Nanomaterials for treating emerging contaminants in water by adsorption and photocatalysis: Systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment have become a worldwide problem. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are ineffective for eliminating the emerging contaminants at trace concentrations. Nanomaterials possessing novel size-dependent properties, however, have shown great potential for removing these contaminants. Herein we reviewed nanomaterials reported for removing emerging contaminants by adsorption and/or photocatalysis, and their removal capacity, mechanism, and influencing factors are discussed. Meanwhile, a large-scale bibliometric analysis is conducted on the trends of the emerging contaminants, nanoadsorbents, nanophotocatalysts, and related research topics from the literature during 1998-2017.

[Brief history of the First Hospital of Harbin City (1913-2013)]

In 1913, after the Russian Prostitutes Sanatorium of Harbin Eastern Railway was received by the board of directors, they established the "Harbin City Board Hospital" and funded its expansion. In March 1926, the provisional Committee of the Harbin autonomous renamed the "City Board of First Hospital" to "The Public Hospital" . In November 1926, "The Public Hospital" was renamed as "Harbin Special Municipal Hospital" by the Harbin City Council and further funds were invested in its construction. In 1931, the Japanese invaded Northeast China, and controlled the "City Hospital" . In 1946, when Harbin was liberated, after the Communist's take-over of the Hospital, it developed sustainedly since then. From 1946-1949, The First Hospital of Harbin City dispatched manpower, material resources, and financial resources to support the people's Liberation Army, establishedthe medical service team, received and treated the wounded. From the 1930s, the Hospital was involved in the treatment of cholera, plague, scarlet fever, typhus and other infectious diseases, and participated in the medical rescue in Wenchuan of Sichuan and Xinjiang Aletai area. From 1928, the Hospital took over from Binjiang Hospital as the Teaching Hospital of Harbin Medical School, and later became the Harbin Medical University Teaching Hospital. It made contribution to the training of medical students.

Interfering RNA with multi-targets for efficient gene suppression in HCC cells

RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been widely used in therapeutics development, especially multiple targeted RNAi strategy, which is a better method for multiple gene suppression. In the study, interfering RNAs (iRNAs) were designed for carrying two or three different siRNA sequences in different secondary structure formats (loop or cloverleaf). By using these types of iRNAs, co-inhibition of survivin and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and we obtained promising gene silencing effects without showing undesirable interferon response. Furthermore, suppression effects on proliferation, invasion, and induced apoptosis in HCC cells were validated. The results suggest that long iRNAs with secondary structure may be a preferred strategy for multigenic disease therapy, especially for cancer and viral gene therapy and their iRNA drug development.

[Research progresses in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of infantile hemangioma with PHACE syndrome]

Infant hemangioma, the most common benign tumor in children, is characterized by rapid proliferation, followed by slower spontaneous involution. However, some patients with facial segmental hemangioma are associated with PHACE syndrome. PHACE syndrome is characterized by vascular nerve and vascular cutaneous lesions of multiple systemic systems, often resulting in structural and functional impairments. Recent studies have demonstrated that the possible pathogeneses of PHACE syndrome mainly include hypoxia, abnormality of mesodermal vascular endothelial cells, genetic abnormality, and abnormality of interstitial mesenchymal stem cells. The current medications for hemangioma with PHACE syndrome include beta blockers, glucocorticoids, and mTOR inhibitors. This review article mainly describes the pathogenesis, diagnoses and treatments of PHACE syndrome, in order to provide directions for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 regulates the vascular expression of vitronectin

Essentials Vitronectin (VN) is produced by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and promotes neointima formation. We studied the regulation of vascular VN expression by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). PAI-1 stimulates VN gene expression in SMCs by binding LDL receptor-related protein 1. Stimulation of VN gene expression may be a mechanism by which PAI-1 controls vascular remodeling.

