Efficient Glucose Isomerization to Fructose using Photoregenerable MgSnO3 Catalyst with Cooperative Acid-Base Sites.

The isomerization of glucose to fructose plays a crucial role in the food industry and the production of biomass-derived chemicals in biorefineries. However, the catalyst used in this reaction suffers from low selectivity and catalyst deactivation due to carbon or by-product deposition. In this study, MgSnO3 catalyst, synthesized via a facile two-step process involving hydrothermal treatment and calcination, was used for glucose isomerization to fructose. The catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance, achieving a fructose equilibrium yield of 29.8 % with a selectivity exceeding 90 % under mild conditions owing to its acid-base interaction. Notably, spent catalysts can be regenerated by photoirradiation to remove surface carbon, thereby avoiding the changes in properties and subsequent loss of activity associated with conventional calcination regeneration method. This novel approach eliminates the energy consumption and potential structural aggregation associated with traditional calcination regeneration methods. The acid-base active sites of the catalyst, along with their corresponding catalytic reaction mechanism and photoregeneration mechanism were investigated. This study presents a demonstration of the comprehensive utilization of catalytic material properties, i. e., acid-base and photocatalytic functionalities, for the development of a green and sustainable biomass thermochemical conversion system.

Exploring the potential of clay catalysts in catalytic pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste for fuel and energy recovery.

Developing low-cost and high-activity catalysts is one of the keys to promoting the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics to fuels for plastic recycling. This work studied the effect of clay as the catalyst on mixed plastic pyrolysis for fuel and energy recovery. Four kinds of clay, including nanoclay, montmorillonite, kaolin, and hydrotalcite, were used as catalysts for the pyrolysis of mixed plastic consisted of polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene. The product yield and distribution varied with different clay in pyrolysis. The highest yield of oil was 71.0 % when using montmorillonite as the catalyst. While the highest contents of gasoline range hydrocarbons and diesel range hydrocarbons in the oil were achieved when using kaolin and nanoclay, respectively as catalysts. For the gas products, the CO, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, and C4H10 increased with decreased CO2 in the gaseous products when using clay as catalysts. In general, the mild acidity of clay catalyst was essential to improve the oil yields and the proportion of the gasoline or diesel range fuels in the catalytic pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste.

COVID-19 and Severe Rhabdomyolysis Causing Acute Kidney Injury and Life-Threatening Hyperkalemia in a Pediatric Patient: a Case Report.

Though initially believed to primarily be a respiratory pathogen, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has manifested as a virus that has the potential to affect multiple organ systems causing a wide variety of disease and symptomatology. Children have been largely spared in comparison to adult morbidity and mortality; however, acute pediatric illness secondary to COVID-19 infection has become both more common and more serious. Here, we present a teenager with acute COVID-19 who presented to the hospital with profound weakness and oliguria and was discovered to have severe rhabdomyolysis causing life-threatening hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury. He required treatment with emergent renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit. His initial CK was 584,886 U/L. Creatinine was 14.1 mg/dL and potassium was 9.9 mmol/L. He was successfully treated with CRRT and was discharged on hospital day 13 with normal kidney function on follow-up. Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury are increasingly recognized as complications of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and require vigilance given the potentially fatal complications and long-standing morbidity associated with these conditions.

A review on mechanistic understanding of microplastic pollution on the performance of anaerobic digestion.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as a promising technology for diverting the organic waste from the landfills along with the production of clean energy. AD is a microbial-driven biochemical process wherein the plethora of microbial communities participate in converting the putrescible organic matter into biogas. Nevertheless, the AD process is susceptible to the external environmental factors such as presence of physical (microplastics) and chemical (antibiotics, pesticides) pollutants. The microplastics (MPs) pollution has received recent attention due to the increasing plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems. This review was aimed for holistic assessment of impact of MPs pollution on AD process to develop efficient treatment technology. First, the possible pathways of MPs entry into the AD systems were critically evaluated. Further, the recent literature on the experimental studies pertaining to the impact of different types of MPs at different concentrations on the AD process was reviewed. In addition, several mechanisms such as direct exposure of MPs on the microbial cells, indirect impact of MPs through the leaching of toxic chemicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation on AD process were elucidated. Besides, the risk possessed by the increase of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) after the AD process due to the MPs stress on microbial communities were discussed. Overall, this review deciphered the severity of MPs pollution on AD process at different levels.

Photocatalytic activity of graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposite on dichlorvos and malathion and assessment of toxicity changes due to photodegradation.

