Super facile one-step synthesis of sugarcane bagasse derived N-doped porous biochar for adsorption of ciprofloxacin.

A new N-doped biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse (NSB) was prepared by one-pot pyrolysis with sugarcane bagasse as feedstock, melamine as nitrogen source and NaHCO3 as pore-forming agent, and then NSB was used to adsorb ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water. The optimal preparation conditions of NSB were determined based on the evaluation index of adsorbability of NSB for CIP. SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, XPS and BET characterizations were used to analyze the physicochemical properties of the synthetic NSB. It was found that the prepared NSB had excellent pore structure, high specific surface area and more nitrogenous functional groups. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that the synergistic interaction between melamine and NaHCO3 increased the pores of NSB and the largest surface area of NSB was 1712.19 m2/g. The CIP adsorption capacity of 212 mg/g was obtained under optimal parameters as follows: NSB amount 0.125 g/L, initial pH 6.58, adsorption temperature 30 °C, CIP initial concentration 30 mg/L and adsorption time 1 h. The isotherm and kinetics studies elucidated that the adsorption of CIP conformed both D-R model and Pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The high CIP adsorption capacity of NSB for CIP was due to the combined filling pore, π-π conjugation and hydrogen bonding. All results demonstrated that adsorption of CIP by the low-cost N-doped biochar of NSB is a reliable technology for the disposal of CIP wastewater.

Case Report: A Novel PAX3 Mutation Associated With Waardenburg Syndrome Type 1.

Background: Waardenburg Syndrome Type 1 (WS1) is a rare hereditary disease, which is usually caused by the mutations of PAX3 (paired box 3). Here, we reported a pedigree with WS1, which was caused by a novel mutation in PAX3. Case Report: In this present report, a 10-year-old boy and his twin sister from a Han Chinese family presented with iris pigmentary abnormality, synophrys, and broad and high nasal root. Their father presented premature whitening of the hair, but no iris pigmentary abnormality. Their aunts presented the same clinical characteristics with the twins and premature graying of hair. However, none of the patients reported hearing loss. The clinical diagnosis of the four patients from this pedigree was WS1. The whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a novel mutation (c.959-5T>G) in the PAX3 gene, which could be responsible for the observed pathogenic of WS1 in this pedigree. The genetic test confirmed the diagnosis of WS1 in the four patients from the studied pedigree. Conclusion: This present study demonstrated that genetic test based on WES, an effective alternative to regular clinical examinations, helps diagnose WS1. The newly identified PAX3 gene mutation can expand the understanding of WS1.

Investigation of doublecortin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like-1-expressing cells in the mouse stomach.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: For lack of a definite stem cell marker, there is limited knowledge of the precise location and fate of stem cells after injury. Doublecortin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like-1 (DCAMKL-1) is a putative intestinal and colon stem cell marker. Our aim was to identify DCAMKL-1-expressing cells in the gastric epithelium and to analyze the fate of DCAMKL-1-expressing cells during gastric mucosal injury and repair. METHODS: Acidified ethanol was administered to wild-type mice. DCAMKL-1 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS: There were some DCAMKL-1-expressing cells in normal mouse stomachs. All the cells were located in the gastric isthmus region. All DCAMKL-1-expressing cells were double stained with Dolichos biflorus lectin-expressing parietal cells and Musashi-1-expressing cells. The DCAMKL-1 antigen expression decreased 12 h after injury and gradually increased to normal 4 d after injury. CONCLUSION: Using DCAMKL-1 as a marker for stomach stem cells, we could describe the expression pattern of stomach stem cells during mucosal injury.