ZIF-67 grafted-boehmite-PVA composite membranes with enhanced removal efficiency towards Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

In this work, we developed a thin membrane of boehmite-polyvinyl alcohol composite (BOPOM) (diameter âˆ¼ 5 cm) grafted ZIF-67 combing sol-gel and in-situ growth methods. The fabricated materials were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, TGA, XPS, and N2 sorption techniques. Results indicate that ZIF-67 nanocrystals were well-grafted into the AlOOH-PVA matrix with reduced crystallite size. Furthermore, the decorated ZIF-67 offered additional porous structures and adsorption sites onto the membrane, enhancing their removal efficiency towards Cr6+ compared to the undecorated and pristine ZIF-67. At pH ∼5.5, the harvested ZIF-67/BOPOM exhibited the highest Cr6+ uptake capacity of ∼56.4 mg g-1. Kinetic studies showed that the chromium adsorption on the prepared materials obeyed the pseudo-second-order model, and the kinetic parameters followed the order ZIFF-67/BOPOM (0.020 mg g-1 min-1) > BOPOM (0.011 mg g-1 min-1) > ZIF-67 (0.006 mg g-1 min-1). Notably, the adsorption mechanism study revealed that adsorbed Cr6+ was reduced to Cr3+, and the reduction yield was boosted owing to grafting ZIF-67 into the BOPOM. In addition, the fabricated ZIF-67/BOPOM can simultaneously remove Cr6+ and methyl orange dye (MO) in the solution due to their synergetic effects on each other. Furthermore, the hybrid membrane ZIF-67/BOPOM showed a chromium removal efficiency of ∼78.2% after four successive adsorption-desorption cycles. This study indicates that grafting nanocrystals ZIF-67 onto the super-platform boehmite-PVA is a promising strategy to harvest an adsorbent with a high adsorption ability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced secondary pollution risks.

Impact of maternal obesity on preterm delivery in patients with cervical cerclage.

BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity has risen in the United States in recent decades. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal obesity on the risk for spontaneous preterm delivery and the risk for overall preterm delivery among patients with cervical cerclage placement. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study in which data from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development linked birth file from 2007 to 2012 were used, yielding a total of 3654 patients with and 2,804,671 patients without cervical cerclage placement. Exclusion criteria included patients with missing information on body mass index, multiple gestation, anomalous pregnancies, and gestations <20 weeks or >42 weeks. Patients in each group were identified and were further categorized based on body mass index with the nonobese group defined as having a body mass index of <30 kg/m2, the obese group defined as having a body mass index of 30 to 40 kg/m2, and the morbidly obese group defined as having a body mass index >40 kg/m2. The risks for overall and spontaneous preterm delivery were compared between patients without obesity and those with obesity or those with morbid obesity patients. The analysis was stratified by cerclage placement. RESULTS: Among patients who underwent cerclage placement, the risk for spontaneous preterm delivery was not significantly different in the obese and morbidly obese group when compared with the nonobese group (24.2% vs 20.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.43; and 24.5% vs 20.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.12; 0.78-1.62, respectively). However, among patients without cerclage placement, the obese and morbidly obese groups had a higher risk for spontaneous preterm delivery than the nonobese group (5.1% vs 4.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 1.02-1.05; and 5.9% vs 4.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.03; 1.00-1.07, respectively). The risks for overall preterm delivery at <37 weeks' gestation were higher for the obese and morbidly obese groups than for the nonobese group among patients with cerclage (33.7% vs 28.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 1.03-1.46; and 32.1% vs 28.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.01; 0.72-1.43, respectively). Similarly, among patients without cerclage placement, the risks for preterm delivery at <37 weeks' gestation were higher for the obese and morbidly obese groups than for the nonobese group (7.9% vs 6.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 1.04-1.06; and 9.3% vs 6.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.10; 1.08-1.13, respectively). CONCLUSION: Among patients who received a cervical cerclage for the prevention of preterm birth, obesity was not associated with an increased risk for spontaneous preterm delivery. However, it was associated with an overall increased risk for preterm delivery.

