Studies on the Mechanism of Cu(II) Ion Sorption on Purolite S 940 and Purolite S 950

The aim of the presented research was to investigate the mechanism of sorption of Cu(II) ions on the commercially available Purolite S 940 and Purolite S 950 chelating ion exchangers with the aminophosphonic functional groups. In order to understand better the sorption mechanism, the beads were cut with an ultramicrotome before and after the Cu(II) ion sorption process. The cut beads were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an EDX detector. The performed linear profiles of the elemental composition allowed us to examine the depth with which the sorbed metal penetrates into. For further investigations concerning the mechanism of the sorption process, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis using the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods have been used. The comparison of FTIR and XPS spectra before and after the sorption of Cu(II) ions showed that free electron pairs from nitrogen and oxygen in the aminophosphonic functional groups participate in the process of copper ion sorption. In addition, the microscopic studies suggested that the process of ion exchange between Na(I) ions and sorbed Cu(II) ions takes place on the Purolite S 940 and Purolite S 950. This study concerning the in-depth understanding the of Cu(II) sorption mechanism, using modern analytical tools and research methods could be very useful for its further modifications leading to the improvement of the process efficiency.     

Vanadium (V) Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions Using Xerogel on the Basis of Silica and Iron Oxide Matrix

Vanadium is considered a strategic metal with wide applications in various industries due to its unique chemical and physical properties. On the basis of these considerations, the recovery of vanadium (V) is mandatory because of the lack of raw materials. Various methods are used to recover vanadium (V) from used aqueous solutions. This study develops a clean and effective process for the recovery of vanadium (V) by using the adsorption method. At the same time, this study synthesizes a material starting from silica matrices and iron oxides, which is used as an adsorbent material. To show the phase composition, the obtained material is characterized by X-ray diffraction showing that the material is present in the amorphous phase, with a crystal size of 20 nm. However, the morphological texture of the material is determined by the N₂ adsorption–desorption method, proving that the adsorbent material has a high surface area of 305 m²/g with a total pore volume of 1.55 cm³/g. To determine the efficiency of the SiO₂Fe_xO_y material for the recovery of vanadium through the adsorption process, the role of specific parameters, such as the L-to-V ratio, pH, contact time, temperature, and initial vanadium concentration, must be evaluated. The adsorption process mechanism was established through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. In our case, the process is physical, endothermic, spontaneous, and takes place at the interface of SiO₂Fe_xO_y with V₂O₅. Following equilibrium studies, the maximum adsorption capacity of the SiO₂Fe_xO_y material was 58.8 mg (V)/g of material.     

Adsorption of Ag (I) Ions at the Zirconium Phosphate/KNO3 Aqueous Solution Interface

The paper presented the mechanical (MChT), microwave (MWT), and hydrothermal (HTT) methods of zirconium phosphate samples modification in order to improve its adsorption affinity for the Ag (I) ions. The FTIR studies proved that the modification of both gel and xerogel samples with the ultrasonic microwaves causes an increase in the concentration of phosphate groups on the surface of MWT-modified zirconium phosphate: the isoelectric point pHiep = 2.2–2.9 for these samples against 3.9 for the initial sample and pKa2 values were 4.7–5.6 and 6.3, respectively. As resulting from the Ag⁺ ion adsorption studies, the MWT treatment of zirconium phosphate samples caused the greatest affinity of Ag⁺ ions for the surface of MWT zirconium phosphate. Compared with the initial ZrP sample, the shift of the Ag (I) ion adsorption edge towards lower pH values was observed, e.g., with adsorption of Ag (I) ions from the solution with the initial concentration of 1 µmol/dm³ for the initial ZrP sample pH50% = 3.2, while for the sample MWT ZrPxero pH50% = 2.6.     

Impact of Sinorhizobium meliloti Exopolysaccharide on Adsorption and Aggregation in the Copper(II) Ions/Supporting Electrolyte/Kaolinite System

To obtain insight into physicochemical interactions between Cu(II) ions, kaolinite, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm 1021 soil bacteria, an adsorption, electrokinetic, and aggregation study was performed in the selected systems. The obtained data showed that supporting electrolyte type affects both EPS and Cu(II) ions adsorption. For initial Cu(II) concentration 100 mg/L, 4.36 ± 0.25 mg/g (21.80 ± 1.00%) of the ions were adsorbed in 0.001 M NaCl and 3.76 ± 0.20 mg/g (18.80 ± 1.00%) in 0.001 M CaCl_2. The experimental data were best fitted to the Langmuir model as well as pseudo second-order equation. The EPS adsorbed amount on kaolinite was higher in the CaCl₂ electrolyte than in NaCl one. For an initial polymer concentration of 100 mg/L, the EPS adsorbed amount was 4.69 ± 0.08 mg/g (23.45 ± 0.40%) in 0.001 M NaCl and 5.26 ± 0.15 mg/g (26.32 ± 0.75%) in 0.001 M CaCl₂. In the mixed system, regardless of electrolyte type, exopolysaccharide contributed to immobilization of higher amount of copper(II) ions on the clay mineral. Also, in the samples containing heavy metal ions and exopolysaccharide simultaneously, the aggregation of kaolinite particles was the strongest. The results presented in the paper may be very helpful in soil bioremediation, especially in the development of technologies reducing the mobility of heavy metals in the environment.     

