[Removal of BPA and EE2 from Water by Mn-Fe Embedded in Acicular Mullite].

Acicular mullite was modified by ferromanganese binary metal oxide (Mn-Fe) to improve the removal efficiency of endocrine disruptors by traditional water treatment practices, using the commercial ceramsite for comparison. The physicochemical properties of synthesized samples were characterized, and batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the adsorption efficiency of bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on synthesized samples, investigating how solution chemistry and regeneration may affect the adsorption efficiency. Results show that the manganese oxide loaded on the acicular mullite was manganite with an average particle size of 450 nm. After Mn-Fe impregnation, the specific surface area, cumulative pore volume, and mesoporous ratio of the acicular mullite were significantly increased. The virgin acicular mullite had no removal ability for BPA and EE2, and the removal efficiency of BPA and EE2 by Mn-Fe impregnated acicular mullite were significantly increased. Acicular mullite was more suitable as support material for modified filter material. The adsorption kinetics of BPA and EE2 on Mn-Fe-M were fitted with the intra-particle diffusion model, and found to be mainly affected by intra-particle diffusion. The isothermal adsorption data was best fitted to the Langmuir-Freundlich model, and the maximum adsorption capacities of BPA and EE2 were 5.043 mg·g-1 and 3.990 mg·g-1, respectively. Thermodynamic experiments showed that the adsorption of BPA and EE2 by Mn-Fe embedded in acicular mullite was an endothermic reaction, and the temperature increase is beneficial to the adsorption. The adsorption amount of BPA and EE2 on Mn-Fe embedded in acicular mullite decreased with increasing pH. The increase of ionic strength favored the adsorption removal of BPA and EE2. The co-existing anion of SO42- promoted the adsorption of both BPA and EE2, while CO32- and PO43- inhibited the adsorption of both BPA and EE2 on Mn-Fe embedded in acicular mullite. The adsorbent regeneration test showed that Mn-Fe embedded acicular mullite was an easily recyclable adsorbent. Mn-Fe embedded in high-porosity acicular mullite can effectively remove typical endocrine disruptors in water, and it can be potentially extensively used to alleviate the problem of low removal efficiency of endocrine disrupting chemicals in traditional water treatment practice.

Extracellular polymeric substances dependence of surface interactions of Bacillus subtilis with Cd2+ and Pb2+: An investigation combined with surface plasmon resonance and infrared spectra.

Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play an important role in resisting the shock load of toxic contaminants to microbial aggregates. In order to investigate the surface interaction process of bacteria with heavy metals, in this work, the kinetics and affinity of heavy metal (CdCl2 and PbCl2) binding on Bacillus subtilis with EPS and without EPS were determined using in situ surface plasmon resonance. The binding mechanism between bacteria (with EPS and without EPS) and heavy metals was probed using Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The effect of heavy metals on aggregations of microbial cells with EPS and without EPS was investigated. The results showed that both the binding of Pb2+ and Cd2+ to bacteria with EPS had a similar kinetics process, however Pb2+ bound to bacterial surface without EPS more firmly compared with Cd2+. From our results we theorized that heavy metals changed the protein secondary structures of bacteria without EPS protection, that EPS reduced the influence of heavy metals on microbial aggregation, and that Pb2+ inhibited cell aggregation more easily compared with Cd2+ in the absence of EPS.

Identification and analysis of Triphenyltin chloride with surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy.

Triphenyltin (TPhT) is a kind of organotin compounds which have been used ubiquitously as herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide in agriculture. The present study provides the possibility to detect and monitor TPhT with normal Raman spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Firstly, the complete vibrational Raman spectra characterization of TPhT along with the IR spectroscopy were reported for the first time. Then a wide range of pH values were carried out to choose the optimal pH value in TPhT detection by using Raman spectroscopy. Afterwards, Raman spectra of various TPhT solutions were collected and analyzed. The results indicate that the optimal pH value for TPhT detection by Raman spectroscopy is 5.5, and with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as SERS substrate is an effective technique for trace TPhT detection with an enhancement by 5 orders of magnitude and the detection limit can be as low as 0.6 ng/L within less than 30 s. Finally, in this study, the residual of TPhT on apple peel was investigated by casting different concentrations of TPhT on apple peel under the current optimized condition. The result demonstrates that TPhT could be detected based on its SESR spectra at 6.25 ng/cm(2) in standard solutions.

