Heavy metal bioaccumulation by Miscanthus sacchariflorus and its potential for removing metals from the Dongting Lake wetlands, China

Abstract

Bioaccumulation of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in six plant organs (panicle, leaf, stem, root, rhizome, and bud) of the emergent and perennial plant species, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, were investigated to estimate the plant's potential for accumulating heavy metals in the wetlands of Dongting Lake. We found the highest Cd concentrations in the panicles and leaves; while the highest Cu and Mn were observed in the roots, the highest Pb in the panicles, and the highest Zn in the panicles and buds. In contrast, the lowest Cd concentrations were detected in the stem, roots, and buds; the lowest Cu concentrations in the leaves and stems; the lowest Mn concentrations in the panicles, rhizomes, and buds; the lowest Pb concentrations in the stems; and the lowest Zn concentrations in the leaves, stems, and rhizomes. Mean Cu concentration in the plant showed a positive regression coefficient with plot elevation, soil organic matter content, and soil Cu concentration, whereas it showed a negative regression coefficient with soil moisture and electrolyte leakage. Mean Mn concentration showed positive and negative regression coefficients with soil organic matter and soil moisture, respectively. Mean Pb concentration exhibited positive regression coefficient with plot elevation and soil total P concentration, and Zn concentration showed a positive regression coefficient with soil available P and total P concentrations. However, there was no significant regression coefficient between mean Cd concentration in the plant and the investigated environmental parameters. Stems and roots were the main organs involved in heavy metal accumulation from the environment. The mean quantities of heavy metals accumulated in the plant tissues were 2.2 mg Cd, 86.7 mg Cu, 290.3 mg Mn, 15.9 mg Pb, and 307 mg Zn per square meter. In the Dongting Lake wetlands, 0.7 × 10³ kg Cd, 22.9 × 10³ kg Cu, 77.5 × 10³ kg Mn, 3.1 × 10³ kg Pb, and 95.9 × 10³ kg Zn per year were accumulated by aboveground organs and removed from the lake through harvesting for paper manufacture.

Dramatic source-sink transition of N 2 O in the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir during flooding-drying processes

Abstract

Biogeochemical cycling of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a significant greenhouse gas (GHG), can influence global climate change. The production and emission of N₂O mediated by hydrological regimes is particularly active in water level fluctuation zones (WLFZs). However, the hydrological mechanisms affecting N₂O transformation and production across the water-sediment micro-interface remain unclear. In this study, intact sediment cores from the WLFZs of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were incubated for 24 days in a laboratory microcosm to identify the effects of the flooding-drying processes on the yield and emission of N₂O. Results showed a source-sink transition of N₂O in the first 1.5 days during the flooding period, with the water column subsequently acting as a sink relative to the atmosphere in the following experimental period. The source-sink transition was ascribed to changes in oxygen concentration in the water column and sediment regulation of NO₃⁻-N transformation, resulting in denitrification and N₂O production. Preliminary estimates on the mass budget of N₂O in a typical WLFZs of the TGR showed slight emission fluxes, ranging from 13.08 to 43.08 μmol m⁻² from flooding period to drying process. Although these N₂O emissions were relatively low, the emission peak detected during the initial period (first 1.5 days) of the flooding phase provides important knowledge on the mitigation of GHG emissions from hydropower sources, which should be incorporated into future reservoir operations.

Tracking metal ions with polypyrrole thin films adhesively bonded to diazonium-modified flexible ITO electrodes

Abstract

Adhesively bonded polypyrrole thin films doped with benzene sulfonic acid (BSA) were electrodeposited on aminobenzenediazonium-modified flexible ITO electrodes and further employed for the detection of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ metal ions in aqueous medium. The aminophenyl (AP) adhesive layer was grafted to ITO by electroreduction of the in situ generated parent diazonium compound. Polypyrrole (PPy) thin films exhibited remarkable adhesion to aminophenyl (ITO-AP). The strongly adherent polypyrrole films exhibited excellent electroactivity in the doped state with BSA which itself served to chelate the metal ions in aqueous medium. The surface of the resulting, modified flexible electrode was characterized by XPS, SEM, and electrochemical methods. The ITO-AP-PPy electrodes were then used for the simultaneous detection of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The detection limits were 11.1, 8.95, and 0.99 nM for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺, respectively. In addition, the modified electrodes displayed a good reproducibility, making them suitable for the determination of heavy metals in real wastewater samples.

Horseradish peroxidase-mediated decolourization of Orange II: modelling hydrogen peroxide utilization efficiency at different pH values

Abstract

Enzymatic decolourization of azo-dyes could be a cost-competitive alternative compared to physicochemical or microbiological methods. Stoichiometric and kinetic features of peroxidase-mediated decolourization of azo-dyes by hydrogen peroxide (P) are central for designing purposes. In this work, a modified version of the Dunford mechanism of peroxidases was developed. The proposed model takes into account the inhibition of peroxidases by high concentrations of P, the substrate-dependant catalatic activity of peroxidases (e.g. the decomposition of P to water and oxygen), the generation of oxidation products (OP) and the effect of pH on the decolourization kinetics of the azo-dye Orange II (OII). To obtain the parameters of the proposed model, two series of experiments were performed. In the first set, the effects of initial P concentration (0.01–0.12 mM) and pH (5–10) on the decolourization degree were studied at a constant initial OII concentration (0.045 mM). Obtained results showed that at pH 9–10 and low initial P concentrations, the consumption of P was mainly to oxidize OII. From the proposed model, an expression for the decolourization degree was obtained. In the second set of experiments, the effect of the initial concentrations of OII (0.023–0.090 mM), P (0.02–4.7 mM), HRP (34–136 mg/L) and pH (5–10) on the initial specific decolourization rate (q₀) was studied. As a general rule, a noticeable increase in q₀ was observed for pHs higher than 7. For a given pH, q₀ increased as a function of the initial OII concentration. Besides, there was an inhibitory effect of high P concentrations on q₀. To asses the possibility of reusing the enzyme, repeated additions of OII and P were performed. Results showed that the enzyme remained active after six reuse cycles. A satisfactory accordance between the change of the absorbance during these experiments and absorbances calculated using the proposed model was obtained. Considering that this set of data was not used during the fitting procedure of the model, the agreement between predicted and experimental absorbances provides a powerful validation of the model developed in the present work.

The Validity of Pyoderma Gangrenosum ICD9-CM Coding in Hospital Administrative Datasets

Transforming acne care by pediatricians: An interventional cohort study

Knowledge of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer among general dermatology patients

Reply to: Comment on “Vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis”

Comparison of long term cosmetic outcomes for different treatments of superficial basal cell carcinoma

Psoriatic patients with chronic viral hepatitis do not have an increased risk of liver cirrhosis despite long-term methotrexate use: real-world data from a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.

Prior studies have shown that methotrexate may lead to liver cirrhosis in psoriatic patients. Real-world data show that long-term methotrexate use is not associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis among psoriatic patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Methotrexate may be a treatment option in psoriatic patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Serum vitamin D level and disease severity of alopecia areata: a meta-regression analysis

The Challenges of Big Data in Dermatology

Title: Benzoyl Peroxide Gel Stains Synthetic Fabrics less than Cotton

Store and Forward Teledermatology Improves Dermatology Knowledge Among Referring Primary Care Providers: A Survey-Based Cohort Study

Research letter: Changes in melanoma diagnosis after pre-surgical tertiary care center review

Histomorphologic spectrum of germline-related and sporadic BAP-1 Inactivated Melanocytic Tumors

The histomorphology of BAP-1 inactivated melanocytic tumors (BIMTs) includes cases with spitzoid cytomorphology and cases with smaller epithelioid cells without spitzoid features. Approximately 12% of patients with BIMTs have germline BAP-1 mutations. BIMT patients with extensive junctional involvement of BAP-1 inactivated melanocytes, prior melanoma or BIMT may be considered for germline testing.

The association between thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity, and clinical features of alopecia areata: a retrospective study

Poly-γ-glutamic acid, a bio-chelator, alleviates the toxicity of Cd and Pb in the soil and promotes the establishment of healthy Cucumis sativus L . seedling

Abstract

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) can be used as a chemical stabilizer to chelate heavy metals in polluted soils. We investigated the effects of γ-PGA on cucumber seedlings under Cd and Pb stresses. γ-PGA effectively reduced the growth inhibitory effects of Cd and Pb on cucumber seedlings. Cd and Pb absorption in cucumber seedlings was also decreased. Further, γ-PGA decreased the malondialdehyde content, and increased the proline content and the total antioxidant capacity of cucumber seedlings in a dose-dependent manner. Infrared spectral characterization of γ-PGA-Cd and γ-PGA-Pb showed that Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ bind to free carboxyl groups on γ-PGA. Furthermore, γ-PGA-Cd and γ-PGA-Pb were degraded by 22.02 and 24.68%, respectively, within 28 weeks. The chelating rate of γ-PGA-Pb and γ-PGA-Cd reached 27.26 and 14.28%, respectively. Further, γ-PGA alleviated the negative effects of Cd and Pb on soil microorganisms. Thus, γ-PGA can effectively reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in crops caused by heavy metal pollution of farmland, and has significant application value.

Utility of Baseline Transaminase Monitoring During Systemic Terbinafine Therapy for Pediatric Onychomycosis

To the Editor We applaud the important research findings by Patel et al regarding pediatric onychomycosis. In this study, the authors appropriately conclude that routine laboratory monitoring of children during treatment with terbinafine may be unnecessary, considering (1) the low incidence of clinically significant adverse effects; (2) the costs of laboratory tests; (3) workup of spurious laboratory abnormalities; and (4) patient discomfort.

