Alkalinity regulation in a sulfur autotrophic denitrifying filter substantially reduced total dissolved solids and sulfate in effluent.

Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) filters are considered a promising technology due to their stable and excellent performance in nitrogen removal, affordable costs, and operational advantages. In this work, a novel operational strategy that employed sodium bicarbonate as an alkalinity source in the autotrophic denitrification filter (S-SAD) was established. With the sufficient supply of alkalinity, the S-SAD reached an excellent denitrification performance (98.01%±0.43%) with a nitrate concentration of 10 mg/L in influent and hydraulic retention time of 3 hrs. The total dissolved solids increment and sulfate concentration in effluent were significantly reduced by one-third, compared with that of the traditional SAD process under the same conditions. The analysis of microbial community indicated that Thiobacilhus, typical species with the functions of simultaneous sulfur oxidation and denitrification, was evidently enriched in the S-SAD. Thus, this present work demonstrated a feasible, relatively cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to operate SAD towards further application.

Revealing hydrodynamics and energy efficiency of mixing for high-solid anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge.

Anaerobic digestion is a feasible and promising technique to deal with emerging waste activated sludge issues. In this work, the hydrodynamics and digestion performance of horizontal anaerobic systems equipped with double-bladed impeller and ribbon impeller were investigated. Simulation using computational fluid dynamics technique visually showcased the favorable mixing status implementing ribbon impeller. The mixing modes were considered as the major motivation for the difference of mixing efficiencies. Tracing experiment indicated that the minimum thorough mixing time with ribbon impeller was 20 min at a rotation speed of 50 rpm, whereas it was 360 min for the double-bladed impeller under similar conditions. The superior mixing performance of ribbon impeller resulted in better anaerobic digestion and energy efficiency outputs. The digester employing ribbon impeller obtained an ultimate biogas yield of 340.38 ± 15.91 mL/g VS (corresponding methane yield of 210.34 ± 7.55 mL/g VS) and produced a surplus energy of 16.23 ± 0.76 MJ/(m3·d). This study thus ascertained that ribbon impeller was proficient for high-solid anaerobic digestion and it will prominently benefit future system designs.

Effects of co-pyrolysis of rice husk and sewage sludge on the bioavailability and environmental risks of Pb and Cd.

In this study, biochars were produced by co-pyrolysis of rice husk and sewage sludge, the environmental risk of heavy metal (Pd and Cd) in the biochars was assessed. Co-pyrolysis resulted in a lower yield but a higher C content compared with sewage sludge pyrolysis alone, the relative contents of Pb and Cd in biochars were declined. Co-pyrolysis process transformed the bioavailable heavy metals into stable speciation. The environmental risk assessment codes of Pb and Cd were reduced by 1-2 grades. The co-pyrolysis technology provides a feasible method for the safe disposal of heavy metal-contaminated sewage sludge.

MiR-1207-5p/CX3CR1 axis regulates the progression of osteoarthritis via the modulation of the activity of NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic diseases characterized by formation of osteophytes and degradation of articular cartilage. Previous evidence has identified the regulatory effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA. The goal of this study is to clearly explore the biological function of miR-1207-5p in OA. METHODS: MiR-1207-5p and C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) expression in OA cartilages were revealed by accessing to Gene Expression Omnibus database. In vitro OA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were conducted to detect the expression level of genes. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometric experiments were performed to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis capacities of CHON-001 cells. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the binding site of miR-1207-5p and CX3CR1, the connections of which were ascertained using luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: MiR-1207-5p expression was decreased while CX3CR1 was increased in OA cartilages. Up-regulation of miR-1207-5p alleviated the LPS-induced damage in the view of cell proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. A target of miR-1207-5p CX3CR1, its down-regulation intensified the impacts of miR-1207-5p mimic, promoted proliferation and mitigated apoptosis. LPS exposure increased the protein expression of the phosphorylated IκBα and P65, and this phenomena was reversed due to miR-1207-5p up-regulation and CX3CR1 knockdown. The treatment of Betulinic acid (BA; an activator of nuclear factor-κB pathway) reversed the miR-1207-5p mimic-induced inhibitory effect on apoptosis in LPS-treated CHON-001. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight that miR-1207-5p can prevent CHON-001 from LPS-stimulated injury, providing a novel biomarker for OA progression and further advancing treatment of OA.

