Study on pickling technology to control fouling of ceramic membrane treating secondary treated effluent.

The application of membrane technology in the field of water treatment was increasingly widespread, but membrane fouling still restricted its development, and the membrane needed to be chemically cleaned. This research focused on the high-efficiency pickling technology of ceramic membrane, and developed the cleaning technology of ceramic membrane in cooperation with surfactant. In the experiment, the municipal secondary effluent was used as the raw water, and the single-step, mixed and step-by-step cleaning effects of three strong acids, three weak acids and surfactants on ceramic membranes and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes were investigated. For ceramic membrane, the optimal cleaning combination was H2SO4 first and then DTAC, and the flux recovery rate could reach 96.94%; for PVDF membrane, the optimal cleaning combination was HNO3 first and then H2SO4, and the flux recovery rate could reach 93.72%. In addition, the surface of initial, polluted, and cleaned membranes were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and contact angle, and the fouling mechanism of the ceramic membrane was analyzed. The results showed that through physical cleaning and chemical cleaning, most of the pollutants on the membrane surface and pores were removed. The cleaning method can effectively control the membrane pollution.

In vitro remineralization of enamel white spot lesions with a carrier-based amorphous calcium phosphate delivery system.

OBJECTIVES: To achieve in vitro remineralization of enamel white spot lesions (WSLs) via a mesoporous delivery system of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) precursors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amine-functionalized expanded pore mesoporous silica (aMSN) was loaded with polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAA-ACP) to develop a carrier-based delivery system (PAA-ACP@aMSN). Thirty-six artificial WSLs samples were created and randomly assigned to three treatments: artificial saliva solution (negative control, n = 12), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) slurry (n = 12), and PAA-ACP@aMSN slurry (n = 12). Surface microhardness, Raman intensity, and color were measured before/after artificial demineralization and after remineralization treatments to evaluate the remineralization level of each sample. SEM images were taken on the surface and cross-section of samples to observe microstructure changes. RESULTS: The surface microhardness recovery ratio (%SMHRR), Raman intensity change ratio (%ICR), and color recovery ratio (%CRR) were not significantly different between CPP-ACP and PAA-ACP@aMSN groups (P > 0.05), but both of them had significantly higher %SMHRR, %ICR, and %CRR values than negative control (P < 0.01). SEM images showed that apparent enamel prism imprints and inter-prism gaps in negative control were masked by mineral deposition in the PAA-ACP@aMSN and CPP-ACP groups. CONCLUSIONS: PAA-ACP@aMSN has an ability to remineralize enamel WSLs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The carrier-based amorphous calcium phosphate delivery system has great potential to serve as a remineralizing agent for the treatment of WSLs.

Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation compared with intravesical chemotherapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumors.

PURPOSE: We performed a meta-analysis to confirm the efficacy and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation compared with intravesical chemotherapy after transurethral resection for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of continuous saline bladder irrigation compared with intravesical chemotherapy were searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The data were evaluated and statistically analyzed using RevMan version 5.3.0. RESULTS: Four studies including 861 participants which compared continuous saline bladder irrigation with intravesical chemotherapy were considered. One-year recurrence-free survival [odds ratio (OR) = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.55-1.05, p = 0.09]; 2-year recurrence-free survival (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.71-1.25, p = 0.68); the median period to first recurrence (OR = - 1.01, 95% CI = - 2.96 to 0.94, p = 0.31); the number of tumor progression (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.54-1.17, p = 0.25); and the number of recurrence during follow-up (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.84-1.50, p = 0.43) suggested that two methods of postoperative perfusion had no significant differences. In terms of safety, including macrohematuria, frequency of urination and bladder irritation symptoms, continuous saline bladder irrigation showed better tolerance than intravesical chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Continuous saline bladder irrigation seems to provide a better balance between prevention of recurrence and local toxicities than intravesical chemotherapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumors.

LSINCT5 activates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling by interacting with NCYM to promote bladder cancer progression.

Accumulating evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critically involved in tumor progression. In current study, we reported a novel lncRNA signature correlated with bladder cancer development. Particularly, the lncRNA long stress-induced noncoding transcript 5 (LSINCT5) is significantly upregulated in human bladder cancer cell lines and tumor specimens. Meanwhile, high LSINCT5 expression correlates with poor prognosis, enhances tumor sphere formation and invasion in vitro. In vivo xenograft tumor growth is also elevated by LSINCT5 overexpression. Mechanistic investigations showed that LSINCT5 could physically interact with NCYM, a de novo gene product from the MYCN cis-antisense RNA and inhibit GSK3ß activity leading to enhanced Wnt/ß-catenin signaling activation and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our findings have created a novel LSINCT5 mediated process which facilitates bladder cancer progression and may provide a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

