DFT simulated Quercetin imprinted polymer: Selective recovery of Quercetin from onion solid waste.

Onion peels (OP) are byproduct of food processing industries that poses economic and environmental challenges. However, being rich source of bioactive compounds like Quercetin (Qt), a polyphenolic antioxidant with potential health benefits, harnessing value from such waste can imbibe sustainable practices and protect environment. With this view, the present study targets selective recovery of Qt from OP waste using rationally designed molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used for the theoretical selection of the best conformer of Qt (template), methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer, ratio of Qt-MAA for getting stable pre-polymerization complex, and to avoid hit and trial experiments. The theoretical results were validated experimentally by synthesizing MIP/ control polymer (NIP) using MAA as functional monomer, EGDMA as a cross-linker and AIBN as initiator. Synthesized MIP/NIP were characterized using various characterization techniques to confirm successful imprinting. Prepared MIP and NIP could effectively rebind the Qt molecule with binding capacity of 46.67 and 20.89 mg g-1 respectively. Furthermore, synthesized MIP could selectively recover 62.81 % of Qt from 1 g of dry onion peel powder. This study can be effectually used for sustainable recovery of Qt in large scale for various foods, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

Proteogenomic characterization of difficult-to-treat breast cancer with tumor cells enriched through laser microdissection.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women globally. Despite advances, there is considerable variation in clinical outcomes for patients with non-luminal A tumors, classified as difficult-to-treat breast cancers (DTBC). This study aims to delineate the proteogenomic landscape of DTBC tumors compared to luminal A (LumA) tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively collected a total of 117 untreated primary breast tumor specimens, focusing on DTBC subtypes. Breast tumors were processed by laser microdissection (LMD) to enrich tumor cells. DNA, RNA, and protein were simultaneously extracted from each tumor preparation, followed by whole genome sequencing, paired-end RNA sequencing, global proteomics and phosphoproteomics. Differential feature analysis, pathway analysis and survival analysis were performed to better understand DTBC and investigate biomarkers. RESULTS: We observed distinct variations in gene mutations, structural variations, and chromosomal alterations between DTBC and LumA breast tumors. DTBC tumors predominantly had more mutations in TP53, PLXNB3, Zinc finger genes, and fewer mutations in SDC2, CDH1, PIK3CA, SVIL, and PTEN. Notably, Cytoband 1q21, which contains numerous cell proliferation-related genes, was significantly amplified in the DTBC tumors. LMD successfully minimized stromal components and increased RNA-protein concordance, as evidenced by stromal score comparisons and proteomic analysis. Distinct DTBC and LumA-enriched clusters were observed by proteomic and phosphoproteomic clustering analysis, some with survival differences. Phosphoproteomics identified two distinct phosphoproteomic profiles for high relapse-risk and low relapse-risk basal-like tumors, involving several genes known to be associated with breast cancer oncogenesis and progression, including KIAA1522, DCK, FOXO3, MYO9B, ARID1A, EPRS, ZC3HAV1, and RBM14. Lastly, an integrated pathway analysis of multi-omics data highlighted a robust enrichment of proliferation pathways in DTBC tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an integrated proteogenomic characterization of DTBC vs LumA with tumor cells enriched through laser microdissection. We identified many common features of DTBC tumors and the phosphopeptides that could serve as potential biomarkers for high/low relapse-risk basal-like BC and possibly guide treatment selections.

Role of Consolidation and Maintenance.

Consolidation therapy consists of short-term therapy after stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma. Key consolidation trials have shown mixed results on whether consolidation should be included after transplant, leading to varied clinical practice. Maintenance therapy consists of long-term, typically fixed-duration or indefinite, therapy. Standard-risk patients typically receive single-agent therapy, whereas high-risk may benefit from doublet therapy and beyond. Adverse events and quality of life concerns should be considered, as optimal duration of maintenance therapy continues to be studied.

