A strategy for the preparation of super-hydrophilic molybdenum disulfide composites applied to remove uranium from wastewater.

Due to the radioactivity of uranium, the discharged nuclear wastewater not only causes certain damage to the ecology, but also causes certain harm to human life and health. Adsorption is considered to be one of the most effective ways to remove uranium. In this paper, a kind of MoS2 adsorbent was prepared by the solid phase synthesis method and functionalized with NiCo-LDH. The raw materials of MoS2 are cheap and easy to obtain, and the preparation conditions are simple, and large quantities can be obtained without limitations. MoS2 functionalized with NiCo-LDH provides more adsorption sites for the adsorbent and at the same time improves the hydrophilicity of the adsorbent, so that the active sites can fully combine with uranyl ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model is 492.83 mg g-1. The selective adsorption capacity of uranium can reach 76.12% in the multi-ion coexistence system. By analyzing the adsorption mechanism with FT-IR and XRD, it is believed that on the one hand, UO22+ forms a covalent bond with Mo in MoS2 and coordinates with S on the surface of MoS2. On the other hand, UO22+ enters the NiCo-LDH layer for ion exchange with NO3- and coordinates with -OH on the surface of NiCo-LDH. The successful preparation of the MoS2/NiCo-LDH composite provides a certain application prospect for the uranium adsorption field.

microRNA-145-5p attenuates acute lung injury via targeting ETS2.

The protective effect of microRNA (miR)-145-5p in acute lung injury (ALI) has been discovered previously. Thus, in this study, we attempted to further investigate the mechanism of miR-145-5p in ALI through the downstream E26 transformation-specific proto-oncogene 2 (ETS2)/transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)/Smad pathway. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI rat model was established. The expression of miR-145-5p in ALI rat lung tissues was up-regulated. Afterward, pathological damage in the lung tissue, the wet/dry (W/D) ratio, apoptosis, and serum inflammatory factor contents were observed. miR-145-5p, ETS2, TGF-ß1, Smad2/3, and phosphorylated Smad2/3 levels were measured in rats. miR-145-5p expression was down-regulated, ETS2 expression was up-regulated, and the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway was activated in LPS-exposed rats. Overexpression of miR-145-5p inactivated the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway and attenuated ALI, as reflected by relieved pathological damage, a decreased W/D ratio, reduced apoptosis, and suppressed inflammatory response. In contrast, loss of miR-145-5p or elevated ETS2 levels worsened ALI and activated the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway. Moreover, elevation of ETS2 diminished miR-145-5p-mediated protection against ALI. Evidently, miR-145-5p negatively regulates ETS2 expression and inactivates the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway to ameliorate ALI in rats.

Electrochemical preparation and properties of a Mg-Li-Y alloy via co-reduction of Mg(ii) and Y(iii) in chloride melts.

Mg-Li based alloys have been widely used in various fields. However, the widespread use of Mg-Li based alloys were restricted by their poor properties. The addition of rare earth element in Mg-Li can significantly improve the properties of alloys. In the present work, different electrochemical methods were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of Y(iii) on the W electrode in LiCl-KCl melts and LiCl-KCl-MgCl2 melts. In LiCl-KCl melts, typical cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical mechanism and thermodynamic parameters for the reduction of Y(iii) to metallic Y. In LiCl-KCl-MgCl2 melts, the formation mechanism of Mg-Y intermetallic compounds was investigated, and the results showed that only one kind of Mg-Y intermetallic compound was formed under our experimental conditions. Mg-Li-Y alloys were prepared via galvanostatic electrolysis, and XRD and SEM equipped with EDS analysis were used to analyze the samples. Because of the restrictions of EDS analysis, ICP-AES was used to analyze the Li content in Mg-Li-Y alloys. The microhardness and Young's modulus of the Mg-Li-Y alloys were then evaluated.

Who are the users of a traditional Chinese sanfu acupoint herbal patching therapy in China?: A cross-sectional survey.