Green extraction of total phenolic and flavonoid contents from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) rind using natural deep eutectic solvents.

This research combined ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) to recover phenolic and flavonoid components from mangosteen rind. The antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS+, and hydroxyl assays. NADES prepared from lactic and 1,2-propanediol had the highest extraction efficiency based on the total flavonoid content (TFC) and phenolic contents (TPC). Single-factor experiments were employed to assess the influence of UAE conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio, temperature, water content in NADES, and time) on TFC, TPC, and antioxidant activities. NADES-based UAE conditions were optimized using response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken design model on five dependent responses (TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, and OH). The optimal conditions for the lactic-1,2-Propanediol-based UAE process were 76.7 ml liquid/g solid with 30.3% of water content at 57.5 °C for 9.1 min. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to examine the surface morphology of mangosteen rind before and after sonication. This study proposes an efficient, green, and practical approach for recovering phenolics and flavonoids from mangosteen rinds.

Regional multidisciplinary team approach to the management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder are often referred to specialized medical centers for antepartum management and definitive treatment via cesarean hysterectomy. In 2019, our institution formed the only multidisciplinary team for the management of PAS within two of the largest counties in California. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the multidisciplinary team on patient volume and surgical outcomes for patients with PAS. METHODS: This was a single center retrospective cohort study, based in the only tertiary referral center within two of the largest counties in California. Patients who underwent cesarean hysterectomy for suspected PAS from January 2014 to April 2021 were included and divided into two groups, based on management by the multidisciplinary team from January 2019 and onward or routine care prior to that time. The outcomes of interest were quantitative blood loss, total units of packed red blood cell transfusion, referral volume, and diagnostic accuracy as well as ICU admission, bladder injury, and postoperative length of stay. Furthermore, we wanted to determine if patient's distance to the hospital impacted outcomes. Normally distributed variables were compared between groups using the t-test. Categorical variables were compared between the two groups using the chi square test. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were included in the cohort, 59 patients were from January 2014 to December 2018 and 55 patients were from January 2019 to April 2021. Since the establishment of the multidisciplinary center, there was a 2.5-fold increase in the total patient volume (0.8 case/month to 2 cases/month) and a 2.8-fold increase in the referred patient volume. Patients undergoing cesarean hysterectomy since the establishment of the multidisciplinary team had less quantitative blood loss (1500 mL vs 2000 mL, p = .005) and required less units of packed red blood cell transfusion (2 vs 4 units, p < .001). In addition, blood loss of ≥2000 mL decreased from 57.6% to 38.2% (p = .04) and diagnostic accuracy improved from 35.6% to 83.6% (p < .001). Furthermore, we found that patient distance to the hospital did not significantly impact surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Since the establishment of the multidisciplinary team, our center experienced an increase in PAS volume and was able to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in patient outcomes.

Reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur: rapid construction of 1-anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes.

1-Anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes could be conveniently synthesized from a three-component reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur under catalyst-free simple heating conditions.