Hair Loss Associated With Cucurbit Poisoning

This case report describes a patient experiencing hair loss following cucurbit poisoning.

Catalyzing Future Drug, Device, and Information Technology Breakthroughs in Dermatology

This Viewpoint announces the creation of the Advancing Innovation in Dermatology Accelerator Fund and describes its aims.

Paraffin Prosthesis

To remedy the inevitable changes that accompany the aging body, fillers have been used since the early 19th century in efforts to enhance appearance. With goals of rejuvenating and restructuring both real and perceived bodily imperfections, the development of fillers was not without its share of blunders. The story of fillers begins with the discovery of paraffin in 1830 by a German chemist named Baron Karl Ludwig von Reichenbach. He was able to create the material through the dry distillation of beechwood tar. Noting that the substance was extremely unreactive, he thought paraffin could be used as a lubricant or perhaps as a replacement for beeswax in candles. The name paraffin comes from the Latin words parum and affinis, meaning barely and affinity, respectively. In the years to follow, paraffin would take the medical community by storm.

The Potential of Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancers, ie, melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancer, are the most common cancers. The number of melanomas is expected to nearly double by 2030, tripling annual treatment costs in the United States. Because skin cancer is strongly associated with UV radiation (UVR) exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend reducing unprotected exposure to UVR. The US Surgeon General issued a Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer, appealing for efforts to identify effective skin cancer prevention interventions.

Chronic Urticaria Associated With Methylisothiazolinone Type IV Hypersensitivity

This case report describes a patient with chronic urticaria associated with methylisothiazolinone type IV hypersensitivity.

Indoor Tanners as a Priority Population for Skin Cancer Screening

The study by Heckman et al published in this issue of JAMA Dermatology makes a significant contribution to our understanding of skin cancer screening for indoor tanners. The literature contains only a handful of studies that examined skin screening prevalence and factors that may be associated with this practice among indoor tanners. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a national probability survey of the US adult population, collects data on skin screening and indoor tanning and provides a valuable opportunity to examine potential factors associated with these practices in a large sample. Results of previous studies of skin screening and indoor tanning using NHIS data have been mixed, possibly because of differences in methods and sampling. One study of 2010 NHIS data found a positive association between indoor tanning in the past year and ever having had a skin examination, whereas another study of a subsample of the 2015 NHIS data found no association.

Thyroid Function Screening in Children With Alopecia Areata

To the Editor In their recent article in JAMA Dermatology, Patel et al describe the prevalence of thyroid disorders among subgroups of children with alopecia areata (eg, those with Down syndrome), and interpret the findings as justification for screening such children. Unfortunately, the authors did not attempt to exclude children presenting with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (eg, heat or cold intolerance, fatigue, growth abnormalities). Indeed, a category of thyroid dysfunction among the 59 patients with abnormal results was "subclinical thyroid dysfunction," implying that the other patients may have had clinical signs or symptoms of thyroid disease. Since screening, by definition, is conducted among asymptomatic individuals, the results reported by Patel et al cannot be interpreted to support or refute screening guidelines. Children with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are more likely to receive thyroid function tests and are also more likely to have thyroid dysfunction; therefore, the true prevalence of thyroid disorders among asymptomatic children with alopecia areata who receive thyroid screening is expected to be lower than the estimates in this study. Whether the true prevalence is high enough in certain subgroups to justify screening cannot be determined from the data presented.

Inpatient Dermatologists—Crucial for the Management of Skin Diseases in Hospitalized Patients

Inpatient dermatology is an emerging subspecialty focused on the care of skin diseases in hospitalized patients. Inpatient dermatologists provide expertise that the primary team and other consultative services lack. The cases encountered in hospital dermatology are often different from those seen in the traditional dermatology outpatient clinic and therefore require dermatologists with specific expertise.

Inspection—A Fine Art

The Effect of Dermatology Consultation on Outcomes of Patients With Presumed Cellulitis

This randomized clinical trial examines the association of dermatologic consultation with duration of hospital stay and intravenous antibiotic treatment in patients with suspected cellulitis.

Facial Neutrophilic Dermatosis Mimicking Iododerma Associated With IBD

This case report describes a patient with facial neutrophilic dermatosis mimicking iododerma and associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Outcomes of Early Dermatology Consultation for Inpatients Diagnosed With Cellulitis

This cohort study examines the effects of dermatology consultation on misdiagnosis of cellulitis in patients admitted to emergency departments.

Death by Gun Violence—Guns Are Not the Problem

To the Editor I read with interest the editorial by Bauchner et al regarding gun violence and wish to offer a different opinion. My family and I live on a farm in a rural area near Nashville, Tennessee. Crime, including violent crime, is essentially unheard of in our part of the county. I believe that this stems, in part, from the well-known fact that those of us living here are armed. We have rifles and shotguns in our homes and pistols in our vehicles and/or on our persons.

Skin Examination Patterns and Thinner Nodular vs Superficial Spreading Melanoma at Diagnosis

This cross-sectional pooled analysis analyzes the association between skin examination practices and diagnosis with thin nodular or superficial spreading melanoma.

Task Shifting in Dermatology—A Call to Action

To the Editor In response to the Evidence Synopsis by Brown et al on the practice of task shifting, we would like to highlight how task shifting is currently being successfully implemented in health programs in India, with emphasis on National Leprosy Eradication Program.

Skin Cancer Screening Among Indoor Tanners and Nontanners

This survey study of 30 352 participants investigates the association between indoor tanning and skin cancer screening.

Depression Screening in Dermatology—Think Isotretinoin

To the Editor We applaud McDonald et al for publishing "The PHQ-2 in Dermatology—Standardized Screening for Depression and Suicidal Ideation." The importance of this work cannot be overemphasized. We agree that dermatologists are uniquely situated to identify psychiatric concerns related to skin disease, and the PHQ-2 (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) is a great screening tool for this. Since we published on the use of the PHQ-2 in the context of isotretinoin, we have had positive feedback on its use and wish to reemphasize the importance in association with the article by McDonald et al. Additionally, we believe that their algorithmic approach warrants an expansion.

Sun Protection Use and Sunburn Among US Adults

This cross-sectional study using National Health Interview Survey data examined the prevalence of sun protection use and sunburn and the association between sunburn and demographic characteristics and health behaviors in the US population.

Haldi Ceremony—Historical Use of Turmeric

Long before golden lattes and turmeric face creams became popular in the West, ancient South Asian civilizations were using the native golden root as a panacea to treat everything from arthritis to indigestion to various skin conditions. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties and also influences multiple downstream signaling pathways. In addition to medicinal uses, turmeric has played an important role in South Asian cuisine and cultural practices.

Interest and Uptake of MC1R Testing for Melanoma Risk in a Diverse Primary Care Population

This randomized clinical trial examines the prevalence of interest in and uptake of MC1R testing in the general population and examines patterns across demographic and skin cancer risk factors.

Demographic, Academic, and Publication Factors Associated With Academic Dermatology Career Selection

This cohort study examines associations between demographic, academic, and publication factors and dermatology trainees' initial choice of academic vs private practice careers.

Recurrent Unilateral Periorbital Edema Associated With Subcutaneous Cysticercosis

This case report describes a patient with recurrent unilateral periorbital edema caused by subcutaneous cysticercosis.

Cost-effectiveness of Skin Cancer Referral and Consultation Using Teledermoscopy in Australia

This study uses a decision-analytic model to assess the cost-effectiveness of teledermoscopy as a referral mechanism for skin cancer diagnosis and management in Australia.

Firm Papules and Nodules on Face, Neck, and Thorax

A man in his early 40s who had been injured in a land mine explosion 15 years earlier presents with a 6-month history of asymptomatic, erythematous nodules. What is your diagnosis?

Macrophage Depletion Ameliorates Peripheral Neuropathy in Aging Mice

Aging is known as a major risk factor for the structure and function of the nervous system. There is urgent need to overcome such deleterious effects of age-related neurodegeneration. Here we show that peripheral nerves of 24-month-old aging C57BL/6 mice of either sex show similar pathological alterations as nerves from aging human individuals, whereas 12-month-old adult mice lack such alterations. Specifically, nerve fibers showed demyelination, remyelination and axonal lesion. Moreover, in the aging mice, neuromuscular junctions showed features typical for dying-back neuropathies, as revealed by a decline of presynaptic markers, associated with α-bungarotoxin-positive postsynapses. In line with these observations were reduced muscle strengths. These alterations were accompanied by elevated numbers of endoneurial macrophages, partially comprising the features of phagocytosing macrophages. Comparable profiles of macrophages could be identified in peripheral nerve biopsies of aging persons. To determine the pathological impact of macrophages in aging mice, we selectively targeted the cells by applying an orally administered CSF-1R specific kinase (c-FMS) inhibitor. The 6-month-lasting treatment started before development of degenerative changes at 18 months and reduced macrophage numbers in mice by ~70%, without side effects. Strikingly, nerve structure was ameliorated and muscle strength preserved. We show, for the first time, that age-related degenerative changes in peripheral nerves are driven by macrophages. These findings may pave the way for treating degeneration in the aging peripheral nervous system by targeting macrophages, leading to reduced weakness, improved mobility, and eventually increased quality of life in the elderly.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Aging is a major risk factor for the structure and function of the nervous system. Here we show that peripheral nerves of 24-month-old aging mice show similar degenerative alterations as nerves from aging human individuals. Both in mice and humans, these alterations were accompanied by endoneurial macrophages. To determine the pathological impact of macrophages in aging mice, we selectively targeted the cells by blocking a cytokine receptor, essential for macrophage survival. The treatment strongly reduced macrophage numbers and substantially improved nerve structure and muscle strength. We show, for the first time, that age-related degenerative changes in peripheral nerves are driven by macrophages. These findings may be helpful for treatment weakness and reduced mobility in the elderly.