[Analysis of Endocrine Disruptor: Triphenyltin Chloride with Raman Spectroscopy].

Triphenyltin Chloride (TPhT) is one of the only two kinds of metal compounds known in the endocrine disruptors. TPhT is widely used in industry, agriculture and transportation fields, which can cause great impact on soil, marine and inland freshwater environment. This experiment collects the Raman signal of TPhT standard powders by applying laser confocal Raman spectroscopy to explore the feasibility of the method and to acquire optimized parameters. In this paper, we combined the application of laser confocal Raman spectroscopy with TPhT physical property. Due to different functional groups of TPhT molecules shows different vibration modes, the Raman spectra was divided into three wavenumber areas(1 500~3 200, 900~1 500 and 100~900 cm-1) to attribute and analyze their assignments of the Raman peaks, obtaining the characteristics of TPhT vibration modes and the corresponding characteristic peaks. Finally, a standard Raman spectra library was established with the spectral range between 100~3 200 cm-1. The results showed that the Raman spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio can be obtained in a short time when the laser power options decayed to 0.5% of the original power (500 mW) after 10s exposure and 2 times integration. Strong Raman signals observed in the Raman spectroscopy at 212, 332, 657, 997 and 1 577 cm-1 could be used as the characteristic peaks of TPhT in Raman detection. Otherwise, the co-occurrence of the Raman peaks at 657 and 997 cm-1 can be considered as the presence of TPhT in complex environmental samples. Experimental results are given to identify the presence of TPhT. The results would be used to identify the presence of TPhT residual in real environmental samples, which provide a theoretical basis and data base on Raman spectroscopy.

Comprehensive analysis of the association of EGFR, CALM3 and SMARCD1 gene polymorphisms with BMD in Caucasian women.

SUMMARY: Three genes, including EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), CALM3 (calmodulin 3, calcium-modulated protein 3) and SMARCD1 (SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily d member 1), play different roles in bone and/or fat metabolism in Caucasian women. In this population-based investigation of 870 unrelated postmenopausal Caucasian women, CALM3 polymorphisms were significantly associated with femoral neck bone mineral density (FNK BMD), hip BMD and spine BMD. Age and tobacco status also affected BMD levels and were therefore corrected for in our statistical analysis. INTRODUCTION: EGFR, CALM3 and SMARCD1 play roles in bone and/or fat metabolism. However, the correlations between the polymorphisms of these three genes and body composition levels, including BMD, remain to be determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based investigation of 870 white women was conducted. Forty-four SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in EGFR, CALM3 and SMARCD1 were chosen by the software, including those of potential functional importance. The candidate SNPs were genotyped by the KASPar assay for an association analysis with body composition levels. The correlation analysis was assessed by the Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman rank-order correlation tests, and the family-wise error was corrected using the Wald test implemented in PLINK. RESULTS: The SNP rs12461917 in the 3'-flanking region of the CALM3 gene was significantly associated with FNK BMD (P = 0.001), hip BMD (P<0.001) and spine BMD (P = 0.001); rs11083838 in the 5'-flanking region of CALM3 gene was associated with spine BMD (P = 0.009). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, rs12461917 remained significant (P-adjusted = 0.033 for FNK BMD, P-adjusted = 0.006 for hip BMD and P-adjusted = 0.018 for spine BMD). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that polymorphisms of the CALM3 gene in Caucasian women may contribute to variations in the BMD of the hip, spine and femoral neck.

Development of a diabetes education program based on modified AADE diabetes education curriculum.

