Characterization of the remediation of chromium ion contamination with bentonite by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

Heavy metal pollution of agricultural and urban soils limits economic progress in the rapidly developing society. Terahertz technology is applied to detect heavy metal pollutants under existence of multiple pathways of their dissemination. In this study, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is employed as an advanced probing technique in combination with traditional detecting methods to measure the adsorption ability of trivalent chromium ions on bentonite. The concentration of chromium ions and the weight of bentonite are known to influence on the adsorption capacity of the latter. It is tested here by both qualitative and quantitative measurements of two mentioned parameters. The adsorption process of chromium ions by bentonite is monitored using THz-TDS. The adsorptions signal from samples at 0.5 THz gradually increases with the increase of bentonite weight or chromium ion concentration. It would appear to indicate that terahertz could be used for quantitative detection of metal ions. Secondly, the ratios of results obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the THz-TDS ones are stabilized at 0.105  ±  0.014 as the bentonite weight or chromium ion concentration increase. Such finding confirms that terahertz technology can be used for the quantitative detection of metal ions. Using the relationship between the ICP-MS test results and the THz-TDS ones, the amplitude value of bentonite is obtained to be 13.925 at the concentration of chromium ions of 0.05 mol/L, the mass of bentonite sample involved in adsorption of 1.5 g, and the detection frequency in THz-TDS measurements of 0.5 THz. The adsorption coefficient of bentonite is calculated to be 1.44%. Increase of the chromium ion concentration to 0.2 mol/L, and the mass of bentonite involved in adsorption to 3 g leads to the increase of the amplitude corresponding to adsorbed chromium ions to about 19.463, and the adsorption coefficient to about 2.1%. Obtained results demonstrate that terahertz technology is promising to meet the ever-increasing requirements in mineral analyses for rapid detection of chemical contaminants and measurement of the adsorption efficiencies of materials.

3-Arylpropionylhydroxamic acid derivatives as Helicobacter pylori urease inhibitors: Synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation.

Helicobacter pylori urease is involved in several physiologic responses such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, adenocarcinomas and stomach lymphomas. Thus, inhibition of urease is taken for a good chance to treat H. pylori-caused infections, we have therefore focused our efforts on seeking novel urease inhibitors. Here, a series of arylpropionylhydroxamic acids were synthesized and evaluated for urease inhibition. Out of these compounds, 3-(2-benzyloxy-5-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropionylhydroxamic acid (d24) was the most active inhibitor with IC50 of 0.15±0.05µM, showing a mixed inhibition with both competitive and uncompetitive aspects. Non-linear fitting of kinetic data gives kinetics parameters of 0.13 and 0.12µg·mL(-1) for Ki and Ki', respectively. The plasma protein binding assays suggested that d24 exhibited moderate binding to human and rabbit plasma proteins.

A comparison of the classic and a modified laryngeal mask airway (OPLAC™) in adult patients.

BACKGROUND: A modified disposable laryngeal mask airway (LMA) (Oro-Pharyngo-Laryngeal Airway Cap, OPLAC™) was developed in our department. In this study, we compared the performance of the LMA Classic™ with that of the OPLAC. METHODS: This was a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study involving 60 paralyzed, anesthetized adult patients. Both devices were inserted into each patient in different sequences after anesthesia had been induced. In 30 patients, the LMA was inserted first and in 30 patients, the OPLAC was inserted first. The success rate, insertion time, fiberoptic view, peak airway pressure, sealing pressure, incidence of gastric insufflations, trace of blood on the device, and incidence of postoperative sore throat were evaluated. RESULTS: The success rate of placement on the first attempt was high for both devices. The insertion time was significantly shorter and better engagement was noted on fiberoptic view with the OPLAC than with the LMA. The sealing pressure was significantly higher and the incidence of gastric insufflations was significantly lower with the OPLAC. The overall incidence of sore throat was 13.33%. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices have comparable airflow resistance and are easy to insert. The OPLAC requires less insertion time, has less variation on insertion time, fits better into the laryngopharynx, is less likely to cause gastric insufflations, and has a higher sealing pressure.

Clinical manifestations of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in term neonates: 18 years of experience in a medical center.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an uncommon but important cause of morbidity and mortality in term neonates. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics and developmental outcomes of symptomatic ICH in term neonates. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all term neonates (less than 1 month old) diagnosed with ICH and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Hospital from December 1991 to December 2008. Demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, laboratory data, clinical presentation, and developmental status were recorded. RESULTS: Data for 24 term neonates (17 boys and 7 girls) with a diagnosis of ICH were collected for analysis. The clinical manifestations of ICH included anemia (13/24, 54%), seizure (11/24, 46%), cyanosis (7/24, 29%), tachypnea (5/24, 21%), fever (1/24, 4%), hypothermia (1/24, 4%), and poor feeding (1/24, 4%). Age at symptom onset ranged from 2 hours to 11 days following birth. The most common type of ICH was subdural hemorrhage. All ICHs resolved, except in one infant, who died from hypoxicischemic encephalopathy at 25 days. Ten children with symptomatic ICH were reported to have normal development, while the remainder (13/23, 57%) showed developmental delays or disabilities. CONCLUSION: Unexplained anemia, seizure, and cyanosis were the major presenting signs in infants with symptomatic ICH. A diagnosis of ICH should be considered in term neonates who present with one or more of these signs. Although the mortality in term infants with symptomatic ICH was low, more than half.

