Search

Wearable film-based smart biosensors have been developed for real-time biomolecules detection. Particularly, interfacial co-assembly of reduced graphene oxide-prussian blue (PB-RGO) film through electrostatic interaction has been systematically studied by controllable pH values, achieving optimal PB-RGO nanofilms at oil/water (O/W) phase interface driven by minimization of interfacial free energy for wearable biosensors. As a result, as-prepared wearable biosensors of PB-RGO film could be easily woven into fabrics, exhibiting excellent glucose sensing performance in amperometric detection with a sensitivity of 27.78 µA mM

The utilization of mechanical energy to control water pollutants under dark conditions is currently a point of study focus. Herein, biochar -zinc oxide (BC-ZnO) composites with various structures were synthesized by co-pyrolysis of cotton and ZnO at different temperature and used for tribo-catalytic reaction. The introduction of BC can improve charge transmission and separation efficiency. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculation prove the addition of BC can reduce work function of ZnO, and enhance its electron-donating ability. Specially, suitable adsorption amount is the key factor to improve the tribo-catalytic performance. When the pyrolysis temperature is 600 °C, BC-ZnO has the best degradation efficiency, which can degrade 90% Rhodamine B (RhB) in 75 min, while ZnO can degrade only 38%. On this basis, using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model, the effect of tribo-catalytic reaction on controlling proteins in water was studied by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (3D EEM) and infrared microscope, and the transformation of proteins was further analyzed. This study provides a new strategy to improve the tribo-catalytic performance of ZnO, and explores its application prospects of biological wastewater control.

Practical application of metallurgical microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) requires efficient removal of metals and organics in larger reactors. A 40 L cylindrical single-chamber MEC fed acetate was used to achieve high removals of W(VI) and Mo(VI). In the presence of both metals, there were nearly complete removals of W (97 ‒ 98%), Mo (98 ‒ 99%), and acetate (95 ‒ 96%), along with a low level of hydrogen production (0.0037–0.0039 L/L/d) at a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 2 d (influent ratios of W:Mo:acetate of 0.5:1.0:24 mM). The final concentrations of these conditions were sufficient to meet national wastewater discharge standards. In the controls with individual metals or acetate, lower contaminant removals were obtained (W, 2 ‒ 4%; Mo, 3 ‒ 5%, acetate, 36 ‒ 39%). Metals removal in all cases was primarily due to the biocathodes rather than the bioanodes. The presence of metals decreased microbial diversity on the anodes and increased diversity on the cathodes, based on analysis at the phylum, class and genus levels, as a function of HRT and influent concentration. This study demonstrated the feasibility of larger-scale single-chamber MECs for efficient treatment of W and Mo, moving metallurgical MECs closer to commercialization for wastewater treatment of these two metals.

Adsorption of antibiotic levofloxacin from aqueous solution to humic acid treated zeolite has been studied. The equilibrium isotherm model was calculated and the site energy distribution was determined. Within the test range (initial concentration 5.5–67 mg/L, pH 2–12), adsorption performance for levofloxacin showed two maximum total uptakes at acid and alkali conditions. The uptake capacities are 33.93 mg/g and 35.98 mg/g at pH 4.85 and pH 9.44, respectively. Due to the equilibrium isotherm model, the theoretical maximum value of adsorbent capacities of levofloxacin are 35.45 mg/g and 47.68 mg/g at pH 4.85 and pH 9.44. The site energy distribution of the adsorbent for levofloxacin molecules adsorption was estimated. The higher average site energy of the adsorbents is 28.01 kJ/ mol at pH 4.85. The methods of site energy distribution analysis could be transferable to extend other organics and inorganics adsorption.

A novel route based on biohydrogel sodium alginate (SA) for extraction by an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), recovery of chromium by a photoinduced precipitation process, and monitoring of the process by fluorescence spectroscopy (F-S) was developed. The processes were explored by means of FTIR, micro-FTIR, XPS, and F-S, and the roles of polyethylene glycol and sodium alginate (PEG/SA) in the process were analyzed. Results showed that SA acted as an extractant to form a complex with Cr(VI). The maximum extraction point appeared at pH 5.50, and its kinetic equation showed that CCr(VI) was the key point that controls the reaction. Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) within 10 min of 300 W solar irradiation in the presence of PEG. Then coprecipitation of water-insoluble polynuclear complexes consisting of SA and trivalent and hexavalent chromium was completed. The biohydrogel from SA underwent a static quenching process, and the extraction process and phase diagram can be monitored by F-S. It belongs to the trans...

