Recycling of Ti and Si from Ti-bearing blast furnace slag and diamond wire saw silicon waste by flux alloying technique.

Two industrial solid wastes, Ti-bearing blast furnace slag (TBFS) and diamond wire saw silicon waste (DWSSW), contain large amounts of Ti and Si, and their accumulation wastes resources and intensifies environmental pollution. In the present study, DWSSW was used as the silicon source to reduce titanium oxide in TBFS by electromagnetic induction smelting, and meanwhile Na3AlF6 was added as a flux to improve the recycling of the wastes. Ti and Si of the two wastes were simultaneously recovered in the form of alloy. The effects of different addition amount of Na3AlF6 flux in the mixture of DWSSW and TBFS on chemical composition, viscosity, basicity and structure of slag were investigated. The dissolution behavior of SiO2 in Na3AlF6 flux was theoretically deduced and experimentally verification. The optimized recovery rate of Ti and Si were obtained, and the research realizes the efficient recycling of DWSSW and TBFS simultaneously.

Spatio-temporal pattern and associate factors of intestinal infectious diseases in Zhejiang Province, China, 2008-2021: a Bayesian modeling study.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in sanitation status and public health awareness, intestinal infectious diseases (IID) have caused a serious disease burden in China. Little was known about the spatio-temporal pattern of IID at the county level in Zhejiang. Therefore, a spatio-temporal modelling study to identify high-risk regions of IID incidence and potential risk factors was conducted. METHODS: Reported cases of notifiable IID from 2008 to 2021 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Moran's I index and the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were calculated using Geoda software to identify the spatial autocorrelation and high-risk areas of IID incidence. Bayesian hierarchical model was used to explore socioeconomic and climate factors affecting IID incidence inequities from spatial and temporal perspectives. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2021, a total of 101 cholera, 55,298 bacterial dysentery, 131 amoebic dysentery, 5297 typhoid, 2102 paratyphoid, 27,947 HEV, 1,695,925 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and 1,505,797 other infectious diarrhea (OID) cases were reported in Zhejiang Province. The hot spots for bacterial dysentery, OID, and HEV incidence were found mainly in Hangzhou, while high-high cluster regions for incidence of enteric fever and HFMD were mainly located in Ningbo. The Bayesian model showed that Areas with a high proportion of males had a lower risk of BD and enteric fever. People under the age of 18 may have a higher risk of IID. High urbanization rate was a protective factor against HFMD (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.94), but was a risk factor for HEV (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10). BD risk (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10-1.18) and enteric fever risk (RR = 1.18, 95% CI:1.10-1.27) seemed higher in areas with high GDP per capita. The greater the population density, the higher the risk of BD (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.23-1.36), enteric fever (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.25), and HEV (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.21). Among climate variables, higher temperature was associated with a higher risk of BD (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23-1.41), enteric fever (RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.33-1.50), and HFMD (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.38), and with lower risk of HEV (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.89). Precipitation was positively correlated with enteric fever (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08), HFMD (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06), and HEV (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.08). Higher HFMD risk was also associated with increasing relative humidity (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.16-1.24) and lower wind velocity (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.84-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: There was significant spatial clustering of IID incidence in Zhejiang Province from 2008 to 2021. Spatio-temporal patterns of IID risk could be largely explained by socioeconomic and meteorological factors. Preventive measures and enhanced monitoring should be taken in some high-risk counties in Hangzhou city and Ningbo city.

Isoindigo-Thiophene D-A-D-Type Conjugated Polymers: Electrosynthesis and Electrochromic Performances.

Four novel isoindigo-thiophene D-A-D-type precursors are synthesized by Stille coupling and electrosynthesized to yield corresponding hybrid polymers with favorable electrochemical and electrochromic performances. Intrinsic structure-property relationships of precursors and corresponding polymers, including surface morphology, band gaps, electrochemical properties, and electrochromic behaviors, are systematically investigated. The resultant isoindigo-thiophene D-A-D-type polymer combines the merits of isoindigo and polythiophene, including the excellent stability of isoindigo-based polymers and the extraordinary electrochromic stability of polythiophene. The low onset oxidation potential of precursors ranges from 1.10 to 1.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl, contributing to the electrodeposition of high-quality polymer films. Further kinetic studies illustrate that isoindigo-thiophene D-A-D-type polymers possess favorable electrochromic performances, including high optical contrast (53%, 1000 nm), fast switching time (0.8 s), and high coloration efficiency (124 cm2 C-1). These features of isoindigo-thiophene D-A-D-type conjugated polymers could provide a possibility for rational design and application as electrochromic materials.