Multi-stage glucose/pachymaran co-feeding enhanced endo-ß-1,3-glucanase production by Trichoderma harzianum via simultaneous increases in cell concentration and inductive effect.

Endo-ß-1,3-glucanase is used to hydrolyze curdlan in a wide range of oligosaccharides production processes. Using pachymaran as the sole carbon source resulted in an endo-ß-1,3-glucanase activity of 86.1 U/mL and an Eendo/Etotal ratio of 0.43, which were 3.2 and 1.65 folds of the values from control (glucose as the sole carbon source), due to the inductive effect of pachymaran as a polysaccharide. However, the cell concentration decreased from 25 to 12 g/L during the late fermentation phase. Therefore, a novel multi-stage feeding strategy was developed wherein glucose was fed twice during the cell logarithmic growth phase (24 and 48 h) and pachymaran once during the early stage of the enzyme accumulation phase (72 h). Consequently, the cell concentration remained around 30 g/L during the late fermentation phase. Endo-ß-1,3-glucanase activity and Eendo/Etotal reached 160.0 U/mL and 0.76, respectively, which were 6.0 and 2.92 folds of the values from control. In addition, three typical polysaccharides with ß-1,3-linked glucose residues were successfully hydrolyzed by endo-ß-1,3-glucanase to produce multifunctional ß-1,3-oligoglucosides.

Towards Understanding the Mechanism of Heavy Metals Immobilization in Biochar Derived from Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Sewage Sludge.

Biochar was prepared by mixing sewage sludge with sawdust via a co-pyrolysis with different mixture ratios and temperatures. The results showed that the sawdust addition resulted in a lower yield of biochar with higher C content. The total concentrations of Pb and Cd in biochar were reduced. Besides, pyrolysis can transform the potentially toxic Pb and Cd to stable fractions. However the sawdust addition had slight influence on the chemical forms of Pb and Cd in the biochar. The biochar with 50% sawdust at 600°C exhibited a remarkable reduction of the leachable metal concentrations. The possible transformation mechanisms of Pb and Cd were inferred as the formation of aluminum and silicon-containing minerals. These results provide insights into the influence of sawdust addition on the characteristics of biochar and the possible Pb and Cd immobilization mechanisms during co-pyrolysis process.

Hyaluronic acid, an efficient biomacromolecule for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases: A review of recent developments and critical appraisal of preclinical and clinical investigations.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays multifaceted role in regulating various biological processes and maintaining homeostasis into the body. Numerous researches evidenced the biomedical implications of HA in skin repairmen, cancer prognosis, wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation. The present review was aimed to summarize and critically appraise the recent developments and efficacy of HA for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases. A thorough analysis of the literature revealed that HA based formulations (i.e., gels, creams, autologous graft, thin sheets, soaked gauze, gauze pad, tincture, injection) have shown remarkable efficacy in treating a wide range of inflammatory skin diseases. The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of HA (as intra-articular injection) have also been well-documented for treatment of various types of joint disease including knee osteoarthritic, joint osteoarthritis, canine osteoarthritis, and meniscal swelling. Intra-articular injection of HA produces remarkable reduction in joint pain, synovial inflammation, and articular swelling. A remarkable improvement in chondrocyte density, territorial matrix appearance, reconstitution of superficial amorphous layer of the cartilage, collagen remodelling, and regeneration of meniscus have also been evident in patients treated with HA. Conclusively, we validate that the application/administration of HA is a promising pharmacotherapeutic regimen for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases.

Thyroid-Like Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively uncommon malignant neoplasm. We recently encountered an unusual case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that histologically resembled a thyroid carcinoma. A thorough review of the English literature revealed only 2 similar cases that have been previously reported. Immunohistochemical studies are imperative to confirm the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and to exclude the possibility of metastatic thyroid carcinoma and other malignancies with thyroid-like features.

A mouse model of a novel missense mutation (Gly83Arg) in a Chinese kindred manifesting vitreous amyloidosis only.

