Correction: Split-anion solvent extraction of light rare earths from concentrated chloride aqueous solutions to nitrate organic ionic liquids

Correction for ‘Split-anion solvent extraction of light rare earths from concentrated chloride aqueous solutions to nitrate organic ionic liquids’ by Mercedes Regadío et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 34754–34763, DOI: 10.1039/c8ra06055j.

The authors regret that an incorrect figure caption was given for Fig. 5. The correct version is presented below.Open in a separate windowFig. 5Viscosity as a function of the temperature and the organic phase composition: (1) after loading 39 g L⁻¹ of REE in 20 v% Cy923 in [C101][NO₃], (2) pure [C101][NO₃], (3) 20 v% Cy923 in [C101][NO₃] and (4) pure Cy923.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome with cytoplasmic vacuolation in myeloid precursors

A 6-year-old boy presented with pancytopenia. Bone marrow morphology showed dyspoiesis and cytoplasmic vacuolation in myeloid precursor cells. Cytoplasmic vacuoles are described in erythroid cells in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but are extremely rare in myeloid precursor cells. We ruled out viral and autoimmune etiology, hypocupremia, Pearson syndrome, and chromosomal abnormalities. Finally, a diagnosis of MDS of refractory cytopenia of childhood subtype was made. The patient then underwent an allogenic stem cell transplant that resulted in normalization of the complete blood counts and bone marrow morphology. However, he later developed late graft failure; this was followed by a second transplant after which he died of sepsis and multiorgan failure. The case is presented here for the rare morphologic features, hitherto not earlier described in pediatric MDS.     

Mechanisms for feedback inhibition of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus

The production of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) protein in pro-B cells provides feedback to terminate further V(H) gene recombination. This phenomenon is referred to as allelic exclusion. The chromatin structure of the V(H) genes regulates their recombination potential, hence alterations in chromatin are a key factor in allelic exclusion. In pro-B cells, IL-7/IL-7R signaling induces histone hyperacetylation and nuclease accessibility of the largest family of V(H) genes (J558) and potentially activates these genes for recombination. Loss of these signals in the later stages of B-cell development reverts the V(H)J558 gene segments to a less accessible state, making them recombinationally refractive. This provides a molecular mechanism for allelic exclusion of these genes. Similar transient signals may be responsible for enforcing allelic exclusion in other V(H) gene families. D-proximal V(H) genes, however, appear to be less susceptible to feedback inhibition.     

Liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric validated method for pharmacokinetic estimation of flecainide in human plasma

A sensitive high throughput LC/MS/MS method fully validated as per USFDA guidelines is described for pharmacokinetic estimation of flecainide in human plasma using loperamide as the internal standard. Plasma samples were monitored by cation exchange solid phase extraction achieving 78.6% extraction efficiency (mean recovery) followed by chromatographic separation on a PurospherStar RP-18e column. Detection was carried out on an API positive ESI by MRM transitions m/z 415.2/301.1 and 477.3/266.3 for flecainide and loperamide respectively. High sensitivity of 1.17ng/ml, dynamic linearity of 1.17–396.75 ng/ml and short run time within 3 minutes are other interesting aspects of this new bioanalytical method. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study with 100mg tablet flecainide administered in Indian population for the first time. A randomized, single dose, two sequence, cross over study design was used to evaluate bioequivalence on 40 healthy male fasted volunteers and blood samples were collected up to 96 hours post dose. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was used to evaluate AUC_0-t, AUC_0-inf, C_max, T_max, T_1/2 and λz scaled on a 90% confidence interval approach. Average bioequivalence results showed ratios of least square means and its 90% CIs for ln-transformed C_max, AUC_0-t and AUC_0-inf for flecainide were 99.99 (95.21–104.99) %, 98.27(93.89–102.86)% and 98.08(93.68–102.68)% respectively. Both the test and reference products were closely comparable in terms of rate and extent to which the drugs access the systemic circulation.     

