Hydroxyl radical mediated extracellular degradation of tetracycline under aerobic and anaerobic conditions stimulated by bio-FeS nanoparticles.

The extracellular degradation of antibiotics facilitated by bio-nanoparticles is significant in the field of waste valorization. Among different bio-nanoparticles, bio-FeS nanoparticles stand out for their convenient and cost-effective synthesis. Nevertheless, there is a lack of understanding regarding the extracellular degradation of pollutants driven by bio-FeS nanoparticles. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of bio-FeS nanoparticles in the extracellular degradation of tetracycline under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The findings demonstrated that bio-FeS nanoparticles generated hydroxyl radical (·OH), which significantly contributes to the degradation of tetracycline in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. The production of ·OH in anaerobic conditions was primarily attributed to the limited formation of FeS2 during the biosynthesis of nanoparticles, which was very different from aerobic conditions. The bio-FeS nanoparticles facilitated extracellular electron transport by promoting electron shuttles and Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycling, resulting in the continuous production of ·OH. The degradation pathways showed differences under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, with intermediates exhibiting higher toxicity and greater cellular damage under aerobic conditions. However, in anaerobic conditions, bio-FeS nanoparticles enabled the successful integration of intracellular and extracellular degradation of tetracycline. This research proposed a new avenue for biocatalysis and environmental remediation.

A retrospective study on adverse events of intravenous administration of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in abdominal and superficial applications in 83,778 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rate of adverse events (AEs) caused by intravenous administration of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in abdominal and superficial applications retrospectively and to explore practical measures for prevention and treatment of them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 83,778 contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles intravenously performed during 11 years. Age, gender, and target organs of all CEUS patients were recorded. For cases of AEs, their medical history and laboratory results were also collected. The process of AEs was assessed and categorized. Besides, the management of AEs were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty patients had sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles-related AEs. The AE rate was 0.024%. No significant difference was observed between patients with AEs and the whole group for age and sex distribution. All AEs happened in liver examinations. Among them, 7 (35%) were mild, 8 (40%) were moderate, and 5 (25%) were severe. They were categorized into 15 allergic-like reactions and 5 physiologic reactions. The manifestations of mild and moderate AEs mainly include urticaria, chills, and mild hypoxia, which could be eased by simple management. Severe cases had anaphylactic shock, generalized convulsions, and diffuse erythema with hypotension respectively. They need close monitoring and oxygen inhalation with anti-shock and anti-anaphylactic treatment. Most cases started within 30 min and recovered within 1 day. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in abdominal and superficial applications was safe with rare AEs. AEs were more likely to happen in abdominal applications than superficial ones. A well-designed emergency plan should be available for clinical use of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles to reduce AEs and to deal with AEs properly. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Intravenous administration of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in abdominal and superficial applications reported few AEs and could be considered safe but severe AEs are life-threatening. We analyzed the influence factors of AEs and propose some methods for prevention and treatment of them, which can further improve the safety of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • The AE rate of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles in abdominal and superficial applications was 0.024%. • Patients were more likely to have AEs in abdominal applications than superficial ones. • Severe AEs are life-threatening and need prompt identification and treatment. • We summarized some detailed suggestions for clinical prevention and treatment of AEs.

Mechanisms of anaerobic treatment of sulfate-containing organic wastewater mediated by Fe0 under different initial pH values.

The anaerobic treatment of sulfide-containing organic wastewater (SCOW) is significantly affected by pH, causing dramatic decrease of treatment efficiency when pH deviates from its appropriate range. Fe0 has proved as an effective strategy on mitigating the impact of pH. However, systematic analysis of the influence mechanism is still lacking. To fill this gap, the impact of different initial pH values on anaerobic treatment efficiency of SCOW with Fe0 addition, the change of fermentation type and methanogens, and intra-extracellular electron transfer were explored in this study. The results showed that Fe0 addition enhanced the efficacy of anaerobic treatment of SCOW at adjusted initial pH values, especially at pH 6. Mechanism analysis showed that respiratory chain-related enzymes and electron shuttle secretion and resistance reduction were stimulated by soluble iron ions generated by Fe0 at pH 6, which accelerated intra-extracellular electron transfer of microorganisms, and ultimately alleviated the impact of acidic pH on the system. While at pH 8, Fe0 addition increased the acetogenic bacteria abundance, as well as optimized the fermentation type and improved the F420 coenzyme activity, resulting in the enhancement of treatment efficiency in the anaerobic system and remission of the effect of alkaline pH on the system. At the neutral pH, Fe0 addition had both advantages as stimulating the secretion of respiratory chain and electron transfer-related enzymes at pH 6 and optimizing the fermentation type pH 8, and thus enhanced the treatment efficacy. This study provides important insights and scientific basis for the application of new SCOW treatment technologies.