Association of clinicopathologic and molecular factors with the occurrence of positive margins in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To explore the association of clinicopathologic and molecular factors with the occurrence of positive margins after first surgery in breast cancer. METHODS: The clinical and RNA-Seq data for 951 (75 positive and 876 negative margins) primary breast cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used. The role of each clinicopathologic factor for margin prediction and also their impact on survival were evaluated using logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, and Cox proportional hazards regression models. In addition, differential expression analysis on a matched dataset (71 positive and 71 negative margins) was performed using Deseq2 and LASSO regression. RESULTS: Association studies showed that higher stage, larger tumor size (T), positive lymph nodes (N), and presence of distant metastasis (M) significantly contributed (p ≤ 0.05) to positive surgical margins. In case of surgery, lumpectomy was significantly associated with positive margin compared to mastectomy. Moreover, PAM50 Luminal A subtype had higher chance of positive margin resection compared to Basal-like subtype. Survival models demonstrated that positive margin status along with higher stage, higher TNM, and negative hormone receptor status was significant for disease progression. We also found that margin status might be a surrogate of tumor stage. In addition, 29 genes that could be potential positive margin predictors and 8 pathways were identified from molecular data analysis. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of positive margins after surgery was associated with various clinical factors, similar to the findings reported in earlier studies. In addition, we found that the PAM50 intrinsic subtype Luminal A has more chance of obtaining positive margins compared to Basal type. As the first effort to pursue molecular understanding of the margin status, a gene panel of 29 genes including 17 protein-coding genes was also identified for potential prediction of the margin status which needs to be validated using a larger sample set.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of chemically complex shale gas wastewater led to reduced fitness of water fleas (Daphnia carinata): Multiple lines of evidence approach.

Shale gas hydraulic fracturing generates flowback waters that pose a threat to aquatic organisms if released into the environment. In order to prevent adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, multiple lines of evidence are needed to guide better decisions and management actions. This study employed a multi-disciplinary approach, combining direct toxicity assessment (DTA) on the water flea Daphnia carinata and LC-MS metabolomics analysis to determine the impact of a major ion salinity control (SC) and a cumulative flowback shale gas wastewater (SGW) from a well in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia. The exposures included a culture water control, simply further referred to as 'control', SC at 1% and 2% (v/v) and SGW at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1% and 2% (v/v). The results showed that reproduction was significantly increased at SGW 0.5%, and significantly decreased when exposed to SC 2%. SGW 2% was found to be acutely toxic for the D. carinata (< 48-h). Second generation (F1) of D. carinata exposed to 0.125-1% SGW generally saw reduced activity in four oxidative biomarkers: glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and superoxide dismutase. At the metabolomics level, we observed significant changes in 103 metabolites in Daphnia exposed to both SGW and elevated salinity, in comparison to the control group. These changes indicate a range of metabolic disturbances induced by SGW and salinity, such as lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide synthesis, energy production, and the biosynthesis of crucial molecules like hormones and pigments. These multiple lines of evidence approach not only highlights the complexities of SGW's impact on aquatic ecosystems but also underscores the importance of informed decision-making and management practices to safeguard the environment and its inhabitants.

Predictors of lenalidomide maintenance duration after autologous stem cell transplant in patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: For patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have undergone autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT), the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide is a first-line option for maintenance therapy. Because longer durations of lenalidomide maintenance are associated with improved survival, identifying strategies to avoid premature cessation of maintenance is an important priority in the post-transplant setting. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this analysis was to identify specific clinical predictors of lenalidomide treatment duration that could guide optimal medication management. Key secondary objectives included predictors of intolerable toxicity, rationale for lenalidomide dose reduction/discontinuation, and characterization of dose adjustments. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective, multi-center cohort study included adults with MM who underwent auto-SCT and initiated maintenance lenalidomide between 01/01/2012 and 02/28/2021. Variables assessed as potential predictors of maintenance duration or intolerable toxicity included age, body mass index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status at time of auto-SCT, renal function, initial lenalidomide dose, use of combination maintenance therapy, and cytogenetic risk category. RESULTS: Among 299 patients included, the median age at time of auto-SCT was 62 years (range 30-77). The majority of patients had standard-risk cytogenetics (64%) and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 (72%). In the overall population, the median duration of maintenance was 1.3 years (range 0.3-8.6 years). The median initial dose of lenalidomide was 10 mg daily (range 2.5-25 mg). During the study period, 35% of patients had a dose reduction due to toxicity, 21% stopped lenalidomide due to disease progression, and 19% stopped due to toxicity. Multivariate linear regression analyses did not identify any significant predictors of lenalidomide duration or discontinuation due to intolerable toxicity. The most frequently reported toxicities leading to discontinuation were cytopenias, rash, and fatigue. CONCLUSION: This analysis did not identify any significant risk factors to predict the duration of lenalidomide maintenance or discontinuation for toxicity following auto-SCT in patients with MM. While limited by the retrospective design and relatively small sample size, our findings suggest that a priori lenalidomide dose reductions based on patient co-morbidities or performance status may not substantially affect the duration of lenalidomide maintenance.