CX3CR1 Does Not Universally Mediate Microglia-Neuron Crosstalk during Synaptic Plasticity

Pallidal Deep-Brain Stimulation Disrupts Pallidal Beta Oscillations and Coherence with Primary Motor Cortex in Parkinson's Disease

In Parkinson's disease (PD), subthalamic nucleus beta band oscillations are decreased by therapeutic deep-brain stimulation (DBS) and this has been proposed as important to the mechanism of therapy. The globus pallidus is a common alternative target for PD with similar motor benefits as subthalamic DBS, but effects of pallidal stimulation in PD are not well studied, and effects of pallidal DBS on cortical function in PD are unknown. Here, in 20 PD and 14 isolated dystonia human patients of both genders undergoing pallidal DBS lead implantation, we recorded local field potentials from the globus pallidus and in a subset of these, recorded simultaneous sensorimotor cortex ECoG potentials. PD patients had elevated resting pallidal low beta band (13–20 Hz) power compared with dystonia patients, whereas dystonia patients had elevated resting pallidal theta band (4–8 Hz) power compared with PD. We show that this results in disease-specific patterns of interaction between the pallidum and motor cortex: PD patients demonstrated relatively elevated phase coherence with the motor cortex in the beta band and this was reduced by therapeutic pallidal DBS. Dystonia patients had greater theta band phase coherence. Our results support the hypothesis that specific motor phenomenology observed in movement disorders are associated with elevated network oscillations in specific frequency bands, and that DBS in movement disorders acts in general by disrupting elevated synchronization between basal ganglia output and motor cortex.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Perturbations in synchronized oscillatory activity in brain networks are increasingly recognized as important features in movement disorders. The globus pallidus is a commonly used target for deep-brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD), however, the effects of pallidal DBS on basal ganglia and cortical oscillations are unknown. Using invasive intraoperative recordings in patients with PD and isolated dystonia, we found disease-specific patterns of elevated oscillatory synchronization within the pallidum and in coherence between pallidum and motor cortex. Therapeutic pallidal DBS in PD suppresses these elevated synchronizations, reducing the influence of diseased basal ganglia on cortical physiology. We propose a general mechanism for DBS therapy in movement disorders: functional disconnection of basal ganglia output and motor cortex by coherence suppression.

Uncovering the Role of Sox2 in Oligodendroglia

Refinement of Spatial Receptive Fields in the Developing Mouse Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Is Coordinated with Excitatory and Inhibitory Remodeling

Receptive field properties of individual visual neurons are dictated by the precise patterns of synaptic connections they receive, including the arrangement of inputs in visual space and features such as polarity (On vs Off). The inputs from the retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the mouse undergo significant refinement during development. However, it is unknown how this refinement corresponds to the establishment of functional visual response properties. Here we conducted in vivo and in vitro recordings in the mouse LGN, beginning just after natural eye opening, to determine how receptive fields develop as excitatory and feedforward inhibitory retinal afferents refine. Experiments used both male and female subjects. For in vivo assessment of receptive fields, we performed multisite extracellular recordings in awake mice. Spatial receptive fields at eye-opening were >2 times larger than in adulthood, and decreased in size over the subsequent week. This topographic refinement was accompanied by other spatial changes, such as a decrease in spot size preference and an increase in surround suppression. Notably, the degree of specificity in terms of On/Off and sustained/transient responses appeared to be established already at eye opening and did not change. We performed in vitro recordings of the synaptic responses evoked by optic tract stimulation across the same time period. These recordings revealed a pairing of decreased excitatory and increased feedforward inhibitory convergence, providing a potential mechanism to explain the spatial receptive field refinement.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The development of precise patterns of retinogeniculate connectivity has been a powerful model system for understanding the mechanisms underlying the activity-dependent refinement of sensory systems. Here we link the maturation of spatial receptive field properties in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to the remodeling of retinal and inhibitory feedforward convergence onto LGN neurons. These findings should thus provide a starting point for testing the cell type-specific plasticity mechanisms that lead to refinement of different excitatory and inhibitory inputs, and for determining the effect of these mechanisms on the establishment of mature receptive fields in the LGN.

Long-Term Depression Is Independent of GluN2 Subunit Composition

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) mediate both long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTD) and understanding how a single receptor can initiate both phenomena remains a major question in neuroscience. A prominent hypothesis implicates the NMDAR subunit composition, specifically GluN2A and GluN2B, in dictating the rules of synaptic plasticity. However, studies testing this hypothesis have yielded inconsistent and often contradictory results, especially for LTD. These inconsistent results may be due to challenges in the interpretation of subunit-selective pharmacology and in dissecting out the contributions of differential channel properties versus the interacting proteins unique to GluN2A or GluN2B. In this study, we address the pharmacological and biochemical challenges by using a single-neuron genetic approach to delete NMDAR subunits in conditional knock-out mice. In addition, the recently discovered non-ionotropic nature of NMDAR-dependent LTD allowed the rigorous assessment of unique subunit contributions to NMDAR-dependent LTD while eliminating the variable of differential charge transfer. Here we find that neither the GluN2A nor the GluN2B subunit is strictly necessary for either non-ionotropic or ionotropic LTD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT NMDA receptors are key regulators of bidirectional synaptic plasticity. Understanding the mechanisms regulating bidirectional plasticity will guide development of therapeutic strategies to treat the dysfunctional synaptic plasticity in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Because of the unique properties of the NMDA receptor GluN2 subunits, they have been postulated to differentially affect synaptic plasticity. However, there has been significant controversy regarding the roles of the GluN2 subunits in synaptic long term depression (LTD). Using single-neuron knock-out of the GluN2 subunits, we show that LTD requires neither GluN2A nor GluN2B.

Neural Activity in Ventral Medial Prefrontal Cortex Is Modulated More Before Approach Than Avoidance During Reinforced and Extinction Trial Blocks

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is thought to provide regulatory control over Pavlovian fear responses and has recently been implicated in appetitive approach behavior, but much less is known about its role in contexts in which appetitive and aversive outcomes can be obtained and avoided, respectively. To address this issue, we recorded from single neurons in vmPFC while male rats performed our combined approach and avoidance task under reinforced and non-reinforced (extinction) conditions. Surprisingly, we found that cues predicting reward modulated cell firing in vmPFC more often and more robustly than cues preceding avoidable shock; in addition, firing of vmPFC neurons was both response (press or no-press) and outcome (reinforced or extinction) selective. These results suggest a complex role for vmPFC in regulating behavior and support its role in appetitive contexts during both reinforced and non-reinforced conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Selecting context-appropriate behaviors to gain reward or avoid punishment is critical for survival. Although the role of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in mediating fear responses is well established, vmPFC has also been implicated in the regulation of reward-guided approach and extinction. Many studies have used indirect methods and simple behavioral procedures to study vmPFC, which leaves the literature incomplete. We recorded vmFPC neural activity during a complex cue-driven combined approach and avoidance task and during extinction. Surprisingly, we found very little vmPFC modulation to cues predicting avoidable shock, whereas cues predicting reward approach robustly modulated vmPFC firing in a response- and outcome-selective manner. This suggests a more complex role for vmPFC than current theories suggest, specifically regarding context-specific behavioral optimization.

Electrical Stimulation in Hippocampus and Entorhinal Cortex Impairs Spatial and Temporal Memory

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is widely implicated in supporting episodic memory and navigation, but its precise functional role in organizing memory across time and space remains elusive. Here we examine the specific cognitive processes implemented by MTL structures (hippocampus and entorhinal cortex) to organize memory by using electrical brain stimulation, leveraging its ability to establish causal links between brain regions and features of behavior. We studied neurosurgical patients of both sexes who performed spatial-navigation and verbal-episodic memory tasks while brain stimulation was applied in various regions during learning. During the verbal memory task, stimulation in the MTL disrupted the temporal organization of encoded memories such that items learned with stimulation tended to be recalled in a more randomized order. During the spatial task, MTL stimulation impaired subjects' abilities to remember items located far away from boundaries. These stimulation effects were specific to the MTL. Our findings thus provide the first causal demonstration in humans of the specific memory processes that are performed by the MTL to encode when and where events occurred.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Numerous studies have implicated the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in encoding spatial and temporal memories, but they have not been able to causally demonstrate the nature of the cognitive processes by which this occurs in real-time. Electrical brain stimulation is able to demonstrate causal links between a brain region and a given function with high temporal precision. By examining behavior in a memory task as subjects received MTL stimulation, we provide the first causal evidence demonstrating the role of the MTL in organizing the spatial and temporal aspects of episodic memory.

