Self-cleaning MnZn ferrite/biochar adsorbents for effective removal of tetracycline.

A renewable tri-metallic spinel decorated biochar adsorbent (MZF-BC) was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method and to remove tetracycline. The physicochemical properties of MZF-BC were well studied. MZF-BC with a hybrid pore structure of mesopores (~7.6 nm) and macropores (~50 nm) has the maximum tetracycline adsorption capacity reaching 142.4 mg g-1. Through the study of adsorption kinetics, isotherms and key influencing factors, it was found that MZF-BC adsorption on tetracycline was primarily multi-layer effect with the initial adsorption behavior of pore filling associated with hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking. Furthermore, the MZF-BC performs excellent regeneration ability by driving Fenton-like catalysis as the self-cleaning process in the liquid phase. This study contributes to a new insight into the in-situ regeneration of biochar-based adsorbents after adsorbing organic pollutants in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.

Pediatric Sporotrichosis in Jilin Province of China (2010-2016): a Retrospective Study of 704 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients make a substantial contribution to the epidemiologic profile of sporotrichosis in Jilin Province, a region of China in which the disease is strongly endemic. However, the exact epidemiologic and clinical manifestations of childhood sporotrichosis in China are unclear. METHODS: The medical records of 704 pediatric patients aged <15 years with sporotrichosis diagnosed by fungus culture at the Department of Dermatology at the First Hospital of Jilin University in a 7-year period (January 2010 to December 2016) were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were from rural areas of Jilin Province, located in northeast China. RESULTS: Among the 704 pediatric patients, the male/female ratio was 1.41:1, and the highest incidence of sporotrichosis (63%) occurred in those aged 0 to 6 years; 561 patients (80%) contracted sporotrichosis in a colder month. Overall, 655 (93%) patients had lesions in the facial region, whereas 602 (86%) patients had fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis. The incidence of the fixed cutaneous form in the 0- to 6-year age group was significantly higher than that in the 7- to 14-year age group (P = .009). Patients were treated with 10% potassium iodide solution, itraconazole, or terbinafine. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of pediatric sporotrichosis in Jilin Provence include the following: (1) a more frequent occurrence in the colder months; (2) the facial region is affected predominantly, in most cases manifesting in the fixed cutaneous form; and (3) significantly more cases occur in younger children than in older ones. Decaying cornstalks used as fire materials might be the source of infection in this population; however, additional research is needed to explore the exact mechanism of infection.

Effect of template removal using plasma treatment on the structure and catalytic performance of MCM-22.

To investigate the effect of template removal methods on the structure, properties and catalytic performance of the MCM-22 zeolite, dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment and thermal calcination have been comparatively studied for the removal of hexamethyleneimine (HMI) from the two-dimensional layered precursor of MCM-22 (MCM-22(P)). The materials were characterized using FT-IR, TG, XRD, N2 adsorption at low temperature, NH3-TPD, and 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR. The results revealed that the seven-membered heterocyclic compound HMI can be effectively removed from the MCM-22 zeolite, and the condensation of silanol groups on the neighboring surface of MWW nanosheets can be induced by DBD treatment. Compared with calcination, DBD treatment could preserve the structure well and decrease the formation of extra-framework aluminum. Consequently, the concentration of acidic sites over MCM-22 treated by DBD (MCM-22(DBD)) is higher than that over calcined MCM-22 (MCM-22(C)). Moreover, MCM-22(DBD) possesses a certain amount of external surface area derived from the intercrystal pores due to the inhibiting effect of the condensation of the silanol groups on the external surface of the MCM-22 crystals. The activity and product selectivity of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis was investigated over cobalt supported on the obtained MCM-22 zeolites. Compared with Co/MCM-22(C), Co/MCM-22(DBD) shows a higher catalytic activity in the FT synthesis reaction. Moreover, Co/MCM-22(DBD) can effectively decrease CH4 selectivity and increase C5-C20 liquid fuel selectivity.