Mixture Toxicity of Three Unconventional Gas Fracking Chemicals, Barium, O-Cresol, and Sodium Chloride, to the Freshwater Shrimp Paratya australiensis.

The 96-h acute toxicity of barium (Ba2+ ), o-cresol, and sodium chloride (NaCl) to Paratya australiensis was assessed in single, binary, and ternary combinations in addition to three biochemical assays: glutathione S-transferase, acetylcholinesterase, and sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase. The 96-h lethal concentrations that expressed 50% mortality (LC50) in the single-toxicant exposures were Ba2+ = 23.4 mg/L, o-cresol = 12.2 mg/L, and NaCl = 4198 mg/L. Mortality from o-cresol exposure occurred between 11 and 22 mg/L, whereas Ba2+ was more gradual across 10-105 mg/L, and most of the NaCl mortality occurred between 2050 and 4100 mg/L. Toxic units were used to assess the binary and ternary interactions of the toxicants. A more than additive effect was observed for most combinations in the binary chemical exposures, with the ternary combinations yielding highly synergistic interactions. Greater synergism was observed with the 96-h LC50 of o-cresol in combination with the three concentrations of NaCl (1025, 2050, and 3075 mg/L) compared with Ba2+ , with toxic units of 0.38, 0.48, and 0.10 (o-cresol) and 0.71, 0.67, and 0.50 (Ba2+ ). No notable enzyme activity trends were observed in the enzyme biomarker responses from both individual and mixture exposures. Although acute single-species toxicity tests tend to underestimate the effects of Ba2+ , o-cresol, and NaCl on populations, communities, and ecosystems in seminatural (e.g., mesocosms) and natural systems, there are currently no published acute toxicity data available for P. australiensis and the three toxicants used in the present study. The present study shows that chemicals with different toxicity mechanisms can potentially lead to more synergistic responses. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:481-494. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Valorization of potato peel waste: Recovery of p-hydroxy benzoic acid (antioxidant) through molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction.

Solid waste management of the potato peels, generated during the processing of potatoes, can be done sustainably by adding value to the peel waste. Peels contains polyphenols, which serve as a defense mechanism against foreign pathogens in plants and have a variety of pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, specific segregation of any one polyphenol from waste can be challenging due to its complex matrix and low concentration of the targeted polyphenol. This work presents a way to combat this challenge through molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) using customized graphene oxide-based molecularly imprinted composite (GOMIP) as sorbent for the selective recovery of p-hydroxy benzoic acid (P-HA) (antioxidant used in food industries), from potato peels for the effective valorization of peels. Various parameters such as flow rate, vacuum manifold pressure, conditioning solvent, washing solvent, and elution solvent were optimized for effective segregation of targeted P-HA. The imprinting factor of 2.14, obtained using breakthrough curves for GOMIP and control (graphene oxide based non-imprinted composite-GONIP) sorbent under optimized condition, indicated the ability of the sorbent GOMIP to recover P-HA from the extract of potato peels. Reusability and selectivity studies were performed for GOMIP sorbent using the real sample [potato peels extract (PPE)]. 77.44% recovery for P-HA was exhibited by the GOMIP sorbent in the MISPE cartridge as determined using HPLC. MISPE with customized GOMIP sorbent can be a sustainable approach to valorize the potato peel solid waste.

