Mineralization of SF6 and NF3 fluorinated compounds for greenhouse gas abatement by oxalates.

Fluorinated compounds (FCs) such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) have garnered attention due to their environmental impact. This study investigates the mineralization and removal of two potent FCs: SF6 and NF3. The results confirm that utilizing various oxalate salts leads to the formation of corresponding metallic fluorides: lithium fluoride (LiF), sodium fluoride (NaF), and potassium fluoride (KF), validating the occurrence of mineralization reactions. Among the oxalate salts, sodium oxalate demonstrates the highest mineralization efficiency in both SF6 and NF3 removal. Real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) gas-phase analysis confirms rapid and complete gas removal within a short reaction time using the selected oxalate salts. Meticulous mass balance calculations revealed that oxalates (LiF, NaF, and KF) yielded sulfur (S) at rates of 92.09%, 91.85%, and 84.98% following SF6 mineralization. Additionally, the conversion rates of oxalates to the corresponding metallic fluorides (LiF, NaF, and KF) after SF6 mineralization were 98.18%, 95.82%, and 95.21%, respectively. Similarly, after NF3 mineralization, these conversion rates stood at 92.18%, 90.67%, and 90.02%, respectively. The removal efficiencies for SF6 (1000 ppm) were 4.98, 12.01, and 7.23 L/g, while those for NF3 (1000 ppm) were 14.1, 12.6, and 11.7 L/g, respectively. Notably, sodium oxalate exhibits superior effectiveness, achieving 100% SF6 conversion within 30 min and 100% NF3 conversion within 50 min. This work underscores the potential of oxalate mineralization as a promising strategy for efficient and rapid removal of potent fluorinated compounds, paving the way for environmentally benign FC remediation techniques with broader implications for sustainable gas treatment technologies.

Unveiling activation mechanism of persulfate by homologous hemp-derived biochar catalysts for enhanced tetracycline wastewater remediation.

Advancements in biochar activating persulfate advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOP), have gained significant attention. However, the understanding of biochar-based catalysts in activating PS remains limited. Herein, biochar (BC) and N-doped biochar (NBC) were synthesized from hemp for activating PS to treat tetracycline (TC) wastewater and analyzed their mechanisms separately. Surprisingly, N-doped in biochar leads to a change in the activation mechanism of PS. The BC-PS system operates mainly through a radical pathway, advantageous for treating soil organic pollution (68%) with pH adaptability (less than 10% variation). Nevertheless, the NBC-PS system primarily employs an electron transfer non-radical pathway, demonstrating stability (only 7% performance degradation over four cycles) and enhanced resistance to anionic interference (less than 10% variation) in organic wastewater treatment. This study provides a technical reference and theoretical foundation for enhancing biochar activation of PS in the removal of organic pollutants from aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of diverse spirocyclic indenes by cyclization with indene-dienes as two carbon building blocks.

We report a base-promoted cyclization with indene-dienes as two carbon building blocks toward diverse spirocyclic indene scaffolds including hexacyclic spiroindenes bearing benzo pyran motifs and pentacyclic spiroindenes containing oxindole units in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.

Osteointegration of PLLA/ß-TCP Biocomposite Anchors Used in Coracoid Transfer Procedures for Shoulder Instability: Quantitative Computed Tomography With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

Background: Biocomposite anchors have been a popular choice for use in coracoid transfer procedures for shoulder instability and are hypothesized to allow bone ingrowth. Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the osteointegration of 85% PLLA/15% ß-TCP biocomposite anchors used in the coracoid transfer procedure for shoulder instability. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We performed a retrospective case series of abstracted data from the records of 74 patients who underwent coracoid transfer procedures with biocomposite anchors. Computed tomography was performed at 24 months postoperatively. A total of 4 researchers independently reviewed the computed tomography images. The density (in Hounsfield unit [HU] values) of the anchor tunnels, glenoid, and subscapularis was assessed, and osteointegration of the anchor tunnels was evaluated with HU values, the quantitative ossification quality score (QOQS), and tunnel widening. Results: Included were 74 patients (58 male, 16 female), involving 76 shoulders and 124 biocomposite anchors. At ≥24-month follow-up, 72 of 124 (58.06%) anchor tunnels were classified as QOQS type 1, including 12 completely ossified tunnels and 60 almost completely ossified tunnels. Some degree of ossification (QOQS types 1-3) was observed in 118 (95.16%) anchor tunnels. Overall, 3 anchor tunnels were enlarged (QOQS type 5). The mean HU value of the anchor tunnels was 339.75, which was significantly higher than the preoperative HU value of the glenoid vault (262.19). Among the 124 anchor tunnels, 79 had HU values higher than their glenoid HU values, and 45 had lower HU values than their glenoid HU values. In the comparison of tunnel HU values at 12 versus ≥24 months, the HU value at ≥24 months was significantly higher. A total of 20 anchor tunnels widened. Conclusion: Among 124 anchor tunnels, 95.16% showed ossification, 58.06% were completely or nearly completely ossified, and 3 were enlarged. The HU value of the anchor tunnel increased over time.