Clinical and functional characteristics of OSA in children with comorbid asthma treated by leukotriene receptor antagonist: A descriptive study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of respiratory disorders during sleep in children, especially those with severe asthma. However, optimal treatment of asthma might significantly improve OSA severity. Methods: It was a cohort study including children aged >5 years old and diagnosed with asthma according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma). The data related to age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), clinical symptoms and medical history of asthma, spirometry (FEV1: forced expiratory in 1 s), and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) were recorded for analysis. Respiratory polygraphy (RPG) was done for each study subject to diagnose OSA and its severity. Results: Among 139 asthmatic children, 99 patients with OSA (71.2%) were included in the present study (9.3 ± 0.2 years): 58.6% with uncontrolled asthma and 32.3% with partial controlled asthma. The mean ACT (asthma control testing) score was 19.0 ± 3.4. The most frequent night-time symptoms were restless sleep (76.8%), snoring (61.6%), sweating (52.5%), and trouble breathing during sleep (48.5%). The common daytime symptoms were irritable status (46.5%) and abnormal behavior (30.3%). The mean AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) was 3.5 ± 4.0 events/h. There was a significant correlation between BMI and snoring index (R = 0.189 and P = 0.027), bronchial and nasal FENO with AHI (R = 0.046 and P < 0.001; R = 0.037 and P < 0.001; respectively). There was no significant correlation between asthma level, FEV1 and AHI. The severity of asthma and respiratory function were improved significantly after 3 months and 6 months of asthma treatment in combination with leukotriene receptor antagonist (LRA) treatment. The symptoms related to OSA were significantly improved after treatment with LRA. The severity of OSA was decreased significantly after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. Conclusion: The treatment of asthmatic children with comorbid OSA by LRA in combination with standard therapy for asthma could improve the control of asthma and the symptoms and severity of OSA.

Optimization of Fermentation Conditions and Media for Production of Glucose Isomerase from Bacillus megaterium Using Response Surface Methodology.

Glucose isomerase is an enzyme widely used in food industry for producing high-fructose corn syrup. Many microbes, including Bacillus megaterium, have been found to be able to produce glucose isomerase. However, the number of studies of glucose isomerase production from Bacillus megaterium is limited. In this study, we establish the optimal medium components and culture conditions for Bacillus megaterium glucose isomerase production by evaluating the combined influence of multiple factors and different parameters via Plackett-Burman design and response surface methodology in Modde 5.0 software. The optimized conditions, which were experimentally confirmed as follows: D-xylose (1.116%), K2HPO4 (0.2%), MgSO4·7H2O (0.1%), yeast extract (1.161%), peptone (1%), pH 7.0, inoculum size 20% (w/v), shaking 120 rpm at 36.528°C for 48 hours, give rise to production of highest activity of glucose isomerase (0.274 ± 0.003 U/mg biomass). These results provide additional important information for future development of large-scale glucose isomerase production by Bacillus megaterium.

Study of the clinical and functional characteristics of asthmatic children with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common respiratory disorder in children, especially those at preschool and school ages. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of asthmatic children with OSA and the symptoms for a high risk of OSA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was a prospective and descriptive study. The data of asthmatic children including medical history, clinical examination, blood tests, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), and respiratory polygraphy were registered for analyses. RESULTS: Eighty-five asthmatic children with a mean age of 9.5 ± 2.1 years were included. The prevalence of OSA was 65.9% (56/85) in study subjects. The prevalence of severe OSA in children with moderate asthma was significantly higher than intermittent and mild asthma. The percentage of asthmatic children with OSA who had snoring, sleep disturbance, and nocturnal sweats was significantly higher than that of asthmatic children without OSA (48.2% vs 17.2%, 71.4% vs 27.5%, and 55.1% vs 31.0%, respectively). The presence of allergic rhinitis and snoring was associated significantly with a high probability for the presence of OSA. CONCLUSION: Children with asthma have a risk of OSA. Asthmatic children with suggested symptoms such as snoring or waking up at night should be screened for OSA.

Puupehenol, a potent antioxidant antimicrobial meroterpenoid from a Hawaiian deep-water Dactylospongia sp. sponge.

From the organic extract of a deep-water Hawaiian sponge Dactylospongia sp., a new potent antioxidant and antimicrobial meroterpenoid, puupehenol (1), was isolated. The structure of 1 was determined using spectroscopic techniques ((1)H and (13)C NMR, MS, IR, UV, [α]D). The known compound puupehenone (2) was also isolated and suggested as a probable artifact of the isolation procedures. Complete unambiguous (1)H and (13)C NMR data are provided for compounds 1 and 2. Bioassays performed with 1 and 2 showed them both to be very effective antioxidants and to have antimicrobial properties.

