Bioenhanced degradation of toluene by layer-by-layer self-assembled silica-based bio-microcapsules.

In this study, micron-sized monodisperse SiO2 microspheres were used as sacrificial templates, and chitosan/polylactic acid (CTS/PLA) bio-microcapsules were produced using the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly method. Microcapsules isolate bacteria from their surroundings, forming a separate microenvironment and greatly improving microorganisms' ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions. Morphology observation indicated that the pie-shaped bio-microcapsules with a certain thickness could be successfully prepared through LBL assembly method. Surface analysis showed that the LBL bio-microcapsules (LBMs) had large fractions of mesoporous. The biodegradation experiments of toluene and the determination of toluene degrading enzyme activity were also carried out under external adverse environmental conditions (i.e., unsuitable initial concentrations of toluene, pH, temperature, and salinity). The results showed that the removal rate of toluene by LBMs can basically reach more than 90% in 2 days under adverse environmental conditions, which is significantly higher than that of free bacteria. In particular, the removal rate of toluene by LBMs can reach four times that of free bacteria at pH 3, which indicates that LBMs maintain a high level of operational stability for toluene degradation. Flow cytometry analysis showed that LBL microcapsules could effectively reduce the death rate of the bacteria. The results of the enzyme activity assay showed that the enzyme activity was significantly stronger in the LBMs system than in the free bacteria system under the same unfavorable external environmental conditions. In conclusion, the LBMs were more adaptable to the uncertain external environment, which provided a feasible bioremediation strategy for the treatment of organic contaminants in actual groundwater.

Chemerin-9 Attenuates Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation in ApoE-/- Mice.

Chronic inflammation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a progressive segmental abdominal aortic dilation. Chemerin, a multifunctional adipocytokine, is mainly generated in the liver and adipose tissue. The combination of chemerin and chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) has been demonstrated to promote the progression of atherosclerosis, arthritis diseases, and Crohn's disease. However, chemerin-9 acts as an analog of chemerin to exert an anti-inflammatory effect by binding to CMKLR1. Here, we first demonstrated that AAA exhibited higher levels of chemerin and CMKLR1 expression compared with the normal aortic tissues. Hence, we hypothesized that the chemerin/CMKLR1 axis might be involved in AAA progression. Moreover, we found that chemerin-9 treatment markedly suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration, neovascularization, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, while increasing the elastic fibers and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in Ang II-induced AAA in ApoE-/- mice. This demonstrated that chemerin-9 could inhibit AAA formation. Collectively, our findings indicate a potential mechanism underlying AAA progression and suggest that chemerin-9 can be used therapeutically.

Protocol for a gallbladder cancer registry study in China: the Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC) study.

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder cancer (GBC), the sixth most common gastrointestinal tract cancer, poses a significant disease burden in China. However, no national representative data are available on the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of GBC in the Chinese population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC) study is a multicentre retrospective registry cohort study. Clinically diagnosed patient with GBC will be identified from 1 January 2008 to December, 2019, by reviewing the electronic medical records from 76 tertiary and secondary hospitals across 28 provinces in China. Patients with pathological and radiological diagnoses of malignancy, including cancer in situ, from the gallbladder and cystic duct are eligible, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2019 guidelines. Patients will be excluded if GBC is the secondary diagnosis in the discharge summary. The demographic characteristics, medical history, physical examination results, surgery information, pathological data, laboratory examination results and radiology reports will be collected in a standardised case report form. By May 2021, approximately 6000 patient with GBC will be included. The clinical follow-up data will be updated until 5 years after the last admission for GBC of each patient. The study aimed (1) to depict the clinical characteristics, including demographics, pathology, treatment and prognosis of patient with GBC in China; (2) to evaluate the adherence to clinical guidelines of GBC and (3) to improve clinical practice for diagnosing and treating GBC and provide references for policy-makers. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol of the CRGGC has been approved by the Committee for Ethics of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SHEC-C-2019-085). All results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04140552, Pre-results.

Removal of NO3-N in alkaline rare earth industry effluent using modified coconut shell biochar.

Coconut shell biochar (CSB) was selected as raw material to obtain two kinds of modified biochars by pickling and iron modification. The pickling coconut shell biochar (PCSB) and pickling-iron modified coconut shell biochar (PICSB) were used as adsorbents to remove NO3-N in alkaline rare earth industry effluent. The results showed that pickling smoothed the surface of CSB, and α-FeOOH was formed on the surface of PCSB because of FeCl3 solution modification. Suitable adsorbent dosages of PCSB and PICSB were both 2.0 g/L. The NO3-N adsorption process by PCSB and PICSB both reached equilibrium at 30 min. The quasi-first-order kinetic model shows good fit to the NO3-N adsorption by PCSB. Whereas, the quasi-second-order kinetic model is more suitable for PICSB adsorbing NO3-N. The adsorption mechanisms of PICSB for NO3-N removal were ligand exchange and electrostatic attraction, and that of PCSB for NO3-N removal was electrostatic attraction. The NO3-N adsorption amounts of PCSB and PICSB decreased with increasing adsorption temperature and pH. The maximum NO3-N adsorption amounts of PCSB and PICSB were 15.14 mg/L and 10.75 mg/L respectively with adsorbent dosage of 2.0 g/L, adsorption time of 30 min, adsorption temperature of 25 ± 1 °C, and initial solution pH of 2.01.