Glucocorticoid therapy reduces ocular hypertension in active moderate-severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: Ocular hypertension (OHT) is an important clinical feature of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO).While the prevalence and outcome of OHT in TAO remains unclear. This study investigates this in moderate-severe active TAO. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with active moderate-severe TAO were recruited, 49 of whom were treated with 12-week GC therapy.The clinical and biochemical parameters were collected.Treatment outcomes were evaluated after GC therapy. RESULTS: The prevalence of OHT was 44.85% in moderate-severe active TAO patients,including 81.97% of mild hypertension, 13.11% of moderate hypertension and 4.92% of severe hypertension. Clinical and biochemical parameters had no significant difference between OHT patients and non-OHT patients,such as age, sex distributions, smoking status, the kind and the duration of thyroid disease,the duration of eye symptoms and the level of FT3,FT4,TSH, TR-Ab, and Tpo-Ab, Tg-Ab(all P > 0.05). After GC therapy,the intraocular pressure(IOP) in OHT eyes decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while IOP in non-OHT eyes remained unchanged (P > 0.05).There was no significant difference in CAS and the effective rate of GC therapy between OHT eyes and non-OHT eyes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In moderate-severe active TAO, the prevalence of OHT was 44.85%, most of which were mild hypertension.OHT was relieved by GC therapy,which had no effect on the efficacy of GC therapy.Our results will enhance physicians' confidence in GC therapy.

Comparison of the TightRope system versus hook plate in acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations: a retrospective analysis.

This study compared the results of the minimally invasive coracoclavicular (CC) fixation with a single TightRope (MITR) procedure and the hook plate (HP) procedure for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation treatment. Sixteen patients with a mean age of 44.9 ± 11 years were treated with the MITR procedure. Nineteen patients with a mean age of 40.2 ± 8.7 years were treated using the HP procedure. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder score. Vertical displacement of the clavicle with reference to the height of the acromion was measured in standard anteroposterior radiographs. The mean follow-up was 27 months in the MITR group and 30 months in the HP group. No statistically significant differences were found between the MITR group and the HR group in terms of VAS score (0.4 ± 0.6 vs 0.7 ± 0.6, P = 0.138), UCLA Shoulder score (33.9 ± 2.5 vs 33.7 ± 1.5, P = 0.843), or CMS (95.7 ± 7.3 vs 93.7 ± 6.6, P = 0.400). No redislocation was identified in the HP group, while redislocation occurred in 1 of 16 (6.3%) patients in the MITR group. One patient in the HP group (5.3%) had acromial osteolysis, while no acromial osteolysis was found in the MITR group. No other adverse events, such as infections, tunnel widening, fractures, or implant-related complications, were observed. Both procedures provided satisfactory results. The HP procedure provided better reduction, while the MITR procedure provided a slightly lower tendency of pain. Long-term follow-up is needed to investigate the clinical outcomes and radiological outcomes of both groups.