[Temporal-spatial scan clustering analysis on hand-foot-mouth disease in Zhejiang province, 2008-2013].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the temporal-spatial distribution of hand-foot-mouth disease in Zhejiang province, from May 2008 to June 2013. METHODS: The cases number and incidence data of hand-foot-mouth disease from May 2008 to June 2013 for all the counties(cities, districts) in Zhejiang province were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, total 511 643 cases. Temporal distribution of hand-foot-mouth disease was described, the incidence maps were drawn using Epimap software. Temporal-spatial clustering was analyzed by Satscan 9.0.1 software.Log likelihood ratio(LLR) was used to assess the clustering. The year-county (city, district)-specific relative risk(RR) of hand-foot-mouth disease were calculated. RR contour maps were drawn with Arcview GIS 3.3. RESULTS: In Zhejiang province, from May 2008 to June 2013, the highest incidence rate was 270.81/100 000 (147 943/54 629 996) (2012 year) and the lowest incidence rate was 135.32/100 000 (69 285/51 199 987) (2009 year). The incidence in the eastern coastal areas (217.77/100 000(286 300/131 468 746)) including Ningbo, Taizhou, Wenzhou, was higher than the western mountain areas(168.11/100 000(98 016/58 304 266)) including Quzhou, Lishui, Jinhua. The epidemic curve showed two peaks, during April to July (101.15/100 000(320 144/316 497 516)) , and during October to November (23.30/100 000 (61 088/262 148 114)) . RESULTS: of temporal-spatial scan showed 10 temporal spatial aggregation areas, the strongest one was in Wenzhou city, south-east Zhejiang province, from July 2009 to June 2011(RR = 2.38, LLR = 10 650.75, P < 0.01). The relative risk maps from 2009 to 2012 were similar, the highest density areas were located in the eastern coastal Zhejiang: Longwan district, Wenzhou city (RR = 4.42 and 3.30) in 2009 and 2010 year, Pingyang county, Wenzhou city(RR = 3.04) in 2011 year, and Ninghai county, Ningbo city(RR = 2.97) in 2012. CONCLUSION: The eastern coastal area had a high incidence level of hand-foot-mouth disease in Zhejiang province, 2008-2013, with the peak during April to July. Temporal-spatial clustering were observed, the disease showed a distinct regional distribution feature, eastern coastal cluster areas and mid-west cluster areas were found.

Mimicking Rosacea? Jessner's Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Skin: A Case Report.

We report a case of rash in a 35-year-old female presenting with erythematous papules and infiltrative plaques on the nose and upper jaw resembling rosacea. The patient had been experiencing these symptoms for one year. A pathological biopsy revealed an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of dense perivascular lymphocytes surrounding hair follicles and sweat glands in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a predominance of CD4+ T cells compared to CD8+ T cells. Based on the clinical manifestations, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, the patient was diagnosed with Jessner's Lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (JLIS). The patient was treated with oral Minocycline, 100mg twice daily. After 4 weeks, the dosage was reduced by half and the treatment continued for 2 months, resulting in complete resolution of the rash. The clinical presentation resembled rosacea, and this particular manifestation of JLIS has not been previously reported. Treatment with minocycline yielded satisfactory efficacy, and no recurrence has been observed for 5 year.

Applications and perspectives of quaternized cellulose, chitin and chitosan: A review.

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to natural polysaccharides for their low cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Quaternization is a modification method to improve the solubility and antibacterial ability of natural polysaccharides. Water-soluble derivatives of cellulose, chitin and chitosan offer the prospect of diverse applications in a wide range of fields, such as antibacterial products, drug delivery, wound healing, sewage treatment and ion exchange membranes. By combining the inherent properties of cellulose, chitin and chitosan with the inherent properties of the quaternary ammonium groups, new products with multiple functions and properties can be obtained. In this review, we summarized the research progress in the applications of quaternized cellulose, chitin and chitosan in recent five years. Moreover, ubiquitous challenges and personal perspectives on the further development of this promising field are also discussed.

