Study on the treatment of oily wastewater by evaluating the growth process of aggregates in an electrocoagulation reactor.

Electrocoagulation has been widely studied in oily wastewater treatment because of its high demulsification efficiency and no secondary reagent is required. Oil removal largely depends on the properties of the aggregates. This study aimed to explore the growth process of aggregates and oil removal near the anode by electrocoagulation. Four factors, current density, solution temperature, initial pH value, and electrode structure, were investigated. According to the findings, the current density and temperature have the most significant influence on the growth process of aggregates. The oil removal rate depends more on the average particle size than the fractal dimension. The results showed that the current density and solution temperature have the most significant influence on the parameters of the electrocoagulation process. With increasing current density, the aggregate growth rate and average particle size entering the stable period were accelerated, and the oil removal efficiency was promoted. The growth of aggregates was retarded at high temperatures. The change in the scope of the fractal dimension was minor, ranging from 1.65 to 1.84, during the growth process of the aggregates. Foamed aluminium electrodes were beneficial for accelerating aggregate growth instead of aluminium plates, but the energy consumption was obviously increased. The relationship between the mean particle size and mean fractal dimension of aggregates is consistent with the power function. From the point of view of aggregate growth, this study forms the basis for an in-depth understanding of the demulsification mechanism.

Treatment of Ribbing disease with 5-year follow-up and literature review.

Ribbing disease, or multiple diaphyseal sclerosis, is a rare diaphyseal sclerosis of unknown etiology. Patients with this pathology usually present with asymmetric pain limited to the lower extremities. Though all efforts are made to relieve the progressive pain associated with Ribbing disease, no medical or surgical treatments have been established yet. In this case report, we followed up a Ribbing case with sclerotic bone fenestration for 5 years. The radiological changes and the clinical effects are described, and the different Ribbing treatments are then briefly reviewed.

Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis for distal radius fractures with long-segment metadiaphyseal comminution.

INTRODUCTION: Distal radius fractures with both metaphyseal and diaphyseal comminution are commonly encountered injuries due to high-energy trauma. However, effectively treating patients with this disease remains challenging for the surgeon. HYPOTHESIS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique for distal radius fractures with long-segment metadiaphyseal comminution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients with distal radius fractures involving long-segment metadiaphyseal comminution were treated with MIPPO from June 2011 to May 2012. Radiograph index, the range of motion of the wrist and forearm, grip strength, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score were assessed at final follow-up. Additionally, time to bone healing, time to return to work or activity, and postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: All nine fractures healed by 13±1.3 weeks postoperatively. At an average follow-up of 15.9±3.6 months, the radiographs revealed a mean radial inclination of 18.2±2.7°, a mean volar tilt of 10.7±3.2°, and a radial shortening of 2.3±1.0mm. Nine patients had excellent wrist function according to the DASH score, range of motion, and grip strength. Except one patient experienced delayed healing of the distal incision, no complications occurred. All patients resumed work or activity within 16.2±1.9 weeks. DISCUSSION: Volar MIPPO is a safe and effective surgical treatment method for distal radius fractures with long-segment metadiaphyseal comminution, with few potential complications. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Overexpression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (cyp71av1) and cytochrome P450 reductase (cpr) genes increased artemisinin content in Artemisia annua (Asteraceae).

Finding an efficient and affordable treatment against malaria is still a challenge for medicine. Artemisinin is an effective anti-malarial drug isolated from Artemisia annua. However, the artemisinin content of A. annua is very low. We used transgenic technology to increase the artemisinin content of A. annua by overexpressing cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (cyp71av1) and cytochrome P450 reductase (cpr) genes. CYP71AV1 is a key enzyme in the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway, while CPR is a redox partner for CYP71AV1. Eight independent transgenic A. annua plants were obtained through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, which was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. The real-time qPCR results showed that the gene cyp71av1 was highly expressed at the transcriptional level in the transgenic A. annua plants. HPLC analysis showed that the artemisinin content was increased in a number of the transgenic plants, in which both cyp71av1 and cpr were overexpressed. In one of the transgenic A. annua plants, the artemisinin content was 38% higher than in the non-transgenic plants. We conclude that overexpressing key enzymes of the biosynthesis pathway is an effective means for increasing artemisinin content in plants.

Intranasal absorption of rizatriptan--in vivo pharmacokinetics and bioavailability study in humans.

