular pathogenesis by analysis of phenotype and gene mutation in families with hereditary coagulation factor V (FⅤ) defect caused by complex heterozygous mutation. METHODS: Plasma pro-thrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), FⅤ procoagulant activity (FⅤ∶C), FⅤ antigen (FⅤ∶Ag), and other related coagulation indexes were detected in the proband and his family members (3 generations 10 people). Using DNA direct sequencing to analyze all exons, flanks, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of F5 genes and the corresponding mutation site regions of family members, the mutation site was confirmed by reverse sequencing．The conservation of mutant amino acids was analyzed by ClustalX-2.1-win software. The PROVEAN and MutationTaster online bioinformatics software were used to predict the effect of mutation on protein function. Protein model and amino acid interaction at mutation sites was analyzed by Swiss-pdbviewer software. RESULTS: The PT and APTT of the proband were significantly prolonged compared with healthy controls (34.2 vs 13.2 s and 119.3 vs 36.0 s), while FⅤ∶C and FⅤ∶Ag extremely reduced (3% and 6%). The PT and APTT of the second-born, the third son, daughter, and grandson of the proband were slightly prolonged, and the FⅤ∶C and FⅤ∶Ag decreased to varying degrees. The related coagulant parameters of other family members were within normal range. Genetic analysis revealed that the proband had a c.911G>A heterozygous missense mutation on the exon 6 lead to p.Gly276Glu, and a c.5343C>G heterozygous missense mutation on the exon 16 lead to p.Ser1781Arg of the proband. The second-born, the third son, and grandson of the proband carry p.Gly276Glu heterozygotes, and the daughter carries p.Ser1781Arg heterozygotes, while the other family members were wild-type. The results of conservative analysis indicated that p.Gly276 and p.Ser1781 were highly conserved in homologous species. The two bioinformatics software predicted the same results, PROVEAN (score -6.214 and -12.79) indicated that the compound heterozygous mutation was a harmful mutation; MutationTaster (score 0.976 and 0.999) suggested that these mutations might cause corresponding disease. p.Gly276Glu protein model analysis showed that, the Glu side chain was prolonged and the molecular weight became larger, which would increase the steric hindrance between it and the surrounding amino acids, affect the normal local folding of the FⅤ protein, and eventually lead to the decrease of protein activity and content. This paper can not provide analysis of the spatial structure of p.Ser1781Arg mutant protein because of the lack of X ray 3 D structure file of FⅤ exon 16. CONCLUSION: The new compound heterozygous mutations (p.Gly276Glu and p.Ser1781Arg) identified in this study are the main reasons for the decrease in the FⅤ level of the family, among which p.Ser1781Arg is rarely reported at home and abroad.

The significance of F139V mutation on thrombotic events in compound heterozygous and homozygous protein C deficiency.

Both compound heterozygous and homozygous protein C deficiencies (PCDs) can cause lethal thrombotic events in children. This study investigated the significance of F139V mutation in activation of protein C in heterozygous and biallelic PCD. Two pedigrees with three probands were recruited, including heterozygous, compound heterozygous, and homozygous PCD and non-PCD families. The plasma levels of protein C activity (PC:A), protein C antigen (PC:Ag), factor V:C, factor VIII:C, fibrinogen (FIB), and D-dimer (D-D) were measured. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and thrombin time (TT) were also detected. All nine exons of protein C gene (PROC) were sequenced. Protein C mutation, T>G at site 6128 (exon 7) resulting in F139V, was identified in both pedigrees. Heterozygous missense mutation F139V (n = 10) had 56.4% lower levels of PC:A and PC:Ag compared with members with wild-type PROC (n = 6). Biallelic compound heterozygous and homozygous PCDs with F139V (n = 3) significantly decreased the levels of PC:A and PC:Ag compared with heterozygous members (P < 0.05); however, these were not lethal. Heterozygous F139V mutations of PRO caused mild reduction of protein C function, which might be the reason for survival of compound heterozygous or homozygous PCD with F139V in adults.

[Analysis of a hereditary protein C deficient consanguineous pedigree caused by Phe139Val homozygous mutation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze genetic mutation and explore its molecular pathogenesis for an hereditary protein C (PC) deficient consanguineous pedigree. METHODS: The pedigree included three generations and contained eight members. PC activity (PC:A), PC antigen (PC:Ag) and other coagulant parameters were detected for all family members. Protein C gene (PROC) include all the exons and intron exon boundaries were amplified by PCR for the proband, then analyzed by direct sequencing. Mutation sites were detected for the other family members. RESULTS: The PC:A and PC:Ag in the proband plasma were 20% (normal range 70% -140%) and 13.2% (normal range 70%-130%). A homozygous missense mutation g.6128T>G in exon 7 resulting in Phe139Val was identified in the proband. The PC:A and PC:Ag in her younger brother were 31% and 18.90%, Phe139Val homozygous was also found. The left family members were heterozygous for Phe139Val. CONCLUSION: Phe139Val homozygous missense mutation in exon 7 of PROC caused serious hereditary protein C deficiency. We speculated that homozygous mutation might be resulted from this consanguineous marriage.