Heterogeneous photocatalysis was used for the removal of two widely used organophosphorus pesticides, dichlorvos, and malathion from water. Graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposite (GOT) was synthesized and used as a photocatalyst for the removal of these pesticides. Batch studies for optimizing photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of pesticides over 80 min were conducted by varying the pH (2-10), catalyst dose (20 mg/L-200 mg/L), and initial pesticide concentration (0.5 mg/L-20 mg/L), and the irradiation source (125 W UV and visible lamp). Degradation kinetics for the pesticides were evaluated. Ellman assay was used to estimate the toxic effect of pesticides and evaluate toxicity reduction due to treatment. The highest degradation and mineralization of dichlorvos and malathion was observed at pH 6 and the optimum catalyst dose was 60 mg/L. Under UV irradiation, 80% and 90% degradation were observed for dichlorvos and malathion, respectively for 0.5 mg/L initial pesticide concentration. The photocatalytic degradation reaction followed Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. A high degree of mineralization was achieved for both the pesticides. Analysis of the results revealed that the residual toxic effect after photocatalysis was primarily due to the residual parent compound. A comparative study revealed that GOT yielded better pesticide degradation compared to commercially available TiO2 under both UV and visible irradiation.

Molten Salt-Assisted Synthesis of Co/N-Doped Carbon Hybrids for Aqueous-Phase Aerobic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid.

A resource-efficient and facile method of synthesizing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from biomass-derived platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was explored using cobalt and nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts (Co/N-C). A molten salts-assisted method proved to be effective in improving the surface area of the catalysts as well as uniformity and dispersibility of the Co species. Detailed investigation of different combinations of precursors revealed that the formation of Co-Nx species was imperative for high FDCA selectivity, and the nitrogen-doped carbon matrix enhanced the catalytic activity by providing good electron mobility. A significant observation was made regarding the change in reaction mechanism with the heating rate of Co/N-C. High HMF conversion of 99 % with 68 % FDCA yield was achieved at 120 °C in water at 24 h. This study shows an eco-friendly and cost-effective method of FDCA production with high yield that overcomes the use of precious metal-based catalysts, organic solvents, and severe reaction conditions.

Care of the pediatric patient on chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is the most commonly prescribed dialysis modality for infants and young children with kidney failure worldwide. Provision of high-quality care for the pediatric patient on chronic peritoneal dialysis requires a multidisciplinary approach and a strong collaboration with the patient and their caregiver. This article not only reviews current recommendations and advances in the care of pediatric patients on peritoneal dialysis with a focus on the provision of high-quality care and improvement in outcomes, but it also draws attention to health care disparities that exist locally and globally.

Extent of hypertension and renal injury in children surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) fortunately has high survival rates, and understanding longer term implications of therapy is critical. In this study, we aimed to investigate kidney health outcomes by assessing the prevalence of renal dysfunction and hypertension (HTN) in children with ALL at 1-5 years after ALL diagnosis. METHODS: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study of children with ALL who were 1-5 years post diagnosis. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurements were calculated, and urine samples were collected to assess for protein/creatinine and albumin/creatinine. Blood pressure (BP) was determined by standard oscillometric technique, and children ≥6 years of age were eligible for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). RESULTS: Forty-five patients enrolled in the study, and 21 completed ABPMs. Fifteen patients (33%, 95% CI: 20%-49%) developed acute kidney injury (AKI) at least once. Thirteen (29%, 95% CI: 16%-44%) had hyperfiltration, and 11 (24%) had abnormal proteinuria and/or albuminuria. Prevalence of HTN based on clinic measurements was 42%. In the 21 ABPM patients, 14 had abnormal results (67%, 95% CI: 43%-85%), with the majority (11/21) demonstrating abnormal nocturnal dipping pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Among children with ALL, there is a high prevalence of past AKI. The presence of hyperfiltration, proteinuria, and/or albuminuria at 1-5 years after ALL diagnosis suggests real risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) over time. There is a high prevalence of HTN on casual BP readings and even higher prevalence of abnormal ABPM in this group. The high prevalence of impaired nocturnal dipping by ABPM indicates an increased risk for future cardiovascular or cerebral ischemic events.

Case Report: Unusual Aggregation of Different Glomerulopathies in a Family Resolved by Genetic Testing and Reverse Phenotyping.