The control of interfacial microbial pollution is of great significance for water safety. Herein, the tribo-catalysis ability of zinc oxide (ZnO) has been investigated, which can realize the control of tightly-bound extracellular polymeric substances (T-EPS) in water under dark environment. The DFT calculation proves the Fe doping introduces the impurity level and decreases the work function from 5.071 eV to 5.045 eV, improves the charge separation of ZnO, and eventually enhances the catalytic reaction efficiency. Characterizing the catalytic reaction process by three-dimensional fluorescence (3D EEM) and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) method, it is found that the T-EPS solution can be degraded 75.8% by Fe-ZnO in 12 min, while ZnO can only degrade 32.2%. Combining with high-resolution scanning probe microscope (HR-SPM) and attenuated total reflection method (ATR-FTIR), hydration layers consist with hydroxyl layer (∼0.23 nm) and water molecular layer (∼0.27 nm) are observed at the interface between Fe-ZnO and T-EPS solution, and terminal hydroxyl group (OHt) is considered to be the active site for the generation of radicals. This study provides an idea for exploring the mechanism of tribo-catalytic reaction and shows its application prospect in the field of microbial inhibition in water.

Molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the adsorption of single wall carbon nanotubes (SCNT) in levofloxacin (LEV) solutions of different concentrations by Radial distribution function, mean square displacement and interaction energy. The results showed that levofloxacin molecules were adsorbed around the carbon nanotubes. The adsorption effect of large concentration solution was not as good as that of low concentration solution because of agglomeration. LEV molecules with different concentration were free diffusion within 15ns, and gradually agglomerated under the influence of adsorption. The energy change is proportional to the concentration of the molecule. The distance between benzene rings corresponding to the agglomeration effect of levofloxacin molecules was 0.4 nm, which should be the effect of parallel-slipped π-π electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) interactions. The simulation results are valuable to study the adsorption and removal of benzenes by adsorbent.

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. The deposition and separation of W and Mo from aqueous solutions with simultaneous hydrogen production was investigated in stacked bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) composed of microbial electrolysis cell (1#) serially connected with parallel connected microbial fuel cell (2#). The impact of W/Mo molar ratio (in the range 0.01 mM: 1 mM and vice-versa), initial pH (1.5 to 4.0) and cathode material (stainless steel mesh (SSM), carbon rod (CR) and titanium sheet (TS)) on the BES performance was systematically investigated. The concentration of Mo(VI) was more influential than W(VI) in determining the rate of deposition of both metals and the rate of hydrogen production. Complete metal recovery was achieved at equimolar W/Mo ratio of 0.05 mM: 0.05 mM. The rates of metal deposition and hydrogen production increased at acidic pH, with the fastest rates at pH 1.5. The morphology of the metal deposits and the valence of the Mo were correlated with W/Mo ratio and pH. CR cathodes (2#) coupled with SSM cathodes (1#) achieved a significant rate of hydrogen production (0.82 ± 0.04 m 3 /m 3 /d) with W and Mo deposition (0.049 ± 0.003 mmol/L/h and 0.140 ± 0.004 mmol/L/h (1#); 0.025 ± 0.001 mmol/L/h and 0.090 ± 0.006 mmol/L/h (2#)).

Chromium oxide is widely used in national defense, hard alloy, alloy, pigment, vacuum plating, consumables and high purity alloy and belong to one of the main products of chromate production industry. In the present study, a novel cleaner process is proposed to synthesize nanostructure chromium oxide (Cr2O3) from waste source containing chromium (VI). Hydrated chromic oxide was prepared by combination membrane and hydrothermal method. After calcined, chromium (III) compound: nanostructure chromium oxide (SNCO) was obtained. In the membrane electrolyte stage, this way can reduce the amount of acid added to adjust the solution pH. Besides, addition of CO2 into the cathode compartment could improve the current efficiency and desalination efficiency, while decrease the energy consumption. Then the products were characterized. Combined with the experiment results of TGA and XRD, the potential formation mechanism of hydrated chromic oxide was proposed. The fine structure of the product was analyzed by SEM and TEM. It was proved that the nanostructure chromium oxide with good crystallinity was obtained. The UV–Vis was used for optical properties, which proved that it had good optical properties.