The Acute Toxicity of Salinity in Onshore Unconventional Gas Waters to Freshwater Invertebrates in Receiving Environments: A Systematic Review.

Industries such as unconventional natural gas have seen increased global expansion to meet the increasing energy needs of our increasing global population. Unconventional gas uses hydraulic fracturing that produces significant volumes of produced waters, which can be highly saline and pose a toxic threat to freshwater invertebrates if exposure via discharges, spills, leaks, or runoff were to occur. The primary aim of the present review was to determine the sodium (Na+ ) and chloride (Cl- ) content of these waters as an approximate measure of salinity and how these values compare to the NaCl or synthetic marine salt acute toxicity values of freshwater invertebrate taxa. Shale gas produced waters are much more saline with 78 900 ± 10 200 NaCl mg/L and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 83 200 ± 12 200 mg/L compared to coal bed methane (CBM) produced waters with 4300 ± 1100 NaCl mg/L and TDS of 5900 ± 1300 mg/L and pose a far greater toxicity risk from NaCl to freshwater invertebrates. In addition, the toxicity of other major ions (Ca2+ , K+ , Mg2+ , CO 3 2 - , HCO3 - , and SO 4 2 - ) and their influence on the toxicity of Na+ and Cl- were evaluated. Exposure of untreated and undiluted shale gas produced waters to freshwater invertebrates is likely to result in significant or complete mortality. Shale gas produced waters have higher concentrations of various metals compared with CBM produced waters and are more acidic. We recommend future research to increase the reporting and consistency of water quality parameters, metals, and particularly organics of produced waters to provide a better baseline and help in further investigations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2928-2949. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

A review of omics-based PFAS exposure studies reveals common biochemical response pathways.

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of man-made chemicals with a range of industrial applications and which are widespread in the environment. They are structurally diverse but comprise a common chemical feature of at least one (though usually more) perfluorocarbon moiety (-CnF2n-) attached to a functional group such as a carboxylic or sulphonic acid. The strength of the Carbon-Fluorine bond means the compounds do not break down easily and can thus bioaccumulate. PFAS are of high concern to regulators and the public due to their potential toxicity and high persistence. At high exposure levels, PFAS have been implicated in a range of harmful effects on human and environmental health, particularly problems in/with development, cholesterol and endocrine disruption, immune system function, and oncogenesis. However, most environmental toxicology studies use far higher levels of PFAS than are generally found in the environment. Additionally, since the type of exposure, the PFAS used, and the organisms tested all vary between studies, so do the results. Traditional ecotoxicology studies may thus not identify PFAS effects at environmentally relevant exposures. Here we conduct a review of omics-based PFAS exposure studies using laboratory ecotoxicological methodologies and environmentally relevant exposure levels and show that common biochemical response pathways are identified in multiple studies. A major pathway identified was the pentose phosphate shunt pathway. Such molecular markers of sublethal PFAS exposure will greatly benefit accurate and effective risk assessments to ensure that new PFAS regulations can consider the full effects of PFAS exposure on environmental and human health receptors.

The influence of salinity on the chronic toxicity of shale gas flowback wastewater to freshwater organisms.

The potential environmental risk associated with flowback waters generated during hydraulic fracturing of target shale gas formations needs to be assessed to enable management decisions and actions that prevent adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Using direct toxicity assessment (DTA), we determined that the shale gas flowback wastewater (FWW) from two exploration wells (Tanumbirini-1 and Kyalla 117 N2) in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia were chronically toxic to eight freshwater biota. Salinity in the respective FWWs contributed 16% and 55% of the chronic toxicity at the 50% effect level. The remaining toxicity was attributed to unidentified chemicals and interactive effects from the mixture of identified organics, inorganics and radionuclides. The most sensitive chronic endpoints were the snail (Physa acuta) embryo development (0.08-1.1% EC10), microalga (Chlorella sp. 12) growth rate inhibition (0.23-3.7% EC10) and water flea (Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia) reproduction (0.38-4.9% EC10). No effect and 10% effect concentrations from the DTA were used in a species sensitivity distribution to derive "safe" dilutions of 1 in 300 and 1 in 1140 for the two FWWs. These dilutions would provide site-specific long-term protection to 95% of aquatic biota in the unlikely event of an accidental spill or seepage.