Tumor-triggered targeting ammonium bicarbonate liposomes for tumor multimodal therapy.

Tumor-triggered targeting ammonium bicarbonate (TTABC) liposomes were proposed to improve the uptake of ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) liposomes in tumor cells and retain their long circulation in vivo in our previous study. However, it must be solved how to precisely release the loaded drugs of the TTABC liposomes into tumor cells. In addition, synergistic multimodal therapy could result in better tumor treatment outcomes than monomodal chemotherapy. In the research, we prepared indocyanine green (ICG) and doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated TTABC liposomes (ICG&DOX@TTABC) to achieve near-infrared (NIR) light-controlled chemo/photothermal/photodynamic multimodal therapy guided by fluorescence and photothermal imaging. In vitro and vivo studies show that ICG&DOX@TTABC can specifically accumulate in tumor tissues, effectively transform NIR light into local thermo-therapy, and have excellent anti-tumor ability without obvious side effects. ICG&DOX@TTABC could be promising for fluorescence and photothermal imaging-guided chemo/photothermal/photodynamic tumor treatment.

Constitutive endocytosis and degradation of the pre-T cell receptor.

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) signals constitutively in the absence of putative ligands on thymic stroma and signal transduction correlates with translocation of the pre-TCR into glycolipid-enriched microdomains (rafts) in the plasma membrane. Here, we show that the pre-TCR is constitutively routed to lysosomes after reaching the cell surface. The cell-autonomous down-regulation of the pre-TCR requires activation of the src-like kinase p56(lck), actin polymerization, and dynamin. Constitutive signaling and degradation represents a feature of the pre-TCR because the gammadeltaTCR expressed in the same cell line does not exhibit these features. This is also evident by the observation that the protein adaptor/ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl is phosphorylated and selectively translocated into rafts in pre-TCR- but not gammadeltaTCR-expressing cells. A role of c-Cbl-mediated ubiquitination in pre-TCR degradation is supported by the reduction of degradation through pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome and through a dominant-negative c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase as well as by increased pre-TCR surface expression on immature thymocytes in c-Cbl-deficient mice. The pre-TCR internalization contributes significantly to the low surface level of the receptor on developing T cells, and may in fact be a requirement for optimal pre-TCR function.

The development and mechanism studies of cationic chitosan-modified biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles for efficient siRNA drug delivery.