Rizatriptan nasal spray was developed to achieve fast a high effectiveness and to overcome limitations associated with oral formulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a rizatriptan nasal spray compared with an oral formulation in a two treatments, two periods, randomized crossover design. At each phase, each subject received 5 mg rizatriptan as a nasal spray or an oral tablet. Plasma concentrations of rizatriptan were determined by HPLC. Rizatriptan was absorbed more rapidly following nasal spray with detectable plasma concentrations 5 min after dosing. There was no statistically significant difference for AUC or Cmax values between the nasal spray and the oral tablet. The relative bioavailability of nasal formulation to oral formulation was 96%+/-16%. All the formulations were well tolerated and adverse events were generally of short duration and of mild intensity. Thus, rizatriptan nasal spray offers more rapidly absorption compared to the oral route, which may be particularly beneficial to those patients who have gastrointestinal disturbances during their migraine attack or who have difficulty in swallowing a tablet.

A validated HPLC-ESI-MS method for the determination of loratadine in human plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) assay was developed and validated for the determination of loratadine in human plasma using reversed-phase HPLC combined with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The analysis involved a simple liquid-liquid extraction. The organic extract was then evaporated and the residue was reconstituted in mobile phase. The reconstituted solution was injected into an HPLC system and was subjected to reverse-phase HPLC on a 5-microm ODS-3 column at a flow-rate of 0.2 ml/min. The mobile phase comprised of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (pH 4.0; 0.02 M, using formic acid to adjust) using gradient elution. Loratadine was detected in the single ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Standard curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.2-100 ng/ml. The mean predicted concentrations of the quality control (QC) samples deviated by less than 10% from the corresponding nominal values; the intra-assay and inter-assay precision of the assay were within 12% relative standard deviation. The extraction recovery of loratadine was more than 80%. The validated assay was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of loratadine in human plasma following the administration of a single loratadine tablet (40 mg).

Hot electrons in the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with foil targets at a moderate laser intensity.

Characteristics of hot electrons produced in the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with foil targets were investigated at a moderate laser intensity. Both outgoing and ingoing hot electrons from the femtosecond laser plasma were studied. A collimated jet of outgoing hot electrons was observed in the target normal direction. An ingoing energetic hot-electron beam was found in the laser propagation direction, while the low-energy ingoing electrons spread into wider cone angle due to the collisional effects in the plasma and target material. These observations were supported by three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations. The hot-electron temperature obtained from electron spectra and absorption experiments implies that resonance absorption is partially responsible for the generation of hot electrons.

Alternatively spliced CD44 transcripts in diffuse large-cell lymphomas: characterization and comparison with normal activated B cells and epithelial malignancies.

CD44 exists in a variety of alternatively spliced isoforms that include variable numbers of additional exons from the membrane proximal domain (exons 6-14). Lymphocytes express high levels of a "hematopoietic" isoform (CD44H) with no additional variable exons. CD44H binds lymphocytes to postcapillary venules and promotes lymphocyte extravasation into nodal areas. Epithelial carcinomas also express CD44 variants, including exon 10-containing isoforms associated with metastasis in a rat model. An exon 10-containing CD44 isoform is also transiently expressed by normal activated lymphocytes, suggesting that the protein may function in the trafficking of both normal lymphocytes and metastatic tumors. To identify the specific CD44 transcripts in tumors from patients with primary nodal, extranodal, and disseminated large-cell lymphomas (LCLs) and compare them with CD44 mRNAs in normal Ig-activated splenic B cells and epithelial cells, we used a semiquantitative RNA-based polymerase chain reaction. Specific CD44 variants were identified by size, hybridization with exon-specific probes, and sequence analysis. In comparison to primary nodal LCLs, extranodal and disseminated LCLs had increased levels of CD44H and additional isoforms, including a directly spliced (exon 5-->exon 10-->exon 15) exon 10-containing CD44 variant. The CD44 transcripts in extranodal and advanced-stage LCLs were similar to those in normal Ig-activated splenic B cells, whereas epithelial malignancies contained decreased CD44H and increased amounts of larger CD44 variants with additional exons from the membrane proximal domain. The regulated expression of specific CD44 variants is likely to influence the trafficking of lymphoid and epithelial malignancies.

The mouse beta 7 integrin gene promoter: transcriptional regulation of the leukocyte integrins LPAM-1 and M290.