Antioxidant analysis of ultra-fast selectively recovered 4-hydroxy benzoic acid from fruits and vegetable peel waste using graphene oxide based molecularly imprinted composite.

Food processing industries generate 25-30% of fruit and vegetable peel (F&VP) waste of the total produce, which are rich in polyphenolic antioxidants (PA). Sustainable solution for the above waste can be its valorization for the recovery of PA, often used as natural preservative. Present work reports rationally designed graphene oxide-based molecularly imprinted composites (GOMIPs) using ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride (A) as a green functional monomer for selective recovery of PA 4-Hydroxy benzoic acid (4HA) from F&VP/pomegranate peel (PGP) waste. GOMIP-A and GOMIP-V were characterized using various techniques for its successful synthesis. GOMIP-A attained equilibrium within 10 min with adsorption capacity of 190.56 µmol g-1 for 4HA. Developed HPLC method depicted selective recovery of 77.23% and 62.83% 4HA from F&VP and PGP waste respectively by GOMIP-A. Subsequently, desorbed 4HA from GOMIP-A matrices exhibited the antioxidant potential of 33.53% (F&VP extract) and 47.97% (PGP extract) for DPPH radical.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Patients with Gastro-Pancreatic Malignancies: A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Patients who develop one primary neoplasm are at increased risk for second cancers. Chemotherapeutic agents can result in DNA damage leading to clonal hematopoiesis, thereby causing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Alkylating agents and topoisomerase inhibitors are most frequently implicated in therapy-related MDS. We report four patients with gastropancreatic malignancies (two with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and two with gastric adenocarcinoma) who developed MDS during or after the treatment of their primary gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Two of these patients were diagnosed with MDS during maintenance therapy with ramucirumab. To our knowledge, development of MDS in association with ramucirumab has not been previously reported in the literature. Our findings also suggest that with continued improvement in survival of patients with GI and pancreatic malignancies, more cases of treatment-related MDS might be identified.

Development and validation of prognostic gene signature for basal-like breast cancer and high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Molecular similarities have been reported between basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). To date, there have been no prognostic biomarkers that can provide risk stratification and inform treatment decisions for both BLBC and HGSOC. In this study, we developed a molecular signature for risk stratification in BLBC and further validated this signature in HGSOC. METHODS: RNA-seq data was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project for 190 BLBC and 314 HGSOC patients. Analyses of differentially expressed genes between recurrent vs. non-recurrent cases were performed using different bioinformatics methods. Gene Signature was established using weighted linear combination of gene expression levels. Their prognostic performance was evaluated using survival analysis based on progression-free interval (PFI) and disease-free interval (DFI). RESULTS: 63 genes were differentially expressed between 18 recurrent and 40 non-recurrent BLBC patients by two different methods. The recurrence index (RI) calculated from this 63-gene signature significantly stratified BLBC patients into two risk groups with 38 and 152 patients in the low-risk (RI-Low) and high-risk (RI-High) groups, respectively (p = 0.0004 and 0.0023 for PFI and DFI, respectively). Similar performance was obtained in the HGSOC cohort (p = 0.0131 and 0.004 for PFI and DFI, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression adjusting for age, grade, and stage showed that the 63-gene signature remained statistically significant in stratifying HGSOC patients (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: A gene signature was identified to predict recurrence in BLBC and HGSOC patients. With further validation, this signature may provide an additional prognostic tool for clinicians to better manage BLBC, many of which are triple-negative and HGSOC patients who are currently difficult to treat.

Potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards of metal(loid)s in food grains.