The purpose of this study is to establish a mouse model of transthyretin (TTR) Gly83Arg gene mutation by the technique of gene targeting for research on hereditary vitreous amyloidosis (HVA) and to confirm whether this point mutation is a genetic feature of HVA. A vector (pBR322-MK-TTR) was constructed to target ES cells. The successfully transfected ES cells were used for blastocyst injection, thus generating F0. F0 and Flp mice were mated to generate F1 (TTR+/-, Flp +/-) mice that lacked the neo gene but carried the Flp gene. F1 mice were mated with C57BL/6N wild type mice to generate F2 (TTR+/-) mice. F3 homozygous and heterozygous mice were generated by mating F2 mice with each other. PCR and sequencing were performed for F3 mice. Amyloid was detected using Congo red stain and polarized light. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TTR in the tissues. Quantitative fluorescent PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of TTR mRNA and TTR protein, respectively. Two F0-generation, 2 F1-generation and 15 F3-generation mice were obtained. The gene sequencing of F3 mice showed TTR Gly83Arg mutation. When examined with Congo red and polarized light, the vitreous of TTR Gly83Arg mutant mice tested positive for amyloid. The hearts, livers, brains and kidneys of the experimental group and control group were all negative by Congo red staining. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the vitreous of TTR Gly83Arg mutant mice and the livers of the control mice were positive, but the kidneys, hearts and brains of both groups were negative. Quantitative fluorescent PCR showed that the mRNA expression of mutant mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice (F = 0.295, P = 0.023). Western blotting showed that the expression of TTR protein was significantly lower in the model mice than in the wild-type mice (t = 3.224, P = 0.018). TTR gene mutation is indeed a molecular characteristic of HVA and manifest in the eye disease only. A C57BL/6 mouse line carrying the TTR Gly83Arg gene mutation was successfully established. This strain of mice can be used for the study of HVA.

Keyhole epilepsy surgery: corticoamygdalohippocampectomy for mesial temporal sclerosis.

Surgical approaches for medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) that previously have been reported include anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), transcortical selective amygdalohippocampectomy, transsylvian amygdalohippocampectomy, and subtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy. Each approach has its advantages and potential pitfalls. The purpose of this report is to describe our technique of keyhole corticoamygdalohippocampectomy for patients with MTLE due to hippocampal sclerosis. Operations were performed through a 6-cm vertical linear incision and a low 2.5-cm keyhole craniotomy at the anterior squamous temporal bone. Resection of the anterior-most portions of the middle and inferior temporal gyri provided a cylinder-like corridor to the mesial temporal lobe. Identification of the temporal horn through a basal approach was followed by resection of the amygdala, uncus, and hippocampus-parahippocampal gyrus. This 9-year series included 683 patients with a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years. Surgery times were short (range, 1 h 35 min to 2 h 30 min). Only a small percentage of patients had complications (1.76%), and the rate of Engel Class I seizure-free outcome was 87%. No overt speech problems or visual field deficits were identified. Compared with the most popular conventional trans-middle temporal gyrus approach, this technique can make the operation easier, safer, and less traumatic to functional lateral neocortex.

Neuropsychological outcomes of subtemporal selective amygdalohippocampectomy via a small craniotomy.

OBJECT The objectives of this study were to describe a novel minimal-access subtemporal approach for selective resection of the amygdala and hippocampus in patients with medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis, and to analyze the related outcomes. METHODS The authors analyzed data from all cases involving patients with unilateral MTLE due to hippocampal sclerosis who were treated with selective amygdalohippocampectomy via the posterior subtemporal approach through a relatively small craniotomy, without a neuronavigation system, at their institution during the period from September 2010 to September 2012. Data were obtained on baseline characteristics, preoperative evaluations of unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis, surgical complications, and Engel class seizure outcomes. All patients underwent memory testing, IQ testing, and language testing. RESULTS The mean duration of follow-up was 33.6 months (range 24-48 months). There were no deaths and no cases of significant postoperative morbidity. One patient had a mild complication. At 2-year follow-up, 19 patients were seizure free (Engel Class I outcome). Verbal memory scores obtained at 3 months and at 2 years after surgery were significantly lower than preoperative scores for patients who underwent surgery on the left side of the brain (p < 0.05). Pictorial memory scores were higher following surgery compared with before surgery regardless of whether patients underwent left- or right-sided brain surgery. There was also improvement in performance IQ and total IQ following surgery in both groups. For patients who underwent right-sided brain surgery, verbal comprehension and semantic fluency testing scores were significantly higher at both 3 months and 2 years after surgery than before surgery. For patients who underwent left-sided brain surgery, scores on all language tests were significantly lower at 3 months after surgery than before surgery. Verbal comprehension testing scores returned to the preoperative level at 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS The posterior subtemporal approach through a relatively small craniotomy allows adequate exposure and safe resection of mesial temporal structures and effectively reduces medically intractable MTLE. It preserves IQ but may have a detrimental effect on verbal memory and language ability.