SUMMARY

Background Increased expression of vitronectin (VN) by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) promotes neointima formation after vascular injury, and may contribute to chronic vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. However, the molecular regulation of vascular VN expression is poorly defined. Given the overlapping expression profiles and functions of VN and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, we hypothesized that PAI-1 regulates vascular VN expression. Objectives To determine whether PAI-1 regulates VN expression in SMCs and in vivo. Methods The effects of genetic alterations in PAI-1 expression, pharmacologic PAI-1 inhibition and recombinant PAI-1 on SMC VN expression were studied, and vascular VN expression in wild-type (WT) and PAI-1-deficient mice was assessed. Results VN expression was significantly lower in PAI-1-deficient SMCs and significantly increased in PAI-1-overexpressing SMCs. PAI-1 small interfering RNA and pharmacologic PAI-1 inhibition significantly decreased SMC VN expression. Recombinant PAI-1 stimulated VN expression by binding LDL receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1), but another LRP1 ligand, α2 -macroglobulin, did not. As compared with WT controls, carotid artery VN expression was significantly lower in PAI-1-deficient mice and significantly higher in PAI-1-transgenic mice. In a vein graft (VG) model of intimal hyperplasia, VN expression was significantly attenuated in PAI-1-deficient VGs as compared with WT controls. The plasma VN concentration was significantly decreased in PAI-1-deficient mice versus WT controls at 4 weeks, but not at 5 days or 8 weeks, after surgery. Conclusions PAI-1 stimulates SMC VN expression by binding LRP1, and controls vascular VN expression in vivo. Autocrine regulation of vascular VN expression by PAI-1 may play important roles in vascular homeostasis and pathologic vascular remodeling.

Clinical features and outcomes of blunt splenic injury in children: A retrospective study in a single institution in China

Although the spleen is the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ after blunt trauma, there are limited data available in China. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical features and determine the risk factors for operative management (OM) in children with blunt splenic injury (BSI).A review of the medical records of children diagnosed with BSI between January 2010 and September 2016 at West China Hospital of Sichuan University was performed.A total of 101 patients diagnosed with BSI were recruited, including 76 patients transferred from other hospitals. The male-to-female ratio was 2.06:1, with a mean age of 7.8 years old. The most common injury season was summer and the most common injury mechanism was road traffic accidents. Sixty-eight patients suffered multiple injuries. Thirty-four patients received blood transfusions. Two patients died from multiple organ failure or hemorrhagic shock. Significant differences were observed in the injury season, injury mechanism, injury date, and hemoglobin levels between the isolated injury group and the multiple injuries group. The overall operative rate was 29.7%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, blood transfusion, and grade of injury were independent risk factors for OM.Our study provided evidence that the management of pediatric BSI was variable. The operative rate in pediatric BSI may be higher in certain patient groups. Although nonoperative management is one of the standard treatment options, our data suggest that OM is an appropriate way to treat patients who are hemodynamically unstable.

Quality of life in children with infantile hemangioma: a case control study

BACKGROUND

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumor in children. It is controversial whether IHs has effects on the quality of life (QOL) in patients of whom IH poses no threat or potential for complication. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the q QOL in patients with IH and find the predictors of poor QOL.

METHODS

The PedsQL 4.0 Genetic Core Scales and the PedsQL family information form were administered to parents of children with IH and healthy children both younger than 2-year-old. The quality-of-life instrument for IH (IH-QOL) and the PedsQL 4.0 family impact module were administered to parents of children with IH. We compared the PedsQL 4.0 Genetic Core Scales (GCIS) scores of the two groups. Multiple step-wise regression analysis was used to determine factors that influenced QOL in children with IH and their parents.

RESULTS

Except for physical symptom, we found no significant difference in GCIS between patient group and healthy group (P = 0.409). The internal reliability of IH-QOL was excellent with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for summary scores being 0.76. Multiple step-wise regression analysis showed that the predictors of poor IH-QOL total scores were hemangioma size, location, and mother's education level. The predictors of poor FIM total scores were hemangioma location and father's education level. The predictors of poor GCIS total scores were children's age, hemangioma location and father's education level.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the feasibility and reliability of the Chinese version of IH-QOL to evaluate the QOL in children with IH and their parents. Hemangioma size, location and education level of mother are important impact factors for QOL in children with IH and their parents.