Enhanced removal of NO3-N from water using Fe-Al modified biochar: behavior and mechanism.

To remove NO3-N from water, coconut shell biochar (CSB) was modified by a solution of FeCl3, a solution of AlCl3 and a mixture solution of FeCl3 and AlCl3 respectively. The obtained modified biochar with the best effect of NO3-N adsorption was screened out to explore the adsorption behavior and mechanism of NO3-N removal by batch experiments and kinetics and thermodynamics and correlated characterization. The results indicated that the mixture solution of FeCl3- and AlCl3- modified CSB (Fe-Al/CSB) showed the best adsorption performance for NO3-N removal. Iron and aluminum elements existed on the surface of Fe-Al/CSB in the form of FeOOH, Fe2O3, Fe2+, and Al2O3 respectively. The adsorption process could reach equilibrium in 20 min. An acidic condition was favorable for NO3-N adsorption. The presence of coexisting anions was not conducive for NO3-N adsorption. The quasi-second-order model and Freundlich model could be well fitted in the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of Fe-Al/CSB fitted by the Langmuir model could reach 34.20 mg/g. The adsorption of NO3-N by Fe-Al/CSB was an endothermic and spontaneous process. Ligand exchange and chemical redox reaction were the NO3-N adsorption mechanisms which led to NO3-N adsorption by Fe-Al/CSB.

Diesel oil volatilization processes affected by selected porous media.

Volatilization plays an important role in attenuating petroleum products in contaminated soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of wind speed, vessel diameter and mean grain size of porous media on diesel oil volatilization. Experiments were conducted to investigate the volatilization behavior of diesel oil from porous media by weighing contaminated samples pre- and post-volatilization. Three selected field porous media materials were evaluated: Silty Clay Loam, Fine Sand, and Coarse Sand along with six individual sand fractions of the Coarse Sand. Results indicate that increasing wind speed accelerates the diesel oil volatilization process, especially for wind speeds below 2.10ms(-1). The low-carbon components of diesel oil volatilize more rapidly, with the effects of wind speed more pronounced on C10 to C15 volatilization than on C16 and higher. The volatilization rate coefficient of diesel oil increases with decreasing mean grain size of porous media, and with increasing vessel diameter. A power function expressed the relationship with mean grain size. All processes (wind speed, vessel diameter, and mean grain size) were included in an equation which explained over 92% of the measured diesel oil volatilization rate coefficient variations for the experiments. Diesel oil volatilization appears to be boundary-layer regulated to some extent.

[The significance of liver hanging maneuver in liver-splitting anterior approach for hepatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the feasibility of developing a tunnel between inferior vena cava (IVC) and caudate lobe before passing a tape through it, and to explore the significance of liver hanging maneuver in liver-splitting anterior approach for hepatectomy. METHODS: Blunt dissection was used to develop the tunnel before a tape was passed through. A hemostatic plate was placed on the surface of liver parenchyma if needed. In the procedure of hepatectomy, the tape was pulled up to create an interspace between liver parenchyma and IVC so that the IVC can be protected during transection. RESULTS: Liver hanging maneuver was performed successfully in 47 cases. There were no severe complications related to the procedure in these cases. The procedure was terminated in 1 case because of severe bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Liver hanging maneuver is feasible in terms of anatomy and technique. 2. With liver hanging maneuver, IVC can be protected safely and the intrahepatic vessels and ductal system at the transaction line can be exposed clearly. It also makes anterior approach for hepatectomy safer and easier.

[Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on expression of connexin genes and gap junction communication in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the expression of connexin 26, 32 and 43 genes and the alteration of gap junction communication function in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS: Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell of the lines SMMC-7721 and BEL-7404 were cultured in normal medium and medium containing ATRA at a concentration of 10(-5) mol/L for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. RT-PCR procedure was adopted to detect the mRNA expression of CX 26, 32 and 43. Scrape-loading and dye transfer procedure was performed to examine the gap junction communication function. RESULTS: CX26 mRNA and CX32 mRNA were not expressed in the cell lines SMMC-7721, however, expression of CX26 mRNA and expression of CX32 mRNA were found 48 and 72 hours after being induction by ATRA respectively. CX26 mRNA and CX32 mRNA were not expressed in the cell lines BEL-7404, however, expression of CX26 mRNA and expression of CX32 mRNA were found 48 hours after induction by ATRA. Expression of CX43 mRNA was found in all cells, whether being induced by ATRA or not. Scrape-loading and dye transfer procedure showed that lucifer yellow was seen in only 1-2 lines by the delimited mark in the untreated SMMC-7721 cells and in 3-4 lines by the delimited mark in the SMMC-7721 cells treated by ATRA. But no dye transfer phenomenon was found in the BEL-7404 cells whether they were ATRA-treated or not. CONCLUSION: ATRA is able to affect the expression of CX26 and CX32 in HCC cell lines SMMC-7721 and BEL-7404 by acting at the transcription level. Reinforcement of gap junction communication function is found in the SMMC-7721 cells and not in the BEL-7404 cells, which shows that ATRA modulates the gap junction intercellular communication, by acting in different mechanisms.