This Week in The Journal

Subthreshold Amyloid Predicts Tau Deposition in Aging

Current approaches to the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rely upon classifying individuals as "positive" or "negative" for biomarkers related to the core pathology of β-amyloid (Aβ). However, the accumulation of Aβ begins slowly, years before biomarkers become abnormal. We used longitudinal [¹¹C] Pittsburgh Compound B PET scanning and neuropsychological assessment to investigate the earliest changes in AD pathology and how it affects memory in cognitively normal older humans (N = 71; mean age 75 years; 35% male). We used [¹⁸F] AV-1451 PET scanning at the end of the observation period to measure subsequent tau deposition in a subset of our sample (N = 37). We found evidence for an inverted-U relationship between baseline Aβ levels and Aβ slope in asymptomatic older adults, suggesting a slowing of Aβ accumulation even in cognitively normal adults. In participants who were nominally amyloid negative, both the rate of amyloid accumulation and the baseline levels of Aβ predicted early tau deposition in cortical Braak regions associated with AD. Amyloid measures were only sensitive to memory decline as baseline levels of Aβ increased, suggesting that pathological accumulation occurs before impacting memory. These findings support the necessity of early intervention with amyloid-lowering therapies even in those who are amyloid negative.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) necessitates the earliest possible detection of pathological or cognitive change if disease progression is to be slowed. We examined cognitively normal older adults in whom AD pathology is starting to develop, with the goal of early detection of AD pathology or cognitive changes. We found amyloid measures to be sensitive early on in predicting subsequent early tau deposition. Further, it appears that rates of amyloid accumulation already begin to slow in preclinical AD, suggesting that it is a relatively late stage of AD progression. Thus, it is crucial to examine older adults early, before amyloid levels have saturated, to intervene to slow disease progression.

Fear Memory Recall Potentiates Opiate Reward Sensitivity through Dissociable Dopamine D1 versus D4 Receptor-Dependent Memory Mechanisms in the Prefrontal Cortex

Disturbances in prefrontal cortical (PFC) dopamine (DA) transmission are well established features of psychiatric disorders involving pathological memory processing, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction. Transmission through PFC DA D4 receptors (D4Rs) has been shown to potentiate the emotional salience of normally nonsalient emotional memories, whereas transmission through PFC DA D1 receptors (D1Rs) has been demonstrated to selectively block recall of reward- or aversion-related associative memories. In the present study, using a combination of fear conditioning and opiate reward conditioning in male rats, we examined the role of PFC D4/D1R signaling during the processing of fear-related memory acquisition and recall and subsequent sensitivity to opiate reward memory formation. We report that PFC D4R activation potentiates the salience of normally subthreshold fear conditioning memory cues and simultaneously potentiates the rewarding effects of systemic or intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) morphine conditioning cues. In contrast, blocking the recall of salient fear memories with intra-PFC D1R activation, blocks the ability of fear memory recall to potentiate systemic or intra-VTA morphine place preference. These effects were dependent upon dissociable PFC phosphorylation states involving calcium-calmodulin-kinase II or extracellular signal-related kinase 1–2, following intra-PFC D4 or D1R activation, respectively. Together, these findings reveal new insights into how aberrant PFC DAergic transmission and associated downstream molecular signaling pathways may modulate fear-related emotional memory processing and concomitantly increase opioid addiction vulnerability.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Post-traumatic stress disorder is highly comorbid with addiction. In this study, we use a translational model of fear memory conditioning to examine how transmission through dopamine D1 or D4 receptors, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), may differentially control acquisition or recall of fear memories and how these mechanisms might regulate sensitivity to the rewarding effects of opioids. We demonstrate that PFC D4 activation not only controls the salience of fear memory acquisition, but potentiates the rewarding effects of opioids. In contrast, PFC D1 receptor activation blocks recall of fear memories and prevents potentiation of opioid reward effects. Together, these findings demonstrate novel PFC mechanisms that may account for how emotional memory disturbances might increase the addictive liability of opioid-class drugs.

Cell-Type-Specific Contributions of Medial Prefrontal Neurons to Flexible Behaviors

Behavioral flexibility and impulse control are necessary for successful execution of adaptive behavior. They are impaired in patients with damage to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and in some clinically important conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been investigated as a critical structure for behavioral flexibility and impulse control, the contribution of the underlying pyramidal neuron cell types in the mPFC remained to be understood. Here we show that interneuron-mediated local inactivation of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC of male and female mice induces both premature responses and choice bias, and establish that these impulsive and compulsive responses are modulated independently. Cell-type-specific photoinhibition of pyramidal deep layer corticostriatal or corticothalamic neurons reduces behavioral flexibility without inducing premature responses. Together, our data confirm the role of corticostriatal neurons in behavioral flexibility and demonstrate that flexible behaviors are also modulated by direct projections from deep layer corticothalamic neurons in the mPFC to midline thalamic nuclei.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Behavioral flexibility and impulse control are indispensable for animals to adapt to changes in the environment and often affected in patients with PFC damage and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We used a probabilistic reversal task to dissect the underlying neural circuitry in the mPFC. Through characterization of the three major pyramidal cell types in the mPFC with optogenetic silencing, we demonstrated that corticostriatal and corticothalamic but not corticocortical pyramidal neurons are temporally recruited for behavioral flexibility. Together, our findings confirm the role of corticostriatal projections in cognitive flexibility and identify corticothalamic neurons as equally important for behavioral flexibility.

Restoring Tip60 HAT/HDAC2 Balance in the Neurodegenerative Brain Relieves Epigenetic Transcriptional Repression and Reinstates Cognition

Cognitive decline is a debilitating hallmark during preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the causes remain unclear. Because histone acetylation homeostasis is critical for mediating epigenetic gene control throughout neuronal development, we postulated that its misregulation contributes to cognitive impairment preceding AD pathology. Here, we show that disruption of Tip60 histone acetlytransferase (HAT)/histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) homeostasis occurs early in the brain of an AD-associated amyloid precursor protein (APP) Drosophila model and triggers epigenetic repression of neuroplasticity genes well before Aβ plaques form in male and female larvae. Repressed genes display enhanced HDAC2 binding and reduced Tip60 and histone acetylation enrichment. Increasing Tip60 in the AD-associated APP brain restores Tip60 HAT/HDAC2 balance by decreasing HDAC2 levels, reverses neuroepigenetic alterations to activate synaptic plasticity genes, and reinstates brain morphology and cognition. Such Drosophila neuroplasticity gene epigenetic signatures are conserved in male and female mouse hippocampus and their expression and Tip60 function is compromised in hippocampus from AD patients. We suggest that Tip60 HAT/HDAC2-mediated epigenetic gene disruption is a critical initial step in AD that is reversed by restoring Tip60 in the brain.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mild cognitive impairment is a debilitating hallmark during preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet its causes remain unclear. Although recent findings support elevated histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) as a cause for epigenetic repression of synaptic genes that contribute to cognitive deficits, whether alterations in histone acetlytransferase (HAT) levels that counterbalance HDAC2 repressor action occur and the identity of these HATs remain unknown. We demonstrate that disruption of Tip60 HAT/HDAC2 homeostasis occurs early in the AD Drosophila brain and triggers epigenetic repression of neuroplasticity genes before Aβ plaques form. Increasing Tip60 in the AD brain restores Tip60 HAT/HDAC2 balance, reverses neuroepigenetic alterations to activate synaptic genes, and reinstates brain morphology and cognition. Our data suggest that disruption of the Tip60 HAT/HDAC2 balance is a critical initial step in AD.

NPY Induces Stress Resilience via Downregulation of Ih in Principal Neurons of Rat Basolateral Amygdala

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression is tightly linked with the development of stress resilience in rodents and humans. Local NPY injections targeting the basolateral amygdala (BLA) produce long-term behavioral stress resilience in male rats via an unknown mechanism. Previously, we showed that activation of NPY Y₁ receptors hyperpolarizes BLA principal neurons (PNs) through inhibition of the hyperpolarization-activated, depolarizing H-current, I_h. The present studies tested whether NPY treatment induces stress resilience by modulating I_h. NPY (10 pmol) was delivered daily for 5 d bilaterally into the BLA to induce resilience; thereafter, the electrophysiological properties of PNs and the expression of I_h in the BLA were characterized. As reported previously, increases in social interaction (SI) times persisted weeks after completion of NPY administration. In vitro intracellular recordings showed that repeated intra-BLA NPY injections resulted in hyperpolarization of BLA PNs at 2 weeks (2W) and 4 weeks (4W) after NPY treatment. At 2W, spontaneous IPSC frequencies were increased, whereas at 4W, resting I_h was markedly reduced and accompanied by decreased levels of HCN1 mRNA and protein expression in BLA. Knock-down of HCN1 channels in the BLA with targeted delivery of lentivirus containing HCN1-shRNA increased SI beginning 2W after injection and induced stress resilience. NPY treatment induced sequential, complementary changes in the inputs to BLA PNs and their postsynaptic properties that reduce excitability, a mechanism that contributes to less anxious behavior. Furthermore, HCN1 knock-down mimicked the increases in SI and stress resilience observed with NPY, indicating the importance of I_h in stress-related behavior.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Resilience improves mental health outcomes in response to adverse situations. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is associated with decreased stress responses and the expression of resilience in rodents and humans. Single or repeated injections of NPY into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) buffer negative behavioral effects of stress and induce resilience in rats, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that repeated administration of NPY into the BLA unfolds several cellular mechanisms that decrease the activity of pyramidal output neurons. One key mechanism is a reduction in levels of the excitatory ion channel HCN1. Moreover, shRNA knock-down of HCN1 expression in BLA recapitulates some of the actions of NPY and causes potent resilience to stress, indicating that this channel may be a possible target for therapy.