Highly Effective Adsorption Process of Ni(II) Ions with the Use of Sewage Sludge Fly Ash Generated by Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) Technology

Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the removal of nickel ions due to their negative effects on the environment and human health. In this research, fly ash obtained as a result of incineration of municipal sewage sludge with the use of circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) technology was used to analyze the possibility of removing Ni(II) ions in adsorption processes. The properties of the material were determined using analytical methods, such as SEM-EDS, XRD, BET, BJH, thermogravimetry, zeta potential, SEM, and FT-IR. Several factors were analyzed, such as adsorbent dose, initial pH, initial concentration, and contact time. As a result of the conducted research, the maximum sorption efficiency was obtained at the level of 99.9%. The kinetics analysis and isotherms showed that the pseudo-second order equation model and the Freundlich isotherm model best suited this process. In conclusion, sewage sludge fly ash may be a suitable material for the effective removal of nickel from wastewater and the improvement of water quality. This research is in line with current trends in the concepts of circular economy and sustainable development.     

Base Catalytic Approach: A Promising Technique for the Activation of Biochar for Equilibrium Sorption Studies of Copper,Cu(II) Ions in Single Solute System

This study examines the feasibility of catalytically pretreated biochar derived from the dried exocarp or fruit peel of mangostene with Group I alkali metal hydroxide (KOH). The pretreated char was activated in the presence of carbon dioxide gas flow at high temperature to upgrade its physiochemical properties for the removal of copper, Cu(II) cations in single solute system. The effect of three independent variables, including temperature, agitation time and concentration, on sorption performance were carried out. Reaction kinetics parameters were determined by using linear regression analysis of the pseudo first, pseudo second, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models. The regression co-efficient, R² values were best for the pseudo second order kinetic model for all the concentration ranges under investigation. This implied that Cu(II) cations were adsorbed mainly by chemical interactions with the surface active sites of the activated biochar. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to interpret the equilibrium data at different temperature. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The surface area of the activated sample was 367.10 m²/g, whereas before base activation, it was only 1.22 m²/g. The results elucidated that the base pretreatment was efficient enough to yield porous carbon with an enlarged surface area, which can successfully eliminate Cu(II) cations from waste water.     

Measuring Changes in Client-Level Treatment Process in the Therapeutic Community (TC) with the Dimensions of Change Instrument (DCI)

The Dimensions of Change Instrument (DCI) measures treatment process in residential therapeutic community (TC) settings. It summarizes eight factors of treatment process from a client perspective. We present evidence of the reliability of the DCI for assessing both adult (N = 519) and adolescent (N = 474) client perceptions of treatment process. The DCI factors significantly increase over time, with increases consistently seen across all DCI factors for adults. We highlight areas for future DCI modifications to broaden its applicability to adolescents. Our findings show that clinicians can use the DCI to evaluate adult client progress and target areas for improving quality of care.     

Th(IV) Adsorption onto Oxidized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Presence of Hydroxylated Fullerene and Carboxylated Fullerene

The adsorption of Th(IV) onto the surface of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (oMWCNTs) in the absence and presence of hydroxylated fullerene (C₆₀(OH)_n) and carboxylated fullerene (C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n) has been investigated. C₆₀(OH)_n, C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n and oMWCNTs have been chosen as model phases because of their representative in carbon nano-materials family. Adsorption experiments were performed by batch procedure as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, and temperature. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of Th(IV) was rapidly reached equilibrium and the kinetic process could be described by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. Th(IV) adsorption on oMWCNTs was dependent on pH but independent on ionic strength. Adsorption isotherms were correlated better with the Langmuir model than with the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms suggested that Th(IV) adsorption on oMWCNTs was spontaneous and endothermic. Compared with the adsorption of Th(IV) on the same oMWCNTs free of C₆₀(OH)_n or C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n, the study of a ternary system showed the inhibition effect of C₆₀(OH)_n at high concentration on the adsorption of Th(IV) in a pH range from neutral to slightly alkaline; whereas the promotion effect of C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n, even at its low concentration, on Th(IV) adsorption was observed in acid medium.     