Improving arachidonic acid fermentation by Mortierella alpina through multistage temperature and aeration rate control in bioreactor.

Effective production of arachidonic acid (ARA) using Mortierella alpina was conducted in a 30-L airlift bioreactor. Varying the aeration rate and temperature significantly influenced cell morphology, cell growth, and ARA production, while the optimal aeration rate and temperature for cell growth and product formation were quite different. As a result, a two-stage aeration rate control strategy was constructed based on monitoring of cell morphology and ARA production under various aeration rate control levels (0.6-1.8 vvm). Using this strategy, ARA yield reached 4.7 g/L, an increase of 38.2% compared with the control (constant aeration rate control at 1.0 vvm). Dynamic temperature-control strategy was implemented based on the fermentation performance at various temperatures (13-28°C), with ARA level in total cellular lipid increased by 37.1% comparing to a constant-temperature control (25°C). On that basis, the combinatorial fermentation strategy of two-stage aeration rate control and dynamic temperature control was applied and ARA production achieved the highest level of 5.8 g/L.

Clinicopathological features of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis associated with HBV infection: a retrospective analysis of 8 cases in China.

AIMS: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathologic features of 8 cases of hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis with hyaline thrombi, to confirm the diagnosis of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (CRYGN) associated with HBV infection. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out with demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, pathological and prognostic features. RESULTS: The median age of 8 patients was 30.5 years (range, 21-75 years), including 6 males and 2 femles (M:F = 3:1). One patient had Raynaud's syndrome. Cryoglobulin testing was performed in 4 cases of our series, and 3 cases had elevated cryocrit (>256). Serum C4 decreased in all detected cases. Histopathologically, all cases showed hyaline thrombi occluded in capillary lumina; Co-deposit of IgG, IgM, IgA, Fib, C3d, C4d, C1q, HBsAg and HBcAb were identified in hyaline deposit/hyaline thrombi with polyclonal Igκ and Igλ staining. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the hyaline thrombi to be huge electron-dense bodies, which were a homogeneous texture. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that 8 cases in the series are CRYGN associated with HBV infection. The incidence of CRYGN associated HBV was extremely low. Our series suggested that prognosis of CRYGN associated HBV was better in patients with mild symptoms, but it was poor in elder patients with severe vasculitis.

The involvement of p62-Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidative signaling pathway and JNK in the protection of natural flavonoid quercetin against hepatotoxicity.

Quercetin, one of the most abundant dietary flavonoids, is reported to have protective function against various hepatotoxicant-induced hepatotoxicity. The present study aims to investigate the critical role of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidative signaling pathway in the protection of quercetin against hepatotoxicity. Quercetin prevented the cytotoxicity induced by a variety of hepatotoxicants including clivorine (Cliv), acetaminophen (APAP), ethanol, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and toosendanin (TSN) in human normal liver L-02 cells. Quercetin induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, along with the increased expression of the antioxidant responsive element (ARE)-dependent genes like catalytic or modify subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCLC/GCLM), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In addition, the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) and the GCL inhibitor L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) both reduced the hepatoprotection induced by quercetin. Quercetin had no effect on kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1(Keap1) expression, but molecular docking results indicated the potential interaction of quercetin with the Nrf2-binding site in Keap1 protein. Quercetin increased the expression of p62, and p62 siRNA decreased quercetin-induced hepatoprotection. Quercetin induced the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in hepatocytes. JNK inhibitor SP600125 and JNK siRNA both reduced quercetin-induced hepatoprotection. SP600125 and JNK siRNA decreased the increased p62 expression induced by quercetin. In addition, SP600125 also decreased the increased mRNA and protein expression of GCLC, GCLM, and HO-1 induced by quercetin. Taken together, our present study demonstrates that quercetin prevents hepatotoxicity by inducing p62 expression, inhibiting the binding of Keap1 to Nrf2, and thus leading to the increased expression of antioxidative genes dependent on Nrf2. Meanwhile, our study indicates that JNK plays some regulation in this process.

