Directional Freeze-Drying-Mediated Chitosan Aerogel with Ordered Structure Allowing High-Efficient Removal of Se(IV) from Wastewater.

The progress of industrialization has led to a notable elevation in selenium (Se) levels within aquatic environments, surpassing established thresholds and posing significant risks to both human health and ecological equilibrium. Chitosan (CS) exhibits considerable potential in mitigating waterborne pollutants owing to its nontoxic nature, cost-effectiveness, and the presence of abundant hydroxyl and amino functional groups along its backbone. However, its subpar mechanical and thermal stability, susceptibility to acidic dissolution, and challenges in recycling impede its widespread use in water pollution mitigation. To address the aforementioned issues, this study employs a liquid nitrogen-directed freezing process to synthesize chitosan aerogel, aiming to enhance the adsorption efficiency of Se(IV). Morphological and adsorption tests demonstrate that the compact and closely interconnected porous structure facilitates diffusion of Se(IV) into the aerogel, thereby enhancing its adsorption efficiency. The theoretical adsorption capacity of the CS aerogel for Se(IV) is 56.45 mg/g, surpassing that of numerous natural and composite adsorbents, with adsorption equilibrium achieved within 2.5 h. Moreover, the CS aerogel demonstrates substantial potential in remediating Se(IV)-contaminated wastewater and improving circulation stability. A series of characterization results demonstrate that the primary adsorption mechanism of the CS aerogel onto Se(IV) involves electrostatic interactions, complemented by hydrogen bonding between the amino and hydroxyl groups of the CS aerogel and Se(IV), thereby augmenting the adsorption efficacy. This study introduces innovative avenues for tailoring the functionality of 3D macroscopic materials to address the remediation of heavy metals in aquatic environments.

Effectiveness of novel ß-lactams for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Novel ß-lactams have in vitro activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), but their clinical performances and the selection criteria for practical use are still not clear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of novel ß-lactams for PA infection in various sites and to compare the efficacy of each agent. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials that used novel ß-lactams to treat PA infection. The primary outcomes were clinical cure and favorable microbiological response. Subgroup analyses were performed based on drug type, drug resistance of pathogens, and site of infection. Network meta-analysis was carried out within a Bayesian framework. RESULTS: In all studies combined (16 randomized controlled trials), novel ß-lactams indicated comparable performance to other treatment regimens in both outcome measures (relative risk = 1.04; 95% confidence interval 0.94-1.15; P = .43) (relative risk = 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.17; P = .76). Subgroup analyses showed that the efficacy of ceftolozane-tazobactam (TOL-TAZ), ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI), imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam, and cefiderocol had no apparent differences compared to control groups among different infection sites, drug types and drug resistance of PA. In network meta-analysis, the results showed no statistically significant differences between TOL-TAZ, CAZ-AVI, and cefiderocol. CONCLUSIONS: TOL-TAZ, CAZ-AVI, imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam, and cefiderocol are not inferior to other agents in the treatment of PA infection. Their efficacy is also comparable between TOL-TAZ, CAZ-AVI, and cefiderocol.

The effect of iron absorption in ferrous gluconate form from enriched rice flour using an in vitro digestion model and a Caco-2 cell model.

Iron deficiency can cause serious diseases in infants and young children such as indigestion, anemia, and nervous system dysplasia. Consumption of high-iron rice flour can prevent iron deficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential application of ferrous gluconate as an iron source in high-iron rice flour used as a type of accessory food for infants and young children. In this study, the differences in iron absorption ability between ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate in rice flour with the same ingredients in both high and low phytic acid systems were evaluated. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the bioaccessibility/bioavailability between ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate at both low and high phytic acid contents. In low phytic acid and high phytic acid systems, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate is 11.53% and 13.45% higher than that of ferrous fumarate, respectively (p < 0.05). In summary, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate was higher than that of ferrous fumarate in the rice flour system. Additionally, the low phytic acid environment is more conducive to iron uptake and utilization. Therefore, ferrous gluconate can be used as an alternative source of iron in accessory foods for infants and young children.