Development of a new compound based on low-density polyethylene degraded with zeolite waste for the removal of diesel from water.

A new adsorbent composite has been developed based on low-density polyethylene and zeolite. This material was used to remove diesel as pollutant in an aqueous system. In the synthesis of the composite and diesel removal were combined these effects: capacity of the zeolite to degrade polyethylene, partial filling of the zeolite with the polyethylene degradation products, favorable thermodynamic interactions between composite-diesel and porosity of the composite (imbibition effect). The term composite is used in the sense that partially degraded-polyethylene oligomers (waxes) are introduced into the zeolite pores in intergranular positions, insuring a good cohesion of waxes and zeolite. The material was synthetized easily by mixing low-density polyethylene and zeolite (1:1) and degraded at 200 °C at three different times: 2, 4 and 6 h. Several techniques as Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetric analysis, Size Exclusion Chromatography and X-Ray Diffraction are combined to study the steps of synthesis and the mechanism of diesel adsorption. The molecular weight obtained at different degradation time varied between 8470 and 99,100, while the molecular weight of the original LDPE was 136,300 g/mol. Diesel removal capacity was determined by TGA through the difference of weight loss at diesel evaporation temperatures (115-275 °C). All the prepared materials presented buoyancy in water and swelling of diesel. Highlighting among them the material prepared at 2 h with a weight loss of 39%, meanwhile the materials prepared for 4 and 6 h presented a weight loss of 29% and 23% respectively, that corresponded to the diesel removed from the water.

PspA facilitates evasion of pneumococci from bactericidal activity of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

Pneumococcal strains are variably resistant to killing by neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). We hypothesize that this variability in resistance is due to heterogeneity in pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), a structurally diverse virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal strains showed variability in induction of NETs and in susceptibility to killing by NETs. The variability in susceptibility to NETs-mediated killing of pneumococcal strains is attributed to PspA, as strains lacking the surface expression of PspA were significantly more sensitive to NETs-mediated killing compared to the wild-type strains. Using pspA switch mutants we were further able to demonstrate that NETs induction and killing by NETs is a function of PspA as mutants with switch PspA demonstrated donor phenotype. Antibody to PspA alone showed an increase in induction of NETs, and NETs thus generated were able to trap and kill pneumococci. Pneumococci opsonized with antibody to PspA showed increase adherence to NETs but a decrease susceptibility to killing by NETs. In conclusion we demonstrate a novel role for pneumococcal PspA in resisting NETs mediated killing and allowing the bacteria to escape containment by blocking binding of pneumococci to NETs.

Metal complexes containing natural and and artificial radioactive elements and their applications.

Recent advances (during the 2007-2014 period) in the coordination and organometallic chemistry of compounds containing natural and artificially prepared radionuclides (actinides and technetium), are reviewed. Radioactive isotopes of naturally stable elements are not included for discussion in this work. Actinide and technetium complexes with O-, N-, N,O, N,S-, P-containing ligands, as well π-organometallics are discussed from the view point of their synthesis, properties, and main applications. On the basis of their properties, several mono-, bi-, tri-, tetra- or polydentate ligands have been designed for specific recognition of some particular radionuclides, and can be used in the processes of nuclear waste remediation, i.e., recycling of nuclear fuel and the separation of actinides and fission products from waste solutions or for analytical determination of actinides in solutions; actinide metal complexes are also usefulas catalysts forcoupling gaseous carbon monoxide,as well as antimicrobial and anti-fungi agents due to their biological activity. Radioactive labeling based on the short-lived metastable nuclide technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) for biomedical use as heart, lung, kidney, bone, brain, liver or cancer imaging agents is also discussed. Finally, the promising applications of technetium labeling of nanomaterials, with potential applications as drug transport and delivery vehicles, radiotherapeutic agents or radiotracers for monitoring metabolic pathways, are also described.

N,N'-Bis(2-amino-benz-yl)ethane-1,2-diaminium dinitrate.