Extrarenal teratoma with nephroblastoma in the retroperitoneum: Case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Teratoma with nephroblastoma is a rare disease. The most common site at which teratoma with nephroblastoma occurs is the kidney. The mechanisms underlying the development of teratoma with nephroblastoma have not been fully elucidated.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In the current report, we describe the clinical characteristics of a 3-year-old girl with a complaint of a painless abdominal mass in the upper right side of the body. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a cystic-solid mass with a clear boundary.

DIAGNOSIS

Surgical resection and a subsequent pathological examination confirmed that the mass contained teratoma tissues and renal blastemal components, which supports the diagnosis of teratoma with nephroblastoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy through a transverse abdominal incision. Complete resection of the mass was performed in this patient.

OUTCOMES

The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 8th postoperative day. The girl had no complaints during the 2 years follow-up period.

LESSONS

Teratoma with nephroblastoma is a rare entity that typically presents in childhood. Due to its rarity, no standardized criteria have been established for the categorization and treatment of these lesions. However, a complete excision of this tumor allows the diagnosis to be confirmed and lowers the risk of recurrence.

[Significance of monitoring the gradients between transcutaneous PCO(2) and end-tidal PCO(2) in patients with septic shock]

Objective: To investigate the significance of monitoring the gradients between transcutaneous PCO(2) and end-tidal PCO(2) [P(c-et)CO(2)] in patients with septic shock. Method: Thirty-five mechanically ventilated patients with early septic shock were enrolled as the study group and 18 non-septic shock patients with stable hemodynamics as the control group between May 2014 and October 2016. The patients with septic shock were treated by early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) within 6 hours since hospitalization. The differences of baseline level of P(c-et)CO(2) and arterial lactate concentration (LAC) between the two groups and the variations of these indexes after EGDT in the study group were compared respectively. Results: The baseline levels of P(c-et)CO(2) and LAC in patients with septic shock were significantly higher than those of the control group [(26.0±16.2) mmHg vs (11.0±5.6) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (4.0±1.7) mmol/L vs (1.6±0.6)mmol/L, all P=0.000]. The area under receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for baseline P(c-et)CO(2) and LAC was 0.924 (95%CI: 0.851-0.996) and 0.931 (95%CI: 0.872-1.000), respectively. P(c-et)CO(2) >12.6 mmHg and LAC >2.5 mmol/L could discriminate septic shock patients from those without shock with the same sensibility of 97% and the specificity of 83% and 78% respectively. With regard to the prognosis (Day 28) of the patients with septic shock, AUC for baseline P(c-et)CO(2) and LAC was 0.709 (95%CI: 0.533-0.886) and 0.714 (95%CI: 0.545-0.883), respectively. P(c-et)CO(2) >20.0 mmHg and LAC>3.6 mmol/L could discriminate survivors from non-survivors with the same sensibility of 92% and the same specificity of 76%. All the patients in the study group completed EGDT within 6 hours after admission, 20 (57.1%) passed EGDT and 17 (85.0%) survived, 15 (42.9%) failed EGDT and 4 (26.7%) survived, and the survival rates were significantly different (F=9.844, P=0.001). After EGDT, P(c-et)CO(2) (21.0±9.5 mmHg) and LAC(3.3±2.5 mmol/L)reduced significantly compared with the baselines (P=0.008 and P=0.046), and the associated AUC was 0.905(95%CI: 0.792-1.000) and 0.747 (95%CI: 0.576-0.917)respectively. P(c-et)CO(2) > 16.5 mmHg and LAC > 3.1 mmol/L could discriminate survivors from non-survivors with the sensibility of 97% and 91%, and the specificity of 78% and 69%, respectively. Conclusions: P(c-et)CO(2) >12.6 mmHg could play the same role as LAC in recognizing early septic shock. EGDT was an effective therapy for the septic shock and P(c-et)CO(2) reflected efficacy. P(c-et)CO(2)>20 mmHg before EGDT and >16.5 mmHg after EGDT both could predict the 28 d prognosis of patients with septic shock, and the effect of the former was equal to that of LAC, but the latter was better than LAC.

