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Batch experiments were performed to investigate the removal of Cu2+ , Cl- , and 2,4-dichlorophe- noxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous solution using chitosan-modified bentonite. When the chi-tosan was loaded on the bentonite, the inter-layer space of the montmorillonite increased and the adsorption efficiency enhanced, as chitosan contains large numbers of -NH2 and -OH functional groups that could serve as coordination sites to bind heavy metals. In this study, the bentonite that was prepared through three procedures: Na2CO3 treatment, thermal treatment and compound treatment, was modified by chitosan. Experimental results demonstrated that the average removal rates of Cu2+ , Cl-, and 2,4-D effectively were 94.87 %, 86.19 % and 91.06 %, respectively.

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Synthetic wastewater was treated using a novel system integrating the reversed anoxic/anaerobic/ oxic (RAAO) process, a micro-electrolysis (ME) bed and complex biological media. The system showed superior chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal rates. Performance of the system was optimised by considering the influences of three major controlling factors, namely, hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR) and mixed liquor recirculation (MLR). TP removal efficiencies were 69, 87, 87 and 83% under the HRTs of 4, 8, 12 and 16 h. In contrast, HRT had negligible effects on the COD and TN removal efficiencies. COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies from synthetic wastewater were 95, 63 and 87%, respectively, at an OLR of 1.9 g/(L.d). The concentrations of COD, TN and TP in the effluent were less than 50, 15 and 1 mg/L, respectively, at the controlled MLR range of 75-100%. In this system, organics, TN and TP were primarily removed from anoxic tank regardless of the operational conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to study the effect of Nb element doping on the microstructure and electrical properties of lead zirconate stannum titanate (PZST) ceramic and to improve phase transition properties of PZST. Nb-doped Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 ceramic samples were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method. Phase transitions induced by temperature, pressure, and electric field were measured with electric dielectric permittivity, hydrostatic pressure, and hysteresis. The microstructure of the samples was observed by electron scanning microscope to discuss the effect of Nb doping on PZST ceramics. The experiment results indicated that the remnant polarization (Pr), dielectric constant, phase transition, and microstructure were strongly dependent on Nb doping content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the modulating effect of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) on the ba-lance of oxidation/reduction in the cecal-ligation-and-puncture-induced septic rat myocardium., Methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into control group, SO 2 group, sepsis group and sepsis + SO 2 group. The levels of procalcitonin (PCT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTn Ⅰ) and fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in plasma in each group of the rats were measured; The level of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), level of nitric oxide (NO), activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), activity of hydroxyl free radical (·OH) and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardial tissue were measured; Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), activity of catalase (CAT), level of cytochrome oxidase (CO), level of glutathione (GSH), level of glutathione oxidase (GSH-px) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in myocardial tissue were measured., Results: The level of PCT in plasma in the rats with sepsis increased from (0.93±0.26) μg/L to (2.45±0.52) μg/L ( P < 0.01), and decreased to (1.58±0.36) μg/L after the intervention of sulfur dioxide donor ( P < 0.01). In sepsis, the plasma CK-MB, cTn Ⅰ and FABP levels in the rats increased respectively from (14.46±6.48) μg/L, (151.25±30.14) ng/L and (2.72±0.65) μg/L to (23.72±7.72) μg/L, (272.78±52.70) ng/L and (5.22±1.01) μg/L ( P all < 0.01), and decreased to (16.74±3.63) μg/L, (184.86±37.72) μg/L and (3.31±0.84) μg/L (all P < 0.05) after the intervention of sulfur dioxide donor. The level of H 2 O 2 , level of NO, activity of MPO, activity of ·OH and level of MDA in myocardial tissue in the rats with sepsis increased respectively from (67.26±8.77) mmol/g, (38.39±6.93) μmol/g, (358.25±68.12) U/g, (648.42±93.69) U/ mg and (4.55±0.96) μmol/g to (111.45±17.35) mmol/g, (51.04±5.91) μmol/g, (465.88±76.76) U/g, (873.75±123.47) U/mg and (7.25±0.86) μmol/g (all P < 0.01), and decreased respectively to (75.99±10.52) mmol/g, (39.39±7.80) μmol/g, (393.17±51.5) U/g, (710.54±106.33) U/mg and (5.16±0.65) μmol/g after the intervention of the sulfur dioxide donor (all P < 0.05). The activity of T-AOC, activity of CAT, level of CO, level of GSH, level of GSH-px and activity of SOD in myocardial tissue in the rats with sepsis increased respectively from (2.07±0.37) U/mg, (169.25±36.86) U/g, (1.35±0.32) μmol/g, (103.51±16.62) μmol/g, (38.40±7.97) μmol/g and (38.50±8.30) U/mg to (1.42±0.39) U/mg, (98.44±26.56) U/g, (0.96±0.21) μmol/g, (68.05±7.35) μmol/ g, (23.83±5.04) μmol/g and (23.11±4.63) U/mg ( P all < 0.01), and increased respectively to (1.83±0.37) U/mg, (146.14±31.63) U/g, (1.28±0.20) μmol/g, (92.10±11.84) μmol/g, (37.16±3.01) μmol/g and (37.29±2.62) U/mg ( P all < 0.05) after the intervention of the sulfur dioxide donor., Conclusion: Endogenous SO 2 can protect rat myocardium in sepsis by modulating the ba-lance of oxidation and reduction.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii ( S. boulardii ) in combination with triple therapy as a first-line regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) in non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) patients. Methods: A total of 497 Helicobacter pylori -positive patients who underwent gastroscopy and diagnosed with NUD were enrolled from June 2018 to January 2020 in 9 medical centers across China. Participants were segmentedly randomly divided into 3 groups. Patients in group A received S. boulardii for 14 days and triple therapy for 10 days, while patients in group B received bismuth quadruple group for 10 days, and patients in group C received triple therapy for 10 days. The H. pylori status was determined by the 13 C-urea breath test on the 44th day of the treatment. Symptom improvement and adverse reactions were assessed on the 14th and 44th day. Results: There were 229 males and 268 females in all 497 patients enrolled. They were aged 18-69 (46.1±11.8) years and 472 of them (158 cases in group A, 159 cases in group B, and 155 cases in group C) completed the trial. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates in patients in patients A, B and C were 77.8% (126/162), 80.1% (137/171) and 65.2% (107/164) respectively, and per protocol-based (PP) eradication rates were 79.7% (126/158), 86.2% (137/159) and 69.0% (107/155) respectively. The differences were statistically significant in ITT and PP analysis among 3 groups (ITT: χ²=11.14, P <0.01; PP: χ²=13.86, P <0.01). There was no significant difference between eradication rates of two quadruple therapys(all P >0.05), but both of them were significantly higher than that of standard triple therapy (both P <0.05). Statistics revealed that both quadruple therapys led to significantly higher symptom improvement of belching compared with that of standard triple therapy in day 14 ( P <0.05). The relief of abdominal distension and belching symptom scores of group A were significantly higher than those of group C in day 44(all P <0.05). There was no serious adverse event reported. The incidence of diarrhea in group A was significantly lower than those in the other two groups (both P <0.05). Conclusions: The combination of S. boulardii and triple therapy can achieve a better eradication effect on H. pylori infection with NUD, and has advantages in symptom relief and safety.