Metal(loid) contamination of vital food grains such as wheat and rice is a very serious problem throughout the world because consumption of such contaminated food can lead to severe health effects in humans. Metal(loid) contamination of food crops can occur from different sources such as contaminated soil, irrigation water, and aerial deposition. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyze potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health impacts posed by different metal(loid)s (As Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) via consumption of wheat and rice grown on metal(loid)-contaminated soils in areas around rivers (Beas and Sutlej) of Punjab, India. Among the metal(loid)s analyzed in wheat and rice samples, contents of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were found to be above the international (FAO/WHO and EU) maximum permissible limits. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment of individual metal(loid)s revealed that As posed highest risk followed by Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb. The values of indices calculated for analysis of combined non-carcinogenic, i.e., (hazard index; range 3.49-15.94) and carcinogenic (total carcinogenic risk index; range 8.30 × 10-4-131.62 × 10-4) risks for both crops were found to be many fold higher than the prescribed limits of 1.0 and 1.0 × 10-4, respectively. Thus, the analysis of combined risks posed by metal(loid)s indicated that human population consuming wheat and rice from the study area faced both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken to reduce the levels of metal(loid)s in wheat and rice from the study area.

Interleukin-6 is associated with mortality and neuropsychiatric outcomes in antiretroviral-naïve adults in Rakai, Uganda.

Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer have been associated with multiple adverse outcomes in HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals, but their association with neuropsychiatric outcomes, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) and depression, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy have not been investigated. Three hundred ninety-nine HIV+ antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve adults in Rakai, Uganda, were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study and completed a neurological evaluation, neurocognitive assessment, and venous blood draw. Half of the participants had advanced immunosuppression (CD4 count < 200 cells/µL), and half had moderate immunosuppression (CD4 count 350-500 cells/µL). All-cause mortality was determined by verbal autopsy within 2 years. HAND was determined using Frascati criteria, and depression was defined by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Neuropathy was defined as the presence of > 1 neuropathy symptom and > 1 neuropathy sign. Headaches were identified by self-report. Serum D-dimer levels were determined using ELISA and IL-6 levels using singleplex assays. Participants were 53% male, mean age 35 + 8 years, and mean education 5 + 3 years. Participants with advanced immunosuppression had significantly higher levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001) and a trend toward higher D-dimer levels (p = 0.06). IL-6 was higher among participants with HAND (p = 0.01), with depression (p = 0.03) and among those who died within 2 years (p = 0.001) but not those with neuropathy or headaches. D-dimer did not vary significantly by any outcome. Systemic inflammation as measured by serum IL-6 is associated with an increased risk of advanced immunosuppression, all-cause mortality, HAND, and depression but not neuropathy or headaches among ART-naïve HIV+ adults in rural Uganda.

Chitosan as a substrate for simultaneous surface imprinting of salicylic acid and cadmium.

The present work demonstrates functionalized chitosan as an ecofriendly substitute to the conventional costly substrates and monomers for simultaneous surface imprinting of salicylic acid (SA) and cadmium (Cd). Dual surface imprinted acrylamide functionalized chitosan based polymer (AGDMIP), with higher numbers of imprinted sites for SA and Cd was synthesized using acrylamide grafted chitosan, epichlorohydrin as crosslinker, Cd as template and 4 hydroxy benzoic acid (4HBA) as mimic template (supported by computational modeling). FTIR, SEM, XRD, BET surface area and TEM analysis confirmed successful preparation, mesoporous nature and surface imprinting of AGDMIP. The adsorption data could be fitted into Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 45.77 mg g-1 (SA) and 53.42 mg g-1 (Cd). Temkin and Intraparticle diffusion models confirmed the chemical nature and presence of imprint sites within AGDMIP respectively. AGDMIP could be reused for six cycles and exhibited good removal efficiency in real samples.

Ion cum molecularly dual imprinted polymer for simultaneous removal of cadmium and salicylic acid.