Metallurgical microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are holding great promise for metal waste and wastewater treatment with simultaneous metal recovery and separation, where ion exchange membranes (IEMs) are used as separators between the CH 3 COO − and PO 4 3− filled anodes, and metal ions filled cathodes. How these ions migrate across the IEMs with simultaneous metal reduction on the cathodes, however, is not yet fully understood. Therefore, two proton exchange (N117 and N212), a cation exchange (CEM) and an anion exchange (AEM) membranes were studied to evaluate the suitability of IEMs as separators of MFCs for reduction of mixed Cr 2 O 7 2− , Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ at each metals of either 10 mM or 1.0 mM, as a model for a wide variety of metals in practical electroplating and mining industries. It was found that circuit current directed reduction of more metals on the cathodes with less migration across the IEMs, compared to the more metal transport in the absence of circuit current. CEM was the most beneficial for less cross-over of Cr 2 O 7 2− from one side, and CH 3 COO − and PO 4 3− from the other side, despite slight more migration of Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ than that of AEM. A higher metal concentration with each of 10 mM led to more metal transport through the IEMs than that of 1.0 mM. This study demonstrates the dependency of migration and reduction of Cr 2 O 7 2− , Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ on electric field, type of IEM and metal concentration, and thus provides a new insight into metallurgical MFCs for remediating Cr 2 O 7 2− , Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ co-contamination with simultaneous metal recovery.

The application of Zinc oxide has drawn great attention in bacterial inhibition and contaminant degradation field in recent years. The internal structure and the morphology of the material was characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM. The dopant of 1 wt% graphene oxide（GO） and 30 wt% Al2O3 shows excellent piezocatalytic and antibacterial ability. Application potential of the material is investigated by the degradation of RhB and the inhibition of Bacillus. It is found that the RhB solution can be degraded 92.5% by ZA-GO in 15 min, while ZnO can degrade 64.2%. It shows superior catalytic behavior in successive experiments of degradation of RhB without obvious decrease in efficiency. The quenching experiment combined with ESR spectrum demonstrate that both •O2- and •OH radicals were generated, while •OH did the most damage. Bacterial inhibition tests have also proven that the generation of reactive oxygen species cause the bacteria inactivated. In this work, a novel composite ZnO-Al2O3/GO has been successfully prepared based on mechanical synthesis method. Graphene oxide has higher mechanical strength and higher specific surface area. Zn ions doping carbon materials not only increases its stability, but also promotes its conductivity. The doping of Al atoms effectively reduce the work function of ZnO. Graphene oxide together with alumina coordinate the band gap of piezoelectric materials ZnO and the catalytic reaction efficiency was dramatically enhanced. What’s more, this work provides a facile approach eliminated the use of solvents and organic reagents, ensuring greater environmental safety. The novel zinc oxide matrix composites are depicted as a promising candidate to be used as intelligent antibacterial agent and alleviate environmental pollution.

Iron sludge was directly reutilized as ferric resource to synthesize magnetic Fe-coated cotton stalk biochar (Fe-CS) for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution. Physical analyses revealed that Fe-CS exhibited higher surface area of 129.2 m 2 /g and pore volume of 0.1711 cm 3 /g than those of the original cotton stalk biochar (OCS). Fe-CS showed an excellent enhanced adsorption for Cr (VI) (67.44 mg/g) removal compared with OCS (40.91 mg/g). The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm model and the adsorption kinetic followed pseudo-second order model. Fe-CS can be easily separated from the solution using magnet and regenerated for reuse. The overall findings indicate that iron sludge derived from water treatment plant can be reutilized directly for iron resource, which can bring new direction in the treatment of iron sludge waste.