Proteomic Analysis of Erythritol-Producing Yarrowia lipolytica from Glycerol in Response to Osmotic Pressure.

Osmotic pressure is a critical factor for erythritol production with osmophilic yeast. Protein expression patterns of an erythritol-producing yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, were analyzed to identify differentially-expressed proteins in response to osmotic pressure. In order to analyze intracellular protein levels quantitatively, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed to separate and visualize the differential expression of the intracellular proteins extracted from Y. lipolytica cultured under low (3.17 osmol/kg) and high (4.21 osmol/kg) osmotic pressures. Proteomic analyses allowed identification of 54 differentially-expressed proteins among the proteins distributed in the range of pI 3-10 and 14.4-97.4 kDa molecular mass between the osmotic stress conditions. Remarkably, the main proteins were involved in the pathway of energy, metabolism, cell rescue, and stress response. The expression of such enzymes related to protein and nucleotide biosynthesis was inhibited drastically, reflecting the growth arrest of Y. lipolytica under hyperosmotic stress. The improvement of erythritol production under high osmotic stress was due to the significant induction of a range of crucial enzymes related to polyols biosynthesis, such as transketolase and triosephosphate isomerase, and the osmotic stress responsive proteins like pyridoxine-4-dehydrogenase and the AKRs family. The polyols biosynthesis was really related to an osmotic response and a protection mechanism against hyperosmotic stress in Y. lipolytica. Additionally, the high osmotic stress could also induce other cell stress responses as with heat shock and oxidation stress responses, and these responsive proteins, such as the HSPs family, catalase T, and superoxide dismutase, also had drastically increased expression levels under hyperosmotic pressure.

Design of highly sensitive phosphorescence sensor for determination of procaterol hydrochloride based on inhibition of KClO3 oxidation fluorescein isothiocyanate.

Procaterol hydrochloride (Prh) can inhibit KClO3 oxidation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to form a non-phosphorescent compound, which causes room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of FITC in the system to enhance sharply the linear relationship between ∆Ip and the Prh content. Thus, a rapid response and highly sensitive phosphorescence sensor for the determination of Prh has been developed based on the inhibiting effect of Prh on KClO3 oxidation of FITC. This simple, high sensitivity (detection limit (LD) calculated by 3Sb /k was 0.019 fg/spot, sample volume 0.40 µl, corresponding concentration 4.8 × 10(-14) g ml(-1) ) and selective sensor with a wide linear range (0.080-11.20 g/spot) has been applied to detect Prh in blood samples, and the results were consistent with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Simultaneously, the mechanism of the phosphorescence sensor for the detection of Prh was also investigated using infrared spectroscopy.

Intractable occipital lobe epilepsy: clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: We reported our experience in the surgical treatment of a relatively large cohort of patients with occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE). We also carried out a systematic review of the literature on OLE. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent occipital resection for epilepsy were included. Diagnoses were made following presurgical evaluations, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), scalp video-electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, and intracranial EEG monitoring. At last follow-up, seizure outcome was classified using the Engel classification scheme. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 35 patients experienced/had experienced ≥1 type of aura before the seizure. Invasive recordings were used to define the epileptogenic area in 30 of 35 patients (85.7 %). All patients underwent occipital lesionectomies or topectomies. Histopathology revealed: cortical dysplasias, gliosis, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, ganglioglioma, and tuberous sclerosis. After a mean follow-up of 44 months, 25 patients (71.4 %) were seizure free (Engel class I), 3 (8.6 %) rarely had seizures (Engel class II), 5 (14.3 %) improved more than 75 % (Engel class III), and 2 (5.7 %) had no significant improvement (Engel class IV). Preoperatively, 12 of 33 patients (36.4 %) had visual field deficits. Postoperatively, 25 patients (75.8 %) had new or aggravated visual field deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The management of OLE has been aided greatly by the availability of high-resolution diagnosis. Postoperative visual field deficits occur in a significant proportion of patients. Comprehensive intracranial EEG coverage of all occipital surfaces helps to define the epileptogenic area and preserve visual function, especially in cases of focal cortical dysplasia undetectable by MRI.

