Precise recognition and efficient recovery of Pd(II) from high-level liquid waste by a novel aminothiazole-functionalized silica-based adsorbent.

Efficient recognition, separation and recovery of palladium from high-level liquid waste (HLLW) not only helps the safe, green and environmentally friendly disposal of nuclear waste, but also is an essential important supplement to overcome the growing shortage of natural palladium resources. Herein, a novel silica-based functional adsorbent named 2AT-SiAaC was prepared by a two-step method, i.e., grafting of 2-aminothiazole (2AT) via the amidated reaction after in-situ polymerization of acrylic monomers on porous silica. SEM, EDS, TG-DSC, BET and PXRD all proved the successful preparation of 2AT-SiAaC, and it exhibited ultrahigh adsorption selectivity for Pd(II) (Kd (distribution coefficient) ≥ 10,344.2 mL/g, SFPd/M (separation factor) ≥ 613.7), fast adsorption kinetics with short equilibrium time (t ≤ 1 h) and good adsorption capacity (Q ≥ 62.1 mg Pd/g). The dynamic column experiments shows that 2AT-SiAaC achieved efficiently separation of Pd(II) from simulated HLLW, and the enrichment coefficients (C/C0) of Pd(II) was as high as about 14 with the recovery rate nearly 99.9% and basically kept the same performance in three adsorption-desorption column cycle experiments. The adsorption mechanism was analyzed by FT-IR, XPS and DFT calculations, and the ultrahigh selectivity of 2AT-SiAaC was attributed to the preferred affinity of the soft N-donor atoms in 2AT for Pd(II). NO3- ions participated in the adsorption reaction to keep charge balance, and the frontier orbital electron density distribution diagram shows the charge transfer in the process of material preparation and adsorption. To sum up, 2AT-SiAaC adsorbent provided a new insight for precise recognition and efficient separation of Pd(II) from HLLW.

Synthesis and fabrication of segregative and durable MnO2@chitosan composite aerogel beads for uranium(VI) removal from wastewater.

