Cation-π Interactions Contribute to Hydrophobic Humic Acid Removal for the Control of Hydraulically Irreversible Membrane Fouling.

Hydraulically irreversible membrane fouling is a major problem encountered during membrane-based water purification. Membrane foulants present large hydrophobic fractions, with humic acid (HA) being a prevalent example of hydrophobic natural organic matter. Furthermore, HA contains numerous aromatic rings (π electrons), and its hydrophobic interactions are a major cause of irreversible membrane fouling. To address this issue, in this study, we used the cation-π interaction, which is a strong noncovalent, competitive interaction present in water. Because the strength of cation-π interactions depends on the combination of cations and π molecules, utilizing the appropriate cations will effectively remove irreversible fouling caused by hydrophobic HA. We performed macroscale experiments to determine the cleaning potential of the test cations, nanomechanically analyzed the changes in HA cohesion caused by the test cations using a surface force apparatus and an atomic force microscope, and used molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the HA removal mechanism of test studied cations. We found that the addition of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, an imidazolium cation with an aromatic moiety, effectively removed the HA layer by weakening its cohesion, and the size, hydrophobicity, and polarity of the HA layer synergistically affected the HA removal mechanism based on the cation-π interactions.

Effects of ulinastatin treatment on myocardial and renal injury in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: We determined the protective effects of a high dose of ulinastatin on myocardial and renal function in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Sixty patients were assigned randomly to either the ulinastatin group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). In the ulinastatin group, ulinastatin (300,000 U) was given after the induction of anesthesia, ulinastatin (400,000 U) was added to the CPB pump prime, and then ulinastatin (300,000 U) was administered after weaning from CPB. In the control group, the same volume of saline was administered at the same time points. Creatine kinase-MB levels were assessed 1 day before surgery, and on the first and second postoperative day (POD 1 and 2). Serum creatinine and cystatin C levels were assessed 1 day before surgery, upon intensive care unit arrival, and on POD 1 and 2. The level of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin was assessed before induction of anesthesia, upon ICU arrival, and on POD 1. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in serum levels of creatine kinase-MB and biomarkers of renal injury between the two groups at any point during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Ulinastatin showed no cardiac or renal protective effects after CPB in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture in an arthritic pain model of rats: a neurotransmitter study.

PURPOSE: We investigated what kinds of neurotransmitters are related with electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in an arthritic pain model of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred rats were assigned to six groups: control, EA, opioid, adrenergic, serotonin and dopamine group. A standardized model of inflammatory arthritis was produced by injecting 2% carrageenan into the knee joint cavity. EA was applied to an acupoint for 30 min in all groups except fo the control group. In the opioid, adrenergic, serotonin and dopamine groups, each receptor antagonist was injected intraperitoneally to their respective group before initiating EA. RESULTS: In the opioid receptor antagonist group, adrenergic receptor antagonist group, serotonin receptor antagonist group, dopamine receptor antagonist group and the control group weight-bearing force decreased significantly from 30 min to 180 min after EA in comparison with the EA group. CONCLUSION: The analgesic effects of EA are related to opioid, adrenergic, serotonin and dopamine receptors in an arthritic pain model of rats.

CD4-/CD56+/CD123+ Hematodermic Neoplasm Showing Early Liver Metastasis.

Hematodermic neoplasm (HN) is a clinically aggressive neoplasm with a high incidence of cutaneous involvement and a risk of leukemic dissemination. In the recent WHO-EORTC classification, the term blastic natural killer cell lymphoma has been replaced with CD4+/CD56+ HN because of its derivation from a plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursor. Cases of HN that completely lack CD4 or CD56 expression, therefore represents a diagnostic problem. A 68-year-old Korean male was diagnosed with CD4-/CD56+ HN and treated with hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) at initial treatment, and then switched to high dose methotrexate/cytarabine. His disease relapsed and resulted in death from bone and brain disease 6 months after complete clinical remission, despite diagnostic workups, including a radioisotope liver scan and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. Further cytogenetic studies such as comparative genomic hybridization could elucidate the genetic mechanisms in the development and progression of lymphomas. We report an unusual case of 'CD4-/CD56+/CD123+ HN' showing early liver metastasis.