Efficient deposition and separation of W(VI) and Mo(VI) with simultaneous hydrogen production, without external energy input, is achieved in stacked bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) composed of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The stacked BES-3-1 made of one MEC unit (1#) serially connected with three parallel connected MFC units (2#) outperformed other modules, achieving depositions of 27.6 ± 1.2% (W) and 75.4 ± 2.1% (Mo) with a separation factor of 8.1 ± 0.2 and hydrogen production of 0.34 ± 0.01 m3/m3 d in the 1# unit, compared to 12.3 ± 0.9% (W), 52.6 ± 2.2% (Mo) and 7.9 ± 0.5 (separation factor) in the 2# unit. The control experiments with W(VI) only deposited 6.8 ± 1.3% in 1# and 3.3 ± 0.4% in 2#, compared to 65.1 ± 3.2% in 1# and 45.2 ± 0.9% in 2# with Mo(VI) only. The control experiments with either the 1# or 2# unit and a mixture of W(VI) and Mo(VI) deposited 15.3 ± 1.7% (W) and 60.1 ± 1.6% (Mo) (1# only), and 12.9 ± 1.3% (W) and 56.1 ± 2.0% (Mo) (2# only). Reuse of the catholyte after acidification achieved complete separation of W and Mo from one another. This study demonstrates the feasibility of stacked BESs for W and Mo deposition and separation with simultaneous hydrogen production. The dual benefits of W(VI) and Mo(VI) species, and the favorable impact of the 2# unit on the 1# unit in the stacked BES module were critical to achieve efficient performance.

“Cr-keeper” nanoparticles (CKN) are in-situ synthesized based on the challenge of separation trace vanadium (V) from chromium (VI) in aqueous solution. Kelp is used as the bio-template and it can react with chromium (VI). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results reveal that CKN can copy the cell structure from kelp and the specific surface area of CKN is 343.20 m 2 /g. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirm the formation of hydroxyl and Cr (III) species in CKN. The adsorption capacity of V (V) onto CKN is 51.20 mg/g and the maximum separation coefficient (β V/Cr = 3900) is achieved at pH 3.00. The adsorption kinetics follow pseudo-first-order model and Weber-Morris intra particle diffusion model. The adsorption isotherms follow the Sips model. The regeneration and reusability of CKN are discussed. All the results suggest that the utilization of biomass’s cell structure as the template for the fabrication of adsorbent with “Cr-keeper” function is excellent, which will bring new directions for Cr (VI) system purification.

This work devoted to detoxify and recover chromium effectively from highly toxic wastewater containing Cr(VI). A novel method was proposed to electroreduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in acid solution by SiC doped carbon electrode in a membrane-free reaction device and to recover solid chromium by hydrothermal precipitation process. The results showed that 2H-SiC and 3C-SiC was distributed uniformly on the electrode surface. Chromium species existed mainly in the form of HCrO4− and Cr2O72- in the pH range of 1.5−3. Under 1.0–2.5 V, the reduction rate of Cr(VI) was 99.5 % within 70 min, and the reduction efficiency was about 20 % higher than that of non-SiC doped electrode. The main reason is that the redox ability of modified electrode was enhanced and the pseudo-capacitance was increased obviously. γ-CrOOH hydroxyl chromium was the main chromium species obtained from hydrothermal precipitation in acid conditions. The combined method presents certain industrial application potential in detoxification and recovery of Cr(VI) wastewater.

Enhanced Cd(II) removal with simultaneous hydrogen production was achieved in biocathode microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) using carbon source of acetate or NaHCO3 at long-term bacterial community acclimation and elevated Cd(II) concentrations. Removal of Cd(II) reached 7.33 ± 0.37 mg/L/h (acetate) and 6.56 ± 0.38 mg/L/h (NaHCO3) whereas hydrogen production was 0.301 ± 0.005 m3/m3/d (acetate) and 0.127 ± 0.024 m3/m3/d (NaHCO3) at an initial Cd(II) of 50 mg/L. Similar Cd(II) and metallic Cd were present in the precipitates of either acetate or NaHCO3 biocathodes whereas same predominant species but in different proportions were found in the acetate or NaHCO3 biofilms. These findings demonstrate the importance of both long-term bacterial community acclimation at elevated Cd(II) concentrations and carbon source for enhanced Cd(II) removal with simultaneous hydrogen production in the biocathode MECs.