The leukocyte adhesion receptors M290 (alpha M290/beta 7) and LPAM-1 (alpha 4 beta 7) comprise the beta 7-subfamily of integrins, which are constitutively expressed on subsets of lymphocytes populating the mouse small intestine. They are induced de novo after in vitro activation of lymphocytes and hence may serve a more general role in inflammation. In order to understand how beta 7 integrins are regulated during an immune response, we isolated and characterized the promoter region of the beta 7 gene. Primer extension and rapid amplification of cDNA ends identified one major transcriptional start site in a favourable context, which resembles the initiator of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Transfection assays with a luciferase reporter gene revealed that cell-specific expression in vitro was retained in a 292 bp sequence, which contained several consensus binding motifs for transcriptional factors preferentially expressed in cells of the lymphoid lineages. Multiple retinoic acid receptor sites for steroid/thyroid hormone receptors which typify the leukocyte cell adhesion molecule subset of integrins are present. The beta 7 promoter, like its alpha 4 chain partner, contains the E box core sequence CACCTG found within the muscle creatine kinase enhancer which binds MyoD in vitro. The number of potential DNA binding sites for transcriptional factors in the beta 7 promoter parallels the complex regulation of expression of M290 and LPAM-1 in inflammation and gut mucosal immunity.

The gene organization of the human beta 7 subunit, the common beta subunit of the leukocyte integrins HML-1 and LPAM-1.

The integrin beta 7 subunit associates with two alternative alpha subunits termed alpha HML-1 and alpha 4 to give the lymphocyte activation and homing receptors HML-1 and LPAM-1. Overlapping genomic clones that encoded the human beta 7 subunit gene were isolated from cosmid and phage lambda libraries. The coding portion of the gene spanned approximately 10 kb and was composed of 14 exons. Exon 1 (123 bp) encoded 5' untranslated sequences; exon 2 (204 bp) encoded the initiation codon, signal peptide, and 50 amino acid residues of the N-terminus of the mature protein; 7 exons (exons 3-9), ranging in size from 90 bp to 242 bp, encoded most of the extracellular domain proximal to the four cysteine-rich repeats; the region corresponding to the beta 3 arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-binding domain was divided amongst exons 4 and 5; the four cysteine-rich repeats were encoded by 3 exons (exons 10-12) with intron insertion into the first and third repeats; exon 13 (209 bp) provided a spacer between the cysteine-rich domains and the transmembrane domain; exon 14 (161 bp) encoded the transmembrane domain and exactly half of the cytoplasmic domain; the remainder of the cytoplasmic domain and most of the 3' untranslated region was contained in the largest 313 bp exon 15. Comparison of integrin beta subunit genes revealed that the gene organization of beta 7 was almost identical to that of beta 2, but had diverged from that of beta 3. Amplification of integrin DNAs directly from genomic DNA, using PCR primers based on beta subunit consensus sequences corresponding to the beta 3 RGD-binding domain, yielded partial gene sequences for the beta 3, beta 5, and beta 6 subunits only. Inspection of the amplified sequences revealed that, as for beta 3, the regions in beta 5 and beta 6 corresponding to the beta 3 RGD-binding domain lacked the intron present in beta 7, beta 1, and beta 2, which divides this region in beta 2 into two subdomains that contribute to subunit assembly. This study provides genetic evidence for at least two major branches to the integrin beta subunit evolutionary tree, with beta 7, beta 2, and probably beta 1 in one branch, and the cytoadhesin beta 3 and probably also beta 5 and beta 6 in the other.

Molecular cloning of the mouse integrin beta 7 subunit.