Identification of CIRBP and TRPV4 as Immune-Related Diagnostic Biomarkers in Osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disorder in elderly individuals. This study aimed to identify immune-related diagnostic gene signatures for OA. METHODS: First, we performed single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells in OA expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify hub modules and genes related to immune cell types with significant infiltration. Finally, we screened diagnostic markers from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both the OA group and the hub module using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression. RESULTS: Immune filtration analysis showed that immature B cells, mast cells, natural killer T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and type 2 T helper cells were dysregulated in OA samples. In WGCNA, a total of 120 genes were selected as hub genes associated with mast cell infiltration.The enrichment analysis showed that spliceosome, positive regulation of cell migration, and response to mechanical stimulus were mainly involved. The LASSO regression model for the GSE117999 dataset revealed 15 DEGs for predicting OA. Finally, two genes were obtained by intersection for further investigation. CONCLUSION: Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) were identified as diagnostic biomarkers for OA, and both were positively correlated with mast cell infiltration.

Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in human hepatocellular adenoma associated with type I glycogen storage disease: a potential utility as biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: It is known that malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs at a higher frequency in hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) from type I glycogen storage disease (GSD I) compared to HCA from other etiologies. In this study, we aimed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in GSD Ia HCA as candidates that could serve as putative biomarkers for detection of GSD Ia HCA and/or risk assessment of malignant transformation. METHODS: Utilizing massively parallel sequencing, the miRNA profiling was performed for paired adenomas and normal liver tissues from seven GSD Ia patients. Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated in liver tumor tissues, HCC cell lines and serum using quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: miR-34a, miR-34a, miR-224, miR-224, miR-424, miR-452 and miR-455-5p were found to be commonly deregulated in GSD Ia HCA, general population HCA, and HCC cell lines at compatible levels. In comparison with GSD Ia HCA, the upregulation of miR-130b and downregulation of miR-199a-5p, miR-199b-5p, and miR-214 were more significant in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, serum level of miR-130b in GSD Ia patients with HCA was moderately higher than that in either GSD Ia patients without HCA or healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: We make the first observation of distinct miRNA deregulation in HCA associated with GSD Ia. We also provide evidence that miR-130b could serve as a circulating biomarker for detection of GSD Ia HCA. This work provides prominent candidate miRNAs worth evaluating as biomarkers for monitoring the development and progress of liver tumors in GSD Ia patients in the future.

VarioWatch: providing large-scale and comprehensive annotations on human genomic variants in the next generation sequencing era.

VarioWatch (http://genepipe.ncgm.sinica.edu.tw/variowatch/) has been vastly improved since its former publication GenoWatch in the 2008 Web Server Issue. It is now at least 10 000-times faster in annotating a variant. Drastic speed increase, through complete re-design of its working mechanism, makes VarioWatch capable of annotating millions of human genomic variants generated from next generation sequencing in minutes, if not seconds. While using MegaQuery of VarioWatch to quickly annotate variants, users can apply various filters to retrieve a subgroup of variants according to the risk levels, interested regions, etc. that satisfy users' requirements. In addition to performance leap, many new features have also been added, such as annotation on novel variants, functional analyses on splice sites and in/dels, detailed variant information in tabulated form, plus a risk level decision tree regarding the analyzed variant. Up to 1000 target variants can be visualized with our carefully designed Genome View, Gene View, Transcript View and Variation View. Two commonly used reference versions, NCBI build 36.3 and NCBI build 37.2, are supported. VarioWatch is unique in its ability to annotate comprehensively and efficiently millions of variants online, immediately delivering the results in real time, plus visualizes up to 1000 annotated variants.

Functional analysis of novel SNPs and mutations in human and mouse genomes.

BACKGROUND: With the flood of information generated by the new generation of sequencing technologies, more efficient bioinformatics tools are needed for in-depth impact analysis of novel genomic variations. FANS (Functional Analysis of Novel SNPs) was developed to streamline comprehensive but tedious functional analysis steps into a few clicks and to offer a carefully designed presentation of results so researchers can focus more on thinking instead of typing and calculating. RESULTS: FANS http://fans.ngc.sinica.edu.tw/ harnesses the power of public information databases and powerful tools from six well established websites to enhance the efficiency of analysis of novel variations. FANS can process any point change in any coding region or GT-AG splice site to provide a clear picture of the disease risk of a prioritized variation by classifying splicing and functional alterations into one of nine risk subtypes with five risk levels. CONCLUSION: FANS significantly simplifies the analysis operations to a four-step procedure while still covering all major areas of interest to researchers. FANS offers a convenient way to prioritize the variations and select the ones with most functional impact for validation. Additionally, the program offers a distinct improvement in efficiency over manual operations in our benchmark test.