Spleen rupture after mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis.

We present a case of splenic rupture as the cause of a sudden drop in blood pressure soon after mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis. This case suggests that, in addition to more common causes of unstable vital signs after valvular surgery, such as cardiac tamponade or bleeding at the operation site, splenic rupture, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is particularly important in the case of infective endocarditis.

Acute myocarditis-related complete atrioventricular block---an accidental finding in an acute appendicitis patient.

We report a 20-year-old male patient with preoperatively undiagnosed myocarditis, who received general anesthesia for laparoscopic appendectomy. Because of arrhythmia, a cardiologist was consulted postoperatively. The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular block and the echocardiogram showed global hypokinesia of the left ventricle with impaired contractility, a left ejection fraction of 37%, and a dilated right heart. Subsequently, a permanent pacemaker was implanted and the patient was discharged from hospital without any complications.

Concomitant existence of total bowel aganglionosis and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in a neonate with PHOX2B gene mutation.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the distal gut, resulting in bowel obstruction shortly after birth. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) results in hypoventilation, most pronounced during sleep, with relative insensitivity to hypercarbia and reduced insensitivity to hypoxia. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome with HSCR is a rare condition with variable severity. Both CCHS and HSCR are uncommon and their co-occurrence may suggest a common etiology, probably involving a fault of neural crest development. Recent reports have identified the paired-like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene as the major gene for CCHS and HSCR. We report here an identified PHOX2B gene in a newborn baby who had concurrence of CCHS and total colonic aganglionosis with proximal small bowel involvement. Management of this rare disorder is challenging not only because it presents in newborn stage but also because it has extensive HSCR. Considering the issue of medical futility, the therapeutic and ethical dilemma of this infant was discussed.

Risk factors for hemodynamically-unrelated cystic periventricular leukomalacia in very low birth weight premature infants.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is one of the most important complications of prematurity, but its cause remains unclear. This study investigated the risk factors for hemodynamically-unrelated cystic PVL in very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants. METHODS: VLBW premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from 1998 through 2002 were included in this retrospective study. Infants who had congenital lethal anomalies or who died before a cranial scan could be done were excluded. All VLBW infants received serial cranial ultrasound examinations to screen for cystic PVL during hospitalization. Infants with cystic PVL were divided into those with or without a hemodynamic event of sufficient severity to potentially cause cystic PVL. The charts of all included infants were reviewed and relevant clinical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Cystic PVL occurred in 20 VLBW infants (6.9%) during the study period. Four of these infants (20%) had hemodynamic events before the development of cystic PVL and 16 (80%) had hemodynamically-unrelated cystic PVL. Univariate analysis showed that infants with hemodynamically-unrelated cystic PVL were more likely to have symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) [p < 0.01] and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) [p < 0.01]. However, logistic regression indicated VLBW premature infants with BPD combined with symptomatic PDA (odds ratio, 8.92; 95% confidence interval, 2.55-31.20; p < 0.01) were at greatest risk for development of hemodynamically-unrelated cystic PVL. CONCLUSION: BPD and symptomatic PDA were more common in infants with hemodynamically-unrelated cystic PVL, although the reasons for these associations were unclear. Serial cranial scans are strongly suggested for VLBW premature infants with BPD and symptomatic PDA to screen for the development of cystic PVL.

Identification of T-cell epitopes on U1A protein in MRL/lpr mice: double-negative T cells are the major responsive cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the existence of a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies such as anti-DNA, chromatin, histone, and ribonucleoprotein antibodies (Abs). Although the B-cell antigenic determinants have been well characterized, very limited data about the T-cell epitopes of self-antigen (Ag) have been reported. In the present study, we analysed auto-T-cell epitopes using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) pulsed with murine U1A (mU1A) protein capable of activating autoreactive T cells from unprimed MRL/lpr mice in vitro. The data suggested that there are at least four T-cell epitopes on the U1A protein, U1A31-50, U1A61-80, U1A201-220 and U1A271-287, and U1A31-50 had the most significant T-cell proliferative response. In addition, the main responsive T cells are the CD4- CD8- double-negative subgroup of T cells. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the activation of double-negative T cells is major histocompatibility complex class II restricted. The study here provides information on T-cell epitope analysis of the U1A antigen using BM-DCs as the effective antigen-presenting cells.