PURPOSE: In order to improve siRNA delivery for possible clinical applications, we developed biodegradable chitosan-modified poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (CHT-PLGA) nanoparticles with positive surface charge, high siRNA loading, high transfection efficiency and low toxicity. METHODS: CHT-PLGA nanoparticles were prepared, and siRNA was loaded by emulsion evaporation method with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as emulsifier. siRNA loading efficiency, particle size, and Zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured. Gel retardation and protection assays were conducted to determine the loading and binding of siRNA in the formulation. Cell transfection was performed to study in vitro siRNA silencing efficiency. XTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity. RESULTS: It was found that the nanoparticle diameter and positive Zeta potential increase as the chitosan coating concentration increases. CHT-PLGA nanoparticles showed excellent siRNA binding ability and effective protection of oligos from RNase degradation. siRNA-loaded nanoparticles were successfully delivered into the HEK 293 T cell line, and the silencing of green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression was observed using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. In addition, the cytotoxicity assay revealed that CHT-PLGA nanoparticles had relatively low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that biodegradable cationic CHT-PLGA nanoparticles possess great potential for efficient and safer siRNA delivery in future clinical applications.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatial-Temporal Clusters of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Zhejiang Province, China, 2008-2012.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is one of the major public health concerns in China. Being the province with high incidence rates of HFMD, the epidemiological features and the spatial-temporal patterns of Zhejiang Province were still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and the high-incidence clusters, as well as explore some potential risk factors. The surveillance data of HFMD during 2008-2012 were collected from the communicable disease surveillance network system of Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The distributions of age, gender, occupation, season, region, pathogen's serotype and disease severity were analyzed to describe the epidemiological features of HFMD in Zhejiang Province. Seroprevalence survey for human enterovirus 71 (EV71) in 549 healthy children of Zhejiang Province was also performed, as well as 27 seroprevalence publications between 1997 and 2015 were summarized. The spatial-temporal methods were performed to explore the clusters at county level. Furthermore, pathogens' serotypes such as EV71 and coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16) and meteorological factors were analyzed to explore the potential factors associated with the clusters. A total of 454,339 HFMD cases were reported in Zhejiang Province during 2008-2012, including 1688 (0.37%) severe cases. The annual average incidence rate was 172.98 per 100,000 (ranged from 72.61 to 270.04). The male-to-female ratio for mild cases was around 1.64:1, and up to 1.87:1 for severe cases. Of the total cases, children aged under three years old and under five years old accounted for almost 60% and 90%, respectively. Among all enteroviruses, the predominant serotype was EV71 (49.70%), followed by Cox A16 (26.05%) and other enteroviruses (24.24%) for mild cases. In severe cases, EV71 (82.85%) was the major causative agent. EV71 seroprevalence survey in healthy children confirmed that occult infection was common in children. Furthermore, literature summary for 26 seroprevalence studies during 1997-2015 confirmed that 0-5 years group showed lowest level of EV71 seroprevalence (29.1% on average) compared to the elder children (6-10 years group: 54.6%; 11-20 years group: 61.8%). Global positive spatial autocorrelation patterns (Moran's Is>0.25, P<0.05) were discovered not only for mild cases but also for severe cases, and local positive spatial autocorrelation patterns were revealed for counties from the eastern coastal and southern regions. The retrospective space-time cluster analysis also confirmed these patterns. Risk factors analyses implied that more EV71 and less sunshine were associated with the clusters of HFMD in Zhejiang Province. Our study confirmed that Zhejiang Province was one of the highly epidemic provinces in China and that the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD were similar to other provinces. Occult infection in elder children and adults was one of the important reasons why most HFMD cases were children aged under-five. Combining the results of spatial autocorrelation analysis and the space-time cluster analysis, the major spatial-temporal clusters were from the eastern coastal and southern regions. The distribution of pathogens' serotypes and the level of sunshine could be risk factors for, and serve as an early warning of, the outbreak of HFMD in Zhejiang Province.

Endoscopic variceal ligation caused massive bleeding due to laceration of an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli.

Endoscopic variceal obturation of gastric varices with tissue glue is considered the first choice for management of gastric varices, and is usually safe and effective. However, there is still a low incidence of complications and some are even fatal. Here, we present a case in which endoscopic variceal ligation caused laceration of the esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli and massive bleeding after 3 mo. Cessation of bleeding was achieved via variceal sclerotherapy using a cap-fitted gastroscope. Methods of recognizing an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue plug are discussed.

A reappraisal of the biological effects of hyaluronan on human dermal fibroblast.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a fundamental component of many biomaterials. Reports on the biological effects of HA are, however, both inconsistent and contradictory. This particularly refers to fibroblast contraction in the presence of high concentrations of HA. In this study we used a broad range of molecular weight (MW) and concentrations of HA to assay its influence on human dermal fibroblasts in both two and three-dimensional culture models. High-MW HA in high concentrations demonstrated inhibitory effects on both cell attachment and proliferation. HA-coated surfaces appeared less adhesive to fibroblasts than collagen-coated surfaces. In the fibroblast-populated collagen lattice, HA supplementation dose-dependently retarded gel contraction, which was associated with reduced cell division and spreading. Although gene transcripts of collagen type I and III were not significantly upregulated in the monolayer culture as determined by real-time PCR analysis, more type III collagen was present in HA-incorporated collagen gels by Sirius red staining. Type III collagen was homogeneously distributed and well organized in the presence of HA. Our data indicates that HA has both a qualitative and quantitative effect on cell-matrix interactions. Optimum parameters in terms of MW and concentration need to be determined when HA-based biomaterials are being prepared for tissue-repair purposes.