糖原合成酶基因M416V多态性与2型糖尿病的相关性

目的 探讨糖原合成酶，即Glycogen Synthase(GS)基因M416V多态性与2型糖尿病(T2DM)的相关性。方法 利用聚合酶链式反应限制性片段长度多态性(PCRRFLP)技术分析252例T2DM患者、196例非DM对照者GS基因第10外显子第416号位点上由蛋氨酸(Methionine)置换成缬氨酸(Valine)的变异，即M416V。结果 (1)T2DM组的GS基因M416V的Val等位基因频率为10．3％，对照组的Val等位基因频率为6．4％；T2DM组中的Val等位基因频率显著高于对照组，P-0．037。(2)在T2DM组中，具有GS基因Val等位基因者的BMI值明显高于无Val等位基因者(P-0、024)，具有GS基因Val等位基因者的2hPG值明显高于无Val等位：基因者(P-0．005)。结论 GS基因416位点上的Val等位基因与T2DM的发病有一定的相关性，并且它可能参与胰岛素抵抗(肥胖、高血压、高血脂等)的发生。     

Impact of liver transplantation on the natural history of oculopathy in Portuguese patients with transthyretin (V30M) amyloidosis

Purpose: Evaluation of the impact of liver transplantation in the natural history of ocular disorders in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) amyloidosis TTR V30M related (ATTR V30M) patients.

Design: A clinical, retrospective and cross-sectional study of 64 Portuguese FAP ATTR V30M patients was carried out between January 2005 and December 2011.

Methods: Thirty-two liver transplanted patients (both eyes) aged 39.6–53.8 years old, 32/32 male/female, were paired with an equal number of non-transplanted patients, matching for age, gender, age at onset, disease duration and gender of transmitting parent. Intervention or observation procedure: Routine ophthalmological observation. Main outcome measures: Slit-lamp observation for abnormal conjunctival vessels (ACV), tears break-up time, iris, lens; fundus observation for vitreous, retina and optic disc; Schirmer test.

Results: Liver transplantation had no influence on tears break-up time, deposition of amyloid on the iris and retinal amyloid angiopathy. Slight, non-statistically significant protective effects of liver transplantation were noted in the first years for some ocular manifestations (ACV and scalloped iris), except for the abnormal Schirmer test, which was significantly more prevalent in non-transplanted patients’ eyes (81% versus 56%, p?=?0.002). On the other hand, deposition of amyloid on the lens, vitreous amyloidosis and glaucoma were apparently more common in transplanted patients. Those differences tended to disappear with time.

Conclusions: Ocular manifestations of FAP were not influenced by liver transplantation in a meaningful way. Both transplanted and non-transplanted FAP patients need similar regular follow-up due to long-term risk of serious ocular disease.     

A missense mutation of the muscle glycogen synthase gene (M416V) is associated with insulin resistance in the Japanese population

Summary Muscle glycogen synthase (GYS1) is a key enzyme of non-oxidative pathway of glucose metabolism that has been reported to be related to insulin resistance in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. We scanned the GYS1 gene for mutation by single strand conformational polymorphism in 244 non-obese Japanese NIDDM patients and 181 non-diabetic control subjects, and found two missense mutations; Met to Val at position 416 in the exon 10 (M416V) and Pro to Ala at position 442 in the exon 11 (P442A). The P442A mutation was found in only one NIDDM patient treated with sulfonylureas. On the other hand, the M416V mutation was widely found in the Japanese population. The mutant allele frequency in the NIDDM patients (13.7 %) was slightly higher but not statistically significant compared with that in non-diabetic subjects (9.7 %). However, the insulin sensitivity index [SI: × 10^{− 4}× min^{− 1}× (μU/ml)^{− 1}] estimated by Minimal Model analysis in the NIDDM patients carrying the M416V mutation was significantly lower than that in those without the mutation (1.18 ± 0.27, n = 21 vs 2.20 ± 0.20, n = 60, mean ± SEM, p < 0.01). Glucose effectiveness, age, body mass index, and levels of glycated haemoglobin and serum lipids were not significantly different between the two groups. The same trend could be seen in non-diabetic subjects (SI: 3.70 ± 0.46, 9 subjects with the mutation vs 5.94 ± 0.66, 19 subjects without the mutation, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the M416V mutation of the GYS1 gene is one of the factors contributing to the insulin resistance in the Japanese population and may play some role in the pathogenesis of NIDDM. [Diabetologia (1997) 40: 947–952] Received: 7 February 1997 and in revised form: 10 April 1997     