Sanfu acupoint herbal patching (SAHP) is a unique traditional Chinese medicine therapy, which has become popular for preventing acute attack of respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in many regions of mainland China. However, the knowledge about its users is lacking, especially the characteristics of the users and their experience and perspectives.To investigate the demographics of users, conditions for its use and the previous experience of SAHP, as well as users' perspectives to provide baseline information for its practice.A cross-sectional consecutive-sample survey was conducted at outpatient departments from 3 traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in northern China. Each participant completed a questionnaire, after informed consent. Data description and analyses were done using SPSS 20.0.Among 949 SAHP users from 3 hospitals, female was predominant (n = 592; 62.4%), aged from 2 to 96 years (median = 52 years). 64.7% (380/587) of regular users have applied consecutively for 3 years or over, and the self-perceived satisfaction rates of respiratory diseases were from 45.9% to 77.7%. Positive attitude toward traditional Chinese medicine was the top reason for choosing SAHP. 42.4% of users held a motivation of being cured by SAHP and with great outcome expectancy on SAHP (70.8%).SAHP users were mainly female adults or elderly population; more than half were regular users, who predominantly used SAHP for various chronic respiratory diseases during their stable stage. The majority of users expressed satisfaction to previous SAHP for their respiratory diseases. 42.4% of users held a motivation of being cured by SAHP and with great outcome expectancy on SAHP (70.8%). The findings from this survey deserve further clinical trials for their clinical effectiveness.

[Establishment of the detection method for two causative genes of cattle arachnomelia syndrome].

Arachnomelia syndrome (AS) is a recessive inherited disease in cattle. Although the arachnomelia phenotypes are virtually identical in Brown Swiss and Simmental cattle, the causative mutation are different, which are a 1 bp insertion c.363-364insG in the sulfite oxidase (SUOX) gene and a 2 bp deletion c.1224_1225delCA in the molybdenum cofactor syn-thesis step 1 (MOCS1) gene, respectively. In the current study, combining fluorescence PCR with capillary electrophoresis technology, an automatic fluorescence method was established, which could detect the two causative loci rapidly and cor-rectly with a single reaction. Samples from 51 Simmental bulls, 80 cows mated artificially using semen of Simmental bulls and their resulted 106 progeny, together with 55 Xinjiang Brown were collected and used for validation of the newly de-signed methods. Our results have laid a foundation for screening AS disease causing mutations in Chinese cattle.

Seasonal variation in semen quality in China.

In this study, we assessed the effect of seasonal variation on the semen quality in Chinese by using the average highest temperature (AHT) of the ejaculation day for partitioning season periods. A total of 13 635 semen samples were collected and analysed according to the AHT of the ejaculation day. Semen volume, sperm concentration and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology in midsummer (AHT > 30 °C) were significantly lower than those in other periods of the year. Sperm motility with AHT 10-20 °C in winter and spring was significantly higher than that in other seasons. The percentage of head defects spermatozoa with AHT < 10 °C in winter was significantly lower than that in other periods. We observed that there was a significant effect of season on the semen parameters. Highest environment temperature of the day may be a determining factor for the seasonal variations in semen quality.

[Plasma D-dimer changes and prognostic implication in severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of plasma D-dimer in human severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its relationship with disease severity. METHODS: A prospective study was performed. From February 2010 to June 2011, plasma concentration of D-dimer and the results of other routine laboratory tests were measured in 32 SAP inpatients at admission immediately and 24, 48, 72 hours after admission. Ranson scores were also recorded. The relationship between plasma concentration of D-dimer and the results of other routine laboratory tests, Ranson scores were analyzed, and so did the relationship between plasma concentration of D-dimer and severity of patient's condition. RESULTS: (1) There were no obvious changes for plasma concentration of D-dimer and the results of other routine laboratory index in 32 SAP inpatients at each time points after admission. (2) Plasma concentration of D-dimer of SAP was positively related to white blood count (WBC), creatinine (Cr), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and negatively related to hematocrit (Hct), albumin and calcium (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Plasma concentration of D-dimer of SAP at 48 hours after admission had positive relationship with Ranson scores (r=0.729, P=0.001). (3) Plasma concentration of D-dimer of SAP inpatients in CT grade D, E stage were significantly higher than that in CT grade B, C stage (1.18±0.02 mg/L, 1.23±0.01 mg/L vs. 0.90±0.02 mg/L, 0.93±0.01 mg/L, all P<0.05). (4) Plasma concentration of D-dimer of SAP in inpatients with multiple organ failure (MOF) at 24 hours and 48 hours were significantly higher than that in inpatients without MOF (24 hours: 1.26±0.02 mg/L vs. 0.93±0.02 mg/L, 48 hours:1.25±0.02 mg/L vs. 0.93±0.02 mg/L, both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma concentration of the D-dimer is significantly increased in SAP patients, and is related to the severity. The first plasma concentration of D-dimer of SAP after admission can well reflect severity of patient's condition.

[Repair of the large skin and vessel defect of upper arm with free anterolateral thigh flap].