Extracts of Crinum latifolium inhibit the cell viability of mouse lymphoma cell line EL4 and induce activation of anti-tumour activity of macrophages in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crinum latifolium L. (CL) leaf extracts have been traditionally used in Vietnam and are now used all over the world for the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the precise cellular mechanisms of the action of CL extracts remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine the effects of CL samples on the anti-tumour activity of peritoneal murine macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The properties of three extracts (aqueous, flavonoid, alkaloid), one fraction (alkaloid), and one pure compound (6-hydroxycrinamidine) obtained from CL, were studied (i) for redox capacities (DPPH and bleaching beta-carotene assays), (ii) on murine peritoneal macrophages (MTT assay) and on lymphoma EL4-luc2 cells (luciferine assay) for cytotoxicity, (iii) on macrophage polarization (production of ROS and gene expression by PCR), and (iv) on the tumoricidal functions of murine peritoneal macrophages (lymphoma cytotoxicity by co-culture with syngeneic macrophages). RESULTS: The total flavonoid extract with a high antioxidant activity (IC50=107.36 mg/L, DPPH assay) showed an inhibitory action on cancer cells. Alkaloid extracts inhibited the proliferation of lymphoma cells either by directly acting on tumour cells or by activating of the tumoricidal functions of syngeneic macrophages. The aqueous extract induced mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) indicating differentiation of macrophages into pro-inflammatory M1 polarized macrophages. The total flavonoid, alkaloid extracts and an alkaloid fraction induced the expression of the formyl peptide receptor (FPR) on the surface of the polarized macrophages that could lead to the activation of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. Aqueous and flavonoid extracts enhanced NADPH quinine oxido-reductase 1 (NQO1) mRNA expression in polarized macrophages which could play an important role in cancer chemoprevention. All the samples studied were non-toxic to normal living cells and the pure alkaloid tested, 6-hydroxycrinamidine, was not active in any of the models investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CL extracts and alkaloid fraction (but not pure 6-hydroxycrinamidine) inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma cells in multiple pathways. Our results are in accordance with traditional usage and encourage further studies and in vivo assays.

Field dependence of switching currents in an exchange biased spin valve.

Current induced magnetic reversal due to spin transfer torque is a promising candidate in advanced information storage technology. It has been intensively studied. This work reports the field-dependence of switching-currents for current induced magnetization switching in a uncoupled nano-sized cobalt-based spin valve of exchange biased type. The dependency is investigated in hysteretic regime at room temperature, in comparison with that of a trilayer simple spin valve. In the simple spin valve, the switching currents behave to the positive and the negative applied magnetic field symmetrically. In the exchange biased type, in contrast, the switching currents respond to the negative field in a quite unusual and different manner than to the positive field. A negative magnetic field then can shift the switching-currents into either negative or positive current range, dependently on whether a parallel or an antiparallel state of the spin valve was produced by that field. This different character of switching currents in the negative field range can be explained by the effect of the exchange bias pinning field on the spin-polarizer (the fixed Co layer) of the exchange biased spin valve. That unidirectional pinning filed could suppress the thermal magnetization fluctuation in the spin-polarizer, leading to a higher spin polarization of the current, and hence a lower switching current density than in the simple spin valve.

Tonsil-pharyngeal streptococci infections in patients with respiratory tract diseases at the Department of Pediatrics, Military Hospital No108

At the Military Hospital No108, from August 2000 to May 2002, 111 patients with respiratory tract disease were studied perspectively. Results showed that the most vulnerable age 1-5 years old (26.13%), 5-10 years old (41.44%). 26 cases were infected with streptococci (23.42%). Among respiratory tract infectious patient streptococci A 26% were isolated, cartaphalis 18%. Among bronchitis patients, Streptococci A 14%, M cartahalis 12%. Among rhumatism arthritis patients Streptococci alpha 12%, cartahalis 6%