GO/iron series systems enhancing the pH shock resistance of anaerobic systems for sulfate-containing organic wastewater treatment.

In this study, the effect of pH shock during the treatment of sulfate-containing organic wastewater was investigated using an anaerobic fermentation system reinforced with graphene oxide (GO)/iron series systems. The results show that the anaerobic system with the GO/iron series systems exhibited enhanced resistance to pH shock. Among them, the GO/Fe0 system had the strongest resistance to pH shock, the systems of GO/Fe3O4 and GO/Fe2O3 followed close behind, while the blank system performed the worst. After pH shock, the CODCr removal rate, SO4 2- removal rate, and gas production of the GO/Fe0 group were significantly improved compared with those of the control group by 51.0%, 65.3%, and 34.6%, respectively, while the accumulation of propionic acid was the lowest. Further, detailed microbial characterization revealed that the introduction of the GO/iron series systems was beneficial to the formation of more stable anaerobic co-metabolic flora in the system, and the relative abundance of Geobacter, Clostridium, Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio increased after acidic and alkaline shock.

The effects of temperature shock on the treatment of high-concentration organic wastewater by an Fe0/GO-anaerobic system.

In order to make up for the defects of traditional anaerobic fermentation systems, such as low energy utilization rates and the slow growth and reproduction of microorganisms, an Fe0/GO (zero-valent iron/graphene oxide) anaerobic biological treatment system was used as a treatment process in this paper, and the impact of temperature shock on the system during the treatment of high-concentration organic wastewater was studied. The experimental results showed that temperature shock reduced the CODCr removal rate and gas production level in each system, but the Fe0/GO group maintained a higher level and had the highest CODCr degradation rate after shocking. After temperature shock, the acetic acid content in each system was higher (above 90%), and the volatile fatty acid (VFA) content in the Fe0/GO group was the lowest. The mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in all systems decreased after impact; the decrease was less in the Fe0/GO group and the increase was largest after temperature recovery. After shocking, the extracellular polymer substance (EPS) protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) levels in each system were both low. After temperature recovery, the PN/PS ratio of the Fe0/GO group was the highest, showing a strong impact resistance to temperature.

Perioperative Nursing of Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Treated with a Nanoknife.

To summarize the experience of 40 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with irreversible electroporation ablation (IRE), their experiences with surgical nurses, and to explore the best nursing methods before and during IRE ablation. Preoperative visits were conducted to assess the condition of patients, and psychological counseling was subsequently given to them. All material and medication required for the operation were prepared in advance, and placed in appropriate locations. All 40 patients were treated successfully. The mean time of IRE ablation was 63.33±12.26 (range, 37-87) minutes, and mean blood loss was 2.09±0.49 (range: 1.0-2.8) mL. There were no ablation-related deaths. Skillful mastery of nanoknife usage and troubleshooting methods, intensive observation of patients' vital signs during ablation, and active cooperation with surgeons can ensure successful ablation and can reduce the influence of improper nursing during ablation on patients' prognosis.

Combination of highly efficient microflora to degrade paint spray exhaust gas.

Spray paint exhaust gas contains recalcitrant volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX). Treating BTX with a biofilter often achieves unsatisfactory results because the biofilter lacks efficient microbial community. In this work, three strains for BTX degradation were isolated and identified as Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis by using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. A consortium of highly efficient microbial community was then constructed on a stable biofilm to treat BTX in a biofilter. A relatively suitable ratio of P. putida, B. cereus and B. subtilis was obtained. An efficiency of over 90% was achieved in the biofilter with VOC concentration of 1000 mg/m3 through inoculation with the microbial community after only 10 days of operation. Thus, fast start-up of the biofilter was realised. Analysis of intermediate products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that BTX was degraded into short-chain aldehydes or acids via ring opening reactions.

Synthesis of nanoparticle-assembled Zn3(VO4)2 porous networks via a facile coprecipitation method for high-rate and long-life lithium-ion storage.

A simple coprecipitation route followed by a calcination process was developed to prepare 2D hierarchical Zn3(VO4)2 porous networks formed by the crosslinkage of monolayered nanoparticles. As a promising anode for lithium ion batteries, the electrochemical performance of Zn3(VO4)2 was investigated. At a current density of 1.0 A g-1, the Zn3(VO4)2 porous networks could register a high reversible discharge capacity of 773 mA h g-1 and the capacity retention was 94% after 700 cycles. Moreover, a remarkable reversible discharge capacity of 445 mA h g-1 was achieved at a current density of 5 A g-1 after 1200 cycles. Even at a higher current density of 10.0 A g-1, a high reversible capacity of 527 mA h g-1 could be delivered, which still remained at 163 mA h g-1 after 1200 cycles. This superior performance is attributed to the unique 2D porous networks with a stable structure. This work shows a new avenue for facile, cheap, green, and mass production of zinc vanadate oxides with 2D porous hierarchical networks for next-generation energy conversion and storage devices.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of post-kidney transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in native kidney- a case report.