[Analysis of the Physiological Activities and Functions in Vitro of Apheresis Platelets during Storage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of physiological activities and functions in vitro of apheresis platelets during storage. METHOD: 17 units of apheresis platelets were randomly chosen and stored at 20 °C to 24 °C with agitation. Platelet counting (Plt), mean platelet volume (MPV), blood gases, pH value, glucose (Glu) concentration, lactate (LA) concentration, LDH concentration, thromboelastogram (TEG), hypotonic shock response (HSR), CD62p expression rate and anew expression rate were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5 after platelet storage. Changes of physiological activities and functions in vitro were systematically evaluated by above-mentioned indexes. RESULTS: During storage, Plt, MPV and HSR were not significantly changed; but pH value, blood gases, Glu, LA, LDH, HSR, expression rate of CD62p and anew expression rate were significant differenty. Among thromboelastogram indexes, R value increased obviously with prolongation of storage time; K value and αAngle were not significantly changed; MA was not significantly changed on day 1 and 3, but was slightly increase on day 5. CONCLUSION: The physiological activities and functions in vitro of apheresis platelets are kept well during storage. For clinical transfusion of apheresis platelet during storage, clinical effect of transfusione is not influenced.

Effect of hepcidin on intracellular calcium in human osteoblasts.

Hepcidin is known to increase intracellular iron through binding to and degrading ferroportin, which is a transmembrane protein that transports iron from the intracellular to the outside. However, it is not clear whether hepcidin has a similar effect on intracellular calcium. Here, we investigated the influence of hepcidin on intracellular calcium in human osteoblasts, with or without high environmental iron concentrations. Our data showed that hepcidin (<100 nmol/L) could increase intracellular calcium, and this effect was more significant when cells were exposed to high environmental iron concentrations. To further explore its underlying mechanisms, we pretreated human osteoblasts with Nimodipine, a L-type calcium channel blocker, and Dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor antagonist to inhibit abnormal calcium release from the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum. These treatments had not resulted in any alteration of intracellular calcium in human osteoblasts. Thus, these findings indicate that the increase of intracellular calcium induced by hepcidin is probably due to calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum, which is triggered by calcium influx.

[Ca(2+) is an important mediator of nanosecond steep pulse-induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of Ca(2+) in nanosecond steep pulse (NSP)-induced apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 in vitro. METHODS: The early apoptotic rate of SKOV3 cells treated with NSP was detected by Annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of the cells pretreated with BAPTA-AM (0, 25, 50 and 100 µmol/L) chelation for 1 h to increase the intracellular free Ca(2+) prior to NSP exposure, and the cell morphological changes and caspase 12 expression were detected using Hoechst 33342 staining and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Flow cytometry showed that NSP induced early apoptosis of SKOV3 cells, and the optimal effect was achieved with the treatment parameter configuration of field strength of 90 kV/cm, pulse width of 100 ns, frequency of 1 Hz, and exposure time of 30 s. The highest early apoptotic rate and necrosis rate was (60.31∓5.67)% and (1.35∓0.39)%, respectively. Pretreatment with BAPTA-AM chelation prior to NSP exposure significantly increased the cell viability (P<0.05), and resulted also in lowered apoptosis rate and decreased expression of caspase 12 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: NSP can induce apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. Increased intracellular free Ca(2+) functions as an important mediator in NSP-induced cell apoptosis, which may also involve Ca(2+)-mediated endo- plasmic reticulum pathway.

Increased intracellular iron and mineralization of cultured hFOB 1.19 cells following hepcidin activation through ferroportin-1.

