Suppression of arsenic leaching from excavated soil and the contribution of soluble and insoluble components in steel slag on arsenic immobilization.

A huge amount of soil is excavated by tunnel and road construction projects in urban, coastal, and mountainous regions. These projects enable the effective use of underground spaces, and generally, the excavated soil is expected to be reused after treatment, which is required due to the potential release of geogenic arsenic from the soil. The present study investigated the level of water-soluble arsenic and arsenic phases in excavated soil in order to identify how arsenic is immobilized by soluble calcium and insoluble components in steel slag. The soluble calcium was found to suppress the level of water-soluble arsenic as well as arsenic in fraction 1 (nonspecifically bound) identified by sequential extraction from the soil but increased the level of fraction 2: specifically bound arsenic. The insoluble component did not suppress the level of water-soluble arsenic, but decreased and increased the arsenic levels in fractions 2 and 3 (amorphous iron/aluminum oxide bound), respectively. A column percolation test demonstrated that the arsenic that was inhibited from leaching by the addition of steel slag was the fractions 1 and 2 arsenic. The amounts of arsenic released in the serial batch leaching test were comparable with levels leached regardless of the addition of steel slag. These results indicate that both soluble calcium and insoluble components of steel slag have different roles in suppressing arsenic leaching from excavated soil. Based on these results, it is suggested that steel slag could be utilized to suppress arsenic release, thus enabling the reuse of excavated soil.

The effects of redox conditions on arsenic re-release from excavated marine sedimentary rock with naturally suppressed arsenic release.

Massive quantities of marine sedimentary rock are excavated from urban coastal areas. The excavated rock often releases arsenic with concurrent oxidation of framboidal pyrite, but the arsenic release is naturally suppressed with subsequent atmospheric exposure. The present study evaluated the re-release of arsenic from excavated rock in which arsenic release has been naturally suppressed by the atmospheric exposure in the presence of sulfate ions under various redox conditions using the biological reduction method. The atmospheric exposure and subsequent batch leaching test revealed that the amount of arsenic release that was naturally suppressed corresponded to 1.2% of the total arsenic content. The sequential extraction analysis also showed that the arsenic in the exposed rock was altered to insoluble phases. We observed a re-release of 6.0-18.2% of the total arsenic content under reductive conditions (< + 70 mV of Eh), exceeding the amount of arsenic that was naturally suppressed, even in the presence of sulfate ions. The correlation in the amount of arsenic and iron re-released demonstrates that arsenic re-release under reductive conditions is mainly regulated by the iron dissolution up to 10 mg kg-1 even in the presence of sulfate ion. Further reduction and dissolution of iron did not cause further increase in the arsenic re-release. Therefore, excavated marine sedimentary rock should be reused under redox conditions in which iron is not reduced. Otherwise, treatments such as chemical immobilization should be performed.

Cybernic treatment with wearable cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) improves ambulatory function in patients with slowly progressive rare neuromuscular diseases: a multicentre, randomised, controlled crossover trial for efficacy and safety (NCY-3001).

BACKGROUND: Rare neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, distal myopathy, sporadic inclusion body myositis, congenital myopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis lead to incurable amyotrophy and consequent loss of ambulation. Thus far, no therapeutic approaches have been successful in recovering the ambulatory ability. Thus, the aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cybernic treatment with a wearable cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL, Lower Limb Type) in improving the ambulatory function in those patients. RESULTS: We conducted an open-label, randomised, controlled crossover trial to test HAL at nine hospitals between March 6, 2013 and August 8, 2014. Eligible patients were older than 18 years and had a diagnosis of neuromuscular disease as specified above. They were unable to walk for 10 m independently and had neither respiratory failure nor rapid deterioration in gait. The primary endpoint was the distance passed during a two-minute walk test (2MWT). The secondary endpoints were walking speed, cadence, and step length during the 10-m walk test (10MWT), muscle strength by manual muscle testing (MMT), and a series of functional measures. Adverse events and failures/problems/errors with HAL were also evaluated. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to groups A or B, with each group of 15 receiving both treatments in a crossover design. The efficacy of a 40-min walking program performed nine times was compared between HAL plus a hoist and a hoist only. The final analysis included 13 and 11 patients in groups A and B, respectively. Cybernic treatment with HAL resulted in a 10.066% significantly improved distance in 2MWT (95% confidence interval, 0.667-19.464; p = 0.0369) compared with the hoist only treatment. Among the secondary endpoints, the total scores of MMT and cadence at 10MWT were the only ones that showed significant improvement. The only adverse effects were slight to mild myalgia, back pain, and contact skin troubles, which were easily remedied. CONCLUSIONS: HAL is a new treatment device for walking exercise, proven to be more effective than the conventional method in patients with incurable neuromuscular diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: JMACTR, JMA-IIA00156.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 1)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using three food-simulating solvents (water, 4% acetic acid and 20% ethanol), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. For evaporation, a water bath was used in the official method, and a hot plate in the modified method. In most laboratories, the test solutions were heated until just prior to evaporation to dryness, and then allowed to dry under residual heat. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the two methods, regardless of the heating equipment used. Accordingly, the modified method provides performance equal to the official method, and is available as an alternative method.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 2)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using heptane as a food-simulating solvent for oily or fatty foods, based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. In the official method, heating for evaporation was done with a water bath. In the modified method, a hot plate was used for evaporation, and/or a vacuum concentration procedure was skipped. In most laboratories, the test solutions were heated until just prior to dryness, and then allowed to dry under residual heat. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the two methods. Accordingly, the modified method provides performance equal to the official method, and is available as an alternative method. Furthermore, an interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate and compare two leaching solutions (95% ethanol and isooctane) used as food-simulating solvents for oily or fatty foods in the EU. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between heptane and these two leaching solutions.