BACKGROUND: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) represent a spectrum of heterogenetic lymphoid proliferations. PTLD is a serious complication that affects the long-term survival of kidney transplant patients. Imaging examination is an important method for detecting and diagnosing PTLD. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and CEUS-guided biopsy are important modalities for tumor detection and diagnosis. In this case, we describe a 69 years old man in whom a native kidney PTLD was confirmed by CEUS. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old male patient who had a kidney transplant 1 year earlier presented with 3 months of progressive myasthenia of both lower limbs associated with amyotrophy and weight loss. Although positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) showed a high metabolic lesion in the untransplanted kidney, abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography cannot detect the lesion in the atrophic left kidney. The above examinations showed that the transplanted kidney was normal. CEUS can detect a homogeneously enhanced lesion in the same location as PET-CT. Subsequently, a biopsy was performed under CEUS guidance, and the final pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient then received the R-CHOP treatment. Unfortunately, pulmonary thromboembolism occurred 2 weeks later, and the patient's condition was not alleviated through active treatment. Finally, the patient's family gave up treatment, and the patient was discharged. CONCLUSION: The case suggested that CEUS was a valuable imaging method for patient with renal transplantation to detect and diagnose of PTLD.

Study of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter in Dongguan.

Total suspended and size-segregated atmospheric particles were collected in four seasons at three representative points in different functional areas of Dongguan City. The detailed size distributions of six nitro-PAHs [2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), 9-nitroanthracene, 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NFL), 3-nitrofluoranthene, 1-nitropyrene, and 2-nitropyrene (2-NP)] were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection using a binary elution gradient (methanol and water). We used a toxicity assessment based on potency equivalency factors (PEFs) to estimate the inhalation risk of the particulate matter. The results showed that, aside from 2-NF and 2-NFL, the content of the other four nitro-PAHs in the microparticles (<0.4 µm) were more than 20%, a percentage significantly higher than other fractions of particulate matter. The seasonal distribution of nitro-PAHs shows that their concentrations were higher in the winter, while the PAH concentrations were higher in the summer. The study found that secondary formation (2-NFL and 2-NP) had a positive correlation with NO x and NO2, but a negative correlation with O3. The benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) toxicity of particulate matter in Dongguan City ranged from 0.04 to 2.63 ng m(-3), and the carcinogenic index ranged from 0.04 × 10(-6) to 2.39 × 10(-6). These values do not represent a serious threat to human health.

Simultaneous anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of halogenated phenolic compound under oxygen-limited conditions.

The successful application of co-immobilized aerobic-anaerobic biomass under limited aeration in wastewater treatment systems would eliminate the problems associated with the intermediates mono-chlorophenol (MCP) and di-chlorophenol(DCP) accumulations. With low initial pentachlorophenol (PCP) concentration, all PCP could be completely removed under oxygen-limited strict anaerobic conditions, and the removal efficiencies with different initial headspace oxygen percentage (IHOP) were not obviously different from each other. While at high initial PCP concentration, under strictly anaerobic conditions PCP and their intermediates were clearly higher than that under other conditions, and produced obvious accumulation, the highest PCP reduction was achieved by the system receiving 30 IHOP, oxygen-limited system also exhibited lower residual TOC concentration and lower concentration of metabolic intermediates MCP and DCP. These results suggested that under strictly anaerobic condition the reductive dechlorination of low chlorinated compounds became rate limiting in the reductive dechlorination pathway, less chlorinated compounds be more amenable to aerobic degradation, and the aerobes of outer layers could function under limited oxygen. The co-immobilized aerobic-anaerobic biomass for methanogenesis under limited-aeration for chlorophenol degradation might be an attractive and efficient alternative for the sequential anaerobic/aerobic system to achieve mineralization of a broad range of recalcitrance highly chlorinated organics and low final TOC concentrations.

Cultivation and characters of aerobic granules for pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation under microaerobic condition.

Cultivation of aerobic granular sludge for pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation under microaerobic condition (DO concentration was controlled at 0.2-0.7 mg/L) was studied in this paper. Anaerobic granules were selected as inoculum. The changes of appearance were observed and the variations of SVI, VSS/TSS, PN/PS and the size of sludge were measured during cultivating. The capabilities for degradation of PCP, AOX and COD(Cr) were also studied. Observations on mature granules were carried out by scanning electron microscope, and the results indicated bacillus was dominant on the surface of granules while in the inner of granules both bacillus and coccus were the dominant microorganisms. K, Na, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ni, Co, Mn, Cu and Zn were detected in the granules by element analysis.