Expression and significance of heparanase and nm23-H1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To explore the relation between heparanase (HPA) and nm23-H1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and whether they could be used as valuable markers in predicting post-operative metastasis and recurrence of HCC. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (S-P method) were used to measure the expressions of HPA mRNA and nm23-H1 protein in primary tumor tissue and paracancerous tissue of 33 cases of HCC. Paracancerous tissues of 9 cases of benign liver tumor were used as normal controls. The results were analyzed in combination with the results of clinicopathological examination and follow-up. RESULTS: The positive expression of HPA gene was significantly higher in primary tumor tissues of HCC (48.5%, 16/33) as compared to the paracancerous tissues of HCC and normal controls (3.03%, 1/33) (P < 0.01). HPA expression was not related with the size of tumor, envelope formation, AFP level, HBsAg state and cirrhosis of liver. The positive rates of HPA mRNA in the group with high tendency to metastasis or recurrence and in the group with metastasis or recurrence during the follow-up were significantly higher than those in the group with low tendency to metastasis or recurrence (62.5% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05) and in the group without metastasis or recurrence (78.6% vs 21.4%, P < 0.01). The poorly differentiated tumor and tumor of TNM stages III-IV had a higher positive rate of HPA gene expression than the well differentiated tumor and tumor of TNM stages I-II (66.7% vs 33.3%, P < 0.05). The positive expression rate of nm23-H1 protein in HCC tissue was significantly lower than that in corresponding non-cancerous or normal liver tissue (45.5, 72.7, 88.9%, P < 0.05). nm23-H1 expression was not related with the size of tumor, envelope formation, AFP level, HBsAg state, cirrhosis of liver, Edmondson grade, and TNM stage (P > 0.05). The positive rates of nm23-H1 in the group with high tendency to metastasis and recurrence and in patients with metastasis or recurrence during the follow-up were obviously higher than those in the group with low tendency to metastasis and recurrence (P = 0.018) and in the patients without metastasis and recurrence (P = 0.024); but no significant difference was found between HPA positive and negative groups (P = 0.082). According to the results of follow-up, the rate of accuracy in predicting metastasis of positive HPA, negative nm23-H1 and combination of positive HPA with negative nm23-H1 was 78.6% (11/14), 68.8% (11/16) and 88.9% (8/9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Expression of HPA and/or nm23-H1 is related with metastasis and recurrence of HCC. Detection of the expression rate of HPA and nm23-H1 may help increase the accuracy in predicting post-operative metastasis and recurrence of HCC.

[Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma originating from caudate lobe].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of surgical treatment of HCC originating from caudate lobe. METHODS: From 1995 to 2003, caudate lobectomy, including 19 cases of isolated lobectomy and 20 cases of combined lobectomy, were performed in 39 patients with HCC originating from caudate lobe, and the factors that might influence postoperative liver function were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All tumors were resected successfully. One patient died of postoperative renal failure. Hydrothorax occurred in 3 patients, ascites in 4 patients, and bile leakage in 1 patient. The survival rates of 1, 3, 5 year were 53%, 50%, 39% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Caudate lobectomy is a effective method for HCC originating from caudate lobe.

[Retrograde caudate lobectomy in 7 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical value and significance of retrograde caudate lobectomy. METHODS: From December 2003 to January 2005, 7 patients underwent retrograde caudate lobectomy in which division and ligation of short hepatic veins were carried out at the final stage of the procedure in stead of at the initial stage. RESULTS: The procedures were carried out smoothly with no operative death in all the 7 cases including isolated complete caudate lobectomy in 4 cases, isolated partial caudate lobectomy in 1 case, combined right half liver resection in 2 case. The average operation time, blood loss and length of stay after operation was (273 +/- 44) min, (1114 +/- 241) ml (800-1500 ml) and 16 days respectively. Complications including pleural effusion and ascites in 1 case respectively were fully recovered. During the follow-up, 1 patient died at 6 months for tumor recurrence in lung and the remaining 6 patients are alive at the follow-up of 5 to 16 months. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde caudate lobectomy is a new procedure suitable for those caudate neoplasms which are adhering to or infiltrating to IVC or too big to move side by side. The application of this technique can converse certain kind of caudate lobe tumor from non-resectable to resectable resulting in widening the indication.