MicroRNA-588 is upregulated in human prostate cancer with prognostic and functional implications.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic factors of microRNAs (miRNAs) are important biomarkers and modulators in human prostate cancer (PCa). In this work, we characterized the expression, biomarker-potential and functional regulation of miR-588 in PCa. METHODS: Endogenous miR-588 levels were quantified by qRT-PCR in both prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-negative and PSA-positive PCa cell lines, as well as human PCa tumors. The associations between endogenous miR-588 and PCa patients' clinical outcomes and postoperative overall survival were statistically examined. Moreover, in both PSA-negative DU145 and PSA-positive LNCaP, downregulation of miR-588 was achived by transduction of miR-588 inhibitor lentivirus. The subsequent effects of miR-588 downregulation on PCa cell developments were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: MiR-588 was profoundly upregulated in both PSA-negative and PSA-positive PCa cells, as well as in PCa tumors. Significant miR-588 upregulation was found to be closely associated with PCa patients' poor clinical outcomes and shorter postoperative overall survivals. In DU145 and LNCaP cell lines, lentiviral transduction markedly downregulated endogenous miR-588 levels. MiR-588 downregulation was shown to profoundly inhibit PCa proliferation in vitro and xenograft in vivo. CONCLUSION: Aberrant upregulation of endogenous miR-588 in PCa patients may be a prognostic biomarker, indicative of their poor clinical outcomes. Inhibiting endogenous miR-588 may also serve as a therapeutic target for PCa treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Wet-bonding Technique May Improve the Quality of Dentin Bonding.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the dimethyl-sulfoxide wet-bonding technique on composite-dentin bonds and to explore its potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty human third molars were segmented, ground, etched, and randomly divided into three groups according to the following pretreatments: 1. water; 2. ethanol; 3. 50% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Then, Single Bond 2 was applied and composite buildups were constructed. After 24 h of water storage or 10,000 cycles of thermocycling, the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) and nanoleakage were measured. Contact angle measurement, Masson's trichrome staining, and in situ zymography were used to explore the possible action mechanism of DMSO on adhesive-dentin interfaces. RESULTS: DMSO pretreatment prevented the decline of thermocycled MTBS (p < 0.05) without affecting the immediate MTBS (p > 0.05) compared to the water wet-bonded group. Nanoleakage expression in the thermocycled DMSO wet-bonded group was also less than that in the thermocycled water-wet group (p < 0.05). Moreover, DMSO decreased the contact angle of the dentin surfaces (p < 0.05), reduced the amount of collagen exposure (p < 0.05), and decreased the collagenolytic activity in the hybrid layer (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 50% DMSO pretreatment was effective in increasing the wettability of the etched dentin surface, promoting the penetration of the adhesive monomer, and enhancing the stability of the dentin collagen at the adhesive- dentin interface. All these changes may lead to higher quality dentin bonds, suggesting that DMSO wet bonding is a viable alternative to improve the durability of dentin bonding.

Different surface treatments and adhesive monomers for zirconia-resin bonds: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

This review examined the efficacy of surface treatments and adhesive monomers for enhancing zirconia-resin bond strength. A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library yielded relevant in vitro studies. Employing pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analyses, 77 articles meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Gas plasma was found to be ineffective, while treatments including air abrasion, silica coating, laser, selective infiltration etching, hot etching showed varied effectiveness. Air abrasion with finer particles (25-53 µm) showed higher immediate bond strength than larger particles (110-150 µm), with no significant difference post-aging. The Rocatec silica coating system outperformed the CoJet system in both immediate and long-term bond strength. Adhesives containing 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP) were superior to other acidic monomers. The application of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and silane did not improve bonding performance. Notably, 91.2 % of bonds weakened after aging, but this effect was less pronounced with air abrasion or silica coating. The findings highlight the effectiveness of air abrasion, silica coating, selective infiltration etching, hot etching, and laser treatment in improving bond strength, with 10-MDP in bonding agents enhancing zirconia bonding efficacy.

Enhancing dentin bonding quality through Acetone wet-bonding technique: a promising approach.