Detachment of Chain-Forming Neuroblasts by Fyn-Mediated Control of cell-cell Adhesion in the Postnatal Brain

In the rodent olfactory system, neuroblasts produced in the ventricular-subventricular zone of the postnatal brain migrate tangentially in chain-like cell aggregates toward the olfactory bulb (OB) through the rostral migratory stream (RMS). After reaching the OB, the chains are dissociated and the neuroblasts migrate individually and radially toward their final destination. The cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling cell–cell adhesion during this detachment remain unclear. Here we report that Fyn, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, regulates the detachment of neuroblasts from chains in the male and female mouse OB. By performing chemical screening and in vivo loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments, we found that Fyn promotes somal disengagement from the chains and is involved in neuronal migration from the RMS into the granule cell layer of the OB. Fyn knockdown or Dab1 (disabled-1) deficiency caused p120-catenin to accumulate and adherens junction-like structures to be sustained at the contact sites between neuroblasts. Moreover, a Fyn and N-cadherin double-knockdown experiment indicated that Fyn regulates the N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion between neuroblasts. These results suggest that the Fyn-mediated control of cell–cell adhesion is critical for the detachment of chain-forming neuroblasts in the postnatal OB.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the postnatal brain, newly born neurons (neuroblasts) migrate in chain-like cell aggregates toward their destination, where they are dissociated into individual cells and mature. The cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the detachment of neuroblasts from chains are not understood. Here we show that Fyn, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, promotes the somal detachment of neuroblasts from chains, and that this regulation is critical for the efficient migration of neuroblasts to their destination. We further show that Fyn and Dab1 (disabled-1) decrease the cell–cell adhesion between chain-forming neuroblasts, which involves adherens junction-like structures. Our results suggest that Fyn-mediated regulation of the cell–cell adhesion of neuroblasts is critical for their detachment from chains in the postnatal brain.

Credit Assignment in a Motor Decision Making Task Is Influenced by Agency and Not Sensory Prediction Errors

Failures to obtain reward can occur from errors in action selection or action execution. Recently, we observed marked differences in choice behavior when the failure to obtain a reward was attributed to errors in action execution compared with errors in action selection (McDougle et al., 2016). Specifically, participants appeared to solve this credit assignment problem by discounting outcomes in which the absence of reward was attributed to errors in action execution. Building on recent evidence indicating relatively direct communication between the cerebellum and basal ganglia, we hypothesized that cerebellar-dependent sensory prediction errors (SPEs), a signal indicating execution failure, could attenuate value updating within a basal ganglia-dependent reinforcement learning system. Here we compared the SPE hypothesis to an alternative, "top-down" hypothesis in which changes in choice behavior reflect participants' sense of agency. In two experiments with male and female human participants, we manipulated the strength of SPEs, along with the participants' sense of agency in the second experiment. The results showed that, whereas the strength of SPE had no effect on choice behavior, participants were much more likely to discount the absence of rewards under conditions in which they believed the reward outcome depended on their ability to produce accurate movements. These results provide strong evidence that SPEs do not directly influence reinforcement learning. Instead, a participant's sense of agency appears to play a significant role in modulating choice behavior when unexpected outcomes can arise from errors in action execution.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When learning from the outcome of actions, the brain faces a credit assignment problem: Failures of reward can be attributed to poor choice selection or poor action execution. Here, we test a specific hypothesis that execution errors are implicitly signaled by cerebellar-based sensory prediction errors. We evaluate this hypothesis and compare it with a more "top-down" hypothesis in which the modulation of choice behavior from execution errors reflects participants' sense of agency. We find that sensory prediction errors have no significant effect on reinforcement learning. Instead, instructions influencing participants' belief of causal outcomes appear to be the main factor influencing their choice behavior.

Correction: Kim, Tsai et al., "Attention to Multiple Objects Facilitates Their Integration in Prefrontal and Parietal Cortex"

Determination of nine pharmaceutical active compounds in surface waters from Paraopeba River Basin in Brazil by LTPE-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive, versatile, and environment-friendly extraction method, using low-temperature partitioning extraction (LTPE), was validated to quantify pharmaceutical-active compounds (PhACs) in surface water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The PhACs analyzed were acetaminophen, bezafibrate, diclofenac, diltiazem, fluconazole, linezolid, miconazole, ondansetron hydrochloride, and trimethoprim. The detection and quantification limits ranged from 0.15 to 12.30 ng L⁻¹ and 0.43 to 40.60 ng L⁻¹, respectively. Recovery rates ranged from 46 to 135%, and relative standard deviation (RSD%) varied between 0.49 and 6.13%. This method was applied to monitor water contamination by PhACs in the Paraopeba River Basin (PRB), Minas Gerais state, Brazil. All PhACs, except linezolid which was not detected, were found in PRB water samples in concentrations that ranged from 2.6 ng L⁻¹ to 2.62 μg L⁻¹.

Photooxidation of Octahydro Tetramethyl Naphthalenylethanone in Perfumes and Aftershaves

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Solvent-Extracted Wool Wax: Thermotropic Properties and Skin Efficacy

Background/Aims: Wool wax is a soft, yellow, waxy substance that is secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. The purpose of wool wax is to waterproof and protect the wool. Chemically, wool wax is a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and alcohols. Wool waxes with different prop­erties can be obtained by following different extraction methodologies. Methods: Two differently extracted wool waxes are compared in this study. Their effectiveness in mimicking the properties of skin lipids is evaluated. In addition, the lipid compositions and thermotropic behaviours of the 2 differently extracted wool waxes were evaluated. Results: The solvent-extracted wool wax was found to have a significantly higher polar lipid content than that of the water-extracted wool wax. This increase in the polar character of the solvent-extracted wool wax was also demonstrated by increased values of transition and degradation temperatures in the differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses, respectively. In addition, solvent-extracted wool wax demonstrated the ability to reinforce stratum corneum lipids, which led to improved skin barrier function. Conclusions: The suitability of the solvent-extracted wool wax for application in the preparation of cosmetics and dermatological products was demonstrated.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:198–205

Against reductive ethical naturalism

Abstract

This paper raises an objection to two important arguments for reductive ethical naturalism. Reductive ethical naturalism is the view that ethical properties reduce to the properties countenanced by the natural and social sciences. The main arguments for reductionism in the literature hold that ethical properties reduce to natural properties by supervening on them, either because supervenience is alleged to guarantee identity via mutual entailment, or because non-reductive supervenience relations render the supervenient properties superfluous. After carefully characterizing naturalism and reductionism, we will present, explain, and raise objections against each of the main reductionist arguments: (a) that supervenience does not support the claim that ethical properties and their subvenient natural properties are mutually entailing; (b) that reductive views undermine the claim that ethical properties yield resemblance; and (c) that supervenience does not entail that non-descriptive ethical properties are superfluous in the most fundamental sense.

Nivolumab und Ipilimumab beim Nierenzellkarzinom

Trampas diagnósticas: nidos seudomelanocíticos en el contexto de la inflamación liquenoide

Publication date: Available online 8 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): D. McClanahan, S. Choudhary, J. Zahniser, J. Ho

Adjusting oral oxybutynin medication for hyperhidrosis to reflect seasonal temperature variations

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.

Assessment of vestibular function in patients with chronic middle ear disease using the VHIT and VEMP test

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Blood-Based Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Gliomas

Effect of calcium lignosulfonate supplementation on metabolic profiles of confined lambs

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium lignosulfonate associated with whole cottonseed in high-concentrate diets for sheep. Eight Dorper crossbred sheep with an average live weight of 42.5 ± 1.70 kg were assigned to two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The following experimental diets were evaluated: control diet (without calcium lignosulfonate) and diets with inclusion of 50, 100, and 150 g of calcium lignosulfonate/kg fresh matter. Diets were composed of soybean meal, ground corn, and whole cottonseed. Feed intake, digestibility, metabolic characteristics, and feeding behavior were evaluated. The intake of nutritional components did not show significant differences as a function of the lignosulfonate levels in the diet; however, the increase in calcium lignosulfonate levels linearly decreased the dry matter digestibility. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentrations decreased linearly as the lignosulfonate levels in the diets were increased. There was no effect of lignosulfonate levels on blood parameters or feeding behavior of the animals. The use of lignosulfonate associated with cottonseed decreases the digestibility of dry matter and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen, but does not change the intake of nutritional components, the blood parameters, or the feeding behavior of sheep.

Production of palm kernel shell-based activated carbon by direct physical activation for carbon dioxide adsorption

Abstract

The feasibility of biomass-based activated carbons has received a huge attention due to their excellent characteristics such as inexpensiveness, good adsorption behaviour and potential to reduce a strong dependency towards non-renewable precursors. Therefore, in this research work, eco-friendly activated carbon from palm kernel shell that has been produced from one-stage physical activation by using the Box-Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology is highlighted. The effect of three input parameters—temperature, dwell time and gas flow rate—towards product yield and carbon dioxide (CO₂) uptake at room temperature and atmospheric pressure are studied. Model accuracy has been evaluated through the ANOVA analysis and lack-of-fit test. Accordingly, the optimum condition in synthesising the activated carbon with adequate CO₂ adsorption capacity of 2.13 mmol/g and product yield of 25.15 wt% is found at a temperature of 850 °C, holding time of 60 min and CO₂ flow rate of 450 cm³/min. The synthesised activated carbon has been characterised by diverse analytical instruments including thermogravimetric analyser, scanning electron microscope, as well as N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm. The characterisation analysis indicates that the synthesised activated carbon has higher textural characteristics and porosity, together with better thermal stability and carbon content as compared to pristine palm kernel shell. Activated carbon production via one-step activation approach is economical since its carbon yield is within the industrial target, whereas CO₂ uptake is comparable to the synthesised activated carbon from conventional dual-stage activation, commercial activated carbon and other published data from literature.