The Photosensitivity Localized in a Vitiliginous Lesion Was Associated with the Intramuscular Injections of Synthetic Progesterone during an In Vitro Fertilization-embryo Transfer.

The cutaneous diseases associated with progesterone are autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, erythema multiforme-like eruption, drug-induced progesterone dermatitis and solar urticaria. Estrogen and progesterone are widely used in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies, and they are rarely known to cause a photosensitive reaction. The mechanism of contraceptive-induced photosensitivity is uncertain. Estrogen, rather than progesterone, in the combined oral contraceptive pill has been most frequently implicated in the induction of photosensitivity. A 32-year-old woman presented with an erythematous patch with an itching sensation on the centrofacial area of a residual vitiligious lesion. She had a history of being previously treated with narrow band UVB for 1 year. Her skin lesions had mostly subsided, but some lesions continued. She underwent an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer 3 months previously, and she then took synthetic progesterone for 3 weeks starting at the 4th week of pregnancy. She was in good health with neither a family history of photosensitivity nor a personal history of any other drug ingestion or topical agent such as sunscreen in association with the beginning of her lesions. Phototesting revealed her to be markedly photosensitive in the UVB and UVA ranges. The intradermal skin reactions to progesterone combined with irradiation with UVA or UVB were positive. We report here on an unusual case of photosensitivity that was localized in a vitiliginous lesion, and this was associated with the intramuscular injections of synthetic progesterone that she had received during an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Angiomatoid Spitz Nevus.

Spitz nevus is a variant of melanocytic nevus which is histopathologically defined as large spindle and/or epithelioid cells. Angiomatoid Spitz nevus is a rare histologic variant of desmoplastic Spitz nevus characterized by prominent vasculature. We present a case of angiomatoid Spitz nevus, celluar type, that has not been reported before. We provide another example to show the remarkable diversity of Spitz nevus.

Surgical Tip: The Double-Bladed Scalpel in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is applied as the primary method of treatment for various cutaneous neoplasms. Many other methods that are modified applications of Mohs micrographic surgery have also been suggested. We introduce a technique, which is a modified vertical method of Mohs micrographic surgery using the double-bladed scalpel.

Combination Nasolabial Transposition Flap and Island Pedicle Flap Following Mohs Surgery of Simultaneous Basal Cell Carcinomas Involving Both Nasal Alae.

The nasal ala is a challenging area for surgical reconstruction, with thick sebaceous skin, the lack of an ample tissue reservoir, and an adjacent free margin. Numerous flaps have been reported for the repair of alae defects. A 71-year-old woman with simultaneous basal cell carcinomas involving both nasal alae was treated by Mohs micrographic surgery. The surgical defects measured 1.5×1.5 cm on the center of the right nasal ala and 1.0×1.0 cm on the left nasal ala, including the alar crease and rim. The right nasal ala was used as a nasolabial transposition flap and the left nasal ala was reconstructed by an island pedicle flap. The final shape and texture were satisfactory. The flaps survived and nasal symmetry was preserved. Combined nasolabial transposition and island pedicle flaps thus offer a superior esthetic and functional result owing to minimized tension. This may be a valuable reconstructive option in the repair of bilateral nasal alae defects.

A Case of Trichilemmal Carcinoma Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Trichilemmal carcinoma is a cutaneous adnexal tumor originating from the outer root sheath of hair follicle, and it was first described by Headington in 1976. Clinically, it usually occurs as an asymptomatic solitary papule, nodule or mass on the face or scalp. This neoplasm is a malignant counterpart of trichilemmoma, and it has been reported in the literature as trichilemmal carcinoma, tricholemmal carcinoma, malignant trichilemmoma, and tricholemmocarcinoma. Although histologically, trichilemmal carcinoma frequently has maliganant features, it has a relatively benign clinical behavior. We think Mohs micrographic surgery is a useful treatment modality in trichilemmal carcinoma because the final skin defect is smaller than a wide excision. We report a case of primary trichilemmal carcinoma which had developed on the face, treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.