Long-term epilepsy surgery outcomes in patients with PET-positive, MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy.

This study compared the long-term efficacy of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for the treatment of medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in patients who presented with ipsilateral temporal PET hypometabolism and nonlesional magnetic resonance imaging (PET+/MRI-) with that in patients who had mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) on MRI. We described the electroclinical, MRI, PET, and pathological characteristics and seizure outcome of 28 PET+/MRI--patients without discordant ictal and interictal electroencephalography (EEG) who underwent ATL (2004-2007) for medically refractory partial epilepsy while avoiding intracranial monitoring. The primary outcome was the percentages of Engel Class I outcomes at 2 and 5 years of PET+/MRI--patients compared with those of patients with MTS on MRI; neuropsychological testing was used as the secondary outcome. At 2-year follow-up, 21 (75%) patients in the PET+/MRI--group were in Engel Class I compared with 66 (75.9%) patients with MTS, and at 5-year follow-up, 20 (71.4%) patients in the PET+/MRI--group were in Engel Class I compared with 64 (73.6%) patients in the group with MTS. There were no significant differences between the groups at either time period. We concluded that normal MRI results should not preclude presurgical evaluations in patients with medically refractory TLE, as favorable long-term postoperative seizure outcomes are possible, especially in patients with unilateral anterior interictal epileptiform discharges and ipsilateral temporal PET hypometabolism.

A highly sensitive solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry for carbaryl detection based on its activating effect on NaIO4 oxidizing fluorescein.

Fluorescein (HFin) could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on polyamide membrane (PAM) using Pb(2+) as the ion perturber. Carbaryl could activate effect on NaIO4 oxidating HFin, which caused the RTP signal of the system to quench sharply. The phosphorescence intensity (ΔI p) of activating system higher 3.3 times (119.4/36.0) than that of non-activating system, and is directly proportional to the content of carbaryl. Thus, an activating solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for carbaryl detection has been established. This sensitive (the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 2.0 × 10(-13) g mL(-1)), selective, simple and rapid method has been applied to determine trace carbaryl in water samples with the results consisting with those obtained by fluorimetry, showing its high accuracy. The apparent activation energy (E) and rate constant (k) of this activating reaction were 20.77 kJ mol(-1) and 1.85 × 10(-4) s(-1), respectively. Meanwhile, the mechanism of activating SSRTP for carbaryl detection was also discussed using infrared spectra (IR).

Intracranial electroencephalography with subdural and/or depth electrodes in children with epilepsy: techniques, complications, and outcomes.

Intracranial electroencephalographic monitoring with subdural and/or depth electrodes is widely used for the surgical localization of epileptic foci in patients with intractable partial epilepsy; however, data on safety and surgical outcome with this technique are still inadequate. The aims of this study were to assess the morbidity of intracranial recordings and the surgical outcomes in epileptic children. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data for 137 children with epilepsy (mean age at implantation: 12.6 ± 3.8 years) who underwent intracranial monitoring with the implantation of strip or grid subdural electrodes and/or intracerebral depth electrodes from September 2004 to September 2011 at a tertiary epilepsy center in China. Complications were classified using five grades of severity (including mortality) and were further classified as either minor or severe. Outcome was classified according to Engel's classification. Regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for complications. The mean duration of implantation was 5.3 ± 1.3 days. Among the 133 patients who underwent resection, 65 (48.9%) were seizure free (Engel Class I) at last known follow-up, which was >2 years after surgery for all patients. Also, 31 (23.3%) patients had a significant reduction in seizures (Engel Class II). Complications of any type were documented in 29 (21.7%) patients; 15 of these patients had intracranial hematoma. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the only independent risk factor for intracranial hematoma was number of electrode contacts. The most common pathologic diagnosis was focal cortical dysplasia (n=58). Our results showed that intracranial electroencephalographic monitoring in children provides good surgical outcomes and the level of risk is acceptable. When using this technique strategies such as using as few electrode contacts as possible should be adopted to minimize the risk of intracranial hematoma.