Successful interferon treatment in a patient chronically infected with hepatitis B virus carrying unusual S- (and P-) mutants in the presence of anti-HBs antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immune escape mutants with point mutations within the S gene may arise during the natural course of HBV infection, due to a positive selection pressure exerted by the host immune response. Mutations within the immunodominant B and T cell epitopes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) allow the resulting S-mutants to propagate even in the presence of neutralizing anti-HBs antibodies and the HBV-specific T-cell immune response. Aim: To study the antiviral effect of Pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) in a patient with chronic hepatitis B carrying unusual S-(and P-) mutants in the presence of anti-HBs antibodies. PATIENTS, METHODS AND RESULTS: We report on a 43-year-old male chronically infected with a genotype A HBV strain, with cocirculation of both HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies, who received treatment with 120 mug of Peg-IFN for 24 weeks. HBeAg seroconversion and clearance of both HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction and HBsAg were successfully achieved. Improved histology was observed in a biopsy performed 44 weeks after Peg-IFN therapy was completed. It seems plausible that the ascribed genotype A could have contributed to the effective response to Peg-IFN, even though the treatment was provided only throughout a 24-week period. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the successful result obtained by using Peg-IFN as a treatment for a chronically HBV-infected patient carrying HBsAg immune escape mutants.     

经口胰管镜在胰管内疾病诊疗中的应用分析(含视频)

回顾性分析南京医科大学第一附属医院胰腺中心2020年8月—2022年10月收治的23例因考虑胰管内疾病行经口胰管镜检查的患者资料,分析术中所见、术后并发症情况及胰管镜对胰管疾病的诊疗价值。所有患者接受胰管镜检查,并达到技术成功。其中7例患者确诊为胰腺导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤,3例确诊为胰腺恶性肿瘤,8例胰管结石患者在胰管镜下行激光或液电碎石术,2例慢性胰腺炎患者经治疗后腹痛好转,2例胰管内出血和胰肠吻合口炎症患者经保守治疗后黑便消失,1例胰肠吻合口狭窄患者经球囊扩张后症状改善。23例患者均未出现手术并发症,手术操作时间为35~90 min。经口胰管镜在胰管内疾病的诊疗中安全有效,且有独特的优势。     

Potential role of the ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) lung scan in the diagnosis of acute chest syndrome in adults with sickle cell disease

The current criteria for diagnosing ACS are chest pain and presence of a new infiltrate on the chest radiograph (CXR). This study was designed to evaluate the role of ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) scan to assist in the early diagnosis of ACS. An abnormal V/Q scan was associated with a diagnosis of ACS that reached a statistical significance (P < 0.038). The sensitivity and specificity were found to be 60% and 100%, respectively. We conclude that V/Q scan may play a role in the early diagnosis of ACS.     

Evidence-based use of methotrexate in children with rheumatic diseases: a consensus statement of the Working Groups Pediatric Rheumatology Germany (AGKJR) and Pediatric Rheumatology Austria

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common diagnosis in children and adolescents with rheumatic disorders. In many children and adolescents, JIA is successfully treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and physiotherapy. However, in a significant number of cases the disease is resistant to this therapy, and treatment with second line disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is required. Methotrexate (MTX) is frequently referred to as first-choice second-line agent for the treatment of JIA. To increase drug safety, the Working Groups for Children and Adolescents with Rheumatic Diseases in Germany (AGKJR) and Pediatric Rheumatology Austria have initiated the formulation of evidence-based recommendations. Evidence is based on consensus expert meetings, a MEDLINE search with the key words Methotrexate and juvenile arthritis limited to age 0–18 years, standard textbooks and review articles, data from the central registry of the German Research Center for Rheumatic Diseases (Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum Berlin DRFZ), experience with MTX in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and recommendations of the German Society of Rheumatology (DGRh). Based on these data, evidence and recommendations are graded, and evidence-based recommendations for the use of MTX in children and adolescents with rheumatic disease are presented.Section Pharmacotherapy of the Working Group Pediatric Rheumatology Germany and Austria: I. Foeldvari; J.P. Haas, A. Haeffner, D. Hobusch,G. Horneff, A. Hospach, R. Keitzer, G. Klaus, M. Metzler, H. Michels, T. Niehues, I. Pilz, M. Sailer Höck, M. Schöntube, L. Schuchmann, K. Schumacher, H.W. Seyberth, E. Siemers, A. Urban, E. Weißbarth-Riedl. Working Group Pediatric Rheumatology North-Rhine-Westfalia: S. Benseler, G. Bürk, S. Fahl, I. Foeldvari, D. Föll, M. Frosch, G. Ganser, S. Kastner, I. Kleine, E. Lainka, K. Mönkemöller, J. Neubert, U. Neudorf, T. Niehues, J. Roth, S. Seeliger, N. Wagner, R. Wieland, H. Winowski.