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with western medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its effect on blood stasis, and to explore ways to improve the clinical curative effect.A total of 56 patients of RA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 28 cases in each one. ① ibuprofen sustained-release tablets, 2 times a day, each time 0.3 g; ② methotrexate tablets (MTX), once a week, each time 10 mg ③ folic acid tablets, once a week, each time 5 mg were given in the control group, 30 days as one course, a total of 3 courses were required. In the observation group, acupuncture was adopted on the basis of the treatment as the control group. The main acupoints were Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36) combined with local① The scores of RF, hs-CRP, ESR, PLT, D-D, FBG, DAS-28 and symptom grade quantitative were significantly improved in the two groups compared with those before treatment (allAcupuncture combined with western medicine can not only improve the clinical efficacy of RA patients but also improve the blood stasis.

Complete separation of Cu(II), Co(II) and Li(I) each other from aqueous mixtures is one critical step for recycling spent lithium ion batteries, and generally consumes large amount of energy and chemicals. Previous tests have primarily examined fed-batch operated self-driven microbial fuel cells (MFCs)–microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for Cu(II) and Co(II) recovery. Mixed Cu(0) and Co(0) however, were simultaneously deposited on the MEC cathodes and Co(II) in effluents was much above water quality standard in addition to the lack of considering Li(I) species in actual wastewaters and necessarily optimizing inexpensive stainless steel (SS) as MEC cathodes for system performance. Various mesh size SS was thus explored in self-driven MFCs–MECs with different influent metal concentrations and hydraulic retention times (HRTs) under continuous flow conditions for complete separation of Cu(II), Co(II) and Li(I) each other. Mesh #60 achieved the best and complete separation of Cu(II), Co(II) and Li(I) each other with an influent metal concentration of 10 mg L−1 Cu(II), 10 mg L−1 Co(II) and 3 mg L−1 Li(I) at an HRT of 9 h. These results demonstrate mesh size of SS as MEC cathodes, HRT and influent metal concentration were critical for complete separation of Cu(II), Co(II) and Li(I) each other in self-driven MFCs–MECs under continuous flow conditions.

Reduction of aqueous Cu(II) and Co(II) is one critical step for simultaneous recovery of copper and cobalt, and recycle of spent lithium ion batteries, but suffers from consumption of large amount of energy and chemicals. Here we report Co(II)-reduced microbial electrolysis cells (MEC Co ) can be driven by Cu(II)-reduced microbial fuel cells (MFC Cu ) for simultaneous Cu(II) and Co(II) recovery with no external energy consumption, and system performance was heavily dependent on cathode material of MEC Co and cathode volumes in both MEC Co and MFC Cu . Either titanium sheet (TS) or stainless steel mesh (SSM) cathode achieved efficient Co(II) reduction whereas carbon rod (CR) cannot proceed this occurrence. While smaller cathode volumes in MFC Cu led to appreciable Co(II) reduction (41.4 ± 3.8%) on the CR cathode, the highest Co(II) reduction using TS (45.0 ± 0.3%) or SSM (39.7 ± 3.6%) was obtained under smaller cathode volumes in both MFC Cu and MEC Co . Moreover, when a mixed Cu(II) and Co(II) catholyte was deliberately used as the influent of MFC Cu and the effluent of MFC Cu was subsequently imported into the connected MEC Co for tentatively simultaneous Cu(II) and Co(II) recovery from simulated mixed wastes, this so-called sequential MFC Cu and MEC Co operation achieved Cu(II) reduction of 100% and Co(II) reduction of 65.3–72.0% using either TS or SSM cathodes. These results illustrate cathode material of MEC Co and cathode volumes in both MEC Co and MFC Cu were critical for efficient Co(II) reduction in MEC Co driven by MFC Cu with achievements of simultaneous copper and cobalt recovery as well as no external energy consumption.