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein-90 positively regulates rotavirus infection

Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in children worldwide. In this study, we report a positive role of cellular chaperone Hsp90 during rotavirus infection. A highly specific Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allylamono-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) was used to delineate the functional role of Hsp90. In MA104 cells treated with 17-AAG after viral adsorption, replication of simian (SA11) or human (KU) strains was attenuated as assessed by quantitating both plaque forming units and expression of viral genes. Phosphorylation of Akt and NFκB observed 2-4 hpi with SA11, was strongly inhibited in the presence of 17-AAG. Direct Hsp90-Akt interaction in virus infected cells was also reduced in the presence of 17-AAG. Anti-rotaviral effects of 17-AAG were due to inhibition of activation of Akt that was confirmed since, PI3K/Akt inhibitors attenuated rotavirus growth significantly. Thus, Hsp90 regulates rotavirus by modulating cellular signaling proteins. The results highlight the importance of cellular proteins during rotavirus infection and the possibility of targeting cellular chaperones for developing new anti-rotaviral strategies.     

A short episode of seizure activity protects from status epilepticus-induced neuronal damage in rat brain

Kainic acid (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE) in adult rats results in extensive neuronal damage throughout the limbic system and the loss of selectively vulnerable neuronal populations, particularly CA3 neurons. We investigated the effects of a short episode of seizure activity on neuronal death elicited by a subsequent prolonged SE episode. A short episode of seizure activity was produced by sub-cutaneous (s.c.) injection of KA followed after 1 h by pentobarbital administration. Twenty-four hours later, KA was administered again, and animals were sacrificed 3 days later. Neuronal damage was estimated by visual analysis of neuronal density. Our results show that a short episode of seizure activity did not produce neuronal damage but almost completely protected vulnerable neurons from KA-induced neuronal damage. These results extend to epileptic tolerance the notion of tolerance previously described in the case of ischemia.     

Non-aqueous solvent extraction of indium from an ethylene glycol feed solution by the ionic liquid Cyphos IL 101: speciation study and continuous counter-current process in mixer–settlers

A solvometallurgical process for the separation of indium(iii) and zinc(ii) from ethylene glycol solutions using the ionic liquid extractants Cyphos IL 101 and Aliquat 336 in an aromatic diluent has been investigated. The speciation of indium(iii) in the two immiscible organic phases was investigated by Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, EXAFS and ¹¹⁵In NMR spectroscopy. At low LiCl concentrations in ethylene glycol, the bridging (InCl₃)₂(EG)₃ or mononuclear (InCl₃)(EG)₂ complex is proposed. At higher lithium chloride concentrations, the first coordination sphere changes to two oxygen atoms from one bidentate ethylene glycol ligand and four chloride anions ([In(EG)Cl₄]⁻). In the less polar phase, indium(iii) is present as a tetrahedral [InCl₄]⁻ complex independent of the LiCl concentration. After the number of theoretical stages had been determined using a McCabe–Thiele diagram for extraction by Cyphos IL 101, the extraction and scrubbing processes were performed in lab-scale mixer–settlers to test the feasibility of working in continuous mode. Indium(iii) was extracted quantitatively in four stages, with 19% co-extraction of zinc(ii). The co-extracted zinc(ii) was scrubbed selectively in six stages using an indium(iii) scrub solution. Indium(iii) was recovered from the loaded less polar organic phase as indium(iii) hydroxide (98.5%) by precipitation stripping with an aqueous NaOH solution.

Speciation studies give insight into the mechanism of non-aqueous solvent extraction of indium from ethylene glycol solution by the ionic liquid Cyphos IL 101.     

Ni foam electrode solution impregnated with Ni-FeX(OH)Y catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyzers

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a demanding step within the water splitting process for its requirement of a high overpotential. Thus, to overcome this unfavourable kinetics, an efficient catalyst is required to expedite the process. In this context, we report on Ni foam functionalised with low cost iron (Fe) and iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)_X), wet chemically synthesized as OER catalysts. The prepared catalyst based on iron hydroxide precipitate shows a promising performance, exhibiting an overpotential of 270 mV (at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in 1 M KOH solution), an efficient Tafel slope of ∼50 mV dec⁻¹ and stable chronopotentiometry. The promising performance of the anode was further reproduced in the overall water splitting reaction with a two electrode cell. The overall reaction requires a lower potential of 1.508 V to afford 10 mA cm⁻², corresponding to 81.5% electrical to fuel efficiency.

Modification of Ni foam electrode by FeCl₃·6H₂O and HCl, towards superior oxygen-evolving electrocatalyst for water splitting process.