[Gene analysis in four inherited coagulation Fâ « deficiency pedigree].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the genotype and pathogenesis in four Chinese pedigrees with Factor Ⅻ deficiency. METHODS: Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅫ procoagulant activity (FⅫ∶C), FⅫ antigen（FⅫ∶Ag）and other coagulant parameters were detected. The FⅫ deficiency Pedigree members,all exons,boundary introns including the splice junctions of the FⅫ gene were amplified with Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression plasmids were constructed by mutagenesis based on the wild-type and transfected into COS7 cells. FⅫ∶C and FⅫ∶Ag of the expression levels were tested in the supernatant and cell lysate. RESULTS: The four probands presented prolonged APTT with all the values of FⅫ∶C and FⅫ∶Ag were low to 2% and 1%, respectively. There were common 46C/T polymorphism in the promoter regions of FⅫ gene in four pedigrees. Proband A was heterozygous for two mutations, g.5741-5742delCA (His101Gln) and g.7142insertC (Lys346Gln). Proband B was a heterozygous deletion mutation g.6800-6808del9bp. The results of the transfection revealed that FⅫ∶Ag in cell lysates and conditioned media protein FⅫ6800-6808del9bp were 85.6% and 51.9%. The FⅫ∶C in the conditioned media was 56.4%. Proband C was a heterozygous mutation g.8699G>A(Gly542Ser). Proband D was a homozygous mutation 8699G>A, whose parents with consanguineous marriage. CONCLUSION: Four mutations, g.5741-5742delCA, g.7142insertC, g.6800-6808del9bp and g.8699G>A with 46C/T polymorphism in the promoter regions of FⅫ gene, were identified in the four Factor Ⅻ deficiency pedigrees. The two mutations g.5741-5742delCA and g.6800-6808del9bp were first found in China. FⅫ 6800-6808del9bp expressed in vitro suggested that almost normal proteinum synthesis but defect proteinum secretion.

[Analysis of a consanguineous pedigree featuring hereditary coagulation factor â ¤ deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To screen potential mutation and explore the underlying mechanism for a consanguineous pedigree featuring hereditary coagulation factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) deficiency. METHODS: Clinical diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assays of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), FⅤ procoagulant activity (FⅤ:C) and FⅤ antigen (FⅤ:Ag). Potential mutations of the F5 gene in the proband and his family members were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing of PCR products of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 3', 5' untranslated regions. Suspected mutation was confirmed by reverse sequencing. RESULTS: The PT and APTT in the proband were significantly prolonged, which measured 23.5 s (reference range 11.8-14.8 s) and 50.5 s (reference range 27.0-41.0 s), respectively. FⅤ activity and FⅤ antigen of the proband were significantly reduced to 8% and <1%, respectively. PT and APTT in the younger sister of the proband were also significantly prolonged (24.1 s and 62.4 s, respectively). Her FⅤ activity and FⅤ antigen were also significantly decreased (7% and <1%, respectively). PT and APTT of other family members were within the normal range. The homozygous missence mutation causing T→C transition at position 29170 in exon 5 of F5 gene has resulted in a Phe190Ser substitution in the proband. His younger sister was also homozygous for Phe190Ser. Heterozygosity for Phe190Ser was confirmed in his elder brother, elder sister, two daughters and niece, and their FⅤ activity were slightly decreased (57%, 73%, 72%, 66% and 75%, respectively). A normal wild type was observed in two younger brothers of the proband, and their FⅤ activity and FⅤ antigen were in the normal range. CONCLUSION: Homozygous missence mutation of Phe190Ser has been found in above family featuring hereditary FⅤ deficiency. The homozygous missence mutation was inherited from the parents by consanguineous marriage. Phe190Ser probably underlies may underlie the pathogenesis of hereditary FⅤ deficiency in this pedigree.

[Molecular genetics and clinical features of nine patients with inherited coagulation factor VII deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate potential mutations and clinical features of 9 unrelated patients with inherited coagulation factor VII (FVII) deficiency. METHODS: Clinical diagnosis was validated by assaying of coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, FVII activity and specific antigens. All exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5' and 3' untranslated regions of F7 genes were amplified with PCR. Potential mutations were detected by direct sequencing of purified PCR products. Suspected mutations were confirmed by sequencing of the opposite strand. RESULTS: All probands have featured prolonged prothrombin time, with FVII activity ranging between 2.0% to 6.0%. The titers of FVII antigen were significantly reduced in 7 probands. Eight mutations, including 6 missense mutations, 1 deletion and 1 insertion, were identified, among which 3 (Gln100Leu, Ser269Pro and g.11520_11521insT) were not described previously. Six mutations have located in the protease domain. All mutations were inherited, and consanguineous marriages were reported in 5 families. Mutations g.27_28delCT, Cys329Gly, Arg304Trp and His348Gln have been identified in unrelated families. There was a lack of correlation between the mutations and their clinical features. Two individuals with homozygous His348Gln mutations and 1 individual with homozygous Arg304Trp mutation were only mildly affected or asymptomatic. Two patients, who have respectively carried homozygous and heterozygous deletions of g.27_28delCT, were moderately affected and asymptomatic. In 4 patients carrying double heterozygous mutations, 1 (Ser269Pro and Cys329Gly) was asymptomatic, 2 (Arg304Trp and Cys329Gly, Arg277Cys and g.11520_11521insT, respectively) had a mild bleeding tendency, whilst 1 (Gln100Leu and His348Gln) has a moderate bleeding diathesis. CONCLUSION: There seem to be hotspots of F7 gene mutations in ethnic Han Chinese populations. And there is a lack of correlation between particular types of mutations and clinical phenotypes.