A novel strategy to intensify the degradation and mineralization of the antibiotic drug metronidazole (MNZ) in water with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy was achieved in photo-assisted microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this system Mo and W catalytic species immobilized onto a graphite felt cathode intensified the cathodic reduction of MNZ under anaerobic conditions and the oxidation of MNZ under aerobic conditions. The aerobic oxidation process was further accelerated in the presence of Fe(III), realizing a combined photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs process. The highest rates of MNZ degradation (94.5 ± 1.4%; 75.6 ± 1.1 mg/L/h) and mineralization (89.5 ± 1.1%; 71.6 ± 0.9 mg/L/h), and power production (251 mW/m2; 0.015 kWh/m3; 0.22 kWh/kg COD) were achieved at a Mo/W loading of 0.18 mg/cm2 with a Mo/W ratio of 0.17:1.0, in the presence of 10 mg/L of Fe(III) and at an incident photon flux of 23.3 mW/cm2. Photo-generated holes were directly involved into the oxidation of MNZ under anaerobic conditions. Conversely, under aerobic conditions, the photo-generated electrons favored the production of O2 − over OH, while in the presence of Fe(III), OH was predominant over O2 −, explaining the intensification of the MNZ mineralization observed. This study demonstrates an alternative and environmentally benign approach for the intensification of the removal of the antibiotic MNZ in water and possibly other contaminants of emerging concern by combining photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs in a single process with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy.

Retinal endothelial cells line the arborizing microvasculature that supplies and drains the neural retina. The anatomical and physiological characteristics of these endothelial cells are consistent with nutritional requirements and protection of a tissue critical to vision. On the one hand, the endothelium must ensure the supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the metabolically active retina, and allow access to circulating cells that maintain the vasculature or survey the retina for the presence of potential pathogens. On the other hand, the endothelium contributes to the blood-retinal barrier that protects the retina by excluding circulating molecular toxins, microorganisms, and pro-inflammatory leukocytes. Features required to fulfill these functions may also predispose to disease processes, such as retinal vascular leakage and neovascularization, and trafficking of microbes and inflammatory cells. Thus, the retinal endothelial cell is a key participant in retinal ischemic vasculopathies that include diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, and retinal inflammation or infection, as occurs in posterior uveitis. Using gene expression and proteomic profiling, it has been possible to explore the molecular phenotype of the human retinal endothelial cell and contribute to understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases. In addition to providing support for the involvement of well-characterized endothelial molecules, profiling has the power to identify new players in retinal pathologies. Findings may have implications for the design of new biological therapies. Additional progress in this field is anticipated as other technologies, including epigenetic profiling methods, whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing, and metabolomics, are used to study the human retinal endothelial cell.

The role of Fe(III) was investigated as an electron-shuttle mediator to enhance the reduction rate of the toxic heavy metal hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in wastewaters, using microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The direct reduction of chromate (CrO4-) and dichromate (Cr2O72-) anions in MFCs was hampered by the electrical repulsion between the negatively charged cathode and Cr(VI) functional groups. In contrast, in the presence of Fe(III), the conversion of Cr(VI) and the cathodic coulombic efficiency in the MFCs were 65.6% and 81.7%, respectively, 1.6 times and 1.4 folds as those recorded in the absence of Fe(III). Multiple analytical approaches, including linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel plot, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and kinetic calculations demonstrated that the complete reduction of Cr(VI) occurred through an indirect mechanism mediated by Fe(III). The direct reduction of Cr(VI) with cathode electrons in the presence of Fe(III) was insignificant. Fe(III) played a critical role in decreasing both the diffusional resistance of Cr(VI) species and the overpotential for Cr(VI) reduction. This study demonstrated that the reduction of Cr(VI) in MFCs was effective in the presence of Fe(III), providing an alternative and environmentally benign approach for efficient remediation of Cr(VI) contaminated sites with simultaneous production of renewable energy.

A self-driven microbial fuel cell (MFC) – microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) system, where electricity generated from MFCs is in situ utilized for powering MECs, has been previously reported for recovering Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Cd(II) with individual metals fed in different units of the system in batch operation. Here it was advanced with treating synthetic mixed metals’ solution at appropriately adjusting composites in fed-batch and continuous flow operations for complete separation of Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Cd(II) from each other. Under an optimal condition of hydraulic residence time of 4 h, matching of two serially connected MFCs with one MEC, and fed with a composite of either 5 mg L−1 Cr(VI), 1 mg L−1 Cu(II) and 5 mg L−1 Cd(II), or 1 mg L−1 Cr(VI), 5 mg L−1 Cu(II) and 5 mg L−1 Cd(II), the self-driven MFC–MEC system can completely and sequentially recover Cu(II), Cr(VI) and Cd(II) from mixed metals. This study provides a true sustainable and zero-energy-consumed approach of using bioelectrochemical s...