Objective: To investigate the development status and risk factors of infants and toddlers in rural China. Methods: In this cohort study, 603 infants (6-12 months of age, Phase Ⅰ) in the rural areas of QinLing-Bashan (Qin-Ba) in Shaanxi were recruited in the control group that received no intervention from April 2013 to October 2015. Three follow-up visits were performed every six months (Phase Ⅱ(12-18 months of age), Phase Ⅲ (18-24 months of age) and Phase Ⅳ(24-30 months of age)). In all the 4 phases (Ⅰ-Ⅳ), general data of the children and the families were collected by questionnaires, early childhood growth and development were assessed by door to door visits, children's hemoglobin levels were determined by laboratory tests, and the cognitive and motor development screening was conducted by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the development of infants and toddlers in rural areas and the data were analyzed in terms of risk factors from infants, guardians and family. Results: Phase Ⅱ, Phase Ⅲ and Phase Ⅳ survey recruited 497, 483 and 486 participants respectively. The incidences of cognitive impairment (mental development scores<80) in rural areas of southern Shaanxi were 13.4% (81/603) in Phase Ⅰ(6-12 months), 20.1%(100/497) in PhaseⅡ(12-18 months), 42.9% (207/483) in Phase Ⅲ(18-24 months) and 50.4%(245/486) in Phase Ⅳ(24-30 months) respectively, which showed a significant increase with age (χ(2)=233.40, P< 0.01); the incidences of psychomotor impairment (psychomotor development scores<80) of Phase Ⅰ, Phase Ⅱ, Phase Ⅲ and Phase Ⅳ were 25.0% (151/603), 26.8% (133/497), 8.3% (40/483) and 11.9% (58/486), which showed a significant decrease with age (χ(2)=87.08, P< 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the leading risk factor of the cognitive development of 24-30-month-old children was the mothers' poor education background (≤9 years of school education) ( OR= 2.56, P< 0.01), and the main risk factors affecting psychomotor development were the mothers' poor education background (≤9 years of school education) ( OR= 2.64, P< 0.05) and growth retardation ( OR= 2.95, P= 0.07). Conclusions: The early childhood development (especially cognitive development) in the rural areas of Qin-Ba in Shaanxi of China is not optimistic. More attention should be paid to the early childhood development in rural China, especially to the development of children from the mothers with poor education background.