OBJECTIVE: To explore an effective method for repairing the large skin and vessel defect of upper arm. METHODS: The large skin defect was repaired by the free anterolateral thigh flap. The vessel defect was reconstructed with the end branch of descending branch from lateral femoral circumflex artery, or the large muscular branch through bridge-like vascular anastomosis. RESULTS: Since 2003, 5 cases were treated. All the flaps survived completely with a soft tissue texture. They were followed up for 8-24 months. The cosmetic and functional results were both satisfactory with less morbidity in the donor sites. The blood supply of the flap and the end of extremities was not affected by weather. CONCLUSIONS: Anterolateral thigh flap is very suitable for large skin and vessel defect of upper arm.

[Testicular tumor in Mongolian men (report of 35 cases)].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of testicular tumor in Mongolian men. METHODS: A retrospective review of 35 cases of testicular tumors in Mongolian men from seven medical centers dated from 1990 to 2004 was performed. RESULTS: The usual presentation of a testicular tumor was a nodular or painless swelling of one gonad. The mean delay in diagnosis was 40.03 +/- 53.45 weeks. For 16 patients, delay in diagnosis was more than or equal to six months. The histologic composition of this series was 21 (60%) seminoma, 10 (28.6%) nonseminoma, 2 (5.7%) lymphoma, 1 (2.35%) fibroneuroma and 1 (2.35%) leiomyoma. Regarding stage, 22, 2, and 5 of 29 germ cell tumors were seen initially as stage I, II, and III, respectively. Combined therapy, including radical orchiectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were taken. 29 cases have been followed for 2 months to 10 years, 4 out of them died of distant metastasis, one died of other disease, one lives with tumor, the others live without relapse and metastasis. Three and 5-year survival rates for Mongolian patients with seminoma and nonseminoma were 95.0%, 95.0%, 57.1% and 42.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this article, the rate of seminoma to germ cell tumors is higher than that of general population. There is an increased mean delay in diagnosis for Mongolian patients. Three and 5-year survival rates for nonseminoma are lower than that for seminoma. Better public awareness regarding testicular tumor in this population, advances in diagnosis and therapy will help to improve therapeutic effectiveness and prognosis.

Mutational analysis of the estrogen receptor-alpha gene in familial ovarian cancer.

AIM: The genetic region of 6q25 containing the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) gene is lost in a significant number of ovarian tumors. The aim of this study was to identify how inherited variation in the ER-alpha gene contributes to susceptibility to familial ovarian cancer. METHODS: DNA obtained from 18 cases of familial ovarian cancer without mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, 20 cases with BRCA1 mutation, 20 cases of sporadic ovarian cancer, and 19 controls were screened for mutations in the coding region of the ER-alpha gene using direct sequencing. RESULTS: Two germline missense variants at codons 307 [GCC(Ala)-->TCC(Ser)] and 347 [ACC(Thr)-->TCC(Ser)] were detected in two unrelated cases with BRCA1 mutation, but not in all other cases tested. Three polymorphisms in codon 10 [TCT-->TCC(Ser)], codon 325 [CCC-->CCG(Pro)], and codon 594 [ACA-->ACG(Thr)] were identified in this series, and a higher frequency of the allele TCC at codon 10 and a lower frequency of the allele CCG at codon 325 were observed in familial cases without BRCA1 mutation, compared with those in familial cases with BRCA1 mutation, in both the sporadic cases and in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: We could not detect pathogenic mutations of the ER-alpha gene in ovarian cancer cases without BRCA1 mutation. However, association analyses of two polymorphisms suggest that the ER-alpha gene or a gene located close to the ER-alpha locus might be related to susceptibility of familial ovarian cancer without BRCA1 mutation.

Culture of retinal pigment epithelium from evisceration specimens.

Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell cultures are usually obtained from donor eyes; isolation and culture of RPE cells obtained by evisceration has not been reported previously. The present study attempted to isolate and cultivate RPE cells from evisceration specimens obtained from two cases with severe ocular trauma. Two different isolation methods, explantation and enzymatic dissociation, were used. In Case 1, RPE cells grew from the explants, but were contaminated with other cells such as fibroblasts and melanocytes, and no pure RPE cultures were obtained by explantation. In Case 2, RPE cells were separated from choroids using 0.25% trypsin before plating for culture, which effectively eliminated contaminating cells. A pure RPE culture was obtained and cultured with F12 medium supplemented with 30% fetal bovine serum. With this enzymatic dissociation method, cultured RPE cells grew to confluence in primary culture and could be maintained in culture for five passages. Cultured RPE cells were identified by the presence of cytokeratin expression, as shown by immunocytochemical staining. These isolation and culture methods provide alternative sources for human RPE cells and could be useful in studies of the cell biology and pathophysiology of human RPE cells.