Objective: This paper aimed to assess the impact of the acetone wet-bonding (AWB) technique on dentin bonding and to investigate its potential underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Caries-free third molars were sliced, ground, etched, water-rinsed. Then the specimens were randomly allocated to four groups according to the following pretreatments: 1. water wet-bonding (WWB); 2. ethanol wet-bonding (EWB); 3. 50% (v/v) acetone aqueous solution (50%AWB); 4. 100% acetone solution (AWB). Singlebond universal adhesive was then applied and composite buildups were constructed. The microtensile bond strength (MTBS), failure modes and interface nanoleakage were respectively evaluated after 24 h of water storage, 10,000 times of thermocycling or 1-month collagenase ageing. In situ zymography and contact angle were also investigated. Results: Acetone pretreatment preserved MTBS after thermocycling or collagenase ageing (p < 0.05) without affecting the immediate MTBS (p > 0.05). Furthermore, AWB group manifested fewer nanoleakage than WWB group. More importantly, the contact angle of the dentin surfaces decreased significantly and collagenolytic activities within the hybrid layer were suppressed in AWB group. Conclusion: This study suggested that the AWB technique was effective in enhancing the dentin bond durability by increasing the wettability of dentin surface to dental adhesives, removing residual water in the hybrid layer, improving the penetration of adhesive monomer, and inhibiting the collagenolytic activities. Clinical significance: The lifespan of adhesive restorations would be increased by utilization of acetone wet-bonding technique.

Effects of Plant Extracts on Dentin Bonding Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To systematically review in vitro studies that evaluated the effects of plant extracts on dentin bonding strength. Materials and Methods: Six electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang and The Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to September 2021 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). In vitro studies that compared the performance of dental adhesives with and without the plant extracts participation were included. The reference lists of the included studies were manually searched. Two researchers carried out study screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment, independently and in duplicate. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3. Results: A total of 62 studies were selected for full-text analysis. 25 articles used the plant extracts as primers, while five added the plant extracts into adhesives. The meta-analysis included 14 articles of in vitro studies investigating the effects of different plant extract primers on dentin bonding strength of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives, respectively. The global analysis showed statistically significant difference between dental adhesives with and without plant extract primers. It showed that the immediate bond strength of dental adhesives was improved with the application of plant extract primers. Conclusion: The application of proanthocyanidin (PA) primers have positive effect on the in vitro immediate bonding strength of dental adhesives irrespective of etch-and-rinse or self-etch modes.

Study on interface thermodynamic mechanism of membrane fouling in flat sheet ceramic membrane treating oilfield produced water.

In this study, a flat sheet ceramic membrane experimental device was constructed, and the thermodynamics of membrane fouling interface was studied for oilfield produced water. The flux of ceramic membrane in three kinds of model solutions were measured with time, as well as the surface tension, contact Angle and Zeta potential of solid. The thermodynamic mechanism of membrane fouling interface combined with XDLVO theory were explored for three kinds of model solutions. The thermodynamic study of the interface of ceramic plate membrane shows that the total interaction energy between membrane and oil droplets decreases with the increase of the distance between two interfaces at initial stage of membrane fouling, and finally transforms from the mutual attraction to the mutual repulsion. The total interaction energy between reservoir and oil droplet is shown as mutual attraction, and the total interaction energy decreases with the increase of the distance between reservoir and oil droplet interface. The zeta potential of crude oil was affected by salinity to some extent. The electrostatic shielding effect of the salt ions leads to a decrease in the ζ-potential of the three solutions. They are in the order: model solution A > model solution B > model solution C. This leads to a decrease in the electrostatic interaction (EL). And since the oil layer has the same composition as the oil droplets, the EL interactions in the three solutions can behave as mutual repulsion.

Resistin impairs activation of protein C by suppressing EPCR and increasing SP1 expression.

Endothelial cells are vital to blood coagulation and maintain whole body hemostasis. Binding of endothelial cells to endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and thrombomodulin (TM) is essential to the formation of activated protein C (APC), one of the key factors regulating blood coagulation. In our study, we showed that resistin, an adipocyte hormone, suppresses thrombin-induced protein C activation in endothelial cells. Resistin treatment results in a reduction in EPCR expression, but not TM. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that resistin induces expression of the nuclear transcription factor SP-1, which could lead to downregulation of EPCR. Both inhibition and silencing of SP1 protein abolishes abnormal APC generation induced by resistin. Collectively, our data support a new role of resistin in disturbing APC formation.

Labeling monosaccharides with stable isotopes.

Chemical and chemi-enzymic methods are discussed for the preparation of monosaccharide isotopomers that are singly and multiply labeled with (13)C, (2)H, (17/18)O, and (15)N isotopes. The discussion focuses primarily on chemical methods to incorporate stable isotopes into monosaccharides and not on methods to assemble labeled monosaccharides into more complex biomolecules such as oligosaccharides or oligonucleotides. Two primary isotope insertion reactions are considered: cyanohydrin reduction (CR) and molybdate-catalyzed epimerization (MCE). Both methods are described in detail, including discussions of their mechanistic features, and their advantages and limitations. The integration of CR, MCE, and other chemical synthetic processes with enzyme-mediated synthesis is also discussed to illustrate how a wide range of singly and multiply labeled monosaccharides can be prepared for subsequent use in the assembly of more complex isotopically labeled biomolecules.

A disaccharide rearrangement catalyzed by molybdate anion in aqueous solution.