To compare the clinical effective differences between pricking blood combined with moxibustion and west medication for acute gouty arthritis.Forty patients with acute gouty arthritis were randomly divided into a pricking blood combined with moxibustion group (a combination group) and a western medication group, 20 cases in each one. In the combination group, pricking blood was used at the most painful points of the red turgid and painful joint once three days, total 3 times; moxibustion was applied at the same joint for 15-20 min, once a day. The moxibustion was adopted for 10 days. In the western medication group, 0. 3 g ibuprofen was prescribed orally twice a day for 10 days. The changes of uric acid (UA), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the joint syndrome and symptom score before and after: treatment were observed. Results In the two groups, the UA, the hs-CRP, the ESR and the joint syndrome and symptom scores were lower than those before treatment (all P0. 05). After treatment, the UA, the ESR and the joint syndrome and symptom scores in the combination group were declined more apparently than those in the western medication group (all P0. 05). The total effective rate in the combination group was 85. 0% (17/20) which was better than 75. 0% (15/20) in the western medication group (P0. 05).Pricking blood combined with moxibustion could improve the joint symptoms more effectively and the effect is better than ibuprofen orally.

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM; CD166) is an immunoglobulin superfamily member that has been described in several non-ocular endothelial populations, but not in relation to endothelium within the eye. Studies in extraocular systems have implicated ALCAM in angiogenesis and leukocyte transendothelial migration, which are key processes in retinal vascular diseases. We investigated the expression of ALCAM in human retinal endothelium, and studied the regulation of expression by established angiogenic and inflammatory stimuli. Retinal endothelial expression of ALCAM was detected in primary retinal endothelial cultures isolated from human cadavers by RT-PCR (n = 4 donors) and Western blot (n = 4 donors), and in intact human retina by immunohistochemistry (n = 3 donors). In the 4 donors studied by RT-PCR, transcript encoding the truncated soluble isoform, sALCAM, was also detected. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR demonstrated significant up-regulation of ALCAM and sALCAM in response to stimulation with master cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. However, general inflammatory stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the prototype Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A, respectively, did not impact ALCAM or sALCAM expression. In contrast, expression of ALCAM was significantly up-regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)(165). Up-regulation in the presence of VEGF and TNF-α, but not LPS, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17A, suggests a potential role for ALCAM in human retinal angiogenesis in some settings.

A microfluidic chip for the chemiluminescence detection of cobalt (II) in water samples, based on the measurement of light emitted from the cobalt (II) catalysed oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide in basic aqueous solution, is presented. The microfluidic chip was designed and fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane using micro-molding method. Optimized reagents conditions were found to be 5.0 ? 10ź4 mol/L luminol, 1.0 ? 10ź2 mol/L hydrogen peroxide, and 8.0 ? 10ź2 mol/L sodium hydroxide. The system can perform fully automated detection with a reagent consumption of only 2.4 μL each time. The linear range of the cobalt (II) ions concentration was 1.0 ? 10ź10---1.0 ? 10ź3 mol/L and the detection limit was 5.6 ? 10ź11 mol/L with the S/N ratio of 3. The relative standard deviation was 4.6 % for 1.0 ? 10ź5 mol/L cobalt (II) ions (n = 10).

Retinal infection is the most common clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis. The route by which circulating Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites cross the vascular endothelium to enter the human retina is unknown. Convincing studies using murine encephalitis models have strongly implicated leukocyte taxis as one pathway used by the parasite to access target organs. To establish whether tachyzoites might also interact directly with vascular endothelium, we populated a transwell system with human ocular endothelial cells. Human retinal endothelial monolayers permitted transmigration of tachyzoites of RH and three natural isolate strains. Antibody blockade of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 significantly reduced this migration, but did not impact tachyzoite movement across an endothelial monolayer derived from the choroid, which lies adjacent to the retina within the eye. In demonstrating that tachyzoites are capable of independent migration across human vascular endothelium in vitro, this study carries implications for the development of therapeutics aimed at preventing access of tachyzoites to the retina.