OBJECTIVE: To address whether hepcidin functions in bone metabolism. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Public Health of Soochow University, and the Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, from September 2009 to July 2010. The positive expression of ferroportin-1 (Fpn-1) was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. After the treatment with distilled water (control group) and hepcidin (25noml/L, 50noml/L, 100noml/L), the fluorescence intensity related to intracellular iron concentration of a human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB 1.19) was measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope. A 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and Von Kossa staining was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and mineralization in cultured hFOB 1.19 cells. RESULTS: This study revealed a high level expression of Fpn-1 in hFOB 1.19. On the basis of which, it was found that 25noml/L, 50noml/L, 100noml/L hepcidin could promote the fluorescence intensity related to intracellular iron concentration and mineralization in hFOB 1.19 in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05), but hepcidin had no effect on FOB 1.19 proliferation (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The hepcidin-ferroportin signal pathway may function in the osteoblast cell line of hFOB 1.19 cells. It is also suggested that cross-talk between iron and calcium homeostasis may play a role in bone metabolism in responding to hepcidin activation.

Infection control and the burden of tuberculosis infection and disease in health care workers in china: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals with inadequate infection control are risky environments for the emergence and transmission of tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated TB infection control practices, and the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease and risk factors in health care workers (HCW) in TB centers in Henan province in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2005. To assess TB infection control practices in TB centers, checklists were used. HCW were tuberculin skin tested (TST) to measure LTBI prevalence, and were asked for sputum smears and chest X-rays to detect TB disease, and questionnaires to assess risk factors. Differences between groups for categorical variables were analyzed by binary logistic regression. The clustered design of the study was taken into account by using a multilevel logistic model. RESULTS: The assessment of infection control practices showed that only in a minority of the centers the patient consultation areas and X-ray areas were separated from the waiting areas and administrative areas. Mechanical ventilation was not available in any of the TB centers. N95 respirators were not available for HCW and surgical masks were not available for TB patients and suspects. The LTBI prevalence of HCW with and without BCG scar was 55.6% (432/777) and 49.0% (674/1376), respectively (P = 0.003). Older HCW, HCW with longer duration of employment, and HCW who worked in departments with increased contact with TB patients had a higher prevalence of LTBI. HCW who work in TB centers at the prefecture level, or with an inpatient ward also had a higher prevalence of LTBI. Twenty cases of pulmonary TB were detected among 3746 HCW. The TB prevalence was 6.7/1000 among medical staff and 2.5/1000 among administrative/logistic staff. CONCLUSION: TB infection control in TB centers in Henan, China, appears to be inadequate and the prevalence of LTBI and TB disease among HCW was high. TB infection control practices in TB centers should be strengthened in China, including administrative measures, renovation of buildings, and use of respirators and masks. Regular screening of HCW for TB disease and LTBI needs to be considered, offering preventive therapy to those with TST conversions.

Effects of electroacupuncture on GDNF positive cell immunoreactivity in local dermal tissue of the inflammatory pain focus in the rat of adjuvant arthritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the rat of adjuvant arthritis (AA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n = 8), an inflammatory group (n = 10), an acupoint EA group (n = 10), a non-acupoint EA group (n = 10) and a contralateral acupoint EA group (n = 10). Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) 50 microL were injected into the left malleolus' articular cavity in the rats except the blank control group for preparing single local adjuvant arthritis (AA) model. EA was given every other day to the acupoint EA group, the non-acupoint EA group and the contralateral acupoint EA group. The improving effects of EA at "Huantiao" (GB 30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) on the dorsal flexion pain score and the swell of dorsum of hind paw were investigated, and effects of EA on Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) positive cells immunoreactivity in the inflammatory tissue of the AA rats on the 14th day after injection of adjuvant were observed with immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hyperalgesia and local swell, and GDNF in the dermal and subcutaneous tissue around the inflammatory ankle joint in the inflammatory groups were significantly higher than those in the blank control group. EA on the ipsilateral and contralateral acupoints reduced the pain, promoted the recovery of swell, and decreased the positive area percentage and mean optical density of GDNF positive cells in the dermal and the subcutaneous tissues. However, the non-acupoint EA group did not have this action.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA can regulate expression of GDNF in local dermal tissue of the inflammatory focus in the AA rat, so as to exert the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.</p>