A laboratory study investigating the effects of dilution by precipitation on dissolved inorganic carbon and stable isotope evolution in surface waters

Abstract

Surface waters are a major pathway of carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the earth's surface. Yet studies describing water column processes that affect carbon cycling do not consider the effects of dilution by precipitation. In this study, we conducted a laboratory experiment in which we prepared undiluted (100%) and snowmelt diluted 25, 50, and 75% by volume of samples of NaHCO₃ solution and lake and river water and then exposed them to the laboratory atmosphere for up to 1000 h. We aim to determine how dilution by precipitation followed by water-atmosphere CO_2(g) interaction affects DIC and δ¹³C_DIC evolution. Dilution resulted in decreased pH, solutes, and DIC concentrations according to the dilution proportion. The decreased pH perturbed the carbonate equilibrium resulting in CO_2(g) outgassing. In all the samples, there was continuous enrichment in the δ¹³C_DIC composition. Isotopic evolution by CO_2(g) loss in the > 50% snowmelt-diluted samples lasted for about 10 h, while it took about 400 h for the diluted samples to evolve to a similar isotopic composition as the undiluted samples. Our laboratory results suggest that the effects of precipitation dilution should not be ignored in studying DIC evolution in surface waters during periods where precipitation dilution exceeds 50% by volume.

Characteristics and batch experiments of acid- and alkali-modified corncob biomass for nitrate removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

In this study, modified biochar was adopted as an adsorbent for the nitrate removal in aqueous solutions. Raw material was impregnated in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, 1 mol/L) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 2 mol/L) separately and then prepared at 600 °C. After treated with acid, the BET specific surface area was much higher than that of unmodified and alkali-modified biochars. The low adsorption capacity and specific surface area of alkali-modified biochar may be due to the precipitate on the surface according to the results of XRD. In addition, the C–OH and C–H functional groups played a major part during adsorption progress. The batch experiments demonstrated that the acid-modified biochar exhibited a more excellent absorbability (12.75 mg/g) under the circumstance of neutral solution and room temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of MSA-CC was 34.20 mg/g, which was about 2.4 times higher than that of the unmodified. Low pH value can provide positive charge conditions to enhance the adsorption capacity. Overall, the biochar with excellent pore structure and chargeable functional group can be a potential application for nitrate removal which was low cost and effective. After treated with acid, biochar could adsorb negative charge species like nitrate due to electrostatic interaction.

Graphical abstract

Degradation of carbendazim in water via photo-Fenton in Raceway Pond Reactor: assessment of acute toxicity and transformation products

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the degradation of fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) via photo-Fenton reactions in artificially and solar irradiated photoreactors at laboratory scale and in a semi-pilot scale Raceway Pond Reactor (RPR), respectively. Acute toxicity was monitored by assessing the sensibility of bioluminescent bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri) to samples taken during reactions. In addition, by-products formed during solar photo-Fenton were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS). For tests performed in lab-scale, two artificial irradiation sources were compared (UV_{λ > 254nm} and UV-Vis_{λ > 320nm}). A complete design of experiments was performed in the semi-pilot scale RPR in order to optimize reaction conditions (Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ concentrations, and water depth). Efficient degradation of carbendazim (> 96%) and toxicity removal were achieved via artificially irradiated photo-Fenton under both irradiation sources. Control experiments (UV photolysis and UV-Vis peroxidation) were also efficient but led to increased acute toxicity. In addition, H₂O₂/UV_{λ > 254nm} required longer reaction time (60 minutes) when compared to the photo-Fenton process (less than 1 min). While Fenton's reagent achieved high CBZ and acute toxicity removal, its efficiency demands higher concentration of reagents in comparison to irradiated processes. Solar photo-Fenton removed carbendazim within 15 min of reaction (96%, 0.75 kJ L⁻¹), and monocarbomethoxyguanidine, benzimidazole isocyanate, and 2-aminobenzimidazole were identified as transformation products. Results suggest that both solar photo-Fenton and artificially irradiated systems are promising routes for carbendazim degradation.

Influence of composted poultry manure and irrigation regimes on some morpho-physiology parameters of maize under semiarid environments

Abstract

Poultry manure (PM), a rich source for crop nutrients, is produced in ample quantities worldwide. It provides necessary nutrient to soil and has a potential to improve plant water holding availability under semiarid environment. The effect of composted poultry manure (CPM) and irrigation regimes on morpho-physiology of selective maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (H₁ = drought tolerant, H₂ = drought sensitive) was investigated in this study. Two field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 under randomized complete block design with split split-plot arrangements and three replications of each treatment. Irrigation regimes (I₁ = 300, I₂ = 450, I₃ = 600 mm) were kept in main plots; the two maize hybrids (H₁ and H₂) in sub-plots and nutrient levels (L₁ = recommended rate of NPK (control), L₂ = 8 t ha⁻¹ CPM, L₃ = 10 t ha⁻¹ CPM, and L₄ = 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM) were arranged in sub sub-plots. The drought tolerant hybrid showed best growth under all treatments. Results revealed that maximum leaf area index (LAI) was recorded with the application of the recommended dose of NPK. Low irrigation regimes (I₁ and I₂) highly significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the photosynthesis and transpiration rate in both hybrids while application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM was able to partially alleviate the effect of water stress on these parameters. Resultantly, the application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM enhanced the plant growth and increased grain yield (21%; 4.17 vs 5.27) under limited water availability (I₂L₄) as compared to the recommended dose of NPK (I₂L₁). However, the nutrient application under control treatment had maximum grain yield. Therefore, shortage of water for maize production might be partially alleviated by the application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM.

Comparisons of three plant species in accumulating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the atmosphere: a review

Abstract

Plant leaves play a key role in the accumulation of PAHs, as they are able to capture PAHs from the air. In this paper, the mechanism, including absorption and adsorption, for plants to scavenge PAHs from the air was reviewed. Moreover, the differences of PAHs accumulating capability are mainly compared among three representative plant species, including pine needles, Holm oak leaves, and moss. On the whole, it is shown that oak leaves present the strongest PAHs accumulating capability for total PAHs among three plants species. Oak leaves and pine needles show higher accumulating tendency for light and medium molecular weight PAHs, whereas moss presents stronger accumulating tendency for heavy molecular weight PAHs. Environmental factors (i.e., temperature, seasonality, and photolysis) also account for the process of PAHs transferred from air to plants. With the temperature climbing, the concentration of PAHs in the air will increase. Due to the meteorological conditions and the human activities changed with seasons, it was shown that the PAHs were greatly accumulated in leaf surface in winter than in summer. Photolysis was also able to influence the PAHs on leaf surface, which are significant to this process. In conclusion, oak, pine, and moss can be used to filter PAHs when considering urban landscaping. Besides combining the traditional analytical methods with in situ determination, there might be able to provide a novel method to further study the specific absorption mechanisms. The accumulation of PAHs in crop leaf surface related to the application of surfactants is also worth studying.

Removal of urea from dilute streams using RVC/nano-NiO x -modified electrode

Abstract

Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC), a high surface area electrode (40 cm²/cm³), has been modified with nickel oxide nanoparticles (nano-NiO_x ) and used for electrochemical oxidation of urea from alkaline solution. For the cyclic voltammetry measurements, the used dimensions are 0.8 cm × 0.8 cm × 0.3 cm. The purpose was to offer high specific surface area using a porous open network structure to accelerate the electrochemical conversion. NiO_x nanoparticles have been synthesized via an electrochemical route at some experimental conditions. The morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the RVC/nano-NiO_x are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and potentiostatic measurements. The fabricated electrode, RVC/nano-NiO_x , demonstrates high electrocatalytic activity towards urea oxidation in an alkaline electrolyte. The onset potential of the RVC/nano-NiO_x compared to that of the planar GC/NiO_x is shifted to more negative value with higher specific activity. The different loadings of the NiO_x have a substantial influence on the conversion of urea which has been evaluated from concentration-time curves. The urea concentration decreases with time to a limit dependent on the loading extent. Maximum conversion is obtained at 0.86 mg of NiO_x per cm³ of the RVC matrix.

Screening optimal substrates from Erhai lakeside for Ottelia acuminata (Gagnep.) Dandy, an endangered submerged macrophyte in China

Abstract

Because of the unstable hydrodynamic conditions in the wild, the endangered aquatic plant should be cultivated first in constructed wetlands for the protection and expansion of germplasm resources. Ottelia acuminata (Gagnep.) Dandy has become extinct in Erhai Lake, Yunnan province, China. In order to optimize substrates for this species to artificial cultivation, the native substrate (sandy soils) and the other three representative ones (red paddy soils, alluvial paddy soils, and purple paddy soils) collected from Erhai lakeside were applied to cultivate O. acuminata for 50 days. Multi indicators, such as antioxidant enzymes activity, malondialdehyde and chlorophyll-α concentration, and relative growth rate of O. acuminata, were discussed and statistically analyzed to classify the substrates. The results suggested that even disregarding the physiology significance of these indicators, hierarchical clustering analysis had high efficiency on optimizing substrates. Although various single indexes suggested different optimal substrates for macrophyte growth, red paddy soil was never excluded out the optimal substrate classes. Further study is needed to assess the substrates optimization functionalities of these indicators. This study offers amounts of physiology data and an effective method to optimize substrates of O. acuminata. It is helpful for environmental scientists and ecological engineers to conduct the similar study on endangered species.

