Type-wide biochars loaded with Mg/Al layered double hydroxide as adsorbent for phosphate and mixed heavy metal ions in water.

This study discussed the adsorption of mixed heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Co2+, Pb2+) and phosphate ions by ten pristine biochars and those with precipitated Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). The pristine biochars have adsorption capacities of 6.9-13.4 mg/g for Cu2+, 1.1-9.7 mg/g for Co2+, 7.8-20.7 mg/g for Pb2+, and 0.8-4.9 mg/g for PO43-. The LDH-biochars have markedly increased adsorption capacities of 20.4-25.8 mg/g for Cu2+, 8.6-15.0 mg/g for Co2+, 26.5-40.4 mg/g for Pb2+ with mixed metal ions, and 13.0-21.8 mg/g for PO43-. Part of the Mg ions but Al ions are released from the LDH-biochars during adsorption, counting less than 7.2% of the adsorbed ions. The pristine biochars have specific adsorption sites for Cu2+ and Co2+, separate Pb2+ sites related to ether groups on biochar, and areal-dependent sites for PO43-. There is no universal adsorption mechanism corresponding to mixed metal ion adsorption for individual pristine biochar involving different contributions of C-O-C, C-O-H, and CO groups and graphitic-N, pyrrolic-N, and pyridine-N groups. The LDH complexes with hydroxyl and carbonyl groups of biochar, and the LDH interacts with biochar's ether groups, which contributes to metal adsorption, against the conception that the biochar is merely a carrier of LDH as adsorbents.

Biometry-dependent metal bioaccumulation in aquaculture shellfishes in southwest Taiwan and consumption risk.

Shellfishes can easily accumulate metals via water and sediment and which may pose a human health risk by consumption. This study assessed the distribution of metals, including Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Hg, in soft tissues of hard clam (Meretrix lusoria), surrounding water body, and sediment in the southwest coast of Taiwan. Hard clams contained the relatively higher concentration of the essential element, such as Zn, Cu, and Ni, and the metal concentration from high to low was Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr > Pb > Hg. However, the metal concentrations found in hard clam all were lower than the Sanitation Standard for Aquatic Animal of Taiwan. Results of bioaccumulation factors indicated that hard clam shows the ability of metal accumulation from water was higher than that from sediment. Moreover, the metal concentrations in hard clam were negatively correlated with body size except for Hg, which could be presented by the significant power function. Generally, hard clams from the aquaculture pond located on the southwest coast of Taiwan would not be harmful to adult consumers, except for people that consume shellfish more than 100 g. Besides strengthening the management of seafood safety and aquaculture, adjusting the eating and purchasing habits of the consumer could be a practical and feasible way for decreasing health risks. These results can assist the government in determining seafood safety and its implementation in Taiwan.

Minimally invasive plate percutaneous osteosynthesis for distal clavicle fractures of Neer type Ⅱ / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of minimally invasive plate percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for distal clavicle fractures of Neer type Ⅱ. Methods From May 2015 to May 2016, 13 patients with distal clavicle fracture of Neer type Ⅱwere treated with MIPPO using an anatomic locking plate. Anteroposterior plain X-ray images of the clavicle were taken at intervals until union was observed. Fracture healing time and complications were recorded, and shoulder joint functions evaluated using Constant and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. Results The average operating time was 60.9 minutes (range, from 48 to 83 minutes), average intraoperative blood loss 24.7 mL (range, from 18 to 30 mL), and average union time for the patients was 13.3 weeks (range, from 11 to 15 weeks). No delayed union or nonunion occurred. There were no major complications, like infection, plate breakage, or neurovascular injury. Only 2 patients felt local incision numbness. All the patients were satisfactory with their shoulder func-tions. At the final follow-ups, the mean Constant score was 93.2 points (from 87 to 95 points) and the mean UCLA score 30.6 points (from 28 to 34 points). Conclusion In the treatment of distal clavicle fractures of Neer type Ⅱ, minimally invasive plate percutaneous osteosynthesis can not only achieve good clinical and radi-ologic outcomes but also be advantageous over conventional open reduction in aspects of smaller invasion and better cosmetic effect.

Analysis of Influence on Single Eythrocyte Injury Caused by Oscillating Boundary Flow Field / 生物医学工程学杂志

The implantable axial blood pump, driven by external electromagnet, is studied recently. It oscillats when it is running because of the elastic implanted environment and driving force disequilibrium, etc. In this paper, a model of single erythrocyte in vibrated flow field was built to simulate the deformation and force of the erythrocyte. By using the mechanical injury principle of blood in blood pump, we studied the injury of a single erythrocyte resulted from oscillating boundary flow field. The research results indicated that the shape of the erythrocyte, force and velocity field nearby, which are affected by oscillating boundary flow field, all cause injury to the erythrocyte. All the researches shown in the present paper are expected to provide theoretical foundation for lightening hemolysis by the blood pump.