Ion cum molecularly dual imprinted polymer (DMIP) was synthesized for the simultaneous removal of salicylic acid (SA) and cadmium (Cd) by suspension polymerization method using chitosan (CTS) as functional polymer, epichlorohydrin as cross-linker, and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (4HBA) as well as Cd as organic and inorganic templates, respectively. Use of the dummy template 4HBA during the synthesis of DMIP had the advantage of creating imprinted cavities in DMIP, which depicted good uptake for SA. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated successful preparation of DMIP. Particle size analysis confirmed polydispersity, and thermal and swelling studies indicated the mechanical stability in DMIP. The rebinding capacities of the DMIP for Cd and SA were found to be 38.46 and 23.81 mgg-1 , respectively, under the optimize condition of the time, dose, and concentration. Adsorption isotherm results fitted into Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with the R2 values of 0.994 and 0.995 for Cd and SA, respectively. The presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in SA, stability of the template-monomer complexes (CTS-SA and CTS-4HBA), and the involvement of the hydroxyl groups on DMIP for the uptake of SA has been supported by molecular modeling studies using Gaussian 03 software. The electron doublet of the amino groups of DMIP was involved for the uptake of Cd. Lower binding efficiency of DMIP for SA as compared to Cd may be due to the partial participation of hydroxyl group in cross-linking with epichlorohydrin during the synthesis of DMIP.

Environmental pollution affects molecular and biochemical responses during gonadal maturation of Astyanax fasciatus (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae).

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have the potential to alter fish reproduction at various levels of organization. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a natural environment with heavily anthropogenic influence on the physiological processes involved in reproduction in the freshwater fish lambari (Astyanax fasciatus) using different biomarkers. Adult males and females were collected in different seasons from two distinct sites in the same watershed: Ponte Nova Reservoir (PN) considered a pristine or small anthropogenic influence reference point; and Billings Reservoir (Bil), subjected to a large anthropogenic impact. Biological indices, such as hepatosomatic index and gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonadal histomorphology, fecundity, and biomarkers such as plasma levels of estradiol (E2) as well as hepatic gene expression of its alfa nuclear receptor (ERα), were analyzed. Hepatic vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was evaluated in both sexes, as an indicator of xenoestrogen exposure. Females collected at PN presented a typical annual variation reflected in GSI, whereas for those sampled at Bil the index did not change through the seasons. The higher concentration of E2 in males collected at Bil during spring/2013, together with the detection of VTG gene expression, suggest the presence of EDCs in the water. These EDCs may have also influenced fecundity of females from Bil, which was higher during winter and spring/2013. Gene expression of ERα and ovarian morphology did not differ between fish from both sites. Water conditions from Bil reservoir impacted by anthropic activity clearly interfered mainly with biomarkers of biological effect such as plasma E2 levels and absolute and relative fecundity, but also altered biomarkers of exposure as VTG gene expression. These facts support the notion that waterborne EDCs are capable of causing estrogenic activity in A. fasciatus.

Direction of Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Lifestyle Behaviors in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: the Heart and Soul Study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence indicates that the association between depression and subsequent cardiovascular events is largely mediated by health behaviors. However, it is unclear whether depression is the cause or the consequence of poor health behaviors. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to examine prospective, bidirectional relationships of depressive symptoms with behavioral and lifestyle factors among patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: Depressive symptoms and lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, medication adherence, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, sleep quality, and smoking status) were assessed at baseline and 5 years later among a prospective cohort of 667 patients with stable coronary heart disease. RESULTS: Greater depressive symptoms at baseline predicted poorer lifestyle behaviors 5 years later (less physical activity, lower medication adherence, higher body mass index, higher waist to hip ratio, worse sleep quality, and smoking). After adjustment for demographics, cardiac disease severity, comorbidity, and baseline lifestyle behaviors, depressive symptom severity remained predictive of subsequent worsening of physical activity (beta = -0.08; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = -0.16, -0.01; p = 0.03), medication adherence (beta = -0.16; 95 % CI = -0.24, -0.08; p < 0.001), and sleep quality (beta = -0.19; 95 % CI = -0.27, -0.11; p < 0.001). Baseline lifestyle behaviors also predicted 5-year change in depressive symptoms, although the associations were attenuated after adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms and covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with coronary heart disease, depressive symptoms were linked to a range of lifestyle risk factors and predicted further declines in physical activity, medication adherence, and sleep quality.