Second best epistemology: fallibility and normativity

Abstract

The Fallibility Norm—the claim that we ought to take our fallibility into account when managing our beliefs—appears to conflict with several other compelling epistemic norms. To shed light on these apparent conflicts, I distinguish two kinds of norms: norms of perfection and norms of compensation. Roughly, norms of perfection tell us how agents ought to behave if they're to be perfect; norms of compensation tell us how imperfect agents ought to behave in order to compensate for their imperfections. I argue that the Fallibility Norm is a norm of compensation, and that thinking of it like this helps us make progress in debates surrounding disagreement, higher-order evidence, and coherence.

Male Breast Glandular Liposculpture Challenges

Effectiveness and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Gel with Lidocaine for the Treatment of Nasolabial Folds: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel is a widely used dermal filler for the correction facial volume loss. The incorporation of lidocaine with HA provides a pain-relieving alternative for individuals considering facial rejuvenation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the effectiveness and safety of HA with lidocaine (HAL) with that of HA without lidocaine for the treatment of nasolabial folds (NLFs).

Methods

Studies were identified using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science from inception up to January 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Outcomes included 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale score and adverse events.

Results

A total of 908 patients from 12 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. VAS score within 30 min after injection in the HAL group was much lower than that with just HA group (MD = − 28.83, 95% CI − 36.38 to − 21.28). There was no significant difference in effectiveness between the two products 24 months post-injection (MD = 0.13, 95% CI − 0.15 to 0.41). The main adverse events, such as swelling, erythema, bruising, itching and induration, also showed no significant difference.

Conclusions

HAL is more effective for pain relief than HA alone, but both display similar effectiveness and safety for the correction of NLFs.

Level of Evidence II

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP): another novel target for treatment of primary headaches?

Tomosynthesis implementation with adaptive online calibration on clinical C-arm systems

Abstract

Purpose

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems offer physicians crucial 3D and 2D imaging capabilities during interventions. However, certain medical applications only require very specific information from the CBCTs (e.g., determination of the position of high-contrast objects). In diagnostics, tomosynthesis techniques can be used in these cases to minimize dose exposure. Therefore, integrating such techniques on CBCT systems could also be beneficial for interventions. In this paper, we investigate the performance of our implementation of circular tomosynthesis on a CBCT device.

Methods

The tomosynthesis scan trajectory is realized with step-and-shoot on a clinical C-arm device. The online calibration algorithm uses conventionally acquired 3D CBCT of the scanned object as prior knowledge to correct the imaging geometries. The online calibration algorithm was compared to an offline calibration to test its performance. A ball bearing phantom was used to evaluate the reconstructions with respect to geometric distortions. The evaluation was done for three different scenarios to test the robustness of our tomosynthesis implementation against object deviations (e.g., pen) and different object positioning.

Results

The circular tomosynthesis was tested on a ball bearing and an anthropomorphic phantom. The results show that the calibration is robust against isocenter shifts and object deviations in the CBCT. All reconstructions used 100 projections and displayed limited angle artifacts. The accuracy of the positions and shapes of high-contrast objects were, however, determined precisely. (The maximal center position deviation is 0.31 mm.)

Conclusion

For medical procedures that primarily determine the precise position of high-contrast objects, circular tomosynthesis could offer an approach to reduce dose exposure.

Does the Size of a Company Make a Difference in the Prevalence of Exposure to Asthmagens and in the Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment?

Abstract

Introduction

About half of all workers in high-income countries work in small companies. However, regulatory bodies and researchers predominantly work with large companies because they are more convenient to study and easier to reach. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of exposure to asthmagens and the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) by company size.

Methods

This analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study-Asthma, a telephone survey which investigated exposure to 27 asthmagen groups.

Results

Among 4844 respondents, 18.8, 19.9, 31.9, and 29.4% of workers reported working in micro (<5 employees), small (5–19 employees), medium (20–200 employees), and large (>200 employees) companies, respectively. Compared to workers in large companies, workers in micro, small, or medium companies had higher prevalence of exposure to most asthmagens and lesser use of RPE.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that policy actions and regulatory measures should target micro/small companies in order to have the greatest effect.

Sampling and Analysis of Bitumen Fumes: Comparison of German and French Methods to Determine a Conversion Formula

Abstract

Bitumen is classed as possibly carcinogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Data on individual exposure to bitumen fumes is therefore required to highlight the exposing situations and develop methods to prevent them. The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) and the French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases (INRS) have both developed methods to measure individual exposure. The objective of this study was to determine a conversion factor to allow interconversion of data acquired by the two methods. To develop this conversion factor, comparative laboratory and workplace tests were performed according to both the IFA method (No. 6305) and the INRS method (MetroPol M-2). The amounts of organic material collected on the filters and XAD-2 beds were compared. The results revealed differences between the sampling and analytical methods that could be linked to sampler design, extraction solvent, and the detection method used. The total quantification returned by the two methods—the sum of the masses quantified on filter and XAD-2 bed for each sampler—were correlated in both controlled and real-life tests. A conversion equation was therefore determined, based on field tests: C_IFA = 1.76 C_INRS ± 0.39 (R² = 0.99) that is applicable to total quantification data. This formula can be applied to data acquired by the two institutes to increase the number of data points available on exposure to bitumen fumes in various conditions, and thus increase the statistical power of studies into occupational prevention.

A short history of nearly every sense - The evolutionary history of vertebrate sensory cell types

Abstract

Evolving from filter feeding chordate ancestors, vertebrates adopted a more active life style. These ecological and behavioral changes went along with an elaboration of the vertebrate head including novel complex paired sense organs such as the eyes, inner ears and olfactory epithelia. However, the photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors used in these sense organs have a long evolutionary history and homologous cell types can be recognized in many other bilaterians or even cnidarians. After briefly introducing some of the major sensory cell types found in vertebrates, this review summarizes the phylogenetic distribution of sensory cell types in metazoans and presents a scenario for the evolutionary history of various sensory cell types involving several cell type diversification and fusion events. It is proposed that the evolution of novel cranial sense organs in vertebrates involved the redeployment of evolutionarily ancient sensory cell types for building larger and more complex sense organs.

eNOS expression and NO release during hypoxia is inhibited by miR-200b in human endothelial cells

Abstract

The nitric oxide (NO) secreted by vascular endothelium is required for the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Diminished release of NO generated by endothelial NO synthase contributes to endothelial dysfunction. Hypoxia and ischemia reduce endothelial eNOS expression via posttranscriptional mechanisms that result in NOS3 transcript destabilization. Here, we examine whether microRNAs contribute to this mechanism. We followed the kinetics of hypoxia-induced changes in NOS3 mRNA and eNOS protein levels in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Utilizing in silico predictive protocols to identify potential miRNAs that regulate eNOS expression, we identified miR-200b as a candidate. We established the functional miR-200b target sequence within the NOS3 3′UTR, and demonstrated that manipulation of the miRNA levels during hypoxia using miR-200b mimics and antagomirs regulates eNOS levels, and established that miR-200b physiologically limits eNOS expression during hypoxia. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the specific ablation of the hypoxic induction of miR-200b in HUVECs restored eNOS-driven hypoxic NO release to the normoxic levels. To determine whether miR-200b might be the only miRNA that had this effect, we utilized Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to follow hypoxia-induced changes in the miRNA levels in HUVECS and found 83 novel hypoxamiRs, with two candidate miRNAs besides miR-200b that could potentially influence eNOS levels. Taken together, the data establish miR-200b-eNOS regulation as a first hypoxamiR-based mechanism that limits NO bioavailability during hypoxia in endothelial cells, and show that hypoxamiRs could become useful therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases and other hypoxic-related diseases including various types of cancer.

Onkologie und Versorgung in Fach- und Publikumsmedien

Circulating Tumor Cell Increase as a Biomarker of Disease Progression in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients with Low Baseline CTC Counts

Abstract

Background

The development of treatment response and surrogate biomarkers for advanced prostate cancer care is an unmet clinical need. Patients with baseline circulating tumor cell counts (BLCTCs)<5/7.5 mL represent a good prognosis subgroup, but are non-evaluable for response assessment (decrease in CTCs). The aim of the study is to determine the value of any increase in CTCs (CTC Progression) as an indicator of progression in prostate cancer patients with low pre-treatment CTCs (<5).

Patients and Methods

We performed a post-hoc analysis of patients with BLCTCs < 5 treated in the COU-AA-301 (abiraterone or placebo + prednisone) and IMMC-38 (chemotherapy) trials. The association of CTC Progression (increase in CTCs at 4, 8 or 12 weeks) with overall survival (OS) was evaluated in multivariable Cox regression models. Performance of survival models with and without CTC Progression was evaluated by calculating ROC curve AUCs and weighted c-indices.

Results

Overall, 511 patients with CTCs <5 (421 in COU-AA-301; 90 in IMMC-38) were selected; 212 (41.7%) had CTC Progression at 4, 8 or 12 weeks after treatment initiation. CTC Progression was associated with significantly worse OS (27.1 vs 15.1m; HR: 3.4 [95%CI:2.5-4.5; p < 0.001]); independent of baseline CTCs and established clinical variables. Adding CTC Progression to the OS model significantly improved ROC AUC (0.77 vs 0.66; p < 0.001). Models including CTC Progression had superior ROC AUC (0.77 vs 0.69; p < 0.001) and weighted c-index (0.750 vs 0.705; delta c-index: 0.045 [95%CI: 0.019-0.071]) values than those including CTC conversion (increase to CTCs ≥5). In COU-AA-301, the impact of CTC Progression was independent of treatment arm.