Reproducibility of up-flow column percolation tests for contaminated soils.

Up-flow column percolation tests are used at laboratory scale to assess the leaching behavior of hazardous substance from contaminated soils in a specific condition as a function of time. Monitoring the quality of these test results inter or within laboratory is crucial, especially if used for Environment-related legal policy or for routine testing purposes. We tested three different sandy loam type soils (Soils I, II and III) to determine the reproducibility (variability inter laboratory) of test results and to evaluate the difference in the test results within laboratory. Up-flow column percolation tests were performed following the procedure described in the ISO/TS 21268-3. This procedure consists of percolating solution (calcium chloride 1 mM) from bottom to top at a flow rate of 12 mL/h through softly compacted soil contained in a column of 5 cm diameter and 30 ± 5 cm height. Eluate samples were collected at liquid-to-solid ratio of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 L/kg and analyzed for quantification of the target elements (Cu, As, Se, Cl, Ca, F, Mg, DOC and B in this research). For Soil I, 17 institutions in Japan joined this validation test. The up-flow column experiments were conducted in duplicate, after 48 h of equilibration time and at a flow rate of 12 mL/h. Column percolation test results from Soils II and III were used to evaluate the difference in test results from the experiments conducted in duplicate in a single laboratory, after 16 h of equilibration time and at a flow rate of 36 mL/h. Overall results showed good reproducibility (expressed in terms of the coefficient of variation, CV, calculated by dividing the standard deviation by the mean), as the CV was lower than 30% in more than 90% of the test results associated with Soil I. Moreover, low variability (expressed in terms of difference between the two test results divided by the mean) was observed in the test results related to Soils II and III, with a variability lower than 30% in more than 88% of the cases for Soil II and in more than 96% of the cases for Soil III. We also discussed the possible factors that affect the reproducibility and variability in the test results from the up-flow column percolation tests. The low variability inter and within laboratory obtained in this research indicates that the ISO/TS 21268-3 can be successfully upgraded to a fully validated ISO standard.

Rate of oral intake and effects of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on pulmonary complications in patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy.

[Purpose] In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, it increases risks of difficulties of expectoration of secretion, asphyxia, aspiration pneumonia because of decreased cough function. The aim of this study is to prove that manually assisted coughing or mechanical insufflation-exsufflation prevents pulmonary complication and contribute to continue oral intake safely and continue rate of oral intake in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Subjects and Methods] We investigated the status of using ventilator, manually assisted coughing or mechanical insufflation-exsufflation, and oral intake or not. In addition, we inspected the frequency of fever (over 37 °C) needed antibiotics from medical records for index of respiratory tract infection, and compared with every period of using mechanical insufflation-exsufflation from respiratory evaluation on cough peak flow. [Results] Fifty-eight patients participated in this study. There were 45 Full-time noninvasive positive pressure ventilation patients. Forty-three in 45 Full-time noninvasive positive pressure ventilation patients (95.6%) avoided tracheostomy and continued noninvasive positive pressure ventilation because they continued oral intake without tracheal intubation due to the respiratory acute exacerbation by asphyxia or aspiration pneumonia. [Conclusion] Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients can continue oral intake safely while preventing pulmonary complication by using manually assisted coughing or mechanical insufflation-exsufflation.