Objective: To screen sensitive indicators of renal injury in lead workers using benchmark dose method. Methods: Of the 486 subjects,116 did not occupationally contact to lead as a control. The blood lead was considered as exposure biomarker, while Uβ 2 -MG and UNAG as effect biomarkers for renal injury. The BMD and BMDL of blood lead were estimated at the 10% benchmark response using BMDS Version 2.6. Results: There was statistical rise in blood lead between the lead group and control group ( P <0.05) ; and the blood lead level was divided into four groups by quarterback spacing method, among which UNAG was statistically different ( P <0.05) . There was an increased prevalence of abnormal rates of Uβ 2 -MG and UNAG with increasing blood lead concentration ( P <0.05) , after trend chi-square test. BMD and BMDL of UNAG and Uβ 2 -MG were 602.784/431.838 μg/L and 130.398/100.981 μg/L caculated by Log-Probit model, respectively. Conclusions: Occupational lead exposure may cause kidney damage, and UNAG could be as a more sensitive marker for monitoring early renal injury than Uβ 2 -MG.

Since the turn of the millennium, multi-phase magnetoelectric (ME) composites have been subject to attention and development, and giant ME effects have been found in laminate composites of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive layers. From an application perspective, the practical usefulness of a magnetic sensor is determined not only by the output signal of the sensor in response to an incident magnetic field, but also by the equivalent magnetic noise generated in the absence of such an incident field. Here, a short review of developments in equivalent magnetic noise reduction for ME sensors is presented. This review focuses on internal noise, the analysis of the noise contributions and a summary of noise reduction strategies. Furthermore, external vibration noise is also discussed. The review concludes with an outlook on future possibilities and scientific challenges in the field of ME magnetic sensors.

Although epidural analgesia may provide adequate pain relief and minimize systemic side effects, long-term, even permanent placement of epidural catheter for chronic or cancer-related pain management carries a potential risk of both superficial and deep infection. The development of antibiotics microspheres that could be dwelled in epidural drug-delivery devices is likely to achieve a significant advance allowing antibiotics given by the intradiscal route to control catheter-related infections. In the present study, the composite microspheres composed of double-walled microcapsules and PLGA were constructed for encapsulating water-soluble antibiotics, cefazolin. The results show that these microspheres could efficiently control the initial release of drug, which was only 3.0% at 2 h. Cefazolin encapsulated in the composite microspheres released gradually nearly in a constant rate in the first 16 days, and still maintained a relative fast rate in the next 14 days, indicating that composite microspheres could improve the incomplete release of entrapped drugs.

An artificial neural network model is developed to predict the fraction of cephalosporins bound to plasma proteins (f(b)) from their molecular structural parameters. These molecular structural parameters are the molecular weight (MW), the surface area occupied by oxygen and nitrogen atoms (S(O),N), and the surface area occupied by hydrogen atoms attached to oxygen or nitrogen atoms (S(H)). For a training set of 20 cephalosporins and a test set of 3 cephalosporins, root mean squared errors (RMSE) between experimental fb values and calculated/predicted fb values are 0.036 and 0.045, respectively.

To investigate the controlled release effect of a thermo-sensitive gel, Pluronic F127 (PF127) on microspheres, poly[D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid] (PLGA) microspheres were coated with Pluronic F127 gel and the in vitro release was evaluated. The results demonstrated that PF127, which gelled at 37 degrees C, inhibited the initial burst release of drug from microspheres effectively.

In the present study, a first-generation adenovirus (Ad) vector was modified with the RGD peptide inserted into the fiber. The insertion of an integrin-targeting sequence into the Ad vector notably enhanced the luciferase expression in the Coxsackie virus and Adenovirus Receptor-deficient A2058 and B16BL6 melanoma cells. The results of an in vivo study with tumor-bearing mice also showed that Ad-RGD-Luc had enhanced gene expression in many organs and in the B16BL6 tumor compared to that induced by a conventional Ad vector after intravenous injection.

In this study, fiber-mutant adenovirus vectors encoding chemokines, Ad-RGD-mCCL17, Ad-RGD-mCCL21 and Ad-RGD-mCCL22 were constructed. The insertion of integrin-targeting RGD sequence into fiber knob of adenovirus vectors notably enhanced the infection efficiency into tumor cells. Among three chemokine-encoding vectors evaluated, Ad-RGD-mCCL22 showed significant tumor-suppressive activity via transduction into OV-HM cells.

Trimethoprim (TMP) in four pharmaceutical preparations (compound sulfamethoxazol tablets, compound tetracycline tablets, compound trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazol tablets; and compound berberine injection) is determined by solvent extraction-flow injection spectrophotometry. It can be extracted into chloroform directly, and the absorbance at a wavelength of 280 nm of the organic phase is measured after phase separation. The manifold comprises two streams. The sample is injected into a 0.2 mol/L NaOH carrier stream, and extracted with chloroform in a 200-cm coil (ID 0.7 mm) after a 50 cm reaction tube (ID 1.0 mm). Calibration graph is linear in the range of 25-150 micrograms/ml. The average recovery is 101.4% with a relative standard deviation of 1.1%. The proposed system permits the analysis of about 50 samples per hour. Precise results in agreement with those obtained with official methods are achieved.