Signal-to-noise ratio enhancement of stimulated Brillouin scattering based pulse compression of an ultrabroad microwave signal by use of a dispersion compensation fiber

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of all-optical pulse compression of broadband microwave signals based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is theoretically analyzed. According to numerical simulation, it is found that the SNR is dominantly determined by the Brillouin gain coefficient g_B. With the improvement of g_B, the SNR is evidently enhanced and the bandwidth of SBS-based pulse compression is consequently enlarged. Experiments are implemented by using a dispersion compensation fiber with a higher g_B rather than a single-mode fiber. The experimental results show that better SNR of the compressed signal is obtained and the system bandwidth is extended up to 5 GHz.

[Association between serum uric acid levels and high sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with type 2 diabetes]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 400 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Jinshan Branch, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital between April 2014 and December 2015 were divided into normouricemia (NUA, n=319) group and hyperuricemia (HUA, n=81) group according to the presence of HUA. Clinical features of the two groups were compared. Patients were further stratified into quartiles based on SUA levels, and then association between hs-CRP and SUA was analyzed. Results: Compared to the NUA group, the patients with HUA had higher hs-CRP concentration [2.12 (1.15, 6.73) mg/L vs 1.14 (0.52, 3.44) mg/L, P<0.001], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [19.0 (10.5, 29.5) mm/h vs 12.0 (8.0, 17.0) mm/h, P<0.001], body mass index (BMI) [(25.2±3.6) kg/m(2) vs (23.6±3.6) kg/m(2,) P<0.001], and homeostasis model assessment-2 of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) index [1.88 (1.11, 2.94) vs 1.27 (0.77, 2.00), P<0.001]. After adjusting for age, the median level of hs-CRP of female with HUA was higher than that of male, female with NUA, and male with NUA (2.59, 1.94, 1.25 and 1.09 mg/L, respectively, P<0.001). There was significant difference in the prevalence of HUA among the patients with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity (0, 12.3%, 21.6% and 25.8%, respectively, P=0.002). After adjusting for age and gender, duration of diabetes, BMI, serum lipids, level of SUA was still correlated with hs-CRP, HOMA2-IR, fasting C-peptide, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, Cystatin C, microalbuminuria, respectively(all P<0.05). The level of SUA was positively associated with the increase of hs-CRP level (P=0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was an independent and positive association between SUA and hs-CRP levels. Conclusion: SUA was independently associated with hs-CRP in T2DM patients, which suggested that chronic inflammation exists in HUA patients.

[Influence of growing experience on non-heterosexual orientation among male college students in Nanjing]

Objective: To analyze the influence of growing experience on non-heterosexual orientation among male college students. Methods: From October to November in 2015, a total of 2 535 male students from 96 classes in 14 colleges/departments were recruited from two colleges that participated in the experimental work of AIDS prevention by cluster random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was administered in this study, including general demographic information, growing experience and Kinsey scale (to evaluate sexual orientation). Out of 2 500 questionnaires distributed in this study, 2 332 effective copies were withdrew, with the effective rate at 93.3%. Chi square test was used to analyze the differences of non-heterosexual orientation among the individuals with different social demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-heterosexual orientation. Results: Among the 2 332 individuals, the proportion of self-reported non-heterosexual was 6.2% (144).The proportions of male students who identify as non-heterosexual from freshman to junior year were 5.2%(63/1216),6.9%(65/941),11.7%(13/111) and 4.7%(3/64), respectively (χ(2)=9.06,P=0.029). Compared with the individuals of very good relationship with parents, those with bad relationship (OR=3.3, 95%CI: 1.7-6.5) and general relationship (OR=1.7, 95%CI: 1.0-2.9) with parents had a higher risk of non-heterosexual orientation, respectively. Those encountered sexual assault had a higher risk of non-heterosexual orientation than those without encountered sexual assault (OR=5.9, 95%CI: 3.2-10.9). Conclusions: This study reported a high proportion of self-reported non-heterosexual among college male students in Nanjing, and highlighted the importance of targeting students with poor parental relationships and who subjected to sexually abused.