The aim of the study was to observe the effectiveness of continuously subcutaneous-pumped octreotide infusion in palliative treatment of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 26 carcinoma patients complicated with MBO, in the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, from March 2007 to April 2009. All 26 carcinoma patients with MBO were divided into two groups: the controlling group (CG, routine therapy, 15 patients) and the octreotide group (OG, 11 patients). The octreotide group received routine therapy combined with octreotide (0.3 mg/d) by 24 hours continuously subcutaneous octreotide infusion. The changes of curative effectiveness related to symptoms, the times of recovering exsufflation and defecation, the average drain of gastrointestinal drainage tube, the duration of gastrointestinal drainage tube and the rate of extubation, were observed and compared between the two groups. After treatment, remarkable changing rates of MBO related symptoms were 81.8% (9/11) in OG, and 46.7% (7/15) in CG (P < 0.05). The 78% of SG and 30% of CG recovered the exsufflation and defecation, and the mean times they needed were 3.2 d and 5.8 d, respectively (P < 0.05). The durations of gastrointestinal drainage tube of OG and CG were (5 ± 1.2) d and (10 ± 2.3) d, respectively, and the rates of extubation were 54.5% and 20%, respectively. The improvement rate in the octreotide group was better than that in the controlling group and the difference was significant (72.7% and 26.7%, P < 0.05). The administration of octreotide in combination with routine treatment can be very effective in the treatment of MBO. It can relieve the symptoms of MBO effectively and improve the quality of life of the end-stage patients. It has provided one kind of new treating thought and method for treatment of malignant bowel obstruction.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) were first operated in microbial fuel cell mode for recovering Cu(II), and then shifted to microbial electrolysis cells for Cd(II) reduction on the same cathodes of titanium sheet (TS), nickel foam (NF) or carbon cloth (CC). Cu(II) reduction was similar to all materials (4.79-4.88mg/Lh) whereas CC exhibited the best Cd(II) reduction (5.86±0.25mg/Lh) and hydrogen evolution (0.35±0.07m(3)/m(3)d), followed by TS (5.27±0.43mg/Lh and 0.15±0.02m(3)/m(3)d) and NF (4.96±0.48mg/Lh and 0.80±0.07m(3)/m(3)d). These values were higher than no copper controls by factors of 2.0 and 5.0 (TS), 4.2 and 2.0 (NF), and 1.8 and 7.0 (CC). These results demonstrated cooperative cathode electrode and in situ deposited copper for subsequent enhanced Cd(II) reduction and hydrogen production in BESs, providing an alternative approach for efficiently remediating Cu(II) and Cd(II) co-contamination with simultaneous hydrogen production.

PURPOSE We aimed: (1) to establish endothelial expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1) in human choroid and retina and; (2) to investigate a role for UCHL1 in basic processes involved in intraocular neovascularization. DESIGN Controlled translational experimental study. METHODS Ethanol-fixed human choroid and retina (n = 3 eyes) were indirectly immunostained with rabbit anti-human UCHL1 antibody. Endothelial proliferation and migration assays were performed using cultured human choroidal and retinal endothelial cells (n = 6 isolates/assay). Cells were transfected with UCHL1-targeted or non-targeted small interfering (si)RNA and a commercially available transfection system, and used 48 hours later in experiments. Cell proliferation was evaluated using an assay in which cellular DNA was fluorescently tagged for quantification by microplate reader. Cell migration was examined in an assay that involved counting the number of endothelial cells moving across a perforated membrane. Transcript silencing was verified by Western blot for all assays. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry confirmed expression of UCHL1 by endothelium in human choroid and retina in vivo. UCHL1-specific knockdown resulted in significantly less proliferation (p < 0.0001) for 3 human choroidal endothelial isolates and 3 human retinal endothelial isolates, and significantly less migration (p ≤ 0.016) for 2 of 3 human choroidal endothelial isolates and 1 of 3 human retinal endothelial isolates. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that UCHL1 may be involved in choroidal and retinal endothelial proliferation in most persons, and endothelial migration in some persons. UCHL1 may be a suitable target for a new treatment of intraocular neovascularisation.