Reaction of a galactosylated 2-C-(hydroxymethyl)-tetrofuranose with paramolybdate ion-exchange resin in aqueous solution at 67 degrees C gave an equililibrium mixture containing the reactant aldofuranose (42%) and a 2-ketopentofuranose galactosylated at O1 (58%). Observation of this stereospecific rearrangement supports prior arguments that substituents at C2 of the branched-chain aldofuranose reactant are located in a sterically accessible pocket of the putative dimolybdate-saccharide reactive complex during epimerization. This rearrangement provides a new and convenient route to 2-ketosugars glycosylated at the exocyclic C1 position.

[13C,15N]2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-D-aldohexoses and their methyl glycosides: synthesis and NMR investigations of J-couplings involving 1H, 13C, and 15N.

[reaction: see text] A series of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-[1-13C]aldohexoses and their methyl glycosides was prepared with use of a simplified cyanohydrin reduction route. Four d-aldopentosylamines (arabino, lyxo, ribo, xylo) were prepared from the corresponding D-aldopentoses by reaction with NH3(g) in MeOH solvent, isolated in solid form, and characterized by 13C and 1H NMR. Hydrolysis of beta-D-xylopyranosylamine was studied using 13C-labeled substrates to establish optimal solution conditions for cyanohydrin formation. Major hydrolytic intermediates were observed and identified by time-lapse 1D and 2D NMR analyses of reaction mixtures. The aldopentosylamines were subsequently employed in cyanohydrin reduction reactions with K13CN to yield C2-epimeric [1-13C]2-aminosugars, which were separated by chromatography on ion-exchange columns. N-Acetylation and methyl glycosidation followed by chromatography gave pure 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-[1-13C]aldohexopyranosides. J(CH) and J(CC) spin-spin coupling constants involving the labeled anomeric carbon were measured and compared to those observed previously in methyl D-[1-13C]aldohexopyranosides. In parallel studies, theoretical J-couplings were calculated in model N-acetylated aldopyranosides using density functional theory (DFT) to predict the effect of OH vs NHCOCH(3) substitution at C2 on J(CH) and J(CC) values in aldopyranosyl rings. The synthetic method was also modified to accommodate (15)N- and (13)C-labeling within the N-acetyl side-chain, and some J-couplings involving 1H, 13C, and 15N atoms in 2-[1,2-13C2;15N]acetamido-2-deoxy-D-[1-13C]glucose were measured and interpreted.

Correlated C-C and C-O bond conformations in saccharide hydroxymethyl groups: parametrization and application of redundant 1H-1H, 13C-1H, and 13C-13C NMR J-couplings.

Methyl alpha- and beta-pyranosides of d-glucose and d-galactose 1-4 were prepared containing single sites of (13)C-enrichment at C4, C5, and C6 (12 compounds), and (1)H and (13)C[(1)H] NMR spectra were obtained to determine a complete set of J-couplings ((1)J, (2)J, and (3)J) involving the labeled carbon and nearby protons and carbons within the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group (CH(2)OH) of each compound. In parallel theoretical studies, the dependencies of (1)J, (2)J, and (3)J involving (1)H and (13)C on the C5-C6 (omega) and C6-O6 (theta;) torsion angles in aldohexopyranoside model compounds were computed using density functional theory (DFT) and a special basis set designed to reliably recover the Fermi contact contribution to the coupling. Complete hypersurfaces for (1)J(C5,C6), (2)J(C5,H6)(R), (2)J(C5,H6)(S), (2)J(C6,H5), (2)J(C4,C6), (3)J(C4,H6)(R), (3)J(C4,H6)(S), and (3)J(C6,H4), as well as (2)J(H6)(R)(,H6)(S), (3)J(H5,H6)(R), and (3)J(H5,H6)(S), were obtained and used to parametrize new equations correlating these couplings to omega and/or theta;. DFT-computed couplings were also tested for accuracy by measuring J-couplings in (13)C-labeled 4,6-O-ethylidene derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose in which values of omega and theta; were constrained. Using a new computer program, Chymesa, designed to utilize multiple J-couplings sensitive to exocyclic CH(2)OH conformation, the ensemble of experimental couplings observed in 1-4 were analyzed to yield preferred rotamer populations about omega and theta;. Importantly, due to the sensitivity of some couplings, most notably (2)J(H6)(R)(,H6)(S), (2)J(C5,H6)(R), and (2)J(C5,H6)(S), to both omega and theta;, unique information on correlated conformation about both torsion angles was obtained. The latter treatment represents a means of evaluating correlated conformation in 1,6-linked oligosaccharides, since psi and theta; are redundant in these linkages. In the latter regard, multiple, redundant scalar couplings originating from both sides of the glycosidic linkage can be used collectively to evaluate conformational correlations between psi/theta; and C5-C6 bond rotamers.