UNLABELLED: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a diabetes education program tailored to patients with type 2 diabetes in communities and the preliminary outcomes of the intervention. METHODS: Two-phase, one group, mixed-method study design was used. Modified American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) diabetes education curriculum was used as the framework for the program. Patients with diabetes participated in classes and diabetes conversation map discussion. Feasibility and acceptability of the program were evaluated by the ability to recruit and retain participants and their satisfaction with the program. Diabetes knowledge test and the summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA) were used to evaluate the knowledge and behavior changes of the patients. RESULTS: 40 patients completed the program and the attrition rate was 11.1%. All participants were "very satisfied" with the program. Significant improvement in diabetes knowledge and blood glucose monitoring and foot care were reported. CONCLUSION: The diabetes education program based on modified AADE diabetes education curriculum combined with diabetes conversation map may be effective in patients with type 2 diabetes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Flexible time schedule and a control group should be designed in the future study.

Effects of SCN1A and GABA receptor genetic polymorphisms on carbamazepine tolerability and efficacy in Chinese patients with partial seizures: 2-year longitudinal clinical follow-up.

AIMS: To investigate the tolerability and efficacy of carbamazepine treatment in patients with partial-onset seizures and the association with polymorphisms in the sodium channel α-subunit type 1 (SCN1A), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor genes among the Chinese Han population. METHODS: 448 patients were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms selected of the SCN1A and GABA-receptor genes. Monotherapy with carbamazepine (CBZ) was administered to the patients. The effectiveness of CBZ treatment was evaluated with regard to efficacy by the decrease in seizures and tolerability by retention rates. RESULTS: SCN1A rs3812718 A/G with CBZ tolerability (P= 0.038) throughout 24 months of clinical follow-up and the GABRA1 rs2290732 A/G were significantly associated with CBZ tolerability (P= 0.001). The maintenance dose and serum level of CBZ in AA genotype carriers of rs3812718 A/G were significantly higher than those of GG genotype carriers between 3 and 12 months of follow-up. The proportion of AA genotype carriers of rs2298771 A/G with seizure free was significantly higher than that of AG+GG genotype carriers from 3 months to 15 months of follow-up (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: rs3812718 A/G and rs2290732 A/G polymorphisms affected the tolerability of CBZ. rs2298771 A/G was associated with efficacy of CBZ treatment.

Comprehensive analysis of the association of SCN1A gene polymorphisms with the retention rate of carbamazepine following monotherapy for new-onset focal seizures in the Chinese Han population.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the sodium channel a subunit type 1 (SCN1A) gene affect the retention rate of carbamazepine (CBZ) used to treat seizures in Chinese Han patients with epilepsy. In total, 448 patients were genotyped for SNPs selected in the SCN1A gene. The tag SNPs were selected using Haploview version 4.2 software (http://www.broad.mit.edu/haploview/haploview, accessed 18 Sept 2009). Monotherapy with CBZ was administered to patients with new-onset focal seizures. In the present study, the retention rate of CBZ was defined as the percentage of patients with epilepsy who had continued with CBZ treatment in the preceding 3 months. Potential confounding variables were analysed to evaluate the risk factors for non-retention. When adjusted for potential confounding factors (e.g. age, sex, body mass index, seizure type etc.), the presence of the A allele of SNP rs3812718 predicted non-retention (P = 0.015; odds ratio (OR) = 3.122; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.823-4.893). Beyond 12 months of treatment in those that continued with CBZ (retention cohort), analysis of covariance indicated that the maintenance dose (P = 0.025) and serum CBZ levels (P = 0.021) were significantly higher in carriers of the rs3812718 AA genotype than in those with the GG genotype. The results of the present study indicate that the rs3812718 SNP in the SCN1A gene is significantly associated with the retention rate of CBZ monotherapy in Chinese Han patients with focal epilepsy.

[Psychological health status and nursing countermeasures of cerebral arterial sclerosis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the psychological health status of attacking stage patients with cerebral arterial sclerosis(CAS). METHODS: Sixty in-patients were surveyed by filling up the questionnaire (SCL-90) and compared with the customary model in China. RESULTS: The symptomatic factor scores of somatization and depression of the patients were obviously higher than those of the customary model (P < 0.001). Their symptomatic factor scores of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive were higher than those of the customary model (P < 0.05). The symptomatic factor score of phobic anxiety was higher than that of the customary model (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety and phobic anxiety are common psychological problems. Corresponding nursing countermeasures are proposed in our study.