Interlaboratory Study on Caprolactam Test for Food-Contact Nylon Products.

The Japanese Food Sanitation Law sets a limit on the migration level of caprolactam for food-contacting nylon products. Here, we carried out an interlaboratory study in twenty laboratories to evaluate the performance of the official GC-FID test method and a GC-MS method as an alternative test method to the official method. Each laboratory quantified caprolactam in three test solutions in 20% ethanol as blind duplicates using GC-FID or GC-MS. The official method (GC-FID with absolute calibration) gave trueness, repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDr) values of 96-97%, 3.3-5.4% and 4.0-6.7%, respectively. These values met the target criteria (trueness: 80-110%, RSDr: 10%, RSDr: 25%). The performance of the method was further improved by the introduction of heptalactam as an internal standard. As for GC-MS method, some values of the RSDr exceeded 10% when absolute calibration was used. However, when an internal standard was introduced, the trueness, RSDr and RSDr of GC-MS method were all acceptable at 94-96%, 2.0-4.4% and 7.0-9.4%, respectively. Therefore, GC-MS with an internal standard is available as an alternative test method to the official method.

Interlaboratory Study on Volatiles Test for Food-Contacting Polystyrene Products.

Using polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene resin and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin pellets as samples, an interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the volatiles test method, based on the specifications described in the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food-contacting polystyrene products. The study was conducted with the participation of twenty-one laboratories. Each laboratory quantified the contents of styrene, toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene and propylbenzene in three test pellets using GC-FID, GC-MS or headspace-GC-FID. Statistical analysis revealed that the repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDr) were 1.0-2.6 and 2.5-5.5% for the GC-FID method. The values of the performance parameters fulfilled the requirements (RSDr: 10%, RSDr: 25%), and the performance is sufficient for specifications testing. The RSDr and RSDr of results obtained using the GC-MS and HS-GC methods were 1.4-7.8 and 4.9-13%(GC-MS), and 2.0-2.6 and 3.3-6.9%(HS-GC-FID), respectively. The quantified levels were similar to those obtained with GC-FID. The study suggests that the GC-MS and HS-GC methods can be employed as alternative methods to the GC-FID method.

[Interlaboratory Study on Zinc Test for Food-Contact Rubber Products].

Using six kinds of zinc solution in water and 4% acetic acid as samples, an interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate a zinc (Zn) test method for food-contact rubber products, based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law. Eighteen laboratories participated, and quantified Zn in six test solutions as blind duplicates using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, induced coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry or induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis revealed that the trueness, repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDr) were 97-103%, 0.7-4.9% and 1.7-8.9% by all measuring methods. The values of the performance parameter fulfilled the target value (trueness: 80-110%, RSDr: 10%, RSDr: 25%). The performance of these methods is sufficient for testing the adherence of samples to the specifications.

[Interlaboratory study on migration test of antimony and germanium for food-contact polyethylene terephthalate].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate a migration test method of antimony (Sb) and germanium (Ge), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food- contact polyethylene terephthalate. Eighteen laboratories participated, and quantified Sb and Ge in three test solutions as blind duplicates using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis revealed that the trueness, repeatability and reproducibility were 98-107%, 1.7-7.5% and 2.0-18.8% by using GF-AAS and ICP-OES. The performance of these methods is sufficient for testing the specifications. The performance parameters of ICP-MS were 99-106%, 0.7-2.2% and 2.2-10.5%, respectively. ICP-MS is available as an alternative measuring method. However, in some laboratories, the quantitative values of Sb were higher than the addition levels. We found that Sb in working solutions is absorbed on glass vessels. Careful control of concentration in working solutions is required for Sb analysis.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: survival by cardio-respiratory interventions.