A Novel Electro-Thermal Laminated Ceramic with Carbon-Based Layer

A novel electro-thermal laminated ceramic composed of ceramic tile, carbon-based layer, dielectric layer, and foaming ceramic layer was designed and prepared by tape casting. The surface temperature achieved at an applied voltage of 10 V by the laminated ceramics was 40.3 °C when the thickness of carbon-based suspension was 1.0 mm and the adhesive strength between ceramic tile and carbon-based layer was 1.02 ± 0.06 MPa. In addition, the thermal aging results at 100 °C up to 192 h confirmed the high thermal stability and reliability of the electro-thermal laminated ceramics. The development of this laminated ceramic with excellent electro-thermal properties and safety provides a new individual heating device which is highly expected to be widely applied in the field of indoor heat supply.

Sirolimus for the treatment of progressive kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: A multicenter retrospective study

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is an aggressive disease with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus for the treatment of progressive KHE. A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with progressive KHE treated with sirolimus. A total of 52 patients were analyzed. Thirty-seven (71%) patients exhibited Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) and were significantly younger than the patients without KMP [95% confidence interval (CI), 14.39-41.61; p < 0.001]. Patients without KMP were all treated with sirolimus alone, whereas 21 KMP patients with severe symptoms received short-term combination therapy with prednisolone. Overall, 96% and 98% of patients showed improved relief of notable symptoms and/or improved complications at 6 and 12 months after treatment, respectively. After sirolimus treatment, significant decreases in mean severity scores occurred at 6 months (95% CI, 2.23-2.54, p < 0.001) and 12 months (95% CI, 1.53-1.90, p < 0.001). Compared to KMP patients, patients without KMP showed a response that was similar to but less pronounced during the 12 months of treatment (95% CI, 40.87-53.80; p < 0.001). For subgroup analysis of KMP patients, there were no significant differences in tumor shrinkage between those treated with combination therapy and those receiving sirolimus alone (95% CI, 18.11-25.02; p > 0.05). No patients permanently discontinued treatment due to toxicity-related events, and no drug-related deaths occurred. Sirolimus was effective and safe for the treatment of progressive KHE. Sirolimus may be considered as a first-line therapy or as part of a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of KHE.

Clinical Features, Pathological Findings and Treatment of Recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DESP) is a relatively rare and low-grade tumor of the skin and soft tissue. We review the clinical features, pathological findings and management of recurrent DESP with the aim to improve our understanding of this rare tumor. Fifty-seven patients were diagnosed with recurrent DFSP. The mean age at the presentation of DFSP was 30.9 years. The mean age at diagnosis of DFSP was 40.2 years. Chest wall was the dominant location. The histopathological diagnosis was ordinary DFSP (O-DFSP) in 46 cases and fibrosarcomatous DFSP (FS-DFSP) in 11 cases. No differences were noted between FS-DFSP and conventional DFSP in age at presentation and diagnosis, tumor size, as well as CD34 and SMA expression (P > 0.05). However, the time course to recurrence in FS-DFSP group was less than that in O-DFSP group (P = 0.038). All of the patients were treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). On follow-up, none of the patients had tumor recurrence. Our data demonstrated that the clinical features of recurrent DFSP are non-specific and variable. Our current practice suggests that MMS is very useful treatment choice for recurrent DFSP.

Safety and tolerance of propranolol in neonates with severe infantile hemangiomas: a prospective study

Although the efficacy of propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) has been well documented, there is a paucity of clinical data regarding the safety and tolerance of propranolol in neonates. A prospective study of 51 patients less than 30 days of age with severe IH was conducted. All patients were admitted to the hospital for monitoring during initial propranolol treatment at day 0 with dose adjustments at days 7 and 28. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood glucose (BG) levels and potential side effects were evaluated during treatment. There were significant decreases in mean heart rate and SBP after the initiation of propranolol therapy (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences in mean DBP and BG levels were observed after each dose during hospitalization (P > 0.05). Bradycardia and hypotension were noted in at least 1 recorded instance in 11.8% and 5.9% of patients, respectively. These hemodynamic changes were not persistent and were asymptomatic. Two patients who had a history of neonatal pneumonia reported severe bronchial hyperreactivity during treatment. This study demonstrated that propranolol administered to properly selected young infants was safe and well tolerated. However, close monitoring should be considered in high-risk young patients.