In the title salt, C16H24N4 (2+)·2NO3 (-), both the cation and anion are placed in general positions, although the cation displays non-crystallographic inversion symmetry, with the aliphatic chain extended in an all-trans conformation. The benzene rings are almost parallel, with a dihedral angle between their mean planes of 3.3 (6)°. The nitrate ions are placed in the vicinity of the protonated amine groups, forming efficient N-H⋯O inter-ion hydrogen bonds. Each nitrate ion in the asymmetric unit bridges two symmetry-related cations, forming an R 4 (4)(18) ring, a common motif in organic ammonium nitrate salts. This results in the formation of chains along [010] with alternating cations and anions. The neutral amine groups are involved in slightly weaker N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with the nitrate O atoms, and there are also a number of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds present. The resulting supra-molecular structure is based on a two-dimensional network extending in the ab plane.

Type 2-diabetes is associated with elevated levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and adiponectin and low levels of leptin in a population of Mexican Americans: a cross-sectional study.

The goal of the study was to determine the association between diabetes and inflammation in clinically diagnosed diabetes patients. We hypothesized that low-grade inflammation in diabetes is associated with the level of glucose control. Using a cross-sectional design we compared pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in a community-recruited cohort of 367 Mexican Americans with type 2-diabetes having a wide range of blood glucose levels. Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-8) and adipokines (adiponectin, resistin and leptin) were measured using multiplex ELISA. Our data indicated that diabetes as whole was strongly associated with elevated levels of IL-6, leptin, CRP and TNF-α, whereas worsening of glucose control was positively and linearly associated with high levels of IL-6, and leptin. The associations remained statistically significant even after controlling for BMI and age (p=0.01). The association between TNF-α, however, was attenuated when comparisons were performed based on glucose control. Strong interaction effects between age and diabetes and BMI and diabetes were observed for IL-8, resistin and CRP. The cytokine/adipokine profiles of Mexican Americans with diabetes suggest an association between low-grade inflammation and quality of glucose control. Unique to in our population is that the chronic inflammation is accompanied by lower levels of leptin.

Tris[2-(2H-indazol-2-yl)eth-yl]amine.

The title tertiary amine, C(27)H(27)N(7), a potential tripodal ligand for coordination chemistry, crystallizes with the central N atom located on a threefold axis of a trigonal cell. The gauche conformation of the N(amime)-CH(2)-CH(2)-N(indazole) chain [torsion angle = -64.2 (2)°] places the pendant 2H-indazole heterocycles surrounding the symmetry axis, affording a claw-like shaped mol-ecule. Two symmetry-related indazole planes in the mol-ecule make an acute angle of 60.39 (4)°. The lone pair of the tertiary N atom is located inside the cavity, and should thus be inactive (as a ligand). In the crystal, neither significant π-π nor C-H⋯π inter-actions between molecules are found.

Adiponectin/leptin ratio and metabolic syndrome in a Mexican American population.

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin and leptin play critical roles in the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study was designed to assess the feasibility of using circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin for the early diagnosis of MetS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from 367 participants randomly selected from a well-characterized cohort of Mexican-Americans living at the US-Mexico border. RESULTS: Significant differences in circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin were observed between males and females. Adiponectin/leptin correlated significantly with MetS in this population. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that adiponectin/leptin showed a high sensitivity (70.9% for males, 78.9% for females) and specificity (90.2% for males and 69.8% for females) for the diagnosis of MetS, independent of BMI measurements. CONCLUSION: These data support the central role of adiponectin and leptin in MetS, and demonstrated that adiponectin/leptin can be used as a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for MetS.

Contamination and chemical fractionation of heavy metals in street dust from the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico.