We describe survival in Duchenne dystrophy by invasive and noninvasive ventilation vs. untreated. Patients were untreated prior to 1984 (Group 1), underwent tracheotomy from 1984 until 1991 (Group 2), and were managed by noninvasive mechanical ventilation and cardioprotective medications subsequently (Group 3). Symptoms, vital capacity, and blood gases were monitored for all and spirometry, cough peak flows, carbon dioxide tension, and oximetry for Group 3. Sleep nasal ventilation was initiated for symptomatic hypoventilation. An oximeter and mechanical cough assistance were prescribed for maximum assisted cough peak flow <300 L/m. Patients used continuous noninvasive ventilation and mechanically assisted coughing as needed to maintain pulse oxyhemoglobin saturation ≥95%. Survival was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The 56 of Group 1 died at 18.6±2.9, the 21 Group 2 at 28.1±8.3 years of age with three still alive, and the 88 using noninvasive ventilation had 50% survival to 39.6 years, p<0.001, respectively. We conclude that noninvasive mechanical ventilation and assisted coughing provided by specifically trained physicians and therapists, and cardioprotective medication can result in more favorable outcomes and better survival by comparison with invasive treatment.

Cough augmentation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to compare the relative importance of deep lung insufflation with the abdominal thrust and their combination in augmenting cough peak flows (CPF). DESIGN: Unassisted CPF and CPF assisted by air stacking to deep lung volumes (CPFair), assisted by abdominal thrusts (CPFthrust), and assisted by both air stacking and abdominal thrusts (aCPF) were measured for 61 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). RESULTS: Overall, mean unassisted CPF were 138 +/- 70 liters/min, CPFthrust were 204 +/- 75 liters/min, CPFair were 236 +/- 68 liters/min, and aCPF were 302 +/- 78 liters/min. The differences between each were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, air stacking was significantly more effective than abdominal thrust in increasing CPF, but the combination was the most effective. The CPF of the quartile of patients with the lowest unassisted CPF were also significantly (P < or = 0.04) more augmented by air stacking and thrusting than for the milder quartiles of patients. Thus, the greatest improvements in CPF were for patients with the weakest coughs.

Flow cytometry of GATA transcription factors.

BACKGROUND: Although GATA-1 and GATA-2 have been shown to play an important role in hematopoiesis, the expression levels of these GATA proteins in the targeted cell population of clinical samples have not been studied. We applied flow cytometry (FCM) to examine the expression levels of these GATA proteins in the selected subpopulation in heterogeneous blood cells. METHODS: Cells were treated with a fixing solution and methanol followed by staining with specific antibodies to GATA proteins in a permeabilizing solution. Immunofluorescence microscopy and Northern blot analysis using GATA-1 and GATA-2 transfected cell lines and various leukemic cell lines were used to confirm the specificity of this method. Subsequently, the method was applied in two-parameter studies combining GATA expression with surface marker expression in clinical samples. RESULTS: The positive signals were specifically detected in transfected cells and leukemic cell lines by FCM in agreement with the results of Northern blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. The expression of these GATA factors in the targeted cell population was easily detectable by gating with lineage-specific cell surface markers. When the expression of these GATA proteins was examined in glycophorin A-positive cells in clinical samples, the level of GATA-1 was markedly different among the samples. CONCLUSIONS: This detection system is useful to evaluate the relative expression level of each GATA protein in the targeted cell population among heterogeneous cells, and the results suggest an aberrant expression of GATA factors in hematological diseases.

Human leukocyte antigen-DR expression on peripheral monocytes as a predictive marker of sepsis during acute pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: The mortality associated with severe acute pancreatitis is still high, and death in the later stage of the disease is chiefly due to bacterial infection and sepsis. However, objective parameters for the risk of sepsis in acute pancreatitis have not been established. AIM: To investigate the value of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on peripheral monocytes for predicting the development of sepsis during acute pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: The expression of HLA-DR on peripheral monocytes was measured in 64 patients by flow cytometry at admission and 7 and 14 days after the onset of acute pancreatitis. Twenty-eight patients with severe acute pancreatitis and 36 with mild acute pancreatitis, as determined by the Atlanta classification, were enrolled. RESULTS: Six patients had sepsis, and two of them died during the hospital stay. At admission, the percentage of HLA-DR-expressing cells in the monocyte population was significantly lower in the patients who had sepsis in the later course than in the patients who did not have sepsis. A percentage lower than 80% at admission was observed in 17 patients, and the patients who had persistently low percentages of HLA-DR-expressing monocytes throughout the observation period had sepsis in the later clinical course, whereas the patients in whom expression recovered to the normal range were spared the development of sepsis. CONCLUSION: In acute pancreatitis, the low percentage of HLA-DR-expressing cells in the monocyte population is a reliable predictor of the development of sepsis. Monitoring of monocyte HLA-DR expression may be a useful marker for identifying the patients who are at high risk of sepsis in acute pancreatitis.