Mal de Meleda in a taiwanese.

Mal de Meleda (MDM) is a rare form of recessive transgressive palmoplantar erythrokeratoderma for which mutations in the ARS gene have been identified recently. The ARS gene encodes SLURP-1, a secreted epidermal neuromodulator involved in epidermal homeostasis and inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha release. A 27-year-old Taiwanese woman who had a history of palmoplantar keratoderma since birth presented with severe erythrokeratoderma of the hands and feet in a glove-and-stocking distribution with conical tapering of the fingers, and involvement of the skin over the major joints and thighs. There were also widespread mottled hyperpigmented macules. Mutation analysis revealed a homozygous missense mutation (G86R) in exon 3 of ARS gene of this patient.

De novo mutation of keratin 9 gene in two Taiwanese patients with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma.

Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder of keratinization. Recent molecular studies have shown that EPPK is caused by mutations in keratin 9 gene (K9). We report 2 unrelated sporadic cases of EPPK in Taiwanese, confirmed by histopathology and electron microscopy. A de novo mutation with a C to T transition at the first nucleotide of codon 162 in K9 was detected in both patients, but not in their parents. The mutation is expected to result in an arginine to tryptophan substitution (R162W) in the beginning region of the alpha-helical 1A domain of K9. Mutations in this region could disrupt keratin filament assembly, leading to degeneration or cytolysis of keratinocytes. Mutations of this arginine codon (R162W, R162Q) are common in pedigrees with EPPK. Our mutation analysis suggests that codon 162 in K9 gene is an important hot spot for mutation in EPPK.

Mutation analysis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in a Taiwanese family.

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED, OMIM 305100) is the most common form among the ectodermal dysplasias, a rare group of hereditary diseases characterized by abnormal development of eccrine sweat glands, hair, and teeth. Heterozygous carriers of XLHED often manifest minor or moderate degrees of hypotrichosis, hypodontia, and hypohidrosis. ED1, the gene involved in XLHED, encodes ectodysplasin A, a new member of the tumor necrosis factor family. The majority of mutations in XLHED are missense mutations, but one-fifth are insertion/deletions. In this report, we describe the mutation analysis of a Taiwanese pedigree with XLHED. A 35-bp deletion in exon 5 of the ED1 gene was found in the 3 affected males and in 5 female carriers. Mutation analysis in families with XLHED allows for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and confirmation of carrier status.

Novel KRT14 mutation in a Taiwanese patient with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (Köbner type).

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a group of hereditary bullous diseases characterized by intraepidermal blistering due to mechanical stress-induced degeneration of basal keratinocytes. Three major subtypes have been identified with autosomal dominant inheritance: the Weber-Cockayne type, the Köbner type (EBS-K), and the Dowling-Meara type. All three EBS subtypes are caused by mutations in either keratin 5 or keratin 14, the major keratins expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis. We describe a 25-year-old male with easy blistering after trauma over the whole body from the age of 4 to 5 years. According to the clinicopathologic findings, EBS-K was diagnosed. Mutational analysis revealed a novel keratin 14 mutation (1237G-->A) that produces a conservative amino acid change (alanine to threonine) at position 413 (A413T) of the 2B helix.

Sarcoidosis in Taiwan: clinical characteristics and atypical mycobacteria.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sarcoidosis is rare in Taiwan, although increasingly more cases are being diagnosed. The purpose of this study was to further characterize the clinical features of all biopsy-proven cases of sarcoidosis diagnosed between 1988 and 2002 in a national teaching hospital in southern Taiwan, and to detect mycobacterial DNA in sarcoid lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 biopsy-proven cases of sarcoidosis were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were used as template for nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the mycobacterial hsp65 gene. This was followed by direct DNA sequencing to identify the species in positive cases. RESULTS: Eleven males and 17 females, aged 19 to 79 years (mean, 50 yr) were enrolled. Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, pulmonary lesions or both, were detected in 14 patients (50%). Of the 22 patients (78%) with skin involvement, nine manifested angiolupoid lesions on the face, a rare form of cutaneous sarcoidosis. Eight patients had papular lesions and five had plaque lesions, usually widespread on the extremities and trunk. No patients presented with erythema nodosum. Fifteen of the 22 patients with skin involvement had had the disease for more than 2 years. The hsp65 gene was detected in seven cases, four of which showed greater than 90% homology to four different species of atypical mycobacteria. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that sarcoidosis tended to affect women older than 40 years, often manifested angiolupoid lesions on the face, and ran a subacute to chronic course. Atypical mycobacteria might play a role in the etiology in a minority of our patients, but more cases and other potential etiologic agents need to be studied.