To address the imperative need for efficient removal of uranium-containing wastewater and mitigate radioactive contamination risks associated with nuclear energy, the development of materials with high removal efficiency and facile separation is crucial. This study designed and synthesised MnO2@chitosan (CTS) composite aerogel beads by in-situ growing δ-MnO2 on porous CTS aerogel beads. This approach not only mitigates the agglomeration of MnO2 nanospheres but also significantly enhances the porous structure and surface area of MnO2@CTS. These cost-effective and eco-friendly millimeter-scale spherical aerogels exhibited convenient separation properties after adsorption. These characteristics help mitigate the risk of equipment seam blockage and secondary pollution that are often associated with powdered adsorbents. Additionally, MnO2@CTS exhibited remarkable mechanical strength (stress approximately 0.55 MPa at 60 % strain), enabling rapid separation and easy regeneration while maintaining high adsorption performance even after five cycles. Significantly, MnO2@CTS exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 410.7 mg/g at pH 6 and 298 K, surpassing reported values for most CTS/MnO2-based adsorbents. The chemisorption process of U(VI) on MnO2@CTS followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Dubinin-Radushkevish models. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further confirmed the reduction of U(VI) to U(V/IV). These findings highlight the substantial potential of MnO2@CTS aerogel beads for U(VI) removal from aqueous solutions, positioning them as a promising solution for addressing U(VI) contamination in wastewater.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment on keloid tumor immune gene expression.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has been demonstrated to influence the keloid recurrence rate after surgery and to relieve keloid symptoms and other pathological processes in keloids. To explore the mechanism of the effect of HBOT on keloids, tumor immune gene expression and immune cell infiltration were studied in this work. METHODS: From February 2021 to April 2021, HBOT was carried out on keloid patients four times before surgery. Keloid tissue samples were collected and divided into an HBOT group (keloid with HBOT before surgery [HK] group, n = 6) and a non-HBOT group (K group, n = 6). Tumor gene expression was analyzed with an Oncomine Immune Response Research Assay kit. Data were mined with R package. The differentially expressed genes between the groups were compared. Hub genes between the groups were determined and verified with Quantitative Real-time PCR. Immune cell infiltration was analyzed based on CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm analysis of gene expression and verified with immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the HK group. There were 178 upregulated genes and 217 downregulated genes. Ten hub genes were identified, including Integrin Subunit Alpha M (ITGAM), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-2, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type C (PTPRC), CD86, transforming growth factor (TGF), CD80, CTLA4, and IL-10. CD80, ITGAM, IL-4, and PTPRC with significantly downregulated expression were identified. IL-10 and IL-2 were upregulated in the HK group but without a significant difference. Infiltration differences of CD8 lymphocyte T cells, CD4 lymphocyte T-activated memory cells, and dendritic resting cells were identified with gene CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm analysis. Infiltration levels of CD4 lymphocyte T cell in the HK group were significantly higher than those of the K group in IHC verification. CONCLUSION: HBOT affected tumor gene expression and immune cell infiltration in keloids. CD4 lymphocyte T cell, especially activated memory CD4+T, might be the key regulatory immune cell, and its related gene expression needs further study.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-12p40, macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in keloids.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to screen and explore the expression of inflammatory factors in keloid patients and to investigate how hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy affects the expression levels of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40), macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß (MIP-1ß), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). OBJECTIVE: 30 patients were randomly selected and divided into the following 3 groups: keloid samples from keloid patients treated with HBO therapy (A), keloid samples from keloid patients treated without HBO therapy (B), and normal control skin samples derived from individuals who had no clear scarring (C). Each group included 10 samples. METHODS: Inflammatory factors in the keloid tissues were measured with the MILLIPLEX multiplexed Luminex system. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting were used to observe the morphological differences in different tissues and the expression levels. RESULTS: The expression levels of inflammatory mediators, including IL-12p40, MIP-1ß, PDGF-BB, and IL-1Ra, in keloid tissues were significantly different from those in samples of normal skin. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed significantly greater inflammatory infiltration in keloid tissue. Significantly different expression levels were observed in group A, B, and C. CONCLUSION: Significantly altered levels of inflammatory factors in the samples from keloid patients were observed, suggesting that formation of a keloid is potentially related to inflammatory responses. HBO therapy could significantly affect the expression levels of IL-12p40, MIP-1ß, PDGF-BB, and IL-1Ra, indicating that the effects of HBO therapy are associated with the attenuation of inflammatory responses.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy relieved pruritus and pain of keloid patients.

Objective: Keloid patients usually have local pruritus and pain. In our clinical work, we have found keloid patients after receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy reflect less pruritus and pain. The hypothesis was that patients with keloid and a history of HBO therapy would have less pruritus and pain than patients without HBO therapy, and the pruritus or pain-related factors were detected in keloid with/without HBO therapy and normal skin. Methods: Three groups of samples were established: keloid samples from patients with HBO therapy for two weeks before and after surgery (H group); keloid samples from patients without HBO therapy (G group); normal skin samples from patients without obvious scar (N group). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe morphological changes. Pruritus/pain related factors: Tryptophan Hydroxylase1 (TPH1), connexin-43 (Cx43) and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) were detected by immunofluorescence and western blot technology. The expression of these factors' mRNA was also measured by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: Among three groups, G group presented significantly highest expression levels of TPH1, Cx43 and TRPV1, conversely, N group presented significantly lowest expression levels of TPH1, Cx43 and TRPV1. Conclusion: TPH1, Cx43 and TRPV1 were overexpressed in the samples of keloid patients, indicating that the pruritus and pain of keloid might be related to these factors. Furthermore, TPH1, Cx43 and TRPV1 were expressed highest in keloid patients without HBO therapy, indicating that HBO therapy might relief pruritus of keloid patients by regulating these factors.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the effect of keloid surgery and radiotherapy by reducing the recurrence rate.