[Analysis of an hereditary coagulation factor XII deficiency in a consanguineous pedigree].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze genetic mutation and explore its molecular pathogenesis for an hereditary coagulation factor XII(F XII) deficiency in a pedigree featuring consanguineous marriage. METHODS: Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), F XII procoagulant activity (F XII:C), F XII antigen (F XII:Ag) and other coagulant parameters were assayed. For the proband and his family members, exons 1-4, introns including the splice junctions of the F XII gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR product was purified and sequenced. The mutations were confirmed by sequencing the complimentary strand. RESULTS: The proband has featured prolonged APTT at 157.5 s (reference range, 27.0-41.0 s). The APTT of his son has increased slightly at 48.3 s. The remaining members of the family were in normal range. F XII activity and F XII antigen of the proband were significantly decreased (<1%). The F XII activity of his wife, daughter, son and mother was also dropped to about 51%, 21%, 21% and 50%, respectively, and so was the F XII antigen (42%, 32%, 37% and 48%, respectively). Homozygous missense mutation of G→A transition at position 8699 in exon 14 resulting in Gly542Ser was identified in the proband. His mother, son and daughter were heterozygous for Gly542Ser. In the promoter regions of F XII gene, the genotype of the proband and the other members was 46T/T. CONCLUSION: Homozygous missense mutation Gly542Ser was found in a pedigree of hereditary F XII deficiency. The homozygous missense mutation might have resulted from his parents by consanguineous marriage. Gly542Ser and 46T/T have contributed to the pathogenesis of the hereditary factor XII deficiency pedigree.

[An inherited coagulation factor VII deficiency pedigree caused by homozygous mutation of His348Gln].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene mutation and the molecular pathogenesis of an inherited coagulation factor VII (F VII) deficiency pedigree with consanguineous marriage. METHODS: The diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assay on the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and coagulation factor activity. F VII gene mutations were analyzed in the proband and other family members by direct DNA sequencing of the PCR products of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 5'and 3' untranslated sequences. The mutations were confirmed by reverse sequencing. RESULTS: The values of PT and F VII activity in the proband were significantly abnormal, they were 30.9 s and 3% respectively. The PT of her daughter, father and mother was slightly extended to 21.2 s, 16.3 s and 16.1 s respectively, and the F VII activity was reduced to 22%, 25% and 35% respectively. The coagulant parameters of her younger brother were within normal range. Homozygous T-->G transition at position 11482 in exon 8 was identified in the proband resulting in His348Gln, and heterozygosity for His348Gln was confirmed in her daughter and her parents, and the normal wild-type was observed in her younger brother. CONCLUSION: Homozygous missense mutation of His348Gln was found in a pedigree of hereditary F VII deficiency. The mutation was inherited from her heterozygote parents.

[Gene analysis of a combined inherited factor VII and factor X deficiency pedigree].

OBJECTIVE: To perform gene analysis and family survey of a patient with combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency, and to identify the gene mutation of this patient. METHODS: The phenotype diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assay on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, FVII and FX activity (FVII:C, FX:C) and FVII and FX antigen (FVII:Ag, FX:Ag). FVII and FX gene mutations were analyzed in the proband and other family members by DNA direct sequencing of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 5', 3' untranslated sequences. One hundred and six health examination participants were selected as control. RESULTS: The values of PT and APTT of the proband showed significantly prolonged, which were 84.5s and 63.4s, respectively. The levels of FVII:C, FVII:Ag, FX:C and FX:Ag were 6%, 7%, 4% and 30%, respectively. The PT of his father, mother and sister was prolonged slightly while both APTT and FVII:Ag were in the normal range. Two homozygous mutations, g.11267C→T in exon 8 of FVII gene resulting in the substitution of Arg277Cys and g.28139G→T in exon 8 of FX gene leading to the substitution of Val384Phe, were identified in the proband. The proband's parents and sister were heterozygous for Arg277Cys and Val384Phe mutations. CONCLUSION: Homozygous mutation Arg277Cys in FVII gene and Val384Phe in FX gene were the molecular mechanism causing combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency. The Val384Phe substitution was a novel mutation, which may affect the synthesis or secretion of FX protein.