The prevalence of heavy metal pollution and mobility of both Pb and Cd was investigated in street dust samples from the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) in northern Mexico. Street dust samples from 30 selected sites were analysed for their content of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni after digestion according to U.S. EPA Method 3051. Multivariate analysis including correlation coefficient analysis, Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis was used to analyse the data and identify possible sources of these heavy metals. Compared with background values, elevated concentrations of Pb (300 mg kg(-1)), Cd (7.6 mg kg(-1)) and Cr (78 mg kg(-1)) were observed in street dust of MAM. Based on multivariate statistical approaches, the studied elements were classified in three main sources: (1) Cr, Ni and Zn mainly derived from industrial activities; (2) Cd originating from traffic-related activities; and (3) Pb associated with vehicular emissions. A sequential extraction procedure using the Tessier method was applied to evaluate the mobility of Pb and Cd in street dust. The majority of Pb was associated with the residual fraction followed by the carbonate fraction. The majority of Cd was associated with the residual fraction. These results indicated that the mobility was higher in Pb (26%) compared with Cd (11%), posing a potential risk to the environment.

2,2'-(Propane-1,3-di-yl)bis-(2H-indazole).

The title mol-ecule, C(17)H(16)N(4), is a bis-indazole crystallized in the rare 2H-tautomeric form. Indazole heterocycles are connected by a propane C(3) chain, and the mol-ecule is placed on a general position, in contrast to the analogous compound with a central C(2) ethane bridge, which was previously found to be placed on an inversion center in the same space group. In the title mol-ecule, indazole rings make a dihedral angle of 60.11 (7)°, and the bridging alkyl chain displays a trans conformation, resulting in a W-shaped mol-ecule. In the crystal, mol-ecules inter-act weakly through π-π contacts between inversion-related pyrazole rings, with a centroid-centroid separation of 3.746 (2) Å.

N,N'-Bis(2-aza-niumylbenz-yl)ethane-1,2-diaminium tetra-chloride.

The title compound, C(16)H(26)N(4) (4+)·4Cl(-), is based on a fully protonated tetra-amine. In the cation, both benzene rings are connected by an all-trans chain, and the rings are almost parallel, with an angle between the mean planes of 8.34 (12)°. The benzene rings are arranged in such a way that the NH(3) (+) substituents are oriented cis with respect to the central chain. This arrangement is a consequence of multiple N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, involving all N-H groups in the cation and the four independent Cl(-) anions. These contacts have strengths ranging from weak to strong (based on H⋯Cl separations), and generate a complex three-dimensional crystal structure with no preferential crystallographic orientation for the contacts.

N,N'-Bis(2-amino-benz-yl)ethane-1,2-diaminium bis-(4-methyl-benzene-sulfonate).

The title salt, C(16)H(24)N(4) (2+)·2C(7)H(7)O(3)S(-), crystallizes with the dication situated on an inversion center and the anion in a general position. The cation contains two ammonium and two free amine groups, and the observed conformation for the chain linking the benzene rings is different from that found in the free tetra-amine and in the fully protonated tetra-amine. All amine and ammonium H atoms of the cation form hydrogen bonds with eight symmetry-related anions, using the sulfonate O atoms as acceptors. This arrangement for the ions precludes any π-π contacts between benzene rings in the crystal.

An evaluation of lipid profile and pro-inflammatory cytokines as determinants of cardiovascular disease in those with diabetes: a study on a Mexican American cohort.