The complete analysis of a cDNA clone encoding the mouse integrin beta 7 subunit that was isolated from a lambda gt10 cDNA library prepared from interleukin-4-activated mouse spleen B cells is reported. The 805-amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA revealed a signal peptide, a 704-amino acid extracellular domain with eight N-glycosylation sites, a transmembrane domain, and a 61-amino acid intracellular domain. Several structural features were conserved with other integrin beta chains including the four cysteine-rich epidermal growth factor-like repeat sequences in the extracellular domain. Comparative analysis of the mouse and human beta 7 subunits revealed 87% sequence identity with conservation of three potential intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation sites. The cDNA hybridized to two mRNA transcripts of 3 and 2 kilobases (kb) in size. The 3-kb transcript, which is considered the productive form, was found in T and B leukemic cell lines, a macrophage line, and a mastocytoma cell line. Suprisingly, the smaller 2-kb transcript, which seems unlikely to encode a complete beta 7 protein, was found expressed in epithelial cells cultured from mouse skin. The integrin beta 7 subunit displays sequence identity with the beta subunit of the M290 antigen found expressed almost exclusively on intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine suggesting that beta 7 may play an adhesive role in intraepithelial lymphocytes immunosurveillance of the gut mucosa. The cellular distribution of beta 7 transcripts is more extensive than the T-lineage-restricted distribution of the M290 antigen, indicating that beta 7 may be the common beta subunit for more than one receptor or that translation of beta 7 transcripts varies in different cell types.

Immunologic and structural relatedness of the integrin beta 7 complex and the human intraepithelial lymphocyte antigen HML-1.

We recently cloned the newest human integrin beta subunit, termed beta 7, from a cDNA library constructed from SEA-activated T lymphocytes. In this communication, we report on the structure of the human integrin beta 7 protein complex determined using a rabbit anti-beta 7 peptide antibody raised to an N-terminal 22 amino acid residue sequence deduced from the human beta 7 subunit cDNA. The beta 7 subunit (Mr 116,000) expressed on PHA lymphoblasts associates with a single major alpha subunit (alpha H) that is distinct from the prominent T cell marker, integrin alpha 4. The alpha H subunit (Mr 180,000 nonreduced) displays a distinctive shift in size on reduction to an apparent Mr of 150,000. We show that these structural properties of the integrin beta 7 complex are shared with the cell surface antigen HML-1 found highly expressed on T cells which populate the intestinal epithelium and are proposed to be involved in mucosal immunity. Sequential immunoprecipitation and Western blotting demonstrate identity or close homology between the alpha H beta 7 and HML-1 proteins.

Identity between the novel integrin beta 7 subunit and an antigen found highly expressed on intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine.

A cDNA clone encoding the N-terminal sequence of the murine integrin beta 7 subunit, a novel member of the leukocyte cell adhesion molecule subset (Leu-CAM), has been isolated. An N-terminal region of 13 contiguous amino acids deduced from the cDNA shows complete identity with the N-terminus of the 120 kDa subunit of the M290 antigen, a surface molecule found highly expressed on mouse intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL). This unexpected result focuses two previously unconnected areas of research and suggests that integrins may have a special role to play in the defence of the gut mucosa.

Cloning and sequence analysis of a novel beta 2-related integrin transcript from T lymphocytes: homology of integrin cysteine-rich repeats to domain III of laminin B chains.

The integrins have been grouped into three subfamilies based on the utilization of three distinct beta chain subunits, beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3. The recent discovery of beta 4 and beta 5 subunits, and the sharing of alpha subunits between beta subfamilies reflects a greater structural and functional diversity of the integrin supergene family than first anticipated. We exploit integrin gene sequence homology for the identification of a new integrin beta chain. Oligonucleotide probes designed from the highly conserved Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-binding domain were used to amplify related transcripts from phytohaemagglutinin-activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five PCR products encoding beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, beta 4, and a new beta clone, designated beta 7, were identified. Full-length beta 7 cDNA was isolated from an activated human T lymphocyte library, using an oligonucleotide probe constructed from the beta 7 PCR product. The beta 7 cDNA contains a long open reading frame of 2391 bp which encodes a protein sequence consisting of 797 amino acids. The encoded sequence revealed a typical signal peptide, a predominantly hydrophilic 707 amino acid residue domain with 8 N-glycosylation sites, a transmembrane domain, and a C-terminal domain of 52 amino acids. The beta 7 sequence showed homology to known beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 sequences of 43, 46, 38, 32, and 37% respectively. Four cysteine-rich homologous repeat sequences were found in beta 7 and were homologous to sequences in other integrin beta subunits, and to domain III of the laminin B chains. Part of this cysteine-rich region is homologous to proteins that contain epidermal growth factor-like repeat sequences. Northern analysis revealed that mature beta 7 mRNA is approximately 3.5 kb in size, and expression was restricted to T and B lymphocytes in the small panel of cell types examined. We conclude that beta 7 may be a new member of the leukocyte cell adhesion molecule subset of integrins, and is a candidate immunoregulatory molecule.