OBJECTIVE: Keloids are exuberant cutaneous scars that form due to abnormal growth of fibrous tissue following an injury. The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to reduce the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy. METHODS: (1) A total of 240 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the HBOT group (O group) received HBOT after surgical excision and radiotherapy. Patients in the other group were treated with only surgical excision and radiotherapy (K group). (2) Scar tissue from recurrent patients was collected after a second operation. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe keloid morphology. Certain inflammatory factors (interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) were measured using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: (1) The recurrence rate of the O group (5.97%) was significantly lower than that of the K group (14.15%), P<0.05. Moreover, patients in the O group reported greater satisfaction than those in the K group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the recurrent scar tissue of the K group, the expression levels of the inflammatory factors were lower in the recurrent scar tissue of the O group. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive HBOT effectively reduces the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy by improving the oxygen level of the tissue and alleviating the inflammatory process.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can ameliorate the EMT phenomenon in keloid tissue.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been widely used in the clinical setting. In this study, HBOT therapy was evaluated for its ability to ameliorate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon in keloid tissue. METHODS: Keloid patients were randomly divided into two groups: keloid patients (K group, 9 patients) and keloid patients receiving HBOT (O group, 9 patients). A third group with normal skin (S group, 9 patients) was established for control. Before HBOT and surgery, a laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure the keloid blood supply of patients in the O group. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe morphology. E-cadherin, ZO-1, vimentin, fibronectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α were measured by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression level of these factors as well. RESULTS: In the O group, keloid blood perfusion was significantly reduced after patients received HBOT. Compared with the K group, lower expression levels of vimentin, vibronectin, VEGF, and HIF-1α were observed in the O group, whereas the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 was significantly higher. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 was also increased after HBOT. CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of factors related to the EMT phenomenon were significantly reversed in keloid patients after they received HBOT, indicating that HBOT may be an effective therapy against the EMT phenomenon in keloid patients.

[The effect of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning on the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, NF-κB and flap survival rate during ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat abdominal skin flap].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1),NF-κB and flap survival rate during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat Abdominal Skin Flap. Methods: 18 male adult SD rats were divided randomly into sham group (SH),ischemia-reperfusion group (IR) and hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning group (HBO),6 rats in each group. The rats in HBO group received regular hyperbaric oxygen treatment for three days (twice a day with an interval of 12 h) before operation. An abdominal skin flap pedicled with superficial epigastric artery was established. Ischemia lasted for 3 hours in the IR group and HBO group.On the third postoperative day,samples were taken to evaluate the expression of ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and NF-κB by immunohistochemistry staining and Western Blot. Results: In the IR group, the flap survival rate and average blood perfusion were (22.38 ±4.35) ％ and (32.61 ±5.68) PU, while in the HBO group they were (45.34 ±3.15) ％ and (61.78 ±3.61) PU, showing significant difference between the two groups (P ＜0.01).The inflammatory cell infiltration condition in IR group was much higher than that in the HBO group from the HE staining observation. Compared with the HBO group,ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and NF-κB showed (+ + +) with higher positive cells in the IR group (P ＜ 0.01). Results of Western Blot showed similar conclusion. The relative expression of ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and NF-κB was much higher in the IR group than that in the HBO group (P ＜ 0.01). Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning could decrease the expression of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,NF-κB and promote flap survival rate during the process of ischemia-reperfusion injury on a rat abdominal skin flap model.

Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning inhibits skin flap apoptosis in a rat ischemia-reperfusion model.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) improves skin flap function and inhibits partial necrosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our study aimed to evaluate the mechanism underlying HBO regulation of the antiapoptosis factors associated with I/R injury of skin flaps. METHODS: The rats were divided into sham surgery, I/R, and HBO groups. Rats from the HBO group received HBO preconditioning followed by I/R surgery. Blood perfusion of the skin flaps was measured with laser Doppler flowmeters. Tissue morphology and apoptosis were subsequently assessed based on hematoxylin-eosinhe and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Protein expression of phosphorylated apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (pASK-1), phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) was examined by immunodetection, and Bcl-2 messenger RNA expression was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, caspase-3 activity was also measured. RESULTS: The result of microcirculation analysis showed that the survival and blood perfusion rates significantly increased in the skin flap after HBO exposure. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining revealed that cell apoptosis was significantly attenuated in the HBO group. Furthermore, HBO preconditioning increased the expression of Bcl-2 and inhibited pASK-1, pJNK, and Bax expression as determined by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Caspase-3 activity and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio declined in the HBO group. CONCLUSIONS: HBO preconditioning effectively ameliorates I/R injury by regulating the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 and/or c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway and anti- and proapoptosis factors.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion inflammation and skin flap survival.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO) is a new method of ischemia preconditioning. In this study, we examined its effects on skin flap survival and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were divided into three groups: HBO preconditioning, control, and sham groups. An extended epigastric adipocutaneous flap based on the right superficial epigastric artery and vein was raised. A 3-hour period of flap ischemia was induced by clamping the pedicle vessels with a microvascular clamp. At the end of ischemia induction, the clamp was removed and the flap was resutured. Rats in the HBO preconditioning group were treated with HBO four times before surgery. Microcirculation in the skin flap was measured on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. The size of the flap was measured on postoperative day 5, before the animals were sacrificed. Samples of the skin flap were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in the flap samples were measured. RESULTS: Surviving flap size was significantly higher in the HBO preconditioning group compared with controls, with a reduced inflammatory response and increased perfusion. IL-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in the HBO preconditioning group were lower than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: HBO preconditioning improved flap survival in this ischemia-reperfusion rat model. The mechanisms responsible for this effect may relate to attenuation of the inflammatory response and increased flap perfusion following HBO preconditioning.

Effects of stromal cell derived factor-1 and CXCR4 on the promotion of neovascularization by hyperbaric oxygen treatment in skin flaps.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is known to increase the survival of skin flaps by promoting neovascularization; however, the detailed mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the effects of HBO treatment on neovascularization and skin flap survival. We also analyzed the mechanisms associated with the expression of angiogenic molecules, such as stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF­1) and its specific receptor CXCR4, to assess the effects of SDF-1 and CXCR4 on the promotion of neovascularization by HBO treatment in skin flaps. The epigastric pedicle skin flap model was established in rats that were randomly divided into the following groups: i) sham­operated (SH group); ii) ischemia followed by reperfusion and analysis on the third and fifth day (IR3d and IR5d groups, respectively) postoperatively; iii) ischemia followed by reperfusion, HBO treatment and analysis on the third and fifth day (HBO3d and HBO5d groups, respectively) postoperatively. In the two HBO groups, animals received 1 h of HBO treatment in a 2.0 ATA chamber with 100% O2 twice per day for 3 days and then daily for 2 consecutive days following surgery. On the postoperative third and fifth day, skin flap survival measurement, histological analysis, immunohistochemical staining and western blotting for SDF­1 and CXCR4 expression, were performed. Compared with those of the IR groups, skin flap survival, microvessel density (MVD) and expression of SDF­1 and CXCR4 proteins were significantly increased in the HBO groups. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between MVD and the high expression of SDF­1 and CXCR4 following HBO treatment. Results of this study suggested that the effects of HBO treatment in promoting neovascularization may be explained by the upregulation of SDF­1 and CXCR4 expression in the skin flaps of rats.

[Effect of jian-gan-le on advanced schistosomiasis].

A total of 80 cases of advanced schistosomiasis were selected and divided into an experiment group and a control group, 40 cases each group, by the random sampling method. The patients in the experiment group were administered with Jian-gan-le, and the patients in the control group received compound purple granules. In the experiment group, the curative rate was 25.0%, the improving rate was 70.0%, the inefficacy rate was 5%, and the efficiency rate was 95.0%. In the control group, the curative rate was 12.5%, the improving rate was 75%, the inefficacy rate was 12.5%. There was no statistic difference between the 2 groups (P all > 0.05). The expense was cheaper in the experiment group than in the control group.