Sedentary life styles coupled with high-calorie diets and unhealthy social habits such as smoking, have put an ever-increasing number of people at risk of cardiovascular disorders (CVD), worldwide. A concomitant increase in the prevalence of type 2-diabetes (hyperglycemia), a risk factor for CVD, has further contributed towards escalating CVD-related mortalities. The increase in number of cases of type 2-diabetes underscores the importance of early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in those with diabetes. In this work, we have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of dyslipidemia and proinflammatory cytokines to be used as biomarkers for predicting the risk of CVD in those with diabetes. We hypothesize that interplay between dyslipidemia and diabetes-induced low-grade inflammation in those with type 2-diabetes increases the risk of CVD. A total of 215 participants were randomly recruited from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC). Of these, 99% were Mexican Americans living on Texas-Mexico border. Levels of cytokines, adipokines and lipid profile were measured. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) for this study was defined as prior diagnosis of heart attack, angina and stroke, while diabetes was defined by fasting blood glucose (FBG) of > 100 mg/dL and HbA1c of > 6.5, in accordance with American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines. Depending on type and distribution of data, various statistical tests were performed. Our results demonstrated higher rates of heart attack (14% vs 11.8%) and stroke (19.8% vs 10%) in those with diabetes as compared to non-diabetes. The odds of having a heart attack were eight times higher in the presence of elevated triglycerides and pro-inflammatory markers (TNFα and IL6) as compared to presence of pro-inflammatory markers only. The odds for heart attack among those with diabetes, increased by 20 fold in presence of high levels of triglycerides, TNFα, and IL6 when coupled with low levels of high-density lipid cholesterol (HDL-C). Lastly, our analysis showed that poorly controlled diabetes, characterized by HbA1c values of > 6.5 increases the odds of stroke by more than three fold. The study quantifies the role of lipid profile and pro-inflammatory markers in combination with standard risk factors towards predicting the risk of CVD in those with type 2-diabetes. The findings from the study can be directly translated for use in early diagnosis of heart disease and guiding interventions leading to a reduction in CVD-associated mortality in those with type 2-diabetes.

2,2'-(2,6-Pyridinedi-yl)diquinoline.

The title mol-ecule, C(23)H(15)N(3), is a terpyridine derivative resulting from the Friedländer annulation between 2,6-diacetyl-pyridine and N,N'-bis-(2-amino-benz-yl)ethyl-ene-di-amine. The asymmetric unit contains one half-mol-ecule, the complete mol-ecule being generated by a mirror plane (one N atom and one C atom lie on the plane). The mol-ecule, although aromatic, is deformed from planarity as a result of crystal packing forces: mol-ecules are stacked along the short c axis, with a short separation of 3.605 (1) Šbetween the mean planes. The bent mol-ecular shape is reflected in the dihedral angle of 16.10 (5)° between the essentially planar quinoline groups. In addition to π⋯π inter-actions, the crystal structure features weak inter-stack C-H⋯N contacts involving atoms of the central pyridine rings which lie in a common crystallographic m plane.

Tris{2-[(2-amino-benzyl-idene)amino]-ethyl}amine.

The title Schiff base, C(27)H(33)N(7), is a tripodal amine displaying C(3) symmetry, with the central tertiary N atom lying on the threefold crystallographic axis. The N-CH(2)-CH(2)-N conformation of the pendant arms is gauche [torsion angle = 76.1 (3)°], which results in a claw-like mol-ecule, with the terminal aniline groups wrapped around the symmetry axis. The lone pair of the apical N atom is clearly oriented inwards towards the cavity, and should thus be chemically inactive. The amine NH(2) substituents lie in the plane of the benzene ring to which they are bonded. With such an arrangement, one amine H atom forms an S(6) motif through a weak N-H⋯N hydrogen bond with the imine N atom, while the other is engaged in an inter-molecular N-H⋯π contact involving the benzene ring of a neighbouring mol-ecule related by inversion. The benzene rings also participate in an intra-molecular C-H⋯π contact of similar strength. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are separated by empty voids (ca 5% of the crystal volume), although the crystal seems to be unsolvated.

N,N'-Bis(2-ammonio-benz-yl)ethane-1,2-diammonium-nitrate-perchlorate (1/1.5/2.5).

The title compound, C(16)H(26)N(4) (4+)·2.5ClO(4) (-)·1.5NO(3) (-), is an organic salt in which the cation is a fully protonated tetra-mine. The cation lies on an inversion center and, as a consequence, both benzene rings are parallel. The central chain is found in an all-trans arrangement, a conformation different from that observed in the crystal structure of the non-protonated mol-ecule. The charges are balanced by a mixture of nitrate and perchlorate ions. One site is occupied by an ordered perchlorate ion, while the other contains both nitrate and perchlorate ions, with occupancies of 0.75 and 0.25, respectively. In the crystal, the NH(2) (+) groups of the cation form N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with the anions. The NH(3) (+) groups also behave as donor groups, allowing the building of chains along [100], alternating cations and disordered anions being connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Lignin-Styrene-Butyl Acrylate Based Composite.