Conclusions

Increasing CTCs during the first 12-weeks of treatment are independently associated with worse OS from advanced prostate cancer in patients with baseline CTCs < 5 treated with abiraterone or chemotherapy and improve models with established prognostic variables. These findings must be prospectively validated.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Dabrafenib and Trametinib Combination Therapy Following Pembrolizumab Administration for Advanced Melanoma

Pyoderma gangrenosum après allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques

Publication date: Available online 7 May 2018
Source:Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie
Author(s): H. Eddou, A. Ennouhi, M. Sina, A. Zinebi, J. El Benaye, M.K. Moudden, K. Doghmi, J.-V. Malfuson, M. Mikdame, M. El Baaj
IntroductionLe pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) est une dermatose neutrophilique rare qui peut compliquer l'évolution d'un certain nombre de maladies systémiques. Parmi ces dernières, les pathologies hématologiques représentent 3,5 % des cas. Il s'agit essentiellement de gammapathies monoclonales et de leucémies aiguës myéloblastiques.ObservationNous rapportons le cas d'un pyoderma gangrenosum survenu chez une patiente qui avait eu six mois plus tôt une allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques dans le cadre du traitement d'une leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique T.DiscussionCette association vient enrichir la liste des affections générales qui peuvent être associées au PG et celle des affections dermatologiques qui peuvent survenir chez les sujets greffés de moelle.BackgroundPyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare form of neutrophilic dermatosis and is a potential complication in a number of systemic diseases. These include blood diseases, which represent 3.5% of cases, with the main forms being monoclonal gammopathy and acute myeloid leukemia.Patients and methodsHerein we report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum in a female patient who had undergone haematopoietic stem cell allograft six months earlier as part of her treatment for acute T-cell leukemia.DiscussionThis condition forms one of the general disorders potentially associated with PG and is a dermatological disorder that can occur in marrow graft patients.

Microscopy with ultraviolet surface excitation (MUSE): A novel approach to real‐time inexpensive slide‐free dermatopathology

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.

Growth, physiological responses, and copper accumulation in seven willow species exposed to Cu—a hydroponic experiment

Abstract

Selecting plant species, especially woody species, that can tolerate and accumulate high levels of heavy metals is crucial for the purpose of phytoremediation. In the present study, seven willow species/clones were evaluated for their variations in copper (Cu) tolerance, Cu accumulation, and their relative physiological responses, when exposed to different doses of Cu (control, 15, and 120 μM) in a hydroponic system for 40 days. Upon Cu exposure, all tested willow species/clones (Salix, S.) remained relative normal growth, albeit with some visual evidence of Cu toxicity observed. Seven willow species remained relative high total biomass with tolerance index > 0.6 when being exposed to 120 μM Cu, suggesting their high Cu tolerance. Exposure to 120 μM Cu resulted in notable declines (16.3–76.1%) in photosynthesis in all willow species. Increases in the soluble sugar content and decreases in the soluble protein content in the leaves of five willow species (S. integra "Yizhibi", S. jiangsuensis "J172", S. matsudana 14, S. matsudana 25, S. matsudana 89) were found in the 120 μM Cu treatment. The majority of Cu mainly accumulated in the roots, ranging from 1916 to 26,244 mg kg⁻¹ DW. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis suggested that S. matsudana 89 and S. matsudana 25 showed much higher biomass and accumulation ability than the other species. This suggests that these two willow clones could be used as potential candidates for the phytostabilization of Cu in contaminated soils.

Concentrations of selected heterocyclic aromatic amines among US population aged ≥ 6 years: data from NHANES 2013–2014

Abstract

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for US population aged ≥ 6 years for 2013–2014 were used to analyze data for four heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAA), namely 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhlP), harman, and norharman. Data were analyzed separately for children aged 6–11 years (N = 416), adolescents aged 12–19 years (N = 475), adults aged 20–64 years (N = 1913), and seniors aged ≥ 65 years (N = 458). Adult males had lower concentrations of AαC and harman than adult females (1.44 vs. 2.22 pg/mL for AαC, p < 0.01 and 136.8 vs. 163.2 pg/mL for harman, p = 0.04). Racial/ethnic differences were observed in the adjusted concentrations of HCAAs. For adults, adjusted concentrations of HCAAs were lower for non-Hispanic Asians and Hispanics as compared to non-Hispanic blacks and whites. For example for AαC, the adjusted concentrations for non-Hispanic Asians, Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks and whites were 1.16, 2.00, 2.37, and 2.16 pg/mL respectively. Adjusted concentrations of AαC were found to be lower among nonsmokers as compared to smokers for adolescents (0.34 vs. 1.32 pg/mL, p < 0.01), adults (0.40 vs. 7.91 pg/mL, p < 0.01), and seniors (0.30 vs. 4.29 pg/mL, p < 0.01). For both harman and norharman, adult nonsmokers had lower adjusted concentrations than smokers (125.7 vs. 177.6 pg/mL, p < 0.01 for harman, 296.1 vs. 421.6 pg/mL, p < 001, for norharman). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was found to be associated with higher concentrations of AαC among adolescents (p = 0.01) and adults (p = 0.01) and for harman (p = 0.01) and norharman (p = 0.01) among seniors. In conclusion, concentrations of selected HCAAs can be several fold higher among smokers as compared to nonsmokers and gender as well as race/ethnicity also affect the observed concentrations of HCAA.

Status of electronic waste recycling techniques: a review

Abstract

The increasing use of electrical and electronic equipment leads to a huge generation of electronic waste (e-waste). It is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. Almost all electrical and electronic equipment contain printed circuit boards as an essential part. Improper handling of these electronic wastes could bring serious risk to human health and the environment. On the other hand, proper handling of this waste requires a sound management strategy for awareness, collection, recycling, and reuse. Nowadays, the effective recycling of this type of waste has been considered as a main challenge for any society. Printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are the base of many electronic industries, are rich in valuable heavy metals and toxic halogenated organic substances. In this review, the composition of different PCBs and their harmful effects are discussed. Various techniques in common use for recycling the most important metals from the metallic fractions of e-waste are illustrated. The recovery of metals from e-waste material after physical separation through pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, or biohydrometallurgical routes is also discussed, along with alternative uses of non-metallic fraction. The data are explained and compared with the current e-waste management efforts done in Egypt. Future perspectives and challenges facing Egypt for proper e-waste recycling are also discussed.

Decoupling emissions of greenhouse gas, urbanization, energy and income: analysis from the economy of China

Abstract

The adoption and ratification of relevant policies, particularly the household enrolment system metamorphosis in China, led to rising urbanization growth. As the leading developing economy, China has experienced a drastic and rapid increase in the rate of urbanization, energy use, economic growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution for the past 30 years. The knowledge of the dynamic interrelationships among these trends has a plethora of implications ranging from demographic, energy, and environmental and sustainable development policies. This study analyzes the role of urbanization in decoupling GHG emissions, energy, and income in China while considering the critical contribution of energy use. As a contribution to the extant body of literature, the present research introduces a new phenomenon called "the environmental urbanization Kuznets curve" (EUKC), which shows that at the early stage of urbanization, the environment degrades however, after a threshold point the technique effects surface and environmental degradation reduces with rise in urbanization. Applying the autoregressive distributed lag model and the vector error correction model, the paper finds the presence of inverted U-shaped curve between urbanization and GHG emission of CO₂, while the same hypothesis cannot be found between income and GHG emission of CO₂. Energy use in all the models contributes to GHG emission of CO₂. In decoupling greenhouse gas emissions, urbanization, energy, and income, articulated and well-implemented energy and urbanization policies should be considered.

Mögliche psychosoziale Langzeitfolgen onkologischer Behandlung

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Das Überleben einer Krebserkrankung durch die onkologische Behandlung geht oft mit physischen und psychosozialen Langzeitfolgen einher, die besonderer Berücksichtigung bedürfen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Der Übersichtsartikel soll die wesentlichen psychosozialen Langzeitfolgen beschreiben und Ansätze zu ihrer Vorbeugung und Behandlung aufzeigen.

Material und Methoden

Sichtung bestehender relevanter wissenschaftlicher und fachlicher Beiträge im psychoonkologischen Kontext und Darstellung psychoonkologischer Erfahrungen.

Ergebnisse

Sowohl sozial als auch psychologisch bestehen potenziell stark belastende Einschränkungen für Menschen nach einer Krebserkrankung durch Arbeitsplatzkonflikte, finanzielle Einschränkungen, soziale Konflikte, eine Fatiguesymptomatik oder Ängste und depressive Symptome. Es bestehen psychoonkologische Angebote für Krebspatienten und ihre Angehörigen sowie vereinzelt spezifische Angebote für Langzeitüberlebende einer Krebserkrankung.

Diskussion

Es bedarf einer interdisziplinären Aufmerksamkeit für die psychosozialen Langzeitfolgen einer Krebserkrankung und ihrer Behandlung und noch mehr spezifischer Angebote.

Characterization of friction and moisture of porcine lingual tissue in vitro in response to artificial saliva and mouthwash solutions

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

The early effect of microdermabrasion on hydration and sebum level

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Pustulosis exantemática generalizada aguda simulando necrólisis epidérmica tóxica: forma combinada

Publication date: Available online 7 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): J. García Abellán, J. Matarredona Catalá, A. Jaen Larrieu, I. Valencia Ramírez