Glomerular diseases (GDs) are a major cause of chronic kidney disease in children. The conventional approach to diagnosis of GDs includes clinical evaluation and, in most cases, kidney biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis. However, in many cases, clinical presentations of different GDs can overlap, leading to uncertainty in diagnosis and management even after renal biopsy. In this report, we identify a family with clinical diagnoses of postinfectious glomerulonephritis and IgA nephropathy in a parent and two children. Renal biopsies were initially inconclusive; however, genetic testing showed that the two individuals diagnosed at different points with IgA nephropathy carried novel segregating pathogenic variants in COL4A5 gene. We were only able to make the final diagnoses in each of the family members after genetic testing and reverse phenotyping. This case highlights the utility of genetic testing and reverse phenotyping in resolving clinical diagnosis in families with unusual constellations of different glomerulopathies. We propose that clustering of different glomerular disease phenotypes in a family should be an indication for genetic testing followed by reverse phenotyping.

Defining kidney outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the modern era.

BACKGROUND: To define the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and hypertension (HTN) in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over a recent 9-year period. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study of all pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL at Nationwide Children's Hospital from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2016. Patient demographic and clinical data including serum creatinine and blood pressure were collected at diagnosis up to 9 years post diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 222 patients were identified for this study. The overall incidence of AKI in our cohort was high, with 101 subjects (45.5%, CI 38.8-52.3%) developing AKI at least once. CKD status could only be determined in 214 patients due to limited later GFR data. The incidence of CKD was low with only 5 of 214 patients developing CKD (2.3%, CI: 0.8-5.4%). The overall incidence of HTN at diagnosis was 45.6% (95% CI: 59.1-72%), and at 1 month post diagnosis was 65.8% (95% CI: 59.1-72.0%). Chronic HTN could only be determined in 216 patients due to limited blood pressure data. Chronic HTN was noted in 34.3% of patients (74/216, 95% CI: 28-41%). CONCLUSIONS: Among children with ALL, the incidence of AKI is relatively high at the time of diagnosis. However, development of CKD is relatively rare, suggesting good mid-term kidney prognosis. There is a high incidence of HTN at the time of diagnosis, 1 month post diagnosis, and chronic HTN that often goes untreated. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Photocatalysis of dichlorvos using graphene oxide-TiO2nanocomposite under visible irradiation: process optimization using response surface methodology.

Graphene oxide-TiO2nanocomposite (GOT) was used for degradation and mineralization of dichlorvos, an organophosphorus pesticide, from aqueous solution under visible irradiation. The nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-DRS, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Anatase phase TiO2nanoparticles (10-20 nm in diameter) were present in the nanocomposite. The nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on reduced GO sheets. A three-factor face-centered central composite design with response surface methodology was used for modeling and optimization of various variables that may potentially affect photodegradation, i.e. pH, catalyst loading, and initial dichlorvos concentration. A quadratic model was built to predict degradation, mineralization efficiency, and reaction rate constant. The experimental and predicted values depicted a good correlation and the utility of the models was confirmed by the highF-values observed for the degradation and mineralization models. High coefficient of determination (R2) was obtained for the degradation (R2 = 0.95) and mineralization (R2 = 0.93) models. Pareto analysis was carried out to determine the effect of each variable on photocatalytic degradation and mineralization. The predicted results suggested that the optimum conditions for obtaining maximum degradation (69%) and mineralization (64%) were: initial dichlorvos concentration of 0.5 mg l-1with a catalyst dose of 110 mg l-1at pH 6.5. The main effect plots also suggested a significant influence of the variables used in the photocatalysis of dichlorvos by GOT.

Caffeine exposure and acute kidney injury in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in preterm infants, but specific therapies remain scarce. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between caffeine exposure and less frequent AKI in the first 7-10 days after birth. We hypothesized that patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) would provide a better natural model of AKI to evaluate this association. METHODS: We reviewed all premature patients diagnosed with NEC or SIP at our institution from 2008 to 2014. AKI was defined by change in serum creatinine using the neonatal Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes definition. Caffeine was prescribed for apnea of prematurity and caffeine exposure was determined by chart review. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients with NEC/SIP were reviewed. Of these, 119 (81.5%) received caffeine, and 91 (62.3%) developed AKI. AKI occurred less frequently in patients who received caffeine than in those who did not (55.5% vs. 92.6%; odds ratio (OR) 0.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.44). This association persisted in multivariable models after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.42; number needed to be exposed to caffeine to prevent one case of AKI = 2.6). Although baseline serum creatinine did not differ by caffeine exposure, patients receiving caffeine had lower peak creatinine (median 1.0 mg/dl vs. 1.5 mg/dl; p = 0.008) and absolute creatinine change (median 0.42 mg/dl vs. 0.68 mg/dl; p = 0.003) than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine exposure in preterm infants with NEC/SIP is associated with decreased incidence and severity of AKI.