In recent years, the pursuit of new polymer materials based on renewable raw materials has been intensified with the aim of reusing waste materials in sustainable processes. The synthesis of a lignin, styrene, and butyl acrylate based composite was carried out by a mass polymerization process. A series of four composites were prepared by varying the amount of lignin in 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% keeping the content of butyl acrylate constant (14 wt.%). FTIR and SEM revealed that the -OH functional groups of lignin reacted with styrene, which was observed by the incorporation of lignin in the copolymer. Additionally, DSC analysis showed that the increment in lignin loading in the composite had a positive influence on thermal stability. Likewise, Shore D hardness assays exhibited an increase from 25 to 69 when 5 and 20 wt.% lignin was used respectively. In this same sense, the contact angle (water) measurement showed that the LEBA15 and LEBA20 composites presented hydrophobic properties (whit contact angle above 90°) despite having the highest amount of lignin, demonstrating that the interaction of the polymer chains with the -OH groups of lignin was the main mechanism in the composites interaction.

Equations to estimate fetal age at the moment of death in the Mexican population.

Metric standards are presented for the estimation of fetal age at the time of death in the Mexican population. To obtain these standards, both metric and radiological studies were conducted on 97 fetuses and complete stillborn infants of both sexes, phenotypically normal between 10 and 38 weeks of morphological age. All the fetuses used were the product of spontaneous abortions in Mexico City between 1990 and 2000. Equations were obtained by calibrating quadratic linear regression models adjusted for the diaphyseal length of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia and fibula, characterized as the most adequate indicators to represent the growth of long bones in this age group, and verified by the evaluation of the model assumptions and the coefficient of determination (R(2)). To conclude, these models facilitate a more precise prediction in fetuses of the Mexican population, constituting the first metric standards of their type at a national level.

Virtual reality for improving body image disorders and weight loss after gastric band surgery: a case series.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) is a common surgery method used to help obese patients to lose weight. However, even if LAGB is able to produce a durable and relevant weight loss, it is less effective in improving body image: as demonstrated by a recent study, obese patients with a body image disorder in the pre-operative stage continue to show this even 13 months after the operation. In this presentation we will discuss the possible role of virtual reality (VR) in addressing this problem within an integrated cognitive behavioral approach. To test this approach, a case series of three LAGB patient who experienced body dissatisfaction even after a >30/40% excess body weight loss, is presented and discussed. At the end of the 6-week protocol the patients experienced a 15%-20% further reduction of their weight. This reduction was also matched by a general improvement of the psychological state. Both the weight loss and the level of well-being were further improved after a three-month follow-up.

Impaired CD4+ and T-helper 17 cell memory response to Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with elevated glucose and percent glycated hemoglobin A1c in Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are significantly more susceptible to pneumococcal infections than healthy individuals of the same age. Increased susceptibility is the result of impairments in both innate and adaptive immune systems. Given the central role of T-helper 17 (Th17) and T-regulatory (Treg) cells in pneumococcal infection and their altered phenotype in diabetes, this study was designed to analyze the Th17 and Treg cell responses to a whole heat-killed capsular type 2 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Patients with diabetes demonstrated a lower frequency of total CD+T-cells, which showed a significant inverse association with elevated fasting blood glucose. Measurement of specific subsets indicated that those with diabetes had, low intracellular levels of interleukin (IL)-17, and lower pathogen-specific memory CD4+ and IL-17+ cell numbers. No significant difference was observed in the frequency of CD4+ and Th17 cells between those with and without diabetes. However, stratification of data by obesity indicated a significant increase in frequency of CD4+ and Th17 cells in obese individuals with diabetes compared with nonobese individual with diabetes. The memory CD+T-cell response was associated inversely with both fasting blood glucose and percent glycated hemoglobin A1c. This study demonstrated that those with type 2 diabetes have a diminished pathogen-specific memory CD4+ and Th17 response, and low percentages of CD+T-cells in response to S. pneumoniae stimulation.